Soak Up The Sun

I.... wanna soak up the sun....  I just can't seem to get that Sheryl Crow song out of my head after working with these two sun bathing beauties from Sassy Studio Designs!  They are both now available as 24 hour freebies over on our Paper Craft Planet group (click here to download them for yourself).  

I am running late this morning so I am just going to give you some quick basics about my card and then I have to run to work.  Unfortunately, there will be no fun in the sun for me today!  lol  I decided to make another twisted easel card so that I could use both images.  The layout for the front of my project is sketch #217 from Sketch Saturday.  Papers are DCWV - The Travel Stack and My Mind's Eye - Surf's Up.  Both images are colored with Copics and Prismacolor Art Markers.  I've fussy cut Beach Bum and used her as the easel stopper.  A couple of Martha Stewart punches were used for the border and the branches/leaves.  Flowers are Recollections and WOC.  The starfish brads are also from Recollections.  My sentiment is from My Favorite Things and is stamped on one of the Spellbinders Ribbon Banner dies.

The current FFF challenge is in its 2nd week and is a photo inspiration based off this classicly pretty summer dress:

Here are a few more photos of my card so you can see some of the details:

Be sure to head over to PCP and add these gorgeous gals to your Sassy collection and see what the super talented Fabettes have created!  This is the last challenge for the current FFF team so get ready for some fresh faces next week!    

Sorry to post and run, but I hope you have a fabulous day!

Markers used: Copics (E11, E13, E21, E31, E33, E34, E23, E04, R02, YR15, BG10, BG15) and Prismacolor Art Markers (37, 79, 137, 169).

{hugs}
Regan

Fancy That

Ever have one of those weeks you couldn't wait to end?  Yeah.  This would be one of those.  I love my small man to pieces but I do believe the terrible twos have arrived!  He has been difficult all week, and momma's patience is wearing thin!  Being a single mom means there is no one to "take over" to give mom a breather.  Every night this week he has kept me hopping from the time we get home until I can finally tuck him into bed.  And even then I'm expected to sit in the oversized plush chair in his room until he falls asleep.  (Well, maybe this part isn't so bad since I usually sneak in some pages from Fifty Shades of Grey on my phone while he drifts off...)  I have fallen into my own bed every night, utterly exhausted.  But last night I decided some crafting therapy was really what I needed.  So I sat.  And I colored.  And I cut.  And I embellished.  And I felt better.

My best friend asked me to make a special birthday card for her sister-in-law.  It's an important one - 18!  (Yes, her sister-in-law is 20 years younger than we are.  Don't rub it in!  lol)  I immediately knew I would be using a Saturated Canary image.  But which one?  There are SO many cuties in Krista's collection (and I own quite a number of them)!  Her gorgeous images can be found here in her shop!  But her recent freebie Fancy was what called out to me.

I started with the current sketch over at The Sweet Stop (SSS168).  This is a fun one with a spin: Fun with numbers.  Fancy is colored with Copics and Prismacolor Art Markers.  I have decided that I need to step up my coloring skills so I will be perusing YouTube and Pinterest for tutorials and coloring guides.  If you know of any that I shouldn't miss, please feel free to post a link for me.  Here are a few close-ups of the image and embellies:

I don't usually color darker skin tones so this was a nice change for me.  Papers are My Mind's Eye Lost & Found - Market Street.  Flowers are one of my favorite embellishments and I've been favoring the corner arrangement lately.  The crown border punch is from Martha Stewart and I thought it was a good match for the princess paper.  A bit of seam binding and chipboard glitter numbers complete my creation.

My other reason for making this was so I could enter the current Saturated Canary challenge!  With all my design team duties I never seem to have a chance to play with some of the fabulous companies I adore!  Topping the list is Saturated Canary!  This fortnight their challenge is #22 -  Black and White + One (as in one other color).  I chose pink.  Because what birthday princess doesn't need a bit of pink on her special day?

Well, there you have it!  My crafting therapy session was a productive one!  And as soon as I get this wee one to sleep over here, session two can begin...  Check back tomorrow to see what fabulous freebie we'll have for you over at Sassy Studio Designs' Paper Craft Planet group (found here).

I'd also like to enter this card into the following challenges:
- Crafts and Me Challenges: #94-Anything Goes 
- Divas By Design Challenge: #45-Happy Birthday 
- Inky Impressions: #69-Dies or Punches
- My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges: #67-Birthday Girls 
- Paper Pretties: PWC216-Birthday Cards
- Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Anything Goes
- Stampavie and More: #173-Birthday 
- Craft Your Passion: #120-Black and White + One

Thanks for stopping by!

Markers used: Copics (E11, E13, E15, E23, E04, Y32, W4, W6, W8, R81, R85, YG95, YG97) and Prismacolor Art Markers (12, 170)

{hugs}
Regan    

The Corrosive Challenge #154 - Cheeky, Saucy, and Sassy

Well, it's official - I am in the holiday spirit!  For Halloween, that is!  I was in my local Michaels yesterday and there it was.... an end cap devoted to lovely black, white, and purple Halloween decorations!  I was practically drooling!  Of course, I couldn't resist (I know it's only July but it's never too early to start planning!) and came home with a few frightfully fun items!  

Since I was already in a Halloween frame of mind, I just went with it when it came time to make my card for this fortnight's Corrosive Challenge!  Our fabulous sponsor this month is Graphicat Designs, and Cheri was kind enough to provide an image to each design team member!  I had seen an image last Fall that I loved, and Challenge #154 - Cheeky, Saucy, and Sassy seemed like the perfect opportunity to use it!  "You Pray I'll Dance" gave me a giggle when I first saw it and it still makes me smirk now!  Cheri has also generously offered a $15 voucher to our July winner!

My card also follows the newest Graphicat Sketches layout, lucky #13,  which will officially go live tomorrow.  We have the privilege of previewing it a day early!  Papers are from DCWV's Midnight Spell stack.  Add bling, flowers, and sheer ribbon in Lucky Limeade from Stampin' Up and this Halloween creation is sure to make someone smile!

Head over to The Corrosive Challenge to see what the rest of the gals have come up with to tickle your funny bone or raise your eyebrow!

Thanks for stopping in and have a fabulous Sunday!

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:
- Craft Your Days Away: #50-Shades of Grey + One Other Color 
- ATCs and Cards with Attitude: #18-Anything Goes 
- Fat Pages and Cards with Attitude: #18-Anything Goes
- Diva By Design: #44-Anything Goes

{hugs}
Regan   

Tea and Crumpets and a Sassy Studio Designs New Release

Greetings from Great Britain!  Tea is served... Would you like one lump or two?  Welcome to the Sassy Studio Designs "It's a Small World" International Honeys blog hop!  If you've arrived here from Ruza's blog then you are on the right track!  If you arrived here by happy accident, you will want to go back and start from the beginning at the Sassy Studio Designs blog so you don't miss anything.  Here is the complete hop order in case you get lost.  It's a rather long one so be sure to have that spot of tea handy!

SSD

Starla

Soma

Shari

Sara

Ruza

**Regan** (you are here)

Rebecca

Rachelle

Mary

Lori 

Kim

Kathy

Kate

Karen

Julie

Jovan

Jan - July Guest Designer

Jamie 

Jackie

Debbie

Christy

Christine

Angela

Abbie 

Sandy - PCP Special Guest

SSD

 Okay, so here are the details...  Hop around the world with us, leaving comments as you go.  Two lucky winners will be selected at random from among the comments to receive one image from the new collection!  When you are done hopping, create a project featuring something about YOUR favorite country and tell us why that country holds a special place in your heart.  You MUST use a SSD image to participate.  Deadline to enter is July 27th at midnight PDT.  If you are the lucky crafter selected as winner by design team vote you will win ALL SIX new International Honey images!  All winners will be announced on July 31st.  

My card today features Great Britain Honey.  She is a such a little darling, isn't she?  Besides the amazing United States where I live, I have to say that England is probably my other favorite country!  I am a fan of the King Arthur legend and find the British royalty fascinating!  There is so much history on this one small island!  I was lucky enough to visit in 2001!  (For my honeymoon, a visit that was perhaps THE highlight of a short-lived marriage!  lol)  I have colored her with Copic and Prismacolor Art Markers.  This paper I found in a forgotten stash and I'm pretty sure it was purchased 10 years ago with the intention of scrapbooking honeymoon photos!  I was happy to stumble upon it this evening, though!  Flowers are a combination of Recollections and WOC.  The London chipboard sticker is also Recollections, and I finished off with a few pearls and a Tim Holtz metal corner.  The sketch is the current Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge layout (#163).

