Just Us Girls #303-Photo week

Hi! It's my turn to host over at Just Us Girls AND I finally had time to make a card, so it's ALL GOOD!  Here's the photo I chose:
                                   
I hope you like it and find some inspiration in it! I just loved the relaxing atmoshere and the gorgeous colors along with the clean crisp white.  I want to be there!
Check out what the DT has created to show you on our blog, linked above.

And, here's my card:

I am always inspired by color, but I also loved the pattern on the mat on the floor.  I chose a clean, white card base, then pumpkin pie layer, then the blue pattern paper (Graphic 45) and some wonderful new MFT stamps and dies.
I used dies from  MFT Blueprints 13 and 20 for my rectangle layers. I love the stitched looked edges without having to get out the sewing machine.  Then I cut the stitched circle frame from white. I cut another from craft foam to raise it up. Craft foam makes it so it won't sag. I learned that from Jennifer McGuire. I'm practicing with distressing and 'splattering' watercolor paper. I'm not very good at it, but that's what I did on the background circle using Adirondack ink pads in butterscotch and sunset orange.
Finally, the cute bear (and accessories) are from My Favorite Things set Birthday Bears.  The dies were cut then stamped in Stazon black ink.  Then I used (for the FIRST time) my Zig Clean Color Real Brush pens.  Not too bad for the first try, I guess.  They are very fun to work with.  Again, I thank Jennifer McGuire for her tutorials, but especially my good, crafty friend and CHIEF ENABLER, Lisa Kind (KIND CREATIONS) for showing me that I needed these markers that are really brushes!\
Enough detail on my card. PLEASE consider jumping in on the action and creating something to show us this week at JUST Us GIRLS!  More details on the blog! And DT inspiration, too!
Thanks for coming by!  Cheryl

Just Us Girls #301 Trend Week

Hello all!  Welcome back!  Lisa at Just Us Girls has a great (and trendy) challenge for us today!  It's to incorporate GOLD somewhere/somehow on your card or project.  How fun is that!  Well, I've been cleaning house since it's summer 'vacation' for me, so I wasn't feeling the creative juices.  Then I remembered Nichole Heady's post from last month's release and I TOTALLY cased her creative card! After that creative theft I kept going and created a few more using the same basic elements, but adding sequins, layers and changing the orientation of the card. Here are two of the results fitting Lisa's challenge.

The one below is pretty much like Nichole's except I love layers (!!) and I added sequins.  Can you see the gold? Kind of subtle, huh?

I'll show you two others later in the week!  These were really fun to create and I see some gift sets being created in the near future.

Please visit the JUGS Blog to see tons more inspiration from the Design Team! We sure hope you'll create something 'golden' to share with us this week! We'd love to see! Remember, playing along gives you the chance to be chosen as our guest designer for September!

Thanks for visiting!

Cheryl

Just Us Girls #300!!! Word Week!

And, the word is CONGRATULATIONS!  Congratulations to us and to YOU!! All of our followers and participants!  We sure appreciate you!  And to show you how much we have PRIZES for this big occasion!
Please visit our blog to read about the PRIZES!!  JUST US GIRLS!


So, our challenge is to make a card fitting the word 'congratulations' that Vicki has challenged us with!
My card is a rather simple one. Now that school is over I seem as busy as ever, but now it's with house cleaning and a bit of painting (rooms, not art!), and even some cooking!
Anyway, here it is:

I'm a bit stuck on clean crisp white and berry sorbet (PTI) lately!  I used an old SU set-Welcome Fruits and an old technique-Rock and Roll for my focal image.  Inks are Berry Sorbet and Cherry Cobbler. The basket weave folder is from My Paper Studio. To show off the pattern I inked it a bit with berry sorbet and cherry cobbler.  The sentiment is from SU.
I'm happy to have had a need for this card.  A dear friend of mine (24 years!) is retiring from teaching this year.  Actually, this is his 3rd day of retirement.  I know he's happy and satisfied with closing out his career. He is a wonderful teacher and has had such a positive impact on so many young lives over many, many years of teaching.  He deserves all happiness in his future.
Well, in addition to that Happy Birthday to all Americans today! Enjoy your Independence Day!
Cheryl