Sunday, September 30, 2012

September Christmas Cards


Hello!  Today I have my September Christmas Cards to show you...and just in the nick of time since today is the last day of September.  As most of you already know, I play the Christmas Card Challenge on Splitcoaststampers where we make Christmas Cards all year long so were not scrambling to make them during the busy Holiday Season.  I make four Christmas Cards a month so that I will have about fifty at the end of the year.

My first card uses this week's Splitcoaststampers Sketch (SC404).  The paper is by Cosmo Cricket and the stamp is Papertrey Ink's 'Holiday Buttons and Bits'.
 My second card uses Digital Images, Sentiments, and Papers from the 'Christmas Poinsettia Lantern Set from  'Fred, She Said'.  I chose to use the pre-colored version of the set.  I printed the image several times and popped the poinsettias up on dimensionals twice.  I put Stickles on the flame and flowers, and black adhesive crystals under the sentiment.  The sketch is from Sweet Sunday (167).
 My third card uses another image from the same Papertrey Ink set "Holiday Buttons and Bits" and another sketch from Splitcoaststampers (SC403).  The paper is also from Cosmo Cricket.
My fourth card I already published and you can see that HERE

Have a great day! Amy

Friday, September 28, 2012

Enjoy Your Day!

Hello!  Today I have another masculine card to show you that uses a digital image from Daydream Designs.  The image is from the set "Home on the Range".  To keep it quick and easy for me, I chose to use the pre-colored image, but it is available in outline and it also has a coordinating cowboy sentiment package you could purchase separately.


To make my card I used a sketch from Splitcoaststampers (SC401).  The green paper is Stampin Up! Garden Green, but all the designer paper is digital and is from "Man of Mine", which I think is the best masculine paper I've come across in a long time.  I love it!
I distressed all the edges of all the papers by running a scissors across them.  I cut out and popped up the main image on dimensionals.  The sentiment is computer generated.  And, finally, hemp and a rustic wooden button were added for embellishment. 

Have a great day! Amy

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Flocked Anniversary

Hello!  I needed an Anniversary in a hurry, and I have found that the quickest way to make a card is to use textured, beautiful paper and let that be the focal point of the card.  The paper I used is from DCWV's "La Creme' Stack.  It is filled with mostly black and yellow paper, and a lot of black flocked paper that looks and feels like velvet.  I wish you could all see this card in person, because the flocking of the design and the glittered ribbon are so striking in real life, but it's very difficult to photograph because of the color and you can't 'see' texture....you have to feel it.  I used Nestabilities to cut out the pretty shapes around the Inkadinkado 'Wedding' sentiment.

Have a great day! Amy

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Digital Tuesday Challenge 'Say it with Flowers'

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge.  This week's challenge is 'Say it with Flowers'.  Simply make a card or project with flowers on it and be sure to include at least one digital element.  Our sponsor this week is 'Fred, She Said' , and they are giving away a $20.00 gift certificate to one lucky randomly chosen winner.

I decided to make a floral Christmas Card using the Pre-Colored Red Christmas Poinsettia Pack.  This was such a quick and easy card to make....just what everyone needs for mass producing cards at Christmas.  I simply printed, cut, and paste and wa-la I have a beautiful, hand-made Christmas Card!  I used red glitter paper for the background to add some extra bling and gold brads.
If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

Saturday, September 22, 2012

The More You Have

Hello!  Here's another quick and easy birthday card using an image found in the Dollar Bins at JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts.  Gotta LOVE that sentiment!  So True!  I'll have to tell myself that when I turn the big 50 this year!

A pieced of scrap ribbon and button were my only embellishments.  The ric rac is from Martha Stewart...it is made of felt.

Have a great day! Amy

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Age is Only a Number


Hello!  I am always in need of more cards that can be used for any gender so when I found this quirky stamp in the Dollar Bins at JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts I thought it would be perfect!  The sketch is from Splitcoaststampers (SC332).  I embossed the Kiwi Kiss with a Cuttlebug Folder, and the other background paper is unknown.
Have a great day! Amy

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Digital Tuesday Challenge 'Things with Wings'

Hello, and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge.  This week's challenge is 'Things with Wings':  simply make a card or project that has 'wings' of any sort on it: insect wings, angel wings, or in my card: airplane wings!  Our sponsor this week is MyGrafico' and they are giving away one digital stamp and 20% off an in-store purchase to one lucky randomly chosen winner.

