Crop Connention-Winter 2012

Oh my gosh...I had no idea I had let my blog slide for so long. Though my card making has slowed down I've still been making them AND buying "stuff". As with newbie scrapbookers, I'll not get overwhelmed with what all I NEED to post and just jump in and do the most recent and work back. So here goes...

Guess I'll always attend these crops as long as I can afford it no matter how active I am in my crafting. Crop Connection never lets me down and I can hardly stand not getting with my close friends for a weekend of fun. Unless you crop in any way, you'll just not understand the need. The theme this time was "moustache". They had the cutest things for us relating to moustaches and "must I asche" lines including a great photo drop using the cutest moustaches, ties and glasses...soooo stinking cute!


The entire group.


The original crazies...and yeah, Terri accidentally broke the frame...but it became a funnier pic trying to hold it in place.

My winning card, photo and bootie. It's hard to see but there are Stickles inside and out. Touch of sparkle always takes the cake!


Inside



A special friend whom I admire to the nth degree. She's such an inspiration...love ya, Barbara!

I'll be so glad when my hair grows back out. It totally has a mind of its own.

They always have a surprise snack. This time it was an eatable shaving kit. I didn't take pictures but really wish I had. It consisted of cream cheese, raisins and cranberries, warm caramel sauce and salty crackers (I think that was all). I will try anything but this just didn't seem like it went together; BUT I was so wrong! That was one of the most amazing things I've tasted and wanted more and more and more...sooooo good!! We were also treated with frozen yogurt which was yummy, too. Though the food is generally the worst in the world FOR you, convenience and taste usually overrides any doubt of why you shouldn't partake. Great job CC Ladies!!

Many nonedible goodies were a constant. I'm learning how to use these more and more in my card crafting. But it's a scrappers paradise. You just can't beat the money spent for this fabulous weekend!! See you this summer, girls!

I'll be posting some cards soon, so come back and visit.

Summer Crop Connection

Let me just say that the Summer Crop Connection was not a disappointment. These ladies do an excellent job despite trials thrown their way. Good job, Deanna, Andrea and Ms. Nadine! I was excited to share my table with two ladies that meshed well with my personality, humor and skills. It was so much fun. We laughed together, ate together and made pretty things all weekend. As it turned out, I met several new friends and strengthened some relationships of ladies I barely knew. I was even asked to be included in a group of ladies that share 6x6 scrapbook pages of themselves. What an honor! I thank you and can hardly wait to start making some to hand out next time. Go "Sisters"!! One thing I really like about this event is that it is filled with fun and laughter whether you end up being productive or not. And, of course, there are contests that you can enter if you'd like to. Nothing is pushed on you and you don't have to participate if you don't want to. There is NO stress here and this makes it a wonderful time.

This event had a theme of birds and flowers. Everything was decorated so nice and I LOVE it when I first walk in and see all the pretty things they have in line for us...starting with our table. Here is what greeted us and absolutely stole my heart:


I love daisies and these little Gerbers were so happy to see us and bring us lots of joy. Thanks, Ladies, this is one of my favorite gifts! This picture is about 3 days away from the little flowers' freshest day. Actually, on the other side of the little green "stand" is a little message that reads "Welcome". I could hardly wait to set it in our camper to brighten our days as long as the little flower lived.

As I said above there were contests. There is one that is a Card Contest. I think they created it for me as this is all that I do. But I enjoy being around other ladies that love to play with the same toys I do, so I come to the Crop. I won First Place with this card:


In the last few days I've been enjoying making white-on-white cards. They are so elegant to me. So I pulled out my dies, embossing folder and tiny black pearls to make this. What do you think?

I want to leave you with some pictures of the event. I hope you can join us next time cause it is a WHOLE LOT OF FUN!!! Enjoy the slide made in honor of the flower theme and all my sweet friends.

Happy Stamping & Cropping!

It's Challenge Time!

This time of year is filled with weddings and I'm loving making white-on-white cards. Today I used my new Rose Creations Spellbinders Dies. I think they turned out pretty.

The card base is white with a white Textile embossed panel on top. Beautiful white lacy ribbon was wrapped around the embossed piece. A small silver foil 4" doily was gently placed on top. This little doily is so fragile and will show the least bit of bending or tearing. Luckily, mine turned out perfect. A Nestie circle was cut and embossed and placed over the center. Three different sized roses were layered with dimensionals in between them. I curled up the petals a little. A large rhinestone was placed in the center. Before placing the rose down, I punched several white leaves and taped them around the bottom of the circle, then I added the completed rose on another dimensional to the center. These cards are identical except for the last part where I used a double butterfly on one and a double dove on the other. The top was attached only to the center of the bottom butterfly or dove so I could raise the wings for a three-dimension look. The butterfly was adorned with tiny graduating pearls and the dove can now see with its tiny rhinestone eye. I rarely make two cards alike but had two weddings to do and I loved how the first one turned out so I duplicated it for the other that I needed. I enjoyed making and sharing them with you.



