Metallic Spring Bouquet - Elizabeth Craft Dies and Mylar

I brought out my iridescent shimmer sheets and some of my favorite die cuts to make this spring bouquet for some fun blog challenges this week.   All of the die cuts are Elizabeth Crafts except for my faithful old "go to" Martha Stewart butterfly punch.  I added some detail by embossing the purple background panel and edging both panels with a gold paint pen. I love the beautiful iridescence underneath the gold detail on the pot. I forgot how much I enjoy working with these shimmer sheets.

Here is my inspiration sketch from Mojo Monday:

And I chose this  Sunday Stamps color challenge.

I'm loving the blog challenges because they inspire my creativity and I'm also using some of the awesome stash I forgot I have. Shopping in my own craft room is delightful!

I'm also adding my card to The Card Concept Challenge (Classy and Elegant).

Thanks for visiting.
Go forth and be fabulous.
Nancy

My Cozy Craft Room Retreat

One of my life's greatest blessings is this little place of my own that is lovingly referred to as my "cave."   We built this room over our dining room over fifteen years ago and it's still one of my favorite places to hide. Except everyone always knows where to find me!

The red and white color scheme just sort of evolved from my red obsession. I like how bright and cheery it makes my room and the Martha Stewart-ish appearance makes my hoard look kind of  legit. I don't like a lot of clutter because it messes with my creative mojo, but I keep the things I use most at my finger tips. 

A lot of my storage comes from Ikea because it's not expensive and works great for my purposes...and it comes in red.

The pretty stained glass tulip in the window was made by a dear friend for my daughter when she was born 37 years ago.  I kept (stole) it when she left home and I love how it catches the light in this little window.

These Ikea narrow drawer units fit perfectly under my desk and make fabulous storage.

After all these years of organizing and reorganizing, I think I have some great tips on storing my stash.  I'd love to share some of these with you and I plan to do just that in future blogs.  Say tuned.

Thanks for visiting.
Go forth and be fabulous.
Nancy

Stampendous Blossom Stencil Duo - Boho Flower

Who doesn't smile when they're coloring with Copics? When I decided to color this flower I had some really bright colors on my desk from another project and I'm glad I was too lazy to haul my other colors out.   I think my flower turned out sorta boho-liscious. 

                            

To create my flower I used Stampendous duo stencils. They have two parts...an outline and a pattern. I taped the outline down on one side first and traced it with a permanent black pen.  Then I lifted the hinged stencil and placed the pattern stencil underneath.  I moved  the pattern stencil around until I liked the look and then just traced the design inside the shape. I have other stencil duos and the patterns are interchangeable. The result is a beautiful design to color!  Easy, peasy.

  

I like A6 size cards and I love being able to manipulate my Lori Whitlock svg files in Cricut Design Space.  I feel so techy, but really it's super simple and fun.  

I love all things zentangle and I really love not having to use my own doodles. But these stencils would be really cute with some of YOUR original doodles on them. MINE, not so much.  Just sayin'.

Adding my card to these challenges:

The Crafty Addicts Challenge
Crafty Creations Challenge
Fab 'n' Funky Challenge

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and be fabulous.

Nancy

   

Vellum Overlay - Stampin Up Rose Wonder

Vellum is like a lovely lady who is always the belle of the ball as long as you treat her with respect...she  just doesn't like to be tousled. I went on a search in my craft room for a large open line floral image and was elated to find Stampin Up's Rose Wonder, one of my favorite and most versatile stamp sets. The bonus is this set has matching die cuts.  I was so happy not to have to stamp and emboss my image on the vellum. All I did was glue the beautiful die cut image to the vellum overlay.  Lady vellum doesn't like too much heat either!

I usually reach for  pastels when I color my flowers with Copics but I'm glad I opted for brilliant pinks this time.  They show up so beautifully through the vellum. 

I cut my vellum flap about an inch larger than the front of my card so I could tuck it between the layers and attach it without glue showing.  The vibrant colors of my rose were subtle and pretty under the translucent vellum but I wanted to make sure the recipient of my card could lift the vellum to take a peak at the unmasked brightly colored rose  underneath ...kinda like two cards in one.

