Don't throw It Away Challenge

Happy Saturday - yes Easter is next week - so I guess I should be making a few Easter cards. 

Each of my daughters has a favorite candy for Easter and you can usually find some form of it at each holiday.  For one it is Reeses Peanut Butter eggs - so this morning - off to Alaska went a card with tulips on it and two packages of peanut butter eggs.  Even when you are in your 30's and far from home - you need to have a little hug from your Mom. 

My oldest daughter's favorite candy is Brach's chocolate covered marshmallow bunnies.  It has to be Brach's - not a different brand.  Luckily this candy always has such a cute little cover on it - they changed the bunny this year - must have had to make him more contemporary and with the times.  Well the 2012 bunny - the wrapping - is the focal point of this card. 

Mosie Fab has a challenge "Don't Throw It Away" - well I kept that little bunny and very carefully trimmed it down and adhered to cardboard so I could use it on a card.  I think it is so sweet.

The paper is from Pebbles.  The sentiment is from Stampendous.

Now the big decision - should I go sacrifice more bunnies for more cards - such a decision - I did buy two boxes - one for cards and one for my daughter on Easter Day.

Unity Stamps and Ippity Challenge

I am enjoying being able to take pictures of my cards outside again.   Of course, then you have to watch for shadows, bright glowing orbs (it is called the sun).  I took 3 or 4 pictures of this card and this is the best one I got - but I found it quite interesting how I ended up with the glow around the little butterfly.  How fun is that. 

A very simple card made with some of my new stamps from Unity.  I am having lots of fun with all those new stamps.  The challenge on the Unity site (ippity challenge) - is to use flowers.  Luckily I had bought one flower stamp so I was able to participate in the challenge. 

My friend Ivanka's blog led me to another challenge site - The Pink Elephant - where the challenge is to use a butterfly.

I stamped the image and sentiment in VersaMark and embossed with white.  I inked the edge of the kraft paper with white ink.  I used my Spellbinders to cut all the layers.  The pin dot paper is a scrap laying on my table from Authentique.  I thought it added just enough interest to the card.  The image and sentiment were pop dotted.  I added the butterfly this morning - as I was trying to fall asleep last night - the thought popped into my head that I should add a butterfly to the card.  Luckily there was a scrap of the brighter pink on my table leftover from yesterday's card.  I used a Martha Stewart punch.

Thanks for stopping by and yes - it is Friday and we can start to get ready to enjoy the week end.

Christmas Card in March

Yes a Christmas card in March - actually I have made two Christmas cards in March - I promise - I will not mow my lawn in March (especially in Wisconsin).  I know - I went off on a tangent there.

The card design is based on the sketch challenge Merry Monday.  I used the same paper I used last week - I like the colors and so you may see it for awhile - I should do some kits with the paper with the two cards I have already made.  The paper is a collection for Oriental Trader.  The sentiment is a Stampabilities stamp and the snowman is from Inkadinkado - he is so cute.  I colored him with Copics.  The snowflake is made from one of the snowflake Spellbinder dies.

I do hope not to see any more snow in Wisconsin this year.  I figure - it has been so beautiful - that on Easter - we will probably have a blizzard.

Have a wonderful day.

Card Positioning System and My Mind's Eye

I need some birthday cards next week so I have one made.  I used the great sketch at Card Positioning System this week for this card. 



On Saturday I got my new stamps from Unity Stamps and this bicycle and sentiment were part of my purchase - it seems like most of the stamps are for Operation Write Home cards but this one will be great for some of my personal cards also.  I used papers from the 6 x 6 pad Miss Caroline from My Mind's Eye.  Such pretty colors. 

Did you notice the boo boo - I had to add a strip for the sentiment - I tried to stamp it on the base but it was not straight so I had to restamp and cover it up.  Grrr - I should have known better than try this.

Well come back tomorrow - I actually have my card made for tomorrow - it is a Christmas Card for Operation Write Home.  Never too late to start that. 

