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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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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Monochromatic Card in Turquoise/Aqua

"Never hold a dust buster and a cat at the same time."
                                                           --------Kyoya

Hi, Friends......

Today I am sharing with you a pretty monochromatic card.  This is for a bridal shower, but it could be for any lady occasion.

 I got to use a lot of fun toys on this one:  die cuts, new embossing folder, Prima flowers, thrift store lace ribbon, sparkly embossing powder, Zva swirl, sequin string, etc....and lots and lots of layers!!  

Here's a zoomed in photo to show you the pretty dry embossing I did on the white cardstock with my new Darice Cherry Blossom Embossing Folder.  LOVE IT!!!  

You can also see the gorgeous Gwyneth Flourish.  I won this die from Memory Box (THANKS, Memory Box!!) and it is one of my favorites!!!  I paired a couple of them up here to make a loose frame.  I love how the tendrils spring up a bit when the cut comes out of the die.....adding a touch of 3-D to my card.  (It might just be a result of this beginner's technique, though!!  Ha!) 


I have a hard time staying away from my various butterfly stamps, don't I?!  I heat embossed this pretty one with white sparkly embossing powder on vellum.  I layered two cuts together and lifted the wings a little bit on the top one.  Love the delicate look the vellum brings.

I made a band with thrift store lace ribbon over a strip of DCWV patterned paper from my stash and used a long-horded string of sequins a Secret Santa sent me years ago!  I love what the sequins add to it!! 

Please notice the sparking Zva swirl.  The rhinestone portions were originally a pale blue color, so I altered them with a teal Sharpie to coordinate better.  I think the match is pretty good! :)   The pearl strand and the leaves at the end of the rhinestones are the original colors.

I finished the card with some pretty Prima and Pink Paislee flowers.

  
Hope you enjoyed my card.  Thank you so much for all the lovely comments you leave.  They are very encouraging to me!!!  Thanks, also, to my three new followers. (happy dance!!)

Have a lovely Spring day!!

<3
Janis

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Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1.  Crafty Cardmakers #115 - It's a Bug's Life 
2.  Eureka Stamps Challenge #87 - Lace and Pearls
3.  Suzy Bees Bloomin' Challenge #26 - Wings 
4.  Fairytale Stamper Challenge #37 - Bingo (Lace, Die, Flowers) Anything Goes
5.  Addicted to Stamps Challenge #81 - Things with Wings
6.  Fashionable Stamping Challenge #71 - Flying Things 
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Exotic Oriental Card -- Exploring New Areas

"A cat is a Regency gentleman --  elegant of pose, exquisite of manner, with spotless linen and an enthusiasm for bare knuckle fights, rampaging love affairs, duels by moonlight, and the singing of glees.  He expects immaculate service from his domestic staff."
                                                                                  ------------ Pam Brown


Hi, Friends........

Today I am sharing a very different card from my usual style.  I saw that MFP Speedy TV was having an Oriental Sketch challenge, so I decided to play along.  This is my first attempt at an Asian looking card.  The jury is still out on how successful I was!

 



Here's the sketch that I was trying to emulate:

 

I started out by using some wonderful papers and a fascinating Asian postage stamp rubber stamp that I received as part of a prize from the lovely Jennifer Frith.   (THANKS, Jenny!!)  

Jenny is an amazing artist/illustrator and is such a sweetheart.  Please go check out her blog, Jenny's
Sketchbook, and prepare to be charmed!!!  You will LOVE her adorable animal paintings!!!

Here you can get a better look at the stamp on the mulberry paper, and also see the gold filigree ribbon I have used on several of my cards.  This is the end of that lovely thrift store spool.......such a beautiful find for 40 cents!! 

I got this fabulous Asian looking bow at the same thrift store for 10 cents!!  I knew it would be perfect for a card someday.  :)  Can you see the pretty gleam of the gold thread?

I put a notched piece of gold ribbon under the bow, and also added a gold embossed panda (shaded with distress ink to show the image better) to the lower corner of the center panel.  I edged a couple of the pieces with gold marker for accent and then it all got mounted onto a shimmery gold card base. 


I am still undecided as to how well I like this card.....but the exotic motifs and unfamiliar color combinations were super-fun and challenging to work with.  Thanks for taking a look at my card and for exploring new areas with me!!! 

Have a very lovely week!

