FREESTYLE FRIDAYS WITH A SQUARE TOUCH

This week's Freestyle Fridays card comes straight out of the Occasions Mini Catalogue (see page 11) that retires tomorrow.  I've always found the Stampin' Up publications inspiring, although, this is the first time that I have actually 'cased' a card from one. And, might I add, it turned out pretty darn good.

The card measures 5 x 5. Unfortunately I could not capture how closely the retired Groovy Guava and True Thyme cardstocks match the new Paisley Petals Designer Series currently available as a promotion. Don't worry, it will reappear in the 2011-2012 catalogue coming out this summer. I'm speculating that a close proximity to these two colors will appear as new In Colors.

Stampin' Up supplies used to make this card other than the cardstock previously mentioned: Flower Fold Bigz Die, Scallop Border Punch, Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder (on a separate piece of Groovy Guava) and the Rhinestone Jewels.

********REGINA'S MISSION********

Regina, you get to make a square card!!! (clap, clap, clap)  The Mission, make it as shown, same colors and all and add a stamped image and a sentiment. Perhaps using VersaMark or the Itty Bitty Bits stamp set, just a couple of suggestions to get you going. You can do it!

See Ya Next Week!

Manly Mondays - Week 44

I finally made a card using the Texture Cuts Wood Sheets. And a very simple one at that.

The base is Chocolate Chip. The Wood Sheet was trimmed and stamped with the Woodgrain Background Stamp in Chocolate Chip. The Sizzix Owl and Branch is also in Chocolate Chip and a Brushed Gold bow added using the Beary Lovely Sizzix Die. The sentiment is from the Because I Care Hostess Level 1 set.  A layer of Crumb Cake was added in the inside for ease of reading a handwritten personal note. Nothing to it really and under 10 minutes to put together.

WHAT'S UP WITH FRANKII

Besides SHEDDING some more, OH! goodness the hair, and enjoying a good gnaw at his favorite bone

Frankii got to experience yet another food, watermelon.  THIS he really really likes.  He's also spent quite a bit of time playing outside since the snow is almost all melted and the backyard is getting drier everyday. At last count, we found 10 tennis balls that we had lost in the snow playing catch. We're sure to find more. 

A La Prochaine!

Freestyle Fridays - Regina's Floral Mission

Regina completed her mission and it is a Beauty!  Here is a sneak peak.

You can see the complete project here. The result is outstanding considering that Regina was challenged to "think outside the square card".  Her project has a very welcomed Spring feel for this part of the world, clean and crisp.  Surely you would love to see more and get the details. And, it only takes a minute to leave a comment.

See Ya Next Week!

Manly Mondays - A little old with a little new

The geese are slowly making their way back to us. In their honor this card was made.  This card could be given to a new fella at work, your cousin's new groom as a welcome to the family or the new pizzaria down the street - might get you a discount  J

The base is So Saffron. The birds were punched with So Saffron Designer Paper and glued to Pear Pizzazz Designer Paper then ran through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder. The sentiment is from the Promotion this month, Four Frames, punched with the Frame Punch. The ink used was Pear Pizzazz.  The Welcome is form Warm Words. This was applied with Dimensionals.

WHAT'S UP WITH FRANKII

Frankii is SHED-DING!!  Big time.  A sure sign that Spring must be here.  This is a little gift that Frankii brought Debbie this morning. She put it right outside the daycare door.  

It's the one with the Welcome. Debbie sure likes it.  The other one she had had a broken paw so it was time for a new one.

Betty was over and he just had to try and kiss her. 

He can be such a Ham!

A La Prochaine!

Freestyle Fridays - Spring WAS Here

As the title suggests, spring was here and now it's gone.  Snow storm blew in this morning and it has not stopped. I feel bad for the few geese that have already returned.

This week's card is for a friend turning 50 on Saturday.  There will be a surprise birthday party for her.  I can't wait to see the look of surprise on her face.  Her husband used Barbie invitations.  What a hoot!

This is a square card (yes Regina I did it again) measuring 5 1/2 by 5 1/2.  The base is Marina Mist with a layer of what I believe to be Afternoon Tea designer paper.

