Get Well

This was the first card that I was happy about in a very long time.  I think I had lost my creative mojo with all that has been going on.  I am still on some pretty strong pain meds while I am typing this post ( I made the card awhile back and had my son take the picture this morning) so if I make any errors I can blame them on that ;-).  As I sit here in my recliner looking across my bedroom at my work area (I cannot wait to get enough energy to get over there!) I see a pattern.  I have used the same color scheme in all of the cards that I have made the 2 weeks I had between my surgeries.  I love the Blueberry Crisp DSP and the colors that it comes in are great!

For the background on the Top Note Die I cut the paper in strips and glued them on a piece of scrap paper. I then ran it through the Big Shot and trimmed off the outer edge.  I then mounted it on the Crumb Cake and ran it through the Big Shot again with the Vintage Wallpaper Impression folder. I sponged Crumb cake across the top. The Pacific Point card base was stamped in Crumb Cake with the Sanded Background.  I sponged the edges of everything with Crumb Cake.  I am also addicted to the pearls and someone has to stop me from adding them to every card I make :).

Card Details:

Stamps: Aviary, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Sanded Background

Paper: Pacific Point, Crumb Cake, Blueberry Crisp DSP, Very Vanilla

Ink: Early Espresso, Pacific Point,

Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Die, Corner Rounder Punch, Vintage Wallpaper Impression Folder, Victoria Crochet Trim Ribbon, Wide Oval Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Basic Pearls

Get Well Ice Cream

What can make you feel better than ice cream?  I have seen a few of these in the gallery on Splitcoast so I tried to go as far back as I could find to give credit to the one that was posted first.  I did not go back and read how she did hers so I will just tell you how I did mine...I started with a Pacific Point card base.  I cut a strip for the scalloped edge (mine is turned over just a bit for a little extra dimension)  I then took a piece of  Whisper White cards stock and scalloped one of the edges making sure to start at a full scallop and not a half.  I cut my Pacific Point pieces with my Word Window Punch and glued them on every other one.  I then scored it right above the end.  I gave it 2 more scores on the awning.  On the first one I did not do a good job measuring how much room I would need for the cones so I end up doing some double dip cones to fill in the too much blank space.  My kids liked that one better but what kid does not prefer a double dip over a single cone?  So that one went the their friend who just ended up having an emergency gallbladder surgery.  The other one was sent to my brother-in-law who just had carpel tunnel surgery on the same day.  Anyway... I stamped the cones in Crumb Cake (Kraft) and then ran a Chocolate Chip marker around the outside edges After I stamped them on I  then place my impressed scalloped skirt right underneath the cones.  I did get this set in the clear mount and it was so much easier to see to get them all lined up, if not the Stamp-a-ma-jig would work great too.  I stamped the ice cream, cut them out and mounted them with Dimensionals for just a bit of a pop.  As easy as that!

Card Details:
Stamps:Sweet Scoops, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Pacific Point, Whisper White
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Chocolate Chip, Pacific Point
Accessories: Big Shot,  Perfect Dots Impression Folder, Scallop Edge Punch, Word Window Punch, Paper Piercer and Mat Pack

Razzleberry Roses

Off this morning to do the Sketch Challenge...I knew right away right set I wanted to use.  I needed to make an anniversary card so I wanted it warm and romantic.I also knew that I wanted to use the impression folder that matched the set but I did not want to cover it up with the top 2 layers.  I then decided to use a transparency sheet as one of my layers.  I stamped the rose in White Stazon and sponged some around the layer of transparency and card front.  The focus rose was stamped in Versamark ink and embossed with Whisper White Embossing powder.  I then just painted over the whole thing with re-inker and an Aqua Pen.  I went back and filled in some of the areas with a deeper amount of re-inker. I added a flying butterfly in the upper corner to add just a bit more dimension and color.  To add the transparency on without being able to see the adhesive I stuck the focus rose where I wanted it on the transparency and they added the adhesive to the back of the transparency only where the focus rose would cover.  I guess I am still in my monochromatic mode...

Card Details:

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Old Olive, Regal Rose, Transparency Sheet

Ink: Versamark, White Stazon

Accessories: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Two-Step Bird Punch, Word Window Punch, Beautiful Wings Embosslit

Merry Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas! I hope you are able to spend this day with loved ones. Today I want to share with you the card I sent out this year. I took the idea for the inside from the Catalog this year on page 31.  When I think of the word JOY I think of a song we used to sing in Sunday School as a child.  It was "Jesus, and others, and You what a wonderful way to spell JOY.  Jesus & others and you in the life of each girl and each boy. J is for Jesus for He has first place, O is for others we meet face to face. Y is for you in whatever you do.  Put yourself 3rd and spell. JOY."  So that is where I took the concept from the catalog.  I hope you have the JOY I sing about this Christmas in your life.

