May Blog Candy

Welcome month of May!!

For my MAY blog candy I have a wonderful newly released

Spellbinders 3D Embossing Folder Ornate Labels One

Want to win it??  

All you have to do is be a follower of my blog and leave a comment on this post!!

That's it...so easy...didn't win this month??...  don't fret...

I have a new blog candy each month through the end of the year!!
(April winner posted HERE)

Garden Critters...Sort Of

As I mentioned in the post below, I am gone until Tuesday

but the past weeks I have been spending hours working in my gardens.

These are some of the "critters" I have seen while being outside...

for fun I thought I would share a few....

I realize these are't "the best" quality photos, but you have to be quick to get these..lol!!

The "opossum family" 

The "turkey"

The "muskrat"

The "ducks"

The "geese"

There are a few more, but I have to get going so have fun looking at "my world"!!

Spring Garden

Hi All.....I am out of town until Tuesday or so

Thought I would show a few of my garden photos while I was gone

if interested....

This group is mostly a few of my various Iris I have....

I have more but will start with these!!

The first one is called "Bumble Bee"   it is so tiny

I am showing it with a normal size Iris in the second photo

so you can get an idea of how tiny it is.

Classy Cards 'n Such just put a new Iris stamp in the shop....

gee, guess who is going to purchase that...LOL!!

I also wanted to mention I will be around to visit your blogs when I return!!

Enjoy!!

Tag You're It Challenge At "The Sisterhood of Crafters"

Hi my crafty friends.

This week it is my turn to host the challenge over at 

"The Sisterhood of Crafters" and the theme is "Tag You're It".

One of my favorite things to make has always been tags....

they are so much fun and are a good way to use up "leftovers"

My tag is a pretty good size as I started with a Prima tag for my base.

I covered it with some gorgeous paper from Marianne Designs...

it is so lacey  and the lace looks real!!

The rest came from my stash of "leftovers'...

the sentiment is one I had stamped from SU....

the flowers came as a "free gift" in an order from last year....

the birds and butterfly are from a package of "ephemera" I have had forever!!...

I added a scrap of lace at the bottom and pearls and ribbons at the top..

that about finishes it up....a perfect tag for a friends birthday!!

Head on over to "The Sisterhood" blog and see what the rest of my "sistahs"

have created...and join in with us!!

Entering in the following challenges:

Craft Room Challenge .... Things With Wings
and 
Deep Ocean Challenge .... Wings
and
Fan-Tastic  Tuesday .... Anything Goes
and
Through The Craft Room Door .... Anything Goes
and
Crafting From The Heart .... Anything Goes
and
Creative Inspirations .... Tag It

Birthday Butterfly Card In a Box

Here is my post at the Classy Cards 'n Such blog today.....
I hope you will join us this week in our challenge!!

Hello Classy Friends, Diane here with you today.

This week our Classy Cards 'n Such challenge is "Happy Birthday"

What could be any easier then that...I hope you will join "us"!!

For my card today, I wanted to step out of the "normal "A2 card "zone"

and create something a bit different.

I am sure you all have seen the "Card In A Box" cards that have been popping up all over.

I love the look of these cards and after receiving my new Papermania Bellisima papers, 

I knew I wanted to do one of these cards!!

The papers are very soft, pastel colors.....so pretty!!

Other then the base card stock, 

all my panels and butterflies were cut from the Bellisima papers.

(back of card to sign)

The dies used for the front panels of the card are Memory Box "Precious Butterflies".

The butterflies "flying" out of the box are Joy Crafts "Butterfly Trio"

For a bit of "bling", I added a few Lavender Pearls to some of the butterflies.

 

If you are wondering how I got my butterflies to "float"....

I cut a few acrylic strips from the packaging some of our products come in

and you would normally throw away...

One of the unique things about this card, is it folds flat for mailing!

A few other products used in the making of my card are:

Scor-tape 1/2"

Scor-tape 1/8"

Joy! Foam Pads Small

I hope you have enjoyed today's post ....

 we would love to see "YOUR" entry for our challenge!!!

Entering in the following challenges:
Artistic Inspirations ....Anything Goes with a twist Things With Wings
and
Crafting From The Heart .... Anything Goes
and
Craftin Desert Diva's .... Fun Folds
and
All Sorts .... Happy Birthday
and
Butterfly Challenge .... Bingo using DS paper, butterflies and die cuts

You're Sweet

Good Monday Morning my "Shabby Friends"!!!

