The Outlawz Greetings Card Dog Theme Challenge

Time for another Outlawz Greetings Card challenge, as it is indeed Monday. We are once again sponsored by Bugaboo Stamps.

So did you all have a wonderful weekend? Mine was really fun, but at the same time, a bit alarming. Alarming because so many Arizona Cardinals got hurt in that horrible preseason abortion, (more commonly known as a loss), that was played Saturday night in Glendale. Oh, my stars, we were so looking forward to being there. We really expected a good game, a win, and lots of highlights. Not. So. Much. 

More like a baaaaad game, a loss, and lots of low-lights. Plus, we lost our first-round draft pick for the year due to a broken leg. Ugh. And our new running back got hurt, as well as a wide receiver, a defensive lineman, AND our tight end. At this rate, we won't be able to even field a team after the third week. Preseason can be very deadly. Sigh...

I did have a wonderful time at Distrito on Friday night with our dinner club. Had a really yummy Margarita, some fabulous guacamole, and superb diver scallops. Oh, my. And then I finished my meal with a cup of Mexican hot chocolate. Who needs dessert? That was dessert in liquid form, and the best hot chocolate I have ever had. (If you ever go there, be sure to get the hot chocolate. You won't be sorry.) 

We had many laughs, got caught up on the latest happenings with the group, and ate wonderful food. Who could ask for anything more? Well, apparently one of the guys could. He wants to be in a Fantasy Football league this year, so Gary volunteered to set one up for our dinner club. And guess who got roped into joining? Yeah, that would be yours truly. 

Gee, whiz, that makes four leagues I am in. Whaaaaaat? How in the heck did that happen? I must be out of my ever-lovin' mind.  I don't have time for that many leagues. I won't be making any extra cards this fall, that's for sure! I'll be too busy managing Fantasy Football teams. (Too bad I don't get paid for the time I put in. I could be rich and retire. Wait. I am retired. Never mind.)

Sunday we had our draft for The Deli league. We went to Cogburns, which is basically a neighborhood bar. I expected the food to be "meh", but what I had, (a grilled turkey & avocado on rye sandwich with coleslaw), was really tasty. So there was that. Of course, I didn't get all the players I wanted, because that never happens. But I got a team that looks OK on paper. And, our daughter, SIL and grandgirls were there, too, so it was nice to see all of them.

Hope your weekend was good as well. And now down to business. My card this week is another Christmas card. I chose Bugaboo Candycane Critters Dog as my image, printed it on MICBC, and colored it with my Copics:

Dog: C0, C1, C2, E40, E42, E43, E44, E47

Candycane: C0, C1, C2, R81, R83, R85, R89

I chose sketch #50 from Friday Sketch Challenge for my design.

My DP is from the Memory Box Yuletide collection. It was paired with Stampin' Up CS. My sentiment is from Create with TLC. My die cuts were made with the following dies: Cheery Lynn Christmas Knick Knacks, Whimsy Corner, and LaLa Land Crafts Folding Banner. I added some SU ribbon, a bit of twine, and a charm to finish the card. 

Here's wishing each and every one of you a wonderful week ahead.  Do stop by and check out the rest of the creations by our DT. And please play along with us. The more, the merrier. (Except in Fantasy Football.)

Jellypark Friends 8-23-2013 Release

Hey, did you miss me? I haven't posted for such a lonnnng time! At least 12 hours. Yeah, we've got to stop meeting like this. It's making me dizzy.

So today is another release day at JP. And there is a darling boy in a plane, as well as the set of 3 birds that I chose to use today. So be sure to stop by the blog and check out both of them, as well as the creations by my talented teamies. And while you're at it, the new challenge is up with some wonderful inspiration by my other talented teammates! (The new challenge is Things with Wings. I know you can come up with something fabulous for that.)

Gary and I are going to Distrito, in Scottsdale, tonight with our monthly dinner club. I am so excited! I have only been there once, about a year ago; the food is so yummy and the atmosphere is so much fun. Can't wait. The Margaritas are really delicious, too! Bet you aren't going to enjoy your meals as much as I do. Neener, neener. (OK, I'd let you slap me silly right now if you could reach me.)

