Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Twisted Tuesdays is Going on Vacation!


Yes, literally and figuratively.....we are going on Vacation.
Today's Twisted challenge is Word Inspiration. The Word is VACATION.
The Twist is...You must keep your creation simple.

The literal part of this challenge is that we will not have a new challenge next Tuesday (May 22nd). Today's challenge will last 2 weeks. You will have until June 3rd to upload your Simple Vacation creations! Have a safe and Happy Memorial day weekend!

Here's what I came up with:
I wiped the dust off my barrel of little beach themed stamps along with my chalks for this card. I chalked the sky. the sand and sea are made with torn crumb cake and pacific point card stock. I stamped them with stamps from the Itty Bitty Backgrounds set. I love that set. It is so versatile. The label die piece was a last minute addition. I like the way it off sets the pink.

Be sure and visit Twisted Tuesdays Challenge blog. We want to see your Vacation Creations! :)

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Monday, May 21, 2012

My Mystery Card


Hey peoples!
I'm a few days late in posting this. Our mystery image was sent to us by Linda this round. I love Nature images so I was in love with this beauty. I didn't do it justice with my coloring but I like how it turned out.

I used a Sizzix border embossing folder at the bottom. I got this one and 4 others for 4 bucks! Score! I added a little bit of fiber to the brown flower and then added a pink rhinestone. I'm all about altering simple embellishments to make a statement.
I added some stickles to the lone pink flower and then some to each flower middle and the butterflies wings.

Thank you so much for stopping by to see my butterfly garden card....As I have name it. :)

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Friday, May 18, 2012

Totally Pinterest Inspired!


Hello!
The weekend is upon us....are you getting inky or scrappy?

Well, today I made something I've never attempted before....Coaster tiles!!! They are totally an idea I found on Pinterest. :)

 I purposely bought the textured 4"x4" tiles at Lowe's. I wanted my coasters to have character! :)
 My patterned papers come from an In Color paper pack from SU!
 I rounded the corners and distressed the edges with Tim Holtz Tea Dye ink. I also sanded the edges of the papers.
 See all the nooks and dips in them? I love it!
 I stamped each paper with my Circle Circus stamp set (SU!) in chocolate chip ink and Tim Holtz tea dye ink. (for any of you that know me.....this coaster ^^^^^^^^ is my favorite....I wonder why? :)
Also for any of you that know me...or have been in my home....you know that these coasters are going to fit right in!!! Green and Brown....a perfect combination! :D

Supplies used:
4"x4" decor tiles from Lowe's
patterned paper (thin is best)
Glossy finish Modge Podge
Rubber stamps and inks
Sanding block
Sponge dauber
Clear coat poly Spray
Patience for drying process! :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Getting Twisty with a Dueling Darling Kit!


Hi everybody!
Today is Tuesday so you know...that means it's time to get twisted at www.twistedtuesdaychallenges.blogspot.com

This week's challenge is to make a creation with a "chain" of some sort on it. Whether it be a literal metal chain or a row of bling, beads, punches as long as it resembles a chain. (go back to the kid in you when you made paper chains for the Christmas tree!)
The Twist is that your card needs to be tall or long.

Today is also the 15th so if you follow my blog you know that today is when the Dueling Darlings come out of our Crafty Closets and post some yummy goodness for you all to see!
This month for the Dazzlers team, Sweet P (Paola) sent us the most beautiful kit ever!
Here’s what was included in each of the Dazzlers’ kits  :
Ink : Memento Black & Archival Versafine Antique Sepia
Card Stock : Very Vanilla (SU) & White c/s from Wausau Paper Co.
Designer Papers :  from Costco
Accessories : cut out butterflies from Sizzix BigZ Beautiful Butterflies ; pink daisy flower w/ pearl (from Jolee’sBoutique) ;
5 petal silk flower from Michaels ; styled vanilla hardware from (SU Hodgepodge) ; buttons and beads from my stash ;
pink/vanilla gingham ribbon &  polka dotted ribbon from local craft store.

Here's what I made....
 Now, to go along with the Twisted Tuesday challenge...my card has a "chain" of beads on the butterfly and a "chain" of blue paper beads across it. For the twist...my card is 3.5"x6.25".

I absolutely love this image! Great choice Sweet P ;) I so love how everything coordinates in her kit. I added the other die cut butterfly to the envelope.

Here's what our lovely hostesses asked us to do along with our cards......
When you upload and post your May Dueling Darling creation on May 15th , we would also like you to tell us what you love about May. 
 It could be your favorite activity, a special event or a favorite flower that you associate with. We look forward to seeing your offerings!

