If Life Gives You Limes . . .

The snow has ended and the sun has come out, but it's still very chilly and wintery here today, so I decided to think warm and summery for my card for today's SCS featured stamper challenge. It's based on this drink themed card here.

I kept the drink theme for my version, but changed the image to one from the Chillax stamp set from Taylored Expressions. I colored the image with Copic markers and added a little Lime Stickles to the lime in the drink. The sentiment fit along the side of the image, helped with by my Stamp-a-ma-jig.

Instead of embossing the panel for the cardfront, I used a glittery striped paper from DCWV's Citrus Mat Stack. I layered the paper on a light green panel before putting it on a turquoise cardfront. The paper strip extending out from under the image panel was replaced with a wide green grosgrain ribbon strip. I added a button-embellished bow to the ribbon for a fun touch.

Materials Used:

Chillax stamp set, white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Tempting Turquoise and Gable Green cardstock (Stampin' Up!); designer paper (DCWV's Citrus Mat Stack); green grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); Spring Moss button, twine (Papertrey Ink); Lime Stickles (Ranger)

Have a Rockin' Day

In honor of tonight's Grammy Awards, I have a musical themed card to share this morning. It uses one of the new Clear & Simple Stamps sets that I picked up while working the CSS booth last weekend at CHA. It's called MP3 Darling. The set's not up on the site yet, but coming soon, so consider this a sneak peek. I combined the iPod image with some of CSS's new papers and inks and Mercy's latest sketch challenge for this one.

I stamped the iPod image in the new Little Black Dress ink on white cardstock. The image is colored just a bit with Copic markers. I stamped the image again on some shimmery silver paper and cut parts of the image out to do some paper piecing. The "have a rockin' day" sentiment fit underneath the image.

I used a piece of Piggy Tales designer paper to cover most of the cardfront. The musical themed images work perfectly with the images. The panels are set on a card base made from You're Such a Gray-cious Host cardstock. Love the fun names for the colors in this new line!

Be sure to stop back tomorrow to see February's new template of the month from Clear & Simple Stamps, along with the reveal of February's Stamp of the Month and the featured Copic Trio.

Materials Used:

MP3 Darling stamp set, Perfect Little Black Dress ink, Little Black Dress, You're Such a Gray-cious Host, and A Blanc Check cardstock (Clear & Simple Stamps); designer paper (Piggy Tales-Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star line); silver paper (Target); markers (Copic); Classic Stars border punch (Martha Stewart)

Hello Sunshine

The title for this post is pretty much the opposite of my day. It's been snowing steadily here all day and more has accumulated than I had expected--over 6 inches, in fact. I have definitely had enough of snow this winter! So, I thought a warm and sunny feeling card was in order for today. I used new stamps from Verve along with this week's Mojo Monday sketch for this square card.

The colors for the card came from the colors in the strip of patterned paper I used along the left side of the card. They definitely have a warm feeling to them! I stamped one of the medallion images from the new Accent Notes set in Crushed Curry ink on matching Crushed Curry cardstock to make my own background paper, then layered the patterned paper strip along one edge.

I stamped the "hello sunshine" sentiment in Crushed Curry ink on a white panel. The panel is layered on a Melon Mambo panel with a scalloped border along the bottom. A trio of lemon buttons is at the top right of the image panel. Threading the twine through the button holes in the three buttons took me almost as long as it took to make the rest of the card. My fingers are still chilly from shoveling the sidewalk! I added a strip of matching pink ribbon along the right edge of the patterned paper strip to finish the card.

Materials Used:

Accent Notes stamp set (Verve Stamps); Crushed Curry Classic ink, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, and Whisper White cardstock, scallop edge punch (Stampin' Up!); designer paper (DCWV's The Sorbet Stack); pink grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); Lemon Tart buttons, twine (Papertrey Ink)

Start Each Day

It's Saturday, so it's time once again for a new sketch challenge at Paper Craft Planet. Sankari is our hostess this week. I had so much fun hanging out with her in California at CHA and can't wait to see her again when she heads out this way to visit her family.

I have to admit that I strayed a little from the sketch, but only because I couldn't stand to hide any part of this adorable Pure Innocence girl from My Favorite Things. I hope Sankari will forgive me--LOL! I colored the image, called Start the Day with WHEE!, with Copic markers, then airbrushed in a really pale blue sky. All was going well until I thought I was done, then reconsidered and turned the airbrush back on. That led to a very unwanted big blob of ink. FYI--You cannot erase a big blob with clear blending solution. That just erases the color. And, as I was re-plugging in the compressor for round 2 with the airbrush (pre-blue blob), I managed to reset my surge protector, which in turn reset several electronic devices, like my TV and DVR/satellite receiver. I was over the airbrush thing after that. So, ignore the blob and sort of white patch at the right side of the image panel from my unsuccessful repair job. Moving on . . .

I used two different patterned papers from the Cosmo Cricket Girl Friday line on the cardfront. They're paired with some bold Crushed Curry paper for the card base and panel across the cardfront and some Lipstick Red for the mats under the image and sentiment. I really liked the yellow of the Crushed Curry against the dotted patterned paper--it's a little bright and busy, but I think it's okay.

I slipped the set's sentiment off to the side a bit to keep it from covering up the image. I tried, but couldn't get it to cover my Copic blob. It's attached with foam tape, overlapping the simple ribbon accent.

If you want to play along with this week's sketch challenge, please upload your card using the keyword sk013010 so it can be added to the album with the rest of the creations based on the sketch.

Materials Used:

Start the Day with WHEE! stamp set (My Favorite Things); Lipstick Red and White cardstock (Gina K Designs); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Crushed Curry cardstock, Real Red grosgrain ribbon, scallop edge punch (Stampin' Up!); designer paper (Cosmo Cricket-Girl Friday line); Ruby Slippers Glitz Stickles (Ranger); circle dies (Nestabilities); foam tape

Monochromatic Peace

Finally, Friday! I'm so ready for the weekend. I'm still tired from my trip and looking forward to spending some time resting and relaxing at home (and catching up on General Hospital, too). We're supposed to get just a bit of snow, so that makes the idea of staying home even better.

I made this monochromatic card for this week's StampTV sketch challenge. The images are from the Many Wishes set from Gina K Designs. I used shades of gray with just a bit of black for a mostly soft look.

I stamped the flowers, stem, and sentiment on a pale gray oval panel, then inked the edges with some darker gray ink, coordinating with the ink I used for the images. It's hard to see in the photo, but I added some clear Stardust glitter pen to the flowers for a subtle shimmer.

I used some retired SU! designer paper to cover most of the cardfront. The pattern has a tone on tone look that was a good match for my monochromatic grays. The only embellishment is a super shiny silver satin ribbon, tied around the long panel extending from the bottom of the oval panel. Simple, but elegant.

Be sure to stop back tomorrow morning to check out my card for this week's Paper Craft Planet sketch challenge. I hope to still be sound asleep when my post goes live!

Materials Used:

Many Wishes stamp set (Gina K Designs); Smokey Shadow ink, Soft Stone cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Basic Black and Basic Gray cardstock , Basic Gray Patterns designer series paper (Stampin' Up!); oval and scalloped oval dies (Nestabilities); silver ribbon (Target); clear Stardust pen (Sakura)

Blogger Challenge: Week 136

This week’s blogger challenge is birthday cards. This challenge was just in time for me, since one of my good friends is celebrating a birthday next week. Her favorite color is purple, so I took that as inspiration for my card.

