I'm Still Here

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to leave a short note to let you know why I'm not posting lately.  I was labeling my scrapbooks, and realized that I hadn't done any scrapbooking since February of 2009.  Since then, we've taken lots of trips and moved from Florida to California.  Lots to cover, so I've decided to not make any more cards until my scrapbooking is done. 

We are going to be having a lot of company in June, August & September, so will be busy with them...but may still be able to squeeze in some craft time, and the scrapbooking is coming along very nicely. 

So...I will be back with cards.  Please don't stop following.  I love my followers! 

Hugs,
Val

Pinwheel Love

This card was inspired by today's Splitcoaststampers Technique Lovers Challenge - TLC378 - Brayered Paper Elements - I brayered my Cuttlebug embossing folder before running it through with yellow ink, then brayered turquoise ink on the embossed piece after taking it out of the folder.

It was also inspired by a tutorial for pinwheels, found at the Crafty Steals blog here.

The paper for the pinwheels and the brad are from My Mind's Eye.

tfl

Brids of a Feather Special Moments

This card was inspired by today's Inspiration Challenge - IC337 - Red Envelope - at Splitcoaststampers.  The item I chose from the Red Envelope site can be found here: 
Red Envelope.
The bird stamps are from a set called "Birds of a Feather" by See D's Stamps, and the sentiment is a Just Rite stamp.
The tree is done with a Darice embossing folder and sanded on Core'dinations paper.
tfl

Hydrangea Thank You

This card was inspired by Splitcoaststampers Inspiration Challenge - IC336 - hardtofind.com.au.  My inspiration was the pretty blue tote bag found here:  http://www.hardtofind.com.au/products/Peony-SAKitToMe-Tote.html.

Other inspiration:
1.  Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog - flowers; and
2.  DYSU Challenge Blog - DYSU#71 - Use a flower.

The beautiful hydrangea stamp from Stampin' Up's Because I Care set was stamped with white pigment ink and heat embossed with detail white embossing powder.  The background was dry embossed with a Cuttlebug folder. 

tfl

Potted Flowers

This card was inspired by the following challenges:
1.  Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge - SC384; and
2.  Mark's Finest Papers Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 106 - to use 3 of something.
I used embossing markers and heat embossed the potted flowers stamp from the In the Garden set by See-D's.
tfl

Weekend at the Beach

This card was inspired by a long weekend my husband and I just took to Morro Bay and Monterey Bay and our drive up the coast.  What a lovely trip, and the weather was just wonderful!  I always feel at home by the sea, so when I saw today's Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers, CC-374, Pacific Point, Certainly Celery and Crumb Cake, the first thought that came to mind was a beach scene.  I love this stamp from innovativestampcreations.com called Friendship II.  The sketch - SSS157 - is from The Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge Blog.  I colored the image with Stampin' Up pastels.  The brads are from My Mind's Eye.  tfl

MMSC138

This card is for May's Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge, which can be found here:  http://priscillastyles.blogspot.com/.  I love this sketch!  And the added theme is to use at least one button.  Hope you can go there and play along.

tfl

Friendly Birch Tree

This card was inspired by the Clean & Simple Challenge - CAS168 - at Splitcoaststampers.  It was a color challenge to use chocolate, green & white or cream. 

The stamp set is Birch Tree Paintings from innovativestampcreations.com. This is one of my favorite stamp sets because it reminds me of my favorite tree in our front yard.  I just love it!  I colored directly on the tree and grass stamps with watercolor markers, huffed and stamped.
 
tfl

Welcome Baby!

This card was inspired by the following challenges:
1.  Splitcoaststampers Inspiration Challenge - IC334 - Rosenberry Rooms - elephant clock found here:  http://www.rosenberryrooms.com/291-elephant-wall-clock.html;
2.  Splitcoaststampers Featured Stamper - FS273 - abbysmom2198 (Linda Callahan) - card found here:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2182944?&cat=500&ppuser=199946 - I used the same sketch - see below #3 - and added the second round panel in back of the main image circle; and
3.  Freshly Made Sketches - FMS32.
The stamp set used is Stampin' Up's Petite Pairs.  Inside it says "...so glad you're here."
The little elephant is die cut from a paint chip.
tfl

Wedding Cake Tent Topper Card

This card was inspired by this week's Free 4 All Challenge - F4A114 - at Splitcoastampers.  The challenge was to make a Tent Topper card.  tfl

Reach for the Stars

This card was inspired by today's sketch challenge - SC382 - at Splitcoaststampers.  The sentiment panel is a Just Rite stamp, and the star is a QuicKutz die, which is cut out of bronze metallic cardstock.  tfl

Hello Butterfly

This card was inspired by the following challenges:
1.  Splitcoaststampers Free 4 All Challenge - F4A113 - Mix 'N Match;
2.  Card Position Systems - CPS261 - sketch;
3.  Stampin' For the Weekend - Challenge 8 - Sparkle and Shine; and
4.  Do You Stack Up - DYSU68 - stripes.
The cute litte butterfly digital stamp is this week's Friday freebie at Bugaboo Stamps.  I colored it with watercolor crayons and aqua painter.
My dp's are My Mind's Eye.
tfl

Butterfly Friends

This card was inspired by today's Clean and Simple Challenge - CAS166 - at Splitcoaststampers; and

Love to Create - Challenge #11 - Friends.

I am soooo in love with these My Mind's Eye 6X6 designer paper pads, I just have to use them! The medallion is one I have from when I had my Cricut. The sentiment is from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.

tfl

with Love & caring

This card was inspired by the following challenges:
1. Splitcoaststampers Featured Stamper Challenge - FS271 - featuring Shellie Daniel aka shellied. The card I cased from her gallery is found here:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/656251?&cat=500&ppuser=39196&sorttime=all&sortby=mf&way=desc.;

2. Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #46 - Black and White and 1 other color, plus ribbon or lace...hope twine counts; and

3. Less is More - Week 63 - one layer with some doodling. I did some doodling on the stamped image, and at the bottom of it. Plus, I drew a frame around everything.

tfl

Spring Has Sprung!

This card was inspired by today's Splitcoastampers Inspiration Challenge - IC332 - Greenheart. The item I used was a beautiful cutting board found here: http://www.greenheartshop.org/sobremesa-fair-trade-tabletop/wood/teakwood-oblong-cutting-board.html . I was also inspired by the beautiful tulips and other Spring flowers that my husband has planted in our yard. I'm giving him this card as a thank you for all the hard work he's put into making our garden so amazing!
The tulips are from Hero Arts. It is pre-colored, so I can't take credit for that. Beautiful, aren't they?
The dp is My Mind's Eye. Love their designs!
tfl

Bouncing Birthday Balls

This card was inspired by today's Sketch Challenge - SC380 - at Splitcoaststampers. When I first saw the sketch, I thought, "Oh, my God! That is one of the wierdest sketches I've ever seen, and almost didn't try it, but then I thought of this birthday ball idea, and have to say, I'm glad I did. It is so bright and cheerful...perfect for someone's birthday! And I never can have enough Birthday cards! tfl

Bugaboo Birthday Flowers

This card was inspired by the following challenges:
1. Splitcoaststampers Color Challenge - CC370 - tangerine tango, old olive and daffodil delight;
2. Catch the Bug Challenge Blog - Stella Says Sketch Challenge #108; and
3. The Stamping Boutique - Challenge #33 - Distress.
The cute little flower pot digital stamp was a freebie from Bugaboo Stamps. I colored it with Copics.
The Happy Birthday sentiment was done on the computer.
The leaves background was dry embossed with an embossing folder on core'dinations cardstock and sanded.
The last of one of my favorite ribbons - boohoo - and some Stickles finish it off.
tfl

Koi Water Garden

This card was inspired by today's Splitcoaststampers Free 4 All Challenge - F4A111 - to make an Asian inspired card.
The peony is heat embossed in gold and watercolored. The koi background is dry embossed on Far East cardstock and sanded.
tfl

Ducky Easter

These 2 cards were made for a neighbor who asked me for some Easter cards for her 2 grown grand-daughters. This little duck is one of my favorite digital images. It's from Wax Fruit Company. I did the sentiment on the computer.

The following challenges were used as inspiration:

1. Splitcoaststampers Color Challenge - CC369 - Peach Parfait, Lucky Limeade and Pool Party;

2. Party Time Tuesdays - PTT#62 - Flowers (on her hat); and

3. The Stamping Boutique - Challenge #32 - Pastels.

The paper is My Mind's Eye, and I colored the image panel with Copics and pastels.

tfl

MMSC137 Priscilla's Sunflower

This is my DT card for this month's Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge - MMSC137.

The sunflower digital stamp, which is from priscillastyles' Sunflower Set of Three, was printed in 3 different sizes, colored with Copics, layered, and attached with a black glittery brad. The vintage tag is attached with a white glittery brad with a white spiral clip under it.

