Happy Birthday - PDCC 123

Uggghhh! For being March I am NOT please with our weather! Rain, snow, and hail, with the smallest bits of sunshine. It is not optimal... hopefully it goes away soon and begins to cooperate with my need to start a garden and get my fingers in the soil!

I made this card for the Play Date Cafe Challenge 123. One of the reasons I love the color challenge's is because they push me to use colors that I normally don't use of pair together. I am always amazed at the end product and how fun it looks, not something I quite expect at time.  So this challenge had tangerine, teal, jeans, and electric green! This one probably is my biggest stretch to date on a color scheme, way too bright and definately not together, but I pulled it together, what do you think?

First I took this beautiful tangerine patterned paper by Cosmo Cricket and then layered the jeans card stock with the decorative border over it, then adding the electric green sentiments and teal embellishments for the top pop of color.  It is quite appealing, isn't it?

Supplies used:
Patterned paper (Cosmo Cricket); card stock (DCWV); Border punch (Martha Stewart Crafts); Stamp & ink (Studio G); Flowers (Recollections, K & Company); Adhesive gems (Recollections); Brads (Making Memories); Die Cut (Elegant Edges Cricut Cartridge)



Freshly Made Sketches #25 - Hi

What a weekend! March really crept up on me. I cannot believe this week we will already hit half of March, considering Friday I still was in denial that we were in March! Oh well, I am sure I will catch up with everything sooner or later!

I made this card for Freshly Made Sketches #25 Challenge. It took me awhile to play with the pieces to make this sketch work.... for some reason it did not want to come together as easily as I wanted. And it wasn't the color scheme, it was more the sizes of all of the pieces. For instance, I cut out the back ornamental piece in three different sizes before settling on this one! I guess it is all about portions! What do you think?

Supplies used:
Patterned paper (Colorbok); Card stock (Recollections); Stamp & Ink (Studio G); Ribbon (Offray); Sticker (Colorbok); Die Cuts (Ornamental Iron 2 Cricut Cartridge); Chalk ink (Studio G);

Mojo Monday 231 - You're My Sweetheart

I am having a case of Spring Fever! It is sunny and rainy, and I have a HUGE list of things I want to do. So much to do, so little time. And the weather is really not cooperating on my schedule either! So since it was rainy this weekend, I scratched working in the garden and riding my bike to craft. Here is one of the cards I crafted:

I made this card for the Mojo Monday 231 Challenge.  I was so excited for this one, as I just purchased a couple of new Cricut Cartridges and had the perfect one to make the half circle shape on the top!  And I think it turned out very lovely! I tried something I never have before on this one as well... I used blue, brown, and black as the colors... not a normal color combination for me, but it worked out nicely. What do you think?

Supplies used:

Kraft, black, and blue paper (Recollections); Ribbon (Offray); Adhesive gems (small - Recollections, large - Darice); Stamp & ink (Studio G); Die Cuts (Ornamental Iron 2 and Damask Decor Cricut Cartridges);

Mojo Monday 226 - Card

Look at the fun card I made for the Mojo Monday #226 Challenge!  Of course I used my new Cricut to help embellish along the way :)  I love my new machine, I honestly do not know what I ever did without it.  It has really opened up a new world of embellishments for me.  However, I have my eye on an embossing machine next, so anyone with feedback on the best way to go, please let me know!

I have not had time lately to craft or craft for challenges, so I was so excited to get back in the swing of things. What do you think of this card?

Supplies used:

Patterned paper - red and black (DCWV); Cardstock (Recollections); Stamp & ink (Studio G); Flower and leave punch (Martha Steward Crafts); Border punch (Fiskars); Die (Cricut with Damask Decor cartridge); Adhesive gem (Recollections); Adhesives (Elmer's and pop dots).

Square Punch Challenge - CREATE:Blog

I spotted this challenge on the Cards CREATE:Blog and was immediately intrigued! to use a square punch when designing a card. I decided to use my punch and make multiple squares to layer on top of my red paper (since I picked zebra print for the squares!). I framed the top and bottom using a border punch and ribbon with white stitching on top, and then added some red gems for flair.  I just had so much fun making and layering this one! Possibly because it has the Tiffany dressed mantra: layers! I dress in multipludes of layers, so my cards should definitely follow suit!

Supplies used:

Red card stock (Recollections); Zebra print paper (Recollections); Square punch (Creative Memories); Border punch (Martha Stewart Crafts); Red adhesive gems (Recollections); Stamp & ink (Studio G); Ribbon (Celebrate It); Adhesive (Elmer's).

Collage Stamping Challenge

Greetings from a very wet, rainy Oregon!  It has been raining constantly for the past couple of days. Accumulating two inches in one day, and another inch is expected today.  I am hoping we get a slight reprieve soon....

Just Us Girls is hosting a challenge this week - #119 that requires a card made by collage stamping.  An example of collage stamping would be where you stamp a background and then stamp over it.  Here I applied that technique.  The cream paper I used is very thin, almost to the point it is like vellum, which I love the texture.  I used some swirl stamps for the background, using silver and gold ink.  Then over that I stamped the sentiment Happy Birthday.

What do you think? I really love the way this one turned out. It seemed to fit really well with the background papers.  And it was really fun to try a technique I have seen quite a bit for myself!

Supplies used:

Green patterned paper (DCWV); creme paper (scrap); border punch (Martha Stewart Crafts); swirl stamps (Inkadinkadoo); gold & silver ink (Studio G); adhesive gems (Recollections); adhesive (Elmer's).

Thinking of You - Challenge Card

I am not sure about everyone else, but my weekend was quite full and I did not even get half of the needed things done (mostly because of my poor sick daughter, it is awful when they get a cold!).  So to accommodate my time restrictions and still play with all the fun card challenges, I combined two challenges into one card.  This requires a lot more thought and planning than one may think!  First off, I selected the colors to accommodate the The Play Date Cafe Challenge#109 using smoky purple, champagne, and blush colors.  Then I designed the card according to the Freshly Made Sketches challenge #13. All in all, I really loved the look that turned out on this card.

Supplies used:
Card stock paper (DCWV), patterned paper (DCWV), border and vine punch (Martha Stewart Crafts), hexagon punch (Creative Memories); adhesive gems (Recollections), stamp & ink (Studio G); 3D adhesive (pop dots); adhesive (Elmer's), ribbon (Offray).

Thanks a Bunch - Challenge Card

So far I have never tried to make a card that fit more than one challenge, but this weekend due to the hectic schedule and just pure number of challenges I want to try, I combined two challenges into one card! One, Inkspirations #98, was a color challenge, where you had to use Saffron Yellow, Wasabi Green, Rose Red, and Whisper White as colors.  The second, Mojo Monday was to incorporate their sketch design in your card.  What do you think?



Supplies used:

Patterned papers & card stock (DCWV), adhesive (Elmer's), Glitter paper (DCWV), punches (Martha Stewart Crafts), ribbon (Offray), button (vintage), stamp & ink (Studio G).

 

Woodland Creatures Card - Wee Memories Challenge 76

One of the fun blogs I follow (Wee Memories) was hosting a challenge (#76) to make a card using woodland creatures. There were many of cute cards already designed for inspiration (go check it out!) and so I thought I would give it a shot.  I made this one right before Thanksgiving, and for some reason it just fits!

Supplies used:
Kraft (Recollections); Patterned paper (Recollections - Any Occasion stack); Lace (scrap); Teal and brown card stock (Recollections); Punches (Marvy Uchida); Squirrel chipboard (DCWV); Stamps & ink (Studio G); Adhesive gems (Recollections); Adhesive (Elmer's).

And in the spirit of woodland creatures, here is a card I made for my Mom's birthday using a skunk because one of her favorite characters is Pepe le Peu. I used the same chipboard from the DCWV collection at the time, and used red one of her favorite colors.  Thought I would share it along with this one. What do you think?

Red, White, & Green Tag - Just Us Girls Challenge #111

One of the fun challenges I participated in this week was the Just Us Girls challenge - challenging a red, white, and green themed project.  Here is my take (and yes I was listening to Christmas music while making it!)

I made these two tags, they are slightly different but the same concept, with lots of layers, which must be my theme!  Over the white base, I layered red strips of paper that were border punched with designs, with a middle layer of velum.  Then on the upper portion I fixed punched leaves on the left side with three tiny gems for a makeshift "holly" look. Then I added a sentiment and ribbon to the punched portion on top.  Which one do you like?

