A Very Special Birthday Card

I have been wanting to post this card for over 3 weeks now, but I had to wait until I gave it to one of my BFF's. This card just came to me one day while I was sketching projects...I could hardly wait to make it. My girlfriend is a proud Texan, so....the hence the design elements...I used my Cricut to make the boot (Just Because Cards) and the blue bonnets (50 States). I altered the cuts a little to give them more dimension. For the boot I added the embossed panels and finger straps at the top. For the blue bonnets I used two layers of color...the bottom layer is the darkest blue while the top layer it three shades...blue, light blue and white. I was trying to make it look more like a real blue bonnet. The "howdy" is a Stampin' Up stamp. I made the window and it's frame with the Label Spellbinder. I love doing the lattice...flashbacks of kindergarten...over, under, over...The red dotted paper is Daisy D's. Finally, it would not be a card made by me if it didn't have it, I added the bling. I am very happy with the finished product...it actually looks better than the vision I had ;0)

Dandelion Wishes

Card I made today for my girlfriend's daughter. Simple card, but took a little effort...I really wanted a dandelion image, but could not find a digi stamp of one & I really didn't want to buy a regular stamp, so...I found a photo online, but I didn't want a photo, so...I used my Photshop and turned it into a sketch...perfect! Of course I added stickles...it just wouldn't be a card from me if it didn't have some type of bling:)

I can't wait to share the card I made for her mom with you...but I must wait....will post pic after I give it to her.

Splish, Splash!

I made this cute die cut for our latest swap, Splish Splash, on FB. I bought the die a couple of years ago and have never had the chance to use...I was excited to finally get to use it. he is just so cute and goes with the theme perfectly.

The second two pictures are the items from each swap, I participated in both groups. I can't wait to use them with my vacation pictures...we are going to Key West & I plan on a lot of beach & water time.

I WON! Now on to the next challenge....

So last week I entered my first blog challenge (see previous post) and I WON! See my cute blog award to the right. I really enjoyed doing it, so I decided to try again. This week's challenge for Pixie Dust Studios was "Girly, Girly"...you had to have ribbon/bow. I decided to use the "Japanese Princess" digi...she was just too cute. I used a scrap of handmade paper I had for the background, layered the digi on a red piece of mulberry paper and pop-dotted it up. I used a border punch to create the edges on the top and bottom. Of course I added rhinestones and Stickles...it is a girly card!

I am really liking these challenges...it is a nice break for me.

My FIRST challenge card!

I just completed my first challenge card for Pixie Dust Studios. I love their digi stamps, so...I decided to give it a try. The theme was "Old Photos" use color combo of black & white. I had just purchased this digi stamp, Robo Steampuff, from them and thought it would be perfect in the black/white palette. I used a scrap of argyle paper I had, embossed a grey piece with a Cuttlebug folder & inked it, then layered and added a bow. for the frame on the image I used my Creative Memories oval cutter to cut the frame and the bottom mat. I added the brads to carry out the robo theme. I like it...this digi is just too cute! However, I will add some red Stickles to the heart when I decide to use the card....me & my glitter:) Things I learned doing this challenge: I love Gamsol. I am not very steady at coloring...need to work on it a little.

ATC Exhibit in Ohio

Ok...one of the members on my FB group posted info about an ATC exhibit in Ohio (here's the link if interested: http://oxarts.org/index_files/Page638.htm ) I wanted to do it, but since I have not been doing this too long (have made 3 to be exact) I was a little hesitant, but then all these ideas came to me. You had to make three cards of the same theme....I finally settled on "Things with Wings". Here is what I came up with...
For the backgrounds on all three I used a technique I learned a long time ago...inking masking tape...it just gives it a little interest instead of flat color. I cut all the creatures with Spellbinders. I made all the wings out of thin metal paper...then added details with Smooch inks. Of course, I had to get some glitter in there so the flowers are all accented with Stickles in Diamond, as well as the bees' wings and the water by the dragonfly. So, let me know what you think....

ATC: It's Where You Live

So this is my ATC for a swap...the theme was "It's Where You Live". I decided to go with a literal interpretation of it. So many things came to mind that I wanted to include on the card....planes, cardinals, beavers, USAF, carnations, Wright Brothers, etc...if you haven't figured it out, I live in Beavercreek, Ohio...very close to Dayton and a huge AF base, Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Dayton is considered the "home of aviation" as it is the birthplace and home of the Wright brothers. Of course then you have our actual town, Beavercreek...well, they are just cute :) Then there are the state facts...flower, bird, etc... So, after a lot of sketching and re-sketching, this is what I came up with. I printed the beaver stamp on the computer and then covered it completely with Crystal Effects for dimension. I made the little carnations with tissue paper and floral tape. The state I cute on my Cricut using "50 States", inked the edges and added a brad for the capital. Unfortunately, one of the elements...the antique planes on the peachy background paper...get a little lost, but....if you look closely you can see them. I am really liking these little pieces of art. I think I am ready to do a series of three for an exhibit one of my FB friends shared with me....Hmmm...what to do, what to do...I am thinking "Winged Things"....butterfly, dragonfly, bumble bee??? We shall see...