Happy Retirement Table Centerpiece..

Retirement can be a joyous occasion and as soon as I saw this incredibly relaxing image, Feet Up and a Cuppa, from Dr. Digi's House of Stamps, I knew I had to place him in the perfect relaxing environment...his cozy cottage in his cozy chair.  So, here's the little house that Lisa built.

You'll notice there is no furniture inside the house, except for the relaxing gent, but I decided instead of furniture to make this a fun little retirement fund centerpiece for someones retirement party!

Here's what it looks like now...

So how fun is that? Not only do the Dr.'s images bring out the most hilarious and creative ideas for a card, but they are SUPER fun to create little environments for. Very versatile creations and you'll love coloring them up. So head on over to Dr. Digi's House of Stamps and start having fun now!!

Thanks so much for your visit and I hope you've enjoyed this project.

Hugs n' Happy Building...

Lisa xx

Mustache Bubblegum Valentine...

Two more days and those of us that celebrate Valentine's Day will be submerging our noses into the fragrant petals of beautiful flowers and gorging (or is that only me?) on specialty chocolates while we exchange tokens of love with our special squeeze.  Here is a card that I made for The Cutting Cafe that I couldn't wait to create.  This week we are showcasing a variety of  Valentine cutting files and printable stamps from Regina's store.  My card combines two extremely versatile sets from her store called Gumball Machine Shaped Card  and Mustache Shaped Card Set .

I opted to use my Cameo to cut out every portion of this card even though these designs are easily cut by hand as well, and decided to alter the included spinning knob with a mustache instead. It's mounted with a black brad so the 'stache actually spins like a handle would. 

If you're looking for some last minute Valentine ideas, be sure to stop into The Cutting Cafe to find loads of inspiration!

Hugs n' Happy Crafting,

Lisa x

Imagine...

Welcome back!

I have today a beautiful image from a new artist at Squigglefly and her name is Gayle Seach. When I received this digital stamp I fell in love with it. The history that lays in this Bush Shack speaks volumes. Really makes you sit back and imagine what life would have been like living here. I couldn't wait to color it up and it needed to fit the challenge happening at Squigglefly this week of Pink and Black Combo! Might be a bit hard to see, but I've added pink hues to the sunrise just above the trim of the roof.  Loved placing this plaque of imagine below it because that's exactly what it made me do.

I find myself often staring into the fields and woods when we're on a long drive and when I see old dilapidated buildings, they speak more of a history and era of time I'll never truly understand and it makes me wonder what life would have been like back in the day.

Here is a photo of an old abandoned home in Kansas.  Can you imagine living in these deep woods with no electricity, no running water and just you and nature coinciding side by side and totally dependent upon yourself for survival. We are all so blessed today, but what a life it had to of been.

Here is another photo.

 More than 150 years after the last wagon train traversed the Santa Fe Trail, these swales (deep ruts) can still be seen in Douglas County, east of Baldwin City.

It's truly unbelievable to stand out here in the middle of nothing and see the actual wagon wheel ruts. To bend down and touch them and imagine carrying all your belongings, your family  and venturing forth for a new life in the middle of nowhere and no civilization for miles....truly inspiring and makes you realize the strength of the human spirit to endure all the hazards and miles they traveled.

So thanks to Gayle for bringing back those wonderful memories and for preserving history in her beautiful artwork.  

Sadly, this will be my final post for Squigglefly as I am stepping down, but I've truly enjoyed the journey with you all and thank you so much for the amazing opportunity to DT alongside all these fabulous crafters and artists. You all will be missed!

Hugs n' Happy Stamping,

Lisa xx

Remember Pink and Black Combo 

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Party Like It's Mardi Gras Centerpiece...

Happy Saturday to you!

It's time again for another challenge at Our Creative Corner and I am so happy to be hosting this week as well.  Sadly, it will be my last DT post with this wonderful team. I have so much respect for them and their immense creativity and I've had the amazing opportunity of learning from each of them personally.   But I never like to part on sad terms, so we're gonna have a party!!

This week I have chosen an inspirational photo and the theme is....

Party Like It's Mardi Gras!

Create any project using the inspirational photo below. 

 Please explain what about this image inspired your creation.

I think this image looks like it could be a showstopper. The grandness of the details and the exotic gold leafing with the vibrant purples and greens inspired me to make a centerpiece and pull from it the greens and purples.  But first I needed something tall enough to take center stage.

So, I found this old candlestick holder.

With a sponge and Gesso, I lightly dabbed the entire surface to conceal the true identity and color; rather like a mask for Mardi Gras.

Next was sponging on lilac acrylic paint in a hit or miss random pattern, followed up by the same technique in metallic green paint. While the paint was still damp, I sprinkled on bits of gold embossing powder and then heated lightly.  

Once the painting was finished, I took a nail file to the edges and sanded down for just a little added character.

