Glitter! Glitter! Glitter!

What child does not like Glitter ( or adult)?

We celebrated Flamingo Friday! A special day with our Grandchildren! 

We had a great time making  Artist Trading Cards with Glitter!

Sling Ball is set up in the background - love this game for any age!

When I asked Daphne and Andrew what they think of when they think of Glitter the answers - Stars, Unicorns, Cheerleaders and Martha Stewart! Our favorite Glitter! 

A few of the Artist Trading Cards!

Very sparkly paper from Doodlebug Design Inc.

Finding what Glitters at OMSI - Water was what Glittered! 

I thought it would of been the exhibition of  the history of Video Games -  Video 2.0 

Only played for 20 minutes (to my surprise) reason I heard - too outdated.

And Voo Doo Donuts! The donut shop in Portland, Oregon!

A bonus card designed by Daphne!


Crafting with children and grandchildren is very special time for all of us!

Enjoy!

-Elaine

Garden Walks

The month of August is one of my favorite months to live in Oregon. The flowers are blooming, sky is a beautiful shade of blue and the reflection of the sun thru the trees is amazing. 

In the early morning I love taking a walk in my neighborhood, the air is crisp and the sound of quite is a relaxing way to start your day. Of course after coffee! 

Please enjoy a few of the flowers I discovered this morning.

Hydrangea - need I say more!

Stargazer Lily - botanical name Lilium
(Yes, those are dandelions in the grass) 

Dahlia- soft color of shades of peach

Bright Red Color of Dahlia

Fuchsia Roses along a white picket fence. What a great ending of my walk!

Enjoy your walks!

-Elaine

Hydrangea

Hydrangea - One my favorite Flowers!

I simply love Hydrangeas!

The colors are very brilliant, clear and vibrant. Yet, they can be soft and suttle.

It is amazing how the type of soil can change the color.

The texture is layered from the center point of each flower petal, soft and full.

Hydrangea flowers cut from my garden are inspiration for the card!

Does your dining room table ever become your color area?
Yes, that is the sun shining in the window!

Acidic Soils produce blue flowers.

Alkaline soils produce more pink shades

Pale Green Hydrangea mixed with many different flowers!

Hint for Hydrangeas!

Hydrangea is derived form the Greek 'hydro' meaning water and 'angeon' meaning is vessel. The name refers to the flowers (plant) need for plenty of water!

Enjoy!

-Elaine

Supplies:

Cardstock: Kraft - Speckletone, Navy and Chambray Blue - Bazzill

Print Cardstock: K&Company - Lace Flower Flat

Ink: Ranger Adirondack Espresso on Flourishes Basic White

Stamps: Hero Arts - Hydrangea

Colors: B63, B66, B69, B37,YG93, YG95

Embellishments: Ribbon - Tri- Mar Chiffon Green

Tools: Tomboy Adhesive

Special Times

It has been a whirlwind the last 3-4 weeks!

 Are you wondering what had kept me very busy and with such joy! 

Three events!

First Event

The wedding of my very niece Kate, who holds a very special part of my heart. The week before the wedding it was prep time - getting the house ready for the Bride and Groom to visit before their wedding. The week of the wedding was helping the Mother of the Bride, my sister with projects to make sure every wish was completed just as the bride and groom envisioned it. Then the magic began, 5 days of celebrating with family and friends the love, joy and happiness we all share.

 Kate and Per's wedding truly reflected the beauty and bounty of Portland Oregon!

Second Event

Happy Birthday Terry! A wonderful brother in law who's nature is giving, kind, compassionate yet strong. I am very happy to have him be part of my life!

Third Event

Block Party! The road barriers go up at each end of the block and grills, tables and neighbors fill the block. It was fun to color the invitation to the Block Party - 17 different color scheme for the houses!

Please share a special event that you had this summer in the comments. It is fun to share!

Enjoy!

-Elaine

Supplies:

Cardstock: Kraft- Speckletone

Ink: Adirondack Espresso on Flourishes Basic White Cardstock

Stamps: Happy Birthday - Inkadinkado, Block Party - Hero Arts: House with Flower

Coloring: Happy Birthday: Copic Markers- B24, B28, G24. G28, BV13, BV17, Y28

                Block Party - A array of Copic Markers using many shades of earth and grey tones

Enbellishments: Atyou Spica Clear Maker for Happy Birthday Card

Tools: Crop-A Dile Chomper, Tomboy Adhesive

Butterfly at Summer Camp

Last Week of Summer Camp

Summer Camp has been 4 weeks of exciting, education and getting the opportunity

 to view over 900 other campers blogs! Wow!

For week 4 the colors are pear green, teal, tranquil turquoise, sky blue and crisp white.  Colors I have not used that often. Colors I love (or course there is not a color I do not love). I had to pull out the Butterfly I just stamped and colored. It was such fun to color the butterfly I thought why not color it again. It was a perfect combination!

Thank you to Jennifer McGuire and Kristina Werner for a wonderful Summer Card Camp experience!

Enjoy!

-Elaine

Supplies:

Cardstock: Kraft - Speckletone, Pear, Teal and Turquoise - Bazzill

Ink: Ranger Adirondack Espresso

Stamps: Hero Arts Artist Butterfly

Coloring: Copic Sketch Markers - YG00, YG01,YG03, BG10. BG11,BG15, G12, G14,G16, B21,B23,B24

Embellishments: Atyou Spica Clear, Ribbon - Floral Mart, Rhinestones - Recollection

Tools: Tomboy Adhesive, Fiskars Personal Trimmer

Fashion = Papercrafting

How does Fashion relate to papercrafting?

Color, Patterns, Prints, Texture, Embellishment 

Creating cards is relating back to my career in the Fashion Industry. When I choose paper it reminds my of picking fabric for a blouse or skirt , such as a print, plaid or stripe. Choosing colors reminds me of being a member of the buying team and coordinating a collection of blazers, blouses, skirts and pants. Adding embellishments is like adding a great button or zipper.

When I was a buyer for Nordstrom I was part of a 3 person team to select the coordinate line from our number 1 sportswear company for the Anniversary Sale (happening now). The designer showed us the line, beautiful wool in a Herringbone Plaid with coordinating prints that were perfect. The colors scared the team. Dark Grey with Melon or Sage Green. Colors we had never had on the selling floor before, the "popular" colors were bright jewel tones. The entire buying team and sale staff were intimidated about this color combination. On the first day of the Anniversary Sale the coordinate line sold out nation wide. What color did we select? Melon with dark grey as in the card pictured above.

As CHA is beginning in Chicago this week, I encourage all the buyers and designers to step out of their comfort zone and try something new and exiting. 

Enjoy the challenge to be creative!

-Elaine

PS - Paisleys are becoming more current and trendy!

Supplies:

Cardstock: Kraft - Speckletone, Dark Gray and Melon- Bazzill

Ink: Ranger Adirondack Mushroom

Stamps: Hero Arts Cling Paisley on Flourishes White Cardstock

Coloring: Copic Sketch Markers - YR12, YR15, YR16

Embellishments: Sakura Gelly Roll Metallic Pen

Tools: EK Success 2" Square, 1 3/4" Round and 2" Scalloped Punch, Tomboy Adhesive

Happy Birthday, Hailey!

A very special little girl is celebrating her Birthday today!

Hailey is a butterfly at heart. She is inquisitive, curious, bright and a very happy girl. My favorite moment with our granddaughter Hailey was making a card for her to give to her Father, Brad for Valentine's Day. She studied a card I had made and wanted to copy it. Which she actually did. I feel that she will be crafting very soon!


Enjoy!
-Elaine


Supplies:
Cardstock: Kraft - Speckletone, Yellow's - Bazzill
Ink: Ranger Adirondack Espresso
Stamps: Hero Arts Artist Butterfly - on Flourishes White Cardstock
Coloring: Copic Sketch Marker - Y11,Y15,Y17,YR07,YR09.BV13,BV17,RV06,RV09,YG25,E57,E59
Embellishments: Atyou Spica Clear, Smooch Molasses,  Ribbon - Floral Supply
Tools: Crop-a-dile Corner Chomper, Tomboy Adhesive