Life - Walking On A Tightrope

Some days I feel like I am walking on a tightrope and if I wobble just a bit I will fall off.  If I fall then my world will collapse and everyone around me will fall too.  I sure have a high opinion of myself don't I.  Let's face it, no one person, except The Good Lord  is that valuable.  But being the good little Catholic girl I am, I can do guilt real good.  How about you?  Do you ever get that feeling?  If we are honest with ourselves, I think we all do.  That is why when I saw Cheryl's little image called "Slow and Steady Sally", I knew I had to make a card with her.  In fact, this is only the first of many I will make with her.  I have many good friends walking on their own tightropes now and I believe she just may bring a smile to their faces.  

The sentiment on the inside is supportive  too.  Cheryl had that on her Illustrated By Cheryl Blog the day she debuted the Noah version of this image and she graciously gave me permission to use it.  I think it says it all and is perfect for this card.

I kept this pretty much CAS.  Both sentiments and typed in MS Word and cut out with a Spellbinder Die. The paper is from DCWV "Nana's Kids Collection.  The rick rack and pearl "jewelry" are from my stash, cloud punch is a Friskars and the butterfly is a Embosslit from SU.  I colored the image with Copic Markers.

I am the hostess this week at Sassy Cheryls and the challenge is "Punches and Dies".  Our challenges are now twice a month and you can enter them as many times as you wish as long as you use a Cheryl Alger image and you follow the Challenge theme.  The more you enter the more chances you have to win that gift certificate to Sassy Cheryl's store.  So what are you waiting for - inspiration?  Hop on  over to The challenge blog and check out all the inspiration my sassy sistah's have created for you this week.  There are some real cutie patooties this week.  I feel so honored just to be included with this group of crafty gals.

Hope to see you there.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Linda.

Challenges I plan to enter this card in:

The Cutie Pie Challenge - Spots and Dots (Must Be Cute)

Make It Monday - Anything Goes 

Created With Love - Friends

3-D Seaside Card Set

Bendi Card Closed

Bendi Card Open

Box Card Front View

Box Card back View.

My goodness have you all gotten on the "Box Card"  band wagon yet.  Pinterest (I am not and never will be addicted) is full of these fun fold cards.  I made a Sassy Cheryl one a couple of weeks ago and the gals at my LSS, Scrapbooks By The Sea asked me to teach a class on them.  A shipment of brand new seaside themed papers from FAB SCRAPS had just come in  that I thought they would be fun to use in a box card and a bendi card.

I got out my ruler, cutter, Cricut, Score-Pal and got busy.  Once the card bases are built, all you have to do is build your scene.  I used Cricut's "Life is a Beach" cartridge cutting most of the objects at 1.5"  The little silver anchor on the front of the card is a metal charm and I also used a brad that resembles the top of a screw for my tag.  The sentiment is one I found on-line, but unfortunately I didn't write down the site address.

These cards are perfect for mailing because they fold completely flat for mailing and go into standard envelopes A-2 envelopes.  No extra postage required (if you don't get to thick with your embellishments).

I am teaching two classes featuring these cards.   One is Wednesday, February 19th during the day and a night class on Tuesday, February 25th.  I would normally invite all of my blogging buddies to join us along the sunny South Carolina coastline, but this year it has not been so sunny.  We have had two ice storms, (no snow just ugly ugly ice) and an earthquake.   Crazy weather for sure.  But if it is still better than what you have had this year, come on down.  Weather forecast this week is looking good!

Where ever you are stay warm, stay safe and thanks for stopping in.

Hugs,

Linda

Challenges:

Always Something Crafty - Special Card Forms
Flat Friend Challenge - More Than One Fold
Sweet Stamps Monthly Challenge - Fun Folds

Happy Valentines Day

 

Here's a couple of cards I made for a card class at my LSS, Scrapbooks By The Sea.  I used Penny Black rubber stamps, but the artist is Mo Manning. Mo is one of my favorite artists because of her ability to transfer the emotions of her subjects on to the paper.  She is very talented and you should do yourself a favor and check her images out at her store Digital Pencil Too or Penny Black's store for her rubber stamps.

The first stamp is called "Bubble Heart".  It took my heart just seeing the cute little pony tailed girl and the handsome little guy with his hair styled to perfection.  They look so young and shy.  I kept the design CAS with a banner of punched hearts and heat embossed letters.  The bubble gum heart is covered with glossy accents and I added a bit of sparkle in her bow and dress with  Stickles.   The papers are from Graphic 45.

The second card is made with an stamp called  "Garden of Love".  This one has a lot of frills and embellishments.  I quilled the roses, the heart is a stamp from Martha Stewart.  Ribbon border is from Stampin U.  The pearls, lace and ribbon are from my stash.  This paper is also from Graphic 45.

Just want to wish all of you a very Happy Valentine's Day and say Thank You for taking time to visit my blog today.

I am going to enter my first card in Mo Manning's  "Love  Is" Challenge.

Sweets From the Sweet

OK let's all say it together.  Awwwwwwww, isn't she cute?  I am not talking about my card here, I am talking about Pigtail Gabby.  I have been checking Sassy Cheryl's store since January 21, 2014 when Gabby debuted on Cheryl's blog, "Illustrated By Cheryl".  It was love at first site for me.  I hope you like her as much as I do, because I have a sneaky feeling she will be showing up on my blog many more times.  She is available here if you would like to come and live in your house.

It is Tuesday and in the past that meant a brand new challenge for you at Sassy Cheryl's.  But last week we went to two challenges a month instead of weekly challenges. Everyone is so busy we thought we would give you a little more time to make a card/project and enter for a chance to win.  The Design Team will continue to post weekly Sassy Cheryl creations on our personal blogs.

 I  needed another Valentine card and Gabby  is such a love magnet, I thought she would be perfect for one.  The brown may be a little unusual for a Valentine Card, but it is the color of chocolate  and this one just may be hiding a chocolate bar inside.

The DP is from My Minds Eye "Good Day Sunshine" collection I picked up a year or two ago.  The little conversation hearts were made on white paper and colored with Copics using Impression Obsession die and stamp set.  The envelope was punched with a McGill punch.  The heart border was punched with a Martha Stewart punch and I added a little bling with some Pink Stickles.  The ribbon was from my stash.

I plan on entering my card in these challenges:

Addicted to Stamps Challenge - 2 W, Must use stamp - Challenge #75 (2nd week) Hearts.
Catered Crop - 2W (2nd week) Heart of the Matter
Challenges 4 Everybody - M, 3E-(2nd Week) Challenge #38 Anything Goes
The Craft Place - 2W, 1E-(2nd week) Valentine/Love

Happy Valentines Day Ya'll!

Love, Noah

Here it is Tuesday and another challenge is starting at Sassy Cheryl's.  This week it is all about the hearts.   Working on getting all my Valentine cards finished and off in the mail next week.  This week Noah Is All Ears and blowing you a super sweet Valentine Kiss.  Isn't he the cutest thing in his Mickey Mouse Ears.

I love him and Sally dressed up like Mickey and Minnie.  I bought them in digital version and when Cheryl came out with them in rubber, I snatched them up.   So glad I did because they are no longer available in rubber.

I have been playing with my Elizabeth Crafts Glitter and stickers .  This heart is the negative portions of the positive outline heart stickers.  You use a transfer sheet to apply the left over portions of the heart and transfer it to the glitter paper.  That way you can get 2 hearts from each heart sticker - too pretty to waste any little speck of these.  I made the glitter background with the EC two sided adhesive papers and her marvelous super fine glitter in True Red.  Want more details, check out El's tutorials on You Tube.

Sassy Cheryl's Challenges are going to last for two weeks starting with today's challenge.  This week starts the "hearts" challenge and you will have two weeks to enter.  The design team will continue to post new Sassy Cheryl cards weekly on their personal blogs to give you some weekly inspiration, but you will have more time to make your project and enter it.  Check the blog here for the new schedule.  While you are there check out all the lovely hearts the design team has come up with.

So grab your Sassy Cheryl here and get busy with your design.  No excuses now, you have two whole weeks to complete your project!

I Love You This Much

Full Front View

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Closeup

Back View

Closed for mailing

Good Tuesday morning to you all!  It's Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Day.  Nela is our hostess this week and she is challenging us to NOT BE SQUARE.  I have been seeing all of these box cards on Pinterest and this was the perfect opportunity to give it a try.  The boxes are so cool.  They fold up last (see image above) to slide in the envelope.  Then when the recipient pulls it out it pops open into a box.  Here is a link to the tutorial I followed http://www.serenestamper.com/2014/01/card-in-box-valentine.html.  

