Welcome Baby!

Happy Memorial Day Friends!  I just want to take a moment to say Thank You to our Service men and women for doing what they do and also to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. 

I made a card for a friend who is having a baby girl - due any time now!  I just love this little lamb from Doodle Pantry, "Sheep Dreams," and thought it would be perfect for a welcome baby card.  I've colored this little cutie with copics and then flocked the rest; the eye and hooves were highlight with a black Glaze pen.  The lovely cloud printed paper is from Doodle Pantry too!  It's the Spring Day Digi paper pack and there are several wonderful patterns in this pack!  The fence and grass are MS punches and the sentiment is rubber stamped (Studio G $1 stamp!) and embossed with Ranger embossing powder.  The card is hand-cut (A7) from Bazzill cardstock, petal pink and the lighter shade (Nestie and MS eyelet edge punch) is also Bazzill in tutu pink.   There is a Memorial Day sale going on at Doodle Pantry (Details here!) - 35% discount by using the code REMEMBER and there is a free image with purchase as well - AwEsOmE! 

Have a wonderful day! <3 Lisa

Black, White and Pop of Color Challenge at A Day for Daisies!

I was able to try a new technique this week with the new challenge at A Day For Daisies -- coloring an image black and white.  Challenge 19 begins today and all you have to do is use black and white...and one other color with an A Day For Daisies image.  I have taken Suzanne Dean's copic classes and she teaches the technique but I hadn't really used it yet. This was the perfect opportunity!  My pop of color ended up being red --inspired by the name of my image, "Red Lady" and she is one of the beautiful new portrait releases at A Day For Daisies today. Here are the other fabulous images available today:

I am looking forward to the long weekend and plan to do lots more coloring :)  Happy Friday, <3 Lisa

She Said Yes! Bridal Shower

Happy Wednesday All!  It was a Wedding Wednesday for me as it was the day of the bridal shower I was commissioned to host.  The bride-to-be chose lilac and wisteria for her wedding colors (and flowers) and I found this incredibly inspiring!  It is a striking combination and lilacs are one of my favorite flowers.  Even though this was to be and office event I still wanted to have invitations.  Just because it's an office thing, doesn't mean I have to cut all the corners  ;) 

I cut bright white cardstock into A2 size cards and embossed with CB swirls folder.  I used Bazzill cardstock in twoshades of purple and cut with SB Nestabilities.  The sentiment is computer-generated and the tiny diamond ring was hand-stamped (Inkadinkado rubber stamp) and embossed.  To make the tiny diamond, I cut a square rhinestone on the diagonal and once in place, I topped it with Stickles and Glossy Accents.  I think this theme is really fun and actually, it would be perfect for an engagement party, too.

My very favorite creation for this shower was the lilac branch embellished favor boxes.  I made these by cutting out an 8" box from Cricut cartridge Tags, Bags, Boxes & More from of Bazzill embossed card stock (swirlpool).  To make the lilac branches, I used the Walk In My Garden cartridge's hydrangea cut and then hand cut to shape it into a lilac branch.

I used the Home Accent cartridge for the branches and leaves and the Elegant Edges cart for the frame around the SB nestie "Thank You".  This little box held 2 Hershey Bliss chocolates which were nestled in two layers of tissue paper - lavender and purple - which I cut with a scalloped edge circle SB nestie. I've included a better close up of the favors and a pic of the conference room during set up.

 I try to remember to snap pictures as I go along but I quickly get caught up in the decorating and orchestrating the event.  I end up setting my camera aside and forget about it until it's discovered again during the clean up! LOL!


Now that the bridal shower is over, it's on to graduation party decorations and favors for my niece's high school graduation!  

I will be back on Friday for the A Day For Daisies new releases and Challenge!  Have a good week, <3 Lisa

Sweet Baby Elephant Gift Set

 I ordered this super adorable rubber stamp, "Baby of Mine"  by Crissy Armstrong from Whimsy Stamps just a couple days ago and to my amazement, it arrived on Saturday (Awesome fast shipping!!).  Even though I have oodles of bridal shower things to do I couldn't  wait to color up it up! Oh that wide-eyed, adoring gaze at Mommy just melts my heart :)  I'm calling her "Baby Ellie"  (I know, real original, right? *giggle*) but Ellie is colored with copics.  I used Smooth Illuminate on her diaper; Glossy Accents on her eye and bottle, and Stickles on her bow.  She's cut out with SB nestie large oval.  If you notice, Mommy's trunk is outside the nestie cut and I learned how to do this

