Fun card challenge

I just discovered a new to me challenge blog, http://fusioncardchallenge.blogspot.com.  This is the challenge sketch I modeled my card after...I used both the sketch and the idea of the photo.  Instead of coffee I used cupcakes, however!

It was a fun card.  I am doing short creative stints in my craft room, as I'm recouperating from 

Kidney stone surgery and I tire easily and still hurt.

Here is my take on the challenge...

Stop by and check them out!

Blessings,

lynda

Fall Card with Adirondack Ink Pads

I love using my Adirondack ink pads.  The colors are rich and earthy, and just perfect for making fall cards.  When I saw this challenge on the Our Daily Bread blog (Ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com)I knew just what stamp I wanted to use.  This butterfly stamp is a favorite of mine from the ODB line, and I usually make lots of spring cards with it.  I have had it in my mind for a while now to try it with fall colors.

I inked the stamp using just the corners of my Ink pads, adding colors from several different color pads.  This is an inking technique quite often.  I start with the lightest color and tap it one one area, then a darker color to another area, and so on, working to the darkest color.

After the stamp was all inked up, I breathed on it, stamped it, and immediately added clear embossing powder.  You can't tell from the photo, but the embossing really adds shine and depth.  I sponged the tile with the image on it to soften the cream.

I used this sketch from the Mojo Monday sketch challenge at Mojomonday.blogspot.com:

Stop by the Our Daily Bread and Mojo Monday blogs to see all the creative cards from these challenges.

On a personal note, I have been trying to pass a kidney stone since Friday, when a ct scan showed that it had moved from my kidney to my urethra.  Feeling pretty lousy all weekend with considerable pain most of the time.  I'm trying lots and lots of water and juice with lemon.  I read that lemon helps break down the stone, which I'm very interested on doing, as its a 7 mm stone.  I want that bad boy out.  I'd would very much appreciate your prayers please!

Blessings,

lynda

Tulip card

I saw these papers in my stash, and just had to use them.  Pawing through a bunch of stamped and dry embossed images I have in a box, I came across this tulip I had embossed a long while ago.  The colors I used on it made it the perfect accent for these papers and my card.  

Here's the result of that paper/image marriage:

The green is just the background, not part of the card.  I love the sheer ribbon and bow, and the tiny pearls.

Hope you're enjoying this gorgeous fall weather!

Blessings,

lynda

Fall Card Making Day

I spent this lovely day playing in my friend's craft room.  We pulled out some of our fall stamps and tried some techniques.  We had a great day of stamping, with inspiration, creativity, laughs, and fellowship.

We each made a card for the Mojo Monday blog challenge.  Here is my card for this week's sketch challenge:

I used her leaf die cut, then white embossed the fall words on the maple leaf.  Then I sponged Adirondack inks over the embossed words, and assembled the card.

This is the Mojo Monday blog challenge sketch:

Be sure to stop by and check out all the outstanding entries!

Blessings,

lynda

Zebra Card - Great One For The Guys!

I needed some cards for our card ministry at church that could be sent to guys, and noticed our stash was short. I decided I would whip up a couple, so I would have them for the next shut-in mailing. I resorted to one of my favorite color combos....black, white, and lime green. I love the crispness and drama of these colors together.

Stop back soon!

Blessings, lynda

A Thought Away Card

It's back to coral for this springy card! I seem to be using a lot of this color lately. Just a simple card with some stamping, a punch (EK Success) for the phrase ( Stampin Up), ansome dies, embossing folder, and, of course, some sweet little pearls...just so you know it's from me. Tee-hee.

This /'$&@/:~<£ fibromyalgia is really acting up today. We're celebrating Dans birthday with the kids today, so the little ones will keep me occupied!

Think spring!

Blessings,
lynda

Thinking of you card

I needed a masculine card for a coworker who is in the hospital. This was a bit of a challenge,as I am a 'no frills barred' kind of gal. I love to glam it up. I actually made this card twice....the first version is the same except it the other one has a bow and silkier ribbon, instead of a knot and this interesting ribbed ribbon.  This version is a tad more manly,I think. I had to hold myself back from adding more,but I am happy with it.

For the embossing on the right edge, I used a Cuttlebug narrow embossing template. I sponged some forest moss distress along the design to highlight it. The tree stamp is one of my old favorites from Magenta.

We're off to celebrate hubbie's birthday....but first I have to finish HIS card.

Till next time...blessings,
lynda

Asian Note Card

Thought I'd go with an Asian theme for this simple note card. I started with a cream colored card, layered with a teal blue, then a narrow black border for drama. I ran the cream main Image piece through my Cuttlebug with an embossing folder just three fourths of the way on the card panel. Then I inked the flower with teal and black inks and stamped it along the no -embossed side of the panel. It seemed to need something, so I scored along the embossed area between the image to create the score line which separates the embossing from the image. A little thing really, but really changed the effect a lot.
A coordinating floral image die cut and layered in circles for accent. With some ribbon,and, yes, a couple of pearls (colored with my Copics to match the teal). That's it...a simple Asian note card. I used the same floral accent circles inside with a black card stock strip.
Here it is:
lynda

Thinking of you card...