For details about the MMSC challenge, please see: http://priscillastyles.blogspot.com/.

tfl

Cherry Blossom Birthday Wishes

This card was inspired by the following challenges:
1. Splitcoaststampers Technique Lovers Challenge - TLC371 - Faux Pressed Flowers; and
2. Mojo Monday - MOJO235 - sketch.
The cherry blossom stamp is from Inkadinkadoo. The faux pressed petals were punched from paper. The background papers were dry embossed and sanded on Core'dinations paper.
tfl

Thank You Squared

This card was inspired by the following challenges:

1. Splitcoaststampers Inspiration Challenge - IC330 - Harabu House - tea towel set found here: http://www.harabuhouse.com/item/TURKISH-TOWELS---FACE-TOWEL/198/p5;
2. Crazy 4 Challenges - C4C130 - sketch challenge;
3. Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 101 - square cards - at Mark's Finest Papers; and
4. The Stamping Boutique - Challenge #31 - Sentiments ONLY.

The sentiment is a Just Rite stamp. The background pieces are dry embossed and sanded core'dinations paper. tfl

Buggy Smiles

This cute little bug card was inspired by the following challenges:
1. Splitcoaststampers Free 4 All Challenge - F4A110 - "Caught a Bug";
2. Freshly Made Sketches - FMS28; and
3. TCPTUES203 color challenge at Dancing in Pajamas.
tfl

Thank You Hydrangea

This card was inspired by the following challenges:
1. Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge - SC378;
2. The Shabby Tea Room - Week#107 - 'Bright & Beautiful Spring' - use lilac, yellow, blue, kraft and a butterfly; and
3. Party Time Tuesdays - PTT#61 - Anything Goes.
The beautiful hydrangea image and thank you sentiment are from Stampin' Up's Because I Care set. I used dye ink, pastels and watercolor markers to color my flower and leaves.
tfl

Butterfly Birthday Wishes

This card was inspired by the following challenges:
1. Splitcoaststampers Featured Stamper Challenge - FS268 - to feature yourself as the featured stamper...so I chose the card I made yesterday for the Inspiration Challenge - IC329 - because I love the way it came out, and I still had all the papers out.
2. Challenge #88 - A Sketch from Ann at The Paper Players;
3. Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge Week 100 - Shades of Pink - from Mark's Finest Papers; and
4. Sentimental Sundays Challenge #95 - Easter or Spring.

The sentiment is from Stampin' Up's Petite Pairs set. Inside it says "to someone who makes others so happy".
tfl

Butterfly Trio

This card was inspired by the following challenges:
1. Splitcoaststampers Inspiration Challenge - IC329 - be inspired by an item at Graham and Green. The piece that inspired me is found here: http://www.grahamandgreen.co.uk/framed-butterflies-print.
2. Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog - Anything Goes;
3. Mark's Finest Papers - Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge Week 100 - Shades of Pink; and
4. Stampin' for the Weekend - Challenge 6 - Anything Goes.
tfl

Friends Forever

This card was inspired by the following challenges, and is made for a very good friend of mine. I hope she likes it.
1. the deconstructed sketch No. 44 from deconstructingjen.com;
2. Splitcoaststampers Free 4 All Challenge - F4A109 - three or more; and
3. DYSU#64 - plaid - at DYSU Challenge Blog.
tfl

Dove Love

This card is for the following challenges:
1. Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge - SC377;
2. Splitcoaststampers Ways to Use It Challenge - WT367 - to use rub-on flowers; and
3. DYSU Challenge Blog - DYSU#63 - favorite color.
My favorite color combination is black and white and blue.
tfl

Potted Flowers

This card is for the following challenges:
1. Splitcoaststampers Color Challenge - CC367 - chocolate chip, river rock, and baja breeze;
2. Splitcoaststampers Clean and Simple Challenge - CAS162 - sketch by Arizona Maine; and
3. thestampingboutique - Challenge #30 - Clean and Simple.
The stamps are from Hero Arts CL140. The flower pot die is from QuicKutz.
tfl

Birdie Get Together

Haven't done a card in a while. I'm rearranging my crafting area. Not really finished, but I managed to find what I needed to make one today. Company coming, so may not be able to make much in the next week or so, so thought I'd get one in today. This one was inspired by 3 challenges:
1. Splitcoaststampers - CAS161 - white with shades of blue;
2. Clean and Simple Stamping - FTL181 - sketch challenge; and
3. Crazy 4 Challenges - C4C127 - spring.
tfl

Flower Power

This card is for today's Sketch Challenge - SC375 - at Splitcoaststampers.
The color scheme is from Colour Q Challenge - cQc127 - chocolate chip, calypso coral, blushing bride, certainly celery and white.
I used Core'dinations cardstock for my flower parts, punched them out with my SU punch and stamped them with SU Build a Blossom stamps with chocolate chip ink. Dry embossed the petals with my Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder. Also dry embossed the card base. Mounted the ribbon panels on chocolate chip cardstock. tfl

