Many Thanks to Lawn Fawn for their Sponsorship

Many Thanks to Lawn Fawn for their Sponsorship of the Die Cut Divas challenge blog.   It's been a wonderful month with Hannah sharing so much of her creativity and joy in the craft.

I had to make one last card for this month, a Thank You card.  And I found my inspiration at CAS(E) this Sketch.  I know it looks plain, but it's rather nice, especially if you want to use some color in a card for a guy.

Below is the sketch which I used to make this card.


Easy Recipe:
Lawn Fawn "You've Got Mail"
Lawn Fawn Paper
Cuttlebug
Circle Die Cut

I won and don't you just love winning too!

I won the July 2013 Card Kit through Simon Says Stamp on Kathy Raccoosin's "The Daily Marker" and I'm having such fun!  Here's the kit when I opened it!

Here's my card from my new stash.

Along with all the goodies was an Inspiration sheet.  Below is the July 4th card that is my inspiration, designed by Nichol Magouirk.  

I'm sure There will be more cards from the fabulous things I found in the package.  

Recipe:

Simon Says Stamp Cupcake Party clear stamp set

Hero Arts die cut (red zig zag tag die cut

Cuttlebug

Yellow cardstock from prize package

Remember Wednesday and Friday? Yeah, Me Either

I was in the groove last week with one design, Jar in the middle of a Spellbinders Labels 18 die-cut with some sort of embellishment.  Quite simple, but nice.

This time, I thought of honey as a color.  I thought HEARTS and the card was made.   This card is winding its way to someone right now.  I love the matching set of dies from Lawn Fawn, perfect for the Summertime Charm stamp set.  

Now are you wondering how I put a jar inside of the jar?  Not hard to do if you have some Lawn Fawn paper too.  This two-sided paper has jars of all sizes and colors and don't you love the background too?  

Close-up 

Now Wednesday and Friday runners-up.... 

     

I

     

I hope you liked seeing how you can use the same design over and over again and still have a unique result.  Be sure to head on over to Die Cut Divas to join in on the Guys and Boys challenge.  It's open through June 30, 2013, Pacific time.

I had to enter - had to!

Some Bugaboo is calling my name.  Her name is Ruby.  She's got attitude and she's prepared for any event.  Even though it's a sunny day, you never know when the rain will come.  The Bugaboo Challenge blog has an inspiration challenge and I had to use that purple or blue color on the picnic table for my gal Ruby's hair!  I'm entering the photo inspiration challenge and I just thought Ruby had to come out into the sun!

She's all outdoors, so handle with card.

Ruby makes sure she's dressed for a change in weather, but mindful of all the greens and yellows of spring turning into summer.  A butterfly stops for a visit.

Close-up of that stylish hair. 

You can find Ruby Calendar Month April, right here.
Also used Hero Arts clear stamp Heyday Thoughts - 3305054

Taking a Look at SUN FLOWER STUDIO

Yes, you caught me... I was walking through the Pinterest garden and came across a neat, handy way of storing Dies that I hadn't seen before.  The Pinterest page sent me to this web page at Sun Flower Studio and Leigh's post of July 23, 2008 on her Nestabilities storage idea.  I must say, it looks like a very good idea.

Has anyone thought of a magnetic board to hang your Nestabilities?  Not me... but Leigh is far and ahead the most creative thinker for storage in this area.

Please visit Leigh's post and let me know what you think.  Leave her some kind thoughts too.  Hopefully she'll be back to posting again soon.  I know her creativity quotient is low right now, but there's sunshine and smooth sailing scheduled ahead.

Hannah has a surprise for us over at the Die Cut Divas, so visit and be sure to enter the June challenge, there is STILL TIME!

Same Design?

I wanted to see what the same design would produce after I made Monday's card.  See if you like it.  Rather manly colors and I found I liked the sentiment in white.  Lawn Fawn's jar is rather fun to stamp and decorate.

 Close-up

You can't remember what my Monday card looked like?  Neither can I.... well, not true, but you really have to see the difference.

Hard to believe the difference, right?  Two manly cards for two manly guys...  I hope you like them.

Be sure to visit Die Cut Divas for the monthly challenge-still time to enter.  Hannah has another post for you!

My Lawn Fawn Dies Came In!

Now I don't have to cut my jar and fruit.  YAY... I was so happy to open up my package and here's what I saw. First I saw my die cuts wrapped like a gift, but also some four inch square paper pieces to play with and a "thank you" stamp.   A big Thank You to Lawn Fawn.

Close up of my package

I couldn't wait to cut  SOMETHING, so the jar was headed for the block.  Here's my first card I made using the die. Cute jar and little buzzin' bee.  I thought this would make a nice masculine card. and of course I used the papers enclosed in my package.  One piece of paper, double-sided and I'm buzzin' too.

Close-up

Take time to visit Die Cut Divas for Hannah's interview with Nancy Krueger on Monday and see what's poppin' today with Nancy.

Be sure to enter the Die Cut Divas' guys and boys challenge here.

Recipe

Lawn Fawn Summertime Charm

Lawn Fawn "thank you" stamp

Lawn Fawn matching die set for Summertime Charm

Lawn Fawn papers

Hero Arts Zig Zag stamp on kraft card stock

Brown pearls (this time I didn't touch the color with Copics)

Thanks a bunch!

I guess I have the strangest colored mail boxes ever, maybe not ever, but they certainly are NOT blue.  I'll try for blue in the future, but right now, it's been in the mud and it's not going to get cleaned anytime soon!  It looks somewhat official, but still distressed.  Well, the card is distressed, so what else could you think?  However, those bight clean envelopes perk up the whole thing.

My card:

 Close-up

This definitely feels like a card for a guy to me. Since Die Cut Divas is having a blog challenge for guys and boys, you may feel the want, the need, the powerful pull to enter here!... but hold on, it's guest designer week at Die Cut Divas too!   If I had some extra envelopes, I'd lead a trail to Hannah, here!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the great fathers in the world!  

And I found this clear set from Lawn Fawn, "You've Got Mail".  I am always finding goodies at my LSS, The Stamp Art Shoppe.  I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I purchased this..  

You've Got Mail

I saw cards in envelopes flying to the mail box with happy wishes for a Happy Father's Day!  I wondered if I could fit all the letters on the card, but I DID!  I thought, it looks rather like a child's card and that's ok, too.  It has a happy, fun sense to it and that's what I wanted.  You'd think I'd have enough envelopes on this card, but no, I had to add some falling out of the back of the mail box because it is so full of happy wishes.
Even though my father passed away several years ago, I made this card for my son, who is a father.

Lawn Fawn's envelopes are on their way to the mail box and overflowing!

Happy Father's Day - lots of color and fun!

Close-up of that fun mail box - never seen one quite like this.

Would you believe this fits perfectly with the new bi-monthly OOZAK challenge which is "Anything with a Sentiment."  Does this NOT fit?  

I didn't think there would still be challenges for me to enter... but here is Joanna Sheen Challenge right here!

Recipe:

Lawn Fawn You've Got Mail (mail box & envelopes)

Cuttlebug

Provo Craft Cuttlebug Olivia die set - love this die set

Patterned Paper for the mail box and scraps of colored papers stamped with the letter stamp

Washi tape - black and white arrow & striped tape on bottom and left of card

Happy Birthday to Dawn

Dawn is having a birthday today.... that's what a birdie told me.  Since I didn't have much lead time, I am sending her birthday wishes with this post and heartfelt hugs all the way down to Auckland, New Zealand. 
A Diva, to be sure, she's been a Flickr team moderator of the Die Cut Divas group on Flickr and one of the FOUR Design Team members on our Die Cut Divas' challenge blog.  Dawn is a special super lady and a great friend too.
Wish her a Happy Birthday at Dawn's World too.

Here's to Dawn!, one of a kind!

Close-up of the die-cut

I wasn't going for monochromatic, but, there it is.  My first time using the Spellbinders Blossom Five

(well 4 of the 5)

Recipe:

Hero Arts Dot Flower Pattern - CG335 - background on the cream cardstock under the die-cut

Hero Arts Anytime Messages - CL129 

Hero Arts Travel - AC031

Rub off - (happy birthday)

Distress Ink Worn Lipstick

Cuttlebug

Spellbinders Nestabilities (Blossom Five)

I had a TIM HOLTZ' DAY!

Well, I didn't take a class from Tim, but I made four, count them FOUR cards at my LSS, The Stamp Art Shoppe in Roseville.  Susan was our hostess/instructor for the day and did she EVER put us to the test!

I really had not used my Distress Markers, even thought I've had them a couple months, except for little bits here and there, but never water coloring.  NOW was my chance.  Susan had used the Distress markers and I wasn't the only one who had not used their markers.  I loved playing with them and I think I'll do more - love the water color look.

DO NOT USE a Water Based ink to stamp your cards if you are going to use water, so Memento is out.  We used Archival Ink to stamp our images.  I loved every one of the images.  WOW.  Even luggage takes on a new look.  Susan had the greatest background pages and tapes.  In order of stamping, if not completion... ta da!

The World of Reality has its Limits: but the World of Imagination is Boundless

We used Broken China and Rusty Hinge on this gorgeous card. And I am very happy with this.

 Every Possibility Begins with the Courage to Imagine...