Paper: White
Stamps: PTI Big & Bold Wishes (inside) "Mr. & Mrs."
Ink: Memento Black (inside)
Other: Rhinestones, pearls, Textile EF, 4" Silver Doily, Lace Ribbon, MS leaf and dove punches, Rose Creation Spellbinder Dies, and lots of dimensionals

These will be submitted in several challenges:
Charisma Cards Challenge - Flower
Bloggers Challenge - Flower
Creative Craft Challenge - Flower
Frosted Design - Ribbon, rhinestones, pearls
Digi Doodle - Butterfly
Flutterby Wednesday - Butterfly
Try it on Tuesday - Flower
Hooked on Crafts - Love

Summer Card Camp Week 1

This week's Online Card Class for the Summer Card Camp (Week 1) is up-and-running. I am really enjoying each day's e-mails. There is so much information it's almost too much to take in. It's so exciting to see what all these ladies have in store for us "campers".

This card is a repeat of one I did a while back but I absolutely love it AND it fits the color combo for this week's challenge. We are to use summer colors: purple, pink, orange, sky blue and white. So needless to say, this card flew into my mind. Next thing I know...it's a repeat. But it makes me smile with all the summery lollipop colors...and just look at that warm yellow ribbon! Doesn't this just smack happiness??


Well, I had to add yellow and red. It just brought the other colors together so well. I used the Spotlight Technique. And can you believe NO stamps!

Stamps: None
Paper: Sweet (DCVW), Yellow, White
Other: Sheer yellow ribbon, Red Rhinestone (SU), clear rhinestones, dimensionals, circle Nesties, Jumbo Petite Scallop border (Spellbinders), Dotted Swiss EF

This is a real sparkly and happy card. What do you think?

Make It Monday #16

Sympathy cards are a needed part of life. Though they are not something you "want" to pick up and do, I've learned to have at least a couple of them in my stash. Sometimes there just isn't time to sit down and do one when I need it.

These two are simple and submitted for Papertrey Ink's Sympathy Card Challenge called "Make It Monday #16". Using a sympathy type phrase and one of their stamp sets, I came up with these.


This one I used a black card base with an ivory layer on top that has been lightly stamped with the Background Basics: Text Style (love this set) on the top third in Basic Gray ink. The flowers from the Rose Creations Spellbinder Dies were cut from gray cardstock and stacked and attached together with a pewter brad. The butterflies were punched using the MS Triple Butterfly Punch, a punch I keep on my desk, my fave. I didn't want anything shiny on this card since it is to declare a serene feel of sympathy to it.

I dry embossed two double lines on the bottom third leaving enough space to stamp "With Sympathy" between them. A wide piece of black grosgrain ribbon was placed around the ivory panel. Tiny black Kaiser pearls were placed in the butterfly bellies and randomly put on the card.

Stamps: PTI: Background Basics: Text Style, Out On A Limb Sentiments
Ink: Basic Gray (SU)
Paper: Basic Black, Ivory, Going Gray (SU)
Other: Black Kaiser Pearls, Pewter Brads, Martha Stewart Triple Butterfly Punch, Rose Creations Spellbinders Nestabilities, Black Grosgrain Ribbon (unk)


The last two are the same with different ribbons and ink. Using patterened paper, I covered the bottom half of a white card base folded lengthwise over. I wrapped a sheer olive colored ribbon on one and a black sheer ribbon on the other covering the patterned paper line. "Praying For You" was stamped in Always Artichoke and Memento Black. Emphasis was placed on the card's meaning.

Stamps: PTI: Damask Designs
Paper: White, Patterned Paper
Ink: Always Artichoke, Memento Black
Other: Sheer Olive Green and Black Ribbons

Sympathy cards are a necessary part of life and must be dealt with. Thanks PTI for the challenge and for visiting my blog.

CCEE1107

When I saw the challenge at CCEE, I knew I had to participate. I admit, this is the first time I've scored on a card. I have a board but usually use embossing folders when I want to have that dry embossed look. It is actually my favorite look and is how I started making cards. At that time, before embossing folders and Cuttlebugs, I used a stylus, light table and brass templates...it's such an elegant touch to even the simplest design.

This is a sympathy card and those, to me, should be simple in design so the focus can be centered around the person/circumstance as oppose to the card maker. In my honest opinion!

Only two cardstocks are used: SU's Very Vanilla and Creamy Caramel. Creamy Caramel anything was my favorite go-to neutral. I absolutely hate that SU retired it. I believe it is to their detriment. A flourish image was lightly stamped using Versamark ink to give a subtle image to go with the sentiment, again, trying to keep the emphasis on "Praying for you". Three lines were scored at the top. A narrow piece of ivory organdy ribbon was tied and wrapped around the panel then the sentiment was stamped in Basic Brown with three tiny pearls placed underneath it.


Stamps: Sketchy Flourishes (Inkadinkado), Damask Designs (PTI)
Paper: SU Very Vanilla and Creamy Caramel
Ink: Versamark, Basic Brown (SU)
Other: MS Scoring Board and stylus, Vanilla organdy ribbon, pearls (SU)

Hope you enjoy it.

Getting Crafty

I love this little crafty set by PTI. It's called Studio Style. The sentiments are perfect for the way I feel most of the time. I have a love relationship with my stamps and this set expressed me all over.