I am doing my best to take my mind off this card. Because it's just a ghastly attempt to do justice to the darling birds. Seriously. I had a plan when I started this card. I printed the birdies on MICBC and colored them with my Copics and Twin Touch Brush markers:

C1, C2, RV00, RV32, RV34, TTR2, BG32, BG34, Y04, Y06, Y08, Y19

The plan was foiled by me getting ink in an area that was supposed to be left white--this was, of course, after I had finished coloring the birds. Too late to start over. And, to add insult to injury, I added some Washi tape in the wrong area. When I was removing it, the paper ripped. So I had to keep tape in that spot after all. Don't you love when that happens? So my design is not what I had in mind when I started, and I hope Claire doesn't groan too much over what I did with her darling birdies. Sigh...

I added a bit of Pearl Pen to the birds and, as I said, some Washi tape to the card. My DP is from the MME Lost & Found Blush collection and I distressed it with my Zutter. The CS is from Stampin' Up. I promise to do better on my next assignment at JP.

Well, guess I will go and soak my head. Then I'll cry me a river. And then I'll read some more of the book I am into right now. Then I'll get ready for that fabulous meal that awaits me.

We are headed to the Cardinals preseason game against the San Diego Chargers tomorrow night. Gary is golfing on Sunday, bad wrist and all. (Rolling eyes right now.) And then we have a Fantasy Football draft Sunday evening. Wish me luck; I'm going to need it.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Jim's Birthday Card

Yup, I am actually posting on a Thursday. What?????????? I have two extra posts this week, and it's scaring me, too. But, bear with me, this will be extremely brief. (For me, anyway.)

I needed to make a birthday card for my sister's beau, Jim. He is a farmer in Wisconsin. Hence, the little farmer image, LaLa Land Crafts Luka with Tractor. I stamped him on Cryogen CS with Memento ink, and then colored him with Copics:

Skin: E00, E01, E11, E13, R20

Hair: E11, E13, E37, E59

Shirt: E81, E84, E87

Overalls: B0000, B00, B52

Hat: Y06, Y08, Y17, Y18, Y26, Y28

Boots, E81, E84, E87, E89

Tires: W1, W3, W5, W7, W9

Tractor: YG06, G14, G07, G16, G85

My DP is from the Carta Bella Cool Summer collection. I distressed it with my Zutter and then paired it with Stampin' Up CS. I created a scene with die cuts using the following Cheery Lynn dies: Fanciful Flourish, Victorian Picket Fence, Grass Border, and Nautical Wheeler Doily. A chipboard dragonfly finishes the card. Hopefully, Jim will like it.

I am entering this into the following challenges:

Penny's Paper-Crafty Dies and/or Punches Challenge

CMC Copic Anything Goes Challenge

Through The Craft Room Door Anything Goes Challenge

Be back tomorrow with my Jellypark Friends DT card. (See, I told you this would be extremely brief!)

Carol's Birthday Card--Steampunk Style

So this is a surprise, huh? Me posting on a Tuesday? I know, I know, it's positively scary!! I'll keep it short, so you don't have to pour a cuppa to get through it.

Our friend, Carol, is having a birthday next Monday. However, our dinner club is getting together this Friday at Distrito, (I can hardly wait, the food there is sooo yummy!), so I want to give her the card that evening. That's why this is done already.

I decided to use some new Cheery Lynn dies from their Steampunk release, so I searched for an image to go with them. And I found Stitchy Bear Steampunk Hat, which I immediately purchased. I knew it would go well with the die cuts I was planning to make.

And, fortunately for me, The Corrosive Challenge is having a Steampunk challenge this week, and I actually have something to enter. Cool beans, huh?

I printed the image on MICBC and colored it with my Copic and Twin Touch Brush markers:

Skin: E000, TTR131, TTR139, TTYR133

Hair: YR20, YR21, E31

Eyes: B21, B23

Metallic pieces: C2, C4, C6

Feathers: C4, C6, C8

Hat/Necklace: E81, E84, E87

Hatband/Strap: E02, E08, E09

I added some Wink of Stella Brush Silver to her glasses and hat chain. The DP, from Basic Grey Indie Bloom, (and BG Picadilly inside), was distressed and paired with Stampin' Up CS. I used an SU brad for the hands on the watch and added some feathers to the card. Otherwise, the design elements are all cut from Cheery Lynn dies: Gears; Steampunk Gear Mesh Border; Steampunk Pocket Watch; and inside I used Steampunk Chain Mesh Border and Happy Birthday.