Thinking spring here....thought I'd pull out some pretty coral card stock to use with a print paper from my stash. Tones of khaki, tan and cream round out the look and lend a feel of spring to this card. This stamp is from one of my favorite Stamping Up sets. I "colored" some white pearls with my Copic marker or match the card elements. Easy-easy and quick card.
Enjoy!
lynda

Three cards, one stamp

I had a little fun with this early spring snowman, using three different color themes. He makes me smile, with his little kite, and It made me think about the hope that early spring brings. The warm, sunny days give us hope, something to look forward to.

i hope you enjoyed our gorgeous 70 degree day today. i opened my office windows at work...it was bliss!

Here are the three cards. I hope they make you smile, too.

Blessings,
lynda

Card Ministry Weekend

What a terrific two full days of stamping and card-making fun! It was a special two day card ministry meeting this month. We had lots of fun,food, and laughs....oh, and also lots of stamping!

We all got many cards made for the church card ministry. We would love to have you join us...just leave a comment or email me for details. We meet every month, on a Saturday, usually for the full day. This weekend was our first two day event.

We had a challenge this month to use three different elements on our cards. Here are some of the cards from the challenge. Hope to have you join us some time, or all the time. It's free and fun, and we all learn from and inspire each other.
Blessings,
lynda

Card - A Friend Loves At All Times

I felt a little better today...fever is gone, but I'm still  achey all over, and a little sick, but somewhat better.

I actually sat and made a card, so I'm posting it quickly before I go back to my "sick nest" on the couch.

I will write more in a day or so.  In the meantime, you can check out my article on my Journey Through Autumn blog at http://journeythroughautumn.blogspot.com/ .  I tell you how you can get FREE digital magazines on your ipad, computer, or iPhone or kindle from your library!

If you have not seen my previous post, scroll down for details about my Zen Doodling class at the Greece Public Library in March....it's free, and fun. I'd love to see you!  Just call or stop in at the library to sign up.

Blessings,
lynda

Doodling!

This is my first post from my ipad, and I'm thrilled that I figured it out!  I just finished a "doodle" for an accent on my coffee nook.  It's sort of like a card, but without being a card....it's just to put on the shelf or wall.  I started by drawing a coffee cup outline, then filled it with doodles.  I have been enamored with the Zen Tangles for a few years now, and find that doing them is very relaxing.

Here's a picture of my coffee cup doodle:

 

I did the coffee cup on white card stock, then filled it with my own doodles.  Then I distressed it with distress inks and die cut the layers.  I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder on the tan layer, then distressed the raised areas.

If you haven't seen my coffee nook, you can can check it out here:  www.journeythroughautumn.blogspot.com

If you would like to learn more about doodling, I am teaching a class at the Greece Public on Tuesday, March 12 at 6:30-7:30 pm.  The class is free....just call the library at 225-8951 to register and reserve your spot.

Blessings!

lynda

The last card from last weekend!   I still have a tiny bit of the paper left, so I have to plan a trip to Hobby Lobby to get some more.  This is another ten minute clean and simple card.  

Sometimes less is more, as in this card.  A definite veer from my usual fuss and frill, but every once in a while its fun to break out of your comfort zone, so to speak.

Tomorrow I'll be spending the day stamping at the swap, so I'm sure to have more cards to post soon.  Stop back and check in soon.

Blessings,

lynda

Simple Thank You Card

Keeping it really simple with this clean and simple thank you.  More of that fabulous background paper, a couple of die cuts, an embossing folder for the different thank yous, and some pearls.  I just swiped the green stamp pad over the raised letters to give them more "umph."  Literally a ten minute card!  

Day five and card six.  One more card tomorrow, then another weekend of stamping for more!  Stop back tomorrow for another sympathy card.

Blessings,

lynda

A Simple Card To Express Sympathy

When it comes to expressing sympathy, there is nothing like a hand-crafted card to convey thoughts of caring and love.  Taking the time to choose just the right colors for comfort, design for simplicity and cohesiveness, and overall feel of the card shows how much you care. 

I chose green for this card, as greens and blues are cool colors, and convey peace and tranquility.   I kept it ery simple, and the inside is very basic as well.  I leave a little room for a hand written note.

Hope you enjoyed card five of my stamp-fest.  Come back tomorrow for card # 6!

Blessings,

lynda

PS - My Words With Friends game continues with my granddaughter, Keeley.  She's really good at it!  She really thinks she's something playing with her Nana (me) who is over 90 miles away!  Faith said that she looks at all the triple and double letters and tries to make words to go on them, so she's already figuring out the strategy!  Keeps me on my toes, that one!  