For this card, I chose to make it vintage style. I had a scrap piece of this paper that looks like it's been stitched and from there, the card took off. The base is Baja Breeze (SU). The dsp was cut in 3 strips with some space in between them and placed on the base. I colored my little jar of buttons with various Copics. Isn't that little jar just the cutest thing?? After stamping the jar and sentiment in Basic Brown (SU) they were die cut and embossed with the accompanying larger scallop layer underneath them. I got some of this old lace from a vendor at a crop I recently attended and thought it's proportion went perfect with the paper and jar size. Cute tiny buttons I've had 4-evah were placed at the bottom of the sentiment. Inside it reads: "I thought we were just collecting them!" Such a cute stamp set. The edges of the card inside and out were smudged with Antique Linen Distress Ink. Love those inks, too! What do you think??


Stamps: Studio Style
Paper: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, White, DSP scrap
Ink: Antique Linen Distress Ink, Basic Brown (SU) and various Copics
Other: Spellbinders square, rectangle and scallop Nesties, old lace, old buttons.

A Little Spring

I really enjoyed making this little card. I LOVE Papertrey Ink products and used several on this one. When purchasing the triple window die I wondered if I would ever really use it. So when I got it, the Take Three: Spring stamp set just jumped in the box with it. Well, not exactly. But now that I have it I can see it being used a lot. Gotta get more of those Take Three sets. Hey, PTI, make more stamps that fit inside this cute die!! I love that the die has soft rounded corners. As a bonus, you have the squares to use, too. Go PTI!! Getting more bang for your buck. The images in the Take Threes sets fit perfectly inside these little windows...I mean perfectly. Sorry about my finger in the picture...I couldn't get it to stay closed without something holding it that way.


The card base is Certainly Celery and has dsp on top. I did not distress it, it came that way and I have no idea from what company this is from. It was a sheet I've had for a while and only pieces were left of it. I love the look and had to have it. You know what I mean, you have these things, too. I covered the base with the dsp then die cut it using PTI's triple window die. It cut through both pieces like butter. Their dies are great. Have I told you yet that I love PTI? (Wish everything I use was theirs...BUT...it's getting there.) Take Three: Spring little birdies were stamped inside the dies. The card was closed when I did this so as to get a perfect alignment inside the cut outs. A piece of antique lace was placed across the top, then using Spellbinders heart dies I cut two graduating hearts out of PTI's wonderful felt. A light green pearl brad was placed in the center of them. They were placed at an angle on top of the lace. Clear rhinestones were used for the little birdie's eyes. Inside the little flower in this set is randomly stamped and "Celebrate You" was put in the corner. I love the way this turned out and hope you do, too.

Thank you for leaving me some love! It's always appreciated...

Stamps: Take Three: Spring (PTI)
Paper: Certainly Celery (SU), unknown dsp
Ink: Ruby Red (SU)
Other: Felt and triple window die (PTI), Spellbinders heart dies, green pearl brad (Recollections), clear rhinestones, lace.

SC318 & CC308

Today I have a couple of cards for two challenges on Splitcoast. The first challenge is for Color Challenge 308 to use River Rock, Gray and White. The second one is for Sketch Challenge 318 on Wednesdays.

I wanted to make the first card more subtle than the second one so the main image got a softer, shadowed look. The image was lightly stamped in white pigment ink onto Basic Gray cardstock. This piece was placed in the upper left corner with paper piercing in the lower right corner. The punched butterfly was lightly stamped in River Rock with the French Script stamp. A glue dot was added only to the body of the butterfly to give it flight. Tiny silver rhinestones were added.


The second one I stamped the image more distinct with a piece of satin ribbon around the upper left corner.

Stamps: Take Three: Summer (PTI), French Script (ret. SU)
Paper: White card base, River Rock, Basic Gray
Ink: White pigment, River Rock
Accessories: Satin ribbon, MS butterfly punch, Silver Rhinestones, Paper Piercer, Rectangle Deckle Nestabilities, foam adhesive.

Though I enjoyed making these it was hard to not to more to them. I really like the CAS style. Thank you for looking.

Please Check Back...

It's been a while since I've posted and soooo not my usual but I have some Christmas cards I'm going to post in the next week or so. I've made many cards since the last post, including Thanksgiving ones, and they are ready. As with everyone this time of the year, it's been a busy time. Thank you for being patient! It won't be long.

NOV10VSNI

This challenge is to pop up a sentiment. Well, that field is wide open and when I'm given that many choices I'm practically overwhelmed. I was this time...UNTIL I pulled out one of my new Pure Innocence stamps. Is she not the cutest little girl you've ever seen or what? I love the sentiment that came with it, too.

This was an easy card...believe it or not...at least, it came together easy. The card base is white with another white panel on top of it that has been embossed with the Dotted Swiss EF. My favorite thing to do with these little Pure Innocence stamps is to paper piece. She just looks like pink to me. I first stamped her on white. Then I stamped her clothes on two sister pieces of designer papers. I even paper pieced her little flower on her blouse in the same as the pants.
I cut that piece from a rectangle Nestie and embossed, sponging Summer Sun and Cameo Coral for the sky and Old Olive for the ground. I cut another larger piece from Pretty in Pink and embossed it, too.

