Scrappy Girls Make It Better Challenge #3

 

Whew! I just finished my card for the Scrappy Girls Make It Better challenge by the skin of my teeth! The sketch is below and it's one from Tsunami Rose Designs. I've had all week to work on this as the challenge runs from Monday to Sunday. I really struggled with this one and almost threw in the towel. I tried many combinations and just couldn't find something that I liked. We were to use the sketch and incorporate our favorite colors. I love black, red, kraft and white together. I have so many favorite colors and combinations and this is just one of many. Finally something clicked and I was able to create this card.

For this card I used kraft cardstock from PTI and Bazzill cardstock in black and white. The Martha Stewart edge punch I used is called eyelet lace. The buttons are from my stash. The patterned paper is from Creative Imaginations. The sentiment is from Hero Arts called Birthday Messages - CL139.

The Scrappy Girls Make It Better is a group that is open to the public. You can visit it by clicking here.

 

Tsunami Rose Designs

Thanks for stopping by! This card will be linked here:

Scrappy Girls Make It Better

Mr. and Mrs. Wedding Card

 

I have an overwhelming desire to create cards. It's probably because I haven't made very many lately. I should be working on other things, but I just kind of flip from one thing to the next!

I love black and white. Instead of using some red like I usually do, I chose to add some variation and use a little silver. The embossing folder I used for the background is called Whimsy and is from Lifestyle Crafts. The package comes with two different folders. The flower is from Creative Imaginations.

 

For the sentiment I used a stamp set from Inkadinkado called Wedding #97892. I used a strip of silver mirror card and the black cardstock strip was diecut using a Memory Box die called Charlotte Border. The white shape that I stamped the sentiment on was punched out using one of We R Memory Keepers tab punches. Behind the flower I added some silver ribbon I have in my stash of ribbons. The black and silver gems are called Metallic Decor from Hero Arts.

Trying to take a photo of this card wasn't easy! Because of the silver mirror card I had to keep turning the card so that I wouldn't have my image in the photo. It was still hard to do and I couldn't get a photo of it straight on. 

I do like this embossing folder and will be using a lot it the future. Now on to the next card......

Thanks for stopping by! This post is linked up to these parties:

All Things Fee
Craft-O-Maniac Monday
A Round Tuit
Made by you Monday
Market Yourself Monday
Crafty Showcase

Thank You & Birthday Cards

We've had so many things going on in our life lately and I'm afraid my blog has really had a low priority. I created this thank you card for our neighbors. They were so helpful in shoveling our sidewalks and taking care of our dog with just a last minute notice. I included a gift card for them and had to get the card made quickly since they are moving this weekend. 

I added some dimension to the sentiment by using foam tape to pop it up. I inked all the edges with Tim Holtz black soot ink. The patterned paper is from Creative Imaginations. I used an embossing folder called Chevron by Darice. The pennant is a Spellbinders Shapeabilities called Nested Pennants. The gemstones are from Hero Arts as is the Thank You stamp. The stamp set is called Find Joy CL497. Cardstock base is from PTI. 

I joined a group called Scrappy Girls and we have an optional birthday club list we can join. Well.....naturally with everything going on I'm behind in getting my card sent out! This card is going in the mail tomorrow. We do have a public Facebook page that anyone can join called Scrappy Girls Make It Better. It's a page where we share things that we create. You can check it out here.

For this card I used cardstock from PTI. The stamp set is also from PTI and is called Think Big Favorites #12 Stamp Set #2473. I used two embossing folders. One is called Dots & Flowers by Sizzix and the other is called Intricate Swirl from The Paper Studio. The pearl gemstones are from Hero Arts. I inked up my embossing folder with Tim Holtz Fired Brick Distress Ink, added my cardstock and then ran it through my Big Shot. I love kraft, red and white. One of my favorite color combinations. 

I really feel bad about not posting much lately. I do have another post in the works. I also have many projects that are currently in process. I'm trying to get caught up and spend more time crafting. Thanks for stopping by!

I've linked this post to this party:
Chic and Crafty Party!

Cards From Mistakes

The other day I scored cardstock incorrectly not once, but THREE times! I didn't want to toss it so I set it aside. I think I was just so engaged in watching the verdict in the Casey Anthony trial that I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing.

Here are the two of the cards I've come up with. I'm still working on a third one. On both of them I used a strip of cardstock that I adhered to the edge of the card where it didn't meet the other side. I then used an EK Success Punch on the edge called Open Scallop.

In my email yesterday, I received the video of the week email from Hero Arts (you can check it out here). I was inspired by how the buttons were embossed, so this is my take on it:

I looked through my stamps, found one I liked, stamped on the button and embossed it. On the next card instead of embossing, I used Smooch and made dots.

I then covered the button with an iridescent sparkle glaze.

For the leaves I used a die from Sizzix called Branch with Leaves.

I used a stylus to give the leaves some dimension.

Other products used for these cards: PTI Cardstock in Rustic White, Buttons, Smooch, EK Success Edge Punch, Patterned Paper from Creative Imaginations, McGill Stylus, Tim Holtz Black Soot Distress Ink, Clear Embossing Powder, Baker's Twine, Hero Arts Stamps - Find Joy - CL497.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend!

Create Yourself

This is what I did today while I was glued to the television coverage of the Casey Anthony trial awaiting the verdict. I call it my Casey Anthony acquittal card. Such a simple card took me all afternoon. Such a travesty, but enough of that!

The patterned paper I used for this card is from Creative Imaginations. I believe it's called Signature Collection, at least that's what it says. I loved it so much that when I saw it while on vacation I bought every color the store had!

Other products used for this card: PTI in Rustic Cream, Bazzill, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Barn Door, Clear Embossing Powder, Liquid Pearls in White Opal, Baker's Twine, EK Success Edge Punch called Bracket, Hero Arts Metallic Decor and Unity Stamp Co. - Create Yourself - US-502A.

Thanks for stopping by!

Wedding Cards

Today I'm going to share four wedding cards I created for a friend. For this card I used my new Shapeabilities Fancy Tags Die. I picked this die up while on vacation and I think I'm going to use it alot. Out of all four cards, I can't decide if this one is my favorite or this next one.

I can't make up my mind! I like the patterned paper I used for this card. It's from TPC Studio called Wedding Silhouette Tapestry Stripe. I paired a Creative Imaginations brad I had in my stash with a Hero Arts flower. Behind the flower I added some tulle that I inked and then inserted a Maya Road Trinket Pin in Vintage Black Pearls. I love those pins! I'd been searching for them for awhile and found them at Archiver's. Here's a closer look at the flower.

For this card, I had to get some black in. It just wouldn't be like me to create some cards and not use black. My friend gave me free rein to do whatever I wanted. I even made mention to her that I like to use black and she said she was fine with whatever I came up with.

For the leaves I used a Sizzix die I have called Branch with Leaves. The sentiment is called "Love Continues To Grow" from Versus Rubber Stamps.

For the inside of this card I used a Hero Arts stamp and an EK Success Edge Punch called "Brackets".

For the fourth card I didn't use a stamped sentiment. I thought the patterned paper I used from Best Creation Inc worked well since it had sentiments on it. I did use a Hero Arts stamp called Dot Flourishes. I stamped it on the cardstock using Versamark and added some Stampendous Dot Sparklers.

That's it for the wedding cards. In my next post I'll share the sympathy cards I made.

Here's a list of products I used for these cards: PTI Cardstock, Tim Holtz Vintage Photo & Black Soot Distress Ink, Shapeabilities Fancy Tags Die, Hero Arts Flowers, Studio G iClear Wedding Stamp, Versus Rubber Stamp - Love Continues To Grow MA0320-E, EK Success Edge Punches: Open Scallop & Brackets, TPC Patterned Paper - Wedding Silhouette - Tapestry Stripe, Brad from Creative Imaginations, Clear Embossing Powder, Tulle, Hero Arts Stamps - Live Life - CL498, Versus Rubber Stamps - Warm Congratulations - MA0328-F, Ranger Liquid Pearls in Silver Pearl, Maya Road Trinket Pins in Vintage Black Pearls, Versamark, Patterned Paper from Doodlebug Design Inc called Beetle Black Serenade, Sizzix Branch with Leaves Die, Cloud9 Design Rain Dots, Hero Arts Stamps - Everyday Sayings - CL342, Ribbon, Hero Arts Stamps - Flourishes - CL235, Stampendous Dot Sparklers.

Hope your have a fun and safe 4th of July!

Tacky Memo Pad

Recently I made a plaque for my daughter's desk at work. I was going to make her another one, but she said she wanted a memo pad like I made here instead.

This is what I came up with:

I was going to bind it together using my Zutter Bind-It-All, but decided to use rings instead. I thought that was a better choice when she runs out of paper. That makes it refillable. She can just cut some (or I can!), punch two holes, insert the paper and it's ready to go.

To make this memo pad I cut chipboard to the size I wanted and then ran it through my Sizzix Big Shot using the Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirls embossing folder. I then covered the chipboard with Gesso and let dry. Using Making Memories acrylic paint, I mixed the colors Spotlight and Nutmeg together and painted over the Gesso. After that dried, I took acrylic paint in Espresso and mixed it together with Mod Podge and painted over the chipboard. I then wiped it off with a baby wipe. When it was completely dry, I wiped Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Vintage Photo over the top.

After I cut the cardstock, sticker and ribbon it was time to assemble all the pieces. I mounted the sticker onto a piece of turquoise SEI Linen. Wow! Do I love the texture of that stuff! Using my distress tool, I roughed up the edges.

I adhered everything to the chipboard with Mod Podge and then covered it with another coat. Once dry, I sprayed it with Mod Podge Clear Acrylic Sealer and added the paper and ribbons.

Here's a closer view:

My youngest daughter has decided that she'd like a plaque also. I'll probably make her a memo pad too. When they're both finished I'll be sure to share them!

Products Used For This Project:
D'Vine Swirls Cuttlebug Embossing Folder
Chipboard
Gesso
Making Memories Acrylic Paint
Mod Podge & Mod Podge Acrylic Sealer
Tim Holtz Distress Ink
Spiteful & Delightful Stickers
SEI Linen
Creative Imaginations Paper Lace
Hero Arts Pearls & Metallic Decor
Misc Cardstock & Ribbon Scraps

Tags From Scraps

I thought I'd try making some gift tags with my leftover Christmas paper. I've never made tags before and now I think I'm hooked! I love designing cards from scraps. Making tags may just be my new passion.

Here's a closer view of each:

Products Used For These Tags:

Nestabilities Labels One & Classic Scalloped Circles Small

Star Punch

Quickie Glue Pen

Glitter Sparkling Ice

Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink

May Arts Ribbon

Ribbon From JoAnn Crafts

Holiday Time Scatterables - Snowflake & Holly

Versamark

Stampendous! Gold Embossing Powder & Dot Sparklers

Mirrorcard

Creative Imaginations Woodland Brads

Flora Doodles by Petaloo

Farmers Market Cherry Twist Twine

Hero Arts Sparkle Clear Stamps - Warm Wishes - CL243, Merriest Wishes - CL113, Winter's Butterfly - CL234, Holiday Gift Tags - CL237

I hope everyone's day is going well and you're getting all your last minute projects done! Thanks for stopping by!

Celebrate The Season

I created this card using patterned paper from Creative Imaginations called Holiday Season by Christine Adolph. I still had some left from last Christmas. I loved it then and I think I like this year's card version even better.

I like the color combination and how the flower soft looks like snow on the trees.

Products Used On This Card:
Bazzill
Flower Soft
Patterned Paper from Creative Imaginations - Holiday Season by Christine Adolph
Gold Embossing Powder
Hero Arts Clear Stamps - Holiday Sayings - CL343
Patterned Paper from Hot Off The Press - Tis The Season from Paperpizazz.com
Gold Mirrorcard
Gold Twine
Stampendous! Dot Sparklers

A Walk Up The Strip

I actually had a sketch picked out for this layout before I had even chosen my photos. Once I had everything together, I just couldn't make it work though. I tried in vain to find another sketch that might work better, but I wasn't having any luck. So, I just flew by the seat of my pants and this is what I came up with!

It was a beautiful day when I took these pictures of my husband, stepson Kyle and his friend Josh as we walked up Las Vegas Blvd on our long trek to the Stratosphere Hotel & Casino. We made the trip thinking that the boys might want to ride the Big Shot. They chose not to. Hey, I don't blame them. You couldn't pay me to do it! But then I'm a chicken and don't go for that sort of thing. My idea of a ride is to take a train ride around an amusement park, so I stay as close to the ground as possible! I knew that the hubby wasn't going to do it again. We got married in Las Vegas and he rode it then with my brother and our maid of honor the day after our wedding. It's 110 stories to the observation deck, so I declined to even go up there this time. Steve did get some great pictures of the strip from the top for me to use in scrapbooking, so that's a plus.

Supplies used for this layout: Bazzill Cardstock, Crepe Streamer in Apple Red, Chipboard, Diecut Sticker by Reminisce, Bazzill Jewels, Creative Imaginations Foam Alphabet Stickers.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheers!

This blog post is for you, Tami! I saved this sketch from 52 Sketches...52 Weeks - a blog that no longer exits. Now you can find the sketches on Julie Bonner's blog Starting Now... Regardless, I like the sketches and have saved several of them. I'll apologize in advance because I'm not sure what date this sketch is from.

When I first saw it, I made a mental note because I knew it would be perfect with the right photo. I think the one I used worked beautifully!

After I completed this layout and looked back at the one I posted yesterday, I think I'm beginning to see a pattern - me in a picture with drink in hand! Just so you know, my life isn't unbearable. These are just good times and good memories, so "Cheers" to yours too!

Products used for this layout: Bazzill Cardstock & French Vanilla Paper Flowers, Making Memories Chipboard Jigsaw Shapes, Queen & Co Felt Fushion, Sizzix "Loopy" Die & "Girls Are Weird" Alphabet Dies, Shabby Green Door: Farmers' Market Twine in Cherry Twist, Button, Misc shape from cardstock.

Cards Using Flower Soft

I haven't been very good lately posting cards I've made at Paper Studio on my blog. So, I'm going to share one I made for an upcoming class and two others that I made today.

The card shown below will be used in my class on March 9th.

The next two cards I made using We R Memory Keepers Embossible Punch Outs "Baby Mine". For the bear I mixed Baby Blue and Ivory Flower Soft. For the tummy and cheeks I just used the Ivory.

On this card I just highlighted around the "A" and covered the "C". I love how flower soft is so versatile. I just bought the new Ultra Fine Flower Soft and am anxious to start working with it.

Products Used For These Cards: Bazzill Cardstock, Lasting Impressions Cardstock, We R Memory Keepers Embossible Punch Outs, Flower Soft, Dew Drop Brilliance & Memento Inks, May Arts Ribbon, Gemstones, Nestabilities, Bazzill Garden Flowers Chips, Bazzill Basics Mini Ric Rac, Hero Arts Stamps, Creative Imaginations Cardstock.

Mojo Monday Sketch 122

I haven't participated in one of Mojo Monday's challenges for awhile. I forgot how much I love their sketches! This was a fun one, so I'm glad I played along. Since I've been leaning toward creating Valentine cards, I just went along with that theme for this sketch. I love red, silver and black together.

Products Used For This Card: MOJO122 Sketch, Bazzill Cardstock, Patterned Paper from Creative Imaginations called Stitched Hearts, Heidi Grace Clear Stamps Quotes, Nestabilities Lables One, Hero Arts Black Gemstones, Buttons, May Arts Burlap in Red & Black.

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

Versatile Stamp Set

The Hero Arts "What's Cookin'" stamp set proved to be pretty versatile when I created this card yesterday. The 'Sweetie Pie' stamp fit perfectly for a Valentine card.

I had to change up the colors for this card. I love red, I don't generally use pink and I've been using it alot lately. I like pink with black and gray, but the red and pink combination is really starting to get to me! If it was up to me, every holiday card would have black and earthtones in them. And then again...who's to say they can't?

Products used for this card: Duplex Cardstock in Red/White, Bazzill Cardstock in White, Blackbird, Parakeet & Cardinal, Sizzix Stacking Lace Heart Set Die, Hero Arts "What's Cookin'" Stamp Set - CL333, Crop-A-Dile by We R Memory Keepers & Large Black Eyelets, Patterned Paper by BasicGrey - Fruit Salad & Pear Tart from the Nook & Pantry Collection & Creative Imaginations - Cherry Gingham from the Miss Elle Collection, May Arts Solid 2 Tone Ribbon in Red/Green.

Almost Done...

I have been feverishly trying to get all my cards done and I am nearing the end. I've made almost sixty and I still have about six left to go. This year I didn't use much black at all and that's my favorite color! I barely used any buttons either. It cost me a fortune last year for stamps, so I thought I'd save button usage for cards made during the rest of the year.

On Monday I found this great paper that I've used on the cards below. When I came home with it and told the hubby, he was surprised that I needed to buy more paper. He asked if I really needed it. What a ridiculous question that is! It's impossible to explain to men that you really need it when you have a room full of paper. Or that when you see something you have to get it at that moment because you may use it at some point or that it will be gone the next time you want to buy it.

The patterned paper is from Creative Imaginations called Holiday Season by Christine Adolph. It was exactly what I needed to make some quick cards. I made multiples of each.

All I did to the stocking was add gemstones.

To the presents I just used my quickie glue pen on the ribbon and added glitter.

I didn't add anything but ribbon to the deer.

This tree is probably my favorite. I added flower soft to imitate snow. Below is a side view so you can hopefully see it better.


Well, I'm off to start addressing envelopes. I'll post more cards tomorrow.

Products used for these cards: Bazzill Cardstock, Patterned Paper from Creative Imaginations called Holiday Season by Christine Adolph, Hero Arts Stamps "Holiday Sayings" CL343, Hero Arts Gemstones, Quickie Glue Pen, Glitter, Ticket Punch, Flower Soft, Embossing Powder, Ribbon, Cord.

Flower Card

I love flowers on cards! I learned to make the vellum flowers on the card below from this tutorial on Stamping Mathilda's blog. She has a lot of interesting ideas, so check out her blog if you get the chance. The idea for the flower pot came from Paper Studio. While at work the other day we were making them but on a much larger scale. I just made mine small enough to fit on my card. I also love the green ribbon with the leaves. It's such a perfect fit.

When I was in Williamsburg, VA this past May, I stopped into Scrap N Memories and they were kind enough to keep the store open for me to browse since I got there 15 minutes before closing. The clerk that was working was showing me all the flowers they make out of punches, paper folding, etc. She said they have classes just for making flowers. I would love to learn how to make more to use on my cards and layouts.

I'm working on some other cards that I will get posted in the next few days. I haven't had much time for crafting or cooking anything exciting lately. I'm not sure how much I will get done between now and next Thursday. I have a ton of other things I to do. I'll attempt to get a few cards posted if I can.

Products used for this card: Red & Kraft cardstock, Cardstock by Creative Imaginations, Vellum, Sizzix Dot Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Hero Arts Clear Design "All Occation" stamps, Ribbon.

Woo Hoo! A New Cookbook & A New Card

It's always very exciting for me when my husband surprises me with a new cookbook! While he was out and about today he picked up one of my favorite kind of books. I like the local, spiral bound cookbooks that you can find in communities across the country. This particular one is called "Wisler's Country Cooking III". Before I go through the whole book from cover to cover, I usually check out the section that has desserts and candies. From my quick glance through this book, it looks like there are a ton of interesting recipes for me to drool over while reading. I'll be sure to post the recipes and pictures when I make something. In the book I also found the "Seven Reasons to Eat Chocolate" shown below.

Seven Reasons to Eat Chocolate

1. Eating equal amounts of dark, milk and white chocolate will give you a balanced diet.

2. Chocolate contains preservatives, so the more you eat, the longer you will stay young looking.

3. If you eat chocolate right before a meal, it will reduce your appetite.

4. One box of chocolates contains your daily allotment of calories--very handy.

5. Chocolate-covered strawberries, cherries and raspberries count as fruit, so you can eat as many as you want.

6. If there were no chocolate, there would be no need for diet foods and plus sizes; entire industries would collapse.

7. Putting "eat chocolate" at the top of your to-do list means you'll get a least one thing done every day.

I think number 7 is my favorite.

Below is a card I designed at Paper Studio on Tuesday. I just love Clear Art Stamps by Crafty Secrets. They really make fun cards!

Products used for this card: Hero Arts gemstones in multiple colors, Clear Art Stamps "Party Queen" by Crafty Secrets, Bazzill in parakeet and red, Creative Imaginations "Miss Elle Collection" in Sweet Cherry and Elles Kitchen, white cardstock and May Arts pom pom and solid check ribbon.

Grandmother Layout

I finished a layout tonight that I plan to enter into a monthly challenge for Graphic 45. It was a pretty easy one for August as the only requirement is that you have stitching on it. I'm happy how the page turned out. The black flower is actually an iron-on applique! I just happened to be in the thread aisle of my local department store and it jumped out at me. Black is one of my favorite colors and when I saw it I just knew that I would be able to use it in one of my projects.

A woman from Madison, WI came into Paper Studio today and loved all the cards I have displayed around the store. She thought that our styles are similar and asked if I would be interested in doing a card exchange with her. I'm pretty excited since I've never participated in one before and she seemed surprised by that. I will display her cards on my blog. Marilyn, get ready to receive my cards!

Products used for this layout: Bazzill cardstock, iron-on applique, Sizzix 'You're My Cupcake' letter dies, Creative Imaginations felt floral brad, Graphic 45 "Buttons A La Mode and Tre Chic" paper from the Fashionista Collection, Making Memories Vintage Hip Trims, machine sewing.

Family Time

Yesterday morning out of the blue I had an idea for the scrapbook page below. I didn't have time to work on it until this evening and it's nothing fancy at all. Just a nice simple page. I had another title in mind, but with the help of Steve another one was chosen. The title was cut out of chipboard and then I cut the brown cardstock for just some of the letters. Originally all the letters were going to be brown, but I liked the look of the plain white.

Products used for this layout: Ice Cream Cone/Board Shorts and Summer Log/Meadow from the August Collection from Marks Paper Company, Bitter Chocolate and White Bazzill cardstock, Hero Art's Vintage Collection Flowers, Creative Imaginations Brown Plush Brads, Sizzix Lollipop alphabet letter dies and Abstract extended strip die, chipboard and buttons.