*My Favorite Instagram Hop*

 This week, we are playing with our favourite Mother's Day or Feminine card items for the My Favorite Instagram Hop.  I was inspired by a card Sandi created a few weeks ago.

I started out by cutting a bunch of white flowers and then started layering them on to my card front.  I did some glued down flat on the panel and some with the petals curved upwards a bit.  I put that panel on to a card and then added a simple die cut sentiment to the front...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Bubble Bath

*Dies:  Spellbinders Floral Spray; MFT All About Mom

*Challenges:  The Paper Players #784; Just Us Girls #882

*Pattern Paper Posies*

 The theme for March for the Pattern Paper Party Instagram Hop is Flowers.  I used a fun floral paper to cut my flowers and leaves to create my card for today.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Pattern Party, Flowers & Field

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  The Ton Easy Expressions; Spellbinders Floral Spray

*Embellishments:  Pinkfresh Studio Iridescent Clear Drops

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  The Paper Players #777

*CAS on Friday #330*

 It's a spring themed challenge at CAS on Friday... and what's more spring-like than some pretty daisies?

I cut these open daisies and added a bright yellow centre to each of them and then added them to small white squares that I put on to my card front with foam adhesive.

My only regret is that my sentiment stamp was ripping and I couldn't get it quite straight when I stamped it on my card front... should have done that first, I guess LOL

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Crushed Curry

*Stamps:  Pinkfresh Studio Happy Birthday Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  A Jillian Vance Designs Open Daisies; Waffle Flower Nesting Squares

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Challenges:  CAS on Friday #330; The Paper Players #777

*Time Out Challenges #306*

Challenge #306 at Time Out Challenges is a Pick 2 Challenge... choose any two of the inspiration words from the graphic below to create your card.  Thanks to Lawn Fawn for hosting this challenge!

I went a little nuts and chose FOUR words instead of only two!  I had some fun with some shades of pink and red sparkle paper as well as a gorgeous sparkly heart!

I'm also entering this card in to the current challenge at Color Hues and the challenge at Paper Players

     

*Card Clubhouse Instagram Hop*

 This week for the Card Clubhouse Instagram Hop, our theme is "Unexpected Valentine"...a challenge to use unexpected colours for a Valentine's card.  I chose to go with black, white and gold as I find it elegant.  I was really tempted to add just a little pop of red, but decided that was too traditional.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Bazzill gold foil; Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Paper:  MFT Black & White Stripes
*Stamps:  MFT Something for Everything

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  MFT Something for Everything; Hero Arts Infinity Hearts

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges: The Paper Players #771; Inkpirational #360 Addicted to Stamps & More #310

   

*Crushing Christmas Instagram Hop*

We are playing with die cutting for the Crushing Christmas Instagram Hop this month.  I bought this mittens die when I was in Ontario visiting my sister and I took my final trip to Stamp Art to shop.  This die was one of the ones that was used in their classroom and I got it for $5.  How can you pass up a $5 mittens die??

I cut the mittens out of white and then layered coloured cardstock behind the mittens to create these cute and fun little mittens.

This is a new favourite die in my stash... perfect for the challenge at The Paper Players

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Pretty in Pink, Granny Apple Green, Soft Sky

*Stamps:  MFT Giraffes on Ice

*Ink: Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Poppystamps Stacked Mittens; MFT Filled With Joy

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  The Paper Players #764

*This or That Instagram Hop*

 This week on the This or That Instagram Hop, we had to choose between Left or Right.  I tend to make most of my cards with a left sided focus, so I did a right handed one for my card today.  A few scraps of pattern paper and some shiny gone and I am in LOVE with this card!

I'm also entering it in to the challenge at The Paper Players... not an image, but I am using my new favourite Christmas pattern paper for this one!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black; Bazill gold mirror

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Modern Christmas

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Memory Box Knotted Circle Wreaths; The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday
*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  The Paper Players#764; Simply Clean and Simple

*The Paper Players #764*

 I actually created three cards in the last two days just for the sake of playing,  I struggle to make cards other than my design team requirements because I seem to rely on a prompt of some sort.  And with a design team obligation, I can't just say "nah, doesn't speak to me" so I have to force myself to figure out that prompt.  And when I'm behind on design team duties, I don't even have time to look at other challenges.  Christmas cards come easily to me so my design team obligations for this month were knocked out pretty darn quickly!

