Masculine Thank You

I have the best neighbors anyone could ask for!  We needed to repair a section of our driveway which we were planning to do the old fashioned way (wheelbarrow, water & Quikrete).  One of our neighbors has his own concrete business, so my husband went over to see if we could borrow a concrete mixer to make this task go more quickly.  Long story short, he & our neighbor on the other side of us came over to lend a helping hand & their expertise.  The job only took a few hours and the best part of this story was that we did it by my car's headlights.  {haha}  So, the least I could do was to make them a "Thank You" card.  Did I mention "masculine" cards are not my strong suite??  So, here is my manly card for each of my neighbors.

I couldn't just send over a card!!  So, I decided to make them each a pan of my special chocolate chip brownies.  And then, had my girls be the delivery service!  :o)
After smelling up the kitchen baking brownies, my girls asked "can you make us some too?".  So, being the kind mom that I am....said "NO!".
And then, of course I heard "awwwwww" in their normal whiney voice!
I hope you like my card.  Oh, I forgot to mention the bear is from SU! "Wildlife Reserve" stamp set.  TFL!

February creations

THEME:  Sketch Challenge + Color Challenge using Soft Subtles
I hosted shoebox again this month, therefore I got to choose what our project would be.  I found this sketch challenge & thought it would definitely be a challenge for me and then to add even more spice, I added the color challenge of using pastels to the mix (which was another huge challenge for me b/c I don't usually use those or think of those when I am dreaming up a card).  So, to play on words.....it was a challenge!!!  {haha}  Here is a picture of the sketch challenge & the link for it is below it.

 http://iheart2stamp.com/index.php?s=JUNE+26%2C+2010&Submit=Search

First up we have the perfect Valentine's Day card for your sweetheart made by Noelle.  She used the stamp set "Heart Prints" from http://www.papertreyink.com/.  She, like me, doesn't usually use the soft subtles, so this was a challenge for her as well.  I think it turned out fabulously, even though she didn't think so.  I just love all the G-L-I-T-T-E-R!!!  The two small hearts are glittered and the strip at the bottom is a chunkier glitter, which I think adds sooo much.





This is the card I made..I just love this little girl, Tilly.  Tilly was a FREE digi from http://digital-doodling.blogspot.com/2009/10/digital-doodles-challenge.html.  I used a scallop punch & heart punches.  This was the first time I've gathered my ribbon like that on a card.  I made this exact card for my sis-in-law & didn't make the gatherings so "precise and even" & I think I liked hers better.   I think Tilly turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself!  :o)

This glitzy card was created by Melissa.  She photo copied the images from some designer paper by www.jennibowlin.com.  We colored & cut out the bird, branch & leaves.  I think all the designer paper used on this card was from the same company.  It has a fancy straight pin behind the bird if you look closely.  I especially love the swirl bling embellishment & black glitter flowers.  We all discussed that this would make a perfect Mother's Day card.  Wouldn't you agree?
Oh, she forgot about the pastels part of the challenge & used red & black....hmmmm, wonder what it would have looked like had she remembered?!?! {wink-wink}




This whimsical card was created by Pam.  She used designer paper & stamp set by http://www.closetomyheart.com/.  I think she said the set was called "Find Your Style" and the designer paper is called "Wings Level 2 paper packet".  I love the color combination of this card.  Oops, she forgot about the color challenge too.  :o)  Her & Melissa were on the same wave length with the red & black.  I think the soft blue ribbon & moss c.s. really makes it pop.  At the bottom, we added a very thin piece of designer paper to the center of the black ribbon....cool idea!!  I like the idea of using every piece of paper...no scraps!!


Thanks girls for a fabulous challenge!!!  I love all of your cards!!!