After this, I colored her with Copics and glued the clothing pieces on. I used a Fuschia Glitter Marker and colored her barrettes, shoes and the center of her little flower. Because the marker is wide, I went outside the lines a little on her shoes. I couldn't have that, so I thought to cut a little piece of grass to cover them. You can still see the shoes but you don't see the boo-boos...whew!!

Then I stamped the sentiment in Pretty in Pink then again in Rose Red. It kinda gave it a shadow. With the die still in place, I sponged Pretty in Pink around the edges. I had this pretty little pink ribbon so I added it and of course, I had to add some of my favorite butterflies. The sentiment was raised with foam adhesive and placed over the image piece.

I hope you like this card as much as I did making it.


Stamps: Pure Innocence-Being Cute is What I Do (MFT)
Paper: White, Pretty in Pink, Wild Wasabi, misc pattern papers for outfit
Ink: PIP, Rose Red, Summer Sun, Cameo Coral
Misc: Dotted Swiss EF, Rectangle and Circle Nestabilities, Copics, Ribbon, MS Triple Butterfly Punch, Grass die (MFT), foam adhesive

NOV10VSNL

I did this in a hurry and the silver layer got bent. I hate it because it is generally a cute card. This challenge is to use blue and white with a bonus to use silver.

Base card is Bashful Blue. A panel of white embossed Dotted Swiss was placed on the base. A piece of satin white ribbon was wrapped around the card base and tied with a piece of silver cord. The center of a 4" silver doily was cut out and a white circle was placed behind it to give it some stability. The silver piece was a tiny bit larger and since it was so thin it bent a little...grrrr!! An ornament was stamped in Bashful Blue and punched with the accompanying punch. A tiny light blue Kaiser Rhinestone was place din the middle.


Stamps: Ornament set (SU)
Ink: Bashful Blue
Paper: Bashful Blue, white
Misc: 4" Silver Doily, White Satin Ribbon, Silver cord, Blue Kaiser Rhinestone

NOV10VSNH

Great challenge. You are to use the same image three times as a focal point. The first thing that came to my mind were these cute little stockings. This set has a double die for the two different size stockings. How cute is that?? First I die cut three little stockings. Then I took one of the stamps (since the image was to be the same) and stamped them on the die cut using Old Olive. Don't you just love clear stamps? It was so easy to do because you can see through the stamps to the die cut. Then I took a piece of Pure Poppy and Harvest Gold felt and die cut just the top part of the stocking to give me a cuff. I used my scissors to cut the length to fit. Then I added rhinestones, cotton balls and a tiny piece of Real Red ric-rac left over from a previous card and placed on the top of the middle one. Yellow Stickles were used on the ric-rac.

The card base is the next to largest Nestability circle. Be sure to cut it on the fold leaving a little bit of it out of the die to ensure you have a fold for the card. Cut and emboss the largest scalloped Nestability circle. Place this on top of the circular white base. Cut another piece of white and emboss it using the Dotted Swiss EF.

Take the little stockings and place them on the front with the center one raised on foam adhesive. I have the card propped against a styrofoam cup. You cannot see anything underneath the green scalloped piece. Hope you like it.


Stamps: Stocking Prints (PTI)
Ink: Old Olive
Paper: White, Wild Wasabi
Misc: Stocking Die (PTI), Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, mini cotton balls, Rhinestones, Pure Poppy and Harvest Gold Felt (PTI), Dotted Swiss EF, Yellow Stickles

NOV10VSNG2

I don't think I've done a challenge to utilize "white space". I hope I left enough to be acceptably classified. I used another one of PTI's wonderful sets. I wish I owned all of them but as it is I hardly get time to use the ones I have (I have so many and keep an open Shopping Cart all the time...blush, blush).

Base card is white. A piece of Kraft Prints Pack was placed on the lower third of the card. Taupe Kraft Grosgrain ribbon was wrapped around the seam. I had a pack of vintage stickers and used a bow with pearls and a rhinestone. "Amazing Grace" was stamped in Close to Cocoa. A sentiment from the same set was stamped inside. It reads "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. Helen Keller" Let me know what you think.


Stamps: (PTI) Out on a Limb Sentiments
Ink: Close to Cocoa
Paper: White, Kraft Prints Pack (ret. SU)
Misc: Taupe Grosgrain Ribbon (Wal-Mart), Vintage Bow Sticker (Michael's)

NOV10VSNF

This challenge is to make a Thank You card. Base card is black followed by a red panel. A piece of pattern paper was used on the bottom and placed on a white piece of cardstock. I used my new PTI ric-rac die...I LOVE it!! It is so cute and it's long so you can make a long strip. This piece was placed over the seam. I used PTI's Thank You stamp from Big & Bold Wishes. You must get this set. It's great. The inside was lined with white and another strip of red ric-rac. Thanks for looking!


Stamps: (PTI) Big & Bold Wishes
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Black, Real Red, White, Speciality Cardstock (Me & My Big Ideas-black and white stack)
Misc: (PTI) Ric-Rac die

NOV10VSNB

This challenge was to make a card using fabric, cotton, flocking and the sort. I chose this really cute little image. I love this set! I love stamps that make me smile; I enjoy every minute I'm using them just giggling and smiling like I was in grade school again. Okay, I've said it, it doesn't take much for me. If it's cute or whimsical I usually love it.