I created a Z-fold card in shades of plum and lavender using a soft floral image as the focal point. I stamped one of the leafy branches from Papertrey Ink’s Turning a New Leaf stamp set in Ripe Avocado ink on a lavender panel, then added a pair of flowers from the Floral Fusion set in plum to stand out against the pale background. I had enough room left on the panel to add the sentiment in coordinating lavender ink. A piece of knotted plum ribbon is attached to the left side of the panel.

I lined the inside of the card with some lavender paper with white dots. It dresses it up, but is still light enough that I can write my message directly on it.

For more birthday card ideas, you can check out what the rest of the challenge players have created. Links to their blogs are in the sidebar on the right.

Materials Used (all from Papertrey Ink):
Turning a New Leaf, Floral Fusion, and Signature Greetings stamp sets, Lavender Moon, Ripe Avocado, and Plum Pudding inks, Lavender Moon, Ripe Avocado, and Plum Pudding cardstock, Bitty Dot Basics patterned paper, Plum Pudding grosgrain ribbon

Through Rain or Shine

I arrived home safely from California last night. Today, I'm a bit tired, but it was definitely worth it! I loved the time spent with friends as we strolled the CHA floor by day and ate, drank, and laughed by night. Going back to work this morning was definitely a shock to my system!

I haven't stamped in a week, so I started back with a sketch challenge. I used this week's SCS sketch challenge in combination with images from Unity's January Stampin' Store Kit, {livin' and lovin' life}, from i {heart} papers.

I stamped the couple under the umbrella image on white cardstock and colored the image with Copic markers. I dotted Silver Pearl Liquid Pearls at the umbrella's center and on the edges for a metal-ish look.

The image was colored to coordinate with the bold colors in the patterned paper I used from the My Mind's Eye Love Me Do Collection Kit. I'm not normally a big yellow fan, but it seemed right to pair the rainy image with a sunny color. A strip of yellow faux suede ribbon separates the image from the sentiment. There wasn't enough room to fit the entire sentiment on the front, so the rest ("you'll always be mine") is found on the inside of the card.

Materials Used:

from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. January Stampin' Store Kit {livin' and lovin' life}, My Mind's Eye Love Me Do Collection Kit, May Arts yellow faux suede ribbon, Ranger Silver Pearl Liquid Pearls

other: white cardstock (Gina K Designs); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Real Red and Yoyo Yellow cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Pure Poppy button, twine (Papertrey Ink)

Simple Shimmery Snowflakes

This simple card was inspired by a holiday gift tag I noticed while leafing through a Crate and Barrel catalog. I love that place! The tag was white on white with a bit of silver thrown in.

I used a shimmery white card base and some different size punched out snowflakes for my version. All of the snowflakes are attached directly to the card base with the exception of the largest flake, giving them the slightest raised appearance. The largest one is attached with foam tape and embellished with a rhinestone at the center.

I used just a simple sentiment to keep the attention on the snowflakes. I stamped the “let it snow” sentiment from Papertrey Ink’s Winter Swirls in silver ink at the bottom left corner of the card to finish it. This one would be easy to reproduce in large quantities—must keep that in mind for next year’s holiday cards . . .

Materials Used:
Winter Swirls stamp set, white shimmer cardstock (Papertrey Ink); silver paper (Target); silver ink (Encore); small, medium snowflake punches (Martha Stewart); large snowflake punch (Marvy Uchida); self adhesive rhinestone (Darice); foam tape

Dare to Be Different

I’ve had several different ideas for variations on this card floating around in my mind since I first saw the pair of penguin images in the DoodleFactory Arctic set from Starving Artistamps. Here’s what I finally settled on to showcase the images.

I stamped one of the penguin images repeatedly on a pale gray circle in gray ink. I used a Stamp-a-ma-jig to position the images, leaving a space in the center for the other penguin image. I stamped the penguin with outstretched wings on a cardstock scrap, colored it with Copic markers, and cut it out, then added it to the stamped circle with foam tape so it stood out from the rest.

I stamped the “dare to be different” sentiment from the U-Niquely U set in Not Quite Navy ink on Soft Sky cardstock to match the card base. The sentiment panel is edged with a gray strip and accented with some soft gray taffeta ribbon.

Materials Used:
DoodleFactory Arctic stamp set and U-niquely U set (Starving Artistamps); white cardstock (Gina K Designs); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Smokey Shadow ink, Soft Stone cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Not Quite Navy Classic ink, Not Quite Navy, Soft Sky, and Basic Gray cardstock, Basic Gray taffeta ribbon (Stampin’ Up!); foam tape

Simple Circle Card

Here’s another circle card using images from Clear & Simple Stamps that coordinates with the pretty hatbox I shared earlier in the month. You can find the completed hatbox here and the hatbox template download here.

Again, I kept the colors and elements on the card the same as the ones I used for the hatbox to make a matching set. The card base was cut using a Nestabilities scalloped circle die. I like the scallop edge detail to dress up the card.

I layered a piece of October Afternoon designer paper on the aqua circle panel. A piece of moss ribbon covers the seam between the papers. The “thank you” sentiment from the limited edition Thank You set is stamped on a circle panel, then attached to the card with foam tape. I added a tiny flower with an even tinier pearl center to the sentiment panel as an accent.

Materials Used:
Thank You stamp set (Clear & Simple Stamps); Ripe Avocado ink, Ripe Avocado, Aqua Mist, and Spring Moss cardstock, Spring Moss grosgrain ribbon (Papertrey Ink); circle and scalloped circle dies (Nestabilities); circle punches (EK Success); flower (Prima); pearl (Kaiser Craft)

Sweet Treat

Here’s my card for this week’s Bellarific Friday from Stamping Bella. This week’s theme was twinchies. I’ve never done a twinchie (2 x 2 inch square) on purpose before. I came up with a clean and simple design that let my sweet twinchie take center stage.

I stamped the Cuppycake with a Sprinkle on Top image in black ink and colored it with Copic markers. The sprinkles are sparkly, courtesy of a Spica pen, and the cherry was glossed with a Sakura Glaze pen. Even though the space was small, I had enough room to stamp the “sweet treat” sentiment along the side of the panel, accented with a silver brad.

I kept my layout simple so that the image would stand out. I matted the twinchie on a bold red panel. It’s layered over a rose strip with faux stitching along the edge. I added a button embellished bow to the top left corner of the twinchie.

Materials Used:
Cuppycake with a Sprinkle on Top image and sentiment (Stamping Bella); white cardstock (Gina K Designs); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers, Pink Spica glitter pen (Copic); Regal Rose, Barely Banana and Real Red cardstock, Regal Rose grosgrain ribbon (Stampin’ Up!); Inkssentials white pen (Ranger); red button (Papertrey Ink); silver brad (Making Memories); red Glaze pen (Sakura)

Just Zooming By

My best friend has two little boys, so that definitely calls for a non-heart and frilly Valentine. I think that this one, featuring images from the Heartily Yours and Heartily Yours Additions stamp sets from Gina K Designs, fits the bill.

I stamped the hot rod image in black ink and added some details with Copic markers. The hub caps on the wheels are coated with a gray Glaze pen for a sort of shiny look that’s not really captured in my photo. I had just enough room at the top of the image panel to fit the sentiment, with the “hi” omitted.

