Creative Creases Guest Designer Post

Hello Blogger friends. Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog on this last Friday in March. It's Easter weekend and today is Good Friday. 

Today I am guest designing with the Creative Creases Challenge Blog. The challenge is all about creating a fun fold card with any stamps, dies and colors you like. 

For my card I created a Z Fold style card. For the card base and layers, I used a die from Divinity Designs. It's their Z Fold with layers die. If you don't have that die, it's easy to create this card with a few cuts and score lines. 

I found a tutorial on the Snippets by Design Blog. These photos are from her Blog. I am just showing the measurements to create the card base here. Take any color 8.5" x 11" piece of cardstock. This will be your card base. Measure 2" up from the bottom right corner and 2" down from the top left corner. Cut from point to point diagonally, like so:

This will create 2 card bases (you will only need one). Score at 3-7/8" and 7-3/4" to create the 'z-folds'. Here's a couple pictures to illustrate:

This is what the card looks like when it's' folded-on score lines.

 Now back to my card.  I told the Easter story using die cuts and stamping. This photo shows the card front closed. It's an A2 size card. The dies are from CottageCutz. 

I decorated all the panels of my Z Fold design. The background designer paper is the Divinity Designs - "Heavenly Skies" collection.  

Left Rectangle panel: 3 3/4" x 5 1/4"

Center Angled panel: 3 3/4" x 5 1/8" 

Right Angled Panel: 3 3/4" x 3 3/8" 

These 3 panels show the empty tomb with the angel announcing that Jesus wasn't in the tomb. Empty Tomb and Tulips dies are from CottageCutz.

The last set of panels is featuring the cross with the burial cloth draped over it. The He is Risen phrase announces the victory over death and the tulips are just a Spring symbol. 

This is my card for the Creative Creases Challenge #79. It's a fun challenge and runs for 2 weeks. So, you have time to make a fun fold and post it on their Blog. You just might get to be of their future guest designers.

I am also entering:

1.  Daring Cardmakers has an Easter challenge.

2.  The Paper Shelter has an Easter challenge.  

3.  Simon Says Stamp is anything goes. 

4.  The Crafty Addicts is anything goes. 

5.  Word Art Wednesday is anything goes. 

 

Paper Pumpkin Alternative (1) - Bunny Kisses

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

Today was one of those days that flew by. I help my friend once a week with her young son who is in a wheelchair. I have been doing this for 5 years. I love going over and spending time with Sam. He is such a happy and bright little boy. 

He gets excited when I come over and just as disappointed if something happens that I can't come. That is only if he gets sick or one of the family members gets sick. Today I took him his favorite Chick- Fil A for lunch. He is off school for Easter vacation. It was the highlight of my day.

My hubby went out with his brother to watch the NCAA playoff games. It gave me a chance to unwind from the day and get this Blog finished.  

This card I made for the color challenge #992 on Splitcoaststampers. I was the hostess, and I chose daffodil delight, petal pink and berry burst for my color trio. Optional was to use your favorite green. 

Daffodil Delight, Petal Pink, Berry Burst

For my card I used some of the contents of the Stampin' Up February 2024 Paper Pumpkin kit "Sweet Springtime". Instead of using the kit instructions, I decided to make an alternative design with an easel card.

The card base is petal pink cardstock. The image panel is part of the kit as are the daffodils. For the easel stopper I used one of the banners that came in the kit, and I added the die cut word "kisses". That die is from CottageCutz.

This card went to my sweet little Sam and his brother. He doesn't get real impressed with my cards but his Mom loves them. She tells me all the time how amazed she is with my cards. The compliment is always welcome. 