Spring Break "Painting"

Yes!  Yes!  I know, it's been almost TWO months since my last post.  Where has the time gone?!?!?!
Anyway, I have a different kind of "creation" to share with you today.  One of my BFFs & I treated our kiddos to a fun day out in honor of Spring Break.  We began our memorable day with lunch @ Qdoba's and then went to Earth & Fire Pottery by You.  Their website is http://www.earthfirepottery.com/ .  This was our first time, but her & her little ones had been there before.  I, myself, had a blast!!  Since I'm such a perfectionist, it took me 4ever to paint my bowl...go figure!!!  Those of you who know me, can "A-men" me on that last comment!  :o) 
Afterwards, me & my girls went to the mall so my oldest daughter could spend some of her birthday money.  Noelle called with an invite to dinner @ her house since we didn't get much chatting accomplished earlier in the day.  I was sooooo proud of her for taking on her little ones <PLUS> a painting project of her own......YOU GO GIRL!!!   Here are a few pics we wanted to share with you all.  TFL!

Brooke's b-day card

Brooke turned T-H-I-R-T-E-E-N last month!!!!!!  OMG!!!!  Now, I can officially say that I have "teenagers"!!  Yikes, please pray for me!!  {wink-wink}
Anyway, this is the card I made for her and she loved it!!!

She is my tomboy / hunter, so this was a perfect card for her.  The image is from http://www.northwoodsrubberstamps.com/.  I used copic markers & sponged the sunlight in behind the trees.

I took another picture of the card with the flash on & you can really see the glitter pen on the snow.  The first picture was without the flash.  I couldn't decide which one to post because the top picture shows the blended colors of the deer & the sunlight better and the bottom one shows the glitter better.  I'm still working on the picture aspect of the blogging world, so bare with me.  :o)  TFL.

Nov 2010

THEME:  New Stampaway Item
November's challenge was to make 2 cards using new Stampaway item(s).  You're asking what's Stampaway??  Well, in August for the past 3 years, us girls have attended this event {which is like a vendor's convention} where you can shop at tons of booths and take classes to learn new techniques, etc.  So, to make sure we use what we bought, we came up with this theme.  Now on to our projects....

These creations were made by Noelle.  Too cute!!  The pig stamp came from www.inkyantics.com and the deer is Item #F-819 "Prancer" from http://www.outlinesrubberstamp.com.  I had a hard time choosing which 1 I liked the best.  You??




These creations were made by Melissa.  Love both of these.  The bunny stamp is Item #H-1019 "Sketchy Bunny" from http://www.outlinesrubberstamp.com
The bird is from "You Will Find Refuge" by www.ourdailybreaddesigns.com.





These cards were mine.  I used the same paper pack & stamp set (Inky Antics "Delightful Dogs #2") which I never do, but I think they turned out pretty cute.  Actually looking at them now, I realize I have a "girl" and a "boy" card....pretty cool, huh?  My hubby actually "designed" the "girl" card.  I had it all aligned & he passed by my table & changed it to what you see on the left.  So, since he offered his opinion..I couldn't turn him down.  I really like how it turned out.  "Thanks sweetie!"


This was Pam's first creation.....isn't it adorable??  I'm a sucker for "cutsie" cards/projects, so when I saw these cute little girls, I melted.  This was quite time consuming, but as u can see, well worth it.  These adorable little girls are from Judikins.


This was Pam's other creation.  Very elegant Christmas card that anyone would be thrilled to receive!  We used stamps from Heartfelt Creations to make this card.

Needless to say, u can tell w/ all of the cutting & coloring of these projects it was a late night, or an early morning, depending on how u look at it!! :o)  I love everything u girls came up w/ for this month & as always, enjoy spending time w/ u all!!!!

If u viewers have any questions for us about these cards, just leave it in the comments section & I will try to get back to u a.s.a.p.  TFL!!

Dec 2010

THEME: Technique
December's challenge was to make a card w/ any technique.

