Wednesday, August 31, 2016

"Cut Outs and Cut Ups"

Hello friends, viewers, followers and visitors.

Welcome to hump day!!!  It is that day you look forward to because you know you will not be that far from the weekend.
I've relax, rested  and I'm ready to craft today.   I could have skipped out on you and spent time shopping...window and buying but I wanted to wait for another day.   When my daughter read this, she is going to wonder if something is wrong with me.  I skipped a day of shopping, especially when my DH suggested that this is what he wanted to do today..."go figure".

I used something that I had not used in quite a few months...my Cricut machine.  I  have been admiring some cuts that I've seen coming from Stampin Up... the Stampin Up Swirly Scribbles Dies and the Botanical Builder Framelits Dies.  So I looked at my cartridges that I own as well as images on  the Cricut Design space to see if I already had something similar or was there a die cut I could buy to do a project.

Viola`, I did have something similar but not exactly like the swirly scribble die and the botanical builder framelit die. I have the Cricut Artbooking cartridge.  I used it to cut out the swirly circle for my project.  I combined it with Sizzix thinlit mixed media die for a background on the "orange" card. I used the Flower Market cartridge to cut out the deep orange flourish.  The Cottage Cutz greenery die was also  used for the flourish on the left.

I have a sister who requested that I make her some "Thinking Of You" cards.  These two will be put in the box for her.

By not having the Botanical Builders framelits from Stampin Up, I was still able to imitate one of those dies by using Spellbinders ferns.  I cut out two die cuts from the side of my Neenah white cardstock.  The positive image was then cut in half leaving the leaves on one side.  I adhere the image back to the card with the positive on the outside of the negative cut (on the inside), mimicking the Stampin Up botanical builders die.  I used the smaller fern die to cut out what appears to be leaves for the yellow flowers.   Flowers for both cards came from Recollections Floral Embellishments.


I hope you enjoyed looking at my "cut outs and cut ups" today.  I'm going to keep my Circut open to cut out more shapes that I didn't realize I had.  
Come again soon.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

"A Different Outcome From The Original Start"

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.

It is Tuesday and I'm ready for the weekend.  Seriously, I am.   I know it has only been two days since our last weekend, but I feel like I need another vacation. Yesterday was just tiring...we are trying to clean up the garden (vegetable and flower).  We are also trying to spray and put down chemicals to keep those little bugs and spiders from trying to get in to hibernate inside the house during the fall and winter season.  My DH just found so much to do on yesterday.  
Maybe I'll squeeze in an hour or two today for some me time!!!

How many of you start off trying to accomplish a technique you saw on Pinterest, Google, Youtube, or one of your friends pages and you  get tired and leave out some steps?  I watched a project where you would use a die...cut it out several times...layer and glue it together...use embossing powder in a metallic color to color it several times...and then use it on a project.

I collected the paper, die, embossing ink and powder and placed them on my working area.
I made it through the first step...I cut the die several times, glued the cuts together.. but, I didn't feel like using the metallic  embossing powder to color it. (This is where I should have stopped and placed it aside until later but I didn't).  I pulled some paper out of my stash that paired with the image I had  made.  I did use a stamp (studio G) to stamp the sentiment in white embossing ink (not part of the original plan).
When I really have the time and feel like getting inky with my fingers, I'm going to do this project over again without skipping some of the steps (the metallic embossing required more than one application).   I had all intentions of using gold metallic embossing powder to make a Christmas card and not the one you're looking at.  I will try this again on a day that I'm not so sluggish and tired.

Here is the card:
 
Even though  I left out a step or two, I still hope you enjoy this card.

Have a great day....
Come again!!!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Monday, August 29, 2016

September Birthday #2

Good Monday to all my friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
I am hoping your weekend was wonderful and you got a chance to do some great things.
By surfing around on some of your blog post, I see that you really did have a great crafting weekend or morning.  Your cards are so beautiful and you are doing a fantastic job.
Last week I told you about numerous September birthdays I have in my family.  I started with one last week so I have completed another one today that I would like to share with you and WordArtWednesday.blogspot.com:  Challenge Weeks #244-245 - Anything Goes  and
outlawzchallenges.ning.com  monday greetings for week of August 29, 2016



I started with a A2 size Neenah white cardstock.  The design paper came from K & Company Best of Brenda Walton paper pad and  from Heartfelt Creation Botanic Orchid.  The butterflies were from Pinterest (free download).  I made the fans from paper in my stash that coordinated with the colors I was using.  I also used Martha Stewart dogwood stickers.

