Diorama card - Sea Nostalgy

Summer is gone, but the memories still linger on.. Here is my Nostalgy card that is so close to my heart, especially since I've used my aqua-colored accessories.

The image was printed off the Internet in double copy, then I cut out the lady and stuck it over the original photo using my sponge tape for a dimensional view.

 

The sequin fabric is leftover from my daughter's dress that I made for her marine-themed birthday party. The tiny seashells were actually picked up on the beach by my children and me. I also used my sea-related diecuts. The one on the bottom and the anchor were done in glittery brown paper. I also sprinkled the card with half pearls and aqua crystals. Overall, I am happy with it, and I hope you like it too!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
- Corrosive Challenges - Anything Goes
- UnstampaBelles Challenges - Create a paper project with an aperture
- Crafty Creations - Anything Goes 
- Everybody Art - Special Card Form
- Polkadoodles Craft Challenge - Anything Goes  
- Cute Card Thursday- Anything Goes

Have a good day!
Simona

Feels like Hawaii

Hello, my dear crafters! Today, I am back with a card I made as a Guest Designer for Tuesday Morning Sketches #520. Please go there and follow the same fun sketch, I'm sure you will create a beautiful card!

My card has an exotic feel and I celebrate it by using a piece of design paper from a Hawaii-themed pad, leaf brads and leaf diecuts. I also used the embossing technique and cut out a hibiscus flower from the papers. 

I love everything Hawaii, I don't know what hit me since I've never been there... :) I guess now it's just one of my dreams, to go there. I live in Europe, so it's really too far away from me, but one can still dream, right? 

Recently, one of my daughters had a Hawaii-themed birthday party and this is what my decor looked like (I made it myself):

If you've been there already, please tell me and also let me know if I caught that feeling in my card! :) Have a wonderful day!

Hugs,
Simona

Aqua Roses

Time for another Tuesday Morning Sketches challenge, and this week I've used one of my favorite colors: AQUA. I followed the sketch (number 518) and here is my interpretation of it:

The paper in the center comes from Papermania, an older Spring collection.

 I hope you like my creations! If you do, please follow my blog and send me a line, it will be greatly appreciated!

Have a wonderful week!!!

Lady in Lace

If you love feminine creations, then you've got to stop by at Allsorts Challenge where the current theme is "Feminine". So, here is my lacy creation, I think there are very few other things more feminine and delicate than lace, so I hope you like it too!

Also, this Lady diecut is one of my favourites.

Have a wonderful week!

Red and White Filigree for CCC

Hello, again! Long time no see... but here I am again, 2 kids richer... that makes 6 in total. :D

As they grew older, I started playing with my paper again, and here is what I came up with for this week at Crafty Creations Challenges (where the the is Anything Goes):

 

I hope you like it too and I look forward to new creations!

                                  Have a wonderful week everybody! Thank you for your visit!

Spring is Here!

Hello ladies! Long time no see! I am at baby number six now... :) I still create cards, mini albums  and other items once in a while.

This time, I decided to take part in a couple of challenges with this card. Ward weather is back and I feel so alive again! I thought this was an appropriate card for Spring: cherry blossom, pastel colors and a burst of freshness. I really love the filigree butterflies.

I hope you like it too and I hope you have the most beautiful Spring ever!

 I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Callendar - April Showers/ or Spring
Fussy and Fancy - Embellish It!
Creatalicious - Anything Goes (with Optional Add Flowers)
Cute Card Thursday - Warm Colors
Try It on Tuesday - Botanical

Summer Joy

 Here I am again, this time with a summer-ish creation in pastel colors. Of course, I have chosen a Sarah Kay image (all Sarah Kay fans, hands up! :)), the papers are from Papermania, the Summer Garden collection, as well as the butterfly punch and the crystals. The image was colored with pencils and markers, and the ribbons are organza and satin. What shouts "summer" better than naked feet, sun hat, low back cut and pastel colors? :) I hope you like it, sweet image and papers!!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

1.  Cupcake Craft Challenges - Summer Scene
2. Crafty Calendar Challenge - Things with Wings (butterfly)
3. Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
4. Dutch Dare Card Challenges - Summer's Coming

Lilac Christmas

It's been a long time since my last post, but I have been really busy taking care of my family... which is also extending! Baby number four is on its way... :)

Even if I did not post anything, I did stop over from time to time to take a look at what everybody worked. It kept my desire to create again burning. :) So now here I am, as my older children started kindergarden, finally taking the time to make a card. Of course, I guess it's also because I can't stop thinking about Christmas being so near and I would love to have a bunch of cards ready to give...

I have chosen to make a card around this BEAUTIFUL stamp that I have, "Christmas Willow with Lantern", which happens to be a Christmassy one (I love everything Christmas, what can I do? :)), but it is so hard to choose just one from Elisabeth Bell!!! She is SO talented and I admire her work greatly! Because of this, I am entering this card in the "Use Your Favourite Stamp" challenge from TotallyPaperCrafts. 

 I have especially chosen the colours so that i can play at Winter Wonderland - "Lilac and Lace" and at The Pink Elephant for "Monochromatic", and I carefully punched out the snowflakes in Damask paper (with a Nesting Punch, I think) so that I can take part in the  Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - "Snowy" challenge. The lace is bought from a fabric store. I colored my image with coloured pencils and brush pens (Carioca and Stabilo).The paper is just a freebie from the Internet.

The crystals in the middle of the snowflakes are from Papermania. I am also entering this card into "Christmas in September" from Cute Card Thursday, Digi Doodle Shop - "Anything Goes", "Make It Girly" for Whoopsiedaisy Challenge, Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - "Less Is MORE". 

See you soon,

Simona

Family Is A Blessing

Hi everyone!

This time, I'm back with a special project which I have created as a gift for my husband, to always remind him, while at work, that he is loved by his family.

For it, I have recycled a shoe box. It's all black and white, as it makes it more elegant and is also manly. It represents a house with its residents... that is our family. :) We have three small children together, so there's never time to get bored... but that's another story.

The entire house is covered with designer papers from Papermania, their beautiful Mono Paper Pack from their "Capsule" collection. The flowers on the table are from Opitec. The ribbon to which the photos are attached is from Heyda, and the bow at its top is from Casa Retro.

The saying on the wall is a sentiment that might come from I Brake for Stamps, although I cannot remember well anymore... It says: "Having somewhere to go is HOME, having someone to love is FAMILY, having both is a BLESSING". Beautiful, isn't it?

The challenges I am entering this project:

Delightful Challenges - Valentine's Anything but a Card
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Pollycraft Monday Challenge - Favourite Things (easy to guess which are those... :))
Cupcake Craft Challenges - Recycle (shoe box)
Allsorts Challenge - One or More Hearts (punched)
Moving Along with the Times - Blooming Marvelous (on the table)
Stampin' Sisters in Christ - Show Who You Really Are

Hugs,

God of Love

Today I am submitting a card to several challenges. I love pale pink and all pastel tones... so I find this card nice myself.

The beautiful and full of significance heart that I have chosen for the card comes from I Brake for Stamps. I have been meaning to use it and now, with Valentine's Day around the corner, I think it's the perfect time to do that. There is no better definition of the real love than the one I found in the Bible...

The heart paper is a freebie from the Internet, the flowers are from Papermania, their "Capsule"collection, the gems are from Casa Retro and the ribbon is just a bargain I found at Daiso a couple of years ago and it is even more beautiful than you can see in pictures!

Stampin' Sisters in Christ - Make a Heart Stand Out In Your Card/Project
Moving Along with the Times - Blooming Marvellous
Cute Card Thursday - You're a Gem
Charisma Cardz - Pretty in Pink
Inky Impressions -Heart You
Anything Goes - To the One I Love
Card Makin' Mamas - Something Old
Cupcake Craft Challenges - All You Need Is Love
Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - Have A Heart
Truly Scrumptious - Something Forgotten (ribbon)
Stampin' for the Weekend - Out with the Old (ribbon, stamp)
Word Art Wednesday -Scripture

Have a great day!
Hugs,
Simona

Glamour Winter

Today I am showing you card that I consider very elegant and I hope you like it too. I am entering this card into the ABC Christmas Challenge (A for Anything Goes); the holidays are gone, but the spirit is here throughout the year... at least for me! :)

The coat was made by covering a lady silhouette from piece of card stock with dark red velvet fabric, accessorized with a silver belt (a button) and crystal "buttons", white fur (made from ribbon) and a chic matching handbag with a golden bead handle. The background is currently my favourite paper and it comes from Casa Retro: it is light blue vellum paper, with delicate snowflakes. This is why I am entering the card into the Gingersnap Creations challenge (GC135 - Use Your Favourite Paper). They have a wonderful prize but even more attractive is the chance of being a Home Page Artist.

I am also entering the card into the Creative Card Crew challenge (#2 Seeing Red) and into the My Time to Craft challenge (171 Your Favourite Embellishment - mine are crystals, they add elegance and class to any card!).

The card is very versatile, it can be used for a multitude of purposes: for Christmas, birthday... almost anything you could think of! So here it is for you to enjoy...

Wishing you a great week!
Simona

Memory Lane

A few days ago, my husband and I celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary and I thought I'd make something special for him as a present. I had this project in mind called Memory Lane, which shows some of the most treasured moments and people in our life together as a married couple. I bought a frame to his liking and here is what the picture looks like!

We already have two children, and a third is expected in June, and of course they are what he loves the most, so I thought of a fun way to incorporate their image in the picture. What I came up with was a drawing I made in Paint, of us as a family (see the detail), with my huge belly showing how VERY pregnant I am... :) Also, there are the names of some of the cherished places that we have visited, our honeymoon, the church we attend, the cars that we've owned, important dates like when our children were born, when our wedding took place or when was our first date. I have already given it to him and he absolutely loved it!! :)


I'm entering this project into the following challenges:
Incy Wincy Designs - Anything Goes
One Stop Craft Challenge - Anything But A Card
Papertake Weekly Challenge - Do Something Different
Cute Card Thursday - Make Your Own
WhoopsiDaisy Challenge - As You Like It

Thank you for visiting, I look forward to your suggestions and comments! :)

Hugs,
Simona

Bruno the Bear

Hi everybody,

Here I am again with a birthday card, which can be given to a child, a woman and... yes, even to a man! :) I used "Bruno Bear with Present" for this card from Whiff of Joy, a company I love, as we all do actually! :) Their images are truly beautiful and sweet!

This week, the theme for Whiff of Joy Challenge is "coffee and cream". I am also entering this card to Crafty Creations Challenges and their request is that we use one color in different shades, just like Stampin' for the Weekend - Monochromatic. Delightful Sketches has the theme of kids (open to interpretation), while Lexi's Creations has decided that, for their latest challenge, "Anything Goes". Stampin' Sisters in Christ have a beautiful theme this week, which is to do everything in the name of Jesus Christ (pray before you start making your card).



I wish you all a wonderful weekend and please leave a comment if you have any thoughts on the card! :) Thank you all for taking a look!

Blue Butterflies

I don't think there is a single soul that does not like butterflies!! With their delicate wings and their dance among the flowers when the weather is warm, they give us so much joy and we watch them with a smile in the corner of our mouths and with amazement in our eyes... I too love butterflies, and I remember my fascinatioon with them ever since I was a child. Spring is almost here, and that brings us a promise that we will meet these wonderful creatures once again...


The Belli Challenge blog gives us the opportunity to show off our butterflies (or dragonflies), and I chose to make a card using some blue ones that I decoupaged from a vellum sheet that I bought from Hobby Center. If you look closely, you will see that the background paper also has embossed butterflies in it, which I found years ago at Diverta, and its iridescence gives the card an elegant air.


That paper is also the one that convinced me to keep it simple, otherwise the card would have seemed so overloaded and it would have lost its charm.

Besides The Belli Challenge, this card is also appropriate for:
Cupcake Craft Challenges - Keep It Simple
2 Sketches 4 You - I followed their sketch
The Pink Elephant Challenge - Ribbon
Little Red Wagon - Ribbon
ABC Challenge - O Is For One Paper
Fussy & Fancy Friday Challenge - Dazzle Us!
Clearly I Stamp - Glam It Up!
Flutter By Wednesday - Butterflies, fairies, or angels and hearts

Pink lilies

This is a card that has become one of my favourites because I guess it represents me. First of all, lilies are my favourite flowers, they are just gorgeous... My husband even proposed with a bouquet of pink lilies. :) Secondly, the colour pink, especially the pastel tone, is so sweet and delicate... it's what I like things around me to be. Then, that lace... Generally, lace suggests vintage, old fashion, and I seem to be like that compared to other people my age. I guess what they call "old-fashioned" is just sticking to morals, to Christian beliefs and teachings, and not wanting to be one of the people of "generation cool".



I made this card following the sketch at Papertake Weekly, and I am also hoping for one of the GD spots they are offering. Also, I am entering this card into the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - "Monochrome Tones of One Color and White" and into Crafty Angel challenge - "What's Your Color?" (pink).

L.O.V.E.

It's just amazing to see how the entire world is preparing to celebrate love... Not that we don't celebrate it everyday :) but I am talking about the festive things... I join the world in celebration and present my little creations to be given as gifts. :)

For this card, I've chosen this image of an arrow heart from Magnolia and tried to keep the card as simple as possible, as I think it gives it elegance and it shows plenty of love symbols, so no unnecessary embellishments for this one.



I entered this LOVE card into the following challenges:

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Love/Valentine
Charisma Cardz - I Love You
Pile It On - Enough of Winter Colours
La La Land Crafts - Hearts
ABC Challenge - N Is For... New (papers, image, ribbon)
Lexi's Creations - Valentines
A Spoon Full of Sugar - Freestyle (anything goes)
The Pixie Cottage - Colors Pink And Red
Hand Full of Stamps - I Give You My Heart
Stamp Simply - Red and Hearts
Lily-Boo Too Challenge - Valentine
Fussy and Fancy Challenge - Hearts
Secret Crafter - Hearts
Corrosive - Love
Creative Belli - Ribbons
Bee Crafty - Romance
Papertake Weekly Challenge - Love Actually
Creative Card Crew - Valentine's

Flowers, flowers... :)

This is a card I made for my sister-in-law's birthday, using the colors I thought she would love. The main theme is "flowers", just perfect for this week's challenge at "Cute Card Thursday". They have this absolutely fantastic prize consisting of a large assortment of gorgeous, gorgeous flowers!

The little red roses are from Opitec, and the other embellishments come from Casa Retro. I colored the image using markers and, although you cannot see it clearly, the ribbon is also golden (I used a glitter pen). Thanks for looking! :)

Coffee and Chocolate

So pleased to be back blogging! :) I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that the new year will bring you everything you've dreamed of! I had an even happier Christmas because, just a few days before the holiday, I was confirmed a pregnancy!!! :) This is our third child and it's coming pretty soon after my youngest who will be just a little over 1 year old when I give birth again. I realize it's going to be a challenge for me as I am a SAHM, but I pray and hope that I will do well.

I have just put together a card for a few challenges, and I think it would work great for a man. It is simple yet nice to look at, I think. My husband's birthday is just around the corner and I just realized I have never made a card for him, although I did make some for his mother and sister... So I am preparing one to suit him and his taste, and maybe I will post that soon. I am telling you this because it is what inspired me to create a man's card. We all have trouble finding the right colors or the right design for such a card; they never want embellishments or bright colors, nor pretty papers, so it's rather difficult to choose... I hope this gives you an idea!



The challenges I am submitting this card into:

Inspirational Card Sketches - Sketch #59
Fun with Shapes and More - Chocolate
A Spoon Full of Sugar - Lots of Layering

Spreading Love

I am back to spread some love for a sweet little boy who has cancer. His name is Ethan and is 7 years old. Ethan has neuroblasma, which is spreading. You can read his entire story on his cousin Kristen's blog. Ethan also has an older sister named Sierra who worries about him and takes such good care of him.





This appeal was published on "The Three Clovers Designs" if you want to see the original post. I am just spreading the word and the...love! What we ask is that you too give a little of yourself, and maybe you have a card or two around the house (they don't need to be handmade) to send to Ethan and Sierra. They love to get mail, and that would make their holidays a lot happier!

Ethan & Sierra's mailing info:

Ethan & Sierra Smith

27 Donna Street

Nashua, NH 03060
USA

Please feel free to share their story. Help us spread the love!!

Silver Christmas

Here is another Christmas card... Can you believe Christmas is almost here? I've been preparing for it for about three months, because otherwise I would not have the time to take care of everything that I want to do, as my children are my priority and there would not be enough time left for anything else... Anyway, Christmas preparations are almost over and my family and I are ready to celebrate! :)


This is a card I made using the image of an angel... because I always keep in mind "the reason for the season", which is the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ! Silver is a beautiful color for the holidays, and I was looking forward to an opportunity to use this color scheme a card. The snowflakes are rub-ons, and the sentiment is handwritten. Papers are from Opitec, and the ribbon had been in my stash for ages.


I made this card for the following challenges:

Creatalicious Challenges: Something for Christmas (include snowflake and sparkle/glitter)
Sophisticat Challenges: Christmas (anything goes)
Fun with Shapes and More: Snowflakes
A Spoon Full of Sugar: Monochrome
Creative Card: Gold or Silver
The Pink Elephant: Winter and/or Christmas
Our Creative Corner: Holiday Theme (Christmas)
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge: Snow
Paper Cutz: Snowman or Snowflake

Christmas Bells

Well, I just couldn't miss such a great opportunity to make as many Christmas cards as possible, so here I am again taking part in another challenge or two... ;) I love, love, love Christmas, and it seems I'm not the only one now that I have children. :) My son was so happy and full of life as we were decorating the house for the holidays while listening to Christmas carols and singing along! It made me so happy!

The background paper is shimmery gold, and I colored the bells using gold gel pens (two hues). It looks much more elegant in real-life, but I used the flash on purpose because I wanted to capture the glitter for you to see it better.



I submitted this card to:
Everybody-Art - Red/Green
Creative Card Crew - Gold or Silver
Stampin'for the Weekend - Red, Green and Gold
Stampavie and More - Red and Green
Paper Cutz - Christmas
Stamp Something - Glitzy Somethings
Pile It On - Tinsel Town
Crafty Calendar - Winter Sparkle
Clearly i Stamp - Winter Theme


Thanks for looking, I hope it won't be long before I have the chance to create a new one! :)

Frosty the Snowman

I have finished another card today, with a child in mind. I love giving sweet cards to children, which have their favorite characters on them... Their faces light up when they see them! :)

So here is their winter friend, the snowman...or Frosty to some people. :)


I am submitting this card to several challenges:

Fun with Shapes and More - Snowmen
Sketch Saturday - Sketch #80
Stampavie and More - Christmas
Cupcake Craft - Favorite Carol (Frosty the Snowman)
Creative Card Crew - Christmas
Incy Wincy Designs - Snowflakes

Happy Birthday, Mother!

Hi again! :) I realize it's been awhile since my last post, but I was busy with the children, mainly because my son was ill for a pretty long time. Besides, my little girl has grown up :) and she has more needs now than when she was a new-born :) and also sleeps a lot less ;) Anyway, I love making cards too much to stay away for too long, so my mother's coming birthday inspired me to create a new one. Also, I have bought new accessories for making cards so nothing can stop me now... at least at night, when the children are in bed. :)

Here is the card I've made for my mother, as her birthday is on December 12th. I have to mail it, because we don't live in the same town... Unfortunately, I still don't have a lot of the pretty things that would help me make gorgeous cards like I see on all the other blogs by you, ladies. Every month I spend a lot on this hobby, but I'm still ages away from all the stuff that you ladies have; also, the very few craft shops that we have do not sell all that fancy stuff as cardmaking is still not well-known over here. So please excuse the imperfections in my cards because almost everything is cut out by hand.


This card was made with several challenges in mind:

Pile It On - Flowers and Flourishes
Cute Card Thursday - Swirly Girly!
The Pink Elephant - Color Me Wonderful (I used brush pens)
Charisma Cardz - I'm Dreaming of Summertime!
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Christmas Birthday

I hope you like it and to meet again very soon! ;)

Christmas Stocking

I've had this idea for a card in my mind for weeks! So, I took the opportunity that Winter Wonderland has given us and the card has finally come to life. :) I conceived the card as two doors opening to reveal a room decorated for Christmas (I used symbols such as a Christmas wreath, present, stockings...). The back of the card can be used to write a message. I was hoping to achieve a warm and cosy atmosphere through colors, I hope you like it! :) Merry Christmas everyone! :)