A nice surprise...

My Father's Day nautical card collaboration with DH (we'll call him Steve....) won a prize on Moxy Fab World yesterday! What a nice surprise. Hope he doesn't get a swelled head over this...or worse...want to split the prize package!!

If you haven't checked out Moxy Fab World, it's a great place with lots of inspiration and great challenges. Cath Edvalston from Paper Crafts Magazine finds the neatest trends to share and gives tons of inspiration on incorporating those trends into paper crafting cards/projects.

Today's card was sent to me by my ultra-talented friend Wendi for my birthday. She always amazes me with her creativity and her talent. That's why it's so hard to make a card for her birthday just a few short weeks after mine! I gotta get my thinking cap on!! Thank you Wendi.

It's cold and rainy here today...hope it's a bit nicer where you are...

Thanks for visiting,
Ivanka

Nautical Father's Day Card

So I have to admit that husbands can come in handy for cardmaking ideas at times!! I was stuck on ideas for FIL's card this year, so I asked the big guy if he had any ideas...and he did! The idea to use an old nautical chart for FIL card was perfect. He's an avid sailor and I think will really like the card.

The stamp is from Anna Griffin, charm is from Frost Creek Charms, Cuttlebug embossing folder.

I may have to ask for 'creative input' more often!

Thanks for poppin in,
Ivanka

Survived the weekend!

This is one of the few times that I can say that I'm glad the weekend is over. This was recital/concert weekend! Two dance schools and a music school all scheduled their end of the year recital/concert on Sunday June 14! What are the chances??!!

It was a bit tricky getting everything organized, but we tackled the day and now I'm glad it's Monday! It's too bad they were all on the say day, we were so rushed running from one event to the next, that we didn't really enjoy it all. We ended up ordering the DVDs of the dances so we can watch them again and enjoy them without the stress this time.

This door hanger is for the Caardvarks Depth Perception Challenge. I had a few of the door hangers left from when the girls used to do crafts. I covered it with My Mind's Eye, 29th Street Market paper. I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder on Grandma's Kitchen paper from We R Memory Keepers. The image is Cotton Scraps from Crafty Secrets, chipboard is from Maya Road, flower is from Petaloo, buttons are (green)Basic Grey, (silver) Melissa Frances.

Thanks so much for dropping by. Check out the DT all the entries for this challenge on Caardvarks. There is some seriously gorgeous inspiration over there.

Ivanka

Saturday Afternoon...

...and there are 7, 13 year old girls in the pool! Yup 7 of them! Julia's been friends with most of them since Kindergarten, but what I want to know is when did they get so tall and so big? They've all grown up so fast.

I snuck away for a few minutes and so here I am sharing a card for Kazan's sketch 28 on 2S4Y.
Very fun sketch to play with. The top 30 is selected in their 1st anniversary card showdown and they're all such talented cardmakers. The weekly sketches are continuing too...so much fun going on over there.
I used My Mind's Eye, Wild Asparagus paper, and Fancy Pants paper for the label, which is a QuicKutz die cut. The letters are from American Crafts. The butterfly is a Sizzlits die cut.

Thanks so much for stopping by...off I go back to the screaming, giggling bunch in the pool!

Ivanka

Card Patterns #18-Take 2

Good Morning, it's Friday. What do you have in the works for today? I'm not sure what we're up to here, Julia has a PA day so is off from school, but is still sleeping...today I'm following the adage "let sleeping teenagers sleep", so it's still nice and quiet around the house. It's a beautiful morning out there so I definitely want to get out and enjoy it.

The card I'm sharing today is based on this week's Card Patterns sketch again. I liked this sketch so much that I did it twice! It really is a great sketch and it helped me get this birthday card made for a friend.

The paper is from Fancy Pants Design, I just love the bright summery colors. I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder, Nestabilities die, Hero Arts Happy Birthday stamp and Martha Stewart cupcake.

Hope you're enjoying whatever you're doing today. Thanks for dropping by...Ivanka

To Love and Be Loved (CPS #119)

Have you ever noticed that there and 'card' people and there are 'non-card' people?? By that I mean that there are people who really appreciate a hand made card and those who just say 'oh that's nice', they like them, but that's as far as it goes. (I've heard that DH's can sometimes be like that!)