I hope you enjoy viewing as I enjoyed making this card.   I'm going to stamp and cut out "Celebrate" to adhere somewhere on this card when I send it out. 

Thanks for viewing.  Come again soon!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois 


Friday, August 26, 2016

"BIRTHDAY Wishes"

Good Friday to all my friends, viewers, visitors and followers.
This is going to be a great day all around.  Fantastic temps to get you outside and enjoying the air, the water and the fire (barbeque time).  Last of the work week and the last weekend for my past peers in the teaching field.  I know some of you worked to get those classrooms ready this week and next week will be meetings back to back before the crew arrive on Sept. 6.  Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy my friends!
Our family have different months out of the year in which we are overwhelmed with birthdays.  September just happens to be one of those months.  Each week it is one or two people in the family celebrating a birthday during this month.  This crafty lady is getting ready to celebrate with them by making  some cards.
I used paper from Nicole floral pattern designer paper pad for my focal mat (4 x 51/4) along with Neenah white cardstock (A2) and blue Recollection cardstock for a mat layer 1/8 inch less than the white.
The die I used comes from Our Daily Bread Designs Layered Lacey Ovals and I also used  Sizzix thinlits garden greens (Tim Holtz Alterations).
Martha Stewart  pink & red gerbera daisy stickers were also used.
entry for WordArtWednesday.blogspot.com
My first September birthday card is finished.  Many more to complete.
I hope you enjoyed your view.  Have a great day.  Come again.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois



Thursday, August 25, 2016

"Matching Patterns"

Hello Friends, Visitors, Viewers and Followers.
How do you go about picking design papers or patterns for your cards?
Do you just open a pad and start using the papers out of that one pad because you think they all match with your image?
Do you go to a scrapbook store and pick out paper that are in the same color range?
Do you lay out papers that are all of the same color and see what match with your image?
Do you pick patterns based on the colors in or on your image?
This is what I did.
I don't very often use black unless it is for matting.  However, I do have some pattern paper that has black for the background color.  I was trying to come up with a design just by using some pattern paper with a black background to go with a black and white image.  I'm not going to tell you how many pieces of paper I cut up just to finally settle on this design....that will just be between me and my paper (lol).  Just to not have the card to be completely black and white, I added a touch of red to give it some "punch":
Entry for WordArtWednesday.blogspot.com
Design papers used on this project...Recollection Toile; American Crafts Christmas Foil; Recollection Christmas Noel .
As you can see a mixture of papers from different manufactures were used here.  I have to admit that most of the time, I do pull papers from the same book because someone else has gone through the task of assembling like patterns together and I don't have to fuss over what goes with what.  Yesterday, I talked about challenging yourself and this was a challenge to use black and white papers .

Entry for Outlawzchallenges   Wednesday sketch
I followed a sketch given on the Outlawzchallenges.ning.com  (Wednesday sketch) for this week.
I've used Neenah white cardstock cut at 4.5 x 5.5
Dark blue Bazzill cardstock cut at 1/8" less than the white.
I embossed the blue cardstock using a Darice (snowflake) folder.
The topper was cut from a Our Daily Bread Designs Beautiful Borders die.
The bottom snowflakes were cut using the Martha Stewart punch.
The outer circle of the image was cut using Our Daily Bread Designs circle stitched dies.
The image is watercolor using three different shades of blue and white on the bottom.  I hand drew the trees on the right but the tree branches on the left are from Sizzix Thinlits birch trees die cut.
Ranger Texture Paste Opaque Matte was used to create falling snow.

Thanks for viewing with me today.  Come again and leave a comment.  I enjoy hearing from you.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

"Playing In The Challenges"

Hello friends, visitors, followers and viewers on this Wednesday morning.  
I feel as if we will be in for a great day.
I have some cards that I've made for the challenges over at the Outlawz.  I like to play along with the ladies over on this site.  I have something for their Sunday CAS and for their Monday Greeting Challenge.
I hope you enjoy viewing as much as I enjoyed making these cards:
This card is for the Monday Greetings challenge over at Outlawzchallenges.ning.com and for WordArtWednesday.blogspot.com for Challenge Weeks #244-245 - Anything Goes

The supplies I used are:
Neenah white cardstock cut at 4.25 x 5.5
Purple Bazzil cardstock cut at  4 1/8 x 5 3/8.  I then used  a border die from Avery Elle to cut some off and a Cuttlebug embossing folder to emboss.
Green Recollection cardstock cut at the same length and width as the purple and embossed using a Martha Stewart scoring board.
Garden greens in the color green (Recollection cardstock) were cut out using the Sizzix thinlits die (Tim Holtz Alterations).  Recollection orchid flower stickers were adhered to the greenery.  Three gold droplets from NUVO crystal drops in bright gold were added to the bottom


Outlawzchallenges.ning.com
Sunday CAS



These two cards were made for the Outlawzchallenges.ning.com Sunday CAS challenge.    I  tried to do a little coloring on both cards and enhanced the ice-cream by using texture paste from Ranger.
Neenah white cardstock was cut at 4.25 x 5.5;   black Recollection cut at 4 1/8 x 5 3/8; Canson Watercolor paper cut at 4 x 5.25.   The watercolor paper was colored with Pebbles pearlescent chalks while the image was colored with Artist Loft watercolor pencils.   A piece of cardstock from the Paper Studio Be Bold be bright foiled sheets was added for a little enhancement.
The top one with the bowl of ice-cream will be the one used on their site.

Do you like challenges?  Do you find yourself entering one, two or probably zero?
Sometimes they can be a challenge because what you want to do just doesn't work out.  Anyway, be challenged or challenge yourself.

I'm glad you stopped by.  Come again!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois




Monday, August 22, 2016

"Just A Little FALL-ish"

Hello Friends, Followers, Visitors and Viewers.
Welcome to Monday!!!  Was that time off enjoyable or frustrating?  Did you have a little or a lot to do?
It wasn't me, but I know of someone who really had a busy weekend trying to get ready for the "first" day back to school today.  Have a fantastic first day my little one!!!

I noticed that some trees on the edge of our property had leaves falling....is it that time of year?  We are thinking that the heat burned some of the leaves that were at the very top of the trees because they couldn't get water (we had heat but no rain).  Therefore, what appeared to look like autumn...is really not...it is just a heat related problem...the same that happened to the hibiscus bushes in the flower garden...they dried to a crisp when we had those 100+ temps.

Thinking about Autumn...(noticed I wrote..."thinking), I stamped an image, colored it, and layered it to a card for today's show.  Fall and Thanksgiving are not that far away...so I decided to make something FALL-ish for my display today:

Supplies:
Neenah white cardstock cut @ the A2 size
green paper from Colorbok Signature Greetings pad
the image was stamped on Neenah white cardstock and colored with colored pencils from Artist Loft
some leftover ferns from a previous project ...water colored on Ranger paper
a Michael's  Recollection flower with a faux Martha Stewart pearl and three more for embellishment
"greatly blessed" was stamped in black Hero Arts pigment ink using a Technique Tuesday stamp.

Thanks for viewing...Go forth and enjoy the remainder of your day.  
See you soon..back here in the same space with something different.
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Friday, August 19, 2016

"I Miss You"

Hello Friday!
Good morning friends, followers, visitors and viewers.  It is going to be a great day, don't you agree?
Your mind is on what you will be doing this weekend.  You may have called in today so that you can have a long weekend.  If the kids are not back in school...there is more school shopping to do.  If the older kids are back in their college dorms...you miss them and will spend the weekend with them.  If the grandkids are leaving this weekend to go back home...you can feel the void they are going to leave behind.
Do you miss them at all...those who have left you behind or will be leaving you behind?
I read some facebook pages this week of parents who are missing their children who went off to college for the first time.  If there were no more children at home...that "empty nest" syndrome started to kick in....I've been there and done that and my advice...you will soon get over it....start planning on how to use that empty bedroom.  They are going to come and go for the next three and a half years and then they will be out on their own.  Each time you get sad, walk into that room and start planning (lol).
Speaking of missing someone...I miss my granddaughter and I thought about making a card for her.  She starts school (third grade) on Monday.  I want to wish her and her classmates a successful school year.
Here is the card I made for her...nothing special because I was still shopping in my stash and found these items to use:
A piece of Ranger watercolor paper that I had colored with watercolor inks.  I had used my craft knife to cut some designs into the card and placed it in that stash pile.  I found a butterfly that matched the colors on the card a die cut from Cricut Design Space and a flower I had colored.  A fence that had been cut out using a Darice picket fence border die.   My traditional Neenah white cardstock.

 

I will "miss you" until I post again.  In the meantime, have a fantastic weekend and enjoy doing whatever makes you happy.
Let's meet back here on Monday.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Thursday, August 18, 2016

"Two Cards Using The Positive and Negative Die Image"

Hello Friends, Followers, Visitors and Viewers on this beautiful Thursday.
Happy end of the work week for those who work only four days a week.  Yes, there are some who have a three day long weekend.  While you may go to work and do your "eight" hours, there are some who go to work and put in "ten- twelve" hours so that Thursday will be like your Friday.  I know you have thought why I always give congrats to these people on a Thursday and that is the reason behind it.   I know quite a lot of people around in my area that work just four days a week.
You see, I've always wanted to work from home and go into the office on days that I felt like having some communication and "up close and personal time" with other people....unfortunately, I couldn't do that by being a teacher...I had to go in to see those smiling faces in that lovely place every day.
In every situation there is always a "negative" side and a "positive" side.  Even if you work four days a week some look at the number of hours you have to put in each day as a "negative" while you are looking at it as a "positive".  You are at work so why not stay two or more hours longer so that your weekend can be longer.
Let's look at my cards for today.  I have made two cards.  One card has the die cut on it in the "positive" way, while the other one is simply made from the "negative" cut of the die:
The die in question is Spellbinders ferns.  
You have seen this in probably the last couple of cards I have made.  Each time I cut out the ferns from cardstock, I noticed the intricate pattern it was leaving behind.  I decided to use a sheet of Ranger watercolor paper that I had previously  colored with watercolor inks to cut ferns from it.  I didn't use any particular pattern while cutting.  I was more focused on the ferns for the card I was making.  However, after cutting out the ferns, the details left behind sparked the making of another card. 

I like the idea of getting two cards from the use of one die.
When I decide to do this again with this same die, I will focus more on the placement of the die to get a cohesive pattern.  I didn't want to throw the paper away, so, I made this second card.

Thanks for visiting and you are always welcome to come again.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois 


Wednesday, August 17, 2016

"Untitled Card"

Good Wednesday to all my friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
How is your day or morning going so far.  I hope all is well with you and you're having a fantastic day.
This is the question:  How often do you make a card without anticipating what the sentiment will be?  Do you ever just pull out paper and embellishments and start working on a project with no idea what it is for...maybe when the card is finish you will add a sentiment.
It just didn't happen for me today.  This is one of those days that I just started  making a card and don't know what kind of sentiment I should put on it.  Eventually, I will add something later.  It is a card that will be saved until I need it for a special occasion (birthday, sympathy, thinking of you, etc.):
I've been going through my stash of paper to give some away to the Art Teacher at the school I once work at.   I came across all the paper you see in this project and decided to keep this to make something out of it.  That's correct...I kept it to make something but couldn't decide what the sentiment would be.
I started as I always start with Neenah white cardstock cut at the A2 size.  I added a layer of Recollection black cardstock followed by another layer of beige and black ( diamond pattern) that came from Craft Smith cardstock.  Next, I used a music sheet from Kaisercraft and backed it with the black Recollection cardstock.  The very top layer (black and white polka dot) also came from Craft Smith and was layered on top of the black Recollection.  A white flower and a paper butterfly from Michaels was adhere to the card with Spellbinders ferns cut in white, centered around them.

Maybe you have never been in a situation like this...making a card without any idea why you're making it.   Most of the time , it doesn't take long to figure out what needs to go on a card for a sentiment.   I always have a box waiting for future use of any cards that are not ready for anyone or any organization at the time they are created.

Thanks for your time, your comments and your continued support.  Come again.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

"Valuing Friendship"

Hello Friends, Followers, Visitors and Viewers.
Welcome to Tuesday.  My weekend was so enjoyable that it flowed into Monday.  Fellowship is beautiful especially if shared with beautiful people.
 
Let me write and you ponder this question for today:  How much do you value friendship?
As the saying goes, “No man is an island.”  Sometimes you and me want to just be alone and not be bothered by other people...admit it...it is true.   There are other times that you need someone to talk to about different situations  bad and or good.

A best friend is that one person who listens to your problems and makes sacrifices for your sake.  He or she is your shoulder to cry on and your defender from your oppressors. This person is someone who will believe in you and stand by you every step of the way.  To have a loyal friend like that is a rare find. You should value your friendship by being a good friend as well.

Being a good friend doesn’t mean you always have ready advice to give.  You don’t have to always understand what your friend is going through.  You do not have superpowers to make all their problems go away. But what is great about a good friend is that when you need him or her, they come to your side and listen.  A good friend is always willing to be there when you need them. And having someone by your side during the lowest points of your life is very important.  That is the true value and essence of friendship.

Card Share:
Outlawz challenges: Monday Greetings
Neenah white cardstock; Recollection blue and green cardstock;  image from Hunkydory The Little Book of The Orient; Sentiment from Stampendous Spring Sentiments clear stamps; faux gems.

Outlawz challenges: Sunday CAS
Neenah white cardstock: Kanban foil paper; black Recollection cardstock ( handmade vase and branches); Cuttlebug diamond embossing folder; Little B Moroccan punch; EK punched flowers; handwritten sentiment; NUVO crystal white drops for middle of flowers.

Embrace Your Art: First and Third Challenge - August 7, 2016 through August 19, 2016
Neenah white cardstock; mint green Colorbok greetings signature novelty paper; green Recollection cardstock (butterflies); Tattered Lace Chamomile spray die cut; Sizzix thinlits mixed media die cut; me&my Big ideas sticker; faux Martha Stewart pearls

Value friendship...that's the question for you to ponder as you go about your day.  
Not all friends are true friends.  Some are like leeches, they attach themselves to you just to get whatever they can get from you but doesn't do anything for you in return.  Watch out for that kind of "friend".
Have a good, enjoyable day!  Come again.
I enjoy your comments, always.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Friday, August 12, 2016

"Made By Chance and Not By Plan"

  Welcome Friends, Followers, Visitors and Viewers to this Friday, August 12, 2016.
It's a hot, humid Friday with caution about the heat.   I know I will not do a lot outside today.  Most of what I'm doing will be inside where it is cool.  Crafting will take a second to my plans for today.
 The cards I'm sharing is some that came about by chance... ( The unknown and unpredictable element in happenings that seems to have no assignable cause).  While going through my stash on yesterday,  I saw so many items that could make great cards. You see,  I have this habit of trashing a lot of my stash if I've kept it to long.  On Fridays, the trashman cometh and it was time to clean my room.  However, there were a few items I saved from the trash and literally start putting them together.
Don't laugh when I tell you how this card was made.
About a month ago, I got this Penny Black serenity die.  You know how we are when we get something new....I immediately used some cardstock to cut the die to see what it looked like.    Into the stash it went because I used paper that had came out of the stash.  
Okay, the program from last Sunday's church service was on the desk.  I decided to glue the die cut to the part with the boat on it...By chance this looked good so I added more paper layers to a white card base and pulled out the wood veneer birds from Studio Calico and there you have it.  
This card really surprised me with how it turned out.  It looked like a "thinking of you" card, so that is exactly what I stamped on it using Hero Arts "friends" stamp.
I like this so much that I'm entering it in 
WordArtWednesday  Anything Goes Challenge Weeks #242-#243

This card started with two vellum floral vines that have been in that stash box "forever".  I could never find anything that I wanted to use them with.  When I started looking at paper on yesterday that I had done something with but didn't like...a piece I had stamped using a Tim Holtz's die matched perfectly with these two vines and basically in the same family.  I found a butterfly to add to the image and since I had the Hero Arts friend stamp nearby, I stamped the same sentiment with the color that was already on the paper.  I added some Nuvo crystal drops  in the woodland green color.

Will this ever happen again?...Maybe, when I start throwing trash out of my stash away.
Both cards will be in a box that I keep cards in  to give away.
I hope you like these two cards...send me your opinion.  I would love to read your comment!
Have a great weekend.  Maybe you will get to do something "by chance".

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Thursday, August 11, 2016

"Who Or What Inspires You?

Welcome to Thursday, Thursday, friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
Take a look at my title for today.  Can you answer that question very quickly?   Is it a who or is it a what?
Many will question the question by asking "in what way are you talking about being inspired?  I know,  because that is the way I usually think.    I'm not referring to imitating someone or something...I am seriously asking who or what inspires you?
Inspiration... (definition) the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.  Inspiration is that feeling that strikes you when you’re moved to action by something  or someone you’re passionate about.  Inspiration is the driving force that can lead you to take a chance and do something great.  You don't know who is watching you because you are stimulating them to do what you do.
So many times in this crafting business, people have told me that something I made "inspired" them.  I'm thankful it does.  So, today I made a card in reference to my title for today:
I should have titled my post "creating from my stash" but I think I had used that once before.  I pulled out all items from my box of "stash goodies" and made this card.  If in any way this card inspires you, by all means, please copy and make your own.  All cardstock,  DP, vellum, die cuts and embellishment came from my stash.

