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May 27, 2014

Birthday butterfly K-card

Hi everyone,

This card has been created for another commission and I've just realized that this card is the first K-card I've created all year. Wow! If you're not familiar with K-cards, they are another style of pop-out cards and use two pieces of card to create the base. I'll be happy to do a tutorial for you, so if you'd like me to, just leave a comment asking.

For this card I've layered white and metallic blue card for both the main element and the lace layers, which have been cut using the Cottage Cutz Fancy Floral Lace border die. Once again I've used the scalloped rectangle from Spellbinders and the freebie butterfly die for the main element. I'm sure by now you know I LOVE that flutterby? The embossing folder I've used is a Cuttlebug, I think, although I'm not sure.

This first pic shows the card in progress and I love how the blue shows through the detail of the butterfly's wings...

Here's the completed card...

I'm entering the card into the following challenges...
#73 Anything goes w/ optional twist use metal at 613 Avenue Create
Challenge 18 Anything goes at Crafty Girls Challenges
May linky at DL.ART
#19 Always anything goes at Scribble and Scrap
#58 Anything goes at Sister Act Card Challenge

More soon,
Hugs,
Em

May 26, 2014

Memorial Day

Hi everyone,

As an adopted American, today's holiday in honor of our fallen means as much to me, as it does to all citizens of our great nation. On days such as this, I struggle to put into words how I truly feel, therefore I will let some others speak for me and for all of us...

Apart from our national anthem, Lee Greenwood's "God bless the USA" is one of my favorite patriotic songs. I'll include the official video at the end of this post, but here are the lyrics...
"If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife
I'd thank my lucky stars to be livin' here today
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away
And I'm proud to be an American where as least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the USA
From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee
Across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA
Well, there's pride in every American heart
And it's time to stand and say that
I'm proud to be an American where as least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the USA"
We turn now to the words of three former Presidents of the USA, Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President...

John F. Kennedy, the 35th President...

Lastly, Ronald Reagan, the 40th President...

I am so, so proud to be an American...

God bless the USA and God bless all of us.
Em 

May 22, 2014

Teacher appreciation

Hi everyone,

The card I'm sharing with you today is one of three identical that I've created for a commission for my client, Vickie's children's teachers. I've personalized the verses with each of the teacher's names, having found the verse on Pinterest.

I've created the card in my favored white-on-white style and I'm really happy with the result, as is Vicky and hopefully by now her children too. The elements I've used are the same as with recent ones, Tonic Studios Daisy 2 edge punch, larger freebie butterfly die, a Martha Stewart punch for the smaller butterflies, scalloped rectangles from Spellbinders. The card has been completed with the addition of self adhesive blue gems and a peel off sentiment.



I'm entering the card into the following challenges...
#8 Butterfly bingo at Butterfly challenge, using the punches, butterflies and gems line
May linky at DL.ART
Challenge #57 Anything goes at Sister Act Card Challenge
#65 Use a die cut at Craftitude
Challenge #36 at Creative Fingers

Hugs,
Em

May 15, 2014

Waddles

Hi everyone,

The digi I've used to create this card, "Waddles" is available from the Creative Bug Digital Snapshots store, where you'll find a LOT of amazing digis, all designed by my sweet friend, Naomi, from Creative Bug on the Loose. Naomi and I have known one another for a couple years now, but this is the very first card I've created using one of her creations, so it's about dang time!

I colored Waddles with markers then fussy cut him. The balloons were stamped onto some textured red card then cut out, I've used nine because that's how many candles are on the cake that the adorable penguin is holding. I gave them some dimension by popping them up on foam pads, which hides the end of the twine. The design has been completed with a die cut sentiment panel and peel off sentiment.

Naomi, I REALLY hope I've done your little guy and creative talent, justice!


I'm entering the card into these challenges...
#2: Anything goes at Creative Bug on the Loose
Challenge 18 at Crafting From The Heart
May linky at DL.ART

Hugs,
Em

May 14, 2014

Another CAS card

Hi everyone,

Following on from yesterday's CAS sketch card I'm sharing another CAS design with you today. This one was inspired by and will be entered into a challenge at a new-to-me blog, Butterfly Challenge.

To create it I've dug into my stash and found some doilies that were a freebie gift some time ago with a magazine. The butterflies have been punched from a ripped doily using the Martha Stewart punch and the design has been completed with a gold peel-off sentiment. I'm really pleased with the look of the card and hope you are too.


I'm entering the card into the following challenges...
#7 Butterfly + Doily at Butterfly Challenge
#38 Off the edge at Addicted to CAS
#71 Anything goes at 613 Avenue Create
#132 Anything Feminine at DL.ART
May linky at DL.ART

Hugs,
Em

May 13, 2014

CAS sketch

Hi everyone,

The card I'm sharing today is the one that was also the inspiration for yesterday's card. The card has been created by dry embossing the flowers into purple card and cutting them out, layering them with foam pads and then adding a gem for the center. The design has been completed with a gold peel off sentiment.



I'm entering the card into the following challenges...
Challenge #33 Sketch at CAS on Sunday
#132 Anything feminine at DL.ART
May linky at DL. ART
#71 Anything goes at 613 Avenue Create
HIMRC #148 Super Scraps Saturday at Hiding in My Craft Room

May 12, 2014

Inspired by a sketch

Hi everyone,

The card I'm sharing with you today was inspired by a sketch I saw on a CAS blog. Although it is far too busy to enter into the challenge there, but I'll rework the main element and enter it in time, fingers crossed! I really enjoyed creating something a little different for me and love the effect the knotted twine gives.


The designer paper is some I've had in my stash for some time, so unfortunately I can't remember which collection it's from, sorry! I've used the scalloped rectangles die from Spellbinders for the two panels. The die cut flowers are from the Dovecraft Garden Party range and the twine is also from that line. The flower centers have been punched with the Martha Stewart hydrangea punch and the edge of the paper with the Tonic Studios Daisy 2. The design has been completed with a gold peel off sentiment. 

I'm entering the card into the following challenges...
May linky at DL. ART
#71 Anything goes at 613 Avenue Create
HIMRC #148 Super Scraps Saturday at Hiding in My Craft Room

I'll be back tomorrow with more crafty goodness, so I hope to see you then. 

Hugs,
Em

May 7, 2014

Box Arm Card

Hi everyone,

Today I'm sharing a new-to-me style of card that is easy to construct, but looks stunning, at least I think it does! I found the instructions over at Emma's blog Lady & the Stamp. The tutorial for the Box Arm Card is the top one listed on the right side of Emma's blog and can be downloaded. Thanks Emma!

Purple is one of my favorite colors and I love the way the three tones I've used for the card work together. The larger butterfly was created using a die that was a freebie in a magazine last year and I've once again used the butterfly punch from Martha Stewart for the smaller ones. The design has been completed by adding a peel-off sentiment and some teardrop gems that have long been in my stash.

This pic shows the card laid flat...

This one with the arms extended...

I love the style and there are so many ways to decorate it and I can see a lot more of them being created in the future. Thanks again for the tutorial Emma!

I'm entering the creation into the following challenges...
HIMCR04NSD - Use a critter at Hiding in My Craft Room
Challenge #70 Anything goes with OPTIONAL twist BA DA BLING at 613 Avenue Create
May Linky Challenge at DL.ART
Colour challenge at "Less is more"

Hugs,
Em

May 6, 2014

Popcorn gift box

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by, it's great to be back again now I've got my creative mojo back! The creation I'm sharing today will accompany the card I shared with you yesterday, if you missed it, you can see it HERE. Instead of using white this time around, I decided on purple, because I think they compliment each other well. I hope you agree?

I've created the box using the Sweet Things embossing board from Crafter's Companion and the tag for the lid and flowers are all from another of their boards, Springtime Sweets and Cupcake Treats. That is the same board I used for the flowers on the card, but I forgot to name the board used yesterday. Oops! The butterflies are a Martha Stewart punch and it's one of my favorite crafty tools.


To complete the tag I've added a matching eyelet and a gold peel off sentiment. The flowers have been blinged up with some self adhesive gems from my stash. I'm really happy with how the finished creation looks and as the name of the board suggests, it will soon be filled with some sweet treats, though not popcorn.


I'm entering the creation into the following challenges...
HIMCR04NSD - Use a critter at Hiding in My Craft Room
HIMCR05NSD - Thank you! at Hiding in My Craft Room
Challenge #70 Anything goes with OPTIONAL twist BA DA BLING at 613 Avenue Create
May Linky Challenge at DL.ART

I'll be back later in the week with yet more crafty goodness.

Hugs,
Em

May 5, 2014

Hello again!

Hi everyone,

It's GREAT to be back after an extended break from this blog. I have been creating while I've been "off", but most of my time has been taken up with writing and starting training for my "Battling Back" challenge, which will be taking place in October and November. You can read all about the challenge, the background and indeed keep up with my training by heading over to the Battling Back blog. I'd be honored to see you over there!

The card I'm sharing with you today is one I've created for my Grandmother for Mother's day this Sunday. I had originally planned to create a white on white double waterfall card, but a mistake when I was punching the first of the pieces meant I had to change the design. It took some thought but I think I've created something unique as a result, so I'm really happy with the creation.


The border punch is from Tonic Studios and the scalloped rectangle is from Spellbinders. I dry embossed the flowers using one of the embossing boards from Crafters Companion and rounded the corners of the blue card. The sentiment is a gold peel off. The flowers and sentiment panel have been popped up on foam pads.

I'm linking the card up to the May linky party over at DL.ART.

I'll be back later in the week with another crafty creation, so I hope you'll join me then.

Hugs,
Em