Ready to head off of to your next international destination?  Head on over to the fabulously talented Rebecca's blog where she has been practicing her Russian!

Thanks for joining us for our new release hop and we hope to see you on our party blog this evening for a chat with members of the SSD design team tonight beginning at 7pm PDT/10pm EDT!  Pip, pip, cheerio!

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
- Raise the Bar: #108-Red, White, and Blue 
- Try It On Tuesday: So Very British   
- Stampin' Royalty: #133-Anything Goes 
- Crop Stop: #81-Let the Corners Shine

{hugs}
Regan

Give Me Some Sugar

My mojo has seriously been lacking this week!  It has taken me forever to get started on anything crafty and then I feel uninspired as I sit at my desk.  It looked like it was going to be the same last night when I finally sat down about midnight to start my Fabulous Freebie Friday project for Sassy Studio Designs.  Perhaps my brain is still in vacation mode.  Perhaps I'd rather be reading more of the guilty little pleasure that is Fifty Shades of Grey (downloaded to my phone on Wednesday and tempting me ever since)!  Whatever it is it melted away when I put Copic to paper on this sensationally sexy Sassy image!

Her name is Denim Debbie, and she is from the Fashionista collection.  Now discontinued, this is your chance to grab her for your Sassy collection!  Simply head over to our Paper Craft Planet group, where she will be available for 24 hours!

We have a new challenge starting today over at PCP as well....  This fortnight we have a photo inspiration for you!  See this lovely floral summer dress?  We want it to guide the creative decisions for your project!  Feeling the flowers?  Love the colors?  Want add some pretty ribbon or a bow?  There are several beautiful options and we'd love to see how they translate onto your creations!

For my card, I started with the current sketch from Mojo Monday (#250).  I love this layout with all the fishtail banners!  They seem to be a hot design element at the moment and I'm so glad I purchased the My Favorite Things Fishtail Flags STAX Die-namics!  I have used it here, along with a lacy doily, paper piercing, and embossing.  I love the result!  Papers are Basic Grey - Sweet Threads and Urban Prairie.  My image is colored with Copics and cut with a Classic Circle Nestabilities die from Spellbinders.  Perhaps I am in a "Grey" frame of mind from my recent reading, but this sentiment from My Favorite Things Twisted Threesome stamp set seemed like a fun addition to the card!  A Recollections flower and a few half pearls are my only embellishments.

I must admit that I am pleased with the finished result!  I'm hoping that Mojo has helped my mojo and that I'll be back on my game when I sit down to create tonight!  Join us tomorrow over at Sassy Studio Designs for our "It's A Small World" International Honeys new release!  As always there will be fun and prizes to be had!

Be sure to visit us at PCP today to grab your freebie!  Debbie is only available for 24 hours, beginning at 8am EDT.

Have a fabulous day and thanks for the visit!

{hugs}
Regan    

Tickled Pink Stamps Sponsors Aud Sentiments

I have done it again - procrastinated myself into a predicament!  I have more things to do than I have time available!  So unfortunately I will not have my Sassy Studio Designs preview ready for you.  On the bright side, I do have this cute little lad to show you!  Tickled Pink Stamps is currently sponsoring Aud Sentiments and the challenge is to "Tag It".  We want you to pop your sentiment on a tag!

I decided to make a thank you card as a very nice mum of one of the little boys that Kayne goes to day care with gave us some wonderful hand me downs recently.  I'm talking barely worn GAP and Reebok! So to express our appreciation for her thoughtfulness, I colored up Lil Little Lad Frankie!  I made my tag with the Spellbinders Small Labels die and a hole punch, sponging some Tim Holtz Distress Ink on it before stamping my sentiment.  Papers are Basic Grey - Oxford.

I must collapse into bed and try to get a little sleep now, but please stop over to visit the Tickled Pink Stamps blog to see what the other {PINK} ladies have come up with for this challenge!  We hope you might even be inspired to play along for a TPS prize!

