Friday, January 30, 2015

Have a Cool Day



Hey everyone, I have one more My Favorite Things card to share with you this month.

I pulled out one of my favorite Birdie Brown sets (Cool Day), and used a combination of coloring and piecing to complete his look.  Doesn't he look cozy in his red sweater?

His ice floe is also pieced and I added just a touch of inking in the background to create the water line.

I thought I would recap all my MFT projects from this month.  It's really been fun creating for them, and I hope that you'll play along with one (or both) of the two challenges we have open right now.  Clicking on the card image below will take you to the original post.

Also, keep your eyes peeled on Instagram because there are going to be some big goings on there in February, LOTS of giveaways!  If you don't follow MFT yet, now's the time to do it!












Thursday, January 29, 2015

Last Publication with Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking



I wanted to share my final card published in Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking magazine.

This one was for the Get Inspired column in the February 2015 issue, and the inspiration piece was a Mardi Gras mask.

I was thrilled to have been invited to create for the column and I'm even more thankful now that I've seen the amazing cards that didn't get to be published.  Visit the PC&S blog here to see those cards.

This card was so much fun to create as it combined some of my favorite things:  stencils, embossing, and gold.

Hope your week is going well, thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

MFT Sketch Challenge #13



It's Wednesday, which means there's a new MFT sketch for you to play along with.



Here's a little sneak at my card.  Head over to the blog to check out the whole shebang and see what everyone else made too.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

MFT Color Challenge #14 Take 2



It was kind of fun turning my last color challenge card inside out, so I thought I'd try it with the current challenge too.

My initial card was pretty labor intensive as I used the stencil as a guide and cut out all the little openings with a craft knife.  It actually took a lot less time than I thought, but still that's not for everyone.

For this card, I create the same panel that is underneath the cut panel on the original card.  Then I used the stencil in a more traditional method, placing it over top and applying paste.



The sentiment is from the same set as I used on the initial card, there are so many great sentiments in that set!

What do you think?  Do you prefer controlled/subdued, or bold/textured?

Hope you can find some time to play along!



Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  MFT - Sweet Tooth, Limelight, Wild Wisteria, Blueberry
Stamps:  MFT - Friends Like Us
Ink:  MFT - Blueberry Hybrid Ink
Other:  MFT - Scattered Bars Stencil; Liquitex - Modeling Paste; Scotch - Foam Adhesive; Tombow - Mono Adhesive

Monday, January 26, 2015

Paper Cut Painting for Neat & Tangled



Hey everyone, I'm over on the Neat & Tangled card sharing this card created with the Paper Cut Flowers today.



Head over there for details on how I put it together.

Friday, January 23, 2015

Hello Friend



Oh so happy that it's Friday!

Today's card is for Winnie & Walter's birthday gradient challenge.

Normally I would probably go the distress ink route, but then I saw this sheet of patterned paper and, my lazy self figured why not let the paper do my work for me?

I kept things very simple on this one.  The cute cat is from an SC set.  I stamped him on my cardstock, then cut away the top using a combination of my paper cutter, detail scissors and a craft knife.  The cat was colored with Copics, I added the sentiment and done!

Hope you have a great weekend!

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  MME - Market Street 6x6 pad; Avery Elle - White, Black and Silver Fox cardstock
Stamps:  Winnie & Walter - The Big The Bold and the Happy; Studio Calico - Birthday by Lizzie Mackie
Ink:  Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versafine
Other:  Copics; Scotch - Foam Adhesive; Tombow - Stamp Runner


Thursday, January 22, 2015

MFT Color Challenge #14



We're unveiling our second color challenge today on the MFT Challenge & Inspiration blog

I had so much fun working on this card...MFT stencils and cardstock, what's not to love?




Here's my sneak peek, head over to the blog to check out the full card and see the rest of the DT creations!

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Thank You for Jane's Doodles


It's my day over at the Jane's Doodles blog today.

I've had the idea for this card floating around in my head for a while.

I wanted to create a really soft striped background for some bold flowers.  I used Avery Elle Silver Fox pigment ink and Jane's Doodles' Stripes and Dots set to achieve that.

The flowers are from Doodle Flowers 2 and were stamped with Versafine and then fussy cut.  Some were popped up and others were adhered directly to the panel.  I used a variety of red sequins to add a touch of color and glitz.  Apologies, I was actually at my friend JJ's and I have no idea who makes the sequins I used.  

