Green, the color of harmony

Happy Friday.  I have been crafting some holiday ornaments for our family reunion.  Stay tuned for a few photos of those.  But, today, I want to share a card I made for a very special friend.  I used this week's sketch from Sketch Frenzy Friday.  Tammy is this weeks designer of the sketch.  Tammy has given us a great sketch, that I am sure you will easily be able to incorporate into your crafting.

The first thing I noticed about this week's sketch, is how versatile it is.  If you follow me, you know that I am a huge fan of text paper, and those flag-ended strips.  So, I really had fun with this one.

I just loved the rectangle piece at the top, but I love portrait orientation cards.  This card was a labor of love.  Because yeah, there are quite a few steps.  But, I just love how it turned out.  I cut a piece of old olive card stock, and inked the en francias background stamp with versa mark ink.  I did that finger tap stamping.  I didn't want all the words to be stamped.  But rather a random look.  I used white embossing powder and heat set the text.  I inked the 'very vintage' wheel in old olive classic and ran along both sides of the card.  I used a kleenex to buff the old olive classic ink off the embossed text.  I did a simple machine sewn border on this main panel.  I scrunched the lower right corner of the card.  I thought it added a little visual surprise.

For my rectangle piece, I actually created a tag.  I used the Etc. DSP for the green stripe piece.  I matted very vanilla card stock.  And ran a simple machine sewn border to that piece, also.  I love repetition.  I wanted to add a doily to the tag, but I didn't want it to 'steal the show', so I used vellum card stock and the perfect pennant die.  I used crumb cake seam binding to create my multi-loop bow.  I thought the neutral color would pull your eye to the top of the card.  I created and adhered a button out of clay, using the button & blossom mold, to the center of the bow.  I also added a pearl to the button.

For the blossoms, I cut several floral pieces with the blossom die.  I bent the petals to give them some shape.  I brushed whisper white craft ink along the petal edges and sprinkled on dazzling diamond glitter.  I adhered the trio of blossoms to the lower edge of the vellum doily.

I wanted the bottom of the tag to have a bit of flair, so I added a trio of flags.  I used very vanilla card stock and the square lattice embossing folder. to give the cardstock some texture.  But I wanted to add more,.  So, I repeated the machine stitching along the middle of the banners.  I also topped their point of origin with another clay button and pearl.

For the sentiment, I stamped 'amazing you' from the Express Yourself stamp set, in basic black classic ink.  I flagged the ends and folded the long tails.  I used foam tape to lift the sentiment off the card front.

Thank you for stopping by.  Leave me a comment on your opinion of machine stitching.  I'd love to know what you think!  And break out your cardstock and favorite stamp set, and create something using our sketch.  We would really love to see what you create!

Butterflies and Flowers

As this work week comes to an end, I hope you find the energy to play in one more challenge.  The talented Tammy, over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday, has an unique sketch to push your creativity.

here is what I made:

I used things that I love.  Circles, butterflies, buttons, flowers, and burlap-type ribbon, and a lot of machine stitching.  I do know that not all girls are girly girls, so this card is for them.

The card base is baked brown sugar cardstock.  I used two different pattern papers from the same collection: Etc. dsp.  

The circles are made from soft suede card stock and Etc. dsp.  I used the ruler print.

The butterflies were cut from soft sky cardstock and stamped with en francias inked in crumb cake classic ink.  The centers are different.  I thought it would add a bit more visual interest.  I used the trio blossom punch for two of the floral shapes and the floral fusion die for the 4 petal flower.  The bottom flower and the top button are created with clay and the Buttons and Flowers molds.  The center butterfly has a simple floral shape with a pearl center.

All edges are sponged with crumb cake classic ink.  (all edges: the panels, the butterflies, and the blossoms).

I love adding machine stitching to my cards.  And this card is sporting some stitching {smile}.  I did a simple border around the center panel.  I also did a quick stitch through the strips of burlap ribbon.

The butterflies are adhered to the card front with dimensionals.  The floral centers are adhered to the butterflies with dimensionals

I added a simple sentiment tag.  I really wanted to add a tiny tag, but its retired.  So, I have to move on, and embrace these current products.  I added the simple 'Thanks' to the lower wing of the middle butterfly.

Once the card was complete, I spritz it with some smooch, and a few splatters of crumb cake ink.

Thank you for looking!  Now head to your craft space, and share with us what you create with our sketch over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday.  

this card is now available for sale in my Etsy shop, here

create

I have some productive plans for this weekend.  I need to clean my craft room.  I basically 'know' where everything is.  But, it really needs to get put back together.  My son-in-law is racing this weekend, too.  So, I'll be out at the race track, showing my support.  And, I need to spend some time with my grandchildren.  So, fun-filled, and busy.  But, I'm sure that your weekend is busy too.

Before the weekend, gets off to its official start, lets swing by the Sketch Frenzy Friday challenge blog to see what we can create.  Tammy, is this week's sketch designer, and here is her sketch:

the sketch

here is my take on this week's sketch:

I just love how wonderfully pink pirouette and calypso coral pair together.  And so, with no restrictions, I chose to work with these two colors.

The main panel is calypso coral with distressed polka dots heat embossed in white.  I just love how these polka dots look worn and vintage.  

For the strip of card stock that runs across the middle of the card is pink pirouette with some stamping.  I inked the very vintage wheel in calypso coral and ran it horizontally.  I inked the en francias back ground stamp in basic black classic ink.  Then I tapped the card stock, so that the text would be random.  I brushed some whisper white craft ink across this same panel randomly.  And lastly, I sponged some crumb cake classic ink along the edges of the panel.  I matted this piece with basic black card stock.  I used the scallop edge border punch to create the decorative trim.

Now, for this little cluster.  I stamped the grossamer lace in versa mark and heat embossed in white on vellum.  I just love this stamp.  And yeah, it's a retiring stamp. {frown}

The butterfly was created with the butterfly die.  I used pink pirouette card stock and stamped the en francias background stamp onto this butterfly piece.  I then edged the butterfly with whisper white craft ink using a paint brush. Then dunked the butterfly into my tub of dazzling diamond glitter.  (the glitter adhers to the wet craft ink, and when dried, the glitter is fixed to the ink)  I layered a circle of first edition dsp. I also cut a blossom piece from pink pirouette card stock.  I made the button with some clay and a new button mold by Stampin' Up!  I tied the whole piece together with some linen thread.

For the sentiment banner, I used very vanilla and calypso coral card stocks.  I stamped the 'create' in basic black classic ink.  This word is from the creative elements stamp set.

I hope you have found some inspiration here.  And I hope that you play along with us.  Use your favorite color combinations, stamps and papers to create a beautiful paper craft to share with us @ SFF. 

thinking of you in blue

Happy Friday, to you!  I hope this week has been inspirational.  If not, grab a coffee/latte/tea/coke, whatever the beverage of your choice.  The talented Tammy F. from the Sketch Frenzy Friday, has a fun and creative sketch for you to try this week.  Here is her sketch:

For those of you who visit, know that I trade shapes for shapes.  This sketch has four squares clustered together.  And, I didn't use four squares.  Here is my card:

The card base is very vanilla cardstock.  The main panel is pool party textured cardstock.  I just love this paper.  It's new and in the mini catalog.  You can sand the cardstock to reveal the white core.  Very fun!  I used my framelets to cut the basic black cardstock.  I inked the text background stamp: En Francias in VersaMark ink and used white embossing powder and heat embossed the text.  I used my trio blossom hand-held punch to create the blossoms.  I used First Edition DSP and a scrap piece of the pool party I used for the main panel.  I added a pearl center.  For the fourth 'square' I opted to create a sentiment banner.  Can you guess, that I just love these?!  I cut a scrap piece of very vanilla cardstock to 1/2" wide.  I stamped the sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set in basic black classic ink.  I used a square hand-held punch to create the banner end.  I used my sewing machine to secure the banner to the decorative label piece.

I hope we have inspired you to play along with us this week @ SFF.

Blue Skies

Happy Tuesday, folks!  It's hard to believe this week is off to such a roaring start.  But, to help kick off my creativity, I wanted to share with you the card I made for the latest challenge over @ Nacho Average Challenge.  I have to say, the ladies there, are very talented, and I am sure that you will find some inspiration!

