Red Orchid Cactus Bloom

 What a spectacular event to watch a

Red Orchid Cactus bloom!

Yesterday my Red Orchid Cactus bloom started to open up.  I thought it was going to take a few more days to open but I had the oppportunity last night to watch it open during a 90 minute watch!  Below are the photos.  The bloom  measurers 8 inches in diameter. 

 Wow!  This is what it looks like this morning!!!!

Enjoy your weekend!

Judi

Princess Castle

Just wanted to share with you my very first attempt at a detailed fancy cake.  My sister, Nancy is the cake decorator in the family.  You have probably seen some of her cakes on her blog at mulberrystation.blogspot.com.

A few years ago she posted her version of this cake and I knew that I wanted to attempt to make it for my grand daughter.  Well, now I have two grand daughters so I may be trying my hand at it a few more times. 

I am watching my two oldest grandchildren this week while their mother is providing some extra TLC to their newest little one.  My grandchildren always love to work on projects at Grandma's house so I thought this cake woud be a fun project.  They loved it.  My grand daughter loved putting on the little flowers and lining them up around the lazy susan.   I have a lot to learn in the cake decorating arena!  But I had a good time...just wished I had had Nancy or Arlana by my side to give immediate instruction.  But since they weren't close by mostly Nancy but even Arlana received a few phone calls about the procedure.  The proper consistency of the frosting is a very important detail...one that I need to work on. 

Anyway, this is a Wilton Castle Cake Set in case you are interested in purchasing your own kit.

You probably can't tell from my photo...but this is a huge cake made with four cake mixes.  We will be inviting a few people over to eat it.

Enjoy!

Origami Necktie and Shirt Card

Today I have been busy getting ready for our Father's Day festivities and two birthday celebrations in our family.  But as I visiting with Nancy today she directed me to this wonderful turtorial on Paper Craft Planet.....a quick and easy Father's Day card!!!  So I ended up making 12 of them.  I made three for the father's in our family and 9 for my primary children to give to their fathers. These are the two version that I made.  The green shirt is made with cardstock...which I would not recommend.  It took lots of scoring and just took much longer to put together.  The other papers are all lightweight typing or craft papers....definitely much easier to fold.  This project took less than an hour to choose the papers and to make all 12 card.  The shirt is made from an 8 1/2 X 11 sheet of paper and the tie is a 4X4 square.   There is room on the inside of the shirt or on the back to leave a message!

There are several tutorials on Paper Craft Planet.  At the end of this tutorial you will see other versions.  The first version is without sleeves.  I chose one of the version at the end of this tutorial.

Click HERE to view the tutorial  UPDATE:  CLICK HERE

Happy Father's Day!  If you forgot to get a card you can make this one in less than 5 minutes!  Enjoy!


Hugs!  Judi

Beach Baby

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Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sponsor:  Saturated Canary Digis

My creation today is from Saturated Canary Digis.  This image is called Beach Baby.  Isn't she so adorable?  I love the big eyes that Krista uses for her images.  This week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday, Saturated Canary Digis is our sponsor. 

Krista, the owner, is offering two free digis

from her shop if you are the lucky grand prize winner at SSW. 

 So be sure to play along this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

This image reminds me of our adventures as a family at Cannon Beach, Oregon.  In fact the little shell is from our beach combing moments on the beach

I punched the star fish from a MS punch.  The Sand paper is from JoAnn's and is called "Sand."  I decided to use the Cuttlebug Swirls embossing folder to give some wave texture but the swirls disappeared when I put the image in place.  I also used the Deckle Nestablilities and then a ribbon from Joann's.  I accented the bucket with glossy accents and added stickles to the star fish and shells.

For a year now I have loved using orange and teal together.  My friend's daughter used these colors for her wedding and it was gorgeous!

Be sure to stop by Krista's store.  You will not be disappointed. 

http://saturated-canary.myshopify.com/collections/all

http://www.saturatedcanary.blogspot.com

http://www.saturatedcanarychallenge.blogspot.com/

My name is Krista Smith. I am the artist behind the Etsy shop, Saturated Canary Digis. I began working in the stamping world about a year ago when I was hired to create rubber designs for the sweet Scottish company, Sugar Nellie. They launched my artwork under the name 'Simply Sassy.' I moved into the digital world just this past month (it's been a super busy month, indeed!). And-- I love it!! There is a little more freedom here, as I can create anything that pops into my head:)! I am so humbled by the artistic talent of the girls coloring in my designs-- it is truly an inspiration! Likewise, I am so thankful for the friendships I've made in this wonderful and lovely crafty community! It's been a true delight! I'd love for you to stop by my challenge/inspiration blog, Saturated Canary Challenge and join in the fun...And, while you're there, click over to my personal blog (Saturated Canary) and introduce yourself! I am a bit eclectic and touch on everything from family (I've got me a great one!) to fashion (obsessed!)...Please say 'hi!'...I'd love to be friends!:)

This is the sketch you will be using for this
week's challenge at SSW!