Well, I love quite a few things about May.
1. My birthday :)
2. Mother's Day (and I don't except combined birthday and Mother's Day gifts...they must be 2 separate gifts! LOL)
3. The pollen is finally starting to dissipate and I can enjoy my flower gardens more! 
4. School is ending. I love my kids being home and being able to be kids!
5. Our first of a few Vacations is coming up! Woooo! Whoooo! 

Well, that's it! I hope you enjoyed my combined challenges today.
I hope you get a chance to visit the other Dueling Darlings blogs. They are listed in my left sidebar.

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina 

Monday, May 14, 2012

Birthday Goodies and a Candy Winner!


Hi!
I hope your week is getting off to an inky or scrappy start! :)

As promised, I'm back with a few pics of my birthday goodies along with what I got for Mother's Day AND...............my Birthday Blog Candy Winner!

First off, here's some beautiful cards I got for my birthday...
These card are from my kids, my hubby and some dear crafty friends :) thank you so much!

Now, hubby did good this year....I asked for stamp $$$ and he delivered! LOL
Then as I was in Kirkland's before my birthday supper, I found this beauty!!!
 (sorry for the wonky pic) This gorgeous piece of wall decor is going on my dining room wall. I fell in love with the giant chipboard letters and how they were decorated. When my mom saw this she said "that's you". :)

Mother's Day
This cute card is from my kiddos. They are so sweet. The plant behind is an indoor mini rose bush. I've been wanting one of these for a long time. I got this beautiful pink one for Mother's Day!

My Sweet Mama 
 Along with me giving my mom a Mother's Day card....she gave me one too!
I think she did a lovely job! thank you Mama!

NOW

WHAT

YOU

REALLY

WANTED

TO

SEE

the winner of my birthday blog candy is.........




Here's her "PILE"!
There's stuff on top of stuff. To see the complete list of things included in her pile go here.
Congratulations Diane! I hope you enjoy your Candy. :)
Thanks to everyone that left a comment! I appreciate you.

Have a great day!

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Happy Mother's Day!


Hello!
Happy Mother's Day to you.
...and Happy Mother's Day to my Mama. I love YOU! :)

I am sharing with you today a project I wanted to "take on". I'm not a big "altered item" crafter. Cards and Scrapbooking are mostly it. But, there was an idea that popped in my mind for our "Church Mamas". Many of you know my husband is a Minister. We Pastor a small church in a neighboring town. We are a very close knit bunch of folks. Last Mother's Day I got each of our Church Mama's a small jar candle. This year though, I wanted to give them something, by me. I am working even harder than usual this year at the old saying "Better to give......". I want to be a blessing. A song popped into my head as I thought about this...."If you want less lonely and a lot more fun, need satisfaction when the day is done, throw your heart wide open and GIVE IT AWAY" (Gaither Vocal Band, Southern Gospel).
So, I went to work. Here's what I came up with. Mind you it is small, but it is made by me for the wonderful ladies that do so much for me and my family.....

 I got mini composition books and decorated them using a couple different packs of Stampin Up! designer series paper, some white satin ribbon and a stamped image (lucky limeade ink) punched with oval punches.
Then, they had to have a pen to go along with the notebook so I used matching designer series paper to fill the pen and attached a sheer blue polka dot ribbon to the top.
 I had enough of the paper left (I got my measurements down to a science to keep from wasting any of it.....I'm a paper hoarder! :) to make chipboard flower magnets to go with the notebooks and pens. I used my Bigz L Fun Flowers Stampin Up! die to cut the chipboard and the paper (ran through the Big Shot). I used 2 circle punches for the middles and added a flat back pearl to each. I sanded the edges of the chipboard with a sanding block and then inked all the edges with Soft Suede ink and my sponge dauber. On the back of each magnet I wrote "Happy Mother's Day 2012".
Then, I added all three (1 magnet per baggie) to a goody bag filled with life savers and a small box of assorted chocolates. Yummmmm
I tied the bags up simply with white baker's twine.
I hope the Church Mamas like them!

I'm not original, I know. These have been done before and you've seen them LOTS better :)
But, it's my way of showing our church family how much they mean to us.
I learned that even though it was a size-able task, as far as the amount of things to cut and assemble....it was all worth it.

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a great day!

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Saturday, May 12, 2012

What a Great Birthday!


I wanted to post and say what a wonderful birthday it has been.
I am honored to have such wonderful family members and friends.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your cards and goodies you have sent.
I have felt such love, it has overwhelmed me to tears......great BIG happy tears. I will try and get pictures of my cards and goodies posted in the next couple of days.

Also, if you commented on my Birthday blog candy post, thank you. The goodies for that got up to A LOT. My daughter will be drawing the name for the winner tomorrow. I will have a picture of all the "Candy" and winner's name posted along with the post I mentioned above.

Thank you, Thank you for visiting my little place in cyber space. You are appreciated.
Hugs to you all!

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Would Anyone Like Some Birthday Candy?