This week at "The Shabby Tea Room" our host is "Rebecca"

She has chosen the challenge "Let's Go For A Ride".....

using the inspiration photo below, 

we are to use something with wheels, pink, flowers and a background texture.

Our sponsor this week is "Digital Papers by Janet"....

I started my card with a background texture I made by using a brick embossing folder

by The Paper Studio that I inked the debossed side with TH Gathered Twigs.....

I mounted this on SU Confetti card stock...remember this card stock??

I have had it in my stash for years!!

The banners are from our sponsor, using Shabby Chic Banners 3...

The little scooter is one of those $1 stamps I have had forever it seems....

I inked it with Staz-on on some of the wonderful metallic papers from

Classy Cards 'n Such

If you could see it "in real life", you would  see the metallic shine!

I popped that up on a Spellbinders die I already had cut.....

The tiny Roses are an Impression Obsession die I purchased from

Classy Cards 'n Such...

they roll up so quick into the cutest little Roses!!!

It looks my left Rose doesn't have a center, it does...it's just the photo.

I invite you to head on over to "The Shabby Tea Room" 

and see what gorgeous creations my teammates have created....

Better yet, while there, why not join in the challenge with us.....

you could win a fabulous prize from our sponsor

Entering in the following challenges:
The Cutie Pie Challenge ....Embossing, but keep it cute
and
Love To Scrap .... Anything Goes but must have stamping on it
and
Challenges For Everybody .... Anything Goes
and
The Squirrel and The Fox .... Let's Hear It For The Girls

Close To You

This is my card "live" on the Classy Cards 'n Such blog today!!
Don't forget our weekly challenge ends there tonight at midnight....
you still have time to get an entry in
and could win an amazing prize!!


Hello Classy Friends....

Diane here with you today.....

Have you been bitten by the "stencil" bug yet?

I sure have....and the Classy Cards 'n Such online store

has a large selection to choose from....

I have been purchasing many myself and created this simple but pretty card.

For my card, I used just a "portion" of my Memory Box Texture Tessatina stencil...

That is one of the things I love about the stencils, 

you can use all of it or just a portion like I did.

I used TH Distress ink "Salty Ocean" applied with the new TH Mini Ink Blending Tool

going darker in the middle and lighter towards the outer edges.

When I was satisfied with the results, I ran my panel through my Zutter Distresser

 I then stamped my "Why Do birds" sentiment from Impression Obsession 

directly on my stenciling..

I die cut Impression Obsession Large Bird on a Branch and popped him up with

Joy! Small Foam Pads.

I next cut a panel from the beautiful Bluebell Stardream Metallic 105# paper

and mounted my stenciled panel.   I really love how this card turned out...

I had thought about adding a bow to the branch, but decided I liked it "as is"!!

I hope you have enjoyed today's post and take some time to check out all the many

stencils in the store.  A little bit of a "heads up" is our June 9th challenge

"create your own background" using a stencil or background stamp....

giving you plenty of time to purchase and play with some stenciling of your own!!

Entering the following challenges:
Craftitude .... Die-licious (use a die)
and
Sister Act .... Anything Goes
and
Polkadoodle .... Things With Wings
and
Crafty Girls .... Anything Goes

At The Alter

I had a few spare minutes today and thought I would

enter the challenge at Joan's Touch

The challenge is"

Use a die as an outline

Use Black on the card

Add embellishments

and a product sold at Joan's Garden's

I amusing the Frantic Stamper wedding couple

 We learned how to make a gorgeous card at Joan's last Saturday

and I have based my card on that, though not near as gorgeous a the one we made

I used a couple different Spellbinder dies to make the card top and bottom

as a "whole" piece if that makes sense.

I added some bling and cut the cutest little stained glass window with an

Impression Obsession die, mounted it on some Scor-Tape paper, 

added some micro fine glitter and colored on top of that with my SU markers.

It is a rather simple card, but wouldn't it make pretty table markers for a wedding

if you cut it a bigger size...or even used for seating arrangements at a bridal shower.

Well, have to run, have a commitment this afternoon and then outside to plant some things!!

Sign up for A Chance To Win Some Graphic 45

Over at Papercrafers Corner, you can see the new Graphic 45 release

for Eerie Tale Collection 

and

Come Away With Me

Go take a peek, leave a comment...you might win the collection!!
You need ti sign up at Papercrafters Corner for a chance to win...I am only sharing it!!

