Back to School Book Worm

Note to my email subscribers: You might have gotten two emails about this blog post. One from my old provider and one from the new. I'm sorry for the duplicate but I wanted to make sure the new sender was up and running properly before discontinuing the old. Thanks for your patience.

For this week's Back to School Challenge at The Kraft Journal, I chose to make an extra large card (5.25" x 8.25") for our grandson. A large tag was cut from Lunch Bag Kraft Cardstock for the inside of the bag. A piece of white cardstock was layered on top and embellished with Notebook Grid Paper Tape. This tape was also used to made a hole reinforcement for the top of the tag. To make the reinforcement, I lined up two short strips of tape side-by-side on a piece of white cardstock. Using a small circle die, I die cut a circle and then punched a hole in the middle with my Crop-o-Dile. White Twill Tape was threaded through the hole and tied off with baker's twine.

After inserting the tag into a  Large Notebook Merchandise Bag, I wrapped Red , Brown Kraft  and Dark Green Baker's Twine around it. A button from my stash was added to the twine before tying it off in a knot. I then adhered the bag to a base of Lunch Bag Kraft Cardstock. The top of the base was trimmed to match the shape of the bag. I matted the Copic colored image and a piece of a Vintage Dictionary Page on cardstock from my scrap basket and layered them on the bag front. More scrap cardstock was cut into fishtail banners to add to the top of the bag. The computer generated sentiment was added to a die cut banner and popped up over the baker's twine. The worm's glasses and the highlights on the apple were accented with a glaze pen. Our grandson's name was written with a Sharpie near the top of the bag.

Supplies in addition to those listed above:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), scraps from my scrap basket
Stamps: Digi Stamps 4Joy (Book Worm)
Copics: Worm (G03, 07, 09; Y13, 17), Hat (N3, 5, 7, 9; Y35), Apple (R22, 24, 27; E25), Books (#1 - B21, 23, 26; E40, 50; #2 - E000, 02, 07, 08, 09; #3 - BG72, 73, 78; E40, 50; #4 - $22, 24, 27, 29; N0, 1, 3; #5  E31, 33, 35, 37, 40, 50; #6 - Y000, 32; YG03, 05; G14; E31)
Tools/Embellishments: Sakura glaze pen, Crop-o-dile, Spellbinders die (Standard Circle Small), Simon Says Stamp die (Folded Banner)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Eureka Stamps Challenge #152 -  Washi tape
Digi Choosday Crafting Challenge Week 30 - Animal (of any type)
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #257 - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion Challenge #273 - Anything Goes
Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks for visiting with me today. I hope you'll play along in this week's Back to School challenge!!

With Sympathy

Sympathy cards are always tough cards to make but ones that inevitably are a necessity. A friend had a death in the family and this is the card I made for her. I stamped the sentiment on a strip of light gray cardstock and then cut it to a tag shape. This tag was matted on a piece of dark gray cardstock.  The smaller sentiment was stamped on a piece of patterned paper and then cut with a fish-tail end to make a banner. Faux stitching, a bow, pearls and a ribbon flower finish off the card. I used the final Deconstructed Sketch for the card design.  I'm so sorry to see them go.  I love sketches!

The patterned papers, ribbon, ribbon flower and light gray cardstock are all from an old Simon Says Stamp card kit (October 2012) that I won in one of their giveaways. I'm sort of hoarding the supplies because I really like this kit. The "You are in my thoughts and in my prayers" stamp is one of my oldest and a favorite.  I haven't used it in awhile and decided to ink it up again.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections (card base), Creativity (dark gray), Simon Says Stamp (light gray)
Patterned Paper:  Fancy Pants Designs (Country Boutique)
Stamps: Stampendous (Thoughts and Prayers - wood mount), Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Peaceful Swans -retired clear stamp)
Ink: VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Tools/Embellishments: Simon Says Stamp Oct 2012 (seam binding ribbon, ribbon flower, patterned paper, light gray cardstock), pearls (Michael's), Staedtler fine tip marker (black), My Favorite Things Die-namics (Mini Scallop Edge)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Deconstructed Sketch #204 - Sketch
Mod Squad Challenge - Use a tag
Penny's Challenge #231 -  Use your favorite embellishment (for me that's flat back pearls - love them!!)
Aud Sentiments Challenge #133 - Bingo {I used ribbon, rubber stamp (2 of them) and 3D item (pearls, bow and ribbon flower)}
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #250 - Polka Dots
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenge #93 - Use Pearls

Thanks for stopping by today.  I'll be back Wednesday with a new Word Art Wednesday challenge. There's still time to play along in this week's challenge so why not join us?

