Live, Love, Laugh

Hi everyone! It's the weekend. Yeah, yeah! Do you have any plans?

It's time for a new CAS-ual Fridays challenge. The challenge is to make a CAS card with an element hanging over the edge of the card. This week's challenge is a two-weeker. :)

Here's my take on the challenge:

I recently bought a few items from the Amy Tangerine Plus One collection, and I've been anxious to use them. The papers, balloon, and mini washi tape are from the collection. The sentiment is from Mye De Leon's Live Love Laugh digital mini kit. I love how the sentiment works with the papers.

Here's a close-up:

Pretty simple. :)

If you'd like to play along with this week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge, the winner will receive a prize from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps:

You can link up your projects HERE.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend!


Supplies
Cardstock: (white) Avery Elle
Patterned papers: (Plus One) Amy Tangerine
Embellishments: (balloon die cut from Plus One Bits, washi from Plus One Mixtape) Amy Tangerine
Ink: (Pink Grapefruit, Antique Silver) Maya Mists
Digital element: (sentiment from Live Love Laugh mini kit) Mye De Leon at Pixels & Co.

You Make Me Smile

Hi everyone! I hope you're having a great week.

It's "All That Glitters Is Gold" week on the Glitz Design blog, but today, the digital team is showcasing the Love You Madly collection. The Paper Pack 2 and Element Pack 2 from this collection are on sale today only at Jessica Sprague (for $1 and $2!).

Want to see how I used this collection?

As soon as I saw this sentiment from the Love You Madly Element Pack 1, I had to use it! The sentiment is on a doily, but I removed the doily and moved the sentiment onto the pink journaling card from the Element Pack 2. It fit perfectly in the frame. Woo hoo!

I printed some papers from both paper packs. I die-cut a long banner from My Favorite Things and little Simon Says Stamp hearts to balance the banner. Here's a close-up:

To finish the card, I added a glittery bow tie. I die-cut the My Favorite Things bow tie out of white linen, silver glitterstock, and pink paper from the Love You Madly Paper Pack 2. 

I squealed when I saw the little bow assembled. :) Here's a close-up:

If you like the papers, they're on sale HERE. Score! You can see the other projects using this collection on the Glitz blog. 

Thanks for stopping by! Have a super day!

Supplies

Cardstock: (White Linen) Ellen Hutson; (silver glitterstock) Best Creations

Digital elements: (all papers and elements from the Love You Madly collection) Glitz Design at Jessica Sprague

Dies: (Fishtail Flags; Beautiful Bows) My Favorite Things; (hearts from Large Holiday Shapes) Simon Says Stamp

Mists: (Silver, Opaque White Mister Huey's) Studio Calico

Sequins: Neat & Tangled

Make It Happen Card Set

Hi everyone! Any plans for the weekend? We're going on a quick trip to the other side of the state for an arts reception for a long-time friend of my husband's. He's worked for years to land this particular show, so we're excited for him. :)

I was on the Glitz blog this week sharing my card set using the Bits and Pieces. While they differ by collection, the Bits and Pieces are mostly journaling cards or journaling spots. Of course, using digital, you can alter them larger or smaller. I did a little of both. :)

I made a set of three cards:

Kind of cheerful, right? I used the Glitz Design Color My Happy digital collection, and I focused more on the white, yellow, and blue elements. I printed several of the papers from the Paper Pack for layering.

Here they are:

On the Bits and Pieces (the globe and sentiment), I removed the heart on the globe and added one of the rainbow hearts from the Element Pack 1. I had to add a few more hearts, too.

Here's the second card:

For this card, I removed the heart and clipped a patterned paper from the Element Pack 2 to the Bits and Pieces. I also recolored the sentiment.

Here's the last card:

For this last card, I left the Bits and Pieces alone, but I added the fussy cut the banner. I could have digitally added the "make it happen," but I kind of liked the hand-cut look.

If you get a chance, stop by the Glitz blog. :)

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a great weekend!!


Supplies
Cardstock: (white) PTI
Digital: (all papers and elements from the Color Me Happy collection) Glitz Design at JessicaSprague.com
Ink: (Dewey, Taxi, Opaque White Mister Huey's) Studio Calico
Dies: (Tag Toppers) Paper Smooches; (stars from Large Holiday Shapes) Simon Says Stamp
Embossing: (Plaid Impression Plate) PTI
Embellishments: (pink washi tape from Hello, Friend collection) Glitz Design; (sequins) Neat & Tangled; (doily) Wilton; (aqua baker's twine) May Arts

Just for You + A Video

Hi everyone!

I wanted to share a card that was published in Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Magazine's January issue (yeah!). You can find the issue HERE.

This card was in the triangles section of the issue:

I started by making my own paper digitally (the diamonds) using a 4x6 Photo Template no. 2. I added the cake die-cut from Ruby Rock-It and stamped the Hero Arts sentiment.

I thought the Lucky Charm tiny triangles didn't quite match the diamonds, so I added vellum to soften it. Here's a close-up:

I made a video that shows how to use digital templates. It wasn't the same process I used on this card (there were a few more steps), but I used the same template. As a forewarning, the patterned paper I made in the end was pretty ugly. LOL!

(Please click on the YouTube icon to watch the video in HD.)

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

Supplies

Cardstock: (Rustic White) Papertrey Ink

Patterned paper: (pink and cream triangles from Lucky Charm 6x6 pad) American Crafts

Clear stamps: (sentiment from All Occasion Messages CL272) Hero Arts

Ink: (Wet Cement Mid-Tone ink) Hero Arts; (White) WPlus9

Accent: (coral pearl) Doodlebug designs; (cake ephemera from Cook It collection) Ruby Rock-It

Digital element:  (triangle template from 4x6 Photo Templates no. 2) Designs by Lili at The Lilypad; (digital overlay from Textured #20) Mommyish at SugarHill Co

Fibers: (white lace; pink/yellow ribbon) May Arts

Going Graphic

Hi everyone!

It's time for a new CAS-ual Fridays challenge! This week's challenge is to use color blocking. I cruised around Pinterest looking for inspiration, and I ran across this pin:

(The Berry)

I love the color combination (and I would pretty much kill for those pants!). From watching way too much Project Runway, I don't think color blocking has to actually involve blocks, so I went with triangles on my super graphic card:

It's hard to tell from this photo, but the color-blocking is one-layer. I used AUDacious Designs' Quarters template for the three triangles. I stamped on them with a digital brush to add a subtle texture (and I know, there's really no texture, ha ha). I color matched the boxes using the photo. If you want to see how I did it, I have a video tutorial (see my Digital Tutorials above).

I die-cut the "hello" from Paper Smooches' Quote Tag Dies in black. I wasn't sure about the black, so I made another card and die-cut 4 layers of white cardstock. I got the inspiration from JJ's Paper Smooches card (although mine's not as thick or cool):

I'm not sure which I like better. Which do you like better?

If you'd like to do some color-blocking of your own, you can link up to this week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge. The winner will receive some CAS-ual Friday Stamps:

You can link up your projects HERE.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend!


Supplies
Cardstock: (True Black) PTI
Other paper: (Premium White Photo Paper) Office Max
Digital template: (Quarters) AUDacious Designs at Pixels and Company
Die: (Quote Tag Dies) Paper Smooches

Glitz Winter Hoop Tutorial

Hi everyone!

This week, the Glitz Design teams are sharing projects with a WIINTER theme.

My daughter is 8, and there is a 4+ year age gap between her and my son. We have about a zillion pictures of her by herself from when she was little, but I've noticed that most of her older pictures have both kids in them (am I the only one??). I wanted to get some shots of just her. I snapped some pictures of her in our backyard in December....most were pretty goofy, but she looked so happy and content in one picture.

