Gone Fishing...

School is FINALLY out here and I am soooooo ready to head to the lake, sit down on the dock and throw in my fishing pole!   This incredibly relaxing thought spurred the creation of this card for our next Make It Monday #91 Linky Party. 

A compilation of textures and techniques were used on this one. Starting with the background.  Three strips of white cardstock rectangles were cut, folder embossed, painted with blue and yellow acrylics and then topped with TH Vintage Photo Crackle Paint and then sanded down.  Stitching around the edges was next.  The center piece is a scrap from a music book and the scalloped edging is actually a measuring tape I cut down to accent the sunrise in the photo.  The image is from our sponsor,

 Digi Doodle Shop called Gone Fishing.  I colored it up with copics and then glazed 3 layers of clear embossing powder over it.  The frame of the image was designed by using the circle scallop die and then crocheting a border using the scallop holes themselves.  The image was cut with a circle die to fit inside the frame.  An additional white flower and leaf I crocheted, were also added to die cut leaves and peach colored Prima rose to complete the card front.

 I really really really love how the sky and water turned out on this little guy.

 Brace yourself, I did it again! The inside is decorated as well.  I am really getting into this whole use up your scraps bit. :)  The inside is folder embossed, painted with correlating acrylics and then TH DI Vintage Photo added with the finishing touch of sanding as well.

So, there you have it.  A non-sentiment card that can be used for so many occasions!

I can't begin to tell you how much I love seeing everyone's work that they enter into our challenge at Make It Monday.  Makes my heart skips a beat at all the incredible talent out there.  So keep it coming in, we'd LOVE to see what ya'll are up to.

I'll end with the best part of the post...

PICK OF THE WEEK!

This stunning compilation of teacher's elements is just wonderful on her easel card with a drawer!

You can never thank an educator enough for all they do and WOW, what a splendid way to know that you are appreciated with this work of art.

My pick of the week is from Kerry at SweetRoses and if you'd like to see more pictures of her amazing project you can click here.

Hugs n' Happy Stamping and Great Fishing....

Lisa xx

Challenges I would Like To Enter This Card In:

2 Sisters - Bring On The Boys
One Stop Craft Challenge - One For the Boys
For Your Inspiration - Photo Image ( I tried to pull the colors from the sky and water as best I could)
Make It Monday

Our Sponsor for #91 Linky Party

Digi Doodle Shop

Prize - The DigiDoodle Shop is giving away a $10.00 Store Gift Certificate to the lucky random winner!

Dig Out The Old...

Hello everyone.  I have today four gift tags using the theme, Dig Out The Old, for our challenge happening at Top Tip Tuesday.  This is the first time I've ever made tags and I'll be honest, these are more difficult than cards and my desk was buried when I finished.  How something so small can trash a place is beyond me! Anyway, here they are, each with several common elements.  They all contain a handmade crochet item at the top, images from Nicecrane Designs are Vintage Fashion Pages and Beautiful Ladies, old matchbooks used for little banner tags, and lace.  I also dug out my 1998 Fiskar scissors to border some of the background newspaper images and also the pink rick rack seen on the first tag that I turned into a rose.

Tag One

Tag Two

I've added some gold glitter to the image for a little vintage appeal. I've included tip too.  When applying glitter to anything, it's always a mess.  To avoid this, rub Versamark over desired area, then add clear embossing powder and heat dry.  You'll have the glitter but without the mess for the recipient.

I dyed the ribbon blue inside an ink pad lid where I'd squeezed out some ink and then spritzed a bit of water into it.

 Tag Three

 Tag Four

Because this theme is about digging out the old stuff, I wanted to show you just how old this rick rack is that I found at a local flea market.  I looked for a date on the package and couldn't find one, but when I opened the wrapper up, here's what is says inside....

Just below the bold letters, Does Your Child Sew?  It says, "Send 3 labels and 15 cents to cover postage and handling..."  WOW 15 pennies.I googled it and found that postage was this much back in 1978!! 

So hop on over and show us what you found that was old to use on your projects and be sure to let us know what it is you used. ;)

Our generous sponsors for this challenge are:

Sew Sweet

Nicecrane Designs

I appreciate your visit and comments very much. Thank you!

Hugs to you,

Lisa xx

Here's Looking At You

 Hey, hello there! How are ya?

Welcome back to my little ink spot in the world.  I have a little card to show you today that is movie inspired.  When I selected this gorgeous butterfly mask at Scrapbook Sisters, I immediately thought of The Phantom Of The Opera and Humphrey Bogart's line in Casablanca. 

I attacked the scrap drawer for paper, still an ongoing resolution of mine, sewed it all together and added a paper bow.  The mask is colored in Copics  and highlighted with Stickles.  A couple white feathers and diamond flourishes for some extra flair and there you have it.

AND....better sit down for this, I decorated the inside too! Figured, why not, it will use up more scraps.

This card was created for our latest linky party happening over at Make It Monday where the fun never ever, ever ends.  We'd love for you to share your inspired work with us and the winner will be receiving a fabulous gift from our sponsor Scrapbook Sisters!

Drumroll....

PICK OF THE WEEK!

I found myself fascinated with the colors, the textures, the layouts and the overall shabby chic eclectic arrangement of wonderful elements that Lisa chose for this card.  The sentiment just makes me smile.

Please click here to see a closer look.

Thanks so much for dropping in and saying hi.  Before you go, make sure you grab some delicious tea and delectable white chocolate lime coconut pie (via special request) ;)

Hugs n' Happy Stamping!

Lisa xx

Come visit us at Make It Monday, bring the food, they won't mind!

Hugs & Kisses

Hoping to join in a few wonderful challenges going on out there in blogland with this card.

I find this image entirely precious and when I saw the little boy chasing the butterfly, I had to color it up.  It reminded me of my son this past Saturday in the garage. I had the doors open for ventilation while I was painting some furniture and I had to pop in the house for a second.  I came back out to the worst sounding thuds. A hummingbird was attacking the ceiling light! It flew aimlessly for nearly 30 minutes, with no indication it was remotely close to finding the exit.  You know what it takes to catch a hummingbird?  Well, it's not....

1.  Me standing on a ladder with a blower

2.  Chasing it around with a grocery sack

3.  Making your son take off his red shirt and flag it. (It's a bird, not a bull)

4.  Hanging a feeder by the hinge of garage opener

5. Strategically standing on footstools and ladders with fly swatters

6.  Placing assorted red items all over the driveway in hopes of 'luring' said bird. This only attracted neighbors.

Nope, not one of those...

It took one hour and 45 minutes of my son trying to toss a sheet over it.  Amazingly he managed to wear the poor bird out and the dang thing hopped onto the sheet, allowed my son to pick it up and then flew away as soon as he stepped outside.  OMG...I needed a nap, that was so exhausting watching him!  So, now you know why I had to color this image. ;)

I've colored this image Mum and Kids from Nicecrane Designs with copics and tried my hand again with the clouds using a paintbrush. Did a little 'whisping' of the brush on the grass as well. 

 My scrap drawer is steadily lessening as I've incorporated more of them on this little creation.

Supplies used here are a doily, baker's twine, antique brad, top note die cut, scraps of paper, tag, hugs and kisses words are rub-ons.  Accompanying the card is a completed interior as well.

Thank you so much for stopping in!

Lisa xx

Challenges I would be honored to join in are:

Our Creative Corner - Sketch Challenge (Tag was supposed to go in the bottom right, but it wouldn't fit right.  If my entry needs to be deleted, I understand) :o)

Incy Wincy Designs - Weather

Sugar Creek Hollow -Tags

Through The Craftroom Door - Photo Inspiration (Love the colors!)

It's All About Family

Hello to you from Missouri and Happy Mother's Day to those of you celebrating today!!

Just want to invite you all to another Linky Party at Make It Monday.  Feel free to showcase something new, something old, something borrowed, or something blue.  We want to see what's happening in those creative minds of crafters all around the world! 

Meljen's Designs rocks, and they have offered up images to use for this weeks party as well as sponsoring the prize!  I actually went on their website to pick one for the challenge and ended up buying a boat load of them for my personal use.  This is one called Family Flowers.

Card base is standard white cardstock with a layering of corrugated cardboard from Linda's shop located here.  The image is then framed with black cardstock.  Added some twine and a lovely felt heart gifted to me by my grandmother, 'Thank you Grammy' and viola...happy family card.

Ohhhh, the clouds! Did you notice the clouds? LOL...Thank you Chrissy for the tip on these.  I have so far to go before I get to her level of expertise.  Hers don't smear.  I just convinced myself that a storm was moving in to justify the eye sore smudges. ;)

This little card is in the mail for a very dear couple, my grandmother's BFF and her hubby, to say thank you for their most generous and thoughtful donation to my son's fundraiser.  Family is that which you are born into and the rest are those that supersede friendship and find a very dear place in your heart. 

Speaking of the heart, here's a card that I love...

PICK OF THE WEEK!

I chose this amazing carousel card, designed by Laurel at Laurel's Crafty Retreat.  This project is beyond amazing and the horses even go up and down!! See more pictures by clicking here. 

Here's my Mother's Day gift. 

We took the pictures yesterday and spray painted the old brown frames black as well as the wooden letters.  The mirror was $5 at a thrift store. I asked that it be fun and a little topsy turvy. 

I LOVE IT! 

My son put on a mustache for his photo op and my daughter posed as to say, "goofball" while looking at him. :)

Favorite quote from my favorite author, on being a mother...

"My second favorite household chore is ironing. The first being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint."
Erma Bombeck

Stop by and share your inspiration with us and see what the other lovely ladies have been up to to share with you!

Hugs n' Happy Crafting...

Lisa x

Raising Teenagers...

I have two of them and I must admit, I'm blessed.  They are fantastic young people and despite the not being able to get up when the alarm goes off (a ridiculous amount of times) or leaving a trail through the house of all of their crap; they make me laugh. They still hug me in public, they still say 'I love you' and they both make me so proud. 

As you may know already by visiting my blog, I almost think I am related to Stella. She can be such a...well, you know, and a time or two, I've forgotten to turn on the brain before the mouth opened and spatted a few choice quotes myself.  For example, what stupid and yet ironically poignant thing did I say this past weekend?  Gosh, it would have to of been while at the never ending bake sale/fundraiser for my son's Critical Thinking Team, who are now going to Tennessee to compete at the Global level (YEAH!).  Those poor kids are working their butts off earning all the money for a six day trip. Not to mention us parents cooking ours off as well in the kitchen for items to sell.  Anyway, it was hot and miserable outside and the kids are in great spirits and asking if anyone would like to support their local high school by donating (any amount, could be a quarter) and receive a lovely baked item.  This young couple was so rude and snubbed the poor kid.  He looked up at me and said, "Well, I tried." I looked back and said, "You did awesome! Don't feel bad.  I'm not going to tell her now that she's still wearing the price tag on the back of her dress!"  He turned around and got the biggest smile on his face and the rest of the day was a huge success!  I personally think I would have made Stella proud. (I'm so rotten sometimes.)  ;)

However, I'm a wee bit addicted to Stella and her total disregard for proper public relations and steep on the side of sarcasm, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on this image from Bugaboo.

If it looks rather naked for my style, it is.  The card is based off of the sketch tutorial at Top Tip Tuesday from one of our wonderful DT leaders, Samantha, who has shown how she designed her clean and simple sketch.  The flower pot is hand drawn, colored with copics and glazed with UTEE.  Attached to the pot are wires that hold the copic colored Stella as well as worded leaves that offer reminders of what is needed to raise teenagers.

The leaves are a bit 'ehh' but overall I've kept with the Clean And Simple Challenge and that alone IS a challenge for me.

Would love if you stopped over and checked out the other DT cards and entered your take on our challenge. The winners of this challenge will be provided prizes from our sponsors, Simon Says Stamp, Bugaboo, and Ooh La La Creations.

Thanks for stopping by,

Big hugs n' Happy Stamping...

Lisa xx

So Special To Me...

I love it when a plan comes together! 

Again I've stuck to my usual not conforming to spacial restraints and this card is yet another that won't fit in a standard envelope, but isn't it just too fun? 

The first thing I did was color this little Puppy and Her Bone from Karen's Doodles in copics, then I assembled all the elements surrounding it.  I decided newspaper was a must (a necessity for toilet training). I recently found an old 1938 book of sheet music in a flea market, and while flipping through it, noticed this song, "Oh! Dem Golden Slippers" (excellent chew toy) as well as the menu sheet; which I placed onto Word and typed in various main courses that appeal to a dog.  The 'What Can I Do?' book cover is a free download from Two Crazy Crafters and it just has 'I'm up to no good' written all over it.

The ribbon is made from Twill Tape that I stamped paw prints on with DI.  If you look closely inside the bow, you'll see a dog bone.  I actually dragged out the Sculpey Oven Bake Clay and shaped a bone, baked it for 15 minutes and painted it with DI as well.  The little tag was added at the bottom to summarize the theme that we have going on over at Karen's Doodles, which is Something For Mom.  My mother is a huge animal lover and despite what those loveable little critters do to house and home and all contents within, she loves and adores them to pieces. So I thought this would be so fitting to make for her. She also collects vintage books, toys and whatnots from days past, so the marriage of the two on this card is perfect.

Hope you've enjoyed your little visit here and thank you for coming by to check out this card.  I appreciate your kind words and encouragement and I'm always happy to take pointers and advice.

Hugs n' Happy Stamping...

Lisa xx

I Told You So...

