Happy Birthday.

Hello.

It's been a while, hasn't it?  No real explanation.  Perhaps it's winter hibernation...

Anyway, it's good to be back and today I'm joining in with CAS-ual Fridays blog for their Shades of Gray challenge.

Here's my card.

The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye (Chalk Studio),  The stamp is from PTI, everything else is from my stash.  I heat embossed the frame and the flower with Zing Embossing Powder (Powder shade), I painted the medallion with DecoArt white acrylic paint then wiped some off while paint was still wet, then heat set it.  I added some shimmery white chalk to the card stock.

Thanks for dropping by...

Ivanka

Gift Tag

Hello...well, it  was inevitable...we're getting our first snow fall.  I don't think it'll stay, but it's starting to look like winter out there.  I just hope I don't have to shovel it.  :(

Today, I'm joining in on the gift tag challenge at CASual Friday Blog and in the sketch challenge at CAS(E) this Sketch.

Here is the sketch:

Here's my tag...

The stamps are from Penny Black (Tree) and Skipping Stones Design (To, From).  I stamped the tree with VersaMark then heat embossed with Holly Berry red/gold embossing powder from Lindy's Stamp Gang.  I also heat embossed all the edgers with Golden Angel Wings also from Lindy's Stamp Gang.  The ribbon, tulle and trim are from my stash.

Thanks so much for dropping by today.

'tis the season

Good Morning,

My Christmas cards continue...today I'm playing along with CASual Friday blog  (CFC79) where the challenge is 'winter blues'. I'm also using the sketch from iSpy Sketches ISSC42:  

Here's my card:

The embossing folder is flourishes by Hero Arts, ribbon is from Offray, sentiment is from SRM stickers, Stickers by the Dozen- Christmas.  The glitter tape is from American Crafts and the ornament tag is from Hobby Lobby.  Yes, I was across the border stimulating the US craft industry!!  Love Hobby Lobby!

Thanks for dropping by today.  Pop in tomorrow for another Skipping Stones Design sketch challenge.

Ivanka

Happy Birthday

Hi there,

Today, I'm joining in on this week's challenge at CAS-ual Friday blog (CFC 77) to make a masculine card and also on this week's sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch (#4).

Here's the sketch:

Here's my card for the two challenges.

My new chevron embossing folder is from Sizzix/Hero Arts, the stamps are from Inkadinkadoo and generously sent to me by my friend Barb.  She is my personal shopper in the US!!  The sentiment is from PTI and the gaffer's tape is from 7 gypsies.

Thanks for stopping in today.  Happy Saturday!

Ivanka

Warm Wishes

I'm feeling a little like the stores that have the Christmas things out and it's not even Halloween yet.  For me, it's a good thing as I tend to procrastinate.  So the more Christmas cards get made now, the better I'm doing!

Today I'm playing along with this week's CAS(E) This Sketch.  Here's the sketch:

Here's my card:

The cardstock is Tim Holtz Kraft Core by Core'dinations.  I used the Quatrefoil embossing folder from The Paper Studio, then sanded down the cardstock to reveal the kraft core.  I cut the circle from the cardstock, but it looked a bit plain to me so I ended up replacing the circle using the opposite side of the cardstock.  The sticker is from Martha Stewart and the sentiment is from Hero Arts.

I'm also playing along with CAS-ual Friday (CFC76) challenge this week to use kraft paper.

Thanks for stopping in...happy Friday.

Ivanka

Merry and Bright

Hello...Today, I'm playing along with Runway Inspired Challenge (ric22). 

Here was the inspiration.

Here's what I came up with.

I know there is a lot of beige in the picture and it looks fabulous, I just couldn't seem to make it work on my card.  The embossing folder is Winter Words from Sizzix, Christmas tree die cut is Snowflake Tree from Memory Box, Sentiment is from SRM and the ribbon is from my stash.

I'm also playing along withe CAS-ual Friday Blog (cfc75) where the challenge is use a tag or an element that goes over the edge of the card.  They also had a huge announcement at CAS-ual Friday Blog...check it out!

Thanks for dropping by.  Hope you're having a wonderful Saturday.
Ivanka

Happy Birthday

The challenge at the CASual Friday blog (CFC 72) this week is to 'toot your own horn' ie...make a card using your blog header as inspiration.

My header came from a card I made a while ago.  I edited the image in Picasa and added my title.  Luckily, I still had some of the flowers I used on my original card.

Here's my card.

The flower sticker is from K&Co., I added some stickels the embossing folder is Quatrefoil from The Paper Studio and the birthday sticker is from SRM.

I'm also playing along with this week's sketch at Retro Sketches (31).  I flipped it and took a few tiny, creative liberties with the sketch.  :)

Thanks so much for coming by to visit.

Thinking about it, it may be time to get a new blog banner.

Ivanka

Happy Birthday

Hello...
This week, Skipping Stones Design is having a blog hop as well as a sketch challenge.  Here is the fun sketch from Kim Kresti:

My card is also based on this week's CAS-ual Friday Blog challenge (CFC 70) to use black and white as well as one other color.

I love how this turned out with the touches of orange.  

