Just a Plane Birthday

I am sorry that I have not posted in so long.  I had quite a few blogs to design for customers and they have kept me nice an busy. Since we were snowed in yesterday (we could not make it out of the driveway not to mention the 20 mile drive to church) I took some of my day to work on a couple of cards that I am behind on mailing out...nothing new lately.

This is a set that I just could not go without from the Occasions Mini and the poor thing has just sitting there waiting to be put to work.  I knew that I wanted to use a Designer paper in the background and once I figured out which one the card just fell into place.  Yes, every edge is sponged to give it more f a vintage look, which I think goes great with this set.  It is hard to see in the picture but I did run the card stock through with Big Shot with the harlequin texture plate.   I never put the front on the card until I make sure it is finished that way if I add brads, ribbon or eyelets they are not poking in the inside of the card.

Card Details:

Stamps: Plane and Simple

Paper: Not Quite Navy, Blueberry Crisp Designer Paper, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Scallop Rectangle Clear Die, Big Shot, Lots of Tags Die, Big Shot, Jumbo Eyelets, Natural Twine, Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plate

Layered Silhouettes

Yet another for the stationary box, just one more left. This card helped me use up a bunch of my print pattern scraps.

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive Print Patterns, Whisper White

Ink: Old Olive

Accessories: Chocolate Chip Grosgrain, Jumbo Eyelets, Crop-a-dile

Yard Film Strip

This card is a full size card. It is made from a full size piece of cardstock folded in half. For those who do not know I make the Thank You cards for those who come and speak to our Home School group. We had a falconer come and showed the kids his Red Tail Hawk and told us how he hunts with her. They love to spend time in the woods so I thought this set would fit right in. I stamped the back with the Sanded Background and sponged around the edges. The images are colored with the markers directly on the stamps. I also sponged around the edges of the images.

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Think Happy Thoughts, Sanded Background

Paper: More Mustard, Basic Black, Whisper White, Always Artichoke

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, More Mustard,

Accessories: Spiral Punch, Jumbo Eyelets, 1' & 1-1/4"Circle Punches

Sock Monkey

Well, I needed another birthday card for one of my nieces. She loves monkeys so I was thrilled when this set was shown. This is one of the sets that will be available in the upcoming catalog.

I took the sketch challenge yesterday to get the layout. The monkey took a lot of cutting but it was worth it! I stamped the monkey twice on the Very Vanilla and then Stamped the Twill in Close to Cocoa over top of one. When I went to get the color for the hands, feet etc I stamped the Creamy Caramel off on scratch paper once so that the color was just a shade lighter then I stamped it on the 2nd monkey. The hat and cupcakes where stamped and colored with the re-inkers and Aqua Painters. I wanted to add a little more pazzaz so I covered them with Versa Mark and Heat and stick powder. After I heated I dumped Dazzling diamonds on top (which is impossible for me to get a good picture of). I did quite a bit of sponging around the edges.

Stamps: Happy Happy Birthday Jumbo Wheel, Sock Monkey, Twill Background

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Red Riding Hood, Creamy Carmel, Very Vanilla

Ink: Red Riding Hood, Chocolate Chip, Summer Sun, Creamy Caramel, VersaMark

Accessories: Twill tape, Wide Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Jumbo Eyelets, Heat n Stick Powder, Dazzling Diamonds

Sketch

Well, today I am actually doing the sketch challenge on the day it was assigned. This was a challenge for me. I started it early this morning and kind of worked on it off and on. I was stumped on what to add to the top. While I was running to pick up the girls for my daughter's birthday party I thought about how I used to color the brads. I thought why couldn't I do that with the Jumbo Eyelets. So I dabbed the eyelets in the craft pad, dried with the heat gun. After a few coats it was still warm and ready to be dipped in the clear embossing powder. I did the same with the Build-a-brad but I used the Black Embossing powder to finish. I used my hobby knife on the top part of the flower on the bottom so that I could slip the diamond shaped layer in behind it. I just about got my samples done for my Fresh Cuts stamp night next week.

Stamps: Fresh Cuts

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Pink Passion, Pixie Pink

Ink: Basic Black, Pink Passion

Accessories: Jumbo Eyelets, Build-a-brads

Crimped Lighthouse

So the Ways to Use it challenge today was to makes ruffles or pleats. I chose to crimp. I crimped my Not Quite Navy layer and the photo corner punch. I honestly tried 3 other background stamps before I just went back to the Sanded. I do not know what I will ever do if they retire that one...The ribbon is from the package that Sue sent me as a RAK. I colored the image with the re-inkers and Aqua-pens. The sky I just sponged around the edge and then went in a tad bit.

Stamps: Short and Sweet, Winds of Grace, Sanded background

Paper: Kraft, Bravo Burgundy, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White

Ink: Not Quite Navy, Sahara Sand, Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery, River Rock, Bravo Burgundy

Accessories: Ribbon Original ribbon, Jumbo Eyelets, Crimper, Designer Label Punch, Large Oval, Small Oval, Photo Corner Punch

2 Fold Card

Today's Challenge was the Technique challenge. The challenge was to make a two way open card. Once again I got my colors from the outfit I wore to church on Sunday. Maybe I should make that a personal challenge for my Monday's ;). I added dazzle to the scallop punch with versamark and Iredescent Ice embossing powder. The sentiment was done with craft ink and clear embossing powder. Well, my morning went far to fast today. It was probably because this snow just will not stop! I hope you all have a fun and productive day!!

Stamps: Sanded Background, Doodle This, Circle of Friendship

Paper: Kraft, Really Rust, Garden Green, Bravo Burgundy

Ink: Really Rust craft and classic, Bravo Burgundy, Garden green craft and classic, Versamark

Accessories: Mat pack for piercing, Crop-a-dile, Jumbo Eyelets, Vintage brad, Ticket Corner punch, Slot punch, Scallop Circle punch, 1" circle punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Iridescent Ice embossing powder

Bronc Ribbons

So today was the Technique Challenge. The challenge was to Stack Your Ribbons. As I was blurfing (surfing blogs, for those who do not know the term) this weekend I saw a card that used the wide twill. I cannot remember whose blog it was on so if it was you, speak up! I have so much of it as I tend to just use the two other sizes. So this challenge fit perfect for one of the many things I need to use/do more often. Since I started with such large twill I decide that I would layer 3 different ribbon. as I was cleaning my room this weekend I found that my Old Olive Twill had fallen behind the ribbon containers. I just had to use it so that it where my color theme came from today. I also wanted to do more than just layer so that is how I came up with the idea to put the last layer through the Jumbo Eyelets.

I included the second picture because it was hard to see that I stamped the background twice. I stamped it the first time with the Basic brown and the second time with the Vanilla Craft ink. The main image I stamped in the Basic Brown, wiped off the parts I wanted Old olive with a tissue and colored those with the marker. I roughed the edges with the Cutter Kit. I also sponged around the edges of the outside Chocolate Chip with the Very Vanilla Craft ink. I also used the Naturals Ivory paper, which is another thing I forget I have.

Stamps: Bronc Buster, Short & Sweet, Sanded Background

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Naturals Ivory

Ink: Very Vanilla Craft Ink, Basic Brown, Old Olive Marker

Accessories: Cutter Kit, Large Oval, Small Oval, Jumbo Eyelets, Wide Twill, Wide Chocolate Chip Grosgrain, Old Olive Twill

Lighthouse

I've gone and flipped the sketch again on today's Sketch Challenge. I am always running short of guy birthday cards. This will be great for my stash. I only used one color ink pad. I'm trying to simplify...of course I did not do that when I choose my sets. I just kept grabbing as the card progressed and then I realized I had just used 4 different sets. Let me know if you give this sketch a try!

Stamps: Winds of Grace, Sanded Background, Print Pattern Background, It's Your Birthday

Paper: Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Bravo Burgundy

Ink: Always Artichoke

Accessories: Jumbo Eylets, Circle punches-3/4", 1", 1 1/4", Tool kit for piercing

Chalked Bronco

Today's challenge was to do the Chalkboard Technique. I have not used my chalk in a very long time. I saw someone use the markers last week to color this image and thought that it was a wonderful idea. When I saw this challenge and needed a solid image I thought I wold give it a try with the chalk. I used 2 different color browns on the horse.

Stamps: Twill Background, Bronc Buster, Think Happy Thoughts

Paper: Ballet Blue, Whisper White, Basic Black

Ink: Craft White

Accessories: Chalks, Jumbo Eyelets, Striped Grosgrain

Techniques: Chalkboard

Pumpkin...

So my order came in yesterday. As I had said I limited myself so I can save the bulk of my order for February to get some Sale-a-bration sets. I did have to get some of the new striped ribbon and chose one color. This will be a must on my next order to get some more. I do love the new Celebrate Everything set and I think I have already got my money's worth out of it. I also finally broke down and bought the build a brads. They will now be a staple in my supplies. I had to get some of the new designer paper. I chose the Bali Breeze because I thought it could be used for both masculine and feminine cards. I know today is the sketch challenge but I have a group of boys coming over after band this afternoon to goof around and I have things I need to get done. This is a card I put together yesterday after my order arrived. I will try to get to the sketch challenge later today and hopefully get it posted tomorrow.

Stamps: Celebrate Everything

Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Taken with Teal, Bali Breeze DSP

Ink: Pumpkin Pie

Accessories: Corner Rounder for scalloped edges, Small Oval Punch, Jumbo Eyelets, Build a Brad, Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

Scallop Punch

Boy did I have troubles with the Color Challenge today. I am just in a slump. I was sick yesterday and I guess my brain is still in a slump. I did this card twice and did not like the first one (see bottom of post) so I took it apart and re-did it. Now I think I liked the first one better. I guess I should just take some more meds and go back to bed....My new catalog order will be coming in today so I will have new toys to play with tomorrow. I did not order much as I am saving for February Sale-a-bration. Maybe fresh stuff will get me going again.

This is the one I re-did....should I have just left it? I only re-did the side top layer. The inside is exactly the same.

Card #1:

Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Short & Sweet

Paper: Rose Red, Apricot Appeal, Sage Shadow

Ink: Sage Shadow, Rose Red

Accessories: Jumbo Eyelets, Crop-a-dile, Antique Brads, Tool Kit for piercing, Scallop Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch

Card#1

Stamps: Flannel, En Francais, Short & Sweet

Paper: Rose Red, Apricot Appeal, Sage Shadow, Kraft

Ink: Sage Shadow, Rose Red

Accessories: Jumbo Eyelets, Crop-a-dile, Apricot Appeal Grosgrain, Kraft Taffeta Ribbon Scallop Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch

Sketch Motifs

So, I guess I am still addicted to using the Designer paper. I thought this sketch challenge would make a very elegant card. Usually when I use a stamp with two colors I just grab the markers. Since I had already chosen my colors before I chose my stamps I was stuck. There are no markers in the In Colors. So I stamped in the light color first and then colored over with my Always Artichoke marker the areas I wanted different. After I had set my eyelet in the center I kept out my crop-a-dile and punched the holes around the outside corners. If you cannot see I also pierced along the edges of my two background panels. I could add any sentiment in Always Artichoke ink to the bottom panel. I thought, for now, I will leave it to add when I decide who the recipient/occasion will be.

Stamps: Baroque Motifs

Paper: River Rick, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Brocade Background DSP

Ink: River Rock, Always Artichoke

Accessories: Jumbo Eyelets, Crop-a-dile, Ticket Corner Punch, Tool kit for piercing

Big Thank you

Well, I needed another thank you card for our Home school group. We took a trip to see the fire station and Ambulance station. This one was made for the Ambulance ladies who gave us a great tour! I saw this idea with ribbon and thought it would be nice if I used my designer paper scraps. The words "big" and "you" are from the set Short and Sweet. They originally say "Wish Big" and "Thank you" I used the marker to get just the section that I wanted.

Stamps:Short and Sweet, Headline Alphabet

Paper: So Saffron, Petals and Paisley, Always Artichoke, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink

Ink: So Saffron, Always Artichoke, Tempting Turquoise, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black

Accessories: Scallop Punch, Brass Jumbo Eyelet, Crop-a-dile, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, Tool kit for piercing, White gel pen, Apricot Grosgrain, Snow Blossom Punch

Thank You Blooms

Last night I spent the night with my 2 older boys and our Home Educators group dissecting rats. I hope to get pictures up there later this week. So this morning we needed a thank you card big enough for our group to sign. This is a full piece of card stock folded in half. I went to SCS to check out the Color Challenge for the day. So I went from there. The flowers are popped up on Glue dots.

Stamps: Party Punch Hostess set, Baroque Motifs, Watercolor Vine, All in a Row

Paper: River Rock, Chocolate Chip

Ink: River Rock, Chocolate Chip, Blue Bayou

Accessories: Wide Chocolate Chip Grosgrain, Ticket Corner Punch, Blue Bayou Double Stitched Ribbon, Designer Label Punch, Jumbo Eyelets, Scalloped Circle Punch, Twine

Re-do card

Today's Technique challenge on SCS was to take an already designed card and just change the stamp set. I had designed the cowboy one for last month's stamp night. I have the bad habit of over cutting and had a lot of extra left over. This was a great challenge for me.

Stamps: 1st-Baroque Motifs, 2nd-Sanded BG, Bronc Buster, Define Your Life

Paper: Soft Sky, Blue Bayou textured and non, River Rock, Soft Sky Prints DSP

Ink: Soft Sky, Blue Bayou

Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Jumbo Eyelets, Twine, Designer Label Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Double Stitched Blue Bayou Ribbon

9/19 Sketch Challenge

Well, here is the sketch and my card for the Sketch challenge today. I had to keep it simple as my son is having his birthday party today. Weekends are full with football games and Wednesday between band and church is the only available time...life is full!! So here is my simple sketch card for today. I use the piercing template to put holes so my eyelets are spaced right. I then use the Crop-a-dile to punch the holes and set the eyelets.

Stamps: All in a row, Sanded, Monkey Business, So Many Sayings (Hostess set)

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Creamy Caramel eyelets, Crop-a-dile, Jumbo Eyelet, 5/8" Chocolate Grosgrain

Teal Cowboy

Since today's schedule is pretty full, I went back and fixed the card I had made on Tuesday for the Color Challenge. The colors are Taken with Teal, Always Artichoke and Purely Pomegranate. At first I had more pomegranate but it just did not jive. So I toned it down and like it enough that it went in the mail yesterday to wish someone a Happy Birthday. I had put the jumbo eyelet in and thought it needed more color so I added the Rhinestone brad. I think it balanced very well. The 1 3/8" circle punch fits perfect as a highlight for the Designer label punch. The background is wheeled in both Artichoke and Teal. The cowboy is embossed and on Dimensionals. The HB is on Pop up glue dots.

Stamps: Rough Texture jumbo wheel, Bronc Buster, Party Punch

Paper: Always Artichoke, Taken with Teal, Very Vanilla

Ink: Always Artichoke, Taken with Teal craft Ink, Purely Pomegranate

Accessories: 1 3/8" circle Punch, Designer Label Punch, Twill Tape, Purely Pomegranate Double Stitched Ribbon, Always Artichoke 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Jumbo Eyelet, Square Ice Rhinestone Brad, Clear Embossing Powder, Dimensionals, pop up glue dots, tool kit

Celery Bronco

Sorry I have had company for the last few days. As much as I missed stamping and blogging I really enjoyed spending time with my mother. It is very rare that she can get a few days to come and spend. So I took as much time with her as I could.

My son needed a card for a friends birthday next week. So off to check out the challenges I missed so far this week. Today's sketch challenge grabbed me (as it usually does) and I had to go with that. I did not notice that I had grabbed the wrong ink until I posted. It does not look too far off, so it will stay. The words and star are in Always Artichoke and I had intended them to be Old Olive. I had made it fast and had to shoot and run, my 6th grader had to be at band. I used the Prints designer paper on page 173 and stamped the Sanded background on it. I think I should just leave that background on my desk and stop putting it away! I used the 5/8" Old Olive Grosgrain and put the 1/4" on each edge.

Stamps: Sanded Background, Bronc Buster, Define Your Life

Paper: Certainly Celery, Prints Designer Paper Celery, Old Olive, River Rock

Ink: Old Olive, River Rock, Always Artichoke, Old Olive

Accessories: Jumbo Eyelets, Hemp Twine, 5/8" Old Olive Grosgrain, 1/4" Certainly Celery Grosgrain, Crop-a-dile, Designer Label Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch

Monkey in a Pumpkin Patch

So today's Limited Use Challenge had a triple challenge.
1.)Make a harvest scene using 3 or more stamps (check-pumpkin patch).
2.)Use an animal not usually expected in the scene (Check- monkey in pumpkin patch?).
3.) Make it a tent topper card. (Check -done).
We were suppose to challenge ourself to use less layers and less embellishments. I for sure would of popped up the pumpkins rather than masking and I would of added ribbon and twill or something through the eyelets. I was sooo tempted to add crystal effects to acorns or the monkey but stopped myself. I also wanted to add brads along the ribbon. The images were colored with an Aqua Pena and re-inkers.

Stamps: Autumn Harvest, Monkey Business, Leaves Awash Jumbo Wheel

Paper: Wild Wasabi, River Rock, Pumpkin Pie

Ink: Black Stazon, Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron

Accessories: Jumbo Eyelets, Crop-a-dile, Double Stitched Wild Wasabi Ribbon, Pumpkin Pie Ribbon, Corner Rounder Punch