Ever had to bite your tongue when you wanted to say this oh so badly?  Or the joyous moment when you can point your finger and spout, "ha ha."   I'm usually the recipient of the fun bantering, but I have a special card just in case, one glorious day I can finally say the words, "Way to go slick...just couldn't listen to me could ya? Just HAD to go and try that on your own."  Well, that day may never come, but what the heck, the card was fun to make and I enjoyed the process.

Card base was run through embossing folder and inked with white craft ink and then stitched.  The copic colored image received a crepe paper fringe and stitching.  For a ribbon strip I used a wide band of tan elastic and placed a crocheted banner that I made atop it.  Added a yellow bow, a handmade hat pin from a straight pin and even threw in a couple wilted flowers.  The flowers are Prima Flowers, tinted with TH Vintage Photo DI and spritzed with water to sag.  The leaves are highlighted with a bit of the same.  Needed a little 'umph' at the top so I included the 'OOPS!' banner as well.

Good ol' Stella with her keen since of humor can be found here at Bugaboo if you've taken kindly to her.  We sure would love for your to show us what you've been up to lately at Make It Monday for our linky party #88 and remember the prize is from Bugaboo and they never disappoint!

Here is my

PICK OF THE WEEK

The wonderful assortment of musical notes and this beautiful image all in white and black make for an original and unique style.  This really caught my eye.

Thank you to Angela at Mijn Hobbyhonk for sharing this with us.

Loved having you stop in to my little ink spot in the world.  Before you go, be sure to grab some tea and cheesecake on the way out!

Hugs n' Happy Stamping,

Lisa xx

Shabby Chic Tomboy Boquet...

It's been a month, or nearly, since I've made a card and I felt like a fish out of water trying to figure out where to start first.  But, just like riding a bicycle, I peddled my way around the room and re-introduced myself to all the stuff around me.  It was a fabulous reunion and I'm happy to be back. 

I'd like to share this little lady, Lil Pinkette Pippa, as she starts off another challenge at The Squirrel & The Fox for the theme of One For The Girls. 

Background paper on the right is from Echo Park and the bg on the left is a free download from Free Pretty Things For You. The center is joined with bits of a doily. Machine stitching and distressing with TH Tumbled Glass finished off the background.  Wooden letters are painted with white and blue acrylic and topped with a layer of UTEE as well as Butterscotch Liquid Pearls and an attempt at faux stitching with marker (not so successful.)  The addition of a yellow and twine bow with Prima flower and the tag stamped from Stampin' Up! Friendly Phrases as embellishments.  Pippa is colored in Copics.

If you find yourself with some free time and have a card that fits 'For The Girls' we sure would love to see it at The Squirrel & The Fox for our challenge.   The sponsor for this challenge is Tickled Pink Stamps and they are offering the winner a choice of 1 rubber stamp or 2 digital stamps in a set.

I sure am glad you stopped in to take a look and I hope this finds you happy and well.

Hugs n' Happy Stamping...

Lisa xx

Altered Thrift Store Find & Card

I passed over this little recipe box twice before going back and snagging it for 50 cents at the local thrift shop on Tuesday.  Isn't she a beauty? Blue green on the outside and even though the picture looks red, that's orange on the inside. 

I had a few images I'd colored up in copics for Nicecrane Designs sitting on my desk and last night, I got a spur of motivation to alter one of my 'cheap finds' sitting out in the garage. 

Here is the sheet of digital stamps that I used called Colors of Spring.

Here is the new, and I hope, improved recipe box with a card.

 The foundation of paint is White and Vintage Lace acrylic paint.  Smudges of Black Licorice acrylic added later for aging and distressing.

 A combination of frilly-ish die cuts that I had laying around combined with the circle die cut of the copic colored image in the center, all triple layered with UTEE, purchased at Linda's Zibbet store, The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

 Typed up 'Recipe' on Microsoft Word and then mirror printed onto regular printer paper.  After trimming out the word, I applied it to the top of the recipe box using the Mod Podge Transfer Method.  Got a little too wet in places and bits of the word are missing, but it added character so I left it.

 Lined the inside with vintage papers from Brenda Walton's Scrap Pad to Go by K&Company, also attached with Mod Podge.

Another image from Nicecrane's Colors of Spring, also colored in Copics, is matched with scraps from the recipe box to complete the gift set.

So? Whatcha' think? Is it worthy to place in a craft sale or should I scrap it and retry? I'm happy to hear any and all suggestions.

Thank you so much for popping in to see this project and I hope you're doing wonderful.

Hugs n' Happy Stamping....

Lisa xx

Challenges I would like to enter:

Frilly and Funkie - Alter It (Can't decide if it's frilly or funky)