The stamp is Sentiment Frames from Skipping Stones Design, I stamped it with VersaFine and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  I colored the flowers with Tombow marker, the gems are from Recollections.  Dry embossing folder is from The Paper Studio, ribbon is from Offray and diamond brad is an old one I've had from One Heart One Mind.

Thanks so much for dropping by today, and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.  I appreciate each and every one.  :)

Ivanka

Halloween Duo

This weeks' challenge at Less is More (week 84) is the dreaded one layer card challenge.  It is dreaded by me because I literally have to stop myself from adding layers and bling and ribbon.  But I persevere with these challenges mainly because it is a challenge, and that's the whole point of it...and because the more I do them, the easier they seem each time.  :)

So here is my one layer card:

I painted the circle freehand with Twinkling H2O's (Ginger Peach) then stamped a Skipping Stones Design pumpkin onto it with StazOn ink.  This is a set from 2006, I think it's retired.  I then painted the pumpkin with Spiced Pumpkin Twinkling H2O's and the leaves with Green Tea.  The sticker is from Jack-o-Lantern from SRM.

My next project is for the challenge at CAS-ual Friday Blog (CFC 69) to use embossing on your card/project.

The tube is from SRM.  patterned paper is from Echo Park, The tag is an old one I found in my drawer from Cuttlebug.  It has the die cut and the embossing folder together making it so easy to use.  I embossed a second tag, painted it with Ginger Peach, cut it out and adhered it with foam adhesive on the tag.  The jute twine is from May Arts and I even set an eyelet for this...fun...I haven't used my eyelets for a long time.

Here is the set.  Fun project to do.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Hope you're having a good start to the week.
Ivanka

Merci

Hi again,

It's hard to believe that September is here again and summer is over.  This year I have one daughter going into grade 11 and one in 3rd year university.  Holy cow...how did that happen??  It really has flown way too fast.

Onto today's card...the challenge this week at CAS-ual Fridays challenge (CFC 68) is to make a CAS back to school project.

For my card, I used the Seeing Spots embossing folder from Cuttlebug.  I punched the window out with a Creative Memories square punch.  The stickers are from SRM, Calendar Companion  and We've Got Your Sticker 'Thanks'.  Ribbon is from Offray.

Thanks for stopping in today.

One Layer Card

I am so not a fan of the one layer card challenges.  I find it hard to stop myself from adding layers and embellishments.  But I decided to take on this weeks LIM week 80 one layer card challenge using things with fur or feathers. and see how it goes.

Keeping it very simple, here is my 3 1/2 x 4" one layer card.

This is also for this weeks CASual Friday challenge (CFC 66) to use something found by the ocean.  I painted the background with Twinkling H2O's (Ginger Peach).  The stamps are Studio G all from the same set, ink is VersaFine.

So...in the end, there wasn't too much pain involved with this one layer challenge. :)
And this will make a cute little card to give a friend in the future.

Thanks for dropping by,
Ivanka

Olympic Fever...

Hello, hope you're enjoying the summer so far.  The weather here has been beautiful...but we've spent a lot of time indoors this past week keeping up with all the Olympic activities!  It's been so much fun.  The gymnastics, swimming and diving are our favorites so far.  So proud of the Canadian women's gymnastics team who came in 5th in the all around competition.  We've never even been in the finals before.  :)

 Here is a great site to check out if you don't have time to watch The Olympics live.

Today, I'm playing along with CAS-ual Friday (CFC63) challenge to use lime, aqua and navy.  This is also for the this week's sketch challenge at Less is More (sketch 78).

I used Cuttlebug's Seeing Spots embossing folder, PTI's scalopped edge die, Offray ribbon, DCWV sticker and SU 'For All You Do' sentiment heat embossed in white.

This card is on it's way to a very special lady, Virginia Lu.  Earlier in the week, I messaged her to see if she could help me out with a couple of SRM stickers that I needed for a project.  Yesterday I find not only the stickers that I needed, but also several others all in one of Virginia's gorgeous cards.  I was really touched and so grateful.  Thanks again Virginia!

Thanks for dropping by today,
Ivanka

Thank You card

One of the best things about the cardmaking/stamping community is that they love to share ideas and techniques. Splitcoaststampers is an amazing resource with the message board/gallery, and a You Tube Channel with over 200 videos just waiting to teach us something new.  This may not be news to many of you, and I probably knew it at some point in the past, but I was so happy to have found the You Tube channel today.  

This card started as a one layer card for this week's challenge on Less is More blog...it really did.  But as I kept going, I found myself adding things and now I'm sure the ladies over at LIM will not be pleased...but I really did try.  At least I used a flourish... :)

I was also inspired this week by the CAS challenge over at the Splitcoaststampers message board, where the challenge is white on white...yup, failed that one too!!  I started out innocently enough being inspired to try sponging by this card.  I fell in love with the card and wanted to learn how...so that's how I found this video on sponging....and I sponged the heck out of my white card...well...it was fun...and therapeutic...I got quite into the sponging...

The stamps are from SU, Elisabeth and sentiment is from 'For All You Do', ink is SU Old Olive.  I stamped with VersaMark then heat embossed with white, then sponged.

