Big Hugs

I have not done the Clean and Simple Stamping Challenge for such a long time.  I really like the design of the card.

My card only has a stamped sentiment on it.  I used my Silhouette to cut the circle designs from white or cream paper and I then colored then with Copics.  The background paper is a patterned paper with a little design in it.  I glued the big heart circles onto the card front and then I dry embossed it with an embossing folder.  I always feel that when I do that my die cuts are very glued to the card front.  Since this card will be for Operation Write Home, it needs to travel lots of miles and I want to make sure everything stays stuck.  I stamped the sentiment on the same patterned paper as the background.  It is pop dotted on the card front along with a few more circles.  The one circle looks like an olive to me.  I am really happy with how it turned out.

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

Clean and Simple Card

I am taking the Online Card Class Clean and Simple 2 - clean and simple is very difficult for me to do - the card looks naked but I do try and I think I did do ok on this card.

I used a heavy cream card stock for the card base.  I but a slightly smaller piece and embossed the Hero Arts Houndstooth design on it with white embossing powder.  This panel is pop dotted on the card base  The pink strip on the bottom is from the edge of a 12 x 12 sheet.  The Always a Friend stamp is from Simon Says Stamp which I embossed with white on pink paper.  It is pop dotted on the card front.  The butterfly is a Martha Stewart punch.

This sketch was from one of the classes last week.

We R Memory Keepers, Hero Arts and Clean and Simple Stamping

I know it doesn't look clean and simple - but really it is - it is all paper - beautiful paper from We R Memory Keepers with a very vintage feel to it.  The flower is from Hero Arts - it is one of the stamp sets that has the coordinating die cuts.  The paper is so beautiful I just stamped it with VersaMark and clear embossed the flowers.  The gem is from Imaginisce.  The sentiment is also from Hero Arts.

The layout for the card is the sketch from Clean and Simple Stamping.  A very versatile sketch.  The card will be going in my Operation Write Home box.

Tomorrow is Friday - yeah - why do four day work weeks seem like 8 day work weeks.  Enjoy your evening - I had dinner and a beer with a friend tonight - felt good to unwind a little after work.

Clean and Simple Stamping, Creative Corner and Operation Write Home

This is another card for my next Operation Write Home - the emphasis for this box is masculine cards for sending home for Father's Day.  I tend to not make cards that are specific "mother's day" or "father's day" - I know that this could be used for Father's Day or for any other occasion.  This card is a combination of 3 stamps.  The golf balls came from three different stamps.  They were all cut out  and pop dotted on the card.  The background is my argyle cuddlebug folder - and then a touch of argyle patterned paper.  I was so pleased with the card - I made a second one and sent it to a friend so she could send to her father - I know he likes golf.

The card is being entered into three different challenges:

Sketch at Clean and Simple Stamping
Creative Corner - Boys and Their Toys
Operation Write Home Stars and Stamps Blog - Midweek Challenge - Dad

Have a wonderful day.

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.

Eat Cake Graphics

I  am proud to say that I am now on the design team for Eat Cake Graphics.  I know I am going to have lots of creative fun with their great stamps.  Both the stamps on this card are from Eat Cake Graphics - isn't that a fun sentiment.  This started as a card for Operation Write Home but then I decided to use my Stardust Gel pen on the cupcakes and sentiment.  One of my great nieces - decided she wanted to learn how to bake and decorate cupcakes this year - so I am going to send this card to her.  At Easter I will give her a cupcake recipe book I bought at Kohl's.  Kohl's has great items that all the proceeds go to charity - each item cost $5.  Many times they are books with coordinating stuffed animals. 

The card is based on the sketch from Clean and Simple Stamping.  I think this will be a sketch I used in the future.  I did put my sentiment in the block rather than lining it up with the edge of the card. 

I also am entering it on the challenge at Lily Pad sponsored by Simon Says Stamp to use patterned paper.  The paper I used is from an old Basic Grey 6 x 6 pad - I think it will be the paper I use next week for my Oldie Moldie Monday post.  I did dry emboss the aqua layer with a Cuddlebug folder.   I also added some ink along the edges to distress the paper.  The cupcakes and sentiment are pop dotted.  Three little orange rhinestones finish off the card.

