Color Throwdown Challenge #85

Okay, so I totally owe you my JUGS card from Saturday, I know :]  AND, I did finish it…tonight.  The problem is that I HATE the end result.  Nothing about it that appeals to me at all…so I have to ditch it or fix it before I can share and be proud of my project.  I know I’ve been behind lately in everything papercraft related, from my projects to commenting on the challenge blog entries…but I just can’t seem to get caught up, much less ahead with everything that’s happening in my life right now.  Without going into too much detail,  I’m moving on 1 April.  While I’m anxious to start fresh in a new home, it’s stressful to move. There is a TON of stuff to take care of…but my career and my active teenager keep me plenty busy without the added stress of moving. I trust everything will fall into place when all is said and done, but getting there can be a rocky road.

Soo…all that to share my day late, and dollar short Color Throwdown card!  Ms. Cathy is our hostess this week, and coincidentally this is her last challenge (indefinitely…you can read more about that on the CTD blog).  Her color combo truly challenged me this week!  I have something against putting two greens together for some reason, even though I always seem to manage once I get it together :)  Which is exactly what happened this week.

Here’s my project:

I love how it turned out.  It' looks kind of shabby chic, but there’s no distressing of any kind…isn’t that a prerequisite of that style?  LOL  I used the MOJO Monday sketch (like some of our other girls) but had it all laid out before I saw what the team did, so I went with it :)  Kind of a simple card that looks more involved due to the faux stitching, the elegant frame and the pretty ribbon treatment.  I debossed the main, cream layer and then pierced the border.  The butterfly and frame are cut files from My Time Made Easy.

Thanks for hanging in there and not ditching me due to lack of posts recently :|  Hopefully I’ll get into a better routine when I move!

Please swing by the CTD girls’ blogs to check out their fabulous projects and wish Cathy all the best.  She has been with the CTD since it was created.  We will definitely miss her :[

• Bar
• Broni
• Cathy
• Danielle
• LeAnne
• Tammy
• Pam Speidel ~ Our March Guest Designer

Have a wonderful Thursday and Friday!

Just Us Girls Challenge...almost

Hi everyone :)  If you're here looking for the Just Us Girls deets, I'm going to have to defer to the team and the DTs' blogs.  Last night was my night to make my card for the challenge, BUT, having a competitive gymnast for a daughter is my occasional reminder that life just doesn't always go as planned. 

If you remember, Tia suffered a concussion earlier this year that scared the bejeezus out of me!  She fought her way back into the gym much faster than her trainers anticipated (despite three failed concussion tests) and made it all the way to the high school state gymnastics meet.  WELL, she also fought to qualify for the state meet in club gymnastics...and did it at the last possible minute!  The club state meet is tomorrow; three hours away. 

Last night, Tia called me half way through practice sobbing...and asked me to come get her.  Turns out she twisted her already weakened ankle (from previous injuries).  What BUM luck, I tell ya!  She wore her friend's "boot" all day today to stabilize it, and when she took the boot off tonight, her ankle was HUGE.  My jaw hit the floor.  I cannot imagine how she could possibly compete tomorrow.  I guess we'll see how the swelling is and how she feels, but it seems impossible at this point.  

Anyway, I lost a good three and a half hours of my night because of it.  So, yes, my card is late again.  BUT, I'm partially finished!  I will post it tomorrow night after I spend 10 hours out of town at a meet she may not even compete in!  Yes, this is the life of the mother of a gymnast.  Here's the challenge graphic:

In the meantime, please swing by JUGS and check out the team samples!  Breathtaking!!  Let me tell you!  Their links are also in my left sidebar.  Don't forget about our guest designer, Stephanie Kraft!  That girl certainly ended up with an appropriate last name...she wows me every time I see one of her projects!!!!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! 

Color Throwdown Challenge #84

Hi all and happy Wednesday to you!  Today you're in for a treat over at the Color Throwdown...Broni is our hostess with this beautiful palette of color:

Fabulous, huh?  I kept my card ultra simple because I really wanted these colors to pop!  ...and I think they do with that crisp, white background.  I used the My Time Made Easy Pretty Pieces, Flutters and Flowers cut file to create my butterflies.  I simply resized the butterfly after cutting from the colored cs and cut three on my white cs.  That gorgeous white paper that my small butterflies are cut from and the piece under my butterflies, is actually called "Santa's Beard" and is a beautiful textured paper from Couture Cardstock!  Isn't it fantastic?!  I just LOVE it and want to use it on everything. 

