sistochris Scrapbooking and Paper Crafts

Stampin Up Bliss--Just a Note Handstamped Greeting Card

2012-02-13T20:30:00.000-06:00

Today's card is a simple layered card. I'm teaching my brother-in-law's girlfriend how to stamp, so we started nice and easy.

I used the flourish from the Bliss stamp set by Stampin Up, and the Just a Note stamp from Hero Arts.

The base of the card is Very Vanilla, layered with pattern paper, black, Bravo Burgundy, and then Very Vanilla again.

The ink is Bravo Burgundy

Here is one final look at our card. Thanks for stopping by!

New Hero Arts Stamps--Sympathy Hand Stamped Greeting Card

2012-02-11T11:55:00.000-06:00

Today's card was made with my newest additions to my stamp collection. I used embossing ink and white embossing powder for the medallion and the sentiment on the front of this card using Stampin Up Night of Navy. I then stamped the medallion again with Versamark on the background to fill in the space.

Here is a closer photo of the larger embossed medallion.

Inside the card I simply added a punched border edge.

Here is a final look at the card. Thanks for stopping by!

Stampin Up Textured Quilt Card

2012-02-08T16:00:00.000-06:00

Today's card is a quilt card that I made with scraps of my favorite pattern paper from Stampin Up (Bella Rose). I punched squares and sewed them to a scrap piece of white paper and then ran it through my Cuttlebug with the lattice square embossing folder.

The base of the card is Kiwi Kiss, and the accent colors are white and Pink Pirouette.

I used white 1/4" ribbon

Here is the close up of the stitched and the birthday sentiment.

One more final look at the final card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stampin Up Embrace Life Envelope Pocket Flower and Butterfly Card

2012-02-05T12:00:00.000-06:00

Hello All! I know that I've been away. My husband's family is slowly working through the grieving process. His sister is staying with us and his brother will be her on Wednesday to stay until he is also on his feet. They have come together as a family to support each other during this time, so I ask for continued prayers for healing of their hearts, peace, and strength.

I've been doing some crafting with my sister-in-law and I'm happy to say that I have successfully crocheted a scarf, and two kitchen towels! YAY! I have also been playing in my paper room, and my friend Norma has been bringing me some COOL ideas! Today's is the first I'll show you of the items Norma has shown me how to make.

Forgive the photos, but the colors are Pretty In Pink, and Whisper White, with Pretty in Pink pattern paper as well. This is a photo of the card with the pull-put section tucked inside.

Here is what the card looks like when you pull our the center portion. The card is made using an envelope and then a piece of cardstock as the pull out section.

Here is a close up of the texture from the embosslit dies of the butterflies. I used the stamp set Embrace Live, and used Pretty in Pink ink.

Here is a close up of the flower...you get a little better idea of how dimensional this really is.

One more look at the final card. Thanks for looking and sticking with me during the past few months! God Bless!

Oh! And a peek at the kitchen towels. I made a pair of these.

Sad Beginning to the New Year

2012-01-04T17:39:00.001-06:00

Hello everyone. I'm sorry I've been away so long. We unexpectedly lost my mother-in-law. She passed away at home in her sleep. We've been grieving, and trying to help my husbands siblings as well. They are located all around the country, and this loss has made them realize that family is the most important thing. Two of my husbands siblings are moving to be nearer to us, and will be moving in with us until they can get established. While we've been discussing options, I've been focusing my energy where I've been most needed. I'll return to my stamping and posting as soon as I can. Thank you.

Winter Snowflake Embossed Greeting Card

2011-12-15T18:30:00.000-06:00

I'm loving my Minnesota winter...rain yesterday and a bit of snow overnight, so I was thinking about Christmas only a short 10 days away, and I'm wondering if we'll have a white Christmas. I decided to make a winter/snowy card. I went for a very simple design.

I started with a base of Night of Navy and used a layer of white that was embossed with a snowflake folder (THANK YOU NORMA!).