This was one of those cards that simply evolved as I created it, and I really like how it turned out. I can't wait to try it in another color...blue maybe?  I love, love, love lady vellum.  I'm going to see that she gets out more often.

I'm adding my card to these challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday
Stampin' Royalty

Freshly Made Sketches
The Card Concept

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and be fabulous.

Nancy

I Might be Challenge Challenged. - Mojo Monday

Confession: I have been creating cards since 1995 and have never joined a blog card challenge other than Splitcoaststampers. It's been on my bucket list for a long time, so I think I'll just be brave and jump right in.

I love the Mojo Monday challenges because they post a fun new sketch each Monday and then I have a whole week to get my creative juices flowing.  It seems very non threatening and doable, don't you think?  

Here's this week's Mojo Monday sketch.

                     

And here's my card:

                     

... not something I would normally come up with because I'm not used to creating with  a "map."  In fact, I found it a little challenging (pun intended) and I'm not completely happy with the results. I'm planning to improve with practice and I think I might learn something by encouraging myself to think outside the box.  Different ways of thinking are good, right?  New brain synapses and all.  I hope I don't blow up the internet trying to post my link in the blog. Anyone have some good suggestions on some fun  blog challenges?  What are your faves?

Thanks for visiting.
Go forth and be fabulous.
Nancy

  

Sew-y Saturday - Robert Kaufman Flannel Baby Blanket

When I found this adorable Robert Kaufman giraffe flannel print I knew it would make a perfect self-binding baby blanket for a girl or boy. I immediately went on the hunt for a cute machine embroidery giraffe pattern and found this handsome little guy on Etsy. 

It was easy to find fabric to match this fun color scheme. What little munchkin wouldn't love a turquoise and orange giraffe?  

I always make sure to use the best quality flannel when I make one of these quilts  because I know it will be washed often and the lower quality flannel tends to pill.  It's worth a few extra bucks to make sure it will last. Who knows...the recipient might even take it to college:) 

And, of course, I created a coordinating flip card.  My cute little Stampin' Up giraffe matches perfectly, don't you think?

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and be fabulous.

Nancy

Copic Heaven - Stampendous Laurel Burch

I can't even begin to express how excited I am for the new Stampendous Laurel Burch stamps! I have been enamored with her whimsical, vibrant images forever.  I was so sad when she died a few years ago at a young age, but she leaves a wonderful legacy of rainbow colored fantasy images. With her stamps, a few of my  brightest copic markers and some blingy embellies I can create my very own sunshiny masterpieces. Stampendous even has this color chart to help you  with a your Laurel Burch copic pallet.  I made this card for my darling daughter's birthday next month.  She's a legit artist, with an art degree and everything, but she assures me that anyone who creates is an artist and she is wonderfully supportive of everything I do.  How blessed we are to have brilliant artists like Laurel who are willing to share their gifts with all of us in a very personal way.  Now I can't wait to get started on some of her adorable felines...with doodled butterflies.  Laurel was a zentangler before zentangle was chic! So was I.  How about you?

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and be fabulous.

Nancy

Class-y Tuesday - Adventures in Grey

                                   

I'm definitely a fan of color in all its vibrant hues, but I have to admit, sometimes neutrals can be stunning, too.  I created these cards in a Susan Porter class and I was amazed at how the varied forms of texture we used added so much interest to this subtle pallet. Doesn't the silver floral die cut panel in the background of this card reflect the light beautifully?

I don't use my detailed  stamps as often as I'd like because I have trouble deciding how to color them. One really good answer to this dilemma is to stamp them in a neutral color.  The intricate design takes center stage without a lot of work on my part. The texture in this card is enhanced by the embossed and sanded background and the variety of pretty layered flowers.

These die cut flowers are fun to sponge or water color, but I think they look beautiful left white and layered on this grey patterned paper.  Pearl accents add to a sophisticated look.  I think both people and cards look elegant in neutrals and pearls.  Why not dress up some of your cards with classy fanciness?  

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and be fabulous.

Nancy

Sew-y Saturday - Shabby Chic Rag Quilt

It feels like I've made about a hundred of these fun rag quilts, but  maybe scores would be more like it. The fact that they don't need to be quilted makes them such an attractive option for a baby or lap quilt.  

