A Tiny Ornament for Merry Monday

I discovered a new challenge that is meant to work on holiday cards year round - fabulous idea.  It is called, and here is this week's inspirational photo.

The challenge was to use an ornament on your card.  I was going through my stamps, and how ridiculous that I pick a stamp that has an ornament, but it is the tiniest single little ornament.  But then again . . . size should not matter.  It's an ornament!

I was inspired to combine stamps from two sets that I have.  One of them is a Unity Stamp that I purchased because it reminded me of Charlie Brown's Christmas tree.  The other is a tiny little Woodstock stamp from PSA Essentials who make stationery stamps.  The little Woodstock stamp was the perfect size. 

 

Be inspired to mix and match sets, as you never know what might evolve!  

Supplies Used

Cardstock:  Bazzill Cardstock

Pattern Paper:  Pattern Paper from my scrap stash

Stamps:  Unity Stamp and PSA Essentials

Ink:  Memento Ink and Copic Markers

Ribbon:  Stampin' Up

Other:  K I Rhinestones

Kit Kraft Wednesday - Scraps from The Button Farm

It's Kit Kraft Wednesday, and I'm following through on my commitment to use my kits or stop their shipment.

Earlier this week I showed a mini-album I created from a kit from The Button Farm, which you can find here.   Anytime I make their kits, there is always an ample amount of supplies left to create a little something, and so I'm always unable to throw anything away.  So I challenged myself to use those scraps, and that is what I'm sharing today. 

I started with a card base of Neenah Desert Storm cardstock, and I added scraps and elements from The Button Farm leftovers.  I inked in brown, and used a stamp from My Creative Time. 

Use your stash! 

Supplies Used
The Button Farm Kit
Neenah Cardstock
Stampin' Up Ribbon
My Creative Time Stamp
Stampin' Up Ink


 

An Owl in the Spotlight for Heart 2 Heart Challenge

It's the final challenge from Heart 2 Heart for the month of January.  Remember that all of their January challenges are still open, so you can play along with as many as you want until the end of the month.  This week's challenge is to use the spotlight technique.

There are a few variations of this technique, but the standard one is to a have an image where only a portion of the stamp is in the spotlight.  So you could potentially have a black and white image where only a circular portion is showing in color.

Now I started with one idea and it evolved into something completely different.  And I mean, completely!  Here is my design . . .

I had just received the Lollydoodle Card Kit which comes out in February.  I wanted to purchase the entire paper pack (the card kit only has one of those adorable double-sided papers) but I decided to buy the card kit because I was in love with the sentiment stamp . . . the one that shows behind my owl in the window.  Is that not the cutest sentiment.  I actually want to use it for a scrapbook page.  You'll see it in all it's glory further below.

I started with a flat card, and I ended with a window and a pop up inside the card.  How?  Who knows.  For that cover piece, I used a scallop square die to cut through my white and pink print layer. 

Inside the card, I created my popped layer.  I made this 1/2" smaller than my card base, and with the card folded, you cut two slits about an inch to an inch and a half long, an equal distance from each side of the card (I went 1 1/2 inches in from each side).  Then you just pop that center portion out in the other direction.  I used the scallop square that was cut from my white front panel for inside the card to place on top of my "pop" hinge, and I created the log/branch for the owl.  The owl was stamped on the reverse side of that pink pattern . . . which made his chest look really cool.  I added some google eyes to finish him off. 

Now check out that sentiment . . .

Shake to my bake?  Flip to my flop?  LOVE! 

Be sure to stop by and play along, using your CTMH stamps . . . or paper . . . or Cricut cartridges.  We'd love to see you. 


Supplies Used
CTMH Lollydoodle Card Kit (paper, stamps, rhinestones and seam binding)
CTMH Ink
Spellbinders Die
EK Success Circle Punch
Google Eyes (from my stash trinkets)

Monster of a Valentine for Seize the Sketch

Seize the Sketch provided the inspiration for this card, and I'm still using supplies from last month's Simon Says Card Kit.  What a blast that kit has been for me.  It's been fun to change up the designs and use this stamp set in so many different ways. 

