Earth Day at Double Take Tuesday

Hey Everyone!

Coming in under the wire on this one!  So much I want to say about this Earth Day theme for the Challenge over at The Greeting Farm's Double Take Tuesday!

Here's the inspiration:

And here is my card:

The patterend paper is from K Studio, the flowers and frame stamp are from Prima and the "Love/Live" stamp is from Inkadinkado.   I'm not sure where the globe stamp is from as I got this at a garage sale.

The word stamps was actually a single stamp that said "live, love, laugh"  I cut the words apart and changed the arrangement since with respect to Earth Day and it's meaning, we need to LOVE the earth so that we can continue to LIVE in it!

Thanks for dropping by!
Liz

Greeting Farm Goodness...on Overdrive.

OMG I'm back again?!

Yup.  Here I am.  I have a pretty busy weekend planned and last night my girlies had a sleepover at the grandparents so today I have some time.  Should be doing laundry...cleaning...blah blah blah....(I guess you can figure out my priorities ;))

Over at Anyone For Anya Challenge Blog they have a sketch challenge this week.  The sketch is sooooo unique.  I loved it immediately!  The first thing that came to my mind was the 5 circles and the 5 people in my family and how I could incorporate the 2.  Here's the sketch:

 Here's my take:

The patterned papers are from DCWV and the sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp.  I used copics to colour the hair and some parts of their clothes and used washi tape to add colour to the rest of the clothes.  the flowers are from Prima.

What I love about the Greeting Farm stamps is the personalities of them all.  They are all so cute and each one can be used to represent someone I know.  With some personal touches BLAMO!! they become my family.  Love it.

I'm going for the Greeting Farm trifecta with this one and entering it in the following challenges:

Anyone for Anya-Sketchy Sort of April

The Greeting Farm-Retro Fresh-Use plaid and/or polka dots

The Greeting Farm-Farm Fresh Friday-April Showers bring May Flowers

Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog-Anything Goes

Thanks for keeping up!  Love having you drop by!

Liz

Waterstamping-Technique Time Tuesday

Hey Everyone,

Last new creation to post today.  Been a busy bee!  This one uses the water stamping technique over at Technique Time Tuesday.  Check out their blog for the details!

I tried a bunch of techniques with this card.  I water stamped the flourish on the bottom panel.  The image stamp is from Hero Arts.  I stamped this image on water colour paper and embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I then water coloured it using Distress Markers and a fine tip water brush.  It didn't turn out as cool as I had hoped and the Distress Markers didn't spread as easily as I thought it would but it's still card worthy!  The 'friend' was partially diecut so it is still attached to the paper.  This technique can be found on the Hero Arts Blog here.  Really cool!

The bottom panel was inked with Pick Raspberry Distress Ink.  The letter dies are from Quickutz/Lifestyle Crafts.  The white paper flowers are from Prima and the lace is from Making Memories.

Thanks for checking in!

Liz

MoxieFab Trigger Tuesday.

Hey Everyone,

I'm back today with a card inspired by the Trigger Tuesday this week over at Moxie Fab World.

The delicate pinky-ness, flowers and squares of this photo are the elements used in this baby card for cousin's baby girl!

The patterned paper is from DCWV, the embossing folder is from Couture creations, the music stamp is from Glitz Designs.  I got the adorable stamp at a garage sale so I don't know who makes it.  (If anyone knows please enlighten me.  I'd appreciate it!)

Nice weather today!  Hoping to get out for a run and keep prepping for my big CN Tower climb for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) TOMORROW!!!  Check it out here if you'd like to help support this cause!  There are stairs in town that my daughter and I practiced on the other day.  I had to make sure I wasn't going to drop dead at the top (or my 8yo daughter).  There are 69 stairs here and we climbed up them 30 times!  (that means another 30 times down too!).  I'm still alive and surprisingly I wasn't out of breath and my legs weren't sore!  Yay!  I'm ready!  Wish me luck! (cue Rocky theme song-"Eye of the Tiger").

While I'm at it I'd also like to enter this card into this weeks challenge at

Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog: Anything Goes!

Thanks for dropping by!
Liz

Totally Bummed!

Hey Everyone,

I'm so totally bummed!  I wanted to participate in this month's PTI April Blog hop.  I had it in my mind that the due date was 11:30pm PST.  That means 2:30am EST.  But I was mistaken!!!!
It was actually 11:30pm EST.  BOOOOOOOO!!!  I worked so hard on this layout based on the theme of the PTI Blog hop: TILTED.