Everyone enjoy your Saturday.  I need to buy some groceries to make dinner - my youngest will be here for dinner before she starts her journey to Alaska to start a new adventure in her and her husband's life.  July 2013 I will be planning a several week vacation to Alaska. 

Crate Paper and Hero Arts plus three challenges

Good morning - Oldie Moldie Monday - time to share some cards made with papers from my collection that are a little older - this collection is from Crate Paper.  Great papers and colors and a fantastic weight to the paper.  I did use my new Hero Arts stamp set with coordinating die cuts.  The cards do look much better in person - not doing real well with my photo editing.

The card is based on three challenges:

sketch - Clean and Simple Stamping
bling - Less Is More
O Christmas tree - Creative Corner

I used brown pearls on one tree and then on the second tree I used red bling - it gives it a little bit more festive color - the insides are done - I made a total of 4 of this design.

Still fighting my cold - YUCK - no time for this. 

Snow Much Fun - Stampendous and We R Memory Keepers

Actually SNOW is not fun and I am not looking forward to it coming - maybe that is a sign of old age.  Of course, you can always use it as an excuse to stay inside and craft - once you clear your sidewalks and driveway.

Time to kick my "you know what" into gear to get my holiday cards made.  I think they will be on the clean and simple side this year.  My card today is based on the sketch at Clean and Simple Stamping.  With the patterned paper choice it looks more complicated than it is.  The little penguin which is a stamp by Stampendous was "fussy cut" and placed on the circle with some pop dots.  The sentiment strip is based on a tutorial on Lisa Johnson's blog Poppy Paperie.  It is called crackle embossing.  You put adhesive on top of colored cardstock, sprinkle on your embossing powder and heat - it crackles - this was my first attempt - but it does add some fun texture to your strip.  I then added a SRM sticker for my sentiment. 

The paper is a patriotic collection from We R Memory Keepers.  The papers I selected to use are subtle enough to be used for any occasion.

Yeah one more holiday card made.

Stampendous, My Mind's Eye and SRM Unite

This week is my Mom's 93rd birthday - I try to send her a bunch of cards that week but Columbus Day - Post Office day off sure goofs that up. 

The card today is based on the sketch at Clean and Simple Stamping.  I was also going to use it on the Stampendous challenge for CAS challenge but it was for a holiday - a 93rd birthday is a holiday I think. 

The stamp is from Stampendous - stamped with a distress ink and then clear embossed.  I inked the edges of all the papers and card base.  Added a great sticker from SRM which is brown and some May Arts twine - I pop dotted both layers to give some extra dimension.

Thanks for stopping by - have a wonderful day.

Oldie Moldie Monday

 

Oldie Moldie Monday - time to show some love to some old paper.  This is a very old grouping from We R Memory Keepers.  I like some of the colors - they are a little dingy maybe - but I think I have managed to make a couple good cards using the grouping. 

The first card is based on the sketch at Clean and Simple Stamping - I turned the sketch on its side and used a Hero Arts Sentiment stamp to add my stamping.  The sentiment is pop dotted.

The second card actually started out as the sketch from Clean and Simple Stamping but I did not like it so it transformed itself into this card.  I used some American Crafts Zing embossing powder on a Stampendous flower stamp.  The sentiment is from the inexpensive stamps Michael's carries.  Did you see my piercing on the side of the strip - easy to do - unthread the sewing maching and just stitch down the side - the needle does all the work for you.  I added some Offray ribbon to complete the card.  The image was pop dotted.

Both cards are for Operation Write Home.  Come back later in the week to see another card made out of this grouping.

You're a Real Fun-Gi

The card is based on the sketch at Clean and Simple Stamping. I struggle with clean and simple - so I try to do their sketches - less is more and you can make some very beautiful cards. I do like how this card turned out.

This is a new stamp I bought from Unity Stamp. Not very expensive but I will get lots of cards made with it. Lots of smiles from the cards I will make for Operation Write Home. This is some new paper I had bought in a pack - it is fron - My Mind's Eye.

I did get one flower garden cleaned up today. It is rainy here in Wisconsin - I need to mow my lawn also. Maybe tomorrow - I also need to go to work for a few hours. Don't want to - but if I wish to remain somewhat calm this week - a few hours of work is needed.

Enjoy the remainder of your evening and week end.

Sweet Saturday

Good afternoon - a little short on posts this week. I got pink eye - I really think I am way too old to get pink eye. It is pretty common right now - both of my student workers had it and I got up on Friday morning and knew I had it also. So I am now on eye drops and my week end plans were cancelled. Oh well - I don't want to spread this any further.

I did get busy last night and did do some creating. I also took a nap yesterday. I did the sketch from Clean and Simple Stamping - both cards resemble the sketch somewhat - I had to add my own little extra spin on the design. I always hate to stamp multiples that are suppose to line up but the paper I stamped on had a graph paper design in it so it was easy to line up the little stamps. Both stamps are from sets I bought at Michael's dirt cheap on clearance. The bird is actually from a Christmas set but sure is cute for normal cards. I already had the Happy Birdday stamp and actually knew where it was. The other sentiment is a favorite from Hero Arts.

Both cards are for Operation Write Home. Come back later in the week and see what else I created with the same papers and stamps. Everyone enjoy your evening.

Beautiful Flower

Good evening - a quick post tonight - I wanted to share this card I made for a friend. It is based on the sketch at Clean and Simple Stamping - with absolutely no stamping on it.

The patterned paper makes the card so easy to make. It is a sheet from the 6 x 6 pad Sweetness from Pink Paislee. I made the flower - it was an experiment and I love how it turned out - a few diecuts, acrylic paint and scrunching. I have made the flower in orange, lavendar, yellow and blue. I make 4 flowers at a time.

Everyone enjoy your evening - I am trying to straighten up my crafting area - I have a friend coming over with her baby on Saturday and we are going to start a scrapbook for the baby - since I am not a scrapbooker - this will be very interesting - we will approach it as an 8 x 8 card with pictures as the focal point. Should be fun plus the baby will be here to play with.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Good evening - I found this beautiful patterned paper at Hobby Lobby and knew the paper could stand alone on a card. This week Clean and Simple Stamping blog had a simple sketch that I could use this paper on. You were suppose to use a die cut for the sentiment - my sentiment did start as a die cut but I did not like the shape so I did some trimming, rounded a corner or two and that is how my sentiment die cut turned out. I thought the pansies needed some beautiful lace, a bow and a touch of green to bring it all together. I plan on making a couple of these to go into my next Operation Write Home box.

Everyone have a wonderful evening - going to try and make a card tonight using purple (lavendar is a shade of purple right), orange and teal. Come back tomorrow to see if I accomplished it. It will be my third Christmas card for 2011 if it works out.

Monday, February 21, 2011

A quick post tonight - computer decided to be ornery tonight plus I have been trying to make a soup and dessert for work tomorrow.

I made this card for Operation Write Home. I used the sketch from Clean and Simple. Monday is the day to dig into your old supplies - this grouping hasn't been buried that long but I have had it for awhile.

I hope you enjoy my card. Remember to dig into your supplies and show some love for your old paper and stamps.

Card Details:
Size 4.25 x 5.5
Cosmo Cricket paper and sentiment
Spellbinders
Stamp: Whipper Snapper Designs colored with Copics

Sunday, February 15, 2011

Good evening - where did the week end go - I could use another day - of course I did not get done what I wanted to get done. I should do a load of laundry and some cleaning - I bet doesn't happen.

I did get some cards made for Operation Write Home which is good - on Saturday - I sent a box of 105 cards - that always feels good to send a box to the shipper. Right now they still need Mother's Day cards - I am making some cards but will make them general enough that they can be used at any time.

A friend gave me some card bases - and this is one of the cardbases - I stamped with VersaMark with my dot stamp to add some depth/texture to the card front. The strip of striped paper - was laying on the table. I found the pink and blue in the scrap bag. Last night I did some coloring - and colored six Fluffles. This image makes a happy card. I based the card on the sketch at Clean and Simple Stamping.