Retro Sketches and another masculine OWH card

Another masculine card for Operation Write Home - refer to Oldie Moldie Monday post from yesterday to see more cards made with some of this same paper.    I based it on the sketch from Retro Sketches.  A fun sketch.  Of course, cutting the banner is easy when you have a Silhouette - totally easy - I think I have used that die cut more than anything else I have.

Oldie Moldie Monday,

Oldie Moldie Monday - time to show some love to some old paper.  I once again went to my supply of Basic Grey 6 x 6 pads.  Grabbed some stamps and went to work.

The first cards is based on the sketch at Clean and Simple Stamping.  Of course I had to add patterned paper to my card front and then the top looked naked so I added the strip across the top - but honest it did start out as that sketch.  I just got new stamps from Unity so I used one of those new stamps on my card. 

The second card is a masculine card.  The fish stamp is from Stampabilities.  Embossed the background kraft paper to add some texture to the card. 

The last card just uses the great pear paper - grabbed one of my Hello Stamps to make a general card.

All these cards are for Operation Write Home - believe it or not - now we start the push for father's day cards - most of my cards - will be general masculine cards. 

Come back tomorrow - I have another card using the same paper grouping and another sketch.

Operation Write Home - Masculine Cards

At Operation Write Home - it is time to start thinking masculine cards for Father's Day - luckily I had already started on this theme - dug out my golf stamps and got busy.  Today is the Sunday sketch on Stars and Stamps - Operation Write Home's card blog. 

I dug out some Basic Grey in some fun masculine colors and my Snoopy Golf stamp.  Added a SRM Sticker - and I think this card will bring a smile to someone's face.  Snoopy and the Sentiment are pop dotted to add a little dimension.  I took a design trick out of Sandy's book - and matted everything with black.

Have a good day - I need to do dishes, laundry and should buy some groceries - YUCK. 

First Merry Monday Challenge

This is the first time I have played along on the Merry Monday challenge - you need to make holiday cards with the sketch - I thought if I started making some Christmas cards - I would have some done for me and also some ideas for Operation Write Home Cards.

This paper (snowman and trees) are on patterned paper.  I got this paper grouping from Oriental Trading - it also has some chipboard with the grouping.  I cut the scallop with my Silhouette - love the different sizes of scallops - the sentiment stamp is Papertrey Ink.

Well off to clean my house - I have some company coming tomorrow.

Pebbles Paper

Time to get a few cards made for Easter - I think it is fast approaching.  I just realized this week it is spring break at work next week - I was thinking it was week after next.  Glad thing someone reminded me - since I am suppose to be at a conference on Monday.

The card is based on the sketch at a new site I ran across last night.  Retro Sketches. 

I had bought this wonderful paper grouping from Pebbles.  Such bright colors for spring.  Orange and red - who would think you would put those colors together - they did so I did.  The teal paper and orange paper are American Craft double sided paper.  Got a package at Tuesday Morning for $2.  This teal/aqua color is so popular in so many collections I knew it would make great matting.    The stamp is a $1 stamp I bought at Michael's a year or two ago - I have gotten my money's worth out of it. 

Everyone enjoy your evening -  trying to watch basketball also - very close game.

Sympathy Cards

I find that Sympathy cards are so difficult to make - and they are not a card I can make ahead of time.  I do try to make them somewhat personal.  I struggled for several days making this card and I don't know if I am totally happy with it yet. 

I love the background.  I stamped the Hero Arts background stamp in VersaMark and then clear embossed it.  I then rubbed distress inks over it - Blues and greens - to try and give it a tealish color.  I matted it with a dark navy metallic paper.  The sentiment - another Hero Arts Stamp - was stamped on a scrap of the patterned paper I stamped the background on.  It was matted with the navy blue also.  I had this Bazzill bling paper that picked up the blue/green undertones.  The background and sentiment are both pop dotted. 

