Let's Get Blogging Again

Well hello out there! It has been way too long since I last posted here. There has been so much going on in life that blogging just took a back seat. Don't worry it was all good things going on and I never stopped crafting! Let's see I got married, graduated with a masters degree, adopted another dog, and passed all the requirements to become a Ph.D. candidate meaning I'm one step away from being a Dr. :) Phew I'm exhausted just thinking about everything that has happened in the last year or so.

Being the crafty lady I am of course our wedding was all do it yourself. Everything from the pew bows, the centerpieces, and even the lace wrapped around my bouquet were all handmade little projects of love. Oh yea I even designed printed and assembled all our invitations and programs. I did have some helpers along the way but it was all worth the effort. Here are a few of the crafty little touches. Here is one of my favorite pictures of us and one of my bouquet. The lace the bouquet is wrapped in is from my mother's veil that she helped me die blue. The mason jar vase is also wrapped in more of the lace from her veil that we left white.

So enough of the catching up part and on to what you really want to see, some cards! I thought to help myself get back into the swing of blogging I'd play along with some challenges. Now I didn't want to just post one card so I picked out a few challenges and made a card for each of them.

First up I played along with the Runway Inspired #55 challenge: Pamella Roland

I just love the metallic sequinsy (is that even a word?!?) dress! I knew I had to use some glitter paper I have been hoarding from Stampin' Up for ages now, some fun sequins, and the sentiments from Sparkle and Shine by Sweet Stamp Shop.

Next up I played along with the Unity {be inspired} Challenge, I just loved the color combinations in this challenge.

I wanted to keep this card very simple so I chose to use the light blue and green colors on some kraft paper. I used the oh so cute penguin and love you sentiment from Hello Little One, this whole set is just to die for! I used a slightly different card size too for this one, it's 3.5" by 5.5" so it fits in a standard A2 envelope with a little room to spare. It's just a fun little card size I think. 

And finally I have one last card just for the fun of it. I have been dying to use the Too Hip set from Sweet Stamp Shop so I made up a fun birthday card to have on hand. The nerdyness of this little hippo is just to cute for words! This is also a 3.5" by 5.5" card! I think I have a new obsession with these tall and skinny cards :)

That's all for today, until next time happy crafting!
Jessica

Hello Sunshine

Hello everyone! It's been a bit quiet around here this last week or so...I've had a nasty cold and have had zero energy to do anything. I'm finally starting to feel better so I thought I'd pop in quick to show you a card I made for two challenges. Yes two, I know that's a little crazy :)

The first challenge is the Runway Inspired Challenge #9 - Preen Fall 2012

It has been so long since I've been able to complete a RIC on time! I just love the colors and the flowery pattern in this dress.

I also so used the Mojo Monday #236 Sketch for the layout.

Here is my card.

Stamps are from My Thoughts Exactly More Mini Thoughts set, twine is from the Twinery, and the flower card is from October Afternoon.

Happy crafting,
Jessica

I love you!

Hello everyone! It's Thursday which can only mean one thing...it's Design Team Thursday over at My Thoughts Exactly! I am in the Valentine's day mood lately, I think it just may be my favorite holiday to craft for. So today I have a fun little love themed card using the Under the Sea and Many Thanks sets.

This is not the original project I had in mind for today, but I do love how it came out. The 'I love you' stamp is from  Under the Sea. I got the idea for the rainbow effect from the Runway Inspired Challenge blog, they have the best inspiration pictures! Now you'll notice the 'I love you' is stamped a bunch of times with no smudges, I'll even let you look under the cutout if you'd like. Usually I have trouble getting my stamps to line up this perfect with no smudges. Well a few weeks ago Lenae, one of the fabulous ladies on the MTE DT, posted a video about how she stamps. Her little 'trick' is pure genius! I will never again have smudged images, you can check out her video here. Do you all know the Love sculpture in Manhattan? Well I just love it, one day I'll get to go see it, and it was the inspiration for the love block cutout. I spritzed the love cutout with  red chalkboard and pearl glimmer mists before foam taping it to the card...I'm not kidding I think I used 20 foam squares (someone got a little over zealous with the glimmer mist and the love cutout no longer laid flat). Now a card would not be complete without a little sentiment on the inside.

The hearts are from the Many Thanks set and the 'I do' is from the Under the Sea set.

In case you haven't head the February My Thoughts Exactly stamp release went live a little early. You see all the stamps are themed around love so they are perfect for all the Valentine's day projects. Alyssa wanted to make sure you all had ample time to create with them so she released them a little early :) There are a total of 7 sets to buy! How awesome is that?!? Be sure to stop back on February 1st for the official release party blog hop. Now head over to see what the lovely Kendra and Benedicte have created today. Happy crafting!

Runway Inspired Challenge!

Hi again! I told you'd I be back with a quick post about a project I've been working on. Ever since the fabulous Jen from the My Thoughts Exactly Design Team announced her new fabulous challenge blog I've been dying to participate. Well, I final made the time to participate!! I just love the pictures Jen picks as the inspiration. Here's my creation for the Runway Inspired Challenge #3: Gareth Pugh

I just loved the black and white colors as well as the little bits of black on black. You really should pop over and check out the Runway Inspired Challenge Blog and participate! The inspiration is endless.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for a very special post. Until then happy crafting!