Thanks for coming by, hope that your week is going well!

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  Avery Elle - White and Silver Fox cardstock
Stamps:  Jane's Doodles - Stripes & Dots and Doodle Flowers 2
Ink:  Versafine; Avery Elle - Silver Fox
Other:  Misc Sequins; Scotch - Foam Adhesive; Tombow - Mono and Aqua Mono Adhesive

MFT Sketch Challenge 212



Time for another MFT sketch!

I had a ton of fun with this one, I really distilled it down to a very basic CAS design.



Here's my sneak peek, head over to the blog to see the whole thing and see what the other ladies created.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Carinaisms (2)



I was actually able to get a bunch of scrapbooking done late last year, but haven't had a chance to share any layouts until now.

This might be my favorite of the bunch.  I had done a similar layout a while back, but I had another slew of pronunciation quirks to document.

When Ellie used to pronounce things incorrectly I was very conscious of it and worked with her to pronounce things correctly.  For Carina, since she's the baby, I don't do it.  I kind of love that she does mispronounce things.  I know she'll figure it out soon and won't be saying it anymore, and I want to keep her little as long as possible....have I mentioned she's going to a kindergartner this year??!!!



I used a couple Elle's Studio papers and whole lot of random Thickers.  To create the speech bubbles I actually first adhered the thickers and then just randomly cut around them.  They were getting a little lost, so I added some gray mats (also randomly cut around) to anchor them a bit.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  Elle's Studio - You & Me Lovely Stripes, Day to Day Today; CTMH - Outdoor Denim and Slate cardstock
Other:  AC - Lots and lots of random thickers and 05 Black Journaling Marker; Tombow - Mono Adhesive

Monday, January 19, 2015

MFT Color Challenge Take 2



Happy Monday!

I was looking at my negative/extra cuts from my original MFT color challenge card, and I realized that I pretty much had the makings of another card.

Just had to cut four more word bubbles in white, and I had everything I needed....it's so nice when you can essentially get two cards in one shot.

Since the word bubble outlines and alphas were pretty delicate, I used my Xyron sticker maker to adhere those.



Because I had worked out all the design details on the first card, this came together in a snap.

Which is your favorite version?

Hope you are inspired to play along, you've got one more day to get your entries in!

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  MFT - Sweet Tooth, Tropical Teal, Limelight, Lemon Drop, Persimmon, and Steel Grey
Other:  MFT - Die-namics Photo Booth Props Dies, Die-namics LLD Emmitt Alphabet Dies; Xyron - 1 1/2" sticker maker; Tombow - Mono Adhesive

Friday, January 16, 2015

Neat & Tangled Release Week Recap



Today's the day, the Neat & Tangled January release is live!

I have one more card to share with you today using the current You're So Neat incentive stamp.  This is a new promotion Danielle is running.  There will be a new incentive stamp released every other month, and while it can be ordered separately, if you place an order of $50 or more, you'll get it for free!

I thought it would be fun to make a shaker card with it, and I used the new Full of Love sequin mix that Danielle unveiled on Monday.  

I also thought I would do a recap of all my cards from this week since I only showed sneaks this week.


(Featuring Falling Hearts and Be My Valentine)


(Featuring Origami Map and Box Dies)



(Featuring Jumpstart my Heart)



(Featuring Paper Cut Flowers)

It's such a fun release and I hope you like it, head over to the store and fill up your cart! ;)

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Neat & Tangled Release Week Day 4


Today we're unveiling the last of Neat & Tangled's January Release.  

All the products will be available for purchase in the store tomorrow.

Instead of giving you a peek at my card today, I thought I'd mix it up and just show you the set that I used.

I wanted to do something a little different, so my card uses just one of the 'supporting cast' stamps and a sentiment.

Head over to the N&T blog to check out my card and what the rest of the DT created and to enter to win this stamp set.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Neat & Tangled Release Week



Thanks so much for all your comments about yesterday's product reveal at Neat & Tangled!  It's always a little nerve wracking when you release something new, and there's just a big sigh of relief when everyone else likes it too!

Today's reveal is another exciting one because it's a set designed by my good friend May Park who is also on the N&T DT.  I'm just sharing a little peek over here...you definitely want to head over to the N&T blog to check out what all the girls created as well as enter to win a set.