Yesterday, I met a new 'card' person and it's just so nice to have someone truly appreciate your cards. I sometimes bring a box of cards to work with me and leave them on the counter for anyone that comes by. I've had great response to my box in the past, but yesterday my new 'card' person came by and was truly happy to have found my box. She bought 5 cards.

It made my day.

So today is a day to myself, to catch up around the house and to create...I need more cards to fill up my box.

I made this card using CPS sketch 119. Love this sketch, very fun to work with. I used textile texture Cuttlebug embossing folder, My Mind's Eye Bohemia paper, Fancy Pants Delight Cards and Prima Flowers.

Thanks for stopping by...Ivanka

Card Patterns Sketch 18

It's so nice to be able to get some much needed cards made using challenge/sketch blogs. Here's another Father's Day card done using Card Patterns sketch 18.

I've had the quote saved for quite a while and it's nice to finally use it. Sorry but I don't know who it's by to give credit. I used Cuttlebug's argyle embossing folder, buttons from Melissa Frances, sticker letters from Making Memories, rub on from American Crafts, BoBunny dotted paper and We R Memory Keepers Grandma's Kitchen paper (blue).

Thanks for stopping by...Ivanka

Cuttlebug Challenge/Father's Day

Isn't it nice when you come across a challenge and you instantly know what you're going to create for it?? I love it when that happens.

This week, I needed to make some Father's Day cards so when I came across this weeks challenge at Cuttlebug Challenges to use your Basic Grey stash, I was a-grinnin'! Little did they know that I had a tidy little stash of BG dating back several centuries! (Yes, I am that old!)

This image (that I love!) is from Crafty Secrets Summertime Images and Journal Notes. I thought it was just perfect for a Father's Day card. Isn't that the coolest looking car? I used BG Motifica (a blast from the past, that's for sure!), Argyle embossing folder, Stampin' UP hardware and Rebecca Sower sticker letters. Love those, I'm so glad I still had some. They are perfect here.

Here I used Motifica and Aged and Confused BG paper, Argyle embossing folder and another Crafty Secrets image that is so perfect for a Dad card. The stickers and adhesive tags are from Rebecca Sower again. Check out Rebecca's Blog, she still amazes me with her talent. She was the first artist that made me look around for something to alter and to think outside the box.

Digging deep into the stash again, I came up with this sticker from Scissor Sisters. I don't believe they're around any longer, but I did come across some of their things on eBay. They were neat vintage images. I used Motifica BG again and a script embossing folder.

I have to thank the Cuttlebug Team, they got me using my stash and getting some much needed cards made. Thank you ladies!

2 Sketches 4 You Ultimate Card Showdown

Oh my, the weeks just fly don't they?! Holy cow, I blink and the week is gone. It's been a busy one but I did manage to get everything done on my 'to do list' on Thursday so that I could sneak in a manicure/pedicure on Friday. What a nice treat...I was using up last years gift certificate that Steve and the girls gave me for my birthday. So now I have pretty toes!!

I also managed to sneak some time for creating. I wasn't sure I would have time but I really wanted to join in on the 1st Annual 2 Sketches 4 You Ultimate Card Showdown. Have you visited the site lately? The prizes they have lined up are amazing! Not to mention all the card inspiration over there is truly out of this world!

Here is my card for the 2S4Y Ultimate Card Showdown.

Cardstock: Bazzill Dotted Swiss
Patterned Paper: Grandma's Kitchen, We R Memory Keepers
Image: Childhood Images & Journal Notes, Crafty Secrets
Velour trim: Making Memories
Flower: Prima
Twine: May Arts
Rubber Stamp: Stampin' UP!
Ink: ColorBox
Sticker Letters: Making Memories
Rub on sentiment: QuiKutz
Other: Button, lace, chipboard heart, sand paper

Thanks for stopping by. Good luck to everyone who entered the Card Showdown! I'm excited to see what the next few weeks bring! Some amazing card that's for sure!

June already??

I cannot believe that it's June already...where have the last few months gone?? The months are just flying by!

The weather today is not very June-like, it's cool and windy. It really feels like April weather. Oh well, summer will come, soon I hope.

This is my card for the May image swap on Cuppas and Cards . It is such a cute image and it was a bit of a challenge for me since I'm not a huge stamper (or a very good color-er!) but it turned out not too badly. I used Twinkling H2O's to color the image, everything else is from my stash.

Thanks for popping by...

Christmas in May

Strange but true...it has happened right here at my house. I made Christmas cards in May!

I recently came across this blog: Christmas Cards All Year 'Round, and it just happened. Once I got all the Christmas paper and embellishments out, it was actually fun! One of the problems when making Christmas cards is that I always leave it to the last minute. But doing them now, with no deadline looming, was very refreshing. The challenge for this month is to use flowers on your cards. This seemed hard at first, but when I started digging through my stash, it turns out I had quite a few flowers I could use on Chrismas cards.

The first card is based on sketch # 16 at Card Patterns. Love this sketch and may have to make another card with it this week.



The paper is from Anna Griffin, sticker is from K&Co., flowers are from Prima, rub on is from Making Memories and rhinestones are from Creative Imaginations.

The rub on her is from Imaginsce, trim, flower and tree are from Making Memories, glittery flower is from Prima.

The gorgeous paper here is from Kaiser Craft, tag and trim are from Making Memories, felt poinsettia is from Hero Arts.

I don't think I have any more of this paper, but I think it's from Flair Designs (??), sticker image is from Penny Black, ribbon is from May Arts.

Sticker here is from Violette Stickers, flower and metal sentiment are from Making Memories.

***Please Note*** No 12 x 12 sheets of paper were harmed in the creating of these cards...all paper came from my scrap box!!

Thanks for dropping in today. Hope you have a wonderful week.

LSS garage sales...

Do any of the stores around you have garage sales? The Memory Keeper in Hamilton has one twice a year. I love them, they're a great way to get rid of supplies that I haven't used and will probably never use. The spring one is this weekend and I dropped 3 boxes of 'stuff' off earlier in the week.

I usually don't go shopping at them, don't want to be tempted. Except for yesterday...in I went and...boy was it a lot of fun!!! The saying 'one girls junk is another's treasure' is so true! I got some amazing deals. Lots of gorgeous ribbon, some great stamps (never used) and some other great little embellishments. I hope most of my stuff sells then I can use my store credit on new 'stuff'!

Today's card is simple, using some more old supplies. I'd almost forgotten how much I love this DaisyD's paper. It is simply gorgeous. Did I hear that they're no longer around?
The trim is from Making Memories, large flower is from the $ store, small one and bling is from Prima.
Hope you're enjoying the weekend.

Paint Crazy!

I'm not sure how it happened. I guess it started with the background paper, the chipboard flower was next...then the button got it!! Nothing was safe from my paintbrush today!!

I made this for Kazan's sketch #26 on 2S4Y and I had a ball making this. I should get the paints out more often and just play!!

The paper is from Junkitz, chipboard is from Magistical Memories and stickers are from Scenic Route.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a Fabulous Friday.

Ivanka

ps...try painting something this weekend...and I don't mean walls...

Old meets new...take 2

I'm really enjoying the trip back through the 'vintage' papers in my stash this week. I'd forgotten how much I like those colors and patterns.

I made this card for the sketch challenge on Our Creative Corner. Check out their designer samples if you have a chance. They are soooo talented over there.

The stamp is from Hero Arts...definitely the 'old' in this card. I heat embossed the image and even though I haven't used it in a really long time, I still like it a lot. The paper is from The Paper Loft (brown), Sandylion (script) and Graphic 45 (Paris). Hardware is from Stampin' Up!, ribbon is from Making Memories.

Thanks for dropping by.

Bright and Cheery Birthday

Hello everyone...I hope all the mom's out there had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday. It's nice to be spoiled once in a while, isn't it?! I had a great day, got some nice gift certificates, great coupons for help with housework and a wonderful dinner cooked by dh. It was a very relaxing day.

My bright and cheery birthday card today is for the challenge on Card Positioning Systems, sketch #115. It was a very easy and fun sketch to work with. The paper I used is from We R Memory Keepers, the top is embossed with Cuttlebug embossing folder, the trim is from the $ store, die cut flowers are from Sizzlits, sentiment is from Studio G and letter stickers are from Making Memories.

Thanks for dropping by. Hope you're having a good start to your week.