I hope you enjoy this view and you will come to visit again.
Have a great day!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

"Commissioned"

Good Wednesday friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
What a great day to be up, moving around, and being a loving person to other people around you.
The weather is nice...the Olympic is fascinating to watch. It appears that the American gymnastic team is doing well so far in the Olympics (I told you last week that this would be the most watched part for me and my granddaughter).  As a matter of fact, everyone that is competing in the Olympics is doing a fantastic job.

"Commissioned"...give an order for or authorize the production of (something such as a building, piece of equipment, or work of art).
The work of art is where I come in.  I consider my crafting a "work of art".   If, at times, I am the only one who likes and enjoy what I'm doing, then, it is okay.  Everyone doesn't respond the same to things or people.  We have our difference of opinion.
However, there is a lady who saw and liked what I am doing with paper.  She commissioned me to make her some/a lot of cards.  She would rather pay me as opposed to buying them from a store...how great is that.
I started on some new cards for her. For the moment, they are prototypes ( a first, typical or preliminary model of something).  When we meet she can pick out some that I've already made and if she likes these that I've started on...they will be done over without those small mistakes that you see.
Take a look at what I started on:
This one is done with the Neenah white, black Recollection, kraft Recollection  cardstock.
Dp is from kaisercraft Base Coat Collection and my stash
die is the Romantic vine from Spellbinders and mauvy butterfly die.
Hebrews 11:1 sentiment from K & Company Bible Quotes Sticker Medley
flower from Prima


This card is made with Neenah white cardstock and Recollection gold foil cardstock
The sentiment from Recollection Clear Sympathy stamps was stamped and heat embossed with Ranger gold embossing powder.  The butterflies were cut from the same gold foil cardstock using a Martha Stewart butterfly die and Mauvy butterfly die.  Bright gold crystal drops from Nuvo were used.

This card was made using Neenah white and pink Recollection cardstock
Recollection Mixed Media stamp and stencil set (dragon fly) 
Inkadinkado clear meadow stamp                  American Craft glitter tape
The sentiment from Recollection Clear Sympathy stamp...heat embossed with Ranger silver embossing powder.   Silver Lining crystal drops from Nuvo were used.

*To my client...if you like these...give me a call and I will redo them over for you.

Hope you enjoyed the view for today.  I love hearing from you and hope you come again.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois





Tuesday, August 9, 2016

"Outside My Comfort Zone"

Hello Friends, Followers, Visitors and Viewers.  What a lovely day we are having in my neighborhood.  The temperature is just nice.  I can get outside and do something in the yard and breathe easily while doing it.
How many of you can keep up with the slangs most people use today?  Do you get upset just because you don't really understand what is being said or what is being written in a language that you don't know?
While listening to some teenagers talking...one individual told the other one, "you do you".  While looking at a message a teenager had sent to his dad of facebook, at first I thought it was a code but it is the way these young people write.
I'm from the old school.  I have to simply say what I mean when I'm saying it so you will understand and I have to write out all my words the long way.  Texting and tweeting is unfamiliar territory and outside of my comfort zone at the moment.  As I tell my daughters and granddaughter who are up-to-date with  the slang talk and the texting...I'll catch up one day (lol).
In my spare time, I made two cards.  One is a spin off from yesterday because I was working with flowers.  The other is trying to follow a sketch I saw at MojoMonday 460 for this week.



Entry for WordArtWednesday.blogspot.com and
  Outlawzchallenges.ning.com for Monday Greetings Challenge - Tic Tac Toe GCC080816 
Taking into consideration the slang..."You Do You" which according to the urban dictionary means the act of doing the things that you normally do. Nothing more, nothing less. Just being yourself and showing everyone who's boss around here...
I used Neenah white cardstock; black Recollection cardstock; DP is Recollection black swirl roses; Recollection white flowers.  die for ferns and romantic vines came from Spellbinders.  "You Do You" came from me & my Big ideas The Happy Planner stickers.  I added some white lace around the split.

 

MojoMonday 460
entry for mojomonday.blogspot.com for week of August 8. 2016

 Oh Hello:
Supplies:
Neenah white cardstock; bronze cardstock DP from colorbox Signature Greetings paper pad
Image from Hunkydory Garden Secrets card collection; oh Hello (sentiment) from me & my Big ideas The Happy Planner stickers and the flowers are from Recollection

Thanks for visiting today.  Please come again!  Leave a comment because I always enjoy hearing from you.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, August 8, 2016

"Monochromatic"

Happy Monday to all.
Glad you had a great weekend!
Some are sending a child or children off to college.  Some are already back in public or private schools for the 2016-2017 school year.  My little sunshine has two weeks before returning.  She will be in the third grade for the upcoming school year.
"No TAX" weekend was held in our area this past weekend.  We took advantage of it.
I'm presenting a monochromatic card today for a challenge. Mon·o·chro·mat·ic = containing or using only one color:
Supplies:
The color for everything is in the "blue-ish" green family
Recollection cardstock and DP from Colorbox Signature Novelty Greetings pad
die: Spellbinders Romantic Vine  and Spellbinders Ferns
ribbon and the stamp for the sentiment (I have no idea what set it came from...the package is missing)
Entry:
Outlawzchallenges.ning.com   Sunday - CAS: Monochromatic
WordArtWednesday.blogspot.com  Anything Goes Challenge Weeks #242-#243

Hope you enjoy the view for today.  Comments are always welcome!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Friday, August 5, 2016

"SMILE, LIGHT, WINDOW, SOUL"

Good Friday morning Friends, Followers, Visitors, and Viewers.
Welcome to my page today.
 I hope everything is going well for you and you're happy and excited.
What comes to your mind when you look at the title of this post?  It is just a group of words someone will say...It looks like you are going to write something about photography someone else may say...I don't play guessing game will be the response of most people...
             tell me, tell me...I can't wait any longer.
This card I made today use all four words.  It is a quote I saw on Pinterest and I keep quotes for my personal journaling and motivation.  The words may not mean much to you but for me, when I meet people with smiles on their faces that appear as if it is coming from deep within...then, this is what these words mean to me:  A Smile is the Light in the Window of your Soul.  


Entry in WordArtWednesday.blogspot.com

Anything Goes Challenge Weeks #242-#243



Supplies:
  • Neenah white cardstock cut at A2 size (4.25  x  5.50)
  • brown Recollection cardstock cut 1/8 inch less than white
  • another layer of Neenah white cardstock cut 1/8 inch less than the brown
  • a die cut window in kraft cardstock using Tim Holtz's Alterations window & Window box die
  • a piece of DP from Scrapbook & Collage Papers...The European Collection
  • a strip of lace
  • a Martha Stewart butterfly
  • copper penny Crystal NUVO drops 
Another quote I enjoy, especially when you have had a number of people you can call a "friend", is the one that says," thanks for being a FRIEND remember the time":
supplies:
Recollection black cardstock
DP from Recollections Christmas Noel paper pad
Tattered Tangles tangled pack
buttons from my stash

Thank you for viewing.  Have a safe an enjoyable weekend.  Come again!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

"SMILE, LIGHT, WINDOW, SOUL"

Good Friday morning Friends, Followers, Visitors, and Viewers.
Welcome to my page today.
 I hope everything is going well for you and you're happy and excited.
What comes to your mind when you look at the title of this post?  It is just a group of words someone will say...It looks like you are going to write something about photography someone else may say...I don't play guessing game will be the response of most people...
             tell me, tell me...I can't wait any longer.
This card I made today use all four words.  It is a quote I saw on Pinterest and I keep quotes for my personal journaling and motivation.  The words may not mean much to you but for me, when I meet people with smiles on their faces that appear as if it is coming from deep within...then, this is what these words mean to me:  A Smile is the Light in the Window of your Soul.  


