Friday, January 6, 2017

Back to Normal

I'm sort of back to normal. Well...as normal as I can be, or as normal things can be around here. DH continues to improve little by little every day, and that leaves me more time in my craft room. And the craft room is a good place to be today. It's even c-c-colder today than it has been all week. So I think I'll stay in here and play until I have to run DH to the doctor's for a quick recheck this afternoon. Then, it's staying inside for me! It's about -5F/-20C here. Not much wind, so that's one good thing, and it is sunny today, so there's another!

Had to clean out my craft room a bit to make room for a new paper trimmer. Got tired of crooked cuts with my largish Fiskars, so bit the bullet and bought a Rotatrim. I'm still getting used to it, so will let you know how well I like it. I can say this much about it...it cuts like a dream. And some of that clutter that I shoved into drawers a while back has now been recycled, or moved to more logical places. Felt pretty good getting a little more organized. Hopefully more organization will come later this year.

Onto the cards. Plural. I know, right?! Sure feels good to be back!! I've got two cards for three challenges today.




The lovely Lisa Lara left a comment on my last post, and as I was perusing CASology, I saw she'd posted a sweet card there. I'd made this before I'd seen her card, but I'm fairly certain that great minds do think alike, lol!!


The stamps are all by Taylored Expressions, and I stamped one layer of the tissue box on some fun yellow polka dotted paper then fussy cut it. EZPZ Lemon Squeezy. 

Then I had to go and get all different. City Crafter's Challenge asks us to use the word 'hello.' After taking a peek at The Card Concept, this card came to mind.


I think this is in the 'Freestyle Collage' category. That's an Altenew Peony stamp, with assorted inks, a chunk of b&w sort of polka dotted paper, a strip of black ribbon, a black cardstock panel, some gold sequins and a NBUS 'hello' die from Savvy cut in gold paper. Popped up the flower but not the leaves. Kinda like it. Hope you do too. Have a fantastic weekend, and happy dances everyone.




30 comments:

Krisha said...

Well, the first card certainly fits the season around here...*grin* such a cute idea.
Your second card is really beautiful.

Barb said...

Two super cards Bev. The first is certainly topical! I love the peony. It's such a pretty colour too. Glad you're having more time in your craft room. Enjoy your new trimmer. Barbxx

sandie said...

Such a cool take in the cold theme and perfectly CAS, have a fun weekend x

Marina said...

Ahhh it's my lifetime quest to find the right paper trimmer! Good luck with your new one. Two great cards and very different. The 'hello' card has so many fabulous touches. Thanks for joining in at City Crafter.

Rose said...

Love the cute tissue box card Bev! Your second card is just gorgeous! The elegant gold,
black & white with the lovely peony is just beautiful!

Aileen said...

Both cards are great but the second card fits the stunning category. The flower has stamped beautifully and all the extras have come together to add up to perfection. Glad to hear your DH is starting on the road to recoving and giving you more you time. Now you just need the weather to improve.

Lisa Lara said...

I LOVE your CASology card. Oh that little box of tissues is so cute!

Jacquie Southas said...

Oh my, it sounds cold in your neck of the woods. Staying in and crafting sounds like the only sane thing to do. Love both cards, but that adorable tissue box stole my heart! Thanks so much for playing along with us at CASology this week, Bev!

Ros Crawford said...

I love both of your cards Bev! That hello die is lovely! Thanks so much for playing along at CCCB!!

Bobby said...

I guess you did bite the bullet, Bev. Those Rotatrims are expensive but you get what you pay for so I'm sure you'll get straight cuts. I opted for the large Tonic and I'm still have trouble with it. Love your little tissue card and yes I do have the sniffles.

Your Card Concept card is absolutely gorgeous and so perfect for the photo, Bev. I need to know what inks you used on the flower. I did an Altenew layered flower but all my inks seemed much darker than what you have here. I'd like to be able to get a nice soft pink flower with all the layers.

Janet a.k.a. swanlady21 said...

Such a cute take on our cue word this week. Perfectly CAS! Thanks for joining the CASology challenge this week.

I Card Everyone said...

Cute, pun-y, and gorgeous in one post? You rock!
=]

Lynn said...

Love your CAS beauty! So, so perfect. And your second card..swoon! Love. Yeah for getting back to normal. Happy to be in a bit more of a routine too!

Lynn said...

PS Let me know what you think of your new cutter. Thinking about one too :)

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

That little tissue box is adorable! Such a cute card! And the second card is beautiful !!! You rocked the challenge inspiration! Thanks for joining us at the Card Concept!!

Loll said...

