Baskets of Wishes - Thinking of You

"The really great thing about cats is their endless variety.  One can pick a cat to fit almost any kind of decor, color scheme, income, personality, mood.  But under the fur, whatever color it may be, there still lies, essentially unchanged, one of the world's free souls."
                                                                     -----------Eric Gurney


Hi, Friends......

I am back with another sketch card from MFP.  I am loving their challenges!!!  I was sorting through my stash and saw these papers.  Don't you love the cool, clean colors?!!  I knew what I wanted to use for my card.

The patterned papers are from DCWV Nana's Kitchen.  The orange cardstock has a shimmery finish and is DCWV, too.  The stamps are from Newton's Nook Basket of Wishes set, which I won from them.  (THANKS, NN!!)  Such sweet images and one of the other stamps in this set has Newton, the kitty, in it.  :)

  
Here's the sketch I used from MFP Sketch with a Twist Challenge.  The twist this week is to make a Thinking of You card with the sketch.






I watercolored a few of the flowers in the basket with a waterbrush, swiping it across an old teal stamp pad I had in my stash.  I also used some red-orange from an even older set of watercolors.  I put some tiny rhinestones in the centers.  Love that sparkle!!



 I used 3-D foam squares for adhering my layers to give my card the added oomph of dimension.  

I really love how this card turned out.  Hope you like it, too!!  I also love to read your comments so please keep them coming.  Also, I would be thrilled for you to become a follower, if you are so inclined.  Just watch that put a ginormous smile right across my face.  :) :) :)

<3 
Janis

Thank you for the honor of entering my card in the following challenges:
1.  MFP Sketch with a Twist #100 - Thinking of You  
2.  Craftitude Challenge #66 - Pop it Up 
3.  Just Add Ink Challenge #216 - Just Add Watercolor   
4.  Stampin Royalty #230 - Picture Inspiration 

Stampin' Royalty Inspiration

   











5.  Perfectly Rustics #23 - Inspirational Photo

Perfectly Rustics Inspiration

Oriental Card with Handmade Tassel

"There are no ordinary cats."
            ------Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette 

Hi, Friends......

I am here with another try at an Oriental card for this week's MFP Oriental challenge.  This sketch seemed simple enough, but when I got going, my card looked too simple so I had to add a few things.  lol...

Here's the MFP Oriental sketch I used:

 I can't seem to get a focused shot of the gold embossed butterflies.  Here's an angled photo so you can see them a *little* bit better.  (shrug...)  

You can also see (maybe) that I sponged some gold metallic ink onto the black cardstock to soften the look a bit.


My favorite part of the card and probably the best part, too, is my handmade tassel with the bell....so I will give you an extra large photo of it.  :)

I found this metallic cloisonne needlepoint yarn at a thrift store.  I wrapped some brownish-red ribbon around the top of my tassel and glued a jingle bell to the top.  Does it look Oriental???  I think it kind of does.  

Other supplies include:  Graphic 45 Bird Song stickers that I won last year, orange mulberry paper, DCWV paper, Coredinations cardstock.

Hope you enjoyed seeing my card.  I especially will appreciate it if you rave about my tassel in your comments.  I am quite proud of it.  Ha!!

<3
Janis

Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1.  MFP Oriental Sketch Challenge #38 
2.  Alphabet Challenge - H is for Handmade Embellishments
3.  Clear it Out Challenge - Color-Black / Stash-Stickers (Graphic 45 BirdSong)  
4.  Glitter N Sparkle Challenge #86 - Add Some Metal  
5.  Inky Chicks Challenge #30 - Use a Metal Embellishment  

Graduation Card with Tons of Sparkle

"A cat is there when you call her----if she doesn't have something better to do."
                                                                 -------Bill Adler


Hi, Friends.......

I have been busy with non-blog things since getting back from my grand-nephew's party out-of-state.  I've been getting my garden ready to go, working on a baby quilt and receiving blankets, and generally getting things back to normal after two trips this month.  That's a lot of traveling for me!!!  Eeeek!


Today I am sharing a sparkly graduation card I made for a young lady.  It's hard to photograph all the glittery gleam on this card, but I hope you can get the idea.  

