My bump

I fell in love with this Pebbles paper, and found some embellishments that match perfectly!
The letters are actually stickers, but I left the backing on them and used dimensionals to pop them up. I did the same with the {braces}.

I love the focus on the one colour photograph, but having the black and white ones to fill out the page. Of course I added some journalling in my own handwriting, even though I don't like the way I write! It's definitely more personal than typing it out on the computer.

Obviously my inspiration came from the paper, and I knew I wanted to do a bit of blocking, using the paper and photos to define the majority of the space. The casual embellishments break-up all the lines, and keep it fun.

I love the time you can put into a scrapbook layout, especially because you know it's going to be kept for a long time, unlike a card, which you never know if the recipient will keep!


Stamps: none
Paper: cardstock (Bazzil), patterned paper (Pebbles)
Ink: none
Accessories: stickers (Pebbles), felt flowers, corduroy brads, flower brad, Pumpkin Pie marker (SU), letter stickers (Colorbok)

A Distressed Birthday

I made this card for a crafty friend who loves distressing (I think she's secretly - or not so secretly - in love with Tim Holtz). The card was based on Jen's sketch (SFYTT).
I obviously need to work on my distressing technique, but I love how the card base turned out. I rubbed the edges in ink, but it was still too bare. I decided to run the whole thing through my crimper, but then it wouldn't lay flat. So then I ran it through my CB (no die or embossing folder, obviously) and it flattened it out just enough, without removing all the crimping!

Stamps: Times New Roman 50pt font (Just Right)
Paper: Kraft cardstock (SU), Pop Fashion pp (Pink Paislee)
Ink: Old Olive (SU)
Accessories: Hemp twine (SU), rhinestones (Kaiser), buttons (Making Memories), Curved Rectangles Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), crimper(unknown - from a dollar store! )

While the sentiment looks like any other birthday stamp, it's actually a Just Rite 50pt font! I've been coveting their Rectangular Stamper Set, but have yet to give in. Then I looked at the way the actual letters are stored, and {ding} the lightbulb went off! The letters come on the actual mount needed for attaching them, and it's just bare rubber. I have the stamp blocks from the SU "So Many Sayings" set, and the rubber piece is a PERFECT fit! I just glued it on with some Crystal Effects, and ta-da!

Granted, it's not as long as the real one, but it will do for now. And it was F-R-E-E!

Finally, I meant to post about this with my Earth Day post, but forgot. You know the leftover rubber from SU stamps? Don't throw it away! If you gently peel off the rubber, you're left with a double-sided sticky piece of foam. Perfect for adding dimension on cards! The two rectangles on the card above are popped up using a couple pieces I snipped of the one below. Easy peasy!

Happy Earth Day!

Back off, it's mine. All mine!

Seriously, don't even think about entering this blog candy giveaway.

You don't need a set of Copics, five sets of Nesties, a MS punch, Anya stamp, flowers, paper, ribbon, and buttons. (said in my best Jedi voice)

Um. The deadline has passed (it's past April 30, right?) You already have all those Nesties. You don't like to colour. You have to be a Jessica to win.

...have I convinced you yet?

Sigh. If not, check out Passion For Crafts. Debbie is celebrating her blogaversary and almost 62,000 hits. Congrats Debbie!

Floral Trio

I finally bought the Fifth Avenue Floral set, and I'm definitely in love! For the Paper Crafts Cards and Gifts challenge over at Moxie Fab World, I made a simple set of cards.Here's a close-up of each:
Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral (SU)
Paper: Whisper White cardstock (SU)
Ink: Basic Black, Yoyo Yellow (SU)
Accessories: Key Tag punch (SU), Stickles (Ranger), ribbon (unknown)

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral (SU)
Paper: Whisper White cardstock (SU)
Ink: Going Grey, Pretty in Pink (SU)
Accessories: Wide Oval punch (SU), Pearls (Kaiser), ribbon (unknown)

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral (SU)
Paper: Whisper White cardstock (SU)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky (SU)
Accessories: Key Tag punch (SU), rhinestones (Hero Arts), ribbon (unknown)

The first card was inspired by the dress below (from an Army & Navy ad):

For the other two cards, I started with the colour combos (don't you love the pink and grey?!?).

Up for a just-for-fun challenge? How about using the dress image above as inspiration for a project? I'd love to see what you come up with!

Thank you flowers

The monthly theme challenge at Paper Popsicles is cards, and last week's challenge was to make a thank you card with a flower, and then send it to someone!

I finally got to play with my new Top Note die, as well as the Little Leaves Sizzlet. I did have problems getting a clean cut on the Sizzlet using my Cuttlebug. Anyone have any suggestions? I'd really like to use it!

I stared with a piece of Kraft cardstock, and stamped the little flower from Eastern Blooms in River Rock. To get the mat for the Top Note, I trimmed the DSP on the perforated line (which is part of the die), and then cut a second piece from Ruby Red cardstock. A few flowers and dew drops, plus a simple sentiment (it shows up better in real life!) finishes off the card.

Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Trendy Trees (SU)
Paper: Kraft, Ruby Red, Green Galore cardstock, Ginger Blossom DSP (SU)
Ink: River Rock (SU)
Accessories:Top Note and Little Leaves dies, Word Window punch (SU) dew drops (Robin's Nest), flowers (Prima + misc)


I'll be dropping this card in the mail tomorrow!

Easter Egg Holder

I made this quick and easy holder for dyed Easter eggs. In case it isn't obvious, I didn't decorate it ;)
I used a circle Nestie to cut the holes evenly in a 6" strip of 12x12 paper. Then I scored and folded, using redline tape to secure the edges. I added a bottom piece and two supporting "legs" on the inside (that you can't see) to add stability.

Easter Egg Special

A quick Easter egg card for my daughter. I used the TCP Tuesday (TCPTues53) colour combo of Raspberry Pink, Pumpkin Orange, and Sunny Yellow. The egg-shaped card also fits for Paper Popsicle's Monthly theme event (cards), week one is for an egg-shaped card.



Leanne was the first to show me the glitter ribbon technique. It's so easy. Just a line of double-sided tape (red-line works best) and dump on the glitter!

Stamps: It's a Mod, Mod World, Smells Like Cake (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Whisper White, Yoyo Yellow cardstock, Bali Breeze, Jersey Shore dsp (SU)
Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Pumpkin Pie, Yoyo Yellow (SU)
Accessories: Scalloped-edge punch (SU) Stickles (Ranger), chunky glitter (Sulyn), butterfly punch (Martha Steward), rhinestone (Kaiser)

Dino-mite!

A friend asked me to make some bookmarks for her daughter's birthday, which is going to be held at the Royal Tyrrell Museum (= dinosaurs). I didn't have any appropriate stamps, so went with some clipart. I was happy to find an image of the Albertosaurus, which was a dinosaur similar to the T-Rex. The first was discovered in Alberta, BC (the location of the museum).

Sorry, I didn't get any close-ups. You can click on the photo for a larger view.

I printed the dinosaur image and text on a laser printer, and then watercoloured with my blender pen. I was happy to find that the ink did not smear at all! I chose the colours based on this drawing. I think Sahara Sand is the perfect colour for dinosaur skin! It's grey with a touch of green. I masked the dinosaur to stamp the grass, and added a row of dots to fill in the bottom.

You can't see, but I used my JustRite stamper to create a customized thank-you message on the back. I also laminated one of the bookmarks for the birthday girl.

Stamps: So Many Sayings (SU), Around the Farm (Penguin Pants), Small letters (JustRite), Albertosaurus clip art (Arthur's Clipart)
Paper: Whisper White (SU), brown cardstock (Bazzil), green cardstock (unknown)
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, Sahara Sand, More Mustard, Really Rust, Going Grey (SU)
Accessories: Ticket corner, 1 1/4" circle punch, blender pen, hemp twine, jumbo eyelet (SU), Cropodile (We R Memory Keepers), small eyelets (misc), laminate film, Creative Station (Xyron), thick twine (unknown - from a clothing tag!)

Win DoodleFactory stamps!!!

I love these stamps - check out that cutie-pie baby! Click here to learn how you can win some fun DoodleFactory stamps from Starving Artistamps.

ps. Working on a little project for a friend, will share when I'm done. Also, lots going on in the garden. I'm too busy to craft - yikes! I will get in there soon, though. I've got some new SU goodies on the way (hopefully tomorrow, right Carrie?) ;)

Shabby Chic Blues

Another scrapbook layout! This one started with some Making Memories accessories I bought. I thought the blues in the photo worked well, and I started down the "shabby chic" route. The sketch is from Paper Popsicles (you may need to join to see the sketch). Like the ribbon? I've seen this done with sewing, unfortunately this ribbon came with a strip of adhesive down the middle, but it's old, so it discoloured the middle. I knew I wanted to cover it up with the white ribbon, so I just laid down a strip of red line tape, and folded the ribbon down along it. A second strip of red line adhered the white ribbon on top. I added lots of fun embellishments, adding to the shabby look.

Stamps: none
Paper: dot and flower patterned (Making Memories), white cardstock (Bazzil), teal patterned (Creative Memories)
Ink: none
Accessories: Photo corner punch, Taken with Teal marker (SU) white ribbon (Offray), buttons/butterflies/journalling circle/flower (Making Memories), flowers (Prima/unknown), blue ribbon (unknown), sewing machine (Janome)