Friends...

Happy long weekend! Here in Ontario, we're celebrating Family Day...and with last night's snowfall, we're bonding over shovelling today! Actually it's not that bad, it could have been a lot worse.

Today's card is based on the sketch at Skipping Stones Design. So glad I came across it, it gave me a chance to dig out some of their stamps that I've been neglecting for years. Which is perfect for Oldie Moldie Monday where I try and dig out old supplies and give them some love. This is also for the color challenge on Color Cue (12) challenge on W Plus 9 design blog

Actually, all of my supplies on the card are old, from my stash. The paper is from K&Co., flower is from Prima, gems are from Kaisercraft, and the border die cut is from QuicKutz.

Thanks so much for coming by. Hope you're enjoying the extra day off.
Ivanka

It's melting...

Well, it was another sunny day today...and look most of the snow has melted!!! Although it was one wet walk for our short little Schnauzer!

My card today is for this week's Card Patterns sketch. They're starting their 2nd Anniversary celebration tomorrow. I'm looking forward to all the fun.

Supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill

Patterned paper: (newsprint) Stampin' UP

Stamp: (Flourish, Bliss) Stampin' UP, Sale-a Bration, (sentiment) Papertrey Ink

Ink: VersaMark

Blossoms: Prima

Button: Making Memories.

Thanks for dropping in...hope you're having a great start to your weekend.

CAS Basketball Birthday

Clean and Simple Stamping blog is perfect on nights like this when the creative spirits are not cooperating with me. Their sketches are so easy to work with and the inspiration on the blog usually helps me past the slump.

Here's my card for FTL 127.

The stamp is from Inkadinkadoo, embossing folder is Square Lattice from Stampin' UP, journaling square and chipboard are from Cosmo Cricket and button is from my stash.

Thanks so much for peeking.

Ivanka

Keeping it Simple

Today's card is for a few different challenges...and I'm keeping it simple.

First, it's based on the sketch at Clean and Simple Stamping (FTL 126). It's also for this week's challenge at Create: blog to use doilies on a card. The color inspiration comes from The Play Date Cafe based on the image below.


And here's my card.

The cardstock is Dotted Swiss from Bazzill, the doilie is from Martha Stewart (thank you Barb!), stamp set is Stampin' Up Fun & Fast Notes, baby buggy is colored with Twinkling H2O's, and the ribbon is from Offray.

And lastly, I'm throwing my hat (ie..card) in for the Design Team call at The Shabby Tea Room. I'm following one of my favorite quotes from Wayne Gretzky, "You miss 100 % of the shots you don't take". So I'm taking a shot.

Thanks so much for visiting.

Ivanka

**excited to add that my card was featured on the Create: blog today**

Play Date Saturday

I don't know what it is about The Play Date Cafe challenges, but it's almost like they rip the colors right out of me! The cards that I start out to make don't look anything like the cards that I end up with. And when I'm done, my desk is like a tornado had hit it!

But...that is the whole purpose of participating in the challenge...to get out of my comfort zone and try something new. It's been great for me!

Here is this week's color challenge:

And here's my card:

The background textured cardstock is from K&Co from years ago. I embossed the blue cardstock with Cuttlebug's Victoria embossing folder, the chipboard label is from Magistical Memories. I painted it purple. Flower is from Petaloo, flower center is from Prima, twine is from May Arts, brads are from Making Memories and sentiment stamp is from Papertrey Ink.

Thank you to The Play Date Cafe for being so challenging...I'm loving it.

Ivanka

Be Mine

It's Monday, so it's time to dig into my paper stash and give some love to long forgotten paper. This week, it's Basic Grey's Sugared line...I can't believe I've neglected it, it was one of my favorite lines...but new paper came in and this beautiful paper was forgotten.
This is based on thins week's Get Sketchy #71.

It's Monday so it's time to dig into my paper stash and give some love to long forgotten paper. This week, it's Basic Grey's Sugared line...I can't believe I've neglected it, it was one of my favorite lines...but new paper came in and this beautiful paper was forgotten.

Trying to find my inner shabbiness, I whitewashed the paper, then distressed the edges. The cardstock is from Jillybean Soup, punch out tag is from Pink Paislee. The lace, chipboard heart and stick pin are from Making Memories.

I'm linking this up with the January Challenge at Paper Crafts Flickr group where the challenge is to make a Valentine's Day card and with Wee Memories...where you can free your creativity...anything goes.

Thanks so much for stopping in today. If you ever wanted to join in on Oldie Moldie Monday and use up some forgotten paper, here is our Flickr group. You can upload it anytime.

Clean and Simple Heart...

Hello on this cold Sunday afternoon. Hope you're keeping warm...I'm not planning any expeditions out today so thought I'd play along with Clean and Simple Stamping FTL 124.

The heart is from Stampin' Up, stamped with Real Red Stampin' Up ink, then stamped with VersaMark and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. Die Cut label is Labels 1 from Nestabilities. Label stamp is from Papertrey Ink. Dry embossing folder is from Cuttlebug, boarder punch is from Fiskars, ribbon is from Michaels, Tiny Attacher is from Tim Holtz.

Thanks so much for stoppin' in today.
Ivanka

Saturday

It's another fun Play Date Cafe challenge. These have been so great to do as they are color combinations that I would never bring together, but I'm having a ball trying to get it accomplished.

Here's the challenge:

And here's my card...based on this weeks' Card Positioning Sketch #201

The background paper is from Webster's Pages and is more green than is showing up here. I had the hardest time with lighting today. It must be the reflection of all the snow we're having! The stamp is from Studio G, sentiment sticker is from SRM, ribbon is from WalMart, trim is from the $ store.

Thanks so much for dropping in today...hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Be Mine

Another day, another new challenge/sketch site.
I am really spreading my wings...and it feels good. Each new site has it's own energy and I'm definitely inspired by them...a very good thing in this cold month of January.

Today's card is based on Sketch 22 at Cardabilities. I love this sketch and this card came together really quickly.

The patterned paper is from K&Co. Punch out tag is from Pink Paislee, 3D stickers are from Martha Stewart, ribbon is from Offray.

I'm also entering this into Paper Crafts Blog January Challenge to make Valentine's Day cards, the Wee Memories blog challenge to use ribbon, and Really Reasonalbe Ribbon to use ribbon and hearts on your card. They also have a wonderful giveaway for their one year blogoversary....check it out.

Well, I guess I've put off shovelling long enough...Happy Friday.

Last 2S4Y Sketch/The Shabby Tea Room

Another one of my favorite sketch sites is saying farewell. 2 Sketches 4 You has been a source of wonderful inspiration in the past couple of years and they will be missed.

My card today is based on Kazan's last sketch. I'm also playing along with the Shabby Tea Room where this week's challenge is White and Bright, to use white or cream and only one other color.

The embossing folders are from Cuttlebug, punch out die cut tags are from Pink Paislee. I'm also playing along with Create: Blog where the challenge this week is to use butterflies on your card. The butterfly on my card is a die cut from Sizzlits.

**Woohooo...my card was featured on the Create: blog today.**

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Ivanka

Happy Monday

I am really enjoying playing along with Clean and Simple Stamping blog these last few weeks. It forces me to use a stamp or two...which is good, since I keep collecting them!

Today's card is for this week's sketch FTL 123 The paper is from Pink Paislee, Kraft Doilies are from Maya Road (thanks Barb!) and the stamp is from Papertrey Ink.

I'm am off to run some errands and go out for lunch with friends...hope you have a wonderful Monday.

Play Date Cafe

So today brings two new blog challenges for me...Play Date Cafe where the challenge this week is this color combo: And Wee Memories where the challenge is to use ribbon for a chance to win a May Arts ribbon prize!
And here's my take on both of these challenges using Card Patterns Sketch 98.
The paper is from Webster's Pages, sticker is from SRM, buttons are from Melissa Frances and ribbon is from Offray, die cuts are from Nestabilities.

And do you mind if I share a couple of cards my daughter made? She's home for the weekend and made 2 cards for her roommate's birthdays this week.

I may be a bit biased, but I think they're just beautiful! I'm always amazed and grateful that my girls will once in a while sit at my desk and create. I must have rubbed off on them somewhere along the way!

Thanks so much for dropping by today...Ivanka

Happy Day

Today I'm playing along with a new challenge blog, The Shabby Tea Room. Not sure why I haven't come across this site before, but I'm so glad I did today. So much wonderful inspiration. And while the name of the blog is shabby, the challenge cards don't need to be. This week is a sketch challenge. Here's the sketch:

And here is my take on it. Funny, but this is not the card I set out to make today. I had all kind of shabby, lacy visions, but it was not to be...

The background paper is from We R Memory Keepers, I embossed it with Swiss Dots embossing folder from Cuttlebug. The other patterned paper is from Melissa Frances, the recent Christmas line. The sticker letters are from Making Memories, ribbon is from Offray. The dress is cut out from a Crafty Secrets Girlfriend Journaling Notes. If you click on the home page at Crafty Secrets, there are a ton of free downloads for personal use. I love the 2011 calendar. The sticker letters are from Making Memories, ribbon is from Offray.

We've had a whole bunch of snow today...makes for not such a 'happy day'...

Hope you have a great evening.

Feb. 14th

It's funny how soon after Christmas is over, we get right into Valentine's Day, isn't it? I never used to make cards for Valentine's Day, but with so many wonderful products out that make it easy to create for the holiday, it's just a natural to get drawn in.

Today's card is for Get Sketchy #69 and since it's Monday, it's time for Oldie Moldie Monday where we get to dig into the old paper stash and give some love to long forgotten products.

The cardstock is unknown, I dry embossed it with Victoria embossing folder from Cuttlebug and then sanded a bit to distress. The die cut tags are from Pink Paislee, the 3D stickers are from Martha Stewart and the ribbon is from Making Memories.

Love is in the air...Hope you have a wonderful Monday.

Clean and Simple Thanks

I seem to be having a love affair with Webster's Pages paper lately. I bought a 6 x 6 pack of Seaside Retreat, Nature's Storybook and Garden Gala and I absolutely love it. Can't wait to see their newest release, Spring Market.

Today's card is based on FTL 122 on the Clean and Simple Stamping blog. Love this sketch, so versatile and so easy to create with. This card is also for the January challenge on Inspire Me by Webster's Pages to make a thank you card to thank their DT.

I dry embossed the kraft cardstock with the Victoria folder from Cuttlebug. The Many Thanks stamp is from Stampin' UP, ribbon is from Offray, pearls are from Kaisercraft, scallop border die is from QuicKutz.

Thanks so much for stopping in.
Ivanka

Hello Sunshine

Hello Sunshine...it is cold, but the sun is out. It makes everything seem so much nicer and brighter when the sun is shining.

Today's card is for the challenge at Moxie Fab World's 'Grey is the New Black' and also for Cards Blog: Create to use felt on a card.

This was a challenge for me as I rarely use yellow, but here paired with the grey, I like it a ton. The felt shape is from Fancy Pants Designs, ribbon is from Offray, dry embossing folder is Victoria from Cuttlebug, sentiment sticker is from SRM Press.

Hope there is a bit of sunshine where you are.

Ivanka

My Mind's Eye

Happy New Year! It's hard to believe that it's the beginning of another year, it all goes so fast.

We've had a wonderful Christmas season, very relaxing. We didn't have any family visiting this year so it was quiet. But that was ok as it gave us lots of time to watch our old home movies which I had transferred to DVD. It was so much fun revisiting all the fun times when the girls were little.

So onto today's card. My Mind's Eye is having a challenge on their blog till January 20th. I love MME and had to play along with this challenge. Here's the sketch:



And here's my take on it using MME Lush paper and chipboard letter stickers.

Die cut label is from QuicKutz and was dry embossed with Cuttlebug's script folder. Ribbon is from Offray.

Thanks so much for stopping in today. I hope your year has started off in a good way.
Ivanka

Strictly Stripes

My wonderful friend Barb, spoiled me rotten this Christmas. In my Christmas parcel , she included some simply gorgeous Christmas papers from Pink Paislee and Melissa Frances. I couldn't wait to use them.

With Moxie Fab's latest Tuesday Trigger challenging us to use stripes, that's just what I did. Here's the Trigger:

And here is my card...

The striped paper is from Pink Paislee, the others are from Melissa Frances. Punched label is from Stampin' Up, bird sticker is from Martha Stewart and the sentiment sticker is from SRM.

These are my 'Hello...I didn't get my Christmas cards out in time' cards. Now that the rush is over, I still wanted to send a card to a few friends that I didn't get a chance to before Christmas. I think these will be perfect and hopefully I'll be forgiven!

Hope you have a wonderful evening...Ivanka

One More Thank You...

It seems like I'm in 'Thank You' card mode this week. This one is based on Sketch #96 at Card Patterns and also on FLLC98 at the Flourishes blog to add pearls to your card.


The cardstock is from Jillybean Soup, patterned paper is from Webster's Pages, Many Thanks background stamp is from Stampin' Up, sentiment is from SRM, pearls and butterfly are from Prima and the twine was part of my Christmas gift from my wonderful friend Barb.

Thanks for dropping by today...Ivanka

Clean and Simple Thank You

Today's card is based on the FTL 121 sketch at Clean and Simple Stamping. The only trouble is...there is no stamping on my card. (I hope they are able to forgive me) I had the Prima flowers and Imaginisce brads out from yesterday's card, liked them so much that I used them again. I also made a horizontal card, making the white space smaller.

The papers are from My Mind's Eye (red polka dot) and K&Co (red striped). The black polka dot is a sticker border from Colorbok. Sentiment is from SRM stickers.

I'm quite enjoying these relaxed post Christmas days. I hope you are as well.