Supplies used:

Red  card stock (Recollections); Green card stock (Recollections); Border punches (Martha Stewart Crafts & Recollections); Adhesive gems ( Recollections); Stamp & Ink (Studio G); Leaf punch (Martha Stewart Crafts); Ribbon (Offray); Adhesive (Elmer's).

the PDC # 108 - Challenge Card!

Fall is sure here in Oregon.  Last night between the wind and rain, many of the leaves were falling all over the roadway and in yards.  It was a little sad to me, as I love looking at the bright colors on the actual trees, when they fall off I know winter is getting closer!

Look at the fun tag I made for the Play Date Cafe challenge # 108!  The colors of this challenge bring the warm colors of fall that I love so much: copper, maroon, and turmeric.

Making this tag was pretty simple, it was getting the right color combination to match the challenge and make a balanced tag. The tag itself was not too hard, I used one of my punches to punch the kraft base, and another punch for the inner circle, and yet another punch to make the flowers.  All layering together for the right look.  What do you think?

Supplies used:

Kraft card stock (Recollections); Maroon decorative paper (DCWV), Glitter card stock (DCWV); Scallop circle punch & circle punch (Marvy Uchida); Daisy punch (Martha Stewart Crafts); Stamp & Ink (Studio G); Brads & eyelet (Making Memories); Brad/eyelet setter(Making Memories); Ribbon (vintage scrap); Adhesive (Elmer's).

Thank you very much card

Good morning!  Just sharing another card I crafted up.  When I saw the paper pack at the store, I had to have it.  I just loved the fun designs and wanted to see what I could make with it... The funny thing about this card is how layered it is with different papers, which the girls at work always love to point out how much I love to layer my clothes!

On this card I took two coordinating papers from the same paper pack and cut them down to size, adhering them to the card.  I then took brown card stock which I trimmed down with a fun border punch and layered it over the top.  I added some fun yellow ribbon, layering that over the top of the brown card stock, and lastly layered the tag stamped with a sentiment over the top of that. Whew!

What do you think?

Supplies used:

Patterned papers (Pressed Petals); Brown card stock (Recollections); Border punch (Martha Stewart Crafts); Yellow ribbon (Offray); Brown tag (K & Company); Ink & Stamp (Studio G); Adhesive (Elmer's)

Halloween Shoes!

How fun are these?  So anyone who knows me well knows I adore shoes!  I have too many and especially love heels.  One day I was cursing the blogs and saw this wonderful how-to on how to make paper shoes, so of course I had to try!!

Now I like to make paper shoes just for fun.  These are sitting in my living room contributing to our Halloween decor!  I think I will tell anyone who will believe me they fell off the witch!

Supplies:
Black & Purple cardstock (Recollections); Grey cardstock (DCWV Old World Stack); Halloween ribbon (vintage); Halloween stickers (vintage); Border punch (Martha Stewart Crafts); Adhesive (Elmers).

Here is a look at my wall-hanging I made out of chipboard. It is not the typical Halloween decor, but I love it all the same.

Supplies:
Hexagon punch (Creative Memories); Circle Punch (Marvy Uchida); Square punch (Creative Memories); Corner rounder (Creative Memories); Stamps & ink (Studio G); Adhesive Gems (Recollections); Papers (DCWV); Halloween Ribbon (vintage).

Play Date Challenge #105

Here is a tag I made for one of my challenges, what do you think?

First, I LOVE the color scheme of this challenge!  Blues and browns look so darling together.  This was a lot of fun to make too, punching the flowers and adding the cute little brads.  The flowers each were textured paper too, which make is quite fun! 

Supplies:  Kraft paper (Recollections); Corner looped punch (Martha Stewart Crafts); Brad Setter (Making Memories); brads (Making Memories); Stamp & Ink (Studio G); Flower punches (Martha Stewart Crafts); Textured brown paper (DCWV); Blue patterned paper (Creative Memories); Blue ribbon (Offray); Adhesive (Elmer's).

Fall is Here!

Fall always brings a sense of home to me. It is where I find more time to craft and enjoy the comforts of my home. I curl up with cider and spend hours designing away!

Here is my attempt at a fall card. One of the fun things about this card, is one of the colors does not seem like a fall color at all! The blue just gives it a little bit of pop!

Supplies used on this card:
Kraft (Recollections); Circle Punches (Creative Memories, Marvy Uchida); Papers (Pressed Petals, DCWV, Recollections, Creative Memories); Stamps & Ink (Studio G); Buttons (Vintage); Adhesives (Pop Dots, Elmer's; and Zots).

Nutty for You!

I had made this lovely card for a challenge, and I absolutely adore the squirrel!  He is just too cute!

First, I cut down card stock and layered it on the left hand side of the Kraft card.  I then attached the ribbon and button for some flair.  Lastly I stamped the sentiment and colored.  It was actually very simple to make, but I just love the look of it.

Thoughts?

Supplies: Kraft Cardstock (Recollections); Chevron Cardstock (Pressed Petals); Green Ribbon (Offray); Button (Vintage); Stamps (Studio G); Ink (Studio G); Watercolor Pencils (Artist's Loft).

the Play Date Cafe - Challenge #104

Another fun challenge!

I played along with The Play Date Cafe's most current challenge.  The challenge required a combination of colors: Artichoke, Mauve, and Egg Yolk.  Quite a combination, but they pulled together pretty nicely.

To make this card, I cut down kraft to card size.  I then took the green (artichoke) and border punched the edge and adhered to the card. I then took the yellow (egg yolk) and corner punched one side of it and stamped the sentiment.  Lastly, I embellished with purple (mauve) punched flowers, rhinestones, and purple ribbon.

What do you think?

Supplies: Kraft (Recollections); Green (DCWV Border Strips); Yellow (Recollections); Stamp & Ink (Studio G); Border Punch (Martha Stewart Crafts); Corner Punch (Creative Memories); Flower Punches (Martha Stewart Crafts); Rhinestones (Recollections); Ribbon (Offray); Adhesive (Elmer's - No Wrinkle Glue); Glitter Spray (Tim Holtz).

 

Happy Halloween Card

One of my favorite things to do in downtime is to check out blogs for ideas and sometimes I even get a little adventurous and try one of the challenges!

This card I submitted to two challnges: the Cards Magazine CREATE: Blog Challenge and the Just Us Girls Challenge.
It was rather simple to make.  I first used black card stock for the background.  I then took pieces from DCWV Nautical (purple/blue diamond) and DCWV Glitter Strips (green diamonds) and made into diamond shapes.  I adhered them to the card in a pattern.  I then took Happy Halloween ribbon I purchased at the dollar store and adhere to the side of the diamond strip. 

Lastly, I used my Marvy Uchida circle punch for the purple circle, which I then used Studio G stamps & ink to put the Halloween themed sentiments, which I embellished with adhesive gems from Recollections.

Simple and very fun!  Gets me in the spirit of Halloween!

Spooky Halloween - CREATE: Blog Challenge Card

My Spooky Halloween Card, isn't it festive?

So, as many of you know, I love to submit cards I make to challenges.  This one was submitted and then featured to the CARDS Magazine CREATE: Blog Challenge.

For this card, I went with a kraft card stock background.  The grainy look/feel to this paper reminds me of fall and harvesting, something that goes along well with Halloween.  Next, I took 5 different types of orange scrap papers, cut them down to strips, and used my corner punch rounder on two ends of them and adhered them to the card.  Next, I took a piece of black cardstock and stamped the word Halloween (Studio G ink & stamp).  I cut down one side with a border punch (Martha Stewart Crafts) and then added two black brads to the end (Making Memories) and adhered to the card.  Lastly, I stamped Spooky on the top (Studio G ink & stamp) to finish the card. 

I was so blessed to have it featured on the CREATE: Blog, next to many other lovely cards, so please go check out the other submissions!

Falling for You - PDCC #102

Look at the fun colors on this card!!

So, I found another fun online blog to participate in challenges for. It is called the The Play Date Cafe and it hosts fun challenges that I always love to see the neat designs that come out of them.  I got overly ambitious and decided to try it myself. 

This challenge required a color scheme of Frightening Fuchsia, Putrid Purple, Slime Green, and Black as Night - spooky colors for Halloween.

My card incorporated those colors, but I used a different theme than Halloween.  Instead,  I used the fuchsia as a backdrop, using my Martha Stewart Edger to give the cardstock some flair.  Then, I used Studio G stamps and ink to place the sentiment on the green card stock.  I placed Making Memories green gems around the trees for falling leaves.  I layered the green on top of the purple and black cardstock, then tying it together with purple ribbon by Offray. Lastly on the card I used purple ink to place the leaves and green gems to tie it together. 

What do you think?  Do you like it?