Let's Go Camping

This is my post at "Classy Cards 'n Such" today....

would love for you to head on over and "visit"!!

Hello Classy Friends....Diane here with you today with my "Let's Go Camping"

card for  our "Classy Cards 'n Such" challenge "Make A Scene"....

I don't camp anymore, but I sure do love the cute dies that have been popping out

for these adorable camping trailers!!

I cut "My Favortie Things"  "Camping Trailer" 

using  Stardream Serpentine Pearlized Metallic 105# paper.

I love how the metallic paper has a sheen, perfect for the camper...

and look at all the detail the camper has...so fun!!

I hand cut a "mountain" range and added several Impression Obession "Fir Trees"....

nothing like camping in the open air with the smell of pine!!

I added white fluffy clouds to the blue skies using Memory Box Puffy Clouds...

And to complete my "campsite" I had to add "Golden Retriever"

using the Impression Obession "Dog Set".

I would love to have "you" join in with us this week and create your own "scene"!!!

Entering the following challenges:
Fan-Tastic Tuesday .... One For The Guys (must be square or rectangle)
and
Through The Craft Room Door ... Anything Goes
and
Tip Top Tuesday .... Here Comes Summer
and 
Artistic Inspirations .... Anything Goes Punches/Dies
and
Make My Monday .... Nature

Welcome Little One

Hi All....this week at "The Shabby Tea Room" Linda is our host and has chosen

the theme of "Flowers and Balloons" using the inspiration photo below.....

and flowers/and or balloons.

Our sponsor this week is "Bugaboo" digital stamps......

I chose the cute little Critter Balloon  "Elephant"

As soon as I saw the theme and this cute little "ellie",

 I knew I wanted to make a baby card!

I stamped SU Going Gray Ink on an Impression Obsession background stamp,

then used my Zutter distresser...I love how distressed and crackled the background looks!!

I used a Cheery Lynn  Die Cut Doily under my little elephant....

stamped a sentiment from the SU Riveting set, 

added part of an IO sun die cut around that....

I also added some beads that spell "baby"....a few gingham "candi's".....done!!

I encourage you to pop on over to

"The Shabby Tea Room" 

and see what my teammates have created....

why don't "you"  join in the challenge with us this week....

I would love to see you there!!!

Entering the following challenges:

2 Sisters Challenge .... Baby
and
Craft For The Craic .... May Challenge Something For Baby
and
Melonheadz Friends .... All About Animals
and
Use Your Stuf .... Rule of Three (I used 3 Candi "brads")

Lilac Festival

Where have I been?
I have guests and have been so busy I haven't had time to
visit or create for a bit.....
but I do have my post for the "Lilac Festival" challenge this week
at "Classy Cards 'n Such" to share.
I hope you will join in with us....
there is an awesome prize!

Hello Classy Friends,

This week at Classy Cards 'n Such our challenge is "Lilac Festival"

Make a paper project using lavender, purples and neutral colors.

For my challenge card, I chose to make a round shaped card.

I first cut a base from a Spellbinders basic circle die.

Then I cut my top layer using Spellbinders Heart Circles die.

I didn't stop there as I stenciled the die cut using a

Memory Box stencil "Texture Mesh"

I sponged on two colors of Tim Holtz Distress ink, 

first a lighter color "Shaded Lilac"

then came back over here and there and sponged with TH "Dusty Concord".

To sponge on my colors I used the new Tim Holtz Mini Ink Blending Tool.

I love how the background looks on this card!!

I added 3 various size butterflies using Joy! Crafts Butterfly Trio dies.
cut from the gorgeous "So Silk Fabulous Purple" 130# card stock!!

I added "Baby Pearls" purple to my butterflies.....

To finish my card, I stamped "Hello" from the JustRite stamp set "Hello Daisy"

I would love to see "you" join us in our challenge this week!!!

Entering in the following challenges:
Bloggers Challenge .... Things With Wings
and
CAS-ual Fridays .... Three Thirds
and
Creative Corner .... Going In Circles
and
Polkadoodles .... Things With Wings

May Flowers Challenge at Dies R Us Challenge Blog

It's a "happy" day....

Today is my "debut" as part of Team B at the new 

Dies R Us Challenge blog...

I am so excited to be part of the team with the girls from the DRU design team!!

The challenge for the next two weeks is "May Flowers".....

I had a ball making this card using a few new dies and some favorites!!

I started with a plain white card stock for the base, but it gets better,

as the next layer is a gorgeous Cheery Lynn Designs French Lattice Small.