I believe the set is called "Nikki and Friends"...I'm sorry, I can't remember and it is not listed anywhere. The whole set of three are just adorable. After stamping and coloring with Copics, I added tiny little cotton balls for the snowballs and Stardust Stickles for the snow drifts and on the lake. Don't they look cute just waiting for a skater to come by and whopp 'em one??? Look at the mischieveousness on that face. The base card is Bashful Blue with a white panel embossed with Snow Dots EF. There's a piece of light blue Martha Stewart self adhesive felt borders on the bottom. The main image was cut out using an oval Nestability and embossed. Hope you like it. It was a very fun card to make.


Stamps: "Nikki & Friends"
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Bashful Blue, White
Misc: Mini cotton balls, StarDust Stickles, Copics, various SU inks for sponging sky, Snow Dots EF, Oval Nestability.

Lots of Challenges=Lots of Fun

I have finally completed and photographed all my challenges from VSN this weekend. So far, my Internet connection is holding on. It has been coming and going. I will post each challenge separately so I can link to it directly. Hold on, here goes...

The first one is NOV10VSNA to make a Christmas card without using red or green. I chose this wonderful old time Santa from Flourishes. I used Taken with Teal and Fruit Punch Stickles for my alternative to red and green. Fruit Punch is a pinkish orange, not red. He was stamped in Chocolate Chip and left as a silhouette with his eyes and the berries on his hat stickled. Being left as a subtle image, the sparkle really brings it to life. Base card is white followed by a piece of Kraft embossed with the Textile EF and distressed. Taken with Teal was distressed next and taped down. The main image has been described and was not distressed.


Stamps: Flourishes
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: White, Kraft, Taken with Teal
Other: Textile EF, Teal (don't remember the name) and Fruit Punch Stickles

Thanks for looking.

NOV10VSNJ-On Cloud 9

The theme for VSN today is "On Cloud 9". Hostesses are presenting some good challenges. I'm so excited to be asked to host one of them. My challenge to you is to make a card of something you see in the air. It can be anything from butterflies, birds, trees, skyline, clouds, rain, planes, etc. You can use punches, stamps, stickers, designer papers, rub-ons or chipboard. It's your call. Take it easy and let's see what you got to share.

My first one I used Sahara Sand as a base. I used PTI's Wise Owl set. I stamped the large outline owl on pattern paper and cut it out; as well as the belly of the owl. The belly was raised on the main image. Eyes and nose were stamped on white scrap and black stickles were used on the eyes. When the owl was cut out and put together, foam adhesive was used to make it pop off the card. I used Always Artichoke for SU's Little Leaves and MS's leaf punch. Always Artichoke was also used on top of the base card. The ivory on top of that was embossed with Cuttlebug EF Distressed Stripes. I've always thought it looked kind of like a woodgrain pattern. I put Green Organdy Ribbon (SU ret.) across the bottom with Ivory Grosgrain on top of it and attached it to the Artichoke piece. The leaves were tucked between the top ribbon.


Stamps: PTI Wise Owl
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Ivory, Sahara Sand, Always Artichoke, Scrap pattern paper
Misc: SU Little Leaves Sizzlits, MS Leaf Punch, Wide Green Organdy & Ivory Grosgrain Ribbons, Distressed Stripes EF, Foam Adhesive

My second one is similar as I used a different kind of bird. I just love this little bird and branch punch from SU. I used a different pattern paper for its body and touched the rim of the body and wing with Bravo Burgundy. The wing was raised with foam adhesive and placed on the body. A silver gem is the eye. I used my new Labels 10 Nestability on Rose Red, cut and embossed. Pearls were placed on either end in the scallops. A little swirly stamp was stamped in Always Artichoke on the bottom edge of an embossed oval with Happy Thanksgiving stamped above it. This was placed on a slightly larger oval. A MS leaf punch and flower punch was then placed at the bottom with a tiny pearl inside the flower. Two corners were pierced.


Stamps: PTI
Ink: Rose Red, Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy
Paper: Sahara Sand, Ivory, Always Artichoke, Rose Red, pattern paper pieces
Misc: Distressed Stripes EF, SU Bird and Branch punch, MS Leaf punch, pearls, silver gem, mat pack/piercing template, foam adhesive

I hope you liked my examples. Thank you for joining in and coming by to visit.

VSN Challenges

This is the first time I've participated in the VSN Challenges. The theme is "Cloud 9".

VSN Mini #1: Make a card inspired by one of the 3 papers given to go by; add something sparkly. I used the sample that had autumn colors. I distressed the edges of the patterned paper some but it's hard to see. The blue stripe is sparkly. I also raised the sentiment piece before placing it on the Chocolate Chip larger piece.