This card was created by Melissa.  The technique is "Watercolor Bleed" in which we used an Aqua Painter w/ re-inkers to drop 3 different colors into each embossed petal {the flower was embossed on shimmer paper}.  The embossed edges keep each color in it's own section, but if it runs together that just adds to the dimension.  I think it turned out gorgeously!!!  Here is a link to this technique on Splitcoast.  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/watercolorbleed/

This card was created by Pam.  This technique is "embossing paste".  We used 2 metal embossing templates @ different times to get this finished look.  The first template was the vase & we chalked w/ yellows & oranges.  The floral template was next to chalk all the flowers & leaves.  [Don't forget to remove all excess chalk dust.]  After all that, you replace the floral template & spread the embossing paste from top to bottom & set aside to dry.  This was a very l-o-n-g & time consuming card to make...BUT it turned out fabulously & is very elegant.

This card was created by Noelle.  This technique is called "Frosted Embossing Folder".  We ran a sized window sheet through the cuttlebug w/ a snowflake template and then gave it more detail by sanding it w/ a sanding block to make the embossed flakes really pop.  Quick & easy....gotta love that!!!  I really love the color combo & how it all came together.  Here is a link with instructions: http://dostamping.typepad.com/dostamping_with_dawn/2010/10/frosted-impressions-and-seasonal-sentiments.html

This is the card I decided to make.  I wasn't sure if it actually qualified as a "technique" or not, but I had been wanting to make 1 of these 4 a long time.  It's a "Tri-Shutter Card".  So, if that doesn't qualify, then I'll go w/ "Stipple Basics".  I did stipple the girls very lightly, not even sure u can tell by the photos.  I colored the girls w/ SU! markers.  Anyway, I absolutely loved how this card turned out.  Aren't those girls just adorable???  I got them from http://www.stampingbella.com/ titled bffABUGS, item #cc180.

I wanted to give you a view from each angle.  The pic a^b^o^v^e is the card standing open, so u can see all the folds.  The pic on the l<e<f<t is the card laying flat so you u can see every finished section. 

If you have any questions about any of these cards, just leave them in the "comments" section & I will get back w/ u as soon as I can.  TFL!!  Have a blessed day!

January creations

As I mentioned before, me & my gal pals get together every month for "creative time" {a.k.a. shoebox...which derived from a shoebox swap}.  The hostess each month gets to choose what our theme will be for our creation!!!  I had the month of January and chose digis (digital stamp).  This was my contribution for the month.  I know it's a fall/Thanksgiving card, but I really liked the challenge of all the coloring in which I used copics to do so.  This was a free digi download back in September (i think) from http://karensdoodleschallengeblog.blogspot.com/.

This adorable card was created by Pam.  The orange part on the left side is fabric and tied up w/ fancy fibers and colored w/ SU! markers.  Too too cute Pam!!

This cute birdie card was created by Noelle.  We used chalks, colored pencils & glitter for the bird and clouds.  Very elegant yet cute at the same time Noelle!!
Note:  Noelle commented..."Hey, I flat out copied that bird card, so I think you should put a link to it. Here it is http://pinkpetticoat.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-think.html you might want to put that in your blog, so people know!"  Thanks for giving credit where credit is due...much appreciated!!  :o)

This adorable little owl card was created by Melissa.  (This digi is Cozy Winter Owl by

Meljen's Designs Digital Collection available exclusively at Whimsy Stamps.)

We used copics, SU! markers & white gel pen and sponged everything.  Melissa, you know I adore "cutesie" cards and this absolutely is!!

Thanks girls...........great cards!!!  I can't wait until next month's shoebox creations!! 

For the viewers......I hope these cards have inspired your creativity!!  Thanks for stopping by.
God Bless You,
Felicia

New Beginnings

I visit many blogs to view all the creativity out there in the world.  I have been inspired more than I can say.  "Creating" handmade cards and gifts is my hobby; outlet; destresser for the day and it brings me happiness.  My VERY CRAFTY girlfriends & I get together to have "creative time" stampin' or scrappin' each month for about the last 5 yrs or so.  It's probably safe to say that I have kept everything that we've ever made {minus a few items I gave away as gifts}!!  Anyway, I thought this would be a great way to keep track of all of our fabulous creations for many years to come and maybe share our "creative time" with whomever may stumble upon this blog.  So, if that someone is you, please leave a comment or maybe share a special "creative time" of your own!! 
Have a blessed day<3