runway inspired challenge #80

I'm trying to get back to my routine of making cards after a bit of a break (Christmas through Valentine's day is the busiest time for me), and so I thought it would help if I combined cardmaking with my daily gratitude practice...writing at least one thing that I'm thankful for each day.  Today, I made this...

...which, I'm submitting to the Runway Inspired Challenge.  This was our inspiration.

It's important for me to focus on the positive, to remember and appreciate the good things in my life, and to always, always, always practice gratitude.  Even when everything seems to be going wrong and all the things that stress me out seem like they are just piling up, that's when I push myself the hardest to count my blessings.

This card was made for my Brooklyn family, for taking me in and letting me stay at their place while I'm having major repairs done on my house.  I can't thank them enough for their support and love.

This card was made by stamping with distress inks, which I hardly use to stamp with.  I liked the beady and not-so-sharp look that the ink made on the solid vase and flower images.  I provided a bit of definition by taking a wet brush to some places to smooth out the color.

Thanks for taking a look.  Would love your feedback...I'm always striving to improve my work:)

Supplies:
Stamps: Mama Elephant - Many Thanks, Sweet Havana
Dies: Mama Elephant - Sweet Havana
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (black soot, faded jeans, peacock feathers, spiced marmalade, tumbled glass, wild honey); Versamark (onyx black) 

essentials by ellen: mix it up!

I just got back from the most wonderful vacation in the the Philippines with my family, and was delighted to find out that Essentials by Ellen just launched a new challenge.  So cool!  I love the new products so much and use them so much.  So, I fought off my jet lag and put this together for the first challenge: Mix It Up (mixing Essentials by Ellen and Hero Arts products). 

 I mixed up the Zipper Panel die by Essentials by Ellen along with one of my favorite alphabet sets, Sketchbook Letters by Hero Arts.

This birthday card was made by one of my closest friends, Zawadi.  We were co-workers at an performing arts-based afterschool program back in the day, and became close friends and even housemates after that.  He's one of the most talented and kind people I know, and I'm fortunate to have him as a friend.

Happy birthday, Zuzu!  And, congrats Ellen Hutson's Essentials by Ellen on the launch of this challenge!!!  Can't wait to play along in future challenges.

Thanks for stopping by:)

AEI♥U March Challenge: Stripes

Hi there.  This is a bittersweet post from me today, as its my last post as an AEI♥U Challenge Team member.  I've had a great time, so of course I wish it didn't have to end, but I'm also completely grateful that I was even given the chance to be part of something so cool.  To Karolyn and Jamie, thank you.

This month's theme is stripes.  They will never go out of style.  Never ever!

Here's my card:

I used the Berry Good stamps and dies for this.  The images and sentiments are punny and funny...right up my alley.

Again, thank you to the Avery Elle team -- Jamie, Karolyn, and I fellow challenge team members.  I had a blast working with you.  Thank you for your encouragement and support.

xoxo,
Lorraine

AEI♥U February Challenge: Masking

I'm back for another challenge with the AEI♥U.  Can you believe it's February already?!  Time is flying by!

This month's theme uses a technique that I really enjoy.  Here we go...

Here is the card that I made...

First, I stamped and fussy cut the outlined macaron from the Avery Elle set, Bonjour, three times on post-it notes.  These were my masks. Then I stamped the first macaron (the top yellow), covered it with a mask, stamped the second (middle pink), covered that up with another mask, and then finally stamped the third macaron (bottom, purple) and covered that up.  

Once all the pretty little macarons were stamped and masked, I then made another mask to create the frame.  I used four strips of washi for this frame, then lightly blended on some distress ink.  And, next came my favorite thing about masking...peeling off all the masks for that ta-dahhhh moment...

To finish off my card, I added the sentiment using Simply Said: You Elle-ments and Simply Said: You, with a few sequins and enamel accents.  Have to say that making this card made me get a craving for something sweet:)

I hope you check out the AEI♥U Challenge to get some inspiration from our challenge team.  You can tell that all of us really like masking:)  Then, I hope you put together one of your own projects and link it up to our blog.  Two winners will be chosen to receive a $25 gift certificate to Avery Elle!

All the rules and guidelines are on the AEI♥U Challenge blog.  Looking forward to seeing your creations!

Thank you for stopping by!

runway inspired challenge #75

Hello, hello!  I'm so happy that I had a chance to be at my craft table today.  It gave me a chance to unwind, relax a bit, and make this card, which I'm submitting to the Runway Inspired Challenge.

My card is based on this dress.  Oooh, so pretty!!!

I was inspired by the bright pink and the swooshiness of the dress.  I made the pink curves by using a curved die to create masks for each section.  Time consuming, yet lots and lots of fun.

I then finished it off with my sentiment and a sparkly ampersand.  On the inside of the card, I stamped the sentiment "I'm so grateful".

Thanks for checking this out!

Supplies:
Stamps: Mama Elephant So Many Thanks
Dies: WPlus9 Sparkle and Shine Trio
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (picked raspberry); Versafine (champagne)
Other: white embossing powder, sequins

AEI♥U January Challenge: Paper Piecing

Happy New Year, everyone!!! Wishing you all a wonderful 2015, full of happiness, health, and love.
I can't think of a better way to kick off the new year than doing something creative...so, I'm back with another AEI♥U Challenge, where this month we're using one of my all-time favorite techniques.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I find paper piecing to be so relaxing...You stamp on patterned paper, cut around the outline, and then piece things back together again.   Here's what I made.

One of my goals for this year is to learn how to color better -- with Copics, watercolors, etc.  But, in the meantime, a technique like paper piecing is helpful, as patterned paper does all the work for me:)

This card goes out to all my family, friends, and virtual crafty friends who have supported me as I continue to explore blogging and cardmaking.  It has been a great journey so far, and I look forward to all the 2015 has in store.

I hope you check out the AEI♥U Challenge to get some inspiration from our challenge team.  Then, I hope you put together one of your own projects and link it up to our blog.  Two winners will be chosen to receive a $25 gift certificate to Avery Elle! How cool is that!!!

All the rules and guidelines are on the AEI♥U Challenge blog.  Looking forward to seeing your creations!

Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies: Stamps and paper by Avery Elle
Stamps: Look Up, Red and Goldie
Paper: Every Day Collection
Other: sequins and enamel accents

runway inspired challenge #73

I recently picked up a bad habit, where I make a card for a challenge, forget to blog about it, and then remember right after the collection has closed.  Well, its time for me to break the habit.  Here's a card I made for the Runway Inspired Challenge.

The card was inspired by this dress.

The color palette reminded me so much of the 80s.  What a wonderful time.  I used the colors and striped pattern for my card, which was given to my aunt for her 67th birthday.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: Avery Elle Red and Goldie, Avery Elle Fabulous Florals
Dies: Avery Elle Fabulous Florals Elle-ments; MFT By the Numbers Die-Namics
Other: Patterned vellum