Oldie Moldie Monday

The worse thing in the world to have to make is a sympathy card.

On this card I used some Authentique paper and a favorite Penny Black stamp.  The sentiment is a sticker from SRM Stickers.

Remember to show some love to your old supplies.  They still make beautiful projects.

Mixed Media Mojo Challenge

Exciting news - I am on the design team for the Mixed Media Mojo Challenge blog and this will be my first post as a member of the design team.

The September challenge is Fall and to use embossing paste.  I do so love to get messy so this is great for me.  Here is my first project.  I have had this fabric hanging around my house for years - was going to make cards out of it and so I have started.  Be prepared - you will probably see more of this fabric in the upcoming weeks.

The card is approximately 4.5  x  6 inches.  Many layers of paper which have all been distressed with my trusty Tim Holtz distressing tool.  I adhere light weight heat n bond to my fabric and then adhere the fabric to card stock and cut it out.  It gives your fabric stability for working with.  The image was matted.  The sentiment is a sticker from SRM Stickers.

The extra challenge for the month is to use embossing paste.  I mixed my own color.  I used distress paints to color my embossing paste to get the perfect gold shade.  I also added gold stickles into the mixture and it has lots of sparkle.  You can see some of the sparkle in the close up.

This was a fun card to make. Come join us on the Mixed Media Mojo September challenge.

Oldie Moldie Monday

Monday - time to show some love for your old supplies.  In a former life, I sewed and worked in a fabric store for over 10 years.  My love of fabric has never really gone away and my skills of putting colors and textures together has helped me with card making.

I had bought this piece of fabric with fall images on it and was going to use it for cards - and how many years ago was that.  Who knows - but I decided to use it for my first fall card.  I also used an older collection from Authentique paper, old ribbon, old button and some stickers I have had for quite awhile.

The card measures 4.5  x  6 inches.  The fabric on the card is the scarecrow image and the rust strip under the sentiment.  I adhered a lite iron on adhesive to the back of my fabric and then adhered it to some card stock.  This gives your fabric some stability.  Once I cut the fabric out, I ran a black marker along the edge of the fabric because I tried to keep the black lines that were part of the design.  I did some distressing with my Tim Holtz distress tool.  Pop dotted the image and sentiment.

I think I will make some more fall cards with this fabric.  Come back next Monday maybe there will be another oldie moldie Monday card with some of this same fabric.

It is Monday - blah - but I am working a 4 day week so I can have an extra long week end.

Oldie Moldie Monday

It is Oldie Moldie Monday - time to show some love for your old supplies.  This paper may not be that old - maybe a year or two.  It is from Authentique.  I love their 6 x 6 pads - each piece of paper has a solid on the back so it makes your layering so much easier.

I had this new Darice embossing folder and wanted to try it out.  Isn't it cute.  The sentiment is from Paper Smooches.  I will put this card in my next Operation Write Home Box.

Only one card made for today - busy week end on the road.  Enjoy your Monday if you can.

Freshly Made Sketches, Authentique and Lil' Inker Designs

Once again sneaking in under the deadline with my card for the Freshly Made Sketches challenge for the week.  I love the sketch this week.

The Authentique paper grouping was sitting on my design table (aka the mess) from Saturday's card.  I love the beautiful colors in the grouping.  As I was going through things, I found the stamps I had bought from Lil' Inker Designs.  The image is so sweet and I love all the sentiments that go with it.  It is a great card for my next Operation Write Home box.  

The image was colored with Copics.  The little stars is a punch that I have.  I think they add the finishing touch to the card.

Thanks for stopping by.  Why does the three day week end have to end?

New Challenge Site - Poppy Sketches

I found a new sketch site when I was out cruising the internet called Poppy Sketches.  It is fun to find new ones to try - sometimes you get to participate and somedays life just gets in the way of creating.  This is a great sketch with lots of possibilities.

The sketch has a little challenge attached to it.  This time the challenge is to use polka dots.  Who does not like polka dots.  In fact you have so many options you don't know what to create.  I finally decided on using paper from a 6 x 6 pad from Authentique.  It has some of my favorite colors for card making.  Pink, teal, yellow, gray.  I did have to add that little color in the top corner to add some balance.

This will go in my next Operation Write Home box.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Golf Card

My cousin needed a golf themed thank you card.  A friend got her tickets to the Master's Tournament and she wanted to send him a special card.  She likes my cards.

