A Card Using Scraps! (Take Two!)

Those of you that follow my blog, know that I tend to hoard my scraps and "leftover" pieces that go into a "reject" pile.  Sometimes when I look at my ever growing pile, I feel inspired and see new combinations that I may not have normally seen. 

I am not sure if I love this card, or hate it.  

But that is what creating is about. 

Playing.

Experimenting.

Thinking outside of your comfort zone.

So with these leftovers, I created what could easily be a wedding, anniversary, or feminine birthday card.  The sentiment is from SRM STickers.  I cut up a pink striped straw to add a bit of interest to my watercolored flower.  I added glitter, string, epoxy dots, and a blue frame using a Spellbinder's die. 

There are a lot of things going on with this card.  It is as far away from a CAS card as you can get! LOL! 

I am sure with the amount of stuff I have laying all over my desk, that another "reject" card will be created in the near future.  ;)

I am off to a field trip today with my 5th graders to learn about the French fur trade. 

Wish me luck! (and warmth!)

Crafty Secret's Design Team Challenge and Linky Party!

Good morning to you on this cool October day!

Today is the first Monday of the month, which means it is time for the Crafty Secret's design team challenge! This month's theme was fall......certainly easy enough to do! I have a Halloween tree and love creating my own ornaments for it. This would also make a great tag for a Halloween present too!

I created a few fun embellishments and an interactive shaker element.

Give the frame a shake and the sequins move.  :)

So here is the scoop on how I made this little number. 

I've had this frame laying around for AGES! It was purchased at Michaels in their Christmas department. I used an image from the Halloween Cotton Scraps collection.

I wanted my frame to be black, so this was the color I used. 

After it was dry I sanded back some of the details for more interest. 

I have been on a shaker kick, and decided it would be a fun thing to do for this project.  I took a piece of clear acetate, a  handful of sequins, and stitched it on to the cotton scrap. Ignore my stitching, they are really wonky! But no worries, the frame will cover it up. ;)

Add a bit of tacky glue along the perimeter and place the frame directly on top until it is dry. 

I knew I wanted something for the corner of my frame and flowers always seem the perfect choice! I had just purchased these Artbars from Derwent.  I thought a bit of experimentation was in order. 

I cut out my flower pieces out of water color paper. I spritzed them with a bit of water, dipped my brush in the Artbar, and colored my flowers. 

I love the look of ribbon with flowers, so these were the colors I selected.

I looped it twice and pinched it in the middle, so I could tie my black string. 

You can use a hot glue gun to adhere your embellishments, but I was too lazy to pull it out.  The tacky glue was there, so that's what I used.  But obviously there is a much longer drying time involved.  But I was okay with that, because I was headed out of the craft room to watch a bit of TV. ;) 

Here is my project one last time. 

Be sure to check out the other talented ladies on my team!

They are amazing!

Kathy Clement Team Leader

Michele Kovack - 300+ Gallery!

Sheila Rumney

Darlene Pavlick

Elizabeth Lincoln

Gloria Stengel

Diane Hover

Melody Clement

Shantaie Caudill-Fowler

Lee Ann Barrett-Guest Designer this month!

Have a great day!

Sweet Posies

It is a wet fall day here. That makes it a perfect day to put up my Halloween decorations and get my clothes switched over for the season.

But first, here is a little throwback to spring.

A brand new Posie stamp from JustRite. 

It was colored using my Spectrum Noir markers and given a bit of sparkle with a Wink of Stella pen. 

The card itself was created with circle and scalloped edge dies from Spellbinders.  

A bit of inking along the edge and a few pearls finished it off. 

I adore sets I can color. There is something so calming and therapeutic about coloring.

The other designers have done a beautiful job of showcasing this set. 

Be sure to stop by their blogs for a look!

JustRite Inspiration

Debbie Olson

Becca Feeken

Kristi Schurr

Michele Kovack

Marisa Job

Heidi Blankenship

Amy Tedder

Kazan Clark

Darsie Bruno

Angela Barkhouse

Kathy Jones

I am off to dig out my bins of winter clothes and Halloween decorations from the dreaded "icky" part of the basement. Wish me luck for a safe return! ;)

Enjoy your weekend friends!