This week, it is a sketch challenge.  I have to secretly admit, that I really do prefer sketch challenges.  Here is this week's challenge:

Here is what I created:

Here are hyperlinks to the rest of the design team:

Anne

Jenni

Leilani

Rose

Tammy

When I first saw this sketch, I thought the repeating four squares could be anything!  At first I thought about flowers, then I thought about four 'windows' to showcase any repeating object.  And then, I thought about butterflies.  I don't know why I just love winged things so much.  But I do!  

The card base is not quite navy card stock, then a matt of baja breeze card stock.  The pattern paper is from comfort cafe DSP.  I matted it on a scrap piece of soft suede card stock.  I used four squares of first edition DSP.  To create my butterflies, I first collage stamped three different stamps, then used the beautiful wings emboslit.  To create the flower, I punched out four scallop circles and scrunched them.  For my sentiment piece, I stamped the 'label' and then tore it out.  I added a multi-loop bow made from some baja breeze seam binding.  I added a tiny tag for my sentiment.  

Thank you for looking.  Now, I hope you have been inspired to play along with us @ NAC.

Grandma Chic

For those who know me, know that I just love creating paper crafts with a bit of flair for shabby chic, retro, vintage, and just plain aged pretty.  Well, they have a style name for this: Grandma Chic.  At first, I thought the name was a bit crazy.  But, now that I have mulled it over in my head and have said it out loud a few times, I think I will embrace it!  Grandma Chic, is my style of paper crafting.

So, with that, the super talented Linda C. (the Funkie Junkie) has a fabulous challenge for you this week over @ Our Creative Corner,   show us your favorite Tim Holtz technique.

Sounds pretty easy, right?  Well, if you are like a lot of the folks in the paper crafting industry, you know who Tim is.  You could probably pick him out of a line-up.  I know that I could.  So,  to pick one a technique, huh?  Well, I couldn't select one, but rather I did a few.

Here is my card.  (I didn't want to limit myself to the small 'canvas' of a tag.)

The two main techniques I used for this card, are the distress ink and masking.

For distress ink, you are suppose to swipe your distress ink pad across your craft mat and spritz with water.  I don't have a craft matt, or a blender tool.  So, I altered the technique, so I could work with his products.

I took tea dye, tattered rose, and antique linen ink pads and sponged the inks in circular motion across the whole piece of vanilla card stock.  To create a variance in colors for my background.  I lightly sprayed the inked card stock with water to help the ink blend. And heat set the inks with my heat tool.

Now, for the mask.  I held the Mostly Vintage template from Stampin' Up! in place and took tattered rose distress ink and a sponge and used the ink to highlight where the mask was.  I held the mask in place and inked my En Francais text stamp from Stampin' Up! with brushed corduroy distress ink and stamped the text along the opposite edge of the card.

I inked the sentiment in tuxedo black ink and stamped over my mask and text.  I dusted the words with clear embossing powder and heat set it.  (imagination is more important than knowledge.  for while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination leads us to all we might yet discover and create.)  

I used vintage photo distress ink to stamp the flourish image along the left side of the card.  These two stamps come from the Flights of Fancy TH stamp set.  I had a scrap piece of a music sheet from Lost & Found 2, so I tore both edges.  Then I swiped antique linen and tattered rose distress inks along all the edges and across the face of the paper.  

I used a piece of Fine Linen Twill tape ribbon from PTI, and distressed it with the same distress inks.  I used the blade of a pair of scissors to fray the ends of the twill tape ribbon.  The fabric blossom is a single blossom cut from TH Lavish Trims.  I spritz the fabric blossom with water and than swiped the tattered rose distress ink pad across the fabric.  Once I had enough ink on the fabric blossom, I sprayed more water on the blossom to help blend the ink.  I added one rhinestone jewel to its center.

I couldn't figure out where to add my metal embellishments, like Tim does, so I just stapled the twill tape at each end.  This also helped secure the ribbon to the card front.  I used a thread cutter to distress the edges, and swiped both brushed corduroy and vintage photo distress inks along the edges.  I used Sweet Blush card stock from PTI as my card base.

My goal when I was creating this card, was to keep the card true to Tim Holtz fashion, but to make it a bit girl-y.  And I believe that I have done that.  