To make my card, I used the airplane image from the Cocoa Studio set 'Zoom, Vroom'. This set was sold at MyGrafico, but it's an older set and I couldn't find it on their website anymore.

I used two sheets of designer paper from DCWV 'Baby Boy', and then I embossed a sheet of Baja Breeze with a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder too.  I printed the image twice, and popped just theTeddy Bear's head up on dimensionals.  The clouds are from an MFT die, I sponged the edges with Baja Breeze ink to make them stand out more.  The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.  I added blue organza ribbon as a final touch. 
If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

Monday, September 17, 2012

Day Dream Designs First Blog Hop

 We are so excited to launch our first Daydream Designs Blog Hop!

 We have a fabulous line up of fun fall-themed projects to share with you. We hope you will be inspired and enjoy the hop. You also have several ways to earn a chance to win some great prizes:



THE PRIZES:

1. Leave a comment on each of the blogs below.

One random winner will be selected to win one FREE set of choice (including digi paper packs)

from Daydream Designs.



Diane

MariLynn

Miesje

Amy (That's Me!)

Helen

Michelle

Traci

Beth

Peggysue

Jerusha

Vicki



2. Leave a comment on each blog above AND create your own fall-themed project to link

on the last blog of the blog hop, Vicki's Pink Posh Cards.

If you participate in both of these ways your name will be entered

for random selection to win THREE FREE sets of your choice (including paper packs).  The winners will be announced Thursday, September 20th on Diane's and Vicki's Blogs.



3. And for this blog hop EVERYONE CAN WIN!

Pick up the FREE digi at the end of the first blog in the hop:

Diane's Daydream Designs.

For my project for Daydream Designs First Blog Hop, I made a fall card using an image from the pre-colored set 'Bushel and a Peck' (which is also available in outline only).  I chose to use the basket full of leaves.  I printed it twice and then cut out and popped up some of the leaves on dimensionals.  I loosely stitched around the card to add a little more interest.  The sentiment is from 'Fall is in the Air Sentiments'.


Your next stop along the hop is Helen!

Enjoy the hop, and have a great day! Amy

















Saturday, September 15, 2012

Best Wishes

Hello!  I needed a really quick card for a Wedding recently so I used a sketch from the Clean and Simple Blog.  This sketch really came to my rescue. The card was quick and easy to make, yet really packs a punch!  
 The flowers were made with dies from Nestabilities (Bloom Two) and MFT (the leaf dies).  The paper is from DCWV 'Be Mine' Stack, the sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's 'Four of a Kind'.  Ribbon, gem brads, and pearls were added for embellish and the solid colored paper is Stampin Up!'s 'River Rock'

Have a great day! Amy

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Happy Birthday Cowboy!

Hello!  Today I have a simple masculine card to show you that uses an image and digital papers from Daydream Designs.


When I make masculine cards, I like to keep it as simple as possible, because men don't like a lot of 'fluff'.  So I started with a simple sketch from Verve and some masculine digital papers called "Man of Mine".  Masculine papers are so hard to find;  I was so excited when Daydream Designs came out with these papers.  I used one of the plaid papers for the main background, and a more subtle neutral paper to print the sentiment on.  The cowboy boots are a pre-colored image from the set " Home on the Range".  I did add some shading to the ground beneath the boots.  And finally, the only 'fluff' I added were some simple little star brads in the upper right corner.
Have a great day! Amy

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Digital Tuesday Challenge 'Sweet Treats'

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge.  This week's challenge is called 'Sweet Treats'.  Simply make a card or project with a 'Sweet' theme and be sure to include at least one digital element.  Our sponsor this week is Spesch Designer Stamps and they are giving away three digis to one lucky randomly chosen winner.

To make my card, I used the Spesch Designer Stamp image 'Spring Strawberries' .  My sketch is by Splitcoaststampers and the paper is Cosmo Cricket 'Garden Variety'.  The sentiment is from MFT, and the leaf is a Sizzix Die.  I put a paper doily behind the main image panel and the fabric flower is from Offray.


If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Cute Fish

Hello!  Today I have a simple card to show you.  I need a really quick card for a boy so I came up with this idea.  It literally took minutes to make, yet is so fun and interesting looking.  The stamp set which includes just the fish and the sentiments were found in the dollar bins at JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts.  I made the waves with a Fiskars Border Punch, and the clouds were made with dies from MFT.

Have a great day! Amy

Friday, September 7, 2012

Decorating your Home for Fall


Hello!  No paper crafting post for me today.  I wanted to show you some pictures of my home decorated for Fall.  As the weather cools and the colors change outside,   I love to bring the change of seasons inside my house too.  I decorate for all the holidays, and I really go all out for Christmas, but with Fall I decorate on a much smaller scale.  For example, it takes me an entire month to decorate my house for Christmas, but less than a day to decorate it for Fall.

Fall is a really easy season for me to showcase in my home, because the colors of my home already are very Fall-like.  My decorating is very simple.  I don't remove items, I usually just put fall garlands and accessories around them.  One of the exceptions to this was made this year when I found this gorgeous Framed Fall Picture at JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts.  The picture below shows the top of my entertainment center in the living room.  I normally have a simple silver candle set there, but I took it down for Fall and replaced it with the Fall Frames.  I added garland, picks, and another Fall wheat arrangement.  All the florals you see in all the pictures were purchased at JoAnn's.
 Here is an end table in the same room.  This time I only removed a vintage ash tray (no, I don't smoke, I just like the tray) and replaced it with a Fall candle, a candle wreath, and a vintage fall hankie.
 This is the top of my piano which sits in my dining room.  Don't you just love that ceramic owl?  Owls are so popular now.  I just about squealed with delight when I saw him at JoAnn's.
 I chose to use non-traditional colored sunflowers for another end table in my living room because the green and off-white went so well with the colors of the room.  All these items on this table stayed.  I never change these items, just the flowers I put into the vase are changed for the seasons.
 Here is my dining room.  It's always such a hard room to photograph because it's on the North side of the house and is always dark. In addition to the fall arrangement on the piano, there is a floral pumpkin arrangement on the cabinet against the wall, and another fall candle with a fall wreath around it on the table.
 My husband built me this plate rail for my kitchen many years ago.  I change the dishes with the seasons too!  I picked up these vintage wheat plates at a yard sale many years ago.  I got a complete set for only $10.00!  Can you believe it?
 Here is a small powder room which is next to my kitchen.  I don't do much in here other than change the flowers in the vase and put out fall themed towels.
 This is a bookshelf in my office covered in Fall Garland.
 A Fall Swag which hangs on the door of my entry way.
 This is a table in my entry way.It's the first thing guests see when they walk in the door.  I have pumpkins sitting on the floor next to the table, and a floral arrangement, a ceramic pumpkin, and a 'welcome' stone on the table itself.  Sorry for the bad photo.  I used my inexpensive camera instead of really good one, so the pictures didn't turn out very good.  I was too lazy to rephotograph everything when I discovered my error.
 This is another table in the entryway.  It's actually an old phonograph.
And the last few pictures are of my Family Room.  The first picture shows just a simple fall arrangement.

Here is my entertainment center.  I simply put some sunflower garland on the shelf above the T.V and another Fall Candle Floral Arrangement similar to the one on the table in the dining room is placed on the coffee table.

 Here's a close-up of the entertainment center garland.
I hope I've inspired you with some ideas on how to decorate your home for Fall.

Have a great day! Amy

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Fall is in the Air

Hello!  Fall is definately in the Air right now, so I have another Fall Card from Daydream Designs to show you.  To keep it easy for me, I chose to use the Colorized version of  'Bushel and a Peck'.  I simply printed the image, cut it out, and put a touch of glitter on the squash and leaves.  The sentiment is from ' Fall is in the Air Sentiments'.  My sketch is from Splitcoaststampers (SC332); I flipped the sketch sideways.  I added two fall colored adhesive crystals and some plaid fall ribbon for embellishment.

Have a great day! Amy

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Digital Tuesday Challenge 'Create a Shaped Card'

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge.  This week's challenge is to create a 'Shaped Card', and be sure to use at least one digital element.  Our sponsor this week is Stamp Fairy.

