Wednesday, November 6, 2013

YKW & Pings

So far, I've been free of YKWs today for the first time all week. YKW is an acronym for "You Know What". That's what I call my migraines. I have chronic intractable migraines. That means lots and lots of them. All the time. Really painful ones. But today is a good day! And I've spent it well. Catching up on household chores and card making. Last night, while basking in the pain and stupor of a YKW, I had a big Ping!! So see, some good does come from those stupid things! I used my ping on two of the three cards I'm posting today. Curious? Okay, I'll cut to the chase...

First use of ping is going into CAS-ual Fridays. Embossing. Easy, right? Well, I wanted to make something unique for me. And I think I did.


So what did I come up with? Here 'tis:


What's "unique" about this you ask? Well, I'll tell you. The MFT die cut was cut then embossed with my Cuttlebug dotted swiss folder, and slid into into the negative space cut into the gray. All the papers are scraps! I masked an MFT stamp for the 'birthday' portion using gray ink from Studio G. And the enamel dots are from MME. The gray is actually more gray & the green is less garish, but lighting troubles today due to rainy and overcast skies.

My next pingy thing is for the current Dynamic Duos Challenge. I haven't played there in a while, and thought I'd give it a shot today. Might play again with these colors before the challenge expires.


And my card:


I see some flaws. I hate flaws. Really hate them. I will remake this, then edit this post tomorrow in hopefully better light too! But you get the general idea.... Again, all the paper is from my scrap box - woohoo!! Once again I embossed the MFT die with my Cuttlebug swiss dot folder and reinserted it into the negative space on the blue portion. The "Christmas" sentiment is masked from my NBUS stamp set from Lawn Fawn, and the snowflakes are old wooden one from Stampabilities, both using Studio G ink. A little bling and that's it for this one.

And my last card is going into the Muse Challenge. Have you seen Laurie Willison's card over there????!!! Totally in love with it, and I'm so glad we can CASE it. Check it out:


I was inspired by everything about this card. And I made one in similar colors. Then I pinged a bit, and went with it. I kept the washi tape along the bottom and the ampersand. It's a bit different, but I think you can see Laurie's influence here:


So easy. I might be making this over and over again using different washi tapes and letters. John will soon have his stash of Christmas cards if they all go as quickly as this.  Just some washi, Thicker glitter letters, and a masked off sentiment from Mama Elephant. SU black ink. With that, I'm done, and am going to head to the kitchen and start dinner. Go and do a little happy dance today. See you all soon.



24 comments:

Ardyth said...

Wow! What a great day you've had - these are really brilliant. I love the slant (and the lime green) on the first one and I see NO flaws on the second one and the sparkle on the third is so perfect! So glad you played with us at Muse this week and that you're having a good day - I wish you many more (all of them, actually!)

Anonymous said...

You've been busy today! I love how you embossed the first two...so cool...why do I never emboss?! Whenever I see it/do it, I love the end result, but I'm simply too lazy to get it all out at times. And swoon...your CASE of Laurie's card is awesome. Here's hoping the YKWs stay away...grr.

Lynn said...

that was me! Didn't realize my son was logged in for the last comment!

Joyce said...

All three of your cards are fabulous. I really love the way you embossed your letters and then popped them back into the contrasting paper. Sorry about your migraines, but it does seem like they inspire you.

Tracey McNeely said...

Laughing so hard about Lynn's {Jonathon} second comment. That has happened to me before. I am so sorry about your migraines Bev. I have been 6 days migraine free--I hope I didn't jinx myself. Now your cards all three fabulous I love your embossed HAPPY and how you slipped it back in. Love your Dynamic Duos, the red snowflakes are fabulous and then your blingy Muse card. Hope tomorrow is another great day!

Kim Heggins said...

You are on a roll girl! Love it and love seeing you back to card making. Each one is amazing and I too have that issue with embossing, not really lazy but I just don't think of it, maybe if I find a better way to store my folders...I love your last card, that Merry and Bright is a winner to me!

Shannon J said...

Ugh...those migraines sound like no fun at all - just plain nasty in fact! But I'm glad that when YKW decides to disappear for a while, you are able to take full crafty advantage! The cards are fabulous, and from what I can see, there is not a flaw in sight!

Hannelie said...

You were a busy bee... I know, one must make the best of better days hey?
I can't pick one I love most, because all are fab!
Hugs to you Bev!

Craftychris said...

You have been so busy and all these cards are fabulous! Sorry you suffer from migraines, I get them too so I know how rubbish they are. You take care of yourself! xx

Jacquie Southas said...

Came over to comment on the Muse card and treated to 2 other terrific cards. First - love the silver glitter on the Muse! Second - I'm a huge fan of the MFT word dies and these are 2 great examples of how to use them - especially love the gray/green color block on the diagonal!

Darnell said...

I love how you stay positive and upbeat, Bevie, and squeeze every possible opportunity you have to make gorgeous cards to share with us! These are all stunning! You are an inspiration to me and not just as a card maker!! Hugs, Darnell

cm said...

You are such an inspiration, contending with the nasty YKWs, and emerging from their hold with renewed inspiration! Positive and upbeat = you!! All three of your cards are delights; I see no flaws whatsoever! Glad that choosing a favourite isn't on the agenda, because it's not possible; they're all ever so special! Wonderful creations; wonderful inspiration! Hugs,
c

Cindy Brumbaugh said...

Busy girl, Bev! Love all the cards. The Dynamic Duos one is so cool- true two colors showcased in a unique way. Thanks for sharing with us this week!

Anonymous said...

Oh, you did have a glorious day, Bev ... and shared it with us via these fabulous cards! They are, all three, amazing ... my fave is the first ... the most vibrant green, a brilliant slant, so gorgeously graphic! There again, the other two are equally fabuloso ... decisions decisions! Hope you're still YKW free, dear friend! Anita :)

Michelle Lupton said...

What a productive day of cardmaking!! I love your take of Laurie's card at Muse - love the red and white polka dot border :)

Wendy said...

Look at you! Fun use of positive and negative space. Sorry about your YKW. My mother-in-law suffers from them too, not fun. I am glad that your were inspired to create these awesome cards.

Wendy said...

Look at you! Fun use of positive and negative space. Sorry about your YKW. My mother-in-law suffers from them too, not fun. I am glad that your were inspired to create these awesome cards.

Marybeth said...

Well, you are feeling better …I can tell by these cards you have made. Gorgeous! On another roll!
I am so sorry about the migraines. If and when I get one I want to call 911 they hurt so bad. I have not had to many. One of my sisters gets them daily.

JoAnn said...

Great cards. Love your card for the Dynamic Duos and the way you did the sentiment. Thanks for joining us at the Dynamic Duos.

Barb Ghig said...

You sure have been a busy gal creating all of these beautiful cards! Such a great take on Laurie's Muse card...I love all the sparkle, too!
I'm so glad you're having a good day...I wish you many, many more!

Kelly Griglione said...

Love your graphic streak here, Bev! They're all very striking! The swiss dots on your "happy" is such a fun touch. So glad you linked up with the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge!

Amy Kolling said...

Bev, you have been busy! These cards are all fantastic! I love how you've done those first cards and I have to say that card you CASE'd....is a perfect redition of the MUSE! :) Thanks for playing along with the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge!! :)

Kylie said...

Inspiring as always, Bev! I've missed seeing all your creations - all so different and all equally as lovely!

Kim S said...

How could you possible get these ideas with a YKW? Fabulous! I love the bold words on each - perfectly accented and wonderfully CAS!