Perseverance - Graduation

This month, Deedee's Digis is sponsoring the challenge at the Path of Positivity Challenge Blog.  The theme this month is Perseverance.  Regular visitors to my blog know that I've really come to enjoy the Path of Positivity challenge and have even had the privilege of being a Guest Designer for them.  So I'm extra happy today to get to combine two things I really enjoy....Deedee's Digis and the Path of Positivity!

It's the time of year for graduations.  When I think of perseverance, graduating from school comes to mind. We personally know several graduates from all levels and types of schools this year...high school, home school, Christian school, college and even grad school. Each one has had to work hard to accomplish their work load and complete the course to earn their degree.  That takes perseverance. This shaker card will be going to one of those graduates.  I used a sentiment and one of the pre-colored images from the Congratulations Graduate set. 

For Non-EU Customers ONLY

For EU Customers ONLY

After matting the patterned paper, a circle die was used to make the shaker portion.  Star sequins are inside the shaker and provide accents on the card front. Two nesting circle dies were used to make a frame for the shaker window.  Several of these frames were stacked on top of each other for some added dimension.  A label die that reminds me of a book was used to mat the sentiment.  The mat for the sentiment panel was made by tracing the outside of the die on the cardstock and then hand cutting it.

Here is another view with the shaker pieces mid-shake.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Creativity Inc. (gray), Papertrey Ink (image and sentiment panels), Georgia Pacific (card base and interior panel), The Paper Temptress (acetate)
Patterned Paper:  Recollections
Stamps: Deedee's Digis (Congratulations Graduate)
Tools/Embellishments:  Spellbinders dies (Standard Circles Large, Labels 7), V's Sweet Ideas sequins (Holographic Stars 5mm), Stickles (Star Dust), Darice fun foam, Multi-Medium Matte

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Craft Your Passion Challenge #260 - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #371 - Use a Sentiment
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #244 - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by for a visit today.  I hope you'll have time this month to play along in the Perseverance themed challenge at the Path of Positivity blog.  You will have a chance to win a $25 gift code to the Deedee's Digis store if you do!!

Kitty Birthday Pop Up

If you are a regular visitor here at my blog, you know I love fancy fold cards.  I recently came across this Box Stand Fun Fold Card by Dawn O on YouTube.  Here is her blog post that has all the measurements for making this landscape version and another portrait version that she talks about in the video. It's so easy to make and if you don't allow your die cut to go above the panel like I did, it will fit in an A2 envelope!!  Easy to make, easy to mail, and an extra surprise for the recipient.  This will NOT be the last one I make.  You can put a panel on the back up the pop up panel to write a message. 

To make it fold properly, you need to keep the pop up panel flat.  So no pearls or gems....however, I was able to squeak by with adding stickles to the flower centers. 

I did my best to get a picture of it folded flat.  It will do OK in an envelope but was a bit un-cooperative for photos.  As I mentioned earlier, if my oval for the kitty did not extend beyond the rectangular panel it would still be an A2 size.  I'll make a custom envelope on my envelope punch board.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill (green), Georgia Pacific (white)
Patterned Paper:  The Paper Studio
Stamp:  I borrowed a friend's stamp for the kitty.  I forgot to write down the name.  If I find it, I'll come back and edit it.  The sentiment is from the Stampendous (Birthday Wish) clear stamp set.
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black (kitty image), Versafine Onyx Black (sentiment)
Copics: N1,3,5,7; YG03, 05; W1, R02, 81, 83, 85; Y11, 15,17
Tools/Embellishments:  Sakura Gelly Roll pen (black), Stickles (Star Dust), The Twinery baker's twine, button from stash, Spellbinders dies (Classic Ovals Large & Small), Bazzill flower (pink), Memory Makers flower (green)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Scrapbook Blessings Club - Use Pink, Green, White
Sentimental Sunday Challenge #256 - Color Inspiration Board (I chose to use light and dark pink and the yellow/gold colors)
Cuttlebug Mania - Use Stamps
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge #225 - Anything But Square
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #371 - Use a Sentiment
Chocolate, Coffe & Cards Challenges #90 - Spring Has Sprung
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #244 - Anything Goes
ABC Challenges - "I" for Inspire (show your style - my style is layers, fancy folds, and if I color an image it's usually with Copics)

Thanks for stopping by to visit today.  I hope you're having a great weekend.

Right on Track

Deedee's Digis is celebrating the  21st Annual National Scrapbooking Day with a special challenge.  On the Deedee's Digis blog you'll find sample projects (layouts and cards so that no crafter gets left out) from several of the DT.  Your challenge, if you chose to accept it, is the case/scraplift one of the projects and make your own project using any Deedee's Digi.  Link up your project and you'll have an opportunity to win a $21 gift  code to the shop AND a spot as Guest Designer in an upcoming month on our blog.  Be sure to make a new project for this challenge (no back-linking please).  You have until Saturday, May 9th to enter your project. There's also a 21% discount code to the store available to use thru May 9th. Visit the blog for all the details on the challenge, the samples from the rest of the DT and the discount code.

Right On Track - For EU Customers ONLY

Right on Track - For Non-EU Customers ONLY

For my card, I chose to make a non-traditional size.  The finished Size is  3.5" x 6.25" and it fits in regular 3-5/8" x 6-1/2" letter envelope. I used the Right on Track set and chose some of the pre-colored images and sentiments. I had some scraps of this train paper left from earlier projects and thought it coordinated perfectly with the Right on Track images.

I'm working on keeping my cards flatter so that they are easier to mail.  I did pop up a small heart die cut that anchors the sentiment on the front of the card.

The train theme was carried into the interior.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill (blue), Georgia Pacific (white)
Patterned Paper:  My Mind's Eye (Out of the Blue "Boy" Train Paper)
Digi Stamp Set:  Deedee's Digis (On the Right Track)
Tools/Embellishments:  Lawn Fawn Lawn Cuts (Hearts), Wink of Stella glitter brush pen (silver)

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Clear It Out Challenge - Theme:  Kids, Stash: Primary colored things (papers, embellishments)
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge #225 - Anything But Square
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #371 - Use a Sentiment
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #244 - Anything Goes
Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge - Anything Goes

I hope you'll visit the Deedee's Digis blog, find a DT sample that inspires, a Deedee's Digi you like and play along with us! 

Celebrate Big!

I have another child's birthday card to share with you today.  This time it's for one of my great-nephews.  I used the same balloon stamps as I did on the card yesterday; this time I colored them with Copics and embellished them with a white gel pen.  They have DMC floss strings.  I have a little elephant being carried away with them today and they frame a shaker card. I heat embossed his "new number" on one of the balloons and used my white gel pen for lots of faux stitching.  I would have like to have colored a balloon orange to bring out the orange in the paper but my Copic collection is deficient in the oranges.

The sequins in the shaker are irridescent.  While they look pink from some directions, they look green from others.  When I decided to use them, I was looking at them from the green angle.  LOL  I used patterned paper to make a grassy area for the elephant.

Inside are more balloons.  Again, these are colored with Copics and embellished with a white gel pen.  A black gel pen was used for the balloon strings and bows.  Two sentiments and more faux stitching complete the interior decorating.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections (kraft), Georgia Pacific (white)
Patterned Paper:  DCWV
Stamps (all clear stamps): V's Sweet Ideas (Birthday Wish - balloons), Simon Says Stamp (unknown name - "4"), Mark's Finest Papers (Celebrate Big - two interior sentiments), Fiskars (Teeny Tiny)
Ink: Versamark, Memento (Tuxedo Black), VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Copic Markers (Y11, 13, 17; B21, 23, 26; G03, 07, 09; R20, 81, 83, 85; R22, 24, 27, 29; V04, 06, 09; N01, 03, 05; 100)
Tools/Embellishments:  My Favorite Things Die-namics (Wavy Edge), Spellbinders Dies (Circles Large), DMC floss, Uni-ball Signo white gel pen, Sakura Gelly Roll black gel pen, sequins (unknown (I lost the tag), Cousin Corp glass bugle beads

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Outlawz Color Challenge - Colors of the Irish flag (orange, white, green)
Pile it On Challenge #59 - Use Green
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - B is for... (birthday, boy, balloons)
Craft Your Passion Challenge #252 - Anything Goes
The Kraft Journal Challenge #214 - Take Your Pick (Green, Die Cut, White)
Sweet Stamps Blog Challenge #212 - Anything Goes
Shopping Our Stash Challenge #192 - Counting on You
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #363  - Die Cuts and Punches
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #236 - Green
Chocolate, Coffee and Card Challenge #86 - For a Child
Addicted to Stamps Challenge #99 - Numbers

Thanks for stopping by to visit today.  Please come tomorrow for a new Word Art Wednesday challenge.

Melody of Love

I have one last Valentine to share with you today.  This is one I made for my husband.  My husband's undergrad degree had a piano proficiency.  His piano music and music in general have been a big part of our lives.  So, when I saw this Grand Piano digi set from Imagine That! Digis by Kris, I knew it was the perfect image for his Valentine's Day card.  I used the pre-colored digi and a computer generated sentiment for the front of the card.  One of the sentiments from the set is on the interior.  I used sketch #187 from Deconstructed Sketches for the card design.  However, since I wanted this card to be a little extra special, I used a clear card base.  By carefully planning my layers, all the adhesive was covered.

I used vellum for the sentiment so that it would not cover up too much of the piano.  Faux stitching adds a little interest to the image panel.  All the hearts were given some sparkle with Stickles.
 

I used one of the sentiments from the set on the interior.  A panel for my  note was added to the inside top panel.  You can just see the bottom of it in the picture.  The hearts on the inside also sparkle with some Stickles.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Core'dinations (brown), Acetate (The Paper Temptress)
Patterned Papers:  Basic Gray (Blush)
Stamps: Imagine That! Digis by Kris (Grand Piano), Computer generated sentiment
Tools/Embellishments:  Staedtler fine tip marker (black), Stickles (Crystal), My Favorite Things Die-namics (Mini Scallop Edge, Fish Tail Stax), Spellbinders dies (Standard Circle Large, Petite Scalloped Circles Large), Lawn Fawn Lawn Cuts (Hearts)

I'm linking this card up at the following challenges:
Deconstructed Sketch #187 - Sketch
V's Sweet Ideas Challenge #31 - Use Red, White and/or Pink (at least one of them)
Craft Your Passion #248 - Anything Goes
Eureka Stamps Challenge #127 - All is Love
4 Crafty Chicks #233- Valentines
Inky Impressions Challenge #196 - Valentines/Love
Cuttlebug Mania  - I {heart} You

That's it for me today.  I hope you are having a good weekend.  Thanks for stopping by!

Sending Love

I have another Valentine card to share with you today using another Deedee's Digi Sending My Love set.  I'm using the pre-colored version on this card and it made the card come together so quickly.  I fussy cut the image and popped it up over the background paper.  After printing out and die cutting the sentiment, that panel was inked and matted.

This week's Sweet Sunday Sketch was the inspiration for my card design.  I layered and popped up some die cut hearts.  The top heart in each set and the two red hearts on the sentiment panel received a coat of Wink of Stella and Glossy Accents.  The hearts on the letters also were coated with Glossy Accents.  The interior sentiment is from the Owl My Love set.

For some added interior interest, a series of hearts were die cut into the sentiment panel allowing the red cardstock background to show through.  Faux stitching completes the interior decorating.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (red)
Patterned Paper:  ColorBok (Hootenanny 8 x 8 pad)
Stamps:  Deedee's Digis (Sending Love, Owl My Love)
Ink:  Distress Ink (Tumbled Glass)
Tools/Embellishments:  Spellbinders Dies (Petite Ovals Large and Small), Lawn Fawn Lawn Cuts (Hearts), Staedtler fine tip marker (black), Glossy Accents, Zig Wink of Stella Glitter brush marker (red, clear)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Sweet Sunday Sketch #255 - Sketch
Sentimental Sundays Challenge  #245 - Seeing Red (a little or a lot)
Inky Impressions Challenge #196 - Valentines/Love
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #233 - Valentines
Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #231 - Love is in the Air

I hope you've had a good day.  I'll be back shortly with one last Valentine's Day card to share with you.

Somebunny Loves You

I made this Valentine for our grandson.  Shaker cards are popular right now and I've tried them before but when I saw this see-thru shaker on Dawn's YouTube channel, I decided to give one a try.  I put my own spin on it and made a square window and the image is on a panel on the card interior.

 I used this adorable set from Deedee's Digis called Sending My Love.  Perfect for letting our grandson, who loves too far away, know that we love him.

I used fun foam to add space for the sequins and beads.  This was much easier than having to use two layers of foam tape.  I think the sequins move around better too since they don't get stuck in the adhesive on the edges of the tape.

Supplies
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (red)
Pattern Paper:  Colorbok (Hootenanny)
Stamps:  Deedee's Digis (Sending My Love, Owl My Love), some computer generated sentiments
Tools/Embellishments:  Darice Inc. fun foam, Acetate and sequins from my stash, V's Sweet Ideas star sequins, Cousin Corp of America glass bugle beads, Spellbinders Dies (Square Small), My Favorite Things Die-namics (Fish Tail Stax), Lawn Fawn Lawn Cuts (Hearts), Zig Wink of Stella Glitter brush marker (red)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Sentimental Sunday #245 - Use Red (a little or a lot)
Craft Your Passion Challenge #248 - Anything Goes
Eureka Stamps Challenge #127 - All is Love
Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #231 - Love is in the Air
Going Gray with Scrap Creations - Love
Cuttlebug Mania - I {heart} You
Digi Choosday Week 6  - Love
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - All Creatures Great and Small (bunny)
Inky Impressions Challenge #196 - Valentines/Love
Crafty Creations Challenge #282 - Owls, Hearts and/or Love (hearts and love)
4 Crafty Chicks #233- Valentines
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenge #84 - Love is in the Air

Thanks for visiting with me today. I hope you'll come back soon.

Guess Whoo Loves You?

I've seen critters popping out of holes in trees a lot lately on the internet. I decided to give my neglected Stampin' Up Owl Punch some attention and came up with this card.  This Woodgrain Backdrop stamp set from Lawn Fawn is one of my favorites.  It stamps and embosses so well.

After die cutting the holes in the "tree trunk," I inked them lightly to help give them a little more definition.  The tree/owl panel is popped up over the background paper.  The sentiment was computer generated because I didn't have a stamp that said exactly what I wanted.  The sentiment was cut with a fish tail die and then matted before being adhered across the bottom of the tree.

The answer to the question was also computer generated and die cut, matted & popped up on the interior sentiment panel.  The rest of the sentiment is from the Sending My Love digi set from Deedee's Digis.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollection (kraft), Bazzill (red), Georgia Pacific (white)
Patterned Paper:  The Paper Studio
Stamps: Lawn Fawn (Woodgrain Backdrops), Deedee's Digis (Sending My Love), Computer generated sentiments
Ink:  ColorBox Fluid Chalk (Chestnut Roan), Versafine (Vintage Sepia)
Tools/Embellishments: Staedtler fine tip marker (black), Winter of Stella glitter brush marker (red, clear), My Favorite Things Die-namics (Blueprints 1, Fish Tail Stax), Lawn Fawn Lawn Cuts (Hearts), Spellbinders dies (Standard Circles Large), Stampin' Up (Owl Punch, Crystal Clear embossing powder)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Inky Impressions Challenge #196 - Valentines/Love
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge #214 - Embossing (heat or dry - I used heat)
Crafty Creations Challenge #282 - Owl Love You (Owls, hearts, and/or Love)
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #233 - Valentines
Sentimental Sundays Challenge #245 - Seeing Red (a little or a lot)
The Kraft Journal Challenge #210 - Pick 3 (I have a Top Fold, Red and Hearts)
Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #231 - Love is in the Air
Going Gray with Scrap Creations - Love
Cuttlebug Mania - I {heart} You
Eureka Stamps Challenge #127 - All is Love
DigiChoosday Week 6 - Love is in the Air
Craft Your Passion Challenge #248 - Anything Goes
V's Sweet Ideas Challenge #31 - Red, White, or Pink (use any or all of these colors)
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenges #84 - Love is in the Air

Thanks for stopping by today.  I'll have a couple more Valentine cards to share with you soon.

I Thought of You Today...

In November, I "discovered" a new (to me) challenge blog, The Path of Positivity.  In a world of negativity, this challenge blog seeks to actively look for and promote positive things.  Each month there is a theme and participants are encouraged to make a project or write a post inspired by that theme.  This month the theme is Unique.  According to the dictionary, unique can mean something that is one of a kind (an antique manuscript), something found only in a certain place (an animal species found only in one country), or something that is different or unusual.

In our world, we sometimes do not look kindly on those that are "different."  Sometimes, your values are different.  In that case, just remember the saying, "What's right is not always popular, and what's popular is not always right." If your difference is a visible medical problem, our society may have more concern for you.  However, if you are one of the many who suffer with an invisible illness, all too often, part of the suffering is from the insensitivity of others.  Just about every person with an invisible chronic illness has heard more times than they can count, "but you don't look sick."  Ugh!  Chronic illness is not a bid for attention or because the person is "dramatic." If you have someone in your life with a chronic illness, no doubt, you want to do something to lighten their load.  The #1 way you can be a help to them is to BELIEVE them. 

A young woman I know was diagnosed a few months ago with a chronic illness that requires a complete change of diet.  Our daughter has some of the same dietary restrictions so they have been able to exchange ideas.  As this young lady is learning to navigate these new waters, she's also having to deal with the insensitivity of others.  I'm so proud of her because instead of becoming bitter towards those who have hurt her, she is instead going out of her way to do something extra nice for them.  I made this card to not only let her know that I love her just the way she is, but that I'm so proud of her for her unique response.

 
I chose an unusual (for me) card design and made a shaker card. This was also the first time I added sequins to the front of my card. The sentiment was heat embossed on vellum and then backed with flamingo patterned paper.  Inside are iridescent sequins, floral sequins and clear bangle beads. Plenty of glitter, bling and flowers complete the front.  I really like how the card turned out.  Very girly and sparkly....perfect for this extra special young lady.

Tip:  When making a shaker card, using your anti-static bag or tool on the acetate before adding the sequins will help your sequins and beads move around more freely.