I hope you enjoy this card.

Cards for two Little Boys

Recently on Facebook they were sharing a post about a little boy in Michigan who said he had no friends.  He fights Asperger's Syndrome.  He did not want a birthday party because no one would come.  The world has come together to show Colin, he does indeed have many people who care about him.  This is my birthday card for him.  

I am entering this in the weekly challenge at Just Add Ink.  Their challenge this week is to "Just Add Stripes." I loved the colors in this paper from Authentique.  The monkey stamp is from Stampendous.  I hope it makes Colin smile.  If you wish to send him a card his address is Colin, PO Box 756, Richland, MI  49083

My second card using the same image is for a little boy in my home town who is battling cancer.  I am going to try and send him a card each month.  I just used a general Hello sentiment for his card.  I did not realize that both their names were Colin.  This card is for Colin Cahill, 819 Chapman St, Milton, WI  53563

I think it is important to give back to our communities, to people who are battling diseases and to show people we care.  I am so glad I have my card making talents so I can make people smile.  

Thanks for stopping by.  

Happy Valentine's Day

This valentine card is for a sweet friend's mom.  Shari passed away several years ago from breast cancer and I try to remember her Mom with cards.  I know she will appreciate the old fashioned nature of the card.  Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Valentine Day

A valentine card I made and sent to a very sweet lady who lived across the street when I moved here so many years ago.  After her husband died, she moved away but we do still keep in touch.  I wanted her to know I was thinking of her and I thought she would appreciate this old fashioned valentine.  The paper is from Authentique paper.  The sentiment is from SRM Stickers

Paper Smooches Challenge - Anything Goes

This week on the Paper Smooches Spark Challenge Blog - the challenge is anything goes.

I try to be creative each week with my limited number of stamps from Paper Smooches.  I believe I combined 3 sets here.  Dog, flower on ear, hearts and sentiment.  The paper is from Authentique.  I love their paper because it has such a nice weight to it - and most of it is double sided with one side being a solid color.  I also used my Silhouette to cut the little frame.  If you look at yesterday's card you will see the frame used in a valentine card.

Thanks for stopping by on hump day.  Yeah - I think I can make it to the week end - where - we have more snow predicted.

You Are My Sunshine - Version 2

Yesterday's post used the same stamp and the same sun image.  We are just changing it up a little with a larger sun and different layout.

Taylored Expressions Stamp
Authentique Paper
Silhouette Cameo die cutting machine

I based somewhat loosely the design of the cards on the sketch at Just Add Ink.   As always, when I use a sketch, I say loosely.  I did not add a bow to the card because it is for Operation Write Home and wanted to keep it a little less bulky.  My sentiment takes up quite abit of space also.  Here is the sketch.

Everyone enjoy your Sunday.  I have lots to accomplish today.  I have already got my Oldie Moldie Monday cards done.  Yeah.  Anything I do cardmaking today is a bonus.

You Are My Sunshine

I just mailed off a box of cards to Operation Write Home and now I have sprouted the next box with two of this design.  I know I have some Hero Mail at work from a school so maybe I can get a few cards done also to go in with the Hero Mail.

The card was "loosely" based on the sketch at CAS(E) This Sketch.  I turned the sketch on its side to accommodate my sentiment and sun.  Here is the sketch.

Doesn't the background paper look like a dark sky and then you have the sun sitting on top of it.  That is my story and I am sticking to it.  The stamp is by Taylored Expressions and the sun was cut with my Silhouette.  The paper is from Authentique.

Everyone enjoy your day.  I do need to do some shopping and trying to decide when to go.  Before the football game or after the football game.  Such difficult decisions.

Paper Smooches and Operation Write Home

I have been trying to play along with the weekly challenge on Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge Blog.  This week the challenge is a Designer Drafts challenge or sketch.

Here is the Designer Draft.

I used stamps from the Circle of Honor set.  Part of the proceeds from this stamp set go to Operation Write Home.  I have been making some Hero Cards for my book club where we are reading a book about a hero who returns from the war and the challenges he and his wife face.  It was written by a professor on our campus.  I have 11 hero cards made.  One card is for my special family.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cath Edvalson - You Are Moxie Fab

How do you say thank you to someone who has had such a Moxie Fab impact on card making and paper crafts in general.  Of course, we are talking about Cath Edvalson who has written the Moxie Fab blog for so many years and we are going to have the best dang blog hop just for her to celebrate all she has done to inspire our creativity.

