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!