Yet Another Hinged Card . . .

This card is going to be a very QUICK "fly-by" . . .

I did this card for TLC222, where Lynn linked my tutorial for how to make these fun little gems! I knew I had to play! Since it was Memorial Day, I was feeling patriotic . . . hence the theme of the card . . .











And here it is opened up . . .

I am not sure exactly when I will post again, as I am in the hospital on a vigil with my family on behalf of my dad. His heart stopped yesterday (he has had heart troubles for many years), and they weren't able to get it started until they arrived at the hospital. We are currently awaiting neurological testing (which won't start until late tonight/early tomorrow) to see if there is significant brain damage, as we are not quite sure how long his brain went without oxygen. Sorry for the personal nature of this post . . . it is just that I appreciate all of you who follow/comment on my blog and I wanted to let you know WHY there may be a lag for a few days. There is an internet connection at the hospital, but for some reason my Mac is not playing nicely with it. I have a few more things I COULD share with you, just not sure I will be able to (I will be doing a lot of sitting/waiting/praying over the next several days, so I am sure if I can get the 'net to cooperate, I will have time to share something with you all).

Thanks to all of you for all of your encouragement and support in everything I do. You are terrific!!

Stamps: Everyday Classics by Papertrey and Patriotic Background by Rubbernecker
Paper: Night of Navy, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Night of Navy, Real Red, Whisper White Craft
Accessories: tylized Silver hodegepodge hardware (star brad), 1/2" circle punch, zigzag border punch by EK Success, large and small star punches, red striped ribbon by SU, pop-up glue dots

Really . . . Last Valentine-y Project . . . I Promise!

I forgot that I wanted to share one last Valentine's Day-type of project with you!! I made this fun Valentine's "LOVE" banner for Spellbinder's booth for CHA (so many of you have maybe seen it in person??) The only sad thing is, all of the art from the booth got packed up and shipped to Phoenix (to the "home office" of SB), so it's not actually hanging in my house for Valentine's Day! Sad . . . (you will really want to click on the photo so you can see the details better!)

Anywho . . . this is a parade of many Spellbinders dies. The greatest thing about it, though, is that it was QUICK and EASY! I used the new Inverted Scalloped Circles, which I absolutely ADORE!! Don't you think the "beaded" effect you get when you pair the inverted scallops with the classic scallops is DA BOMB?? I know this is going to become a favorite of mine, for sure!! No worries, my friends, as you should be able to get your hands on these in a couple of weeks (insert BIG HAPPY SMILEY right here!!)

Here is a close-up of the details on the letter "E". I love how crisp the emboss is when you use foil. It looks perfect every time!! I actually recycled some foil wrapping paper that I got for Christmas, so that definitely makes this project "green" (don'tcha just love it when you can reuse something???).

Stamps: Times New Roman Font Stamps by JustRite, Kittie Kits Cause a Scene Stamps by Rubbernecker
Cardstock: DoubleMates Racy Raspberry (WorldWin), Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Basic Black, Bravo Burgundy
Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Scallop Circle - Large (S4-124), Classic Heart (S4-136), Large Inverted Scallop Circle (S4-194), Dahlia (S4-191) and Butterflies 2 (S3-146) dies, glue dots, pop-up glue dots, black/white polka dot grosgrain ribbon (Offray), black organza ribbon, foil wrapping paper

I hope you get to spend tomorrow with the one you love the most!! Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Butterflies Again!

I have been working-working-working on projects for Spellbinders for CHA. Which means, basically, that I have not had time to keep up on my butterflies as I should have (frowny face). I am happy to report, however, that this makes Butterfly Card #72 in my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge. What is that, you ask? See the link on the sidebar to the right for all the info.

I was actually inspired to make this for the Featured Stamper challenge on SCS this past Sunday (FS101). The featured stamper was Jaydekay, also known as Judy. Her gallery is simply lovely! I was stopped dead in my tracks by this card, however, and knew it was the one I was going to use for inspiration:

White Rose Valentine by Jaydekay (Judy)

The only thing that makes me sad about this photo is that you can't see the sparkly Iridescent Ice embossing powder that I used on the butterfly! Oh well!

By the way, dear friends . . . COME BACK TOMORROW as I am finally going to get to share with you the dies I was given or the pre-CHA Spellbinders Blog Frenzy! Wahootie!!!

Stamps: Butterfly by Rubbernecker, sentiment by JustRite
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi, zebra dsp (unknown)
Ink: Basic Black, Basic Black Craft, Glorious Green Craft
Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Heart (S4137) and Classic Heart (S4136), Sunflower Set Two (S4158 - for the leaves), Martha Stewart red glitter, tacky tape, pop-up glue dots, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, black/white polka dot organza ribbon by May Arts

Butterfly Challenge for YOU!

Even after just over a year making butterfly cards, they STILL put a smile on my face! I'll actually kind of MISS this challenge once this next year is over (this makes card #53!). Maybe I can use y'all for some inspiration! Why don't you play along with me?

