Birthday Bloom

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

It was a busy day for me. I had a hair appointment at 12:00 and then off to the grocery store to pick up some things to make for our women's church picnic. I decided to go with mac & cheese. It always goes over well for our church picnic so I thought the women would like it as well. 

We had a nice time this evening at the home of one of the church leaders. It was a perfect evening for a cookout. It was a smaller group in attendance but still enjoyable and lots of good food. We even played a few games of cornhole. That was fun. 

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for the color challenge #855 on Splitcoaststampers. LeAnn was our hostess and she chose pear pizzazz, pale papaya and calypso coral for the color trio. Optional was to use die cuts. 

For my card I started with the layout. I used the sketch from the Sunday Stamps SSC262. 

My background designer paper is from "You're a Peach" collection. The stamped image is from the "Art Gallery" set. It's a 2 step stamp set and I used pale papaya for the first stamping and calypso coral for the 2nd layer. Both are Stampin'-Up.

For the optional, I used a birthday die from PaperTrey Ink and a Scalloped circle from CottageCutz.

And, that's my card for this post. So until next time......God bless.

card details:

Stamps: art gallery (Stampin'-Up)

Paper: calypso coral, pale papaya, whisper white, you're a peach dsp (Stampin'-Up)

Ink: pale papaya, calypso coral, pear pizzazz (stampin'-Up)

Accessories: birthday die (PTI), scallop circle die (CottageCutz)

I am also entering:

1.  Crafting Happiness has an anything goes challenge. 

2.  Get Creative Challenge is anything goes. 

  

Blooming Birthday

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

Happy Monday as we roll into another month. Hope you are enjoying these summer months. It's been a good summer for me so far. Our vegetable gardens are producing nicely. I have already made some zucchini dishes and stuffed lots of banana peppers. The peppers I stuff with a combo of hot and sweet Italian sausage and then freeze them. It's a nice meal to pull out in the middle of winter for enjoyment. 

The tomato plants are producing nicely just not ripe ones as yet. That will happen in the next couple of weeks. Then I will be busy canning and roasting them at a furious pace (lol). When I roast I use onion, garlic, salt, pepper and balsamic glaze and the tomatoes of course at 400 ° for about 25 minutes. Then I puree and freeze. 

This makes the most delicious base for a marinara sauce or mostly I just this by itself and enjoy over pasta.  The secret is the blend of tomatoes. My hubby grows Roma and Heirloom tomatoes and that combo is incredible roasted or canned by using a water bath method. 

Anyway, let's move onto my card for today. This one I created for the color challenge #CC850. LeAnn is our hostess and she chose majestic magenta, pale papaya and shaded spruce for her color trio. Optional was to use gold accents.

I used an older Stampin'-Up set- flower patch and the coordinating dies to create my birthday card. The flowers and leaves are stamped in magenta, papaya and shaded spruce inks and then die cut. The sentiment is from the same set.

Arranged my blooms on whisper white cardstock, added a brushed gold strip and some sequins and my card is finished. And that's it for me for this post. So until next time.......God bless. 

card details:

Stamps: flower patch (Stampin'-Up)

Paper: majestic magenta, pale papaya, whisper white, brushed gold (Stampin'-Up)

Paper Size: A2

Ink: shaded spruce (Stampin'-Up)

Accessories: flower fair framelits dies (Stampin'-Up), gold sequins

I am also entering:

1.  Lil Patch of Crafty Friends has an anything goes challenge.

2.  Stamping Sensations has a "any celebration for August.  

3.  A Gem of a Challenge is anything goes. 

4.  Creative Fingers has an anything goes challenge. 

5.  Aud Sentiments has an anything goes + a sentiment. 

Whisking You a Happy Day

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog this last Saturday of July. I can't believe we are about ready to welcome August! This summer is certainly flying by at a rapid rate of speed (LOL)!!!

We are going to be heading out for our annual Family reunion today. It will be a good time with family. Usually there are about 70 of us in attendance. I made some stuffed banana peppers. The peppers are from my hubby's garden. I stuff them with a combo of hot and sweet sausage. We really like them so I hope everyone else does. On the spicy scale I would give them a medium rating. 

So now onto my card for today. This one I created for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz Blog. A new line of Stamps & Dies have been introduced under the name of Lil' Bluebird Designs. Today for your viewing pleasure I am featuring the new In the Kitchen stamp & Coordinating die set. 

I created a birthday card for my next door neighbor who is an avid baker and shares many of her creations with my hubby and I. A card using these new stamps would be perfect for her. So let's get started with some details on how I created my card.

Design Steps:

I started my card by stamping and coloring the images. The coordinating dies made it so easy to cut the images.

 

I used a combination of alcohol markers and Prismacolor pencils as my coloring medium. The photo below shows the markers and pencils I used.

Before I started card assembly, I stamped the sentiment from the stamp set. I used my MISTI just in case a double inking was needed.

Once that was done I put together my card layout. I wanted to use designer paper for the background images but I didn't have paper that wasn't overpowering the images. Then I happened to notice some washi tape that I had. So I covered a panel of white cardstock with the tape. I used the 3rd largest Double Stitched Rectangle die and the 4th largest Stitched Square die and cut from the washi tape panel I created.

Now I am ready to start card assembly. I attached the images to the washi tape panels with glue dots and the panels to the image base with double sided tape. The vanilla image panel is 4 1/8" x 5 3/8".

To complete my card, I added a mint green card base 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" and scattered a few mint green enamel dots. Well, that's it for me for this post. So until next time........God bless. 

Stamps & Dies I used to create Card:

I am also entering:

1.  A Bit More Time to Craft has an anything goes.

2.  Aud Sentiments has an anything goes + a sentiment.

3.  Creative Moments has an anything goes challenge. 

4.  Simon Says Stamp has an anything goes challenge. 

5.  Lemon Shortbread has an anything goes challenge.  

 

Filmstrip Graduation Card

Hello Blogger Friends. Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog. Hope your weekend is going great and you have some fun plans or maybe you're reading this while on vacation. That would even be better!

I had friends over on Friday for a night on my deck. I served up some great appetizers and sangria. It was just the girls for this one. We had a beautiful evening temperature wise and the time spent laughing and talking was so nice. 

Then Saturday we went to a graduation party honoring my nephew. I made him this card I am featuring today using the new CottageCutz Film Strip Slimline die.  So let's get started with some details on how I created it. 

Design Steps:

I cut the filmstrip from black cardstock. My white card base is 8 1/4" x 3 1/4". It's the same size as the filmstrip.

I cut another white panel 3 1/4" x 8 1/4" to stamp my sentiment and grad cap images. I just thought it would be easier this way rather than stamping directly on the card base. I laid the filmstrip down for placement of the stamps. These are wood stamps so I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig for exact placement. 

I am ready to start card assembly. I attached the filmstrip to the white background panel with Ranger multi medium matte. When I use this die again I will definitely use an adhesive sheet. It will be easier that way.

Next, I placed the camera image and smile phrase in the left opening. I used double sided tape and liquid adhesive to attach these images. Notice the graduation cap in the corner. It's not a die. I cut it out and in the next photos I will tell you how I did it.

Grad Cap Steps:

I started with a piece of red cardstock 2" x 1". I penciled a line at 1" and then turned it and penciled another line at 1/2".

Then I started making my cuts. I went from point to point so it would form the top of the graduation cap. The next photo shows the start of my cutting.

I went around and made 3 additional cuts going from point to point to form the shape. I believe it's called a parallelogram. I flipped it over since my pencil marks were still there.

Now to make the piece that fits on the grad's head, I used the 2nd largest stitched die heart and placed just a portion of it on red cardstock.

This is what the cut looks like. I am using the negative part of cut. I just trimmed until I got the size that would work for the cap.

Here is the finished piece.

And then I attached it to the head part. I was happy with how it turned out. Then I started thinking about a tassel but I didn't want to fuss with twine. So I looked through my dies and found a ribbon that I thought would work. It's from the Penguins with Presents die. I cut just the ribbon portion and then used the longest loop of the ribbon. I think it works for the tassel. I punched a 1/8" hole and added a gold brad.

Before I attached the white card base to the image panel, I stamped my inside sentiment. I also added a few stars that are part of this Film Strip die. I thought this sentiment is a perfect companion to the front of my non-traditional graduation card.

To finish off my card I attached the image panel to the card base using double sided adhesive.

Well that's it for me for this post. So until next time .......God Bless. 

Dies I used to create card:

I am also entering:

1.  My Time to Craft has no patterned paper challenge. 

2.  Daisy Chain Challenge wants us to a die or stencil. 

3.  Creative Knockouts has a die cuts or punches challenge. 

4.  Addicted to Stamps and More has a die cut and/or stencil challenge. 

5.  Watercooler Wednesdays Challenge is all about occasions. 

   

Wishes Have Wings

Hello Blogger Friends! Happy Monday to you. Hope your weekend was a good one and that there was some fun involved. 

We had plans Friday night to have a young couple from church over for dinner. David wasn't feeling well and then it involved a hospital visit. He was released and it turned out not to be anything serious. Thank the Lord!

Saturday I spent all afternoon at a Rubber Stamp show that was held in the Pittsburgh area. Then Saturday night my hubby went to a men's cookout. It was put on by one of the guys from church. He had a great time, and I was able to spend the evening in my craft room. 

Sunday was a kickback day after church for me. My hubs went over to visit his Mom. Then we had dinner together later in the evening. All in all I enjoyed my weekend. 

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for the color challenge #848 on Splitcoaststampers.  I was the hostess, and I chose gold, blackberry bliss and calypso coral for the color trio. Optional was to use die cuts. 

This card is using elements from the July 2020 Paper Pumpkin kit "summer nights". This kit was all about summertime with a Ferris wheel, lightning bugs and summer lanterns. Everything you need to made cards are included in these monthly kits.

I made the card according to the kit directions except I angled the vellum jar to make it look like the "lightning bugs" or "fire flies" are flying out of the jar. I had to explain this to my hubby because he didn't understand why the jar was tilted. I thought it was a good idea - maybe not? I also stamped fireworks in calypso coral ink. 

My 'wishes have wings" sentiment is from a Great Impressions stamp. I will use this for a birthday card and the birthday sentiment will be stamped on the inside.

Well that's it for me for this post so until next time.......God bless. 

card details:

Stamps: Summer Nights (Stampin'-Up), Wishes Have Wings (Great Impressions)

Paper: card base (July 2020 Paper Pumpkin Kit), whisper white (Stampin'-Up)rom

Paper Size: A2

Ink: blackberry bliss (Stampin'-Up)

Accessories: die cuts (Paper Pumpkin Kit July 2020 (Stampin'-Up)

I am also entering:

1.  Crafting Happiness Challenge is anything goes. 

2.  Use Your Stuff Challenge is summer fun. 

3.  Gem of a Challenge is anything goes. 

4.  Creative Fingers #212 has an anything goes challenge. 

5.  Love to Craft Challenge is anything goes. 

Celebrate Your Day

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today. Hope your weekend is going well and you were able to do something fun. 

I went to a Rubber Stamp Show that was held in the Pittsburgh area this weekend. I remembered about it yesterday morning while I was having my morning coffee. They didn't have one last year because of the Covid-19 restrictions so I knew I didn't want to miss it this year. 

It's about a 45 minute drive for me, but I always enjoy going and being able to pick up some stamping product. There were several companies that had make & takes. I was able to use pan pastels for the first time. I really liked working with them and ended up buying them. We made a background with a sunset and stamped a silhouette image over it. 

I also have been looking for some new patriotic stamps and I found a Taylored Expressions map of the USA and the die cut. I can't wait for the next patriotic holiday to use it. I also have wanted to try the Art Glitter glue because many stampers rave about it. It's one that dries clear so I bought it. Hopefully it works the way they all say it does. 

All in all it was a fun day for me. I came home around 4:00 pm after being there for 4 hours. So now onto my card for today. 

This one I made for the color challenge #848. I was the hostess and I chose blackberry bliss, gold and calypso coral.  Optional was to use die cuts. 

For this card I also used the die cuts that are part of the July 2020 Paper Pumpkin Kit from Stampin'-Up. This kit was all about summertime with a Ferris wheel, lightning bugs and summer lanterns. Everything you need to made cards are included in these monthly kits.

I really liked the Ferris wheel image and thought of a friend who travels around the country to amusement parks. She will get this one for her birthday.

I saw this card on Pinterest that made the card base into an easel card and used that for my inspiration. I used different stamp sets for my sentiments and the fireworks images. On the top sentiment panel I stamped fireworks and then used wink of stella to give them a bit of sparkle. The stamp is from Great Impressions Stamps. The birthday sentiments are from an old Verve stamp set. 

Well, that's my card for today. So until next time........God bless. 

card details:

Stamps: poppy birthday (Verve), Fireworks (Great Impressions)

Paper: card base (July 2020 Paper Pumpkin Kit)

Paper Size: A2

Ink: blackberry bliss, calypso coral (Stampin'-Up)

Accessories: die cuts (July 2020 Paper Pumpkin Kit- Stampin'-Up)

Techniques: easel card

I am also entering:

1.  Crafter's Castle has an anything goes. 

2.  Polkadoodles has an anything goes challenge. 

3.  A Bit More Time to Craft has an anything goes. 

4.  A Perfect Time to Craft has an anything goes. 

5.  Crafts Galore Encore Challenge is anything goes. 

6.  Creative Creases has a fun fold challenge. 

Berry Best Birthday

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

Another weekend is upon us. Hope you have some fun plans now that our lives are starting to return to the more normal we are used to. Or maybe you have plans to do some crafting. A weekend doing that would be so much fun as well. Something that I haven't done for awhile. I may just contact some of my stamping friends and see if they would be interested in a day of cardmaking soon. We haven't done that for way over a year. 

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz Blog. I am featuring the new Circle Windows Slimline die and the strawberry image that's included to make a birthday card for a friend. She celebrates her special day at the end of the month. So let's get started with some details on how I created my card.

Design Steps:

I started my card by cutting the windows slimline in white cardstock. The panel is 3 1/2" x 8 1/2".

I wanted to use a strawberry themed designer paper in the windows, and I cut the circles with the 4th largest die from the Circle set. The circles are slightly larger that the opening so they will fit nicely behind.

The strawberry image is part of this new die and I cut it in a poppy red cardstock and then again in a green cardstock for the hull.

Now that I have all the card elements cut, I am ready to start card assembly. The card base is 3 3/4" x 8 3/4". It will still fit in a #10 business envelope for mailing or you could make your own.

I attached the designer paper to the circle openings with double sided tape. Then this panel was attached with the same adhesive. After I attached the panels I realized I hadn't stamped my sentiment. I put it in my MISTI and stamped. I wasn't sure if I would have to ink a few times since I was stamping on 3 layers of cardstock. But one inking was fine.

Next, I attached the strawberries with dimensional adhesive. I decide to cut three small vines so the strawberries weren't hanging in mid-air. I used an older Strawberry die.

To finish off my card, I scattered a few green glitter enamel dots for some added interest. And that's my card for today. So until next time.......God bless.

Dies I used to create card:

I am also entering:

1.  Craft Rocket Challenges has a Summer challenge with a Birthday theme. 

2.  Creative Knockouts has a "something to say" challenge.

3.  Seize the Birthday has a Birthday challenge with optional of framed.

4.  Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper challenge is using patterned paper. 

5.  Love to Craft has an anything goes challenge.