The inside uses a die I recently purchased.  The wavy edge made a perfect border for the flamingos.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (pink)
Patterned Paper:  Blitz Design (Felicity 6x6 pad)
Specialty Papers:  WorldWin Vellum, Crystal Clear acetate
Stamp: Studio G wood mounted stamp
Ink: VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Tools/Embellishments: Staedtler fine tip marker (black), Stickles (Crystal), Prima Flowers (blue), Michael's Flowers (pink), Mike's Crafts Inc. (white tipped with blue), iridescent sequins (unknown - I misplaced the packaging), V's Sweet Ideas Sequins (Peony Floral 5mm), Cousin Corp glass bugle beads, Spellbinders dies (Circle Small, Picot Edge Circle), My Favorite Things die-namics (Wavy Edge), Stampin' Up! embossing powder (Crystal Clear), Want2Scrap Baby Bling rhintestones, Prima Say It In Crystal (blue flourish)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Path of Positivity Challenge #22 - Uniqueness
Craft Your Passion Challenge #245 - Anything Goes
Shopping Our Stash Challenge #185- Not Your Normal Paper (I tend to hoard my vellum and acetate)
Papertake Weekly - Get in Shape (I used square card base and layers, circle window and frame, and floral shape sequins)
Tuesday Throwdown #228 - Embossing (I used heat embossing)
Top Tip Tuesday Challenge - Something New (My wavy edge die is new and so is adding sequins to the card front)
Cuttlebug Mania - Wildlife (flamingos)
4 Crafty Chicks #229 - Flowers

I truly do appreciate you taking the time to stop by today.  I hope you'll come back again soon.

Happy 30th Anniversary!

My husband and I recently celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary.  This is the anniversary card I made for him.  As I've mentioned before, he appreciates special card folds and techniques.  Last month I discovered this Adapted Tri-Shutter card on Sandy Allnock's blog.  I thought this would be perfect for his card.  And how appropriate that her blog post went live on what would have been my parents' 69th wedding anniversary! :)  Without getting too mushy on you, let's just say that I have a wonderful husband and the quote on the front is very true.  As with all marriages, we've had good times and bad, but we're a team and we get thru the rough times together.  It's a great understatement to say that I'm very thankful for him.

Sandy designed her adapted tri-shutter to have plenty of room to write a message (the space where my card has the "love you" sentiment).  However, since I wanted my husband to be able to display the card without having all the mushy writing visible, I put an extra stamped sentiment in that space.  I added a writing panel on the back of the card to write a note to him.  All my sentiments were stamped with VersaFine Onyx Black ink and embossed with clear embossing powder. I die cut the various hearts from scraps of the patterned paper.  The striped paper is dry embossed with a heart embossing folder.  Rock Candy Distress Stickles adds dimension to some of the hearts.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: Papers from Oct 2012 Simon Says Stamp Card Kit
Stamps: Once in Awhile (Stampabilities wood mounted stamp), Always and Forever (Simon Says Stamp clear stamp set), Love You (Hampton Arts-Studio G wood mounted stamp)
Ink:  VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Tools/Embellishments:  Lawn Fawn Lawn Cuts Hearts, ribbon (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Distress Stickles (Rock Candy), Stampin' Up embossing powder (Crystal Clear), The Paper Studio embossing folder (Tiny Hearts)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Clear It Out Challenge - Anything Goes
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #228 - Anniversary
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #209 - Anything Goes
Crafty Ribbons Challenge - Let's Get Sentimental (sentiment is the main image)
Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday - Show something you love (that's easy - my hubby :) )

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope your week is off to a good start.

I'm Praying for You

I've had this little bunny colored for awhile (I can tell it's been awhile because I do skies and ground differently now).  Last night, when I needed an encouragement card for a friend, I decided it was his time to shine.  I used sketch #79 from PaperTake Weekly for the card design.  I flipped the sketch so the bunny would face toward the middle of the card.  The bunny's eye, nose, tail and flower are accented with a glaze pen. The gingham panel was bordered by thin scalloped strips of kraft cardstock.  A ribbon, pearl flourish and a few scattered pearls finish off the card.

I popped up the bunny and sentiment panels and did a little interior decorating.  The finished card is 5.5" square.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Recollections (kraft), Bazzill (pink)
Patterned Paper:  My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline (Dolled Up 6 x 6 pad)
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy (Bunny 2 Digi Stamp, Comforting Pines (retired) clear stamp set)
Ink:  Versafine (Onyx Black)
Tools/Embellishments: Copic Markers, Spellbinders dies (Classic Squares Large and Small, Classic Ovals Large and Small), My Favorite Things die (Mini Scallop Edge), Sakura Glaze pen, Want2Scrap (Baby Bling White Pearl, Finesse Swirls Pearls White), ribbon (Offray)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Papertake Weekly Challenge - Sketchie Free for All (I used sketch #79)
Delightful Challenges - Layer It
PDE Linky Party #17 - Use Metal Dies
Scrapbook Blessings Club #27 - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #274 - Animal/Pet
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #336 - Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments Challenge #114 - Any Sentiment Other than a Birthday
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #209 - Something Old/Something New (Something Old - ribbon, dies; Something New - pearl flourish)
Shopping Our Stash Challenge #166 - ABCs (A-animal, B - blossoms, C-checkered paper)

Thanks for stopping by for a visit.

Happy Birthday Fisherman

Here is a card I made for my husband's birthday using the current Deconstructed Sketch (#160).  He really likes fishing so this cute little Fisherman Luka {retired} image seemed just right.  If you are a long-time blog follower, you may remember that I try to use new techniques and/or folds whenever I make a card for my hubby.  This time the technique was distress marker/ink water coloring and adding my own background around the image. 

I covered the hearts with Glossy Accents for some shine and popped up the image panel.  I gave the bucket a coat of Sakura Glaze Pen. His buttons were accented with a white gel pen. Of course, I had to finish off the front with faux stitching. 

Tim really likes when a card has interior decorating.  Sentiments from three different stamp sets were heat embossed for the interior sentiment. 

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Strathmore Watercolor Paper, Recollections
Patterned Paper:  My Mind's Eye - Miss Caroline (Dolled Up 6 x 6 Pad)
Stamps: La-La Land Crafts (Fisherman Luka), Stampendous (Birthday Wish), Mark's Finest Papers (Dogwood Blossoms), Lawn Fawn (Woodgrain Backdrops)
Ink: Stazon (Jet Black), Distress Inks/Markers (various), Versamark, VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Tools/Embellishments:  My Mind's Eye enamel dots, Lawn Fawn Lawn Cuts (Hearts), My Favorite Things die (Pinking Edge), Recollection Fine Detail embossing powder (clear), Stampendous Opaque embossing powder (white), Glossy Accents, Sakura glaze pen, Uni-Ball Signo white gel pen, Staedtler fine tip marker (brown)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Deconstructed Sketch #160 - sketch
MilkCoffee Challenges - Birthday
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #203 - Great Outdoors
Scrapbook Blessing Challenge #25 - Anything Goes
Just Keep On Creating - Anything Goes
Fan-Tastic Tuesday Challenge #45 - Anything Goes
Inky Chicks Challenge #34 - Happy Birthday
Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge #133 - Anything Goes
Cards Galore Encore Challenge - Use digi or stamp
Simon Says Stamp - Work It Wednesday

Thanks for stopping by again today.  Please come back tomorrow when I'll have a card for the next Word Art Wednesday challenge.

Adoption is Another Word for Love

As I mentioned yesterday, my husband's coworker and her husband just finalized the adoption of their son last Friday.  We wanted to give them a card of congratulations so I used more of the sentiments in The Gift of You clear stamp set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  Since I used Cocoa on the other card, I decided Rhubarb needed to make an appearance on this one.  After coloring Rhubarb and his heart with Copics, the sentiment was heat embossed in white. The sentiment was stamped, die cut and matted before being adhered flat onto the plaid panel.  Rhubarb was popped up over the sentiment.  A white get pen and fine tip marker add definition to Rhubarb's eyes.  Some glossy accents make his nose shiny.  Lots of faux stitching and some doodling complete the front of the card.

My tip for Top Tip Tuesday:  If you don't have the right size die for a mat, trace around the outside of the die you are using and then fussy cut it out.  I didn't have the right size die to mat the plaid panel so I traced the outside of the die and then fussy cut it.  A related tip would be to trace the die on the wrong side of the mat layer.  That way you won't have to erase your tracing.  I used the same technique for the interior decorating.

The verse on the inside is also from the same stamp set.  The Congratulations stamp is a wood mounted stamp by Inkadinkado.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Neenah Solar White (image), Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (blue), DCWV (red)
Patterned Paper:  Echo Park (Little Boy)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (The Gift of You clear stamp set, Rhubarb's Heart digi stamp), Inkadinkado (Congratulations wood mount stamp)
Ink:  Versamark, Stazon (black)
Copic Markers:  E31, 33, 35, 37; R22, 27, 29; 100
Tools/Embellishments: Stampendous embossing powder (white opaque), Glossy Accents, Zig Wink of Stella glitter brush marker (clear), Spellbinders dies (Classic Ovals Large & Small, Grand Big Scalloped Ovals), Sakura Micron pen (black), Uni-ball White gel pen, Staedtler Tri-plus marker (red, blue)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Clear It Out Challenge - Anything goes with stitching (real or faux)
Top Tip Tuesday - Cute
Cuttlebug Mania - Make Us Smile
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #315 - All Boy
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #188 - Color a stamped image (rubber or digi)
Paper Crafting Challenges #7 - Masculine
Just B Creative - Anything Goes
Just Keep On Creating - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by today.  Please be sure to stop back tomorrow for a new challenge at Word Art Wednesday.

