Wild Orchid Challenge and DT Call!

Hey There!  I've made it through the week... phew!  It was a rough one.  I know that trials build character, but I thought that my character was just fine (NOT!).  Oh well... I've got a long way to go, but praise God, I'm not where I used to be!!!

Last week, I gave my testimony at Celebrate Recovery.  I'm learning more and more how to be open and honest before people.  I strive to be 'real' - KWIM?  It makes for lasting relationships : )

Guess what?  I am finally entering a Wild Orchid Challenge!  Yippeeee.  Well, actually, I've entered once or twice in the past, but this time is specifically for Wild Orchid Sketch #25.  Bev has a fabulous sketch this week to follow:

Here's what came together as paper, copics, flowers, pearls and seam binding flew!!!

I chose a digi from Bugaboo (another first!) called Ava School Sign It.  I keep going out of my norm lol!  Who knows what'll happen next : )

Ava's colored with copics:  BV05 BV02 BV01 BV00; E35 E34 YR21 YR20; G28 G24 G21 G20; R05 R02 R01; W9 W7 W5; Spica Pens: Black and Red (I wrote the sentiment with the black and red spicas).

 Wow... the flowers look really off in this pic!  They don't match exactly, but the colors here are very different than what I'm looking at on my desk - grrrr...  They are a mix of Wild Orchid 10mm Open Roses, 25mm Wild Rose and Prima.  The String of pearls are from Michael's and the Lilac Pearls are Viva Decor Paper Pen. Seam binding (another first for me!) from Wild Orchid topped with a button I had in my stash and another 10mm Open Rose : )

Papers were printed on my printer some time ago, so I don't remember where they came from, sorry!  Panels are machine stitched; circle is hand doodled as well as the design on Ava's dress.  I gave her a sparkly bow (Viva Decor Glitter Liner - this works with digi's without smearing like Stickles!) topped with a half pearl.  The single corner embellishment is a paper shapers wave punch which I ran through my Big Shot Pro with Swiss Dots embossing folder.  I know... the Big Shot Pro is overkill just for an embossing folder, but ya know... I really love it!!!  I have it set up and accessible all the time, so I use it for EVERYTHING.

I think I've covered it all hee hee...  The challenge at Wild Orchid is about to end, so you better hurry to get your entry in for this week!  Also, they have a DT Call... I do believe it's also about to end - RUN!!!  The call will close at 8pm GMT on 12th June.

Thanks for taking a peek!

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

Two New Techniques!

Hello friends!  Thank you for all the wonderful birthday greetings... they sure did make my day : )  I've been spoiled the last few days!  It began with my oldest son taking me (and hubby and younger son) to Esmeralda's for lunch.  I love Mexican food - it did not disappoint!  The next day, my sweet friend took me to lunch at Marie Callendar's where they have the 'best salad in the world!'  But you know what I found out?  The 'best salad in the world' was replaced by another 'best salad in the world!'  It was similar to the first, but even better - yummy!  I also had my first sour apple martini.  M-m-good!  That night, my DH took me to Mimi's Cafe where they have the 'best carrot raisin muffins in the world!' hee hee...  The following morning, my sister and mom took me to... Mimi's Cafe (yes, again!!!) where I had more carrot raisin muffins and a very delish Cheddar Broccoli Quiche.  Oh the calories...   We saw Toy Story 3 - very cute movie : ) - had to have frozen yogurt at Yogofina.  Do you have something similar in your area?  They have great frozen yogurt, but the toppings are out of this world!  I had Snickers, brownie, granola, strawberries and blueberries.  It was fa-nominal!!! After that, we were thirsty, so we headed over to Starbucks!!!  We sat and talked and sipped our drinks...  They had to roll me out the door LOL!

So now I'm not only spoiled, but I've probably gained about 10 pounds!  Oh well... I keep thinking that when I lose the extra baggage that has somehow found it's way on my body, it'll be a good testimony of how following First Place 4 Health has helped me get slim and trim - yaaaaahooooo!  The first class starts on September 22.  I can't wait...but I can hee hee!

If you're still with me, I'd like to show you my card and a new technique I used!

This stamp is from Victoria Case for SCACD - Aurora 2 Collection, 'Walk in the Park.'  I have fallen in love with this collection!  Her outfits are so much FUN to color : )

She's colored with copics...  Pinks: RV34 RV32 RV10 RV00 RV000; Greens: G28 G24 G21 G20; Hair: E35 E34 YR21 YR20; Skin:  E11 E21 E00 R20.  For LOTS of bling, I used Viva Decor Glitter Liner.  After I colored the image, I applied the glitter liner on her hat, belt and shoes.  Do you like the bling-y scrolls?  I hope to have a tutorial soon to show you how I made them!  Although you can certainly 'draw' them directly onto your project, I chose to create them first and then glued them down once I found a pleasing design.  I also found a way to incorporate my fave Rose Paper Pen, of course hee hee!

DP is Memory Box, Gossamer (LOVE this paper!!!).  Circle and Scalloped Circle die cuts are from my nesties.  Behind the scalloped circle, I've layered a punched border using MS Optic Dot corner punch.  I played with the punch until I made something I liked!  Corner punches are no longer just for corners!

The larger, funky looking flower is one that I made.  Another first!  I used scrap dp from a previous card.  I hope to do another tutorial on how I made this oh so easy flower!  You can make flowers to match all your projects.  How cool is that?  All of the flowers received a very healthy spritz or two of Iridescent Pearl Maya Mist and then edged with Stardust Stickles.  Oh so sparkly!

