The Play Date Cafe Challenge 66

This week's Play Date Cafe Challenge is a colour splash challenge - black and white with a splash of lilac (or any shade of purple).  I love that lilac flower!  I went with a flower theme for my card (seems to be a trend for me with PDCC) but I stamped my flowers with white ink on black paper.

Supplies: Card Blank: The Stamp Pad Co; Stamps: PTI Beautiful Blooms II & Birthday Sentiments; Ink: SU Whisper White;  Other: Copic BV13, Misc gems, Pop Dots

Unfortunately the images came out looking slightly more grey than white (and even more so in the pictures).  I think I may need to experiment with some other white inks.  However, I still like it - kind of looks like a black and white picture.  


And here's a full colour picture to leave you with.  This was taken around 5pm.  Love the late afternoon light and the criss-crosses on the water - looks kind of like Hero Arts envelope pattern stamp no?

ColourQ Challenge #69

It's been a crazy week at work and I haven't gotten into the Craft Cave since Monday.  I spent a good couple of hours in there today puttering around and tidying up and even managed to make a few cards!  :)  Hopefully I'll get in there a bit more on Monday but that may be it for a while as next weekend Luis and I are off on our belated honeymoon!  (Only 9 months late...)  This will be the first holiday that Luis and I have been on that doesn't involve staying with family or friends and we're really looking forward to it.  Not that we don't enjoy visiting with everyone because we've had some fabulous trips to the Azores, Toronto and Chicago but when you're a house guest it's never really a vacation is it?  You're in the middle of someone else's life and invariably end up on their schedule.  This trip we can do whatever we want, whenever we want without having to coordinate with anyone else.  And it's still cold and yucky here so we're ready for some warmth and sunshine!  :)

The card I made today is for ColourQ Challenge #69.  I looked at a few of this week's sketch challenges for layouts but nothing sparked any grand ideas.  All I knew was I wanted to use some of the new Hero Arts stamps that arrived in my mailbox this week so I went with a pretty tried and true layout:

Supplies: Card Blank: Hero Arts; Cardstock: Misc white cardstock, SU Rich Razzleberry, Cajun Craze,  Peach Parfait; Stamps: Hero Arts; Ink: SU Rich Razzleberry, Cajun Craze,  Peach Parfait 

I love the retro images from this Hero Arts stamp set and these colours are fun so I made a couple more similar cards to give to a friend as a gift set.  I may even go back and make a few more...

Have a lovely weekend!

The Play Date Cafe Challenge 65

I really love the colour palette from this week's Play Date Cafe challenge - nothing even vaguely Valentiney about it!  LOL!  

I decided to use it to make a  good-bye card.  Sadly, two of the vets at the veterinary clinic I work at are leaving at the end of the month.  They are a lovely couple who are fun, easygoing and so warm and caring with the animals.  They really will be missed by staff and clients alike.  They've also been big fans of my cards (I've made a few for each of them which I think they gave to each other!).  I found these fun orange and green images on K & Co's Happy Trails paper and I pulled out these cute lime green American Crafts arrows that I've had for about 2 years.  Hope they like the card, I just wish it wasn't a good-bye card...  

Card Blank: Handy Hippo; PP: K & Co Happy Trails, Basic Grey Ambrosia; Ink: SU Basic Grey, ColourBox Lime, Palette Orangerie; Other: American Crafts arrows, Nestabilities Small Labels die, Cosmo Cricket alphabet stickers

Just Add Ink, Off the Wall & Crafty Chicks

I've made a card for 3 different challenges today, including two challenges I've never entered before.   I'm using Off the Wall Craftiness' inspiration colours, Just Add Ink's sketch and a recipe from 4 Crafty Chicks.