The flower is made from coffee filters which I cut out with spellbinders - there are four layers of four different sizes that make up the flower.  I colored the coffee filters with distress inks and Perfect Pearl Mists.  I bunched them all up - put a rubber band around them and let them dry for 24 hours.  The ribbon is from my friend Ivanka.

Moxie Fab World has a challenge to use household items on a card - well coffee filters are a household item.  The actually make great flowers and take color from many different mediums.  I will also place it in the Hero Arts monthly challenge for flowers.

Now I need to finish the inside of the card.  I think I then need to just make a card that is not so difficult to design.  Do you struggle making sympathy cards?

CAS-ual Fridays card

I am working on making more masculine cards for Operation Write Home - so the golf stamps came out - again - the challenge at CAS-ual Fridays was 1, 2, 3 - a pattern, a sentiment and image.  The card base actually has some flecks in it - not totally navy.  Argyle + golf - don't you think that also.  The sentiment is a $1 stamp I got at Michael's - a great sentiment for Operation Write Home cards.

Thanks for stopping by - I need to make a sympathy card - I am having no luck settling into this card - maybe tonight.

Oldie Moldie Monday

It is Oldie Moldie Monday - time to show some love to some old paper - I had three sheets of this coordinating paper - the paper is from TPC Studio.  The plane and boat were on the paper so I cut them out to use on a card front. 

The midweek challenge on Stars and Stamps - Operation Write Home card blog - is to make a miss you card - so my little plane is pulling a banner saying miss you.  On the boat I added the dot on the sail and the stripe on the hull.  The last card uses a couple SRM Stickers to finish off the card. 

A total of 5 more cards for my next box.

Simple Stories Paper and Operation Write Home Cards

It is Sunday - to start my day off with creativity - I went to Stars and Stripes Blog - card blog for Operation Write Home - to get their weekly sketch.  Both cards started with the sketch but the bottom card took a different turn - I have been trying to make masculine cards so dug out my trusty truck stamp from the old Cornish Heritage Farms.  The "UR COOL" is on one of the pieces of paper so thought it worked well for a sentiment. 

The first card stayed pretty much on the sketch track.  I did not like the star as an embellishment after I put it on but when I removed it - alas - I tore paper underneath so the star went back on.  It does pick up the stars in the background paper.  The stamp used is by Hero Arts and is one I have had for years and use it quite often on cards.  I like trees.  Of course, on both cards, the image and sentiment are both pop dotted.

The paper collection is from a 6 x 6 pad from Simple Stories called Awesome.  Don't tell anyone I bought three more 6 x 6 pads yesterday.  Shhhhhh  -   it is our secret.

Well I promised myself I would pick up the garage today because we are in this great stretch of weather in Wisconsin - over a week of 70's and 80's.  Not too hard to take.  Enjoy the remainder of your day.

Top of the Morning

Happy St. Patrick's Day.  Please stop by the house and get some Rueben Dip - I have lots leftover from work yesterday. 

Have a wonderful creative day.  In Wisconsin - we are enjoying an 80 degree day - the lawns are turning green and our flowers are coming up - I am afraid everything is going to be in for a shock sooner than later.

Masculine take on the Freshly Made Sketch

Tonight I am posting my masculine version of the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.  If you wish to see the feminine version, scroll down to yesterday's post. 

A digi image from "I Brake For Digi's" - she no longer does digis but has great rubber stamps.  Some Basic Grey from another 6 x 6 pad.  This card is going to be in my next Operation Write Home Box.

It is the week end - yeah!!!!!!

Eat Cake Graphics, Freshly Made Sketches Come Together

Today's card features a stamp from Eat Cake Graphics. (7005-I Coneflowers)  I colored the image with my Copics.  This card will be for my Mom - have not added a sentiment yet - because I don't know if I will use it for Mother's Day or just a card to bring a little color into her day.  Pink is her favorite color.  Houndstooth is one of my favorite patterns along with argyle.  I have some friends who when they see argyle - think of me. 

