Glittery 50

HELLO, my crafty friends!  I feel like I've been away from Blogland forever!  Between being sick for a few weeks and then traveling to Chicago to visit my brother, I haven't spent much time in the Craft Cave or visiting any blogs.  I'm on a major catch up now though and hope to get around soon to see what you've all been up to.  For now though I have a card that I made for a co-worker's mother.  Apparently she's a big fan of giraffes, pink and glitz!  I have a few giraffe stamps but this Paper Smooches one is my favourite.  I'm playing along with this week's Paper Smooches Sparks challenge - Anything Goes.  I'm also going to toss this in the ring for the Paper Crafts Connection Gallery Challenge - Milestone Birthdays.

We had a wonderful time visiting my brother in Chicago and even had a bit of snow while we were there - just a light dusting - enough to be pretty but not problematic.  We also did quite a bit of shopping.  This is a very Bermudian pastime.  The shopping here on the island leaves a lot to be desired so when Bermudians go abroad they tend to go a little crazy.  I made my first trips to Archiver's and Hobby Lobby and some craziness definitely happened...  Gonna have to make a lot of cards to pay off those credit card bills!  :)  I especially loved Hobby Lobby and it's probably a good thing there isn't one anywhere near me.  It's a good thing I had to stick to stuff that could fit in a suitcase.  I probably could have filled a shipping container without trying too hard!  Here's a pic of some cool letters I picked up for the Craft Cave.  Still have some decorating to do but I think this is a good start!

Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill

Stamps:  (Giraffe from Zoo Crew, Speech bubble fromHe Said, She Said) Paper Smooches

Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Embossing Powder:  (Clear) Ranger

Chipboard:  (Glittered Twinkle Type) K & Company

Washi Tape:  Crafty Basics

Markers:  (RV23, RV34) Copic

Moving Flower

After my post the other day about not letting the Moxie Fab World intimidate me I realised I only had a little bit of time left to play along with the Card Design Handbook challenges Cath is hosting.  I've played along with the Repetition, Focal Point and Gallon/Quart/Pint challenges and decided I'd try to squeeze in an entry for each of the other two challenges as well.  Of course, these are the ones I find the hardest.  :)  So this card is for the Movement challenge.  The curve of the leaves creates a clockwise flow around the card from the bottom right corner around and up to the sentiment.  The white twine in the buttons ties into the sentiment and brings you back to the start. 

I'm also going to submit this to the PaperCrafts monthly Gallery Challenge.  This time we're supposed to use natural elements.  The flower was die cut from a sheet of wood veneer I got from a friend who was cleaning out his workshop.  Love the woodgrain on it and the sheet is huge so there may be many more woodgrain embellishments to come!   

Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (Lucky Limeade, Night of Navy) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  (Bit of Burlap, Sentiment from Great Big Greetings) Market Street Stamps
Inks: (VersaMark) Tsukineko

Embossing Powder:  (Seafoam White) Ranger

Dies:  (Beautiful Blooms II #1, Turning a New Leaf) PTI

Buttons:  (Fabrications Linen collection) Teresa Collins

Embroidery Floss:  (White) Janlynn

Holiday Cards And More - Around The World

I was super excited to discover that a card of mine was featured on the Paper Crafts Connection blog yesterday!  (Thanks for the heads up Jocelyn and JJ)  The card appears in Holiday Cards and More Vol. 7 and yesterday PC Connection was highlighting all the international designers who appear in the issue.  One of the best parts about joining the crafty blogosphere is all the amazing people I've gotten to know from around the world.  It's pretty incredible what some cardstock and the internet can do huh?

And speaking of amazing people I wanted to share some RAK I've received in the last few months.

After telling Emily how much I loved this card she sent it to me for my birthday.  How awesome is that bold yellow card base and those bright and happy banners?

Ages ago I admired some cricket stamps that Christine used on some cards and she kindly offered to stamp some images and send them to me.  This is the gorgeous card they came with.  Love the warm colours and that sweet little Hello tag!

I was touched to receive this sympathy card from Lynn after the loss of Jem.  I always admire Lynn's layered stamping and this gorgeous card is no exception.

After Jem I was pretty much just hiding in the Craft Cave and trying to distract myself from my grief.  Lindsey sent me this perfect support card which put a much needed smile on my face.

Thanks for all the crafty love, ladies!  You sure know how to make a girl's day!

You Make Life Bright

I like to use bright colours on my cards but this one hits a whole new level of bright even for me!!  I used the colours from PaperCrafts Connection's Colour Inspiration Challenge #9 and decided to just go big! I love that Woodware flower punch and it seemed to go with the crazy colours.  (Going to enter this in the 4 Crafty Chicks and Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes challenges too.)
Despite the ridiculous humidity, I went for a run today for the first time in ages and I have a feeling that I'm going to be pretty darn sore tomorrow.  Not sure what possessed me but hopefully whatever it was will strike again sooner rather than later!

Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry) Stampin' Up, (Purple) Craft Supply
Stamp:  Unity Stamp Co
Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Die:  (Nestabilities Label 17)  Spellbinders
Punches:  (Pop Flower)  Woodware Craft Collection
Gem:  Queen & Co.