<3 
Janis 

Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1.  MFP Speedy TV Challenge #34 - Oriental Sketch
2.  All Sorts Challenge Week #256 - Oriental
3.  Red Rubber Designs #117 - Postage Due 
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CAT STATUS UPDATE:
Othello, Andromeda, and Aliyah are moping around because my son is gone visiting relatives out of state. Chaienne doesn't care and Whiskers probably doesn't even notice, but the other three are depressed, restless, and out of sorts. Othello, in particular, is bonded on to my son. Othello is a guy-cat and considers me a very poor substitute for his best friend. Tonight, Andromeda was standing on a chair and clasping her paws around the doorknob of my son's closed bedroom door trying to open it and get in. Sometimes she is too smart for her own good!
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Another Butterfly Card in Pastels

"Work -- other people's work -- is an intolerable idea to a cat.  Can you picture cats herding sheep or agreeing to pull a cart?  They will not inconvenience themselves to the slightest degree."
                                                                             ---------- Louis J. Camuti 



Hi, Friends......

Can you allow me one more Serendipity Butterfly card?????  As you know, I am absolutely loving this die set and have been delighted with the cards I've made using it.

This is the last in the series of four retirement cards showing appreciation and thanks to some dear ladies who volunteered many hours at the Hope Center over the last number of years.  

You can see the other cards in my series here: 

First Card -- Floral Profusion 
Second Card --  Floral with Gold Accents

Third Card -- Layered CAS Floral

I used more of my K&Co. patterned paper for this card and laid a doily down to provide a focal background for my butterfly.

I glued the two butterfly die cuts together and used glitter only on the lattice for some wonderful iridescent sparkle.  LOVE this.

The lovely flourish is actually two identical pink Zva strands that I put together almost end to end.  Can you see where they repeat?  I am getting braver about using my Zva items.  Love them!!!  Some stick-on pearls and a bow finished up my card. 

Thanks for letting me share this series of retirement cards with you.  Hope you enjoyed them.

<3
Janis

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Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1.   Created with Love Challenges #80 -  In the Garden 
2.   Blogger's Challenge - Bling it On
3.   Crafter's Cafe Challenge #60 - Add Glitter
4.   The Sisterhood of Crafters - Things with Wings 
5.   Stempelgarten Challenge - Pastel Color Mix  
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Layered CAS Floral Card

"To escort a cat on a leash is against the nature of the cat."
                                                          --------Adlai Stevenson

Hi, Friends.....

Today I have the third in my series of cards given to the dear retirees at the Hope Center.  You can find the others here:  

First Card -- Floral Profusion

Second Card --  Floral with Gold Accents

I went more CAS - clean and simple - with this card than with my others in the series.  I will call this a Layered CAS.  Sometimes I find a simpler card very restful, especially with the neutrals that I used with the aqua (looks more bluish in photo).

This is my first test-run with my Sizzix Originals - Build a Lilac die set. Wow.....loved working with this original style bulky die:  cuts through my papers like butter....much better than the wafer-thin dies, but it takes a lot more room to store these.




I did not feel constrained to use purple for my lilacs, as you can see.  :)   The papers are K&Co, except for the DCWV brown panel and the little strip of Studio 112 button trim.  LOVE the sweet polka-dot flowers......and I was able to use all scraps on this card, except for the button trim!!

I at first used white glitter for the centers and then thought they needed to be yellow, so I added some yellow glitter glue over the top.

I finished the card with Glossy Accents on the button border and a satin bow.

Hope you enjoyed the simpler design of this card.  I look forward to using this Lilac die set again.  I might even use purple next time!  :)

<3
Janis

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Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1.  Crafts 4 Eternity Challenge R#173 Use Up Some Scraps 
2.  Just Add Ink Challenge #212 - Color Combo
3.  Get Inky Challenge - Die Cuts 
4.  CASology Week #92 - Garden 
5.  Emergency Crafters Challenge - PolkaDots
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Floral with Gold Accents

"To please himself only the cat purrs."
                  -----Irish Proverb


Hi, Friends......

I am back with the second in the series of four cards for the retirees at our Hope Center.  You can see the other one that I posted so far HERE.


This one has subtle colors in pale aqua, cream and pale apricot, but I think the metallic gold accents really liven it up.

I used a couple different brands of flowers for this card.  The dreamy, translucent ones are LaLiberi (which I got on JoAnn clearance) and the others are Prima.

The dazzling glass center of the middle flower is also clearance LaLiberi.  I LOVE how it glows when the light hits it just right!!




The gold polka-dot paper is from my DCWV stash and the swirly flower patterned paper is K&Co. 

Here's a side shot where you can see the gleam of the metallic gold in the dotted panel and in the gorgeous gold lacy ribbon.  I do love gold!!!  Also, you can see the pretty sparkle of the Prima flower with the pearl center.  

Hope you enjoyed seeing this pretty floral card with the gold accents.  I love it when you take time to leave comments and would also love for you to become a follower (use gadget in sidebar) if you are so inclined.  :)

Have a lovely week.  I hope your spring weather is better than ours has been for the last few days!!! 

