Heart2Heart = NOvember Challenges Week 1 and 2

I've not had the chance to play along with Heart 2 Heart challenges in a while, so I was thrilled to work on a few cards last night for the NOvember Week 1 and Week 2 Challenges. 

Week 1 was NO Stamping!  No stamping?  EEK!  Thankfully, there are some beautiful pattern papers, and with the right thought process, you can create a beautiful card. 

They didn't say no ink . . . just no stamping!  So I did ink my edges on this one, which helped to make the elements pop.  One of the things that I love about Close To My Heart paper is the bar code strip, and how at least one of those strips has some words that can be used for a sentiment.  I put them to good use here. 

I love that glitter tape! 

And for the Week 2 challenge . . . NO ink.  No ink?  So that means no inking of the edges. 

I mounted all of my pattern papers on black cardstock since I was not able to ink them up, and I wanted my panels to pop.  I love these pattern papers, although they're not your traditional holiday designs.  I used another of those sentiments from the bar code strip on the paper. 

I popped the sentiment and the snowflakes, and I included some pearls to give a little more pizzazz. 

No ink . . . no stamping . . . no problem! 

Supplies Used - CTMH No Stamping

All product is from Close To My Heart:  Cardstock, Heartstrings Paper Pack, Heartstrings Flair Button, White Shimmer Trim and Sparkles Flourishes

Supplies Used - CTMH No Ink

All product is from Close To My Heart:  Cardstock, Yuletide Carol Paper Pack, Color Ready Seam Binding (discontinued) and Pearls (discontinued).  Snowflakes were created using a Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch. 

Thankful for Creativity

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm thankful for creativity, and with my daughters both having to work today, it was a quiet Thanksgiving at my house.  So I'm thankful for my family, but since we couldn't have a Thanksgiving feast together, I'm also thankful for creativity which takes your mind off the lack of festivities.

I created a couple of cards for some challenges.  First up was a card using the sketch from Clean and Simple challenge.  The sketch (shown below with my supply list) was a simple one, and I decided to go for a one-layer card.

While this is a holiday card, it's not the traditional holiday colors.  I'm still on the fence as to whether or not I like that vellum element that I created for the sentiment.  

For my second challenge, I used a sketch from The Paper Players challenge.  I used some colorful paper choices for this card.  

All of the materials for this card were from my October Card Kit from The Stamps of Life.  While everything coordinates, finding that balance can be a struggle.  I did all my stamping on either the yellow dot pattern paper or the tag that was provided in the kit. 

Hope you are able to find some time to create over this holiday weekend. 

Supplies Used - Nice List

Cardstock:  The Stamps of Life and Bazzill (vellum)

Stamps:  Inky Antics

Ink:  Versamark, Ranger Embossing Powder, Versafine,

Ribbon:  May Arts

Other:  Clear Stones from The Stamps of Life

Supplies Used - You Make Me Happy - Thank You

All materials from The Stamps of Life October Card Kit

Kit Kraft Wednesday - Leftovers!

Tomorrow is that one day a year where leftovers are part of the fun, but this post isn't about Thanksgiving leftovers . . . no turkey, potatoes or stuffing . . . this is about using leftovers from my Button Farm Kit, specifically a kit from two years ago.  I created these two cards for two challenges. I love that I was able to use both paper and embellishments from this kit. 

First up is the Less is More challenge, which was "Jingle All the Way."  For this challenge, I went with bells, as they were leftover from my kit. 

 There was no stamping on this card, except for the inside sentiment.  I had stickers left to use for the sentiment on the front of the card. 

For my second card, I used this week's Muse card for inspiration.  Here is there card . . .

I was inspired by the overlapping tags and the way that the sentiment and the elements overlap the tags.  Here is my card . . .

This card has minimal stamping.  It's all about the combination of these great pattern papers.  The hounds-tooth background along with the musical note paper for the tags, the beige pattern paper for the tag toppers, and the chevron stripe paper for the ornament is a combination that works very well together.  I used stamps and dies from My Favorite Things.  
 

Two great challenges and an opportunity to use supplies on hand!  Can't as for more than that on a Wednesday.  Hope you find some time to create over this long holiday weekend. 

Supplies Used - Holiday Jingle

Cardstock:  Neenah

Pattern Paper:  Farmhouse*

Stamps:  Essentials by Ellen Merry & Bright (inside sentiment)

Ink:  Memento (inside sentiment)

Other:  Chipboard pieces and stickers from Farmhouse* and We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy Floss

*from Button Farm December 2012 Kit

Supplies Used - MFT Tag Card

Cardstock:  Neenah and Bazzill

Pattern Paper:  Farmhouse

Stamps:  Christmas Ornaments Stamp Set and

Dies:  Christmas Ornaments Die-namics and Die-namics Tag Builder Blueprints 2

Ink:  Versamark and Ranger White Embossing Powder

Ribbon:  Stampin' Up

Other:  Wink of Stella

Colorful Stamped Dots for Just Add Ink

A quick card for the Just Add Ink challenge, which was a sketch challenge this week.  Here is my card . . .