I paired the car with some orange paper with bold, circular design elements—a nice match for the wheels on the car and not too girly. I added a black strip across the cardfront, broken up with a line of red ribbon accented by a single silver brad. The hot rod panel is attached over the strip using some foam tape.

The inside of this one is decorated so that I could finish off the sentiment. I attached a strip of the patterned paper used on the cardfront, along with some red and black strips as accents. The sentiment is stamped above the patterned paper, still leaving me room to write a personal message.

Materials Used:
Heartily Yours and Heartily Yours Additions stamp sets, white cardstock (Gina K Designs); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Real Red Classic ink, Real Red and Basic Black cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Summer Sunrise cardstock (Papertrey Ink); designer paper (K & Company-Lemon Drop line); red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); silver brad (Making Memories); gray Glaze pen (Sakura); foam tape

Feelin' Blue

I recently participated in an ATC swap with the rest of the Starving Artistamps design team—what a talented group! The swap theme was “your favorite color.” I went with blue and used both the color blue and the emotion blue to design my miniature masterpiece.

I used the mini Dot image from the DoodleFactory set. The image is colored with Copic markers and carefully cut out. Let me tell you, those teeny tiny arms with lots of bends were a challenge! I used some semi-circles to represent a moon. They’re layered for interest and dimension. The top piece has a few holes randomly punched out to look like craters, then is attached to the bottom piece with foam tape.

I stamped the set’s “wish you were here” sentiment in navy ink on the blue background panel. A single star brad is added as an accent.

The rest of the team’s ATCs will be posted on the Starving Artistamps gallery, so be sure to keep an eye out for them.

Materials Used:
DoodleFactory Final Frontier stamp set (Starving Artistamps); white cardstock (Gina K Designs); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers, Lipstick Spica glitter pen (Copic); Night of Navy Classic ink, Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue, and Crushed Curry cardstock, ¼” and ½” circle punches (Stampin’ Up!); circle die (Nestabilities); star brad (Making Memories); foam tape

It'll Be Okay

This little cutie from the Pure Innocence line from My Favorite Things pretty much sums up my feelings over the past 6 weeks or so. I’ve felt like it’s rained on me pretty much non stop and I’ve definitely needed reminding that things will be okay in the end. I used the image for Mercy’s latest sketch challenge.

Instead of coloring the entire image, I paper pieced the raincoat and umbrella in designer paper, leaving just her hands, face, legs, boots, and umbrella handle to be colored with Copic markers. I added a pale blue puddle of water underneath her feet, too.

I used the same paper as I used for the coat for the panel across the cardfront. I matted the panel on a strip of Kiwi Kiss cardstock punched with a decorative edge punch with a pattern that reminded me of the shape of the bottom of the umbrella. The cardfront is covered with the opposite side of the patterned paper for a nice coordinating look. I stamped the sentiment in Bermuda Bay ink on a Soft Sky panel and attached it to the open space on the image panel.

Here's to seeing lots of sunny days ahead!

Materials Used:
My Umbrella stamp set (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Gina K Designs); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Bermuda Bay Classic ink, Kiwi Kiss and Soft Sky cardstock, word window punch (Stampin’ Up!); designer paper (October Afternoon-Ducks in a Row line); Crown border punch (Martha Stewart)

Heartfelt Thanks

Here’s my card for this week’s Viva la Verve sketch and inspiration challenge. My new Verve stamps arrived on Thursday, but with leaving for California on Friday, I had to get this done in advance, otherwise I’d have used some of my new stamps for the challenge.

I took my inspiration from the floral sconces in one inspiration photo and the colors in another photo to create this card. I started by stamping 3 of the flower images from the Believe stamp set on white cardstock and coloring them with Copic markers. I carefully cut them out, coated them with Candlelight Shimmerz, then layered them with foam tape to form the pretty dimensional flower that I set on the round panel. A single pearl is at the flower’s center. So pretty!

I paired the flower with some pretty designer paper from Cosmo Cricket’s Everafter collection. Not my normal style, but elegant and really striking against the gray. I added a scallop edged strip along the bottom of the patterned paper and a matching rust panel above it. A piece of gray taffeta ribbon is tied around the rust panel. I stamped the “heartfelt thanks” sentiment from the Celebration of Thanks set in black just above the ribbon to complete the card.

Materials Used:
Believe and Celebration of Thanks stamp sets (Verve Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Basic Gray cardstock, Basic Gray taffeta ribbon, scallop edge punch (Stampin’ Up!); Terracotta Tile cardstock (Papertrey Ink); designer paper (Cosmo Cricket-Everafter line); pearl (KaiserCraft); circle dies (Nestabilities)

Valentine for a Fungi

Here’s my card for this week’s Mojo Monday sketch challenge. I am really enjoying the images in this month’s Unity Stampin’ Store Kit, {livin’ and lovin’ life}. I used a pair of images from the kit on this masculine Valentine’s Day card.

I stamped the mushroom image and matching sentiment in black ink on a cream panel, then cut out the panel with an oval Nestabilities die. I used Copic markers in shades of green to color in the mushroom and accented the heart with a little glitter from my Lipstick Spica pen.

I used some My Mind’s Eye patterned paper for the large panel on the right side of the card. A polka dot embossed panel is on the left side. Both panels and the image are matted with celery cardstock to bring in some more green. I knotted a piece of brown faux suede ribbon around the dotted panel, then assembled all of the pieces.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. January 2010 Stampin’ Store Kit of the Month {livin’ and lovin’ life}, Copic Spica Lipstick glitter pen, Nestabilities oval dies, My Mind’s Eye Penny Lane-Free Bird/My Friend designer paper, QuicKutz Polka Dot embossing folder, May Arts brown faux suede ribbon

other: cream cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, and Kraft cardstock (Stampin’ Up!)

Little Baby Bee

It's Saturday, so it's time for a new sketch challenge at Paper Craft Planet. Tammy's drawn up a fun one to play with. I took a few minutes to try out my new Papertrey Ink goodies using the sketch.

I went quick and easy here and picked an image that needed just a little bit of embellishing to finish off. I used the bee image from the new Baby Button Bits for the focal image. The bee's wings are coated with chunky glitter and its body is filled in with a yellow button with a twine bow tied through the button holes.

I paired the bee with some designer paper from a K & Company baby boy themed paper pack. The colors aren't the totally traditional soft baby ones and the pattern sort of reminded me of the bee shape. I added a piece of blue ribbon tied around the card, then stamped the sentiment beneath the image panel and ribbon in Brocade Blue ink.

If you play along with this week's sketch, be sure upload your card to the PCP gallery using the keyword sk012310 so that it can be added to the album with the rest of the cards inspired by the sketch.

Materials Used:

Baby Button Bits stamp set, Lemon Tart cardstock, Lemon Tart button, twine (Papertrey Ink); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); Bashful Blue and Brocade Blue cardstock (Stampin' Up!); designer paper (K & Company-Itsy Bitsy line); light blue grosgrain ribbon (Morex); chunky glitter (Doodlebug); circle dies (Nestabilities); foam tape

Sending You Bear Hugs

I’m so excited to be at the Clear & Simple Stamps booth at the Craft & Hobby Association’s SuperShow in Anaheim today! CSS will also be at the CHA trade show happening over the next few days, previewing some new additions to their already fabulous lineup of products. This afternoon I’m co-hosting one of the CSS make and takes with my Paper Craft Planet buddy Susanna (and then heading out to dinner with my i {heart} papers pals tonight). Since I’m working with CSS today, I thought I’d share a sweet card I made for last month’s Well Wishes Collection release.