Have a great week creating something special!

Mary, Mary

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

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Sponsor:  A Day For Daisies

If you love this image like I did, you can find it here.  It is called "Mary." Tammy is the owner and creator of all the lovely images at  A Day for Daisies.     This week if you play along at Sweet Sketch Wednesday you will have the opportunity to win a

$12 gift certificate

to use at

A Day for Daisies.

Thank you, Tammy, for sponsoring us at Sweet Sketch Wednesday!

I loved adding these beautiful flowers from Michael's and my sister, Nancy, must have had the same idea.  I though Arlana was going to use them too... She choose the other Mary image.  I suppose you can tell we are sisters.  I am always amazed at how often we will chose the same image but we usually collaborate and choose something different.

Well, take a moment and grab Arlana's sketch below and find a sweet image at

 A Day for Daisies and let us see what you can create!    Be sure to stop by

 Sweet Sketch Wednesday to check out all the rules.

A DAY FOR DAISIES provides themed categories of over 1000 fun and whimsical digital images, including fairy tales and magical mermaids, cutie kids, vintage illustrations, sentiments and lovely designs for all occasions!

Here is ADFD banner:

http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo34/snappystamper/adfd_banner_694x

Website: www.adayfordaisies.com

Direct Store Link: http://adayfordaisies.com/stamps Join The Club

Link: http://adayfordaisies.com/statement

Subscribe to News Letter Link: http://adayfordaisies.com/subscribe

Blog: http://adayfordaisies.blogspot.com

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/adayfordaisies

Face Book: http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Day-For-Daisies/142905905744876?ref=ts

Below are previous cards I have made using A Day for Daisies images.
Hope you enjoy!

Have a fabulous week creating something wonderful!

Hugs,

Judi

What You Eat Standing Up...Doesn't Count!

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

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Sponsor:  Deidre Mosher Designs

I am so thrilled and delighted to have Deidre Mosher Designs as our sponsor this week at SSW!  Some of you may recognize some of the images on her site as it was formerly known as Shirley's 2 Girls. 

 Here is a little bit about Deidre.  What a fun colorful lady!  You will enjoy looking around her blog.

Deidre Mosher Bio Wildy Whimsical and Seriously Sassy Art is definitely a trademark of Deidre Mosher.

I have been in the business of art for over 25+ years. Starting out as a fashion illustrator, moving into Art Direction, where I did everything from print to TV...and eventually I found my way back to illustration. My art is just plain fun and my love of color is clearly evident in the designs I create. I'm currently licensed with a variety of companies...my designs are used on craft products, greeting cards/paper products, kitchenware, business products and such.
I am first and foremost an...Illustrator and Designer. I am inspired by seriously sassy & bold colors, but also love the 'wow factor' of classic black and white designs. I'm crazy for stripes and dots, and they are a repeated theme in my work.
As an Illustrator, I work in many mediums and styles, ranging from the line art to pastels...having fun adapting them to the latest project. I am inspired by some my favorite artists ...Matisse's use of bold color, Klimt's knowledge of figures and lavish attention to detail, and Gauguin's wild approach to his subjects. They are all so 'awe inspiring'! I'm happiest when I am in my studio and starting a new project...making a mess, experimenting...and even throwing paint.
Any day in the studio is a great day!
I usually get an idea when I least expect it...so when the 'light bulb' goes off...I sketch and sketch and sketch...(hence the reason I buy tracing paper in bulk). I always begin with a pencil and paper, and it evolves from there. My favorite part of the process?? EVERYTHING...from beginning to end.

CHECK OUT MY Web site... deidremosher.com
Blog... http://deidresuemosher.blogspot.com/

Shop...http://www.etsy.com/shop/DeidreMosherDesigns

.

Be sure to grab Arlana's sketch below,  take a look around Deidre's site and chose a fun image and let us see what you have created.  You will have a chance to win a $10 Gift Certificate to use at

Deidre Mosher Designs.

These are two of my past card's using Deidre's images. 

 Hope you enjoy them!

Thanks for stopping by!
Judi

Gone Fishin'

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sweet Sketch 151

Sponsor: Bugaboo

Hello Sweet Bloomin Scraps followers!  We have a wonderful sponosr this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  Jodie, the owner of Bugaboo Stamps, is our sponsors and has been a wonderful support to Arlana and our Sweet Sketch Wednesday Design Team.  We love Jodie's creativity and know that you will too.  We have watched her shop grow over the last 2 1/2 years.  Thanks, Jodie, we love you!

We hope you will take a few moments and look around the Bugaboo shop and find a few images you would love to create with.  Every Friday Bugaboo offers a Freebie just for you.  Check it out!

Grab Arlana's SSW Sketch below and play along this week at SSW!  You will have a chance to be our Grand Prize Winner and win
7 digi stamps from Bugaboo that value $21

My card this week is made with Bugaboo's AKV Fish image. I made it while I was visiting Arlana in March. The little fish had a pink dorsal fin so I used a Copic marker and colored it red. I chose not to color the other pink portion of the fish as it was covered with glitter. Thanks, Arlana, you always have such fun embellishments in your amazing craft room!

