Easter Cross + Tulips

Hello Blogger friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog. Another weekend is upon us. It's a rainy day here in Pittsburgh but the activity we have going on today is indoors.

 

We are going to a birthday party for our friend's daughter. She is turning 4. I made her a cute card and will show it later on my blog.

 

My card today is one I made for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz blog.

I am featuring the Butterfly Cross die.

 I started my card by using this weeks sketch #633 from Splitcoaststampers. Using a sketch almost always is a good starting point for me. When I saw the layout and the rectangle layer in the circle I thought of using the Butterfly Cross die for that part of the sketch.

 

Daffodil Delight Card Base: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
Patterned Paper Layer: 5 1/2" x 2 7/8"
Circle Dies: 2nd largest in set
Stitched Circle Die: 3rd largest in set
I wanted the card to be bright to reflect the Spring & Easter season. So I looked through my stash first for patterned paper. I chose this lilac striped paper and decided to pair it with a daffodil yellow card base.

I cut the first elements of the sketch: the card base, patterned paper circle, purple layering piece and the scalloped border. For the scalloped border, I used the Sweet Love Border die. When I placed it underneath the patterned paper, I moved it up just to reveal the scallop edge. For the lilac layer above the patterned paper, I cut it 3/4" x 5 1/2". It's not necessary to use a bigger piece of cardstock to layer in this case.

 

I cut the Butterfly cross in lilac. I decided to add some tulips at the base of the cross. The tulip die is from the Hello Spring die set. This was a 2016 spring release. I cut the tulips in yellow to pick up the card base color. Easter sentiment is stamped in Tuxedo Black ink.

The greenery under the tulips is the snow bank from the Snowman w/Lamp Post die set. I cut it then placed it in the circle die and cut it again to get the rounded edge. Just another way to get more mileage out of the dies you already own.

 

To complete my card, I added a butterfly. I used the butterfly die from the Fancy Pocket Plus die set. I cut it in with the lilac cardstock and then a top layer of daffodil yellow patterned paper. Finished it off with a couple of light yellow pearls.

 

 

Well, that's it for me for this week's post. Just a reminder that CottageCutz is having a Design Team call right now. You can get all the info here.

 

So until next time......... God Bless.

 

Dies used to make card:

I am also entering:

1.  Creative Fingers has an anything goes challenge.

2.  Polkadoodles has an anything goes challenge.

3.  Scrappers Delights has an anything goes challenge

 

~ Carnation Thanks ~

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog.

 

It's the last Friday in February 2017 and its a beautiful warm day here in Pittsburgh. We are setting records with our warm temps today. I have my windows open to bring in some fresh air. Love it when I can do that. It feels like spring.

 

One of my orchids has bloomed and the other is getting ready to open and reveal her beautiful flowers. The flowers will last until June or July which I love. I have a small one that needs re-potted. My neighbor is going to help me with that. She is involved in our local garden club and is herself an avid gardener. She also has 4 or 5 orchids. 

 

Let's move onto my card for today. This one I created for the Splitcoaststampers color challenge #620.  Pam was our hostess and she chose wild wasabi, wisteria wonder and soft sky as her color trio. Optional this week was to make a thank you card.

 

For this card I used the new CottageCutz birthday flower of the month stamp and die set. This one is "carnation flower-January". I colored it with Stampin'-Up Blendabilities markers. These are alcohol based markers. They don't sell them anymore because of a problem they had with the manufacturer.  

 

I then used the matching die to cut the flower and added it to my background. 

My background for the carnation is the Quatrefoil cutting plate from Taylored Expressions. I cut that in soft sky and layered it over white cardstock. The thanks word is another die from CottageCutz and completed my card.

 

Well, that's it for me for today. So until next time.......God bless.

 

card details:

Stamps: carnation flower - January (CottageCutz)  

Paper: whisper white, soft sky, wisteria wonder  

Paper Size: A2  

Ink: tuxedo black (Memento)  

Accessories: carnation flower matching die, thanks & pierced wide rectangle frame dies (CottageCutz), quatrefoil cutting plate (Taylored Expressions), wisteria wonder & old olive Blendabilities Markers (Stampin'-Up)  

 I am also entering:

1.  Brown Sugar has an anything goes challenge.

2.  Crafty Catz has a thoughts of spring challenge.

3.  Jo's Scrap Shack has an anything goes challenge.

~Valentine~

Hello Blogger friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog.

 

Spring is just about a month away but we are having such warm temperatures and the spring flowers are already popping up.

 

We were able to take the preschool out for a little outside play yard time. It so improves their classroom behavior and concentration time. We had a show and tell time this week.

 

They love coming up in front of the class and showing off their toy. We prompt them with questions about what they have brought into show the class. They are very talkative for 3 year olds. 

 

I can't believe how fast this year is going. This class more than previous years has really tugged on my heart strings. I will miss them a lot when the year is over.

 

So before I get emotional let's move onto my card for today. This is the very last of my 2017 Valentine cards. I made it using the colors from the Splitcoaststampers color challenge #618. Roberta was our hostess and she chose basic gray, rose red and very vanilla for her color trio. Optional was to make a Valentine card and that's just what I did.

 

I used MojoMonday480 sketch for my card layout. I think the sketch shows off the elements of the card without covering anything up.

My background designer paper is from the long retired Stampin’-Up Holiday Harmony collection. It’s a Christmas designer paper but it had one of the colors I was using on my card. It’s actually purely pomegranate which is a twin sister to rose red.

I used basic gray satin ribbon for the angled panel in the sketch. On the sketch square panel, I embossed with a hearts folder from Darice. The rectangle panel I used for my sentiment and that allowed me to get the very vanilla covered.

The sentiment is from the Verve “Hundred Hearts” set and stamped in purely pomegranate ink. I love this sentiment from Winnie the Pooh (lol)!

I finished off my card by scattering a few hearts. The top left heart is a new Valentine die from CottageCutz - “fancy heart”. The other hearts are cut from CottageCutz dies as well.

 

Well that's it for me for today. So until next time.........God bless.

 

card details:

 Stamps: Hundred Hearts (Verve)  

Paper: basic gray, purely pomegranate, very vanilla, holiday harmony dsp (Stampin’-Up)  

Paper Size: A2

Ink: purely pomegranate

Accessories: fancy heart, rectangle & circle dies (CottageCutz), blueprints 15 (MFT), basic gray satin ribbon, hearts embossing folder (Darice) 

 

CottageCutz dies I used to make card: 

 

 I am also entering:

1.  Crafty Girls Creations has an anything goes challenge for February.

2.  Cards Und More has a Valentine's challenge #178.

Wildflower Sympathy

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog this last Wednesday in February.

 

Can't believe that February is almost over. We haven't really had that much of a winter. Either in the way of snow or cold temperatures. Yesterday at pre-school we were able to take the kids out for some time in the play yard. they loved the outdoor time.

 

My card for today was made for my DT post on the CottageCutz blog. I am featuring some of the new Wildflowers dies by CottageCutz. I have used Wildflowers 1 and Wildflowers 3 on my card for today.

Let's get started on how I created this card.

Mint Macaron Card Base: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
Navy Layering Panel: 5 3/8" x 4 1/8"
Patterned Paper Panel: 5 1/4" x 4"

I wanted to use these beautiful wildflower dies to create a sympathy card. My choice of colors today came from the Splitcoaststampers color challenge #622. When I was looking through my cardstock, I found these A2 card bases in my stash that had a watercolor wash. It was perfect for my card idea. The card bases are from Concord & 9th.

watermelon wonder, mint macaron, night of navy

So all I did was cut the A2 card to the size panel that I needed. The card had the watercolor design on the front and back of the base. So now I have another panel to create a 2nd card. I matched it up with a mint macaron  and night of navy blue panels.

 

Even though I was creating a sympathy card, I still wanted a splash of color for the flowers. I used the watermelon color for the wildflowers. I thought that would look good against the mint and dark blue of the card front.

 

I stamped my sympathy sentiment on the image panel in navy ink before I assembled my card. I then assembled the panels with double sided tape. I didn't add my die cut images because I didn't want the flowers to interfere with the layering. Sometimes it can through off your eyeballing of getting the layers straight.

card with layering panels added

My next step was to add my wildflowers, butterfly and scatter a few sequins to finish off this card. I like to have a sympathy card or 2 in my stash for when the occasion arises. It's easier for me to create a sympathy card when you don't need one.

 

Below is a photo with a close-up view of the dies. You can always click on it to get a larger view.

 

Well that's it for me for today. Until next time.........god bless.

 

Here is another slight variation of this card. On this one I used navy enamel dots and a dragon fly.

 

dies I used on these cards:

 I am also entering:

1.  Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is anything goes.

2.  Lemon Shortbread has an anything goes challenge.  

3.  Alphabet Challenge is "Y" for you chose.

 

 

Valentine You're Sweet

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog.

 

Today is a preschool day for me but I wanted to get this blog post done before I head out the door. We are doing an art project there with markers, cardstock and coffee filters. I saw this done on Pinterest and I tried it here at home so I know it works.

 

The kids will color the filters with different shades of markers and then we will spritz the filters with water. The filter will be on top of a piece of cardstock and when wet will bleed through to the filter leaving behind an interesting design.

 

Once the filters are dry they can be used for another project as well. I was thinking of making tissue flowers from them and they can give them to their Mom's. They all love to color and get really quiet when they do. I thinks it's kind of therapeutic for them.

 

Now let's move onto my card for today. This is another of my Valentine cards. This is a cardI made for the F4A363 challenge on Splitcoaststampers. Shirley is our hostess and she wants us to make a Valentine.

For my card, I used the Stampin'-Up Paper Pumpkin kit from January 2016. Found this card on Pinterest and used it for inspiration. The kit was designed to make a heart banner but I used it to make this card. This was another one I took to my church and one of the guys there selected it to give to his wife.

The striped heart in the kit was too large for an A2 card so I used a die to cut it to fit. I also cut another smaller heart in watermelon wonder cardstock.

I used another die to cut my Valentine word. Then the kit stamps for the remaining part of the sentiment. The green flag banner is part of the kit as are the watermelon wonder sequins. I cut a small strip of sequins to place under the banner and then scattered a few around my card.

My background striped paper is from the Stampin'-Up "irresistibly yours" collection. You can color it in your choice of colors. I used mint macaron ink and my Clarity Brush to get a softer look.

 

Well, that's it for me for this post. Time to head out the door for preschool. So until next time..........God bless.

 

card details:

Stamps: cute conversations (Paper Pumpkin January 2016)  

Paper: mint macaron, watermelon wonder, irresistibly yours dsp (Stampin'-Up)

Paper Size: A2

Ink: tuxedo black (Memento)

Accessories: Paper Pumpkin Kit January 2016, Happy Valentine's Day Phrase & Stitched heart dies (CottageCutz)

~ Love 'n Roses ~

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life blog.

 

It feels like an early spring day here in Pittsburgh. The temp is around 60° and the sun is shining brightly.

We just came back from church and are enjoying a bit of leisure time before my hubby has to head off to work. I will be going to the gym this afternoon and meet up with my other 2 exercise partners.

 

Yesterday afternoon we went to the University of Pittsburgh basketball game. They were playing Florida State and Pitt pulled off a big upset. It was an exciting game and a fun time with our son and grandson. We stopped and had pizza at our favorite restaurant on the way home.  So gym time is definitely in order for me today. Have to work off those calories (lol)!

 

Now lets move onto my card for today. I have a few more Valentine cards to show so bear with me. This one I made for the color challenge #621 on Splitcoaststampers. Maura is our hostess and she chose basic black, whisper white and real red for her color trio. Optional this week is to use hearts.