Adoption: How God Made Us Family

My husband's co-worker, and her husband, finalized the adoption of their son this past Friday.  This is the card she asked me to make for him.  Their son is 3 and loves football.  Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps has the perfect adoption stamp set so I knew I would be using that for the sentiments.  I didn't want the football theme to be too grown-up, so who better to add a little fun than Cocoa?

Cocoa and his football were colored with Copics and then fussy cut.  A white gel pen was used on the football stitching.  I embossed and matted the white panel and then added Cocoa up on top of it. Cocoa's head and tail were left unattached to add dimension. Two gray brads bring in a little more gray. The entire image panel was popped up over the background football paper. The sentiment was stamped on banners and added to the top and bottom.  Lots of faux stitching completes the front.

My tip for Top Tip Tuesday is when you are fussy cutting intricate details (like the tail on a mouse), don't rush, turn the paper - not the scissors, and don't be afraid to cut small sections at a time and approach the cuts from different angles.  Rushing tends to lead to shorter mouse tails - just sayin'.  :)

The verse on the inside left panel was requested.  Countless prayers went into the adoption of this little guy.  Plenty of room was left on the right panel for them to write a message to their new son.


Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Neenah Solar White (image only)
Patterned Paper:  The Paper Studio
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (The Gift of You clear stamp set, Cocoa Loves Football digi stamp), WORDart by Karen (2 Samuel 1:17 digi)
Ink:  Stazon (black)
Copic Markers:  N0, 1, 3, 5, 7; E11, 33, 35, 37; 100
Tools/Embellishments: embossing folder (The Paper Studio - Tiny Hearts), Uni-ball white gel pen, Sakura Micron black pen, Staedtler Tri-plus marker (brown), Spellbinders dies (Petite Oval Large and Small, Petite Scalloped Oval Large)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Paper Crafting Challenges #7 - Masculine
Just Keep on Creating - Anything Goes
Just B Creative Crazy - Anything Goes
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #188 - Color a stamped image (rubber or digi - mine is a digi)
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #315 - All Boy (any masculine card)
Top Tip Tuesday - Cute 

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Please come back for another visit soon.
 

Happy Birthday, Ian!

Our son's birthday was a couple weeks ago. This is the card I made to send to him.  Since he will be going on a fishing/camping trip in a couple months, I thought this image was truly appropriate.  After stamping the image with black Stazon ink onto watercolor paper, I used Distress markers and inks to water color the image.  Distress inks were also used to ink the edges of the die cuts and papers.  I've never tried this technique before and really had fun with it.  I think kraft paper is such an easy way to start a masculine card - especially one with an outdoorsy theme.  I started with a kraft card base for my A2 card and layered up from there.  I used a sketch from The Kraft Journal for the card design.

The matted image was popped up over the layered background.

I included interior decorating on both sides.

I love this definition stamp.  It's so perfect to use in cards for special people - and is definitely true of our son.  The image and mats were cut with Labels Four and Labels Four Small.  The top and bottom were trimmed to make them mimic the brackets in the stamped image. A great way to extend the use of your die cuts is to trim them to other shapes.  I'll be using this technique again.

Supplies:
Sketch:  The Kraft Journal Challenge 160
Cardstock: Recollections, Royal & Langnickel Watercolor Paper
Patterned Paper:  MME
Stamps:  Flourishes (In Nature), Stampendous (Birthday Wish)
Ink: Stazon (Jet Black), Distress Inks (Bundled Sage, Tea Dye, Antique Linen, Vintage photo, Walnut Stain, Crushed Olive, Peacock Feathers, Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Barn Door)
Tools/Embellishments: Distress Markers (Shabby Shutters, Frayed Burlap, Weathered Wood), Spellbinders dies (Standard Circles Large & Small, Labels Four, Labels Four Small), Staedtler Tri-plus fine tip marker (brown)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:


The Kraft Journal Challenge #165 - Inside & Out
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Fan-tastic Tues Challenge #29 - Use Patterned Paper
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Birthday
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #315 - All Boy (any masculine card)
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #188 - Color a stamped image
Chocolate, Coffee Cards Challenge #62 - Stripes
Just B Creative Crazy - Anything Goes
Just Keep On Creating - Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Challenges #7 - Masculine

Thanks for stopping by today.