My favorite fabrics, even for baby quilts, are these vintage looking cotton florals and  calico prints. The shabby chic look is very popular, even with young moms. I use white cotton flannel for the batting and the three layers of cotton fabric fray beautifully.  Some people choose to use flannel for their quilts and opt for only two layers.   It works anyway you choose, as long as you use cotton fabric for the fraying. Here's a simple Beverly's tutorial on the basics of making a rag quilt. 

When I first started making these quilts, I had to hand cut the fringe in the raw edges with scissors.  It's an easy process and can go quite fast when you get in a rhythm, but it is a little tedious. My whole world changed when I got an Accuquilt Go for my birthday and found out they had actual rag quilt dies. Although it's a little tricky to sew straight on the fringed edge, it's much faster than snipping the fringe manually.  Once the fringe is cut, all that's left to do is throw the quilt in the washing machine and let the magic begin.  The seams get softer and fluffier with every wash. My husband and I each cuddle up in our own rag quilt every night in front of the TV.  Everyone needs a blankie, don't you think?  

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and be fabulous.

Nancy

Just Keep Swimming - Hero Arts Color Layering

I love the new Hero Arts color layering stamps so much that I fear I'm in danger of collecting them all. I was so excited when I saw this Goldfish set at Joann's. I had seen this You Tube video by Jennifer McGuire and decided to give the acetate window panel a try. This technique is a little tricky at first, but after you have done it once it's easy and you can use it on many different kinds of cards.

                                           

The  beauty of these Hero Arts three-part color layering stamps is that you can use coordinating inks to build color and detail into your image without much effort. My MISTI stamp positioner helped me to line everything up easily.. 

The stamp set also includes the sea weed and the sentiment so I was able to complete the whole card with just one set.  I layered different shades and textures of blue paper (one glitter) for the "water" on the card front and added some pearls for bubbles.  I have several friends who could use this encouraging message.  How about you?

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and be fabulous.

Nancy 

Class-y Tuesday - Water Colored Spring Flowers with Distress Markers

On my walks in the beautiful wetlands near my home, I can finally see gorgeous blossoming trees everywhere. The California drought is over and Spring is in the air.  Time to get out my embarrassingly vast array of flower stamps and make some pretty cards to match my mood.

I made these cards in a class taught by talented designer and teacher, Susan Porter. I had forgotten how fun and easy this distress marker water color technique is.  

These cards were all colored using Tim Holtz distress markers blended with a water brush on water color paper.  With a little practice, it's a fairly simple blending technique that gives amazing results. Here's a You Tube video that shows how it's done.  This technique works great with any water based markers like Tombow and Marvy, but I prefer distress markers  because they blend so easily.  If you haven't tried this technique, give it a try.  I think you'll love it!

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and be fabulous.

Nancy 

Sew-y Saturday - Flannel Baby Quilts for a Cause

What do you do with an enormous stash of bright colored chevron flannel fabric?  I found just the project to spread some crafting joy. These fun and easy baby quilts are made with five inch squares and stitch-in-the ditch quilting. This is the way I assembled them. There are some sweet little babies in a women's shelter in my city who will love these warm soft blankets to snuggle in,

I enjoy donating handmade bibs, burp cloths and baby blankets to this women's shelter along with much needed diapers and baby wipes. It's my very favorite way to serve the women and children in my community. and they are always extremely appreciative.  Do you know a place in your area that could use some of your handmade TLC?

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and be fabulous.

Nancy

Gorjuss Girl Meets Tonic Flip Flop

Interactive cards make me happy.  If there's something to flip, pull or pop up, it's got my attention. I find most of the dies for flip cards are for  4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (A2)  cards.  That's why I love this  larger Tonic Flip Flop Die Set which I can use in my Big Shot Pro machine. It's made in England and creates a humongous card but with a little simple paper engineering I was able to trim it down to this 5" x 7" (A7) card.  I think it fits my little Gorjuss Girl nicely.

The die cut set has two additional decorative elements for the oval along with this beautiful sentiment.

I stamped my little lady with Memento black ink and colored her with copic markers. I used white glitter paper in the background and added some shiny silver metallic flowers and a silver bow for even more glitz.  I like things sparkly.  How about you?

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and be fabulous.

Nancy