Hello Fri-Yay

Did I mention I was super inspired by the colors in the CAS14 inspiration photo?  I used color burst in a small box to make several backgrounds that turned into 4 or 5 cards.  Don't you love when inspiration strikes like that?  You can see my first card HERE and my reminder card HERE.

Today's card is actually my favorite of the entire set.  I absolutely LOVE the way it turned out!!!

For this card I did several things.  I should have made a video to show you how it was made, but I'll try to explain the highlights.  First stamped and masked and stamped some more.  I wanted the flowers to overlap.   I also stamped a few extra flowers and die cut them out of leftover pieces from my other cards.  ;) To color these flowers I used my Zig markers to add bits of color, then spritzed heavily with water to blend. 

Once everything was dry, I masked the flowers again and placed the panel into a shallow box to color burst the background.  Not sure if I added water to the background first or added color burst, then water, but either way I used highly saturated amounts of both.  :)  This panel was left overnight to dry and then I cut it down to about 3.5"

To finish off the card I added a thin black diagonal stripe stamp to one side of the card, die cut the hello sentiment out of white and black cardstock and layered them together.  Finishing touches including embossing the "girlfriend" sentiment as well as popping up a couple of additional flowers.

If you are inspired by the photo, I encourage you to add your encouragement card to our challenge. Clicky

Don't forget to use the coupon code when shopping at CAS-ual Fridays Stamps.  ;) 

Stamps: Girlfriend, Pretty Posies (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps) Diagonal Stripes (My Favorite Things)

Ink: 025, 036, 032, 080 (Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers) Versamark

Paper: Watercolor (Tim Holtz Distress) White (CPD)

Accessories: Color Burst-Violet (Ken Oliver) Hello Die (CPD) Posies Fri-Dies(CAS-ual Fridays Stamps) White Superfine Embossing Powder (WOW)

Colourcraft Brusho Crystal Colour Watercolors Set of 12 (850007)

Ranger Distress Watercolor Cardstock

WOW Embossing Powder, Super Fine - Opaque Bright White

VersaMark Ink Pad

Bazzill Card Shoppe Cardstock, Marshmallow, 10 pk

My Favorite Things Cling Stamps, Diagonal Stripes Background

My Favorite Things Die-Namics, Hello

CAS14 Encouragement Card

We could all use some encouragement from time to time.  That is why the Encouragement Squad was formed.  We bring you new challenges every month with an inspiration photo, so you can make cards to brighten the day of others in your life.

The photo made me think of paint stain, which made me think of color burst, so I went to the craft room and came out with 4 CARDS!!!  It's been a long time since my creative mojo has flown like that.  You can see the first card in yesterday's reminder post.

For this card I stamped the flowers with Versamark in and sprinkled with white embossing powder, then heat set it to melt the powder.  Next I spritzed the watercolor paper with water and sprinkled on some color burst in colors matching the inspiration photo.  I spritzed more water on the areas that needed it.  I then added some concentrated color to the background and used a paint brush to spread it.

Once the panel dried I die cut out the center, so I could make 2 cards from the one piece.  I used the center panel for this card and matted it with black cardstock. To finish the card I embossed the sentiment on vellum and popped the panel up with 3-M tape.

Come back soon to see the other 2 cards I created.  In the meantime, I hope you will visit the challenge blog to see what the rest of the Encouragement Squad has created.  Add your own encouragement card to be eligible to win a $25 gift card to CAS-ual Fridays Stamps.

Stamps: Pretty Posies, Powerful Words (CASual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: Versamark
Paper: Basic Black, Vellum Cardstock (Stampin' Up) Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Paper (Ranger)
Accessories: Merlot, Violet, Ultramarine Color Burst (Ken Oliver) White Embossing Powder (WOW) Wonky Stitched Rectangle (My Favorite Things) 

Colourcraft Brusho Crystal Colour Watercolors Set of 12 (850007)

Ranger Distress Watercolor Cardstock

WOW Embossing Powder, Super Fine - Opaque Bright White

My Favorite Things Die-namics, Wonky Stitched Rectangle STAX

VersaMark Ink Pad

Bazzill 40 lb. Vellum, 25 pk

Essentials By Ellen Cardstock, Ebony Black 100 lb, 25pk

Bazzill Card Shoppe Cardstock, Marshmallow, 10 pk

Calling All Sistahs June Reminder

1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime.  I wish that statistic wasn't true, but it is.  Today I am here to remind you to do your breast self-exams and get those yearly mammograms scheduled.  Why?  Because early detection could save your life!

On this Father's Day I want to acknowledge that breast cancer doesn't only affect women.  While it is rare, men can develop breast cancer too.  I had a friend that found a lump a couple of years ago in his chest.  Thankfully the lump turned out to be benign.   Encourage your men to check themselves too.

The Encouragement Squad is here to share their lovely cards as a reminder for you and your friends.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team created as well as Michele's message HERE.

Stamps: Supercalifragilistic (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: Versamark
Paper: Distress Watercolor Paper (Tim Holtz) Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories: Color Burst-Merlot, Violet & Ultramarine Blue (Ken Oliver) Opera Pink Watercolor (Ken Oliver) Ruffled Ribbon Fri-Die (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps) Opaque Bright White Superfine Embossing Powder (WOW)

VersaMark Ink Pad

DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolors 5ml Tubes, Opera Pink

Colourcraft Brusho Crystal Colour Watercolors Set of 12 (850007)

Ranger Distress Watercolor Cardstock

Harley Wedding

Recently a friend asked me, along with a couple of other friends, if we would help her make decorations for a Harley Davidson wedding.  Of course I said YES.  My crafty hands have been idle way too long and I looked forward to some creative girlfriend time.  Here are some pics of what we created.

Carla gluing on the final petals

Aren't these large flowers cool?!!  Carla found a couple of youtube videos and customized them to fit her design ideas.

I didn't get a good picture of the medallions, but you can kinda see them in the picture below.

We wrapped the tree in tulle and added a bow.

The bride and groom's table.  I love the little touches of light Carla added.

The chairs needed a little something extra, so Carla & put our heads together to come up with this.

The finishing touch was the Harley banner and balloons.

We had nothing to do with the cake, but it was too cool not to share with y'all!

A tiny confession here.  I was so into decorating that I forgot to make/bring a wedding card.  Oops!  I'll have to mail it or give it to them in person.  You can tell I am really out of the cardmaking loop because the card is usually my first priority.

New Release from Catherine Pooler Designs

Hello my crafty friends!  I know I've been a bit quiet on my blog lately.  The Spring of my son's Senior Year in high school and my new Rodan + Fields business are keeping me hopping.  I'm looking forward to the slower pace of summer coming, and getting some more craft time in. 

I wanted to pop on my blog to let you know that Catherine Pooler Designs has a new release out and it includes a couple of BRAND NEW inks (hello Purple) and a couple of inks that were only available in previous Stamp Of Approval collections.  Just to make it extra fun they've thrown in a few stamps, dies and other goodies to get your creative juices flowing!

Last weekend I helped a friend with a few paper craft items for a wedding she was coordinating.  We made HUGE paper flowers and some fun medallions.  I'll try to add them to a post later this week to show you.   Thanks for sticking with me.  I can honestly say I miss my crafty blogland friends.  <3  *that's you!*

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CAS13 Encouragement Card

Everyone could use a little encouragement.  What could brighten a day more than a handmade card in your mailbox?  That's why Michele created the Calling All Sistahs Encouragement Challenge.  Make a card to brighten someone's day using either the inspiration photo or color chips.

Here is this month's picture.

Here is my card.  :)

Be sure to head on over to the CAS blog to see what the rest of the creative team has designed, then add your own creation for a chance to win a $25 gift code to CAS-ual Fridays Stamps!  Clicky

Stamps: Peace Love & Coffee, Word Ribbon (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: Black (Staz-On) It's A Boy (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Paper: Cardstock (Stampin' Up) Classique: Elegant (Authentique)
Accessories: Circles Dies (CPD)

Calling All Sistahs

It's the 17th of the month and that means it is time to remind you ladies to do your breast self-exams and schedule those yearly mammograms if it is time.  Early detection is key to long term survival and cure.  Here's my card for this month's reminder.

Head on over to the Calling All Sistahs blog to read Michele's message and see all the lovely cards the Encouragement Squad has created.

Stamps: Hope Ribbon (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: Versamark
Paper: Recollections
Accessories:  Opaque Bright White Embossing Powder (WoW) Ruffled Ribbon Fri-Die (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)