I used some graduation stickers for embellishing the card.  These are a wonderful alternative for me when I don't have the proper dies or stamps for a particular occasion.  I try to buy these when I see them on out-of-season clearance so I have them on hand in my stash for making quick cards.

http://sundaystamps.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/ssc76-lets-get-sketchy.html

I followed a terrific sketch I found on Sunday Stamps.  They have a super-fun sketch each month!

Here's an angled shot of my card that shows a bit more of the shine. I used DCWV Black Currant stack....one of my faves of ALL time!!! LOVE IT!!  The scalloped edge vertical strip is from that stack, too.  The amazing platinum glitter paper is from the DCWV Twinkle Glints stack.  Love this dazzling stack that my dear daughter gave me!!  <3  <3  <3  She knows how much I like shiny things!  :)  I used a stencil to cut out this shape.

The doily is from my stash.  It adds just the right amount of girly-ness without being too frilly.  I think the pink ribbon with the metallic silver edging is just the right touch for the vertical strip.

Hope you enjoyed my card today.  The sun is out this morning and it looks like more good weather is finally on the way here, again.  Have a lovely day!!

<3
Janis

Thank you for the honor of entering my card in the following challenges:

1.  Sunday Stamps Sketch Challenge #SSC 76 - Let's Get Sketchy! 
2.  Crafty Creations Challenge #264 - It is All About 'S'  (I used:  Shine, Sparkle, Scalloped edges, Strips, Stenciled Shape, Sketch, and Seasonal Stickers!!!)  
3.  Everybody Art Challenge #280 - Bling Bling  
4.  Kitty Bee Design Aloha Friday Challenge #24 - Congrats/Graduation
5.  Southern Girls Challenge #91 - Sparkle and Shine with a Bit of Bling   

Mini-album for One Year Old Boy

"A kitten is chiefly remarkable for rushing about like mad at nothing whatsoever, and generally stopping before it gets there."
                                                               ----------Agnes Repplier


Hi, Friends......

I am back with the mini-album for my grand-nephew, Kaden, who

#1 - Front cover - KADEN

is turning one year old.  You might recall my album of similar
design that I made for his cousin, Siobhan, here.  I tweaked it a little, but still followed the general directions from this wonderful mini-album tutorial from PaperHaus.


Kaden's mommy, our niece, mentioned she hoped this would be ready by Kaden's party so the guests could write notes and greetings in it.  So you will notice throughout that I left lots of room on the pages for journaling, photos, and greetings.

#2 - "Celebrate" and "Here Comes Trouble"

Anyone who lives where raccoons are common knows how apt the little coon on the "Here Comes Trouble" page is!  Ha.  This little fella looks like he has already been into mischief!!

#3 - "Hello" and "So Much Fun"

I used paper and embellishments from  Authentique "Delightful" and DCWV "My Sunshine" stack, plus various things from my stash.  The little critter stickers came from some JoAnn clearance goodies.  :) 

#4 - "Naptime" and "I Love You Everyday"

This "Naptime" page is one of my favorites.  Love the sweet little
sleepy owl in the tree and the clock next to the text!

#5 - "My Favorite Things" and Froggy with Bug

I have in mind for some of Kaden's favorite things to be journaled around the title on this page.  

Isn't the little froggy cute?  He's all excited about the bug he spies!

#6  Fox with Flowers and Hedgie in the Sun

I tried to group things so the inner corners of opposite pages would coordinate, too.....like the sun and the pot of flowers. 

These are more pages for photos or greetings.  Isn't the little hedgie adorable?  His spines echo the ridged edge of the sun.

#7 "You Are My Happy" and "Top 10"

I couldn't do a mini without including a banner I made on one of the pages.  (The one on page 2 doesn't count!)  I used 6-strand golden yellow embroidery floss for the string.

#8 - Back Cover

I like to place a strip or two of washi tape over the outer edge of the binding  for extra durability. 





Hope you enjoyed seeing Kaden's mini-album.  Happy Birthday, 1-year old Kaden!!!  