Stamps: PTI
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, White, My Mind's Eye (Where the Heart is)
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Other: Labels 10 (Nestabilities), Orange sheer ribbon, Clear Rhinestones, foam tape

VSN Mini #2: Use grays with the spotlight technique. I used the Inspired By Nature stamp. I know this may sound "off" but I really like how some solid images come out a little blotchy. This is one of those stamps. It gives it a "thoughtful" look to me. The Basic Gray larger piece on the base black card is stamped with the Linen stamp in black Memento. After I submitted it I added a scrap piece of tiny black satin ribbon on the Hodgepodge Hardware.


Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Linen (SU)
Ink: Basic Gray
Paper: Basic Black, Basic Gray, White
Other: Circle Nesties, Martha Stewart Triple Butterly Punch, Pewter HPH, foam tape

VSN Mini #3: Use pastels or chalks; solft colors and for an additional challenge, use Flower Soft. This card turned out to be my favorite!! I love the Pure Innocence stamps (they are so easy to paper piece) and the Cloud Die from PTI. The image was stamped on PTI white with Memento Tuxedo Black. The sky was sponged with Stampin Pastels (Barely Banana and Pretty in Pink). It gave it a kind of warm glow. I paper pieced her little dress with PIP Prints Pack and colored her with Copics. I love how her little hair "kicks" out. This piece was cut with the Labels 3 Nesties. A piece of Rose Red was used to layer but the next size was too big. This was run through the Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots EF (my fave). So I used the same Nestie die and traced around the outside onto the Rose Red piece and cut it out. It was perfectly sized! A piece of white felt was die cut with PTI's smallest cloud die and Stardust Stickles were traced around the outside for a little sparkle. A little Summer Mix Flower Soft was put on the tree leaves. The image piece was foam taped and put on top of the Rose Red layer then adhered with double sided tape.

The same PIP printed paper was used at the bottom of the card and sewn. Small PIP Grosgrain was placed over a larger piece of Rose Red Grosgrain and put at the top of the sewn piece. The accompanying sentiment was stamped in Memento Black at the bottom of the card.


Stamps: Pure Innocence (MFT)
Paper: White, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink Prints Pack
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Other: Copics, Stampin Pastels, white felt, Summer Mix Flower Soft, Dotted Swiss EF, Stardust Stickles, PIP and RR Grosgrain Ribbon, foam tape

VSN Mini #4: This challenge was to use this quote and put something sparkly on it. It says: "Ever felt an angel's breath in the gentle breeze? A teardrop in the falling rain? Hear a whisper amongst the rustle of leaves? Or been kissed by a lone snowflake? Nature is an angel's favorite hiding place." ~Carrie Latet

The last one I did (never got to the fifth one...so sorry!) I used inspiration of a lone snowflake with sparkle. The base is Bashful Blue. White cardstock was embossed with the Dotted Swiss EF. Using Martha Stewart's snowflake punch, I punched out 5 snowflakes. Four were randomly placed on the white piece. A strip of Martha Stewart light blue self-adhesive stitched ribbon was used as a divider in order to break the white. Then I stamped "Peace", thinking about angels and how quiet they were in Bashful Blue and placed on a scrap piece of BB. Then the main image was a snowflake that had been run through my Xyron 150 upside down and placed in SU Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. A square was cut and embossed and the sparkly snowflake was placed on it. Then a light blue Kaiser Rhinestone was put in the center. Thought this one looked "cool"...pardon the pun!


Stamps: Martha Stewart Small Christmas Phrases
Ink: Bashful Blue
Paper: White, Bashful Blue
Other: Martha Stewart Snowflake punch and blue felt ribbon, Kaiser Blue Rhinestone

Thank you for looking at my submissions!

Something "Precious"

This one isn't for a challenge, but I just had fun making it. I had a sheet of Precious Moments glitter stickers and decided to make something "soft" with it. These stickers are also dimensional.

Believe it or not, this is an Ivory card base. The Linen stamp (SU) inked in Pretty in Pink was stamped on the base. A piece of Pretty in Pink was embossed with the Dotted Swiss EF and cut out with a scalloped, oval Nestabilities. A smaller ivory piece was cut and embossed with an oval Nestabilities. While the die was still on the piece, I softly sponged Pretty in Pink over it. The rest is super simple and fast. This sweet little girl with her jewelry and heart shaped purse was put in the middle of the oval piece along with one of the little butterflies. This piece was then adhered to the scalloped piece and with foam tape placed on the card base. Another little butterfly was added to the top. I had a piece of sheer light pink ribbon I wrapped around and adhered with another one of the little flower stickers. I hope you like it.


Stamps: Linen (SU)
Paper: White, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Pretty in Pink
Other: Precious Moments sticker sheet, pink ribbon, Dotted Swiss EF, Oval and Scalloped Oval Nestabilities, foam adhesive, sponge

SSNOTIME156, SSC168 &Shabby 27

My card today is for three challenges. For Sharon's Challenge, I made this cute owl card for my brother's birthday coming up soon. This one is to make a guy's card. It also fits a sketch challenge at Stamping 411. And The Shabby Tea Room #27 Challenge is to use green inspired by a lovely plant photo. I changed the layout to the side and placed the sentiment at the bottom. The inside was stamped with "have a HOOT on your birthday" and a row of leaves at the bottom. What do you think?


