Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Friendship is the Best Ship....


One of my favorite co-workers, who has also become a friend is leaving my office this week! 
Boo Hoo! She has been commuting to our office for 5 years. She found a job closer to home, and I can't blame her for that.  It still doesn't make it any easier that she is leaving. So...I wanted to make her a special card. 
I just love this sentiment from the Text Objects (Verve) stamp set. 


I stamped it on white card stock (PTI) with my Circle Nesties.I think the little ship and hearts from this set are just adorable! I colored the little ship with my Copic Markers. The hearts are paper pieced form an older paper pad that I have, as well as all the papers used for this card.
This paper was perfect... to the sunshine in the upper right corner...to the blue DP that looks like ocean waves! The paper pad is  Sunny Days (Me and My Memories). I added three yellow rhinestones to the sentiment circle for a little pizazz!
Hopefully,  my friend will know how much I will miss her!

Thanks for stopping by!  Thanks so much for your comments!
Mackie

Stamps:Text Objects (Verve)
Paper: Sunny Days ( Me and My Memories);White Card stock (Paper Trey Ink)
Tools: Circles, Scalloped Circles (Spellbinder Nestabilities)

Monday, July 25, 2011

Viva la Verve July 2011 Sketch Challenge # 4


Hello! This is my final card for the VLVJUL 2011 Sketch Challenge for this month!

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUh2zAYwkJUJaUyLruDDNyUDW4nOfB5fYqm7bzFX_CGnBtCgxq25vIH4jkyKTpH1sAIacgYjONjB4r8L_J4hmxq_KaX4rMsZ0o1uVoYlwTQ8FahdUpLkEON_2nkvn2FnroboEySrUWblI/s1600/VLVJul11Week4Sketch.jpg

I love this pretty paper.  And I love this stamp set!
Together...Yummy!

After constructing the card, I decided to add a little white acrylic paint. I used a sponge brush. I thought this might add something a little different. I am getting more interested in adding paint to my cards, etc. It is a new learning experience!

Thanks for stopping by! And your comments make my day!

Mackie

Stamps: Love Notes (Verve); Tiny Tags (Paper Trey Ink)
Paper: Bubble(Ki Memories-Over the Rainbow Collection); Pink Postage (Jubilee) Pink(Bazzill)
Tools:Labels 16 (Spellbinders); Tiny Tags Dies (Paper Trey Ink)
Accessories:Twine, button, white acrylic paint

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Viva La Verve July 2011 Week #3


I did manage to make a card this afternoon! Yeah!!!!!

I was inspired by the colors of the CR84FN Color Challenge 34:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYJeJcsgKoL7UMODBXqcQungH46r8AoF-iWVzVShbC0zsZvpvzYaZ0DclhqFmDct17IQj4UAyF07QzLiuQ-FSaZ99-CYgiEsWSjaGOIKqKiF28AFTj8JSYx7B50hPD6mrrUBS0Q8oLcU/s1600/CR84FN34+Graphic.jpg 

And the design was inspired by the VLVJULY2011 # 3 Sketch Challenge:
[VLVJul11Week3Sketch%255B5%255D.jpg] 
I love these colors! So bright and cheery!
Hope you like! Thanks for stopping by!

Mackie

Stamps: Hope Blooms (Verve)
Paper: Watercolor Bouquet (K & Co.) ; White (Paper Trey Ink)
Ink: Color Box; Memento
Tools: Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Sizzix); Fleur De Lis Accents (Spellbinders);
2-Step Bird Punch(Stampin Up)

Just a short update!



I have been absent! I have had a small family crisis. My son who lives in Raleigh, fell last Saturday night,skateboarding!!! and broke his ankle! Surgery with 6 screws and 2 plates were needed!!


And no weight on that foot for at least 2 weeks!!! My son's apartment is 2 flights up and his girlfriend's is 3 flights up!
Solution:come home to Mom and Dad's!!!!!! Now he hasn't lived at home in over 10 years!!!!! So...as you can imagine...it has been quite an adventure! The first few days were pretty trying, but now we have gotten into a routine. And of course, my son's pain is not quite as severe!

And second....our air conditioner is only operating at 50%!!!!!!!! The guy came out Friday and can't get back here until Wednesday to fix it! At least it is working partially!!! We have fans all over the house, so it is not conducive to being a patient healing from surgery OR stamping!
Anyhow, cards and blogging have been pushed to the back burner-TEMPORARILY!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!
Mackie

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Hello....


