Happily Ever Challenged #17 - We salute you! - Different prizes possible!

Hello everybody, and welcome to our latest HEC of a challenge! :)



You probably thought I would have the challenge geared around moms, seeing as this is their month. Well, I thought I would take another special day for us Americans and gear it towards that.



You see, Saturday, May 21, is Armed Forces Day. It's a day when we can celebrate all of our troops and the contributions they make (some with their lives!) to keep our country the great country it is. Without their selfless sacrifices, we'd live in an entirely different country... one which I'd venture to say we would not like in the least.



So, in honor of the brave men and women in our armed forces, I dedicate this HEC to them. I also dedicate this HEC to

 a non-profit site that takes donations of handmade cards and sends them to our troops so they can send cards to their loved ones. Please click on the logo above to learn more.



What's the challenge? Not too hard, really. You are going to create a card using the colors in the logo above (or colors in the same family). You will use: RED, WHITE, BLUE, and YELLOW (or GOLD). The card may be for any occasion. You will also follow the rules for OWH on what can be on the card. You can find the rules here.



Now... a question may be: "Do I have to send my card and donate it to OWH?" Well, of course not. How would I know if you did anyway?  ;) But if you want to, I think it would be a wonderful thing to do and you can read how to go about it by clicking here. And, what's great about OWH, is you can do this year round! :)



Okay, here are the usual guidelines:



1. You will post a photo of your project on your blog or gallery.

2. You will then need to copy the URL of the BLOG POST (not your blog, but the actual post where you're featuring the project).

3. Add the URL and your NAME to the INLINKS below. :)

4. In your blog post, please add a link to this post and direct others to this post so that they may participate!

5. The deadline is Friday, May 27, 2011 by around 3:00 PM PST.

6. I will choose a random number/winner then and post it.

7. The winner will have until Friday, June 3 to email me at happilyevercrafter at gmail dot com. If I don't receive an email by then, I'll re-draw a number and so on.

8. Only one entry per person, please. :)



Now, with regards to the prize, I'm going to try something a little different this month... just to see if it helps get more participants (I know not everybody shops at Papertrey Ink).  :)  So, this month, you will have your CHOICE of prize:



You can choose the usual prize of a $10 Papertrey Ink gift certificate or a $10 gift card to Michaels craft store. (Of course, I'd need your postal address for that. :) (U.S. addresses only, please).



So get to your crafting table and show our troops how proud you are of them! :)



Thanks for looking and/or commenting!



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Happily Ever Challenged #16 - Winner Announced!

Sorry I'm late everybody! I could have sworn I put it on my Google calendar to remind me. I guess I didn't! :(



In any case, I want to thank everybody who participated this month! It was just very awesome to see all that purple and green goodness permeating the Internet with birthday greetings galore! It's much appreciated!



Without further ado, my buddy random.org helped me out by giving me a number:

This means that Julia and her cute little puppy birthday card are the proud recipients of a Papertrey Ink $10 gift certificate! :) Congratulations, Julia! :) Email me soon and let me know the email address to where you'd like the prize sent!



Again, thanks to everybody else who contributed. You made it a pretty darned awesome birthday! :) Thank you!



Thanks for looking and/or commenting!



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Make it Monday #12 - Papertrey Ink - Line Frames

I have ALWAYS loved the look of line frames on cards and Nichole Heady, one of the owners of PTI has it down to an perfection. This is why I was extremely happy when she did the tutorial on how to make these for her weekly Make it Monday series. You can read about this here.



I just so happen to have a few fine print Micron pens (by Sakura) so I was glad I had at least the tools. Now, the technique, on the other hand... well that has yet to be seen! ;)



Here's my card:

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As you can see, I wanted to try some masking as well as the frame. It wasn't too hard to do; I just added strips of paper below the frame and to the left. I then just taped them down with removable tape so they wouldn't shift while I stamped.  :)



Here's a close-up of the bottom left corner:

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And I knew I wanted to have a green as the color's complement, but I didn't want a bright green, but more of a "vintage green". Thus "Old Olive" made its appearance. Here's the sentiment:

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I can tell you that now that I know how to do this, I'm going to be doing it a lot more. I love the look especially, as Nichole stated in her video, for clean and simple (CAS) cards.



Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps:  Delightful Doilies, Think Big Favorites #3 (both PTI)

Ink:  Perfect Plum, Old Olive (both SU!)

