Belated Birthday Wishes

Happy Thursday!  I like working with sketches, and making something pretty and beautiful.  And, as long as I'm not interupted.  So, I was given that creative freedom last night.  My husband plays ice hockey a few nights a week, so those are my 'golden' crafting times.  

The talented ladies over @ Creative Sketches, has a new sketch for us to work with this week.  I encourage you to play along with us.  

Here is the sketch:

Here is my interputation of this sketch:

My first thought when I saw the sketch, was to make flowers and line them up.  But, that seems too obvious.  So, I quit browsing through my craft room and changed my focus.  And the perfect pennant punch came to mind.  Then, I needed a color(s) to get this card going.  While eating dinner, I had a blue and vanilla color combo running through my mind.  So, that was my platform to start.  I have been on a tangent to use my scraps.  (oh my, if you only knew the extensive collection.)  So, I knew I wanted 'blue' and that was my start.  I used a variation of 'green' and 'pink' based on the colored polka dots in the pattern paper.  

Most of the products used, are from Stampin' Up!, except the colored polka dot pattern paper, the pink plaid pattern paper, the stamped 'blue' pattern paper, and the buttons.

Thank you for looking, and I hope your Thursday is fantastic!

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!

Christmas Card Class

Happy Monday!  I am hosting a Christmas Card Class this month.  I have 2 different dates: Saturday, Oct 8th (10a-2p) OR Sunday, Oct 16th (1p-5p).  You will have all the supplies and materials to make these 5 cards (4 of each), including envelopes.  The cost of the class is $35.  If you attend both classes or purchase 2 kits, you will receive a 20% discount off your second class/kit.  I also have a 'special' during the class days.  That way, if you want or need to make more of the cards, you can get a discount on your additional supplies.
Just think, by the middle of October, you could potentially have all your Christmas cards done!  How fantastic would that be?  That will leave you with just over 2 months left, before Christmas, to get all your shopping/baking done!

This is just a small glimspe as to what the cards look like.  So, join me, and see for yourself how fabulous these Christmas/Holiday cards are!  All cardstock is cut and die cut, if needed.  All you need to do is stamp and assemble.  How quick and easy!
If you would like to purchase a kit, long distance, please contact me privately.  Add $7 for shipping and handling.

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.

Chateau de Versailles

It's Saturday, and the weekend is upon us!  I hope you all have time this weekend to do something you love.  Today, is Oct 1, 2011...its World Card Making Day.  And the wonderfully creative Lori has a great challenge for us and you, @ Our Creative Corner Challenge.  The challenge is to create a card using another country as your inspiration.  And I don't think that it will come as a surprise, when you see my card!  

I love things French.  I'm not sure why.  I'm not french, but I gravitate to french inspired things.  I'm even a fan of French cooking.  And so, I started my inspirational search looking for things associated with Marie Antoinette.  You remember her in history, when referring to the poverty and suffering of her own people, she said, 'Let them eat cake!'.  Marie dressed in very exaggerated gowns.  Lots of lace, ruffles, pearls, bling - all things pretty, feminine, and just gorgeous!  Then, I searched the Internet for some photographs of the interior decor of Chateau de Versailles.  The rooms that I saw, were decorated extravagantly.  Lots of bold colors, patterns, and large scale architecture.  So, with those images going through my head, I sat down at my craft table, and put together this card.

 

I took the wall paper inside Versailles as my inspiration for the main panel.  

To show some of the architecture of Versailles, I used an oval frame embossing folder to create the oval piece.  I stamped a pink flourish inside the oval.  I stamped 'Bonjour' inside the pink flourish.  I added a white resin floral piece.  

To add some elements from Marie's gowns, I created the vertical strip.  On a strip of Very Vanilla card stock, I stamped some 'music' on it, and then created a box pleat.  I wrapped a piece of ruffle ribbon and created a multi-loop bow.  I hot glued a white button and pale pink faux half-pearl to its center. 

I wanted to add another feminine and pretty piece, so I created the flower.  I cut some floral shapes with a die, using sheer fabric and text paper.  I stacked the pieces together and added a scrap piece of white crochet trim.  I added a wonderfully pretty rhinestone brad to the center.  I adhered the flower to a white paper doily.  To add some softness and innocence.  

I did stamp on the main panel.  I stamped a Paris address in the upper left corner, in a brown classic ink.  I stamped 'Paris' in the lower right corner, in a black classic ink.

Thank you for looking, and I hope you have been inspired to join us @ Our Creative Corner, for this fabulous challenge!  Remember, it's World Card Making Day!  Please, use this 'holiday' to create something wonderful! and share it!