Next was to decide on the over-the-top focal point.  While perusing through some images, I found this gorgeous woman attired for the festive event. This is actually a photograph of someones real tattoo. She's been double printed so when the centerpiece is turned, it looks just the same on the back. Isn't the ink work amazing? But she needed a head dress of feathers and all I had was white. 

So, in a metal pie pan went 2 white feathers with a drop or two of Adirondack Meadow Ink and a spritz of water and colored them up. The second two feathers were colored with a combination of the lilac acrylic paint and water.

An edging around the rim of her hat and the eyes on the mask with SU! Champagne Glass was then added.

The final touch of the Fleur De Lis was attached  along with some white and gold mesh filler and my centerpiece was complete.

Initially I had pearls and gems and flowers and gold ribbon and I was really going to paint the town red, or purple, green and gold, in this case, but when I went to add them one at a time, it felt like the piece was rejecting them. It's bold, it's noticeable, it's vibrant in parts and yet it's refined with the the conservative base it all started on.

Well, that's it for me, let me know what you think and I'd really love it if you shot over for a visit to Our Creative Corner to see what stunning creations my teammates have made for 

Party Like It's Mardi Gras!! 

Hugs n' Happy Crafting,

Lisa xx

Flirtin' With Furniture...

Oh snap! I did it again. As serious as I may try to be, there's just something so fun about these terrific images at Dr. Digi's House of Stamps, you can't contain the comical outbursts.   Here is a very clean and simple card using the wonderful Armchair image from the Bits n' Bobs section at the Dr.'s Store and a little flirty love note written on my PC.

I think it makes a for a fun masculine card for Valentine's Day. What say ye?

Thanks so much for your visit and ya'll have a great one!

Hugs n' Happy Stamping...

Lisa x

Let Me Call You Sweetheart...

Happy Top Tip Tuesday again everyone as we welcome in another fabulous challenge hosted by our very own uber creative Annette. Our theme this time around is...

Let Me Call You Sweetheart

(Romance or include a heart for Valentine's Day)

Thank you goes out to Stamp Fairy for providing me with the cutest and cuddliest little couple,  Molly and Sam Love 1.  I decided that a sweetheart needed sweets so I've decorated this candy dispenser cutting file as their stand with lots of heart and pretty flowers.

Here's the dispenser divided for easy candy filling

Now to the good stuff....EATING the candy!! 

Are you feeling the love yet? Well, perfect! Then head on over to Top Tip Tuesday for our  

Let Me Call You Sweetheart challenge and be in the running for prizes from our sponsors Stamp Fairy and Stamp and Create.com.

Have a wonderful week and thank you so much for your visit!

Hugs n' Happy Creating,

Lisa x

In the Sunshine Of Your Love....

I love winter, I do, but it's currently 6 degrees outside and I haven't been able to feel my toes since last Tuesday! So, for the sake of trying to warm up, I thought that these files from The Cutting Cafe would be perfect to help me thaw out.

Here I've used the Sunshine Shaped Card Template Cutting File, which includes the folded card and the word toppers.  Next I used the ever adorable One Spring Day Printable Stamp Set which contains over 90 images, and lastly, the wonderful little Seed Packet Holder Template and Cutting File.  

There's so much going on at the Cutting Cafe and my teammates have been beyond creative this week so you won't want to miss out.

Thank you so much for your visit today!

Hugs n' Happy Cutting,

Lisa x

Love this tree! ;)

Country Bumpkin Cutie Pie...

"Hay...ya'll" Welcome back fer a visit. Sit yer self a spell while I yarn a tale 'bout this har cutie. 

In the words of my new found fave-or-rite show, Duck Dynasty, this sweet little Farmer's Daughter is "happy, happy, happy!"  Kenny K is our fabulous sponsor this week for the newest linky party happening right now over at Make It Monday.  I think she turned out beautifully, until I got to the eyes. I had this crazy idea to make her eyes hazel like mine..LOL...ummmmm, she looks possessed now and I don't know how to fix it! I tried the copic pen that fixes thingies and it didn't work too well for me. So, any ideas out there on how to exorcise demons from your digital images would be greatly appreciated!

I reckon I ain't gonna keep ya long so youin' can mosey on yonder, but I do hope you found a wee bit of fondness in my circle scalloped card.  

Ya'll are right plum kind to stop in and be-fer I skedaddle, there's one more thing...

I have the sad news of telling you that this will be my last post for Make It Monday. I have THOROUGHLY  loved my time here, but I'm needing to take care of a few other things and so I won't be able to hang out with this most excellent crew of hilarious and creative women, and boy are they a HOOT!

Thank you so much to Michelle for allowing me to be a part of one of the MOST special teams in the stamping world. I'll miss you all tons, but never fear, I'll stalk you all whenever I can. :)

BIG HUGS!!!

