A Simple Thank You

I am in the need of some thank you cards so I decided to attempt the sketch on C(ASE) This Sketch.  I have a hard time making CASE cards.  I am a "many layers cardmaker" so simple cards scary - a single layer card - OMG - that send me over the edge.  Here is the sketch.

Here is my take on the sketch.

The background is done on watercolor paper.  It is smooshed distress ink.  I then added silver embossing paste.  I wanted to try the the look of the looped string (this is not easy - you should see the second card I made like this).  The sentiment is from Paper Smooches.  I added some sparkly dots to complete the card.

Here is a close up of the focal point of the card.

I am also entering it into the Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge for the week where the theme is Anything Goes.

You can buy your own Paper Smooches stamps at this link.

I am also entering this into the challenge on CAS on Sunday which is Splash (or use water on your card).  To Smoosh, you must spritz your distress ink with water.

If you have a spare birthday card for a little boy who is battling cancer it would be wonderful if you could mail him one.  I believe he will be 6 years old at the end of this month.  Here is his address:  Colin Cahill, 819 Capman Street, Milton, WI  53563

Thanks for stopping by.

CAS(E) This Sketch

I enjoy making cards in the fall.  I have a thing for tree stamps and leaf stamps so be prepared to see lots in the upcoming months.  I also found some fall fabric - so be prepared for cards with images from this fabric.  Oldie Moldie Monday used one image and this Monday's post will be using it again.  But I digress.

Today I made a card using the weekly sketch at CAS(E) This Sketch - I always find using an off angle piece on your card interesting.  Sometimes for me - it doesn't turn out so well - but this one did.  I really like the simplicity of it.  It would work as a masculine card also.

Here is the sketch.

Here is my version.  I don't know if I have ever used this stamp before.  It is from Memory Box.  I embossed it with ZING brown embossing powder.  I then colored the image with distress paints.  I had to combine some colors and a little gelato to get my trunk color.  The halo around the tree (I don't know what else to call it) is two shades of distress paint combined.  The sky and grass are more watered down distress paints.  I won't win any contests for my landscapes but I think it turned out OK.  I added a sweet sentiment from Endless Creations - a Wisconsin stamp company. I dry embossed a piece of Kraft with a woodgrain folder and inked it a little.  It was glued directly to the card base.  The image and sentiment were pop dotted.  I then added a few sequins.

I am also going to put it in the challenge at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - which is Witch-Kraft.  Hey I did use Kraft paper - but no witch - unless you are calling me that today.

It is raining off and on today so a good day to stay inside.  Now I must go do dishes.  I took dinner to some neighbors and my kitchen is a disaster still.

Happy Saturday

Everyone Loves Snoopy

This week on CAS(E) This Sketch it was a very simple sketch - but then - CASE is very simple.  You just have to make an impact with what you do on a CASE card.

When I designed my card, I took the design very literally.  I did add some SRM stitch stickers to add a little extra to the card.  I keep thinking I need more.  "Walk away from the card".  The paper is from American Crafts - a Dear Lizzy collection.  I love the ombre look of the paper.  Who does not like Snoopy?  This card and the other two which are very similar will go in my next Operation Write Home box.  They will bring a smile to someone's face.

Enjoy your Saturday.

Washi Tape Hello

When I saw this sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch I immediately thought of washi tape.  What do you think of when you see this sketch?

I did two version of the card.  The first card the washi tape was lined up on the right side.  On the second card I offset all the tape more like the sketch.  I guess when you work with sketches you can do just about anything  as long as it looks like the sketch.  I added some dry embossing with my Cuddlebug.  I am always afraid washi tape will come unstuck so I usually emboss it.  I figure it is stuck forever to that cardstock now.

The first card I am also entering in the current challenge on Stars and Stamps Operation Write Home card blog.  Our Daily Bread Designs sponsors a monthly challenge.  The will pay the shipping for a maximum of two boxes of cards to our Heroes.  The cardmakers just have to make 50 cards for that to happen.  I don't think we have not gotten two boxes shipped each month.  The challenge this month is to use a die cut.  The Hello on the top card was cut with my Silhouette.

Well Happy Tuesday to you.

Flower Hello

A narrow card (approximately 3 by 5) to send to my Mom.  She loves her flowers - actually I may send this one to someone else and make her a card with a pink flower on it since pink is her favorite color.

The card is based on the sketch from (CAS)E This Sketch.

I did have to move the sentiment to the other side of the image because it would not fit where the leaves were.

The image and sentiment are both Hero Arts stamps.

Thanks for stopping by.

Day 16 - Working Off Your Design Table

I was lucky enough to find this piece of background that I had made last summer in a basket on one of my tables.  I am not really sure how I made it - no - I am not sure what I used for the color - I know it was a piece that I put salt on to draw off the color.  Would you believe the stamp set was also in the basket.  It was my lucky day.

The card was based on the sketch from CASe This Sketch.

It also is for the challenge on the Penny Black blog - Sending Hugs Challenge.  How lucky that the stamp set in that box was a Penny Black floral design.  This card is going to a friend to give her a hug - she is starting her battle with cancer.  The flower has Stardust ink added to all it's petals so that the actual bloom sparkles.  I added the little touches of bling at the end of each stamen.  A sentiment sticker from SRM Stickers finishes off the card.  The image and sentiment were each pop dotted.

Now I want to make more background paper.  I wonder if I can duplicate it.

I am also entering in CAS-ual Friday's challenge - Color Block.

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.

Hello "CAS(E) This Sketch"

Hello - I make lots of hello cards and I buy lots of hello stamps.  Plus with a Silhouette "do you know how many different Hello's you can cut out".  This is one of the Hello word bubbles.  The paper is from Studio Calico.

I based my card on the sketch at "CAS(E) This Sketch".   I did follow the sketch pretty closely but the card is not very clean and simple.  Too many layers.  Here is the sketch.

This card will go in my next Operation Write Home box.

Oldie Moldie Monday

Oldie Moldie Monday - time to show some love for your older supplies - some of our supplies are old enough to collect Social Security but then there are others that are just toddlers - I believe this 6 x 6 pad is just a toddler.  I do have a thing for collecting 6 x 6 pads.  This pad is from Basic Grey.  This card was based on the weekly sketch at CAS(E) This Sketch.  Here is the sketch.  I just moved my strip up a little more on the page.

I always struggle - is this CASE - it is not white - but there is plenty of open space - does that count.  I did one more card made from the pad - I made one last week also.

These cards are going into my next Operation Write Home Box.  They will bring smiles to some heroes family and friends when they receive them in the mail.

I finished my mixed media project - come back  on Tuesday to see that project.

CAS(E) This Sketch, Papertrey Ink and Die Cuts With a View

Isn't it great when you find a beautiful piece of paper and you don't have t add much to it to make a beautiful card.  I have this pad of paper from Die Cuts With A View - Spring Fling - and the colors are so pretty - maybe spring will come - I am hoping.  The card is based on the sketch at Cas(e) This Sketch.

Hopefully this is clean and simple enough.  I struggle with that.  For me this is pretty clean - I love lots of layers and I guess there are some on here.  What is a girl to do.  I cut the border with my Silhouette.  The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink embossed in white.

I made three of these cards.  One for my mom and two for my next Operation Write Home Box.  This card is also for the challenge hosted by Our Daily Bread Design - the challenge is to use scallops.  Our Daily Bread Design will pay for the shipment for two boxes of cards to our Heroes if we can reach 50 cards in the monthly challenge.

Everyone enjoy what is left of your Friday Evening.

Hello Lovely

Hello Lovely - isn't that a wonderful sentiment - it is a new sentiment stamp I got from Papertrey Ink.  I am mailing this card is my 95 year old aunt - the last remaining sibling from my father's 11 brother and sisters.  My Mom is the last "in law" that is still living and she is also in her middle 90's.

I made the colored panel several weeks ago in the Clean and Simple 2 Class - this was one technique they showed.  I used some watercolor pens and scribbled on my teflon mat, sprayed water on it and then placed the watercolor paper in the paint and got these cool colors.  I then sprinkled salt on top of it while still wet so that is the dotty texture you see in the color.  I backed it with black and there it sat until today's sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch.

I matted the white base with black and then embossed it.  The black just sets everything off.  I was glad to be able to use that panel I had made.  If you notice the orange in the middle - it did not stamp in the middle of the flower so this was my way of covering up my bad stamping.

Well I need to go snowblow my driveway and sidewalk.  YUCK.  Everyone enjoy your evening.

Be My Valentine

My sweet little teddy bear is ready to make someone's heart melt on valentine's day.  The card is based on the sketch at CAS(E) This Sketch.

Instead of a flag I kept with the scalloped circle.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Trying Clean and Simple Again

I am trying the sketch over at CAS(E) This Sketch.  Trying to work on my clean and simple card making skills.  Here is the sketch.  My sentiment is just another piece of paper pop dotted on the card for a little dimension.

The stamp is from Hero Arts which has a coordinating die cut.  The purples are in the same family.  I did use my Stardust clear gel pen on the flower and stem - so it does have a little sparkle.  The sentiment is also from Hero Arts which I cut out.

Unfortunately my photography skills are horrible - .