I added glitter to two of the snowflakes, and then stamped my sentiment from my Stampin Up set called Wondrous Gifts in Night of Navy ink, mounted onto Night of Navy cardstock.

I thought about adding ribbon or brads, but decided less was more for the look I wanted.

Here is one more look. Thanks for stopping by!

Christmas Spirelli Poinsettia Greeting Card

2011-12-13T20:00:00.000-06:00

I used a new technique on today's card that I learned over at SplitcoastStampers. It is called Spirelli, and you should go take a look at the tutorial for how to make designs with thread and scalloped shapes.

I used super shimmery green as the base, and I added gold and white embossed with the Poinsettia embossing folder. I added a paper flower from my stash and my sentiment and inside stamp from Home for Christmas.

I punched my sentiment out with a large circle and then hid half of it behind my gold piece of cardstock.

Here is a closer look at the spirelli scallop.

The inside is stamped with "Though far and wide on earth we roam, at Christmastime our hearts come home."

One more look at the card.

This card is eligible for the following challenges:

One Stop Craft Challenge--traditional Christmas colors

Creative Card Crew--Tis the season

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge--Christmas Giltz

Dolce Stamps and Cards-- DSAC07 Get your shine on

Thanks for stopping by!

Hand Stamped Elegant Moments All Ocassion Greeting Card

2011-12-11T19:00:00.000-06:00

Today's card is simple and elegant.

I used the sentiment from Elements of Style.

The base is Very Vanilla, with Pink Pirouette run through an embossing folder.

I cut the sentiment out with an oval and then used Very Vanilla to also cut our the scallop oval layer.

I added a double row of pearls for the elegance.

Thanks for looking!

Vintage Moments Elegant Stamped Greeting Card

2011-12-09T22:35:00.001-06:00

So I hit the sale at Michael's today and picked up a pack of cardstock that was ivory and black. I fell in love with the patterns and HAD to have it! I also HAD to tear into it right away. I used the sketch 362 over at SplitcoastStampers.

Here was the sketch.

And here is my card. I made #1 from the sketch larger, but otherwise I followed it pretty closely.

The stamps are from Elements of Style, and I used 9 various sizes of pearls to accent the floral scroll and another 4 for the Life is a matter of moments sentiment.

Here is a closer look at the pearls.

And one more look at the whole card.

Thanks for stopping by!

I WON! Dolce Stamps and Cards Center Step Challenge

2011-12-08T17:41:00.001-06:00

I won my first card challenge ever! I'm excited, even though I was selected through a random generator. I get a $10 gift card for their store! YAY! SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited to shop!

Got Tools? Scrapbook Embellishment Title Tag

2011-12-07T20:30:00.000-06:00

Today I'm sharing with you a project that I made for My Scrap Chick using one of their print and cut files. I simply printed the images on my computer to the size I wanted and cut them out.

Thanks for looking

Etsy Store Coupon HOLIDAY SPECIAL!

2011-12-07T01:00:00.000-06:00

I'm really excited to share with you that I'm offering a Holiday special at my Etsy store, My Scrap Shack. By using the coupon code: HOLIDAY2011 you can save 15% off all purchases from my store beginning today, Cyber Monday, and ending December 19, 2011. Be sure to share this with your friends, and stock up on the handmade items you don't have time to make yourself!

Have a great day and happy shopping!

Cricut Ornament Shaped Greeting Card

2011-12-06T21:50:00.001-06:00

I was playing with my Cricut cartridges to make some embellishments and decided that I wanted to make a shaped card. I used my Joy of the Season cartridge and cut the ornament foundation at 6".

This card suits for two of the challenges over at SplitcoastStampers as well: TLC354 (Christmas or Winter button art), and CAS147 (Twine).

I used strips of DSP that I can't remember the name of, and I used the stamp set Riveting, and is stamped in Baja Breeze.

Then I used the buttons to separate the layers of paper, and twine around the top and through the center for a hanger.

This angel shows a bit better, but the tree in the center of my stamped image is raised on a pop-dot.

Here is one final look at the card.

Thanks for looking!

Punch Art Stocking Stuffer Kingsize Candy Wrapper

2011-12-05T19:49:00.001-06:00

So today's project is my first attempt at using a technique I found on SplitcoastStampers called Tag Punch Star. I didn't have both tag punches, so I wasn't able to make a star, but I have a variety of square punches, so I tried the 3/4 and 1 inch punches to make the "snowflake" on this project.

These photos are HORRIBLE, but they will have to do.
This is a king size Kit Kat candybar wrapper!

The big squares are punched in vellum and layered behind the white which I applied glitter to.
I stamped the greeting from Heard From the Heart

The brad is from my stash.

Here is a close up of the glittered center.

and the tasty treat tucked inside.

Thanks for looking!

Card Pouch Greeting Card Gift Set

2011-12-03T17:17:00.001-06:00

My post today is a bit late, but I hope you will find it worth the wait. I made a card pouch of 4 x 4" cards. I used one of the wonderful tutorials over at SplitcoastStampers.

Here is the front of the pouch stamped with the flourish from Bliss, and I used Eggplant Envy ink. The white background is embossed with the Square Lattice folder from Stampin Up!

I used sheer white ribbon with wire sides to tie the pouch closed.

Here is a look of the cards all tucked away in their pockets. There are four 4 x 4 inside the pouch with envelopes. There are two in each pocket. The each have a different theme but a similar design.

Here is one look at the cards that are tucked away in the pouch. I used one stamp from Perfect Punches, and three from Whimsical Words. The sentiments are: You're never more than a thought away, Happiness Always, You're too Kind, and Happy Birthday.

I used circle punches from 5/8" to 1" in the dark purple and the pattern paper and then adhered them to white squares and embossed the pieces in the Square Lattice embossing folder to match the pattern on the front.

Here is one more look at the pouch. Thanks for looking!

Simple and Elegant Golden Anniversary Greeting Card

2011-12-02T04:00:00.000-06:00

The photos aren't the greatest, so I apologize. I really like the way this card turned out. My friend asked me to make a golden anniversary card for her aunt and uncle. I have to admit, I've never made an anniversary card for a couple celebrating that milestone! I decided to go simple and elegant.

The base of this card is Very Vanilla. I then layered the shimmery gold paper, and added the dry embossed layer of Very Vanilla.

I heat embossed the sentiment in gold. THANK YOU NORMA for letting me use your anniversary stamp! I forgot to look what Stampin Up set it comes from. If you know, please drop me a comment and let me know.

I finished the card with some leaf punches from the bird punch, and some paper petals with a pearl center.

Thanks for looking!

Center Step Birthday Greeting Card

2011-12-01T04:00:00.000-06:00

I have been wanting to make a Center Step card for quite a while, but I don't like that most don't fit in a standard A2 size envelope. Well, I saw a card on SplitcoastStampers that used does fit in a standard envelope. It was made using a template by Connie Babbert, so I decided to give it a try!

This card qualifies for a challenge over at Dolce Stamps and Cards (DSAC06)

I'm really happy with the way this card turned out. The base is Bashful Blue, and the stamp set I used was Heard from the Heart. The pattern paper is from a holiday pack of DSP that I can't recall the name of. The colored circles are Riding hood Red, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, and the pattern paper I can't remember!

The center section is various circle punches adhered to a piece of white and then run through the square lattice embossing folder for the embedded embossing technique.

The circles on the center section range from 3/4" to 1 1/2"

Here is the side view of the card.

One more look from the front.

Thanks for stopping by!

Masculine Birthday Challenge Greeting Card

2011-11-30T05:00:00.000-06:00

Hi! Today's card qualifies for a few challenges at SplitcoastStampers: CAS146--clean and simple sketch and CC351--color challenge (Kraft, Pear Pizazz, White), and one over at Birthday Sundaes--any birthday card.

I decided I needed some masculine cards and needed a break in my holiday card making. Granted, the break will be short one, as I've been having too much fun playing with sets I haven't taken out in way too long!

Anyway, here it today's masculine, clean and simple birthday card.

I started with a base of Kraft, scored and folded from the top and then rounded all four corners.

I used my argyle embossing folder and embossed a 3x3" square of my Pear Pizazz with rounded corners.

I stamped my tree from Lovely as a Tree on white in Chocolate Chip. Then I trimmed the image to 2 1/2" square and rounded the corners.

I stamped the sentiment from All Ocassions in Chocoalte Chip and added a line of piercing that extended to the end of my piece of Pear Pizazz, and added chocolate colored hemp twine to finish off the card.

Thanks for looking!

Christmas Ornament Greeting Card

2011-11-29T20:30:00.000-06:00

I mentioned a few days ago that I helped my friend Brenda design and make her Christmas cards this year. Her first time stamping, but she did a great job! Today's card is another one of the one we made together.

Brenda did the stamping and assembly herself. We used the sentiment from Peaceful Wishes, and then used the pine tree from Lovely as a Tree for the bough that the ornaments are hanging from.

It's difficult to see in the pictures, but Olivia and I ran the ornament paper through the dot embossing folder before punching them out.

We tied hangers at different lengths made of hemp twine, and adhered the ornaments with pop dots.

Here is one final look at the card.

Thanks for looking!

Christmas Angel Challenge Greeting Card

2011-11-28T21:00:00.000-06:00

I had a great time making this card and had to post it today instead of the one I was originally going to post. This card works for two challenge blogs: Papertake Weekly was to make a Christmas card, and Sketch Saturday #183 was this sketch.

So, here is my card.

I went with a standard A2 size card rather than a square, but other than that change and the addition of a poinsettia in the bottom corner, I followed the sketch pretty closely.

I used two stamp sets on this card, and one I haven't used in a LONG time!

The angel and the sentiment on the inside of the card which reads "May the wonder and peace of Christmas be yours." are from the Stampin Up set On Angel Wings. The Christmas Greetings sentiment is from the Stampin Up set Grateful Greetings.

I used a base of Very Vanilla, a layer of Old Olive which I embossed with the square lattice embossing folder. I also used 1/2" strips of DSP to cover my layer behind the angel and ran that through the same embossing folder. The two circles to the left of the image are from the same DSP.

I used the five petal flower punch to make the poinsettia and layered it on top of a prima leaf.

I added pearls to the sentiment, the center of the poinsettia, and graduated pearls on the angel image.

Here is one final look at the card.

Thanks for looking!

Tall and Slim Holiday Greeting Card

2011-11-27T04:00:00.000-06:00

It isn't often that I make cards that are tall and thin, but I saw the Sketch Challenge #143 at Card Patterns, and I had to participate. This card also works for the Anything Christmas challenge at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge Blog

I used my sewing machine, punches, and three stamp sets for this card. I'm not sure if I'm 100% pleased with the results, but I'll use the sketch again :0)

The top stamped image is from So Many Scallops and I heat embossed it in gold powder. I punched out the center with a 1" circle and then used a 1 1/4" punch in green, and the scallop to punch out the rest of the embossed image.

I used twine, buttons, and a scallop border for more dimension.

Here is a closer look of the embossed image.

I used a stamp from Trendy Trees and Versa Mark ink for the Bravo Burgundy layer that the twine is wrapped around.

The inside of the card is stamped from the third set.

One more look at the final card.

Happy Stamping!

Missoni Tag Upcycle Thirfty Birthday Greeting Card

2011-11-26T04:00:00.000-06:00

Today I'm sharing with you a card that I used a tag from a Missoni for Target tote bag. I loved the pattern on the tag, so I decided to use it on a card.

This card also qualifies for the color challenge over at Splitcoaststampers CC350 which is Blushing Bride, Pear Pizazz, and Marina Mist. I don't have Blushing Bride or Marina Mist, so I used Baja Breeze and Blush Blossom.

I stamped the base of the card with the rose from Fifth Avenue Floral and used Baja Breeze ink.