And that's it! Hope you're all having a great week.  

The Outlawz Greetings Card Monochromatic Challenge

Gosh, has it been a whole week since I last posted? How time flies when you're having fun.

I did have a couple of people who wondered about the miniature horse at the party last weekend. Here's the scoop: we went to Dave's. Dave is a guy Gary works with, and Dave has a horse property in North Scottsdale. Dave's wife, who is originally from Texas, wanted a horse. Now the property isn't really huge, so I guess they felt they should get a miniature horse. Or else they wanted one. I don't know which.

Personally, I feel a miniature horse to be a bit useless. If you weigh over 100 pounds, you cannot ride it. So it just eats lots more than a dog, poops lots more than a dog, but can't come in the house like a dog. So what good is it? And let me tell you, this horse is annoying. It will kick the paddock door if the family, or friends, are outside. Because it wants to join them. So, it gets let into the yard, then comes up on the patio, and it proceeds to try stealing your food. Or whatever else that is not nailed down. Not my idea of a good time. (And this horse is very insistent.) I found myself drawn to the kitchen, where it was cool. And horse-free. Thank goodness. So that's the story of the miniature horse. Aren't you sorry you asked?

On Saturday we went to the Cardinals preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. Gotta say, there was so much blue in the stands, that you would have thought we were in Texas, instead of Arizona. But there is a good reason for that. Long, long ago, before there was dirt, before Arizona had a pro football team, the Cowboys were the team many Arizonans chose to cheer for. And, unfortunately, many of those people still cheer for the Cowboys, especially when the team comes to Arizona. Ugh. It's hard to see so many people cheering for the "wrong" team. Not that any of us had much to cheer about--it was a really sloppy game, best left in the preseason.

OK, enough drivel. On to my card for the week--which, btw, my hubby doesn't like at all. Old poop. Anyway, as long as our creations were monochromatic, and had a greeting, we were left free to do whatever. And my whatever was a die cut design. I chose all Cheery Lynn dies for this card, and added a Create with TLC sentiment. The dies I used are:

Lace Corner Deco B
Fanciful Flourish
Victorian Romance Flourish
French Flair Doily Stacker
French Pastry Doily
Scandinavian Hearts Doily
Bird Cage
Birds of Earth and Sky

I am going to enter this card into the current Cheery Lynn Challenge, which is to use doilies.

I feel like a cheated a bit, since I used only white, but that's the breaks, huh? I hope you check out the beautiful monochromatic designs by my talented teamies, get some inspiration, and then enter our challenge. And be sure to have a really wonderful week--I know I intend to.

The Outlawz Greetings Hot Summer Nights Challenge

Hey, it's Monday again; time for another challenge at The Outlawz Greetings Card group. We are asking you to show us how you keep cool in the summer. That leaves things pretty wide open, huh? And our sponsor is, once again, Bugaboo Stamps.

 

Keeping this one really simple today. I used "Ava Swing" for my card and printed her on MICBC. I colored this image with my Copic and Twin Touch Brush markers:  

Skin: E000, TTR131, TTR139, TTYR133

Hair: E53, E55, E57, E59

Cat: W4, W6, W8, W9

Flower/Hearts: E02, E07

Flowers/Bow/Shirt/Shoes: RV00, RV10, RV11

Greenery/Pants: YG91, YG93, YG95, BG90, BG93, BG96

Swing: E41, E43, E44, E47

The rest of my card details:

DP: Prima Nature Garden, distressed with my Zutter

CS: Stampin' Up

Sentiment: Create with TLC 

Dies: Whimsy Ticket, Poppystamps Sitting Cat, SCACD Breezy Branches Corner, Memory Box Set of Swings

Miscellaneous: pearls, ribbon, cardboard, chipboard dragonfly

Hope you all had a good weekend. We went to a fun party Saturday night, although they had a miniature horse that kept trying to take my plate of food away from me. I found that a bit disconcerting, to say the least. Their dogs, on the other hand, were very well-behaved. Go figure.

And Sunday's game was a disaster. Not only did the Diamondbacks lose the game, but they lost Cody Ross for who knows how long--he dislocated his hip running to first base. Ugh--that had to smart like crazy!

On the bright side, the Cardinals won their first pre-season game in Green Bay, which was a pleasant surprise. Buying season tickets this year looks like a better value than last year already! (Of course, we foolishly renewed our partial-season package with the Diamondbacks for next year, too. What were we thinking? Snicker.)

Hope you have a wonderful week. I am looking forward to getting a couple of birthday cards done. Speaking of cards, please stop by and check out the cool creations by the rest of the Greetings gang. Then get your summer on and join us! 

Jellypark Friends Cuddly Wuddly Challenge

So it must be Friday if it is Jellypark day. And I am late getting this posted. Gasp! (I forgot last night; I was so busy finishing a book that everything else just flew out of my mind. Or slowly leaked. I am not sure which.)

I went to the eye doctor yesterday for my annual checkup. And I need such a slight change in prescription that I am not going to bother with new glasses this year. I figure I could use the money on more dies instead. And more ribbon and charms. And new paper collections. You know, the really important stuff in life.

Speaking of paper collections, I returned to one from last year for this card--Carta Bella Winter Fun. (Carta Bella has become one of my new favorites. That and Bo Bunny. Yes, yes, I will still use Basic Grey.) Anyway, I paired the DP with some Stampin' Up CS. And called it a card.

I guess I need to give you a bit more info. Like the name of my cutie-pie image, Walking the Dog, which I printed on MICBC. And colored with Copic and Twin Touch Brush markers:

Skin: E000, TTR131, TTR139, TTYR133

Dog/Hair: E40, E42, E43, E44

Hat: E08, R00, R56, R59, BG72, BG75

Scarf/Mittens/Boots: E08, R00, R56, R59

Coat: BG72, BG75

Leash: B000, B00

My layout came from the Friday Sketch Challenge #49, which I will enter with this card:

I used my Zutter for distressing the DP; I added some ribbon, which I colored with Copic ink and distressed with my heat gun; the dies I used are: Poppystamps Dachshund & Labrador, Whimsy Ticket & Corner, and MFT Mini Tabs Foursome. The corners were made with cardboard; I added two Tim Holtz Adage Tickets, a Maya Road Trinket Love Hanger, mitten and dog buttons, and some Washi tape. My ticket sentiment is from the Whimsy Friendship Ticket sentiment set. And now I can call it a card. You can call it whatever.

Do visit our challenge and check out the darling cards by my talented teamies! And while you're there, be sure to see the wonderful creations that my other teamies made using the two new release images--which are adorable, btw! 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! We are off to a BBQ party tomorrow and a Diamondbacks game on Sunday. Guess I'd best get my card for Monday done today, huh? Duh. Later, Peeps...

Happy Birthday, Ellie!

Today is Ellie's birthday. Happy Birthday, dear friend! I made you a card, which you should have by now, as I am hand-delivering it this morning.

Oddly enough, People, I made a card that I couldn't begin to get into an envelope. Shocking, I know. I, myself, am stunned. (Not really. I should throttle my layers back just a smidgen, don't you think?) Anyway, I figured I could pack the card into a box, but didn't have one the right size. So then I decided to just hand it over to Ellie in person. Good thing she lives only three miles from me, huh?

I chose a darling Lacy Sunshine image, called Eleanor - Hummingbird. Well, the Eleanor name is self-explanatory. And the bird and flowers in the image are for Ellie's fabulous backyard, which is complete with a gorgeous garden and bird feeders. The image seems to suit her to a "T".

I printed Eleanor on MICBC and then colored her with Copics and Twin Touch Brush markers:

Skin: E000, TTR131, TTR139, TTYR133

Eyes: E23, E25, E27

Hair: C2, C5, C7, C9

Glasses/Necklace: BG72, BG75, BG78

Clothing: Y32, Y35, Y38, E02, E08, E09, BG11, BG32, BG72, BG75, BG78

Flowers: Y32, Y35, Y38, E02, E08, E09

Hummingbird: BG11, BG32, YG61, Y38

Grass/Leaves: YG61, YG63, YG67

I added white gel pen to the image, and Wink of Stella Brush Clear to the bird and a chipboard dragonfly. My design began with the CLP sketch for August #61. 

I chose DP from the MME Collectable Remarkable collection. (Yes, that is the way MME spells "collectible".) I distressed the DP with my Zutter, and then paired it with Stampin' Up CS. I used several dies for my die cuts: MFT Double Scallop Border, Leafy Flourish, Medium Leafy Flourish, Large Leafy Flourish; Cheery Lynn Daisy Strip; LaLa Land Crafts Folding Banner; Poppystamps Simple Banner; SCACD Classic Corners; Spellbinders Marvelous Squares. Other embellishments are Wild Orchid Crafts stick pins, lace, a mini clothespin, a safety pin, some baker's twine, SU brads, a birdhouse charm, TH mini staples, some feathers, and a partridge in a pear tree. (Yeah, not so much on the partridge. Or the pear tree.)

I am entering this card into some challenges, as it was not made for a DT assignment:

CLP Sketch Challenge #61

Lacy Sunshine Favorite Things Challenge  (my favorite things are die cuts!)

Cheery Lynn Anything Goes Challenge

And that's about it, Peeps. I will be back on Friday with another Jellypark Friends card. Ellie, I hope your day is fabulous!

Jellypark Friends Spotlight - Toy Giraffe

For our spotlight this week we are using the Toy Giraffe image for a baby card to celebrate the new prince. I just felt like paper-piecing this week. I may not look like paper-piecing, but I felt like it. OK, that made no sense, but that's OK. I attribute that to getting my house cleaned today. GASP!

Yeah, all that bending and lifting and pushing and pulling and dusting and scrubbing just about annihilated me. This happens at least once a year. Perhaps less. Maybe more. Ah, my mother is probably turning over in her grave right now. She was a very good housekeeper: you could eat off her floors. Well, you can eat off my floors, too. You'd just get a little extra something for your trouble. With whatever. This conversation is going nowhere fast, isn't it?

So I finished reading two good books this week. And one was not science fiction--amazing, I know, right? It was When I Found You, by Catherine Ryan Hyde. It was an interesting, fast read. I am really anxious to start another book, but I should wait until next week. Our granddaughters will be coming over today for the weekend. And I have a birthday card to get done for our friend, Ellie--hey, El! She will be another year better on Tuesday. Ergo, I have no time for reading at the moment. 'k.

My sister, Merrilyn, came out yesterday to have lunch. And to see my new bedroom set-up. She couldn't find my house. She knocked on the wrong door--fortunately, no one was home at that house. I realize my neighborhood is all built up now, and she hadn't yet seen it that way. But still. Really? (Sorry, Merrilyn. I just couldn't resist tattling on you.) Merrilyn hasn't been out here for over a year. A year, People. Ridiculous, isn't it? She lives in Scottsdale, about 30 miles away. And she hasn't been to my home for over a year. I hate to think how many times I have driven to her house during the past year. Many, many. Many! At least many. Of course, she did have two major knee-replacement surgeries during the past year. But, no excuse. She promised to come out more often. Of course, I could be withered away to nothing by the time that happens. (Probably not. Wishful thinking.) Anyway, she liked our new furniture and accessories and thought my bed was very comfortable. She took a nap in it.

Just kidding. She did lay down on it, though, and let out a big sigh. It does feel that good. Honestly. After she "awakened" we went to The Deli for lunch--mostly so I could take Blake's birthday card to him, as yesterday was his birthday. He was really busy, which is a good thing! I had a filet of beef half sandwich and cup of potato soup. Yummy! Merrilyn had a veggie lavosh pizza, which I tasted--it was really good, too. So our lunch was a success.

Last night Gary wanted to go out to eat and we couldn't agree on a place until he suggested trying Geno's, a little place in Gilbert that makes Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches. And after I agreed to that, I realized that I already had beef for lunch. So I wasn't sure what I would order, but they offer chicken cheese steak sandwiches, too. I ordered a half one, and my word. It was delicious! I liked it better than the beef one Gary had. So I will definitely go back there and get the chicken again. Try it, you'll like it.

OK, time for my card. Like I said, I just wasn't in the mood for coloring, so I paper-pieced the toy giraffe image with some paper from the Basic Grey Oliver collection. My CS is Stampin' Up. I used a bit of while gel pen, some SU ink, and made die cuts using Cheery Lynn French Flair Stackers and French Flair Doily Stackers dies. My sentiment is from Jellypark Friends as well, and I just fussy-cut it. That's it.

Hope you all have a really wonderful weekend. I expect to enjoy mine with the grand-girls. I'll be back next week with our new challenge--in the meantime, be sure to enter our current one, here.