It's a colorful world...

Family Is A Blessing

2012-01-31T01:48:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-24T14:50:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

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

2010-05-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-05T07:59:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-18T15:52:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-11T13:59:00.000-08:00

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.

2010-02-04T06:21:00.000-08:00

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... :)

2010-01-28T06:08:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-22T08:13:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-15T23:37:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-14T02:52:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-09T04:01:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-07T04:30:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-12-05T07:22:00.000-08:00

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

2009-10-20T05:55:00.000-07:00

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! :)

Christmas Card for a Child

2009-10-20T05:01:00.000-07:00

I took a break from making cards for a short while as both my children had a cold last week. Thank God, they are alright now, healthy and happy again! Here is a card that I thought I would give my son for Christmas. I entered it into the Lili of the Valley challenge for this week (which requires we make a Christmas card for a child) and the Creative Card challenge (their theme for the week is "babies and children's cards"). I really had fun working at it, and I look forward to celebrating Christmas again with my family! :)

Music = Michael Jackson

2009-10-12T13:39:00.000-07:00

I used the opportunity that Digital Tuesday has offered us to make a card involving anything that has to do with music to bring my own little tribute to the wonderful artist that was/IS Michael Jackson. To me he was more than a singer, though: he was a remarkable human being, too innocent to adjust to the way the people of this world think and I can only thank the Lord for letting me understand this humble soul and having him as my role model ever since I was ten. He changed my life for the better and inspired me to achieve the best I can and, most importantly, he taught me to love everybody equally and give more of myself to those in need. Also, coincidentally, his last single has just been released, so here it is for everyone who would like to listen to this amazing voice and talent. I love you, Michael!

Christmas Teddy

2009-10-08T23:58:00.001-07:00

I know, another Christmas card... But besides the fact that I just love Christmas, it is also the time to start making cards for that holiday and to start thinking about what gifts to buy/make and for whom. This time, my card is for the challenge at Sketch and Stash, following their sketch, which is simple yet beautiful. I like them simple, as I like to make my cards when my children are asleep, so I don't have a lot of time to craft; the simpler, the better! :)

For this card, almost everything is from a new stash: the background paper, the stamp, the ribbon. The flower is made from some chenille I had for several months but never used. I thought it fits well with the rest of the card because it sends your mind to the plush of the teddies. The whole card is actually prettier in life, with vivid colors. It seems to me my camera did not catch that very well, but I hope it still gives you an idea of the real thing.

Clowns at Birthday

2009-10-01T18:43:00.000-07:00

Hi again, with another card. I lost some sleep, but at least it's done! :) Rather colorful and fun, it was conceived for a child. I haven't used such bright colors in my cards before, but I thought that orange was the perfect match for the background paper that I had and for the clowns as well... The technique I used is decoupage (which is the challenge at Charisma Cardz this week), and I took the sketch from Moving Along with the Times; it was offered as a challenge, along with a theme: no stamps. That's great for me, as I don't have many of them and I'm also broke spending all my money on crafting items, trying to catch up with the other ladies who have been making cards for a lot longer... :)

The three balloons at the top are also decoupaged and mounted on foam tape, as well as the two squares. The sentiment is a puffy sticker. I am quite pleased with the result. If you think so too, that would encourage me to try further... Thank you so much for looking! :)

Autumn = Wedding Season

2009-10-01T18:12:00.000-07:00

I'm officially a card maniac! :) I can't believe what time it is as I sit here in front of the computer, posting my latest crafting adventure... :)

The card below is for the challenge at Allsorts, called "Autumn Days", and for the one at Papertake Weekly, asking us to use only black, white, and just one more color. I've also submitted the card to Three Clovers Designs, where the challenge is entitled "Think Pink", and I believe it fits because white and black are actually considered non-colors.

Strangely or not, when I say Autumn, this is what comes to mind: weddings. Over here, it is the favored season for weddings as this is the time that the new wine is ready to be served at wedding parties. Most people living in the country owe some vineyard and the make their own wine. I guess this is why they choose to give their children into marriage in Autumn, so that they have the drinks for the party... In fact, I am going to a wedding soon, at the end of October, and another one is scheduled for next year in September. The grooms are both former colleagues from work.

Back to my card now, I have made my own patterned paper using a stamp and some pink ink... It hurts me that I do not have much patterned paper, as you can't find it in stores in my country, and it's a pain to get some... Anyway, I'll try my best using what I already have... I colored Willow and Oakley using my brand new Stabilo markers. :) The sentiment is also handwritten. Besides black and white, I chose to use pink because it's so soft and sweet, just like the bride, the flowers, or the feeling that makes those two souls want to lead the same life...

Non-Traditional Christmas Colors

2009-09-23T06:28:00.000-07:00

Here's another card that I've made for several challenges. Above all, this has been a challenge for me to use other colors than the traditional ones for a Christmas card. I wanted to give it a try (or maybe even succeed? :) ), because I love the green-red-gold combination in my Christmas tree and decorations and couldn't imagine myself going a different way... Otherwise I think this pink-brown combination is just gorgeous... Anyway, I would love to hear what you have to say about my attempt at using this colour scheme (hopefully I will get enough courage to be more open-minded about this). :) Also, I wanted to say that the ornaments you can see in the tree are actually hot pink, but because of the flash-light they have taken different hues in the picture. Thank you very much for looking!

The challenges I am submitting this card to are:

Our Creative Corner - Yummy Color Combo (light pink, hot pink, brown, white)
Allsorts - Snowflakes in September
365 Card - DIY Paper
Pile It On - Punches
Christmas Stampin' - Non-Traditional Colors
The Color Throwdown - Color Throwdown

Christmas sparkle

2009-09-18T05:37:00.000-07:00

Here is another card this week, this time for Sketch Saturday. Another Christmas card, but I guess I will be glad when the season comes and I have all the cards I need to send ready... :) I admit I have a hard time trying other colours for my Christmas projects than the traditional ones. I simply adore Christmas!! I can't wait to decorate the tree again and do the shopping! :)

FALLing...

2009-09-15T07:21:00.000-07:00

With both my little ones asleep at the same time (it rarely happens), I started making this card with several challenges in mind. Autumn is here for my cricket as well, but he is no different than the rest of his species: instead of making provisions for wintertime, he keeps playing his music... Is this for a Miss Cricket? :)

The challenges to which I submitted this card are:
A Spoon Full of Sugar - Fall into Autumn
Whimsy Stamps - Fun Fall Colors
PaperPlay Challenges - NO Patterned Paper
Digital Tuesday Challenges - Clean & Simple Fall Card

Frosty the Snowman

2009-09-09T23:30:00.000-07:00

The newest card I've created is this one, for week #15 at Winter Wonderland. I had a separate image of this snowman, and I tried to imagine something about why it was so sad, and this is what I came up with: a little bit of grass piercing the snow blanket... It also sends a message that we should enjoy Winter and all the other wonderful moments of life, because you never know when they're going to end! I hope you have many beautiful moments in your life to enjoy to the full!

Red, White and Blue Man Celebration

2009-09-07T08:31:00.000-07:00

I have just finished a card I made for two challenges: for Cupcake Craft Challenges where they asked us to make something using just white, blue and red, and for Allsorts, where we were challenged to make something for the males in our lives. I admit it was not very easy for me, but even the thing that I managed to make a card with kids needing me every two minutes it's a miracle in itself... :)

Tales from Pollycraft Awesome Candy

2009-09-07T00:32:00.000-07:00

Tales from Pollycraft is givingaway some fabulous candy, so please visit their blog to check it out and enter to win this prize! You still have until September 14th to do that! :)

#43 Challenge - Just Christmas and Birthday Cards

2009-09-01T08:21:00.000-07:00

I underestimated this sketch, I thought I would make the card in the blink of an eye, but I was wrong! :) Anyway, I loved the challenge, and I hope you like my creation. I used some glitter to symbolise snow, and the Christmas tree is made up of little gold stars. I can't wait to celebrate Christmas again, and my son too! He keeps asking for a singing Santa Clause we have to play with it... :)

Handmade Treasures by Creative Card Corner

2009-08-29T12:10:00.000-07:00

I have discovered this amazing blog, and I just love it's owner's work, she's truly talented. Please go and visit, it is really worth it! Also, she is giving some candy away, and you could win it for sure if you follow three simple steps... It ends September 22nd. Well, I too hope I win this candy, so we'll just have to wait and see... :)

By Candlelight

2009-08-29T11:31:00.000-07:00

This is a card i made for a Winter Winderland contest, called "By Candlelight". I was pretty busy handling housework and the two children, but I hope I made it in time. After all, it's still Saturday over here... :) I really wanted to be part of this contest, and I worked a lot for it, so I really hope you like it... I worked everything by hand, except for the little shining star and corners. Anyway, it feels pretty well seeing something coming out of one's hand in the end... :)

First card :)

2009-08-26T09:09:00.000-07:00

This is the first card I post for you to see. Actually, it's for a contest on the amazing Christmas and Birthday Cards, and I followed their sketch. It's a birthday card which I think turned out pretty nice. I had this idea in my head for days, and today I finally found the time to make the card. I used butterfly-embossed pearl-white cardstock as background. I cut out pink petal shapes and glued them together to form a flower. A teardrop-shaped gem that I had in my stash is the falling/missing petal. I also used lilac, light and dark pink cardstock, and a little piece of ribbon.