JustRite's October Release- Mums and Oak Leaves

Good morning to you friends!  I have TWO cards to share with you today!  It uses 3 new sets by JustRite.  I have been on a watercoloring kick lately and wanted to use my Inktense pencils to color this first image.  I stamped JustRite's new set, Oak Leaves in Versamark ink and embossed it in white. 

I colored the leaves with my Inktense pencils and a water brush.  I stamped the acorns a second time and fussy cut them.  I popped them up with dimensional foam circles.  I added a bit of twine, rhinestones, and sentiment.  I swiped all of the edges of the rectangles with Versamark and sprinkled them with gold glitter embossing powder by WOW!.  I love the subtle sparkle it gives. A few sequins finished the card off. 

My second card uses two new sets.  The Crackle Background stamp and the Mum set. I again stamped it with Versamark and embossed it in white.  I used my Inktense pencils and a water brush to color  the mum.   The Crackle background was stamped with a dark brown ink on kraft paper.

I added a sentiment, string, pearls, and a button to finish the card. 

And how about a little enabling?  ;)  Christmas is right around the corner!!

Be sure to visit the other designer's blogs for more inspiration using these fun new sets!

JustRite Inspiration

Debbie Olson

Becca Feeken

Michele Kovack

Kazan Clark

Amy Tedder

Darsie Bruno

Marisa Job

Kathy Jones

Kristi Schurr

Angela Barkhouse

TGIF! Happy Friday to you all!

Color Outside The Lines-JustRite's October Release!

Today is day 2 of JustRite's October release! (Yes, I am a total slacker and didn't have anything for yesterday's post)  ;)

Today's set is a fun one called, Colorful Brush Strokes.  

Of course I read the word "Colorful" and went very literal with my interpretation.  

I used vibrant colors and stamped the sentiment in black.  I added some bright yellow ribbon, a few rhinestones, and Epoxy dots. 

Here is the entire set...here for your viewing pleasure. ;) 

The other gals have some fabulous projects using this set...so be sure to pay them a quick visit.  

Becca Feeken

Michele Kovack

Kellie Fortin

Heidi Blankenship

Sheri Holt

Kristi Schurr

Darsie Bruno

Marisa Job

Have a great day my friends!

SRM Blog!

Good morning! Just popping in to tell you I have a Halloween project on the SRM blog today! Here is a little sneak peek of my project! Head on over there for full details!

Have a great Wednesday!

Photography....

This past weekend I had my camera in tow everywhere we went. Cortney had a professional shoot with a Chicago photographer, Jeff from Rebirth Photo. I took pictures of him taking pictures of Cort. Totally makes sense right? We had done the photo shoot at Lincoln Park Zoo. I hadn't been there for years, and I have to say it is a truly beautiful zoo. I seriously had my camera in front of my face the entire time. This lion...amazing right? We walked the Lincoln Park area and I took a few photos of the historic Brownstones. Brian snapped a quick photo of me on our walk. We went to a trendy restaurant on Halsted street called, Summer House. The food was amazing!

Cortney had received a gorgeous one of a kind coat from a sweet lady, Ellen. She is owner of Kaleidoscope Wear. She makes each one of a kind coat with so much love and thought to detail. I loved the coat so much that I am getting one too! So I guess when mine is done, we may have to do a mother daughter session! ;)

It is almost time for Halloween....so of course I couldn't pass up the opportunity to dress up my pups! They are always willing models for the crazy lady with the camera!  My husband told me he was disappointed in the photos I took.  He stated that no one is going to know what they are dressed as.  Maybe he is right....but I am hoping with the stripes and little pom poms that people will figure it out! ;)  Maybe I will have to take a few photos from behind.

We went apple picking yesterday....but I was too tired to upload and edit the photos. So those will be coming at a later date. So this is why I have nothing crafty to share. I've been spending my time on my photography skills. Time with my family. Creating memories. My youngest is going to college in less than a year. I need to enjoy these days...they are fleeting. Thank you for humoring me.....and letting me share other passions in my life! HAve a great day!