Now, won't you give our challenge a try?  I  We would love to see what you create! And who knows.  Maybe you'll be our next Top Talent winner, and be a guest designer!

Fabulous You / Fabulous Вы

I hope this weekend is off to a good start for everyone.  I am participating in a blog hop challenge.  There are several requirements; everything from colors, a layout, and required items.  By participating, you enter 21 blog challenges, so you have 21 chances to win.  How fantastic is that?

Я надеюсь, что в эти выходные едет в хорошее начало для всех. Я участвуюв блоге проблемы хопа. Есть несколько требований, начиная от цвета,расположения, а также необходимые элементы. Принимая участие, Вы вводите 21 проблемы блог, так что вам есть 21 шансов на победу. Какфантастический это?

Here is the challenge: Lovers in a Scrap (Feb. 14-27, 2012)

Here are the blogs: 

(their names have been translated to English.  However, their content may not be translated)

1.  Scrap Memory

2.  Special Day Cards

3.  Skrapbumaga

4.  Hamster Challenge

5.  I Love Scrap

6.  This Scrap

7.  Sketches for Cards and Pages

8.  Shtampomaniya

9.  ArtUgolok

10.  Scrap Without Borders

11.  Challenge-km-shop

12.  A hip hobby

13.  Melodies of Scrap

14.  Scrap Magic

15.  First Belarusian Challenge blog

16.  Scrap Time

17.  Scrap Girls

18.  Keeping the Best

19.  Dnepropetrovsk club 'Paper Inspiration'

20.  scrapcraft

21.  Simple Desires

And here is my card:

Вот моя карточка:

The card base is dark chocolate card stock.  The main panel is pool party card stock.  I stamped the Bella Toile background stamp in white craft ink and used white embossing powder.  Then I stamped the french script back ground stamp in crumb cake classic ink.  Did the embossing resist technique.  For the two rectangles I cut two different papers.  I added some crochet trim for my ribbon.  I added a few different leaf stems, that were cut from a die.  My buttons are from amuse studio, and they were added as blossoms.  The flower was purchased made from Irene's Garden.  The 'Absolutely fabulous' stamp is from Paper Trey Ink, and stamped in Early Espresso classic ink.  The crown stamp is from Stampin' Up!.  The sparrow was a last minute addition.  I used a die cut and a wood sheet to create my bird.  Thank you for looking.

Карты база темно карточках шоколада. Основная панель бассейн сторонакарточки. Я штамп фоне Белла Toile штамп в белых чернил судов ииспользовал белый порошок тиснения. Тогда я штамп французскийсценарий обратно землю штамп в крошку торт классический чернил. Разветиснение противостоять технике. Для двух прямоугольников, я вырезал два различных документов. Я добавил некоторые крючком отделкой для моейленте. Я добавила несколько различных стебли листьев, которые быливырезаны из кости. Мои кнопки с развлечь студии, и они были добавленыцветы. Цветок был приобретен из сада Ирины."Absolutely Fabulous" штамп счернилами бумаги Трей, и штамп в ранних классических эспрессо чернил.Корона штамп с Up Stampin!.Воробей был в последнюю минуту. Я использовал сокращения штампов и дерева лист создать свою птицу.Спасибо за будущее.

Flowers in the Snow

Thank you for checking back with me.  It's Wednesday, so it's a Challenge day!  The wonderfully creative ladies over @ Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge have a pretty neat sketch for us to use.

 

When I first saw this sketch, I instantly thought of a snowman, or some snow flakes.  But, I thought that, 'that was too obvious'.  So, I decided to work with the shapes already there - flowers.  I also wanted to make a card that wasn't Christmas/Winter themed.  I imagine that we all can pretty much look outside to see those images.  I also wanted to work with a stamp set that hasn't felt ink in awhile.  We all have those stamp sets.  When you first see them, you just gotta have 'em.  Then after a few months, they get pushed back in the back, behind other 'forgotten' treasures.  

Now, for a color scheme.  Outside, its green, brown, and white.  Not very pretty for flowers.  So, I grabbed an old time favorite flower color scheme. Can you guess what that would be?  I selected - Calypso Coral & Pretty in Pink.  (if that was what you guessed, bravo!)  

Maybe I'm right eyed, or something, but I didn't like the way my card looked with the matted/scallop piece looked on the right, so I flipped it.  I know you aren't surprised that I used First Edition DSP, right?  I'm also not a big fan of text paper with the wrong orientation.  But this time, I kinda liked the look.  So, my text paper runs along the side and not up and down.  (sorry, if that bothers you.)  To create the background 'paper' I first stamped the french script using the 'finger tap' method, so the whole script wouldn't stamp.  I then stamped the french floral image in pink, using the same technique.  I stamped the flowers onto very vanilla cardstock and then hand-cut each one out.  And then gave each petal a little fold, to create a realistic petal.  I stacked the flowers together, and gave each blossom a half faux-pearl center.  The leaves were a second generation stamp in Old Olive classic ink.  The 'No. 5' is a second generation stamp in Soft Suede classic ink.  To give the eyelet border trim a little pizzazz, I scored the paper every 1/4" and then punched the edge.  

The little banner I made myself.  (It's pretty cute how I did that.) I used a scrap piece of very vanilla cardstock.  I stamped the word first.  Then used the word window punch to create the top and bottom edges of the banner.  I then took the photo corner punch and created the snipped part.  Adhered that piece to a scrap piece of crumb cake cardstock and using the very vanilla piece as my guide, I hand-cut the trim.   I thought it was pretty clever.   All the edges of every piece is sponged in Sahara Sand classic ink.  I wanted to add a little sparkle to my card, so I used the Silver Glitter paper to make the three butterflies.  I also punched out 2 tiny circles to add some pizzazz to the two little lonely flowers.

Lets see what beautifully-creative paper craft pieces you create for this challenge!

Give Thanks

It's Friday! yahoo!  and you know what that means, its time for another sketch from one of the design team members from Sketch Frenzy Friday challenge.  Please join us for our blog tour.  Tammy F. is the talented member that provided us with this week's sketch.   The only thing we ask, is that you use your Stampin' Up! supplies.

Here's the sketch:

Here is what I created:

This card was alot of fun to create!  I like to add layers to my cards, and sometimes the layers are in ink and not paper.  I took a scrap piece of Pool Party cardstock.  I used the same color classic ink and this wonderful stencil to create that blurry flourish to the left side.  I then inked the En Francais script background stamp in Sahara Sand classic ink.  I layed the pool party cardstock onto of the stamp and tapped with my finger tips.  I didn't want the script to be complete.  I wanted the lettering to be random and faded in some areas.  I stamped 'Give Thanks' in soft suede classic ink towards the bottom right of the card.  I used scrap pieces of Crumb Cake DSP to create the rectangle and scallop circle.  I used Certainly Celery DSP to create the different sized butterflies.  For the large, middle butterfly, I also cut a butterfly with the matching cardstock.  I layered them together.  I also used a dimensional to give this creature some height off the card, and curled the wings.  I added three tiny faux half pearls to the body of the butterfly.

Thank you for spending a few minutes with me.  Now, don't forget, Tammy B. is your next stop on the blog tour!

A Garden Variety Thank You

Good Morning, and thank you for stopping by!  I have had some wonderfully nice comments on my blog lately, and thank you to everyone who has taken the time to make a comment and make my day!  Wow! Thank you!  I have made another Thank You card.  Just for fun.  No challenge.  This card will be posted for sale on my Etsy shop this weekend, along with a few more that have been posted here:  Thank You #1 and #3.

All the supplies used to create this card, minus the bird, are from Stampin' Up!  I used the Sanded background stamp on the Crumb Cake cardstock, for the base of the card.  I took a scrap piece of Baja Breeze DSP and attached that across the middle of my card.  I had a scrap piece of First Edition DSP, that I wadded-up and then flattened, to give it a weathered-look.  I edged my Baja Breeze cardstock in white paint, to distress it.  The Very Vanilla panel, is layered with different stamps: En Francais in Crumb Cake classic ink.  The flower from Because I Care set is colored with markers: Marina Mist and Old Olive.  The Elizabeth stamp in done in Chocolate Chip classic ink.  I stamped the Thank You in Chocolate Chip classic ink, across a scrap piece of the twill ribbon and stapled it to the card.  I also edged the Very Vanilla panel in white paint.  I added the sticker last.  I thought that my card needed something more, but didn't know what.  And then I came across this sticker when I was looking thru my various stashes of stuff.

Enjoy your Friday!  I have a special order from Webster's Pages that has arrived, and I'm picking that up today after work!  I'm soo excited!  So, stay tuned!  I know what I ordered, but it was out of a catalog, and I haven't seen their stuff in real-life.  

Tomorrow is Saturday, and that's the first day of another challenge from Our Creative Corner!  And, it's not too late to submit an entry to the Creative Sketches challenge!

Thank You #2

Ok, as promised, the second card.  (Please stroll down to the previous post to 'catch-up')
I needed a some inspiration, to make a different card, so I headed over to Card Patterns for a little inspiration.                                         

Here is their sketch:

And here is my card:

Card #2

For this card, I used more neutral colors.  The card base is Linen from Paper Trey Ink.  The mat is Stampin' Up!:  Early Espresso cardstock.  The main pattern paper is from Stampin' Up!, and has been retired for 3/+ years ago: Brocade Background.  I stamped En Francais in Crumb Cake classic ink.  The stamp is not 'solid', because I did that 'finger tapping' technique.  The scalloped pattern paper is a scrap.  Don't know the maker, or name, sorry.  The top pattern paper is from the Brocade Background stack.  The pretty ribbon isn't stitched to the card, its stitched, tho.  Beach Front Ribbon Originals.  The button is from Stampin' Up! : Neutrals.  I used the Stampin' Up! Tiny Tags stamp set to make the 'thanks {so much}' tiny tag.  I used Linen Thread to tie the tag to the button.  I used the banner from the Stampin' Up! : Petal Cone Die.  The three pearls is from my faux half-pearl stash.  The 'Note of Thanks' stamp is from Stampin' Up! : Kind Thanks stamp set.

Let me know what you think.  If my co-worker doesn't purchase this card, it will go up for sale on my Etsy Shop : Designs by Sharon 

I would like to make at least one more card, for my co-worker to select from.  I'll need to post that one tomorrow.  Come back to see what I have made. :)

Vintage Background

Thank you for stopping by today, to see what I've been crafting. First, I want to thank my followers for their support, and all the lovely people who have posted comments on my postings. Your words of encouragement, and excitement, have really kept my spirits high, as well as my motivation. Thank You!

Ok, now on to today's card. I am on the Design Team (DT) for Creative Sketches. They are a wonderfully supportive group of ladies. Well, todays challenge is a layout. So, pop on over, and see what the other DT members have created (all of which is stunning!) and enter. Play with us! The layout is easy to use, and versatile - click here to play along.

I have seen alot of beautiful, lovely, stunning pattern paper out there. Too many companies to name. But, I don't want to run out to the store every time I need a pretty paper. So, I decided to try my hand at creating my own. I wanted to use the supplies I have already spent good money on. Make my supplies stretch, fit my needs, use what I already have! So, that's how my background paper came about. (Click on the image, so you can really see it.)

The card base is Basic Grey (SU!), the panel is Baja Breeze (SU!). I inked my french word background stamp - En Francais (SU!) in Crumb Cake classic ink (SU!) and stamped it using my finger tips. I didn't want to see all of the words, but rather a random viewing. So, it looks 'old'. Next, I inked my scratched background stamp - Sanded (SU!) in Baja Breeze classic ink (SU!) and stamped the whole panel. I used the same color ink as cardstock, because I didn't want to compete with the words, I just wanted it to look 'used'. I used the flourish stamp from Friends 24-7 (SU!), and dabbed some, almost white acrylic paint on it, and stamped the bottom of the panel. I really like the look, and how it turned out!

The Tiny Tags stamp set (SU!) was used to create the tiny tags. They say, 'hand crafted', 'friend', and 'thanks so much'. The ribbon is Stampin' Up!'s new 1/8" taffeta ribbon in Very Vanilla. I used one of the trinkets (SU!) pins, to hold my tags onto the bow. Let me just say that tie-ing that little bow on that little safety pin was a challenge. The stamped panel on the front says, 'You're a neverending song in my heart of comfort, happiness and love. I sometimes forget the words but I always remember the tune.' I stamped that in Basic Grey classic ink (SU!) and the bird is from a different stamp set, one I purchased while on vacation. I stamped the bird in Baja Breeze classic ink (SU!). I added three tiny half pearls as the embellishment for the card.

So, stop on over @ Creative Sketches, and play along with us!

JUGs #74 & Cupcake Creations

I haven't been 'playing' with my paper craft stuff lately. I entered the Chocolate Fantasy, again, so that took alot of my time. So, its back to my paper crafting! Yahoo!

I used two challenges to create this card. JUGs has a layout challenge this week, and cupcake creations has a color challenge this week. So, I combined them both!

I really do love the challenges over at both Internet locations. They are creative, fun, and challenging. Its good to work outside your comfort zone, sometimes.

This card was made for one of my co-workers for Chocolate Fantasy. I made this card for my daughter. She was a big help, very creative, and she did that beautiful zebra. Hand-painted with edible paint. Wasn't it beautiful?

Most of the materials to make this bright and cheerful card are from Stampin' Up! Everything except the pattern paper. The only retired product used, is the oval fancy frame stamp. But, everything else is current.

Stamping 411 Top Pick - Sketch Challenge #173

Yahoo! I am in the Top 5 picks from the Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge #173! If you missed my card, here it is again! And here is a link to the Stamping 411 site: Stampers Showcase #173.

Thank You, to the Design Team at Stamping 411, and a big Thank You to my followers for your support, and encouragement! Without the positive feedback from all of your wonderfully warm comments, I wouldn't have that encouragement to keep doing what I truly love and enjoy!

The layout was a joy to work with, and I will definitely use again, and again! Thank You Stamping 411 Design Team, for your creative work and inspiration!

Thank you

I stumbled upon a wonderful blog, Creative Sketches. And they has a color challenge this past week, and this weeks challenge is to use dry embossing: This week’s challenge: Technique – Dry Embossing I really flipped the sketch :/ (The colors are Marina Mist, Always Artchoke, and Soft Suede.) And, I needed a card. So, why not combine the two?

If you placed a Stampin' Up! order this past weekend, this is the blank card you will receive in your bag. I'm happy with how this card turned out. Let me know what you think, post a comment.

Emboss Resist with a Stencil

I wanted to try my hand at Emboss Resist Technique, and this is what I came up with. Remind you, that this is not my original card. (Its a process of elimination.) The flower is from a stencil (Elegant Trio Stencil Set), that I sponged with whisper white craft ink and heat embossed with white embossing powder. Then, you can stamp anywhere. If ink gets on the embossed area, just use a paper towel and rub the embossed area, and the ink (from words, or images) will be removed. Pretty neat, huh? I purchased the vintage trinkets and aren't the brads just adorable? They look like tiny metal buttons. I used a plain brown brad to hold the flower together and top it off with a half pearl. I used the Elegant Lines embossing folder for the soft suede piece.

I like it. I have a few customers who aren't fans of pink, so I made a few blue (Marina Mist) ones. But now, I kinda like the blue better. These will be sent out with orders that I received over the weekend. I include a hand-stamped card with every order, its my way of saying 'thank you, for your business'. Then, my customers have a card on hand incase they need one in a jiffy, or use as inspiration!

Which do you like better, Pink or Blue? Post a comment.

Stampede Card Club

Here are the cards that we will be making in my Sunday Card Club: Stampede. The first card, we are stamping on fabric, and making crinkle ribbon. The second card we are making our own brads.

The 1st card: Halloween Wishes. We are using the new Sweet & Sour DSP (#117390). Isn't it just beautiful! We are making 'crinkle' ribbon out of the new Very Vanilla seam binding (#120999) and dying it with Pumpkin Pie classic re-inker (#105229). We are using the Stars #2 die (#113461) to create those shapes and spraying them with a mixture of Frost White Shimmer paint (#116854) and rubbing alcohol. We will be using Basic Black classic ink (#101179) to stamp our image on the fabric. I liked it better than Staz-On.