Thanks for dropping by and have a fabulous day!

{hugs}
Regan  

Class of 2012

Well, look who's been busy!  That would be me!  I made these three graduation cards this morning.  They were a request from my best friend.  I wanted a same yet different look to them so I printed out three copies of Saturated Canary's 2012 Graduation Girl and colored them identically.  I then used the same color card stock (Stampin' Up Basic Black, Bordering Blue, and Night of Navy) and designer paper pad (My Mind's Eye - Meadow Lark) with three different layouts.  Even the embellishments were the same (flowers, Class of 2012 stickers, and bling flourihses).  By using different sketches and arranging the embellishments in varied ways, I was able to achieve a unique look for each card.

The theme over at Saturated Canary Challenge Blog is "Bling It Out" (#21).  I think these qualify!  

The first card uses a sketch designed by my design teammate and crafty friend, Kathy Curry.  It is the current Sassy Studio Designs Dare To Be Sassy Thursday challenge (#133).  You don't have to use a Sassy image to play along, but you get a bonus entry if you do.  I love Kathy's sketches!  A Martha Stewart border punch and Cuttlebug star embossing folder adorn my version.

 

The second card uses MOJO249 from Mojo Monday.  I went shopping last night with my brother.  He needed new clothes for a new job he is starting soon.  While we were out I requested a quick stop at Michaels and did the happy dance when I found they had the Spellbinders Romantic Rectangles Nestabilities!  Out came the 50% off coupon and my purchase was made!  I couldn't wait to use them so here they are making their debut!  Another Martha Stewart border punch graces this creation as well.

 

The third card features a  layout from The Sketchy Challenges (#27).  It has been quite some time since I played along over there, but this one was too fun to pass up! 

 

I am winding down from vacation now... Only one more day off before it's back to work.  I have gotten to do everything I wanted, including some crafting! Plus I even squeezed in a little reading tonight.  Next week is another busy design team week so keep your eyes open for more creations from me, including Sassy Studio Designs sneak peeks and new release!  

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a fabulous day and happy crafting!

{hugs}
Regan 

Soccer Star Sweet 16

 

I am on a roll now that I have started crafting again!  This card was a request from a co-worker for her daughter who, you guessed it, is turning 16 this weekend!  She gave me a list of things she was "in to", but what stuck in my mind was her love of soccer.  And this darling image, called Soccer/Football, from Mayzy Art was what I thought of immediately!   The challenge over on the Mayzy Art blog this fortnight is "Flights of Fancy" (#004).  Many of the projects I saw took this literally and feature an image with wings, but I interpreted it a little differently...  What isn't a flight of fancy at 16?  You have the world at your feet, your whole life ahead of you, and limitless possibilities, even if some of them are unrealistic!  At that age, who doesn't dream they're a top athlete or a rock star or an acclaimed writer?  Not all of us can be those things but that is the beauty of youth.   What is life without dreams?  "Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly.” ~ Langston Hughes

I have used sketch #162 from Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.  My creation is a little crowded but all the elements are there.  I literally eeked this one out and managed to link up to the challenge with only seconds left!  Talk about cutting it close!  Papers are My Mind's Eye - Fine and Dandy Girl.  I used the Die-namics Page Banner Strip for the border.  My Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Circles were also utilized.  The image is colored with Copics, fussy cut, and popped up on foam squares.  This is one of my favorite techniques!  Because my color and patterns were a bit busy all I added to the card was one Recollections bling flourish and a Sweet 16 chipboard sticker from me&my BIG ideas.  

I really like how this turned out and my co-worker said it was perfect!  I love to hear that!  I am off to work on more cards now.  Hopefully I can stay awake.  Time to break out the midnight caffeine!  

Thanks for popping in!

{hugs}

Regan  

Relax with a Good Book

Happy Friday the 13th!   Sorry for the late post.  I am still functioning on vacation time and almost didn't realize it was Friday!  I mean, how could I forget?  It's not just any Friday - it's the 3rd Friday the 13th this year: January 13th, April 13th, and July 13th!  And the really freaky thing is the dates are all 13 weeks apart!  Any one seen my lucky charms?  

