Mellow Bird

This card is for Beate's weekend sketch #59. I knew I wanted to use the Basic Grey paper (from the Mellow line), so I started with that. The paper reminds me of Autumn, and warm cardigans, so that was the "theme" I decided to use.

I stamped the Linen background stamp on the card base, then cut my three strips of patterned paper. I hand stitched them for some interest, and wrapped the polytwill ribbon around. I paper-pieced the bird, and snipped out the sentiment (the inside of the card says "it's your birthday!"). A felt flower and brad, as well as some hemp twine and a charm finish it off.

Stamps: A Little Birdie Told Me, Linen
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi (SU), Basic Grey
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi (SU)
Accessories: Scallop punch, polytwill ribbon, hemp twine (SU), Versamark, clear embossing powder, felt flower, brad, charm, thread (unknown)
Techniques: paper- piecing

Surf's Up, Swedish Collage Style

This crazy card was made for the "Swedish Collage Style" challenge on the Starving Artiststamps blog. There's some sweet blog candy up for grabs!

I cut a piece of Certainly Celery to 5.5 x 5.5, and added lots of patterned papers, texture, shapes, and above all, COLOUR!

I don't (yet) have the scallop border punch, so I used my corner rounder (see this post for the deets).

It was a birthday card for my twelve year-old cousin, Alex. I think she liked it!

Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Circle of Friendship (SU)
Paper: Certainly Celery, Whisper White (SU), patterned paper (Memory Block)
Ink: Pink Passion, Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise (SU)
Accessories: corner rounder (EK Success), glitter pen (Sakura), D'Vine Swirls embossing CB folder, CB (Provocraft), ribbon (Michael's), chipboard letter 'a', staples (Making Memories), Magic Mesh, rhinestones, button (unknown)

Simply Silhouettes

I made this card for Carolyn King's Heart to Heart challenge. In an effort to raise awareness for World Alzheimer’s Day, Carolyn has enlisted the help of a lot of people and companies from the stamping community. There is HUGE blog candy to be won, but more importantly, the opportunity to say thank you to the caregivers of those with Alzheimer's. Check out Carolyn's blog for more information. I hope you are inspired to participate as well!

This card was inspired by Beate's Be Inspired Challenge #24. I used the green, brown, and milky white colours, and the silhouette shapes as my starting point. I knew I wanted to use the Bird Call embossing folder, and decided to highlight the embossing with ink. I dragged my Whisper White pad across the surface, and then sponged on Chocolate Chip and Old Olive.

A very simple card, but I really wanted to showcase the embossing.

Stamps: Simply Said (SU)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Whisper White (SU)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Whisper White (SU)
Accessories: Wide oval punch, Chocolate Chip polytwill ribbon (SU), Bird Call CB embossing folder, CB (Provocraft), Cropodile
Techniques: sponging

Win a Custom Designed Greeting Card!

My friend Katie is an awesome graphic and web designer, and she is having a contest for a custom designed greeting card! It can be a birthday invitation, Christmas card, or birth announcement. Check out her website for more details.

Happy birthday from the animal gang

This card is based off of Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #58

I really wanted to go with the bright colours in this one, so put on your shades, because it's definitely bright!

The card is for a little guy who turned one, so I wanted the embossed "1" to stand out, so I coloured it as well. Yes, my colouring still needs work!

Stamps: It's a Party (SU), Around the Farm (Penguin Pants)
Paper: Only Orange, Yoyo Yellow, Green Galore, Whisper White (SU), patterned paper (unknown)
Ink: Only Orange, Yoyo Yellow, Green Galore, Basic Black, Basic Brown, Real Red
Accessories: Blender Pen (SU), Number Collage CB embossing folder, CB (Provocraft)
Techniques: Watercolouring

You've got to check out kasanika!

My friend Anne makes the most AMAZING felted and crochet projects. Here's her latest, felted wool baby links. Aren't they beautiful? I love the colours.And these adorable java jackets:
She also makes felted bangles and bags, ipod covers, and more! You can visit her blog or Etsy shop to see more.

I'm eagerly anticipating a set of Kleen Kanteen sleeves. Chloe wants a monster one, I'm going for something a little more grown-up (although I LOVE those monsters!). I'll be sure to post a photo.

The mess

Like I said, not quite unpacked yet. Or organized. Or even somewhat aware of where anything is!

A pinch

Yay! This is my first card in over a month!!!

It's simple, and based of off Kazan's Sketch 9, from the 2 Sketches 4 You blog.

I used the CB embossing folder on the card base, and tore the Kraft paper (after I wheeled on the Sandy Shells stamp). Does it look sandy?

My blender pen + ink = coloured crab. I still need to work on staying in the lines! I added some googly eyes, and the party hat.

Of course, I had to use my new wide oval punch, into which the sentiment fit perfectly! Some hemp twine (also new :p) finished it off.

I had to deviate from the sketch a bit, but I think it works!

Stamps: Crab & Company, Sandy Shells wheel
Paper: Bashful Blue, Kraft, Real Red, Watercolor (SU)
Ink: Real Red, Going Grey, Basic Black (SU); Jet Black (Staz-On)
Accessories: Blender pen, hemp twine, wide oval punch (SU), 1/8" punch (Fiskars), blue gel pen, Tiny Bubbles CB emobossing folder, CB, googly eyes
Techniques: Watercoloring

Gettin' back into the swing of things

I am not even half unpacked, but I need two birthday cards by Saturday. Wish me luck!

Yes, of course I will share them as soon as I'm done! ;)

I'm a winner!

At least, that's what my mom always told me.

No, seriously, I won some yummy blog candy! Thanks to Marie over at Marie Loves to Stamp (catchy name, huh?). I can't wait to play with it!

Back to basics

Nope, not unpacked yet, but getting there! We have so much more to do, and Dare doesn't agree that my crafts room is a priority ;)

Anyway, I have to make two cards by next weekend, so you'll see something new soon!

I've been planning on getting back into scrapbooking, as I'm quite behind in Chloe's book, and our wedding book, and my dad's scrapbook. So, for inspiration, I thought I'd post a few of my favourite pages:
I promise that there will be more to come!

Oops, typo!

I fixed it, but why didn't anyone tell me? It's like I had broccoli in my teeth or something. :p

More blog candy

Check out Scrappin in my Sparetime for some blog candy. Yum!

A sassy card

Check out what Kathy over at Pretty in Ink did for MFT's guest designer challenge.

I wish I had .0001% of her creativity. Seriously, it's hilarious!

Got scallops?

I've been wavering on the new SU scallop punch, but I think this cool frame technique that I found on Julie's blog (Paper Pleasing Ideas) has won me over:

(photo courtesy of Julie Buhler)

Julie also posted a tutorial on making the frame.

Yum, blog candy!

Allison over at Stampin' When I Can is celebrating two years of blogging with a sweet giveaway. Be sure to check it out!