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

Card Details: 

Paper: petal pink, berry burst, white (Stampin' Up)

Paper Size: A2

Accessories: Paper Pumpkin Kit (February 2024), Bunny Kisses die (CottageCutz)

Techniques: Easel Card

I am also entering:

1.  Little Red Wagon has an animal antics challenge. 

2.  Paper Craft Crew has a tic-tac-toe- I chose fun fold, flowers, letters. 

3.  Paper Shelter has an Easter challenge. 

4.  Sisterhood of Crafters has a bunny or chick challenge. 

5.  Shopping our Stash has a Spring has Sprung challenge. 

Easter Chicks

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

I can't believe that March is almost in the record books and that Easter is this weekend. I have several Easter cards to post so I need to get a move on it.

We had a call today from the contractor who is going to update our deck. He had us scheduled for May but a couple of his scheduled jobs the people are out of town and a couple others they ae waiting for material to come in. 

So it worked in our favor. He will be coming early next week to start the remodel. I am so excited. Our deck is in need of repair. the wood is 30+ years old and we will be replacing it with a composite. I will take before and after photos to share here.

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for the color challenge #992 on Splitcoaststampers. I was the hostess and my color trio was daffodil delight, petal pink and berry burst for my color trio. Optional was to use your favorite green.

daffodil delight, petal pink, berry burst

For my card I used the contents of the Stampin' Up February 2024 Paper Pumpkin kit "Sweet Springtime".

For this card I followed the Kit instructions and made a mini slimline card. The card base, wreath, background image panel and banner are all in the kit.

I stamped my sentiment in berry burst on the banner and scattered a few white enamel dots to complete this card.

Well, that's it for me for this Blog post so until next time.....God Bless.

Card Details:

Stamps: Sweet Springtime (Paper Pumpkin February 2024)

Paper: Paper Pumpkin Kit

Paper Size: 6 1/4" x 3 1/4"

Ink: berry burst (Stampin' Up)

Accessories: Sweet Springtime Paper Pumpkin Kit (Stampin' Up)

Techniques: mini slimline

 

I am also entering:

1. Cutie Pie Challenge is Easter/Mother's Day.

2.  Triple B Challenge is birds, blooms or butterflies. 

3.  Allsorts has an anything goes challenge w/option of keep it simple. 

4.  Polkadoodles has an anything goes challenge. 

5.  Gem of a Challenge is anything goes. 

Easter Cross & Lilies

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

It's a rainy and cold day here in Pittsburgh. So perfect for staying indoors and getting crafty. I still need several Easter cards to make. I bought a paper pad that will be perfect for some quick cards. So my plan is to work on those today. 

I have a lot of household chores to get done today but I wanted to get this Blog post done before I start cleaning. It will go quick because I keep up daily with any clutter that is sitting around. Sometimes I wonder how larger families keep up with everything. There are just the two of us here and I am picking up every day. 

Now onto my card for today. This one I made for the color challenge #991 on Splitcoaststampers. Our color trio was melon mambo, lemon lolly and pretty peacock.. We also had an option of anything goes. I chose designer paper.

melon mambo, lemon lolly, pretty peacock

For my Easter card I started with my background designer paper. It's from the Divinity Designs "heavenly skies" collection.

From there I decided on my layout and used an Easter cross and added some lilies. The cross is cut from pecan pie (neutral) cardstock. The lilies and stems I cut from Bristol smooth and I shaded with picked raspberry distress and forest moss ink.

The He is Risen phrase is cut in pretty peacock cardstock. The dies I used are from Cottagecutz. I added a lemon lolly layer to the designer paper and the card base is melon mambo. 

That completes this card and this post. So, until next time.....God bless.

Card Details:

Paper: melon mambo, pretty peacock, pecan pie (Stampin' Up), Bristol smooth cardstock (Canson), Heavenly Skies designer paper (Divinity Designs)

Paper Size: 4 1/2" x 5 3/4"

Ink: picked raspberry distress, forest moss distress (Ranger)

Accessories: Spring Lilies, Cross w/Draped Cloth, He is Risen Cross dies (CottageCutz)

I am also entering:

1.  Double Trouble Challenge is a favorite floral image. In Spring mine is a lily. 

2.  Creative Inspiration Challenge is anything goes. 

3.  Crafty Gals Corner is anything goes. 

4.  Fab 'n' Funky has a Spring challenge. 

5.  Beautiful Blossoms challenge is anything goes w/florals. 

Easter Blessings

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

We are 2 days into the start of Spring, but the weather is cold here in Pittsburgh. The good news is that the signs of Spring are everywhere in the neighborhood. I love to see all the blooming taking place. God's handiwork is always amazing. 

