Reach for the Sky

Hi Everyone,

BLOG HOP ALERT - Craft-Dee BowZ Blog Hop starts Wednesday nite at 10:00 p.m. EDT

Thanks for stopping in. Today I am sharing with you the 3rd card from my March card class. This card is so clean and simple. Not usually my style, however I just love the look this card has.

SUPPLIES USED ON MY PROJECT

Stamps:  Lawn Fawn - Sunny Skies Paper/Card Stock: White CS DP Ink: Black, Blue Dye Ink Accessories: Blue Bakers Twine,  dimensional foam

• Dragonfly Dreams  - #3 March - Up In the Air (#46)
• Di's Digis Designs - Welcome Spring (#30)
• Word Play Saturday -  Anything (#140)
• Crafty Catz - No.224 - Anything Goes (#200)

Thanks for stopping in today. Stop back tomorrow for my regular first of the month post.

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Happy Easter racing Chicks

Welcome back everyone,

Easter is rapidly approaching and I thought I'd share another Easter card that I presented in my March Card Class. 

As soon as I saw the cute stamp from Northwood's Rubber Stamps, I knew how I wanted to stamp those cute chicks. The stamp actually has the 3 chicks together but I thought it would be better if I showed them separate. 

I stamped the image 2 times and fussy cut the eggs out from one of the stamped images.I separated the chicks, colored them and popped them up off the main stamped images. I added an off set double frame in spring colors under those chicks.These little guys are so cute!!

SUPPLIES USED ON MY PROJECT

Stamps:  Northwoods Stamps N9010 - Chicks in racing Cars Paper/Card Stock: Pink CS, Purple CS, DP, White CS Ink: Purple Dye Ink Punch Used: Martha Stewart - Zig Zag   Accessories: Spectrum Noir, dimensional foam MS Glitter

I am submitting this card in the following challenges:

• Creative Moments -  #39 Anything goes/Things with Wings (#42)
• House That Stamps Built -  Things with Wings (#13)
• Inklings and Yarns - #49  Always Anything Goes (#11)
• Paper Shelter Challenge - #151 Spring (#34)
• Sisterhood of Crafters  -  Animal (#22)
• Whimsy Inspiration - #69 Easter (5#57)
• WordArt Wednesdays - #125 Anything goes (#67)
• Craft Room Challenge - Transport (#35)
• Creative Card Crew - #58 Animals (#78)
• Through The Craft Room Door - Always Anything Goes (#134)

Thanks for stopping in today. See you soon

Happy Easter Card

Hi Everyone, Thanks for stopping in today!!!

Spring has arrived, and I think it's about time.However we are expecting more snow here tonight/ tomorrow in the Cincinnati region with 60's a few days later. April will bring some of those warmer and sunny days, I hope.

Let me share with you cards from my March card class over the next few days.  The class contained 3 cards, 2 Easter and one semi clean and simple.

Here is the 1st Easter card.

That grass turned out kind of crummy so at the class I suggested the ladies trim the green piece in a wavy scallop cut and then use the fringe scissors. That turned out much better. The ladies said on my card, the grass had just been mowed. LOL

I will be back in a few days with the other Easter card. It is so cute, hope you like it..

SUPPLIES USED ON MY PROJECT

Stamps:  Northwoods Rubber Stamps - O9006 Chicks and Tulips Happy Easter Paper/Card Stock: White CS, Yellow CS, Purple CS, Pale Green CS, DP Ink: Black Dye Ink Dies Used: My Favorite Things Die-Namics Blue Prints 4 Accessories: MS Fringe scissors, MS Purple Glitter, Glue Pen, Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers

I am submitting this card in the following challenges:

• Come and Get It Challenges -  Easter/Spring. (#35)
  
• Scribble and Scrap - #14  Always Anything Goes. (#16)
• That Craft Place -  Flowers and/or Mother's Day.(#132)
• Altered Eclectics - Anything Goes  (#62)
• Creatalicious Challenges -#61 Easter Wonderland(#18)
• Fairies Challenge Blog- #22 Easter (#25)
• Just B Creative Crazy - Linky Party Anything goes (#317)
• Just For Fun - Anything Goes (#231)
•  Ladybug Crafts - Spring is here (#144)
• LEJ Designs Challenge - Favorite Die Cuts (#80)
• Live & Love Crafts Challenge -   Earthy Easter (#33)
• Treasured Times Rubber Stamps & Scrapbooking - Anything goes with Layering (#53)
• The East Wind Challenge -  Spring (#52)

Have a great week and I will be back soon

Deepest Sympathy

Welcome back. Gosh it's Wednesday already. This week is flying by.