Starting today, if you have an idea floating around in your head for making your OWN butterfly card, DO IT!! Each week as I delve into the butterfly world, I think I will just take you with me! I will take a different element of the card every week to give you a starting point for inspiration (color, layout, technique or whatever)! Since I have already used THIS card for SCS's color challenge - CC181 - black, kraft, rose red - I want YOU to use the layout, because it is kind of fun It can be vertical (like mine), or horizontal. Make sure to include at least ONE butterfly somewhere on your card!

This is a standard A2 sized card made into a pocket. Take the right front edge and fold it back 1 1/2" to form a flap. I then used the scallop border punch to finish the flap off, but you can leave it straight, tear it, use a different punch or whatever strikes you. As a helpful hint . . . the actual card insert is 4" x 5" on its base (the kraft piece). Making it slightly smaller makes it easier to slip it into the pocket once it has been taped/glued closed!

That's it! In order to play, make your card and upload a photo of it into an online gallery. Then, come back here and make a comment on this entry, linking your card to the entry. Then we can ALL see what you make!! Have fun with it!! (And don't embarrass me by NOT playing along . . . I'd feel pretty dumb if NO ONE joins in!)

Stamps: Wonderful Words II, Side Spotted Butterfly by Rubbernecker
Paper: Basic Black, Kraft, Rose Red, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Rose Red
Accessories: Scallop Border Punch, Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes ef, dimensionals

Nesties, Independence & a WINNER!!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, AMERICA!! I consider myself quite patriotic, so I had to get that out of the way (and a BIG thank you to all of my friends from all over the world for indulging me and letting me celebrate the day!!)!!

Okay, so . . . down to business!! The winner of the Bird dies is . . . GINGER DALBO from Illinois!!! Many congratulations to you, Ginger!! Here's what Ginger had to say when we told her she won:

"Really? Wow--I'm excited!! I realize you've probably heard this before, but really, I haven't won anything before. I hope I can honor the birds and create an elegant project with them as did Wendy on her wedding card!"

Thanks so much to EVERYONE for entering!! I really appreciated all of your nice comments, too!! They totally made my day!!

I made this Nestie card for the LSC on Splitcoast today (thought it would fit right in with celebrating the Nestabilities birthday, too!). It was all dedicated to the 4th of July . . . no more than four layers (and I did NOT cheat, as the flap is part of the bottom layer - all one piece - so it's only four layers, technically!!) We were to use red, white AND blue (the "and" was the 4th thing there), and no more than 4 embellishment-types of things. I used my large scallop circle Nestabilities, my Spellbinders Stars dies, a jewel rhinestone sticker AND some ribbon that I got from my friend, Ellen Hutson. (Okay so I DID cheat a little on this one . . . I used the flower clip to hold the card closed so that I could take a photo of it . . . what's a girl to do??)

Speaking of Ellen . . . be SURE to visit her blog today, as she has some NEW Sneak Peek dies to show you!! You're going to love them AND what she has done with them!!

Simple Dreams by Ellen Hutson

Be sure to check the links on the right to go back and see what Debbie and Heidi have also done this week! AMAZING!!

I used a piece of navy cardstock as the base. It was cut to 10 1/2" x 3 1/2" and scored at 4 1/4" and 8 1/2". I only rolled my diecut sandwich into my Wizard partway and then reversed the direction and brought it back out so that I could cut just the edge of the flap.

Stamps: Patriotic background by Rubbernecker, Simple Stripes by SU
Paper: Night of Navy, Real Red, Sugar-Coated white by Doodlebug, red holographic stars by Sparkraft
Ink: Adirondack Snow Cap
Spellbinders Diecuts: Stars 5 (S4 092) and Large Scallop Circle Nestabilities (S4 124)
Accessories: Red Jewel sticker (ladybug) by Doodlebug, white ribbon with red edge (unknown), red flower clip by Creative Impressions

Copics & Butterflies

You can always tell when life has been too busy for me when the only cards I post around here are for my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge!! I do NOT want to repeat the past two weeks for anything!! I feel like I've been running around with my pants on FIRE . . . but, enough about ME!!

I got this wonderful Rubbernecker stamp a little while back (Hi-ya Dave!!) and have DYING to drag out my Copics and color it!! I think I used about a zillion different colors on this baby, but I had a good time with it.

I also used my Scor-Pal to create a scored line close to the right-hand side (outside edge). It's kind of hard to see in this photo. I have really enjoyed using my Scor-Pal to create scores as an accent or embellishment (instead of just using it to fold things). It really adds a nice touch.

Stickles are also among my favorite accent embellishments. I used some Crystal Ice Stickles to outline the entire image along all the black lines. It helps to give it that added "pop"!

So, I think this puts me up to card #41 on my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge (see sidebar at right for more info). I'm behind, too, as we are entering week #42 and I haven't even thought of a card for that . . . YET!!

I have a few fun Spellbinders projects that I am going to be uploading over the next few days, so stay tuned . . .

Stamps: Rubbernecker Stained Glass Butterfly, Small Script (SU)
Ink: MANY assorted Copics, Ranger Adirondack Pitch Black dye ink
Paper: Summer Sun, Basic Black, Shimmery White
Accessories: Crystal Ice Stickles, Pop-Up Glue Dots, 1/4" black grosgrain ribbon, large and small oval punches, Scor-Pal