Diane, Diane, She's Our Gal!

Hi!

I'm here (a day late, sorry) to share my creation for the Crafty Gals blog group challenge. Each month we honor one of our members by CASEing them. :)

This month it is Diane's turn to be honored. She has so many wonderful creations on her blog. I chose this card to draw inspiration from: "Punches Galore".

Here's my card:

I made the grass using the ink lid technique with Old Olive ink and my blender pen.

I used all Stampin' Up! products for this card.

Stamp set: Too Kind

Inks: Crisp Cantaloupe, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango

Card stock: White, Old Olive, Crisp Cantaloupe Coredinations

Other supplies: decorative label punch, linen thread, pearls, blender pen, rounded corner punch, stamp-a-ma-jig, sanding block

Thank you Diane, for being a part of the Crafty Gals Blog Group! :)

I am also entering this card in the SU! Only Challenge ~ A Favorite Sentiment

I love this sentiment when sending a thinking of you card.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina

Sharon, Sharon, She's Our Gal!

It's time again for the Crafty Gals Blog group to honor another member.

This month it's Sharon's turn. Sharon is a girl after my own heart. She loves using nature as inspiration in her cards. In other words, she like flowers. So do I. This was a treat for me to CASE her style.

Just look at how many cards are in this one post! "Good times....Great Friends"

I love her use of the Secret Garden stamp set and patterned papers. I don't use enough patterned paper, I'm trying, but Sharon inspired me to use it on my card this time....

Believe it or not, this is my first time using the wood grain embossing folder from SU! I had to take it out of the package....for shame. :) I decided it would be a good natural element to go along with my nature inspired creation.

Thank you Sharon for being a Crafty Gal! Love and hugs!

I can't wait to visit the other Gals to see how they were inspired by Sharon.

I used the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches #102

Clean is their game over at FMS and that's why I like playing there.......it challenges me not to distress the edges of my card stock or ink them or tear it or crumple it..... *giggle*

Thanks for visiting my blog. Comments are very much appreciated!

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina

Colorfully Clean and Simple

This week at SCS we are having a colorful CAS challenge. We are inspired by a Pinterest pic.

Come check it out! :)

Here's what I created:

Here's the pic:

I like that I was able to add all those card stock layers and still keep it CAS. The telescoping layers remind me of an old movie theater sign.

thanks for stopping by!

I am entering my card in the following challenges:

CAS-ual Fridays ~ Over the Edge (my banner is over the edge of the layers)

Cupcake Craft Challenges ~ Not for Flowers

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina

Secret Garden Congrats!

Hello!

I forgot to share this card that I created for Barb's (SCS) Congratulations swap a few weeks ago.

I love my new SU! Secret Garden stamp set and dies.

I colored the flower with my Spectrum/Noir markers.

I like the clean look of this too. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina

This Challenge Smells Great!

Hello!

I'm "crafty refreshed"!

I got home last night from a 3 day retreat. I got 26 pages finished and 4 cards. I love when I get crafting accomplished!!!

I wanted to share with you the card I made for this week's CAS challenge over on SCS. Our theme this week is "that smells great". I chose to use flowers since all my flowers around the house smell wonderful right now (even though some make me sneeze! LOL).

I love the SU! set Secret Garden. Well, that isn't so shocking since I love Nature themed stamps :)

I hope you can join us with your CAS creation this week!

I also entered my card at:
Shopping Our Stash ~ Scraps Only
 Tuesday Throwdown ~ Smell the Roses

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina

Well, Hello Hexagons

Hi everybody!

This is a card I made for the SCS CAS challenge this week. It is a sketch challenge (I love those). I have the SU hexagon (honey comb) embossing folder....I have had it since it came out.....and just never used it. Well, I wish I would have done it sooner. I love that thing :)

Here's how I used it:

The panel  is popped up on dots. The sentiment is punched out with the oval punch. I made some little berries with my melon mambo marker. I also stamped off on my grid paper before stamping the fainter leaf images to give dimension.

