Monday, June 29, 2015

Card and Envelope Sizes!

Ever wonder what size card goes in what size envelope!  Here is the answer!

In preparation for an upcoming craft show, I found a plethera of unused envelopes in my studio and needed to start using them up!  This little gem is going to help guide the creation process!

If you print this out, the sizes are 'accurate' and you can place a card over them to see if they'd fit in your envelope!

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Mirror Mirror - 30 Day Coloring Challenge


Mirror Mirror... this card was made for one of the 30 Day Coloring Challenge held by Kathy Racoosin at the Daily Marker.  

I saw something similar on Pinterest and had to give it a whirl! It also happened to match up with the weekly card challenge in my favorite Facebook group 'Chatty Scrappers!'

You Brighten My Day! A Hello Card!

Hi!  This card was created for the a2z Scrapbooking Design Team Call!  I used the Penny Black stamp, stamped in Memento Ink, and used the Brother scanncut to cut my image out.  I used a waterbrush and distress inks to color in the flower.  I then coated it with clear wink of stella.  While the flower was drying, I used the reverse stencil image to create a watercolor background and then added a Hero Arts script stamp in black ink to the background.  The 'Hello' and 'You Brighten my Day' are from the new Hero Arts stamp and die set and stamped with ombre ink!

I love this stamp and playing with all sorts of color variations, angles, and sentiments!  To watch how this card was made, please see my Technique Tuesday video here!

Hello!!! A whipped spackle gelato colored background!

Good Evening! This card was created to submit to the a2z scrapbooking design team call!  It is also one of the images I used for the 30 day coloring challenge!

I absolutely love this Penny Black stamp.  I stamped it in Memento Ink, colored with distress inks, and covered with clear wink of Stella.  The background was created by mixing several gelato colors with Faber Castell whipped spackle.  It was applied over a stencil and coated with ultra fine glitter.  I have a feeling this background will become a Technique Tuesday video sooner, rather than later!

The sentiment is from the Hero Arts stamp and die set.

I just wanted to say a quick hello!!!

This card was submitted for the a2z scrapbooking design team call!

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Woodgrain Inked Background and a Shaker Card! Look.... a squirrel!


Happy Tuesday Everyone!  I had many many questions about how I made the background for my Father's Day Card so I decided that I would make that this weeks Technique Tuesday video.  I had intended to make a shaker card and then decided to put the two together!  

I did use a premade shaker card window which can be A LOT easier than playing with acetate and foam tape.  I hope you enjoy!


Oh Christmas Tree! A very shiny Christmas!

Update!  This card won the CASE-ing Christmas Card Challenge #25!


This card was entered in the CASE-ing Christmas Card Challenge #25




This card was so hard to photograph! Inspiration was from the CASE-ing Christmas card challenge #25. I had this digital image from Hero Arts and printed it on aqua cardstock. Then I used metallic Heidi Swapp foil and applied it using a laminator. The shimmer is incredible! I added some rhinestones that I colored with my spectrum noir marker to the digital image to give it a little extra!


Side view to capture the shimmer

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!  I just loved the thank you note I made a few weeks back for a contractor, that I had to turn it into a Father's Day card for my dad!  I used glossy paper, covered it with distress ink, ran it through the embosser, and then inked it again!  I just love how this looks!  This is a quick and easy card and you can use a ton of scrap paper!

This card was entered in the 4 Crafty Chicks Card Challenge #251

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Celebrating Christmas in June

Update!  This card was selected as a runner-up in the CASE-ing Christmas #24 Challenge!

This card was made for the CASE-ing Christmas Challenge #24
A Facebook post today stated that Christmas is 20 Fridays away!  It's time to start thinking about Christmas cards!

The border was created by embossing a Stampin'Up background stamp and then stamping and die cutting a Heartfelt Creations poinsettia. 

You Brighten My Day!

You Brighten My Day!  These colorful memory box butterflies are the perfect accent to four of the stampin' up square stamps.  This was inspired by two current challenges!  CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge #127 and the first ever Outside the Box Challenge!
 
Hero Arts Ombre Ink was used for the stamped images and glitter paper was used for the die cut butterflies!

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Creating a Retiform Background

This card was submitted to the first ever Outside the Box Challenge
This technique allows for so much creativity and color!  Learn how to create a retiform background and let your creativity flow!

Retiform is defined as 'composed of crossing lines and interstices.'  By using post-it tape (or any other ways to mask) you can create the most colorful and unique backgrounds!

I hope you enjoy the video below!



Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Christmas in June! A 'Santa Supreme' Card Winner

Update!!!  This card was selected as 'Santa Supreme' in the week 23 CASE-ing Christmas Challenge!

It's six months till Christmas!  This card was inspired by the CASE-ing Christmas card challenge!  It's been a while since I've thought about designing Christmas cards, but when I saw the inspiration for this challenge, I decided to have Christmas in June!

This card was entered in the CASE-ing Christmas card challenge


Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Using Perfect Pearls!

Happy Tuesday everyone!  Today I decided to play with Perfect Pearls.  These are pigment powders that really pack a punch!  You can use them with your stamps, watercolors, and spritzers!  I hope you enjoy the video and try these pigments out!



Greetings! A quick card to say 'hello'!

This card was entered in CAS(E) This Sketch #126

I just LOVE this new Wplus9 'Hello' Sentiment!  I incorporated it with the Lotus Blossom stamp from Stampin' Up.  I also created a layered card... its difficult to see, but the base of the card does have lotus blossoms stamped over all the layers.  

