happy B-day

I feel like I've been away from my crafts room for so long that I'm starting anew. I had to sit down and reacquaint myself with everything. Oh, and put away a few things I've bought over the last month!

Speaking of things I've bought...

I decided I'd jump in with a sketch from 2 Sketches 4 You, Kazan's sketch #36. Most of the supplies on this card are from the Explore kit by We R Memory Keepers.

Stamps: none
Paper: Really Rust cardstock (SU), patterned paper (We R Memory Keepers)
Ink: Walnut Stain Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories: Spiral punch (SU), 2.5" & 3" circle punches (Marvy), stickers, ribbon (We R Memory Keepers), brads (Karen Foster), wavy-edged scissors (Provocraft)

I'm sure I've mentioned that my crafts room is a haven for my 3.5 year-old daughter. This is a card she made for her best friend's birthday. I helped with the layout and stamping, she took over after that. We added some Stickles as a last step (she wants to use my "sparkles" on everything!)

Where I've been...

Lots of scrapbooking to follow!

Vacation 2007

Yeah, I know. Posts have been scarce lately. It's the end of summer, what can I say? Hopefully I'll get back into the swing of things come fall.

And yes, I've finally scrapped some photos from our Feb 2007 trip to Mexico. The disappointing part? These are photos for my mother-in-law's album. I haven't even started ours yet. Whoops!

Anyway, I was inspired by this pail/shovel die cut that I have (and used on another page) so I ended up hand cutting all of the embellishments for this page, aside from the flip-flops and title (stickers).

All products are Creative Memories (oh, I forgot about the marker for the journalling, which is Marvy).

ETA: Since posting this, I realized that I forgot that I wanted to add something to the last page. So imagine that along the right side of the top photo is the caption "The original squishy-face" in the same blue marker as the journalling. I'm too lazy to take another photo.

Win one of THREE Basic Grey paper collections!

Check out Craft Critique for all the details. But back off, they're mine!!!

celebrate U

Still working on the Mojo Monday turns 100 sketches. I skipped ahead to day 7, because I knew right away what I wanted to do.
The smaller squares of DSP were easy to punch out with a 1" square punch, but my 1 1/4" square punch was too big for the Old Olive mats for each of them, so I just used my trimmer to get the right size.

Lots of distressing, including crumpling the main image and smoothing it back out (a bit). I also put my trusty dollar-store crimper to work on the image layers...when's the last time you used YOURS? ;)

Three large eyelets and some twine finish it off.

Stamps: All About U (SU)
Paper: Whisper White, Soft Sky, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Blue Bayou cardstock, Spring BreakDSP (SU)
Ink: Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Pumpkin Pie (SU)
Accessories: Hemp twine (SU), 1" punch (EK Success), eyelets (Making Memories), crimper (dollar store)

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)

Thanks for all that you do

This card was inspired by Mojo Monday Week 100 (day 1) and Color Throwdown #55.

I don't have the new in colours, so I substituted Summer Sun and Pixie Pink for Crushed Curry and Melon Mambo.
The main image and sentiment are rub-ons (see Carrie, I'm trying to use them!). I made the card slightly larger than normal (it's 6.5 x 4.5) to fit an envelope I already had. I also stamped on the envelope (you can see it under the card) and on the inside of the card (I lined it with white cardstock and a strip of the yellow).

Stamps: Eastern Blooms (SU)
Paper: Whipser White, Kraft, Pixie Pink, Summer Sun cardstock (SU), black cardstock (Bazzil)
Ink: Pixie Pink, Summer Sun (SU)
Accessories: Hidden Garden and Chit Chad rub-ons, Scalloped circle & 1 3/4" circle punch (SU), Scalloped circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Floral Screen embossing folder, CB (Provocraft), 1 1/2" circle punch (Marvy), paper piercer (Making Memories), Design Ruler (Tim Holtz), ribbon (unknown)

Tropical Birthday

Two cards I made for my husband's birthday (the big 4-0!). Both made using Penguin Pants stamps - unfortunately they've recently gone out of business :(


Stamps: So Many Sayings (SU), Aloha Paradise (Penguin Pants Stamps)
Paper: Whipser White, Old Olive cardstock (SU)
Ink: Basic Brown, Close to Cocoa, So Saffron, More Mustard, Old Olive, Wild Wasabi, Tempting Turquoise, Blue Bayou (SU)
VersaMark (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Word Window Punch, sponges, brad (SU), White Glaze pen (Sakura),VersaMark pen (Tsukineko), heat tool (Marvy Uchida), clear embossing powder (Ranger), 1 1/2" circle punch (Marvy)


Stamps: Aloha Paradise (Penguin Pants Stamps)
Paper: Whipser White, Wild Wasabi, River Rock cardstock, Groovy Guava textured cardstock (SU)
Ink: So Saffron, Wild Wasabi, Groovy Guava, More Mustard (SU)
Accessories: Mega Curved Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), CB (Provocraft), lime ribbon (Michael's)

And even more blog candy!

