Monday, September 29, 2014

Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

Hi there. You probably came to my blog from the Coffee Lovers Blog Hop that starts at Chaitali Narta's blog. If not, then I highly recommend you go there and participate in the hop. There are tons of prizes from multiple companies. Some of the goodies will be given away during flash giveaways throughout the day. Check here for details!


 By now, you probably know that we're having a blog hop celebrating coffee because today is International Coffee Day! When I told my husband about it, I said "We'll have to celebrate by drinking a cup of coffee. Ha! We drink coffee every morning, and my husband drinks it throughout the day.

Here is the card I made to celebrate the occasion. I created this little number with my husband in mind. That man loves his coffee. I like it, too, but my limit is two cups. After two, I have to stop, but dear hubby keeps on going. He also wears glasses, so this is a perfect representation. (Well, maybe not perfect. He is human and he is not purple.)


This post wouldn't be complete without a picture of my cup of joe. Here it is. My brand of choice is Crimson Cup. It's locally roasted here in Columbus, but it's available in several states and online. My husband and I consider ourselves coffee connoisseurs so when I say Crimson Cup is the best, I mean it. Our flavor of choice is called Dark Reign. It's a dark roast with a bold flavor. Mmmmm!!



Now go on and enjoy the rest of the hop and don't forget about the prizes!

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Ooh La La!!

Hello friends! I am playing in another challenge called the Cure for the Monday Blues. It's hosted by my friend Taheerah Atchia, who is totally talented.

I made this fun shaker card based on the inspiration photo.  I loved the photo Taheerah chose. As you can see, I pulled several elements from it. The fan flowers, the gold triangles and the sentiment are the most obvious. However, I was also inspired by clear round back of the chair. That's where I got the idea to do a shaker card with a clear, round window.

Here is the inspiration photo. Isn't it just gorgeous. There were so many elements to use!
I'll be back tomorrow for the Coffee Lovers Blog Hop.


Saturday, September 27, 2014

Exotic Thinking of You

I'm at it again with the challenges. I'm going for a two-fer this time. I'm entering this card into the current CASe This Sketch Challenge 94, as well as the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge featuring Hero Arts stamps.

Following the sketch below, I heat embossed the floral image from the Hero Arts Exotic Decor set in gold onto water color paper. I water colored the image and added some bling to the flowers for a little extra oomph. The sentiment is from the Thinking of You Kite set.


I flipped the sketch because I felt like the flowers were a little too top heavy turned the other way. I feel like they're more weighted down this way.

That's it and have a great day. I'll be back in a couple days for the Coffee Lovers Blog Hop on September 29. Come back for the hop. There are tons of prizes to be won!


Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Halloween Cards

Hiya! I'm up on the Eyelet Outlet blog today with a couple fun Halloween-themed cards.Want to know more about what brads I used to make them? Visit the blog here.



Did you know Eyelet Outlet has a monthly sketch challenge? Use the following sketch with Eyelet Outlet products and you could win some goodies. Click here to enter.


Here is a card I made following the sketch.





Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Paper Sweeties September Release Rewind!

Now that we've showed you the new releases, we're going to show you how they work with existing sets. In the card below, I used the new Fun Shapes Sweet Cuts to create the big, sparkly stars. Then, I stamped the cluster of stars from the Be Happy set in a lighter ink so I could stamp the sentiment over it. Hip Hip Hooray is from the ConGRADulations set.

I think they complement each other very well!

Come see how the rest of the design team paired the new releases with existing sets.

Monday, September 15, 2014

Paper Sweeties September Release Party!

Release day has finally arrived at Paper Sweeties. All the adorable images we've been using to tease you are now available for purchase!

Remember the adorable tutu Sophi was wearing a couple days ago? Here it is again, except I've used it as a banner in this card. Both the tutu image and the sentiment are in the brand new set You Are Tutu Sweet available here.

Want to see some more projects using the new releases? Please visit the rest of the design team's blogs.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Creative Blog Hop

I was honored to be nominated by my blog friend, Susie Moore, to be part of the Creative Blog Hop that's been going on in blogland. It's a fun way to get to know other bloggers around the world by answering four simple questions.

  1. What are you working on now?
    Currently I serve on two design teams. In fact, one of them, Paper Sweeties, is having a new release right now. I've been working on projects to showcase the new stamps and dies, which coincidentally, are available today. You can see my project here.

    I also serve on the Eyelet Outlet design team with Susie. A couple times a month, I create projects with their adorable brads, bling, enamel dots, ribbon and washi tape.

    Here is a project I made recently that uses both products.