MFT Sketch Challenge #211



Hey everyone!  It's time for a new sketch over at the MFT Challenge & Inspiration Blog.

Here's a peek at my take on the sketch.



We had over 115 entries in our inaugural sketch last week, and hope you guys will keep playing along!

OK, now head over to the blog and see what the other girls made!

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

New Products for Neat & Tangled


It's Day 2 of Neat & Tangled release week, and I'm up to bat today.

For those of you who love Origami Map and hate fussy cutting, you'll be happy to hear that we're releasing a coordinating die.  Origami Map is one of my very favorite sets and the die just makes it that much more versatile.

Secondly, a new standalone die that I have been kicking around in my head for months now.  It took a little longer to perfect than I originally hoped, but I think you will love the result.  There is a coordinating stamp set for it too.  

Please head over to the Neat & Tangled blog to check out all the projects!

Monday, January 12, 2015

Thank you, and Neat & Tangled Release Week

I want to thank you all for your kind words and thoughts and prayers.  We held my Dad's service on Saturday.  It was wonderful to see so many old friends.  I think Dad would have been really touched and humbled by the service and celebration, our family is truly blessed.

I'm still working my way back to blogging this week.  I've been creating so there is plenty to share, but the blogging itself is just taking a little longer to get back to.  I'll have some more directional posts this week, and am aiming to get back into the full swing of things next week.

That said, this is a pretty big week, we're revealing Neat & Tangled's January release this week.  I've got two dies and a stamp set that will be revealed tomorrow.  You definitely want to head over to the Neat & Tangled blog.  Danielle has a giveaway Monday - Thursday, and the girls have been creating some really wonderful stuff.

Here's a little sneak peek of my card.


Thursday, January 8, 2015

MFT Color Challenge #13



Sharing a sneak of my first MFT Color Challenge card.

Head over to the blog to get all the details and see all the DT samples.

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

MFT Sketch #210



It's time for our first MFT Sketch challenge.

Here's a sneak of my card, head over to the blog to check out the sketch and see all the DT cards.

Hope you can play along!

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

MFT Challenge & Inspiration Intro


I'm being introduced on the MFT Challenge/Inspiration Blog today.

This is a sneak of my card.  Please head over to the blog to check it out.  

Monday, January 5, 2015

Update


This is a hard post to write.

My dad passed away in the morning on New Year's Day.

His health over the past 9 months had not been good, and he had been in the hospital on numerous occasions, sometimes for extended periods of time, so we knew that it was coming.  Still, the end came much more quickly than anticipated.  We're doing well.  We know that he's in a better place, that his body was just worn out.

My Dad embodied the American Dream.  He came to the US for grad school with two suitcases in hand.  He came right after marrying my Mom, but because of immigration regulations, she could not come until a year later.  They originally intended to return to Taiwan, but Dad got some employment opportunities here and ended up staying.

They eventually settled in Penfield, NY, and after working for another civil engineering firm, he was encouraged by his boss to start his own firm.  He founded Lu Engineers, and grew it into a well respected and thriving business with over 80 employees.  Dad set many goals for himself, one of which was to put all four of his kids through college, debt free, and give them a car at the end. He achieved that goal.

He retired in 2007, and in 2011 my parents moved to Ashburn, VA.  Our family was blessed to have them so close by and got to see them regularly and benefit from a lot of free babysitting.  It was really wonderful to see my girls develop a relationship with my Dad.  Growing up my grandparents were all overseas until we were older and we rarely saw them.  I love that my girls really knew my Dad.

Dad was ready to go, and over the past couple months his message for us was:  I have been so blessed, I'm so thankful, I'm ready.  And:  I love you, God loves you, love God, love one another, take care of your Mom.

This week we're preparing for Dad's service and welcoming friends and relatives who are coming into town.  We are sad, but we're also glad that he is where he is.

I have most of my design work for the next couple weeks done, so you'll see it out and about, and I'll have some directional posts here, but it will be quieter.  I'm still getting around to visit.  I love seeing your work, and leaving comments for others, but I'm finding it a bit more difficult to post here right now.

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Happy New Year! And another announcement



Happy New Year!

Hope everyone one had fun last night!

I've got a some more exciting news today.  I'll be hanging out with these ladies at a brand new Challenge/Inspiration site for My Favorite Things!

I'm really excited about it!  For all the nitty gritty details, head over here to the new blog.