The design for the card came from the weekly sketch at Freshly Made Sketches.  A fun and versatile sketch.  I think tomorrow I may make a masculine card with the same sketch - I have a tractor digi image that I think would work on this sketch. 

Well I must go and finish up a St. Patrick's Day card to give to a co worker tomorrow.  I am making a rueben dip for a snack at work.  I put all the ingredients in a plastic container so tomorrow I will just get into work, throw it in the crock pot and wait to enjoy it.

Authentique Paper and Unity Stamps

Authentique Papers has a monthly sketch.  I don't know if I was able to participate the last couple months so wanted to this month.  I must admit the sketch was somewhat of a challenge to me but I think I mastered it.

Of course it helped that the Authentique 6 x 6 pad Fabulous had the little pennants in it.  From there I picked my papers and worked on the design.

The card also qualifies for the challenge on Unity Stamps for things that fly. 

If given the opportunity would you get in a hot air baloon and fly?  On that question to ponder, I wish you a wonderful Wednesday.  



Unity Stamp Challenge and Simple Stories

Well we all made it through Monday and the first day back to work after the time change.  Springing ahead can be hard on your body.

Unity Stamps has a challenge to use  "winged things" so I knew I had this cute little bear/bee - not quite sure what it is - but I know it does have wings.  and I just love that sentiment. 

As you can see I am enjoying creating with my new 6 x 6 pad from Simple Stories.  The flower paper peeking out is one of their journaling cards - I matted it and used it as the base for my image.  Have you tried creating with orange - I think it is a hot color for this year - I had already been turned onto the color "orange" by one of my students.  Try it you will like it.

So have a Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy day.

Oldie Moldie Monday

Oldie Moldie Monday - the day you need to show some love to your old paper and today also - some old stamps.  These are some cards I have made for Operation Write Home - I think they turned out to be a nice group of masculine cards.  There is actually another card in the group - but I lost the picture - so see - that old paper - can still make some great cards.

Enjoy your Monday.

New Paper - Yummy

I was able to do some paper shopping yesterday - it felt so good - of course - my addiction came to a head again - you know the 6 x 6 pad addiction - I think I came home with 5 more.  Oh well - the addiction could be something worse.  Shoes maybe or clothes.

This paper is from the collection by Simple Stories - Fabulous.  I thought this label would be perfect on a card for one of our Heroes to send home to a loved one.  The card is based on the weekly sketch as Stars and Stamps - Operation Write Home's card blog. 


Of course, I added more layers - as always.  But love the colors used.  I found the solid aqua at Tuesday Morning - it is in a package for $1.99 - it is American Crafts - this color is in so many collections now days that I know I will get lots of use out of it.

Enjoy your Sunday - are you tired from the time change.

Words of Encouragement

My weekly card for my friend with a little humor and words of encouragement on them. 

The card design is based on the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.  Of course I moved my ribbon to the other side of the panel and used the bow as the circle elements.  Sometimes you just have to be a rebel.

The stamp is one I have had for years.  It is by American Art Stamp.  I stamped it with Colorbox Chalk Ink (Dark Brown) and just colored a couple items with Copics.  I used paper from Basic Grey's 6 x 6 pad Kissing Booth - pinks and browns are always a lovely combination - love the houndstooth. 

Thanks for stopping by - I think I may indulge in some paper therapy today - it has been months.  Have a wonderful day and I hope you get to spend a little time being creative.

Clean and Simple

A quick post for tonight - trying to get some quick mo jo running through the fingers.  CAS-ual Fridays has a great post to use a Sentiment on your CAS card.  I think ths qualifies.   

The background is stamped with a Hero Arts stamp (friend) with a Distress Ink.  The branch (sorry it is loose floating around my table so I don't know who makes it) stamped with Memento Ink and the sentiment is from Hero Arts and it was stamped with Colorbox Chalk Ink..  This is a CASE from one the Paper Crafts special editions but I ended up matting the background and sentiment.  The sentiment was also pop dotted. Of course, you need to add a little inking with a light brown chalk ink around the edge of everything. 

I bought a big pad of watercolor paper at Hobby Lobby to use for these card bases.  The paper will give the card a good weight.  Single layer cards scare me very much.

Thanks for stopping by.



American Crafts, Hero Arts and Card Positioning System Unite

I needed a special thank you card for my friends who I visited in Florida.  It was a wonderful break from winter in Wisconsin and work. 

I had gotten the 6 x6 pad Dear Lizzy by American Crafts.  Luscious colors and designs.  But (don't tell anyone) when it comes to 6 x 6 pads - I am so easy - I have only met a few that I have not purchased.  The sentiment is from Hero Arts (Year Round Sentiments) a clear set that was done in partnership with Operation Write Home (a cause very dear to my heart).  The flowers are also a Hero Arts stamp but I don't have the name of that set. 

The design is based on this week's sketch at Card Positioning System.

The flowers were stamped with VersaMark and clear embossed.  I then cut each one of them out.  I layered them with a Prima flower and Maya Road brad holding them all together.  They were pop dotted with Scotch dimensional tape.  The sentiment is also pop dotted.  I added a little glitter with a Sakura Stardust pen. 

Enjoy your evening.

Echo Park and Operation Write Home

This card is based on the month ODBD Challenge on Stars and Stamps - Operation Write Home's card blog.  If we can do 50 cards for this challenge ODBD will pay to ship two boxes of cards overseas.  The challenge is to do things in a row from this chart -

TIC-TAC-TOE

Three in a Row

Brads	Piercing	Stripes
Digi stamp	Layers	Embossing
Die cut	Fun fold	Ribbon

I chose to do Brads, Layers and Ribbon  (my ribbon is baker's twine).

I chose to do a repeat of the Happy Birthday sentiment from Eat Cake Graphics as my focal point on my card.

I used paper from Echo Park - A Boy's Life.  Love the colors. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Oldie Moldie Monday

Once again it is Monday - time to show some love to some old supplies.  I have had this paper grouping - it seems like forever but the paper is so beautiful and such a wonderful weight - It is by Crate Paper.  I made 4 cards and still have some left - maybe next week - this paper will be continued. 

The Midweek throwdown on Stars and Stamps blog for Operation Write Home - was to use a digital image.  I believe this sentiment was created by a OWHer - but I had no note on my file - I think it makes a great card for a Hero to send home to a loved one.  The button is the Martha Stewart Button Punch.  The last card - the flower is cut on my Silhouette and I used the last two tags in the paper package.  I added an SRM Sticker to finish it off.

Dig into your old supplies - show some love for that old paper - because you know - we will be out there buying more new paper.  I do feel the need for a new paper fix.

Card Patterns, Basic Grey and Encouragement

Good morning - a quick post to share a card I made for a friend who starts her radiation treatments for breast cancer.  I had purchased a cute turtle charm with a little poem about luck when visiting in Naples, FL.  I thought the card needed to have a turtle on it also.  The cute image is from Inky Antics colored with Copics.

The card design is based on the sketch at Card Patterns.  I dug into some of my Basic Grey 6 x 6 pads and chose these luscious papers to create the card.

Everyone have a wonderful day.  I have homemade broth on the stove for future soup and have made a red velvet sheet cake to share with my wonderful neighbors who always come to my rescue.  Everyone enjoy the remainder of your week end.

Simple Stories and Operation Write Home

I had this wonderful collection of paper from Simple Stories on the design table (nice name for a messy area) from the card I made on Wednesday - so made a couple more birthday cards for Operation Write Home.  The colors and designs are so beautiful in this grouping.  It is all from a 6 x 6 pad - you know - one of my paper obsessions.

Hope you like it - now I need to do laundry, buy groceries, etc - I don't know for sure - but I may have a cold trying to break through - or that front that came through made my nose run - hopefully that was it.

Have a wonderful day - it is Saturday - I am not working - so it is a good day.