Winter Wonderland

Just sneaking in under the wire to post my submission to this weeks

Shabby Tea Room challenge.

Cathy chose the most beautiful winter scene as an inspiration photo

and asked that we create a project with a winter theme.

Isn't it just so lovely and peaceful?

If winter looked like this all the time I wouldn't mind it at all.

I was inspired by the beautiful colors of the photo

and made my card to reflect them.

Again, the pictures are not the best.  I must have moved this card around to

every room in the house trying to get decent lighting and these are

the best I could come up with.

I started off by using Penny Duncan's Nestie snowflake file.  Just love it! 

I then used another of her Nesties to make a backdrop for the

snowflake which is mounted with pop dots.

Satin ribbon was run through some slits I added to the Nestie.

I then mounted it all to some wonderful digital snowflake paper and then

again to digital newsprint. I zigzag stitched around the snowflake paper

in the exact shade of blue as the papers and ribbon.

I just fell in love with this trim when I saw it at Joann's. It kind of reminded

me of snow and icicles so I added it to my card along the bottom after

running some blue satin ribbon through the top part.

I added some pins and some of my homemade roses in a shade

that matches the red in the little vintage girls photo.

Then to finish it off I added a ticket with the saying "Warm and Cozy Winter Wishes".

It was secured with hemp twine and a button.

Almost forgot! I wanted some sparkle so before mounting everything, I brushed

my blue Nestie with sparkly fingernail polish. I came out awesome.

I sure hope the sparkle shows up in the above picture.

I have found so many uses for this new shade of nail polish.

I believe it is made by Wet and Wild.

I had fun with this challenge and am quite please with my card.

Hope you enjoyed viewing it also.

I am entering my creation in the

Tuesday Throwdown: Distressing challenge.

Before I go, I would like to thank the DT at TSTR for the honorable mention

on the card I created for last weeks challenge. Just thrilling to be mentioned

with the same group of ladies who's work I admire so much each week!

Until next time, 

You've got the cutest little baby face!

Today I have created a card for the Shabby Tea Room challenge "White and Bright".

I adore the inspiration photo as my favorite color is yellow.

We are asked to create a card/project using white and/or cream and one other color.

I kept with the inspiration photo colors using cream and yellow to make my card.

I really like the way this card finished up.

I used a couple techniques I had never tried before, first being the gathered satin ribbon.

I like the soft, feminine look it gives.

The next "new to me" technique was the kiss stamping of the background.

I will be using it again but hope I get better at it.

Next I tried my hand at wrapping the circle I cut for the picture frame in satin ribbon.

I love this look!  It gives texture and dimension without overpowering the picture.

To add more dimension, I used foam strips to raise the frame and also behind the layer

with the lace added.  To bad the camera makes the card look so flat as it is actually quite lofty.

Some dry embossing, pearls and inked edges finished it up nicely.

It's all ready to send to my nephew, Randy.

The picture is of his beautiful baby girl, Ava Belle.

Randy is in the Navy, stationed in Hawaii (poor kid).

Ava was born while he was in boot camp.

He has only seen her twice since her birth, once when he finished camp

and then right before he was shipped out.

Randy calls almost every day and speaks with Ava from his video phone.

It is so amazing to watch her respond to him. 

There is no doubt that, although they are far so far apart, she knows who her daddy is.

She is always mesmerized by his voice and doesn't take her eyes off the phone.

And lastly, here is the full picture that I used for my card.

Ava's maternal grandmother is a beginning photographer and she made these hats to use in her studio.

Okay, I lied!  Here are a couple more pix of our beautiful baby girl.

Thank's for taking a peek today!

Hope you liked the card and didn't mind my rambling about Ava.

'Sketch This'!

Good morning! 

It has been a long while since my last post. 

Just couldn't find the spare time during December to get into the craft room and play but today I made time!

I love following sketches and this week at The Shabby Tea Room there is a great one posted by host Pattie Goldman.

Here is my interpretation of the sketch.

I love the color combination of pink and green, it's just so fresh looking.

I was debating whether or not to distress my papers but in the end decided to go for the crisp, clean edges.

I had fun playing along this week and I hope you have enjoyed
taking a peek at my card.