A couple of weeks ago, I posted another embroidery hoop project using a paper background. Instead of putting the photo of my daughter on a layout, I decided to put it on a hoop that I can hang on the wall. My goal is to make 5 hoops and hang them together. :)

Here's the finished project:

I wanted the coolness of the winter and pops of color--kind of signature me. For the elements, I used a variety of papers and elements from the Glitz Finnley, Cashmere Dame, Hello December, and Hoopla collections. I played around with the opacity and brightness to lighten some of the papers slightly. For the sentiment, I printed it on the paper and based the elements around it.

Want to see how I made the hoop? I shared this photo series on the Glitz blog, but I'm sharing the step-by-step below.

Before step 1, print your sentiment, print a digital design, etc. Please note, the first two photos are from my other hoop project (which is why I'm missing the printed sentiment).

• Step 1: The hoop has an inside and an outside hoop. Use the inside hoop for measuring the paper. Make sure there is at least 1/2" of cardstock around the outside of the circle.
• Step 2: Trace a circle around the outside edge of the inner hoop. I used pen in my photo so you can see it, but be sure to use pencil.
• Step 3: Cut a circle approximately 1/2" outside of the pencil circle. The circle doesn't need to be perfect. See mine below:

• Step 3 (continued). Cut the edge of the circle up to the point of the pencil line. I made my cuts about every 1/4"-1/2". I moved the flaps, but I did not crease them.
• Step 4: Watercolor, mist, stamp, or stitch on the cardstock circle. I used Bristol and watercolored on mine. Be sure to erase the circle (not that I know anything about that....ha ha). 
• Step 5: Get out the papers and elements. I printed out more than I ended up using. :)
• Step 6: Lightly mist the edges of the circles with water to soften the heavy cardstock (this part is optional, depending on your paper). Place the circle over the inner hoop and bend down the flaps. I had to open my hoop completely to get the outer ring over the paper.

Here are close-ups:

And the other side:

If you would like to see the other winter projects, be sure to check out the Glitz blog. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Supplies

Cardstock: (Bristol) Canson; (vellum) PTI

Digital elements: (blue triangles, grey triangle tab, aqua snowflake from Finnley collection; red arrow from Hello December element pack #1; solid blue from Hoopla collection; blue and white starburst frame from Cashmere Dame element pack #1) Glitz Design

Inks: (spray mists) Lindy's Stamp Gang, Studio Calico

Dies: (snowflakes) Marianne dies; (Scallop Tag) Paper Smooches; (Journal Tabs die) PTI

Embellishments: (sequins) Neat & Tangled; (twine) Lawn Fawn; (heart) Freckled Fawn; (red glossy paint) Martha Stewart

On the Corner Blog Hop

Hi everyone! I hope you had a great weekend!

Today, some crafty friends and I are having a blog hop using the Neat & Tangled's On the Corner set. This set was designed by Miriam Prantner, and it is so creative and different than any other stamp set I've seen--I LOVE that! If you're hopping along, you should be coming from the super-duper talented JJ's blog. 

I made two projects. The first is a card I made with my 3-year-old son in mind:

I want to squeeze the panda! Since I have a little guy, I think my favorite sentiments are the "Super" and "Hero" sentiments. They are great for any super heroes. :)

For the On the Corner, I stamped, colored, and fussy cut the pole. I stamped the street signs a second time and popped them up with foam tape. I fussy cut the panda from the Superheroes patterned paper, and I die-cut the Memory Box moon and stars.

Since I went very boyish for my first project, I decided to show a more feminine way to use the set:

Truth be told, I was going to use the "Super" and "Hero" for straw flags (wouldn't that be cute for a superhero birthday party?), but I couldn't find a red straw. LOL!

I used some Love Notes papers, a sticker, and rosette to make the jar decoration. I stamped the sentiments on one of the papers--these sentiments are angled, which work great for flags. The flag on this straw has two sides:

I love how versatile this set is! You can check it out here.

As part of the hop, TWO people will win one of these sets. You can comment to win through Saturday, January 18th (winners will be announced on the 20th). You can comment along the way to increase your chances. :)

Danielle/Neat & Tangled

Miriam

Elena

Jennifer

JJ

Jocelyn <--You are here!

Joscie

Nina

Wida

Thanks for stopping by! Next up is my sweet and talented friend Joscie!