Let me share my second sympathy card from last Saturday's morning class. This started out as an all black card. Black card stock, black embossing powder, totally black. Then I had to rethink this card. Too much black. So here is the card that my students wound up making last Saturday. Black card with a white panel and a black tag with the sentiment.

Black on black is hard to photograph

so

Let me show you that label which is below the image on the card

Don't be afraid of black and make sure to use your embossing buddy on your card stock to keep those pesky specks of embossing powder away from where they do not belong. .LOL

We all need sympathy cards from time to time. So, check out your stamps and see which ones will make a great black and white card. So simple yet so striking.

In class I did a third card however I sold it before I photographed it. I loved that card so I will make another one and post it later. It was a really cool card.

The next  three cards I have to share with you are from last Saturday's afternoon class.Two of the cards are Easter cards and are so cute.

SUPPLIES USED ON MY PROJECT

Stamps:  Northwoods - Calla Lillies (PP8490), Hot Off The Press - Heartfelt Greetings Paper/Card Stock: White CS, Black CS Ink: VersaMark Dies Used: Spellbinders Fancy Tags S4-235 Accessories: Black detail embossing powder

I am submitting this card in the following challenges:

• Crafts and Me Challenge & Inspiration Blog - Anything Goes (#169)
• Just B Creative Crazy -   Linky Party Anything goes (#250)
• Just For Fun -  Anything Goes(# 171)
•  LEJ Designs Challenge - Favorite Die Cuts (#59)
• Treasured Times Rubber Stamps & Scrapbooking - Challenge #14 Anything goes with Layering (#27)
• Challenges 4 Everybody -  Challenge #39 Anything Goes. (#506)
• Scribble and Scrap -  Challenge #14  Always Anything Goes. (#70)
• My Craft Creations -  Always Anything Goes (#21)
• Shabby Tea Room -  Anything Goes (#79)
• The Crazy Challenge -  Flower Frenzy (#29)

Pickles

Hi Everyone,
I want to offer a warm welcome to Audrey, my newest blog follower.
Guess what??!!?? No paper crafting project today. But........... I did manage to make something today.

I made refrigerator pickles. And they are so easy to make, they are done in 24 hours and they are so yummy!! If you've never tried to make these you have to make a batch. Easy Peasy for sure!!!

OK, is your mouth watering, yet?? LOL   Let me share the recipe with you.

Easy Refrigerator Pickles
6 C thinly sliced cucumbers
2 C thinly sliced onions
1 1/2 C sugar
1 1/2 C vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. mustard seed
1/2 tsp. celery seed
1/2 tsp. ground tumeric

In a glass bowl, layer alternately the cukes and the onions. Combine rest of ingredients in a saucepan and bring to boiling, stirring til the sugar is dissolved. Pour mixture over cukes and onions. Cool slightly. Cover tightly. Refrigerate at least 24 hours. May be put into jars. Will keep at least a month in the refrigerator.

Note: That jar that you are looking at, that is my pickle jar. I use it for this recipe. It will hold 2 large cukes and one large onion.  Also, I use a mandolin to cut my cukes and onions. I also use a funnel when I add the liquid to the packed jar. I've made this recipe for 25+ years. The pickles turn out great each and every time.

Hope you all try this and enjoy.

I will be back Wednesday with another card. Til then, have a great day.

You're in my Thoughts

Hi Everyone
Thanks for stopping in today. I want to share a few sympathy cards this week. These sympathy are cards from my February Card Shop card class. I had to postpone the February class because of the weather. The class was rescheduled for yesterday.

I will be back in a few days to show you card number 2 from the sympathy card class.

In the meantime, have a great day!!

SUPPLIES USED ON MY PROJECT

Stamps:  Hero Arts Silhouette Grass Paper/Card Stock: White, Brown, Gray Brown, Black Ink: Memento - Rich Cocoa, Espresso Truffle, Distress Ink Old Paper Dies Used: Spellbinders - Labels Four Accessories: Ribbon,  Dimensional Foam, Sponge Dauber

I am submitting this card to the following challenges:

• 4 Krafty Girlz -  # 13 Anything Goes (#274)
  
• Aud Sentiments Challenge -  #102- Anything Goes (don't forget a sentiment) (#109)
• Crafty Ribbons -  Anything Goes with Ribbon (#74)
• Craftitude - No. 60 - (W2 of 2) - Anything Goes or Add a Little Green (#198)
• Fairy Tale -  No. 87 - (W1 of 2) - One Old Stamp (#7)
• Sister Act Card Challenge - No. 48 - Anything Goes (#109)
• Stampin' For The Weekend - Anything Goes (#105)

Life is a Song

Hi Everyone,
Happy Hump Day!! LOL   Last night was club night and I thought you'd like to see the card I made for club. The theme was musical and I decided to use a stamp set from Unity that definitely had this theme covered.