What a great challenge!  I took this one by the horns and am darn-tootin proud of the outcome but alas my aging brain has failed me!  Anyways, here is the layout I made:

The "Make me happy", "Love you" and heart square stamps are from Papertrey Ink.  The "Cherish" stamp is from Stampin' Up.  The plaid and Flower patterned papers are from Doodlebug Designs.  The black gaffer tape is from 7 Gypsies.

Oh well.  Such is life.  At least I got a date night with hubby tonight and we went to dinner at a new Korean BBQ restaurant!  Delicious!!!!  I'm glad I got to share this layout with you all.  While I'm at it, I'd like to submit this to the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes

Sister Act Anything Goes: Challenge #4
Make it Monday: #137

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz

Just...Can't....Stop.....

Hey Everyone,

I know I've probably beat this one to a pulp but I'm back with another submission for the April Challenge at Avery Elle.  (What can I say?  They have uber cool stuff and the winner gets to be a guest designer...how cool is that?!)  That inspiration photo just won't get outta my head and the ideas just keep swimming...not to mention the need for birthday cards this month!

Inspiration:

Well here goes.  This one focused on the glittery orbs and the night-time scene.  Sequins are not just for jazz and figure skating outfits anymore ;)  They are all the rage these days and I really wanted to incorporate them!  (Unfortunately, my sequins colour selection is rather limited).

The sequins are from Making Memories, the border punch is from Fiskars, The banner die is from Simon Says Stamp and I'm not sure where the washi tape is from.

Thanks for dropping in!
Liz

WWF Fundraising Cards

Hey Everyone,

Busy day today.  Poor little one is feverish and grumpy, not to mention there is a molar emerging in the back of her little mouth that is no doubt contributing to the less than stellar day today.  Figures the sun is finally out and the temperature is springish!  But no worries!  Many more nice days ahead no doubt.  We did manage to hit the play park and slide and play while the children's Advil kicked in.  Not to mention I found out that I made TOP 3 over at "Anything for Anya" Challenge Blog!!! (with this post) WOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!! (You can check out the winning announcement here).

That was enough to forget about the projectile vomit that C3 had inadvertently aimed at her 8 year old sister this morning.  C1 handled it with such calm and grace.  I was quite proud.  Which brings me to the subject of my post today.  Here are the other cards C1 designed and made to complete her fundraising packages for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

The penguin border punch from Martha Stewart contributes to her WWF theme.  Sooo cute!!!

In this one the WWF theme plays through the patterned paper.

This is her packaging.  100% Recycled paper bag and a hand written note of thanks.

Can you tell I'm a proud mommy!?
I would like to enter the 2nd card to the following blog:

Papertake Weekly: One Paper Taker

Thanks for dropping in!
Liz

Proud Mama...for a couple reasons...

Hey Everyone,

Today is a big day here in my neck of the woods....at least for me...it's my Birthday today!!!!  Yay ME!!!  We won't discuss the number but I will say I'm 29 today....with several years of experience :p
I also have another subject of pride today and that is a card my 8 year old daughter made.  She made 30 cards of 3 different styles to sell to raise money for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).  So far she's raised about $150.  We are both (along with my dad who is 75!) climbing up the 1776 stairs (equivalent to 144 floors!) to the main observation deck of the CN tower to raise money and awareness for the WWF and their worthy causes.  Saving animal habitats, building awareness on environmental responsibility, protecting endangered species and many many more!  So much work needs so much money and help!  And really, it boils down to protecting the earth we all need to survive.  If anyone is interested in helping out please click on the sign below to donate!  All us fellow earthlings thank you!!!

Now....onto my daughter's card!
Basically to start the process I gave her my Card Maps 2 magazine and asked her to go through it and pick her favourite 3 sketches.  From there she picked the colours and papers and we brainstormed things to go on it and off we went.  I helped her with the first card of the 3 designs and then she churned the rest off on her own (with some help with her 6 year old sister who loved to run things through the Cuttlebug!).  Here is one of her 3.

The frame stamp is from Prima, the banner diecut is from Simon Says Stamp and the globe die cut is from Quickutz/Lifestyle Crafts.  The embossing folder is from Sizzix and the sentiment stamp is from Hampton Arts.