Two awesome cards Bev. LOVE that sweet little tissue box ... adorable! Your peony is so beautiful coloured. It's nice to be able to have crafting time.

Petra Swart said...

Hi, Bev, it's been ages since I've visited the last time, and it's so good to be visiting again to enjoy what you have made during the last couple of weeks!!!!! I'm so happy to hear that hubby is getting stronger day by day and that you have a bit more time to relax in your craft room!!! I wish you all the best for 2017!!!!!
Oh, I love the two cards you have made, Bev ...one so, so, soooooo cute and it made me giggle (such a cute polka dot tissue box)))) and the other one, very pretty with a beautiful peony, coloured perfectly!!!! The scattered polka dots are lovely and the sentiment in shimmery gold is beautiful!!!!! Such a great card!!!!
Have a great weekend!!!
Hugz

maria f. said...

Oh that beautiful peony, paired with that fabulous B/W paper AND that die cut. Winner, winner here I'd say. I love that inspiration photo too. Will have to try to come up with something. Hope you're keeping warm. Best wishes for you and the hubs this year, dearie.

OH Babs said...

Love your "cold" card which is perfect at this time of year. Sorry your weather is so miserable. Our days of snow/winter are behind us and we like sun. Happy New Year

Jen W. said...

Both of these are brilliant, Bev! That happy little TE tissue box is so cute and that set is one of many TE sets on my wish list. He looks perfect in polka dots. :) Thanks for playing along with CASology this week!
Your second card is gorgeous and totally captures the feel of that photo. Stay warm!!

Susanne Vargas said...

Your get well card is bound to make someone smile and feel better! So cute!
Your peony looks beautiful on that dotted background!
Hope your DH continues to improve so that you get more and more crafty time and are able to regal us with more of your wonderful creations!

Marybeth said...

I am so happy to hear things are getting back to kinda normal for you Bev, and craft room time is always a blessing! My goodness what a beautiful card and bloom I think you just won with that one! Love the sweet tissue box card too! Happy to hear your DH is on the mend .... Hugs!

Brenda said...

Good to hear that things are sorta getting more back to normal Bev! That's always a good thing. I also love your sweet little get well card, it is just too cute!!! Your second card is so beautiful!! Love the peony and I need to get mine out and play with it again. Makes your "hello" card just so girly and beautiful. I love the paper you used for the background too! Stay warm!!! Hugs, Brenda

Geri said...

Glad to hear that things are somewhat back to 'normal'! I'm not quite sure what 'normal' really is either, so when you find out...let me know!

Two GREAT cards! You KNOW that the first card made my heart smile! Clean, tidy and cute as a bug's ear! And...it's got polkie dots!

Second card - GORGEOUS!!! Love the kinda-sorta polkie dot paper, love your coloring of the flower and love the ribbon and fine, gold sentiment! So elegant!!!

Judy1223 said...

Happy New Year, Bev! Best to stay inside when the temps are that cold...good heavens! Glad you were able to make two cards...I love them both! I just saw Lisa Lara's card, then came here and I really must say I LOVE this take on the cue at CASology! As much as I hate colds, who wouldn't love taking a tissue from this fun box?! The sentiment is just as sweet! I also love your second card -- I love that Altenew peony and how you colored it...those layering stamps can be tricky but yours is perfect! Enjoy your new trimmer and thanks for joining in the fun at CASlogy!

Melissa said...

Oh, that sniffly card is adorable!!! Love the polka dot box and that sweet smile! :)
Your hello card is absolutely stunning! WOW!!!
Thanks so much for joining us again over at CASology!
Stay warm!!!

Hannelie said...

Back to normal always feel good to me, agree?
Your little tissue box is the cutest ever!
As cute as the first card, so elegant is the second!
Fabulous take on the challenges. So glad you played at CASology Bev!
Hugs and best wishes for 2017

Anita in France said...

So happy that John is doing better, little by little, Bev ... and that you're getting to have some 'me' time! Your cards are a delight ... such a fun and cute little polka dot tissue box (he looks even happier since he got his HM at CASology ... congratulations!) ... and your gaspingly gorgeous floral take on the inspiration photo ... wow ... what an elegant beauty! Stay warm, mon amie ... I thought 0C was chilly here!! Big hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Maureen said...

I just love how you used so many of the photo's details! Thanks for joining us over on The Card Concept! Hope you come back :)

Kim S said...

Such a contrast in cards!! A polka dotted smiling tissue box and an elegant pink flower with golden accents - wow!! I've always loved that tissue box, it can't help but make the recipient smile. And your flower is beautifully colored and so lovely with the black/white and gold!