Sunday Morning Cards

Sharing a couple cards I made earlier today while listening to the wind howl and the rain hit the windows. 

For both of these cards I picked out some random patterned paper from my stash. Lord knows I have plenty of it! I love being able to use it with stencils. The red paper is from October Afternoon and the teal paper is from Core'dinations. I used Hero Arts Petals Stencil Pair with Ranger Texture Paste on both of these cards. The flowers on the teal card are some leftovers sitting on my craft table that I used on another card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Retrosketches Challenge #146

Hope everyone had a great New Years! Mine was very lazy. I worked on a few cards for some challenges that I want to participate in and that's about it. 

For this card I used PaperTrey Ink cardstock as my base in white. The colored cardstock and the patterned paper are by Core'dinations called Carnival and Brights. I also used DCWV's Burlap Stack. My leaf image is from a stamp set by Hero Arts called Delicate Leaf Clusters. I cut down a piece of distress watercolor cardstock from Tim Holtz and using the Tim Holtz waterbrush I painted on three different Tim Holtz Distress Stains. The colors I used are broken china, picked raspberry and salty ocean. The sentiment is also from Hero Arts called Thanks A Bunch. The enamel dots are from My Mind's Eye. I loved this versatile sketch and know that I will use it over and over. 

Retrosketches #146

Thanks for stopping by!

Swap Card: Find Joy Every Day

This card is for my swap partner Joy who lives in NY. The challenge this time was to use only olive green, black and purple. I was struggling a bit because I wanted to add some white, but in the end it worked out. 

I used Core'dinations cardstock from the Tim Holtz & Ranger Distress Collection for my background.  I then ran the cardstock through my eBosser using the Decor Circles embossing folder from Teresa Collins. Then I sanded the paper to bring out the core color. The base card and black cardstock are from PTI. 

The bird wreath is a die from Die-Namites called just that...bird wreath! I cut it out twice using cardstock from PTI and Colorbok. I cut the bird and a few flowers out from the purple paper and adhered them over the green paper. I added some Hero Arts gems and finished it off with a sentiment from Hero Arts called Find Joy CL497. 

I'm mailing this to my partner tomorrow. When I received my card from her I'll be sure to share it! Thanks for stopping by and taking a peak at what I created!

Get Well Soon Card

I die cut this background to use on another card. Then I decided to go in a different direction. Since I didn't want to waste what I had already cut I used it for this get well card. 

The background paper is from Core'dinations and the die I used to cut out the background is a cutting plate from Taylored Expressions called quatrefoil. The flowers are from Recollections. I was in Michael's the other day and all the Recollection flowers were 50% off. I thought that was a pretty good deal. The sentiment is from the Hero Arts set called Everyday Sayings CL342. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Unscripted Sketches #242 - Wishing You Brighter Days

I tinted some Golden Gel Mediums Light Molding Paste yellow using dandelion ink from Memento to create my circle background on this card. I used the negative from a Spellbinders circle die cut out of cardboard that I taped over the TCW mini chevron stencil and then applied the molding paste. I love it! This stuff is so fun to work with. The purple branch is a Die-Namites die called summer branch.

I hope you'll join us this week with your take on the sketch above. You can get all the details over at Unscripted Sketches! You don't have to have a blog in order to play. If you load your creations to a gallery, just add the direct link to your project and be sure to give credit for the sketch to Unscripted Sketches. That's it!

Products Used:
Base Cardstock - PTI in Vintage Cream
Patterned Paper - Core'dinations - Brights, Premium Textured - Carnival
Stamps - Hero Arts - Remember - CL577
Ink - Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Black Soot & Ranger Archival Ink - Jet Black, Memento - Dandelion
Golden Gel Mediums Light Molding Paste
Die-Namites Die - Summer Branch
Spellbinders Dies - Scallop Circle & Square and Circle
Stencil - TCW - Balzer Designs - Mini Chevron

Unscripted Sketches #241

Here's my take on the Unscripted Sketch for the Design Team this week. I went out of my comfort zone and used purple. I'm not sure why, but I just don't use that color very much. I often say that purple isn't one of my favorite colors. I'm actually kind of neutral about it. I wanted something colorful for this card and I think I achieved that using the green and orange. 

To add dimension I just secured the center of the butterflies to the card and added a button with some twine. 

Please join us this week with your take on the sketch above. All the details are on the blog post over at Unscripted Sketches! You don't have to have a blog in order to play. If you load your creations to a gallery, just add the direct link to your project and be sure to give credit for the sketch to Unscripted Sketches.

Products Used:
Base Cardstock - PTI in White
Patterned Paper - Core'dinations - Brights - Textured - Carnival
Stamps - Hero Arts - Everyday Sayings - CL342
Ink - Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Black Soot & Memento - Jet Black
Gems - Crystal Stickers - Pearls
Butterflies - Martha Stewart Punch
Twine - American Crafts

Unscripted Sketches #239

Here's my take on this week's sketch from Unscripted Sketches. I used Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Core'dinations ColorCore card stock with a Darice and a Sizzix Tim Holtz embossing folder. After running them through my eBosser I then sanded the card stock to bring out the kraft color. 

I used pop dots to add dimension to the strips of paper that I cut and adhered to the kraft strip. 

Super simple and easy sketch this week! Please join us this week with your take on the sketch above. All the details are on the blog post over at Unscripted Sketches! You don't have to have a blog in order to play. If you load your creations to a gallery, just add the direct link to your project and be sure to give credit for the sketch to Unscripted Sketches. That's it! Thanks for stopping by!

Products Used:
Base Cardstock - PTI in Kraft
Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock Tim Holtz Kraft-Core
Stamps - Hero Arts - It's Your Day - CL661
Ink - Ranger Archival Ink - Jet Black
Gems - Doodlebug Design - Sprinkles - Beetle Black
Embossing Folders from Darice & Sizzix

Masculine Cards

The other day I pulled out leftover scraps I have of  Graphic 45 collections when I created a card for a challenge I participated in. Since them it seems all I want to do is make cards! I don't usually make many masculine cards because I don't really have many stamps that are "masculine" related. I found this image sheet from the "A Proper Gentleman" collection in my stash and then went through my stamp sets. I found a few that seemed to work with the images. I just started with the three cards I'm sharing today, but I can probably make about 17 more! When I do, I'll be sure to share them.

For this card I used an embossing folder called Whimsy from Lifestyle Crafts. I chose to use Tim Holtz Kraft-Core cardstock from the Nostalgic Collection by Core'dinations and then sanded it to bring out the kraft color. The image and patterned paper behind it are from the "A Proper Gentleman" collection from Graphic 45. The sentiment is from Hero Arts Stamps called All Occasion CL272.

I love red plaid! The image is from the "A Proper Gentlman" collection but the red plaid patterned paper is from the "Commuique" collection by Graphic 45. I ran the background paper through my Sizzix dots embossing folder. The stamp set from Hero Arts is called Birthday Messages - CL139. I used a Fiskars ticket punch on the corners of the patterned paper and a We R Memory Keepers Tab punch on the cardstock for the sentiment. The black pearls are from Queen and Co.

 

This card uses the same embossing folder as above from Lifestyle Crafts and the same Core'dinations Cardstock except in black. Patterned paper is again from the Graphic 45 "A Proper Gentleman" collection. Gems are Metallic Decor from Hero Arts as well as the stamp I used for the sentiment. This one is called Joy Ride CL481. All base cardstock is from PTI.

I will be pinning these to my "Cards & Inspiration" board on Pinterest. If you love cards check it out! I pin cards I find from blogs I read and other boards I come across on there. I'm sure you'll find loads of inspiration!

Thanks for stopping by my blog and taking a look at my cards! This post is linked to these parties:

Handmade Tuesdays

Inspiring Creativity

Whatever Goes Wednesday

What I Whipped Up Wednesday

Sympathy Cards

Today I'm sharing the sympathy cards I made for a friend. These are my favorite to create next to thank you and Christmas cards.

I used Core'dinations cardstock with a Cuttlebug leafy branch embossing folder which I then sanded. I love the texture of this card.

This card was very simple and easy. I stamped the image with versamark, added a sentiment and jute and it was finished. I love the simplicity of it.

Another very easy card. I clear embossed the image and sentiment and added some paper lace.

Other products used for these cards: PTI Cardstock, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Vintage Photo & Black Soot, Paper Lace from K & Company, Making Memories Mini Brads, Hero Arts Stamps - With Sympathy - CL476, Feather Grass - CL282.

Thanks for stopping by!

Glitter Snowflakes

This card was one of the simplest and easiest to assemble that I created this season.

I used the same snowflakes on this card that I blogged about yesterday. They were a great value and very versatile. I also took some snowflake ribbon from May Arts and cut them apart. I then dyed them with my Bamboo Leaves Memento Ink, added it to the center of the snowflake and finished it off with a Stampendous! Dot Sparkler.

The top portion of the card combines Core'dinations cardstock with a Cuttlebug Snowflake embossing folder. The bottom portion is patterned paper "Happy Holidays Mistletoe" from Making Memories.

Hope your week is going well. Thanks for taking the time to stop by!

Products Used For This Card:
Core Couture from Core'dinations
Bazzill
Making Memories - Happy Holidays Patterned Paper
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder
Ribbon from JoAnn Crafts
Snowflakes called Scatterables from Holiday Time
May Arts Snowflake Ribbon
Memento Ink in Bamboo Leaves
Stampendous! Dot Sparklers

May The Blessings Of Christmas....

....be with you today and always. I love this stamp set "Joy To All" from Hero Arts. For this card, I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder with Core'dinations cardstock and then sanded it. I embossed one tree and debossed the other. It's hard to tell that from the photo.

Here's a closer look and the sentiment inside:

Products Used For This Card:

Bazzill
Core'dinations Cardstock
Mirrorcard
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder
Stampendous! Gold Embossing Powder & Dot Sparklers
May Arts Ribbon
Versamark
Hero Arts Clear Stamps - Joy To All - CL460

Thanks for stopping by!

Embossed Season's Greetings

I thought I'd decided which holiday card was my favorite, but I think I may have changed my mind. I love how this one turned out!

I used a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (not sure of the name - sorry!) with Core'dinations cardstock and then I sanded it. I cut off the bottom portion that said Season's Greetings and Noel so that could use a Hero Arts stamp.

I then added some of my favorite plaid ribbon. Here's a closer view:

Products Used With This Card:
Bazzill
Core'dinations Cardstock
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder
Tim Holtz Alterations On The Edge Die - Scallops
Dazzlers Florettes by Petaloo
Hero Arts Gemstones
Hero Arts Clear Stamps - Joy To All - CL460
Ribbon from JoAnn Crafts

Hope you're having a wonderful day!

Sisters Layout

In between going through extra belongings in storage and donating three car loads this week, I was able to finish a layout. I've had an idea for this photo for quite awhile. Once I sat down to work on it, I actually changed almost everything that I originally planned to do.

I did hit a bit of a snag while using my Slice machine to cut out the letters. I was getting pretty disgusted because it wasn't working like it should. After wasting tons of time and paper, I finally got them all cut. After going through that, I asked myself why I just didn't die cut the letters with my Sizzix. I would've had them done in probably half the time. I'm not sure how many of you have a Slice, but in hindsight I now wish I would have gone with a Cricut. My husband gave me the choice and I chose the Slice because of it portability. I just haven't decided if it was a good decision or not. If I have many more episodes like this, I think I'll know the answer! I'll get off my soapbox now.

I've wanted to make flowers like these, but hadn't taken the time to try them out. Finally I sat down and made a test one. I fell in love! I made the two for this layout and also have an extra one to use on a card in the future.

These are my two daughters. Hannah, the youngest, is on the left and Sarah, the oldest, is on the right.

Here's a closer view of the flowers and the stitching. I was just going to use black thread, but decided to go with three colors so that it would show up better on the black cardstock. I really like the In Stitch'z templates by Bazzill. I've had them for quite awhile and thought they'd work well for this layout.

Note Pad Holders

Wow, time has just flown by this week. I never did get to participate in any of the challenges I had planned on. When I finally had some time to sit down today, I wasn't feeling very creative to make cards. I thought I'd try making some post-it note holders.

For the one above I used a small composition notebook. I also inked and sanded the edges. I inked some lace for the edging and used my Sizzix Wingo Zingo alphabet for the letters. While I was in the process of using my Big Shot with the die my cutting pad broke into a few pieces. I've never had that happen before.

I love this one! To make my base sturdy enough, I used three pieces of chipboard. I also used Coredination's Cardstock in Burnt Sugar and inked and sanded the edges. Instead of using ribbon, I used some Boucle Yarn.

This one was super easy. I just scored my Bazzill Cardstock leaving a little extra space on the left side, embellished it and used removable glue dots for the pad inside so that the cover can be reused.

Two Challenges In One

I don't think I've ever made a card incorporating two challenges before. For this card, I combined Embellish Magazine's Color and Embossing Challenge with Our Creative Corner's Weekly Sketch Challenge.