My card features the adorable bear image from the Beary Well stamp set. I colored the bear and bed image with Copic markers and added just a teeny, tiny bit of white flock to the bear’s belly for a fun detail.

I created my own version of a blanket for the panel on the cardfront using a combination of a plaid patterned paper and a pair of looped edge punches. The loops make the perfect edging for a faux blanket feel, don’t they? The get well sentiment is stamped directly on the patterned paper in rose ink.

Be sure you check out my post from yesterday with info about the exciting and innovative new release coming up from CSS. I'd love to hear what you think about it.

Materials Used: Beary Well stamp set (Clear & Simple Stamps); white cardstock (Gina K Designs); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Aqua Mist and Sweet Blush cardstock, Sweet Blush button, twine (Papertrey Ink); Regal Rose Classic ink; Regal Rose cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); designer paper (My Mind’s Eye-Abbey Road Whirlybird “Friends Forever” Perfect Plaid); Loop corner and border punches (Martha Stewart); white flock (Stampendous); rectangle dies (Nestabilities)

Introducing . . .

Today’s the start of the CHA Super Show in Anaheim, CA, leading up to the Craft & Hobby Association’s winter trade show, which is starting on Sunday. Lots of your favorite paper crafting companies will be releasing new and innovative products, including Clear & Simple Stamps.

I’m excited to be able to share information with you about the newest addition to the Clear & Simple Stamps lineup—the very first paper crafting app for the iPhone and iTouch!! The app will be available in February 2010. It will feature a paper crafting project each day, complete with directions and how-to details and a product buying guide to help you out with recreating the project on your own. I can’t wait to download the app on my own iPhone!!

I’m on my way to Anaheim today and I’ll be at the Clear & Simple Stamps booth (#659) at the Super Show tomorrow, so please stop by and say hello if you’re there!

Blogger Challenge: Week 135

This week’s blogger challenge is to use punches or die cuts on your project. I used a heart punch for this sweet and sparkly card.

I punched a heart from a sheet of red glittered paper and used it to fashion my own lollipop. The heart is attached to a real paper candy stick, left over from some other project. I tied a piece of ruffled red faux suede ribbon around the stick to dress it up a bit, then layered it on a panel of designer paper from the My Mind’s Eye Love Me Do Collection Kit using foam tape.

To keep the attention on the super sparkly sweet treat, I kept the rest of my layout simple. The lollipop panel is set on the right side of the card base. I stamped the “I’m a sucker for you” sentiment from the Chicken Girl Design Hugs from a Bug stamp set in black ink on a yellow panel, accented by some paper piercing and a single brad. This stamp set, available exclusively at i {heart} papers, is great for Valentine’s Day cards, so you’ll likely be seeing some more of it as the day approaches.

For more ideas using punches and die cuts, you can check out what the rest of the challenge players have created. I’m sure you’ll find plenty of creative ideas as I always do. Links to their blogs are in the sidebar on the right.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Petaloo glittered sheets, May Arts red faux suede ruffle edge ribbon, My Mind’s Eye Love Me Do Collection Kit, Chicken Girl Design Hugs from a Bug stamp set, Palette Noir Black ink

other: Real Red and Bermuda Bay cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Lemon Tart cardstock (Papertrey Ink); heart punch (Marvy Uchida); silver brad (Making Memories); lollipop stick

Happy Birthday Bunny

Here’s my card for this week’s challenge at Crazy 4 Challenges. I used the Lucky Bunnies set from The Greeting Farm for the sketch challenge. I haven’t used any of my TGF sets in a while—I’d forgotten how fun they are to color!

The bunny is colored with Copic markers. I added a little white flock to make the bunny’s belly soft and fuzzy. The sky was added in after I colored the bunny, using a plastic cloud template and an inked up sponge. I’m really happy with how the cloudy sky turned out. The balloon was stamped a second time, colored, and cut out, then added to the panel with foam tape.

I used some October Afternoon designer paper with a floral pattern to cover most of the cardfront. The card base is Crushed Curry to match the yellow in the paper’s flowers. I stretched a piece of pink twill tape across the card, covering the bottom of the image panel, and added the “happy birthday” sentiment from the Happy Chef set over it with foam tape. So sweet!

Materials Used:
Lucky Bunnies and Happy Chef stamp sets (The Greeting Farm); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Soft Sky ink, Crushed Curry and Close to Cocoa cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Sweet Blush cardstock (Papertrey Ink); designer paper (October Afternoon-Farm Fresh line); petite oval dies (Nestabilities); pink twill tape (Martha Stewart); white flock (Stampendous); foam tape

I Dig You

I made this sweet card for this week’s Technostamper sketch challenge. I’ve had the Papertrey Ink Tiny Treats Valentines set for a while now and hadn’t used it yet. The small images were a perfect match for this sketch.

I stamped the beach bucket image on white cardstock and colored it with Copic markers. It’s hard to see in the photo, but I added just a little sparkle to the image’s tiny heart using some Ruby Slippers Glitz Stickles. The image is cut out with a Nestabilities Labels Two die to add some interest.

I paired the image with some summery striped paper I had in my stash. This took me a little bit away from traditional Valentine’s Day colors, but I think that still works with this image. I stitched the striped paper to the light blue mat before adding it to the cardfront. An orange polka dot embossed panel runs down the front of the card, accented with a button-embellished bow that coordinates with the colors in the patterned paper. This layout would be great for making a quick set of cards with the different image and sentiment pairs in this set. Maybe after I get back from California . . .

Materials Used:
Tiny Treats Valentines stamp set, Orange Zest button, twine (Papertrey Ink); white cardstock (Gina K Designs); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); Brocade Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, and Barely Banana cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); designer paper (Reminisce-Orlando line); Labels Two dies (Nestabilities); light blue grosgrain ribbon (Morex); Polka Dot embossing folder (QuicKutz); Ruby Slippers Glitz Stickles (Ranger); sewing machine

Love You

Here's my card for today's SCS sketch challenge, featuring one of the cute Pure Innocence images from My Favorite Things. This one's called Heart Stripes.

I stamped the little girl on white cardstock and colored her with Copic markers. I added a little bit of Ruby Slippers Glitz Stickles on the hearts on her outfit and in her hair for just a bit of sparkle. There was just enough room on the side of the image to squeeze in the "love you" sentiment in a pop of red.

The image is paired with some sparkly heart patterned paper from a DCWV stack. I cut the paper into strips to go across the card and layered it on red mats to help it stand out from the soft pink background. A piece of red grosgrain ribbon, embellished with a piece of knotted ribbon at the top, runs the length of the card, beneath the image panel.

I'm off to watch some college basketball, finish laundry, and unearth my suitcase. With my recent mouse issues, I'm a little nervous about what I might encounter while doing that last task . . .

Materials Used:

Heart Stripes stamp set (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Real Red Classic ink, Pink Pirouette and Real Red cardstock (Stampin' Up!); designer paper (Madly in Love Stack-DCWV)red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); Ruby Slippers Glitz Stickles (Ranger)

Introducing DoodleFactory Boudoir

As a follow up to the fabulous DoodleFactory Classic Décor set, Starving Artistamps is pleased to present the DoodleFactory Boudoir stamp set and sentiments. The images in this set can be combined with those in the Classic Décor set for beautiful room settings and paired with some of the Starving Artistamps sentiments for fun Valentine's Day cards.