Well everyone - I must go and do some chores. The day seemed so long without a football game to watch. But we can still bask in the thoughts of a Packer win.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Good evening - a quick post for tonight.

I based this card on the sketch at Clean and Simple Stamping.

The paper is from Echo Park. The little bee stamp is from Whipper Snapper Designs. I colored it with Copics and added some Stickles to the wings and heart. The sentiment is stamped and cut out. I added a rub on underneath the sentiment to anchor it to the card so it was not floating.

Everyone have a great evening. This week end I am participating in a SKIP for Operation Write Home - stop by on Saturday and check it out.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Good Monday Morning – the start of another work week – yikes – do you know how close Christmas is – I am trying to get my Christmas cards in order. I have been making them – some I make specifically for people – others – I make cards and then decide who gets them. I do need to put the insides in a few of them yet. I really must continue to do that when I make cards – finish the inside – so then you don’t have to worry about finding that paper again.

Sunday I broke out my new table – it is a table that adjusts to counter height – I am a stand up card maker so my back starts bothering me. After just an afternoon of use – I think I really like it. I have my cutter on it and I work there. It is not real wide so you can’t put lots on it but everything can be close at hand. I also sorted my spellbinders – I got out some sandwich bags and sorted each group together. It seems I spent more time digging through the container finding the right one – now at least all my circles are together, etc.

Today is Monday – so it means it is Oldie Moldie Monday – dig out some of that once loved paper and make a beautiful card. The paper today is from a Basic Grey pad I bought at Michael’s – I have never seen the collection in the stores. I also dug out some embossing powder I had never used – but had to have. Zing in a dark brown by American Crafts. I think I like it. The design of the card is based on the sketch at Clean and Simple Stamping.
Oh who – oh who shall get this card.

Everyone have a good Monday. Hope you find sometime to be creative.

Card Details:
Size: 5 inch square
Patterned paper: Basic Grey
Sentiment Stamp: Hero Arts
Doily stamp on kraft paper: Studio Calico
Zing Embossing Powder by American Crafts
Ink: Versamark and Colorbox Chalk Ink
May Arts twine
Button from supplies

Saturday, October 16, 2010

A very quick post today for a very quick card. I do have problems doing clean and simple cards so like to do the sketches at Clean and Simple - new sketch every Friday.

This card is pretty clean and simple. I first cut down my card base so it fit exactly in a cuddlebug folder and embossed the entire front of the card. I think the card is about 4 x 5. I wanted to make masculine cards for Operation Write Home so I had this new fish stamp I have not used before. I just ran some colored pencil over the fish body to make it green and then used some green paper for matting to add color to the card. The green and dark brown are scraps.

Everyone enjoy your day - I am trying to work on mass production - something I don't normally do - but it is easier to make cards for OWH if you make more than one card from a design. I just prep and put inside a box and on those nights when there is no creativity - I can assemble - or take it to work and do it during my lunch hour. I could probably strong arm some co workers to help make cards during the lunch hour.

I must get back to cleaning my refrigerator - I think I found what died in there - I could have been doing a major medical experiment in that one drawer.

Stamps: Fish - is hiding but I bought at Hobby Lobby; sentiment - Hobby Lobby
Cuddlebug Embossing Folder

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Good Wednesday evening - yeah it is hump day and so now we are into the downward slide toward the week end - I am hoping to get caught up enough at work so I can take off some of Friday. I hope.

I am hoping (I keep hoping) that we have a nice breeze come through blowing to the East - blow the leaves off my trees and out of my yard. That isn't too nice is it. But I really would like them to be off the trees so we could rake them into the street.

The first card tonight is based on the sketch at Clean and Simple Stamping. I have problems doing clean and simple so I try to do their sketch. Of course, since you have the paper and stamps out - you should make another card or two. These cards will be for Operation Write Home.

Everyone have a wonderful evening.

Card Details:

Size: 4.25 x 5.5

Paper - from scraps

Stamp: Penny Black

Sentiment Stamp: Hero Arts

Memento Ink