Welcome to another Sassy Studio Designs Fabulous Freebie Friday!  Today we have another wonderful image to share with you over on our Paper Craft Planet group!  She is called Reading Rachel, and I have created a simple bookmark with her.  This one has a lot of style for just a little work.  I used my Fleur de Lis Square Nestabilities to cut out two different sizes from Real Red card stock from Stampin' Up.  The designer paper is actually from a Halloween pad - Echo Park's The Apothecary Emporium.  The embroidered ribbon is from my stash.  Rachel is colored with Copics and Prismacolor Art Markers, fussy cut, and adhered to the larger square.

Please head over to PCP to see what the other Fabettes have created for the "Summer Reading" challenge with this week's freebie.  And remember to grab the image while you're there!  She is available for download for 24 hours.

Relaxing with a book is the only thing I haven't done this week!  lol  We've been quite busy!  I promised some vacation photos so here are a few to give you an idea of the fun we had this week:

At the lake

Our 1st sand castle

At the movie theater to see Brave

At the playground

Are we there yet?

At the aquarium

Sponge Bob 4D

Sand castle sundae

I'd also like to enter this project in the following challenge:
- My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges: #65-No Cards Allowed 

Thanks for visiting and I hope you are enjoying your week as much as we are!  Have a wonderful, fun-filled weekend!

{hugs}
Regan  

Tickled Pink Stamps Sponsors Winter Wonderland Challenges

I have really been enjoying my vacation but it is back to work today, at least as far as my design team duties are concerned!  I actually have three more days before I have to go back to my job!  But I did start crafting again yesterday and this was the first project that I made.  It is a holiday card for today's Tickled Pink Stamps sponsorship of Winter Wonderland Challenges!  As always, the theme is Christmas, but there is a twist - to use a sentiment as a focal point on your creation.

I have used a Tickled Pink Stamps digital image as well as one of their coordinating die and sentiment stamp sets.  My image is Lil Victorian Christmas Lad Luca.  Unfortunately, the rubber sentiment stamps and die set are no longer available.  Luca is colored with Copics and Prismacolor Art Markers, fussy cut, and popped up on foam squares.  Papers are Stampin' Up and I simply added one rhinestone corner embellishment to finish it off.  The sketch I used was Just Us Girls (#144), but I missed the deadline for entry.  Ooops!

Be sure to visit the Tickled Pink Stamps blog to see what the other {PINK} ladies have created for this challenge!

I'd also like to enter this card in the following challenges:
- Stampavie and More: #172-Christmas in Summer 
- Crafty Sentiments: Christmas in July 
- Lady Bug Crafts Ink: #172-Christmas in July 
- Hooked on Crafts: #22-Christmas in July
- Lollipop Crafts: #84-Christmas in July 
- The Crazy Challenge: #124-Christmas in July 

Thanks for stopping by and I'll be back in a few hours with a new Sassy Studio Designs Fabulous Freebie Friday and some vacation photos!

{hugs}
Regan     

The Corrosive Challenge #153 - Sentimentally Yours

Waaaa!!!!  My printer is completely out of ink and I don't have a spare cartridge!  Of course it was 11pm here when I discovered this, and Staples wasn't open.  Why not, I ask you?  You mean to tell me no one else ever needs office supplies in the middle of the night?!  Hmph!  lol
It's so weird because my image printed fine on Friday.  I knew I was low (I use those suckers until they are DRY), but I thought it would be a little more gradual.  Give me some warning, you know?

I'm going to stop my whining about the lack of 24 hour office supply stores and get to the real reason for this blog post: a new Corrosive Challenge!  It's a brand new month so not only do we have a new theme for you but we have a new sponsor and prize!  Plus there's a chance to be a future guest designer up for grabs too!

Our sponsor for July is the wonderfully witty and sensationally sarcastic Graphicat Designs!

  
Cheri has generously offered a $15 voucher to use in the store for this month's winner!  I personally love Graphicat products!  Perhaps because Cheri's wicked sense of humor is very similar to my own!

Our challenge for this fortnight is "Sentimentally Yours".  We want to see a sentiment of some sort on the front of your creation.  It can be used in conjunction with an image or it can be the focal point all by itself;  either is fine.

Anyway....  so, OMG, I have NO way to print any digis!  What am I going to do?  How am I going to get this DT project made?  In the middle of a full on freak out, I realize I am not sunk after all!  What saved my butt is the fact that I had won an acrylic version of the Happiness Fairy sentiment from one of Cheri's sketch challenges!  Phew!  I now had something to work with! 

 And speaking of sketches, Cheri is giving us a peek at the new Graphicat Sketches challenge that begins tomorrow!  I have used it for my card!

I decided to make a twisted easel card.  I have never made one of these before and it seemed like a good idea to try for the first time at midnight!  lol  And actually I LOVE the way it turned out!

 Since I had to stamp like in the "olden days" with physical stamps for this project, I was limited to what I could use.  I have several fantastic fairy images saved on my computer, but without any way to print them they weren't of much use to me!  Then I remembered that my friend, fellow crafter, and design team mate, Jasmine of Wasted Scraps had given me this awesome Sweet Pea Stamps image in rubber by Terra Bidlespacher called Zevra.

She is a lot cute, a little sexy, and full of attitude!  Perfect!  I colored her up with my Copics and Prismacolor Art Markers, fussy cut her, and added some glitter to her wings.  I also had a stroke of genius which had me digging this tiny vial from my stash to fill with glitter a.k.a "Happy Dust".  I glued the stopper into the bottle and used some baker's twine to tie it to my seam binding and grograin ribbon.  

Papers are from Lost & Found Two: Blush from My Mind's Eye.  I love these little 6x6 pads!  They are perfect for card makers like myself!  The only other embellishments I added were some flowers, a bling flourish, and a punched Martha Stewart border.  

I hope you'll pop over to The Corrosive Challenge blog to see what my fabulous design team has created!  They never cease to amaze me with their talent!  And I also hope you'll play along!

This card was a labor of love, guys!  An example of determination against the odds!  And a lesson to always have a spare ink cartridge on hand!  Off to Staples I go....

I'd also like to enter this card into the following challenges:
- Quirky Crafts Challenge: #14-Make Us Laugh 
- Sentimental Sundays: #110-BINGO (Pink, Flowers, Twine)
- Di's Digi Designs Challenge: Pile on the Flowers
- ATCs + Cards with Attitude: #17-Anything Goes 
- Fat Pages with Attitude: #17-Anything Goes 
- Bloggers: Say It With Words (sentiment as a focal point)
- Card Makin' Mamas: #49-Rubber 
- Chocolate, Coffee, and Cards: #16-Anything Goes
- Fussy and Fancy: #66-Fancy Folds 
- Shelly's Images: What the Text (use a text sentiment)
- The Paper Shelter: #71-Flower Power 
- Stampavie and More: #171-Lots of Flowers 
- Whimsy Inspirations: #46-Anything Goes  

{hugs}
Regan

Older and Wiser

Well, I am officially on vacation now!  Eight and a half days of work-free bliss!  The warm weather and my vacation frame of mind have made me long to go to the ocean.  I'm lucky - I live within an hour's driving distance from the Atlantic.  However, the reality of the beach, alone, with a toddler is not one I'm sure I'm ready to face yet!  lol  But I did buy new sand castle gear for the wee one and a new bathing suit for myself, just in case!  We will be near the ocean on our aquarium trip so that, and this card, may have to be enough to soothe my craving.  

I was asked to make a 75th birthday card for my co-workers uncle.  I struggle with masculine cards as it is, but added to the pressure this time was the fact that this particular recipient is a Monsignor in the church!  Those of you who know me know I'm not conventionally religious.  I do own one Christian stamp set, but none of the images or sayings seemed appropriate for such a milestone birthday.  My creative mind turned towards the ocean, ships, lighthouses....  I finally decided to use this image from Clear Dollar Stamps (Smooth Sailing) and some gorgeous papers from K&Company (Tim Coffey Travel).  The sentiment is from My Favorite Things.  I added some burlap, a compass sticker from my stash, and punched some sand dollars, starfish, and branches with a couple of Martha Stewart punches.  The numbers are glittered chipboard stickers.

I was fairly happy with the outcome and was instructed by a friend and fellow crafter that I had to blog it.  So here it is.  :)  And now I am off for a quick trip to the craft store with the small man (is there such a thing?!  lol)  I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend so far!

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
- Dilly Beans Challenges: Fabric and Fibers (burlap)
- Top Tip Tuesday: #80-One for the Men
- Card A Day Blog: July-Just For Men 

{hugs}
Regan

Well Read

I have exactly 11 hours of work left before I am officially on vacation!  (But who's counting?!?! lol)  One of the things I'd like to do during my time off is read a little.  I am still trying to get through the last book of The Hunger Games trilogy and then you know I HAVE to read the Fifty Shades of Grey one just to see what all the fuss is about!  I am so busy working, crafting, and being a mom that my reading has sort of taken a back seat and I love to read!  When I was a kid Summer was all about reading!   Both for pleasure and that dreaded Summer reading list!

But whether you're reading War and Peace or a Harlequin Romance you need a good book mark to hold your place!  And that's where Sassy Studio Designs comes in with this week's Fabulous Freebie Friday image and new challenge!  Today's free image over on our Paper Craft Planet group is called Magazine Margie.  She is a cutie, sprawled on the floor with her Seventeen or Tiger Beat!  And conveniently enough, the challenge over at PCP for this fortnight is to create a bookmark!  

I took a tag shaped card from my stash to use as my base.  I selected a designer paper from Basic Grey's Out of Print collection and paired it with three different colors from Stampin' Up - Pool Party, Rose Red, and So Saffron.  Also from my stash is that awesome library book card!  I distressed and inked the edges a bit and then stamped a sentiment from a My Favorite Things set called, you guessed it, Well Read.  Using the Cheery Lynn French Pastry die and the Spellbinders Labels Twenty Two die I created some visual interest and texture.  Since theoretically it should fit inside a closed book I resisted the urge to add flowers and instead opted for a bling flourish, a metal spiral clip, seam binding, baker's twine, and a circle sticker as my embellishments.  Margie is colored with Copics.  I did a little doodling around the image too.  I chose to crop her for my project, but you can see all of her if you head over to the Sassy Studio Designs' Paper Craft Planet group.  She will be there available as a freebie for 24 hours, and you can take a peek at the work of the amazing Fabettes while you're at it!

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend planned!  I will be reveling in the fact that come Monday my time off is only just beginning!  Check back with me throughout to see what shenanigans the small man and I have gotten up to and to see what I've been creating with all that free time!  Enjoy your day!

{hugs}
Regan           

Mojo Monday and July 4th via Instagram

Hello!  Just popping in with a quick birthday card I made for a co-worker.  I'm a little behind on production of personal cards with all my design team commitments and orders.  My apologies to any friends and family who are waiting patiently for me to get my act together!  I appreciate your patience!  

This card features a gorgeous stamp and die from Stampin' Up!  I just had to have both when I attended a demo a few months ago, but of course this is the first time I've had a chance to use them!  The stamp set is called Apothecary Art and the dies are the Labels Collection Framelits.  When I saw the Mojo Monday sketch (#248) this week I knew it was a perfect opportunity to christen them both!  I used Momento Tuxedo Black ink to stamp my image and Baja Breeze for the sentiment.  The flowers and leaves are colored with Copics and Prismacolor Markers.  Papers are My Mind's Eye - Lost & Found Two: Sunshine.  My embellishments consist of a Martha Stewart border punch, a few flowers from my stash, and Baja Breeze seam binding.  I also popped the sentiment up with some foam squares for a little dimension.

It's a bit different from my norm, but I like the result.  There was no crafting yesterday due to the holiday and now I have some catching up to do.  We had an amazing day, though, so it was worth it!  I had a little fun with my droid and Instagram.  Here is a bit from our day:

Happy 4th of July

Beauty blooms in adversity

Chamomile

Buddies

{PINK}

Hop Scotch

Protectors

Sidewalk Art

Tiger Lily

  
And I even got to see fireworks out my window tonight.  A fabulous finale to a fantastic day!  Wish I had snapped a few photos of that!

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful Thursday!  I will be back tomorrow with a new Sassy Studio Designs Fabulous Freebie Friday!

{hugs}
Regan