Friday, July 29, 2011

LIM - Thank You

I am just getting this in under the wire. I have been wanting to go back and play with the divas at Less Is More. I have missed the last two weeks and I didn't want to miss a third.

This week their challenge is buttons or bows or  both. I used both. Putting bows on my work is one my my favorite embelishments. I was at Michael's with a friend and they had these fabulous ribbons on sale for half off and I just couldn't resist this beautiful pink gingham ribbon. I should have bought all the spools, but alas I only bought one. Guess I'll have to go back.

I needed to send a thank you card off to a friend and I think CAS card I think will be perfect. I hope you think so too!

CAS-Thank-You


Thanks for stopping by. Have an awesome day!
Theresa

Recipe:
Images: Close to My Heart (Childhood Portrait); There She Goes (Sweat Pea)
Ink: VeraMark; Close to My Heart (black embossing powder)
Paper: Bazzill Basics (lilly white & pink); SU (whisper white)
Accessories: ribbon (Celebrate It - Michael's); button (Close to My Heart)

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Tuesday Morning Sketches #104

Good Morning Crafters ~

Today we have another fabulous sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches. We sure would love to see you come play with us. This week we have a new sponsor. For those of you animal lovers out there (Crafty...) they have the cutest dogs on their digi line up. Our sponsor this week is ~


Here is today's sketch. Now you'll notice the two thin white lines that is meant for embossing of some sort. I wanted to get my embossing to look like the crisp clean lines I have seen on other cards, but after numerous attempts I still didn't get the look I was hoping for. I think it may have been the color of the cardstock. Or perhaps I wasn't putting enough pressure. I guess it's something I am going to have to work on.
I really hope that you will join us today. We know that there are a lot of challenge blogs out there. We're hoping that we can entice all of you to play. I'd love to see your creations.

This image was totally out of my comfort zone. I love coloring flowers, but animals - yikes!! I did enjoy coloring this cute little thing. I still have more practice to go, but someday I'll get there. I hope you like my card.

TMS-#108


Hope to see you play along. Thanks for stopping by. Have an awesome day!!
Theresa

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Two Artists & Two Challenges

This week over at Flourises, one of my favorite crafters, Silke Ledlow is this host. How could I not play along? She posted a photo inspiration challenge for the Timeless Tuesday Challenge #127. In addition I went up to see another one of my favorite crafters and friends, Holly McMillen and she asked if I would consider using my card for her challenge (TLC - Technique Lover's Challenge) on Splitcoast Stampers. How could I possibly refuse this??

Flourishes-Purple-1This card has been worth the wait for me. I hope that I made you proud Silke and Holly.

Flourishes-Purple-2I signed up for a coloring class and it began last Tuesday. The first class began with some really basic information on stamping pads, paper, and how they react to each other. I had no clue!! One of the techniques that the instructor pointed out I used on this card. I stamped my image on watercolor paper with chocolate ink and then I took a watercolor brush and pulled the ink out to give it a glow around the image. I love how it looks.

For Holly's TLC335 challenge making a box for emblished cards is such a fabulous idea. I think the box showcases my card so well. Once the four of us (Holly, Lee, Angela and myself) got through all the "math" calculations on the box - honestly I think we all had to many M&Ms and we were on sugar rush - the 2nd (mine), 3rd, & 4th came out great. Lee made her box first and had to remake it. From that, we learned that the weight of your cardstock and the scoring tool used makes a small difference in the measurements. It's so fabulous when it's completed.  

Flourishes-Purple-3


Flourishes-Purple-4

It was so worth doing. I hope you agree.
Theresa
Recipe:
Stamps: Flourishes (Zinnias)
Ink: Close to My Heart (chocolate); SU (chocolate chip)
Paper: Canson (watercolor); SU (kraft & a purple); DP (unknown)
Accessories: May Arts silk ribbon (rust); pearls and Swarovski Crystal beads; embossing folder; BasicGrey magnets

Saturday, July 23, 2011

A Special Friendship

Evening Crafters -

I have been contemplating for weeks to join Chupa over at CASE Study Challenge Blog (challenge #49). I have been seriosly afraid because the artists and design team are just beyond talented. I have thought that there's no way my work is good enough.

