Monday, February 2, 2009

A Couple of Valentine Challenges

I had thought I would try participating in more different challenges starting out this year, but that doesn't seem to be working out like I wanted it to. I do keep doing three of my favorites though, and they all have the same theme going right now...make a Valentine card, because love is in the air! : )

First is my Whiff of Joy Challenge card. This will be a double duty card, working well for Sharon's Stamp Simply challenge. This is really...pink...but I like it. Used Willow With Umbrella image, masking off the umbrella. Colored her with Prismacolors blended with baby oil. Chalked around her with some Pebbles chalks, cut out with regular and scalloped oval Nestabilities. Where the umbrella was, made her a "heart sign" using smallest heart Nesties attched on foam tape, and she is holding a tiny key charm dangling from thread. Love stamp is from Crafty Secrets, tiny heart sprays from See D's. Background DP is Basic Grey Bittersweet, inked all around. Stamped that gorgeous vine from Papertrey Ink with Versamark, embossed with silver EP. Stamped some little Rubber Stamp Tapestry hearts on the vine. The sentiment was printed from my computer, cut out with SU! punch, attached on foam tape to a Cuttlebug flourish. Foil butterfly with pink rhinestone added in the lower corner.
Stamps: Whiff of Joy Willow With Umbrella, Rubber Stamp Tapestry hearts, Papertrey Ink With Sympathy, See D's Romance, Crafty Secrets Cherish.
Paper: Basic Grey Bittersweet, The Paper Studio.
Ink: Stazon, Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Silver EP, charm, foil butterfly, rhinestones, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, SU! punch, Stickles, foam tape.

I had a hard time getting a good picture of this card for the House Mouse challenge, but finally got some that are okay. Had an attack of Nestabilities here. Used the largest scalloped heart for the base. Traced around the inside of that die to get the folding heart from the red CS. Stamped both sides with new Inkadinkado flourish using Versamark, embossed with silver EP, added some rhinestones. Colored the mousey image with Prismas/baby oil, cut out with plain and scalloped ovals. Chalked it up with Pebbles. Attached this little stack to the left hand side of the opening heart. At first attached the photo tab where the little rhinestone flower is, but it wouldn't hold the card closed well enough. So out came the brad and covered the hole with the rhinestone flower. Probably shouldn't have tattled on myself there. Little picture shows the inside...another heart Nestie, sentiment printed from computer. Stamped some hearts by Rubber Stamp Tapestry, and there's a little pink rhinestone flower to cover my oops brad hole from the inside. :)
Stamps: House Mouse Chocolate Heart, Rubber Stamp Tapestry hearts, Inkadinkado Flourish 99040-K
Paper: The Paper Studio.
Ink: Colorbox Queues, Stazon.
Accessories: Nestabilities, rhinestones, photo tab, brad, silver EP.

On a more serious note I suppose: Today I will be having my post chemo tests. Blood work and a PET/CT scan. Was supposed to have these couple of weeks ago, but cost of the PET scan went up since last time so needed to wait until another payday to plop down $500 more. Ouch. Darn...now some of those crafty wish list items will have to wait. ;) Put this post in schedule mode, so we'll see how that works. With this behind me after today, hopefully will finally feel like I'm out of this limbo state. This is something that has been looming in the back of my mind so feel like my creativity hasn't been flowing like it should and I haven't been as charmed with my stuff lately. Oh well...onward we go, right? If you're still reading, thank you for stopping by, and please know that any comments are greatly appreciated.

21 comments:

Emma said...

Oh wow, your work never fails to amaze me. Gorgeous colouring, ideas and layout everytime. Thanks for sharing.

Hope everything works out with the scan. x

Sharon (notimetostamp) said...

These are both so darling!!! I LOVE your lovely Willow with her Love signs -- how clever of you!!! Beautifully done!!! And your heart that opens is just lovely -- what a couple of fun Valentine projects!!! Hats off to you!!! So glad you could play!!! Thanks much!!!

Rach said...

These are two beautiful cards, both brilliant. love your idea to mask off willows umbrella,it works really well.

thank you for joining us at the woj challenge blog. xxx

"Kirby" (KrB) said...

Your cards are wonderful, Nancy. I looked at both up close and the details sparkle. I just love Willow, she's so sweet. I've been getting concerned about your lack of posts so I'm glad to hear from you again. I'm praying for you that your tests will be green lights and you can soar with your stamping again. Please keep me posted. I know that anxiety. Thanks for sharing your lovely creations. Hugs,

Sue said...

Wow, love both cards. The heart is wonderful, the image, the coloring and how it opens. Hope all goes well for you today, keeping you in my thoughts.

Janine said...

I just think the heart shaped card is fabulous.. I love things that open like that.. Nicely done!

Jenny Gropp said...

I love the opening heart card!
Hope your tests go well. =)

Barbara said...

Nancy, I love Willow's Valentine! Great idea to turn her umbrella into balloon hearts! And the swirls and hearts and charms --- just terrific! Prisma-perfect as well.

The HM card is very clever! Doncha just love Nesties!

As I am reading this you will have already had your tests, so I am praying you have very good news!

Hugs! xoxo

Susan said...

Both cards are just beautiful. I'm not sure I could pick a favorite because they are both great!
Hope all went well for you.

Darlene said...

Wow Nancy ... these are both adorable!!! Love the Willow card with all the swirlies and the way your heart card opens is awesome!!!
My prayers are with you throughout your testing ... as you know, we are very familiar with this chemo, pet scan, stuff around our house so I can "feel your pain" ... hang in there!!

Donna said...

Two very gorgeous cards Nancy, love your layout style and the neat House Mouse card that opens up. Fabulous cards, hope today went well for you and you got some good news.

Corie said...

These are absolutely GORGEOUS!!

Anonymous said...

These are both such beautiful cards. I love how the HM heart card opens.
Hope that your blood test and scan went well.

Curt in Indy said...

Hey Nancy! How are you? What's going on with the test results? I'm keeping you in my prayers and hoping that they are good results! I'm sorry you are going through so much! I love your cards, they are wonderful! However, my real note is to let you know that I'm thinking about you! Best, Curt

Sue said...

Wow two brill cards, luv the masking looks brill with balloons, your heart card is so cute, lovely. sue.xx

Papier Creatif said...

Hi Nancy! *Luv* your cards. The two house mouses are darling!

6 wacky women said...

Gorgeous cards, Nancy.
I just love how you have her holding the key. The house mouse is fabulous, love how it opens. Beautiful coloring on both!!

Take care
Karen x

Cindy Haffner said...

Oh wow adorable.

C said...

Nancy, Hoping all went well with your PET scan. I have a dear friend who had stage 3C colon cancer. Praise God, she is cancer free for nearly a year now. Every scan, every blood test is an anxious time. Prayers lifted for you.

Love your Valentine's. Your style is so elegant.

Lori aka Lo Lo said...

Pretty cards. I like how your masked off the umbrella. Luv the vine stamp. Will have to add that to my wishlist. Where did you get the fab card stand? What size is it? I see so many diff size stands like that on Ebay but have no clue which one would be the right size for cards.

xoxo,
Lori

Lori aka Lo Lo said...

Thx for the info about the plate stand. I've never seen the stand at Micheal's but maybe I wasn't looking in the right area. I will try to find one on Ebay that's 3.5" tall. Do you have to put something on the back of the card to keep it standing up when opened? Some sellers tell me the card tends to collapse but maybe that's because I was inquirying about larger plate stands. They told me I would need to put cardboard or something behind the card.

Thx for your sweet comment about my baby cards :o)

xoxo,
Lori