Princess Kitty

This card is for the following challenges:
1. Splitcoaststampers Color Challenge - CC365 - very vanilla, wild wasabi, blushing bride;
2. Splitcoaststampers Teapot Tuesday Challenge - MMTPT188 - cat and royalty theme; and
3. the deconstructed sketch - DS41 - found here: http://deconstructingjen.com/archives/category/the-deconstructed-sketch.
Again, I've used the cute little kitty digital stamp from motivet. He's just the cutest! Shaded him with Copics and pastels. The dp is My Mind's Eye Lost & Found - Market Street. tfl

F is for Florer

This card is for 4 challenges:
1. Splitcoaststampers Clean and Simple Challenge - CAS160 - use a monogram;
2. Freshly Made Sketches - FMS24 - sketch;
3. Pile It On Challenge - PIO10 - spots and/or stripes; and
4. Less Is More - Week 57 - Colours - neutrals.
The stamp is a Martha Stewart set. The rest is pretty self-explanatory.
tfl

Hope

This card is for this week's Queen for the Day - QFTD102 - challenge at Splitcoaststampers. The Queen this week is Judy aka StampingQueenJAR. She has a beautiful gallery, and I chose this card as inspiration: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1493905?&cat=500&ppuser=8519&sorttime=all&sortby=mf&way=desc. I love the clean style of this card.
The "hope" stamp is from Hampton Art, and the flower is from Stampin' Up's "Thanks for Caring" set. I stamped the hope stamp with Bermuda Bay ink and the flower and part of the flower is done with watercolor markers. tfl

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge 136

This is my DT card for Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge 136, which can be found here: http://priscillastyles.blogspot.com/. The beautiful grapes are one of Priscilla's digital images which can be found here: http://priscillastyles-store.blogspot.com/. She has lots of really nice images. If you've never been there, check it out!
tfl

Happy Birthday Kitty

This card is for today's Splitcoaststampers FS264 featured stamper challenge. The featured stamper this week is Janice Melton. Her gallery is called catcrazy, so I thought it only fitting to use this cute little kitty digi stamp by "motivet". Isn't he just the cutest little guy???!!! Just hope he doesn't pull up my daffodils like he did that pretty little pink flower!! hehe
I cased Janice's card found here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1664405?&cat=500&ppuser=116312&sorttime=all&sortby=mf&way=desc. Used the kitty digi instead of flowers, different border punch, buttons in place of the larger pearls and birthday sentiment instead of Mother's Day.
Used Copics to color my little pearls, since I didn't have any pink ones. tfl

Birthday in the Tall Trees

This card is for today's Inspiration Challenge - IC325 - at Splitcoaststampers.

The inspiration piece I chose - shown above - can be found here: http://calgarycraftedgifts.com/metal.htm . I love this beautiful metalwork, and the scene immediately made me think of my tall trees embossing folder. tfl
Also entering this here:
http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - It's a Man Thing;
http://2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - anything goes.

Baby Bugaboo

This card is for the Free 4 All Challenge - F4A105 - Cards with Character. My "character" is today's digital stamp freebie from Bugaboo Stamps, and the sketch is also from them - Stella Says Sketch Challenge - SSS104 - at http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/stella-says-sketch-104-challenge.html . Inside is "welcome baby...so glad you're here" from SU petite pairs.
tfl

Smile

This card is for today's Splitcoaststampers Ways to Use It Challenge - WT363 - Buttons. The sketch is from Freshly Made Sketches - FMS23. I used my "Swirly" stamp from Inkadinkadoo that I've had for a long time, and is still one of my favorites. Colored it with Copics and added stickles to the centers. Edge punched the ivory panel. Used a piece leftover from my card for Monday's Splitcoaststampers Technique Lovers Challenge - TLC365 - which was acrylic distressing and some baker's twine, and of course my little buttons sewn together.

Also entering:
http://doyoustackup.blogspot.com/ - distressing


tfl

I'm Here for You

This card is for today's Splitcoastampers Sketch Challenge - SC373. I have to say, this one was a challenge, but as soon as I turned it sideways, it screamed "vase with flowers" to me. So...I thought about the color scheme, and remembered that one of my favorite vases that I used to have was black and I just loved the way yellow flowers like daffodils looked in that vase...and this card design was on its' way. I love the way it came out...hope you like it too. tfl

Feel Better Soon

This card is for today's Color Challenge - CC363 - Basic Gray, Pretty In Pink, and Pink Pirouette at Splitcoaststampers.
I saw this beautiful card in Birgit's (Biggan) Splitcoast gallery the other day, and chose to case it. I used different punches, different colors and a different sentiment. This card may look clean and simple, but when you get into it, it's a lot of work, but I do love the result! Thanks for the inspiration, Birgit, and tfl.
Also entering this into a challenge to use lots of layers at http://doyoustackup.blogspot.com/2012/02/dysu-59-layers.html.

