Dragonfly Card Drive

When I read about the Taylored Expressions Dragonfly Card Drive I was so moved that I knew I had to make cards for it. Please read everything about it here

This is the first card I made for the drive:

The droplets on the background symbolize the tears that are shed, the script symbolizes the words that were never spoken and the floss "holds" everything together. I can`t imagine (and honestly don`t want to imagine) the pain these people have to endure. I hope that Taylor will collect many cards for her drive!

This dragonfly is from the Hero Arts digi kit "Winged Friends". I colored it with copics and added Rock Candy distress stickles. Because I used floss, I will submit this card to Moxie Fab World's "Fun With Floss" Challenge.

Thanks to everybody for your sweet words on my last post - I feel much better, but the next day my husband and my little girl were both sick. It helped me a lot to read your sweet comments between cleaning and washing!

Hugs,

Vanessa

Babyset

Hi everybody! My friend had her second baby recently and this is a little set I made her:

You'll find all the details on "A Passion for Papertrey". Sorry for the brief post, I feel sick. Hope to be back soon!

Take care everybody!

Hugs,

Vanessa

Another Winner and another Candy!!

*** GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED***

Happy Thursday! Winnerday! Thank you for all your sweet comments, I enjoyed reading every single one! Without further ado, here is the lucky winner:

Nancy said...

I've been following your wonderful blog for awhile, it's so full of your innovative and creative ideas! I'll add your "candy" to my sidebar! Congrats to Sally, she's such a lovely person, so happy for her!

2/18/2010 8:16 PM

Congratulations, Nancy!!! So happy for you! Please email me your address and I`ll send your Nesties to you! And here is the next blogcandy:

It was difficult to get every sheet of paper onto one photo, you`ll get a lot more than you see on this one. It will be a selection of Cosmo Cricket`s Boyfriend Collection and Earth Love Collection. And I`ll throw in whatever falls into my hands, too.

Again, every follower posting about this candy and leaving a comment will be eligible to win.

Give-away closes on Wednesday, 3rd. Good luck everybody!

Hugs,

Vanessa

Hero Arts Flower

Hi and Happy Wednesday! Hero Arts` monthly challenge theme for February is "Flowers and St. Patrick`s Day". I had some fun coloring flowers from their digi kits and here is one of them:

Bad photo, I hope the light is better today so I can replace this! The tulip is from the kit "Botanical Tulips" available at 2Peas and it's colored with markers. I love to create backgrounds with the "Old Letter Writing" woodblock stamp - everytime I try to decide about a background I seem to end up with this stamp!

We had a little drama here yesterday and went to the ER. While playing and frolicing around (I hope this is the correct expression!) on our bed my little girl somehow twisted her arm and started crying and holding it. She calmed down after a while, but refused to move her arm and didn`t want us to touch it. In the ER they told us that this is a common injury (don`t ask me about the details, I am not able to explain that in English...) with little ones and that we should wait till the next day to see if she still refuses to use her arm. I was so upset all night and couldn`t wait for the morning to come to see if everything is back to normal! And I am so so relieved that everything is back to normal!

Today is the last day to enter my second blogcandy. I`ll be back tomorrow with the winner and the next candy! Have a wonderful, dramafree day!

Hugs,

Vanessa

Black and White - and a splash of red

Hello and Happy Monday! Today starts a new Challenge on "A Passion for Papertrey"! This time it`s all about "Black and White", but I couldn`t resist to add a splash of red:

Wondering about this background? Haha, me too! It was an accident - I stamped the background with Versamark, then used my antistatic bag to prepare the card for the heat embossing of the focal Damask Image - and the powder stuck on the background! But I liked this result and left it as it is. Like Bob Ross always said: "There are no mistakes, only happy little accidents" (loved his chuckle when he said this)! You`ll find the supplies for this card on "A Passion for Papertrey", as well as Kate`s and Aimes` wonderful samples for the challenge!