Sharing an umbrella...

It's been the weirdest day weather-wise today. It stared out rainy, then it was sunny, then we had several thunderstorms pass through, then tons of wind and now it's darned cold. All that weather has made it nice to stay in and create.

I made this card for a challenge on Moxy Fab World. The challenge is to make an encouragement card using something rainy day related. I came across this sentiment a long time ago, but never had the opportunity to use it. When I saw this challenge and found the 3D jelly sticker (at the $store!) I knew it would be the perfect time to use the sentiment. And it's a perfect card for our neighbours, the husband is in the hospital and not doing very well.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you're haveing nicer werather than we are...Ivanka

Design Elements...

I have a box that I keep in the cupboard full of 'design elements'. In there I keep all kinds of 'things' that I've tried on previous cards/projects but for one reason or another it just wasn't working. So they become 'design elements'. Really they're just 'leftovers' but labelling them 'design elements' sounds so much more appealing, don't you think?? And every once in a while, I dig through the box and pull some little gem out and suddenly the stars align and that design element ends up becoming part of a new creation. I've used a few of these 'gems' in my cards today.
Love the Cosmo Cricket paper, it's so soft and pretty. The sticker is from PSX on Creative Imaginations script paper. Ribbon is from Offray.

Have I told you of my love for PSX stickers? I think they're so pretty on cards, but since PSX isn't around any longer, the stickers are getting harder to find. So sad.

This Penny Black sticker has been in the box for a while, I never knew what to do with it. I'm glad to finally be able to use it on a card.

The 'grandma' has been in the box for a while too, but here I think it is so pretty with the Crate Paper and Martha Stewart ribbon.

Nothing from the box here, just using up some older Crate Paper.

And another great thing about these 'design elements' is that when I package them up and sell them at the LSS garage sale, they go like hot cakes!!

Do you keep any leftovers to try and use again?

Baby Boy time...

I needed a few baby boy cards so I sat down and made a bunch to have on hand. It turned out to be a good time to dig into my stash and use up some older supplies.

Here the felt embellishments are from Martha Stewart (they're actually new), paper is from My Minds Eye-Bohemia, sentiment is from the $ store, painted white.

Here the paper is from Crate Paper, image is a sticker from Melissa Frances, button is also from Melissa Frances and the scallop die cut is from QuicKutz.

The paper here is from Making Memories, Circle scallop punch is from Marvy, dimensional paint is from Tulip, sticker is from Melissa Frances, sentiment is from $ store.

This paper is from Daisy Bucket, and metal embellishment is from Making Memories.

It felt really good to use some of my stash on these cards. I wish I could keep going and keep using old supplies...but the new papers are calling out to me...and I need to use them before they get to be 'old supplies', right??!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Scrap-y Monday

Mondays sure come around often don't they?? How does that happen?? At least it was a beautiful day today. We just came in from a walk, the dog loved running around in the park and they had just cut the grass today so it really felt (and smelled!) like almost summer. It seemed like the whole neighborhood was out tonight. It's so nice to see the neighbors after a winter of hibernation.

The reason it's a scrap-y Monday is because this mini card was made from the scraps sitting on my table. The paper is from We R Memory Keepers, flower is from Prima, stem is from Sizzix, flower middle is a sticker from K&Co., the stamp is from Maya Road, rub ons are from Karen Foster and Deja Views.

I actually love making mini cards...I should remember to make more of them. It's a great way to use up scraps.

Hope you're having a nice evening.

Saturday...

So not much happening around here. It's National Scrapbook Day and I've seen a lot of activity on line but had no time to participate. But at least I can say that the neglected house is now clean, the pile of laundry is done and I even got a few minutes to create. Not a bad day after all. Now if I can talk 'you know who' into taking me out for dinner, it'll be a perfect day.

For my 'Mom' card, I used some gorgeous satin ribbon I recently got at a great little store called Write Impressions. As well as beautiful ribbon, the store is filled with beautiful cards, wrapping paper and unique gifts. I get inspired as soon as I step through the door. The patterned paper is from We R Memory Keepers and American Crafts. I cut the flourish (Sizzix) from Tim Holtz grunge board and painted it white. The flowers are from Prima.

Thanks for dropping by. Hope you've had an inspirational kind of day.