Anniversary Wishes in Silver : AnniVERVEsary Challenge

Day 2 of the AnniVERVEsary challenges was a must-do challenge since my superstar blog buddy Moe, and the tremendously talented Andrea, were hosting it. I would have loved to use wood on my card, too, but I honestly didn't have any. I'll have to remedy that - I would've loved some fun wood buttons on a card. Alas, I stuck with the silver elements and used silver paper, embossing powder and twine/thread/whatever that stretchy silver stuff is called.

I used the Mojo Monday sketch (#254) from last week for the layout and kept it pretty simple. I had yet to use the large love birds from my Verve set Love Story, so I embossed them in silver and cut them out with the corresponding Love Bird dies.

A little bling, some sheer ribbon, a button and I was done!

Onto my third challenge...

With Heartfelt Sympathy : A Sisterhood Challenge

We all know they're sometimes the toughest cards to make - sympathy cards. I always try to have a couple in my stash, but I just don't enjoy making them - mainly because I always feel so useless when someone else is suffering...and I hate that feeling.

I really needed to get a card made, too, since there's been some sad occasions lately that required them. I used some great Verve stamps (sentiment from New Mercies & leaf from Forever in our Hearts), as well as the opportunity to make another Center Step card (my new fave!). The colors were inspired by a Verve challenge to use brown, green & pink. The Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette and Mellow Moss worked well together, I thought, for a simple card to convey my sympathies.

The Sisters have some fabulous inspiration for you over at The Sisterhood of Crafters, so head over and show us your Sympathy creations for a chance to win a $10 voucher from Can You Digi It.

Sweet Birthday Wishes : A Center Step Card

HAPPY FRIDAY!

On our last craft date, Chelsey & I attempted a Center Step Card for the first time. I can assure you, it won't be the last. We both absolutely loved the non-traditional style of this card and it was easier than it looked to create the very cool fold. Add in the fact that we had the latest In Colors to work with, plus some new rubber and Voila!

My card used the fabulous new Raspberry Ripple, as well as some Taken with Teal and Costco paper pad prints that have been in my collection of paper literally forever. The lovely flower is from a SU! Set that was a recent special purchase with a minimum order which I unfortunately can't seem to find the name of. The text is from the fabulous Waltzingmouse Compact Sentiments set. I loved the effect of the fun Open Bracket Die-namic, even thought it seemed pretty fussy to work with at the time. I finished off the flower with some Clear Spica Glitter pen and a winner was born (at least in my mind). I wish I'd been smart enough to take photos at the time because Chelsey did a really lovely card with the new Midnight Muse, a little Bashful Blue & some retired SU! designer series Maine Blueberry paper.

Tonight my mom, MrP and I are taking my oldest niece to see Cirque du Soleil's Quidam. It's a surprise to her (as is the fact that she's getting a double date that includes Auntie, who is her favorite person for some crazy reason). Unfortunately, I looked into it after agreeing to go and didn't realize it's going to feature a bunch of clowns...which I don't love. I'm hoping the aerial works and such will keep me entertained enough to forgive the existance of the stupid clowns. I've never been a fan of circuses for that very reason, but I'm sure it'll be a fun time with a young one to watch oooh and aaaah. :)

Tomorrow, I'm going on a 75km bike ride, which I'm very excited for, as I haven't been on Beauty Bike since Monday. Thankfully, I did manage a couple of early morning runs this week, so I haven't felt too guilty about not riding. What can I say?! I have a problem! HAHA

I hope you have a wonderful Friday!

Tag!

Tag! You're It! This week's challenge at The Sisterhood of Crafters is Tags...coincidentally, Sketch #148 at the Just Us Girls Challenge and the ColorQ Challenge #149 also spoke to me to come up with this first creation...

The color combination of Midnight Muse, Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green, Certainly Celery and white certainly looked like a challenge, but I think I made it work with a little help from my new paper and some Verve stamps :)

My little tag fits perfectly into the little folder I created with the labelled panel from the JUGS sketch.

My second tag is going to be attached onto my niece's birthday gift. It features Verve's Wishful Elegance, Waltzingmouse Very Vintage Labels #10 and some liquid pearls to finish it off. Also, first use of my little grommets that have sat unused to this point!