Stamps: PTI Mailbox Greetings
Ink: Always Artichoke
Paper: White, Gable Green (SU retired), Patterned Paper
Other: Grosgrain Ribbon gotten from a towel set bought at Walmart, MS leaf punch and Embossed Owl punch, Twine, Star Crystals

Moxie Fab Inspiration

Check out the inspiration we were to use here. Isn't this a fun, clean image to use for a challenge to make a card? I'd love to be sitting right there in that room for a loooong time. I love the bright, clean and soft, curvy lines in the room. It reminds me of warmth, wavy, and sparkly moments that a shoreline in the summer gives. When I saw the inspiration, I knew the paper I had to use on it. And, hey, no stamps were used on this card...can you imagine that?


Stamps: None
Paper: Sweet Stack (DCWV), Apricot Appeal, Lavender Lace
Ink: None
Other: Ivory Grosgrain Ribbon, Orange Ribbon (salvaged from wrapping around a set of towels I purchased at W/M), Rhinestones, Jumbo Scalloped Border Petite (Spellbinders) die

Hope you like it and you feel like catching the last rays of warm summer days before embracing fall.

Best Wishes

This card uses one of my all time favorite stamp sets when I want something elegant. Stampin Up's Elegant Greetings (retired set) which has a stamp for wedding, birthday, thank you and thinking of you AND the sentiments to put inside the card. It truly makes a very nice card.

I used a basic white card base. A Pretty in Pink embossed piece was punched using an MS border punch and placed on the base. A piece of white cardstock was cut out with square Nestabilities and embossed. Then the main image was silver embossed with the "Best Wishes" stamp and tiny silver rhinestone stickers were added in different places on the sentiment. A slightly larger Pretty in Pink square was die cut as well as an even larger scalloped square. The main image was adhered to the PIP piece then raised on foam adhesive and placed on the white scalloped piece. This piece was raised with foam adhesive and placed on the background panel. A piece of white satin ribbon was wrapped around the card and knotted in the front.

The inside accompanying sentiment was silver embossed...it reads "May happiness be yours today and always." A string of 5 silver rhinestones were placed underneath this.

I hope my new little bride will like it. She's so very sweet!!


Stamps: Elegant Greetins (SU retired)
Paper: White, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Metallic Silver Encore
Other: Silver Detail EP, White Satin Ribbon, MS border punch, Silver Rhinestone Stickers, Textile EF, Square and Scalloped Square Nestabilities.

Hope you like it!

CTD107 & MFTWSC08252010

This was such a fun card to make! I think I am in love...again!! Those little Pure Innocence stamps are just adorable. So far, there are only a couple in my arsenal but I must add more. This card fits the Color Throwdown Challenge (CTD) to use Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, So Saffron and Pear Pizzazz and My Favorite Things to use a flower. The first two colors were easy (love these colors and have a lot of things in them) and you may not even see it, but the So Saffron was used in the center of the little flower. I do not own any of the new In Colors so I used a Copics marker, New Leaf, for the grass. Her little outfit was paper pieced with Pretty in Pink (Paper Pack). A second flower was cut out and placed over the first one with a turn to give it a fuller and more dimensional look. Her shoes and the flower was colored using a Pink Glitter pen. My all time favorite punch is MS's triple butterfly punch. They were graced with a couple of tiny pearls. She was colored using Copics Flesh marker and New Leaf on the flower and grass.

Stamps: Pure Innocence Flower Girl (MFT)
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, White, Pretty in Pink DSP (SU ret.)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Other: Copics markers, Pink Glitter Pen, MS triple butterfly punch, Kaiser pearls

A Little Lace

This card is for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge, FTTC81. I love the look of this one. Guess I'm still in the "Grandma" mood because it reminds me or those days. Using Chocolate Chip as the card base, a slightly smaller piece of Baja Breeze (one of my fave's) was cut to place on it but not adhered yet. Another slightly smaller piece of white cardstock was stamped using PTI's Damask Designs stamps in Baja Breeze ink. The damask was only stamped on the bottom half. This was adhered to the BB piece. A piece of cotton lace was wrapped around this and tied in a bow. Then this 2-layer piece was adhered to the card base. Small Kaiser pearls were placed underneath the sentiment. I should have used a white or light backdrop so you could see the richness the Chocolate Chip adds to the crispness of the design. Hope you like it.


Stamps: Damask Designs (PTI)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, White
Ink: Baja Breeze
Other: White Cotton Lace, Kaiser pearls

Memories

This second card today has a completely different feel to it as compared to the other. It has a worn and tattered look. With the Worn Lipstick ink smudges, it makes me think of the old tin lipstick round that my Grandmother had resting on her little bureau (an antique now). And the sentiment is something my other Grandmother basically said to me, never putting me down though my generation was drastically different from hers, and to be myself. And, my mother has "always" encouraged me to be who I am, do what I want, learn from my failures and don't look back. I love her so much, too, and am glad I can still tell her so!!