So here is my card . . .

And here is the sketch . . .

I used my paper as my sentiment, and I created my heart banner using another pattern paper which you will see on the inside of the card.  I used some heart dies to cut the colored hearts. 

The monster was stamped on pattern paper and then cut out.  I added some google eyes.  I will likely go back and use a white pen on those green teeth (afterthought).  

And here is the inside of the card. 

Great sketch and great supplies! 

Supplies Used

Cardstock:  Bazzill from Simon Says January Card Kit

Pattern Paper:  Fancy Pants from Simon Says January Card Kit

Stamps:  Simon Says January Card Kit Stamp (Only Have Eyes for You)

Dies:  Paper Smooches Hearts

Ink:  Ranger Archival Black

Ribbon:  Twine from The Twinery

Other:  Google Eyes from my random trinkets; Tickets from Fancy Pants (Simon Says Card Kit)

A Mojo Monday Valentine

I played along with this week's Mojo Monday challenge, and I used more supplies from the January Simon Says Stamp Kit to create a Valentine's Day card.  All of the stamps used were from the kit, including the background stamped on the Desert Storm cardstock. 

 The strip under the ribbon is pattern paper, and the Simon Says Card Kit came with the little tickets.  The only items that I added were the ribbon from Stampin' Up and the oval die from Spellbinders. 

Here is the Mojo Monday sketch . . .

Supplies Used
Neenah Cardstock
Simon Says January 2014 Card Kit 
     (stamps, ticket embellishments and pattern papers)
Ranger Black Archive Ink
Stampin' Up Ink
Spellbinders Die
Stampin' Up Ribbon

Group Hugs for Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge

This week's Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge was an Anything Goes challenge. So I started with The Button Farm mini-kit that I had received a few months back.  When I receive these kits, I will typically follow instructions for the cover, with perhaps a few tweaks.  But for the inside pages, I'll peruse the instructions for ideas but will typically "wing" the inside.  So here is the cover of this little album . . .

When I created the inside pages for this mini-album, I wanted to incorporate the sentiments from the Group Hugs stamp set.  I'm so glad that I did.  They are the perfect.   Appreciate everything . . .

Stay positive; believe in yourself . . .

Live well . . .

Learn to swerve . . .

Take risks . . .

I am loving this stamp set.  The challenge now is to find the perfect photos or to gift this to someone who has the perfect photos.  Either will do!

Supplies Used
The Button Farm Mini-Kit - 2013
Paper Smooches Group Hugs Stamp Set
Stampin' Up Ink
Stampin' Up Ribbon

Myth-busting and Creating Color

Sometimes you need to create something that's just fun, and this is one that I've had my eye on a long, long time.  But of course, there is a story (I love a story) and this one must be told.  It includes my own version of Myth-busters. 

So I know this amazing, creative person . . . Queen Vanna (Queenie or Vanessa as I like to call her).  She is awesome and crafty, and she makes me smile.  She is spectacular in ways that I cannot explain.  A year or more ago she had a blog post on ice balloons . . . you can find that here.  I highly recommend you peruse it. 

So I had always though I might like to try this colorful, fun idea.  Let's face it . . . those are just fun. 

A few weeks back, there was this lengthy blog from a woman who provided pictures from and a link to Queenie's blog, and went on to explain the debacle that was her experience making "ice orbs" and you can find that here. 

I had already purchased my balloons and some gel food paste, and I was waiting for the temperature to cooperate when I read the "debacle post."  My stomach was a little tense . . . not that it's rocket science, but I was afraid I could fail.  I had doubts.  So I needed to become a Myth-buster.  Because Karen said you had to have a Martha Stewart gene (which I don't).  Sure, I'm crafty.  But Martha Stewart . . . NOT!  Not even close.  I could be her next charity case for help, but I'm no Martha Stewart.  The clutter in my house is a dead giveaway on that one.  

