Tuesday, July 31, 2012

NAC #5

This week is off to a roaring start!  and it's only Tuesday!
Anyways, I hope you are doing well.  I believe my health is improving with each day.  I go back to the MD office next week, so hopefully I receive some good news.  (I have been 'gone' for a few weeks due to some health issues.)
Now, onto crafting!  This week over @ Nacho Average Challenge, we are working with a sketch.  Some sketches have a lot of potential.  You know what I mean.  And this week, we have another wonderfully creative sketch for you to try.  Here it is:


Pretty straight forward.  But, easily adaptable to allow a little creative freedom.  Here is what I made:


To create this card, I used one package of DSP, one stamp set, and one ink.  Birds of a Feather DSP, Grenier Victorien stamp set, and Midnight Muse classic ink.  The new ink pads are foam pads.  And I just love how it stamps.  The images come out crisp and clean!  I used a wider ribbon than I normally use, because I wanted a big fat bow.  I really love how pretty this card turned out.
Don't forget to stop by the rest of the design team, to see what they created:
Jenni Hogan - Stampin' in the Son
Leilani McGranahan - Lani Stamps
Rose Alexa - RMA Stamps 4 U
Sharon Wheet - Designs by Sharon (you are here)
Tammy Fite - Stamp with Tammy

Join us this week @ Nacho Average Challenge.  We would love to see what you create!  And you never know, you just might be our next Top Nacho! 

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Color, Fabric, and Circles

I want to Thank everyone who has sent well wishes, and kept me in their prayers.  This has been a difficult few weeks for me, both physically and emotionally.  Thank you my friends!
Also, I want to thank my followers for sticking by my side.  I know in this crazy busy world, it is too easy to give up on someone, or to just move-on for your inspiration.  Thank you for your patience and belief that I would return.
Now that I am feeling stronger, in every sense of the word, lets get crafty!  As you read yesterday, the ladies over @ Our Creative Corner have a color challenge with a twist!  You need to use all the colors, and include either circles, fabric, or both!  So, without further delay, here is the inspiration board:


Once I saw this fabulous inspirational board, I knew that I needed to at least try to make something!  The colors are so vibrant and cheerful!  If you are a Stampin' Up! fan, you know that 'poppy' is a retired color.  So, that may be a hard color to work with.  But, I'm pretty sure you clever, creative sorts can improvise!  And, you really only need a scrap or two!
Here is what I created:


The card base is white card stock.  I thought that would be the easiest place to start.  I wouldn't have to color match, or 'work' with any specific color.  The floral pattern paper is roughly 7 years old, from ChatterBox.  And the piece on my card is actually my last scrap.  The bright green polka dot pattern paper is retired from SU!, easily 3 years old.  The text paper is from Paper Studio.  The scallop trim border punched piece is a scrap piece of pure poppy card stock.  The little banner tag was stamped in Pure Poppy classic ink.  (yes, I keep my retired inks, papers, ribbons, DSP, and basically everything else I have - you never know when you'll need it. )
The notched circles that make my medallion center are a collection of various materials.  The largest piece is white felted wool.  *very easy to make your own.  The middle notched circle is fabric from SU!, and the smallest notched circle is a scrap piece of the bright green DSP.  (So, I have my fingers crossed that notched circles will count for circles.)  The butterfly was created with the butterfly emboss lit and vellum card stock.  The center circular fabric blossom is from a Tim Holtz collection.  The center rhinestone was sitting on my craft table.  The tag was created with the jewelry tag punch and a simple stamp.  I wanted to add some leaves to my blossom, but couldn't get anything I thought of to work, so I just added a snippet of lucky limeade ruffled ribbon.
I hope that you have a chance to play along with us @ Our Creative Corner.  We would love to see what you create and if you got some inspiration from us.  Remember, you can't be selected as our Top Talent, unless you play along!  
Thank you, for stopping by!  Hugs, Sharon W.


* to make your own felted wool, take a wool piece, usually it is a sweater, and wash it like your not suppose to.  Use hot water and a regular cycle.  This will cause the wool to become 'tight'.  And viola!

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Another Color Challenge

The wonderfully talented ladies over @ Our Creative Corner have a color challenge for you to work with this week.  However, there is a twist!  YOu need to include either fabric OR circles OR both!  Ok, that little extra, just makes me want to play along!  And I hope it inspires you too!  Lets see the inspiration board!

These colors looks so bright and cheery!  I haven't created something yet, but check back, and I'm sure I'll have something up!  But in the mean time, check out what the cleverly creative design team has done!  Stop by Our Creative Corner to be WOW'd! and don't forget to play along!

Saturday, July 21, 2012

A Card Make-over

The super talented Lori, is our hostess over @ Our Creative Corner.  And she has a clever challenge for us this week.
Lori, is a fan of makeover TV shows.  Lori, wants us to use this venture to make over a card, we aren't a fan of.  The challenge, is to hunt through your photos of previous cards, and find one card to makes you cringe.  Then choose one or two things about it that you *do* like and use those things on a new card.  (think of it, as CASEing yourself)  And create a new card!  Here's the catch:  you have to show us the old card, so we can see just how far you've come!

This sounds like a lot of fun!  So, hopefully you get a chance to play along!  Can't wait to see what you select!

Friday, July 20, 2012

SFF 7/20/12

Well happy Friday!  I hope this week was good, and that the weekend will be better!  The talented Maria over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday has a creative sketch for you to try this week.  Here it is:


I am still on hiatus.  So, I'm not participating this week.  But, please, check out what the rest of the design team have created!  They are super talented, and you won't be disappointed.  To continue with our blog hop, hop on over to Tammy F's blog to see her beautiful card!  Thank you for stopping by!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

SQSC #48

Happy Wednesday!  The lovely ladies over @ Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge, have a wonderful sketch this week.  Please stop by the challenge blog and participate.
Here is this week:


I am on Hiatus these next few weeks.  I will be back in August.  But don't let that stop you from playing along with these lovely ladies.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

NAC #3

I can't believe this month is half over.  Time is just flying by!  But, we have a great creative sketch for you to try over @ the Nacho Average challenge blog site.
This week, it is a sketch:


I used some of the new products from Stampin' Up! to create a card using this sketch:


I used some of the new DSP that is featured in the new Big Idea & Catalog.  And, as usual, I used seam binding.  I'm a huge fan of this ribbon!
Please stop by the rest of the design teams blogs and see how they used the sketch.

Jenni Hogan - Stampin in the Son
Leilani McGranahan - Lani Stamps
Rose Alexa - RMA Stamps 4 U
Sharon Wheet - Designs by Sharon (here)
Tammy Fite - Stamp with Tammy

I hope that you get a chance to play along with us @ the Nacho Average Challenge blog!

Saturday, July 14, 2012

OCC Color Challenge

It's finally Saturday!  I don't know about you, but this day is a welcome site.  I was finished with call at the hospital @ 7a this morning, and I did get home just after 4a.  So, I headed straight to my craft room, to get this weeks challenge card completed and posted here, so you could have a look.  I hope that it inspires you to play along with us this week, over @ Our Creative Corner.
This week, I am the hostess again.  So, I created a color challenge for you to try.  Here is the inspirational board I created.  There is also a quote, incase you are moved by words.

The color challenge this week, has a little twist.  I have pre-selected two of the colors, and you select the third.  Sounds pretty straight forward.  Please keep in mind that neutrals (black, white, cream, and  brown) do NOT count.  The color challenge consists of Navy, Pink, and .... you choose.  You got it?  Now, go grab your crafting supplies and create  a paper craft to inspire and motivate us!
Here is my card: 


The papers that I used for this card are digitals.  Aren't  you impressed with how pretty they printed?  I sure am.  I found this talented lady over on Etsy, and purchased the Bowties & Baubles by The Cheeky Darling.  I just love who elegant the collection is.  Oh, before I forget, my color choice - gold.  For my navy I used midnight muse and for the pink I used pink pirouette.  
The card base is kraft card stock.  The ribbon is pink pirouette taffeta ribbon.  I also used some brushed gold for the leaves.  The sentiment is stamped and matted on midnight muse classic ink and card stock.
I just had to add some buttons and half pearls!  
Thank you for stopping by.  I hope that you get a chance to play along with us!  I know that we would love to see what you create! and who knows, you could be our next Top Talent over @ Our Creative Corner.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Sketch Frenzy Friday

Happy Friday the 13th. I won't be playing along with sketch Frenzy Friday this week. But, PLEASE stop by Tammy F >to see her fabulous creation.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Layers

Yahoo! it's Wednesday!  The work week is half over.  That means we are halfway to the weekend! Yippee!  I'm getting super excited because this weekend is my oldest granddaughter's birthday party.  She actually turned 6 on Monday, but we are celebrating on Saturday.  And, yeah, I make the cake!  But this year, they want to try something a little different.  Her parents want me to make all cupcakes!  And who doesn't like cupcakes?  They are so much fun to eat! and they travel very well, too {smile}.
Ok, but before we head off for  the weekend, there is a challenge over @ Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge, for you to try.
Here is this weeks sketch:

When I first saw this sketch I have to admit, I had NO IDEA what to do.  But, look at what I did:


I used some scrap pieces of the Comfort Cafe DSP for the thicker stripes and Summer Starfruit for the narrow stripes.  In place of the half circles, I opted to change the shapes and make them bows.  I used a simple circle sentiment for the main circle image.  I couldn't decide which color I wanted to matt the sentiment circle onto, so I just off-set the four different colors and created a paper blossom of sorts.
Don't let the sketch intimidate you.  And look past a specific shape.  I have faith, that you can create something surprisingly beautiful!  Join us this week!

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

NAC #2 - Kindness

It's Tuesday! and thank you for stopping by!  The wonderful ladies over @ Nacho Average Challenge blog have a color challenge for you to try this week.  If you need some inspiration, please stop by the challenge blog to see what these super talented ladies have created! and then play along!  I know that we would love to see what you have created!
here are this weeks colors for the color challenge:

And here is how I used the colors:


For this card, I went a little conservative.  The card base is made with more mustard card stock.  I added a panel of Riding Hood Red card stock.  I stamped on the panel in the same classic ink color.  I used a marker to make the lines for the sentiment panel.
Thank you for looking!  Now head on over to the rest of the design team's blogs and see what they have created!

Anne Hayward - Stampin' with Blue Moon Creations
Jenni Hogan - Stampin in the Son
Leilani McGranahan - Lani Stamps
Rose Alexa - RMA Stamps 4 U
Sharon Wheet - Designs by Sharon (you are here)
Tammy Fite - Stamp with Tammy

I hope that you have a chance to play along with us!  Who knows, you could be our next Top Nacho!

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Rag Quilt

On this Sunday, the weather here is cloudy and looks like rain, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.  We really do need the moisture, so it is a welcome site. 
One of my friends is having a baby girl any day now.  This will be her third child, but her first girl.  How very special and sweet.  I wanted to make her something just as special and sweet, and if you know me, I don't do anything half way.  
Earlier this year, my daughter and I made our first rag quilts for her two children. And well, it was very therapeutic to sit and sew in the afternoon.  So, I thought that I'd make my friend a rag quilt for her new bundle of joy.  I used four different patterns of flannel fabric, but all girl inspired.  There is a giraffe print with numbers and the words, ' I love you' on it, so I used it as my eye catching fabric.  I also used a yellow gingham pattern.  A pink tiny floral pattern.  And a pink and brown polka dot fabric.  I used a solid medium pink flannel fabric for the backside.  I just love how girl-y this little rag quilt came out.  Here is a photo of it draped across the back of my of my dinning room chairs.


I hope that she likes it {smile}.  If you read yesterday's post, you saw the 'thank you' party gift bags that I am making for a friends surprise baby shower, well, this is the friend.  There are 3 of us, who are putting this together.  We are all working together, and utilizing our talents, to make this last minute party a success.  Keep your fingers crossed!

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Party Paper Crafts

WOW!  It's Saturday!  Can you believe this crazy work week is over?  Now, it's time to get more crafting time in on some projects that require some finishing touches.  But, before we get to todays craft, let's start at the beginning...
This week over @ Our Creative Corner, I am the hostess.  I know, how fun!  For this week's challenge theme I selected: Summertime Parties!  Make/create a paper craft item for a party.  Any kind of party:  BBQ, summer evening soiree, wedding, or an elegant dinner, etc.  This paper craft item can be anything related to your party:  an invitation, party favor, decorations, hostess thank you, etc.  Be creative and have FUN!
A girl friend had asked me last week, to make some party favor 'Thank You' bags for a mutuals friends surprise baby shower.  And so, this is my platform to show you what I created.  Now remember, these are party favors, so the tickets vary, and some items required hand-dyeing, so their colors will vary slightly.  But, all in all, I'm pretty happy with how they turned out, and I only need to make 15.  Easy peasy!


These little bags were a joy to make.  I adhered some kraft card stock to small paper bags.  And I'm sure that you have either seen these or have created them yourself. I took pieces of different favorite paper crafting items to create the bags. Not too hard, but it has little touches that make them unique.
I used pattern papers from Authentique - Delightful. I just love the soft pretty colors and patterns.
To make the 'Thanks' tag at the top, I used the Lovely Little Labels (Stampin' Up!) stamp set and the jewelry tag punch (Stampin' Up!).  It is tied to the white seam binding (Maya Road).
To make the 'girl label', I used the Monogram Sweet stamp set (Stampin' Up!) for the 'G' and the 'irl' an 'frame' were created with the Borders & Corners stamp set (Paper Trey Ink).   The letters were stamped in basic black classic ink.  The frame was stamped with Versa Mark and I used pink vintage embossing powder (Archivers) to give the 'label' some sparkle and a vintage feel.  The stork image was created by stamping the image from a baby themed set (Graphics 45), and using various inks to color the image.
The seam binding and the smaller crocket blossom were hand-dyed with spun sugar distress ink (Tim Holtz).  The crochet blossoms are a retired product (Stampin' Up!).  I had half a dozen of these packages.  You know, hoarding, just in case. {smile}.
I used a small floral shape punched piece from silver glimmer paper (Stamin' Up!) to add some sparkle under the vintage button (Paper Trey Ink).  The Adage tickets (Tim Holtz) are a cute little addition that I thought added some 'fun'.  This package of tickets only gives you 8 of each wording, so I wanted to show you what the other bags will be sporting.
The white fabric trim was purchased locally (Jo Ann's).  When I purchased this fabric trim, my original project called for me to tea dye the material.  But, I had a scrap piece left un-dyed, and it looked beautiful, so I went back to the store and purchased another 5 yards.  To help give the fabric trim a softness and a worn, vintage look & feel, I always throw the new trim in the washer when I do my next load of laundry.  I just love how soft the trim comes out.  (and yes, it also goes in the dryer.)
Thank you so much for stopping by.  Now, let's see your talent.  I know you are either attending or throwing your own summer time party.  Make a paper craft item for that special event.  And share it with us over @ Our Creative Corner.  You could be our Top Talent and be showcased!

Friday, July 6, 2012

Postage Stamp

This crazy work week is just clipping along.  And now, it's Friday.  Can you believe it?  I think it was rather nice to have a break in the middle of the week. {smile}
This week Jennifer is our designer of this week's sketch @ Sketch Frenzy Friday.  She is really talented and I love her sketches.  She creates very workable sketches.  Here is this week's sketch:


Here is what I did with her sketch:


If you frequent my blog, you know that this is not my typical card.  But, this has been a weird week, and it has messed up my mojo and rhythm.  I used some of the new fabulous DSP from Stampin' Up!, Comfort Cafe.  And one of the new stamp sets from the Fan Fair suite in the new big catalog.   Now to continue with the blog hop and for more inspiration, please stop by Tammy F.'s blog, and see what she has created.  Won't you play along with us @ Sketch Frenzy Friday?

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

no card

Happy 4th of July!  I hope you have plans to share this day with family and friends, and relish in this patriotic holiday!  Go see a baseball game, eat a hot dog and light a sparkilar, for some glitz!
The talented ladies @ Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge, have a creative sketch challenge for you to try!  I won't be playing along with the ladies this week.  Hope you can play!  
Here is this weeks sketch:

I hope you have a chance to stop by, and see the beautiful work done and hope you are inspired!

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

New Design Team

I have some wonderful news.   The upline of Stampin' Up! that I belong to, has created a design team!  Nacho Average Challenges.  And several of us demonstrators who belong to this group are on the design team.   Here are the design team members:

Jenni Hogan - Stampin In The Son
Leilani McGranahan - Lani Stamps
Rose Alexa - RMA stamps 4 U
Sharon Wheet - Designs by Sharon (you are here)
Tammy Fite - Stamp with Tammy

On this challenge blog, Nacho Average Challenges, we will have sketches and color challenges for you use.  We are planning on having a new challenge each week.  The challenge week starts on Tuesdays and ends on Sunday, I believe. So, you will have all week to play along with us.  The only requirement, is that you use Stampin' Up! products in your creation.  And we will do the same.  
So, without further ado, here is the FIRST sketch:


Looks fairly easy to work with.  There is a lot of potential for you to add your own flare.  Make it CAS or create layers and add embellishments!  Use any color combo your heart desires.
Here is what I created:


I used pool party card stock as my base.  I stamped the different images from the French Foliage stamp set randomly on the naturals white card stock.  I stamped the flowers from the Field Flowers stamp set, in Summer Starfruit and Wasabi Green classic inks.  The little tag was created with the scallop rectangle die.  I added a little piece of scallop trim border.  I added a small strip of vanilla taffeta ribbon.  The sentiment was stamped in Early Espresso classic ink. 
Join us won't you?  There is a linky code for you to upload your challenge submission.  Good luck.  And we can't wait to see what you create! 

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Sewing

Today, was the first day I didn't feel awful!  When I woke up this morning, I felt like I could actually do something other than lay down.  So, I didn't want to over do it, ya know, I have to work tomorrow.  
I wanted to do something productive, but that didn't' require a great deal of effort.  So, I cut a few pieces of fabric and sat down to sew a 'gathered clutch'.  Sounds fun, huh?


and yes, I lined it {smile}.  I used Comfort Cafe fabric.  You get 3 extra large fat quarters in each package of Stampin' Up! fabric.  I used all three patterns.  The only non-Stampin' Up! product that I used to create this little beauty is the zipper.  It's a 7" white zipper.  
I think my little (8" x 5") gathered clutch turned out quite cute!
This project usually takes me about an hour or so to complete.  But, due to my ending illness, this sewing project took me almost 3 hours.  My head is still in a bit of a fog.  But, I didn't have a deadline.  It was quite nice to sit and sew, iron, and battle a zipper without breaking a needle.  Therapeutic, so to speak.
Thank you for stopping by today.  I appreciate the following.