On top of that I popped up one of my favorite Spellbinders dies "Exquisite Circles".

I love the shape and the detailed edge of this die!!

I added my new Impression Obsession "Bird On A Branch" die and cut a few

extra leaves to tuck in around my flowers.

Speaking of the flowers I used 3 different Cheery Lynn Designs dies for them

including "Cuties One" , "Cuties Two" , and "Cuties Three"

These are really easy to make and are a cute, smaller size.

I finished my card with a handmade bow.....

I hope you will take a "peek" at the challenge blog to see what awesome  projects

my "teamies" have created and join in the challenge with us...

Hope to "see you" there!!

Entering in the following challenges:

Craftitude ....  That's Die-licious Use a Die
and
Crafts 4 Eternity Recipe Challenge .... To Die For
and
Polkadoodles .... Things With Wings

Welcome Baby

Hello and thank you for stopping in today....

I hope you are having a great day now that Spring has decided to arrive!!

This week the challenge at "The Sisterhood of Crafters" is "Baby".....
and being hosted by our "sister" Lisa!!

I think there is nothing more fun to create then a sweet baby card..how about you??

Using my Cuttlebug, 

I used a much neglected embossing folder, well part of it anywho and I love

how delicate it is on this card!!  The bunnies are from a Martha Stewart little

felt set I purchased years ago...it feels so GOOD to use them!!

I added an ever-favorite gingham ribbon and bow ...tied with a, yes you guessed it

gingham button.

The "welcome baby" sentiment is one I purchased from a garage sale..it is from SU

and whomever mounted it, mounted it very crooked, so it is rather "tilted" on my

card.....I have since "ahem" remounted it!!!

I hope you will join in our challenge and take a trip over to "The Sisterhood" blog and 

take a peek at what my "Sistahs" have created....some awesome projects for sure!~!!!

Entering in the following challenges:

Craft For Craic ... Something For Baby
and
Cuttlebug Mania .... Baby challenge
and
2 Sisters Challenge .... Baby
and
CAS-ual Fridays .... Three Thirds

Tea Party at The shabby Tea Room

Here it is Monday again...the weeks fly by it seems....

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!!

Today is a new challenge at "The Shabby Tea Room" and this week our host is 

 design team Shabby Girl Friend "Tina" and she has chosen the theme "Tea Party" and to use a teapot/teacup or

petit fours/sweet treats and use lace/ribbon and pearls.

Our sponsor this week is "Paper Temptress"...

From their lovely paper line I chose the following papers:

Aquamarine (the doily), Cream Velvet (my flowers), 
Lagoon Metallic (my flowers leaves)

Vintage Silver Lustre (my teapot)

I used a Memory Box Stencil and after inking I layered 
"Yummy White Iridescent Vellum"over the top...
the colors from the stencil just peek through! 

I invite YOU to our "tea party" over at "The Shabby Tea Room"...

take a peek and see what inspiration the other "Shabby Girls" have for you...

very gorgeous....and why not join in our challenge this week!!

Entering the following challenges:

Crafting At The Weekend ....  Anything Goes

and

Krafty Hands Challenge ... Anything Goes

and

Open Minded Crafting .... Use Some Ribbon

Just Believe

Hello Everyone,

I had so much fun making these flowers the other day for last weeks

Cheery Lynn Designs challenge, that I decided to make another set

with different colors!!

I once again used some designer paper from SU for my

Cheery Lynn Designs Gardenia Strip flowers.

I painted a bit of stickles on each petal...giving lots of shimmer!!

The entire card was made around my Crafty Secrets digital Fairy image...

Isn't she cute, her and her little fairy bunny friend!!

I also painted glitter on the wings of each and her dress and the dragon fly.

The doily I used behind it all is Cheery Lynn Designs "Pricilla"....

The butterfly is one I have had in my stash for about 2 or 3 years.....

The big sequins are from Teresa Collins...and the smaller ones are a piece of vintage trim.

I love the pretty Spring colors of the green and teal.....

things here are finally starting to "green up" and flowers are poking their little heads out!

I am entering the following challenges:

Crafty Secrets Monthly Linky Party .... must use a CS item

and

Cheery Lynn Designs .... Lots of Layers and use a Cheery Lynn die

and

Clear It Out .... Theme ..your style (shabby chic)and Stash....your favorite product (dies)

and

Fussy and Fancy .... Spring Colors