How about that cutie patootie in the middle?  His name is "Come On Get Happy" and he lives at Sassy Cheryl's Digi Store.  He is one of Cheryl's newer digis and I have seen him used in so many cards on the internet, he must be her most popular character.  When I saw him I knew he would be perfect for a Valentines Card.  When my children were tiny we used to play the I Love You This Much Game.  They would stretch out their little arms and say I love you this much Mommy.  So here is my take on my Mommy Memory.  Cami and Jimmy, guess what?  Mommy still loves you tttttttthhhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiissssssssss much!  Muwah.

Now what shape can you come up with this week.  We would love to have you join us in our Sassy Cheryl challenge.  There is a prize of two Sassy Cheryl Digis awarded to the winner.  Want some inspiration to get those creative juices flowing?  Check out the dynamite creations the rest of the design team has come up with.  Just click here and you will be directed to the Challenge Blog.

Card Recipe

IO, McGill, Creative Memories heart punches

McGill Envelope punch

Coloring Medium - Copics

Papers all from my stash

Bakers Twine

Distress Ink  Black Soot - Tim Holtz

I would also like to enter this card in the 4 Crafty Chicks Challenge - Anything Goes

Go Sochi Team USA

It's time to show your pearls at Sassy Cheryl's.  Jasmina is the hostess this week and pearls are her challenge request.  Anyone who knows Jasmina's style knows she is frilly, feminine and pearly!  I happen to love them myself, so I found a way to use them on the USA Flagpole.  See the closeup pic above.

How do you like "Pure Joy"?  She is Cheryl's new digi and I fell in love the minute I saw her.  I envisioned her for a celebration card initially.  But now I have seen her used on so many other cards and her possibilities are endless.  She is definitely one you will want in your library because of her precious smile, leaping legs and versatility.  When I downloaded her, I showed my hubby and asked him what he thought I should do with her.  He immediately said "The Olympics".  Now that thought had not even crossed my mind, but I knew he was right.  It was something different for me to try and gets me out of my safe spot.

I Googled the Olympics and found this picture and thought it would make a nice background for Miz Pure Joy.  I colored her with Copic markers, fussy cut her and popped her up on foam tape.  The star brad was from my stash.  I popped some tiny little pearls on the flag pole and wallah!  The silver border stickers are from Elizabeth Crafts.

Basically CAS but I liked it.  My hubby is right again.  I am getting used to it.  He is my best critic and coach.  We make a good team.  He won't make cards, but he does like being an adviser.

So find some pearls or pearl stickles and make yourself a Sassy card.  If you enter and win our challenge this week, you will win 2 free digis from Sassy Cheryl's shop.  You can't win if you don't enter.  The winner is chosen at random so don't be afraid to give it a try.  Click here and you will be taken to the Sassy Cheryl Challenge Blog.  Check out my Design Team Sistahs to see what they created.  They rock, I promise.

Thanks for popping in and looking at my creations.  Please feel free to leave a comment for me.  I love reading them.

Hugs,

Linda Compton

Skating On Not So Thin Ice

It is Tuesday and that means a new challenge has been posted over at Sassy Cheryl's.  We have announced the winner for last weeks challenge and that means some lucky person gets to go shopping in the Sassy Cheryl Digi store.  Was it you?  Did you enter the challenge last week?  You know you can't win if you don't play.  This week we want to see BLUE.  I chose Wind In My Hair for this weeks challenge.   I have had my eye on him ever since Cheryl introduced him to the store.  He reminds me of a character out of a Hans Christian Anderson book.

I tried a new technique this week.  I used a dryer sheet and glitter to create a soft snowy background.  I also decided to create a mirror image of the trees to give the appearance of a frozen pond.  I had so much fun doing this scene and it went amazingly fast.  After that I only had to color my image, fussy cut him out and pop him into the scene with foam dots.   I found the mirror technique on Pintrest.  Here's a link to the one I used.  Here is another link demonstrating the dryer sheet and glitter technique.  Both are easy and fun to do and the tutorials are easy to follow.

I popped up a fence panel to both sides of my card  to add dimension to the card.  I wanted to put my skater on a wobble to create more interactive fun, but the wobble was larger than my image, so no wobbling for me on this card.

I hope you are enjoying this winter a bit more that you did last week.  It seems like weather conditions have improved a great deal from last week.  When I want to complain, I just remember those 100+ degree summer days.  I would much rather bundle up to stay warm.  You can only take so many layers of clothes off to get cool and the older I get the less layers I have to courage to shed.  LOL

Now pop on over to Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog and see what the rest of my Design Teammates have created for you.  While you are there, follow the links to their individual blogs and leave them some love too.  We all thrive on seeing what everyone thinks for our creations.

Have a Great Week and Happy Crafting,

Linda

An Afternoon Classic

Brrrrr.   Is it cold outside or what?  I live in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and we are having 18 degree (Fahrenheit) temperatures.  Now that is COLD.  The weatherman assures us it is temporary.  It should be back up to 70 degrees in a couple of days.  Now that is what I call winter.  A nice  cool 70 degree day is what I love about living in the south.

So what's a gal to do on a cold winter day?  Curl up with a good book, a bowl of chips , and a snuggle with your legged buddy sounds like fun.  Throw in a nap and wallah,  perfection!   That must be why this precious  image chose me this week.  Would you like to make "An Afternoon Classic" your very own?  Just click here and you will be directed to the Sassy Cheryl's store where you can purchase it and many other adorable digital stamps.   If I could throw a warm quilt over Sally's legs and feet this scene would be perfect.

The papers are from Authentique.  The pearls and flowers are from my stash.  I used a Valentine Flourish Die from Impression Obsession to embellish my card.  I cut pieces of the flourishes to frame the card and the heart was used inside on the sentiment.  Sorry no picture of the inside so just use your imagination.  It was spectacular.  LOL  The lacy rectangle die is from Spellbinders, the heart in the picture is from a very old punch, the picture frame was made by cutting a window pane from a window die I have.

Now it is your turn.  Pop on over to Sassy Cheryl's store and grab yourself a perfect little digi or two or three and create your own masterpiece.  Need some inspiration?  Pop over to the Sassy Cheryl Challenge Blog and see what my oh-so-talented design teammates created this week.   Remember it is "Anything Goes" week so you are only limited by your own imagination.

Happy Crafting and Stay Warm,

Linda

Challenges I plan to enter this card in:

Make It Monday-Always Anything Goes

A Rose Is A Rose

Black on Black

White on Gray

White on White

These are the cards I will be featuring in my class Thursday, January 9, 2014 at Scrapbooks By The Sea. I saw these rose stamps from Impression Obsession at  SBTS and immediately remembered a white and vellum card I had seen on Pinterest.  I knew the beautiful lines in the stamp would be perfect stamped on vellum and embossed with white EP.  You really can't see my sentiment on the white card, so  I have decided to change it to white on vellum. The cards are already on display so I can't take a picture of the change in sentiment for you.

The black card is pretty edgy.   It may not be for everyone.  I think it would make a great sympathy card or a birthday card, perhaps the dreaded BIG 50 ( wish I could see that one again) lol.  I used black paper instead of the vellum and clear EP.  I just noticed that the pearl in the upper right corner is missing.  Drats, I hate when that happens.

The gray on white card is just a combination of the two.  I was having so much fun with this beautiful stamp that I could have made in all the colors of the rainbow.  All of the stamps are from Impression Obsession .  I have stamped them with Versa Mark and then heat embossed with white embossing powder.

 AFTER I MADE  my black card, I went on Pinterest and saw a black on black card pinned by Lynn Wright, one of my friends here in Myrtle Beach.  I had to laugh because she had pinned a card made by one of my dear talented blogging buddies, Tammy from Tammy's Spot.  I looked for it in Tammy's archives and found that she had posted this card way back in on July 16, 2011.  I commented on her card at the time and here is the copy of my comment. 

 Linda said...

Love Love Love the black one. So elegant.

July 17, 2011 at 2:04 PM .  

 I really must have been impressed with the card.  It stayed in my subconscious and I didn't even remember it.  Holy cow Tammy, you really have gotten in my head girlfriend.  I told you I loved your style..  I did like the way she did her sentiment, so I decided to case that.  My original was a plain rectangle so I pulled out my hole punch and punched the corners for some interest.   Whatcah think Tammy?

Well I have babbled long enough.  I am off to bed.  It is COLD COLD COLD here in Myrtle Beach but we don't have any snow.  Going to pull out the flannel, fuzzy socks and extra blankets for sure tonight.  If you have snow and bad weather where you are, just put on your sweats and fuzzy socks and craft away.  Cold weather sharpens the ole' brain you know.  Tomorrow just might be the day to start  that project that stretches your creativity.

Happy Crafting,,

Linda