After having a conversation with a very special friend of mine (in the stamping world), she made me I realize that my work is amazing. She told me that I have totally stepped things up and she couldn't be more proud. With that I decided this week that I would play. After stamping my background about fifteen times I think I finally came up with one that I am very happy with.

A Special Friendship


I really like how this card came out. I hope you like it too!!
Theresa
Recipe:
Images: Close to My Heart (Friendship)
Ink: Close to My Heart (chocolate & brown bag); SU (chocolate chip)
Paper: Bazzill Basics (lilly white, green & lt. brown - don't know these two colors official names); DCWV (Linen Closet)
Accessories: Cricut (Lacey Labels); Ribbon (stash)

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Birthday Bloomers Card Kit

As of one the goodies I received from True (True's Gifts from the Heart) was this fabulous birthday card kit. It came with all the paper, brads, ribbon, and stamp set - totally cool!! The card went together quickly. The trick came to coloring the of the daisies and the pot. I gave it my best shot. You'll have to tell me what you think. I wish I could capture the dark colors that she did, mine is a bit more bright. I absolutley loved having this practice. I'll just keep at it!!



Daisy-Pot


Thanks for stopping by. Have an awesome evening!
Theresa

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Windows & Geometry

This week over at Our Creative Corner their challenge is a photo inspiration challenge. It's a tough photo. The host has challenged us to select one of the photos and create a card. The kicker here is to not use any DP!!

I hope that my selection is pretty obvious. I happened to like the tile work on the side of the red building and all the windows. I think there is a great deal of texture in the photo. I really tried to capture all it.

I think photo inspiration challenges are difficult. I tend to take things very literally. I'm not sure if that is what one is supposed to do. When I created my card I was not sure I liked it until the next day.

Then I showed it to my friend Lee and she totally got all the elements that I put into my card. I tried to capture everything (no trees though). I hope you like it and I can't wait to read your comments.


Window


Thanks for stopping by. Have an awesome day!
Theresa

Recipe:
Stamps: There She Goes (Art Is The Window)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; PrismaColor Colored Pencils
Paper: Bazzill Basics (lillywhite, black, red); SU (whisper white)
Accessories: Close to My Heart (button & pearls); QuickCutz (embossing folder)

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Tuesday Morning Sketches #103

It's another wonderful Tuesday Morning Sketches day. We have a fabulous sketch today from one of our DT members, Dawn. We also have a great sponsor.


This is a great sketch and can be interpreted in many ways. I hope that you will all play along.

This is my first experience with LoRi Designs. I had a great time visiting her blog and looking at the wonderful digi images that she has to offer. She was kind enough to provide us with a few digis and I happended to get this absolute darling Lollipops image.

Don't you just love watermelon? I had such a great time coloring this little cutie. I hope you take a few minutes to check out LoRi Designs and select an image to play with. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

TMS-#107

Thanks for coming by. I can't wait to see what you do. Have an awesome day. 


Theresa

Recipe:
Image: LoRi Designs (Watermelon Smile)
Ink: PrismaColor Colored Pencils
Paper: Bazzill Basics (lillywhite); October Afternoon (The Thrift Shop: Collector's Item); Jillibean Soup (Yellow Sugar); Close to My Heart (citrus leaf)
Accessories: Close to My Heart (button); ribbon (stash)

Monday, July 18, 2011

CAS-ual Fridays

I decided that creating CAS style cards is a lot of fun. Although, in my mind extremly difficult I decided that I want to create at least two a week. This week I decided to play along with CAS-ual Fridays. This week their challenge is sweet & treats!!


I turned to my favorite stamp company - There She Goes for my card. I just love this set - Freeze the Moment and had to use the sundae glasses. I cannot eat ice cream (lactose intolerant) so now I can color ice cream and just wish I could have a scoop or two of strawberry!! I love this DP it's from Close to My Heart and I couldn't tell you the name other than I have about 15 sheets of it and I don't know why?? But I thought it was just perfect.


Wanna-Spoon


Don't you just love the sentiment? Take it anyway you want...but my thought was boy do I wish I had a spoon to enjoy some cold creamy yummy ice cream.

Have a great day! Thanks for leaving me some love.
Theresa

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Cropping Weekend

Hello Bloggers -

Sorry I disappeared...I went to a cropping retreat for the past few days! It was so nice. Although I really don't like going to them because I feel like I have to pack my entire craft room. I did almost that. I took a lot of stuff with me and really didn't use a third of it, but I did a lot of crafting and had the best time. I have about six cards to share, but not all in this post. I'll share over the next couple of days.

I want to say, WELCOME to all my new followers and I want to thank each and everyone of you for all the fabulous comments you have made. I am loving all your feedback. I am also enjoying visiting your blogs and seeing your fabulous are work. You all inspire me!!

On to my first card. I am so loving Flouishes challenges. I am hoping to spend time in their shop this week. I have a huge wish list!! This week's Timeless Tuesday #126 Challenge is to emboss. I used my Cuttlebug and Swiss Dots folder to create this beauty. Again, this Strawberries set is another set I bought a couple of years ago and just inked it this weekend. I loved coloring this and using a few different reds, purples, and even black to get the shading I was looking for.

Strawberries

My next challenge is to work on better photography. The greens in the leaves didn't photo with the shading I see on the card. I am going to a friends tomorrow and she's introducing me to a professional photographer and I can't wait to get some lessons.

Thanks for stopping by. I'll see you again tomorrow. Have a fabulous week!! 
Theresa

Recipe:
Stamps: Flouishes (Strawberries)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; PrismaColor Colored Pencils
Paper: Bazzill Basics (luscious lime, cream puff); The Girls Paperie (paper girl)
Accessories: Primo (Say it in Pearls), ribbon and lace (stash); Martha Stewart Punches

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

It's a White Party!

Hello Bloggers -

Over at Our Creative Corner they are having a "White Party!" I have thought about this for the past few days and have never done an all white card. Being that it's all white, it's all about the texture of the card.

I was totally excited to use my newly won blog candy from True over at True's Gifts from the Heart. She sent me the most amazingly beautiful flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts (along with a ton of other amazing things that I'll be sharing over the next few weeks). Among the flowers are these beautiful white flowers and how perfect are these for this challenge.

It's a White Party!In putting this card together I had to go back to my high school days of arranging flowers. I forgot how fun it was to arrange them. I think next summer I'll be checking into working in a flower shop!! I also love the embossing I did with a new set from CTMH. Where I struggled was with the sentiment. I tried using my vanilla stamp pad - but you can't see it!! It'll be fun to use on some black cardstock...hmmm!

I hope you like my card. I really enjoyed putting it together. Thanks for stopping by. Have an awesome day.

Theresa

Recipe:
Image: Close to My Heart (Simple Memories)
Paper: Bazzill Basics (white, lillywhite and coconut swirl)
Accessories: Cricut (Lacy Labels and Bags, Tags, Boxes & More), Wild Orchid Crafts (flowers), Making Memories (pearls),  Ribbon (stash)

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Tuesday Morning Sketches #102

It's another fabulous Tuesday morning...hopefully the day won't bring another crazy heavy rainstorm. Today at Tuesday Morning Sketches we don't have a sketch, but a judged challenge...to make a detachable bookmark. We have a fabulous sponsor today and my apologies to the Doodle Pantry, I did not read Melissa's email closely and forgot to grab one of your freebies to make today's project.


When I started thinking about this project I panicked. I've never done this!! I turned to Splitcoast Stampers for a tutorial. Well I don't have the fancy machine they used to get a perforated edge. Then some friends suggested using a paper piercing tool to make the perforation and I tried that and made a mess. So I settled on making a corner bookmark and I thought it was going to be hard. Was I ever wrong! I loved making the corner bookmark it was so simple and fast.

