{Clean and Simple with a bow!}

My last several cards have been busy with lots of layers and detail, so today I thought I would go back to the basics and create a CAS "Clean and Simple Card".  For this card I used a retired SU set called "Bold Butterfly". I will never let go of this set, those butterflies are SO cute!  I used two SU colors, Regal Rose, and Melon Mambo. I love these colors together! I finished off the card with Regal Rose ribbon, and a pearl. This was a super easy card to make! I am playing along with a couple of challenges today first: 

Flutterby Wednesday #139

and secondly:

Paper Pal Arts #78 Elements of Style - Bows

I would also like to say thank you to Ann Schach for the awesome blog candy goodie box I received in the mail today! Thank you SO much, and I used some of the RR ribbon on my card today!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

{The Perfect Day}

Today is going to be a beautiful day! The forecast says it will reach 71 F.  and we are going on a family picnic. But first I want to post my latest card, and play along with a handful of challenges. For my card today I used an adorable Stampabilities House Mouse stamp called "Make a Wish". I colored it with Pro-Markers, and then paper pieced the image for a nice 3-d effect. I used my Stampin' Up! chalks to make the nice blended blue/white background. I used DSP from one of my favorite DCWV stacks that has not seen the light of day in a long time, the "Sweet Stack". I machine stitched around the dges with my Janome Sew Mini.  The cute stitched felt flower and leaf are from the SU Sweet Pea line, and the other pink felt flowers I made with  my Cuttlebug. This card has way more bling and embellishments then I would normally use but it was fun putting it together all the same.  Today I am playing along with the following challenges:

DDCC #97 -  Recipe Challenge -
-3 pattern papers
-3 flowers
-3 sparkly things-rhinestones, pearls, gem, etc
and 1 ribbon

Papertake Weekly Challenge  #52 - sketch:

Cupcake Craft Challenge - Food For Thought

House Mouse and Friends #87-

Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog - Animal Antics

Passion For ProMarkers #84 - Let it shine

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

{Free Time}

Do you ever have cards that just don't seem to turn out the way you envisioned, but then out of nowhere you try something different and everything falls into place? Well, that is what happened to my card today! I started working on my card for the weekly sketch at "Card Patterns", and after trying a few different elements it just didn't look right. So I went to bed. Today when I finally got Connor to take a nap (like 30 mins ago and it is now 2:17, lol) I sat at my craft table and added a few embellishments and whadda ya know, I LOVED it! For my card today I used DSP from the new DCWV stack "Pearls and Lace." I created the flower with my Cricut, and SCAL (Sure Cuts Alot) and added vintage, ribbon, and pearls. The sentiment is from the PTI set "Everyday Button Bits".  The embossed layer is from the Cuttlebug "Romance" set which I sanded with a sanding block.  I used the Eyelet Circle Nestabilities behind the paper pieced flower. I LOVE the shabby chic look of this card and I hope you will to! Today I am playing along with the following challenges:

Card Patterns Sketch #99 :

Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger

Southern Girl Challenge - dry embossing

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

{Happy Day}

I can't believe this week is almost half over! My days have been flying by. Today is a great day because Connor is taking a power nap, and Cameron has been a good boy today to, so Mommy got to play in her craft room! For my card today I used two Stampin' Up! sets "Filled With Love", and "A Happy Heart". I used two different Cuttlebug embossing folders to add the textured backgrounds. I hand stitched the corners, and machine stitched around the red DSP square.  I accented the card with red ribbon, and vintage lace, and finished off the card with a Basic Grey Button, and sentiment punched out with the SU word window punch.  I made my card today with a few challenges in mind, first, the

"Cupcake Inspirations  Weekly Challenge #95" the inspiration picture was this adorable cupcake:

also:

My Time To Craft Challenge 32 - Emboss, Emboss, Emboss

   Thank you for visiting my blog today!

{Just Checking In}

Hi! I have a free moment to post a card I recently created using the super cute set from Hero Arts "Sew Artsy". This card is fairly simple. I used Material Girl DSP by Cosmo Cricket, and the SU Top Note Die. I accented the edges with SU ribbon, and paper strip using the SU Scallop Ribbon Punch. I finished off the card with a button from Making Memories. I've been working on Valentine cards so hopefully I'll be posting a few of those in the next few days. I hope you are having a great week, and as always thank you for visiting my blog today!

{Bee Mine}

Hi! In my quest for great stamp deals I came across this site: Scrapbuck . I was thrilled with the amount of stamp sets they had for $3 or less. That is where I found my Cloud Nine baby quotes and poems set. Shipping was free with a $20 purchase and it was super fast. I am in no way affiliated with them, but I wanted to share my awesome experience with this stamp/scrap company!  For this card I used  a set by Hedi Grace called "Bee Sweet". I stamped and colored the images with Pro-Markers and Bic Markit and then cut them out with my paper snips. The DSP is one of DCWV new releases called "Lace and Linen". This stack is a must have, seriously. The designs are so pretty. I hand stitched the pink squares (yes, it took awhile) but I LOVE LOVE the way it turned out! I used the Nestabilities Eyelet Circles , and the standard circles dies, and attached the flowers, leaves, hearts and bee with foam squares. I finished off the card with pearls, and Crystal effects on the bee's wings, hearts, and large flower center. Finally I stamped the "Bee Mine" sentiment on the card. This card took me two days of working on it in 5 minute (or less) intervals but I am very happy with the end result! Today I am playing with a handful of challenges.

Card Patterns Weekly sketch # 97

Paper Pal Arts - Valentine's Day

The Paper Players - Valentine's Day

Thank you for visiting my blog today and I hope the rest of your week goes great!

{Babies and a Challenge or Two}

Well, it seems as if we just might have a routine down. Although I know newborns and routines don't always work the way we would like but for now things are going well. I can't believe Connor is almost 1 month old and sleeping in my lap as I write this post! I took advantage of a bit of free time I had today (and yesterday) and created this card! The adorable image is from Bugaboo Digi Stamps. I colored the cutie with Pro-Markers and SU markers. The dsp is from making memories. I machine stitched around the card, and made the cute ruffled rosette myself! I finally found an easy way to make these. If you are interested let me know and I'll post instructions. The sentiment is from a Baby themed set by Cloud Nine called "Simple Thoughts Baby". It has so many sweet quotes and poems. LOVE it! I accented the card with buttons, and stickles. I am playing a long with a couple challenges this week. I have missed them so much! First:

Cupcake Inspirations - Babies!

Cupcake Craft Challenges - Something New

If you get a chance you should play along this week!  Thank you for visiting my blog today and I hope you have a great week!

{Naptime Card Makin'}

Hi everyone! My goodness what a busy 3 weeks it has been! Sadly card makin' time is hard to come by with a newborn in the house, but hopefully as we get into a routine I will have more time for my beloved paper crafting addiction! I have gotten so many adorable outfits and blankies for Connor from friends and family and I decided to sit down and make a batch of thank you cards. The layout is quite simple since I don't have a lot of time these days but I am happy with the way they turned out! I used a hostess set from the SU catalog called "Apple Blossoms". The dsp is by K & Company, and the brads by Karen Foster.  I finally got the chance to play with my gift from Santa, the "Sew Easy" set including the complete assortment of attachments by We R Memory Keepers. (makers of Cropadile). I LOVE it! I will probably use it more for paper piercing then stitching but I have had no problems with it and will be using it often. Thank you for visiting my blog today and I hope you are having a wonderful New Years!