Before I embossed the sentiment from the It's Your Birthday Stamp Set I used an oval Nestability with cardboard packaging and adhered it to the designer paper (used the Embossing Buddy beforehand) to give it a lift for sorts.  I then punched several times with the Flower Trio Punch using Marina Mist and Pink Pirouette.  I adhered the flowers with Tombo Mono Multi. For the center I applied 3D paint much like Stickles.  When the picture was taken it was still wet. Now that's it dry the paint is translucent and sparkles.  I did add a piece of designer paper on the inside for contrast.  

******REGINA'S MISSION******

Regina your mission for this week, as always, should you choose to accept, is to use a flower punch and make a design with it as the focal point. The challenge for you will be NOT to put it on a square card. You can do it, you know you can.

Make sure you drop by Regina's blog and have a look at her new banner.  It's awesome!

See Ya Next Week!

Manly Mondays

Well Ladies and Gents Spring has finally Sprung in these parts.  The snow is melting at a rapid pace and the days are getting warmer and longer. The Geese are coming home a few at a time.  I actually waved at some the other day and yelled out "Welcome Home, it's good to see you". 

This week's card actually features Fall colors.  It just happened.... With Regina mentioning keeping a container of sorts close by with cut out pieces to use at a later date had me thinking I should really use something from that container.  I've had a piece of Brides Paper kicking around for some time that I had made a mixture of Pearl-Ex and water in a mister since before Christmas. Simply sprayed the mixture on the paper and wiped it with a paper towel. It actually has quite a bit of shine to it.

That piece was adhered to Pumpkin Pie.  The tree from Lovely As A Tree was stamped on Crumb Cake  with VersaMark and a few colors from Stampin' Pastels were applied with Q-tips. That piece was cut to size with a Nestability.  The sentiment layers are Pear Pizzazz and Crumb Cake, again, a nestability was used for the layers. Thinking of You was stamped with Chocolate Chip Classic Ink.  I was going to had some brads but felt it would take away from the Brides Paper and the tree.

WHAT'S UP WITH FRANKII

Frankii had a couple of new experiences this past week.  A Mother came into daycare to have her dog groomed and brought along her two year old daughter.  This child was not in the mood to listen on this day. Frankii has not been around children much and it always causes me some concern as you never know how a dog will react to a quick moving tot.  Curiosity took over him and he did very well according to Debbie even when the child hit him.  Debbie was quick to point out to the Mom to not allow her child do this and thankfully Frankii took it as a playful action.  It did tire him out thought which is excellent for this high active canine. When he came home he ate, had a drink and relaxed.

Can this position really be that comfortable??  Must be since he didn't move for quite awhile.

His other experience this past week was a fig.  Debbie was enjoying her afternoon snack and gave Frankii one.  When Frankii wants something that you are eating he sits as close to you as possible and stares at the food going into your mouth ever so subtly. His head does not move, only his eyes. He's extremely quiet and sometimes drool.  That "look" got to Debbie so she let him have a taste and he did his "taste, drop, taste, drop" test before he decided that he liked it. Poor Debbie, her fig snack will never be the same now. J

A La Prochaine!

Freestyle Fridays - Regina's Done It Again

Regina's mission this week was to use embossing powder.  Well folks, she's done it again.  She completes these missions   Every   Single    Time   with jaw droppin' results and style. Below is a sneak peek.

For a full view head on over to Regina's Blog and see for yourself how she created this beauty. Regina details how this fabulous creation came to be. While there please take a moment to leave Regina a comment on this little gem. 

See Ya Next Week!

Manly Mondays - Small Square Card

I've got a very simple card for you this week. This could be made ahead and have the sentiment applied as required. I was thinking of adding "I'm Sorry" since the eyes on the wolf look so sorrowful.

It measures 4"x4". Super easy to put together. Nestabilities were used to make the cuts. The Wolf is from the retired set simply called Wolf which was embossed with Black Embossing Powder on Whisper White Cardstock.  Don't forget to use the Embossing Buddy prior to stamping.  It really does makes a difference. You can't really tell from the photo, the Basic Black Cardstock is actually a frame. The Whisper White cardstock was adhered from behind with a Two Way Glue Stick (applied to the back of the Basic Black Cardstock).  Hope you find a bit of inspiration here.

WHAT'S UP WITH FRANKII

Frankii has had very dirty paws the last few days.  It is finally melting around here and the infamous squirrel has made an appearance.  It really wanted to be chased since it sat in front of the window waiting for Frankii to spot it and come and play. Once Frankii saw it out there there was no stopping him.  No new pics to share with you this week.  He's just moving too fast and not in the mood to pose.  J

A La Prochaine!