I am cutting it close for this card! 
These colors have been inspired by the 
CR84FN Color Challenge #33  :

RED   PINK  NEUTRAL

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJLt6HLAS3Ab9GU1PP75dpxQT9SjHmnShEc_9YrocoyfKeyckSkn5SU3KOW49I1v5sqajLXIbCZAI_XVFJ0c2wh9jASH50f3Ay1-C9jFzra_XDSWt6hKf9jZk5zeoA5sJUDPxMTHj9CA/s1600/CR84FN33+Graphic.jpg

I stamped the flowers from Hope Blooms (Verve) on the Whisper White(SU) card stock with Pixie Pink (SU) and Riding Hood Red(SU) ink. I punched the scalloped circles and white circles with Marvy punches. I tied the ribbon around the card. I thought a butterfly was needed with all these flowers!
So I stamped a butterfly from the Chicks Rule (Verve) in Pixie Pink, and cut it out with the matching Flutterby Die(Verve). Added red rhinestones to give the butterfly  some sparkle!

Thanks for stopping by!

Mackie

Monday, July 11, 2011

You make a difference....


Happy Monday!
Sorry, but this is a short post!
This is a combination of 2 challenges.
The sketch is inspired by the Viva la Verve Challenge #2:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOhdsfAMgIKx8CTmXKxwpxxM-IkTiudW7hZTLRziPs7rYYwYdD8vta8uYpIZnYCW1zufh6UWKFVXF0tFroQvwrWZU2wiF7HdWsT19UJikjaoiU8FmBT5j8d4eTUeB0_jmu3v77WlKiK8/s1600/VLVJul11Week2Sketch.jpg 

And the colors
Mint...Buttercream...Taupe
 were inspired by

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDQE5wUUKoNRunns__4O8I0yXmnRzVZglKOCQU9LX80O5eW-LrVAV3zBkGRMW1jcXSXGPg8x3C__iJ6i3cPU40Vjw4he3jTT2nBQCja5HSUtFpULG4gpR-T_2kh1KR53mqFQXbinEzhm6/s1600/0pdcc89.jpg

Thanks for stopping by!
Mackie

Paper: Back to Back(BoBunny); Bubble (KI Memories); Watercolor bouquet (K&Co.)
Stamps: Bloom & Grow, Chicks Rule (Verve)
Ink: Early Espresso (Stampin Up)
Accessories: Floral Doily Motifs (Spellbinders); Flutter By Die (Verve); 
Twill tape; yellow rhinestones

Sunday, July 10, 2011

You're the Bee's Knees!

This card was inspired by the CAS-ual Friday's Challenge #10:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMqK4PnAgFhpXWfdyW1iW0XvQ_QlTi72gwk3D8scm-KtvX4OmL-o6jpzR7aKuKyqrmVqZKnEAfFWWRlvGV9erg4oDHbLlgtuDvNWSm9Mfj-Y9v4ozUIKL2H9smbvDNuLy0eMX71WK6ZY/s1600/FotoFlexer_Photo-CFC10.jpg 

As you can see, the challenge was for a Shaped card.
I remembered this bee!  I just think he is the cutest thing!
This bee is made entirely with punches by Stampin Up!
I bought the pattern for the bee from Paper Punch Designs by Kim Score.
Kim Score is so creative!
I cut the beehive with the "Walk in My Garden" (Cricut) cartridge and my Cricut Expression.
I ran it thru the Big Shot with an embossing folder by Tim Holtz for Sizzix.
 I inked all the edges and put it together!
Hope this card brings a smile to your face!

Thanks for stopping by!
Mackie

Proud to be an American


The Shabby Tea Room color challenge: 

Use red, white and blue! Of course, that means America to me!

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLmFFuSX7BZs_3-ZF8tRCM54ypZT48RzY5a2tjuMS999PoUbjf8Lpj-wStjteHPfekgtiC_hSr4GOnzFOpU0lL67Ki__7p1tSaoEUMnndL1lSFIKUZ5O0MTZVjXwgjUKeeh0jZSnmj0w/s1600/Photo+inspiration+%252369.jpg

Once again I go to my American Heroes stamp set by Verve,
and I wanted to use the Mojo Monday Sketch #198.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZfoTaDdHXQUab4KkSFsoCJw6DoewIQ9f5vmf-_RyF0-yvD_wyQt-beBoj2jRubyB5BRJsKvonclNFHLLMUgyB6IN0mKcLV95jb0yAiZddMpYQi1I3llULD9CHePyw2FE-AmBlghSLjvw/s1600/Mojo198Sketch.gif

A Perfect match!


The panels are stitched together with the Sew Easy tool and the zig zag head.  I wished I had dark blue thread, but I used the cream color instead.  The BINGO card was cut from the 7 gypsies DP paper pad that is am using for this card. (I think BINGO is from America)
I had fun making the stars. I used chipboard stars (Bazzill). I traced the stars  onto the DP and blue paper. I cut them out, then stenciled them! I used a stencil brush with  Early Espresso(SU) ink on the red star, and the Aidrondack Dabber(Ranger) in Red Pepper on the blue star. The stencil is one I picked up awhile back from Hobby Lobby. I sponged and distressed the edges. I think they turned out pretty cool!