You Are A Treasure Card

This is one of my favorite verse stamps.  I pulled it out while making my cards over the weekend, and thought I'd use it.  It's good to remind myself and others about how much He loves us!

Hope you like this one.....I love the colors.  Just lots of papers layered, some distressing, a couple of punched flowers with the petals curled and raised, and some pearls to finish it off.

I love technology....I'm playing Words With Friends with my 8 year old granddaughter on my ipad, talking to her via email, writing my blog, and just got off the phone.  Talk about multitasking!!!  lol.

Stop back tomorrow for card # 5!

Blessings,

lynda

Card Three of my Weekend Stamp-Fest

I'm back with the third card of my stamping weekend.  I'm really enjoying this green patterned paper for backgrounds!  I rounded the corners on two of the corners, and distressed the edges of the background paper and the die cut.  Colored the flower with Copics.  Green pearls finish off the elegant look.  Yes, I did stamp the inside as well!  Just didn't take a pic of it.  Haven't figured out pictures with the ipad yet, and how to get them on the blog.  Hope I'll get it soon!

I'll be back tomorrow with card # 4!

Blessings,

lynda

It's All About The Paper

When I sat at my craft table to do some stamping today, I knew I needed to make some sympathy cards, thank you's, and thinking of you's.  Looking through my stash of paper (a very daunting task, indeed, if you knew how much paper I have), I was drawn to a soft green and white paper I picked up at Hobby Lobby a couple of months ago.  I actually purchased two sheets of this paper to try something with my shelves in my living room.  On either side of my front living room window there are bookcase-like shelves.  I had painted the 'back' of each shelf green, and the actual frame of the shelf stucco to match the trim.  Here's a picture of the shelves so you have an idea what I'm trying to say here.  Long story short, I bought the paper to decoupage the backs of the shelves (where it's painted green now).  When I got home, however, I discovered the paper was too small.  Note to self...make note of measurements and keep in purse.

Well, I love the paper, so decided that this was the day I was going to use it.  I pulled out some other paper from my stash that I felt coordinated nicely, and busied myself happily for the rest of the day making cards.  I am posting two of the cards here today, and the rest during this week, so be sure to stop back.  I made seven cards, so I have enough for every day this week, and plan to post one each day.

Here are today's cards:

For this thank you card, I started with a white card, and layered the green patterned paper on the front.  Then I added strips of the peach/white/pink/green papers, some lace (shows up a lot better in person), ribbon, flowers, pearls, and a stamped Thank You.  I even stamped inside ALL my cards today!  Didn't photograph the insides, however.  

The thinking of you card started out with a green card, layered with the green patterned paper, a strip of the peach, a stamped sentiment on scalloped circle, a strip of striped paper pleated into a circle, some pearls, sponging, and that's it.  

More to come tomorrow, and each day this week, so stop back.  

I got a new ipad mini last week, and am neck-deep in self-teaching about all it's capabilities and how to use the thing.  I took some great pictures with it (much better than these that I took with my camera), but have not figured out how to get them from the ipad into the blog.  I can create the blog on the ipad, but cannot figure out how, or even if it's possible, to get the pictures from my photos into my blog!  So, I'm doing it the old way, on my laptop. I took the pics with my camera, downloaded them into my iphotos, and grabbed them from there.  Problem is, I must have been a little shaky, as there's some blurring.  

If anyone blogs and knows how to go about it from the ipad, PLEASE let me know.  I appreciate any help I can get.  I did get the Blogger app, but that doesn't offer any ideas on how to do it.

The weekend is winding down now.  I accomplished a lot, and now I'm getting ready to relax for the evening.  Hmmm....do I want to knit, or read.  Or maybe even do some writing.  Or just plain sit and watch some mindless tv.  Oh, the options.  Right now, I think I'll play with my new toy for a while and try to figure out one new thing on my ipad.  One step at a time and it doesn't seem so overwhelming.

See you right here, tomorrow!

Blessings,

lynda

Journaling About HOPE

I am a journal writer.  I have a gratitude journal, and lots of general journals.  So when I saw the blog post about journaling for lent on Marketta Gregory's blog, Simply Faithful, I was ready to sign up.  I commented on the post, and Marketta asked me if I would make a page for one of the forty pages of the journal.  Here's my page:

The journal will focus on HOPE, which is something we can all use after the horrifying events of last year.  What better symbol of hope than the butterfly.

Be sure to stop by and check out Marketta's blog.  The link is above.  She will have the journal pages ready to print out on her blog by the beginning of lent, if you are interested.  If you do not journal, stop by to read some of Marketta's posts.  She is inspiring, insightful, and writes beautifully.  

Blessings,

lynda