Entry in WordArtWednesday.blogspot.com

Anything Goes Challenge Weeks #242-#243



Supplies:
  • Neenah white cardstock cut at A2 size (4.25  x  5.50)
  • brown Recollection cardstock cut 1/8 inch less than white
  • another layer of Neenah white cardstock cut 1/8 inch less than the brown
  • a die cut window in kraft cardstock using Tim Holtz's Alterations window & Window box die
  • a piece of DP from Scrapbook & Collage Papers...The European Collection
  • a strip of lace
  • a Martha Stewart butterfly
  • copper penny Crystal NUVO drops 
Thank you for viewing.  Have a safe an enjoyable weekend.  Come again!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Thursday, August 4, 2016

"Double Z Pop-Up Fold Card"

Hello Friends, Followers, Visitors and Viewers.
I've been searching around the web again and guess what I found.  A little twist on the double Z fold card.  The twist is to add an extra fold inside of a fold for a pop-up area.  Sounds complicated doesn't it but trust me it is not.  If you have directions for the double Z fold card (type in double Z fold card on Google, or Pinterest) you can make the Pop-Up version.  To save you some time, here is a video of the double Z fold  ...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1e2unQmU2o  and
 here is a video for the pop up double Z box card...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdwX7Vp_-xY&feature=youtu.be

From those two views I made a birthday card for a little girl:
1st view

2nd view

Sometimes when you're not exactly sure if one card will satisfy your customer, you make another one using a different format and let them select which one they want.  Then, in the back of your mind you're hoping they will accept both cards because they can't decide which one they want (lol).

1st view

2nd view
Two cards for one little special girl.  Even if the mother only choose one, I'm giving her the other because my heart is just like that.
Thanks for visiting today.
Looking forward to see what you can do with the double Z or the double Z pop up card.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

"Going For The Gold"

Happy Wednesday friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
Are you planning on watching and keeping up with the 2016 Rio Olympics?  It seems that many people are ready to settle back and watch.  If you do watch the Olympics, what is your favorite sports?  My granddaughter is in a gymnastic program and she has already said she will watch the gymnastic portion of the show.
Thinking about the Olympics , I had made three cards on yesterday (remember we had rain and I couldn't get to do anything outside so I worked in my craft area).  I'm sharing them today with you.
I've had some Martha Stewart gold leaves in my supplies for a long, long, time.  I finally used some of them on the cards I made:
 

Supplies:
black Recollection cardstock
Craft Smith Metallic Foil cardstock
Studio112 Epoxy Sticker
Martha Stewart gold foil leaves
used small butterfly punch
* I couldn't get a true picture of this card due to the glare from the metallic foil.

Supplies:
Neenah white cardstock
Craft cardstock
Martha Stewart gold foil leaves
Jolee 3D stickers
NUVO  bright gold crystal drops
brownish hemp cord

Entry :Anything Goes Challenge Weeks #242-#243
Supplies:
Craft cardstock
Neenah white cardstock
 Craft Smith natural luxury cardstock
Martha Stewart flowers and gold foil leaves
Jolee 3D stickers
Romantic vine die

Hoping you go for the gold in your endeavors.
Thanks for visiting with me today.
Come again!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

"At The Beach"

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
We made it to Tuesday.  Yes, we did.
What's on your agenda for today?  It is an overcast  morning at my place.  I think it is a good day to craft.  The sky is going to open up with rain at any given moment...so outside activities are off limits for today.
Yesterday, I put you in a cold snowy scene but I want you to come back to the warm, hot weather where you can just enjoy yourself for today.  Our vacation time will end soon...let us get in some fun before the summer is over:
My crafting friends have been using dies to create scenes on their cards.  I don't have that many dies featuring people so since I do have a lot of water color inks and water color paper, I thought I would give it a try.
First, I used Ranger water color paper to paint a "beach" scene with the waves on a somewhat sunny day.  When it looked good enough for me, I stopped and put the paper aside....not only to dry but to give some thought as to what to do next (last evening).
Second, (this morning) I remembered that my granddaughter had given me a lot of stickers for Christmas (I had filed them back last December and never used them).  I placed them on my working desk to see what I could use with the beach scene.  Luckily I could use the palm tree image from one set ...the shells from another set and the title from another.  Also, just by coincidence, the palm tree matched with my "waves" (this was not plan...trust me).
Third, I cut out the rectangle in the water colored paper for the palm tree sticker...this left the card very bland, so, I added the sea shells...still bland...until, viola~ the title.  I place the title above the palm tree and the bird to the right of the title....just my kind of card.  It was now speaking to me...(come to the beach...come to the beach...relax...come to the beach (lol)).
 

Entry:
wordartwednesday.blogspot.com
Supplies:
  • Neenah white cardstock for the A2 base
  • Recollection black cardstock cut 1/8 inch smaller than the base
  • Ranger water color paper cut 1/8 smaller than the black cardstock and water color inks (blues,orange, red, yellow, browns, white)
  • 3D stickers autocollants 


Thanks for viewing....leave a comment!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois