New and Quick

I'm finding more time to craft this week.  Hopefully this trend cares over to next week and next month.  I'll keep my fingers crossed.  

I am playing along in a shoe box swap.  The theme is to use new products out of the Spring Mini Catalog.  Sounds easy.  Oh, and since it's a shoe box swap, your card needs to be constructed in 10 min or less.  Even better.  

To create one of these cards, I have to change my thinking a little.  I can't spend all day in my craft room, tinkering around, and just creating.  I need to change my focus.  Most of my focus is on a simply beautiful layout and limiting my products to whats new in the Spring Mini Catalog by Stampin' Up!

So, I used a layout I have used several times over the last several years.  I wanted to add a beautiful banner.  Banners are big and very popular. 

Here is what I did:

I started with Pink Pirouette card stock.  I just love this shade of pink.  I then cut a piece of the new Tea for Two DSP to a 4" x 2 3/4" piece.  But, I wanted to give the DSP a bit of pop, so I matted it on Lucky Limeade card stock.  I used a new embossing folder, Needlepoint Border, to create the stitched and scallop edge.  For the sentiment, I used a scrap piece of card stock.  I stamped the sentiment in Basic Grey classic ink.  I tapped the VersaMark ink pad on both ends of the banner piece.  I then dunked the ends into the silver embossing powder vial.  I used my heat gun to heat the embossing powder.  I used dimensionals to adhere the banner.  

These days, white space is a good thing.  For those who know me, I'm not a fan of white space.  I always see this 'white space' as empty space.  I always want to 'fill' the 'white space'.  But, I refrained.  So, I left it empty, blank, 'free'. 

I hope that you like this card.  It was super quick and easy to create.  

Just Because

It's Friday, and so that means that we are having a blog hop over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday.  And, to help get things started,  I am the designer of this weeks sketch!  How cool is that?  Here is the sketch I created for this week over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday.

and here is what I created with this sketch:

Now, head on over to Tammy F.'s blog to see what she has created!  And join us this week!

Just Because

This week is a crazy weather week for me!  I live in central New Mexico, and you'd think we would have the best weather around.  But, as I am writing this, I woke up this morning to 42 degree temperature.  Oh my, is that a bit chilly.  The skies here have been cloudy and dreary the last two days.  I wish it would either rain, or let the sun out.

And for those of you who have been following my dog Sasha's progress, she is getting around more.  However, she is not liking her physical therapy.  She usually shows us her teeth and attempts to snap at us.  She does not like you touching her back legs.  (Sasha, had bi-lateral knee replacements one and a half weeks ago.)  And we (me and my husband) are still taking turns sitting with her.  As she is not to be left alone until she is 8 weeks out from surgery.  This translates, to me being home bound, and I'm not really a home body.  (I enjoy the energy of the city.)

Anyways, the talented ladies over @ Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge, have been hard at work, creating some gorgeous cards to help inspire you to play along with us!  So, grab your Stampin' Up! supplies, and lets create something beautiful!

Here is this weeks sketch:

Here is what I made:

And this is how I did it, and what I used.  The card base is Rose Red card stock.  The bottom panel piece is made up of First Edition DSP matted onto a piece of Soft Suede card stock.  The main panel of the card is a piece of Naturals card stock matted onto a piece of Pink Pirouette card stock.  For the stamp, I colored the image with my markers, huffed on the 'colored' stamp and then stamp.  I cut the banner piece from the same naturals card stock.  I stamped the sentiment twice, once on the card front, and then again on the banner.  I made the paper blossom from the text paper.  I used the Floral Fusion die.  I crinkled the petals, and stacked them.  I outlined the petals with a glue pen and dipped the paper blossom into a tub of dazzling diamond glitter.  I adhered a small leaf sprig made from Pear Pizzazz DSP and the leaf die.  The top piece is actually a scrap piece of fabric.  I used the Lots of Tags die to cut this shape.  I added a mini vintage tag to the center and attached the tag with a vintage trinket brad.  I stamped the '4 you' in soft suede classic ink.  I spritz the whole card with some home-made shimmer mist.  I added two half faux pearls to the floral centers of the stamped piece.

Thank you for looking.  I hope that you get a chance to play along with us this week!  I hope you are all well, and that you have a good week.  Stop by soon, for a visit. {smile}

Layers of Ruffles

I want to welcome my new followers.  I hope you find something to inspire you and create a beautiful paper craft item {smiles}.

Today, is another sketch challenge from Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge.  Just remember, to use your Stampin' Up! supplies to create an entry.  Here is this weeks sketch (#30):

When I first saw this sketch, I instantly thought of ruffles.  I was thinking how I could sew some DSP to look like ruffles, but my sewing skills are 'beginner-ish' and it didn't work out.  So, I took two different DSP and did two different 'cuts'.  Take a look see:

I used the tasteful trim die to make the large scallop edge.  I used the eyelet border punch to make the 'lacely' edge.  I put a little more space at the top to give my ribbon room to sit.  I used the vanilla 1/8" taffeta ribbon and tied a simple bow.  I wanted to give my card a little punch, so I used some pure poppy card stock and made a paper blossom.  I added my 'flower' to a vintage tag.  I was going to stamp 'thank you' on it, but thought the flower would be sweet.  I stamped 'just for you' toward the bottom right border of the card, in basic black classic ink.  My card is simply sweet! and I hope you like it!

Enjoy the week! It's half over! and thank you for stopping by.  Leave me some 'love', it really does make my day!  

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.