Sewn with Love

Here's my card for today's SCS featured stamper challenge--plus a few of the SCS Dare to Get Dirty challenges (if you're an SCS fan club member, you might be able to guess which ones . . .). I used images from the On the Mend and On the Mend II sets from Clear and Simple Stamps for a sweet vintage-ish--or at least as vintage as I get--friendship card based on this one.

I used two papers from an older Making Memories collection as my color inspiration for the card. After making a large panel for the card base from the plaid paper, I started on the image panel. I cut a piece of cream cardstock and set a small piece of striped paper at the bottom. After inking the edges with distress ink, I stamped the sentiment over the striped in brown ink, then stretched a piece of coral ribbon across the top of the patterned paper, adding a matching bow at the right side. Using the coordinating On the Mend Simple Cuts dies, I die cut three spools from kraft cardstock scraps, then stamped the matching image on them and wrapped them with embroidery floss. They're set on the left side of the panel and accented with a heart-topped stick pin.

A trio of pink buttons are hand-stitched to the right side of the panel. I stuck them on with glue dots, then used my paper piercer to make holes to stitch through. After that, my needle was a sticky mess, but a small rubbing alcohol pad cleaned it off in no time at all--just a little tip for you in case you try this . . . The panel's layered on a kraft mat, then onto the cardfront.

I'm off to the dog park with Chloe the cutie puppy so she can burn off some energy with her doggy friends, then meeting up with my dad later on for dinner. My shoulder's getting better and I can move my arm more and more with less pain each day. Unfortunately, I still can't manage to lift the water-filled bucket from my dehumidifier to empty it in the sink, so my dad's agreed to help me out with that . . . I'll be back in the morning to show off August's Stamp of the Month from Clear and Simple Stamps.

Materials Used:
On the Mend and On the Mend II stamp sets, Dish All the Dirt Brown ink, Kraft Like a Rockstar, Coral Necklace, and On the Catwalk Cream cardstock, On the Mend Simple Cuts dies, Coral Necklace satin ribbon, Coral Necklace buttons (Clear and Simple Stamps); Tea Dye distress ink (Ranger); Whimsy designer papers (Making Memories); heart stick pin (Joann); Bow Easy; embroidery floss; foam tape

Just Roll with It

It's been a while since I inked up one of my Kraftin' Kimmie stamps, so I thought I'd give this week's challenge a try. It was a tough one--no embellishments (other than sewing)! I combined the challenge with this week's Cute Card Thursday sketch to come up with this one.

Without any embellishments, there's not much to say--LOL! I colored the roller skating Rhonda image with Copic markers and cut her out. She's set on an two-toned sky/ground oval panel. The image is layered on a piece of patterned paper with a kind of random circle pattern. I continued the circle element on the red strip that runs down the length of the card, stitching a punched yellow open circle strip along it for contrast. The coordinating "just roll with it" sentiment is stamped on a red panel, layered on a yellow mat, and set on the card with foam tape. Embellishment-free mission accomplished!

Materials Used:
Moonlight Whispers Rhonda image (Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, and Basic Gray cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Soft Stone and Hawaiian Shores cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Adlib 6x6 paper pad (BoBunny); petite oval dies (Spellbinders); circle punches (EK Success); foam tape; sewing machine

Two Teachers

Here’s my card for this week’s My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club sketch challenge. I went for a school theme here, using the a la mode You Rule set for my card.

The a la mode girl is colored with Copic markers and cut out. She’s set on a dot embossed circle using foam tape. To keep with the teacher/school theme, I used a grid patterned paper for the tilted panel underneath the circle and an abc patterned one for the large panel layered on the aqua card base. I cut three scalloped strips to set across the cardfront and ran a strip of aqua grosgrain ribbon along the top edge of the top strip for a finished look. The “you rule” sentiment is stamped on the grid paper and a sparkly chipboard star is the finishing accent.

Materials Used:
a la modes You Rule stamp set (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Aqua Mist, Simply Chartreuse, and Ocean Tides cardstock, Aqua Mist grosgrain ribbon, medium scallop edge die (Papertrey Ink); Hometown Summer designer paper (Pink Paislee); circle die (Spellbinders); Polka Dot embossing folder (Cuttlebug); chipboard star (Recollections); foam tape

And, while I had this set out, I figured I’d give this month’s MFT guest designer challenge a shot. This month’s challenge is to create a personalized item that you can wear. I made a fun nametag pin that would be great for a teacher to wear at the start of the school year. Of course, we have official id badges (and now I have a super-blingy badge lanyard that I got at CHA that will make my badge stand out in a crowd!), but a personalized one is nice to have.

I used the same image, once again colored and cut out. She’s cut out and set against a black panel made from chalkstock. The panel is framed with a die cut wood rectangle, open in the center so the chalkstock shows through.

I stamped my name on the panel using white pigment ink and the Banner Day Alphabet. To keep with the teacher theme, I added a sparkly gold chipboard star to the paper in the teacher's hands. A red button, tied with baker's twine, and a sparkly crayon embellishment are attached at the sides of the chalkboard as accents. All that's left is to get a pin backing to place on the back of the piece. I know I have some around here somewhere . . .

Materials Used:
a la modes You Rule and Banner Day Alphabet stamp set (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Fresh Snow ink (Papertrey Ink); black chalkstock (Canvas Corp.); rectangle dies (Spellbinders); red baker's twine (Divine Twine); red button (Michaels); glittered crayon embellishment, glittered chipboard star (Recollections); balsa wood sheet; foam tape

Aloha, Dude

This week’s Our Craft Lounge challenge is a great sketch. I went with the Kona set for this summer themed card.

Kona and his surfboard are colored with Copic markers. I added in a soft blue airbrushed sky behind him before layering the image on an orange scalloped rectangle mat. I used two different patterned papers from Echo Park’s Splash pad for the cardfront—a wavy patterned one for the large panel behind the image and a sunshine-like striped one for the panel that runs across the cardfront. After setting the pieces in place, I stamped the “aloha dude” sentiment in Bahama Blue ink on a white circle, matted it on a coordinating turquoise circle, and attached it to the cardfront with dimensional dots.

