Saturday, July 30, 2016

Sharing a Few Cards

I had created a few cards a few months ago that I never shared on my blog.  I'm trying to clean up my computer a bit and thought I would share some pictures of some cards that came from an event at StampNation, my favorite crafty place.  


This one was created using stamps and dies from Stamp of Approval.  I just love these products that come out quarterly, and Catherine Pooler Designs had their very first stamp set released, which is called Geobuilders . . . that's where my suspended diamonds came from.  Love how this card turned out.



This snowy scene above was created using stamps from Pretty Pink Posh, and colored with Copic markers.  Cute!  


And this is another card created using the Geobuilders stamp set.  I love that amazing set.

I hope you find some time to create today.


Supplies Used - You Make Me Smile
Stamps:  Geobuilders (Catherine Pooler Designs), All About You (CAS-ual Fridays)
Ink:  Pool Party, Blushing Bride, Smokey Slate (Stampin' Up), Black (Hero Arts), Versamark
Paper:  Solar White (Neenah), Favorite Things (Heidi Swapp)
Accessories:  Gold Tinsel Embossing Powder (Ranger); Black Shimmer Trim (Close To My Heart); Twine (The Stamps of Life); Postage Stamp Edge Die (Simon Says Stamp); 2 You's Dies (CAS-ual Fridays)
 
Supplies Used - Tis the Season
Stamps:  Holiday Pals (Pretty Pink Posh)
Ink:  Fern, Cashmere, New England Ivy (Close To My Heart); Copic Markers; Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper:  Solar White (Neenah) and Scraps from my stash
Accessories:  Mini Tags Dies and Holiday Pals Dies (Pretty Pink Posh); Sparking Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh); Twine (The Stamps of Life); Icycle Stickles

Supplies Used - So Happy for You
Stamps:  Geobuilders (Catherine Pooler Designs), All About You (CAS-ual Fridays)
Ink:  Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, Black (Hero Arts), Versamark
Paper:  Solar White (Neenah); Licorice (The Stamps of Life)
Accessories:  Postage Stamp Edge Die (Simon Says Stamp);  Storybook 4 Dies (Pretty Pink Posh); Gold Detail Embossing Powder (Stampendous); Frosted Crystal Embossing Powder (Ranger); Metallic Bronze Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Stamp of Approval . . . 2 Cards . . . 2 Challenges

Finally found some time today to get back to creating, and I really enjoyed it.  I had some brand new product to play with from Stamp of Approval's latest release, Lovely Notes.  I couldn't wait to get busy today.

First up was a challenge from Stamp Ink Paper, which was a black and white challenge.  Here is my card . . .


Stamping and embossing was the name of the game for this one . . . super simple . . . as always the hardest part is keeping the embossing powder where it needs to be.  


And then for my second card, a little creation for Freshly Made Sketches using some pattern papers.  Trying to use my stash, which we all know is never an easy task.

Here is the sketch . . .
  And here is my card . . . 



Pattern papers and a splash of black, and using my new SOA products.  What can be better. 

I hope you found some time to create today. 

 
Supplies Used - Black and White Thanks
Stamps:  Lovely Lattice Background Stamp and Butterfly Notes Stamp (Catherine Pooler Designs for Stamp of Approval)
Ink: Versamark
Paper:  Licorice (The Stamps of Life) and Solar White (Neenah)
Accessories:  Black and White Embossing Powder (Ranger) and Itty Bitty Sparkles (Close To My Heart)

Supplies Used - A Note to Say Thanks
Stamps:  Butterfly Notes and Lovely Flowers Stamp Sets (Catherine Pooler Designs for Stamp of Approval)
Ink: Versamark and Black (Hero Arts)
Paper:  Desert Storm and Solar White Cardstock (Neenah), Licorice (The Stamps of Life) and Pattern Paper (Die Cuts With a View)
Accessories:  Lovely Flowers and Banners Dies (Catherine Pooler Designs for Stamp of Approval), Sparking Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh), Ribbon (Stampin' Up),


Monday, July 11, 2016

Happy Bird'day for Seize the Birthday

Whoa . . . I'm back.  I have been away from the creativity for quite some time.  Work and life in general has just taken over my life. 

But today I have a card for you which I created for the Seize the Birthday challenge.  The toppings challenge this week was birds, bees and butterflies.  For me it was birds . . .


 I used scraps of paper from Kiwi Lane and dies and stamps from The Stamps of Life.  The scraps were given to me after a demo of Kiwi Lane at a crop.  I loved the colors, and I just had to do something with them. 


Love the colors . . . love the elements.  I was pretty happy with this card.  I'm even happier that the scraps didn't sit in my scrap pile. 

I hope you find some time to scrap. 



Supplies Used - Tweet Birthday
Stamps:  birdcage2stamp (The Stamps of Life)
Ink: Licorice and Cloud (The Stamps of Life)
Paper:  Birds of a Feather (Kiwi Lane) and Marshmallow (The Stamps of Life
Accessories:  Birdcage Dies (The Stamps of Life), cShimmer Trim (Close To My Heart), Twine (The Stamps of Life)

Friday, July 8, 2016

A Year of Card Techniques Blog Hop - July


It's month seven of our year long adventure into different card-making techniques, folds and paper crafting products. 


We hope you got the chance to hop with us each month.  It's not to late to hop and comment to be entered into our prize drawing.  If you missed any of the previous months, you can click on the month to be taken directly to the start of that month's hop.

January - Emboss Resist Technique
February - Ink Layering Techniques
March - Inlaid Die-cutting
April - Shaker Cards
May - Spinner Cards
June - Step Cards

This month we are playing with watercolor and you won't want to miss the amazing and fun cards we've got for you today.  We really love feedback, so please leave a comment on each of the blogs in today's hop. Each comment on the 12 hops throughout the year will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Blitsy.com or Stampin' Up gift certificate (Winner's Choice).

Now on with my projects.  I took a few different approaches with my cards today.   First was a card using watercolor paper, distress inks and a stamp set from My Creative Time.  


For this card, used a brush to color in the stamped circle images.  I painted the circle images with water and then dropped the distress ink colors into the card.    

As opposed to my next card, where I used the same stamp set with a different technique.  I dropped the color in using a "smooshing" techique with a solid circle stamp from the same set, which clearly has less control.  It's a completely different look. 


And speaking of using the same supplies, what follows are two watercolor cards using a stencil.  One was a bit more saturated in color than the other.  You'll see this first card was all color.  And you'll see later that the second card was using the saturated stencil to give the impression of the stencil itself - so the negative image.  

Here is the first image . . . 


Again, this one is using lots of distress ink.  (I love that darn sentiment!).  

And here is a card using the the negative image.  I literally took my wet and inky stamp up from the panel used in the card above, and I dropped it onto a piece of watercolor paper to create the panel below.  


I am loving the white space in this card.  It is all such a subtle look.  I used new stamps and dies that had just arrived from Catherine Pooler's new shop.  

Next on the hop is Sharon, and just in case you get lost along the way or want to start at the beginning, here is today's Line-up:

     Theresa  -  http://scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com/
     Kim  - http://katydidcards.com/

Thanks for hopping!  


Supplies Used - Circle of Friends
Stamps:  You Are Spot On (My Creative Time)
Ink: Archival Black (Ranger), Peacock Feathers, Salty Ocean, Picked Raspberry, Ripe Persimmon (Ranger Distress Inks)
Paper:  Solar White (Neenah), Licorice (The Stamps of Life, Watercolor (Bee)
Accessories:  Onyx and Sparkling Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)

Supplies Used - Bright Spot
Stamps:  You Are Spot On (My Creative Time)
Ink: Squeezed Lemonade, Mowed Lawn, Abandoned Coral, Mermaid Lagoon (Ranger Distress Ink), Archival Black (Ranger)
Paper:  Solar White (Neenah), Licorice (The Stamps of Life, Watercolor (Bee)
Accessories:  Chevron Washi Tape, Onyx Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)

Supplies Used - Sarcasm
Stamps:  Raise Some Sass (Riley & Co.)
Ink: Festive Berries, Ripe Persimmon, Mustard Seed (Ranger Distress Ink); Versamark
Paper:  Licorice (The Stamps of Life, Watercolor (Bee), Sunshine (Simon Says Stamp)
Accessories:  Wonky Chevron Stencil (My Favorite Things), Whisper White Linen Ribbon (Stampin' Up), Black Shimmer Trim (Close To My Heart), Perfect Pearls, White Embossing Powder (Ranger), Stitched Essentials 1 Die (Pretty Pink Posh)

Supplies Used - Hugs & Kisses
Stamps:  And Stamps (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Ink: Festive Berries, Ripe Persimmon, Mustard Seed (Ranger Distress Ink); Black Archival (Ranger)
Paper:  Licorice (The Stamps of Life, Watercolor (Bee), Orange Peel (Simon Says Stamp)
Accessories:  Wonky Chevron Stencil (My Favorite Things), Onyx Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh, And Dies (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Friday, June 10, 2016

A Year of Card Techniques - June Blog Hop - Step Cards


I cannot believe we have reached the half-way point of our year-long adventure into creating cards using different techniques, folds, or paper crafting products.  And yet, here we are and it is June already.  We hope you've had a chance to hop with us each month.

First time seeing one of our technique hops?  It is never too late to hop and be entered into the prize drawing.  I've included links below to the different starting points of each hop in case you want to head back and check out other techniques.  You can click each month to be taken directly to the starting point. 

January - Emboss Resist Technique
February - Ink Layering Techniques
March - Inlaid Die-cutting
April - Shaker Cards
May - Spinner Cards
June - Step Cards

This month we will be creating step cards and you won't want to miss the amazing and fun cards we've got for you today.  We really love feedback, so please leave a comment on each of the blogs in today's hop. Each comment on the 12 hops throughout the year will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Blitsy.com or Stampin' Up gift certificate (Winner's Choice).

Now on with the projects.  I have three completely different cards.  My first card was created using a die set from The Stamps of Life.  Admittedly, when I create a step card using a die, it makes me feel a bit like I cheated.  But I did want to be sure that I showed there are some easy options where measuring and scoring were not required.  


So yes, the card above had a die that made most of those pieces.  I used some pattern papers to decorate my balloons.  I also created a vellum balloon that hangs off to the right side and has an added sentiment.  Everything here was all dies from the set that I got from The Stamps of Life.  It's a great way to learn how to do step cards.  

My second card I created on my own . . . cut and scored and GUESSED.  Yes - I'm a guesser.  But all went well, and when it doesn't I have scrap cardstock.  


I used pattern paper for the front of my card, and I embossed my sentiment in orange.  I was going back and forth between orange and black, and in the end, the orange won out.  I think it's a good choice.  

The flowers were stamped in black pigment ink and clear embossed.  I colored the flowers with distress inks and spritzed with some perfect pearls


 And now my final card was one with a lot of fussy cuts and paper piecing.  I do love to paper piece.  


 I do love these cute little pandas.  


 I do hope that all the cards you've seen so far have inspired you.  And there are a few more folks on the hope, and I can't wait to see what they've create.  

Here is today's line-up in case you get lost along the way.  

YOU ARE HERE - Debbie  - http://pawstoscrap.blogspot.com/
NEXT STOP - Sharon  - http://piece-ofheart.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by, and as I always say . . . I hope you find some time to create today.  

 
Supplies Used - Balloon Step Card
Stamps:  candles4birthday and morecandles2stamp (The Stamps of Life)
Ink:  Black (Hero Arts); Versamark
Paper:  Marshmallow (The Stamps of Life) and Pattern Paper from November 2015 Card Kit (The Stamps of Life); Vellum (Bazzill)
Accessories:  Sparkle Flowers (The Stamps of Life), Twine (The Stamps of Life), Happy Birthday Die (The Stamps of Life), Balloon Step-up Card Kit (Sizzix); Black Sparkle Embossing Powder (Ranger)

Supplies Used -  Look for the Miracles
Stamps:  Look for the Miracles* (Simon Says Stamp)
Ink:  Versamark; Ranger Distress Inks (varying colors)
Paper:  Believe Collection (Bo Bunny)*
Accessories:  Orange Blossom Embossing Powder (Ranger); Perfect Pearls; Icicle Stickles; Bitty Sparkles (Close To My Heart)

Supplies Used - Sending You Smiles
Stamps:  Incoming Mail (Mama Elephant); Sending and Wishing (Simon Says Stamp)
Ink:  Black (Hero Arts); Worn Lipstick (Ranger Distress Marker)
Paper:  Solar White (Neenah); The Paper Studio; POW Silver (American Crafts)
Accessories:  Denim Ribbon (Stampin' Up); Wedding Dress (Irresistible PICO Embellisher from Imagine Crafts)

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Welcome Little One

I said I was going back to the drawing board with the same supplies as my previous post, and that I did.  I combined the Inlaid Dies challenge at Happy Little Stamper with the sketch at Sugar Pea Designs

Here is the sketch . . .


Here is the result . . .


This design uses the same cardstock and pattern papers; the same stamps and dies; but I've added a bit more paper and it's a more detailed design, given the sketch I used. 


And those pins are just awesome!  Love how they turned out on this card too. 

Take eight to create!  It will be time well spent. 

Cheers!

 
Stamps:  Bundle of Joy (Sugar Pea Designs)
Ink:  Steel Gray (My Favorite Things)
Paper:  Solar White (Neenah); Pool Party (Stampin' Up); Silver POW Glitter Paper (American Crafts); Nursery Baby Boy (DCWV)
Accessories:  Baby Diaper Pin Sugar Cuts (Sugar Pea Designs; Circle Dies (Sizzix); Thinlits Border Dies (Sizzix); Whisper White Ribbon (Stampin' Up); Liquid Glass (Close To My Heart)




Muse #167 - Welcome Baby

I loved the card at this week's Muse Challenge because I am in love with designs that include inlaid dies.  For me, an inlaid die creation is almost like a puzzle.  You are cutting pieces from multiple papers, and you get to piece them all back together to make a design.  Right up my alley!

Here is the Muse creation . . .



And here is my card . . .




I used little pins for my design, and I cut them from Silver POW paper from American Crafts.  I also added an added touch . . . some Liquid Glass to give the plastic portion of those pins a little shine.  They were all cut from different pattern papers.


I love how this card turned out.  I think I'm going back to the drawing board to create another card using the same supplies.  Wait for it!

I hope you find some time to create today!

Cheers!


Supplies Used - Welcome Little One
Stamps:  Bundle of Joy (Sugar Pea Designs)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper:  Solar White (Neenah); Pool Party (Stampin' Up); Silver POW Glitter Paper (American Crafts); Nursery Baby Boy (DCWV)
Accessories:  Baby Diaper Pin Sugar Cuts (Sugar Pea Designs; Sparking Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh); Liquid Glass (Close To My Heart)

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Lots of Love for Color Throwdown

Did a little creating for Color Throwdown, and here is the result . . .


I used pattern paper with the two shades of pink and the gray.  I love the folded element of this card.  It gives nice dimension.  



The shades may be a bit different . . . I'm a little less fuchsia.  (A little less fuchsia?  I'm not sure I know what that means.)





Supplies Used -Lots of Love
All product from Simon Says Stamp February 2016 Card Kit
  • Simon Says Stamp Exclusive Clear Stamp Set "Hello Beautiful".
  • Patterned Papers by Crate Paper
  • Gold Foiled Sentiment Stickers by Crate Paper
  • Simon Says Stamp Cotton Candy Cardstock

Good Day Sunshine for The Card Concept

Playing along today with the challenge at The Card Concept. I remember when this challenge first started, and here they are at #55. Where has the time gone.

 Here is their inspiration photo . . .


 And here is my card design, which is clean and layered with a pop of color from pattern paper.


This was pattern paper leftover from a kit that I had, and that Good Day Sunshine pattern paper piece was the start of this card.  When I saw the challenge, I knew this was what I would use.  The die cuts pulled this all together, and I love the white on white with the clouds and ribbon.  


Always fun to play along with a good challenge; I hope you find some time to create today.


Supplies Used - Good Day Sunshine
Stamps:  Sending Sunshine (W-Plus 9)
Ink:  Black (Hero Arts), Squeezed Lemonade and Abandoned Coral Distress Ink (Ranger), Clear Wink of Stella
Paper:  Solar White (Neenah) and Life in Color (Simple Stories)
Accessories:  Sunshine Layers (W-Plus 9); Whisper White Ribbon (Stampin' Up)

Friday, May 13, 2016

May Technique Blog Hop - Spinner Cards


I just can't believe that May is here already, and it's already month five of our year-long adventure
into different card-making techniques, folds and paper crafting products.   


We hope you got the chance to hop with us each month.  It is never too late to hop and comment to be entered into our prize drawing.  If you missed any of the previous months, you can click on the month to be taken directly to the start of that month's hop. 
 January
February
March
April


This month we will be creating spinner cards and you won't want to miss the amazing and fun cards we've got for you today. We really love feedback, so please leave a comment on each of the blogs in today's hop.   Each comment on the 12 hops throughout the year will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Blitsy.com gift certificate.

Now on with my projects!


I have two types of spinner cards for you today.  The first is where an element on the card is suspended on a string within a window.  For this card I put my sentiment in the window, and had two images on the suspended circle.  The images relate to the sentiment . . . a little sundae  . . . 


 
And a dog with an ice cream cone.  (O.K., so sure . . . a dog can't technically "hold" an ice cream cone, but I assure you my dogs would tear that thing up and gobble it down.)   Isn't that little guy adorable? 

 
The images above and below were accented with Liquid Glass from Close To My Heart.  You'll notice that the dog tag and the glass sundae bowl just shine like glass/metal.  And here is a close-up of that sentiment, which is extremely fitting.  



My second card is the traditional spinner that has an element on the card that spins on a track.   I used circle dies for this one. 

The Magic 8 Ball was a staple when I was growing up.  I thought about how you shake it and move it around as you ask your question, and it seemed perfect for a spinner card.  The question, "Could you be any nicer?" 


The answers on the front of the card read, "No" . . . "Very doubtful" . . . and the sentiment that is on the front and appears inside the card, "My sources say no."  

I used Liquid Glass to make some water droplets, because water and bubbles are contained inside that crazy Magic 8 Ball.  

Next on the hop is Sharon.  You will find some fabulous creations on her blog, and here is the line-up should you get lost along the way. 



Hope you enjoyed the hop, and I hope you find some time to create a spinner card.  


Cheers!  


Supplies Used - Ice Cream Spinner
Stamps:  Ice Cream Dream (Close To My Heart);
Ink:  Black Onyx (Versafine) and Inktense Colored Pencils
Paper:  Pattern Paper Scrap (Close To My Heart)
Accessories:  Clear Embossing Powder (Ranger); Liquid Glass (Close To My Heart); Sweet Pea Sequin Mix (Pretty Pink Posh); Seam Binding (Close To My Heart); Card Base (Close To My Heart)

Supplies Used - Magic 8 Ball
Stamps:  Good Fortune (Avery Elle)
Ink:  Black (Hero Arts); Versamark; Pistachio Green, Ultramarine Blue and Violet (Kevin Oliver Color Burst)
Paper:  Watercolor Paper (Bee); Marshmallow (Bazzill); 
Accessories:  Circle Dies (Sizzix); Liquid Glass (Close To My Heart); White Detail Embossing Powder (Ranger)




Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Smiles Across the Miles - Inkspirational Challenge

I'm leaving on a jet plane tomorrow, so I thought that it was the perfect vehicle to showcase for the Inspirational Challenge.  Here is my card . .


I went with a cloudy watercolor background for this one, and I love the result.  


Loving that circle die as well that made the stitched circles . . . the perfect showcase for my sentiment. 

No creating for me over the next week . . . I will be visiting my parents in sunny Florida.  But I hope you find some time to create. 




Supplies Used - Hello
Cardstock:  Bazzill and Bee Watercolor
Stamps and Dies:  Thanks for the Lift Stamp and Die Set and Circle Stitched Pattern Dies from My Creative Time
Ink:Hero Arts, Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Versamark, Ranger White Embossing Powder and Signo Uniball White Pen
Ribbon:  Ellen Hutson
Other:  Sequins from Pretty Pink Posh and Liquid Glass from Close To My Heart

You Are Awesome - Inspired by Just Add Ink

I have had extremely little time to stamp, and it's frustrating because I have new stamp items just calling me to come play.  I did break away on Sunday to create a card and used Just Add Ink for inspiration.  Here is their inspiration photo . . .

JAI #309-Inspiration

 And here is my card . . .




I have to very seriously . . . SERIOUSLY . . . say that I'm in love with that chevron stamp set.  IN LOVE.  And this color palette is fabulous. 


The stamp sets and the "You" die is from Stamp of Approval, which I believe has sold out.  But I am sure that the product will be sold down the road individually.  Let me say that if you've not checked out Stamp of Approval, you should.  It is awesome stuff.

Awesome!

I hope you find some time to get all inkified!

Cheers!


Supplies Used - You Are Awesome
Stamps:  GeoBuilders (Catherine Pooler Designs)*, All About You Stamp Set (CAS-ual Fridays)*
Ink:  Crisp Cantalope, Mint Macaron, Calypso Coral (Stampin' Up), Black (Hero Arts)
Paper:  Calypso Coral (Stampin' Up), Solar White (Neenah), Basic Black (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:  2 You's Dies (CAS-ual Fridays) and Sparkling Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)

*Beautiful Word - Stamp of Approval

Sunday, May 1, 2016

Freshly Made and CAS-ology Cards

A couple of cards to share tonight, and first up is a card created for Freshly Made Sketches.  Here is the sketch . . .
And here is my card . . .

 

First and foremost, I love the lyrics . . . from Dear Prudence by The Beatles . . . "The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you." 

This was an unusual card for me.  I didn't use a single stamp or any ink.  It was purely cardstock, pattern paper and stickers, all leftover from a kit that I had for a mini album.  I love when I can use my supplies that are left from another project. 

Next up is a card created for CASology.  The Cue Card was "Sprinkle."  Here is my card . . .


So some sprinkles of salt . . . and a message to take life with a grain of salt.  Seasoning makes everything better!  


My shaken salt was created with Diamond Dust glitter, and the salt in the shaker with Stickles. 

I'm heading off on vacation in a few days . . . no crafting while I'm gone.  But I do hope to do a little creating before I head off.  And I hope you find some time to create as well. 


Supplies Used - So Are you
Paper:  Life in Color (Simple Stories) and Solar White (Neenah)
Accessories:  Life in Color Stickers (Simple Stories) and Cork Flower Sticker (The Stamps of Life)


Supplies Used - Grain of Salt
Stamps:  saltshaker2stamp (The Stamps of Life)
Ink:  Licorice (The Stamps of Life Color Box)
Paper:  Licorice (The Stamps of Life) , Solar White (Neenah), POW Silver (American Crafts), Studio Calico Pattern,
Accessories:  Salt Shaker Dies (The Stamps of Life), Stickles, Diamond Dust Glitter (Floracraft), Twine (The Stamps of Life), Liquid Glass (Close To My Heart)

Welcome Baby for SIP Challenge 45

I had been wanting to create a card using a newsprint pattern paper, and while a baby card didn't seem appropriate, I decided to give it a shot.  So I created this card for SIP Challenge #45.


 I stamped my images onto the pattern paper, and I was careful to lightly watercolor with distress markers so the paper wouldn't pill. 

Now I know that ribbon is a bit on the outs these days, but I love a touch of ribbon on a card.  I do find that I use it less, but I can't give it up completely. 

I hope you find some time to create today! 



SIP Theme 45 800Supplies Used - Sweet Baby
Cardstock:  Close To My Heart
Pattern Paper:  Heartstrings from Close To My Heart
Stamps:  Cute Koalas from Close To My Heart
Dies:  Sizzix Framelits Fancy #4 Dies
Ink:  Close To My Heart, Versamark, Ranger White Embossing Powder, and Ranger Distress Markers
Ribbon:  Stampin' Up
Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Sequins