Challenges Entered:
One Stop Craft - Summer Fun
Creative Inspirations - Recycle (flower)
Dutch Dare - Anything Goes
Creative Card Crew - Cute and Girlie


You'll want to check back soon for another new technique I've discovered...  It will be revealed for the next Try It Out *T*...

******************************************************
New Product Alert!!!

• Holiday Kaisercraft Pads
• Spellbinders Foil Sheets
• Perfect Pearls Mica Sets

Now on Sale!
Select Prima and Petaloo Flowers

********************************************************* 
Thanks for stopping by to see me : )  I hope you have a fabulous week!

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul ~

  

Viva Decor Blog Hop!!!

Good morning friends!  A very happy Friday to ya!!!  Get ready for a long post... Are you on the Blog Hop trail today?  If so, you should have come here from Rowena's blog.  If you'd like to start at the beginning, then head on over to Quixotic Paperie Store Blog.  Let's get started!

 

Here's another of my fave stamps by Victoria Case for SCACD - Hearts and Hugs Summer Collection.  This image is called Safe Travels.  Isn't she the ca-uuuuutest evah?  I've colored her with copics, cut her out and popped her up on top of Memory Box and homemade dp!  I am seriously in LOVE with the  technique I used!!!  You'll be seeing lots of it in the future!  Crafters' Workshop has a ton of different templates, but I chose to use the Butterflies template and Rose Paper Pen.  (For those of you overseas, all Viva products I've used in my project (except the Paper Pen) can be purchased at Quixotic Paperie).  This is the first time I've done this technique and what you see is my first and only attempt.  I couldn't believe how easy it was and it turned out fabulous!  I simply used removable tape to tape down the stencil, and smoothed the Paper Pen over it using a palette knife.  Here's a tip:  You'll want to immediately lift the stencil from the paper as soon as you've covered all the areas.  Mine stuck in a couple of places because I was taking too much time going over it -  AND the weather was hot, so I'm sure it dried faster than usual.  I want to do another one now just talking about it ha ha!  One more tip... wash the stencil as soon as you're finished so it'll be clean and ready for your next craft session : )

Take a look at those glamorous shoes and purse!  I've given them a coat of Transparent Gloss Gel and sprinkled Glamour Dust on top.  She's a bling-y girl after my own ♥!  Her hat is painted with Ice White Pearl Pen.  I hope you can see the texture.  I've also given her eyes a bit of Diamond Glaze to make them pop!  But that's not all...  here are a few more areas where I've embellished this 'card' - The lace which was already adorned with tiny pearls received a larger pearl with Rose Paper Pen, the homemade dp received more bling with Hologram Glitter Liner as did the roses.  To top it off, the corners were given an even larger pearl with Ice White Pearl Pen.  I had soooo much fun!!!

**(For those of you overseas, all Viva products I've used in my project (except the Paper Pen) can be purchased at Quixotic Paperie)**

Challenges Entered:

Stampavie and more - anything goes

The Creative Cottage - touchy feely

Color Create - pink, chocolate & white

Crafty Ann's - 'From a Distance'

Fairy Fun Fridays - lace it up

Create4fun - flowers

Creative Inspirations - anything goes

Here's the inside with some gorgeous Memory Box paper - Gossamer.  More tiny pearls with Rose Paper Pen and a cute lil' heart button to complete the closure.  The tutorial I used to make this DVD holder is Here.

Surprise!  I so love it when a plan comes together lol!  I needed a DVD to show you how this little card/DVD holder looks.  I just happened to have this DVD near me, so I popped it in and saw how perfectly the title stands out.  One Night with the King... Safe Travels... get the connection?  To God be the Glory!!!  Only He could turn this FUN project into a lesson lol!


Note:  For my international friends, Safe Travels can also be purchased at Quixotic Paperie.

And now... the moment you've been waiting for!  Let's talk CANDY!!!


I am soooo excited about our combined Viva Blog Hop with Quixotic Paperie and Susana's Custom Art & Card Design!!!   Here's a little background information... Quixotic Paperie, owned by the Fabulous Elaine, and our Susana of SCACD have been partnering on efforts behind the scenes such that they consider each other International Sister Stores. They are combining efforts on certain mutual adventures starting with this awesome Viva Blog Hop which of course involves Yummy Candy!!  So make sure you stop at BOTH store Blogs HERE for SCACD and HERE for Quixotic Paperie. You will have a chance to win a set of 3 of the most popular Pens - (Ice White Pearl pen, Holographic Glitter pen and the Clear Gloss gel pen). So each Store Blog will offer up one chance to win the set. How Yummy is that?!!  The candy will run thru the 31st.

 

All you have to do is answer a question at each store blog - 1 entry at each STORE blog per person please!

Whew!  Still with me?  You will certainly want to stay awake because you are in for a real treat!  My buddy 
Kim is next on the Hop and she will blow you away with her amazing talent!!! 

Oh... one more thing you'll want to know...  She's Back Better Than Ever Release Candy begins this Sunday! Remember to check back at both store blogs on July 25!!!

Just in case you get lost, here's the Blog Hop Order:

QUIXOTIC PAPERIE STORE BLOG

Kim Dellow
Aud Nordheim
Judy Laing
Danni Bindel
Jacquie Heffner 
Kim Costello
Dianne Prewitt

Marti Wills

SCACD STORE BLOG

Rowena Barnard

Lori Aragon
Kim Gruetzmacher
Carolyn Bounds
Simonne Clay
Anki Bargman
Emma Lockley

Suzanne Dean 
Elaine Hughes

Thanks for hopping with the Quixotic Paperie and SCACD DT girls!

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul ~