CC3C #1 - Paint Marbling

I've been AWOL.  My muse went on a serious vacation for a while but this morning I did a little blog stroll and ran across Marjie Kemper's post here.  Such beautiful colors!  I then headed over to the challenge blog and was absolutely inspired by the creative team's projects.  (Plus I finally caved the other day and bought the Tattered Florals die - have been wanting that FOREVER) and I was itching to get that bad boy out.

Back to CC3C #1....these are challenges based on Tim Holtz's book, Compendium of Curiosities, Vol. 3.  Every two weeks the lovely Linda Ledbetter tosses out a challenge based on a technique in the book.  I'm always up for a challenge and if Lady Luck smiles upon me I may even win a little something special from Inspiration Emporium.  Sah-weet!

So here's what I came up with for the Paint Marbling challenge (find the technique on page 43).  An...(you guessed it)...ATC!

 I accidentally bought a Spellbinders M-bossibilites folder (on SALE for only $2.99!) at Technique Tuesday the other day and had a practice paper laying on my desk.  That is the base of my ATC.  I used Distress Paints (Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean and Mustard Seed) on the background.  I liked the way it pooled inside the depressions.

 My flower was also created on a scrap of paper that had marbling.  this time I chose warm colors - Barn Door, Mustard Seed and Ripe Persimmon.  I then added a little extra stamping over the top of that to make it more interesting.  After that I cut out the flower shapes with the Tattered Florals die (woop-woop!)

Here's another view.  Other bits on the ATC are from Paper Studios (arrow, brad), some washi tape, Memory Box die (behind flower) and pieces from the Festive Foliage die.

It felt so good to create something again 'just because'.  To join along in the challenges follow this link.

Thanks for stopping by!

Birthday Boy Card

I don't know about the rest of you, but I have a hard time coming up with cards for guys.  My middlest son had a birthday a few days ago and I was at a loss.  He's a teenager so I veered away from cute as best I could.  :)  I finally ended up with this:

It was simple and quick to put together once I started.  First I attached strips of washi tape to cardstock.  Using the Cricut, I cut the stars out.  An eyelet on the itty bitty one and some string tied through it enhanced the sentiment.  I picked up the gears embossing folder (on sale, of course!) at the store the other day and it seemed like the perfect background to keep it from being too 'rah-rah', cutesy.

The kiddos are on Spring Break this week.  Off to go get into some mischief with my cohorts.  Have a great day!