Paper:  Royal Velvet, Stampers Select (both PTI)

Other:  Moss Rhinestones (PTI); Pigma Micron 0.35 mm pen (Sakura); ATG



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Card Patterns Sketch Blog - Challenge #112

Have you ever been in a crafting funk? Yeah, me too. Lately, I feel like I do the same cards over and over again, just using different stamps and paper. :P When this happens, I go to one of my friendly neighborhood challenge blogs for inspiration.



This time, I went over to Card Patterns to look at their newest sketch challenge. Click here for more information. When I saw this sketch

it just screamed to me! Okay, well maybe more of a loud whisper.  :)



I loved the symmetry and those peeking scallops really intrigued me. So, without further ado, here's my take on it:

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I'd been meaning to use some of that paper I found at Michaels (I really like the vintage wallpaper feel to it) so this was a great opportunity. I struggled with the main focal panel... and the color I would use. I knew that I wanted something equally "vintage-y" in color...so I decided on using Terracotta Tile (from PTI). Instead of an image, I thought I'd use an impression plate. And... if you look below it, you'll see a lad playing a flute. So, it was only natural that there would be music! :) Here's a close-up:

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Hopefully, you can make out the impression. :)



I know it doesn't look like it matches, but the ribbon and the purple paper are both "Royal Velvet" from PTI. I guess ribbon holds its dye differently. I need to look for more of a "grape" ribbon to add to my collection. :)



Go check out the challenge and play along. :) It really does help spark your mojo!





Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: Round and Round (PTI)

Ink:  Fresh Snow (PTI)

Paper:  Vintage Cream, Royal Velvet, Terracotta Tile (all PTI); Elegance (Recollection)

Other:  Royal Velvet twill, Sheet Music impression plate, Medium scallop die, Double-edge banner die (all PTI); Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers); ATG; Zots; Bow Easy



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Another Cinchy creation. :)

Well, I had my friend Kathleen over yesterday and she hinted how much she enjoyed the first blank notebook I gave to her...so of course, that stroked my ego enough to make her another notebook. They are a LOT of fun to make, now that I have my Cinch. :)

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Here are a couple of close-ups:

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and

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Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: Fillable Frames #4, Take Note (both PTI)

Ink:  Onyx Black (Versafine)

Paper:  Sarapapers (Hot Off The Press); Spring Moss (PTI)

Other:  Cork adhesive; Butterfly Die, Fillable Frames #4 Die (both PTI); Gerbera Daisy Stickers (MS); Rhinestones (Kaiser Scrapbook); Cinch (We R Memory Keepers); Xyron; Dimensionals



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Thank You - Green/Yellow Plaid

Well, I got the inkling to use Offbeat Backgrounds (from Waltzingmouse Stamps) to make some more plaid. It's a fun set to use! :)



I then realized I wasn't sure what color to go with the green and yellow, so I took a chance and went with a soft pink. Surprisingly, it doesn't look half-bad. :)

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Here's a close-up of the sentiment/focal image:

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And a close-up of the button and bow. :)

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Overall, I'm pleased with it. :)



Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: Off Beat Backgrounds (Waltzingmouse Stamps); Mat Stack 1 Collection (PTI)

Ink:  Versamark; Sage Shadow, Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Barely Banana (all SU!)

Paper:  Old Olive, Barely Banana (both SU!); Sweet Blush (PTI)

Other:  Rustic Twine, Sweet Blush Twill, Ripe Avocado button, Mat Stack 1 Die (all PTI); Bow Easy; ATG; Dimensional; Clear Filigree EP



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Showcasing Mom #2 - Birthday Card from Mom

Well, seeing as my mom's card last month got many more comments than I've gotten, I feared that her head may get swollen, but not to worry. She's still as humble as ever. :) Many people suggested I keep up with the "Showcasing Mom" series, so here's another installment. :)



When I received this birthday card from her, I had to gush to our waitress at Applebee's who agreed that it's just stunning.



Here, take a look for yourself...

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I was just amazed! She took my favorite PTI color, Ocean Tides and worked wonders. This is just stunning and I'm so grateful I got a "Marie Original".  :)



Here are some close-ups:

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I know you'll agree with me... that she really outdid herself. :)



Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Serenity - Wreath for All Seasons

Okay... after this posting I think I'm only behind a few posts! LOL!  :)



Here's a CAS (clean and simple) card I created because one never knows when one needs a "pick-me-up" card for a friend or family member, and I was smitten with the sentiment:

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A close-up of the wreath (I need to use this set more!):

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And a close-up of the sentiment:

Something we'd all do well to remember! :)



Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: Wreath for all Seasons (PTI); Faith Greetings (TPC Studios)

Ink:  Sage Shadow, Not Quite Navy (both SU!); Onyx Black (Versafine)

Paper:  Fine Linen (PTI); White CS

Other:  Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers); Dimensionals



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

The Earth Laughs in Flowers

Well, I'm so far behind in posting some of my creations, I think it will be June before you see my Mother's Day creations! ;)



Okay... here's another random card I created for a friend who needed a little pick-me-up.  :)

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A close-up of the cute watering can (from PTI's "Green Thumb" set... heat embossed) The flowers were punched using Martha Stewart's daisy punch:

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And a close-up of the sentiment (also from PTI's "Green Thumb" stamp set):

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Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: Green Thumb (PTI)

Ink:  Close to Cocoa (SU!); Versamark

Paper:  Kraft, New Leaf, 2009 Bitty Dot Basics (all PTI); Patterned Paper (from my stash)

Other:   Daisy punch (MS/EK Success); Clear Filigree EP; Key Tag Punch (SU!); Orange Zest twill (PTI); ATG; Sew Mini (Janome); Dimensionals



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Father's Day - You're My Anchor

I have a lot of updating to do to the ol' blog, but for now, I'm just working a post at a time. :)



Here's my first card I'd like to share... a card I created for my Dad for Father's Day. Seeing as he doesn't look at my blog, it's safe to show you all. ;)

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I wanted to try my hand at Embossing Resist (or Resist Embossing...whatever it's called!) and I thought this lighthouse image was perfect. :) Quite nautical, don't you think? :)



Here's a close-up of the image:

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And instead of my usual twine, I thought some red/white baker's twine added more to the "nautical" look. :)

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The inside (I forgot to take a picture) says "Happy Father's Day".  :)



Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: Out to Sea, Masculine Motifs (both PTI); Lighthouse (Great Impressions)

Ink:  Not Quite Navy, Sage Shadow (both SU!); Onyx Black (Versafine)

Paper:  Ocean Tides (PTI); Not Quite Navy (SU!); White cardstock

Other:  White Filigree EP; Labels 14 Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Baker's Twine; ATG; Dimensionals



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Anniversary Card - Heart Prints

My principal is celebrating an anniversary this month and I've always wanted an excuse to create an anniversary card...so there you have it. :)



Here's the card:

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A close-up of the hearts (from PTI's Heart Prints): (the heart on the right is heat-embossed with white embossing powder)

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And a close-up of the sentiment. I promise it says "Wishing" as the first word!  ;)

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I hope she and her husband like it! :)





Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps:  Heart Prints, Calendar Basics (both PTI)

Ink:  Grape Jelly (Momento); Versamark

Paper:  Fine Linen, Royal Velvet (both PTI); Pale Plum (SU!)

Other:  Sew Mini (Janome); Fine Linen twill, Royal Velvet button, Rustic Twine, Heart Prints dies (all PTI); White Filigree EP; ATG; Dimensionals



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Masculine Birthday Card - Postmarks

Well, I've been a busy little crafter and I finally broke open my Postmarks stamp set (PTI). To be honest, after I purchased it and took it out of the shipment box, I thought, "Why did I order this? I won't use it." I'm happy to have tried it out because I can see some fun things in the future. :)



Here's the card:

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And it's a masculine birthday card. How do you know it's a birthday card? Well, the detective will spot this!

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Pretty clever, eh? Yes, I know... I know. There should be a larger sentiment on the card. But after stamping all those background images to make my own pseudo-background paper, I didn't want to cover it. Maybe not a good "artistic" move, but there you have it. :P



Here's another close-up, this time of the diecut stamp! :)

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It's on dimensionals (in case you can't spot it).



And a final close-up of the knot, as I tried to emulate a package.  :)

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Not sure who will receive this, but it will wait in my arsenal until I need it! :)



Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: Postmarks (PTI)

Ink:  Close to Cocoa, Ruby Red, Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip (all SU!)

Paper:  Kraft, Scarlet Jewel, Stampers' Select, Enchanted Evening (all PTI)

Other:  Postage Stamp Die, Rustic Twine (both PTI); Sew Mini (Janome), ATG, Dimensionals



 Happily Ever Yours,