For my card and bookmark I used the stamp set From the Desk Of by Flourishes. I bought this set because I saw the most amazing card from Heather Jensen using the set and I just had to have it. I think the set of books with the daisies is the perfect image for a bookmark. I thought about making the card with the exact same image so that when the receipient takes off the bookmark they still have the same image on the card, but I loved the vase with the flower blossoms that I had to ink them up too!! The bookmark fits perfectly on any one of the corners of the card, but I am going to put in on the inside corner of the card so when it gets opened up there's a surprise.

TMS-#106

Aren't these DPs delicious!! I loved the sketch at The Sweet Stop: SSS116 and decided to use their sketch to display these beautiful papers and stamp set. I did add the one element to the Sweet Stops sketch and that was the bookmark, I hope they don't mind. 

I can't wait to see what you all make. Thanks for stopping by.
Theresa

Recipe:
Stamps: Flourishes (From the Desk Of)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, PrismaColors Colored Pencils
Paper: Cosmo Cricket (from A to Z-used both sides), October Afternoon (Near Mint), Bazzil Basics (cream puff),
SU (very vanilla)

Accessories: Ribbon (stash); Martha Stewart (punch), Nestabilities

Monday, July 11, 2011

Friends

When I hear the word "friends" I think of Bette Midler and her singing..."you gotta have friends." I have been lucky enough in my life to be blessed with some of the best friends a girl could ever want. From my oldest and dearest friend ever, Olivia - she and I met in 7th grade and are still friends today to my newest friend Lee, whom I met online on the TSG forum.

This week's challenge at Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #125 is to make a card and it must contain the word friend. I colored up my image at the beginning of last week and now I am down to the wire to get it in for this week. I don't know where the week went, but it sure flew by. I love this Cherry Blossoms set from Flourishes and although I have had the set for nearly two years I just recently inked it up. I'm not so afraid to color my Flourishes stamps anymore.

I also decided to use Mojo Monday's 199 sketch this week to give this beauty life. I have only played with Mojo Monday about 3-4 times because I have also been so intimidated to play with those amazing designers. I have gained a great deal of confidence and I am so looking forward to playing in different challenges.

I just love how this came out. I hope you do to. Thanks for stopping by.

Friend


Theresa

Recipe:
Stamps: Flourishes (Cherry Blossoms); There She Goes (Everyday Greetings)
Ink: Memento Black Tuxedo; PrismaColors Colored Pencils
Paper: Bazzill Basics (cream puff); SU (very vanilla); The Girls' Paperie (Jubilee); Me&My Big Ideas (baby girl); Close to My Heart (black & vanilla)
Accessories: Ribbon, lace and pearls (stash); EK Success & Martha Stewart (punches); Wild Orchid Crafts (flower)

Friday, July 8, 2011

Be Extraordinary

Have you ever done anything really stupid? Yesterday, I was removing my glasses so that I could brush my teeth and get in the shower. I was doing my "business" and stood up, flushed the toilet and was removing my glasses. Yes, I dropped the glasses into the toilet!! I managed to stick my hand in and grab them before they were gone forever. When I pulled them out, one of the lenses fell out and it was gone. Feeling a little sad and stupid, because it's going to cost me $200 I had to make a card just for me!!

This past Tuesday I met up with my friend Lee, DT Coordinator for Gina K. Designs. We met through There She Goes and she and I have become pretty good friends. I mentioned how much I loved the last Gina K. release. She was kind enough to bring the set and let me stamp a few images until I can purchase the set for myself.

I love the sentiment, "Overcome the notion that you have to be regular. It robs you of the chance to be extraordinary." This holds a personal meaning for me. I just had to put it on a card. I just love the image. I guess I could've colored her all up, but I love the black and white theme. In blog hoping the other night I found another amazing crafter - Vixx Handmade Cards. She is a fabulous colorist and loves to create lots and lots of layers. I took inspiration from her and borrowed a couple of her layouts to create my card.

Black-and-White

Thanks for stopping by.
Theresa

Recipe:
Stamps: Gina K. Designs (Vintage Chic)
Ink: Memento Black Tuxedo
Paper: SU (wishper white and black); Bazzill Basics (lillywhite); Me&My Big Ideas (Mambi B&W)
Accessories: SU (red twine)

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Whimsy and Stars

Hello - just a quick post this evening. As many of you know by looking at my post people and animals are images I stay away from. However, with the practing I have done I have decided to give people a try. This is the second image I colored this week. This image was a gift from Mabelle RO from Whimsy and Stars Studios. I tried out for her design team, but didn't make the cut and this was her gift as a thank you.

I will continue to try out for design teams and as I continue to work on my coloring and extend my stamping repertoire.

This darling image is called Cupcake Girlie and I just had to color her with whimisical colors. I just love her red hair! I love the yellow DP I think it's just lucious. I wanted to keep this card a bit simple - testing out different decorating styles. I hope you like my card.

Cupcake-Girl
Theresa

Recipe:
Image: Whimsy and Stars Studios (cupcake girlie)
Ink: PrismaColor Colored Pencils
Paper: Bazzill Basics (lillywhite, periwinkle); Jillibean Soup (yellow sugar)
Accessories: Prima (flowers); rhinestones (stash)

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Tuesday Morning Sketches #101

Good Morning Crafters - I hope everyone (in the US) had wonderful 4th of July.

It's another fabulous day at Tuesday Morning Sketches. Melissa created a wonderful sketch today. Something a lot easier than last week's sketch. Thanks to everyone that played last week. I look forward to seeing your creations this week. We also have a great sponsor:


They were generous and gave us some images to play with. I selected this basket of apples because when I got this image I was so intimidated to color it. Red is a very hard color to get right. I either got it too dark or too light. I tried with Copics and I am just not successful with them. This past month I have been stalking True's blog and watching any and all of her coloring tutorials. They have really helped me. I have also spent the last two days with my friend Angela (who happens to be Copic Certified). Although I did not color with Copics, I was glad to sit with an amazing colorist and just get some real-time feedback.

Well in this image I took my lead in coloring from True. I used her card as my inspiration. I even tried to copy her grass. I thought my grass came out okay, but I will continue to practice. That's what I am learning...I tell my students this all the time and have I listened to myself, "Practice makes perfect!" I also wanted to try doing my ribbon a bit differently. I love how these came out!!

TMS-#105


I hope you like my card and that you'll be playing along with us. Have an awesome day! 
Theresa

Recipe:
Stamps: Paper Pretties (Basket Full of Apples - Digi); There She Goes (Art is the Window - sentiment)
Ink: PrismaColor Colored Pencils
Paper: Bazzill (lillywhite & red)
Accessories: Gingham red ribbon & white pearls (stash)

Monday, July 4, 2011

Shades of Blue

I so look forward to the new challenge at Less is More, Week 22 - Colour. The fabulous Ladies at LIM have challenged us to make a card with shades of blue. When I think about blue I instantly think of "boys" and I didn't want to make something for a boy!!

As a result of participating with LIM I have found some wonderful crafters and some wonderful new stamping companies. One particular company that I learned about and am totally impressed with is La-La Land Crafts. I am totally in love with Irina's images. The first imagae I colored is called Fancy Marci and I used their online example and tutorial as my guide for coloring. I absolutely love how this came out. I spent about 4 hours coloring this image...and I think it was time well spent.

I also wanted to shout out a great big thank you to all the LIMettes for all your fabulous comments on my blog!!

As inspiration for the design on the card I turned to The Sweetest Thing - Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #124. Although I wanted to go crazy with the DP and ribbon - I kept it very clean and simple.

Shades-of-Blue
Theresa

Recipe:
Stamps: La-La Land Crafts (Fancy Marci - digi); There She Goes (Bloom - sentiment)
Ink: PrismaColor Colored Pencils
Paper: Bazzill Basics Paper (baby blue medium, huckleberry pie, lillywhite); Elizabeth Park (teal daisy)
Accessories: ribbon and rhinestones (stash)