Cabin on a lake by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

Did you check out the current challenge here on the blog?

For 20 years my family and I rented cottages on the lake where my husband grew up.  I've spent many hours (and miles and miles) walking around that lake and putting my toes in the water at the end of the dock.  Sadly, everyone we used to rent from sold their cottages and new owners didn't want to rent.  There are other lakes, but they don't have the same meaning as this one did. It's the end of an era.

My card took me back to the summer before COVID which was the last time we rented. (Just a coincidence)

I use the 5726 – Nested Circle Dies to cut a figure 8 shape out of the front panel and then I cut two circles and pieced them together to make a frame for the window.  The sentiments are from 5734 – Friend Sentiment Set.

For the images, I combined three different sets.  I wanted to feel like I was sitting on the dock, watching the sailboats go by and looking at the beautiful cottages across the lake.

4981 – Cabin Circlet MTF
5093 – Dock Circlet MTF
5448 – Sailboat Window Set

You might be thinking,  but Reneé, the Dock Circlet had a cabin in it.  Why did you use the one from the Cabin Circlet?  It's because that one looks much more like the one we used to rent and some others on that lake.

Random fact...it was 5:26 when I glanced at the clock while coloring the sailboat.  Thus, the addition of 526 on the sail.  The ropes/twine were added to give some texture and a bit of a nautical look.

Markers used:

TT Peach Pink

Copics:

N1, T3, E35, E3, E55, YG63, YG67,
 B14, B41, B93, YG00

So Sweet by Reneé Matarese

Hello Ai fans!

It's always good to have some baby cards on hand.  I mean, even though you usually have about 6 months notice, sometimes those showers or births can sneak up on you. I work in an elementary school with lots of young teachers so it seems like someone's always pregnant. lol!

 

The baby girl, duck and sentiment are all from 5185 – Baby Girl Set and they're stamped and matted on circles from 5726 – Nested Circle Dies.  It's difficult to see it but the wall behind her is embossed to look like shiplap paneling. I used a scoreboard to do that.

 

The little bow, star and banner that the sentiment is stamped on are all from 5543 – Journal Template Die Set. In my opinion, even if you never make a journal, this is a MUST HAVE set!!  There are so many useful dies in this amazing set. I've circled the dies that I used so you can better see them.

This is such a precious set. I hope next time you have a new baby to welcome that you'll give this set a try!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Copics used:

RV09, RV10, RV55, RV66, YG06, YG11, YG67, C0,
Y11, Y32, Y35, E02, E33, E35, E1, E51, E81, E93

Cakes for all! by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

Today I have lots of birthday love for you!

The current challenge here on the blog is Midnight Snack.
Use food on your card.  This week I'm using cake!  I've created 3 cards.
One in girly pink, one using the same large cake in patriotic colors since
Fourth of July is right around the corner and the 3rd one is for my friend Bob
who will be turning 70 in about 2 weeks.

It's difficult to see but I used Wink of Stella on all 3 cards on the stars and candle flames.

These cakes are so fun and be colored any which way you think your recipient would love.

I love bling so much!  I added some sequins and some metallic stars to this one.

Bob is famous at school for his sweet tooth so these cakes and cupcakes are just perfect!

I tried something new on the inside of his card.  I basically used every stamp in the set.

I removed the Birthday Queen,  To the birthday girl and Treat Yourself sentiments. *I used that one on the front of the card.  I left all the others on the acetate index sheet.  I applied some tape to the acetate so it would adhere to my Stamp Perfect.  In one fell swoop I had the entire inside stamped.  I used one of the little cakes to fill in where the Birthday Queen sentiment left a space.  I like how it turned out.

I'll write his message on the left side of the inside.

Copics used:

Y13, YR0, B28, R27, R85,
RV10, C2, C6, T5, E00, E31