August Challenge: Beach Theme

Wow, where has the summer gone? It seems like school just ended last month! Can I honestly say that I am not excited for school to start again? Yes, I can. During the summer months I feel a bit like a retiree. Only difference is I go back to work, they continue to pursue their pleasures. My Yahoogroup has been doing a series of challenges since May. This month's challenge is to create a card, layout, tag, altered item that has a beach theme. This is my entry.

The peeloffs are from an Ecstacy crafts kit that I ordered from HSN about a year ago. The entire kit is on a nautical theme and is called Maritime Outline Stickers. The company is located in Holland. 

Once I remembered that I had them, I pulled them out and created this card based on a sample from the book. I know you are thinking why the purple card. Well...July's challenge was for a shape card and I never got my card finished and decided to use the base for this challenge. Waste not want not.

I used the Spellbinders Labels 10 for the card base and the Classic Ovals to cut my acetate and the ring for adhering the shells. Yes, that is flower soft as my sand, rocks, etc. I do realize that I put in way too much. I only used about a teaspoon. That stuff really fluffs out.

The sentiment I used is a clear epoxy one from Heidi Swapp. I achieved the effect behind the shells by using different colored pieces of card stock. Prior to affixing the peeloff, I sponged ink onto each piece for a bit of dimension. After cutting out the shell, I used my Marvy markers and a small paint brush to add more color and shading. I used my Sakura glitter pens on a few of them.

This project came together very quickly. The most difficult part was selecting which elements to use. I so love the easel cards. Just don't do what I did on this one and put adhesive on the top part of the card. I salvaged it by using some baby powder to remove the stickiness. lol. This is my prototype anyway. If I did that and was sending it to someone, I would probably cut another piece of paper to stick onto the back of the top.

You probably cannot tell from the photo, but I did spray the card and the base with Glacier Glimmer Mist so there is a nice oceany sparkle to the card. Oceany--did I just add a word to Webster's?

Thanks for stopping in to see what I have been up to during these wanning summer days. I so want them to linger. It is time to start thinking of fall and the unique beauty that it brings.

This is the card taken from a different angle and with the flash. Seems a bit over-exposed to me or maybe how it would look with the sun smiling down on it.

Remember to add a bit of ink to all of your creations. Why? Because it does make a difference. Just ask any of the Copics users.

Through the power of technology you can watch the Vee-dio on this page.

Until then.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

It is so hard to believe that another year has passed. I look down and before I can look up again, time has marched forward. I am thankful to celebrate another year and share it with all of you.

There have been a number of well wishes sent my way and I want to say a huge thank you to everyone. One of my Yahoogroup friends, NJ Debbie, sent this adorable card to me.

A little known secret is that I love Outline  Rubber Stamps and I can only imagine the time it took for Debbie to put this beauty together. I could not keep this treasure to myself and she did give me permission to share. 

Each layer is cut out and layered onto another layer. The second and third levels are raised on foam. I am honored that Debbie took the time to make this for me. The colors are gorgeous.  My picture taking does not do it justice. Everything has been embossed and has a nice textural look to it.

The entire ensemble is just breathtakingly stunning. I think the jewels are the icing on the cake.

Speaking of cake, I have to go and cut the one my son and I made together. It has been an awesome birthday for me. If you get a chance, check out my Youtube Vee-dio that I will post on my birthday scrapping HAUL...thought I would need a U-Haul to get out of there. lol.

As always use color to help bring a bit of joy to your lives. If it is inked in love, it is sure to be a winner just as my Birthday Card is from Debbie.
Until then.