Well, I'm here to tell you that it can be done.  I was suspicious of my efforts, because I didn't have liquid food coloring . . . mine was gel and not behaving nicely with my water.  I could see the gel floating inside, acting as a miniature orb of color all on it's own.  So it required some effort (because of the gel factor). 

Now I'm not sure why I chose to do this project at 12:02 a.m. this morning.  I had to be up to work at 7:00 a.m.  But the dog wanted out, and when I put her out and felt the cold air, well from that moment on my brain could not disconnect from the idea that it had to be this day.  That moment! 

When I went to bed, this was on my deck . . .

Twelve hours later, this was at the base of my birdfeeder . . .

The birds are going to cover these with seed (among other "stuff") but I thought they would look nice at the base of the feeder.  

And a few hours ago before the sun went down . . . a new crop of ice balloons is in preparation. 

I will not lie . . . my fingers look like they've lost circulation.  They're not cold.  They're just blue.  But that's o.k.  Because I brought some color to a dreary winter. 

You do not have to have a Martha Stewart gene.  You just have to channel the Queen for a bit.

Kit Kraft Wednesday - Pop Corn

I'm a Die Hard Club Member at The Stamps of Life, and this month's stamp was my focus for Kit Kraft Wednesday.  They don't technically call it a kit, but it's a set of stamps with matching dies . . . and since I get it monthly, I consider it to be a kit and therefore super worthy of Kit Kraft Wednesday.
So here is my creation for today.

This card was inspired by a StampNation Challenge to complete the phrase . . . I love StampNation more than . . .

Movie Popcorn!

My images are stamped onto pattern paper - Basic Grey Hey You.  There was a red print I used for the box, and a yellow print that I used for my popcorn and sentiment.  They were both perfect choices  (my popcorn looks buttered). 

Supplies Used

Cardstock:  Bazzill and Neenah

Pattern Paper:  Basic Grey - Hey You

Stamps:  The Stamps of Life popcorn2stamp and words4popcorn

Dies:  The Stamps of Life Popcorn Dies

Ink:  Color Box

Ribbon:  Stampin' Up

Other: Zig Black Marker and Queen & Company Rhinestones

Two-Faced Design for Heart 2 Heart

A two-faced design is in store for this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge.  Two-faced, meaning, using both sides of your pattern paper.

Now I had a couple of designs in mind for this challenge, but I went with something a little more simplistic, and that's just folding down your corner so that both sides of your paper shows.  In the case of this card, I made the fold twice. 

I used the Cloud Nine cardmaking kit which is a special promotion that Close To My Heart has going on this month to celebrate National Papercrafting Month.  I love the bright colors of this kit, so I thought the paper would be great to showcase. 

I used pop dots on my folded corners and to pop my images.

The kit is a great deal; it comes with a dozen white cards, cardstock and pattern paper, some decorative tape and glitter tape, a stamp set and gold and silver triangular embellishments (which I used on the two corners of my card and for the owl's beak).  The owl stamp was from another set.  

Fun colors!  Hope you will play along with us this week at Heart 2 Heart. 

Oh No You Dit-ten!

A photo inspiration from the Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge, and I have to say that early on I struggled this one.  I had to put it aside, and then two days later I was able to pull it together.

Here is my design . . .

I had started with my yellow base, my white panel and the two pieces of pattern paper, and then I was completely stuck.  I was going through my Paper Smooches stamps and it just wasn't happening.  It was the the next day that I found a piece of American Crafts POW paper while working on another project, and I decided to cut that awesome thanks die cut (love that thing).

I was searching for an image for the top of the card, and it hit me that the C in the photo inspiration could just be my sentiment.  Oh no you dit-ten!  

And here is the photo inspiration provided on the challenge blog . . .