I have this stamp set, Leaf Lines. It is retired. I just can't let it go. I love the sketch like leaves in the set. If you know me, you know I love Nature stamps anyway. Yes, I think this set will stay in my collection for years and years to come. :)

I am also entering my card in the following challenge:
Crafty Creations #218 No patterned paper

Thanks for stopping by today!

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina

Getting Krafty and Recycling!

Hiya!

I hope you're able to come play at Twisted Tuesdays this week.

www.twistedtuesdaychallenges.blogspot.com

You have 2 more days to enter!

We're getting Krafty (use kraft paper) and Recycling (use recycled item on your creation.

Although I wasn't able to make a new creation for this challenge (hubby is still home from having surgery and I just haven't been able to hide in my craft room!), I am posting this card that I made a few months ago. I don't think I've shown it on my blog yet. If I have forgive me. I'm all over the place this week!!! LOL

Now you may be wondering "Where's the recycled items?". Well, the cream circles were sitting on my desk from a project I never used them on. Instead of throwing them away at the time, I left them on my desk (I don't throw anything away! LOL). This was one of my first attempts at accordion folded rosettes. Whatcha think? :)

Be sure and check out the Design Team's creations at the Twisted Tuesday blog!

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina

Marrying Stamp Sets

Hi!

I hope you had a great week and are now looking to get inky this weekend! :)

Here's a card....another one that I found on my computer that I never put on my blog. I don't know what's going on with me? Where's my head? Oh well, found it and now it's here...

One of my favorite things to do with SU! stamp sets is to use multiple sets on one creation.

I like mixing and matching them up.

For this card I used the set Just Believe for the flower stem and sentiment and the set Mixed Bunch for the flower (it's one of the middles stamps). I stamped it in real red ink on Natural White c/s and cut it out.

The flower center is my favorite on this card. I have these filigree brads hoarded up. I love these things and never use them b/c I LOVE them :)

All of this, I stamped on a piece of Natural White c/s that I ran through my Big Shot with the Labels Collection framelits. I added some real red satin ribbon behind that and then some paper piercing and faux stitching with my white gel pen to the corners of the bashful blue c/s.
I sent this card (yes, I actually mailed a card! :) to my SU! demo (and former Upline, when I was a Demo), Beth. Along with my check for a recent order......YAY! I left the inside blank for her. I usually do this if I mail a card to a fellow paper crafter. I just put a post it note inside to say what I want and leave the card for them to use.

Oh well, I hope you got some kind of inspiration from this little card today.
Have a wonderful day and thank you so much for stopping by!

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

For the Funny Kiddos!

Hello people!

It's Spring Break around our house....YEA!!!!!!!!!! I love that our kids don't have to get up at 6AM. I also like that I don't have to get up that early! LOL.....we are so looking forward to the Summer :)

Well, it's Tuesday and time for a new Twisted Tuesday Challenge.

*This week we want to see creations for kids.

*The Twist ~ You must include a funny sentiment.

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

Now, I will be the first to say this challenge was a BIG challenge for me. I don't have any "silly" sentiments. Believe me....I was on my hands and knees in my closet looking.......I don't have any!

I did find this SU! set that has some "punny" sayings in it. (SU! stamp set "It's The Thought") After I stamped the giraffes....posing all silly I might add, I added some spots to them and their frames. Then added the "long time no see" circle.

I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with for this challenge! I want to laugh out loud!!!! :)

Make sure and check us out at www.twistedtuesdaychallenges.blogspot.com

Other awesome challenges I am entering:

This card also goes along with yesterday's CAS challenge at SCS ~ at the Zoo.

I used the sketch found this week at the sweetest thing ~ Sweet Sunday Sketch 157

Thank you so much for stopping by The Crafty Scrapper!

Have a great day.

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina

Twisty Colors!

Hi!

It's Tuesday...so that means it's time for a Twisted Challenge!

This week we're getting Twisted with the colors, Green, Pink and Red. Your project needs to include these colors. *The Twist is you also have to include 3 brads and 1 ribbon.

Here's what I came up with...