If you came from Sherry Wright's blog, you are in the correct spot in the hop.

Today I am sharing a card with many layers of paper and ribbon.  My paper is from Authentique.  The sentiment is a favorite from Hero Arts.

Cath is so special.  The day I got the e mail from her asking if I wanted to be a Moxie Fabber - my jaw dropped.  How special Cath made me feel that day in choosing me and then being spotlighted for something you love.  Thank you Cath - you made my year.

Cath I hope this blog hop makes you feel as special as you are.  Have a wonderful new adventure.

Now be prepared to be amazed by popping over to Kimberley Makortoff''s blog.  

If you get lost, pop back over to the Moxie Fab blog.  

Anything Goes

Yes I have made a card this week and I really really like it.  It has so many layers - I love layers and layers.  The paper is by Authentique.  The stamp is by Stampabilities because sometimes you just need to send a card "just because".  A friend is going through a rough stretch right now with her father and the aging process.

I am going to enter the card in the Wednesday Challenge on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - "Anything Goes.   

Enjoy your Saturday, I am off to visit my Mom today.

Paper Smooches Challenge

This week I decided I wanted to try and play along with the Designer Drafts challenge on the Paper Smooches blog.  I am getting my card in somewhat under the wire.  I love their little snowman - so simple but they have so much character.

Here is the Designer Drafts challenge.  I actually stayed pretty true to the sketch this time.  Most of the time I tend to be pretty loosey goosey with my use of sketches.

The snowman was stamped on patterned paper from Authentique.  I fussy cut him out plus I cut his hat out also.  I did some coloring with Copics.  I added Glossy Accents to many of the elements on the snowman.  I also used Glossy Accents on the heart in the sentiment.  The random dots are gesso that I put on with a toothpick to make it look like new fallen snow.  It has some texture to it so adds more dimension to the card.  The frame and snowman are both popped for dimension.

I will send this to my Mom during the winter months.  It will bring a smile to her face.

Celebrate Autumn

It is that time of the year when the leaves start changing colors, the temps drop, fall is coming and winter will soon come - where did that come from.  Let us not think about Winter.  Let us enjoy the beauty of Fall.

My card today is based on the challenge on CAS-ual Friday to make a card with fall colors and a leaf.

This paper is from Authentique.  The leaf was cut with my Silhouette and I then colored it with chalk, Big Marker and Distress Paints.  After it was dry I rubbed some cinnamon colored Stickles over the top.  The sentiment is from SRM Stickers.

Happy fall and Happy Sunday.

Sympathy Card

A co worker's sister passed away so I made a sympathy card from the office.  This is a 5.5 inch square card.  I made it with paper from Authentique.  This is actually the 2nd card I made - I decided the first was too feminine to give to a guy.  Of course, I could save it - but I finish the inside with extra name signing places.

Maybe I will send it to Paper Crafts World Card Making Day contest.  I am thinking about it - I wonder if sympathy cards are one of the categories.

Super Bowl Sunday

Yes it is super bowl Sunday - but no Packers - but my oldest has long been a 49ers fan - so for her I will cheer for them.

Today's card is for the weekly sketch on Stars and Stamps, Operation Write Home's Card Blog.  I chose to add more layers to the card. I grounded every layer with black so it would pop a little more.  It really does make a difference.  Try it on your card someday.  I learned this little trick from our fearless leader Sandy.

My little tip for you today - when you fussy cut out an image or sentiment like I did - take a black marker and run around the edge of the paper.  This way the edge of your cut out is black and no white shows - it gives it more of a finished look.  I also did that with my buttons - but just used a red marker on them.  Another hint for today - this is the Martha Stewart button punch - it embosses the button also - but I layered two of them together to give each button a little more depth and sturdiness.

The paper is from Authentique - great double sided paper.  The sentiment is a Hero Arts sentiment I used very often on my OWH cards.  I love the shape of the sentiment and it works for both masculine and feminine cards.

Well I am off to get some groceries so I can eat this week.  We have snow in our forecast off and on all week - I do hate to have to get up in the morning and clean everything before I head to work.  Everyone enjoy your day.