Supplies Used

Cardstock:  Bazzill and Neenah

Pattern Paper:  American Crafts POW and scraps from my scrap bin (I left no bar code behind)

Stamps:  Paper Smooches Slang Gang

Dies:  Paper Smooches Thanks Word Die

Ink:  Ranger Archival Black and Versamark

Ribbon:  Stampin' Up

Tools Used:  EK Scallop Circle Punch

Other:  KI Rhinestones

The Card Concept 1 - Garden of Daisies

 

New year and new challenge!  This one is brand new.  It's called The Card Concept, and it's a bi-weekly challenge with loads of designers of varying styles, and the designers explain their inspiration and create cards in that style.  You then create a card in one of the styles and link up!  

Easy right?  My question . . . is it harder to create in a style or figure out your style?  I'm such a hybrid.  

I am going to go with  Clean and Layered, which means . . . 

• clean lines
• lots of layers
• designer papers/embossing
• embellishments/accents
• clean and fresh looking
• some coloured images at times
• white space

For the photo inspiration, I was inspired by the separation of busy and calm, in that the bottom of the card had a busy city environment, and the top was a quiet dark sky.  So I created my own busy background using the suggested color palette, and I kept the top of my card a little more simplistic.  

I created my own pattern paper using stamps, and I popped the top of my design.  I've got some layers happening.  I have fairly clean lines (I've been called linnear by friends).

Now my StampNation group also had a challenge, which was to create a card with a family sentiment, so that is where I got the inspiration for my sentiment . . . 

I have to say that I'm looking forward to seeing what The Card Concept has in store for their next challenge.  Fun times, indeed!

Supplies Used
Cardstock from Neenah and Bazzill
Stamps from The Stamps of Life and Close To My Heart
Ink from Close To My Heart
Ribbon from Stampin' Up
Circle Punch from Stampin' Up
Rhinestones from KI

Kit Kraft Wednesday

I'm staying true to Kit Kraft Wednesday . . . using my stash.  And I again was drawn to my Simon Says Stamp January Kit, and I created a little something . . .

 

Now do you notice anything different about this card?  There is very little stamping.  I stamped one image on this card . . . the little pink heart.  That's it!  Such beautiful pattern papers in the kit, I allowed the paper to do all the work.   (Even the "Happy Together" is in the paper.)

Sometimes the paper speaks for itself!  You just have to look at the possibilities. 

All supplies are from Simon Says Stamp Monthly Kit.

You Had Me At Hello - Wednesday Stamp Club at MFT

Played along with this week's Wednesday's Stamp Club Sketch at My Favorite Things.  I pulled out some paper, some stamps and a die and got busy!  Here is where I landed . . .

I have a friend at work who always says, "Hello" pronounced "Hallo" before asking for help.  It cracks me up, and she has all of us doing the same.  So I created this card for her and will be giving it to her sometime soon . . . perhaps a birthday coming up, and perhaps for no reason whatsoever.  Because it is just darn cute.  This phone die is to die for (pun intended). 

I coiled up some ribbon instead of using the stamp that came with the set, and I love the effect.  I popped the phone and the dial.  The numbers inside the dial were white embossed.  

Can't wait to give this to her!  

Here is the sketch! 

Supplies Used
Bazzill Cardstock
Close To My Heart My Reflections Paper
My Favorite Things Stamps and Dienamics, Ring Me
Stampin' Up Ribbon
Color Box Ink
Versamark
Stampin' Up Embossing Powder
Queen & Company Rhinestones

Heart 2 Heart - Winter Tags for Creative Blocks

With the holidays over, it was time for me to start thinking about swapping out my Christmas tags on my Creative Blocks for something fitting for January.  If you've not seen posts in the past about my blocks, they are wooden blocks that I have created and "tagged up" for the season.  Cut from 2 x 4's, they are covered in pages of a Forrest Gump book that had some nice, yellowing pages.  (It wasn't until later that a friend uncovered the swear words - ha!)