I started this card with my designer paper. I found this Stampin'-Up collection "timeless elegance" in my stash. I love this paper. It is so beautiful that I had a hard time cutting it to use. Maybe that's why I haven't used it until now.

So the paper is an all black collection. This particular piece has these beautiful roses. I decided to color them with a Copic Marker. I am so pleased how it turned out. The paper took the alcohol marker so beautifully.

Then I discovered via Pinterest that this pattern was a favorite of many for coloring.  Here is just one example of a watercolor on the roses here.

I wanted this paper to be the star of the show so I kept the design simple. I added some black mesh ribbon and some white cotton lace underneath the rose image. To the lace I decided to use some black rhinestones. I wanted a sentiment so I die cut the "love" word and my card is completed.

A friend of mine asked me to make a more elegant card for his wife for Valentine's day. I had to wait until he gave it to her before I could show it here.

 

Well that's it for me for today. So until next time..........God bless.

 

card details:

Paper: Sahara Sand, Basic Black, Timeless Elegance DSP (Stampin'-Up)  

Paper Size: A2  

Accessories: Copic R29, Black Mesh Ribbon (May Arts), White Cotton Lace (Hobby Lobby), black rhinestones (Darice), Love Heart Die (Impression Obsession) 

Techniques: Copic Marker Coloring 

 

I am also entering: 

1.  Glitter 'n' Sparkle has a ribbon or lace challenge. I used both.

2.  Crafty Calendar Challenge has a February "love is in the air".

3.  A Vintage Journey has a words that are special challenge.

~ Wildflower Love ~

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog this Saturday in February.

 

It is a beautiful spring like day here in Pittsburgh. Crazy weather for February. It's a perfect day for going for a walk or some other outdoor activity. the local parks will be packed today with parents getting their kids out for some fresh air.

 

We are going to the University of Pittsburgh basketball game today with our son and grandson. I won tickets at a fundraiser that I recently attended. They are really good seats plus a parking pass came along with them. It will be a fun time. It's the first game we have attended this year.

 

So let's get rolling with my card for today. This is one that I created for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz Blog.

 

Card Details:

 

Navy Blue Card Base: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
Patterned Paper Panel: 5 3/8" x 4 1/8"
Navy Blue Rectangle Panel: 2 3/4" x 3 3/4" (2nd largest of rectangle dies)

My choice of colors for my card today came from the Splitcoaststampers color challenge #622. I am the hostess of that challenge and I chose mint macaron, watermelon wonder and night of navy for my color trio. 

watermelon wonder, mint macaron, night of navy

My background designer paper is from the Stampin'-Up "floral boutique" collection. Once colors and paper were picked, I decided on a card layout and cut the necessary pieces.

The circles are from the CottageCutz circle and stitched circle dies. Both are the 4th largest dies in the sets. The navy blue rectangle is from the 2nd largest rectangle die in this set.

 

I cut the wildflowers in the watermelon wonder color. And the dragonfly in the mint macaron shade. When I started the assembling of my card, I decided to use the Wildflowers 3 die and eliminate the 2 die cuts from Wildflowers 1.

I decided to add a mint macaron strip across my card and top that with some night of navy ribbon. I also stamped my sentiment on the white circle in navy ink. I used an embossing folder to add some texture to the mint panel.

I was now ready to start the assembly of my card. On the large panels I used double sided tape. On the wildflowers I used Ranger multi-matte medium. The wildflower dies have great detail as you can see in this close up photo. On the sentiment circle I also added some watermelon sequins.

Well Blogger friends, that's it for me for this post. Until next time........God bless

 

Dies used to create this card:

 

 

 

 

I am also entering:

1.  AllSorts Challenge is anything goes.

2.  Hiding in my Craft Room has an embossing challenge. I embossed my mint ribbon panel.

3.  Scrapper's Delights has an anything goes challenge.