Okay, okay, I'll dry the tears now and move on about business because THIS is the important information...my...

#43 Barbara Daines

Isn't this beautiful?  I love the softness of the colors mixed in with the dainty die cuts and that delicate background paper and definitely the well balanced floral spray, but what really grabbed my attention was the humor she included in her post...

"Sons are miracles too, though.....for all those like me who don't have a daughter :(
However, I now have a lovely daughter-in-law, Emma, and a grandaughter due in April, so that will make up for all the years I couldn't buy PINK !! (Sorry Nick xx)" LOL...love that! 

Thank you so much for sharing your crafty talent with us at Make It Monday, Barbara :)

Hugs n' Happy Happy Happy Stamping,

Lisa xx

Kiss Me You Fool!

Take a little trip with me through retro TV Land and imagine yourself sitting in a classroom. As you look around, you see 'Greasers' everywhere and Afros are the stylin' hairdo.  The teacher approaches the blackboard and writes, "Who dislikes making masculine cards?" Suddenly from behind you, you hear..."Ooh Ooh Ooh, Mr. Kotter-r-r-r, pick me, pick me!!"  That's right, I'm sitting right behind you playing the role of the lovable Arnold Horshack.  

What is it about masculine cards that cause my brain to seize up? Well, it's several factors, but for the sake of not dragging this post out further, I'd like to share my contribution to the world of manly-man cards and a fun little tip too. 

This week at Our Creative Corner, I will be hosting and the theme I have selected is Make Mine Mushy!  There is a little twist, I've also designed a sketch to use. Here's the skinny...

Create a Valentine card using the sketch below

The sketch can be rotated and we need to be able to see all the elements from the original sketch, but used however you like. Follow it exactly or alter it as long as all elements are present.

Now let me show you a closeup of one of the elements....

Want a fun tip to add more texture to your masculine cards?

Well then, I mustache you to read the following picture....

So there you go...It's almost Valentine's Day and now you have a sketch to work with, some goofy inspiration, a little nostalgia from times past and if you step over to Our Creative Corner, you'll find even more outstanding motivation from my team.  Just remember, MAKE MINE MUSHY!!

Hugs n' Happy Crafting,

Lisa xx

Wisdom and Love In a Shadow Box...

Happy first of February!  

The time is just cruising by and another month at Heck Of a Challenge has passed and today brings a brand new theme of LOVE and FLOWERS!  With Valentine's Day just around the corner there shouldn't be any shortage of entries, so come on over and enter your cards or projects at Heck Of a Challenge.

I took several pictures to show the process...

Here is my 12 x 12 shadow box made from a cut file at the Silhouette Studio. It used 6 12x12 pieces of cardstock to create this, but in the end, it's so much fun!

Here I've begun to paint over sections of the muted green paper with Gesso and then mod podged torn strips of sheet music and designer papers in various locations.

This is the heart flourish, another cut file from Silhouette Studio, that has been enlarged and duplicate three times so I could glue them together for a sturdier top flourish to my box.

The flourish went from white cardstock to this lovely wood looking piece by painting over the top of white cardstock with acrylic linen paint, a coat of crackle accents then a modest sponging of Vintage Photo DI which was wiped down after application.

When I received this theme, I knew I wanted to make this shadow box that I'd been itching to try. Taking the theme of Love and Flowers, I challenged myself to go one step further and personalize this even more. An odd thought crossed my mind...

What if someone told you that all the wisdom, knowledge and love you possessed, was to be passed down to your children, but it could only encompass the space of a 12 x 12 box.  What would it look like, what would it say? 

My daughter is incredibly artistic in ways I will never be and so I drew from her talents and likes and incorporated elements from her and wisdom from me and here is what I came up with.

Of all the cute things, I loved writing erase your fears on an actual eraser..LOL. It's the little things.

I didn't have enough room to add to this, but what I wanted to say was...Your life is an easel. Let your dreams paint the canvas.

A bit of this message is blocked, but it says, "Highlight EVERY Moment"

And isn't this little girl just the cutest! These wonderful images come from Nicecrane Designs titled Fantasy & Kids DSL I and II and there are 4 digital images in each set. I thought they fit perfectly with my theme here and oddly enough, this little cutie is quite the tomboy; rather like my daughter at 3 years of age.

And now 14 going on 30...

Here are a few of her drawings...

So that's it for me. My kiddo's definitely inspire me and I hope you've found some inspiration in this post too. We'd love to see what you LOVE and some FLOWERS too! 

Well, I certainly hope my box says enough of love and my wishes, wisdom and hopes for her life...

Thanks so much for stopping in. Your time is more than appreciated!

Hugs n' Happy Crafting,

Lisa xx

Nicecrane Designs

Fantasy & Kids DSL I

Fantasy & Kids DSL II