<3

Janis

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

1.  Digi Sketch Challenge 14th April - Floral Challenge 

2.  Through the Purple Haze Challenges #38 - Creativity Strikes

3.  Glitter n Sparkle Challenge #81 Easter / Spring Colors

4.  That Craft Place - Anything Goes / Easter

5.  613 Avenue Create Challenge #68 - Anything Goes

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Floral Profusion

(This cat quote is dedicated to my 3 year old granddaughter...)
"No one can have experienced to the fullest, the true sense of achievement and satisfaction who has never pursued and successfully caught his tail."
                                                     --------Rosalind Welcher


Hi, Friends.....

Today I am sharing the first of four cards that I made for some sweet honorees at a retirement party given by the Hope Center where I volunteer.  These ladies dedicated many hours to our clients and their children.  Their contributions over the years are appreciated and their lovely smiles are missed!!!  

Many thanks and much love to you:  Pat, Marian, Irene, and Stella.  We are so blessed to have been able to work beside you!!!






On this card, I was going for an explosion of flowers in the pretty aqua, white, and tan color combo.  I used K&Co. paper and lovely Prima and Pink Paislee flowers backed by a pretty doily.

I'd like to draw your attention to the gorgeous thrift store ribbon I used:  the delicious ribbon for the bow and also the lacy white ribbon with the elegant gold thread.  So shimmery and beautiful!


Hope you enjoyed my Floral Profusion 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.  Polkadoodles Challenge #16 - Springtime
2.  Hiding in my Craft Room #146 - Flowers 
3.  We Do Doobadoo Week #4 - Embellish It 
4.  Open-Minded Crafting Fun Challenge #8 - Easter or Pastel Colors 
5.  Time 4 Scrap Challenge #38 - Springtime
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Favorite Glitter....EVER!!! Spring Butterfly Card

Cats only assume their strangest, most intriging and beautiful postures when it is impossible to photograph them.
                                                                            ------J.R. Coulson

Hi, Friends.....

I am posting this on Saturday evening, but most of you will not see it until tomorrow or perhaps the next day.  But I will go ahead and wish everyone a

Happy Resurrection Day!  

He is Risen.  He is Risen, indeed! 

I will be heading off early to a sunrise service and then we have breakfast potluck at the church afterwards.  Morning worship begins at 11 am.  What are your Easter plans?

Here's a Spring card that is so fast and simple that I am totally embarrassed to even show it to you. 

.

I wasn't planning to post this card because it is similar to the one with my Serendipity butterfly that I put up last night.  But when I used more of my new glitter, I was so thrilled that I just had to share with you! Besides, it has aqua and pink....a favorite color combo!!  :)

This is my favorite glitter ever: 

I snagged it recently on clearance at JoAnn's for a dollar or maybe even 75c (can't remember for sure how much and now the trash is already emptied!)  I love the spring colors:  white, pink, blue, green....which are a bit more pastel than the photo shows....and it doesn't even show the green and white!

I used the green on this card and it has little iridescent flower sequins in it.  <3 <3 <3  That's what you see glinting in different colors in each of the photos.  The blue has tiny stars and the pink has tiny hearts in it.  Adorable!!  This glitter set also has a little funnel that stores in the center of the caddy and is very useful in putting away the leftovers.  :)  I wish I had picked up more than one of these clearance finds!!!

This was a super easy four-step card:
1.  Score and fold the patterned cardstock.  (I used DCWV.)  Cut edge with decorative scissors, if desired.
2.  Die cut and glue together the two butterfly cuts (lattice and solid).
3.  Apply glue and glitter.  Let dry.
4.  Make tails with ribbon and attach to butterfly and mount with 3-D foam on cardstock.

DONE.


You can see why I say this is so incredibly simple that I hesitate to post it and enter it in any challenges!  However....I am just so totally delighted with it that I am swallowing my pride and going for it.  Ha.

Here's an angled shot.  I can't get over how much I love this quick dress-up for my butterfly .....instead of painstakingly adding individual pearls and sequins like I did on my last card.   This is so fast, but really beautiful.

And let me tell you, this card has some amazing sparkle and shimmer in all the colors of the rainbow....like a million sparkling gems....whenever it is moved slightly.  I wish you could see it in real life!!!

Okay, I have gushed on enough.   I have an idea you are going to be seeing a LOT of this glitter.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!  Can't wait to try it with stencils!  :)

Happy, happy Easter!!!

<3
Janis

Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1.  Annabelle Stamps April Challenge - Sketch
2.  Words 2 Scrap By Challenge #4 - Shine Bright Like a Diamond
3.  Keep it Simple Challenge #38 - Bright Sparks
4.  Mark's Finest Papers Speedy TV Challenge #59 - The Eyes Have It (Inspiration Photos)
5.  The Doodle Garden Challenge #2 - Color Inspiration