Thanks for visiting, friends!

Hugs,

Vanessa

Quick Sunday Post

Happy Sunday! Just a quick post to share another GCD Studios card:

I used Melody Ross` "Homespun Chic" Collection and Papertrey Ink`s "Tea For Two" stamps to create this card. Thanks for visiting and have a great day!

I am off to watch my little girl flooding the bathroom :)

Hugs,

Vanessa

Asia Card - Nesties Inspiration and Challenges

Hello and Happy Weekend! Here is the promised card to show you an example of the use of the Nestabilities from my blogcandy! I used mine to create this Asian themed card, my take on Kazan`s 2 Sketches 4 You sketch #46:

This flower image is a part of the Hero Arts Cling Background stamp "Flowing Flowers and Leaves". I inked the stamp with different Distress inks and misted it with perfect pearl water before stamping. The subtle script is stamped with the Hero Arts Cling Background stamp "Friend Definition":

I hope you are inspired! Have a fabulous weekend and thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Vanessa

Supplies: Patterned Paper: Prima Marketing, Stamps: (CG146, CG125, CL150) Hero Arts, Inks: (Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick, Old Paper, Peeled Paint, Antique Linen) Ranger Industries, (black) Tsukineko, Dies: Spellbinders, Rhinestones: Basic Grey, Ribbon: (Sweet Blush Grosgrain) Papertrey Ink

More GCD Studios

Hi! I am back with some more GCD Studios cards! The paper is so inspiring, besides these cards I made one more and a little gift set, too. And it`s not the end! The first one combines two Melody Ross Collections, "Homespun Chic" and "Artsy Urban":

I love to make pleated ribbon at the moment. And this is a "Homespun Chic" card (have I mentioned that I loooove this paper??):

And here is another "Artsy Urban" Butterfly card:

Ok, that`s it for today! To win some Nesties, please scroll down to my first post. Not much time for chatting, my husband took some days off and we`ll have some friends visiting tomorrow! Have a fab day everybody!

Hugs,

Vanessa

Blogcandy #2 + Winner!

* GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED *

Hi everybody! I am back with my second blogcandy and the winner of my first one. Thanks to everybody who entered! And the first winner is.............................

CinnamonSally said...

Vanessa this candy is so bright and cheerful,love all the buttons and flowers yummy! Thanks for giving us the chance to win.

2/11/2010 7:50 PM

Yay, Congratulations, Sally!!! So happy to be able to send you a box of goodies dear friend!

Now my second blogcandy:

A set of brandnew coordinating Nestabilities Dies! I do have these myself and will share cards I made with them later this week. To enter this candy, the rules are the same as last time:

1. Become a follower (following publicly)

2. Post about the candy (if you have a blog)

3. Leave a comment

Give-away closes on Wednesday, 24th.

Good luck! I`ll be back later with some cards!

Hugs,

Vanessa

Photo Display - GCD Studios

Happy Wednesday! I was so thrilled and excited when THE wonderful Heidi Sonboul asked me if I`d like to test some GCD Studios products! I got a super generous package full of gorgeous paper and embellishments on Monday and now I can`t stop playing with the yummy stuff! Here is a photo display I created for my girl, using the 7Gypsies Printers Tray and the GCD Studios Artsy Urban Collection:

The paper is thick, structured, some is glittered or flocked - just luxurious and so beautiful in real life! Love it! Be sure to visit the GCD Studios blog, you won`t be disappointed!

Today is the last day to enter my first blogcandy. I`ll be back tomorrow with the winner and my next blogcandy!

Have a sunny day and thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Vanessa

Tea Time!

Happy Monday! Do you like tea? I do! I always did! And finally ordered Papertrey`s adorable"Tea for Two" stamp set! Here is what I did with it:

I sewed a tea cosy, applied two teapot appliqués from floral fabric onto each side and created a matching card and a glassine bag holding my new favorite herbal tea.

I hope you like my little project! You`ll find all supplies on today`s post on "A Passion for Papertrey". Off to drink some tea :)

Have a fab day and thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Vanessa

Another Wedding Card for Caardvarks

Happy Valentine`s Day! I hope you have a fab one! Just quickly sharing another card for the Wedding Cards challenge over at Caardvarks:

Enjoy your day and thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Vanessa

Supplies:

Cardstock: (Lemon Tart, Raspberry Fizz) Papertrey Ink, Patterned Paper: (Pretty Pastels) Papertrey Ink, Stamps: (Background Basics: Hearts) Papertrey Ink, (Birthday Sayings) Hero Arts, Accents: (Rhinestones) Basic Grey, Tools: (Butterfly Punch) Martha Stewart, (Corner Rounder) Crop-A-Dile, Dies: (Scalloped Rectangles) Spellbinders

Together Forever - Caardvarks Challenge

Happy Saturday! I love creating wedding cards, so I certainly didn`t want to miss Caardvarks` current challenge! Here is my entry:

It`s very girly - usually I try to make wedding cards a groom may like, too. But men don`t care that much about cards, so it`s ok I guess!

Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for visiting! If you are interested in my blogcandy, you`ll find it in the post below.

Hugs,

Vanessa

Supplies:

Cardstock: (cream) Papertrey Ink, Patterned Paper: Webster`s Pages, Ribbon: Papertrey Ink, Craftshop, Pearls: Hero Arts, Button: Papertrey Ink, Rub-On: Creative Imaginations, Dies: Spellbinders

Blogcandy #1

*** GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED***

Dear friends, here is the first of some blogcandys to say Thank You! I can`t believe I had over 30.000 hits already! Let`s start with this:

These are Vintage Buttons in every color available at Papertrey Ink, ric-rac ribbon in yellow and green, different flowers made of fabric and paper (some with prints), three Chipboard frames (Tattered Angels) and 1 meter of my favorite 15 mm satin ribbon in different colors.

To be eligible to win this, become a follower (following publicly), post about this candy and leave me a comment! This will close on Wednesday, 17 th. It is the first of many candies I`ll give away every week the next weeks. The more followers, the more candy!

Have a fab day!

Hugs,

Vanessa

Embellish Color Challenge With Ribbon

Wow, another two posts on one day! Well, my mojo is working fine at the moment. Just in time I managed to make a card for this wonderful challenge:

And here it is, using ribbon to create another rose:

Close-up:

I used the CPS sketch again - it`s great!

I hope you have a wonderful day and thanks again for visiting!

Hugs,

Vanessa

Papertrey Ink CPS Card

Hi there! I made a little Baby Card for this week`s CPS Challenge that is sponsored by Papertrey Ink. Soo many entries already! Love this sketch:

This bear image from the "Baby Button Bits" set is so cute! A new favorite of mine. And that "Pretty Pastels" paper...yumm!

I hope to be able to add the supplies later!

Have a fab day and thanks for your sweet comments!

Hugs,

Vanessa

Papertrey Ink Color/Sketch Challenge + Valentine Cards

Wow, a second post on one day! But I had to take part in the next Papertrey Ink Anniversary Challenge! Because my online user name is Vanessa Menhorn (I know, I am sooo creative!) I was allowed to use the wonderful color combo Kraft/Aqua Mist/ Spring Rain/Enchanted Evening/White. Here is my take on the sketch:

And here are some more Papertrey Ink creations! Kate and Aimes started a new challenge on "A Passion for Papertrey" today and it`s called "Be my Valentine". I couldn`t decide on one sample card, so I made two:

You`ll find a list of supplies for both cards here and maybe you`d like to play, too! Aimes and Kate offer generous prizes for the challenges! (And they take them all from their own supplies! Are they sweet or what?) Last weekend I made another PTI project - can`t wait to share it with you, I am soo proud of it!

Are you so excited about all the Papertrey Ink news, too? Can`t wait to read Nichole`s next post - could it get any better??? She knows what a cardmaker is dreaming of!

Have a great Monday and thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Vanessa

Happy First Birthday!

Hello Friends! Here is a little card I made for the girl of our friends who is turning one today! I so love this Hero Arts Monster Fun stamp set - glad I was able to order it in a shop. It says "stamp me onto your daughter`s clothes" to me :) Will do that soon!

I hope you have a fabulous Monday! I am still busy stamping for my day on the blog and my sweet little monster needs a lot attention because she is suffering from a nasty cold.

Sending you sunshine!

Hugs,

Vanessa

Supplies: Cardstock: (white, pink) Papertrey Ink, Patterned Paper: (Pretty Pastels, 2008 Bitty Dot Basics) Papertrey Ink, Stamps: (Monster Fun) Hero Arts, Dies: (Circles, Scalloped Circles) Spellbinders, Accents: (Gem) Basic Grey, (Eye) Craft Shop

Papertrey Ink Emboss Resist Challenge

Happy Friday dear friends! I couldn`t resist to participate in the Papertrey Ink Emboss Resist Challenge. Ha! One of my favorite techniques! Oh, and the prize package! I fell in love with the fab inks, that would be soo cool! Let`s hope Mr. Random likes me :) Oh, but it`s ok if he chooses me for the Grand Prize! L.o.l. Here is my card:

Not so happy about how the colors look on the photo - blogger sometimes makes strange things! But it`s "Lemon Tart" and "Berry Sorbet"! And because I used a nature image, it qualifies for the challenge on "A Passion for Papertrey", too!

I hope to be able to catch up with you all soon - have a happy Weekend!

Hugs,

Vanessa

Stamping on a candle - the promised tutorial!

Happy Tuesday! First a big THANK YOU to the wonderful Aimes and wonderful Kate from "A Passion For Papertrey" who made me their featured stamper this month! I am so thrilled and honoured! These ladies rock, be sure to visit them!

Ok, the tutorial. Thanks to everybody who asked for it and for your patience with me :)! I won`t torture you with a video (only if you need a good laugh) so I tried to take photos of every step. The photos are not the best, it is 10 pm here already and I had to work with artificial light. Here is what you`ll need, the explanation for every photo is written underneath it:

You need a simple, but thick candle (I bought mine in a drugstore, it was very cheap), stamps (this is the gorgeous Life set from Papertrey Ink), scissors, ink (I chose Fired Brick and Black Soot Distress Ink), Heat Embossing Tool, Tissue Paper (I use simple Tempo Tissues - love the structure, but you`ll see what I mean later) and plain baking parchment.

Stamp your image onto the tissue paper

I wanted a dramatic red/black combo

Then cut your image out - don`t bother too much about it, just cut roughly around the image, you won`t see the tissue paper later! Take the top layer of the tissue paper and position it onto your candle.

Cut a piece of the baking parchment to fit generously around your candle, lay it over your image and hold it together firmly on the back of your candle. Try to avoid any creases (the wax will melt underneath the baking parchment and any creases will be melted into your candle). Take your heat embossing tool and carefully heat your image - don`t stay on one spot for too long, as soon as the tissue paper "vanishes" it is enough and you can move on. It happens really fast! (Sorry I don`t have a photo showing that - I didn`t have enough hands!)

Here you can see that the tissue paper is gone - it is covered with wax and so is your image. Gently take off your baking parchment and...

... voilà! Your image is on the candle! By looking closely at this photo you can see the structure I mentioned before on the image. I like it.

And here is the finished candle. Just add some ribbon or whatever you like and you have a great unique gift! I hope this tutorial was ok. Do not hesitate to make any improvement suggestions or to ask if there are any questions!

Ok, off to bed! Have a wonderful day and thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

Vanessa