This weeks' challenge at Heart 2 Heart was to create something showcasing CTMH by letter (use something with a C, a T, an M, and an H.  I started with CARDSTOCK and set out to make my TAGS using plenty of TOMBO adhesive.  I used paper from MY REFLECTIONS Frosted.  I also used HOSTESS REWARD set Wintry Wishes (those cute little penguins).  I also used the HOUNDSTOOTH Irresistibles Alphabet letters, and once my tags were nearly together, I added some flowers from the Frosted Assortment and some Sparkles.  Last step was to add TWINE and COLOR READY Seam Binding so my tags would hang appropriately.

Here are the finished tags . . . 

These are a definitely a big change from my "Merry" tags which were bold, holiday colors.  And it's only a matter of time before I need to start working on a set of tags to celebrate the month of February.  I see some Valentine's Day tags in my future. 

Here are my tags hanging in their usual spot . . . Winter, indeed.  Although you'd never known given the temperature, the pouring rain and the thunder we had today in Connecticut. 

Challenge is on . . . see if you can make something (a card, a page, anything) using CTMH for Heart 2 Heart.  You have until the end of the month to complete the challenge.

Have fun creating!

Blue Monster for Freshly Made Sketches

I created the little card below for Freshly Made Sketches.  I used my Simon says January kit and the stamp set that came with it.  

Here is my card.  

I colored my image using my Derwent Inktense Pencils.  I black embossed the image onto the card, which helps to keep the color in the lines.  

Here is the sketch.

Supplies Used

Simon Says Stamp Monthly Card Kit

Derwent Inktense Pencils

Ranger Archival Black Ink

Stampin' Up Black Embossing Powder

Versamark

StampNation Birthday Card for Mojo Monday

StampNation is having it's third birthday, and the membership is celebrating with some challenges.  I've been a member of StampNation for two and a half of it's three years, and it's a fabulous community of creative women who love to stamp and create with paper. 

So one of the challenges of the celebration was to create a card using three of something.  I decided to use the sketch from Mojo Monday to create a little something, and here is my design . . .
 

I used three rhinestones and three hearts on this card, and I'm can also boast that I used dies and/or stamps from three different companies.  So I satisfied the "three' from the StampNation challenge.  I also used the chalkboard technique for this card.
 

And here is the sketch from Mojo Monday . . .

Supplies Used
Bazzill Cardstock
Three Bugs in a Rug Paper
Ink from Color Box
Chalk Talk Stamps and Dies from Stampin' Up
The Stamps of Live birthday2celebrate stamp set
Hearts Dies from Paper Smooches
Stampin' Up Ribbon

CAS-ual Fridays - Amazing

This week's challenge at CAS-ual Fridays was to choose a word that represents your hopes for the new year. So my word was AMAZING.  I'm hopeful for an amazing year, where amazing things will happen for the amazing people in my life.

I remembered that I had an "amazing" stamp, so I dug it out.  I decided to create a window for my card, so the sentiment could be inside, but only my word would show outside the card.  

I started with a cardstock base and stamped my "amazing" on the inside.  I cut the front of the card appropriately and created a window with a fairly thick acetate sheet.  I then added a portion of the cardstock that was cut off to the bottom of the card.

I decorated the card with pattern paper on both the inside and outside, as I wanted to cover the area where the acetate overlapped onto my cardstock.  It gave a cleaner look to the inside of the card.  I decorated the top of the card with a banner made from cardstock and pattern paper.

Hard to see in the photo, but there is a white embossed stamped image of the banner string.  I decided to add a 4th banner piece, and so you can barely see it in the photo peaking out between the banner flags.  

I then finished my sentiment inside the card, adding a "you are" that can only be seen once the card is opened.  I love how the back of the banner shows through in the window from the reverse side. 

This is a great card design that I've done before.  When your images are on the window itself (stamped or die cut) it gives a bit of a floating effect.  

Hope that 2014 is . . . amazing!  

Supply List

Neenah Cardstock

Bazzill Cardstock

Bo Bunny Pattern Paper

Sizzix Triangle Dies

Stamps of Life Stamps

Versafine Ink

Hero Arts Gems

Hero Arts White Embossing Powder

Versamark