You can find all the details about this week’s OCL challenge here. One participant from each month’s entries will win their choice of an OCL set, so you don’t want to miss out. And, we’re also having a guest DT call, so be sure to check out this post for all the info if you’d like to join us.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Our Craft Lounge Kona stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and Bahama Blue inks, Copic markers (YG00, YG01, YG03, YG23, Y21, Y23, Y26, Y35, Y38, YR12, YR15, YR16, BG000, BG01, BG02, BG11, R14), Echo Park Splash 6x6 paper pad, Spellbinders rectangle and scalloped rectangle dies, Zva Creative dimensional dots

other: Tempting Turquoise and Pumpkin Pie cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Ocean Mist cardstock (Gina K Designs); circle punches (EK Success)

Hooray

Here’s my card for this month’s Market Street Stamps sketch challenge. I really wanted to use my Vintage Notepad background stamp, so I changed up the orientation of the card to fit the stamp, but otherwise stuck to the sketch.

I stamped that notepaper stamp in blue chalk ink on a white panel, then layered it on a kraft mat. I stamped the “hooray” sentiment from the Simple Joys set in red at the lower right corner of the panel. A strip of red ribbon runs along the left side of the card. A trio of different size and color star buttons is arranged at the top of the ribbon, making a cheerful accent. I layered the panel on a blue card base to wrap things up—quick, but super bright and celebratory.

Materials Used:
Vintage Notepad and Simple Joys stamp sets (Market Street Stamps); Riding Hood Red Classic ink, Whisper White and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Hawaiian Shores cardstock, twine (Papertrey Ink); red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); star buttons (Blumenthal Lansing)

Blogger Challenge: Week 214

This week’s blogger challenge theme is embossing. Since it’s something I don’t do too often any more, I decided to give heat embossing a go for the challenge.

I used my new Cameo Maker set from Waltzingmouse Stamps for my card. The frame and silhouette image are both embossed in a cream embossing powder. The powder didn’t heat up to a completely solid image, so it gives the image a sort of vintage look that works nicely with the cameo idea. After cutting out the embossed piece with an oval die, I layered it on another pair of oval dies before setting it on the cardfront.

I used a piece of designer paper with an intricate doily pattern for underneath the cameo. A kraft strip extends from underneath the side of the cameo panel with the “you’re so lovely” sentiment from the You’re Lovely set stamped on it in brown ink. I added a cream satin bow above the cameo and a pair of blush colored pearls to the patterned paper panel as embellishments to complete the design.

For more project ideas using embossing, check out the links below. If you join in the challenge, feel free to add your link to the list.


Materials Used:
Cameo Maker and You’re So Lovely stamp sets (Waltzingmouse Stamps); Vintage Cream ink (Papertrey Ink); Rich Cocoa ink (Tsukineko); Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, and Crumb Cake cardstock, Very Vanilla embossing powder (Stampin’ Up!); Stella & Rose-Gertie 6x6 paper pad (My Mind’s Eye); oval and scalloped oval dies (Spellbinders); cream satin ribbon (Target); blush pearls (KaiserCraft); Bow Easy

Summer Bliss with A Slice of Orange

This week's Challenges by AR theme is "Summer Bliss with a Slice of Orange," courtesy of Lyn. Well, nothing says summer to me more than a nice, cool drink, so I created this fun set using Adela's Tray Chic template and a dressed-up plastic margarita glass I picked up on clearance at the end of the season.

The tray's base is cut from a piece of poppy red paper. The inside and sides are covered with a plaid patterned paper with stripes in a coordinating red, orange, and green--super festive! I used green baker's twine to secure the sides of the tray.

The glass is decorated with similar elements. I used the same striped paper on an orange tag base and added the adorable penguin with drink in hand from the Salud set from The Cat's Pajamas. The "margaritas" sentiment is stamped on a green sentiment flag and attached to the tag underneath the penguin and embellished with a button tied with twine. I used the same twine to attach the tag to the glass to tie the pieces of the ensemble together.

For full details on how to play along with the challenge, check out the Challenges by AR blog. And, for ideas and inspiration to get you started, check out the challenge team's creations. Here's where you can find them:
Vicki Garrett
Maria Levine
Magdalena Cortez
Lyn Bernatovich
Lori Tecler (you're here!)
Lisa Somerville
Lisa Eisner

Materials Used:
Tray Chic template (Creations by AR); Salud stamp set, Neenah white cardstock, Versafine Onyx Black ink, CutUps Inside Pinking Border die, Divine Twine green baker's twine (The Cat's Pajamas); markers (Copic); Fresh Mango cardstock (Gina K Designs); Poppy Parade and Pear Parfait cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Bloom and Grow designer paper (My Mind's Eye); tag die (Sizzix); green button (Michaels); foam tape

Flowery Inspiration

This simple, cheery card is for this week's Our Craft Lounge inspiration challenge. I was inspired by the trail of butterflies on one of the pillows in the photo as well as the photo's colors. I used the latest sketch from Clean and Simple Stamping to pull this one together in no time at all.

I stamped several of the solid flower images from the Build-A-Bouquet set in different coordinating inks randomly on the right side of a white panel. Each of the flowers has a small self-adhesive pearl at the center for an elegant touch. The "enjoy your special day" sentiment from the Big Birthday Wishes set sits along the bottom of the left side of the panel, stamped in the boldest of the ink colors to stand out.

The rest of the card was assembled quickly with the help of a scrap of dotted patterned paper and a strip of olive cardstock, embossed with a dot pattern. All of the pieces are set on a light blue card base.

Check out the OCL blog for all the details on the challenge. A new one is posted every Friday and participants have a chance to win an OCL stamp set!

Materials Used:
Build-A-Bouquet and Big Birthday Wishes stamp sets (Our Craft Lounge), Baja Breeze, Daffodil Delight, and Old Olive cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Memento Bahama Blue, Pear Tart, and Dandelion inks (Tsukineko), Stella & Rose-Hazel 6x6 paper pad (My Mind's Eye), self-adhesive pearls (Zva Creative), Polka Dots embossing folder (QuicKutz)

Thanks, Teacher

I injured my shoulder in a fall yesterday morning, but I gave stamping a try tonight. I kept the work to a minimum, choosing a solid image stamp to minimize coloring and a die cut image so I didn't have to cut, but I'm definitely feeling discomfort after just this simple card. It's a good thing I have posts ready for the next two days so I can rest up and recover . . .

Anyway, here's the card I made for today's SCS sketch challenge. It's a teacher thank you-- I can't believe that kids will be heading back to school here in just a month! I used the apple die and matching solid stamp from Papertrey Ink as the focal image. The die cut image is set on a text patterned circle using foam tape.

I used strips of the new Funky Town designer paper for the panels that run down the card. Each strip is matted on Simply Chartreuse cardstock, then set on the kraft card base. I attached a strip of red cardstock across the panels, then added the focal image panel with more foam tape. The "thanks, teacher" sentiment from the School Time set is stamped on a banner-end strip and set to extend out from the image panel.

Materials Used:
Fruit Fusion-Apple, Tag-Its #6, and School Time stamp set, Simply Chartreuse, Kraft, and White cardstock, Funky Town patterned paper, Fruit Fusion-Apple die (Papertrey Ink); Riding Hood Red and Kiwi Kiss Classic ink, Riding Hood Red cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Memento Pear Tart and Rich Cocoa inks (Tsukineko); circle die (Spellbinders); foam tape

TCPTues169-Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

This week's TCP Tuesday challenge comes to us from Susan. With everyone having summer vacations on their minds, the "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" theme is a perfect one (and a great classic movie, too!).

Here's my take on the challenge. I made a fun home decor piece using the airplane-flying bunny from the Take Off set. I colored the bunny with Copic markers, then paper pieced the plane with some red and blue patterned paper. I added a few accents to the plane with silver Smooch paint for a metallic shine, then cut the image out and set it aside while I built the scene inside the frame.

I stretched a piece of light blue fabric across the frame's mat for a sky background. No sky's complete without a sun and some clouds, so I added them using the CutUps Easy Rosette and Cloud Border dies. The clouds are cut from white felt and cut apart so I could scatter them across the sky. The rosette sun has a button at the center, tied with some yellow baker's twine.

After I set the plane in place, I added a name banner stretched out behind it. The banner pieces were cut with the Pennant CutUps die, then stamped with letters from the Coolvetica stamp set. I used some red baker's twine to string the letters together, then attached them to the scene with foam tape.

So pull out your transportation themed stamps--and if you ordered from the latest TCP release, I'm betting you have a few in your collection--and join us. One lucky participant who plays along with the challenge and adds their creation to the guestbook on Alma's blog will win the weekly Cat Cash prize--and have the chance to be honored as the next Swanky Stamper. And, Alma will be sharing links to the Cat Pack's creations on her blog all week, so be sure to check in regularly for some eye candy and inspiration.

Materials Used:
Take Off and Coolvetica stamp sets, CutUps Easy Rosette, Cloud Border, and Pennant dies, Neenah white cardstock, Divine Twine yellow and red baker's twine (The Cat's Pajamas); Memento Ladybug and Tuxedo Black inks (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); designer paper (My Mind's Eye); Riding Hood Red cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Harvest Gold cardstock, yellow button (Papertrey Ink); Silver Fox Smooch (Clearsnap); white felt; foam tape

IHP DT Challenge-Looking at Logos

This month's i {heart} papers design team challenge is to be inspired by the logo of a favorite charity.

I chose the logo from First Book, an organization that supports early literacy by distributing free, new books to children in need. As a kindergarten teacher, this is a cause that is near and dear to my heart. Some of the children and families I work with have received books from this organization and for many, it is one of the only books in their homes and becomes a treasured possession.

Here’s my card inspired by the First Book logo. I took the logo’s book shape and ran with it, cutting a pair of book shapes using the Labels 7 die. The white die cut piece is stamped with the line image from the Mint Motif School Basics stamp set and filled in with the word “teacher” in red ink. I stamped the set’s apple, colored it in with Copic markers, cut it out, and added it to the die cut with a dimensional dot. It’s accented with a button tied with blue baker’s twine.

The assembled book is set on a colorblocked card base. Again, I incorporated elements from the logo, using the blue and reds as my color scheme. The patterned paper panels are from a sheet of paper from the American Made collection. The “thank you” sentiment is stamped on the solid red block in black ink.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the IHP DT has done for the challenge. Here’s where to find them:

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

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif School Basics stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Rhubarb Stalk and Tuxedo Black inks, Copic markers (R12, R22, R24, R27, E34), Spellbinders Labels 7 dies, My Mind’s Eye American Made Collection Kit, May Arts white faux suede ribbon, Divine Twine Blueberry baker’s twine, Zva Creative dimensional dots

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

Get Glammed Up

This week’s CAS-ual Fridays challenge was to use stickers or rub ons on your project. Since I don’t have many of those, this was a real challenge for me! I finally decided to pair the fun hairdryer image from the Beauty Secrets II set from Clear and Simple Stamps with a wavy run on for a fun, girly card.

I used a layout that I’d first tried out a few weeks ago again for my card. The white card base is edged along the right side with a trio of paper strips, mixing patterns and solids as well as widths to add interest. After the papers were in place, I added the colored and cut out hairdryer image using foam tape. The red wavy rub on was placed so it looks like air coming out of the dryer (or at least it does in my mind). I curved the “get glammed up” sentiment on my clear block and stamped it around the back of the hairdryer. The final touch was a strip of clear crystals for a little added sparkle and glamour.

Materials Used:
Beauty Secrets II stamp set, Perfect Little Black Dress ink, Perfect Little Black Dress, You’re Such a Gray-cious Host, and A Blanc Check cardstock, Copic markers-C00, C-1, C-3, C-5, R12, R22, R24, R27 (Clear and Simple Stamps); Stella & Rose-Hazel 6x6 paper pad (My Mind’s Eye); rub on (Creative Imaginations); clear crystals (Recollections); foam tape

Tag It, Baby

Here's my card for this week's SCS clean and simple challenge to use a tag on your card. The little tag die and coordinating stamp elements in the Notched Tag stamp set from My Favorite Things are perfect for clean and simple cards like this one.

I was going for a sort of elegant look on this baby card, choosing a more vibrant teal blue instead of the more traditional pale sky blue. Half of the blue card base is covered with a blue and cream houndstooth pattern. The right edge of the houndstooth piece is wrapped with a piece of coordinating satin ribbon.

The mini tag is attached to the bow, underneath the button at its center. The die cut tag is stamped with the matching dashed outline image. I die cut a felt bird to place on the tag and stamped the "baby boy" sentiment underneath it in gray ink. A tiny rhinestone placed on the bird as an eye adds just a little sparkly finishing touch.

Materials Used:
Notched Tag stamp set and die (My Favorite Things); Memento London Fog ink (Tsukineko); Seafoam chalk ink (Recollections); Hawaiian Shores cardstock, Hawaiian Shores felt, Hawaiian Shores button (Papertrey Ink); Whisper White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Lush 2 Turquoise Houndstooth designer paper (My Mind's Eye); blue satin ribbon (Michaels); aqua baker's twine (The Twinery); clear crystal (Taylored Expressions)

Papertrey Ink July Blog Hop

This month's Papertrey Ink blog hop theme is an inspiration challenge based on this photo seen here. For my card, I drew from the scene in the photo itself, using the On My Couch set to make my own version featuring similar colors and elements.

Instead of making a window seat, I used one of the set's couch images, stamped on a piece of patterned paper, then stamped again a second time so I could cut out the couch cushions and attach them to the image with foam tape mimicking the stack of pillows seen in the inspiration photo. I embossed a kraft panel with the woodgrain impression plate and set that at the bottom of an aqua panel to match the wall in the inspiration photo, then attached the couch with foam tape.

The window and curtains are a big feature in the inspiration photo, so I made sure to include those elements in my card. The window is an open rectangle, backed with an acetate scrap cut from a PTI stamp carrier panel and set on the aqua piece. The curtains are folded strips of orange cardstock with holes punched in the top. I threaded a wooden skewer through the holes to hang the curtains and used some ScorTape to attach them to the card. After setting the aqua panel on a white card base, I stamped the set's "need a couch day?" sentiment underneath it in light green ink.

Materials Used:
On My Couch stamp set, True Black ink, Orange Zest, Aqua Mist, Kraft, and White cardstock, Pretty Pastels patterned paper, Woodgrain impression plate, acetate (Papertrey Ink); Memento Pear Tart ink (Tsukineko); rectangle dies (Spellbinders); ScorBuddy, ScorTape; wooden skewer; foam tape

Some Bunny Loves You

The gallery of today's SCS featured stamper is filled with clean and simple cards--just my style! I picked this simple one with a bunny (no surprise, right?) to use as inspiration for my creation. I kept the layout mostly the same, just adding an additional layer and one embellishment to make it my own.

I used the line art bunny image from the Best Bunnies set from Clear and Simple Stamps as my focal image. The bunny is stamped on white cardstock and colored just a bit with Copic markers. After cutting the image out, I used foam tape to attach it to another white panel stamped with one of the background builder images from the Art Deco set.

I layered the image panel on a light blue mat and wrapped it a few times with some purple baker's twine before setting it on a lavender card base with foam tape. The "some bunny loves you" sentiment is stamped beneath the image in a light purple ink.

Materials Used:
Best Bunnies and Art Deco stamp sets, VIP Purple, Trendsetter Blue, and Perfect Little Black Dress inks, VIP Purple, Trendsetter Blue, and A Blanc Check cardstock, Copic markers-R00, R20, R21, E41, E42 (Clear and Simple Stamps); purple baker's twine (The Twinery); foam tape

Thinkin' About Ya

The idea for this clean and simple card combining this week's Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge and this week's Color Throwdown rainbow challenge came to me as I was falling asleep for a nap yesterday afternoon. Luckily, it stayed in my mind as I slept (longer than I'd intended to . . .) and came together just as I'd imagined once I woke up.

I used Waltzingmouse's Gingham & Co stamp set on a light blue panel to make a fun patterned background for my die cut rainbow focal image. The rainbow bands are cut with a die from Lil' Inker Designs, as is the fluffy white felt cloud at the rainbow's base. I set the blue panel on a white card base, then attached four scraps of cardstock, matching the colors in the rainbow, along the bottom of the panel. The "thinkin' about ya" sentiment from the Frame It set is stamped at the top of the panel in red ink to finish the rainbow-themed scene.

Materials Used:
Gingham & Co. and Frame It stamp sets (Waltzingmouse Stamps); white cardstock (Xerox); Real Red and Bashful Blue Classic inks, Bashful Blue, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, and Tempting Turquoise cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Simply Chartreuse cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Rainbows & Clouds dies (Lil' Inker Designs); foam tape

Thanks Berry Much

Here's my card for this week's My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club sketch challenge. To match the super hot summer weather we're having here, I went with a summery berry themed card using the Who's That Harvesting Girl set.

The image is colored with Copic markers. When I was completely done with the card, I realized I'd forgotten to stamp the berries in the basket, so I managed to go back and stamp the berry image and color it without it looking too awful.

To match the berry basket image, I used a piece of berry patterned paper for the panel on the left side of the card. I kept the rest of the pieces coordinating solids, including a berry-colored piece that runs across the card. The set's "thanks berry much" sentiment is stamped on this piece. I used a die cut and some felt to create the little berry embellishment. The seeds are made with dots of black Enamel Accents. Love how this works on felt!

Materials Used:
Who's That Harvesting Girl stamp set (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Berry Sorbet and Simply Chartreuse cardstock, Fruitti Tutti patterned paper, medium scallop and berry dies, Berry Sorbet ribbon, Pure Poppy and Simply Chartreuse felt (Papertrey Ink); Black Enamel Accents (Ranger)

Chic(a)s and Eggs and More

After a little airport drama at the start of yesterday morning, I can report that I'm now home safe and sound from my trip to Chicago. Chloe the cutie puppy is very happy to have me home--and I was very happy to see her, too. I'm planning on spending most of the weekend hanging out with her, resting and recovering (and doing laundry) so I'll be ready to go back to work on Monday. That should mean plenty of time for stamping. And, on that note, here are all four of my cards for this month's Viva la Verve challenges.

My card for the first sketch uses one of the cute chick images and a coordinating sentiment from Verve's Chicks Rule set. I colored the chick images with Copic markers, adding a tiny pearl to the center of the flower on each chick's head, then set the images inside yellow square frames. I did the same frame treatment for the "hola chick" sentiment.

The framed pieces are layered on a blue circle that's set on a bright pink scalloped circle. After machine stitching around the coordinating patterned paper panel, I layered the circle on top and set the piece on a yellow card base.

Materials Used:
Chicks Rule stamp set (Verve Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Pixie Pink Classic ink, Daffodil Delight, Bashful Blue, and Pixie Pink cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Sweet Nectar designer paper (K & Company); 1 1/4" square punch (EK Success); circle and scallop circle dies (Spellbinders); self-adhesive pearls (Recollections); sewing machine

When I saw week 2's sketch, I thought it would be perfect for a sweet baby card using the fabulous 3d rolled nest die from The Cat's Pajamas along with a Verve sentiment. If you haven't seen the nest before, check out the video showing off how to use it here.

After using the die to cut the nest and some ink to add depth to the cut piece, I rolled it into shape and added a trio of clay eggs at the center. I used three coordinating patterned paper panels for the cardfront, edging the bottom with a kraft scalloped strip and a piece of green cardstock.

The "congrats" sentiment from Practically Perfect is stamped directly on the plaid patterned paper in blue ink. I added the nest above it and added a soft seam binding bow above it.

Materials Used: Practically Perfect stamp set (Verve Stamps); Baja Breeze and Crumb Cake Classic inks, Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz, and Crumb Cake cardstock, scallop edge punch (Stampin' Up!); Nana's Nursery-Baby Boy matstack (DCWV); nest die (The Cat's Pajamas); clay

My card for week 3's sketch is a bright and cheerful birthday card. I'm trying to use up some older supplies to make room for the new goodies previewed at that will soon be available at stores, so I used some older patterned paper here as the starting point for my card. I selected coordinating solids for the panel underneath the dotted panel and for the two strips along the left of the card, machine stitching things in place.

The balloon duo from the Birthday Bash set is stamped at the edge of a rectangle panel. I stamped the balloons a second time on a scrap of white cardstock, colored them, cut them out, and used foam tape to set them on the panel. The "celebrate good times" sentiment is stamped next to the balloons, accented with a trio of brads.

Materials Used:
Birthday Bash stamp set (Verve Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Pumpkin Pie Classic ink, Pumpkin Pie cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Spring Moss, Aqua Mist, and Summer Sunrise cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Bloom & Grow designer paper (My Mind's Eye); circle and big scalloped circle dies (Spellbinders); silver brads (Making Memories); sewing machine; foam tape

And, here's my final card. I went with the same color scheme, but used die cuts to create my focal image instead of stamps.

I used a circle, embossed and layered on a pinking edge circle, to create a sun. The sun is set on an aqua die cut panel that's wrapped with some orange satin ribbon. The "hello sunshine" sentiment" from the Accent Notes set is stamped in orange and hung tag-style from the bow at the front of the die cut sun.

After machine stitching around the edge of a striped paper panel, I attached the aqua panel. The panel is set on a matching aqua card base.

Materials Used:
Accent Notes stamp set (Verve Stamps); Whisper White and Pumpkin Pie cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Aqua Mist and Summer Sunrise cardstock, Orange Zest satin ribbon, Summer Sunrise button (Papertrey Ink); Bloom & Grow designer paper (My Mind's Eye); Labels 1, circle and pinking circle dies (Spellbinders); circle punches (EK Success); orange twine (Divine Twine); sewing machine; foam tape

Blogger Challenge: Week 213

This week’s blogger challenge theme is summertime. I used one of my favorite summertime sets, Chillaxin from Market Street Stamps, for this summery scene.

I used a small dot embossed panel as the backdrop for the scene. I added a piece of torn kraft paper, inked with a little cream pigment ink, as the sand and added the set’s palm tree and flip flop images using foam tape. A button sun completes the scene.

I used warm colors to complete the card. A yellow dotted pattern covers most of the blue card base with a strip of the plaid paper from the backside of the paper running across the card. I layered a piece of orange grosgrain ribbon across the plaid and stamped the “chillaxin” sentiment directly on the ribbon in black ink.

For more summertime themed project ideas, check out the links below. If you join in the challenge, feel free to add your link to the list.

Materials Used:
Chillaxin’ stamp set (Market Street Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Baja Breeze and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Hip Hooray designer paper (My Mind’s Eye); Orange Zest button (Papertrey Ink); Polka Dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug); Mermaid Glitz Stickles (Ranger); orange baker’s twine (Divine Twine); foam tape

You Are My Sunshine

Happy Friday! I'm heading home from Chicago this afternoon after a fun week with my crafting friends at CHA. I'm looking forward to hanging out with Chloe the cutie puppy--I've missed her and I'm sure my parents are happy to be returning her to me!

This super bright and cheerful card uses this month's Kit of the Month sketch--and I made sure to use a KOTM this time instead of a store kit like I did last month--and includes the latest All Things Unity challenge to use twine on your project. I went way back with this one, picking a kit from July 2009 for my card. Love that big sun! It's colored with Copic markers and cut out, then spritzed with a little shimmer spray for a little sparkle and shine.

I used foam tape to set the sun on a oval panel stamped with the coordinating "you are my sunshine" sentiment. The pieces are set on a yellow dotted panel with machine stitched edges. For the two panels running across the card, I used a strip of orange grosgrain ribbon, wrapped with some orange twine, and a coordinating chevron patterned paper. It's brighter than I usually go (and I'm not afraid of bold, bright colors!), but I like it.

Be sure to check out the Unity blog for the full list of this week's Friends with Flair players.

Materials Used:
July 2009 Kit of the Month {pocket full of . . .} (Unity Stamp Co.); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Frost Shimmer Spritz (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Pumpkin Pie and Bashful Blue cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Seafoam chalk ink (Recollections); Party Animals 6x6 paper pad (KaiserCraft); petite oval die (Spellbinders); orange grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); orange baker's twine (Divine Twine); sewing machine; foam tape

Ahoy There

Here’s my card for this month’s Sketch for You to Try challenge. Since this month is being sponsored by My Favorite Things, I figured I’d ink up one of my MFT sets for the challenge. I went with one of my newest sets, Ahoy Matey, for this fun pirate themed card.

I colored the image with Copic markers and cut it out. I used my white gel pen to color the white dots on the bandanna instead of getting frustrated that my red marker was running over onto the dots—saved me a lot of irritation in the end to not worry about avoiding the dots! I set the image on a blue panel embossed with a dotted pattern.

The red card base is mostly covered with a circle patterned paper. After layering on the image panel, I added a red strip across the left edge of the panel and a yellow strip across the cardfront. The set’s “ahoy there” sentiment is stamped on the yellow strip. For the trio of accents at the top of the card, I used a pair of flat-bottomed felt clouds and a button sun, dressed up with a little baker's twine. Just perfect for a pirate-loving little boy!

Materials Used:
Ahoy Matey stamp set, Die-namics flat-bottom cloud dies (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Poppy Parade, So Saffron, and Bashful Blue cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Hip Hooray designer paper (My Mind’s Eye); Lemon Tart button (Papertrey Ink); yellow baker's twine (Divine Twine); white gel pen (Ranger); Polka Dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug); white felt; corner rounder; foam tape

Shouting Hi

Here's my card for this week's Our Craft Lounge challenge to use chipboard on your card. I went with chipboard letters on my creation.

I thought that one of the animals from the Shout It Out set would look great with dimensional letters spelling out a word instead of one of the set's speech bubbles, so that's what I did. I colored the elephant with Copic markers and cut it out, then used dimensional dots to attach it to a light blue panel. I attached small white chipboard letters spelling "hi" next to the image.

I attached a piece of coordinating patterned paper with machine stitched edges to the left side of a blue card base, then attached the image panel over it, matted on a red panel. A piece of red faux suede ribbon stretches across and slightly beyond the image panel. I added a red button, tied with a little red baker's twine, to finish it off.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Our Craft Lounge Shout It Out stamp set, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (W00, w-1, W-3, W-5), My Mind's Eye Alphabet Soup-Boy collection kit, May Arts red faux suede ribbon, Divine Twine Cherry Red baker's twine, Zva Creative dimensional dots

other: Pure Poppy cardstock (Stampin' Up); Aqua Mist and Hawaiian Shores cardstock (Papertrey Ink); self-adhesive chipboard letters (Basic Grey)

Driving By

Here's my card for this week's Waltzingmouse Sketch challenge. The sketch's rectangle panel was a perfect fit for the cute convertible from the Half Pint Heroes set.

I stamped the car on white cardstock and colored it with Copic markers, then cut it out. It's layered on a blue panel with a gray "road" at the bottom. I stamped one of the set's face images on a scrap of white, colored it in and cut it out, then attached it to the blue panel. The car's headlights and windshield are coated with Glossy Accents for a glass-like look and the hubcaps are painted with Smooch paint for a metallic shine. I replaced the trio of round elements above the panel with a white felt cloud.

I used two coordinating patterned papers for the strip along the left side of the card and for the large panel covering most of the cardfront. I edged the dotted panel with a star border strip before layering it on the plaid panel. It's hard to see in the photo, but I machine stitched around the edge of the plaid paper before attaching it to the card base. The set's "driving by saying hi" is stamped just underneath the image panel--it's a close fit, but it works!

Materials Used:
Half Pint Heroes stamp set (Waltzingmouse Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Riding Hood Red, Not Quite Navy, Bashful Blue, and Basic Gray cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Lime Twist-Out of the Blue 6x6 paper pad (My Mind's Eye); star border punch (Martha Stewart); flat-bottom cloud die (My Favorite Things); Glossy Accents (Ranger); Silver Fox Smooch (Clearsnap); sewing machine; white felt; foam tape

Glam Girl

I’ve had fun playing around with the images in the Beauty Secrets II stamp set from Clear and Simple Stamps. For this card, I made my own eye shadow compact to go with one of the set’s makeup brush images.

The compact is a piece of kraft cardstock with a rectangle shaped window cut out of it. I backed the cutout part with a piece of acetate, just like the clear cover you see on cosmetic packaging. For the eyeshadow, I attached strips of shimmery cardstock inside the folded panel.

The card is built around my little compact. I used the set’s text block image to repeatedly stamp over the pink panel in matching pink ink. After edging the panel with a scallop edged strip, I set it on a white card base and added the compact on top. One of the set’s makeup brush images was colored with Copic markers, cut out, and added to the cardfront with foam tape. The “glam girl” sentiment from the Glam Girl set is stamped beneath the compact. A pair of clear crystals completes the super girly design.

Materials Used:
Beauty Secrets II and Glam Girl stamp sets, Perfect Little Black Dress and I’m a Princess Pink inks, I’m a Princess Pink, Kraft Like a Rockstar, and A Blanc Check cardstock, Copic markers-E23, E25, E31, E34, C-1, C-3, C-5 (Clear and Simple Stamps); gold, silver, and blue shimmer paper (Recollections); pink shimmer cardstock (Papertrey Ink); rectangle dies (Spellbinders); Silver Fox Smooch (Clearsnap); clear crystals (Studio 18); scallop edge punch (Stampin’ Up!); acetate; foam tape

You Turn Me On

Here's my go at this month's Paper Smooches Sparks challenge. I used one of this month's sketches along with one of this month's color combinations for this card using the Boob Tubes set.

I thought the sketch's color blocked style would work great for a masculine card, so I picked a color scheme with lots of blues, matched with a complimentary orange and a neutral kraft. One of the set's fabulous retro style TV images is colored along the bottom and paper pieced with a silver shimmery paper at the top. I used silver brads and a little Enamel Accents for the TV's knobs. After stamping the set's heart image on the TV screen, I covered it with a scrap of acetate for a glass-like look.

To add interest to the color blocked panels, I used different textures. The navy panels are embossed with a texture plate with large circles, while the orange panel is embossed with a smaller dot panel. After arranging the panels on a kraft card base, I added the details. The TV is layered on the orange panel over a navy strip that grounds the image. The set's "you turn me on" sentiment is stamped in navy ink on the light blue panel at the top of the card. I added a pair of silver brads to the smallest navy panel as a final accent.

Materials Used:
Boob Tubes stamp set (Paper Smooches); Night of Navy Classic ink, Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); silver paper (Recollections); Sunshine impression plate (Papertrey Ink); Polka Dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug); silver brads (Making Memories); black Enamel Accents (Ranger); foam tape

And Away We Go

This week's TCP Tuesday is a color challenge, brought to us by our hostess, Tori. Her farmer's market inspired colors for the challenge are apple green, watermelon red, and pumpkin orange--how yummy is that?

Here's my take on the challenge. I used the Away We Go set (appropriate since I'm traveling this week!) and this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge for my card. The balloon-flying bunny is colored with Copic markers. I sponged in a pale blue cloud-filled sky around the image, then added the "and away we go" sentiment on two cut apart clouds from the CutUps Cloud Border die.

I used an apple green panel to cover most of the cardfront and went with patterned papers in greens and oranges for the panels underneath the image. The green plaid strip that runs across the card, underneath the image panel, is edged with the CutUps Inside Pinking Border die. A trio of silver brads is the only other embellishment. I layered the green panel on a kraft card base to finish things off--it kind of seemed fitting to use a brown/dirt base with these farmer's market inspired colors . . .

If you're up to the challenge, I hope you'll play along and share your creation in the guestbook found on Alma's blog. One lucky participant will win a little Cat Cash and maybe even the title of July's Swanky Stamper. And, Alma will be sharing links to samples created by the Cat Pack all week long, so be sure to check in.

Materials Used:
Away We Go stamp set, Neenah white cardstock, CutUps Cloud Border and Inside Pinking Border dies (The Cat's Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Pumpkin Pie and Cool Caribbean Classic inks (Stampin' Up!); Green Apple cardstock (Gina K Designs); Lime Twist-Fly a Kite and Out of the Blue 6x6 paper pads (My Mind's Eye); silver brads (Making Memories); foam tape

A Melon Thanks

Here's my card for today's SCS clean and simple challenge. From start to finish, this simple summery thank you took me just 20 minutes to assemble.

I was inspired by the slice of watermelon in the inspiration photo provided for the challenge. I used Papertrey Ink's watermelon die to cut felt pieces to assemble a watermelon slice. The seeds were added with dots of black Enamel Accents--works great on the felt!

After assembling the watermelon slice, I built the rest of the card. I layered a pair of cardstock squares, one solid and one dot embossed, on a square kraft card base. The "thanks a melon" sentiment from PTI's Fruit Fusion: Melon set is stamped on a white circle in pink ink and attached to the center of the card. I tied some dark pink baker's twine through a green button and set it at the left side of the sentiment. The watermelon piece is adhered at an angle just above the sentiment.

Materials Used:
Fruit Fusion: Melon stamp set, Fruit Fusion: Melon die, Hibiscus Burst, Simply Chartreuse, and Kraft cardstock, Hibiscus Burst and Simply Chartreuse felt (Papertrey Ink); Melon Mambo Classic ink, Whisper White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); circle die (Spellbinders); Polka Dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug); Black Enamel Accents (Ranger); pink baker's twine (The Twinery); button (Michaels)

You're So Sweet

Here's my card for this week's CAS-ual Friday challenge to make a card incorporating sweets and treats. I made my own paper lollipop focal image as my sweet treat.

The lollipop is made from three striped paper circles, cut with a Spellbinders circle die and stitched together along the center. I used redline tape to attach a lollipop stick to the back of the circles, then added a pretty pink glimmer ribbon bow to dress it up.

The lollipop is set on a dot embossed dark pink panel with a piece of the same striped paper as I used for the lollipop at the bottom. I stamped the "you're so sweet" sentiment from the Mint Motif Sweet Hearts set in pink ink on a banner end die cut and attached it along the seam between the two papers. The lollipop is set on the panel using dimensional dots. Sweet--so sweet, in fact, that Chloe the cutie puppy nabbed the finished card to snack on . . .

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif Sweet Hearts stamp set, Tsukineko Memento Rosebud ink, Echo Park Dots and Stripes-Candy Shoppe 6x6 paper pad, Spellbinders circle die, QuicKutz Polka Dots embossing folder, Creative Impressions light pink glimmer ribbon, i {stick} papers redline tape, Zva Creative dimensional dots, Bow Easy

other: Whisper White, Melon Mambo, and Blushing Bride cardstock (Stampin' Up!)

Baby Girl

Here's my card for today's SCS featured stamper challenge. It's based on this clean and simple fall card in Teri's gallery. I loved the colorblocked strips on the original card, so I kept that design element while making a sweet baby card.

I used a trio of pink cardstock scraps for the strips along the bottom of the card. To add texture, I ran them through my Big Shot with my Swiss Dots embossing folder before attaching them to the white card base. I swapped out the leaf image on the original card for a dotted giraffe made using Papertrey Ink's Sweet Baby stamp set and matching die. The white die cut is stamped with pink ink. I added a tiny self-adhesive pearl for an eye and knotted some pink and white baker's twine around its neck, then attached the image to the cardfront with foam tape. The set's "baby girl" sentiment is stamped in dark pink ink next to the image.

Materials Used:
Sweet Baby stamp set, Sweet Baby die, Hibiscus Burst, Raspberry Fizz, and White cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Melon Mambo Classic ink, Pink Pirouette cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Memento Angel Pink ink (Tsukineko); pink baker's twine (Divine Twine); Swiss Dot embossing folder (Cuttlebug); self-adhesive pearl (Recollections); foam tape

Waltzingmouse Stamps July Blog Waltz

I have a pretty limited stash of Waltzingmouse Stamps, but despite my small supply, I managed to pull together a birthday themed one for today’s WMS Blog Waltz.

I used the rocket image from the Half Pint Heroes set to create a fun interactive birthday card perfect for a child. After coloring the rocket with Copic markers and adding in details with silver Smooch and black Enamel Accents, I cut it out and attached it to a track in a dot embossed cardstock circle “moon” using pennies and foam circles to secure it while still allowing it to move freely up and down the track.

I kept the rest of the card simple to keep the focus on the interactive element. The moon is attached to a dark blue panel with an embossed star pattern. I attached a strip of red cardstock along the bottom of the panel, dividing it visually from the blue with a narrow scrap of silver paper. The sentiment is stamped in silver ink and accented with a trio of star shaped buttons in the same primary color scheme I used for the rest of the card.

Materials Used:
Half Pint Heroes stamp set (Waltzingmouse Stamps); white cardstock, Stars impression plate (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black and Encore Silver inks (Tsukineko); Not Quite Navy, Real Red, and Crushed Curry cardstock, word window punch (Stampin’ Up!); silver shimmer paper (Recollections); circle dies (Spellbinders); Polka Dots embossing folder (QuicKutz); star buttons (Blumenthal Lansing); cream twine (Papertrey Ink); clear dome sticker (Making Memories); black Enamel Accents (Ranger); Silver Fox Smooch paint (Clearsnap); foam tape

Joyfold Thanks from Chloe the Cutie Puppy

I combined three challenges in one today to make this sweet thank you card for my parents from Chloe the cutie puppy. She'll be staying with them while I'm at CHA next week and I figure it can't hurt to thank them in advance for dealing with her 24/7 for close to a week.

I used the colors from this week's Color Throwdown challenge--celery, teal, rose red, and pink--and created a joy fold card, fitting both this week's Crazy 4 Challenges theme and this week's Kraftin' Kimmie challenge to decorate the inside of your card.

I used the dog walking Tori image for the cardfront. I drew in my own sidewalk with a black pen and colored the image with Copic markers. The sky was added with a cloud template, a sponge, and some blue ink. The cardfront is cut about 3/4" short of a standard sized cardfront and covered with a pink chevron patterned paper.

The inside of the card is covered with a piece of dotted blue paper. I set the image on a folded celery panel, adhering the back to the inside of the card. The piece that's inside is stamped with just the stamp's dog image and a scrap of the pink chevron paper, divided from the image part with a strip of pink ribbon.

I wrote a little message to my mom and dad from Chloe before folding the image over the front of the card. A pink button, tied with a little baker's twine, keeps the flap securely closed.

Materials Used:
Moonlight Whispers Tori stamp set (Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers, black multiliner pen (Copic); Cool Caribbean Classic ink, Pretty in Pink and Certainly Celery cardstock (Stampin' Up!); designer papers (My Mind's Eye); pink baker's twine (Divine Twine); button (Michaels); cloud template (Rosie's Roadshow)

Just Saying Hi

Here's my card for this week's My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club sketch. I thought the sketch's tall, skinny panel would be a perfect fit for one of the a la mode images--and it was!

I used the I Need Some Face Time image for the card. She's colored with Copic markers and cut out. I layered her on a lavender panel using foam tape.

The colors for my card came from the fun speech bubble patterned paper I used for the cardfront's large panel. I matted all of the pieces on a bold, dark purple before layering them on a green card base. The "just saying hi" sentiment is stamped on a fancy edged punched piece.

For accents, I cut a heart from dark reddish-purple felt (it looks brown or black here, but it's purple IRL) and added a green button tied with matching baker's twine. Fun card for a teen or tween!

And, while we're on the topic of MFT, I was excited to find that one of my MFT cards (seen here) was selected to be featured in the August issue of Papercraft Inspirations magazine, a crafting magazine from the UK. I can't wait until the magazine arrives on US newsstands so I can pick up a copy for myself!

Materials Used:
a la mode I Need Some Face Time stamp set, Die-namics Hearts a Plenty die (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Simply Chartreuse and Lavender Moon cardstock, Scarlet Jewel felt (Papertrey Ink); Rich Razzleberry cardstock, Curly Label punch (Stampin' Up!); Lime Twist-Happy Go Lucky 6x6 paper pad (My Mind's Eye); green button (Michaels); green baker's twine (Divine Twine); foam tape

Blogger Challenge: Week 212

This week’s blogger challenge theme is a sketch. I went semi-elegant on this one, making a pretty wedding card using the Bird and Groom set from Our Craft Lounge.

The set’s layered cake image was a nice fit for the sketch’s large circle panel. As a whimsical touch, I added the little bird pair, positioned beak to beak, as a cake topper. The image is colored with Copic markers. Some self-adhesive pearls and Liquid Pearls were added on as accents.

The elegant foil patterned paper I used to cover most of the cardfront comes from a fair themed paper collection. You can’t tell that here, can you? The shimmer and pattern make a perfect wedding look. I used plain solid cardstock pieces for the two rectangle panels so nothing would distract from the pretty foil pattern. The image is set over the panels on top of a silver scallop edged circle. I stamped the set’s “congratulations” sentiment at the bottom right corner of the card. I'll leave you with a little stamping tip--I found that Palette's hybrid black ink worked best for stamping on the foil paper's somewhat slick surface.

For more project ideas using this sketch, check out the links below. If you join in the challenge, feel free to add your link to the list.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Our Craft Lounge Bird and Groom stamp set, X-Press Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (R20, R21, R32, C-1, C-3, C-5), SEI Fair Day 6x6 paper pad, Spellbinders circle and scalloped circle dies, Ranger Pink Petal Liquid Pearls, Zva Creative self-adhesive pearl lines, Palette Noir Black ink

other: Innocent Pink cardstock (Gina K Designs); shimmery silver paper (Recollections)

Cake Shoppe Birthday

Here's a sweet birthday card using this week's Mojo Monday sketch and the Mint Motif Cake Shoppe stamp set.

There are a lot of cake building options in the Cake Shoppe set and after playing with a few options, I finally settled on a double layered cake design. I paper pieced the layered cake using gingham patterned paper from SEI's Fair Day paper pad. The little dots at the top of each layer are filled in with pale pink Liquid Pearls for some dimension. The candle on top of the cake is also paper pieced, but with a solid cardstock scrap. The candle's flame is covered with a little Yellow Stickles for a fun sparkle.

I layered the cake panel on a pink scallop edged panel and did the same for the "happy birthday" sentiment. The panels are layered on another patterned piece from the SEI paper pad. I attached a piece of yellow cardstock along the bottom of the panel and set a pink scalloped strip across the panel's top. A piece of bright pink faux suede ribbon is knotted at the top of the scalloped strip.

And, while we're on the topic of birthdays, I couldn't let today pass without mentioning Chloe the cutie puppy's "birthday" milestone. She's a year and a half old today and still as cute as can be with a personality to match. I took this photo of her last night--she was super tired from a full day at doggy day care and I had to wake her to get her to pose and as you can see from her expression, she wasn't real excited about the command performance . . .

Materials Used:

from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif Cake Shoppe and Cake Shoppe Too stamp sets, Tsukineko Memento Rich Cocoa ink, Ranger Petal Pink Liquid Pearls and Yellow Stickles, SEI Fair Day 6x6 paper pad, Spellbinders circle and scalloped circle dies, May Arts fuschia faux suede ribbon

other: So Saffron cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Bubblegum Pink cardstock (Gina K Designs); medium scallop die (Papertrey Ink)