Front

from (another!) great tutorial from Splitcoast Stampers (HERE).   I cut my own A2 using Bazzill swiss dot cardstock (ballet) and I edged it with "pleated" orange vellum.  The printed paper comes from DCWV Baby Girl stack.  I had such a ball making the 2-5-7-10 box (for Quirky Dog post HERE) that I made one for this card too - it's a One Year Birthday gift set.  The tut for the box comes from...wait for it...yep,  Splitcoast Stampers (HERE) :D  I made the gift set for a baby's 1st birthday but I will totally be using the stamp again for a baby shower.  The front of the box has the "1" on it and I added the orange vellum ruffle to the back flap (keep scrolling down, down down) ... I'm sorry to have been so pic happy but I wanted to get close ups of the card and box but they look so cute side by side, I wanted to include that too!  :) 
So, I'm going to get this posted now but I will be sharing my bridal shower crafts this week too - I'm so excited about it; I think it turned out really gorgeous.  It's tough being commissioned for a work event because everyone expects caviar on a sardine budget!  LOL!  Hopefully I've pulled it off!   Happy Crafting, <3 Lisa

Back View

The set

ConWAGulations!

I hope you all are having a lovely weekend so far!  My sister got a new puppy this week so how lucky am I that Laurie Wilson from Doodle Pantry gifted us with a bonus release, "Quirky Dog" - isn't that pretty cool!?  I couldn't help but make a this cute little gift card (plus a few doggie treats ;) holder for Shell's new German Shepard puppy, Maya.  I used the 2-5-7-10 box tutorial from Splitcoast Stampers for the box.  I printed Quirky Dog three times so I could layer the image and give him a 3D look.  I am most excited about how fluffy he looks!  He's layered up with lots of flock and I did this by running the image through my Xyron (image side down) and then covering it with white flock, pressing it down, etc., and doing it all over again.  I did the same thing for his stars, stripes and spots but I added one additional layer to

 

these areas using Scotch quick dry adhesive and more flock.   I made up the sentiment and printed it up using Microsoft Home Publishing  It is cut out using labels SB shapeabilities, Ribbon Tag Trio Two.

For the back of the box, I cut out a paw print from DCWV Pet Stack cardstock using SB nestie big scalloped circles (large).  I edged the flap with an MS border punch and added a ruffle layer (vellum).  The box is tied close with twine from The Twinery.

*** 

I am finishing up some favors for a bridal shower I am hosting this week so I'm off to get them done :)
Happy Crafting! <3Lisa

Back from NY and a New A Day For Daisies Release!

Well, all good things come to an end, right!?  I was able to go out of town with Dan this week to New York and it was sooo nice!  Now, Dan had to work so it wasn't totally relaxing for him but I got to lounge around ;)  There was a mall within walking distance of the hotel and it was AwEsOmE!!!  I did NOT want to come home!  Even though it rained like mad - buckets, actually! :)  -  it was still so very nice to get away from the daily grind.  At least I had A Day For Daisies new releases to look forward to upon my return :)  This week's images are Cinderella themed - oh and it is a huge release and so darn sweet!  My image, "A Dance," was colored with copics and paper-pieced.  The background is vellum that is flecked with iridescent dots.  I thought it looked like stars ;)  So here are the rest of the images:

Aren't they just amazing!?  So much inspiration!  There is still time to enter the A Day For Daisies Challenge 18  (sketch challenge) so grab an image (there's an ADFD freebie Here!) and come play with us!  Happy Crafting <3 Lisa

Little Kayleigh Fairy

I cannot get enough of these little fairies from A Day For Daisies May club kit.  I colored up this little sweetie for my step daughter's birthday card.  She's colored with copics and I gave her delicate vellum wings (edged with Stickles).  This is going to be a quickie post as the steady rain that has been falling has now turned to a thunderstorm - Yikes! :)  Hope the rest of your weekend is lovely!  <3 Lisa

Mucha Inspired Images from A Day For Daisies!

Just a quick post to share a card using one of the beautiful new releases from A Day For Daisies this week.  I have been running behind this week so my post wasn't up before Blogger went down :(  and wow...I can't believe how long it was down.  Anyway, not only are there new releases but there is also a new challenge beginning at A Day For Daisies too.  It's a sketch challenge so I do hope you'll play along!

This week's images were inspired by Alphonse Maria Mucha! His works are often referred to as “Art Nouveau” and can be found among the great artists of the time.  I used Tammy's Mucha style yellow poppy stem image.  I duplicated and flipped it to create shade for the sweet weed fairy sitting below.  She is part of the May club kit -- see all the wonderful images for this month's kit HERE!

Happy Friday! <3 Lisa

Be Hoppy!

Hello All!  I hope you had a lovely Mother's Day!  I got to spend some quality in my craft room and work on some cards that I have been thinking about.  I was able to have dinner with my step-daughter, Kayleigh, on Saturday night and my daughter, Jenna, had to work on Sunday so we switched our mom/daughter time to her day off so that left Sunday wide open for crafting :)

Last week, Doodle Pantry had their new release for May and this little frog (he's actually called "Little Frog") was part of it.  Isn't he just adorable!?  That big smile on his face puts one on mine!  I couldn't wait to use him on a card.  Now, I just kept picturing him in a lovely little pond (no mosquitoes or pond scum or other unpleasantness - ha!)...just a sweet and happy pond with pretty clear blue water and low-hanging branches and beautiful butterflies fluttering about without a care in the world (because Little Frog will not harm them *giggle*)  You are beginning to see why I create my own worlds, cards right?  LOL!  Anyway, using Bazzill cardstock in Blue Calypso, I created an easel card, modified with a "window" (using craft plastic) and framed with Bazzill cardstock in Rain Forest.  I sponged teal Staz On ink onto the square of craft plastic to create my pretty clear blue pond water and once my image was colored (using copics) I mounted it above the "pond."  I actually printed the image twice so I could pop up the frog a bit so I colored him a little differently - I used prismacolor pencils blended with Gamsol (odorless mineral spirits) - but after it dried, I added more color with copics.  Then I embossed him with the "bubbles" Cuttlebug embossing folder.  His yellow eyes are done with a yellow Glaze pen and a dollop of Glossy Accents was placed on both (they look pretty darn cool close up!).  I also used Glossy Accents to make the rings in the water.  The over-hanging branch are stickers by Sticko.  They are raised and glittered-glazed and I cut them and arranged them to create my branch.  The carefree butterflies are PrintWorks gossamer vellum stickers.  I layered them using two of each butterfly so I could pop up their wings.  The sentiment "Be Hoppy" was created using American Crafts rub-on letters (style "Jane" silver).  The little flower embellie is Making Memories looking glass stickers and I further embellished it with a Studio 18 green adhesive rhinestone.  The circle mat (under the sentiment) was cut from my Cricut Elegant Edges cartridge - I am so loving that cartridge!! And one final touch, I placed a 2" strip of blue glittered paper behind the window so that when the light shines in, my pond water sparkles :)

So there you have it - my little mosquito-free pond and happy little frog :) 

<3 Lisa

A Day For Daisies and Fairy Tales!

This sweet little image, "Snow Drop" is part of A Day For Daisies Fairytale collection and it also part of the new release today (see the rest HERE!).  Using a fab tutorial from SplitcoastStampers, I made a side-step card.  I colored the image with copics and cut it out.  The little birds were cut out and mounted on craft plastic so the would look like they were fluttering around Snow Drop.  I used cloud printed paper for the background behind the image and I used MS punches for the grass and to create the daffodils.  The tree is from the Tinkerbell & Friends Cricut cartridge.

It's been one heck of a week and I am really looking forward to some quality crafty time this weekend.  If I don't post beforehand, I hope you all have a lovely Mother's Day.  <3  Lisa

Doodle Pantry Noah's Ark Baby Shower!

 When I saw Laurie's Noah's Ark image I envisioned baby shower invitations...and then, when I saw her incredibly adorable Noah's Ark favor boxes (SVG file and also available as a PDF template) my vision expanded to a whole baby shower!  This image and SVG is available today at Doodle Pantry (HERE!) along with other wonderful images for the New Release today.

I used Laurie's colored Noah's ark image and printed it in 3 sizes:  1" x 1", 2" x 2" and 6.5" x 6.5".  The 1" images were cut with circle SB Nesties and turned into cupcake pics; the 2" images were cut with SB large scallop squares and used for the invitations and the largest images were used for the banner.  I made 8 of everything.

The ark boxes were a dream to assemble - so much more simple than the favor boxes you can make with Cricut's Tags, Bags, & More.  

I tried something different for the invitations - a tri-fold card - and on one flap, I cut out a square (SB Classic squares) and embossed it; and for the front of the card, I cut out a scalloped square (again with SB Nesties).

 The image was mounted on the inside of the card and when you fold the sides close, it creates a really lovely layered look.

The banner was made using Cricut cartridge Elegant Edges --I'm loving this cartridge!  I alternated printed paper (from DCWV Citrus stack) and Bazzill cardstock --African Daisy and Carribean Breeze -- then placed a yellow bow in the center of each letter, along with a teal Doodle Bug button.  

So there you have it - a baby shower for 8 and all done in a day and half, thanks to one darling colored digi and amazing SVG favor!  Happy Creating, <3 Lisa