Now, back to the card...I sewed a zigzag stitch around the DSP to attach to the base card, then heavily smudged it with distress ink. A slit was made on the side of the card and the ribbon was laced through it and tied in a knot. Then it was inked and the ends were pulled to give it a tattered look. I didn't realize how much of this card reminds me of my Grandmothers and why I like this card so much: the sewing which both of them did, the soft inking, the floral pattern, the sentiment and the "worn" look of the ribbon. Neither had much and the inking/aging reminds me of the old furniture and old things that was all they had. I loved them both so much and miss them greatly!!


Stamps: Seeing Stars (Verve)
Paper: Baja Breeze, Kraft, Textured DSP (SU retired)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Tuxedo Memento Black (for edging sentiment square), Worn Lipstick and Antique Linen Distress Ink
Other: Sewing machine, Striped Baja Breeze Ribbon (SU retired)

Have a wonderful day!

F4A26 & Happiness

I love the bright and cheery feel to this card. And, I love the sentiment because that's the way I felt when I was making it...HAPPY. It is for Challenge F4A26 on SCS to mix it up by using more than one stamp company. I used SU's retired In Full Bloom (love this flower image and the scattered dots around them) and PTI's Big & Bold Wishes. Copics were used to color the image and Stickles were used to give a little sparkle in the middle part of the flowers. There are, also, clear micro glass beads in the centers of the flowers. It seems a little hard to see, but they are there. It ties in with the glittery designer paper.


Stamps: In Full Bloom (SU retired), Big & Bold Wishes (PTI)
Paper: White, Glitter Sweet Stack (Die Cuts With a View), Barely Banana
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, Rose Red
Other: Copics markers, MS edger punch, Cotton Candy and Yellow Stickles, Micro Glass Beads and Glue

Have a "happy" day!

Fab 'n' Funky #35/Fashionista Friday #43

The Fab 'n' Funky #35 Challenge is to use your favorite colors. When I saw this challenge (though it's almost too late) I just had to submit this card. My favorite colors when it comes to making a card are blue with brown along with some texture of some kind. The Fasionista Friday #43 Challenge is to use diecuts. As you will see, this fits perfectly into that challenge.


Stamps: Seeing Stars (Verve)
Paper: Textured Brown (unk), White, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Baja Breeze, DSP (SU ret.)
Ink: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip
Other: Diamond Plate EF, Stars and Circles Nestabilities, Twine, Foam Adhesive

I made this for my grandson's birthday. I tend to grab those stars to do things for the men in my family for ANY reason. They are great for male cards. Hope you like it.

Cuttlebug Spot & CAS80 Challenges

I chose to include this card in 2 challenges. The first one is for CAS (Clean and Simple) #80 to use a sketch and ribbon or buttons.

The second one is to make a sympathy card which are hard to make for most everyone. I think because you usually want to taylor them to the person you're making them far. But a lot of times it makes it harder to do it that way because you don't have time to "think it through" like you want to. Here is my card for the Cuttlebug Spot Challenge to make a sympathy card. I need to keep some of these on hand. Thanks for the challenge!


Stamps: Mailbox Greetings (PTI)
Paper: White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Basic Gray (lightly sponged over card)
Other: Textile EF, Black Satin Ribbon, Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Silver cord, Silver HH, SU Label Punch, Silver self-adhesive Stones

Several Challenges in One

This card is being submitted to several challenges: WT283, Shabby Tea Room #22, Craft Your Days Away #1 and Party Time Tuesdays #11 (PTT). I used several embellisments and all seem to come together quite nicely. One is to use buttons, another to "reflect" (I thought of reflecting as in a slower time), another to use your favorite things and another a birthday card (thought of "Enjoy the ride" here). This card was fun to make and I didn't realize just how many different things I had used on it until trying to describe it here. The clouds were die cut from white felt and have Star Dust Stickles outlining the edges. The smaller cloud was raised on foam adhesive. A cute tiny pink sheer ribbon grace the handlebars. Glossy soft pink "Tiles" were used as the tires with black buttons and light pink floss. The little butterflies (with tiny self adhesive pearls) are grabbed all the time as this is my favorite thing to use and were randomly placed. A double scallop border of Pretty in Pink (with white Gel pen dots) and layered on the black scallop piece and was placed on the bottom. A small strip of black and white checkered ribbon graced the top edge of the border piece. I love this sentiment for a birthday card and the little bike reminds me of slow, easy days gone by. The little black/white ribbon is a tiny bit "bumpy" due to the mini glue dots but is not as wrinkly or tacky looking as it appears here. Hope you like it.


Stamps: PTI Everyday Button Bits
Paper: White, Pretty in Pink, Black
Ink: Rose Red, Tuxedo Black Memento
Other: MS Butterly punch, SU Scallop punch, PTI Cloud die, Star Dust Stickles, light pink Tiles, black buttons, light pink floss, Kaiser pearls, pink sheer and black/white checkered ribbons, White Gel Pen and foam adhesive.

Thank You Set

I made these for a friend that needed 3 simple Thank You cards. They are all alike except for the EF. I love this PTI set and thought it should be the main focus. Simple, yet elegant. Hope you like these.




Now all 3 together:


Stamps: PTI Big & Bold Wishes
Paper: Rose Red, White, Black
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Other: Rose Red Grosgrain Ribbon, EF: Moroccan, Dotted Swiss, Textile
Thank you for looking!