Hope you like my card! Thanks for stopping by!
Mackie

Paper: 7 Gypsies-the journey Lillie; Basic Grey-Life of the Party; Bazill
Stamps: American Heroes (Verve)
Ink: Early Espresso(SU); Tea Dye (Distress/Ranger)
Accessories: Sew Easy tool; DoubleEnded Banners die (Paper Trey Ink)
Aidrondack Acrylic Paint Dabber-Red Pepper (Ranger)
stencil,stencil brush, chipboard stars(Bazill)

Friday, July 8, 2011

Sending You Birthday Fishes!


This bright, colorful card was designed for the Monday Challenge #15 at My Craft Spot.

This week's challenge:  Sunny Days!
  (anything that reminds you of summer)

Bright colors, water =fish!!!!!!
 I could not get the colors to photograph well! In RL the pinks are brighter!

I put eyelets all around the circle around the fish, to make it look like a portal hole.
I saw this tip in this month's "CardMaker" magazine. I thought that was so cute!

The fish was made on my Cricut Expression with the "Create a Critter" cartridge.
I 'colored" the pink parts of the fish with Glossy Accents (Ranger). I added a wiggly eye. After all, what fish do you know that doesn't have big eyes! 

I made the sentiment on the computer and printed it on white card stock.

Thanks for stopping by! Thanks so much for your sweet comments!
Mackie

Paper: Bliss (Crate)
Cricut Expression, Create a Critter Cartridge
Double Ended Banners Die(Paper Trey Inks)
Glossy Accents(Ranger) Pink Rhinestones(Jolee)
Pink eyelets(SU)
wiggly eye, ribbon,foam tape, Tacky glue(Aleene's)

Thursday, July 7, 2011

I was selected to the "Fab Four"

at The Play Date Cafe with this card which was posted July 4, 2011:

What an honor!
Thanks so much to the design team members!
Please check out this web site! It's so much fun!
Mackie

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Live the Life You've Imagined


A simple card made with a Tim Holtz stamp and embossing folder.  I think this folder is so cool.
I especially like it with this Kraft paper (PTI).
The misting was done with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Santa Red.

Thanks for stopping by!
Mackie

Paper: Kraft (Paper Trey Ink)
Stamp: Tim Holtz
Ink: SU Riding Hood Red
Accessories: Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist; Snug Hug seam binding

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Cowabunga!!!!

Another try at Clean And Simple! I don't know if I have it in me to make a simple, pretty card!
I love it when I see others! I try and try! But I guess I depend on embellishments and such!

I tried twice to meet the requirements of The CAS-ual Fridays Challenge.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmjFuvNOySd_Ph4YcLAnHj5uNcqI6yEVT9D3X_53uUycw9_7eHqFLq38kneexg4rNG-WM1XlAzE_i4INWBrAxEXEk-pG587FIsURzLvJ4Ev7Lqkqs5Qin75cUOwTDBIoXgFiqoBo0E4k/s1600/FotoFlexer_Photo-CFC9.jpg

I think the masculine part was making it difficult for me, too.
Any how...here it is!


  I was trying to send the message Cowabunga! Relax! Things will get Better! Surf's In!

It was made with the RELAX (Verve) stamp set. I paper pieced the surfboards and water. All the paper is from the Rusted Sun(Heidi Larsen) collection. I cut out the flip flops and swim trunks from this paper, too. I made the sand with the Flat Bottom Cloud dies (MFT Die-namics). After I cut them out, I sponged them with SU Crumb Cake ink. Hopefully this looks like sand. The flag and sentiment is stamped with Sentiment Flags (Lil Inkers). I rolled the flag and swim trunks to make it look like they waving in the wind! 

Thanks for looking! 
Mackie

Paper: Rusted Sun (Heidi Larsen); Kraft (PTI)
Stamps: Relax (Verve); Sentiment Flags (Lil Inkers)
Ink: Crumb Cake, Riding Hood Red, Almost Expresso (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Flat bottom clouds (MFT);Twine

Monday, July 4, 2011

have a GREAT Day!

Happy 4th of July! It is a very HOT one here in Charlotte! Just went to a neighborhood parade and cookout! I am glad to be back home in the air conditioning!!!!!!


This card is a combinaiton of 2 challenges!
Design was inspired by the "Just Us Girls" (JUGS90)  sketch challenge for this week:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpeJxhRoVKhQ1_ORr0tjvLUACo1s3Zzng8paVUzeyCsNheLLc_7lCw2BI0bqq-31jiWZbheVesP0vbNIgjkXHwKkmMWUtMBMVlRpUTKsfkJWhdEdzLbmVdJYmTs6_aCrZwDtNiSVJ99Vn/s1600/jugs91.jpg


And the colors were inspired by "The Play Date Cafe" Challenge # 88:


What amazing colors once again this week!