  2. How does my work differ from others in my genre? This is a hard question for me. I guess before I can answer how my work is different, I have to figure out what my genre is! I make cards and occasionally other paper projects. I like bold colors. I like trends. I like bling. I like stamps. I like ink and I like patterned paper. I like clean and simple designs, but I'm not afraid to explore other styles. If I had to pick something that made me a little different, I guess that would be it. I don't commit to one style. Although I lean toward CAS, if I'm inspired to create a project with layers and embellishments, then I will. I think what's most important is to create original, clever designs and execute them as best as you can regardless of the style.
  3. Why do I create what I do? Twenty years ago, if someone said "You're going to be creating cards, taking pictures of them and posting them on your own blog," I would probably laugh in their face. Although I've always had an appreciation for art and creativity, I can't draw my way out of a paper bag! That's why I love stamps!!

    I first became interested in card making when my fiance (now husband) and I hit the craft stores looking for supplies for our wedding. I loved looking at all the fun pretty things! Then we got a handmade wedding card made with some of those pretty things. But I didn't really start making cards until after I became a full-time, stay-at-home mom. I needed something that gave me pleasure and a sense of accomplishment. (Not that motherhood doesn't do that, but I wanted something that could give me immediate satisfaction!) Cardmaking is something that I do just for me. I give everything else to my family, whom I love dearly, but I make cards for me and I think it makes me a better mom in the long run.
  4. How does my creative process work? I don't have a specific process. Sometimes I look at a stamp set and try to think of different ways to use it. Sometimes, I see something and think "Hey, that would be great on a card." Sometimes I participate in challenges in which the sketch, inspiration or color palette are predetermined.
I now have the privilege of introducing you to next week's featured blogger. Her name is Kathy Gillon, but she also goes by the Crafting Chemist. We "met" a few years ago when we were on a design team together. She has since become one of my best blog buddies. Here's her bio:

I'm a mom to 3 wonderful kids. I'm a chemist by profession, but a crafter at heart. Both my mom and grandma were  crafty and have passed in their love to me.  I love to create and share my passions, and hope to inspire others to be crafty as well.  Here's my blog: http://kathyand3kids.blogspot.com


Paper Sweeties September Release Countdown!

We're teasing you a little more with another round of sneak peeks! Tomorrow is the big day, so check out all the projects so when the big day comes, you're all prepared.

This card uses a sentiment from a set that is chock full of sweet sayings about love - perfect for wedding and Valentine's Day cards.

Here are links to the rest of the team's projects. Go check them out!


Saturday, September 13, 2014

Paper Sweeties September Release Sneak Peeks!

It's sneak peek day at Paper Sweeties. This is the day when we tease you with pictures of projects created with new stamps and dies that won't be released until Monday, Sept. 15!! Nanny nanny noo noo!! LOL!

Check out the adorable ballerina outfit on Sophie. She has her sparkly wand, too. She's kind of the like Cinderella's Fairy Godmother.


Isn't she so sweet? Why not taunt yourself a little more and check out my design team mates' projects with the new goodies that you can't have until Sept. 15? ;-)

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

A Card Just for Fun

I've been making more cards lately now that the kids are in school and now that I finally have my own craft space. Yep, I finally have my own space. I'm putting the finishing touches on it and I will have a post complete with pics.

In the meantime, I'm sharing this card I made just for grins and giggles. No design team obligation. No challenge entry. Just for the pure enjoyment of creating something.


Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Runway Inspired Thank You

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was making an effort to participate in more challenges. I'm sticking to my word and entering the Runway Inspired Challenge with this card:


This outfit by Veronica Beard was the inspiration piece. Instead of creating several multicolored flowers, I created one big flower as my focal point (flower stamp by Crafts Meow), and paper pieced multiple colors onto the petals. I also pulled the black and white from the hounds tooth suit into the petals. (I didn't have any hounds tooth paper, so I improvised with black and white stripes.) The patterned paper background was also inspired by the rug in the photo.



 Edited to add: My blog friend, Amy Tsurata, suggested I add it to the Virginia's View Challenge, also, so I'm throwing my hat into the ring! Thanks for the suggestion!!

I had fun with this one. It was a lot of fussy cutting and paper piecing, but I really like the result! Thanks for visiting!!


Monday, September 1, 2014

Paper Sweeties September Inspiration Challenge #23 - 'Pretty Pumpkins'

Paper Sweeties' monthly challenge starts today and I am loving the inspiration photo. The pastel colored pumpkins and the gorgeous roses influenced my design.


My card uses the pumpkins from the Sweeties Wagon set and small flowers from the Sending Sweet Thoughts set. After heat embossing the images in white, I watercolored them to get that soft pastel look. The Hey Punkin'! sentiment is also from the Sweeties Wagon set and the banner and Happy Birthday sentiment is from the newest release Hello Friend.


The rest of the team created some real beauties, too. Please visit their sites and then use all that inspiration to enter this month's challenge.
Amber Kroening
September Guest Designer: Jill Norwood

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...