Bunco in July

A new week, a new set of crafting.  The ladies over @ NAC, are taking the summer off.  A bit of a break.
So, I went surfing the internet to find some inspiration.  And I found some! The super talented ladies over @ Mojo Monday, have this week's sketch up.  And, it's their 300th sketch!  Yahoo!

When I first started blogging, I would play along in the Mojo Monday challenges almost every week.  I love how their sketches allow you to get creative, and help  nudge you along.  And, well, I still love using their sketches!  I may not participate every week, but I always look, and find inspiration from their design team.

here is their sketch, #300:

when I saw this sketch, I fell in love.  You can do so many different theme/style cards, with this sketch, aka: very user friendly {smile}.
I am sending my Bunco group their reminder cards this week, and I'm using this sketch!

I used Stella Rose pattern paper, for this card.  I used sage shadow card stock from Stampin' Up! (retired) for the card base, and for the matt for the circle.  I used early espresso cardstock from Stampin' Up! for the main panel matt, and for the text pattern paper matt.  I used the You're Cherished (retired) stamp set for the sentiment.  I stapled a scrap piece of crochet trim to the banner, instead of the flower.

I really like how these cards turned out.  They aren't my typical style.  I'm more of a shabby-chic style, instead of a bohemian style.  But, I think these cards look pretty good.  This card is my 'sample' for the rest of the set.  I need to make 11 more and get them out in the mail.

If you get a chance to play along with the wonderfully talented ladies over @ Mojo Monday, please do.
They are celebrating their #300 sketch, and they are giving away quite a few prizes!

If we play Bunco together, look for this reminder card in the mail {smile}.

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

Frame Nature

This week is really rolling by.  One of things I really love about being on a design team, is the challenges. Challenges as in working with creative sketches, limiting what you use, or color combinations.  And, sometimes I even challenge myself.  This week, over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday, the talented Patrice has given us a great sketch.  But, I also wanted to see what I could do with minimal supplies.  FYI, not using half the stuff in my craft room, is 'minimal supplies'. {smile}

Here is Patrice sketch:

At first, I was considering using a butterfly instead of a flower.  You know, something different and interesting.  But, I just couldn't get it to work.  Oh well.  As for the matted center square, I was having a problem getting that to work, too.  I was having a bit of a struggle.  

So, I started with the paper.  I wanted to use a paper I haven't really used, in that, I still have all the paper. I love the black/cream color combination, so I selected Timeless Portrait.  The graphics in this collection of DSP, is really pretty.  So, I selected a large and a small print.  Then, I looked through my stamps to see if I have something that 'matches' the graphics in the Timeless Portrait DSP.  I grabbed the Frame It stamp set, and loved how this frame looked with the paper.  Now, I needed a sentiment.  I love the font in the You're Cherished stamp set.  But, I still had the problem with the object at the top right corner.  And what would I put inside the frame?

Well, I made my own flower sprig.  Which I just love how it looks.  Looking through my stamp sets, I came across Nature Walk, and saw the butterfly image.  I have a weakness for butterflies and birds, and they do make me happy.  So, I stamped the butterfly inside the frame.  I'm pretty happy with how this card turned out.  Take a look, and let me know what you think.

Continue on with this blog hop, and see what Tammy F. has created, using the same sketch.  Take care.

Happy Moments

Today, is our new blog hop over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday.  There is a new sketch challenge on our main challenge site.  But, to see what the design team has created, you will need to visit each DT members blogs!  Doesn't that sound like fun!  Robbie, has created this weeks sketch:

So, I created this:

I wanted to make a card that has a different 'look' than my usual.  I typically make something that looks vintage or shabby chic and has crochet trim, first edition dsp and some sort of feminine embellishment: button, butterflies, smooch spray, etc.  I used the new hostess DSP: Cheerful Treat DSP.  I used lucky limeade card base and one matt.  The other matt is melon mambo.  

I hope that you get a chance to play along with us this week.  Now, head on over to Tammy F.'s blog and she what she has done with this sketch.

You're Sweet, Thank You

It's Tuesday, and I hope this week has gotten off to a good start for you.  Me, yes.  I'm really enjoying my day off from work.  No, I'm not sick.  Just a scheduled day off.  I have no plans to drive into town, and the snow has been falling for a few hours now.  So, it's good to be 'isolated' and no deadlines to get to.

For those who know me, I get up early, everyday.  Yes, even Saturdays, Sundays, and days off.  So, this morning I was looking at some of my bookmarked favorite blog challenge sites, and well I found three I can enter.  So, here they are:  the Sketch (lay-out) came from Card Patterns, the Color scheme came from CR84FN Color Challenge, and the 3-D/Template challenge came from Just Us GirlS.

Lets start with the 3-D/Template Challenge.  Just Us GirlS, wants you to create a 3-D item, using a template.  Easy peasy, right?  I wanted to create a card & gift in one.  So, I remembered that I had purchased a template from Adela Rossol, it was the Gift & Card Combo.  Just Us GirlS, also has a few requires, they want us to include: ribbon, button(s), and flower(s).  Sounds pretty, and girly, and that I can do!

I needed a color scheme to get going with papers and embellishments.  I headed over to CR84FN color challenge.  This week, they wants us to use Kraft, Yellow, and Gray.  Sounds pretty.  And if you look at the inspirational photos, there are butterflies, doilies, lemons and a heart.  I can use those.

Now, for a layout.  I headed over to Card Patterns, they always have a great design.  Easy to work with.  In their directions, they say you can rotate the sketch, so that is what I did.  I needed one that is vertical.

Here is what I came up with:

For those who know me, if you take away any company/manufacture restrictions, I can use just about everything in my craft room.  And with no company/manufaturer requirements, that's what I did!

Lets get started with pattern paper.  I used paper from Cosmo Cricket, Memory Keepers, and Melissa Frances.  (I used papers from my scrap box.)  The solid card stock is all from Stampin' Up!.  Crumb cake is the card base.  I did various matts in whisper white, going gray texture, and the inside 'gift' was made with very vanilla.

I used three ribbons total. For the outside of the card/gift, I used a crochet trim from Stampin' Up! and a polka dot Kraft ribbon from Paper Trey Ink.  On the inside, I used going gray taffeta ribbon and white bakers twine from Stampin' Up!.  

The butterflies were a collection.  The embossed butterflies are from an emboss-lit by Stampin' Up!, and the inside butterfly is actually a stamp I stamped twice (one on card stock and the other on vellum) from Paper Trey Ink.  I added half faux pearls from Stampin' Up! to the center of the butterflies, to help convey a girly, feminine 'feel'.

The buttons are a miss mash of Paper Trey Ink, Amuse studio, and CTMH.  For the buttons on the front, I sprayed  them with spray adhesive, and then dipped them in dazzling diamond glitter, by Stampin' Up!. I finished them off, with a spray of clear sealant.  (I didn't want the glitter to rub off, when I was working with them.)  

For the flowers on the front of the card/gift, I stacked a paper blossom on top of a fabric flower.  I hot glued this floral creation to the top of a gray heart cut from gray textured card stock.  I also distress the edges with some picket fence paint.  

The tag on the front of the card/gift, I cut from a die and stamped the sentiment in going gray classic ink.  I needed a small and simple tag, so not to distract from the pretty paper and embellishments.  I chose this sentiment, because I plan on putting candy inside the box, as the 'gift'.  How yummy!

I used the new frame dies from Stampin' Up! to create the inside window.  I stamped a leaf flourish in snow pigment ink and heat embossed the 'window' with clear embossing powder.   I added some kraft paper shred inside the box so you could see the white embossed leaves on the 'window'.  

The inside sentiment comes from Paper Trey Ink.  I added two hearts cut from the gray textured card stock to the inside, also.  One is under the embossed butterfly and the other is on the stamped butterfly.  I added half faux pearls to the butterfly bodies, to continue the design from the cover.  I tied a yellow heart-shaped button with bakers twine, to the gray taffeta ribbon. I will fill this box with my friends favorite candy: chocolate covered gummy bears.  

I opened the card/gift combo, so you could see the back of the 'card'.  I wanted to show you that I did pay attention to detail and use one large scrap to decorate.  I  also believe that if you continue the same elements and designs through-out your paper craft item, you will achieve a cohesive design with elements that 'belong' (because they are repeated). 

Thank you for looking.  I hope that you get a chance to play along in any/all of these fabulous challenges.

Happy Moments

Hello!  It's Wednesday, and we are half way through the work week.  On the local news of Albuquerque, New Mexico, yesterday, said that the United Postal Service is working over budget, and can't seem to figure out how to control it.  Also, that folks get an average of one hand-written piece of mail every 7 weeks.  WOW!  That story made me almost cry.  And so, I have set a goal for myself to craft some hand-made cards and mail them out to my girl friends.  I will work on creating some 'flat' cards, so I don't exceed the 64 cent postage. :)

Anyways, the wonderfully talented Cristena @ Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge has a great sketch for us this week.  The sample shows a Christmas themed card, but, you know me... I do the obvious!  So, I created a 'friendship' card.  Probably because that news story made me so sad.

Here is the sketch

Here is the card I created

I used 'happy' colors: Calypso Coral, and Pink Pirouette.  I had a few scraps from Beau Chateau DSP.  I made some 'flowers' with various circle sizes.  I made the two centers different, to add some visual interest.  I punched leaves, using the 2-step bird punch.  The glitter butterfly is made from the silver glitter paper and the Beautiful Wings embosslit die.  I think the shine with all that silver glitter only makes you smile!

I used the Lots of Tags die to create this pretty tag.  I used the You're Cherished stamp set for this simple sentiment.  I stamped it in Soft Suede classic ink, on a scrap from the Beau Chateau DSP.  I think it looks soo appropriate with the First Edition DSP.  And yes, I sponged all the edges with Crumb Cake classic ink.  I used the 2-step owl punch (pupils) to create the faux rhinestones.  And, yeah, it was from the scrap piece that I used from the butterfly die. :)

As always, thank you for stopping by.  For those who are looking for some direction or guidance on how to create a balanced/better card, I am working on a on-line class.

Just: Us Girls + Just Add Ink

For those who know me, know that I am currently on 4 (yeah, kinda alot) design teams.  Oh, and I work full-time.  So when I say my plate is a bit full, I am serious.  I love to paper craft, and so most days, these posts are more fun than basically anything.  However, sometimes, I don't always have 'free' time to play along with some of my all time favorite challenge sites.  But, today I am.  When I saw the sketch challenge @ Just Us GirlS and color challenge @ Just Add Ink, I knew that I had to play!  

The sketch challenge looks so wonderful, now who could pass this one up?  

Now look at these beautiful colors!

And here is my card:

Now, if you are super big fan of Stampin' Up! like I am, you can tell that these are their colors.  I know a few companies who have similar colors, so don't let that stop you from playing along.  The only items that are not SU! are the buttons.  One is from a competitor and the other I found on the clearance rack at a local sewing store.  (I always check the clearence area first, when I go shopping at craft, sewing, or hobby stores.)  I used cardstock scraps to create this little beauty.  I need to use  them up anyway, right?  So, why not start there, instead of cutting a brand new whole sheet of cardstock.  

The card base is Crumb Cake.  The panel is Pool Party texture.  I used Calypso Coral ruffle ribbon.  I used the white bakers twine to connect the buttons.  The large flower is a discontinued item.  The stamp is done in Soft Suede classic ink.  I did some faux stitching with a paper piercer and a white gel pen.  I sponged all the edges with Crumb Cake classic ink.  My stamp-a-ma-jig assisted me in making sure my sentiment was straight.  I don't think I'd be able to make a half-way decent card without that little guy.

Thank you for looking.  Don't forget to check back daily, as I will be posting Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and again on Saturday!  Have a wonderful week!

World Card Making Day!

As this weekend is coming to a close, I hope that you have had a chance to enjoy sometime to relax and  unwind.  That for me translates to: paper crafting and baking.  To celebrate World Card Making Day, I had a card class at my home.  I know these economic times are difficult, and there doesn't seem like there is an end in sight.  So, for WCMD, I wanted to share some tips and tricks on making your paper crafting supplies last longer.  Little ideas to help get more cards out of a roll of ribbon, how to ink, use, and fall in love with a background stamp.  How to use some scraps to make a card, quick.  What to do with the left overs from a Scrapbook page kit.  See, useful tips and tricks, and we got to make 4 cards!

The first two cards are made from scraps.  The first card uses scraps from the Tea Time simply scrappin' kit.  The second card uses scraps from Cheerful Treats DSP.  I used the same stamp set, to show how a simple sentiment can get alot of mileage.  I used You're Cherished stamp set, but the Thank You Kindly stamp set would be perfect, too!  I used the same ribbon and base cardstock for both cards.  

Tip:  I also made 'poor-man' bows.  Wrap a scrap piece of ribbon around the front of your card, and then another small piece around the wrapped piece.   Tip:  use the string of rhinestones to add sparkle to your card.  They are already lined up, so you don't have to center or space them.  Trick: when stamping on pattern paper, use the lightest or less patterned paper.  Also, stamp your sentiment in a dark color, such as black or dark brown.  You don't want your words to compete with objects or get lost in a busy pattern.  Trick:  use the pattern paper from the same package, because they already coordinate. 

The second two cards are made with stamps that may seem intimidating or over-whelming.    The first card uses a background stamp: Hello, Doily, and an abstract object: Timeless Treasures.  The second card uses a stamp set with a large font: Hand-Penned  Holidays.  I used the same cardstock for both cards.  I used the same colors of ink, too!

Tip: use a brayer to ink a large or background stamp so you get even coverage.  Tip: swipe wax paper over your cardstock before using a stylis to score your paper.  It helps create smooth score lines.  Trick: when using a large stamp, stamp off the cardstock, so the image is not centered.  That way, you don't have to be perfect.  Any variation will look beautiful.  Trick: stamp the background stamp in a light color and your object in a dark color.  Trick: add a large faux half-pearl to the knot of linen thread.

Here is a card, that my granddaughter made for her mom (my daughter):

Thank you for looking.  I hope that you were able to carve out sometime to create, and exercise the other half of your brain - the creative side.  I hope you stop by again, soon! Take care.

Simply Beautiful SK

I'm super late at posting this, and I apologize for that.  Work has been a bear, and I haven't been home all week.  My husband and I finally got to see each other last night, so we went out to dinner.  Dinner was very nice and we got to actually talk to each other.  How wonderful.  

The wonderfully talented ladies over at Sketch Frenzy Friday, have a very user friendly sketch challenge. Jennifer brought us this sketch, and the beautiful part is that you can basically use anything you have on hand, and it will be wonderful!  You can easily stamp on the middle piece if you are needing to ink up a special stamp set, or just use pattern paper!

Here is the sketch:

Here is my card:

See what I mean?  I used two scrap pieces of DSP and a few scrap pieces of solid cardstock, and Viola!  I stamped a simple and pretty fond sentiment, added a few half faux pearls and look how pretty!  The only trick here is to use a light pattern paper as your larger piece, so when you stamp right on the DSP, you can actually read it.  If your larger pattern paper is either dark or too busy, the words get lost.  And when you put the busier/vibrant pattern paper as your smaller piece, it helps showcase the colors/design.

I hope that you can play along with us, and who knows, you may be our next winner!