 

I had my family cranking away on the Big Shot this year.  My poor  Merry Deatils Sizzlits Die must have gone through over 1000 times.  It does look pretty rough but still works great. I know after making 100 of these, next years cards may end up being very very simple. ;)  I ran the 12" X 5.5" piece through the printer to get everything I wanted on the 4th panel first. Then I put my top border on and scored and folded.  I went through a few bottles of Tombow Multipurpose glue. ;)

Card Details Outside:

Stamps: Sanded Background, En Francias Background, Medallion Background

Paper: Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke, Whisper White

Ink: Ruby Red, Always Artichoke

Accessories: Big Shot, Movers & Shapers Die, Tag Corner Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Crop-a- Dile (for center hole in tag re-enforcer), Merry Details Sizzlits Die, Silver Elastic Cord, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch

Card Details Inside:

Stamps: Season Of Simple Grace

Paper: Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke, Whisper Whit, Ruby Red

Ink: Always Artichoke

Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop Edge Punch, Merry Details Sizzlits Die, 3/4" & 1" Circle Punch, Serif Essentials Alphabe Die, Perfect Details Texturz Plate, Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plate, Petals-a-Plenty Impressions Folder

With Sympathy

My husband called me from work last week and requested I put together a sympathy card for him to give one of his fellow employees who lost his father suddenly this weekend. So this is what I came up with on the spur of the moment. I started out with just black and gray card but thought it seemed too dismal so I added a touch of pink to brighten it up a bit. I am never too good with sympathy cards...The flower was stamped in the Basic Gray Ink Pad and outlined on the stamp with the Basic Black marker. Of course I just had to sponge around the edge. The sentiment was first stamped in Going Gray and then I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to offset and stamp in Pretty in Pink. The ribbon was looped around the card front and fastened with Mini Glue Dots. I then put a Basic Gray an Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbons together and tied them on. I ran the designer paper through the Big Shot in an embossing folder.

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Basic Gray, Basic Black, Whisper White, Night & Day Specialty Paper, Pretty in Pink

Ink: Basic Gray, Basic Black,Pretty in Pink, Going Gray

Accessories: Big Shot, Elegant Bouquet Impression Embossing Folder, Magnetic Movers and Shapers Modern Label Die, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon

Egg Plant Butterflies

I have a workshop next week and thought this might be a good card for a make and take. One of my close friends loves purple and butterflies so I think she will like this card. I so wanted to try the butterfly punch to go with this Flight of the butterfly stamp set. I am loving this Modern Label Punch...but I love all the punches, don't I? I so am getting my money's worth out of my Teeny Tiny Wishes. It has soooo many sayings and they fit perfect in the smaller punches I like to use. As you can tell I am really getting into layering my punches for the salutations.

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Flight of the Butterfly

Paper: Eggplant Envy, Lavender Lace, Old Olive, Very Vanilla

Ink: Old Olive, Lavender Lace, Eggplant Envy

Accessories: Wide Oval Punch, Scalloped Edge Punch, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Butterfly Punch, Eggplant Envy Ric Rac from the Ribbon Originals-Orchard

Sketch Butterflies

Well I took today's Sketch challenge and turned it on it's side. I am so loving this butterfly Die for the Big Shot. These are not colors I would usually use. I had a teen girl over the other day to work on a 4Hproject for the fair. She requested the Regal Rose and the Taken Teal. I thought odd but when I suggested we add a base color and we decided that Chocolate Chip looked best I loved the combo and have used it a few times this last week. So you will be seeing more of this color combo and of course the Butterfly Die. I told the girl's mother that I would love a picture of her project, when she finishes it, to put on my blog. So far I think it is turning out wonderful and I hope she does well at the fair!

I just had to order all of the Textured Impressions Embossing Folders and the Texturz Plates when the new catalog came out. I used to be addicted to background stamps but now I have very few of them left and love the textured look!

Stamps: En Francias Background, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Taken with Teal, Whisper White

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Big Shot, Elegant Bouquet Textured Impressions Folder, Finial Press Textured Impressions Folder, Wide Oval Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Half Pearls from Pretties Kit, Beautiful Butterflies Die

Botty Birthday

This card was fun to make. If it wasn't for my unsteady coloring I would love it. I did not even realize that the double circle punch retired until I posted this card (boo hoo) I love it to make faux brads. It might be one I have to hold on to for a while...

Stamps: Lots of Bots

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Print Patterns Paper

Ink: Riding Hood Red

Accessories: Wide Oval Punch, Photo Corner Punch, Large Star Punch, Word Window Punch, My Way Punch, Wide Double Stitched Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Double Circle Punch, Texturz Plate

Long Sihouettes

Well, here is the second card for my October stamp night. I ordered these envelopes by accident so I planned on purposely designing a card that could go with the long Kraft envelopes. So I get an idea and get to work. I finish the card and go to put it in my project box (I set aside one for each project planned), only then do I remember that the envelope is not the same size as the regular invitation envelopes...So I begin again and measured the envelope first! This is the same concept, I just had to put the elements on top of the ribbon instead of above it. I sponged Always Artichoke around the edge of the card front. The image rectangles are 1" x 2" before matting.

Stamps: Stitched Background, Pocket Silhouettes

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Kraft

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke

Accessories: Small Oval Punch, Word Window Punch, Chocolate Chip Double Stitched Ribbon, Kraft Small Open Ended Envelopes

Thank you

Well, I'm so thankful that when I had the strength last week that my wonderful family allowed me to spend the day making cards so I could pre-post some posts for here and get some of my cards caught up for the month of July. I have the most loving and helpful family and friends. I am greatly blessed!!!

This is a card I made for our church as a thank you for all of the thoughtful acts and wonderful prayers while I am getting back on my feet. My MRI turned out normal so they are treating me for the migraines which have been daily (minus 2 or 3 days) since June 21st. They figure this is what caused the paralysis and that I should regain the use of my left side soon.

I saw this layout somewhere (sorry still foggy on the memory) and thought it would be great to duplicate. I used the end of the snail adhesive to get my arch on the top and bottom and then my ruler to do the straight edge. I stamped with the Sanded background and then sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip ink. I did the faux stitching with the paper piercing template and the Chocolate Chip Marker.

Stamps: Sanded Background, Stitched Background

Paper: Cameo Coral, Red Riding Hood, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Versamark

Accessories: Gold Embossing Powder, Large Oval Punch, Label Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Gold Brad

Cat Tails.....& Bird?

Ok, maybe I should of just left it alone....today's Ways to Use it challenge was to use birds. Seriously, I went through all of my stamps and there were no birds to be found, except for my penquin in the Wild About You set. So I decided to make my own....or so I thought. I love the way the fence and cat tails turned out but the bird, I just could not get it right. When I was taking the picture my daughter asked me why the bee was so large. Any way here is my bee---I mean bird card.

Stamps: none

Paper: Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Close to Cocoa, Wild Wasabi, Yoyo Yellow, Basic Black, More Mustard

Ink: sponging-Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip, Basic Black

Accessories: Circle Punch, Large Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch, Small Tag Punch, Word Window Punch

Criss Cross Cuts

So I had some time today and wanted to do some stamping. I went and grabbed one of the Sketch challenges that I missed while my life was too busy to stamp. The smaller front was stamped with Old Olive Print Pattern. The dashed lines were added with a Chocolate Chip marker. I sponged some Chocolate Chip ink around the edges. For the sentiment I stamped it twice, once with Old Olive and once with Chocolate Chip. I punched it out with the small oval punch, behind it I punched Old Olive with the Word Window Punch and Chocolate Chip with the large Oval Punch. I hope you all had a fantastic weekend!

Stamps: Fresh Cuts, Print Pattern Background

Paper: River Rock, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Wide Chocolate Chip Grosgrain, Old Olive Poly Twill, Hodge Podge Hardware, Small Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Word Window Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" Circle Punch

Black Rock

Today I made this card for the Color Challenge. I'm on some major cold meds and my head is spinning so I am not even aware if I used the right colors. I hope I did...
This is a set that will be available on March 1st. Not much info today, I am going back to bed!

Stamps: Esssence of Love

Paper: Basic Black, River Rock Textured, Whisper White

Ink: River Rock, Versamark, Basic Black

Accessories: Photo Corner Punch, Black Brad. Word Window Punch, River Rock Stitched Grosgrain, Black Hemp Twine, Glassy Glaze EP

Good Times

So today I used the Sketch Challenge as my guide. I know I put the #4 slightly higher than the sketch but I believe we are allowed a little creative license. The cowboy is stamped on the textured paper to give it just a little more. I love that I can punch out the "one and only" from the Genuine stamp to make it say whatever I want. It is great that the stamps for the Celebrate Everything fits in there perfect!

Stamps: Bronc Buster, Starstruck, Celebrate Everything

Paper: Wild Wasabi, River Rock Textured and not, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Wide Choclate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Word Window Punch, Corner Rounder, Small Star Punch

Wish Big

So today I got up and thought "I want to emboss today." I had not embossed anything in a while and went to check out today's challenge on SCS. I about fell over when I read that the Ways to Use It challenge was to use embossing powder....My daughter got an invite for a party last night so I thought I would get the card made. She tried to help....that is why some of the flowers are not centered. She is only 5 so I guess all is well! I went a lot of different embossing ways before coming to this. So I have a few images set aside to use on more cards later. I love making a springy card today as it has been snowing since last night. We are suppose to get another 7" by tomorrow morning, then my mother told me we are suppose to get hit again this weekend.... spring is coming, spring is coming, spring is coming! I am not a big Tempting Turquoise or Taken with Teal user but this Designer Paper and the Mellow Moss added really makes me love this combo!

