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)

Dotty for you

I was thinking about doing that rainbow butterfly card (you know, the Martha one that everyone is doing), but I only have one butterfly punch, and I wanted to be different (of course). So when I saw Dawn's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge 2, I knew what I would do.

Stamps: none!
Paper: Whisper White, Taken with Teal, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip cardstock (SU)
Ink: none!
Accessories: 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1 1/4" circle punches, Love & Happiness rub-on (SU) 1 1/8" circle punch (EK Success), D'Vine Swirls, Swiss Dots, Tiny Bubbles, Perfectly Paisley, Snowflakes, Christmas Ornaments embossing folders, CB (Provocraft)

Yes, I used Christmas embossing folders! The cute designs in the Snowflake and Ornaments folders are perfect for the circles. I popped up a few here and there, to add more interest. A simple rub-on finished it off. Easy-peasy!

Some sweet blog candy!

Check out Carolina's birthday blog candy giveaway. It includes a super sweet lip balm holder WITH a mirror - how cool is that?

Fixed it.

Don't laugh Carrie. I couldn't help it. See the post below for the new version.

What's New, Pussycat?

When I saw the TCP Tuesday sketch (TCPTUES51), I knew which set I wanted to use. Of course halfway through the card, I realized that the circle was supposed to be the sentiment. Oh well!

ETA: Haha, now I know why I did that - Jen did for her sample card too ;)

I also had Stamp Simply #80 (ssnotime80) in mind, which is to mix dots (or stripes) with other patterns. All the paper (except the Kraft) has a pattern on it, so I think I managed to do that! I'm counting the blue/yellow one as the dots, although it's got a grid pattern as well.

To make the sentiment window, I used my Word Window punch several times. The Key Tag punch as just a tad too big, so I created my own version!

To fit the space theme, I added lots of glitter with my Sakura glitter pen, and orange rhinestones on the "hubcaps" and around the sentiment. I popped up most of the layers as well, to give lots of dimension.

Stamps: It's a Mod, Mod World (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Kraft cardstock (SU), pp (Creative Memories)
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Going Grey (SU)
Accessories: Word Window punch (SU), Stardust glitter pen (Sakura), rhinestones (Kaiser), circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), CB (Provocraft)

Hmm...something was bugging me about this card, and I just realized what it is. The scalloped circle just doesn't fit with the "mod retro" theme, which is what I was going for, with that fun cube paper. Drat! Oh well, I'll remember that for next time.

Uh, so I couldn't leave it. Here's the card without the scallops. Much better!

DT call at Paper Popsicles!

Thinking about applying for a design team? Paper Popsicles is having a DT call!

"We are looking for fun, enthusiastic, and creative paper crafters to join our Design Team. Our design team motivates, inspires, and supports our online community. We are looking for paper crafters of all skill levels, with or without design team experience. Paper Popsicles kits and store products appeal to a wide audience, so we're looking for all type of scrappers... from traditional to chic. We are accepting applicants from the U.S. & Canada. this time."

Read all about it here. The deadline to enter is April 30.

Longing for a drink with an umbrella

The card says it all.
The sketch is from StampTV's sketch challenge, STVSC4. I decided to use the fun pineapple from Aloha Paradise. Doesn't it look yummy? I want to be on a beach right now, sipping an umbrella drink ;)

The colouring took the longest time, as I was trying some shading. To create the star accents, I simply inked the star (from the 'O' in the sentiment) with a black marker, and stamped them.

While colouring the coconut, I decided to over colour, so the paper would get too wet, and become distressed (you know how the top layer starts to come off?) because I thought it looked like a coconut husk! It's hard to see in the photo, of course.

I was thinking of adding some sparkle, but I just didn't think it would work with the colours.

Stamps: Aloha Paradise (Penguin Pants Stamps)
Paper: Whisper White cardstock (SU)
Ink: Summer Sun, More Mustard, Wild Wasabi, Close to Cocoa (SU), Noir Black (Palette)
Accessories: Blender Pen, black marker (SU)

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.

A little birdie told me...

...I'm back! I felt I needed a small break for a few days, but tonight I was happy to sit down in my crafts room tonight and whip up a quick card. And this one did come together quite quickly, thanks to Amy's Friday night sketch #53 (AMYRS1).
I paper pierced the bird (I love how it looks with the birds from this set!), and added Crystal Effects to his flower.

Stamps: A Little Birdie Told Me (SU)
Paper: Whisper White, Old Olive cardstock, Hawaiian Ginger DSP (SU), brown textured cardstock (Bazzil), orange paper (unknown)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Groovy Guava (SU)
Accessories: Old Olive marker, Chocolate Chip ribbon, Crystal Effects (SU), circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Swiss Dots embossing folder, Cuttlebug (Provocraft), brown flower (Imaginisce), corner rounder punch (EK Success), Dew Drops (Robin's Nest), green/orange flowers (unknown)

And the winner is...

Random.org picked #18 as the winner of my 10,000 hits blog candy giveaway.

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Shelley said...

So far I've only ever used the rubber stamps, so I guess that would be my answer. However, I'm not opposed to trying the acrylic ones.

March 12, 2009 3:29 PM

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Congratulations Shelley! I'm glad you'll have the opportunity to try some non-rubber stamps. I hope you enjoy using them! I've emailed you for your address.

Thank you to everyone who entered :)