It's just a nice little way to say hello!



Thinking About You

This card was submitted in the Time Out Challenge #32
This sunflower stamp intimidates the heck out of me!  I used my Spectrum Noir markers to see if I could make it work!  I'm going to keep working on it!!!!

A quick 'thinking about you' card to 
brighten someone's day!

Get your craft on!

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Watercolor kinda evening!

Tonight I decided to mix it up!  While in the middle of the Daily Marker 30 day color challenge, I postponed my week of spectrum noir markers and took out the water brush and distress inks!

The background is whipped spackle tinted with gelatos.  I used a Penny Black stamp and had my Brother scanncut scan, outline, and cut it out.  I did mask the the middle of the flower before coloring in with my distress inks and watercolor brush.  After rubbing away the masking fluid, I used a white gel pen and my glossy accents to finish up the middle of the flower.

This card was subkitted to the Pretty Pink Posh watercolor blog hop this week!

Congratulations Graduate! A golfer!

This special graduate will be receiving the golf clubs of his dreams for his recent graduation.   This is the second card created for this graduate.  I used velvet green paper for the grass and super cool gold stickers that I came across at Michael's and Hobby Lobby.

Making masculine cards without bling is very difficult!  I did find a lot of blank space I would like to embellish!


 

Make it Masculine! An 18th Birthday Card

A co-worker asked for an 18th Birthday card for her nephew.  I designed two for her to pick from!  She was unhappy with the selection at the store for cards for men.  I decided to play on the number... literally... and have some fun with the Brother scanncut.  I created the layout in canvas and then turned it into a cutting file.

I do love the end results!

Happy Graduation to a golfer!

This special graduate will be receiving the golf clubs of his dreams for his recent graduation!  I was tasked with creating two cards that incorporated golf and graduation!


I used some green velvet paper for the grass and had to use some of the wonderful golf stickers that are on the market.  The graduate stamp was stamped with black memento ink and colored with Spectrum Noir markers.  I then put glossy accents on the word graduate.

Make it Masculine! A second 18th Birthday Card

As previously posted, a co-worker asked for a masculine 18th Birthday card for her nephew.

I cut the 18 on the Brother scanncut and then embossed the paper with a birthday embossing folder.  I had some remaining chevron pieces from a previous card and connected them with some black/gray ribbon.

The celebrate is embossed whit white embossing powder.

Friday, June 5, 2015

Stationary Card Holder: Gift Set 3:3

Ever need a gift and you have no idea what to give!  How about a collection of homemade cards!  And you can't just give them cards, you need to put them in something!  This adorable stationary holder is perfect and adaptable to any size card and any number of cards!


Recommendation:  Make your cards first.  See how 'thick' the stack is including the envelopes.  Then you can determine the remaining measurements!

I added little pockets to the front of each for stamps/notes.

To view the cards included:  Lotus Blossom Cards or Dandelion Cards





Dandelion Cards: Card Kit 2:3

The second set of cards that I made for my Stationary Box Yankee Swap are these beauties!  The first set of cards, that I used the Stampin' Up Lotus Blossom set, can be found here!  I used the Technique Tuesday Dandelion Stamp and the Lawn Fawn sentiments.

I first stamped the dandelion and a few floaters in white embossing powder.  I then used my stampin' up inks and a sponge to color in the background.  Once I was happy with the results, I chose a darker ink and stamped a few more floaters.  I double matted the image and placed on white cardstock.  The card is 4.5" x 5.5".

If you want to create your own Stationary Box, I have included the dimensions.  Please note, the measurements are for the box of cards I created.  They can be enlarged and reduced all by determining the size of cards you wish to include!

  


   

   

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Lotus Blossom cards: Card Stationary Kit 1:3




Hi Everyone!  I needed a grab bag gift for a very late Holiday Yankee Swap!  So I decided to make a card set instead of buying $25 worth of silly stuff!  Hopefully the recipient believes they got their monies worth!  I created a 10 card box with 10 envelopes and 10 stamps.  I selected 6 of these cards.  I used the Stampin' Up Lotus Blossom set.  I have to say, I LOVE this set.  Each of the flowers used only one color of ink.  I decided to keep it easy and not start layering colors.

I used the Lawn Fawn stitched rectangles for many of the sentiments, which were some basic stamps I had picked up in my travels.  (love clearance bins!)

I did add some bling to many of them.  The Birthday Card has color coordinating sequences, the Note Card has pearls, the Get Well Card has rhinestones, and the Kindness Card has a little bow.  All of these were adhered with glossy accents or Ranger Multi Medium.


I'm so pleased with how they came out.  As I said, there are two more blog posts about this card set I created - including one on how to make your own card stationary holder.

To view the other set of cards that used the Technique Tuesday dandelion stamp, click here!  Want to know how to make the stationary kit?  Here are the measurements and stay tuned for the video!









Graduation Gift Bags

Get your orders in now for Graduation Gift Bags!  Here are two super cute ones!  I found the congratulations stickers on clearance and just had to have them!

Happy Graduation Danielle and Gina! 

Please visit this link to see how to make these bags for yourself!


Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Metal Leaf and Metal Flake

It's a beautiful New England day!  Today I made two cards with metal flake.  I used flitterglu and applied it to my stamp and then applied the metal flake!  This is a messy and staticky project but the results are beautiful!  Enjoy!