This week's suggested colors are:
Red-ish/Orange...Yucky Yellow...Juniper
 
I loved this wild color combo.  I think the card turned out really cute!


It is a funky card that I think will be able to give to a guy or a girl!

The zigzag stitch was done by hand with my Sew Easy tool. And it is so easy!!!
It has several different style heads that can be interchanged for different style of stitching. I do not have a working sewing machine, so the Sew Easy is perfect!

Thanks for stopping by! I love hearing from you, so please leave a comment!
Mackie

Paper: Off Beat-Radical (Basic Grey);Bazzill
Stamps: Michael's $1 bin
Ink: Memento tuxedo Black
Accessories: Flower button(Sassafras);buttons (my stash)

Sunday, July 3, 2011

You're Berry Sweet!


I made this card to give a berry sweet friend for her birthday!

Once again I have used the Fruitti Tutti (PTI) designer paper. I just love this stuff!

I went "Mo-Joing" with this card and used the MOJO Monday Sketch 197:
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhEO9lTR2tzZyw4ofj1hX3UfoBnf2rHVua3QEicnYKRrQSiWmQzErgdp5EbggYXYdNpGLMW8TIpTQelPV4DZixmkS65yAAORRFbH0w61NNENI8Gu3gn8cgEw66B8HqPoKaGS3QNETcyJQ/s1600/Mojo197Sketch.gif

I decided to use the round shape sketch, so I had to once again use the "Bloom" Cricut cartridge on my Cricut Express to cut the round and scalloped circles. 


I crimped the Riding Hood Red (SU) square panel. I'm really loving using this crimper tool. It's been sitting in the bottom of a drawer for forever! The sentiment was stamped with the Fruit Fusion-Berry (PTI) stamp set. The outer edges of the sentiment panel was dotted with a Sakuri Soft Gel Pen in black. The inside of the card was cut in Pear Pizazz and I stamped it "Happy Birthday"(Verve).
The swirls were cut with a Sizzix die. I put Glossy Accents on the swirls and Stickles on the strawberries. You can see these accents in the photo below:


Hope my friend likes this birthday card!

Thanks for stopping by!
Mackie

Paper: Fruitti Tutti (Paper Trey Ink), Riding Hood Red, Pear Pizazz (Stampin'Up)
Stamps:Fruit Fusion-Berry (Paper Trey Ink)
Ink: SU Riding Hood Red; Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories:Glossy Accents (Ranger), Stickles-Crystal;Red Rhinestone
Cricut Expression, "Bloom" Cricut cartridge

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Thank You Berry Much!


Happy Saturday! I hope everyone is having a safe 4th of July so far! I'm spending my holiday at home and I plan on spending lots of time in my craft room!  As a matter of fact, I made this card today. I got this stamp set and paper from Paper Trey Ink a few weeks ago, so I decided to pull it out and play with it. I felt this was the perfect pattern for a hot summer day!

This is the beginning of a new month of sketch challenges at Viva La Verve.  July's Week One sketch was designed by the talented Verve Diva Amber Hight:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_QubyVnwgctlKRGPBzuzr7KXM9jMiwMKEUtuE2n4-R7or7RYsieJLWXmJsj7gg8_akLUuo2fk7OqQbmI6-sZl0JzltqQNpmh0K1Z60-1qMuiI1XpuoB6pqDp0IW5sy-xtKmPQNlqTFiM/s1600/VLVJul11Week1Sketch.jpg 
The samples from all the Verve Divas for this challenge are awesome! Go check them out! If they don't get your creative spirit going, I don't know what will!

I punched 2 Fruitti Tutti (PTI) squares and 2 white squares with a 1 1/2 punch. I punched 4 SU Pear Pizazz scalloped squares with 2" punch. I paper pierced all around the green squares.
I stamped the strawberry(PTI)  in SU Riding Hood Red ink, twice, cutting one out and adhering it to the top of the first strawberry with foam tape. Hopefully you can see this on this photo:

I cut the SU Riding Hood Red circle with my Cricut Expression and the "Bloom" cartridge. This card is 6 x 6, so the Spellbinders Circle Dies that I have were too small to cut a circle large enough for this card. After I cut out the circle, I ran it through my crimper to give the circle some dimension.
 I tied a red gingham check ribbon into a double bow, then added a green button to the top of it. 
I think this 'tied" it all together. heehee

Thanks for stopping by!
Mackie

Paper: Fruitti Tutti(Paper Trey Ink)Riding Hood Red , Pear Pizazz(Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Fruit Fusion-Berry (PTI)
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Cricut Expression:Bloom cartridge; Crimper; Marvy Punches; Ribbon; button