For this card I stamped the dots on my three panels, as well as the sentiment.  I started with a navy blue, and decided to add some brighter dots to my other two panels.  Here is the sketch . . .

Hope you found some time today to create . . . and if not, there is always tomorrow. 

Supplies Used - Love You

Cardstock:  Bazzill

Pattern Paper:  Studio Calico*

Stamps:  Studio Calico*

Ink:  Stampin' Up

Ribbon:  Seersucker Ribbon from Knot and Bow*, Light Pink Twine*

Other:  Square Stones from DCWV

*from Studio Calico Sandlot Kit

Patriotic Card for CASology

Whether it's a birthday around Independence Day, Flag Day, or perhaps Election Day, this card was inspired by this week's CASology challenge . . . the Cue Card was "Flag." 

I was inspired to use some birthday stamps to create an American flag image on my card.  I had some graph pattern paper in my October kit from The Stamps of Life which was perfect for lining everything up.  I did not realize until after that my proportions were on target.  There are 13 stripes on an American flag and I managed to get them all on there without trying, seven red and six white.  

I'll have to give this wordplay a try on some other cards . . . definitely a fun challenge. 

Hope you find some time to create today. 

Supplies Used - Patriotic Birthday

All product from The Stamps of Life October Card Kit except for the following:

Ink:  Stampin' Up, Versamark, and Ranger Embossing Powder

Merry & Bright Cards for Kit Kraft Wednesday

I have made so many cards with my September card kit from The Stamps of Life, so I decided to create a few more for Kit Kraft Wednesday.

This first one combined some other dies from The Stamps of Life in addition to the kit.  For this one I used the tag that was included in the kit.  

I love the soft colors of the pattern paper in the kit.  

For my second card, I created my own background on the card base using color, but then went with black and white stamping on the pattern paper for a different look on the panel.  

The embossing powder is from Ranger, and it has speckles of colored sparkle which were perfect for this card.   I'm starting to have a love, love relationship with embossed die cut sentiments! 

If you have kits, if you have supplies . . . use, use, use!  Hope you can find some time to create. 

Supplies Used - Merry & Bright Ornaments

All supplies for this card are from the October Card Kit from The Stamps of Life except those listed:

Memento Ink

Wink of Stella Pen

Ornament Club Die Set, Ornaments 2 Die Set, and Christmas Discs Die Set - all from The Stamps of Life

Supplies Used - Merry & Bright 25

All supplies for this card are from the October Card Kit from The Stamps of Life except those listed:

Versamark

Ranger Black Sparkle Embossing Powder

Versafine Black Ink

Ranger Clear Embossing Powder

Stampin' Up Ink

Color Challenge Inspiration

I have three color challenge cards to share today, and all were created using my October Studio Calico kit, so you'll see some similarities in the colors.  

The first card was inspired by the colors in the Color Throwdown Challenge #318 (the color palette is posted further below with my supply list).  For this one, I used the sketch (also below) from this week's Mojo Monday. 

The darker blue color is hard to see in the photo . . . it is the inking of the paper and the blue script in the pattern paper. 

The second card is very similar to the first, but has a slightly different color variation which is from this week's Colour Me Challenge (palette is posted below).

 Similar paper and stamps, with a few different elements.  I love the wood veneer heart and the "hello" tile from the kit! 

And then finally, my third card was inspired by the colors in the Colour Q Challenge.  This one had a very deep orange/red shade (Dusty Durango) which allowed me to use the apple stamp that was in the kit.  Since I didn't have Dusty Durango ink, I used the closest thing to it . . . Tangerine Tango.  My apple looks a little on the orange side, but I think it still looks like an apple. 

I was back and forth on whether I should put the sentiment in the apple, create another element such as a banner or a circle, but in the end decided the sentiment on that pattern paper would be the best option.  Once I placed that little veneer heart on the apple, it all came together! 

One kit . . . four challenges . . . three cards!  I hope you find some time to create.  

Supplies Used - Thinking of You

Cardstock:  Neenah*

Pattern Paper:  Paislee Press* and Studio Calico*

Stamps:  1canoe2 for Studio Calico*

Ink:  Stampin' Up, Versamark, and Ranger White Embossing Powder

Other:  Kraft Die Cut Label* and Pretty Pink Posh Sequins

*from Studio Calico Walden Card Kit

Supplies Used - Nuts About You

Cardstock:  Neenah* and Bazzill

Pattern Paper:  Paislee Press* and Studio Calico*

Stamps:  1canoe2 for Studio Calico*

Ink:  Stampin' Up

Other:  Kraft Die Cut Label*, Wood Veneer Heart* and Plastric Strips*

*from Studio Calico Walden Card Kit

Supplies Used - Apple of My Eye

Cardstock:  Neenah*

Pattern Paper:  Paislee Press* and Studio Calico*

Stamps:  1canoe2 for Studio Calico*

Ink:  Stampin' Up

Other:  Wood Veneer Heart* and Floss from We R Memory Keepers

*from Studio Calico Walden Card Kit

Christmas Blessings for Merry Monday

This week's Merry Monday Challenge was to create a card using silver and blue.  I had been looking for an excuse to use my ornament stamp from The Stamps of Life, so this was the perfect opportunity. 

