It's all about the birds!

A couple of months ago I visited the Checkered Cottage (a quaint store in Kirkwood, Missouri) and saw this darling card with birds and buttons.  I just HAD to make one like it!  I love how the button accents add just the right touch to the card.  I need some more practice lining up border punches but that is what it is all about, isn't it!  Well, I'm off to get ready for yet another surgical proceedure on my back this morning but wanted to post a quick one first!  Toodles!  Love, Elle

Halloween treat bags

I was at a resturant last year that served it's silverware in this skinny white paper bags that I thought would be good for something crafty so I asked the manager is she would be willing to donate so to a good cause (my art studio lol) and she readily agreed.  What I didn't expect was th 200-250 she bagged up for me!  They have been sitting here all of this time when I got the brilliant idea of making Halloween treat bags for my grandkids Halloween parties at school.  We also made some to donate to a church for their anual Trunk or Treat event.  My sis and I spent several afternoons stamping, punching, stuffing, and attaching upwards of 115 treat bags.  Below are two samples on how they turned out.  The second set was attached with some monster cupcake pics that I made but never used.  Aren't they cute?  Love, Elle

Pretty in blue

I titled today's post "pretty in blue" because I ADORE the blues in the card that I just made.  Every time I think I have a new favorite another line of paper comes along and catches my eye and my heart.  Aren't these papers from Little Yellow Bicycle divine? 
I started off masking Tilda along with the romantic window stamp from Magnolia-liscious.  This is the first time that I tried masking and I must say that it was super easy!  I received a new flower die from My Favorite Things and thought it would be the perfect accent for my card.  I colored with my trusty Copic markers, layered my card, and added my sentiment and voila'!  Easy peasy.  I hope that you enjoyed today's post.  Love, Elle

Fall card

I am so behind that I missed a TOMIC challenge that involved this sketch!  I decided to do a Fall based card using Fall colored flower soft for the flowers.  I love the pagers and the rolled flowers as well as the sweet, sweet grass she is sitting on.  It feel good to be creating again.  I will have another new card in a day or two! Off to do some exercising upstairs in my little 'gym'.   Love, Elle

It's Birthday Time!

It's birthday time for my grandson Jacob so of course I had to hand make his card.  He is very into Karate so what better image than  Karate Tilda to use. Isn't she adorable? I tried to elliminate that pigtails but didn't have much success so a girl it is!  Jacob will be turning 12 next Sunday- I can't believe it-he was just born!  Jessica and Brian decided to have a party for him this year and he has asked if he can bring his girlfriend.  Isn't that cute?  Of course there will be no dating but they talk on the phone and hang out at school.  They don't want anyone to know about them because they don't want to be teased.  You know how middle school can be!  For this card I colored her with Copics, making her belt green to match his level.  I made my own Washi tape using 1" scor tape, some tissue paper, and some background stamps.  It was so much fun!  The possiblilities are endless.  I got the idea from the Monday Make It video over at Papertrey Inc. 
I die cut the number twelve in black and green so I could have a shadow effect and tied a bright green bow for my accent.  What do you think?  It sure is nice to be back!!!!  Love, Elle

My Life

I have been absent from blogging for a bit but wanted to stop in and say "hey"!  I have been busy dealing with health issues and needed to get them out of the way to the best of my abilities so I could concentrate on some artistic endeavors.  I have been working on a few cards and will be posting them soon.  I like to have a couple done before I drag out my lightbox and take pics.  How is everybody?  Great, I hope!  Love, Elle

Gatefold card

I thought that I would share with you a quick little project that I put together.  A gatefold card.  These are so much fun to make!  I wanted to practice coloring flowers so I picked this three-flower stamp for my card.  I love the softness of the lines and choose an equally soft color palette.  Take a look and let me know what you think! Love, Elle

Back to school!

Since all of the kiddies are headed back to school this time of year I thought I would make a card to honor such an occasion!  I use to love getting new pencils, paper, crayons, markers and folders when I was a child.  Oh, the anticipation.  I am not sure what this Tilda is called but I fell in love with it when I received it in an image swap that I participated in a year or so ago.  (great way to expand your image collection!).  She reminded me of Jessica (dd) with the glasses and all.  Jessica has worn glasses since she was 20 months old.  I loved using my new large scalloped border die from My Favorite Things on my card today. I also used one of their dies to make my Rolled Rose flower (blue).  I really like the way this one turned out.  Isn't she adorable?  Love, Elle

Two ways to use your paper

Today I thought I would share with you some experimenting that I did using dp two different ways.  (of course I didn't write down the source of the paper-sorry!).  The first card shows Priscilla, the adorable pixie from stampingbella.  This stamp set comes with the most darling set of 4 different pixies.  Too cute!  I used some of my nestabilities as well as a die from Papertrey Inc. to add my elements.  Of course there had to be three pretty buttons to add just the perfect touch. 
Here is the first card:

The second card showcases another stamp from Lockhart stamp company.  I love aprons and remember my grandma always wearing her Sunday best apron as she cooked for her large family and friends.  This time I did some paper piecing, using a different paper for the bib than I did the skirt of the apron.  I really wanted to showcase it so I circled my image with rhinestones giving it just the right touch, don't you think?  Which card to you like better?  I am partial to the Pixie card.  On the other hand I really like the apron.......decisions, decisions!  Love, Elle

Recipe Card

I have been a bit handicapped when trying to put together a project and this recipe card certainly shows it.  I love the new mini stamps and wanted Tilda to look like a charm hanging off the ribbon bow.  I colored her with colored pencils and copic markers (mostly for the face/skin) then added diminsional glaze to give it that charm look.  The recipe is a must try-YUMMY!  I kept this card simple.  I hope that you like it!  Love, Elle

My Little Adventure

Before I share my little adventure with you I would like to take a moment to thank everybody for their prayers and well wishes as well as the lovely comments left on my blog.  Heartwarming to be sure.
My little adventure.  I recently celebrated a birthday and every year Charlie (dh) takes me to the InkSpot (a quaint little shop housed in a victorian home in the heart of Kirkwood, Missouri) and lets me pick out some goodies.  I had recently purchased a paper pad from Papertrey Inc. that is full of yummy fruits.  Apples. Watermellon. Pears. Cherries. Strawberries.  I have been itching to use them and was searching for the perfect stamp to compliment my paper.  What better collection than Lockhart Stamp Company!  There were some sample cards made using three "perfect" apples that fit the bill but they didn't have the stamp.  Wahhhhhh!  Why does that always happen?  I meondered over to the counter where the owner was talking to what I thought was another customer and asked if the stamp can be ordered.  Low and behold the other "customer" pulled the stamp out and handed it to me.  What?  A used stamp?  Not on your life. (the stamp was actually brand new-aren't I the snob!) The other customer was none other than Karen Lockhart, owner and designer!  Oh my goodness was she nice!  Not only did I get to meet Karen, she showed me all of her designs, all of the unrealeased stamps, (in her notebook all of her designs where in color) she also gave me tips on coloring them with colored pencils AND copic markers!  Be still my heart.  I love this company and spend time periodically pouring over the stamps on her website.  If you click on them they show up in color.  The site does not do them any justice.  You should see them in person!  You should see what she has in store for us!  Karen is one of the nicest, most giving person that I have met in a long time.  I feel really blessed!  What an adventure!  Not only did I get the stamp, Karen also signed it "Happy Birthday, Michelle from Karen Lockhart".  I will cherished it always.  Love, Elle

Why I have been absent from blogland

Since it has been a bit since the last time I posted to my blog I thought I would share a brief explanation as to why.  About two weeks ago my body swelled up horribly.  I kid you not, my face looked like someone had attached a large round balloon to my neck, my eyes were swollen shut, my feet looked like elephant feet!  Needless to say it warrented a visit to my doc.  He ran some blood tests, ordered me to stay out of the heat and to lay with my legs propped up most of the time.  FUN!  (not).  The following day I got a call from his office asking me to come in right away.  The doctor wanted to talk to me.  Bring my husband if at all possible.  Panic!  Apparently my kidneys started shutting down.  My heart was overworked.  I was (am) extreemly anemic, and my blood counts were way off.  Whew!  I went home with this information and was told to come back in three days to have more blood work done.  He called me that night as well as the next afternoon.  (it was a Saturday) to tell me the good news.  My kidney function was back to normal.  We had been talking possible dialysis.  But there was some very bad news, too.  Surfice to say it gets real personal after that.  More tests are being run this coming Monday but loads of prayers are being said for me and I am adapting a positive attitude.  Hopefully things will work out on there own.  The suspected culprit?  RX strength ibuprophen!  It is thought that that is what is causing some internal bleeding.  Sooooooooooooo........I have been absent but have several new things to add to my blog soon.  Cards and such.  After the first of next week.  A fun, happy adventure to share with you, and..........Love, Elle

Third in a Series

I thought I would step back in time and show you the third card I made to possibly give to my Mother on her birthday.  This one did not make the cut but I love the simplicity of it.  The colors, too.  Take a look!  Love, Elle who is about to go to Applebees for dinner with my honey-yum!  How to stay on my weight loss track?  Wish me luck!

Here is a closer view:

Yummy Jenny Craig Delight!

I have a birthday coming up this Friday.  Chocolate is definately on my mind.  And Jenny Craig.  How can I combine the two and share with you such decedence?  With this!:    love, elle

Double-Chocolate Cupcakes

1 (18.25-ounce) package light, 94%-fat-free devil's food cake mix
1 cup water
3 eggs
Vegetable cooking spray
¼ cup semisweet chocolate morsels
¼ cup nonfat milk
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Combine first three ingredients in a bowl; beat at medium speed of an electric mixer for two minutes. Divide batter among 24 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes; remove from pans, and let cool on wire racks.
Split each cupcake in half horizontally using a serrated knife; set aside.
Combine chocolate morsels, milk and cocoa in the top of a double boiler; bring water to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook until chocolate morsels melt, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in 2 cups powdered sugar and vanilla. Spread bottom half of each cupcake with 2 teaspoons chocolate mixture; place top half of cupcake on chocolate mixture. Sift 2 tablespoons powdered sugar over tops of cupcakes.
Yield: 2 dozen cupcakes (155 calories per cupcake)

Today's card is a throwback to when I was making the birthday cards for my Mother.  Due to camera issues (again!) I was unable to give you another choice to pick from.  Oh well!  This time I concentrated on a simpler card using just basic embellishments.  A few flowers.  A few buttons.  A feather in its cap.  Again, the Copic colors that were chosen matched my dp so as to coordinate.  A great tip!  I have been busy with the grans playing in our little pool, doing art projects, and having fun with the reading club that I had them join for the summer.  (I have them during the week during the Summer while my son and dil  work.)  We sure have been having fun!  Today is art day.  My dil just got a new job within the company so we will be making some cards for her desk.  I hope she likes them!  Oh yeah!  I lost 3.6 pounds this week!!!!  Jenny Craig is helping me loose the weight I gained after my car accident.  A few down and some more to go.  Saturday I went to my second hour long water areobics class and had a blast.  Make for a sore Sunday but it was worth it.  I go to the gym three times a week and am working up to taking two classes instead of one.  Thanks for joining me in my journey!  Love, Elle

Cute Card Thursday Challenge

Today I am posting my entry into the Cute Card Thurday Challenge #173-Going Round in Circles at http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com.  The circle that I used is my doily with the printed round circle in the center.  The Tilda's were stamped using background cut from a die by PaperTrayInc. (PTI).  I love that shape and plan on using it more often.  I tried to pick Copic colors that matched my background papers.  It is a good way to coordinate your project.  I think each Tilda speaks for itself.  Add a pretty pink bow, some pearls, and a grouping of roses from WOC (Wild Orchard Crafts) that I used some stickles on and voila'!  I hope you like it!

Sympathy Card

Unfortunately I had to make a sympathy card for an online friend who just lost her husband to cancer.  Hard to make because of the occasion but I wanted to show her that I cared and got busy gathering supplies for my card.  I colored my image with copic markers and cut out my background for the sentiment using my Spellbinders Nestability die.  I always love using doilies and what better one to use than my heart shaped beauty.  After pulling my elements together I started playing with background paper and nothing I used was working quite right until I spotted a piece of cork backed with adhesive that came from another project one Christmas.  The image just "popped" when I placed it againest the cork.  (don't you just love it when that happens?)  I began assembling my card when I realized it was missing something.  Flowers!  The flowers that I used came from Prima and Wild Orchard Crafts.  They fit the bill and my card was now complete.  Do you like it?  Do you think it is appropriate for the occasion?  Your opinions matter to me so don't be afraid to comment!  Love, Elle

Make a Wish

Today I wanted to share with you a card titled "Make a Wish".  I had forgotten I had this image (Tilda with Balloons) until yesterday when I was going through my stamps and what better way than to ink her up!  I found these beautiful papers at my local shop and couldn't wait to play with them.  I first cut out my shaped image and distressed it with Memento ink then chose coordinating Copic Markes to color her.  I used Glossy Accents on the balloons and Stickles on her wings.  I sewed the three pieces then distress the edges.  I had the Make a Wish stamp from Justrite Stampers and colored the stars to match the paper.  Add some pretty ribbon and a bow along with a beautiful stick pin that I made and voila'!  I hope you enjoy my card. 
p.s.  I had a blast today at William Sonoma taking a cooking class on Homemade IceCream-yum!
Love, Elle

My new Lightbox

Thanks to my new online friend Lisa I knew how to put together a sturdy lightbox with the clear plastic container, clip on lights, posterboard, and interfacing.  Thanks Lisa!  What do you think of my picture?  Is it any clearer than the rest? 

I know I have been missing in action but I had to go buy yet another camera battery.  In the mean time I have about 6-7 different cards to show you.  (just one today!)

Today's card uses some decorative paper that I had bought from StampinUp that I HATED.  Really hated.  It was nothing like the picture in the book.  BUT I felt that I needed to not let it go to waste so I pulled it out and started playing with it.  I used my new Spellbinder's Nestability set for the frame and the shape for my image.  Isn't she cute?  I like that, cute and vintage all at the same time.  Of course I colored her with my Copic Markers.  After some sewing on my paper and some Flower Soft for my flowers as well as Stickles for her wings I was set to go.  Now to pull out some embellishments.  Awhile back I had dyed some seam binding this pretty dark pink color and thought it would make a nice bow especially with the pearl in the center.  Then I started playing with the flowers from Wild Orchard crafts.  I used the same Stickles on the largest rose.  I love the way it adds something special and ties the card together.  Add some swirls that I cut out using a Sizzics (sp?) die and I was done. 

Today is my son Sam's 23rd birthday.  Sam still lives with us why he is getting on his feet.  We took him out to lunch and the guys did a little gambling at the Casino.  Stinks, I wanted to play, too!  We just finished with cake and singing (badly lol) Happy Birthday....I really can't sing!  Tonight we are hanging around the house with some beers and watching the ballgame.  Right up their alley!

Hey!  I lost 3.5 pounds this week.  Yippie Skippie!  Love, Elle

My quest

My quest to take better photos is in full swing.  On one of the blogs I visited recently the owners daughter made a light box out of a  clear plastic bin, interfacing, and poster board with two clip-on desk lamps.  Her pictures were awesome!  It follows the same principals of a cardboard box only sturdier.  I think I will give it a try!  Now to find a place in the house to take my pictures.  So far I have been venturing outside with a chair, some fabric, and my trusty tripod.  I can's wait to pick Lisa's brain for some more details!  Has anyone else had success with other light boxes?  I know Susanne Dean gave me some tips-Thanks Susanne!  I don't have Photoshop but do have another program thru Kodak that allows me to adjust my photos.  Now to learn how to use it! lol.

I have my other two birthday cards for my mom to show you.  Just waiting for the wet weather to leave so I can take the photos.  I may need yet ANOTHER camera battery.  Darn It!

I also have a steampunk spoon to show you.  We have a swap going on over at Art For The Creative Mind.  You should google it and check it out.  My link feature is giving me trouble or I would give you the link for the group.  It is a Yahoo group.  I never did any art in that style so it was a real stretch for me.  Everyone should take time to go out of their comfort zone and explore.  Which brings me to image transfers.  There are so many techniques to use.  Aileens Tacky Glue, Packing Tape, Lemon  scented Pinesol but I am going to be trying Gesso on Canvas.  You spread Gesso on your canvas about the thickness of peanut butter.  Place your image on top then leave it alone for a full 24hrs.  You can't touch it before hand.  Spray it with water then start rubbing the paper off with your fingers.  This will take a little bit but it is so worth it!  If some of the image doesn't transfer thats okay-we like it that way!  Give it a try.  Google or search U-tube for other image transfer directions.  Enjoy your day!  I'm off to play with the kiddies.  Love, Elle   

Happy Birthday Mom

I have been playing around with different images to use for a birthday card for my mom.  I want something to cheer her up after loosing my dad three months ago.  She deserves something cute and pretty.  Is this the card?  I will be posted a couple more in the next week or so and will let you decide.  Contructive critisism is welcome!  Love, Elle

Summer Fun

Today's card is my entry into TOMIC'S Challenge #3-Summer.  Tilda is wading into the water, not sure of whether she wants to go swimming or not.  Have your every done that?  Maybe the water is too cold or maybe she doesn't really know how to swim!  Her mom told her not to get her new dress wet but the water is too tempting.  Will she or won't she?  I'll never tell!  I colored her with Copic markers matching my colors with the colors in my dp.  I used some Crystal Effects for the water.  It makes it so real.  My ribbon is from PTI and the buttons are tied with yellow twine and are from my stash.  You should see my stash of buttons.  I must have hundreds of them all sorted by color in mason jars.  The shaped background is cut out using a Nestibility Die and my Big Shot.  I hope you like my card!  Love, Elle

Postcard to Paris

Today I am entering Tomic's #2 Challenge-Color Combo White + Pink + Brown.  I have been wanting to use this Parisian background paper for some time now and what better way then my Postcard to Paris.  I received this stamped image of Tilda in an image exchange and thought her perfect for this card.  I colored her with my trusy Copic markers and set her aside.  The postcard paper was from a pack of paper I bought at PTI (papertreyinc).  I oulined it with Star Dust stickles to "glamourize" it.  The flower was die cut using flower dies also from PTI, edged with distresser ink (along with my image), attached together with a brad then spritzed with water to make the paper more pliable.  I squished it and squished it until the flower formed to my visions.  I added some pearls and lace trim by the flower and hung my Eifel Tower charm so it just dangled down the edge.  I thought the lace trim at the bottom finished my card off perfectly.  I hope you enjoy my challenge entry!  Love, Elle

Happy Days!

Happy days are here again!  It has been a hard year so far and I decided to take my life back.  Yes I did.  I bought a beautiful placque at CrackerBarrel (restuarant) that says "Life Is Good".  It has a predominent place on the bookcase in my living room and is there to remind me that Happy Days are indeed here again.  I wanted to make a card that shows that same thing.  Did I succeed? I love the background paper and the sweet, sweet buttons on the bottom.  She looks like she is dancing the happy dance, doesn't she?  I hope my card today makes you happy and brings a smile to your day.  Love, Elle

Happy Birthday Challenge #2

I realized after I posted my first card that this was suppose to be a Happy Birthday project for Paulina!  I hope she likes little guys lol.  I then got to work creating a new card for the Magnolia Inspiration Challenge.  Today's card featured Tilda holding a birthday package.  I was buried in the bottom of my paper stash when I would this gorgeous background paper.  I used a cut-out from that paper for her party hat.  The sentiment "wrapped in love" was also cut out and popped up sitting atop a dainty doily.  The bow that I added was created by dying some white seam binding with distress inks.  Pretty, isn't it? I sewed the background paper to the cardstock for that "special" effect.  I thought her dress needed something extra so I added polkadots using my white gel pen.  A perfect match for her hat!  I'm not sure of the Copic colors for a lot of the project but I can tell you that her dress was colored using R81, R83, and R85.  I hope that you enjoy my efforts!  Love, Elle 

Happy Birthday Challenge

Today is my first entry into the new TOMIC-Magnolia Inspiration Challenge-website.  This weeks challenge is to create a Happy Birthday Project.  Yesterday I was playing around with Edwin catching butterflies-too cute!-and thought it would make a perfect birthday card.  Some of the elements in the design that I thought would put it together are my green bakers twine with the masculine brown button in the center.  Makes for a great item for your eye to travel to.  The next elements are the different contrasting paper designs that I stapled to the right side of the card.  I cut both of these using PTI dies.  I thing printed out my sentiment and also stapled that to the card using my Tim Holtz mini stapler.  I know, I am a gadget junkie lol.  Using design from both sides of your cardstock guarentees cohesiveness.  I hope you enjoy today's card!  Love, Elle

Patches and Pearls

Today I thought I would combine a few things to come up with what I call Patches and Pearls.  Tilda is from an older collection.  I just love her braided pigtails, don't you?  I colored her with Copic Markers and added some bling with a gel pin in clear for the wings.  The ribbon is from Papertrey Inc. and the background circle is from one of my Nestability sets.  I thing the kraft paper along with the lace is a perfect contrast.  Add some pearls and there you go!  I think I will add this card to one of the Magnolia challenges.  Love, Elle

Happy Spring!

Happy Spring!  I thought I would make a card honoring Springtime before it became Summer in the near future.  Leave it to me to procrastinate!  How is everyone today?  I'm stupendous.  Today's card shows Tilda licking her lollipop is all of her Spring finery.  I added a tiny clothspin-can't you just smell your sheets hanging in the breeze to dry?  The sentiment is from one of my PapertreyInc. sets.  What can I say-this card just makes me want to go outside and play hopscotch on the sidewalk.  Enjoy!  Love, Elle

Remembering our Soldiers

As many of you already know today is Memorial Day in the United States where we take the time to remember and honour our fallen soldiers.  I am a very patriotic person (as many of you are for your own countries).  I have been known to cry at the singing of our National Anthem.  I don't agree with war but I do respect those who fight for our freedoms.  I wanted to make a card that reminded me of the reason we do that.  Memorial Day is celebrated with parades, bbq's, picnics, swimming, fireworks. Good ole' family fun!  My dad is a veteran and he is buried in a National Cemetary.  If I lived close to day would have included visiting him in Iowa.  (I live in Missouri).   Here is my card.  Love, Elle

Best Buds

I am very blessed to have three best friends in my life.  Charlie, my husband; Cynthia, my sister; and Carol, my pretend sister.  Each has brought unmeasurable joy to my life.  Today's card showcases my best buds.  This is a stamp from Whipper Snapper.  The background is cut out using my Nestability die.  The ribbon is from PapertreyInc and the crochet flower was a gift I received in a swap.  Isn't it the sweetest thing?  I wanted my colors to be bright and happy because, well, I just needed that today.  The buttons from my stash are tied with yellow baker's twine and the paper was purchased at TheInkSpot here in St. Louis.  A quant little store housed in an old home.  Lovely.  Happy.  I cut some of the background paper with my pinking shears and tied the pretty bow using my Bow Easy.  You all have to get one of those for yourself-they tie perfect bows every time.  Just google Bow Easy to find a shop that carries them.  This afternoon I spent time with my best bud doing things for their upcoming trip to Hawaii where she and her husband will renew their wedding vows on the beach at sunset.  I'm JEALOUS!!!! lol.  My husband wants to renew our vows onboard a cruise ship-isn't he romantic?  I think so!  Off to cook some dinner.  Beef over rice with cheese stuffed cornbread.  Take card and enjoy my card.  Love, Elle

Here is a close up of my best buds:

Computer problems

I am having trouble with my email address so bare with me!  I may have to change my email address altogether and don't know if it will allow me to access this blog.  HELP! lol.  I will try to figure this all out.  Love, Elle

Magnolia-liscious Challenge Blog

I don't usually enter many  challenges but when I was over at the Magnolia-liscious Challenge blog the other day I just could not resist playing along!  WARNING-my computer isn't working very well so I don't think the enclosure link is working today-sorry.  That being said here is the challenge picture.  Isn't it soooooooo pretty?

I loved the softness of these colors together-the eleguence-the beauty.  I hope that my card can do the inspiration picture justice!  I love his sweet little Tilda peaking at the butterfly that just happened to flit by and land on her.  I colored her with copics pulling the purples, yellows, and greens into my card.  The flowers are from Walmart of all places and the butterflies are cut using a die from Papertrey Inc.  I hope you enjoy the card as much as I did creating it for you.  Now off to take card of this @#$@ computer!lol  Love, Elle

Okay, now what.....I'm usually able to enlarge my photo before posting it.  Geez...................

Subtle Sweetness

Today I want to share with you a birthday card that I made for my best friend Carol.  I call it "Subtle Sweetness".  Some of the elements I used have been sitting in my stash for some time now just waiting for me to play with them.  Why is it that we do that?  Buy things that we just HAVE to have and then don't use them.  Things we love.  This time I pulled out some dies that I got from Papertrey, Inc.  as well as my leaf stamp set.  I used Chartrouse green ink for the leaves-just the right touch of softness.  I am LOVING my new Big Shot die-cutting machine!  I also cut out two butterflies from them and sewed then together leaving a little thread on top for their antenna.  Of course I had to have my doily! Isn't the trim on the bottom beautiful?  A Wally World special..........I simply adore the background paper-so soft and feminine which is why I colored her with Copic Markers using soft blues and whites.  I decided to use a rose from Wild Orchard Crafts to replace her flower.  What do you think?  Here are several pictures of my card.  I hope you like it!  Love, Elle

Paper Piercing

Tilda is paper pierced today!  I have been seeing a lot of this technique on different blogs and really like it so I thought I would join in.  I stamped and colored my image with Copic markers then re-stamped the image on patterened paper, cut out the dress, and attached it to the original image.  Voila'!
Isn't she perty?  lol.  I pulled out my flowers that I purchased from Wild Orchard Crafts, some lace trim, some pretty pink ribbon, and a sweet corsage pin to add to my card.  I love how my background paper coordinates so well with her dress pattern even though they are not from the same company.  Mixy Matchy was the way to go!  I had fun making my card and wanted to share it with you.  Enjoy!  Love, Elle

Happy time!

It's Happy Time here at the Kasban household.  I was in such a good mood yesterday, Friday the 13th, that I just HAD to make a happy card for someone that might need cheering up!  My husband Charlie and I were married on a Friday the 13th so we celebrate every time one comes our way.  Yesterday we went out to lunch at one of our fav restuarants, Casa Gallardo, LOVE Mexican food!  Enough of that.  On to my card.  I pulled out an old WhipperSnapper stamp along with some bright papers and stamped it on my Nestibility shape that I cut out using my Big Shot.  After breaking two Cuttlebug machines I tend to do to the Big Shot out of fear lol.  When I was putting the card elements together I thought that it needed softening up some so I added one of the doilies I got at a little Bistro, a flower embellishment and a sweet, sweet silver butterfly.  Now I am pleased.  Really, I am.  I love this little girl, don't you!?  Love, Elle
A close up: