Rock 'N Roll Inspired

This week's SCS clean and simple challenge was to be inspired by the phrase "rock 'n roll." I originally was going to do a one layer card along the lines of the latest One Layer Wednesday challenge using a layout with a simple visual triangle, but somewhere along the way, one layer turned into three. At least the visual triangle element stayed the same!

Here's what I came up with in the end. I used images from the You're My Hero set from Taylored Expressions. To get a masculine look, I started with a gray base. The rock star is stamped first in gray ink, then again in silver ink, just slightly offset for a shadowy look. Very cool IRL! I stamped the set's "you rock" sentiment next to the image, then added the big splotchy image above them using silver ink. I accented a few of the parts of the image with metal star brads (another visual triangle!).

It just wasn't working for me with only the one gray layer, so I trimmed down the panel and layered it on a silver panel, then on a black card base. Much better--and still clean and simple!

Materials Used:

You're My Hero stamp set (Taylored Expressions); silver ink (Encore); Basic Gray ink, Basic Gray and Basic Black cardstock (Stampin' Up!); silver cardstock (Recollections); star brads (Making Memories)

Celebrate

Here's my bright and cheery card for this week's Hip Hop sketch challenge. I used two different Unity kits for this fun card.

I stamped the rainbow image from the Sunny Happy Skies kit on white cardstock and colored it with Copic markers. I carefully cut out the colored image, then outlined the cloud at the rainbow's end with some Crystal Stickles. I set the image aside to dry while I assembled the rest of the card.

I used two different patterns from Echo Park's Walk in the Park Collection Kit on the cardfront--a pale blue checked pattern covering most of the cardfront and a sunny yellow one with a decorative edge for the triangle-shaped piece. It's hard to see in the photo, but I machine-stitched around the edges of the yellow paper to anchor it. Once the patterned papers were in place, I added the pair of offset squares to the cardfront. The rainbow is layered on a pale blue circle using dimensional dots. Since the Sunny Happy Skies kit doesn't have any sentiments, I looked through my collection for a good match for the image and finally settled on the "celebrate" sentiment from the It's Your Day kit. It's stamped on a red panel and accented with some red baker's twine wrapped around the panel's edge and tied off in a bow.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. Sunny Happy Skies and It's Your Day kits, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, X-Press Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (B000, B0000, B00, B02, B04, Y02, Y04, Y08, R12, R22, R24), Echo Park Walk in the Park Collection Kit, Spellbinders circle die, Ranger Crystal Stickles, Divine Twine Cherry Red baker's twine, Zva Creative dimensional dots

other: Soft Sky, Daffodil Delight, and Tempting Turquoise cardstock (Stampin' Up!)

Leafy Thanks

Here's my card for today's SCS featured stamper challenge. It's based on this simple one layer card. I tried to keep my design to a single layer, but in the end I couldn't resist adding some texture with a twill strip. Otherwise, my design is pretty similar to the inspiration card.

I used two different stamp sets from Practicing Creativity for my card. The leafy branch image from Fall Fest is stamped three times in green ink on the Sahara Sand card base. I changed up the image just a bit each time I stamped it to add interest, just like on the original card. I grounded the branches with a strip of dark brown twill placed just under the branches and extending a little bit beyond the card's edge.

The thank you sentiment from You're Dandy is stamped next to the branches in brown ink. Because the image I used was taller than the one in the original card, I shifted the placement of the sentiment a little lower than on the original card. I thought about adding a button or some brads, but in the end, decided to keep the card as is.

Materials Used:

Fall Fest and You're Dandy stamp sets (Practicing Creativity Designs); Dark Chocolate and Ripe Avocado inks (Papertrey Ink); Sahara Sand cardstock (Stampin' Up!); coffee bean twill (Martha Stewart); corner rounder

Lots of Love

I have two love-themed stamps using images from My Favorite Things to share this morning. One's definitely girly, while the other has a more masculine look and feel.

Here's card #1, for this month's MFT guest designer recipe challenge to use 1 patterned paper, 2 colors of cardstock, and 3 different kinds of embellishments. I used the sweet Heartfelt set for my card. I colored the girl with Copic markers, using shades of pinks and reds for her outfit and accessories.

My original plan was to add some texture to the image by using felt for the heart she's holding in her hands. I tried it and wasn't happy with it--the felt looked too thick when put in place on the image. So, I went for plan B, paper piecing with solid cardstock. To add some interest, I used faux stitching around the heart's edges.

The rest of the card is simple since I was somewhat limited by the challenge ingredients. I covered most of the pink card base with a heart patterned piece of paper. It's hard to see in the photo, but I machine-stitched around the paper's edges to break up some of the pink. I layered the image panel on to a red mat, then attached it to the card. A strip of red grosgrain ribbon (embellishment #1)runs underneath the image panel. It's notched on one end and dressed up with a pair of layered buttons (embellishment #2) tied together with some pink baker's twine (embellishment #3). I finished the card by stamping the set's friendship sentiment alongside the image panel.

Materials Used:

Claire Keay-Heartfelt stamp set (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Real Red and Pink Pirouette cardstock (Stampin' Up!); designer paper (K & Company); red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); buttons (Papertrey Ink); pink baker's twine (Divine Twine); white pen (Ranger); sewing machine)

Card #2 is for this week's Wednesday Stamp Club sketch challenge. I used a cute owl from an old MFT set along with the Sheltering Tree die to make a sweet, masculine card.

I die cut the tree from brown cardstock and added some green die cut leaves on its branches. The owl was stamped on mustard cardstock and paper pieced with kraft scraps to add interest to the image. I used foam tape to attach it to one of the tree's branches. I fit the set's "love owl-ways" sentiment on the cream panel next to the tree trunk, underneath one of the lower branches. The panel is layered on MFT's doily die--so pretty!

I used a piece of Basic Grey's Pyrus paper to cover most of the green cardfront. The panel is machine stitched in place. A piece of thick, dark brown twill runs down the length of the cardfront. Instead of a bow, I added a knotted piece of twill at the top of the card, just over the image panel, to finish the card.

Materials Used:

An Owl for All Seasons stamp set, Dainty Lace Doily and Sheltering Tree and Leaf Trio Die-namics dies (My Favorite Things); Rich Cocoa ink (Memento); More Mustard, Close to Cocoa, and Very Vanilla cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Ripe Avocado cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Pyrus designer paper (Basic Grey); circle die (Spellbinders); dark brown twill (Charles Clay & Sons); sewing machine; foam tape

Balloon Birthday Wishes

Here's my card for this week's One Layer Wednesday challenge. While my true stamping "style" is clean and simple, one layer cards are hard for me to create, so these challenges have been great for stretching my design skills.

This week's challenge was a sketch with the three elements forming a clear visual triangle. I used images from Papertrey Ink's Up, Up & Away set for my very quick card. I started with a light blue base and stamped the set's large solid cloud in white pigment ink in the upper left of the cardfront. I really wanted to use a die cut piece of felt for the cloud, but I resisted--and I'm proud of myself for that! Next, I stamped the balloon, using red ink for a nice pop of color against the blue. The balloon's basket is stamped in brown ink.

I stamped the "birthday wishes" sentiment in blue ink close to the bottom of the card. The final element was some paper piercing just underneath the sentiment. The pierced holes mimic the balloon's pattern and help to ground the sentiment.

I'm off now so that Chloe the cutie puppy and I can get ready for a visit from my parents. They haven't seen their "grand-dog-ter" in a while and I know she'll be super-excited to see them and to show off how much fun she's having playing in the snow.

Materials Used:

Up, Up, & Away stamp set, Pure Poppy, Enchanted Evening, and Fresh Snow inks, Spring Rain cardstock (Papertrey Ink)

Love You To the Moon and Back

I'm so glad it's finally the weekend! Even with a snow day mixed in, it was a long week. I'm looking forward to relaxing with Chloe the cutie puppy for a couple of days.

To start the weekend off, I made this simple, sweet card for this week's Our Craft Lounge challenge. I used the sketch to make a square card with a sentiment as the focus.

I used one of the images from the new Notes of Love set for my focal image. I colored the moon with Copic markers and added some clear crystals as accents around it. The moon is coated with Glossy Accents for a shiny look and some dimension. It looks great IRL!

The rest of the card is very simple. I attached a panel of patterned paper from Echo Park's Sweet Summertime Collection Kit to the right side of a solid red panel. The image is layered on a big scalloped circle cut from kraft cardstock, then attached to the cardfront overlapping the patterned paper. I knotted a red checked ribbon around the cardfront. It's cream and red shades works nicely with the card's kraft and red color scheme. I layered the panel on a kraft card base and added a trio of crystals to the patterned paper panel for more sparkle and to balance out the design.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Our Craft Lounge Notes of Love stamp set, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, X-Press Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (Y00, Y21, Y23, YR31), Zva Creative clear crystals, Ranger Glossy Accents, Spellbinders circle and big scalloped circle dies, Echo Park Sweet Summertime Collection Kit, May Arts ivory/red checked ribbon

other: Riding Hood Red and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!)

Friends with Flair: Be Mine

It's finally Friday--and time for Friends with Flair! I made this Valentine's Day easel card using Unity's City of Love kit for the latest All Things Unity challenge. It's been a while since I've done one of these--I'd forgotten how fun they are to make!

I made a little scene by combining the kit's images. The buildings are set at the bottom, popped up with dimensional dots. I shaded them with a pale blue Copic marker to make the white a little less bright. The clouds are paper pieced with white cardstock and covered with Crystal Stickles for some sparkle. The blimp is stamped on a scrap of patterned paper from My Mind's Eye State of the Heart Collection Kit and popped up with thicker dimensional dots. Love having these in two different depths to add interest to a design! The panel is zig zag stitched to the red mat underneath for a fun detail. I used redline tape to attach the completed panel to the card base.

The card's base is dressed up with a dotted pattern from the same MME collection kit as I used for the blimp. So that the card would stand upright, I ran a strip of red faux suede ribbon across the base. I slipped a piece of a Labels 4 panel, stamped with the kit's "be mine" sentiment, underneath the ribbon's edge. A red button, tied with red baker's twine, is attached to the ribbon as a decorative element and helps to keep the card upright at the same time.

Be sure to stop by the Unity blog for the complete list of Friends with Flair players. You don't want to miss out on a chance to win some free stamps!

Materials Used:

from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. City of Love Kit, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (R24, BG000, BG0000), Ranger Crystal Stickles, Zva Creative 1mm and 2mm dimensional dots, i {stick} papers redline tape, My Mind's Eye State of the Heart Collection Kit, May Arts red faux suede ribbon, Spellbinders Labels 4 die, Divine Twine Cherry Red baker's twine

other: Soft Sky and Cherry Cobbler cardstock (Stampin' Up!); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Rhubarb marker (Memento); red button (Papertrey Ink)

Blogger Challenge: Week 188

This week's blogger challenge theme is birthdays. I couldn't wait to try the cupcake dies from Papertrey Ink's latest release and this challenge was the perfect opportunity to do that. I don't have the coordinating stamp set, but found that they work great even without the ink.

I cut the cupcake tops (cake and icing, I guess) from felt and set them aside. For the bottom, I wanted the look of a foil cupcake liner, so I made my own by using the die to cut a piece of heavy duty aluminum foil. I ran the cut shape through my crimper, then stretched it out a little. It worked perfectly! The pieces are attached to the round panel using ScorTape. I added a little button "cherry" to the cupcake's top to dress it up a little.

The rest of the card came together quickly using this week's Mojo Monday sketch. I paired the cupcake with PTI's Happy Spots patterned paper. I matted the patterned paper panel on a brown mat, then machine stitched around the edges to add some interest. The "celebrate" sentiment from the Fillable Frames #5 set is stamped in brown ink on a pink double-ended banner die strip. It stretches across the cardfront and the cupcake panel is layered over it. Too sweet--so sweet, in fact, that Chloe the cutie puppy snagged it from the table before I was able to take a picture of the finished card. Fortunately I was able to convince (or bribe her with a treat) to relinquish the card before she did much damage. Once again, I'll say that puppy' s lucky she's so darn cute . . .

Links to the rest of this week's entries can be found below. If you'd like to join us, please leave a direct link to your project, too.



Materials Used:
Fillable Frames #5 stamp set, Dark Chocolate ink, Sweet Blush, Dark Chocolate, and Kraft cardstock, Happy Spots patterned paper, double-ended banner and cupcake dies, Dark Chocolate felt, Pure Poppy button (Papertrey Ink); circle and scalloped circle dies (Spellbinders); pink twine (Divine Twine); crimper (Fiskars); ScorTape; pink felt; sewing machine; heavy duty aluminum foil; ScorTape

You Set My Heart A-Flutter

This week’s TCP Tuesday challenge was to use a sentiment with either the word “love” or “heart” in it. I used my new Tweet Hearts set and one of its fun, coordinating sentiments for this super sweet card.

The little girl image is colored with Copic markers. I added a little sparkle to the heart above the bird to set it off a bit.

Originally, I colored my image to coordinate with KaiserCraft’s Made with Love papers, but I ended up going in a different direction with the papers. I used a heart patterned paper from a K & Company Valentine’s Day collection to cover most of the yellow cardfront instead. I’ve been using this gold-ish yellow color for a bunch of my Valentine’s Day cards lately for a fun change from the usual pinks and reds. I added another paper panel from this collection underneath the image and stamped the “you set my heart a-flutter” sentiment directly on the subtly patterned piece.

I accented the sentiment with a felt heart made with TCP’s new Heart Trio CutUps die—love it! It’s fun to mix and match the different pieces of the heart. I have a feeling you’ll be seeing a lot of it!

Materials Used:
Tweet Hearts stamp set, Heart Trio CutUps die, pink Divine Twine (The Cat’s Pajamas); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers, Lipstick Spica pen (Copic); Harvest Gold cardstock, Harvest Gold felt, Sweet Blush button (Papertrey Ink); Regal Rose cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Kelly Panacci Valentine designer paper (K & Company); pink felt

And They Called it Puppy Love

Since Chloe the cutie puppy arrived at my house, there’s been a lot of puppy love going on around here. She’s such a sweetie, even when she steals my stuff. I can’t help but think of her when I use the Puppy Love set from There She Goes. I used one of its sweet puppy images for this sweet Valentine based on the sketch from this week’s TSG challenge.

The puppy image is colored with Copic markers. I resisted adding some sparkle to the heart with glitter or Stickles, but I may go back and add some . . . I took the colors for my card from the colors in the My Mind’s Eye Love Me Do designer paper I used for the large panel on the cardfront. The paper’s layered on a red panel and I used the same red for the scalloped strip that extends out from under the image. I topped the scalloped strip with some stitched grosgrain ribbon. The sentiment is stamped in red on a yellow strip with a notched end and layered over the ribbon/scallop combo.

Maybe Chloe will send this to her doggy “cousin” Bella for Valentine’s Day. Bella’s not very fond of Chloe, but Chloe keeps trying to win her over with her very best puppy tricks and antics. Maybe a card will help . . .

Edited to add: We had our first big snowfall of the season last night and it was Chloe's first "real" snowfall. She wasn't too sure about it at first, but now she seems to have decided she likes it. Here she is in the backyard after playing for a while.

Materials Used:
Puppy Love stamp set (There She Goes); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Riding Hood Red, Bermuda Bay, and Daffodil Delight cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Love Me Do designer paper (My Mind’s Eye); circle dies (Spellbinders); medium scallop edge die (Papertrey Ink); grosgrain ribbon (Michaels)

You Fill My Life with Love

Here’s my card for today’s SCS sketch challenge. I kept things clean and simple with this one that uses a traditional Valentine's Day color scheme.

I used the bucket from the Buckets of Love set from There She Goes as my focal image. I filled the bucket with the set’s heart stamp and colored the image with Copic markers. The hearts are outlined with a red Spica pen for a little sparkle.

The cardfront is covered with some fun pink and white checked patterned paper. I machine stitched around the edges to break up the color just a bit. I layered the colored image on a solid panel so it wouldn’t have to compete with a pattern behind it. The "you fill my life with love” sentiment is stamped on a pale pink banner strip and set underneath the image using foam tape. I added some paper piercing underneath the banner to fill in the empty space without really adding to the card.

My power is flickering a bit from the heavy snow we're getting (it was a long, long 1 1/2 hour 10 mile drive home from work tonight!), so I'll call it quits here. I should have some Chloe the cutie puppy snow photos to share tomorrow if she cooperates. She wasn't a fan of the white stuff at first, but it seems that she's figured out what's going on and is starting to play in the snow just a little.

Materials Used:
Buckets of Love stamp set (There She Goes); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers, Lipstick Spica pen (Copic); Real Red Classic ink, Real Red, Pink Pirouette, and Regal Rose cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Sweet Nectar designer paper (K & Company); Polka Dots embossing folder (Sizzix); double-ended banner die (Papertrey Ink); foam tape; sewing machine

Color Throwdown #126

I can’t believe this is my last week as a guestie at the Color Throwdown! I want to thank the team for having me join them this month—I’ve had a great time playing along with the challenges. This week’s Color Throwdown colors come to us from Danielle. The colors—Marina Mist, Old Olive, Kiwi Kiss, and Early Espresso—are inspired by the fabulous color combination in Basic Grey’s Marjolaine papers.

I know I used the Fun Fungi set from Clear and Simple Stamps for last week’s CTD card, but I couldn’t resist using it again, this time for a masculine card using this week’s colors. I used one of the set’s single mushroom images, cut with the matching die, for my focal image. The mushroom is colored with Copic markers in shades of warm gray and dotted with a little olive.

I cut a piece of plaid paper from the Marjolaine paper pad and used that to build a simple scene for my ‘shroom. I used a piece of Kiwi Kiss cardstock and a border punch to make a grass strip and set that across the panel. A strip of dark brown twill runs underneath the grass. I added a green button, threaded with a little twine, to dress it up while still staying masculine. The mushroom’s added to the scene with some foam tape. I attached the strip to a Marina Mist card base. The set’s “hey fungi” sentiment stamped was stamped in olive ink on a scrap of Kiwi Kiss cardstock, then slipped under the edge of the image panel.

Be sure to check out what the CTD team has created using these colors. Here’s where to find them:
Barbara
Broni
Cathy
Danielle
Kristin
LeAnne
Laura
Tammy

Materials Used:
Fun Fungi stamp set, Dish All the Dirt Brown and Kraft Like a Rockstar Green inks, On the Catwalk Cream cardstock, Fun Fungi Simple Cuts die, Kraft Like a Rockstar Green button (Clear and Simple Stamps); Kiwi Kiss and Marina Mist cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Marjolaine 6 x 6 paper pad (Basic Grey); Coffee Bean twill, grass border punch (Martha Stewart); twine (Papertrey Ink); corner rounder; foam tape

Oops!

Here’s my card for this week’s Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps fairy tale inspired challenge. My image, Red Riding Hood, is actually from a folk tale and not a fairy tale (if my kindergarten teacher recollection is correct!), but I’ve wanted to use the image for a while now, so I figured I’d go ahead and use it for the challenge. It makes the “oops!” sentiment kind of appropriate then!

I paired the image with this week’s Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, flipped around on its side, and some fun patterned paper. She’s colored with Copic markers, using red—of course—for her cape and some blues and pinks for her dress to coordinate with the patterned paper. Her hair clips are covered with red Stickles for some sparkle.

I matted the image on a red oval, then set it on a fun patterned paper panel. I thought its quilt-like panel was a good match for Red’s home-spun feel. The pink strip along the left side of the card is faux stitched—I was too lazy to pull out my sewing machine to stitch it. A strip of aqua ribbon, accented with a button-embellished bow, runs down the strip. The pieces are layered on an aqua card base, matching Red’s dress.

Materials Used:
Moonlight Whispers Little Red Riding Hood image (Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Real Red and Pink Pirouette cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Aqua Mist cardstock, Aqua Mist satin ribbon, Pure Poppy button, twine (Papertrey Ink); Sweet Nectar designer paper (K & Company); petite oval dies (Spellbinders); Ruby Slippers Glitz Stickles, Inkssentials white pen (Ranger)

Papertrey Ink January Blog Hop

This month’s Papertrey Ink blog hop theme is using those little or never inked sets. I have a nice collection of PTI sets and definitely find myself turning to my favorites again and again. It was fun to pull out a less-used set and play around! I used Chair-ished for my blog hop card. I’ve gotten lots of use from its companion sets, On My Couch and On My Couch Additions, but for some reason, this set just hasn't gotten the same attention.

I made a simple scene using one of the chair images and the tall lamp. I did a few things to add texture and interest to the scene. The chair is stamped on a piece of patterned fabric using PTI’s Dark Chocolate ink. I carefully cut it out and attached it to the scene using ScorTape. The ScorTape kept the fabric smooth and flat. For more texture, I stamped the floorboard image on a piece of cork, trimmed it, and attached it at the bottom of my scene. The lamp’s shade is paper pieced,too. I left it solid to keep the attention on the chair's fun pattern.

The rest of the card is pretty simple. I matted the scene on coordinating cardstock. It’s set on a Spring Moss card base with a strip of kraft running down the length of the cardfront. I edged the kraft panel with a piece of Hawaiian Shores satin ribbon. The sentiment is stamped on a double-ended banner die cut and attached underneath the image panel. A pretty button-embellished bow hides the end of the strip.

Materials Used:
Chair-ished stamp set, Dark Chocolate ink, Spring Moss, Simply Chartreuse, Hawaiian Shores, Aqua Mist, and Kraft cardstock, double-ended banner die, Hawaiian Shores satin ribbon, Simply Chartreuse button, twine (Papertrey Ink); cork (Creative Impressions); fabric; ScorTape

Flourished Baby Bee

I am not a flourish-y stamper—it’s just not my thing. So, today’s SCS clean and simple challenge was really a challenge for me. I don’t have a wide range (or almost any) flourish stamps in my collection, so it took me a while to come up with something to use. In the end, I turned to Papertrey Ink’s Baby Button Bits and its cute little bee image for my design.

I stamped the bee image in black ink, omitting the flourish-shaped trail behind it. The wings are shaded a little with a marker, then covered with some glitter for a soft sparkle. I added a yellow button, tied with baker’s twine, for the bee’s body, then added a sparkly crystal flourish in place of the stamped one. Since this was for the clean and simple challenge, I kept the layout super simple, adding just a strip of dotted patterned paper on the yellow card base and a notch-edged panel for the sentiment.

Materials Used:
Baby Button Bits stamp set, Lemon Tart and Kraft cardstock, Happy Spots patterned paper, Lemon Tart button (Papertrey Ink); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin' Up!); crystal flourish (Colorbok); twine (The Twinery)

Birthday Balloons

Here's my card for this month's final Viva la Verve sketch. I went for a fun and bright birthday card using images from Verve's Birthday Bash set and some new K & Company designer paper.

I picked a bold, bright striped pattern from the paper pad and built my card around that. The balloon image is stamped on a light blue panel. I stamped the balloons again on cardstock scraps and used those images to paper piece the balloons, attaching the cutout pieces with foam tape. The birthday sentiment is stamped next to the balloons in pink ink. I layered the image panel on a pink scallop edged panel and dotted each scallop with Liquid Pearls--had to fit them in since Sankari designed the sketch! I set the image panel on a green panel embossed with dots.

I machine-stitched the patterned paper to the cardfront, then assembled all the pieces. The image panel is matted on a pink panel and attached directly to the patterned paper. I used a solid pink strip across the cardfront, just underneath the image panel. It's edged along the bottom with a light blue scalloped strip. A matching light blue ribbon is tied around the panel. No room for the trio of embellishments under the scallops, so I just left them off. With all that's going on in the design, I don't think they're missed.

Materials Used:

Birthday Bash stamp set (Verve Stamps); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); Melon Mambo Classic ink, Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzazz, and Bashful Blue cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Sweet Nectar designer paper (K & Company); circle and scallop circle dies (Spellbinders); Swiss Dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug); medium scallop edge die (Papertrey Ink); Baby Blue Liquid Pearls (Ranger); sewing machine; foam tape

To the Moon and Back

Here's my card for today's SCS featured stamper challenge. I loved Emily's robot cards, so I remade this one using Dot from the DoodleFactory Final Frontier set from Starving Artistamps.

I went with a red, black and gray color scheme for the card. Dot is colored with cool gray Copic markers with just a little red. I cut her out, then coated her with a little shimmer spray for a metallic sparkle.

I used a heart patterned paper from BoBunny's Crush line for the panel on the cardfront. It's layered on a black mat, then set on a gray panel. I corner rounded the panel's edges, then machine stitched around the edges. I got better at going around the curves by the second curved corner--LOL! The stitched panel is set on a Poppy Parade card base.

Once the gray panel was in place, I attached Dot with foam tape. I debated for a while about adding the moon behind her and (as you can see) in the end I decided to put it in. I used a circle punch to make the crescent shape, then ran it through my Big Shot with a dotted embossing folder for a bumpy look. The matching sentiment is set at the bottom edge of the patterned paper panel. I accented it with a button tied with some black baker's twine.

Materials Used:

DoodleFactory Final Frontier and Urban Sentiments #2 sets (Starving Artistamps); Tuxedo Black ink, Frost Shimmer Spritz (Tsukineko); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); markers (Copic); Poppy Parade, Basic Black, Basic Gray, and Crushed Curry cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Crush 6 x 6 paper pad (BoBunny); circle punches (EK Success); Polka Dots embossing folder (QuicKutz); button (Papertrey Ink); black baker's twine (Divine Twine); sewing machine; corner rounder; foam tape

I Lava You

Here’s my card for this week’s Our Craft Lounge challenge to make a clean and simple card with a heart theme. I started off with OCL’s Lava You set and a heart patterned piece of paper from the Sassafras Lass Count Me In paper pad and worked from there.

I stamped one of the set’s lava lamp images on white cardstock using black ink and added the floating hearts inside. The image is colored with Copic markers, using colors that coordinate with the ones in the patterned paper. The colored image is covered with Glossy Accents for a shiny, liquid-like look.

The rest of the card is very simple. The lava lamp is set on a long pink panel with a scalloped edge. A strip of the patterned paper runs underneath the lamp, accented by a button tied with purple baker’s twine. The colors are a little non-traditional for a Valentine, but I think they still work!

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Our Craft Lounge Lava You stamp set, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, X-Press Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (RV14, RV21, RV23, RV25, Y00, Y000, Y0000, W00, W-1, W-3, W-5), Ranger Glossy Accents, Spellbinders rectangle die, Sassafras Lass Count Me In Wee Bundle paper pad, Divine Twine Purple Plum baker’s twine

other: Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, and Rich Razzleberry cardstock, scallop edge punch (Stampin’ Up!); button (Papertrey Ink)

You're Growing On Me

It's a super cold Saturday, perfect for staying home and stamping (and I think tomorrow's going to be more of the same!). I turned to this week's Paper Craft Planet sketch challenge and some new goodies for this sweet card. Lynn's our hostess this week and I made a few small changes to her sketch, but I think I'm still close enough to count!

I used the Fun Fungi II set from Clear and Simple Stamps along with CSS's newest product line, Simple Cuts--metal dies that coordinate with CSS stamps . The Fun Fungi set includes seven dies that match images in the Fun Fungi sets. I cut one of the mushroom pair images using cream cardstock then stamped the coordinating image in brown ink. The image is colored with Copic markers--I used warm greys with a touch of pink for the 'shrooms. Once they were colored up, I used foam tape to attach them to a pink mat, then set them aside to assemble the rest of the card.

Instead of a half circle for the panel at the left edge of the card, I used a piece of paper doily instead. At the center, I attached an embossed piece of CSS's new Coral Necklace cardstock. Love this vibrant color! The decorated doily is attached to the kraft card base, overlapping the dotted patterned paper that runs across the card. I know the sketch showed the half-circle panel slid underneath, but I didn't want to hide the pretty doily! I attached the image panel over the doily. The "you're growing on me" sentiment from Fun Fungi is stamped in brown ink on a pink strip with a notched edge. I slipped its left edge underneath the image panel and let the end extend just a bit over the card's edge.

Be sure to check out all of the details about this week's sketch challenge here. PCP has a great sponsor this week (with a prize!), so you don't want to miss out!

Materials Used:
Fun Fungi and Fun Fungi II stamp sets, Dish All the Dirt Brown ink, Coral Necklace, I'm a Princess Pink, Brown Leather Satchel, On the Catwalk Cream, and Kraft Like a Rockstar cardstock, Copic markers, Fun Fungi dies (Clear and Simple Stamps); Sweet Nectar designer paper (K & Company); circle die (Spellbinders); embossing folder (Sizzix); scallop edge punch (Stampin' Up!); paper doily (Wilton); Rouge Liquid Pearls (Ranger); foam tape

Lovebug

Here’s my card for this week’s My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club sketch. I used the sweet Pure Innocence Ladybug set for my perfect for Valentine’s Day card.

I colored the little bug with Copic markers and drew in some grass under her feet. Her wings are covered with Dazzling Diamonds for a pretty sparkle.

I used a mix of patterned papers from two different collections for the rest of the card. The hearts and grid patterns are from a K & Company paper pad. The text paper is from a BoBunny pad. It took way longer than it should have to pull them all together . . . Once I’d finalized my paper decisions, I added a little rose ribbon to cover the seams between the papers and assembled the layers. I used a pair of felt hearts at the top left corner of the image panel. Not seeing all of the red heart bothered me, so I compromised and layered a smaller pink one on top of it—much better! To fit my design, I modified one of the set’s sentiments. I omitted some words and letters to get the “lovebug” sentiment that's stamped on a notch-edged panel. A cute little red button tied with some pink baker's twine finishes things off.

Materials Used:
Pure Innocence Ladybug stamp set, Die-Namics heart die (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expression); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Riding Hood Red Classic ink, Riding Hood Red and Pink Pirouette cardstock, Regal Rose grosgrain ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin’ Up!); A to KaZoo designer papers (K & Company); Crush paper pad (BoBunny); Pure Poppy button (Papertrey Ink); pink baker’s twine (Divine Twine); felt

Blogger Challenge: Week 187/Friends with Flair

This week’s blogger challenge is a focus on patterned paper. I created this card for a recent publication call and it didn’t make the cut, so I figured I’d share it for the challenge. I combined three papers from Echo Park’s Be Mine Collection Kit with Unity’s Undeniably You kit for this girly card.

I stamped the dress form image in black ink on a piece of subtly patterned paper and cut it out. I added some teeny, tiny pink crystals to the neckline for a little sparkle. I added a circle of dotted patterned paper to the center of a paper doily, then set the dress form on the doily using dimensional dots to attach it.

Another piece of patterned paper is attached to the gray card base. I’m not a big fan of this style of patterns in my own card making, but it looked right here with the dress form. I attached the doily to the card, overlapping the patterned paper and extending off the edge of the card. I trimmed off the excess for a clean look. Once that was in place, I added the sentiment on a solid pink strip. It’s accented by a piece of knotted pink faux suede ribbon. I love the combination of fun, girly elements and textures I put together here!

For more ideas featuring patterned paper, you can check out what the rest of the challenge players have created. Links to their blogs are in the sidebar on the right. And, for more Unity inspiration (and a chance to win some stamps, too!), check out the full list of Friends with Flair players on the Unity blog.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. Undeniably You kit, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Echo Park Be Mine Collection Kit, Spellbinders circle die, Zva Creative dimensional dots and self-adhesive pink crystals, May Arts fuchsia faux suede ribbon

other: Melon Mambo and Basic Gray cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); doily

Red Hot and Blue

Here are my cards for the last two weeks of Viva la Verve sketch challenges. For the first card, I went for a fun Valentine’s Day card.

I used some argyle patterned paper from a DCWV stack for the card’s large panel. A piece of red grosgrain ribbon is knotted around it, then the other pieces are layered on top.

A red strip runs across the card, breaking up the busy pattern a bit. The strip has a row of paper piercing along the bottom to tie it in with the dot-like stitches on the argyle pattern. I matted it on a black panel with a fun pinking edge that works great with the argyle pattern. Instead of using an oval for the sentiment panel, I used one of Verve’s new dies and matching stamps. I stamped the frame in red, then added the sentiment from the Sweet on You set inside—a perfect fit! I accented it with a red felt heart and a black button.

Materials Used:
Vintage Oval Frame and Sweet on You stamp sets, Vintage Oval Frame die (Verve Stamps); Riding Hood Red Classic ink, Riding Hood Red, Basic Gray, Whisper White, and Basic Black cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Madly in Love designer paper (DCWV); heart die (My Favorite Things); pinking edge die, red Divine Twine (The Cat’s Pajamas); red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); button (Papertrey Ink)

Here’s the card for last week’s sketch. I went for a more spring-like theme, pairing the pretty butterfly image from the Blue Skies set with some soft patterned papers.

I stamped the butterfly in brown ink on a cream panel, then colored it with Copic markers. I stamped the image a second time on a scrap of white vellum and set it aside to dry while I assembled the rest of the card.

I used two coordinating papers from the Sweet Pea paper pad I picked up at Hobby Lobby for the cardfront. The image is matted on a pair of panels, then set on the cardfront. I ran two strips of aqua twill across the cardfront, overlapping the bottom of the image panel. An aqua button, tied with some baker’s twine, accents one of the twill strips.

Once I had the twill strips in place, I stamped the “you make me smile” sentiment from the new Love Notes set in light blue ink just underneath the butterfly. The ink’s very pale, but it’s a nice match for the butterfly. I cut out the vellum butterfly and attached that over the stamped image, folding the wings back for a 3-d effect. Looks like it's fluttering right off the panel!

Materials Used:
Blue Skies and Love Notes stamp sets (Verve Stamps); Rich Cocoa ink (Memento); markers (Copic); So Saffron, Groovy Guava, and Very Vanilla cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Aqua Mist cardstock, Aqua Mist twill, Aqua Mist button (Papertrey Ink); Trendsetter Blue ink (Clear and Simple Stamps); white vellum (The Paper Company); Sweet Pea paper (The Paper Studio); baker’s twine (The Twinery)

Simply Celebrate

This week’s One Layer Wednesday challenge is to use two or more sentiments on your card. I used two sentiments from the Celebrate set from Clear and Simple Stamps for my simple masculine card.

I started with a kraft base. I inked the set’s large “celebrate” sentiment with Dish All the Dirt Brown ink, omitting the smaller scale repeated “celebrate” that appears three times in a row above the word by covering it with a sticky note while I inked the stamp. The image was stamped three times on the kraft card base without reinking between stamping. This created a cool, gradient effect—a great way to add interest to a card, especially a masculine one. I stamped the smaller “your day” sentiment beneath the bottom “celebrate.” Finished!

Clear and Simple Stamps is generously donating a limited edition Thinking of You set to one OLW challenge participant. All you need to do is create your card for the challenge, link it to the OLW post, then post a comment on the CSS Facebook page.

I'm celebrating a happy day here. My car is back from the repair shop. It looks fabulous and is sparkly clean inside and out. I didn't realize how much I liked my car until I didn't have it for a few days--LOL! And, Chloe the cutie puppy made a return to her beloved dog park today. She had a small incident last month that prevented her from being anywhere that she could be cut or scratched. She got the all-clear today and this afternoon, we played at the park with her pal, Bentley. She's a happy girl, even though she needed a bath when we got home. And, tomorrow's Friday--and that's a good thing, too!

Materials Used (all from Clear and Simple Stamps):
Celebrate stamp set, Dish All the Dirt Brown ink, Kraft Like a Rockstar cardstock

A Warm Hello

I'm not a big coffee or tea drinker, but it doesn't stop me from using coffee- or tea-related stamps. I just imagine the mug contains something more to my liking, like hot chocolate! And, for the most part, stamp sets like these have some more general sentiments, so I just stick to those, like I did here on these two cards using images from The Cat's Pajamas.

I don’t shy away from bold colors in my card making, so this week’s TCP Tuesday color challenge to use red, yellow, black and kraft or white was a fun one for me. I used the sweet You Suit Me set along with red and yellow patterned papers from Cosmo Cricket’s Togetherness line for my card.

I colored the little girl image using Copic markers. I love the bold red and yellow combo! The steam coming from her mug is sprinkled with Dazzling Diamonds for a fun touch. I outlined the image in pale yellow for a soft, glowy look.

The rest of the card is pretty simple. I used black mats underneath all of the layers—it really set them off nicely. The set’s “a warm hello” sentiment is stamped on a kraft panel and tucked underneath the image panel. I added a red felt heart, accented with a black button tied up with a little yellow baker’s twine, as an accent. Yes, it's bright, but I'm really happy with this one!

Materials Used:
You Suit Me stamp set (The Cat’s Pajamas); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, and Crumb Cake cardstock, Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin’ Up!); Togetherness designer paper (Cosmo Cricket); Pure Poppy felt (Papertrey Ink); circle dies (Spellbinders); heart die (My Favorite Things); baker’s twine (The Twinery)

And while I had my TCP stamps out, I made another card, this one for this month’s Sketch for You to Try. I used the little boy from Like You a Latte as the focal image along with some leftover Echo Park paper pieces.

The little boy is colored with Copic markers and cut out. I used foam tape to set him on a cream panel, then stamped the “you warm my heart” sentiment alongside him in red ink.

I used both patterns from a piece of patterned paper from Echo Park’s Merry Christmas collection for the panels on the cardfront. Even though it’s designed as a holiday paper, I think it still works for other occasions. I layered the panels on dark brown mats to set them off from the cardfront. The red panel is embossed with a dotted pattern to add some texture. After assembling the pieces, I added a red felt heart, this time with a layered button accent. Love the warm, toasty feel of both of the finished cards!

Materials Used:
Like You a Latte stamp set (The Cat’s Pajamas); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Riding Hood Red Classic ink, Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso,Very Vanilla, and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Merry Christmas designer paper (Echo Park); Pure Poppy felt, heart die, buttons, baker’s twine (Papertrey Ink); Polka Dots embossing folder (Sizzix); foam tape

Friendship Warms the Heart

****Scroll down to the post below to see my card for this week's Color Throwdown.****

Here’s my card for today’s SCS sketch challenge. I combined the sketch with this week’s There She Goes challenge to use wet embossing for this wintery card.

I used an image from the new Wonderful Winter Wishes set for the image panel. I colored the cute kiddies with Copic markers and cut them out. I made a simple scene to set them in, embossing a snowflake image from the Snowy Days set repeatedly with white embossing powder on a blue background and adding some torn shimmery white strips at the bottom of the panel as snow. The torn edges are sprinkled with Dazzling Diamonds for a sparkly look. Once the scene was done, I added the colored image with foam tape.

I used a red patterned paper for the panels underneath the image. To add interest, I machine stitched around the edges of the patterned paper. The sentiment is stamped on a scrap of Baja Breeze cardstock and attached over the “snow.” A snowflake button, tied with some red twine, sits at the edge of the sentiment for a fun embellishment.

Materials Used:
Wonderful Winter Wishes and Snowy Days stamp sets (There She Goes); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Riding Hood Red Classic ink, Whisper White Craft ink, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, and Shimmery White, white embossing powder, Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin’ Up!); Good Cheer designer paper (October Afternoon); snowflake button (Blumenthal Lansing), red baker's twine (Divine Twine); sewing machine; foam tape

Color Throwdown #125

It's time for another Color Throwdown! This week's colors are courtesy of Barbara. She's chosen Pear Pizzazz, Kraft, and Blushing Bride.

I used images from the Fun Fungi II set from Clear and Simple Stamps for my card. I stamped the mushroom duo on cream cardstock and colored it with Copic markers, then carefully cut out the colored image.

I wanted to add a little earthy texture to complement the mushrooms, so I pulled out my cork paper. I cut a circle from the cork sheet and attached the mushrooms to the circle using foam tape. I added a pretty pink scallop edged felt heart to the circle along with a green button tied with a little baker's twine.

I embossed a pink panel with a dotted pattern and set that on the card base. I attached the cork circle at the bottom of the pink panel, then added a little kraft sentiment flag, stamped with the set's "lean on me" sentiment.

Be sure to link up your finished creation using the colors to this week's post on the CTD blog so everyone can check it out. And, don't miss what the talented Color Throwdown team has created using this trio of colors. Here's where to find them:

Barbara
Broni
Cathy
Danielle
Kristin
LeAnne
Laura
Tammy

Materials Used:

Fun Fungi II stamp set, Dish All the Dirt Brown ink, Kraft Like a Rockstar and On the Catwalk Cream cardstock, Kraft Like a Rockstar Green button (Clear and Simple Stamps); Pear Pizzazz and Blushing Bride cardstock (Stampin' Up!); cork sheet (Creative Impressions); circle die (Spellbinders); Polka Dots embossing folder (QuicKutz); heart die (My Favorite Things); baker's twine (Divine Twine); pink felt; foam tape

IHP DT Challenge: Sweet Inspiration

It's time for January's i {heart} papers design team challenge! This month, our challenge leader, Deb, challenged us to create a project inspired by this photo taken in a gorgeous European candy boutique in Ottawa. Look at the fabulous sweet treats on display here--yum!



Here's what I came up with based on the photo. I used one of IHP's clear plastic treat tubes as my starting point. I filled the tube with brightly colored gumballs and created a simple box to hold the tube. The box is made from red cardstock and held together with redline tape. (Edited to add) You can find the template in PDF form here. I covered the panels with pieces of paper from October Afternoon's Modern Homemaker pad--don't those dots look like gumballs??

I made a little tag to attach to the box using the new Mint Motif Sweet Hearts set. The gumball machine image is stamped on a Labels 4 die cut and colored with Copic markers. I used a 1/4" circle punch to make a bunch of brightly colored "gumballs" to put inside the machine, then added an acetate overlay on top of them for a glassy look. I layered the tag on a larger red mat, then used a piece of red baker's twine to thread it through a red faux suede bow tied at the top of the box.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the IHP DT has created based on the inspiration photo. Here's where to find them:

• Carolyn
• Cathleen
• Deb
• Gretchen
• Kendra
• Loretta
• Lori (you're here!)
• Lynn
• Megan
• Tracy
• Kate

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: clear treat tube, October Afternoon Modern Homemaker paper pad, i {stick} papers redline tape, Mint Motif Sweet Hearts stamp set, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, X-Press Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (R12, R22, R24, R27, C-1, C-3, C-5, B000, B0000), Spellbinders Labels 4 and oval dies, Divine Twine Cherry Red baker's twine, May Arts red faux suede ribbon

other: Real Red cardstock, 1/4" circle punch (Stampin' Up!); acetate

Bee My Valentine

Here's my card for today's SCS clean and simple challenge. Based on Cindy's great sketch, this bright Valentine's Day card came together in just about 15 minutes.

I stamped the Beezley the bee image from the DoodleFactory Valentine Remix set from Starving Artistamps on a scrap of white cardstock and colored the image with Copic markers. After I cut out the image, I added some Dazzling Diamonds to the bee's wings for a little sparkle.

I set the image aside while I set up the little scene panel. I stamped the "bee my valentine" sentiment along the bottom of the light blue panel in bold red ink. I added a die cut white felt cloud, extending just a bit off the edge of the panel. The bee is attached to the panel with foam tape. The completed scene is attached to a Daffodil Delight card base--matches the bee's color perfectly! I knotted a red grosgrain ribbon strip around the top of the card and cut notches in the end to complete the card. Too sweet!

Materials Used:

DoodleFactory Valentine Remix and Valentines Sentiments sets (Starving Artistamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Real Red Classic ink, Daffodil Delight and Soft Sky cardstock, Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin' Up!); red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); cloud die (Papertrey Ink); foam tape; white felt

HB2U Fungi

Here’s another project featuring images from the Fun Fungi set from Clear and Simple Stamps. I used the images to make a tag, perfect for attaching to a gift bag.

I die cut a tag shape from CSS’s Kraft Like a Rockstar cream cardstock. By the way, all of CSS's popular kraft cardstocks are now available in 10 sheet packs by individual colors, so be sure to check it out in the store if you're like me and can't get enough kraft. The mushroom image is stamped directly on the tag in brown ink. I colored it with Copic markers in shades of warm gray then filled in the grass with some yellow greens.

I stamped the "HB2U" and "FUNGI" sentiment pieces on Kraft Like a Rockstar scraps with brown ink, then cut them out. This created a fun, two-toned brown look. The pieces are attached directly to the tag, right next to the colored image

A strip of fabric tape runs underneath the mushroom image. This stuff is great for adding interest and texture to masculine projects without using ribbon. I machine stitched along the bottom of the tape, the added a brown button tied with some twine.

I threaded some twill through the hole at the top of the tag. It's secured it with some twine and another brown button.

For more Clear and Simple Stamps inspiration, you can stop by the CSS iPhone/iTouch app. A new, exclusive to the app project is featured there daily. One of my projects is on the app today. Check out the sneak peek here, then visit the app to see it in full. You can get all the info on downloading the app here.

Materials Used:
Fun Fungi stamp set, Kraft Like a Rockstar and Kraft Like a Rockstar Cream cardstock, Dish all the Dirt Brown buttons, Copic markers (Clear and Simple Stamps); Rich Cocoa ink (Memento); fabric tape (e2Craft); twill (Wrights); tag die (Sizzix); sewing machine

Be Mine

I was so excited to see that my fellow i {heart} papers DT member Tracy was picked to be today's SCS featured stamper. After strolling through her gallery for a while, I picked this card to work with.

I made a Valentine's Day themed card based on Tracy's design. I used images from Unity's City of Love for my card, replacing the hot air balloon in the original card with the set's blimp image. I paper pieced the image on a scrap of Basic Grey's Basics Manila paper for a subtle pattern. The heart on the blimp is shaded with a red Spica pen for a little sparkle.

I used a dotted pattern from My Mind's Eye's Alphabet Soup Collection kit for the background. A red scallop edged strip runs down the cardfront, just a little off-center. I stretched a strip of red striped fabric tape along the straight edge of the strip--love the texture this adds! The "be mine" sentiment is stamped in red on a kraft scrap. Its edge is slipped underneath the fabric tape strip. A red button, tied with red baker's twine, accents the panel.

The blimp looked a little lonely floating in the dotted blue sky, so I added a pair of felt clouds. It took a while to settle on the placement and I'm still not so sure about it, but I went ahead and added the blimp with some dimensional dots and called it finished.

Materials Used:

from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. City of Love kit, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic Lipstick Spica glitter pen, Basic Grey Basics Manila paper pad, My Mind's Eye Alphabet Soup Girl Collection Kit, e2Daily red striped fabric tape, Divine Twine Cherry Red baker's twine, Zva Creative dimensional dots

other: Riding Hood Red and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!); scallop edge and cloud dies, Pure Poppy button (Papertrey Ink); white felt

Sending You My Love

Here's my card for this week's Our Craft Lounge challenge. This week's challenge is a supply challenge to use two or more ribbons or trims on your card. I tried for three, but in the end, I used two different kinds of trims on this simple card.

I created a perfect for Valentine's Day card in not so traditional Valentine's Day colors using the mailbox image from OCL's new Sending Love set as the focal image. The image is colored with Copic markers and I drew in a little grass at the base of the mailbox.

The mailbox is set on a green gingham panel from Cosmo Cricket's Material Girl mini deck. The panel is machine stitched around the edge to add a little interest. I ran a strip of green corduroy ribbon across the panel to add some texture. Since the ribbon's kind of thick, I used thick dimensional dots to secure the image to the patterned paper panel. Once the image was in place, I added a green button, tied with some red baker's twine, at the bottom left corner of the image panel. The coordinating "sending you my love" sentiment is stamped in black ink just below the patterned paper panel.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Our Craft Lounge Sending Love stamp set, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, X-Press Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (C00, C-1, C-3, C-5, E25, E31, E34, YG09, YG17, YG23, YG25, R22, R24), Cosmo Cricket Material Girl Mini Deck, May Arts green corduroy ribbon, Zva Creative dimensional dots, Divine Twine Cherry Red baker's twine

other: Harvest Gold cardstock, Simply Chartreuse button (Papertrey Ink); Pear Pizzazz cardstock (Stampin' Up!); sewing machine

Ruff U, Chloe

Today's a special day in our house. Chloe the cutie puppy is celebrating her first birthday! It's hard to believe she's already one year old. She's grown and changed so much since I first saw her in March and introduced her in this post. I took her to the vet yesterday and she's up to 55 pounds, so I'm hoping she's fully grown. The photo below was taken this evening--she's looking a little shaggy right now, but I hope to have that taken care of next week.

This special occasion called for a special card, so I pulled one together using this week's Paper Craft Planet sketch challenge, provided by Loretta. I made a sweet, girlie card--even though Chloe's not a particularly girlie dog. She can tumble with the best of them at the local dog park! I'm proud to say that she even knows how to deliver a great shoulder check (maybe I should hook her up with the Washington Capitals??).

Anyway, I used the little dog image from Unity's I Ruff You kit as my focal image. I colored the image with Copic markers in shades similar to Chloe's fluffy and way overgrown and out of control fur. For the sentiment, I inked up and stamped just the word "ruff" from the kit's "ruff day" sentiment, then inked up just the "u" and stamped it.

I used two different papers from the My Mind's Eye Fine and Dandy Tickled Pink paper pad on the cardfront. A dotted pattern is underneath the image panel and a heart patterned one is arranged in strips on the cardfront. I attached a piece of pale pink faux suede ribbon down the length of the card and used my Bow Easy to make a matching bow for the top of the card. I added a trio of pink buttons to the edge of the image panel and drew on some faux thread with a white pen for a finished look. I hope Chloe won't mind that I'm keeping this card for myself. I've seen her rip enough papers to confetti to know exactly what would happen if I gave it to her . . .

Materials Used:

from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. I Ruff You kit, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (YR0000, YR20, E31, E34, R21, B0000), X-Press Copic blending cardstock, Spellbinders circle die, My Mind's Eye Fine and Dandy Tickled Pink 6 x 6 paper pad, May Arts light pink faux suede ribbon, Bow Easy, Basic Grey Curio buttons, Ranger Inkssentials white pen

other: Blushing Bride cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Berry Sorbet cardstock (Papertrey Ink)

And, while I had my Unity stuff out and ready, I made a quick mini card for the latest All Things Unity challenge to make a mini card. Mine's a 3 x3 Valentine using the Wishes and Kisses November 2010 Stampin' Store kit.

I used the kit's scalloped heart as my focal image. It's heat embossed in black on a pink panel then cut out (that was a pain!). I added it to a black panel with a strip of dotted paper from Echo Park's Be Mine Collection Kit along the bottom. A pale gray strip has the kit's "be my Valentine" sentiment stamped on it. I slipped the strip underneath the heart and cut a notch in the end, letting it extend just a little beyond the card's edge. A black button, threaded with some black and white baker's twine, finishes the little card.

Materials Used:

from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. November 2010 Stampin' Store Kit-Wishes & Kisses, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Echo Park Be Mine Collection Kit, Divine Twine Licorice Black baker's twine

other: Basic Black Craft ink, Basic Gray, Going Gray, Melon Mambo, and Basic Black cardstock, black embossing powder (Stampin' Up!); button (Papertrey Ink)