Ribbon is from Offray.  I'm also entering this in CAS-ual Friday Blog where the challenge this week is polka dots.  I think I got that one right at least.  :)

Thanks for dropping by,
Ivanka

Hi

I've found a lovely CAS challenge group over on Splitcoaststampers, .  More CAS and more stamping, it's a win/win!  The theme this week is to use alphabet letters.

This is based on this week's Retro Sketch Challenge and I'm also playing along with CAS-ual Friday Blog to use bling.

I painted the background with Twinkling H2O's...yes...I'm going to need a 12 step program to get me move away from my glittering little pots....
The dragonflies are from Recollections, letters are from American Crafts.

Thanks for dropping by today,
Ivanka

Happy Birthday Card

Skipping Stones Design has a color challenge this week.  Here's the inspiration:

And here's my card.

I started by dry embossing the background with a Stampin' Up Elegant Lines embossing folder.  The painted strips were painted with Twinkling H2O's onto watercolor paper.  The heart punch is from EK Success, the sentiment is from Skipping Stones Design, heat embossed in white.  The bling is from Recollections.

This is also for this weeks challenge at CAS-ual Friday blog to put a bling on it!

Thanks for dropping by,
Ivanka

A One Layer Card...

...is so hard to do when you're used layers....matting...ribbon and bling...but a challenge is always good, so here's my shot at it.

And as you can see...I couldn't stop myself from adding just a touch of ribbon...I know...but it's a huge step in the right direction. 

I'm playing along with CAS-ual Friday challenge (feathered friends) and Less is More (One layer card using 3 stamps).

I started out by using my Ancient Page (Lime) ink pad and plopping it right on the card base. The bird stamp is from Stampin Up!, the miss you and heart are from Studio G..  I used Twinkling H2O's to color the bird, flower and heart.  And my rogue ribbon is from Offray.

Thanks for dropping by today...Ivanka

Happy Birthday

Happy Earth Day and Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband!  Almost 25 years of marriage and two wonderful daughters...there are ups and downs...but we are truly blessed...wishing you many, many more.

Here's my card for the occasion....

I used 3 different embossing folders, stamps from Pink Cat Studios (ties) and Papertrey Ink (sentiment), photo turn is from 7 gypsies and brad is from American Crafts..
Today I'm playing along with this week's sketch on CAS-ual Friday blog and the Third Thursday challenge at Crafty Steals Blog, to use brads.

Thanks for dropping by today...Ivanka

Call Me...

CAS-ual Friday challenge blog has a fun challenge this week-Name that Tune.  It had me searching my iTunes library till I found Blondie's Call me...perfect song...just happens to be my ringtone!

Here's Blondie (1980)

And here's my card...

Image is from The Graphics Fairy, (I'm linking this to Brag Monday) printed on notepaper from Michaels.  The sticker letters are from Jenny Bowlin Studio, washi tape is from Maya Road.

This is also based on The Play Date Cafe color challenge, black and white with a splash of brown.

Thanks for stopping by today.
Ivanka

Italy...and a Card!

This is one of the rare times that I wish I was still in grade school.  I have an amazing topic to talk about when the teacher asks...what did you do on March Break...I went to Italy!! :)

My daughter's high school soccer team had the amazing opportunity to travel to Italy, see a prfessional soccer match and actually play soccer in Italy with 2 teams!  It was the trip of a lifetime...and I got to tag along!  

Here are a few highlights...

The Vatican...we attended mass in one of the smaller chapels.  Amazing.

A fountain, somewhere in Rome...

I fell in love with the doors of Italy.  

Trevi Fountain...we made a wish...or two!

The Panteon

Such prettiness everywhere!

Vatican Museum...Breathtaking!

Arch of Constantine

Colosseum

Forum and ruins

Gelato...it's a good thing we did so much walking!

Juliet's balcony, Verona

The purpose of the whole trip...soccer with 2 Italian teams, Milan. We won 1 and lost 1.

Lazise, Lake Garda...I could have stayed here for days but we only had an hour.

And a gondola ride in Venice...priceless!
I'm still in awe...

Ok, back to the real world....(it's hard, though!)

Here's today's card made for the challenge at CAS-ual Friday blog.  The challenge is Bold and Beautiful, to use pastels with black.

Embossing folder is from Sizzix, patterned paper and stickers are from Stampin' UP!.  I bought these at the LSS garage sale so I am guessing they are not current.  Brad is from Making Memories, sticker is from SRM.

Thanks for dropping by, hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Well Behaved Women...

Hi there,

It's been a busy week, but today I managed to sneak away to play along with some challenges.  I started out with CAS-ual Friday CFC41 Jest for the Pun of it challenge. 

The color combo came from Runway Inspired Challenge RIC # 6 

and the sketch came from Clean and Simple Stamping FTL #179

Here's my card:

The hat and sentiment are from Skipping Stones Design, stamped with VersaMagic and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  Dry embossing plate is from Cuttlebug.

The basement is full of teenagers...I'm off to find some ear plugs!

Thanks for dropping by,

Ivanka