I needed a sturdier piece for my base, so I used Couture Cardstock's, One Sheet Wonder.  That stuff is THICK!  The other cs is from SU! in the corresponding colors from today's palette.  I stamped the flourishes on the small butterflies and on the bottom of my main panel using MTME, Fanciful Flourishes and SU! Soft Sky ink.  The Happy Birthday sentiment is from the MTME, So Sentimental set.  I drew the outlined frame with a SU! black marker (that is running out of ink!!).  Buttons are from my stash and you can probably tell I had to manipulate a blue button using Copics to come up with a semi-teal button.  UGH.  It's a much better match in real life.  Promise ;]

We would LOVE for you to play along with us this week!  If you do, remember, you don't have to use these exact colors, but please come close and avoid those rainbows ;]  Be sure to link your project using InLinkz over at the CTD and use keyword CTD84 in any online galleries!

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Please also swing by the CTD gals' blogs and give them a little love.  Their work is STUNNING as usual :]  Have a great remainder of the week.

Bar

Broni

Cathy

Danielle

LeAnne

Tammy

♥ Pam Speidel - March Guest Designer ♥

Just Us Girls Challenge #24

Happy Saturday everyone :]  Today is week #24 over at Just Us Girls and Pam is hosting an easy, fun technique challenge!  The only requirement is to make a "Flap Card"!  Simple, right?  Or are you raising an eyebrow wondering what the heck a Flap Card is?!  Check out the simple SCS tutorial to see what the hype is all about! 

Here's my take on the challenge:

I believe this is my first true "Flap Card" and as soon as I saw the sample card, I thought flower!!  Cut file to be exact.  I used one of the flowers from the My Time Made Easy Fanciful Flowers Pretty Pieces cut file collection.  In SCAL, I welded it to a simple rectangle until is was 1/4 inch over the recommended length.  I then cut 6 flowers in decreasing sizes from some gorgeous Cosmo Cricket paper. 

I crumpled the flowers and distressed the edges using Tim Holtz' Vintage Photo Distress Ink.  I stitched the button right to the 6 layers of paper :]  Added some flourishes and sentiments...some STRONG magnets (that almost ripped my card!!) and I was pretty much done.  Clean, easy, simple, yet bold.  I love the end result :]

Need some more inspiration?!  Check out our fabulous DT!!  Their blog links are in my left sidebar <---.  Be sure to check out Ms. Stephanie Kraft, our February Guest Designer, also!  She has been knocking our socks off with her submissions!!

If you play along, please post a direct link to your project using InLinkz over at JUGS and also use keyword JUGS24 in any online galleries :]

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Hope you have a lovely weekend!

Color Throwdown Challenge #83

OMG, it's so hard to believe it has been a week since the last CTD challenge!  Feels like it was just yesterday.  I guess time FLIES when we have a My Time Made Easy release!  What a whirlwind of fun, FANTASTIC projects by the team!  Speaking of fantastic team projects, wait until you see what the CTD girls cooked up for you today!  I'm so lucky to work with such talent, let me tell you!!

This week is being hosted by Tammy!  Check out this playful palette she chose:

Awesome, right?!  To top it off, Kitchen Sink Stamps is sponsoring us this week.  I chose to work with their "Hey Chick" stamp set.  The little chickies in this set were just too adorable to pass up!  If you haven't worked with these stamps, the concept is so clever.  They sell different "layers" for each stamp for you to use different shades of the same color ink to achieve a perfectly colored image.  Check out my chick and my eggshell:

I used four stamps & inks to create the one chick...and I used three to create the eggshell.  Neat, huh?  The sentiment is TOTALLY my style :)  Ha ha...♥ it!!  Oh and how absolutely adorable is that little, feather chick I used to stage?!  I LOVE that little guy!!  I received my stamps well in advance, so when Micheals put out their Easter goods and I spied this sweetie, I HAD to have him specifically for this card!  It was so nice to actually use him today :]  Doesn't he look wonderful with these colors surrounding him?!  Speaking of...you may be wondering where my Bermuda Bay is, but rest assured, it's there ;] Check out my sentiment...a-ha!  Bermuda Bay it IS!  LOL

Okay, that's all I have for you today.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  Hope you can play along this week!  What better way to bounce into spring than with a fresh and fun color palette from Tammy and a PRIZE from Kitchen Sink Stamps?!  Remember you don't have to use these exact colors, just use the closest colors you have.  Be sure to post a link to your project using InLinkz on the CTD blog and use keyword CTD83 in any online galleries :]

Please stop by the CTD ladies' blogs to check out their awesome projects!  They are a wonderful source of inspiration.

Bar

Broni

Cathy

Danielle

LeAnne

Tammy
♥ Pam Speidel - March Guest Designer ♥

Have a fantastic remainder of the week!  Can't wait to see what you come up with ♥

Paper:  Couture Cardstock, Nomad; My Time Made Easy, Darling Dots and Ga Ga for Gingham; Georgia Pacific White; SU! Melon Mambo
Stamps:  Kitchen Sink Stamps, Hey Chick;
Ink:  SU! Wild Wasabi, Barely Banana, So Saffron, Crushed Curry, Close to Cocoa, Melon Mambo, Pretty In Pink, Pink Passion, and Bermuda Bay; PTI, Fresh Snow
Accessories: SU! So Saffron Grossgrain Ribbon; Micheals, Craft Thread and Buttons; Spellbinders, Large Oval and Scalloped Oval Nestabilities

My Time Made Easy Release - Day 8!

Welp, today marks the final, official day of the My Time Made Easy release!  My final project is the Bouncing Baby Buggy!  If you've been following the awesome release projects by Lauren and the rest of the girls, you've seen just how versatile this carriage can be!  Lauren turned it into a sailboat and a wheelbarrow for crying out loud!  It also makes a wonderful basket, without the lid.  The girls showed several different basket variations that left me with my jaw on the floor!  This can be made into a masculine or feminine project...or neutral!  So many possibilities...so little time.

I chose to keep it as a baby carriage.  Ever since I saw the template, I envisioned a navy blue buggy like the gorgeous ones I saw in England after my daughter was born.  Thus, the navy blue swiftly turned into my favorite sheet of digi paper from last month's release, Flourish, from the "A Loving Heart" collection.

I printed it double sided with this month's Sweetheart digi paper from the Fanciful Flourishes collection.  Isn't it pretty?!  I love the contrast :]

This template comes with decorative side panels, but I chose to let the paper do the talking instead! 

I used Couture Cardstock Silent Night for the dark blue (isn't that texture gorgeous?!), Fallen Leaf for the green leaves, and Blushing for the light pink.  My printer is running low on ink so it's printing everything a little darker than normal.  The Sweetheart is supposed to be a dark pink color, not a coral color, but since my printer is really bringing out the orange hue turning it into a coral color, I used PTI's Berry Sorbet as my complementing cs.

I used some beautiful May Arts navy satin stitched ribbon to trim my carriage and create my bows. 

The flowers (Fanciful Flowers) and the elegant frame (So Sentimental Frame) for the sentiment are Pretty Pieces Cut Files from My Time Made Easy.  I added texture to my flowers using a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  I thought the "waffle" look really complemented the subtle, checkered background of the navy flourish paper nicely. 

HUGE thank you to Canda and Lauren for showing me just how much my Cricut w/SCAL can do and more importantly, how much time it could save me!  Cutting the templates by hand is time consuming for someone who is a perfectionist and is already short on time due to a demanding career...not to mention cutting the accent pieces we've created!  Seriously, just the time cutting the templates has saved me is a HUGE relief!  I even used my Personal Cricut that only takes 6" x 12" paper for the first month or so...it was worth it to shrink the templates!  Trust me.  I now have the larger Cricut and I'm SOOOO happy I bought it, but I have to tell you, the small one works also if you already have that at home ;]

Oops...I digress.  Please be sure to check out the rest of the team's projects today, and don't forget Lauren!  I'm sure they would LOVE to hear what you think of their projects.  Oh, and why not let Lauren know what you love about her release and what you would like to see in a future release!  I'm sure she would love the feedback.  Same goes for the paper and cut files if you want to share your thoughts with me :)  I'd love to hear what you think and what you would love to see!  Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email :]  Also, if you have created anything with the digi paper or any of the cut files I've helped to create, I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see your project(s)!!!  Please share :)  I'm working on adding a page to my blog with InLinkz where you can simply post a link to your projects anytime you feel like it.  I just haven't had time to stop and update my blog yet. I will though, so be on the lookout!!

*Lauren*

Catherine

Katie

Mona

Pam

Tracey

Hope you have a FABULOUS week!  The weather really turned around here...today was GORGEOUS.  The sun shining and the lack of bitterly cold temperatures really does something for the soul.  I think it's going to be a great week ♥

Just Us Girls Challenge #23

It's about that time for the Saturday JUGS challenge :]  This week is our sketch challenge and is being hosted by sweet, Dana ♥  Check out this sketch she whipped up!  Isn't it awesome?

To top off this fantastic sketch, Dana arranged to have Dawn Woleslagle from Wplus9 Design Studios sponsor us this week!  Let me tell you, I normally don't stray far when it comes to stamps...I simply have my favorites, BUT I'm already in LOVE with her stuff!  I might be purchasing the bird set sooner than later.  It was a toss up between that one and the cute, Funky Foliage I did get :] Here's my take on the sketch using the Funky Foliage set.

...and here's the inside.

Can you tell I was totally inspired by the recent Paper Crafts magazine?  I LOVE how Debbie Olson stitched just the tops of her hills, and Becky Oehlers created her hills using pieces of patterned paper.  So I incorporated those concepts here.  I used all MTME digi paper, Couture Cardstock, and PTI.

Isn't the sentiment CUTE?!  OMG...such a versatile set...you MUST check it out!!  On my card I hand stitched my hills and the perimeter of the card.  I put the tree tops on dimensionals and added random buttons from my stash down the side.  I am head over heels for this color palette!!  I just love it :]

So...why not give the sketch a go and play along?!  Be sure to link your project at JUGS using InLinkz and use keyword JUGS23 in any online galleries.  I'm about to fall asleep TYPING, so I'm going to close for now and will update links, etc. first thing in the morning :]

Don't forget to check out the rest of our amazing team.  Their links are in my left sidebar...except for our Guest Designer, Stephanie Kraft ♥  Please leave her some love also!

Have a wonderful weekend.

My Time Made *QUICK* Easy *& SENTIMENTAL*

So, who caught that play on words in my title??  I think I'm so clever sometimes :]  LOL

If you stopped by yesterday and saw my note about swapping days with Pam, thank you for returning today to check out my project!  HUGE thanks again to sweet Pam for the last minute swap.  Thank God she's so organized :]  Hope you checked out her beautiful project using some of the purple patterned paper and the Bouncing Baby Buggy-turned-basket!  It is GORGEOUS!!!  Love the handle she added with the ruffled ribbon.  I may have to buy her project and send it to my mother.  Purple is her favorite color, don't ya know?

Today I wanted to be a non-conformist (which is SO me) and create a group of cards instead of a template.  The cards I made showcase four different patterned papers from not only this release but last month's also, the new Fanciful Flourishes and So Sentimental stamps.  Look how EASY you can whip up some stunning, thoughtful cards with the versatile, coordinating My Time Made Easy products!!  Does it get any better?  Seriously, how often do you search for just the right patterned paper or any pattern just as long as it's the right color, to go with the stamp set you selected for your project?  I used to drive myself nuts looking for just the right paper, but now that I have all of these coordinating digi paper packs, I simply select the pages I want to use, print them (whole page or a portion...any scale you want!) and away I go with my project!  Super easy and much less storage than those huge paper packs!  

How about some close ups of my cute cards?  I just LOVE the contrast of the Pretty Impressions paper with Kraft.  So fresh and fun!  

MTME, Darling Dots and Bringing Home Baby Girl

Couture Cardstock Day At Sea and Sweet Heart

MTME, Fanciful Flourishes and Bringing Home Baby Boy

Couture Cardstock Nomad and Thistle Stalk

What the heck, here's a close up of each card!  Don't want you to lose any of the simple details ;]

There you have it...proof positive that My Time Made Easy is not exclusive to templates, our products cater to the card maker as well!!  It's just so hard NOT to use one of Lauren's EASY templates to house goodies...especially cards!  How perfect would the Card Catch All be for this set?  OH, and a GREAT gift for a friend!!  People LOVE receiving blank, handmade cards that they can give to others.  Hmm...I have a wonderful friend who IS that person.  That Card Catch All just might be next...after my JUGS project tomorrow that is ;]

Please be sure to swing by Lauren's blog if you haven't already and check out the rest of the team (left sidebar <---) . They have been putting out some AWESOME projects!!!  Sure to inspire you.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I'll be back tomorrow :)  Have a FANTASTIC Friday!!

My Time Made Easy Project

Hi everyone!  If you stopped by to view my My Time Made Easy post for today, please go see Pam instead! She was a saint and switched days with me :]  Don't forget to send some love Lauren's way also (if you didn't come here from her blog). 


I'll be back tomorrow with my post - promise!  Thanks, Pam!!  You're awesome :]

Color Throwdown Challenge #82

Whew today has been LOOOONG!  It's midnight and I"m starting my post.  That being said, it will be quick!!  I'll re-read tomorrow and edit any errors and missing product listings :]  Promise!

Today is the Color Throwdown's 82nd challenge and our sweet, LeAnne picke an AMAZING color palette!  I love BOLD and I love contrast!  This palette is singing my tune :)

Here's my take on the color challenge...a CAS card with some pretty blooms (Fanciful Flowers, My Time Made Easy) I cut on my Cricut.  Aren't they cute?  I love how simple yet bold they are. 

The flourish is from the Fanciful Flourishes stamp set, also over at My Time Made Easy.  The dp is from Cosmo Cricket and the remaining cs and embellishments (other than the Cuttlebug ef and oval nestie) are from SU!

My layout is from Mercy Kerin's Tuesday Sketch Challenge (MTSC63).

That's all I have for you tonight.  Please be sure to swing by the CTD blog to read about a SURPRISE, and to post a link to your project.  I mean, I KNOW you want to play with this fabulous palette, right?!  Totally.

Okie doke.  Swing by the dt's blogs also!  They came up with some BEAUTIES!!!

Bar

Broni

Cathy

Danielle

LeAnne

Tammy

Have a great Wednesday!

My Time Made Easy - March Release Day...err...day late :|

Hi all!  I'm FINALLY posting my project that was due yesterday for MTME's March release!  I had to finish up some digi paper business yesterday before I could enjoy finishing my project, photographing and typing my post.  SO, here I am...a day late, BUT a baby gift ahead in preparation for a shower this Saturday!!  Can't scoff at that...I'm rarely ahead :]

I got to use the Card Catch All for my project yesterday.  I decided that two of them without the interior dividers would make an AWESOME little baby supply caddy!  Something the new mom can keep on hand in that part of the house that isn't the baby's room, to have essentials nearby. 

So, I packed the back with diapers, and the front with basic supplies and tools. ...and some cutie patootie hair barettes :] (yes, she's having a girl)

For my template, I printed some of my digi paper from the Bringing Home Baby Girl collection so that I could have the look of stitching without having to thread a needle.  I also used the new Random Ribbons cut file I created for my zig zag strips down the sides of the dp.  Neat, huh?  I love how the ribbons turned out :] 

How about those tags on either side?  That, my friends, is a cut file (So Sentimental Frame) and a stamped frame that fits perfectly.  I used the narrow SU! oval punch for my sentiment...nice fit, huh?

The ribbon is May Arts and the butterflies are also MTME cut files, Flutters and Flowers.  The pink pearl rhinestones are from Michaels (Recollections).  Buttons are from my stash.

The tag is a cut file that was released yesterday also.  It's from the Tag You're It files.  I added a handmade, distressed flower with leaves, some zig zag Random Ribbon, and stamped the buggy from You've Got Mail (last month's release) and the sentiment from All A Flutter (Jan release).

I just love the color combinations we chose this month!  They can be all baby or all boy or all girl!  ...or even a neutral combination.

That's all I have for you today, but be sure to check out Lauren's blog if you didn't come here by way of her...she'll list a LOT more info regarding the release and some amazing projects!  Give the other DT girls a shout also...they've come up with some jaw dropping, inspirational projects!!  Links are in my left sidebar.

Thanks for stopping by :]