I used the sentiment from Whimsical Words, and the wide oval punch to cut out the birthday greeting.

I used the eyelet border punch for two additional layers.

Here is another final look at the card. What will you do to make your stamping/scrapping dollar stretch?

Cricut Christmas Snowflake Greeting Card

2011-11-25T04:00:00.000-06:00

There is nothing wrong with simple cards. That has been my theme as I get back into my creative and blogging routine. So, today I bring you another simple card.

This card meets three challenges over at Splitcoaststampers. TLC352 (Make Snow) I consider the pearls I added to the snowflake enough.

The second challenge CAS145 (Christmas/Winter Clean and Simple). This one is very clean and simple with a Winter/Christmas theme. The third challenge this card meets is the F4A92 (Black and White Christmas)--ok, I used Very Vanilla and black, but close enough!

I used the stamp set Home for Christmas for the front sentiment and the inside is stamped with the sentiment from Festive Favorites.

I again used my Cricut and the Accent Essentials cartridge to cut the snowflake. I added pearl accents to the center and each "bump" of the snowflake.

Here is a closer look at the snowflake.

One more look at the whole card. Thanks for looking and happy stamping!

Simple Snowman Greeting Card

2011-11-24T14:30:00.000-06:00

First, HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I hope you all have a wonderful day with family and friends! I will take a moment to acknowledge what I'm thankful for. I am thankful for all that God provides for me; physical, spiritual and emotional. I am grateful for my husband, and all the friends and family God has placed in my life. For those that are still here on Earth who I see way too infrequently, and those who are waiting in heaven.

Today's card meets a few challenges. Challenge 158 at One Stop Craft Challenge, and three over at

Splitcoaststampers (SCS). The One Stop Craft Challenge was to use blue. For the Splitcoaststampers, the first one is Clean and Simple CAS145--Winter/Christmas, the second is Ways to Use it WT350--Fancy Ribbon, no bows or straight lines, and the third is Try a New Technique TLC352--Make Snow.

The base of the card is Bashful Blue, with a layer of Whisper White that I embossed with a snowflake embossing folder by Cuttlebug.

I used a square punch and cut out a space for the stamped image to show through.

The stamp set I used for the outside is Festive Four.

I used shimmery blue snowflake ribbon for my fancy ribbon challenge.

Here is a close up of the snowman stamped on the front and windowed with the Whisper White.

Here is a view of the inside sentiment from Festive Favorites.

One more look at the finished card. Thanks for stopping and happy stamping!

Simple Cricut Snowflake Christmas Greeting Card

2011-11-23T04:00:00.000-06:00

I mentioned that last weekend my friend Brenda and her children came over to make their Christmas cards for this year. Brenda is new to stamping and card making, so I helped her design and assemble the cards. We made 5 designs, 4 of each.

This was the first card we made. We ran the top layer through the snowflake embossing folder through the Cuttlebug.

We used my Cricut Expression to cut out the snowflakes from the Accent Essentials cartridge. We cut the small ones at 1 inch and the larger ones and 1.5 inches. We cut the shadows from lavender at the same sizes.

The packages are from square punches at the same dimensions and tied with silver ribbon.

Once the layers on the snowflakes were assembled, we covered the top of the white snowflake in glue and added glitter.

The smalled snowflake and package are raised on pop dots for more dimension.

Here is one more look at our Clean and Simple Christmas card. Thanks for looking!

Simple Ornament Christmas Holiday Greeting Card

2011-11-22T04:00:00.000-06:00

I've been in a slump with making cards and being creative lately, but last weekend we had friends over and I helped make their Christmas cards for this year, and it seemed to be the trigger for me to actually make something of my own again. So, today I'm sharing a Clean and Simple (CAS) Christmas card.

I used a base of Real Red, and layered Whisper White which I embossed with my friend Norma's poinsettia embossing folder.

I punched out two ornaments from a magazine and used the stamp set Short and Sweet for the sentiment which I punched out with the small oval punch. I layered that with a scallop oval punch from Real Red.