Image colored with Black Soot and Pumice Stone, Vintage Photo, Broken China and I think the red vest is Barn Door, but don't "quote me."

Enjoy the Journey

You can color the suit cases any color your heart desires, and I did!

The ticket die-cut was stamped with a map stamp.  It was great.

Time Fleeting Precious Seconds Moments 

I used Vintage Photo for the hat and suit, Bundled Sage on the hat band and vest.  I had double-stamped the sentiment in error, but the more I looked at it, the more I liked it.

I hope you liked my efforts.  I had a great time!

Remember our guys and boys June challenge is still on at Die Cut Divas and you should enter!  Our generous sponsor is Lawn Fawn, so check the stamps and dies out.

“so tell me, what is it that you intend to do with your one wild and precious life?”

I just finished reading this quote on the Hero Arts Blog and loved it so much, I had to post it and think about it on my blog.  The three tags by Lisa Spangler are terrific as is the quote she used.  But the quote itself is wild and precious.  

Lisa, you're right, it really does make one "stop and think".  BE wildly expressive!  BE exuberant! BE WHO YOU ARE inside on the OUTSIDE!  

Sometimes I am excited and bright on the inside and sometimes there's that person who needs some space.  I have two cards that are me - the expressively bright person who thinks bees adorning clothing is fun and then the one who, in the midst of the hectic bustle of work, needs to keep calm and MOVE ON!

My BRIGHT DAY!

 Recipe:

Lawn Fawn - Summertime Charm - bees & sentiment

Dreamweavers Die cut

Tissue Box - apron 

Cuttlebug

Glass gems colored with Copic R29 - Lipstick Red

My "Stop and Think" Day!

Recipe:

Hero Arts Heyday Thoughts 3305054- balloons & sentiment

Hero Arts die-cuts

Hero Arts Travel AC031 - cars

Hero Arts Zig Zag CG422

On my bright inside, everyone brightens my day and I"m flowers and sunshine and bright colors.  When I'm Keeping Calm with the bustle of town and work, I still have to have some color in my life. 

Lawn Fawn is our Die Cut Divas sponsor for the month of June 2013, so please visit Die Cut Divas challenge blog to enter the Guys or Boys challenge as well as our great sponsor, Lawn Fawn.  I enjoyed making my bright day card with Lawn Fawn stamps.  Hannah has something popping up on the Die Cut Divas' blog today.... check it out!

Hero Arts was our Die Cut Divas sponsor in March and I had as much fun creating my STOP and THINK card as my Bright Day card.   Have a great week!

What I need at my new office

What I need at my new office is FLOWERS!... but not R E A L Flowers.  The new building I'll be moving into does not allow live plants and I'm not sure why.  From what I've read on Gold level LEED buildings, that doesn't seem to be the case.  Oh well, .  Suffice it to say, the tan tones of my cubicle walls will NEED something.   I may have solved the problem after seeing this tutorial at Michella Marie.  She uses coffee filters and these are gorgeous peonies.  This is probably the only time I've ever really wanted to drink coffee so I could use the coffee filters.  Other than the (for me) awful taste of coffee, I may invest in some coffee filters if I can't find something else to fit the bill to make these beautiful flowers.   Thought I'd share this beauty.

Here's the wonderful result of Michella Marie's work.SEE, I TOLD YOU!

Thanks for the Stars!

Thanks for the memories.

Easy to remember things that made you happy, like stars in the skies.  I saw the star in the Lawn Fawn clear set and started cutting.  I set 5 stars on the jar I cut from the Lawn Fawn paper I purchased from my LSS, The Stamp Art Shoppe.  Then I cut more stars, scattered them, in that painstaking way you scatter things to make them look random.  But my jar didn't look like a jar, no shininess. What is a jar, if it's not shiny?  I still had a package that provided the plastic.  YES!  Now it's shiny and embossed with the Cuttlebug Provo Craft Vine Swirl. The background paper is left-over from some other project, but worked out very well.

Be sure to visit Hannah at the Die Cut Divas - favorite dies and fun ways to use them.  Hannah's so talented.

Recipe:
Lawn Fawn Summertime Charm - stars & sentiment
Lawn Fawn 12: X 12: paper - one side with all kinds of canning jars with a coordinating paper on back - this jar is cut from the paper
Cuttlebug Provo Craft embossing folder Vine Swirl
Provo Craft embossing folder plastic embossed with Vine Swirl embossing folder
Hero Arts Neon Blue on yellow cardstock - equals green

Post Cards, to be sure

I wish you a Happy Birthday, I wish you a Happy Birthday..... but my card was too big to stuff into that little mail box.  What great stamps come in this Lawn Fawn "You've Got Mail" set.  I'm having fun stamping away.  I used a Hero Arts Birthday stamp to send this on its way.