I have to prepare for my Sunday School class this week, but I wanted to get this Blog post done before I start preps. My hubby and I teach the K-2nd grade class. We love working with the kids and they love having us as teachers. 

The rotation is once a month, so I always try to have something special for them to do. They love the crafts I bring for them. This week we will be doing an Easter craft and then I am going to let them dye Easter eggs. Our class is small usually around 6 kids. So, I will bring a dozen eggs and each of them will get 2 to color. 

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for the F4A734 challenge on Splitcoaststampers. The challenge was to make your card mainly pink. I need Easter cards, but I wasn't sure how a mainly pink card would work. But I like how this one turned out. 

I started my card with designer paper from the Heavenly Skies collection from Divinity Designs. I die cut a cross in a couple of shades of pink, the Easter Eggs and tulips. I did add green grass because the challenge is mainly pink. 

Finished off the card with the Easter Blessings phrase. Well, that's it for me for this post. So, until next time.....God bless. 

Card Details:

Paper: granny apple green, polished pink, bubble bath (Stampin' Up), heavenly skies dsp (Divinity Designs)

Paper Size: 8 1/2" x 3 1/2"

Ink: granny apple green (Stampin' Up)

Accessories: Easter Cross w/Flowers, Faith Sentiments, Happy Easter Greetings, Slimline Grass dies (CottageCutz)

Techniques: slimline card

I am also entering:

1.  Creative Fingers has an anything goes challenge. 

2.  Cardz 4 Galz challenge is Spring flowers w/dies or punches. 

3.  C.R.A.F.T. Challenge is Easter/Spring.

4.  TTTC243- I used Easter Eggs, Pastel colors and Grass. 

5.  Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is Easter/Spring. 

Bunny Treats

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog this first day of Spring.

 It was a cold and windy day with occasional snow but it's a new season. Our Spring flowers are popping up in our gardens. Daffodils, tulips and hyacinths are blooming not only in our gardens but all over our neighborhood. It's always a welcome sight after Winter

I did get to the gym today to work out my trainer. It was a strenuous workout, but I always feel good when its finished. Then later in the day I went over to a friend's house to help her with her handicapped son. He was in my pre-school class several years ago. They are such a precious family and I just felt as though I was to go and help them once a week. It's been so rewarding to me and a help to them. 

Now onto my card for today.  I used the colors from the Splitcoaststampers color challenge #990. We were to use parakeet party, orchid oasis and starry sky for the color trio. Optional this week is to add something warm which could be a 4th color. I added a sun cut in daffodil delight.

orchid oasis, parakeet party, starry sky

I thought I would try an Easter card with this week's colors and I was able to pull it off. The clouds are stenciled with orchid oasis ink. The grass is stenciled with parakeet party ink. I used Bristol Smooth cardstock because the inks blend so much better.

Mr. Peter Rabbit is cut in baked brown sugar (neutral) and his outfit in starry sky designer paper. The wagon and eggs are in the challenge colors.

I added the sun and the Bunny Treats sentiment to finish off my card. Well, that's it for me for this post. So, until next time......God bless.

Card Details:

Paper: orchid oasis, starry night, parakket party, daffodil delight, 2022-2024 in0color dsp (Stampin' Up), Bristol smooth cardstock (Canson)

Paper Size: 4 1/2" x 5 3/4"

Ink: parakeet party, orchid oasis (Stampin' Up)

Accessories: Bunny treats die, Mr. Peter Rabbit die, Stitched Sun die (CottageCutz), clouds stencil, grass stencil (MFT)

Techniques: stenciling

I am also entering:

1.  Simon Says Stamp has an Easter/Spring challenge. 

2.  Crazy is our Fame- Stencils are our game is anything goes w/optional theme Easter/Spring. 

3.  Try it on Tuesday wants us to use a stencil. 

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

5.  Classic Design Challenge is anything goes w/option of 4 legged friends. 

Spring Bunny Car

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

Hope you had a great weekend and did something fun or crafty. I did get some crafty time in on Saturday. I am in the process of making card for Easter right now. It's a bit earlier this year so I need to get moving. 

Sunday was a laid-back day for me. I stayed up later than I should have Saturday night and then got up early for church. But I did go to bed earlier last night. So I feel rested today. 

My hubby only wanted a chicken salad for dinner instead of what I was planning on making. He even made the salad himself. I just made one of my Paleo desserts- a chocolate lava cake. We both loved it and there was no processed sugar or flour. 

Then I watched The Way Home on the Hallmark channel. It's a mini series about time travel. This is the 2nd season and only 2 more episodes remain. I wasn't sure at first but then you know how those mini-series grab your attention (LOL.)

Now onto my card for today. This one I made for the color challenge #989. We were to use shaded spruce, lemon-lime twist, pale papaya and berry burst for the color combo. Optional was  designer paper. I took some liberty with the option. I used designer paper from the Stampin' Up "fresh as a daisy collection" for my clouds even though it wasn't one of the colors. 

pale papaya, berry burst, lemon-lime twist, shaded spruce

My bunny car is cut in the challenge colors plus some neutrals. For the car body I used designer paper from the Stampin' Up "pretty prints" collection- it's a lighter shaded spruce color.

For the carrot I cut from pale papaya cardstock and then used the same color of ink to get a deeper shade.

I added the Easter Wishes sentiment in the clouds and stamped another sentiment in berry burst on the card front to complete my card. Well, that's it for me for this post. So, until next time.....God bless. 

Card Details:

Stamps: some bunny (Great Impressions Stamps)

Paper: white, shaded spruce, pale papaya, lemon-lime twist, berry burst, black, smoky slate, pretty prints dsp, fresh as a daisy dsp (Stampin'Up)

Paper Size: A2

Ink: berry burst, pale papaya, lemon-lime twist

Accessories: Spring Bunny Car, Easter Wishes, Slimline clouds dies (CottageCutz), slimline road border die (Lawn Fawn)

I am also entering:

1.  The Cutie Pie Challenge is Easter/Mother's Day. 

2.  Crafty Animals is anything goes with an animal. 

3.  Daisy Chain Challenge is animals. 

4.  Die Cut Divas has an anything goes challenge. 

5.  Four Seasons Challenge is Spring. 

Masculine Birthday

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

It's the start of the weekend. So, I hope you have some fun plans that include some crafting. Or maybe you are celebrating the St. Patrick's Day holiday. We have a big parade downtown tomorrow morning. We don't go because it gets a little rowdy with all the partying that goes on. 

There is also a home show that has been going on since March 8. We did speak with a contractor about doing some updates on our deck. It was on the house when we bought it and the wood now needs replaced. We are going to replace the wood with composite. We are excited for the new look we will have. Looks like work will be started in May.  I will take photos of the completed work and post them here. 

Now onto my card for today. This one I made for my brother for his birthday. I like how it turned out. An outdoor scene makes for a great masculine card. 

I used dies from CottageCutz to create this card. From the Christmas 2023 collection I used the Pine Tree Full, Pine Tree Slim and the Winter Deer dies. The Happy Birthday sentiment is also a die from CottageCutz. I thought cutting it in white cardstock would make it standout on the background designer paper. 

When I assembled the pine trees I splattered a little white acrylic paint. I was after a snowy look. The background designer paper is from Stampin' Up it's a sand shade. 

I think my brother will like this card. He always compliments the cards I send him. Well that's it for me for this post so until next time......God Bless.