Everything That You Ever Wanted to Know About Bugaboo Stamps: As if raising five children in the frozen land of the North was not enough of a challenge, Jodie Mackrell decided to dip her cold little Canadian toes into the world of papercrafting by opening an online store full of her illustrations. That was two years ago. Today Bugaboo Stamps is one of the leading companies in digital images, and we're still growing! From seriously snarky to sugary sweet to sublimely soulful all the way over to the other side of the super sexy spectrum, you're bound to find all that you need and more to create your paper projects. Jodie works very hard to provide New Releases and Freebies every week!

If your taste runs to rubber (and you know who you are), you can find Bugaboo Stamps stamps at Totally Stampalicious. And finally, join the Bugaboo Stamps DT for weekly challenges at Catch the Bug.

Our links are:

Store : http://www.bugaboostamps.com/

Catch the bug Challenge blog: http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/

This week's sketch at Sweet Sketch Wednesday!

These are just a couple of images I have used from Bugaboo!

Thanks for stopping by!
Judi

A Tribute to My Dad

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sweet Sketch 149

Sponsor:  Digi Doodle Shop

When I saw this image, In The Garden, at Digi Doodle Shop, it reminded me so much of my father.  He raised a garden every summer until he was 90 years old....just three years before his passing.  He taught all of his children so many things about life using analogies from the garden.  What a man!  Thanks, Dad, for your wonderful words of wisdom!

I made this card while I was visiting Arlana in March...and created this little lettuce or cabbage head using the matching paper and Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die.  It took lots of scrunching from me and Arlana but I think we finally got the look I wanted.  Then I used the MS Fence border punch to fence in the garden.  I masked off the image and sponged the soil and sky.
What a fun and easy sketch!  Thanks, Arlana!

Digi Doodle Shop is our sponsor this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. You will love the images that Judy and Joy create!    Below are a few of my past cards made with Digi Doodle Shop images!

Play along with us at SSW this week using the sketch below and you will have a chance to win a

$10 Store Gift Certificate Good for 10 days upon receipt

Grab the sketch and play along!  We'd love to see what you can do with Digi Doodle Shop images!

Check out all the rules at SSW!

   

Digi Doodle Shop is the results of a mother and daughter’s love for the arts and crafts. It was started a little over 3 years ago with a little more than 100 stamps, and has since then grown to almost 500 stamps. Joy (the mother of this team) designs realistic images, while Judy (aka/daughter) loves the “fun side of life”, and create images with a cartoon flair. Having these two complimenting styles have enabled

Digi Doodle Shop to offer a wide variety of stamps.

It is a real honor and pleasure to sponsor this challenge, and we look forward to seeing all the amazing creations. We thank the design team for their incredible creations, and wish all the participants the very best of luck in this challenge.

  Thank you so much for having us, and again the very best of luck to all of you.

Sincerely,

Judy and Joy

Thanks for stopping by!  Enjoy your week!

Judi

Happy Birthday

Sweet Sketch 145

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sponsor:  A Day For Daisies

I'm sure you know that it is Sweet Sketch Wednesday today and wow do we have a lineup for you from our DT.  I hope  you will stop by SSW and take a look. 

A Day For Daisies is our wonderful sponsor this week and I have to tell you that Tammy, the owner and designer of A Day For Daisies images, well, her talent just doesn't end.  It just kepts coming!  You will be amazed at her creative talent when you visit her shop.

If you are the lucky grand prize winner at SSW for this week's challenge, you will win a

$12 gift card to spend at A Day For Daisies! 

 Now who wouldn't want that prize!

A DAY FOR DAISIES provides themed categories of over 1000 fun and whimsical digital images, including fairy tales and magical mermaids, cutie kids, vintage illustrations, sentiments and lovely designs for all occasions!

Listed below are all of Tammy's links!!!

ADFD WEBSITE: www.adayfordaisies.com

ADFD BLOG: http://adayfordaisies.blogspot.com

ADFD FACE BOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Day-For Daisies/142905905744876?ref=ts

ADFD ETSY: http://www.etsy.com/shop/adayfordaisies

Grab Arlana's sketch below and follow the rules at SSW!

Now I have a little bit of a delemia. I have made all three cards for my grandson.  He will be three in just a few months.  He loves his scooter.  So I believe I will be giving him the card I made today but maybe you can give me some help too!  What do you think?  I think I can easily eliminate the first card...as I can give it at a later date.  Grandbaby number four is on the way so maybe I can save the turtle for three years and give it to him.  Well, I think it is a him!!!!  No one knows for sure!

I had a wonderful week with Arlana.  Now I am back to reality and trying to get a few things accomplished.   Yesterday was a crazy day...woke up to snow...managed to get a good inch...then we had rain, sunshine and a little more snow! 

Well, thanks for stopping by!  Have a great week!