So I decided to play with a clean and simple challenge at The Paper Players... Their prompt is your favourite holiday image so I pulled out my favourite snowflake to make my card.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Night of Navy; Lawn Fawn Holographic

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Impression Obsession Snowflakes; The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday
*Embossing:  Sizzix

*Embellishments:  Pinkfresh Studio Iridescent Clear Drops

*Challenges:  The Paper Players #764

*Time Out #289*

We have a winged things challenge at Time Out Challenges... I can't wait to see your favourite winged things!

I had a few things I could choose from... and I almost went with something different... but I landed on this design with those gorgeous Pinkfresh washi tape butterflies.  Butterflies are special to me as I believe that when one comes near me, it is my Mom (who passed away in 2010) saying "hello".

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Stamps:  Studio Katia Birthday Greetings

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Washi:  Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies

*Dies:  Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies; Ellen Hutson Essential Circles

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Challenges:  Time Out #289; The Paper Players #738

*Time Out Challenges #284*

The challenge at Time Out Challenges is a theme challenge...  our theme is "The Red Carpet".  I have officially become "old" and I don't pay much attention to celebrities and award shows any more.  I honestly don't have a clue who so many of "these people" are LOL!  I was going to sit out this challenge, but kept getting drawn to the pretty rainbow dress in the challenge graphic.  NOTE:  You don't have to follow the graphic... just show us something that was inspired by something you saw on the Red Carpet!

Like I said, I kept coming back to the pretty rainbow dress... so I used it as inspiration for this clean and simple card.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Petal Pink, Calypso Coral, So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz, Pool Party, Highland Heather, Basic Black

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions

*Dies:  The Ton Easy Expressions

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Challenges: Time Out #284; The Paper Players #728

*My Favourite Hop - Christmas Movie*

I'm back with another card with the My Favourite Instagram Hop.... this week we are sharing our favourite Christmas movie!

Once again, I took a little creative license with my card.  I am one of those people who loves watching Hallmark Christmas movies.  I love that they always have a happy ending.  I like that they are simple in their storyline because it makes them perfect to watch while I am crafting.

Now, how does my card represent Hallmark Christmas movies?  Well, to start I used a shiny gold cardstock for the word die cut, emulating the gold Hallmark logo.  The sentiment refers to their always being a nod towards "Christmas magic" in these movies.  And finally, if you've ever played Hallmark Christmas Movie Bingo, then you know that an ugly Christmas sweater shows up in almost every single movie.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black; Spellbinders gold foil

*Paper:  Photoplay Tulla & Norbert's Christmas Party

*Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Believe

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Believe

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  The Paper Players #716

*CAS Colours & Sketches #539*

 We have a new sketch challenge at CAS Colours & Sketches...

I chose to do a mini slimline card as I prefer the size... but you could go with a full slimline as well.  They are both so much fun to play with!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black; Spellbinders gold foil

*Paper:  Cocoa Vanilla Sunkissed

*Images:  The Ton Easy Expressions

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Paper Rose Studio Little Etched Butterflies; The Ton Easy Expressions

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  CAS Colours & Sketches #539; The Paper Players #694

*Paper Players #682*

I'm playing along with the current sketch over at The Paper Players...  I had a lot of ideas in my head for the sketch but decided to play with this idea in the end.  I have a friend who needs a big hug these days, so this will be in the mail right away.

