Fusion Challenge #10

Hello!  I've squeezed a little time into some busy, busy summer days to create for the current (barely) Fusion Challenge...

I am a beach lover, but have to admit I have very little in the way of 'nautical' when it comes to card making. Certainly none of the new trendy images and sentiments that are out there.  But I did what I could with a more traditional style stamp from a set I have.  I did some 'painting' on watercolor paper after embossing in white...

I wanted to keep the colors REALLY soft...wasn't really working for detail here either,...just a soft washed and watery look.  I achieved that by first brushing on water, and then picking up color right off the tip of my watercolor pencils' tips with my aqua-flow brush.  I don't do this very often (although I really enjoy it when I do) so it took me a couple tries.  I was pleased with this final one, though.

Hope you've enjoyed your visit here today...I appreciate it!
~geri~

Back from vacation with LOTS to share...

Hey, Everyone!!!  Happy Friday to you all!  It's so good to be back here on the ole blog!  Seems like it's been an awful long time...so that means I have lots to share!  I'll start with this little guy...

He's from my latest card for Precious Remembrance with the Little One set.  Head on over to the blog if you'd like to check him out!

And next...some warm wishes for you...

Yes, it's time for a new challenge at Festive Friday!...

Aren't those colors gorgeous?!?  Although, they're not necessarily part of the challenge...it's the 'vintage theme' we're going for this time.  I used more traditional colors found in papers from a clearanced Anna Griffin card kit last Christmas...and a sweet digital image from Bety, HERE...

Details and additional inspiration can be found at the blog, if you're interested in joining in the fun of getting those holiday cards done at a more relaxed pace.  We've got a sweet group of ladies doing just that, and would love it if you would join us!

Next for today is a belated birthday card to honor my talented friend, Ardyth!  I had never met Ardyth until she started entering the Festive Friday challenges...I knew right away she was one talented lady!  She's now on the design team and recently had a birthday.  A couple VERY sweet friends of hers organized a little birthday surprise for her.  I guess you could say I'm arriving 'fashionably late' with my card, but I think the Linky list is still open...

Ardyth is the queen of 'clean and simple', and what strikes me about her cards is her use of white space, and the way she displays bold/striking colors and patterns on it.  The goal of the party was to CASE a card of hers and link it up for her to view.  I had a hard time choosing just one to CASE, so instead, I just tried to stay true to her clean and simple style and incorporated some strong/striking graphics I thought she might like.  Hope you enjoy this, Ardyth,...and I hope you're enjoying this little ongoing party of yours!  You and your designs ARE fabulous, and I hope your birthday was too!  I'm so glad Festive Friday brought you my way, and I look forward to getting to know you better in the future!!!

And last, but certainly not least...a card in honor of another new friend of mine.  'Marcie' left me THE sweetest comment a little while back.  You know how...every once in awhile you get a comment that makes you think...'Oh, YEAH!!!...THIS is why I do this!...I DO inspire people!...this DOES make a difference!!!  Yep,... it was that kind...made. my. DAY!  So we've commented back and forth since then, and when I got home from vacation, I had the sweetest and most generous gift packaged up and waiting for me in our pile of mail...I got teary when I opened it at the thought of her generosity.  So, this one's for you, Marcie...You're a sweetheart, and I'm so grateful we met...

Isn't it wonderful how small 'blogging' makes this world of ours?!?!  I love having wonderful friends in places I've never even been!!!  So thankful to be home, creating again, and so thankful for each one of you!!!
Have a great weekend!

~geri~

PTI May Blog Hop...Building Bouquets...

Heading out with my family on a little vacation today.  But I squeezed in a little time during packing for a card for today's blog hop with PTI.  I chose the following 'bouquet builder' color scheme...

That's one of my all time favorite color combo's...I love yellows and pinks together!  I am kind of thinking now, that I should have challenged myself to a new color scheme, though.  I used the Beautiful Blooms #1, and Heart to Heart die sets to create some flowers...  

A couple of punches were used also, for the smaller flowers and for the center of the largest one.

I also used a couple of flourishes from Fancy Flourishes as a background for my spray of blossoms...

Those 'Think Big Favorites' sentiments sure do come in handy!  This is not at all the look I was going for initially, but this is what I ended up with...and I had fiddle-farted (did she just say that???) around with it for long enough that I sure wasn't going to ditch it!!!  So I hope you like it!  Enjoy the hop!  If I can pry a computer away from the kids in the hotel tonight...I look forward to seeing what everyone else has come up with, and what the favorite color schemes were!

Thanks so much for stopping in!

~geri~

It's Friday...Festive Friday and Precious Remembrance...

Hey, everyone!  Happy Friday to you!  There's a new challenge up at the Festive Friday Blog!  This round is a color challenge of red, green and gold...

I used one of WPlus9's great die sets...Seasonal Sentiments for my focal point.  (I love word dies!!!)

That little snowflake in the center of the 'o' comes in the set, too!  It's so detailed and pretty, although it doesn't show much with the button I plopped on top of it!

There should be plenty more inspiration for you at the blog if you're interested in getting in on this traditional Christmas color scheme challenge.

You know I usually have a project waiting for you at the Precious Remembrance blog on Fridays.  We're still working with the 'Little One' set...

Here's a little peek...

Feel free to hop on over and check out the rest of my project there!
Thanks so much for dropping in today!
~geri~

Fusion Creation...

Here I am again, as you all may guess...with the clock ticking down...about 15 min. before this Fusion challenge closes...

I find this challenge irresistable, but am having a hard time fitting it in to one week. (A two-weeker, anybody???;)  Here are the blossoms I made...similar to an earlier Fusion blossom, but these are no-sew, no-fold...

And here's the card...fitting for upcoming graduations, I thought...

Tried to fit a little butterfly in, but it just wouldn't work...too cluttered with the rest of my 'stuff'.  Needless to say...I must be brief, but always appreciate your visits and always appreciate the inspiration offered up by the Fusion team!!!
~geri~

More Sweetness for Festive Friday...

Hello, my crafty friends!  A little more sweetness for the second round of this challenge at Festive Friday...

I've always loved those sweet Mouse House stamps, and when I saw this one at Hobby Lobby...even though you all know I don't color much... I thought it would be perfect for this challenge...

And the good thing about these stamps for me is...these soft and cuddly little characters are very presentable just done in chalks, which is quick, easy and forgiving.  I might just have to pick up another to try!  The candy canes were done with my watercolor pencils and glittered {also pretty quick and easy}.  And I guess that's all I have to offer for today.  You really should see the rest of the "sweet" inspiration from the team...delightful, and so cheery this week!  And just a CLICK away!
I do hope you have a wonderful weekend, and am so thankful that you've stopped in today!
~geri~

FUSION!!!...{pant, pant, pant}...I like you a latte...

Man, I'm almost LATE!!! Don't shut it down yet, girls!!!
Here's the inspiration at a favorite challenge blog right now...FUSION...

...and here's my FUSED creation...

I used my Cricut {some} for the cups, although I wasn't totally happy with the originals and did a little hand cutting to get them to my liking.  And there are a couple of my favorite feathered friends from PTI's Merry Little Christmas.

Gotta link it NOW!!!  Love you FUSION!!!
ETA:  Lyndal notified me of the Little Red Wagon challenge of using a doily in your creation, so I'm linking up there, also!  You guys are probably sick of my doilies but, thanks, Carolyn, for the challenge!
~geri~