Birthday Dogwood

This card is for today's Splitcoaststampers Technique Lovers Challenge - TLC365 - acrylic distressing. I dry embossed the two side panels with my cuttlebug folder, painted it with ivory acrylic paint, let dry, and sanded. Then covered it with tea dye distress ink and wiped it off, leaving the unsanded areas ivory. I like this technique...think I'll try it again soon.
The sketch is Freshly Made Sketches #22 - FMS22.
The dogwood stamp is from the pinkpaislee Nantucket set. I stamped it with the tea stain ink and colored it with Copics.
tfl

Crazy, Cheery Bugaboo Birthday

This is a fun birthday card I made inspired by 2 different challenges:
1. Catch the Bug Sketch Challenge; and
2. Crazy4Challenges - C4C124 - stripes and polka dots.
The cute little lady with all the packages is a digital stamp from Bugaboo Stamps. The Happy Birthday sentiment is a digital I had in my files. tfl

Caring Thoughts

This card is for 2 challenges:
1. Splitcoaststampers Featured Stamper Challenge - FS263 - to use a card from Becky Carafa's gallery (BECCABATGIRL). I found inspiration from her beautiful cards found here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1024831?&cat=500&ppuser=26764&sorttime=all&sortby=mf&way=desc; I changed the orientation from portrait to landscape, used a different stamp and sentiment and different colors.

2. http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/ - Challenge #90 - focus on the sentiment.

I used watercolor markers on my flower stamp from Hero Arts. The sentiment is from the same set, and is stamped in hunter green.

I love the clean simplicity of this design. Thanks for the great inspiration, Becky!

tfl

Far Away Thoughts

This card is for today's Inspiration Challenge - IC324 - at Splitcoaststampers. Below is the inspiration I chose from Creative Wallcovering.

The inspiration piece I chose is here: http://www.creativewallcovering.com/pc/1adv504/90/Surf+City+Window+Wall+Murals+Accent.html.

My beach scene - Friendship II from http://www.innovativestampcreations.com/ was stamped on watercolor and colored with watercolor pencils. I just love this scene...it is so serene...one of my favorite things is to just look out at the ocean. The "thinking of you" sentiment is from Hero Arts CL140. Love the script and it just seems to fit this card, in my opinion, at least...hehe. tfl
Entering this card in:
http://doyoustackup.blogspot.com/ - layers

http://thecraftypad.blogspot.com/ - the letter "B"
http://inkyimpressionschallenges.blogspot.com/ - use punches or dies

Hoo's Your Valentine?

I made this Valentine card because I have a couple of friends who buy their cards for me, and I thought I'd better have a couple of extra Valentine Day cards handy, just in case. Also, I wanted to use this new set from Inkadinkadoo...these owls and hearts are soooo cute! Inside it says "Owl Be Yours!" Isn't that sweet???!!
The sketch is CPS #231 at Card Positioning Systems.
For the background for the owl I used the Wrinkle-free Distress Technique - which was yesterday's TLC364 at Splitcoaststampers. tfl

Birthday Blackbird

This card really was a challenge for me...distressing is kinda against my nature...but today's challenge at Splitcoaststampers - TLC364 - was Wrinkle-free Distress, so...I just had to try it. I really do like the results though. I used that technique to do my background, using bordering blue and mellow moss dye inks and the only distress ink I own, which is tea dye. I then tore the edges of all the layers to continue on with the "distressed" look. tfl

Also entering:

http://thecraftypad.blogspot.com/ - Challenge #157 - the letter "B"

Tree of Love

This card is for today's Featured Stamper Challenge - FS262 - Kathy Bradley's (101AIRBORNE) gallery at Splitcoaststampers. What a great gallery she has! Wonderful inspiration! Her card found here - http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1832780?&cat=500&ppuser=213393 was my inspiration for this card.
I used lavender/purple scripted dp for my background instead of black and white, mounted on dk purple cs instead of black, made ticketed corners, dyed white pearls with lavender copics for the corners. Added lavender ribbon from my wedding 5 years ago instead of black. tfl

Also entering this here:

http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - clean and simple