<3
Janis

Thank you for the honor of entering this mini-album in the following challenges:  
1.  4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #195 - No Stamping Zone
2.  Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #178 - Spots and/or Stripes 
3.  The ABC Challenge - L is for Lots of Layers 
4.  Created With Love Challenge #82 - Lots of Layers 
5.  Going Grey With Scrap Creations - Celebrations

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CAT STATUS UPDATE:
Poor Andromeda and Othello have to spend the next couple nights outside while we are gone for Kaden's birthday party.  I always worry when we have to do that, but that is how it is.  Aliyah has been on the hunt against Othello lately, so maybe this will cool her jets not having him inside with her for a couple days.

Did you see that amazing news video of the kitty who ran off the dog that was attacking her little boy?  You have to see it!!!  It's tuna for that kitty that night.
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Graduation Card in Purple and Gold

"There is no 'cat language.'  Painful as it is for us to admit, they don't need one!"
                                                                            ---------Barbara Holland



Hi, Friends......

I'm here to share a graduation card I made for a friend to celebrate receiving her Master's degree.  Hooray,  Christy!!!  Congratulations!!!!  


Christy loves purple, so I decided on a complementary color scheme.  The paper is DCWV and K&Co. I also used some fun graduation embellishment stickers that I just recently found in a sale bin at JoAnn's.  Didn't know I'd be using them so soon!  

I also used some neglected oval stencils for the pieces around the gown.  This was the perfect excuse to use this stencil set!

 



Here's the sketch I followed from the current Sketch N Stash Sketch Challenge.  I haven't done very many sketch challenges, so this was a lot of fun.

Here's a side angled shot to show you the dazzling embellishments.  Love the metallic shine!

Hope you enjoyed this card.  Have a lovely week!!!

<3 
Janis


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Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1.  Sketch N Stash Challenge #139 Sketch and Challenge - New (graduation embellishments) / Neglected (oval stencils) 
2.  DRS Designs Challenge #122 - Grad School
3.  Cuttin and Stampin Challenge - Graduation Day  
4.  Crafting With Dragonflies Challenge #26 - Celebration  
5.  Allsorts Challenge #259 - Purple Passion 
6. Ribbon Girls - May Colour Challenge 
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Mini-Album for Baby Girl

"Dogs believe they are human.  Cats believe they are God."
                                                       -----------Anonymous


Hi, Friends......

I am so glad finally to share this project that has been in process for some time.  I had it essentially finished, but wasn't quite satisfied, and so with a few tweaks.....it is done and ready to send.  It is a mini-album for my grand-niece Siobhan's (pronounce Sha-von) first birthday.

I made this mini-album using a fantastic and EASY tutorial from PaperHaus.  Thanks, PaperHaus Magazine!!

#1 - Front Cover

 I used the Authentique Delightful Collection that I won as a prize  (THANKS, Authentique!!) and various other embellishments throughout the mini.  (I just noticed that Authentique has an interesting mini-album tutorial up right now, too, that is similar to what I made only using CD envelopes.  Cool!)

#2  - "Our Precious Miracle" and  "Oh, The Places You'll Go!"

I used 6"x6" papers and left lots of unembellished room for photos and journaling. These delicate pastels didn't photograph too well (..errr...or rather I didn't photograph too well....), but I hope you can get an idea of things. 

#3 - "Sugar & Spice and Everything Nice"

I cut a doily (gleaned from my Mom's old stash) in quarters for the Sugar & Spice page corners.  Love how this turned out.  The doily has a metallic sheen along with the floral pattern.  So pretty!!

The adorable vintage images I used throughout this mini-album are from the Babies and Children A.T.C. Collection.  Such sweet additions!! 

#4 - "My Little Ray of Sunshine",  "Giggles" and  "Sweet as Honey"

Siobhan's family has a kitty, so I thought the sweet vintage image of the child with the cat was purr-fect.  :)

#5 - "Family" and "What a Doll"

Siobhan's family is Army and Daddy had been deployed, so I thought the Family page would be extra special.  I hope they will put a nice picture of the three of them on this page now that Daddy is back home safe and sound.  