I cut my two round ornaments from the Bazzill silver cardstock, and stamped with pigment ink and embossed with clear powder.  The other ornament was cut from blue cardstock and has silver embossed on it. 

The countdown to Christmas is nearly here, so I need to inventory all of my Christmas cards.  There could be a mad dash to create more.  But there are a few more Merry Monday challenges before the big day!  

Supplies Used - Merry Monday

Cardstock:  Neenah (white) and Bazzill (silver, blue and vellum)

Stamps:  ornaments4christmas and moreornaments4christmas from The Stamps of Life and Cover-a-card Dotty Pattern from Impression Obsession

Dies:  Ornament Club and Ornament Dies TWO sets from The Stamps of Life

Ink:  Avery Elle, Memento, Versamark, and Ranger Embossing Powders (silver and clear)

Ribbon:  Offray

Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Sequins

Trending Trees

I have two creations for holiday cards that were inspired by some challenges that are out this week, combined with an online class that I signed up for a few weeks back.  The class is thru Catherine Pooler - Creativity Grows Here, and it is the A Very Trendy Holiday 2.0 class which combines the latest trends in paper crafting with the creation of holiday cards.  Check it out!

So one of the trends out there right now is geometric stamps.  I swear the trend started with the hexagons that were all the rage a year or so ago.  But now there are all sorts of geometric stamps.  So two challenges were calling to me.  The first was this week's Muse challenge post which had a very Clean and Simple creation (shown below with my supply list).  I have been trying to stretch my stamps, and so I decided to create a tree using a smaller tree stamp . . . a tiny triangular stamp becomes a bigger triangle.  I used supplies from my September card kit from The Stamps of Life to create this card.

I was concerned that the little tree trunks would be a bit annoying within the tree, so I stamped a small snowflake over them and placed my ornamental rhinestones on top.  Definitely a fun way to stretch that tiny little tree stamp! 

For my second card, I was inspired to stretch my stamps again.  Avery Elle has a holiday challenge, and while I wanted to use one of their new holiday sets, I pushed myself to go geometric and use the triangle from the Bright Days set with the sunburst stamp in that set being used to highlight the shine of the star on the tree.  I also wanted to showcase another trend - the use of metallic elements.

I used Avery Elle pigment ink for the tree, so the shine is actually clear embossing.  The washi tape and the silver embossed sunburst are the metallic elements to the card.  I love that washi tape . . . it was in a gift bag that I won, and I have no idea who makes it.  It has a fabulous shimmer! 

I highly recommend that you take a look at your stamps and find different ways to use them.  Not only is it fun, but it has this feeling like you pulled a fast one on someone, something . . . well, you know what I mean.  It feels like an accomplishment of sorts. 

Hope you find some time to be trendy and create today! 

Supplies Used

All supplies from The Stamps of Life (September Card Kit used along with The Stamps of Life ink)

Supplies Used - Avery Elle Tree

Cardstock:  Bazzill

Stamps:  Bright Days and Joy to the World by Avery Elle

Ink:  Avery Elle, Encore, Ranger Embossing Powder

Other:  Metallic Washi Tape (no packaging); rhinestones from The Stamps of Life, Sequins from Pretty Pink Posh

Kit Kraft Wednesday - Using Up Button Farm Supplies

I was late on Kit Kraft Wednesday last week, so I wanted to be sure to post a creation using supplies from my monthly kits.While at a crop this past weekend, I finished a chipboard book from The Button Farm.  I had leftover paper and embellishments and cut them up to create future cards.  The first is a creation using the color combination challenge from The Paper Players which was Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla and Mossy Meadow.  Here is my card . . .

The scene was created using one of Stampin' Up's new clear stamps.  I embossed the images before adding some watercolor to the scene.  I love the look of coloring scenes on pattern paper. 

My second card, using those same leftover supplies, was inspired by this week's CAS-ology challenge, which was "FESTIVE."  I used my leftover paper, chipboard and stickers to create this card, adding a sentiment die from Essentials by Ellen. 

I've been enjoying my latest craze, which is to emboss my sentiment dies, adding dimension and shine.  Highly recommend you give it a try; it really adds some "pop" to your cards.  

 The reindeer and border were both chipboard elements and added some awesome dimension as well. 

Hope you find some time to create! 

Supplies Used - Car/Tree Scene Card

Cardstock:  Neenah

Pattern Paper:  Farmhouse*

Stamps:  Stampin' Up White Christmas

Ink:  Versafine and Ranger Embossing Powder; Stampin' Up

*from Button Farm December 2012 Kit

Supplies Used - Reindeer (be merry)

Cardstock:  Neenah

Pattern Paper:  Farmhouse*

Stamps:  Essentials by Ellen Merry & Bright (inside sentiment)

Dies:  Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies Merry & Bright

Ink:  Versamark, Ranger Clear Embossing Powder

Other:  Chipboard pieces and stickers from Farmhouse*

*from Button Farm December 2012 Kit