Now, when I was creating this card, I felt it was done before I added the brads! I didn't want to add them as a matter of fact. I feel they are way too big for this layout. Oh well, a challenge is a challenge and I had to. So, what do you think? Be kind.....;~)

My two stamp sets come from SU!

~ Watercolor Trio

~ Just Believe

My shades of green, pink and red are:

~ Lucky Limeade

~ Real Red

~ Pretty in Pink

Thank you so much for stopping by! Please check out what the other Team members created at Twisted Tuesdays!

Come on....you know you wanna....

Come play with us!

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina

Punches of Trees and Sunshine

Hi! I hope your week has been INKY! :)

I got to playing around with my punches again and this is what happened:

My blue circle is cut with the Spellbinders circle dies and my Big Shot.

Punches used:

circle punch

scallop circle punch

modern label punch

I hand cut the sun rays. The bird is from the SU! set, Season of Friendship. The sentiment is from SU! Fundamental Phrases.

Thank you for stopping by!

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina

First Christmas Card of 2012!

Okay, yes, I made a Christmas card in March.

It's never too early, right?!

When I saw this scrap dp in my box and I had a crumb cake base sitting on my desk.....well, it just had to happen! *giggle*

I made this for the QFTD105 challenge on SCS, the Ways to Use It challenge and last week's Free for All challenge. Click HERE to go to my SCS gallery for more details on those challenges.

I loved embossing and inking the punched circles. I love that look. I tore and inked some vanilla c/s.....it's been a long time since I did any tearing. The polka dot paper is from my scrap box. It's a retired Christmas SU pack.

**Something new** I colored my pearls with a copic marker to make it go better with the card. I used #E11. This is a first, and I loved it!...can't wait to try it with some, more vibrant color.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog! I appreciate you.

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina

Leaves and Doodles!

Hello! Happy mid week :)

Okay, blue...green and kraft.....how can you go wrong?! Well for me anyway since I love earth tones.

Make it CAS and you've got me!

That's why I love this simple card....

My Spellbinders dies have become my new best friend. I haven't had them long. I just this past week found a deckled rectangle set on clearance at Hobby Lobby! Woot! Woot! very excited about that. Can't wait to try them out. For this card I used my trusty Circle dies. I added a couple rounds of doodling and a single green leaf.

For the sentiment, I inked it and curved it a little before adding it to the card. Some scoring, ribbon, a button and twine finish it off.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina

Playground Inspiration

Hiya!

This card is one I created for the CAS design team call a few weeks ago.

We were challenged to make a card inspired by a playground.

The bottom border reminded me of monkey bars.

Of course the primary colors are ones you see at every playground.

I used a birthday sentiment b/c when you think playgrounds, you think kids and for me when I think of kids and playgrounds I think of Birthdays. Maybe that's b/c we've been to a few parties at the playground! :)

..and the snowcone was a reminder to me of every time we go the playground, our kids want something nice and cold once they're through playing!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Have a wonderful day.

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina

A Few Current Faves in an Easter Card

Hello!

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Here's a little card I made a while back but just haven't gotten it to my blog yet. I have organized my pictures on my computer now and have a folder just for cards I haven't posted to my blog. Ugh, I'm so behind.

The base of this card is Natural White. That's one of my FAVES right now. I love the weathered look of it. My stamps are from SU!, Mixed Bunch and Delightful Dozen. That image is my FAVE of that set. Can you see a pattern forming? Also the green ribbon (SU SAB special) is one of my.....LOVES right now. I like how small and sheer it is.

Well, there you have it. A few of my current FAVES in one card.

Have a great day!

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina

Having Way TOO Much Fun With Punches!

Hi Everybody!

Happy St. Patty's Day to ya! I have my green shirt on. Got it out first thing so I wouldn't get pinched! :)

I've been having so much fun with my paper punches lately. I wanted to show you a few cards I made.

This one is very simple made with a square, circle and corner rounder punch...

 The "M" is cut with my cricut. Then, I just doodled a little and....done.

It's a 4" square note card.

Here's another pretty made with the square punch! Who knew you could make a butterfly with it?

 I pierced the trail and the antenna are black metal dots.