The banner is made with Graphic 45 Secret Garden pieces and some shimmery twine. 

#6 - "Sweetness"

Love the heart-shaped doily here and the ribbon I used in the center.  I put a translucent envelope on this last page for mementos, just inside the back cover.

#7 - Back Cover

Hope you enjoyed this tour of my little mini-album.  I have another one to make now for Siobhan's little cousin Kaden, my grand-nephew!  Hope I can have it ready for his first birthday party coming up!!!

Thanks for visiting my blog and for your lovely comments.  Thank you to all who are followers, too!

<3
Janis 
 
THANK YOU for the honor of being able to enter this mini-album in the following challenges:
1.  Craft for the Craic May Challenge - Something for Baby
2.  Creative Corner - Team Mel - Baby
3.  Simply Create Too Challenge #61 - Anything But a Card
4.  2 Sisters Challenge #176 - Baby 
5.  Lia Stampz Challenge #64 - Anything But a Card
6.  Brown Sugar Challenge #93 - Pastel

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CAT STATUS UPDATE:
My poor kitties were very glad to see us get back after our trip....particularly to see my son!  His black part-Siamese cats are such sensitive creatures and really did not do well with him gone for so long.  Othello and Andromeda had to spend the four days outside that hubby and I were gone and have been exceptionally affectionate since we got home.

Chaienne was clear up in the loft when we returned.  The only way she could have gotten up there was to jump up from the shelf above the refrigerator.  At her age, she shouldn't be doing that.  She let out anguished howls when she heard us return.  We pulled down the loft ladder to give her an easier way to come back to ground level, but she insisted on jumping back down the way she came.  Poor old lady cat!
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Monochromatic Card Honored in Eureka Top 5

"In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him."
                                                                    ---------------Dereke Bruce


Hi, Friends.......

We are back from our little trip.  I was excited to find out that while I was gone, one of my cards had been honored.  
My monochromatic card made the Top 5 in the Eureka cards Challenge #87 Lace & Pearls.

This gives me the privilege of displaying their Top 5 Badge.  Thank you, Eureka Stamps, for choosing my card!!

Have a lovely day, everyone!!

<3
Janis

Vintage Mother's Day Card

"If you want a kitten, start out by asking for a horse."

                                             -------Naomi

Hi, Friends.....
 
Today I am sharing a Mother's Day card for my dear Mom-in-law.  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful MIL.  She enjoys vintage items, so the logical choice for a vintage look is Graphic 45.  

I used a complementary color scheme for my card...if purple and gold counts as such!  This Dearest Mother image is from the G45 A Place in Time May pages.  I used one of the tan calendar pages as my backing and some K&Co. purple patterned paper for the background.


I used my spectacular Gwyneth Flourish from Memory Box with shimmery gold cardstock. Again, you can see how the tendrils curl and lift on their own. Love it!!

 

I stamped and heat embossed my Victorian Butterfly image in gold onto some subtly patterned cardstock.  

You can see a hint of the paper's shimmer amidst the embossing in this photo: 

For the flower cluster, I used Prima and Pink Paislee flowers.  I added some Biscotti Perfect Pearls and a bit of lavender watercolor to the largest flower. Also, I added a stick-on pearl center to one.  



The purple ribbon roses were a thrift store find.  Hooray!!  I can't remember how much the whole spray was (which includes several more blossoms) ..... something like 25 cents.  :)

  

I finished the card with some lovely May Arts shimmery metallic purple sheer ribbon.  
Pretty!!

Hope you enjoyed my vintage Mother's Day card.  I think my Mom-in-Law will love it.  

We will be out of town for most of the next week, so I will be absent from my blog.  Will you miss me?  I will miss you!!!

Have a lovely week!

<3 

Janis

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THANK YOU for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:

1.  Red Rubber Designs Inspirational Challenge #118 - Mom

2.  Artistic Inspirations Challenge #89 - Swirls, Pearls and Anything Goes

3.  Stampin Royalty Challenge #226 - Mom  

4.  Brown Sugar Challenge #92 - Patterned Paper 

5.  Craftin Desert Divas Linky Party #30 - Mother's Day  

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