This was my first attempt at making a couple of tags and I can see why they can become addictive :) I had used a tag or two on a card before, but never in a pouch like my blog buddy Moe has mastered, so I really wanted to give it a shot. I can't wait to try again.

Make your way over to The Sisterhood for some Tag fun and you could win a $10 voucher from Di's Digis!

 

Diamonds, Pearls & Lace, OH MY! : Sisterhood Challenge

The Sisterhood of Crafters' challenge this week is Diamonds, Pearls & Lace, OH MY! We're being sponsored by Bugaboo Digi Stamps this week, who are offering up seven free digis as the prize to the winner of the challenge :)

I used this hilarious Stella Peeker - Another Drink image, as well as the coordinating stamp for the inside (which of course, I forgot to get a photo of, but it says "Everyone needs to believe in something...and I do believe I need another drink"

I'm not much for traditional martinis with olives, but I definitely appreciate a good stiff drink (although the amaretto sour last night when MrP and I were out for supper pretty much pushed my sour tolerance to the max...I made a bitter face with every sip!)

The olive paper is a digital paper from AmberInk that I really loved. I glossed over the martini contents and base...and added my olive pearls, as well as some ribbon and a button with twine.

Check out what the rest of the Sisters have gotten up to here. I particularly love the bubbles Dar created when using this same image on a card :)

Sunday was a rocking good time at my third ever Tour de l'Alberta 100K bike ride. Great friends, great weather and fabulous cycling. Aside from a slow leak in my front tire that caused some issues in the last 15kms of the ride, it was a perfectly wonderful ride!

Thanks for stopping by - have a wonderful week!

Let's Hear It For The Boys : Sisterhood Challenge

Well this week, I'm hosting the Let's Hear It For The Boys Challenge over at The Sisterhood of Crafters. This week, we're celebrating the anniversary of Bonibleaux Designs with some Dude Time Doodles Images.

First up is my Mojo Monday 249 sketch created card using this sweet little youth football player :) I did it up in Seahawks colors for my brother in law (or maybe my nephew...we'll see!)

The second card uses C Bizkit, which I thought was just way too fun :) I used SU markers for these and oh boy....I need to get some coloring in or learn to leave them black & white like my friend Moe!

The background is a Waltzingmouse stamp that I was hoping would resemble the checkered jerseys of some jockeys...but I think it looks more like a picnic table cloth. HAHA

Finally, some flowers from my garage flower bed..larkspurs

Northern edge of bed's red lilies ready to bloom

Varigated lilies of the south edge of the flower bed

  

First two teeny little strawberries from my flower bed
(which I then got in trouble for eating since I didn't offer to share with MrP)

It's been toasty around here, as I'm sure most places have been. I went out for a 10K run with a friend yesterday that turned into a 5.5K run followed by a 5K walk back.

I'm a good Northwestern Canadian - I like about 25 degrees celcius as my 'high' temp....but I sure won't complain about this weather since it's so rare!

Anyways, I hope all is well with everyone and that you're keeping a nice, regulated temperature wherever you're at :)

Now head over to The Sisterhood of Crafters to show us your manly creations - and a chance at $10 in Bonibleaux Designs!

Mojo 248 : A Waltzingmouse Wedding

Yesterday I rode a beautiful 100km bike ride and upon arriving home, I had a message from my Mom asking for help. When I called to find out what she needed - it was a wedding card ...and she needed it by this afternoon :)

I knew I didn't have anything in my stash, but that I had plenty of inspiration via different challenges that I could whip up something for her quite quickly...and that's exactly what happened with this card.

I used Shimmer White in the DeVine embossing folder for the background and some sahara sand papers as my additional color, but very neutral, which is always how I love wedding cards. I even got to use some of my new Waltzingmouse Stamps for the sentiment and nestie-friendly edge. Love it!

The Mojo Monday 248 sketch was my obvious layout inspiration (and it's a contest sketch to boot - perfect!)

Time to stain the deck and replace some of the decaying wood, so even without another bike ride, it'll be a busy afternoon. I know MrP will be in a great mood - Roger Federer won his 7th Wimbledon, so it's a good sports day in the Palmer house. Have a great Sunday!