My first card features the set’s fireplace image. I colored the fireplace with Copic markers and cut it out. It’s set on an elegant “wallpaper” background made from some Cosmo Cricket Everafter designer paper.

To make the scene more homey, I added some blazing logs to the fireplace, complete with sparkly flames courtesy of a Spica pen, and some classic books set along the top of the mantel.

I added one of the Outdoor sentiments to the top of the card. A button with some taffeta ribbon knotted through it is a simple accent for the sentiment.

Materials Used:
DoodleFactory Boudoir stamp set, Outdoor Sentiments (Starving Artistamps); white cardstock (Gina K Designs); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers, orange Spica pen (Copic); Soft Sky and Basic Gray cardstock, Basic Gray taffeta ribbon (Stampin’ Up!); designer paper (Cosmo Cricket-Everafter line); Smokey Shadow ink, button (Papertrey Ink)

This card features a combination of paper piecing and coloring. The set’s bench image was stamped on white cardstock. I colored the base with Copic markers, then paper pieced the cushion using some Basic Grey Archaic paper. I colored the bolster with Copic markers before attaching it to the bench.

The setting for the bench is made by combining more of the Archaic papers. I used a striped pattern as a wall covering and one of the distressed solids as a rug. I added a decorative edged scalloped strip at the top of the card and stitched some pleated satin ribbon along the top edge for decoration. The “you might want to sit down for this” sentiment runs along the bottom of the image panel with a single silver brad as an accent.

Materials Used:
DoodleFactory Boudoir stamp set, Classic Décor Sentiments (Starving Artistamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Soft Sky, Close to Cocoa, and Very Vanilla cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); designer paper (Basic Grey-Archaic); Diamond Lace border punch (EK Success); brown satin ribbon (Michaels); silver brad (Making Memories); foam tape; sewing machine

And, here's one last card. This one features one of the new Boudoir Sentiments. I stamped the vanity and stool on white cardstock, leaving the image mostly white with a few pink accents for a girly look. I carefully trimmed the images out so they could be set against an equally feminine background, created with designer paper and a herringbone textured rug, partially hidden underneath a red throw rug.

I stamped the vanity's mirror on silver paper and cut it out. Then, I stamped Zega from the Final Frontier stamp set on a piece of white paper and colored her in. I attached Dot to the mirror, cutting out the excess of the image so all that remained wat the part of the image inside the mirror. I layered the mirror inside the vanity to have it appear that Zega was catching a glance of herself as she was walking by it. The "who's the fairest of them all?" sentiment is attached to the top of the card to finish it off.

Be sure to visit the rest of the Starving Artistamps DT to see what they've come up with using these fun new images.

Dawn***Donna***Jenn***Juliana***Lydia***Tracey***Irene (DoodleFactory artist)

Materials Used:

DoodleFactory Boudoir and Final Frontier stamp sets, Boudoir Sentiments (Starving Artistamps); white cardstock (Gina K Designs); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Riding Hood Red Classic ink, Riding Hood Red and Pink Pirouette cardstock (Stampin' Up!); designer paper (K & Company); silver paper (Target); Herringbone embossing folder (Cuttlebug); Tiny Twinkles (Taylored Expressions); red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); Sweet Blush button, twine (Papertrey Ink); foam tape

Perk Up!

*****Scroll down to the post below to check out my post for this month's i {heart} papers design team challenge.*****

Here’s my card for this week’s StampTV sketch challenge. I used the cute mug image from the new Heartily Yours stamp set from Gina K Designs to make a fun get well card.

To get the two-toned image, I inked the mug using red ink for the mug and saucer and a gray marker for the steam. Each image was punched out using a 1 ½” circle punch. It cut off just a bit of the saucer, but I think it still looks okay. Each mug image is layered on a Lipstick Red scalloped circle with paper piercing in each scallop to break up the red just a bit.

I love the colors and texture in the DCWV Farmer’s Market papers, so I used one of them for inspiration here. I used a patterned panel on the top of the card that had just a pop of red. I layered the panel on a red mat, extending beyond the bottom of the patterned paper so I’d have room to stamp the sweet get well sentiment on the bottom of the card. Here’s a little paper-saving tip for you—when you’re working with a large panel like this red one that you know will be mostly covered by another layer, punch out shapes from the panel to use either on that card or to be saved for others. The red scalloped circles I used here were all punched out of the layer hidden underneath the designer paper.

The blue color was a nice match for Papertrey Ink’s Ocean Tides cardstock, so I used that as the card base along with a piece of grosgrain ribbon to divide the patterned and solid sections of the card. The sentiment is stamped at the bottom of the card in black ink. I'm not feeling that great myself right now, so I'm hoping that I'll perk up soon, just like this card suggests . . .

Materials Used:
Heartily Yours and Heartily Yours Additions stamp sets, Lipstick Red and white cardstock (Gina K Designs); Real Red Classic ink, scallop edge punch (Stampin’ Up!); Tuxedo Black ink, London Fog marker (Memento); designer paper (DCWV-Farmer’s Market Stack); Ocean Tides cardstock, Ocean Tides grosgrain ribbon (Papertrey Ink); 1 ½” circle punch (EK Success)

i {heart} papers CD Case Challenge

For this month's i {heart} papers design team challenge, design team members altered one of the clear CD cases carried in the store. The case I used is 4" x 6" and if you flip the lid back, it makes a great display case for a do it yourself calendar. I think I'll put mine on the desk in my office when I get to work this morning.

I printed a free downloadable 2010 calendar template here and cut apart the months. I decided to display the months two per page. To keep the project manageable and to make sure that the pages would all fit inside the case for display and storage, I made a total of three different calendar pages with two months on one side of each page. The page then can be flipped over to reveal two more months.

I kept my layout the same for each page. For each page, I used designer paper with colors or patterns that matched the season or events of the months. The panels were cut with Nestabilities long rectangle and scalloped long rectangle dies. The calendar pieces were set on the designer paper panel. I used seasonal embellishments, all found in the IHP store to decorate each page.

For example, the January and February page features paper from the Colorful Christmas Collection Kit and snowflakes embellished with tiny crystals. The May and June page uses bold, bright papers from the Love Me Do Collection Kit and white felt flowers embellished with sparkly flower gems. The October and November page has papers from the Bloom Collection Kit along with a sparkly cat and a felt bat.

One of my favorite finds in the store for decorating was the Queen & Co. self-adhesive felt borders. These are easy to cut apart so can use just a small section of the border as an accent, like I did on a few of these pages.

Here are the opposite sides of the pages. The March and April page uses a cloud patterned paper from the Love Me Do Collection Kit and sparkly flowers. The June and July page features a star patterned paper from the October Afternoon Night Light Collection Kit and glittery stars. Finally, the November and December page uses paper from the Be Loved Collection Kit and some felt gingerbread men. Too cute!

For more ideas using these CD cases, visit the rest of the IHP DT. Here's where to find them:
Amber
Carolyn
Cathleen
Deb
Gretchen
Kate
Kendra
Lori (that's me!)
Lynn
Megan
Merry
Tracy

Bermuda Silhouette

Here's my card for today's SCS clean and simple challenge. This week's challenge was to use a shade of teal along with white and one other color. I used my new Unity January Stampin' Store Kit, {livin' and lovin' life}.

I brayered Bermuda Bay ink on a small glossy cardstock panel and let it dry. Once it had dried, I stamped the kit's floral silhouette image in black ink. I let this dry (had to do a second one since I didn't wait, causing a big smudge . . .), then layered it on a black panel.

The rest of the card is very simple. I arranged the image on a white card base, adding a black ribbon tab accent. A Bermuda Bay strip runs along the bottom of the card, edged with a black scalloped strip. I dotted some White Opal Liquid Pearls on each scallop for an elegant detail.

Materials Used:

from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. January Stampin' Store Kit {livin' and lovin' life}, Palette Noir Black ink, May Arts reversible black/silver satin ribbon, Ranger White Opal Liquid Pearls

other: Bermuda Bay Classic ink, Glossy White, Bermuda Bay and Basic Black cardstock, scallop edge punch (Stampin' Up!); silver brads (Making Memories); white cardstock (Georgia Pacific); brayer

You Stole My Heart

Starving Artistamps is sponsoring this week’s challenge at 2 Sketches 4 You. As always, the 2S4Y team has provided a great sketch to work with. Here’s my version of the sketch, featuring images from the DoodleFactory Valentines Remix stamp set.

I stamped Banjo on white cardstock and colored him with Copic markers. I cut him out and added some white flock to the top of his head. He’s set against a blue sky with some sponged in clouds. I used a strip of pleated green grosgrain ribbon as grass underneath his feet to add a little texture and dimension.

I used a Stamp-a-ma-Jig to place the “you stole my heart” sentiment on the open space on the panel. I layered the panel on a gray card base. A red strip runs underneath the image panel, picking up the red in the sentiment. I added a ghost heart, accented by a button, to the end of the strip to finish off the card.

The Starving Artistamps design team will be showing off the latest addition to the DoodleFactory line on Wednesday, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Be sure to stop back to check it out. And, don't forget that you can always use the code savetenLT to save 10% on your Starving Artistamps and DoodleFactory stamp purchases at Starving Artistamps.

Materials Used:
Doodle Factory Valentines Remix and Valentines Sentiments sets (Starving Artistamps); white cardstock (Gina K Desigsn); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Soft Sky and Real Red Classic inks, Soft Sky, Real Red, and Basic Gray cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); green grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); ghost heart (Heidi Swapp); button, twine (Papertrey Ink); white flock (Stampendous); foam tape; sewing machine

What Little Boys Are Made Of

Here's my card for today's SCS featured stamper challenge. I took this masculine card and changed it into a card to welcome a baby boy using images from the Oh Boy stamp set from Clear & Simple Stamps.

I stamped the dog image on a scrap of blue patterned paper and used it to paper piece the image. The dog's nose is colored in with a gray Glaze pen for a little shine. The image is layered on a light blue mat, then on a celery one.

Like the original card, I used the Argyle embossing folder to emboss a pattern on a white panel and on a panel to run along the left side of the card. I wrapped a piece of coordinating green gingham ribbon around the panel before attaching it to the celery card base. The image panel is attached with some foam tape. I decided to add a sentiment beneath the image. Since the panel was embossed, I stamped the sentiment on a scrap of blue cardstock in coordinating blue ink, then secured the sentiment beneath the image.

Materials Used:

Oh Boy stamp set (Clear & Simple Stamps); Bashful Blue Classic ink, Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery cardstock, Fall Flowers designer series paper (Stampin' Up!); Argyle embossing folder (Cuttlebug); green gingham ribbon (Offray); gray Glaze pen (Sakura); foam tape

I'm in Lava with You

I couldn't let that cute little lava lamp image from the new Heartily Yours set from Gina K Designs sit uninked any longer! Like I said earlier this week, I've had an almost life-long fascination with these things, so it had to be done.

The lava lamp image is stamped in black ink and colored with Copic markers in shades of pink and red (even though my own prized lava lamp is a pretty blue). To get a glass-like look for the lamp, I stamped the image again on a scrap of acetate using StazOn, then cut it out and attached it to the colored image.

I paired the lamp with Gina K's new Lipstick Red and Innocent Pink cardstocks.The coordinating sentiment is stamped in black and layered on a pink mat. I added a folded pink ribbon underneath the sentiment as a simple accent. A strip of SU!'s retired Riding Hood Red Prints Series designer paper runs across the paper. I attached a paper pierced pink strip on the bottom of the striped paper and did a little more paper piercing around one edge of the image panel. I think I'm in lava . . .

Materials Used:

Heartily Yours stamp set, Lipstick Red, Innocent Pink, and white cardstock (Gina K Designs); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Jet Black ink (StazOn); Riding Hood Red Prints Series designer series paper, Pretty in Pink grosgrain ribbon, 1 3/8" circle punch, mat pack and paper piercing tool (Stampin' Up!); 1 1/2" circle punch (EK Success); acetate; foam tape

Without You, Life Does Not Compute

Here's a quick, scrappy card I made for this week's sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You. I just got these adorable Valentine chipboard pieces from K & Company and had to play with at least one right away!

Even though most of the big pieces in the chipboard pack are animals with matching sweet and silly Valentine's Day sentiments, I went with a robot image instead. I had the perfect matching patterned papers from a DCWV Valentine collection to make this a fun, sort of masculine feeling card.

I used a gray and aqua heart patterned paper to cover most of the card base, then cut Top Note die mats using an aqua patterned paper and a softer gray solid. I trimmed the edge of the patterned paper Top Note and layered it on top of the gray to create a mat. A piece of gray grosgrain ribbon is folded and attached underneath the diecut, extending out from the bottom.

The robot is attached to the panel with foam tape. I stamped one of the sentiments from the robot-themed Love Machine set from My Favorite Things on a circle and accented it with a single silver brad. The circle was added to the panel next to the robot to finish the card.

Materials Used:
Love Machine stamp set (My Favorite Things); Smokey Shadow ink, Soft Stone cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Basic Gray cardstock, Top Note die, 1 3/4" circle punch (Stampin' Up!); chipboard (K & Company-Ka-Zoo Monkey Chipboard); designer paper (DCWV-Madly in Love Stack); gray grosgrain ribbon (American Crafts); silver brad (Making Memories); foam tape

Love Ewe

I made this sweet card for this week's sketch challenge at Paper Craft Planet. Be sure to stop by the sketch challenge group to get all the details on this week's sketch, courtesy of Kim. And, if you play along, be sure to upload your card to the PCP gallery using the keyword sk011610 so it can be added to the album with the rest of the cards made using this week's sketch.

I've been eyeing Unity's cute Love Ewe kit for a long time and I'm excited that I've finally added it to my collection. Here, instead of fully coloring the image, I used some white flock to fill in the fuzzy, swirly fur. The image is cut out with a rectangle die, then layered on a scallop edged mat.

I used a scallop edged mat to coordinate with the scallopy lines on the Upsy Daisy designer paper I used to cover the card base. A piece of olive silk ribbon covers the seam between the two patterns. I stamped the "love ewe" sentiment in black ink and added a pink button accent next to it. I have to admit that I cheated just a bit here and didn't do any stitching for the button hole. The single white stitch is drawn in with a white pen. It works great in a pinch!

Materials Used:

from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. Love Ewe kit, Stampendous Cotton Ball white Fun Flock, Upsy Daisy Flutter line-Freedom designer paper, Creative Impressions olive green silk ribbon, Palette Noir Black ink, Ranger Inkssentials white pen, Nestabilities rectangle and scalloped rectangle dies

other: Ripe Avocado and Sweet Blush cardstock, Sweet Blush button (Papertrey Ink); white cardstock (Gina K Designs); markers (Copic)

Merci

Clear & Simple Stamps is thrilled to be the sponsor for the latest challenge at Embellish Magazine. The challenge is two-fold: use purple, brown, and kraft, with the design element of stripes.

Here’s my take on the challenge. I used the striped image from the CSS Dots & Stripes set to create my own tone on tone striped panel on a piece of plum cardstock. I layered the plum cardstock on the bottom of a kraft panel. I decided to give my cardstock a more aged, distressed look by inking its edges (kraft panel with Soft Suede ink, plum panel with more plum ink, both with white pigment ink).

To go with the sort of vintage feel, I added a piece of satin ribbon across the panel where the kraft and plum meet, pleating the ribbon and stitching it in place with my sewing machine. I stamped “merci” from the limited edition Thank You stamp set just above the ribbon.

Some felt flowers I had in my stash coordinated perfectly with the challenge colors and were a nice fit with the design, embellished with a pearl at the center. To finish off the card, I attached the stamped panel to a brown panel for contrast, then set the piece on a kraft card base.

Materials Used:
Dots & Stripes and Thank You stamp sets (Clear & Simple Stamps); Soft Suede and Perfect Plum Classic inks, Perfect Plum, Chocolate Chip, and Kraft cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Fresh Snow ink (Papertrey Ink); brown satin ribbon (Michaels); felt flowers (American Crafts); self adhesive pearl (Kaiser Craft); sewing machine; foam tape

Thankful Accents Thank You

Here’s my card for this week’s Viva la Verve sketch/inspiration challenge. I used elements and colors from one of the inspiration photos to design this thank you card.

I started by stamping cream dots from Verve’s Bountiful Backgrounds set on a moss panel. It created a subtle design, inspired by the pattern on the wallcovering in one of the photos. I used other colors from the photo for the other elements on my card. I stamped one of the accent images from the Thankful Accents stamp set repeatedly in Soft Suede ink (stamped off first for a softer look) on a kraft panel for another patterned element. A strip of green ribbon runs down that panel, accented with a matching button-embellished bow. I used a wood button to match the wood accents in the inspiration photo.

The inspiration photo has a few blue accents, so I stamped the “thank you” sentiment in blue ink on a cream panel. The sentiment is "framed" on a dark brown panel--I wanted to incorporate the look of the frames included in the inspiration photo in my card. A matching blue strip with a scalloped edge runs below the sentiment. I stitched across it with my sewing machine. The stitches came out kind of funky—not quite sure what happened there . . .

Materials Used:
Thankful Accents and Bountiful Backgrounds stamp sets (Verve Stamps); Soft Suede and Baja Breeze Classic inks, Baja Breeze, Kraft, and Very Vanilla cardstock, scallop edge punch, paper piercing tool (Stampin’ Up!); Vintage Cream ink, Spring Moss cardstock, Spring Moss grosgrain ribbon, wood button, twine (Papertrey Ink)

Blogger Challenge: Week 134

This week’s blogger challenge is a color one featuring one of my most favorite color combinations ever-pink, brown, and white. I turned to a cute set from Kitchen Sink Stamps for this sweet card.

I used a combination of brown inks to stamp the sweet dog image on a white panel. I stamped backwards, starting with image 4 using these inks: SU!’s Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, and Vivid’s Tuscan Tan. The image is matted on a brown panel.

The rest of the cardfront is done in shades of pink. I used a piece of dotted paper from the retired SU! Sweet Always paper pack to cover most of the cardfront. I added a coordinating Pretty in Pink panel across the front of the card with a dainty scalloped heart border, courtesy of a Martha Stewart border punch. A white satin ribbon, tied in a bow, is wrapped around the panel. The set’s “puppy love” sentiment is stamped in rose ink added at the top of the image panel. It’s accented with a felt heart and a tiny button.

For more ideas using this color combination, you can visit the rest of the challenge players. Links to their blogs are in the sidebar on the right.

Materials Used:
Multi Step Kittens & Pup stamp set (Kitchen Sink Stamps); Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, and Regal Rose Classic inks, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Close to Cocoa, and Whisper White cardstock, Sweet Always designer series paper, 1 3/8” circle punch (Stampin’ Up!); 1 ½” circle punch (EK Success); white satin ribbon (Michaels); scallop heart border punch (Martha Stewart); felt heart (American Crafts); white button, twine (Papertrey Ink)

File Folder Fun

I have just a quick post to share tonight. I went to get my hair cut after work tonight, a rare event for me and my pretty long locks. I got home late and have an early meeting, so I need to get to sleep soon or the morning will come way too early for my liking.

I wanted to show you this fun project that I made for this week's 3D Tuesday challenge at Paper Craft Planet, courtesy of Tammy. It's a file folder journal, made from a plain, old file folder that's altered following some simple directions.

For my version, I used a kind of fancy kraft folder that I found a while ago in the dollar section at Target. I got it with the idea that some day, I'd find something to do with these fun folders. Glad that worked out for once! The altered file folder opens to reveal a notepad and a pocket, perfect for storing notes and receipts

I followed the directions in the tutorial, adjusting the cuts just a bit because the folder I used was a litle different than the standard file folder. I added a trio of velcro dots to the flap on the right side of the journal to keep it closed securely. It was a really quick and easy project to do--less than 40 minutes from start to finish.

I decided to line the inside of the folder with some contrasting solid cardstock for more interest and to reinforce the folder a little. This also hid the ends of the ribbon that I wrapped around the outside of the folder. I think these would make fabulous gifts!

Finally Finished

I made it through all five of the Verve Stamps release challenges with a little bit of time to spare! Here are my projects for the last two challenges.

This one is for the sketch challenge. I used some October Afternoon designer paper that was sitting on my table as the basis for this one. I stamped the “you’re so fabulous” sentiment from the Bountiful Backgrounds set in teal ink on a cream panel. It’s layered on the card base along with a panel of the designer paper and a kiwi green panel stamped with the dotted background, also from Bountiful Backgrounds. I added a coordinating teal satin ribbon to the panel.

Instead of using a circle accent piece, I used a shoe. The stylin' shoe from Express Yourself is stamped in black ink on a scrap of teal cardstock, then carefully cut out. I attached it to the card with some foam tape. Definitely fabulous!

Materials Used:
Bountiful Backgrounds and Express Yourself stamp sets (Verve Stamps); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); Taken with Teal and Kiwi Kiss Classic inks, Taken with Teal, Kiwi Kiss, and Very Vanilla cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); designer paper (October Afternoon-Ducks in a Row line); teal satin ribbon (Michaels); foam tape

The final challenge was to make a non-A2 card. I made a pair of mini 3x3 cards, like little lunch box love notes. To keep the assembly quick and easy, I used the same layout, colors, and elements for both cards. Pretty much all of the pieces on these came from my scrap collection—gotta love that!

I used a red card base, accented with a bold pink panel stamped with the heart border from Thankful Hearts. A decorative punched black strip with teeny, tiny hearts runs across the card, underneath the pink panel. I stamped the sentiments in black ink on white circles, then layered them on black circles. A little bit of ribbon was attached to the back of the sentiment panels before I placed them on the mini cards with some foam tape. Really quick and really cute, too!

Materials Used:
Thankful Hearts stamp set (Verve Stamps); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); Melon Mambo Classic ink, Real Red, Melon Mambo, Basic Black, and Whisper White cardstock, circle punches, Basic Black grosgrain ribbon (Stampin’ Up!); Arrow border punch (EK Success); foam tape

Bee My Valentine

I got some goodies in the mail today from Gina K Designs, including the new Heartily Yours stamp set. When I saw the adorable lava lamp image in the set, I knew I'd have to have it. I must admit that I've had an obsession with lava lamps since I was a little girl. My sister gave me a blue one for my birthday when I was in college (that I still treasure) and I'm thrilled to have one in my stamp collection now, too! Despite my excitement about it, the lava lamp wasn't the first image I used in the set. Instead, I used the cute bee image for this card for today's SCS sketch challenge.

I stamped the bee and the coordinating "bee my Valentine" sentiment on a white oval. The image is colored with Copic markers and the wings are highlighted with a bit of Star Dust Stickles for some iridescent sparkle. The panel is layered on a mat cut from Gina's Sweet Corn cardstock.

I paired the bee with two patterns from October Afternoon's Farm Fresh line. The papers are layered on a card base made from Gina's new Lipstick Red cardstock. The color's a pretty good replacement for SU!'s retired Riding Hood Red, a color I find myself using a lot, so I'm glad there's a good substitute that's easily available for when my stash runs out. I stitched a piece of pleated grosgrain ribbon across the cardfront as the only embellishment. It took up a lot of space, so there really wasn't room for much else.

That's it for tonight. I'm off to watch some Wisconsin basketball--go Badgers!

Materials Used:

Heartily Yours stamp set, Lipstick Red, Sweet Corn, and White cardstock (Gina K Designs); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); designer paper (October Afternoon-Farm Fresh line); Riding Hood Red Classic ink (Stampin' Up); oval dies (Nestabilities); Stardust Stickles (Ranger); red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); sewing machine

To a Real Fungi

My best friend’s husband is celebrating a birthday this week, so I needed to make a guy birthday card to give him. I turned to a fun image from the DoodleFactory Fairy Tale set from Starving Artistamps for this fun card, which also fits this week’s birthday card challenge at Crazy 4 Challenges and this week’s Just Us Girls challenge to use some kind of stitching.

I used two of the set’s mushroom images for the focal image, masking the larger one when I stamped. The images are colored with Copic markers. I used my airbrush (and new compressor) to fill in a warm feeling background for the image.

I picked the earthy colors for the image to coordinate with Cosmo Cricket’s Earth Love paper. I used a strip of the line’s patterned paper across the cardfront, underneath the stamped image. I kept the rest of the card simple. A strip of twill tape is stitched along the left edge of the image. The coordinating sentiment is stamped in gray ink on a Summer Sunrise panel and accented with a single brad.

Materials Used:
DoodleFactory Fairy Tale stamp set, Fairy Tale Sentiments set (Starving Artistamps); Sweet Corn and white cardstock (Gina K Designs); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers, airbrush (Copic); Smokey Shadow ink, Summer Sunrise cardstock (Papertrey Ink); designer paper (Cosmo Cricket-Earth Love line); twill tape (Martha Stewart); silver brad (Making Memories)

One, Two, Three

I'm not sure if I'll have time to complete all 5 of the Verve release challenges before the Friday deadline, but I'm giving it my best shot! I made my way through the first three and I'll share those here tonight.

The first challenge was to use chipboard. I combined this challenge with this week's Mojo Monday sketch. I really like the sketch and have a feeling I'll be using it again. I flipped it on its side for this Valentine's Day themed card.

The color scheme came from the warm colors in designer paper I used from the My Mind's Eye Be Loved Collection Kit. The sentiment from Verve's Hundred Hearts is stamped in Melon Berry ink on a cream panel. I inked the panel's edges with brown ink for a softer look.

Since I couldn't find the right sized one in my collection, I used a Nestabilities die and some heavy cardboard to cut my own chipboard heart. The heart is inked with Terracotta Tile ink and embellished with a Melon Berry button. I had a hard time getting the button to stick to the inked heart, but finally got it to attach securely.

Materials Used:
Hundred Hearts stamp set (Verve Stamps); Melon Berry and Terracotta Tile inks, Melon Berry and Terracotta Tile cardstock, Terracotta Tile grosgrain ribbon, Melon Berry button, twine (Papertrey Ink); Creamy Caramel Classic ink, Very Vanilla cardstock, corner rounder (Stampin' Up!); designer paper (My Mind's Eye Be Loved Collection Kit); heart die (Nestabilities); scallop heart border punch (Martha Stewart)

The second challenge was to make a Valentine favor or treat box. I made this quick one from a 1/4 sheet of cardstock, topped with a strip of designer paper. It holds 4 Hershey's Kisses (held in place securely with glue dots on the bottom).

I stamped the heart border strip from Thankful Hearts tone on tone three times along the bottom of my treat holder, flipping the image each time I stamped to vary the placement a bit. I used a piece of fun dotted patterned paper for the topper. A semi-circle notch is cut out from the edges of the treat holder base and topper so that it can be secured with a piece of ribbon. I set the topper in place then wrapped the ribbon around the topper. A heart shaped brad holds the ribbon closed and attaches a simple tag, made with a sentiment from Thankful Accents.

Materials Used:
Thankful Hearts and Thankful Accents stamp sets (Verve Stamps); Melon Mambo and Real Red Classic inks, Melon Mambo, Real Red, and Whisper White cardstock, Whisper White grosgrain ribbon, slot punch (Stampin' Up!); designer paper (Papertrey Ink); 1 3/8" and 1 1/2" circle punches (EK Success); heart brad (Making Memories)

The final challenge I've finished so far is a color challenge using turquoise, gray, and black. I added a bit of white into the mix--hope that's okay! My focal image is from the Thankful Accents set. I stamped the large doodle frame image in black, then sponged turquoise ink around the edges, trying to apply it with a heavier hand along the edges. I stamped the set's "thanks so much" sentiment in black ink on a turquoise panel and layered it on a black mat before attaching it to the center of the frame with foam tape. The frame is layered on a black scalloped circle, dotted with some Silver Pearl Liquid Pearls a la Verve Diva (and my Paper Craft Planet DT pal) Sankari.

I used a piece of gray and white striped designer paper for the panel along the bottom of the cardfront. I made my own patterned paper using one of the little accent images in the stamp set, stamping the image repeatedly tone on tone on a turquoise panel. Like I did with the heart border, I rotated the image to create the pattern--love how these images fit together so nicely! A piece of black satin ribbon (from my scrap pile again--yay!) is wrapped around the panel for an elegant accent.

Materials Used:
Thankful Accents stamp set (Verve Stamps); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); Tempting Turquoise Classic ink, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Gray, Basic Black, and Whisper White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); designer paper (SEI-Bridgeport line); circle and scalloped circle dies (Nestabilities); 1 1/2" and 1 3/8" circle punches (EK Success); black satin ribbon (Target); Silver Pearl Liquid Pearls (Ranger); foam tape