I was very proud of myself for using my scallop square punch. I NEVER use that thing!

  This card took a little time....

 But, only because my big, fumble fingers had a hard time getting the punched owl together!

I used the scallop border, owl and circle punches with this. I used the circle punch to make the cresant shape on the pumpkin pie strip. The large circle is cut with Spellbinders and then embossed with a dots embossing folder. I turned the embossed side inward and then embossed the belly of the owl and turned it outward.

I placed black, satin ribbon over the orange circles and baker's twine (twisted and knotted) behind the owl.

Now, this card I made for the Inspirational Challenge over on SCS today...

 

Here's the photo I drew inspiration from in making this card:

(click for picture ) TRAPIRA

I love the circles and squares on the wallpaper and the color combination.

I tried to mimic the pattern with my circle and square punches.

I also tried something I never had by punching the edges of the stamped medallion and attaching with twine. I went a little crazy with the buttons and pearls.

Well, there's my punchy madness that's been occurring lately. I have another I'm working on for Sweet P's (Sama ~ SCS) Punchy swap. I will get it posted next week.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

********************

~ Oh, and I thank all of you that have been much in prayer for my Grandmother. She is bed ridden and her condition is deteriorating very quickly. But she has had a good 2 days with hardly any pain. Praise the Lord!!!! She still has a smile for you when you walk to her bedside. She is a dear lady and for 92 years old.....well, let's just say I pray I am as healthy as she has been her whole life and that I make it to that beautiful age. :) ~

 I LOVE YOU MAMAW!!!!

********************

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina

Genuine Friend

Hi friends!

I hope your weekend is off to a fabulous start!

Here's a card I made following the sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches this week...

  Here's the link to their challenge:

Freshly Made Sketches 

...and here's their sketch....

I'm so glad you stopped by my little blog!

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina

Getting Ready for Easter, Caterpillar?

Hello People! :)

I hope you are having a wonderful week!

Here's a card I made with scraps of old olive c/s. I love using my CM wavy cutter (it's retired). It gives me just the right curve for "hills".

I colored my caterpillar with watercolor pencils and blender pen.

The stamp set is SU! Love Bug and the sentiment is SU! Petite Pairs.

The challenges I'm entering:

My blog group's (over on SCS) challenge is inspirational this week....to be inspired by the word CURVES.

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #42 is ~ CAS Baby Projects

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina

The Crafty Gals March Challenge!

Hi!

It's the 5th and that means it's time for another Crafty Gals creation!

I am our hostess this month. My title was:

"Not Luck......Blessings"

I asked the Gals to make a project using:

 1. 2 different shades of green.
2. Make the sentiment a "blessings" or "thankfulness" theme.
3. A Nature element somewhere on your creation. Examples: plant, sun, flower, grass, etc image and/or use patterned paper with plants, grass etc.....Any Natural element you can think of on your project. I want you to really go "green" on this challenge!

So, here's my card:

My greens are Old Olive and Certainly Celery.

I used the leaf lines stamp set on the Season of Friendship tree. The sentiment is from the Everyday Phrases set.

I had a piece of this Sweet Pea dsp in my scrap box. It went very well with the challenge I think.

Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure and check out all the Crafty Gals blogs to see what they created for our challenge! Their blogs are listed in my left sidebar.

I'm also entering this card in the Paper Sundaes Challenge ~ #110 Green or Good Luck!

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina

Who Says You Don't Have Time....

...to make a card for someone?

Hello, Happy Sunday!

I've had people say, "oh I love cards but I just don't have time. I usually just go buy something."

Ummmm, I'm all about No Excuses. So, here are some cards that took me less than 5 minutes to make! That's less than 5 minutes for all 4!

 This is the basic black and basic gray ink combination.

 These are all basic black ink.

These cards took 1 color card stock

1 paper punch

and 2 stamps

Easy Peasy!!!! :~)

So, next time you're in a pinch and need a card quick....don't go buy something! YIKES! Make it simple...Make it from the heart...Make it homemade. It means SO much more.

I pray you have a wonderful Sunday!

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina