Ho Ho Ho - Merry Christmas!

Hello out there...so sorry it's been so long since my last post - life gets a little crazy during the holidays, but that's not to say that I've been crafting like crazy.  Here are a few pixs of some of the things I've been working on, as well as my Christmas table. 



Have a very Merry Christmas, and live well!,

Trina

Oh, how I love this season...I think

I am in LOVE with this season - I love how the temps start to drop, and the nights get a little chillier for snuggling, the deep hues of  fall colors, the smell of yummy baked goods in the air, and of course fall fashion - love, love, love my big bulky sweaters (yes, it does cool down in Southern CA).   Although I am totally smitten with Fall, it's like a love/hate relationship...I hate that this time of the year brings the start of winter colds, which has both already hit the kiddies.  My little girl was sick couple weeks ago, and now my poor son is sick in bed, absolutely heart broken that he's going to miss his last game of the season today (and the much anticipated team pizza party) :-(

With that said, I'll post a card I made a few weeks back for a little girl's birthday, and then get back to being the family nurse.

Oh - one last thing...please check out the new button to the side for "Simply Captivating Events".  I'm happy to say that I'm related to this amazingly creative person, who has lot of ideas to share and inspire you all.

Live well,
Trina

Card Recipe:  Nicky
Stamps:  Letters (Hero Arts); Dot Spot (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  White, Dark Chocolate, Sweet Blush (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Aloe Vera, Sea Breeze, Spring Pansy, Pixie Dust (Tsukineko)
Other:  Ribbon, Rhinestones, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

Happy Halloween!

Lots to do today to get my little butterfly and zombie ready for tonight, so I'll keep this short.  I have one last Halloween card to share, and then a little tribute to one of my favorite writers (which I think is fitting for a day like today).
Here's my card for today (ignore the hairy spider legs...lol).

And here's a little tribute to Edgar Allan Poe, along with some photos taken on my business trip to Maryland, back in March.   And yes, it was a bit creepy walking through this old graveyard...eek!...

The Raven (1845)

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—







While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,








As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

 

“ ’Tis some visiter,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door—
Only this and nothing more.”







Live well,
Trina

Card Recipe:  Spiders and Cats
Stamps:  Cat (Inkadinkado); Sentiment (A Muse)
Paper:  True Black, Ripe Avocado, Plum Pudding, Pattern Paper (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Midnight Black, Cloud White (Tsukineko)
Other:  Rhinestones

Mojo Monday 160

Hey everyone,  just a really quick posting tonight.  Since its Halloween time, I thought I should get in gear and make a couple cards...and here they are...

Live well,
Trina

Card Recipe:  MOJO160 - BOO!
Stamps:  A Muse
Paper:  Kraft, True Black, Pattern Paper (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Other:  Gel Pen, Buttons, Twine

Card Recipe:  SC301 - Cats & Crows...
Stamps:  Graphic (Inkadinakado), Sentiment (A Muse)
Paper:  True Black, White, Plum Pudding, Spring Moss (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black, Midnight Black, Purple Hydrangea (Tsukineko)
Other:  Cuttlebug

Mojo Monday Challenge & a few extras.....

I'm soooo excited...my friend, Michelle, hosted a SU! party, and I was able to get my hands on what I think is one of the cutest sets ever...Aviary.  Here's a couple of cards made using that set...

The first one was for MOJO159:

Here's another card for Waltzingmouse (WMSC18):

And for the "few extras", here are some pictures from my brother and his wife's baby shower a few weeks back...

How pretty are these?!....my brother and his wife made them.  I wish I could have taken the whole basket home with me.

Would you have ever guessed that a 3-year took this picture?  Believe it or not, I let my daughter walk around with my camera (with me right behind with a tight grip on it), and let her snap away, and this was one her MANY pictures....not bad if I do say so myself.

And here's one last photo from the shower.  The girl on the right with the long hair, is my daughter, the budding photographer, with her new friend.  I love how little kids can meet  for the first time, and instantly consider one another friends...if only everything was that simple.

Live well,

Trina

Card Recipe:  Aviary Thank You (MOJO159)

Stamps:  Aviary (SU!); Star Prints (Papertrey Ink)

Ink:  Rich Cocoa, Tea Leaves (Tsukineko)

Paper:  Enchanted Evening, Spring Moss, Dark Chocolate, Kraft (Papertrey Ink)

Other:  Ribbon, Button

Card Recipe:  Aviary Happy Birthday (WMSC18)

Stamps:  Aviary (SU!); Wonderfully Whimsical (Papertrey Ink)

Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)

Paper:  Raspberry Fizz, Dark Chocolate, White (Papertrey Ink)

Other:  Ribbon

Baby Love

I'm going to be a new Auntie!  The sweet little bundle of joy is scheduled to be making her grand entrance at the end of this month which means....SHOPPING, and crafting, but mostly SHOPPING!!

Look what I found  on Etsy at "The Fresh Stitch".  Aren't these the cutest bibs and burp cloths you've ever seen?!  These were exactly what I was looking for, and they were so nicely made.  

I also bought this Panda Bow and Clip Holder.  A few, well actually a lot of hair clips (I went a little crazy) added to this cute little thing,

and viola...a perfect gift for a sweet little girl. 

You can find this at "Banana Pies". 

And now for my cards.  I made the first one from the family, and second one from my little girl to her baby cousin-to-be (to be given along with the Panda & clips).

That's all folks...I'm going to go pass out now.  It's been a LOOOONG week, and I'm ready to catch up on some much needed zzzzzz.

Live well,

Trina

Card Recipe:  Wishes Do Come True

Stamps:  Night Night Moon, Fillable Frames #5 (Papertrey Ink)

Ink:  VersaMark, pixie Dust, Aloe Vera, London Fog (Tsukineko)

Paper:  White, Spring Moss, Sweet Blush (Papertrey Ink)

Other:  Rhinestones, Ribbon

Card Recipe:  Baby Duckies

Stamps:  Night Night Moon (Papertrey Ink)

Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)

Paper:  Patterned Paper, Kraft, Plum Pudding (Papertrey Ink)

Other:  Twine (Papertrey Ink); button, ribbon

This Week's Challenges

Hello friends - I don't know how I did it, but somehow I managed to get a lot of creativity time in the other day.  This was a magnificent feat, especially after putting TONS of hours in at the office, and it being a busier than norm soccer schedule for my son (won both games..woot woot!).  So...without further ado...

The latest Embellish Challenge had to incorporate the colors below, as well as a stamped background.  The first card was for the challenge, and the second one was just because I'm so addicted to PTI's Argyle stamps right now.

For the next card I combined Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #129 and  W+9's Color Cue {8} Challenge.  When I first saw this color combo, I immediately thought "autumn".  The middle image was done using VersaMark to stamp the image, and then rubbing color chalk over it.

And this last one was actually my first attempt trying the VersaMark and chalk technique (the above was my second try).  Look closely...do you see it?  The tree actually contains images of animals!

Alright my friends, I hear the footsteps of my 3-year old daughter coming down the stairs - which means its time to get going with my beautiful, sunny southern California Sunday morning (expecting 101F temp today...egads!).

Live well,
Trina

Card Recipe:  Embellish Challenge - "Birthday Girl"
Stamps:  Enjoy the Ride, A Little Argyle (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Thatched Straw, London Fog, Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Paper:  Black, White (Papertrey Ink)
Other:  Ribbon, Rhinestones

Card Recipe:  Argyle Thank You
Stamps:  A Little Argyle, Fillable Frames #5 (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black, Thatched Straw, Spanish Olive (Tsukineko)
Paper:  Kraft, White, Spring Moss, Ripe Avocado (Papertrey Ink)
Other:  Ribbon

Card Recipe:  TESC129 & Color Cue {9} - "Blessings"
Stamp:  First Fruits (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  VersaMark, Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Paper:  Summer Sunrise, Scarlet Jewel, Ripe Avocado, White (Papertrey Ink)
Other:  Chalk (SU!), Rhinestones, Cuttlebug

Card Recipe:  Animal Tree
Stamp:  Inkadinkado
Ink:  VersaMark (Tsukineko)
Paper:  Kraft, Enchanted Evening (Papertrey Ink)
Other:  Chalk (SU!), Cuttlebug

Just because...

I think the best cards to receive are those that are "Just because..." - they're unexpected, and somehow always comes when you need them the most.  The card I'm sharing today is a "Just because" card for my mom, who is the most incredible woman I know.

Ignore the evidence of a slight movement of hand while stamping the sentiment.  Wouldn't you know it...I finished stamping the hills, the tree, bird, and heart, and right when I was stamping the sentiment, my 3-year old daughter decided to come at me with a "running hug" - you gotta love it!

Live well,
Trina

Card recipe: Love You Mom
Stamps:  Wonderfully Whimsical, Text Style (Papertrey Ink); Love You Mom (Studio G)
Ink:  Tea Leaves, Turquoise Gem,  London Fog, Gingerbread, Tuxedo Black, Pink Petunia (Tsukineko)
Paper:  Hawaiian Shores, Berry Sorbet, White (Papertrey Ink)
Other:  Brown Ribbon

Is summer really over?!

Happy Labor Day!...can this really be...the unofficial close of summer?  Where has the time gone?! 
Obviously too quick for me - with everything going on, it was almost impossible to find time to partake in my "therapy sessions", but alas the ever so needed 3-day weekend was here, and I conquered it...with enough time to make two cards...aahhhhh, it was nice to be back in the craft room!

Here's what I made today.  The first was for W+9's Color Cue {7} Challenge:

And this one combined two challenges; Waltingmouse's Sketch Challenge #13 (WMSC13) and Embellish's color challenge:

Time to call it a night - kids need baths/showers, and mama needs some dessert (chocolate mint ice cream - yum!!)

Live well,
Trina

Card Recipe:  W+9 Color Cue {7} Challenge
Stamps:  Dot Spot (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Turquoise Gem, Red Magic, Thatched Straw (Tsukineko)
Paper:  Hawaiian Shores, Pure Poppy, White (Papertrey Ink)

Card Recipe:  WMSC13
Stamps:  Paris in the Spring (SU!)
Ink:  VersaMark, Moonlight White, Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Paper:  True Black, White, Ripe Avocado, Plum Pudding (Papertrey Ink)
Other:  Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

Happy Birthday!

August is a busy birthday month for our family - my sweet little girl will be turning three in less than a week (eek! where has the time gone?!), and my hubby will be celebrating his birthday as well (age will remain a secret to protect the innocent...hehehe).  In honor of their birthday, I decided to post some birthday cards, one of which is for my hubby.  Hopefully, he won't see this until after his birthday...

Here's my hubby's birthday card.  I used Waltzingmouse's sketch challenge #9.  I'm really loving these sketches...they're refreshingly unique.

Here's a card I created for Embellish's July 30th challenge:

And here's one last one for SCS CAS78 - the theme was Polka Dots:

That's it for me...live well,
Trina

Card Recipe:  WMSC9 - Happy Birthday Star
Stamps:  Star Prints, Enjoy the Ride (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Cloud White, Tuxedo Black, Thatched Straw (Tsukineko)
Paper:  White, Yellow; True Black, Smokey Shadow (Papertrey Ink)
Other:  Metal Dots; Cuttlebug folder

Card Recipe:  Embellish Color Challenge
Stamps:  Inkadinkado
Ink:  Midnight Black (Tsukineko)
Paper:  Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz, Ripe Avocado (Papertrey Ink)
Other:  Cuttlebug folder

Card Recipe:  SCS CAS78  - Polka Dots
Stamps:  Happy Birthday (Inkadinkado); Polka Dot Basics (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  VersaMark, Tuxedo Black, Red Magic (Tsukineko)
Other:  Rhinestone

Remember me?

Remember me?....I know, I know....it's been three weeks since my last post.  I just needed a little time to rejuvenate and soak up summer.  It's going by so fast - I can't believe my son will be starting 5th grade in less than two weeks...let the school shopping begin!

I have several things to share with you today.  First are several cards made using various challenges from the last couple of weeks (I'm so behind in posting them).

This first card incorporated Wplus9's Color Cue {6} Challenge with SCS card sketch challenge (SC290).

I think this color combo and sketch are both keepers!

And this next card was made using a Waltzing Mouse Sketch Challenge (WMSC7).  This was  nice  and simple - a sketch to keep on hand for making those last minutes cards.

And last, but not least - I wanted to share with you an Etsy item I've had my eye on forever! 

 Here's the Esty seller's description:  "A beautiful and girly, yet modern and urban wristlet that is perfect for a night out on the town or for the everyday grab and go bag. Made from super soft black Italian leather. The front is aligned with three flowers... two are walnut and the other is Tiffany blue. Removable wrist clip (you can also attach your keys to the clip)."  
Don't you just love it?!  Okay, I really need to stop drooling over it, and finally break down and give this little beauty a home.

Well - that's it for me...I now get to start the laundry, pay the bills, and get the kids up and ready for our day.

Live well,
Trina

Card Recipe:  Wplus9's Color Cue {6} Challenge / SCS card sketch challenge (SC290)
Stamps:  Butterflies (Hero Arts); Leaf  (K&Co.); Sakura (Kodomo Inc.)
Ink:  VersaMark, Rich Cocoa (Tsukineko)
Paper:  Dark Chocolate, Kraft, White, Berry Sorbet (Papertrey Ink)

Card Recipe:  Waltzing Mouse Sketch Challenge (WMSC7)
Stamps:  Football Player (Memory Box); Happy Birthday (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Rich Cocoa, Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Paper:  Enchanted Evening, Spring Moss, Kraft, Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink)
Other:  Colored Pencils