Pretty summer colors from the latest Embellish Magazine Challenge, don't ya think? I like 'em so much I'd really like to get another card done with them, but I don't think it's gonna happen. I chose the softer side of all the colors in my card below. The patterned paper from My Mind's Eye is much softer than it appears in this photo. I put it with PTI cardstocks, Paper Studio and Prima flowers, and stamped images from Me&My Big Ideas-Sassy Icons.

I used VersaMark and chalk for all the stamping since I wanted everything to be extra soft and pretty! I blended a couple colors on the images on the bottom portion...it shows a little better below...

I know the use of ric rac is not real creative, but I wanted to keep it simple. Hope you like it!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Geri

O.K....what do ya think of this...I worked frantically last night to get this card done and submitted to PaperCrafts Magazine before midnight...but it wasn't meant to be. I was running out of time, wasn't at all happy, but already had some things adhered...there was no turning back and no time to start over. It has its qualities, but the layout and balance of it all just wasn't what I had hoped for. I was pleased with the flowers...

...I made them with PTI cardstock and the Beautiful Blooms 1 & 2 (I think) dies.
I love these colors together: pink, green, yellow, and peach (what I have used are all Papertrey). They were all in a beautiful floral inspiration photo for the Color Play category. I love making flowers and was really inspired by the photo to try to submit for this one, but...maybe there will be more 'flower-y' opportunities with the Spring issue. I did get two other cards submitted for another category earlier in the week!

Thanks so much for stopping, and I hope you have a great day!

Geri

This card is for The Shabby Tea Room's "Christmas in July" challenge. I've paired up some of my favorite colors with one of my most favorite things about Christmas: Music!! (I start listening to it more than a month before, and hang on to it for at least a month after. I always hate for it to end.) I layered some Paper Studio and My Mind's Eye papers on PTI cardstock with the Spellbinders Labels 1 die. I also used a Spellbinder die for the snowflake that is the 'o' in JOY. A friend cut the 'J' and 'Y' to fit with her Cricut.

Lots of edge-inking, some stitching, spritzing, glittering, and a few tiny embellishments later...it was all wrapped up. Merry Christmas in July, everyone!

Well here goes my second attempt at one of EM's lovely challenges. I was just sure I wouldn't
have time for this challenge when it was first posted, and was glad that the theme was "invitations", since I have minimal stamps fitting for an invitation...I was relieved that I wasn't missing out on too much. But since my most recent "busy phase" is over and the "invitation" challenge is still posted...and those colors are awfully pretty...and different...at least for me...so I started digging through stamps and found this one from Crafty Secrets Card Sentiments. A victorian looking rabbit...tooting his horn...announcing some grand party. I stamped him on a PTI Kraft Spellbinders Labels 1 and trimmed off the outer corners, then framed him in the next size up. I used Aqua Flo brushes and Stampin Up! inks to give him some color.


I had some velvety looking specialty paper that fit the color scheme (from JoAnn Fabrics and Hobby Lobby - sorry, no name). And my Technique Tuesday Rococco Stamps helped me fill in some dead space. Anyway, I came up with this fussy little number...
Not real sure what I think about it...probably too much going on, but I'm going to take our new pastor's stance on this..."if you're never failing...you're not trying enough new things". Who knows...maybe today, people are learning from my mistakes...and I guess that's OK...especially when I had so much fun trying!

To anchor my image, I looped several layers of seam binding (MemrieMare, Etsy), tied them in a knot, then snipped all the ends to form a festive little...shall we say..."thingie". ;) The solid paper was a suede type of paper, but the gold embossing did fine and added a much needed finishing touch. I also like the thin line of gold embossing on the outer edge.

Gotta git!!

Enjoy your day!!

Geri

PS...This is my first time using Papertrey Ink's Kraft cardstock (I know, where have I been!)! Oooooo...I love that stuff! Also, I am having serious issues with this layout!!! I am going to have to leave it as is, as I keep accidentally deleting pictures trying to get these two small pix at the bottom side by side. Just know...I'M NOT HAPPY!!

Ahhhh!!! Sunday night...the critters are tucked in...hubby is tucked in his hotel room in Indy for the week (miss you, babe!)...and I am breathing a sigh of relief as a string of 3 busy, busy weeks is finally over. I don't dare wish the time away but, I am sure you know how there are short periods of time here and there that simply have to be taken one day at a time...to look at it any other way would be simply overwhelming! I wouldn't dare bore you with all the details, or as our pastor put it last Sunday...the "distractions"...but there are a couple things pertinent to this post. The first would be that we had to say goodbye to Papa Bill a week ago as he (my husband's father) passed away. The blessing being in that he did not suffer, and that we were allowed time to share, laugh and be comforted by wonderful friends, family and neighbors. Once again I have been reminded of, and amazed by, how good and kind friends and neighbors can be...just when you need them most. It is also a blessing to be reminded of the wonderful circle of life because, the week before we said a special 'goodbye', we were saying a special 'hello' to a brand new, teeny, tiny, beautiful baby girl, Audree...my sister's oldest son's new daughter...and the most adorable answered prayer! So, we stayed busy visiting with family and friends by day, and by night, the wee hours of the night(s), I was working on these...

(Photo's removed for publication in Simply Handmade July/August 2013  Baby Shower edition.)

...table centerpieces for the baby shower!! It was a baby carriage theme and, I don't know about you, but I haven't seen an abundance of decoration ideas for baby carriages. So I made up my own. They stand about a foot tall, I would say, are probably around nine inches long, and 3" wide. Hours and hours went in to them, but they were worth every second, and I enjoyed every minute of doing what I love for such a special occasion. The plaid paper was used on the invitations and on the sweet little paper 'basket' favors that were made to hold some yummy fudge. Pretty colors!!

Had I been making only one, I would have added more details, but making 8, total, I had to keep them somewhat simple. Only one stamp used...the large flourish from PTI's Fancy Flourishes dressed up the side well. A little button on each side held the "handle" on. My Martha Stewart border punch gave the look of eyelet trim on the sides.

The legs/wheels were a bit of a concern but turned out fairly sturdy. I wrapped a rectangle of foam board with the patterned paper, punched a hole in each corner, inserted two separate pieces of wire, then pulled and twisted the pieces together on each side and curled the ends around. After I had that base sitting fairly square, I glued the finished carriage onto it. I just added the fresh flowers after all the carriages were leveled on their tables, just before the shower.

There they all are...minus the one that Mommy kept. The little lace trim at the top is hard to see but was a last minute thought that really finished them off! They were so girly and cheery!! Now...the question is...What in the world do I do with them?!? Oh, well, that's not important, is it!! If anyone has any bright ideas, though, I would love to hear them!

Now...how about a give away!?! Tell a friend...if I have at least 15 comments by the end of the week, I'll randomly pick one to receive a brand new stamp set! Can't say what it will be but, hey, it's free, right!?

Hope you all have a great week with some time to do what you love!

Geri

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Other supplies:

Paper: PTI's Hibiscus Burst, Lemon Tart, and Sweet Blush cardstock, Paper Studio's Sweet Pea Plaid, My Mind's Eye's Tiny Pink Flowers

Ink: PTI's Hibiscus Burst

Other: Silk flowers (taken apart), 14 gauge craft wire, and doilies from JoAnn Fabrics, large pearl embellishment (?) Hobby Lobby, PTI's HB and SB buttons, 1" Paper Studio flower punch, thick clear craft glue for base...forget what it was called and it's all gone!!