Mojo Monday 120

I just love how the mojo ladies at Verve can pull together colors, patterns, and all kinds of embellishments and make their cards just sing! You really should check out all of the fabulous examples on the Mojo Monday blog!
I, on the other hand, have a really hard time figuring out how to add activity like what you see above to my cards without being afraid of them, lol. Heck, as I kept muttering to myself today in the craft room..."if they were easy, they wouldn't be a challenge."

I've been thinking of making Valentine's Day cards for some time now but haven't had time to spend crafting. I sat down today and really think I'm going to need some practice getting back into the groove. And, it is a bit strange working in pastels after all of the deep holiday hues like deep reds, greens, burgundies, etc.

Supplies:
Cardstock - SU!
DP - DCWV
Ink - Versamark
Stamps - Verve, American Crafts
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder
Nestabilities Scallop Circle
EK Success Punch
Ribbon - Crafta

We're Back!

Oh how I've missed the Cinema Saturday challenges over the holidays but we're back this week with a challenge based on "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." Now, while I'm familiar with the story and the cartoon version of the film from the 70's or 80's, I haven't yet seen this version (though it has been added to my Netflix queue.) By the way, Sankari and Brooke, are you getting residuals from Netflix or at least a free membership? A good percentage of my rentals lately have been directly influenced by this challenge! :)

Anyway, the colors on this card were inspired by winter in Narnia but I didn't want to make the card Christmas-y because it is never Christmas there. I settled on this great glitter background paper with wintry trees touched with a bit of required sparkle. I added a sheer white ribbon and some stickles in the corners just for a tad more iridescence.

I chose the sentiment as I thought about the journey the children were on in Narnia. While much of what they went throug was scary, they also were befriended by a lot of creatures (Mr. Tumnus and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver) on the way to their final destination - the battle where Aslan defeats the White Witch. Since my husband's motorcycle accident last month, I'm constantly reminded to live for each and every day since we just don't know what tomorrow will bring.

Supplies:
Stamp - Verve
Cardstock - PTI Ocean Tides
DP - My Mind's Eye
Ink - SU! Sage Shadow
Ribbon - Crafta
Stickles - Ranger

Custom Birthday Party Invitations

Over the past few weeks since I've been on blog hiatus, I've been pretty busy with my card business - particularly custom orders. I did a big holiday card order, finished up my friend's baby shower invites (see two posts down...), and the photo you see above is my latest - jungle-themed birthday party invitations!

I had a lovely woman contact me through my Etsy shop, said she liked my work, and could I do 10 invitations for her son's 1st birthday party. She gave me a couple of ideas and one was that his room was a jungle theme.

I had just made the monkey thank you card (see three posts down...) and thought I could make something really special with that design along with a new set of jungle animal stamps. Voila! The rest is history. I think they are just adorable and I hope she does, too!

Back in the Saddle

Now that the hustle and bustle of the holiday season has passed (boy they sure do pass quickly, don't they?), I wanted to at least mention why I was pretty much awol for the month of December. I'm sure it would be easy enough for me to say I was busy with the holidays which is certainly enough! But, we had some "excitement" of our own to contend with as well - my hubby was in a motorcycle accident on 12/9.

I have been so blessed and thankful for the outpouring of support from our wonderful family and friends that I have to thank them from every venue I have access to! Glen was able to come home from the hospital the night of the accident and, though it has been a slow road, is well on the way to a full recovery!

It was important to me, this Christmas (we ended up spending it "just the two of us"), to celebrate the season and all that it means to me. We were able to attend Christmas services at a neighborhood church, hear the Christmas Story, and sing proper carols. Not that jingle bells, white Christmases, and rockin' around a Christmas tree aren't fun too, they just aren't the "reason for the season" in my book.

Anyway, as 2010 is upon us, I wanted to wish everyone a blessed new year. May it be healthy and full of miracles!

It's a Boy!

I just finished the invitations for my friend's shower and got them into the mail today. I think they're adorable and the train themed cards were special editions for the family (her hubby is an avid model train'er.) I'm really looking forward to the shower - too bad we have to wait until February! But, if the beginning of 2010 is anything like the end of 2009, it will be here really fast!

Thanks a Bunch

I decided to play along with this week's Mojo Monday Challenge (hosted by the brilliant divas at Verve) and came up with this fun card. Am I allowed to say that I totally love it? :)

I've had this stamp set for eons and finally just used it for the first time today. I stamped the monkey and the tag first but had to let it sit for a while because I was stumped. Then I remembered I had that great vine ribbon and it just came together after that.

Supplies:
Cardstock - Chocolate Chip, Barely Banana, Whisper White - Stampin' Up!
DP - DCWV
Stamps - Monkey Businss - Stampin' Up!
Ink - Barely Banana, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery - Stampin' Up!, Versamark
Embossing Powder, Vine Ribbon - PTI
Nestabilities - Tags, Scallop Circle

Santa's Workshop!

I am so pleased to have my first commissioned order! A lovely customer saw this card on my Etsy site and asked if I could make 30 for her to send in time for Christmas. If my craft room didn't resemble Santa's workshop, it sure does now! There is glitter, pretty ink, silver twine, snowmen, and ornaments all over. What fun!

I am so honored and excited to do it for her - I sure hope she likes them!