I'm in love

With a stamp set (or three)! Papertrey Ink's April release included Enjoy the Ride, Background Basics: Woodgrain, and A Little Argyle. As soon as I unwrapped them, I was inspired! I created SEVEN cards in less than two days. Crazy, right?

Oh, and did I mention there's a matching PTI die for the CAR in Enjoy the Ride? Awesome, right???

So here are the first two. I made them at my aunt's house, and gave them to her, so I couldn't get a normal photo in my crafts room. Both use the same layout, just different colours.

Stamps: Enjoy the Ride, A Little Argyle, Background Basics: Woodgrain (PTI),
Paper: Kraft, Whisper White (SU)
Ink: Sahara Sand, Ruby Red, Bayou Blue (SU), Fresh Snow (PTI)
Accessories: Enjoy the Ride car die (PTI)

I knew as soon as I saw the woodgrain stamp set that I wanted to use it for "kissing." This is a super easy technique. Ink up a solid stamp (such as the body of the car) and then take a clean (un-inked) stamp and touch it to the inked stamp. This removes the ink from the solid stamp, and leaves the image of the un-inked stamp. Cool beans, eh?
Don't you LOVE the argyle? This stamp set is so much fun to use. I also edged both cards in white ink. Oh, and notice the wee license plate? The Enjoy the Ride stamp set includes a bunch of little sentiments to fit in the license plate, as well as larger sentiments that go along with them.

Stamps: Enjoy the Ride, A Little Argyle, Background Basics: Woodgrain (PTI),
Paper: Kraft, Whisper White (SU)
Ink: Sahara Sand, Pink Passion, Blue Bayou (SU), Fresh Snow (PTI)
Accessories: Enjoy the Ride car die (PTI)

I plan to post the other cards over this week, to spread them out a bit. I've been super busy at work, so I haven't been in my crafts room since Saturday!

ps. I'm closing in on 20,000 hits to my blog. Expect a wee bit of yummy candy when I do!

Dreams come true

I'm late, but this card is for Becky's Compose a Card #7. I broke out my new PTI black felt (so luxurious!) but had to wing the sandwich, as I snapped my C plate a couple days ago! I managed to cut out the felt circles, but it wasn't a clean cut with my improvised shims.

I used my favourite "matching thread" trick, which is to use a sliver of matching cardstock or paper to thread the buttons - in this case I used the patterned paper. Click on the photo for a close-up. It's hard to see, but I used one of the new PTI Impression plates on the patterned paper.

And here's the inside. I'm trying to dress the insides up a bit more, so this was fun:
Stamps: Birthday Basics, Text Style II (PTI), Pop Fashion (Pink Paislee)
Paper: Vintage Cream, Spring Rain (PTI), patterned paper (K&Company)
Ink: Basic Black, Bashful Blue (SU)
Accessories: Black felt, Polka Dot Basics II Impression Plate, Lg scalloped border die (PTI), corner rounder punch (EK Success), buttons (Making Memories), Cuttlebug (Provocraft), circle, scalloped circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Enjoy the ride

This card is for the January Papertrey Ink blog hop. This month's challenge was to create a card that is the "total package" - that is, not just decorating the outside, but also thinking about the inside (and even the back of the card!)
I really wanted to show the little birdie riding the bike, but if you're familiar with the stamp, you'll know that he usually faces the other way. One of the benefits of clear stamps is the ability to see where you're stamping. So I inked up each bit separately (feet, beak, tail) and stamped them where I wanted them. Thus the little guy is facing the right way!

And I'm sure you're asking - where on earth did she get thread for those buttons - it matches the cardstock PERFECTLY! Well folks, hold on to your hat. That's because it IS carstock! I sliced very thin strips with scissors, and threaded it through the buttons. Cool beans, huh?

For the background, I wanted the look of patterned paper stripes, but with some texture. So I cut strips of cardstock, added a length of ribbon, stamped the dotted flourish (from Holiday Button Bits) and also scored a line below the sentiment.

Here's a look at the inside - I think I spent more working on the inside than on the outside!
Using buttons on the inside would have added too much bulk, so I used paper instead! For the bike, I punched two circles from Ocean Tides and stamped with the star (from Tree Trimming Trio), then edged them in Ocean Tides ink to give the edges some definition. To give the idea that the bike is moving, I stamped the dotted flourish from Holiday Button Bits, also in Ocean Tides.

Even more stripes carry the front of the card to the inside. The larger bird has a paper circle body, I embossed it using a CB embossing folder. I also added a wing (also with stripes, keeping with the theme.)


Finally, even the back of the card got some love. Rather than my usual "handmade by" stamp, I used another of the Everyday Button Bits sentiments, "Sending smiles across the miles" and the same star. Sorry it's hard to see, click on the photo for a larger image.

Stamps: Everyday Button Bits, Holiday Button Bits, Tree Trimming Trio (PTI)
Paper: Ocean Tides, Berry Bliss (PTI), Confetti White (SU)
Ink: Ocean Tides, Berry Bliss (PTI)
Accessories: Berry Bliss ribbon, Ocean Tides buttons (PTI), 3/4", 1" circle punch (SU), Large rectangle Nesties (Spellbinders), Snowflakes embossing folder, CB (Provocraft), pink button (Making Memories)

Quick gift card holders

Chloe and I made these quickly on Christmas Eve (yes, I was doing last minute crafting!) She chose the papers/colours, so don't blame me for them ;)
The snowmen are made with various punches and scalloped nesties. His hat is one half of the SU designer label punch, with a word window punch brim.

The card base opens as normal, but on the front, if you undo the ribbon, you get this:
Cool, huh? I've seen this in a few places, but the awesome Heather did a video tutorial on them, which allowed me to pull these off in a very short time. Thanks Heather!

Stamps: none!
Paper: unknown
Ink: none!
Accessories: Word Window, Snowflake, Designer Label punches, Chit Chat rub-ons, Top Note die (SU), Large circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), embossing folders, CB (Provocraft), ribbon/googly eyes (unknown)

Flowered Congratulations

Still on the Mojo Monday turns 100 train. This is day 3. I'm also still on the rub-ons kick, so I used a lot on this card.

I layered a bunch of brown and white rub-ons, but obviously the white ones didn't show up on the white paper. I stamped some small flowers in the two shades of blue, then sponged over the entire thing with the lighter blue (Soft Sky). I'm really happy with how it looks! I like the white border around each rub-on. It really defines them well.

Stamps: Eastern Blooms, French Script (SU)
Paper: Whisper White, Soft Sky cardstock, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky textured cardstock, Soft Sky DSP (SU), brown textured cardstock (Bazzil)
Ink: Soft Sky, Blue Bayou (SU)
Accessories: Hidden Garden rub-ons, Scalloped Edge punch, sponge (SU), pearls (Kaiser)

I've also been decorating the inside of my cards lately, here's what I did for this one:
Ask me why I have a mirror image of the script-stamped/scalloped edge white piece cardstock that I used on the front of the card. Go ahead, ask me.

That's right, because I stamped it the wrong way the first time. It was supposed to go on the front of the card, so I needed the scallops to point to the right. But the text was upside-down. Oops!

Ask me what's on the back of the same piece. Yup, you guessed it. More script stamp, STILL upside down! Luckily I was able to use it on the inside.

I'm happy to say that this card is for an upcoming wedding. So I've managed to make a card for an occasion, an entire MONTH before I need it, rather than an hour before!

Happy Trails to You...

...until we meet again.

Ugh. I've been singing that song (and all I really know is that part) for the last 1/2 hour, since I decided on the sentiment for this card:

The card is based off of Mojo Monday 100 (day 2). The sentiment I was originally going to use (from the Cosmo Cricket stamp set) was too long. Then I came up with an even better idea, and pulled out my JustRite 50pt font set. It barely fit, but I'm so glad it did!

I tried something different with the ribbon. I think I've seen something like this elsewhere, but I don't know if it's exactly the same (and of course I can't remember where). I'm sure I'm not the first to do it. Anyway, I used my Crop-o-Dile to punch three holes in a line, close together. Don't mind my scrap paper and ribbon.
Then, from the back of the cardstock, I pulled one end of the ribbon up through the first hole and then down through the last one (by-passing the middle one), leaving some slack.
Then I pulled the two ends (which were both sticking out of the back of the cardstock) up through the middle hole, and to the side.
Finally, adjust as needed and then tighten the whole thing.
And there you have it - a cool ribbon "knot", without a lot of bulk. And I got the ends to sit just how I wanted them! This works well with ribbon that is quite a bit bigger than the hole -- not like I did in my example, but like I did in my card. Then you don't see the holes when you pull it tight - or you can "fluff" it up a bit, to hide them.

The rest of the card is fairly obvious. I was happy to pull out (and use!) some of my Cosmo Cricket papers, the ones that match the stamp set, obviously. Finally, the ribbon just happened to work. It's actually SU Riding Hood Red, but matches very well with SU Ruby Red, and the reddish colour in the paper. Yay!

Stamps: Happy Camper (Cosmo Cricket), Times New Roman 50pt Font (JustRite)
Paper: Very Vanilla, More Mustard, Ruby Red cardstock (SU), Happy Camper DSP (Cosmo Cricket), kraft (unknown)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, More Mustard (SU)
Accessories: Riding Hood Red ribbon, Scalloped Edge punch (SU), corner rounder punch (EK Success), Crop-o-Dile (W R Memory Keepers)

Glitter, glitter, everywhere.

Another card. This is for ssnotime95 (glitter) and Kazan's Sketch 30.

A very, very quick card. I used the glitter line technique again (shown to me by Leanne). It's simply a line of double-sided tape (use redline for the best results) with glitter. The stars are two-sided stickies as well.

Stamps: So Many Sayings (SU)
Paper: Soft Sky textured cardstock (SU), white (Bazzil), PP (Making Memories)
Ink: Lovely Lilac (SU)
Accessories: sticky stars (Confessions of a Ribbon Addict), glitter ()

Changed my mind...

After my last post, I realized I really wanted to make a simple card.
The sketch is AMYRS66, and the colour combo is Raspberry Suite week 4 (although I'm late on that one).

Stamps: Trendy Trees, Lots of Thoughts
Paper: Soft Sky, Whisper White cardstock (SU), textured brown cardstock (Bazzil)
Ink: Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Chit Chat rub-ons, Scalloped Edge punch, 1 3/8", 1 1/4", 3/4" circle punches (SU), Swiss Dots embossing folder, Cuttlebug (Provo Craft)

If you're familiar with the Lots of Thoughts set, you'll notice that the "note of love" is missing the bottom sentiment ("Happily Ever After"), which doesn't go with my Mother's Day card. To remove it, I masked the stamp with tape, inked it up, and then removed the tape (sorry the photo is blurry!).

To round the edge of the other sentiment, I stuck one edge through a small circle punch.Finally, I just eyed the placement of the trunks for the trees. I was thinking about getting a Stamp-a-ma-jig (mostly for this set), but maybe I don't need it!

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!

Sweet Spring

This card was inspired by the ribbon, as well as Mojo79. I needed a tall, skinny stamp, so I went with the twig tree from Limitless Limbs.
I stamped the tree in Close to Cocoa, then used a baby wipe to clean the ends and dots, which I then coloured with markers. I used the same technique with the robin, adding a tiny black eye after I stamped her. The nest and eggs were next, and I added some blue speckles to the eggs.

ETA: I forgot to mention, for those that noticed, I performed a bit of surgery on the tree trunk, which was too long for the panel. I planned where I would place the ribbon, then cut a slice out from underneath it. So the ribbon hides the seam, and my tree fits perfectly!

I didn't bother with any masking, as it's quite easy to see where I'm stamping, as the stamps are unmounted. I used my Copic Spica glitter pen to add lots of sparkle (which is impossible to capture in a photo! Just picture lots of sparkle on all the round "buds" as well as the sentiment), as well as Crystal Effects to the eggs. One of those bows finishes it off.

Stamps: Limitless Limbs (Pink Cat Studio), So Very (SU)
Paper: Whisper White, Green Galore, Tempting Turqouise, Pumpkin Pie cardstock, Summer Picnic DSP (SU)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Green Galore, Summer Sun (SU)
Accessories: Temping Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Green Galore, Real Red, Black markers, Scallop Edge punch, Crystal Effects (SU), Perfectly Paisley embossing folder, Cuttlebug (Provocraft), ribbon (American Crafts), Clear glitter pen (Copic)

Notice how the scalloped edge starts and ends on a scallop? Before cutting my cardstock to size, I punched the edge longer than I needed, then cut it evenly between the scallops. Otherwise you could end up with a piece like this (on the left).
I admit, this was my first try - I cut the piece to size first, then started the scallops in the centre. While they ended up symmetrical, I didn't like how they looked at the edges. The one on the right is my second try, and the piece I used on the card. ETA: oops, I need to remember the difference between right and left! I've fixed them now.

Flower Trio

Here's that card trio I mentioned a few days ago. I started with the yellow one, and meant to use it for the Mellow Yellow Cuttlebug Challenge (with Swiss Dots) but just didn't want to do it. So I decided to make two more, and call it a set.
I rock 'n rolled the stamp in two colours, and used a marker to "thump" the flower centre. I also re-stamped the image without reinking, to create some depth. A simple sentiment, and some Stickles finish them off.

Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Best Yet (SU)
Paper: Whisper White (SU)
Ink: Summer Sun, So Saffron, Blush Blossom, Groovy Guava, Mellow Moss, Old Olive (SU)
Accessories: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa markers (SU), Stickles (Ranger)

Dotty Bright Birthday

Alrighty, you'll want to put on your sunglasses for this one. Are you ready?

This card covers three challenges:

- Mellow Yellow Monday Cuttlebug Challenge
- Mojo Monday #74
- TCPTUES46: Cupcakes

I told ya!

Okay, so I started with the Mellow Yellow challenge, and I just got this yellow glitter paper as a free bonus with an order. I never thought I'd use it, but there I was, looking at it. I wasn't sure how it would emboss, but Swiss Dots worked perfectly. I knew I had to stick with the bright colours, so I dove into some paper I bought years ago. The green/pink/orange dots. Finally, a use for it!

I paper pieced the cupcake, added lots of Stickles, used a white Glaze pen for the sprinkles, and dug out a yellow Glitter Dot. One of those neat little bows finishes it off.

Stamps: Smells Like Cake (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Whisper White (SU), DSP (Michael's), Sugar Coated paper (Doodlebug Design)
Ink: Green Galore, Only Orange (SU), Noir Black (Palette)
Accessories: Photo Corner punch, markers (SU), Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Swiss Dots embossing folder, CB (Provocraft), glitter dot (Dress It Up), ribbon (Michael's), Stickles (Ranger), white Glaze pen (Sakura), pink glitter gel pen (American Crafts)

So, I went on a bit of a scrapbooking supply spree. Paper, mainly, but with lots of matching embellishments. Here's the stack:

It's hard to tell, but trust me, there's a LOT there. So, if you don't see some scrapbook pages posted here in the next couple weeks, please send me a threatening email...pretend to be from Visa ;)

ps. Check out mudmaven's blog for some candy!

Hey Chickie

You know when you make a card, and you think it's going great, and then you take a photo and upload it, and realize that it just doesn't look how you thought?

Yeah, this is one of those cards.
I think it's the Cuttlebug smoosh technique that's throwing it off. The ink is a bit uneven. Darn brayer!

Anyway, this is for another challenge from the Papertrey Ink blog: make a card for your best friend. I'm lucky to have several close friends, but I've known my bestest friend for 21 years. We've been through a LOT together. I'm pretty sure she doesn't read this blog, so it should be a surprise (her birthday is in March). The best part is that her nickname is Chickie (or Bird) so this card is perfect!