For the color challenge you had to use either dry or heat embossing. I used the D'vine Swirls embossing folder by Cuttlebug for the embossing on the Coredinations cardstock and then sanded it.

I also took a small paper doily and inked it with Stampin' Up Yo Yo Yellow ink. Then I used a Nestabilities circle die to cut it smaller so just the edges peek out from under the blue circle that was also cut using a circle die.

Products Used For This Card:

• Magenta Paper by The Piece for card base
• Coredinations Core Color Cardstock
• Blueberry Dot by BoBunny
• Ribbon
• Stampin' Up Yo Yo Yellow Ink
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• D'vine Swirls Embossing Folder by Cuttlebug
• Nestabilities Circle Die Cuts
• Hero Arts Clear Design Stamps - Huge Hugs - CL417

Embellish Magazine.com Color Challenge

I know, I know...it's almost been a week since I've blogged. I took a hiatus from from being creative. Quite frankly, I was feeling a little burnt out. I know I do this for fun, but I really feel that when I have to try too hard to think of what to do, then I need a rest.

Yesterday I experimented with flower making and it worked out perfectly for this card. I came across this birthdays color challenge for Embellish Magazine.com, so I thought I'd give it a try. I've used pink and brown together, but never thought about adding blue and green to the combination. I actually kind of like it.

Here's a close up of my flower. I have a bag of tissue paper of all colors and patterns that I've saved, knowing that someday it'll come in handy.

Supplies Used For This Card:

Cardstock: Paper By The Piece in Blue, Cloud 9 Design - Be Mine Plaid - Be Loved, Core'dinations, Bazzill

Ink: Memento in Cocoa, Stampin' Up! in Pink Passion

Ribbon: May Arts, Pink/Brown Check Unknown

Sizzix Dots Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirls Embossing Folder, Nestabilities Labels One

Brad, Tissue Paper

Hero Arts Clear Design Stamps "Birthday Messages" CL139

One Card, Two Challenges - CPS153 - LPSC54

I was so happy this morning when I read in my blog reader that Little Paper Shop was hosting a challenge with the colors red, white and black! This was a challenge tailor made for me!

This card also worked well for the challenge over at Card Positioning Systems. I generally do a separate one for each, but for these two this worked perfectly.

I tried out a new Cuttlebug embossing folder on this card and I love it! I've only used Sizzix embossing folders up until now. I think I prefer the Cuttlebug ones a little bit better, so naturally now I want more!

Products Used For This Card: Bazzill Cardstock in Red & Raven, White Paper By The Piece, Core'dinations Cardstock in VC Starry Night, 2" EK Success Scallop Punch, Fiskars Ticket Punch, Cuttlebug Script Embossing Folder, Making Memories White Thread, May Arts Burlap in Red & Black, Ivory Ruffled Ribbon, Black & Red Check Ribbon (Manufacturer Not Known), Hero Arts Black Accent Pearls, Clear Design Stamps "Scroll Frame" CL283, CPS153, LPSC54.

Card Patterns Sketch 47 Challenge

My goal is to participate in more card sketch challenges. Hopefully I'm off to a good start. This challenge from Card Patterns is my first one this year.

Here's the sketch:

Here's my take:

Products Used For This Card:

Bazzill Cardstock, Core'dinations Cardstock, Karen Foster Loopy Eyelets, May Arts Plaid Ribbon, Creative Imaginations Paper Lace, Buttons, Nestabilities Labels One, Hero Arts Clear Design Stamps "Birthday Messages" CL139

Crayon Resist Technique

I've read about some techniques that I want to try on some new projects. My first attempt was crayon resist. I didn't have glossy cardstock, which is the type of paper called for. I used glossy photo paper instead. The second card below was the glossy photo paper and the first card is using glossy cardstock. Big difference! I picked up glossy cardstock at Paper Studio , and not wanting to waste the paper that I had experimented on, I went ahead and made two cards. As you can see the first one turned out much better.

Supplies used for the card below: Glossy Cardstock, Kraft, Orange & Black Cardstock, Paper Crimper, Provo Craft Simply Chic Stamps, Orange, Black & Yellow inks, Crayon Resist Technique.

Supplies used for the card above: Glossy Photo Paper, Yellow, Black, & White Cardstock, ColorCore Cardstock by Core'dinations in VC Starry Night, Hero Arts Clear Design Stamps "Thinking of You", Crayon Resist Technique.