To create my window panels, I started with a square piece of white cardstock and I stamped and coloured my peony on it.  I then cut that square in to quarters and used my Perfect Layers Tool to make a 1/16" mat on each of the small squares.  To help me get it all lined up, I put those panels on to white cardstock and cut each of them again with the Perfect Layers Tool.  I was then able to place the square evenly by just butting them up to each other.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Images:  Tonic Studios Peony Bloom; MFT Something for Everyone

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Copics

*Dies:  MFT Something for Everyone

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Etc:  WOW clear embossing powder

*Challenges:  Paper Players #682

*Paper Players Sketch Challenge #674

I loved the sketch at The Paper Players this week and knew I wanted to play along.  I got this new sentiment stamp set from My Favorite Things that finished this card off perfectly (after a little surgery after die cutting it!)

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Paper:  MFT Over the Rainbow

*Images:  MFT Something for Everything

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Lawn Fawn Oliver's Stitched ABCs; MFT Something for Everything

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Paper Players #674

*Double Challenge*

 I have a second card to share with you today, playing along with the current challenges at both the Paper Craft Crew and Paper Players.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Granny Apple Green

*Paper:  Brutus Monroe Candy Stripe

*Images:  Lawn Fawn Winter Big Scripty Words

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Lawn Fawn Winter Big Scripty Words

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Paper Craft Crew #544; Paper Players #667

*Paper Players #666*

I had so many ideas in my head for the current colour challenge at The Paper Players...  but nothing was turning out the way I wanted it to.  I finally settled on this card, but it took HOURS for it to come together!  Well not hours in row...  I'd do a bit, play with it and put it aside while I worked on something else... picked it up again and played some more, put it aside...  I did this several times before I got the paper strips the right width, the sentiment right, the shape right....  and in the end I'm happy with it!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Real Red, Shaded Spruce, Basic Black; unknown gold glitter

*Images:  PaperTrey Ink Signaure Christmas

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Embossing:  Gina K Holiday Flora folder

*Punch:  Stampin' Up!

*Dies:  MFT Holly Berries

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*etc:  foam adhesive

*Challenges:  Paper Players #666

*Butterfly Encouragement*

It has been a stressful few days.  Last Tuesday I managed to spill my drink at my desk and it got all over my laptop.  We thought things were OK, until Wednesday morning when I came down to do a blog post before heading to work.  My MacBook said it needed to be reinstalled.  I shut it down and my husband took it to the Apple Store on Wednesday evening.  They took it apart and yup, there was still liquid inside the computer.  They suggested we leave it open and let it dry out for a few days.

And of course, my Apple Care has expired...

So Saturday we made sure there was no more liquid and we put the computer back together... and while it booted up and everything seemed OK, we realized it wasn't charging.  I powered it off and we went to have dinner.  I was feeling absolutely ILL at the thought of getting the computer fixed or replaced.  After dinner, suddenly my laptop was charging!  Sunday morning I came down to a fully charged laptop and I was hopeful that all was good with the world.  I watched some Netflix while creating, surfed Facebook for a while.... and then realized it wasn't charging again.  Noooooooo

I powered off the laptop, tried plugging it in to different outlets, brought it all back to my desk and plugged it in again and it's charging!  I don't know if this thing is going to survive or not... but I sure hope so!!!

Anyway.  I had some time to do a little creating yesterday so I decided to play with some challenges.  This one came together with some bits from my bin of extras along with a foiled sentiment.  So quick and easy!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Spellbinders gold foil

*Images:  Pink Fresh Studio Small Butterflies

*Ink:  Versfine Clair Nocturne; Catherine Pooler Tranquil, Stone Blue, Cove Blue

*Dies:  Pink Fresh Studio Small Butterflies; Waffle Flower Circles

*Etc:  Pink Fresh Studio Foiled Sentiments

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Paper Players #654; CAS on Friday #264

*Paper Players #614*

 I found a new to me challenge today and decided to play along.  The challenge is a sketch challenge with Paper Players.    I am so happy that it's Christmas Card Season again... they are truly my favourite reason to create!

Card Info

*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Night of Navy; silver sparkle; silver mirror from Michaels

*Images:  Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Magic of Christmas

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Impression Obsession Small Snowflake Set; Lawn Fawn Stitched Snowflake Backdrop

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Paper Players #614, BYSH Cardmakers Linky Party