This time it's from Denise. She's giving away a big pile of goodies - check it out!

Holy blog candy, Batman!

Check out Bev's blog candy giveaway. It's H-U-G-E!!!

Congrats on 400K hits, Bev!

Shimmer flowers

Here's another of those images from Jill. This time I used metallic chalks to give it a soft, shimmery look. The card is based off of Kazan's Sketch #32.
I distressed the edges of the white and green layers, and added a big knot to the ribbon.

Stamps: French Script (SU), not sure (from Jill)
Paper: Lavender Lace, Whipser White, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery cardstock (SU)
Ink: Pretty in Pink (SU), not sure (from Jill)
Accessories: Glimmer Chalks (Craf-T), Mega Curved Rectangle nesties (Spellbinders), Birds and Swirls embossing folder, Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), ribbon (unknown)

Remember me?

Uh yeah. I'm still around. Haven't done much crafting, have you heard about the heatwave we had? Oh, and I'm at the tail-end of a two week vacation. And my garden is seriously neglected. So not much time in the crafts room!

Anyway, I was organizing the other day, and found some images that Jill had sent me waaaaay back when. And I coloured a couple of them, and even made a really simple card with one.

I couldn't decide on a sentiment, so I left it blank. But it will go just above the knot in the ribbon (and the two scored lines), to the left of the image panel.

Stamps: not sure (from Jill)
Paper: Old Olive, Whipser White, Basic Black cardstock, Old Olive DSP (SU)
Ink: not sure (from Jill)
Accessories: Old Olive ribbon, Metallic pencil crayons (SU), scoring blade (Fiskars), Mega Curved Rectangle nesties (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug (Provo Craft)

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 ()

Babies are Trouble

This card is for Mojo Monday week 94 and Color Throwdown #50. I had to flip the sketch to work with the layout of the quote.

The quote makes me laugh. It's SO true!

My Real Red ink spot is driving me nuts. It doesn't dry, and then gets my fingers red (not good when you're working with white paper!)

Stamps: Cuddles & Tickles, Riveting (SU)
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise cardstock, Wild Wasabi textured cardstock, East Coast Prep DSP (SU)
Ink: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise (SU)
Accessories: red striped ribbon, Wide Oval Punch (SU), Cuttlebug, Argyle Swirls embossing folder (Provo Craft), mini brads (unknown), paper piercer (Making Memories), vellum quote (Flair Designs)

Brown Umbrella

What? Two cards in one night? Yup, that's right! Scroll down for another card after this one.

This is for another sketch, this one from Mojo Monday #93.
Stamps: Blooming with Happiness, Simply Said (SU)
Paper: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip cardstock, Berry Bliss DSP (SU)
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip (SU)
Accessories: white ribbon, Wide Oval Punch (SU), Cuttlebug, D'Vine Swirls embossing folder (Provo Craft), lg Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders) brads (unknown)

I debated whether I should add anyting to the umbrella, but in the end I left it nice and simple. Don't you love the handle on it? Makes me think Mary Poppins is going to float down with it from the sky.

I wasn't sure how to frame the sentiment. This was my first version:
I created the scallops beind it like this:
But in the end I went with the plain oval.I don't have a scalloped oval punch/Nesties, so I hand cut the brown layer.

Oh, and I don't have any rectangle Nesties, so I created a square by cutting out two scallops, and taping it back together:

Pretty Birthday

This card is based on the OCC sketch challenge. I started with the patterned paper, and knew I wanted to use the Argyle embossing folder.
The layers are straight, I swear. The photo is just at a weird angle!

Paper: Whisper White, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Certainly Celery cardstock (SU), pp (K&Company)
Ink: Perfect Plum, Certainly Celery(SU)
Accessories: Certainly Celery ribbon, blender pen (SU), Cuttlebug, Arglye embossing folder (Provo Craft), pearls (Kaiser), brads, flowers (unknown)

celebrate life!

Simple card. I had this rainbow idea floating around in my head, and when I saw a card on Jennifer McGuire's blog, I found the perfect background! (ps In case you can't figure it out, it's the card at the end of her post)

Stamps: So Many Sayings (SU)
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Only Orange, Yoyo Yellow, Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise, Brilliant Blue, Lovely Lilac cardstock (SU)
Ink: Tempting Turquoise (SU)
Accessories: Word Window punch (SU), Lg Circles Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots embossing folder (Provo Craft)

Bright blue and orange

Another card for complementary colours week over at the Hero Arts blog. This time it's blue and orange.
I created the background paper by inking up the large stamp in orange, then wiping away bits and colouring them in with a turquoise marker. Then I spritzed the whole thing with water, to soften it a bit. I embossed it with the Swiss Dots folder for some texture.

After that, I was a bit lost, and tried several things before I settled on this simple layout. It's hard to see, but I scored two lines on the orange layer (between and below the two ribbons). The scallops looked a little plain, so I added some dots with my white Glaze pen.

Not my favourite card, but I tried :p

Stamps: DesignBlock: Stencil, Calligraphy Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper: Whisper White, Only Orange, Tempting Turquoise cardstock (SU)
Ink: Only Orange, Tempting Turquoise (SU)
Accessories: turquoise ribbon, Scalloped Edge punch, 1 1/4" & 1 1/2" circle punch (SU), Swiss Dots embossing folder, Cuttlebug (Provocraft), White Glaze Pen (Sakura)

Simple Wedding

It's complementary colours week over at the Hero Arts blog, and this week the challenge is to create a card using complementary colours. I knew I wanted to try black and white, and also use the DesignBlock: Stencil background stamp that I won from Lisa!

I embossed the flowers stamp with clear powder, and the sentiment with black. This felt like a wedding card, so I did that simple bow-tie ribbon, along with some black gemstones. I saw the layout in the SU catty, and loved how simple it looks!

Stamps: DesignBlock: Stencil, Calligraphy Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper: Whisper White cardstock (SU)
Ink: VersaMark (Tsukineko)
Accessories: black ribbon, Scalloped Edge punch (SU), Black gemstones (Hero Arts), Clear and black embossing powder (Ranger)

Let the relaxation begin!

We went to a retirement lunch at the last minute today, so I quickly whipped up this card. It is based on three challenges!

1. Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #9 Grass green, cream, black
2. Paper Popsicles Card Challenge #3 (masculine card, decorated on the inside)
3. Mojo Monday Week #90 sketch


I wanted the dotted circle thing (one of the trees from Trendy Trees) to be the sun on top, but also wanted to follow the colour scheme, so I just embossed with Versamark on the Very Vanilla paper.

As usual, I just eyed the tree trunk/tree boughs placement. Close enough! ;)

I love how it ended up looking like some sort of shield. Cooh, huh?

Stamps: Congrats, Trendy Trees (SU)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi (regular and textured) cardstock (SU), black (Bazzil)
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Basic Black (SU), VersaMark (Tsukineko)
Accessories: 1 1/8" circle punch, Top Note die (SU), Labels II Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), clear embossing powder (StampCraft), 1" circle punch (Marvy)

Monogrammed Wedding

Hiya! Sorry I've been away, it's been a crazy month. First I was busy at work, then the trip to the UK, then I've been trying to keep up with our gardens (with no luck, there's too much to do!). The weather has been super hot, so I've been outside, rather than in my crafts room!

Anyway, I started cleaning it up tonight, and will have some new stuff to post soon!

Meanwhile, I made this card for a friend's wedding. The handmade paper and ribbon are from the wedding invite. I thought it would be nice to use them on the card (I got this idea from another friend, who did that for my wedding!)
I had this card made a while ago, but didn't want to post it until I gave it to them. Of course I forgot to bring it to the wedding, so it's in the mail now. I figure I'm safe ;)

The card is based off of this Paper Popsicles sketch and this Cuttlebug challenge. Both of which ended weeks ago, but I didn't want to post the card early. Oh well!

Stamps: Linen (SU), Curlzand Brayton fonts (JustRite)
Paper: Perfect Plum cardstock (SU), handmade (unknown)
Ink: Perfect Plum, Almost Amethyst (SU)
Accessories: Wide Oval punch (SU), D'Vine Swirls embossing folder, Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), pearls (Kaiser), ribbon/flowers (unknown)

I'm not here.

Literally!

I'm about 4600 miles (7400 KM) from my crafts room right now. Hence the reason I haven't posted in a while.

I'm in the UK for work, and won't be back for another week. And I'm DYING to get in my crafts room! So hopefully I'll have something to post shortly after I return. I hate unpacking, so I'll just head straight to my paper and scissors! ;)

In the meantime, here are some more blog candy giveaways to keep you entertained!

All That Scraps is giving away a $25 gift certificate AND you get to see sneak peeks of the new Cuttlebug embossing folders!!!

Check out the updated Spritz from Shimmerz Paints. And a chance to win!

And even more blog candy

Jacqui is celebrating hitting 90K hits with some awesome blog candy. Hop on over and check it out!

Amazing blog candy

Check it out! Debbie is celebrating her birthday in grand style, with an unbelievable blog candy giveaway!

Happy birthday Debbie!

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!

Hungry for something sweet?

Check out all this blog candy!

Melanie is giving away a set of metallic papers from the Paper Temptress! (draw is weekend of May 9th)
Dawn is giving away one of her Damask Designs stamp sets!!! (hurry, draw is May 6th, 6pm CST)
Alex is giving away an awesome package of goodies (not sure of the draw date)

ps. I know, it's been a while. I'm working on a special project, hope to be finished soon. I'd like to get a card or two done in the meantime, we'll see.

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)