To make my card, I used the Stamp Fairy image 'Barry Over the Moon'.  I printed the image three times.  I cut out the entire image the first time, colored it, and put yellow glitter on the moon and star.  Then I adhered it to a 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 folded card base.  Then I cut just the front half of the card around most of the image. To give you an idea of what I am talking about,  here is what the card looks like partially opened:

 And here is the card mostly opened:  The sentiment is actually attached to the inside of the card.
 And this is the card closed.  The teddy bear is popped up on dimensionals so that he really looks like he is sitting on the moon.  I then popped up the nose and feet again (that's why the image had to be printed three times).
If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Parfrey's Glen

Hello!  Today I have the long awaited post of Parfrey's Glen, Devil's Lake, Wisconsin that some of you have been waiting for.  Sorry this took so long, but I had a lot of cards to post and I had to wait till I could 'squeeze'this post in. 

In my previous posts about Devil's Lake (scroll down if you missed them) I talked about our very first camping experience, and the two trails 'West Bluff Trail' and 'Tumbling Rocks Trail'.  Today I will talk about the last trail we took called 'Parfrey's Glen Trail'.  This trail turned out to be a very pleasant and unexpected surprise for me and my family.  I had been to Devil's Lake at least a half a dozen times in my life, and never knew this place existed in the park.  Usually when you go to the park, you  park at the beach and then you walk up one of the numerous trails which all start and end at the beach at some point.  Well this trail is located at the edge of the park, so if your already inside the park, you have to drive a distance to get there.  The only way I heard about this trail was because I actually took the time to read the travel guide while sitting around the campfire the night before and I thought 'mmmn, this place sounds interesting.  We should check it out'

This trail is described in the tour guide as a 'easy, medium trail with creek crossings.  It passes through a deep gorge and ends up at a small waterfall'.  Well, that description is true for most of the trail, however, in 2008 there was a devastating flood which completely destroyed most of the trail in the gorge and actually re-routed the river.  This destruction is still evident as you walk the trail today.  They never repaired the trail, they just closed it down for one year.  When you walk the trail, you can see where the stone steps and bridge used to be...instead of be able to climb rock steps, now your climbing over boulders and stepping on stones in the river to get to the waterfall.  It actually made it more adventurous for us, however, I did notice some older people couldn't make it to the end of the trail and had a difficult time skipping the steps in the river.

Anyway, onto some pictures.  When you first enter Parfrey's Glen it is a nice level enjoyable walk.  You will notice that he temperature is much cooler than the trail head a few hundred yards away.  The forest is very peaceful and very soon you start to hear 'babbling brooks' which flow on the side of the trail.  Here is one pictured below.

 We found this interesting tree growing alongside of the brook.  It's bark was so smooth to the touch.
Further down the trail, we noticed these vines growing up the trees.  They were strong enough to swing on.  My 140 lb son tested one out below.
 The further we got into the forest, the more it reminded me of a little Hobbit forest one would see in a Lord of the Rings movie.  But eventually the nice level path begins to end.  There were a couple of wooden bridges to cross a small stream, but most just had stepping stones in the river, which made me a little nervous, (the stones can be slippery and I didn't have shoes with good grips on them), but my husband helped me cross.

As you leave the level path and pretty glen, and start 'skipping over the river', you will begin to enter the 'gorge' part of the trail.  Now this part of the trail no longer reminded me of a Lord of the Rings movie, but it reminded me of the gorge in the newest King Kong movie when the insects attacked the ship's crew.  Remember that scene?  There are massive rocks going up either side of the trail (nearly 100 feet), all covered in moss, ferns, and other shade loving plants.  Pictured below is the entrance to the gorge.  My son and son-in-law are sitting on the top boulder (which I think was the bridge washed out by the flood), and my daughter Ashley is standing below part of the washed out steps.
 You see lots of down trees with exposed roots on the trail.  My son is reclining on one of them below.
 That is me on sitting on one of the rocks in the gorge. 

 This pictures below give you some idea of the 'lushness' of the gorge.


 Here again is part of the washed out trail.  I wish I would have seen it before the flood with the foot steps and bridge.  It probably looked very different, and not as rugged as it is today.
 And finally a picture of a little girl sitting on a boulder in the deepest part of the gorge gives you some idea of the scale of this place. It really was quite the experience being inside the gorge and seeing all the massive rock formations surrounding you.  It felt so 'prehistoric', like you were in another world.  
I hope you enjoyed my little tour of 'Parfrey's Glen'.  It was such an enchanting place for all of us, and I hope someday to be able to visit it again.

Have a great day! Amy