Aside from the CB smoosh, I tapped the bird stamps with different colours to make the birds pretty. I thought the eyes needed some glittery eyeshadow, and then the feathers of course. A load of bling finishes it off.

Stamps: Bird Assortment (Inkadinkado)
Paper: Whisper White, Gable Green (SU)
Ink: Dark Peony, Lime Pastel, Creamy Brown, Blue Lagoon (ColorBox)
Accessories: scalloped edge punch, rhinestone brads (SU), Birds & Swirls embossing folder, CB (Provocraft), brayer (Speedball), rhinestones (Kaiser), Stickles (Ranger), ribbon (Michael's)

Cherry Blossoms

Another card for the latest OCC sketch. I had this idea before I made the other one, but wanted to use my JustRite stamps first. Anyway, I'm glad I let it sit for a day, I had the idea to use DSP instead of just cardstock. Again, this is made with all scraps!

I used my Nesties to cut out the circles, then cut a strip out on each side. I inked the cherry blossoms in Purely Pomegrante, then used a wet Q-Tip to clean the branches, before I colored them with the Chocolate Chip marker. I've done a similar technique with this stamp before, but instead used my Blender Pen to clean the branches. I'd rather use the Q-Tip, as I hate wasting the Blender Pens! I saw the Q-Tip idea on Jennifer's blog.

I made another PolyShrink charm. This time I cut out the scalloped circle with my Nesties, stamped the flower, punched the small hole, and shrank it with my heat gun. I attached it with a jump ring.

I added some Dew Drops for shine, as well as Crystal Effects on each flower.

I'm trying to do something on the inside of each card. For this one, I simply stamped the cherry blossoms on the inside.

Stamps: Eastern Blooms (SU)
Paper: Whisper White cardstock, Purely Pomegrante textured, Bali Breeze DSP (SU)
Ink: Purely Pomegrante (SU), Timber Brown Staz-On (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Chocolate Chip marker (SU), CB (Provocraft), Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest), white Glaze pen (Sakura), white ribbon (Offray), PolyShrink (Lucky Squirrel), jump ring (unknown)

you & me (one card, three challenges!)

First of all, if you haven't already, be sure to comment on -->this post<-- to win some blog candy! There are a couple ways to get extra entries, so be sure to increase your luck! The deadline to enter is today (Jan 21) at 11:59pm PST ;)

So, let's get on with the card, shall we? As I hinted in my post title, this card satisfies three challenges:

1. Color Throwdown #CTD26: Kraft, Pink Passion, Black
2. Mojo Monday week #70
3. DCFTL0109, which is actually a challenge for the Dirty Dozen/Alumni on SCS, but I just had to play along! The challenge was to create a Valentine's Day card with texture, but no red (pink is okay)
There's a lot going on, but I don't think the card requires much explanation. I'm really happy with how it turned out!

Stamps: Warm Words (SU), Forever Love (Sugarloaf)
Paper: Whisper White, Pink Passion, Kraft, Basic Black cardstock (SU), patterned paper (unknown)
Ink: Whisper White, Pink Passion, Basic Black (SU)
Accessories: Hemp Twine (SU), Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Perfectly Paisley & Argyle embossing folders, CB (Provocraft), ghost flower (Heidi Swapp), ribbon (Michael's), clear embossing powder (stampcraft), sewing machine (Janome), thread, button (unknown)

As I was assembling the card, I noticed how neat the white thread looks on the black cardstock, creating a nice zig-zag border. I'm filing that idea away for future notice!

I'll be back tomorrow with another crafts room post, and hopefully another scrapbook page (or two!).

Cheers to You

First of all, if you haven't already, be sure to comment on -->this post<-- to win some blog candy! There are a couple ways to get extra entries, so be sure to increase your luck!

Now, onto today's card. As I was browsing my usual blogs, I was struck by this card on Dawn McVey's blog. I absolutely LOVE Dawn's work, and knew I wanted to case that card!