I used blue cs for the bird, so I guess you can say he's the blue bird of happiness. LOL I stamped the wing again, fussy cut it out, added glitter to the lines and popped it up.I also glittered the curly tail.  I used my Craft-Dee BowZ tool to make a fluffy bow for the card.

Here is a close up of the bow. I added some flowers to the center of my bow.

 I must have spring fever since I made some more little flowers and added them to this card. My last post has some of my handmade flowers on it also.

SUPPLIES USED ON MY PROJECT

Stamps:  Unity Stamp Co - Music of My Heart Paper/Card Stock: White CS, Yellow CS, Blue Handmade Paper, DP, Ink: Black dye ink, Memento Danube Blue Dies Used: Spellbinders Ovals sm, Foliage Accessories: Seam Binding (ribbon), Craft-Dee BowZ  tool, dimensional foam, Embossing Folder, MS Glitter - Navy

I am submitting this card to the following challenges:

• Crafting from the Heart - #9 Anything Goes / Use Dies (#62)
• Kaboodle Doodles - #214 Anything but a Square (#41)
• Love to Create - #106 Anything Goes (#128)
• Make it Monday - #182 Always Anything Goes (#101)
• My Craft Creations -  Always Anything Goes (#57)
• The Paper Nest Dolls Challenge - #5 Anything Goes (#55)
• Glitter n Sparkle - #75 Anything Goes (#108)
• That Craft Place -  Anything Goes. (#267)

Lovely

Hi Everyone
Happy Monday!!!!   I taught a technique class this past Saturday. Everyone learned how to make 3-D flowers using the flower shapes from the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals Sizzix die.That die is my go to die for flower making.

I had some left over flower pieces from my class and decided to work them up and use them on a card to share with you. There are 4 different shapes/sizes on the die but I just used the smallest flower shape from the die to make these sweet little flowers. The greenery  I used is from a Spellbinders Die set.

The stamps come from Unity and are in the Layers of Life line.This set is called  "beautiful every little thing". This line comes out monthly and is automatically sent to you when you sign up. Love all the stamps in that line.

Here is a close-up of the small flowers I made and added to this card. 

I used pages from an old book to make these flowers. I colored the paper with a few different colors of Dylusions Ink Sprays. Love that stuff, but it will dye your fingers. LOL

Have a great week.

SUPPLIES USED ON MY PROJECT

Stamps:  Unity - Layers of Life line - "beautiful every little thing" Paper/Card Stock: Mint green CS, White CS, Purple CS, DP Ink: Ranger Distress Ink - Iced Spruce, Black dye ink,  Dies Used: Sizzix  Tim Holtz Tattered Florals,   Spellbinders Foliage S4-328 Accessories:McGill Paper Shaper tool, Glue, Flower Soft, Dimensional Foam, Dylusions Ink Spray - Bubblegum Pink & Crushed Grape

I am submitting my card in the following challenges:

•  Card and Scrap -   #71 Use Dies
• Cards Galore Encore -  #3 Use a stamp or digi stamp (#163)
• Crafts and Me Challenge & Inspiration Blog -  Anything Goes (#75)
• Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper –  Anything goes (#187)
• Imagination Crafts Challenge –   In Bloom (#14)
•  Just B Creative Crazy -  Linky Party Anything goes (#127)
• Kreativeinkauf-challenge -  #12 Spring Flowers (#60)
•  Natalie and Amy's Challenge -   #18 Flowers(#129)
•  Treasured Times Rubber Stamps & Scrapbooking -#13 Anything goes with Layering (#41)
• Bloggers -  Fabulous Florals(#23)
• Challenges and candies -  No.29 - (W1 of 2) - Flowers(#45)
• Craftitude - No. 60 - (W1 of 2) - Anything Goes or Add a Little Green (#93)
• Cut it Up- No. 40 - (W1 of 2) - Green for St,Patrick's Day or Spring (#39)
• Jo's Scrap Shack -  No.40 - Anything Goes(#84)
• Scrapping4funChallenges -  No.12 - (W1 of 2) - Flowers (#25)

Hope you have a "LOVELY" day

POMEGRANATE

Hi Everyone,
Hope everyone is having a nice week so far. I have finally decided to use a great stamp that's been sitting on my desk for about a week or two.

I love pomegranates so that's probably why this stamp caught my eye and of course that sparked me to buy it. Pomegranates are so yummy.

I finally got some free time to get this card designed and finished. So here it is.

I used my colored pencils and gamsol to color the image.Since there was so much while space left on the panel, I used one of my new stencils to add a filler using Old Paper and Ginger inks.  I also embossed the green CS with an embossing folder, adding more texture.

Also added a lattice die cut in brown CS to add more background and that orange CS has Wild Flowers punched around the edge.

The ribbon is actually seam binding and I used my Craft-Dee BowZ tool to fashion that bow. Like challenges?? Me too!! Craft-Dee BowZ's monthly challenge is going on right now, click here to pop over and check it out.

SUPPLIES USED ON MY PROJECT

Stamps: Stampendous - Pomegranate Paper/Card Stock: White CS, Lime Green CS, Orange CS, Cream CS, Brown CS Ink: India Ink Black, Ranger Distress Ink - Old Paper, Adirondack Ginger Dies Used: Cherry Lynn Designs - Lattice2 Accessories: Craft-Dee BowZ  tool, Seam Binding, Heidi Swapp Stencil (one of 3 stencils in Butterfly set), Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page - Wild Flowers, PrismaColor Colored Pencils, Gamsol, Blending Stump, Sponge Dauber, Couture Creations Embossing Folder - Entangle

I am submitting this card in the following challenges:

• Everybody-Art-Challenge - #268 light-green/brown (#9)
• Going Grey With Scrap-Creations - Go Green (#12)
• Loves Rubber Stamps  - #93 Anything Goes (#64)
• Through The Craft Room Door  - Always Anything Goes (#83)
• Twisted Tuesday - Theme: Clean Twist: Use Green (#9)
• Cheerful Stamp Pad - Anything Goes (#18)
• Crafting from the Heart -  Anything Goes / Use Dies (#93)
• Crafty Boots -  Green(# 23)
• Kaboodle Doodles -  Embossing (#36)
• Make it Monday - Always Anything Goes (#164)

Thanks for stopping in today, and have a great week.

Easter Blessings

Hi everyone,
So glad you stopped in today. I am back with my post for Craft-Dee BowZ for March. This month the theme for the design team is Easter.  I want to share with you an Easter card I made and the bow I added was made using my trusty Craft-Dee BowZ tool.

The background image is actually a pre-printed card about the size of a post card and it's from a set called Paintables. They come in a set of 16. I used a metallic paint set to color the image and decided to use a soft metallic green that compliments that bow color. I also used a soft bronze and a soft blue, again all the colors are soft metallics and look great with the metallic CS I used for the card base.

Here is a closer view of part of the printed card, painted.

Isn't this butterfly awesome. It too is from Prima. They have some of the prettiest embellishments. 

Let's take a closer look at my bow. I made a double loop bow. This ribbon has wired edges and that's really my favorite type.  I love the mint green ombre color on this ribbon, hope you do too.

My Craft-Dee BowZ tool is my go to tool for all my bows. Easy to use and stores easy and always at my finger tips. The best thing is the fact the that it lets you make different sizes and types of bows.

One last comment about this card - That filmy looking purple piece peeking out around some of the edges, is a used dryer sheet sprayed with Dylusions Ink Spray. I love the filmy, dreamy look it adds to your project. Save those sheets and use your sprays to color them. I pulled mine to stretch it out somewhat.

SUPPLIES USED ON MY PROJECT

Stamps:  JustRite - Easter Blessings Paper/Card Stock: Metallic CS  Pale Green, Bronze Ink: VersaMark Accessories: Ribbon, Metallic Watercolors, Pearls Craft-Dee BowZ  tool, dimensional foam, used dryer sheet, Dylusions Ink Spray, Prima-Butterfly and Preprinted Card,  White Embossing Powder

I am submitting this card in the following challenges:

• Challenges 4 Everybody - (1st Week) Challenge #39 Anything Goes. (ends April 4th)  (#110)
• One Stitch At A Time -  #202 Anything Goes (#46)
• Robyn`s Fetish # 201- Anything Goes (#57)
• Scribble and Scrap -  #12 (1st Week) Always Anything Goes.(#36)
• That Craft Place -  Anything Goes (#85)
• Catch The Bug -  Anything Goes (#86)
• Crazy 4 Challenges -   Color* (#14)
• Di's Digis Designs -Make it Green (#25)
• Hiding in my Craft Room -  #139  Spring Colors  (#56)
• Inkspirational - #51 Color* (#9)
• Open-Minded Challenges -  #5  Use Something Green(#56)
• The Doodle Garden - Anything Goes (#67)

Thanks for stopping in today, have a great week.