The 2nd card: Just Because. This card we are using some of my all-time favorite stamps! To create the texture on the Perfect Plum cardstock (#101889) we used the new Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder (#120175) and then sponged some Elegant Eggplant classic ink (#105210) over the raised areas to give the piece some depth. I wrapped a scrap piece of Old Olive Satin ribbon (#117292) around the lower half of that piece to get rid of the open space. To create the flower, we will be using three different colors of cardstock; Elegant Eggplant (#105126), Perfect Plum (#101889), and Old Olive (#100702). We will be making our own brad with some of the new Brights Collection DSP (#117155).

Thank you for looking. Posting a comment always makes my day!

Bunco/Bunko July

It is my turn to host Bunco in July. I live up in the mountains, 28 miles outside of town. The rest of my Bunco Women live in town. So, I am mailing out reminder cards (along with directions) to let everyone know its at my house in July.

Some of us are a bit obsessed with themes. To the point that we coordinate everything to match our theme: dinner, prizes, they all 'match'. One of my favorite Bunco Ladies hosted this month, and her theme was birds! :) Our dinner was these super cute bird nests made out of oriental noodles, in a bed of salad greens. You could fill the nest with either chicken salad or egg salad. How fitting, huh? The prizes were potted plants with a bird hodge-podged on the pot, with some type of garden item. She even water marked out score sheets with birds, and our tables had birds holding a number. She is so clever, and the whole affair was super cute, super creative, and it made the whole evening super fun! I have a weakness of birds, so I'm glad I didn't start last month with gifts. So, I have chosen my second favorite...girly-girl, with a bit of shabby-chic. I haven't come up with a menu, yet. But I'm pretty sure that I can whip something up. The gifts are always hand-made items. I always make a set of note cards, gift bag, and matching item (magnet, candle, altered frame, etc) that coordinates together. So, this should be fun!

Anyways back to my card. Most of the supplies used to create this card are from Stampin' Up! The card stock is Sahara sand, pretty in pink, and whisper white. I used Friends 24-7, en Francias stamp sets. I used two hand held punches: scallop circle, and 5 petal flower. I ran the 'leaves' through a floral embossing folder and the butterflies were made with their embosslit.

Thanks for looking! Hope you are enjoying whats left of your weekend, and don't forget to tell the men in your life how special they are.

Bunco/Bunko

I play Bunco/Bunko, and I have a wonderful time. If you aren't familiar with this game, it is a dice game that requires 12 people (usually women) to play. I just so happen to play with an awesome group of ladies. And, as you all know, Mother's Day is right around the corner. So, I have made each lady a 'Happy Mother's Day' card, and a book mark.

I made the book marks out of mega paper clips, and in a variety of colors. That way, each lady could select their favorite color. (I also included a close-up). At the centers of the flowers on the book marks, there is a silver brad to hold all the layers of card stock (petals) together. Some of the centers have clear rhinestones on top of the silver brads, and others have half-pearls. Just in case you wanted some bling, or not.

All the Mother's Day cards are the same -its easier when mass producing. However, one lady we play with doesn't have children. I didn't want her to feel left out, so her card say 'for you'. So she knows that she is valued and loved, even if she's not a mom.

All products used are stampin' up! I used Pale Plum & Mellow Moss card stock and classic inks. The flower for the cards, is from the 5th Ave. Floral stamp set. I did the 'water wash' technique on them. If you have any questions, please post it here, or email me.

SU! Birds Card Class

I was surfing the web a few weeks ago, and came across a beautiful (outstanding) card. I usually document the designer/website to give credit where credit is due. However, I didn't, so I don't have the designers name. Sorry. This is my take/CASE of her card. This is one of the cards you will make at my 'SU! Birds Card Class' in April. We will be making 5 different cards using 5 different stamp sets that showcase beautiful birds. I am hosting this card class on two different dates, so everyone has an opportunity to attend. Sunday, April 11th from 12noon-3p. OR Saturday, April 17th from 10a-1p. There is also two different prices. If you want to make one of each card (5 different designs) envelopes included, and a holder, there is a non-refundable fee $15. If you want to make two of each card (5 different designs) envelopes included, and a holder, there is a non-refundable fee for $25. Class size in limited, so register today. If you do not live in the Albuquerque area, or are unable to attend, you can purchase a kit. The shipping and handling is $5. All kits come with a supply list, and directions with color photos.