Card details to be posted soon.

Kick Stand Card

Today was the Sketch Challenge on SCS. This type of card is called a Kickstand card. I actually made the "Kickstand" before I figured out the rest of the card. I still have not weeded out all of my retired sets and so I had to double check. Is it too busy? The cupcake in the upper right hand corner is embossed and colored with the markers. The Kickstand is suppose to be a clipboard.

Stamps: Word Search Background, Elementary Essentials, Short and Sweet

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Very Vanilla

Ink: Basic Brown, Basic Gray, Creamy Caramel, Markers- Ruby Red, Cameo Coral, Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip Craft Ink

Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Word Window Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Round Tab Punch, Creamy Caramel Eyelet, Clear Embossing Powder, 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain

Bayou Sailboat

This card was made for today's Sketch challenge on SCS. I am always so short on man cards so I am trying to get some stocked up.It may be hard to tell but each panel has 3 layers: Textured Bayou Blue, Not Quite Navy and Soft Sky. The Soft Sky prints paper is stamped over with the Sanded Background. I hope the Word Window punches along the side are alright to substitute for the 4-b in the sketch. I probably should have put my sentiment over and up just a bit but I adhered it with a pop up glue dot and it stuck, so that is where it will stay! :)

Stamps: Sanded BG, Winds of Grace, Circle of Friendship

Paper: Soft Sky, Textured Blue Bayou, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, Soft Sky Prints DSP

Ink: Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Not Quite Navy

Accessories: Word Window Punch, Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads, 1 " Circle Punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, Cutter Kit for distressing

Faux Snowman/Twill Bookmark

So yesterday I was scanning through a Christmas magazine and I saw some adorable felt stitched snowman. I thought it would make an adorable card. So this morning I got up hoping the challenge would fit so I could use it. No such luck, so I just made it anyway. I punched the snowman body out of 3 different shapes. I then ran the fat end of the marker around the edge of the circle. I used my grid and punch from the tool kit to do the holes around the edge. I just keep turning the grid to poke the next hole. Every thing is popped up on Dimensionals.

Stamps: All in a row, Cold Play

Paper: Always Artichoke, Dash DSP, Mellow Moss

Ink: Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Pumpkin Pie, Ruby Red

Accessories: Circle Punched- 1 3/8", 1 1/4", 1", 1/2", Word Window Punch

---

Another great way to make a bookmark it to use the Wide Twill tape. I have so much of it left over because I tend to grab the 2 other sizes. So I decided to make very simple bookmarkers. All you need is either Craft Inks or Stazon Inks to stamp you image and the Twill tape. Any size would work. I frayed the edges by finding a loose thread and pulling. One end is always harder than the other to pull. I heat set the inks with the iron and it is ready to go.

Stamps: Baroque Motifs

Ink: Craft- Old Olive, Ruby Red

Accessories: Twill Tape

Monkey Bunches

So today was the Limited Supplies Challenge. Here was what we were allowed to use:
Stamps
animals or critters
sentiment
background

Paper
2-4 layers
any solid or patterned paper

Tools
coloring tools
punches
any other quick tool
No embellishments

So with no other images but the critter or animal I could not put a bunch of bananas on so I decided to put a bunch of monkeys instead. I could not use any embellishments, but I could use punches. So I made faux brads from the double circle punch. The hardest part about them is figuring out what adhesive to use. I choose to use the glue stick. I stick them with my finger and rub them across the stick. Then I dab them where I want them.

Stamps: Monkey Business

Paper: Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

Ink: Creamy Carmel, Chocolate Chip, Summer Sun

Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Word Window Punch, Double Circle Punch

Sketch Challenge

Boy have I missed stamping. I have been sick since last Friday and just had no energy to do anything besides what had to be done and even that was tough. So I started this card yesterday morning and was determined to finish at least one card this week.

I used the sketch challenge from SCS. I am so addicted to the In Colors this year. It is hard to use anything else. I tend to grab the brads every card and leave the eyelets alone, so this time I grabbed the eyelets. I punched a piece of printed paper to sponge the scallop shape around the heart.

Stamps: Double Line Doodle

Paper: Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, River Rock, Whisper White

Ink: Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Groovy Guava, River Rock

Accessories: Groovy Guava Dble Stitched Ribbon, Silver Eyelets, Punches-Scallop Circle, Word Window, Slit, Tool kit for piercing