Hello!

THIS POST WILL STAY AT THE TOP UNTIL MAY 12TH.
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR NEWER POSTS (if you've already entered for a chance at my GROWING blog candy that is :)

It's time again for a Twisty Challenge!
I hope to see you there. We are celebrating my birthday at Twisted Tuesdays this week. We want to see your birthday creations and the twist is to use one of my favorite embellishments ~ Ribbon. :)
I can't wait to see what you create!

To go along with this theme....I'm giving away some blog candy here on my personal blog. My birthday is Saturday. For every comment on this post (1 comment per person please) or new follower to my blog I receive by Saturday at Noon (central time), I will add something to this:

We're starting off with:

*1 bottle of gold stickles
*1 roll of Martha Stewart "Best Wishes" ribbon
*1 box of 72 Alphabet Brads by Colorbox

If you are not a follower, be sure to become one and leave a comment. That puts 2 new things in the candy "pile"!! If you are already a follower......THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR VISITING MY LITTLE PLACE IN CYBER SPACE. YOU ARE APPRECIATED! Now, leave a comment to get something added to the pile!!!! :)
The only other requirement is to spread the word! The more people that comment and become new followers the more goodies will be added to the candy "pile"!!!

Here's the spot where I'll be listing new goodies:

*added 1 sheet of 20 Studio 112 Adhesive Pearls!
*added 5 stamped Birthday Riley images!
*added a pack of 25 star brads!
*added a pack of 10 white chipboard flowers!
*added 4 yards of chocolate hemp twine!
*added 1 new white gel pen by Gelly Roll!
(here's a pic of the above additions to the pile)

*(new follower) added a pack of 15 acetate/transparent accents, 5 gold glitter brads by SU! and 4 clear SU! buttons!
*added 8 - 6"x6" pieces of paisley DCWV shimmer accents card stock!
*added 1 pack of approx. 50 die cut flowers and circles in greens, red, orange and blue! (Happy Birthday to Diane!)
 *added 6 stamped House Mouse images (Make a Wish)!
*added a foot of 1" white crochet lace! 
*added pack of Creative Memories patterned paper (I think 4.25"x6.25") 
*added 3 yards of Lucky Limeade baker's twine
*added 8 Prima Flowers 
*added 4 stamped Whipper Snapper Koala Birthday images! 
* (new follower) added 1 pack of 6 Jolee's boutique cupcake 3D embellishments!

I will post a picture of all the "Pile" and the winner soon!

~ ADDING TO THE PILE IS NOW CLOSED! ~
********************************
I will put all the names in a container and have my daughter draw this weekend.
Thank you so much for visiting here and at Twisted Tuesday Challenges. LOVE YA! :)

Melina

Saturday, May 5, 2012

I'm So Behind!!!!


Yes, I'm so behind I'm combining challenges!
I am in a couple blog groups on SCS. The last day of the month I am too post a creation for a Crafters of Faith challenge. On the 5th of the month, I'm to post for the Crafty Gals blog group. Well, I've been so sick that I just haven't felt like getting things done.....and that doesn't just apply to crafting. LOL
I've felt bad for a over a month. Ugh....being sick stinks. But, I've made myself get into my craft room.

The Crafters of Faith challenge was hosted by Olga. She wanted to see a 5x7 card for Mother's with a die cut.
The Crafty Gals challenge is hosted by Tracie. She wanted to see a creation for someone we love using at least 3 layers, 2 embellishments and 1 sentiment.

Here's what I came up with for both...

You know me...the Clean and Simple lady....I barely got the 3 layers in (and they're not full layers!). My circle and scallop behind are my die cuts. I hope a name counts as a sentiment! LOL
My embellishments are melon mambo polka dot ribbon (I'm hoarding this retired stuff!) and some pretty pink flowers I got in a package from Darlene this week (hiya Sweetie! Thank you). I added some green pearls to the middles and that's it!
I've never made a 5x7 size card before. Thank you Olga for getting me out of my comfort zone! I enjoyed it. :)

Thank you for stopping by.
I hope you can stop by the other Crafty Gals blogs today and see what they made!

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Let's Get Twisty with a Sketch!

Hello!
I hope your week is getting off to a great start!

It's Twisty Tuesday! We hope to see you there for a new challenge this week.

It's a sketch.....I love sketches....do you?

 I drew out a sketch (I stink at drawing) and Patty Gorka came to my rescue! She made this computer generated sketch from my drawing. Thank you Patty!!!! :)

The Twist this week......You have to use Pearls on your sketchy creation.
Here's mine:
I used a stamp by studio g. I used rich razzleberry, lucky limeade and memento black inks and added my pearls to the butterflies on the popped up panel.

Let's see what you create for our challenge this week! Head on over to Twisted Tuesday Challenges

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina