Inventory Challenge #88-4th of July

I went another direction for my 4th of July card this time.  I wanted it to reflect more on what I will be doing this holiday.  One of my oldest and dearest friends has a special birthday that we will be celebrating with a suprise party.  Her favorite thing in the whole wide world is flowers.  Gardening of any kind really.  She is such a joyful person!  I celebrated using red, white, and blue papers and coloring with lots of flowers in her hair and special flowers on the card.  I had to pull out some of my favorite MFT dies to make my flowers and accents with.  I love how kraft paper looks with these colors, don't you? 

I'm off to finish a wedding card that has to go to Chicago with my sister tomarrow morning.  I will post pictures later in the week.  Join Kathy at http://kathysknook.blogspot.ca for her July 4th card.  It's a beaut!  Love, Elle

INVENTORY CHALLENGE #87

Welcome to another Inventory Challenge.  Today the theme is Celebrate Summer-butterflies, flowers and a touch of yellow.  I had alot of fun with this card.  Everytime I see a butterfly I say "hi" to my dad up in heaven.  Silly, isn't it?  To me it is God's way of sending me an Angel when I need one the most.  Heck, right now I could use a field full of butterflies! lol
My image was choosen because I use to spend all of my Summer days riding my bicycle.  Everywhere.  From dawn to dusk.  My friends and I would strap on our water bottles and our sack lunches and go on the greatest adventures!  I kept my card simple and let the paper speak for itself.  I die cut my flower, leaves, and butterfly, adding pearls and buttons for accents.  "Have a Sunny day" was the perfect stamp for my sentiment.  The soft, serene colors reminded me of a Summer breeze.  Simple and sweet.  I hope your Sunny days bring you lots of adventures, too.  Love, Elle.  (please join my friend Kathy for her entry in this week's Inventory Challenge at http://kathysknook.blogspot.ca

INVENTORY CHALLENGE #86-Fathers Day

Good morning/afternoon/evening!  Today is what was suppose to be Inventory Challenge #86.  Remember, I'm continuing with the challenges without the rest of my team.  Today is a Fathers Day card.  Now, that presented me with a dilemma.  My dad passed away last year.  I miss him terribly.  I didn't even think I could make a card except for my husband.  But I wanted to honor my dad in some way.  When I saw Ducky in the just before last group of Magnolia-liscious stamps I just KNEW I was on to something. 
I have a story to tell.
When we were really little my mom worked nights and my father took care of us after he got home from work and on the weekends.  It must of been a really special occasion because Pam (5), Me (4), and Cynthia (2) were all dressed up in our Sunday best dresses, lacy socks, and Mary Janes.  He took us out to a fancy restaurant that evening.  WHAT HE DIDN'T KNOW is that when we were walking in Pam, myself, and my little sister (one after another) would waddle like ducks, flapping our arms every time dad looked away while the hostess was escorting us across the restaurant to our table.  All of the patrons at the other tables were chuckling as we passed by.  Pam must have had a quick eye because every time dad would turn around to see what was going on we would stop.  Perfect little angels that we were.  Pam was quite the instigator, wasn't she?  Hence the duck. 
Without further hesitation I would like to share with you my HAPPY FATHERS DAY MEMORIES card.  (I apologize for this being a day late.  For some reason I could not get on the internet to post it.  It crashed right when I was ready to add the picture) Love, Elle

INVENTORY CHALLENGE #85

Today's challenge is to do an Easel card-something that I have never attempted.  While I was on the subject I thought I would try something else that is new to me-coloring with Distress Inks.  Don't laugh!  It is my first try lol.  I have a gorgeous paper pack called AVALON from Bazzill Basics Paper that I used for my card along with Sunflower Tilda.  I wanted to make this card for my sister Cynthia.  She has been here for me like no other during these trying times.  (Except Charlie, of course).  In case my photography does not pick it up the saying says "Thank you for being there when I need you".  I just love this paper.  I needed something bright and cheery, don't you think? 
I added a die cut swirrly leaf and some flowers along with a bright red polk-a-dot bow and my card was complete. 
I want to take a minute to thank everyone out there who has offered up prayers for me and my family.  It means more than you will ever know.  Love, Elle

Prayers Needed

I wouldn't normally ask this of my readers but I am in desperate need of some prayers.  I won't go into detail because it is so personal but my family is in shreads.  It is only love that is holding things together (and God, of course).  The stress level and pain that everyone is dealing with has and is taking it's toll in so many different ways.  I am hanging on by a thin thread.  If a tiny prayer could be said I would so appreciate it.  My family needs it.  I NEED IT.  I will return the favor if ever needed.  Thanks so much for listening.  Love, Elle

Sad News

I have some sad news to relay to you tonight.  They have decided to discontinue the Inventory Challenges.  BUT, I have decided to play along by myself for as long as I have the themes that they sent me.  I believe it is thru August.  Would that be okay with you?  I have been having so much fun being on the Design Team that I don't want to quit.  SO, I will continue each week to post my cards for as long as I can.  Love, Elle

INVENTORY CHALLENGE #84-Creating a scene with the masking technique

Creating a scene with the masking technique?  Being a relative beginner this is something that I have never attempted to do.  Yikes!  What have I gotten myself into?  Now, mind you, after doing my card I realized how silly I can be worrying so much about the cards that I make.  Perfectionism is the word that comes to mind.   Let's see.  What do I have on hand?  When I was re-organizing and cleaning my studio I found my cloud making kit that I never got the chance to use before I lost it in the first place. 
I also had bought the magnolia tree branch, the fence, and Tilda with daisy.  I already had a die for the grass that I bought from MFT (My Favorite Things) that I thought would work perfectly.  Let's not forget the colored twine that I used for the bow and the mini pearls for the flowers on the tree branch. 
I love the way this turned out.  The next time I will be making the clouds more prodominent but otherwise I am happy with the card that I made.  Are you?  Sylvia isn't playing with us this week but will be back with the DT next week.  All of the other links are listed below the picture.  Please take a minute to visit each of the blogs; I'm sure you won't regret it!  Love, Elle

Here are the links to the other DT members blogs:
http://inkthreadpaper-cathylynn.blogspot.com
http://christinascardconnection.blogspot.com
http://au-deladesimages.blogspot.com
http://lestresorsdenadine.blogspot.com
http://cardsbyrbowen.blogspot.com
http://kathysknook.blogspot.ca

christinascardconnection.blogspot.com