You brighten my day with a little distressing with Wild Honey and Mustard Seed distress inks. I like how the Tim Holtz Sizzix Alterations embossing folder gives this great gear texture.  I used a Distress marker to color the two pearls sitting on the gears.

Remember to visit our sponsor Lawn Fawn and Die Cut Divas to enter our June Challenge.

Dreamweaver - WOW

WOW, do I have a lot to learn!  When I attended the Stamp Convention this year in March, I purchased some Dreamweaver paste, spreader (well, I'm not sure of the real name for this tool), a die, some metallic fixes and did nothing with them... SHAME ON ME! 

I have now opened my paste and bought a black and a white paste.  I can tell you there was so much to learn in my two classes on Saturday, June 1.  I will hopefully be able to show you bit by bit what I accomplished and what I didn't - well, I could show you how messy I was, but I'll wait for a later post than this.  Our teacher was none other than Lynell Harlow at Dreamweaver Stencils.

This delightful apron is available in a thin metal stencil and also in a die.  We didn't just cut this apron.  Do you see the all red panel on the apron.  That is the paste layer. We layered our die-cut pieces onto a layer of pre-pasted and dried paste?  The question mark means I don't know what to call the dried red panel.  (This red was made of equal parts red and white pastes)  The sentiment "Recipe" was done by me (YAY TEAM) with a stencil in my take-home packet. (oh, I need a trowel)... I won't show you how this was done until I have it down and can use a trowel - garden trowel will NOT do).  I do really like this.

NEXT:  The class was named Stentangle - zentangles contained within a stencil.  This is my first effort - I left the class with two panels completed.  Lynell taught us how to do some flowers and other drawings that I couldn't remember the names for.  I thought, you mean these things have names?   I had no idea there were instructors who were certified to teach zentangle. This was a fun experience and I think I will probably do more.  I think I'd like to add color as I'm not much of a black and white gal.  

I completed the middle panel at home.  It's an organic part of the piece. Really, ORGANIC!  Rain is falling from above and there's some strange looking suns at the bottom and flowers in the middle there.... yeah, I'm not sure I recognize them either.  But I'm ok with my first zentangle experience.  

 They have so  many marvelous stencils and are adding new dies in July.  You'll be absolutely amazed at the extent of their inventory.  I hope you go visit.

From Me to You!

What other title could I use?  I went for a black background to these gray mail boxes.  I don't know why I had stamped more than one mail box on gray paper, but I did and there they were, on my desk, not doing anything, just sitting.  All of a sudden, I thought of a previous card, totally different in design, execution, everything, except that the sentiment was "From Me to You" and that's how it began.  I thought I had a "from" and a "to" on my alphabet dies and I did!  Fairly simple, but I like it.

I think this card is a fun card to leave for the hubby, boyfriend or grown child for any kind of event.

You should see what Hannah has planned over at Die Cut Divas today!  It's all about the dies, isn't it?

Recipe:
Lawn Fawn You've Got Mail
Cuttlebug
Cuttlebug Provo Craft Olivia font dies

The winner of the Die Cut Divas' Challenge

I took the can - yes I knew I could use it for more than one thing!  I put the strips of paper in and my son pulled out the winner!  Lucky number 18.

Who is lucky number 18?  You'll have to visit Die Cut Divas to find out... that was cruel of me, wasn't it?

And thanks again to Bugaboo Digital Stamps.
Arlene

June is coming up GUYS!

Now is June coming up, Guys?  OR is June coming up GUYS?  Are guys popping up in June?  Maybe....

Be sure to visit Die Cut Divas Challenge Blog to find out about this month's challenge.  Hannah has a wonderful sponsor you all know and love - Lawn Fawn.  Just to give you a taste of this month's challenge, here's a card from me.  I know those red things on the green fruit look like sunglasses and maybe I'll pretend they were meant to be sunglasses, but shhh, that's supposed to be a bow TIE!  The flower on the yellow fruit is a flower for the gal.... some lemony goodness. I just couldn't get that tie to look like anything but sunglasses.  So, new title for this card.

Sun-Shade Splash! 

Close-up - still looks like sun-shades

Rather a romantic couple, don't you think?  Yes, let your imagination go... I did...

Recipe:

Lawn Fawn Summertime Charm - jar & lemon, plus I stamped it on green paper for my well dressed lime.  

Hero Arts and Studio Calico thought cloud from Heyday Thoughts 3305054
Cuttlebug
Cuttlebug Provo Craft folder "Swiss Dots"
Paper - Lawn Fawn Pink Lemonade, Club Soda - item LF461 coordinating pattern
Heart Gem
Computer generated sentiment