4 Crafty Chicks

RECIPE:

1. Ribbon

2. Brads

3. Pattern Papers.

Card Blank: Handy Hippo; PP: Kaisercraft Offshore; Stamp: Hero Arts; Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, ColourBox Cyan, Palette Orangerie;  Other: American Crafts brads, PTI die, Copic (YR68), misc ribbon, Glossy Accents

I love this patterned paper from Kaisercraft - called Offshore.  I've used it on a few different cards now and I feel like the papers are so bright and fun that they don't need much embellishing.  I got to break in my new banner die from PTI and I coloured 2 white brads with an orange Copic.  (Those Copics are so darn handy!)  I seem to be using that HA sentiment stamp a lot recently.  I guess it's my attempt at warding off all the cold, gloomy days we've had lately!

Toot Toot Toot!

Yes, that is the sound of me blowing my own horn because I am a Wee Memories Fab Four winner this week!  Eeeeeeeeeeee!!!!  Okay, deep breath.  Sorry, just very excited.  I entered 2 cards in this particular challenge (which was to use ribbon on your card).  The funny thing is that the general consensus among commentors on that post (including 2 Wee Memories DT members) was that the non-winning card was the favourite.  Interesting...  You never can tell!  Thank you so much for putting a big ol' smile on my face today, Wee Memories!

Curtain Call Colour Challenge: Act 65

**2nd Post of the Day**

Another challenge card.  This is for the Curtain Call Colour Challenge Act 65.  I'm so glad that I finally got some Stampin' Up paper and inks so I could play along with these challenges.  I love the colour combos and I love the names of the colours too!  I always thought it would be a fun job to sit around coming up with colour names.  Part of the fun of looking at paint samples is just to see the names!  :)  Yes, yes, I'm a bit dorky...  Anyway, onto the card...

I am in love with these butterflies from Papertry Ink.  I love the designs and can see them making a lot more appearances in my cards.  In terms of layout,  as usual I was focused on the images and didn't really consider a sentiment or where to put it.  I thought a little something in the middle might work.  I stamped a sentiment in black in onto white paper but it looked pretty blah.  I thought of outlining the sentiment with one of the colours but couldn't settle on which one.  Then I made the sentiment using all 4 colours - sentiment stamped in blue on green paper, matted onto red with a spot of orange in the centre.  

Supplies: Cardstock: SU Whisper White, Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Pumpkin Pie, Pacific Point; Stamps: Papertry Ink butterflies & Hero Arts sentiment; Ink: SU Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Pumpkin Pie, Pacific Point  

Not sure I like this either but I feel like it needs something in the centre.  I'm sure I will continue to dither over this one for a while...

Card Patterns Sketch 98 & Moxie Fab Monochromatics Colour Challenge

The following card if for the Card Patterns Sketch 98 and I used the colour combo from the Monochromatics Color Challenge for Color Inspiration for Card Makers Week in the Moxie Fab World (whew!).  The rules are pretty intense and say you must have the "exact colour combination" that is shown in the swatch.  They're Bazzill Basics colours and while I have plenty of Bazzill paper I couldn't for the life of me tell you what each colour is called.  So after sitting for ages in front of the computer holding up different pieces of paper to try and match the swatch I finally just went with what looked closest.  Of course, they don't look anything like the swatch now that I look at the picture - the card base is actually pale pink although it looks white.  Oh well.  I still enjoyed working on a monochromatic card and I'm enough pleased with the result.  

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Stamp: Hero Arts; Ink: Versamark; Other: Nesties Peony & Scallope Circle, Basic Grey & unknown bling

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #30

I've been enjoying checking out the challenges at Waltzingmouse for a while now but this is the first time I've gotten organised enough to play along - and even now I'm cutting it close!  My first attempt at a design went horribly, horribly wrong.  It really was quite tragic.  I may even post it at some point for some comedy relief...  :)  Here's my second attempt:

Far less tragic and much more appropriate for the current season!  Have a great evening!  

What A Difference A Day Makes!

Yesterday:

Today:

The hounds were less than impressed with the thunder that went on for most of the night.  Atti paces, Jem hides in his crate and Scout barks right back at it - how dare it make all that noise outside her house!!  They are much happier today and Jem is currently sat beside me with his red ball in his mouth imploring me to hurry up and throw it for him!  Will do, Jem, but first...

A challenge.  This week's Wee Memories challenge is to use ribbon on our projects.  I actually have quite a bit of ribbon although I tend not to use it very often on my cards.  Not sure why although I do struggle with getting the "perfect bow"!  I decided to avoid bows completely for these cards and try some different approaches.  I ended up with two cards but I think I prefer the 2nd one.  Matches my mood today I guess which is much improved from Monday (thanks to everyone who sent a little love my way!). 


Does ric rac count as ribbon?  I hope so...

Off to play some ball with the hounds.  Have a bright, sunshiney day!

One-Layer Wednesday 37 - Sentiments

It's been getting steadily greyer, more dreary and humid (95% humidity - blerg!!) all afternoon and now the thunder has started.  The hounds and I got back from our walk just in time!  


Didn't get much time in the Card Cave today but managed to finish a card for One-Layer Wednesday's Sentiments Challenge.  The challenge this week is to make a card using more than one sentiment, no images and minimum embellishments.  Susan also suggested making use of the inside of the card - perhaps for that second sentiment.  I didn't realise quite how many sentiments I had until I started digging around - they seem to multiply like rabbits in my stamp drawers!  :)  I decided to CASE Susan's card in that I used 1 sentiment in a number of different fonts, sizes and colours but I also added a little something inside the card:

A little cheesy but I like it.  :)

One... Make That Two Last Things

**3rd Post of the Day**


Been wanting to show you this cute idea for dish washing liquid.  Luis always leaves our DW liquid on the windowsill which drives me nuts.  The Palmolive bottle really doesn't go with the decor!  (Although I guess I should be grateful he knows what it is and how to use it!  LOL!)  Anyway I saw this a few years ago in an acquaintance's kitchen and thought it was a brilliant idea and it's only taken me 2 years to get around to doing it for myself!

Cute huh?  I found it at a kitchen store the other day.  I was there to buy a glass juice pitcher (hard to find actually - and I broke it within 24 hours of getting it home but that's another story!) and I spotted these...  don't even know what they're called.  Olive oil dribblers?  Anyway, I saw it and remembered that I'd wanted one for ages and grabbed it.  Thankfully it's lasted longer than the juice pitcher...


And finally a little funny...  I put in an order at Jo-Ann.com over the weekend after Stacy mentioned they were having a sale.  I was very excited to get it - especially the Stamp-a-ma-jig - and then I got a message from them today.  It said:
Thank you for shopping at Joann.com.  Unfortunately, the following items are currently out of stock:
It then proceeded to list my entire order!!!  Doh!  Guess that's what happens when there's a sale.  Maybe it's a hint from above that I shouldn't be shopping for crafty stuff anyway... ;)


Okay, that's really all for today.  I'm off to cook dinner.  I have my first Digital Photography class tonight so I'll be gone before Luis gets home.  Since it's so yucky out I know he'll be cold and wet when he gets home so I thought I'd have dinner waiting on the stove as a surprise for him.  Have a lovely evening!    

ColourQ #68 & Mojo Monday #174

**2nd Post of the Day**

Another 2-for-1 challenge today as I'm entering the following card in ColourQ's and Mojo Monday's challenges.  

Supplies: Card Blank: Handy Hippo, Cardstock: SU Cherry Cobbler, Poppy Parade, So Saffron & Always Artichoke; Stamps: Penny Black image & Hero Arts sentiment; Ink: SU Poppy Parade, Memento Black; Copics: R17, R59, Y21, YG63, YG91; Other: Woodware flower punches, Nestabilties Standard Circles Large & Lacey Circles, EK Success fibres, Doodlebug bling

When I saw Always Artichoke I immediately thought of frogs (weird, I know) so I dug out these Penny Black stamps and decided to practice a little colouring with my Copics.  Once I had finished it and put it together I thought, "Darn it!!  I should have embossed the Artichoke paper."  (And maybe the Cherry Cobbler too...)  I seem to be doing this a lot lately.  Embossing has not been crossing my mind until the card is all put together and  it is too late.  Perhaps I need to line my embossing folders up on my desk so they're right in front of me and don't get forgotten!  Or maybe I need something like this awesome sign made by Karen B to hang over my desk - only mine will say Emboss!

The Play Date Cafe Challenge 64 & Moxie Fab Grey Challenge

Finally getting back into a card groove today.  Yesterday got taken up by getting bad news, taking Luis to the dentist and getting my car clamped.  Not really a great day in all.  However, today is a new day and, although it's rainy and humid, so far it's been better than yesterday. 

I came up with a little thank you card for The Play Date Cafe Challenge and also Moxie Fab's Grey Is The New Black challenge.  Thanks, PDC for including grey in your colour pallette this week!  :)

Supplies: Card Blank: Handy Hippo; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics & Paperbilities; Stamps: Hero Arts flowers & sentiment; Ink: SU Basic Grey; Bling: Queen & Co & Doodlebug; Other: Nestabilities Long Classic Scalloped Rectangles, Fiskars paper crimper & silver metallic rub on paste

Ferry Reach

One of my New Year's resolutions was to not spend time on Sunday in the Craft Cave.  Sunday is Luis' only day off work so I want the day to be more about him and what he wants to do.  Often we end up doing odds and ends around the house (landscaping, painting, tiling - whatever needs doing).  We also always take the hounds for a swim and often a walk as well.  Today I decided to take Luis for a walk at Ferry Reach, one of my favourite parks.  I can't believe I've never taken him before and today was absolutely gorgeous - sunny with a light breeze.  

We were there for about 2 hours.  It's a pretty rocky walk in some parts and I always like to climb around the cliffs instead of following the straight paths.  

Throughout the walk we came across tons of Portuguese Man O' War - a jellyfish that's pretty commonly found around the island - but you don't usually see this many on the shoreline all at once and in so many clusters.  As a kid I thought they looked like big bubbles blown from grape Bubble Yum gum and then dropped into the water.  The bubble part is pretty but they have long, thin tentacles which give a nasty sting.  

We also came across a handsome crab.  Normally when you see these you see what's left of their shell after some seabird has had it for lunch.  Or you see them scuttling off ahead of you along the rocks.  This guy was pretty bold though - he let me get up close and personal for a picture although he did wave his claws at me!

There are several old fortifications - or what's left of them.  I love the rusty old iron door frames that are still hanging in there after a few hundred years.

I love in the picture above how the bars in the windows have rusted down to little nubs and look like Hershey's Kisses sitting there in the window frame.

This was the last stretch we walked along before heading to the pub.  While there we ran into a couple of friends who we hadn't seen in months and joined them for lunch.  This covered another New Year's Resolution for me - stop being so much of a hermit and make more of an effort to get together with friends.  Okay, so it was luck and not effort that got us together but at least it happened and we had a great catch up.

Hope you've all had a great weekend and perhaps tomorrow I will actually post some cards!  :)

My View

Lynn asked if I live right on the water and the answer is yes.  We're lucky enough to have a beautiful view across the harbour to the town of St. George's.  My family moved into this house when I was 5 years old.  When I came back from the US it was just my mom here (my brother lives in Chicago now).  It's too big a house for just one person and real estate here is ridiculously priced so we renovated it into 2 apartments.  It's a split level house so it lent itself well to the reno.  Luis, the hounds and I now live downstairs and mom is on the upper level.  It's worked out well because, on a practical note, between property being so expensive and us having 3 big dogs, it would be tough to find another place.  Also, on the plus side for mom, she doesn't have to worry about the property maintenance anymore as Luis and I take care of all that.  Anyway we are all very content with the arrangement and very grateful to have our own little piece of the rock to call home!  :)  


Here are a few different shots of the view and the house:

Everyone always asks but no, this hasn't been Photoshopped!

Luis down on the dock before we painted and fixed the BBQ chimney (right foreground)

Halfway through painting last fall.  After years of turquoise (or green as my mother insists!) we went dark blue last fall.  Love the new colour!