I am also entering:

1.  Addicted to Stamps & More has a birthday challenge. 

2.  I Spy with my Little Eye has a something with a "B" challenge. 

3.  The Paper Funday is anything goes w/optional twist of dies. 

4.  Unicorn Challenge is for the boys/men. 

5.  Gem of a Challenge is anything goes. 

   

 

Santa Card

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

Seems like we might be having an early Spring here in Pittsburgh. Our temps have been very mild for the past several days and the Spring flowers are blooming. The deer are already starting to nibble at my hubby's tulips. 

He has a deer repellant spray that he uses that keeps them away, but it has to applied every few days. Today we had rain, so he won't be using any until tomorrow. So hopefully the deer will stay away from our yard tonight. What he uses is actually a fertilizer for the plants, but the deer don't like the smell of it. 

Anyway, onto my card for today. You might be wondering why I am featuring a Christmas card in March. Well, I always intend to make Christmas cards all year round so there is no rush in December, but it never seems to happen. 

Now that I am no longer on the CottageCutz design team I have some extra time on my hands. I am trying to use up the contents of some older Stampin' Up Paper Pumpkin kits. This one is from the October 2022 Ho Ho Ho Kit. 

Everything you need to complete the card comes in the kit. This kit has the Santa, snowflake and Merry phrase die cut pieces. I usually don't follow the kit ideas but for this one I did. It made for such a sweet card, and I can make several others just like it. I thought it would a cute one for several of my nieces with small children. 

Well, that's it for me for this post. So until next time......God bless. As an update on my Feedblitz issues- I have heard nothing yet on the resolution. So, if you're subscribing to my Blog through them, that's why you aren't receiving anything in email. It's frustrating and has been going on for months. 

I am entering:

1.  Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday challenge is anything goes.  

2.  The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge is anything goes. 

3.  Christmas with the Cuties has a Santa or Snowman theme challenge. 

4.  Merry Little Christmas Challenge is anything goes. 

5.  Jingle Belles has a die cut challenge. 

Thanks For Your Hospitality

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog this first Sunday in March. 

It's a beautiful Spring like day here with temps hovering around 64°. We just came back from a 2-mile walk and I thought I would get a Blog post in before it's time to start dinner. I am planning on a salmon dish I made before. It's really delicious and here is a link to Pinterest if you are interested in the recipe.  

I am still having trouble with my FeedBlitz account and this has been going on since October. Customer service has once again escalated to their billing department so I will just have to wait and see what happens.

Now onto my card for today. This one I made as a thank you to send to my neighbor who invited us down to their Florida home for a week's stay. It was a wonderful week of sunshine and warm temps.

I tried a technique I have seen on Pinterest and YouTube. It's called the Fractured Card technique. It's a fun and easy technique. I followed this YouTube video from Lisa Curcio. She gives the measurements to use for each cardstock and designer paper piece you need for this card. Here is the link. 

I used the colors from the Splitcoaststampers color challenge #988. The colors were blueberry bushel and white. Optional was anything goes. I chose to use green for a 3rd color.

The designer paper is from the Stampin' Up "berry delightful" collection. The blueberry images are from the "berry blessings" stamp set. It's a 2-step stamp set, and I think it gave the blueberries a watercolor look. My neighbor does water coloring so she will like this card. 

The sentiment is also Stampin' Up - it's from the Paper Pumpkin "Welcome Inn" kit from June 2023. 

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

Card Details:

Stamps: berry blessings, Welcome Inn (Stampin' Up)

Paper: blueberry bushel, white, berry delightful dsp (Stampin' Up)

Paper Size: A2

Ink: blueberry bushel, night of navy, garden green, granny apple green (Stampin' Up)

Accessories: stitched square die (CottageCutz)

Techniques: Fractured Card

I am also entering:

1.  Die Cut Divas has an anything goes challenge. 

2.  Crafts Galore Encore is anything goes. 

3.  Polkadoodles has an anything goes challenge. 

4.  Creative Fingers has an anything goes challenge. 

5.  C.R.A.F.T. Challenges is female.