Supplies
Panda card
Cardstock: (yellow) Avery Elle; (white, Pure Poppy) PTI
Patterned paper: (panda, blue from Superheroes) Reminisce
Stamps: (sentiments, street signs from On the Corner) Neat & Tangled
Ink: (Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko
Marker: (Clear Wink of Stella)
Dies: (Celestial Bodies) Memory Box
Copics

Jar and Flag
Patterned paper, stickers: (grey, aqua, red stripe, rosette, pink label from Love Notes) Crate Paper
Stamps: (sentiments, street signs from On the Corner) Neat & Tangled
Ink: (Strawberry) Fresh Ink
Dies: (Cameo) My Favorite Things
Twine: (gold) Lawn Fawn

Guesting at Paper Crafter's Library

Hi everyone!

I'm excited to be guesting for the Paper Crafter's Library blog today! Woo hoo! I'm sharing two projects on their blog, but I have a sneak peek:

I would love it if you would stop by the Paper Crafter's Library blog and see the projects. Thank you!!

Have a great day!

Season's Giving Blog Hop Winners

Hi everyone!

First, I wanted to say thank you so much for all of the comments and kind words! I can't tell you how much it meant to me. For the new followers, thank you for following!

Ready to hear the winners? Here's a link to the prizes. I used Random.org to pick the winners...

For the first giveaway:

Macarena (1/3/14)

For the second giveaway:

Teresa Godines (1/2/14)

For the third giveaway:

Joy (1/1/14)

Congratulations to the winners!! Please e-mail me your addresses at redballooncards at yahoo dot com. Thank you!

Have a great day.

Be Awesome Today

Hi everyone!

This week, the Glitz teams are sharing projects based on "thoughts on the new year." Admittedly, I don't make New Year's resolutions, but it is a good time to reflect and plan for the year. I wanted something inspirational; something about being a good person.

Here's what I came up with:

I ran across the sentiment digital brush in the Hello Friend Element Pack 2 and had to use it. I stamped the sentiment in pink on the bokeh paper (from the Hello Friend Paper Pack) and then stamped the frame around the sentiment. Isn't that bokeh paper stunning? *sigh*

Glitz has great small elements, and I used a few of those on the card (the "happy," "true" and "never give up"). Here's a tip: To remove the background colors of the sentiments, I selected the area in Photoshop that I didn't want to show (with the magic wand), and hit the backspace key.

I also stamped striped washi and a butterfly in the bottom right corner, and a third string of doilies in the top right, and I lowered the opacity on all of the elements. These Hello Friend brushes are awesome! For the card base, I used the pretty pink paper from the Cashmere Dame paper pack.

You can check out the other New Year's projects on the Glitz blog. :)

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!!


Supplies
Cardstock: (white) PTI
Digital elements: (bokeh paper, digital brushes, sentiments from Hello Friend collection; pink background paper from Cashmere Dame paper pack) Glitz Design digital at JessicaSprague.com
Mists: (Opaque White, Mary Mary Mr. Huey's) Studio Calico
Sequins: (pinks from Avery Elle; white flat from Kelly Purkey)

A to Z...You!

Hi everyone! ***If you're looking for my Season's Givings blog hop post, please click HERE.

It's the first CAS-ual Fridays challenge of 2014! This week's challenge is about choosing a word that describes what you hope for the new year.

Here's my card:

Yeah, yeah, I kind of cheated and instead of using one word, I used 26. :) I picked this image because I felt like it showed great words that I want to aspire to be this year. 

I used a digital image from Kim Geiser (love her stuff!) and colored it with Copics. I was holding my breath the whole time I was coloring--some of those lines and dots are small! 

Here's a close-up:

The face in the "You" kills me--it is so cute!

The winner of this week's CAS-ual Fridays Challenge will win a prize from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps!

You can link up your projects HERE. I hope you'll play along!

Have a great weekend! Thanks for stopping by. 

Supplies

Cardstock: (white) Papertrey Ink

Stamp: (ABC You!) Kim Geiser

Copic markers