On the OCC blog, today's challenge is to use the emboss resist tutorial. So I decided to give that a try.Like the bow? I've seen it popping up here and there, and wanted to give it a try. I attached the ribbon around the card, and then attached the bow separately. I used redline tape to put it together. I wish I had the 5/8" SU ribbon in Tempting Turqouise, but had to make do with the 1/4".

Not much else to explain here. I blew the dust off of my Colorbox Fluid Chalk inks. Aren't the colours gorgeous? The ink is so creamy, it just glides on. I just swiped it right across my embossed flowers, and buffed it off. Easy peasy card. The clear rhinestones sparkle it up!

Stamps: In the Spotlight, Lots of Thoughts (SU)
Paper: Whisper White (SU)
Ink: Blue Lagoon, Dark Peony, Lime Pastel (Colorbox), VersaMark (Tsukineko)
Accessories: 1 1/4" circle punch, ribbon (SU), rhinestones (Kaiser), clear embossing powder (stampcraft)

I'll be back later with another post about my crafts room: spotlight on punch storage!

The Best is Yet to Be & BLOG CANDY ALERT!!!

UPDATE: The blog candy is closed, the winner is Chelle!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yup, I've finally got the blog candy put together. You'll find all the details at the end of this post. I can hear you all groaning. Yeesh. Just look at my pretty card, and then you can find out how you can win! ;)

This card is for several challenges:

- The OCC colour challenge (two shades of blue and a neutral)
- Cuttlebug Be Inspired #14 (use your favourite embossing folder)
- Jen @ i{heart}2stamp's blog candy card challenge (make cards for international students at Dallas Baptist University); I plan to send along some other cards that I've had in my stash for a while - might as well put them to good use!

I was also inspired by a couple of my favourite craftsters, Faith (Stampin' With Markie's Mom) who has a style all her own, and Heather (pine is here), who is the Kraft paper queen!

It's hard to see, but I embossed the largest label and the sentiment with the paisley CB embossing folder. I love the idea of the paisley folder, but don't use it enough. I think I'm going to make another card with it, as you just don't see enough of it with this card. Originally I was going to use a larger label, but changed my mind on the design. Hence the reason you can't see to much of it!

To make the ribbon buckle, I used my Crop-a-Dile to punch three holes side-by-side. The Crop-a-Dile is useful for this because it has guides for the hole punches, so you can be sure they're all punched in a line. I just used my small snips to clean up the part that's showing. Here's a close-up (before embossing):
Stamps: Best Yet, Simply Said (SU)
Paper: Whisper White, Blue Bayou, Kraft cardstock, Soft Sky textured cardstock (SU)
Ink: Whisper White, Blue Bayou (SU)
Accessories: Designer Label punch, Soft Sky ribbon (SU), Labels Two and Large Standard Circles Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Perfect Paisley embossing folder, CB (Provocraft), Crop-a-Dile (WeRMemoryKeepers), White Glaze pen (Sakura), brads (unknown)

Okay, here's what you've been waiting for - the blog candy!

I'm celebrating my blogaversary (which was in November - whoops!) and 5000 hits. Well, I was supposed to celebrate 5000 hits, but I'm two months late. And since then, I've jumped to 7409 hits! So yay, let's celebrate my 7409 hits! ;)

There is a chipboard alphabet and coordinating die cut flowers from K&Company, the Snow Fun cut & emboss set from Provocraft, and some dimensionals and sticky stars.
For a single entry, just make a comment on this post. That's it!

For a second entry, post about this giveaway on your blog, and post a another comment here with the link.

But wait, there's more! (said in my best infomercial voice) For two MORE entries, participate in Jen's challenge and post a comment here with a link to your card(s).

I'll give you all a week to play, to give you time to get your card(s) done for Jen's challenge. So make sure you post your comments by January 21, 2008 at 11:59pm PST. Make sure your email is available in your profile, or leave it in your comment.

Good luck!

Cuttlebugged Christmas

This is based on Mojo Monday #65. I wanted to use a bunch of new stuff, so I incorporated what I could. I also wanted to use the Treetops cut & emboss kit, which I bought MONTHS ago, and haven't used for a single Christmas card this year. Whoops?

The little charm is using PolyShrink! I LOVE this stuff, and can't wait to use it more. I punched out the circle, punched a 3/16" hole, stamped the "snowflake" in StazOn, and used my heat gun to shrink it. Man, that's fun! It looks like it's going to fold up and not work, but just be patient. There are some good tips on the Lucky Squirrel website. I attached it with a silver jump ring.

The rest of the card is fairly obvious. I used my new Nesties for the large circles. It's hard to see, but the white circle is embossed with Swiss Dots.

Stamps: Cute Converse, In the Spotlight (SU)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Blue Bayou cardstock, Soft Sky textured cardstock (SU)
Ink: Blue Bayou (SU), Timber Brown StazOn (Tsukineko)
Accessories: White ribbon, 1 1/4" circle punch, Word Window punch (SU), Large & Small standard circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Swiss Dots & Snowflakes embossing folder, Treetops cut & emboss kit, Cuttlebug (Provocraft), dew drops (The Robin's Nest), jump ring (Blue Moon Beads), PolyShrink (Lucky Squirrel), Heat tool (Marvy Uchida), Crop-o-dile (We R Memory Keepers)

A Holiday Hello

You MUST check out this recipe on Julie's blog, Paper Pleasing Ideas. Yum, yum, yum! I'm definitely making some this year.

So anyway, I've got a card in the works, but it involves a lot of trimming, so I put it aside for a bit, and threw this together (I'm an instant gratification kinda gal).
I stamped the poinsettia with VersaMark, and then dumped on Heat and Stick powder and heated it up. It makes a kind of glue so that you can add glitter (and it will stick). I sprinkled red glitter in the middle, and then (what I thought was) bronze glitter on the leaves. I stamped the sentiment in VersaMark, and covered with black embossing powder. Then I just heated the whole thing.

So it turns out I have bronze embossing powder, NOT bronze glitter. Oh well, it still worked.

TIP: After you load your stamp with VersaMark, load it with an ink that matches your embossing powder (so stamp in VersaMark, then immediately stamp in your ink - the VersaMark won't damage your ink pad, and you'll have a coloured sticky image!). That way, once you emboss it, if you miss a few tiny spots, you won't be able to see them! I did NOT do that here (for the sentiment) and I wish I did.

To finish it off, I edged the panel with a metallic leafing pen, and mounted it on a white cardstock base. It almost looks like a single layer card!

Stamps: Elegant Christmas (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Whisper White (SU)
Ink: VersaMark (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Heat and Stick powder (SU), Copper Leafing Pen (Krylon), black embossing powder (Ranger), red glitter, bronze embossing powder (unknown)

A sketch and a card

Have you noticed all the dry embossed lines on cards lately? Usually done with a ScorPal, but easily replicated with a scoring blade on a paper trimmer.

I was thinking of how to use them, and came up with this sketch, which is JJSC04. The lighter grey is for the layers. The darkest grey is the card base. The two skinny lines are meant to be score lines, but don't have to be.So taking that sketch, and wanting to use my new brayer, I came up with this:
Of course, I couldn't easily capture the score lines. Click on the photo to see them close-up.

I created the main image using glossy paper. I stamped on it with the circle/dot stamps using Versamark, and then brayered my ink (from my spectrum pad) right on top. I let it sit for a few seconds, then buffed with a paper towel. The ink doesn't stick to the Versamark!

I found the funky blue pom-pom fibre in my stash, and decided I HAD to use it. See Leanne, I am using stuff, instead of hoarding it!

I'd love for you to give the sketch a try. If you do, please leave me a comment with a link to it!

Stamps: Polkadots and Paisley (SU), Circle and Dots (Inkadinkado)
Paper: glossy paper (Ranger), white and blue cardstock (unknown)
Ink: Soft Sky (SU), Blue Lagoon Fluid Chalk (ColorBox), Hydrangea spectrum pad (Ranger Big & Juicy)
Accessories: Wide oval punch (SU), corner punch (EK Success), trimmer (Fiskars), fibre (unknown)