All her cards have a WWF theme of some sort.  I can't wait to show you the rest! I am so proud!

I'd like to submit this to the following blogs (on behalf of my daughter)

2 Sisters Challenge: Colour Challenge-Blue and/or Green

Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Travel/Cityscapes
CAS on Sunday: Challenge #6 Round and Round

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Liz

Black/White and One More...

Hey Everyone,

Another card her for a fun challenge over at the One Crazy Stamper Challenge Blog: Black/White and One More.   Quite simple, use black and white and one other colour in your creation.  Love it.  I tend to be a colour crazed lunatic.  It seems my natural tendency to love adding colour so it's nice to have a challenge that helps me take a different approach once in a while.

Here is my take on this challenge.  I'm a little disappointed at the photograph.  The white paper is a shimmery paper with subtle blue marbling throughout it.  I used that blue marbling as a basis of the "one more" colour and stamped the sentiment in a shimmery blue ink.  It is really quite striking in real life.  The picture really doesn't do it justice (wahhh!).

The butterfly and the embossing folder are from Provocraft.  The sentiment is from Darcie's.  I'm not sure where the white shimmery paper is from nor the flocked black background paper or ribbon.  The bling swirlies are from Prima.

I'd also like to submit this to the following blogs:

Sister Act Anything Goes Challenge #3

Thanks for stopping by!
Liz

I have 4 minutes...

Okay...so like I've said I made a whole bunch of stuff inspired by a whole bunch of blogs but have not had time to post them.  Today I seem to have a little more time on my hands...4 minutes left!!!  Here goes another project.  This one is for The Greeting Farm's Double Take Tuesday.  It's based on the following sketch.:

Now before you admonish me for my choice in card theme, in my defense it's been chilly around here (except yesterday, yesterday was AWESOME) and my desk is a bit of a mess right now and this stamp was buried under a bunch of these holiday papers and it just called to me in my "not feeling like spring" mood.

The papers are from BoBunny, the sentiment is from Inkadinkado and the die cut ornament is from Quickutz.  I paper pieced her scoodie and used Copics for the rest.  I used Stickles on her hand warmer thingy.

It makes me feel warmer on this cold, blustery day.  Now gotta go pick up my kids!

Thanks for dropping by!
Liz

Recyling and Things with Wings

Hey Everyone,

I've been busy doing projects and house stuff and family stuff (not to mention my birthday is this weekend and I'm hoping that's one thing I can be hands off with!) so I've got a bunch of projects that I have completed but have yet to post!  Here's one.  This one is for Anyone for Anya: Things with Wings challenge as well as the Greeting Farm's Farm Fresh Challenge: Recylce/Alter Something.  What a great challenge to fall in line with the Eco Awareness that is the month of April.

I started off with this container I have (previously used for baby formula) that I stashed away thinking I could use it for something.  I actually did use it but didn't make any effort in decorating it (other than clean out the powder stuff inside).  It is my girls' "Way to Go" jar.  It's part of their chore and good deeds reward thing we have at home.  It's filled with little rewards that my girls and I brainstormed and they get to choose from this container when they've earned enough chore/good deed points.

Here is the transformation!
I'm glad this challenge motivated me to get this jar to a much more encouraging state!

I used Avery Elle Stamps for the sentiment and the hearts.  The sentiment is absolutely PERFECT for this container considering what it used for.  I used the Tape Your Stamps Technique from a Blog Named Hero for colouring the fairies wings and dress.  The embossing folder is from Lifestyle Crafts and the washi tape and tag punch are from Recollections/Michaels.  I used Copics to colour her hair and skin.

I'm happy that the happy contents of this container have a much happier looking home!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Liz

Avery Elle - April Challenge is ON! (Part 4)

What can I say...I'm a bit of an eager beaver.  Here's another card for the Avery Elle-April Challenge.  I took a different approach with this card.  A less literal approach.  This time I focused more on the colours and textures of the photo.

Here is the inspiration photo (again).

And here is another card based on this inspiration.

The patterned papers are from MME, the text stamp is from Hero Arts and the hearts and sentiments (including the XOXO on the bookmark) are from Avery Elle (of course!).

I love how the coloured round doilies of the patterned paper mimic the coloured lanterns in the photo.  The gems give it that bling present in the lights from the photo and the wood paper plays off the rustic setting of the photo.
I would also like to submit this to the following blogs:

Make it Monday: #136

Sister Act Anything Goes: Challenge#3
Lawnscaping challenge:#56-What Inspires You?

Avery Elle - April Challenge is ON! (Part 3)

Aaaaaand I'm back!
Here is card 3 for the Avery Elle April Challenge. This time I made a shaker card using a technique I got from this week's Moxie Fabber of the week: Donna Mikasa.  Her blog has some crazy cool cards!  No wonder the distinction!  Well deserved!  The tutorial she used is from Julie Ebersole.  It's simple and quick!  Love it!
Here's a recap of the inspiration photo from Avery Elle.

I used medium sized pearls to keep the space in the shaker open so the beads and sequins could move around and do their thing!  I used washi tape to close up the shaker pocket/lantern.

Again the kraft cardstock was inspired from the rustic room of the photo.  The paper is from DCWV.  The background lantern stamps are from Hero Arts.  The sentiment stamps are from Avery Elle and the twine is from Maya Road.

I ran the plastic cover of the lantern through a paper crimper to give it that folded paper lantern texture.  I was careful not to squeeze too hard or the plastic would have opaque white crimped lines on it and the sentiment would be difficult to see behind it (speaking from experience of course!)

I'd also like to submit this to the following blogs:

Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog: April Showers/Spring Flowers

Sister Act Anything Goes Challenge Blog: Challenge #2

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Liz

Avery Elle - April Challenge is ON! (Part 2)

Hey, I'm Back!
Here is card 2 inspired by the photo over at this month's Avery Elle Challenge.  The rustic room of the photo inspired the kraft cardstock and the lanterns inspired the balloons!  I added some jewels to add the subtle bling that is in the photo.

This is card I used the Avery Elle stamp set: Framed Fonts.  This is such a cool set with so many options!

The sentiment stamp is from Avery Elle.  The coloured inks are Hero Arts Neon ink colour.  The white ink used is Unicorn from Memories.  The embossing folder is from Provocraft.

Be sure to stop by my next post for card #3!

Thanks for stopping by!
Liz

Avery Elle - April Challenge is ON! (Part 1)

Hey Everyone,

So there is another AE Challenge on for the month of April over at the Avery Elle Blog.  What a talented bunch of people over there!  Serious inspiration central!  I am determined to impress this month (hopefully) and I've been busy creating cards based on this inpsiration they gave:

What did I tell you!?  Inspiration Central!

So...my little brain and self have been busy!  I have 3 cards I made that were inspired by this photo.  Here is the first one:

The buttons are a random selection from my stash.  The twine is from Maya Road, the fence is die cut from a Tim Holtz die and the sentiment and heart are from Avery Elle-Lots of Love collection.  The chairs in the front of the picture made me think of a picket fence the way they were lined up and all the colourful floating lanterns inspired the button balloons!

Be sure to check out my next couple of posts for my other Avery Elle inspired cards!

Thanks for stopping by!
Liz

My Beautiful Flowers...

Hey Everyone!
I just got back from watching Aretha Franklin in concert.  My good friend from highschool had an extra ticket and asked me to come along.  How awesome is that!?  It's amazing how Aretha still sings like that at her ripe young age of 70-something.  And those heels!!  There's no way I could last that long in heels like that at my age and I've still got some time before I reach 70-something.  I was impressed!

The weather here today was nothing short of interesting.  I woke to have my entire car covered in a skin of ice that was growing thicker and thicker as the rain fell in this -1C weather.  All the trees and plants looked like they were diamond coated.  It was really quite spectacular!  I just had to take a walk around the neighborhood and snap some photos.

Here is another card I made that totally changes my feelings after seeing these icy cold pictures.  This is a card I made for my mom's birthday.  Its a window card using the flowers as the windows to the inside which is a picture of my 3 beauties.  I always give picture cards of the kids to the grandparents for their birthday.  I love seeing how my munchkins grow through the years!

The border punch and the flower punch are from Martha Stewart.  The paper flowers are from Prima and the birthday sentiment is from Inkadinkado.

I would like to enter this in the following challenge:

Simon Says Stamp: April Showers/Spring Flowers

Sister Act Anything Goes: Challenge #2

Thanks again for stopping by!

Liz