I added rhinestone strips for the "string" that the ornaments are suspended from.

I also added small strips of rhinestones to the "lip" of the ornaments to add a little more bling to the card.

Here is one more final look at the card. Thanks for stopping by. Happy stamping!

Simple Birthday Bling Greeting Card

2011-11-08T18:32:00.000-06:00

Hello all! I know, I've been MIA for a week or so. It's hard to believe how quickly the gears turn to high in life. The holiday's haven't even started yet, but wow is time flying by. Work and life in general have taken over and left me little time for my card making.

This past weekend my god children were over with their mom and dad for dinner. My Hannah, who is a freshman in high school this year wanted to make a card after looking at one of mine. She did a GREAT job, so the card I'm showing you today was made by her for a friend at school. Hannah ended up making 4 cards, and Olivia joined in the fun and made me a special card. Well, here is the creation Hannah made. She did great for a first time stamper! I'm very proud of her!

Thanks for stopping! Happy stamping!

Simple Halloween Greeting Cards

2011-10-29T16:54:00.000-05:00

Since I haven't posted in a few days, and Halloween is right around the corner, you get two cards today.

Neither card uses designer/pattern paper. The first card is a layer of black, a layer of Pefect Plum (this is the layer that opens), a layer of Pumpkin Pie, and finally a layer of Black again.

I used Pumpkin Pie Ink, Chocolate Chip ribbon, large oval punches for the sentiment and the pumpkin, and the bird punch for the leaves on the pumpkin.

Here is a close up of the pumpkin made from punches.

Onto card 2. This card only uses white, Pumpkin Pie, and Black.

I used lots of layers, embossing ,and border punches to make the card.

Thanks for looking!

Shaped Cupcake Greeting Cards

2011-10-26T20:30:00.000-05:00

Today I'm showing you cards I've made on playdates with my friend Norma. They are cupcake shaped cards made using the large scallop circle die from Stampin Up.

The one on the left side was made with Pretty in Pink and Chocolate Chip cardstock, and the one on the right (which I made today) is made with Melon Mambo and Soft Suede.

I used a Sizzix embossing folder for the frosting on top (Thanks Norma!)

I used a crimper to create the wrapper for each cupcake

I'll decide on further embellishments and the stamps to use on this one later.

Thanks for stopping by!

Penny Black Cat Christmas Greeting Card

2011-10-25T18:30:00.000-05:00

I will start by apologizing for the poor quality of the photos of today's card. It keeps getting darker earlier in Minnesota and I've done a poor job of finishing cards in time to get photos with natural light.

I used a base of Hunter Green, with Whisper White that I embossed with my wonderful friend Norma's poinsettia folder (THANK YOU NORMA!).

I layered the stamped image onto Bravo Burgundy, and then added a left over piece of pattern paper from an earlier Penny Black card I made last week.

I stamped the sentiment from Perfect Punches in Versamark, and then coated in a fine silver embossing powder and heat embossed it.

I used water color pencils and blender pens to color the image.

I used pop dots to adhere the sentiment and covered the Christmas tree bulbs with buttons for more dimension.

Here is one more look at the finished card.

Thanks for looking!

Mojo Monday Penny Black Sketch Challenge Christmas Greeting Card

2011-10-19T04:00:00.017-05:00

Today I made a card that works for the Mojo Monday 211 Sketch. Below, the first image is the sketch I was to follow. You can see that I left off the circle since my Penny Black image was large enough to cover the space.

I decided to go with a non-traditional color scheme for Christmas. I wasn't feeling red and green today, so I used a base of Bashful Blue, and then used white and left over lavender from my sister's wedding invitations.

I stamped the image in StazOn black.

I used pattern paper and ribbon from my stash.

I used watercolor pencils and blender pens to color the image in.

That's all...Thanks for looking!

Splitcoaststampers Triple Challenge Birthday Greeting Card

2011-10-18T04:00:00.001-05:00

Today's card completes three challenges over at SCS. TLC346, CC344, and SC354. Technique, Color and Sketch challenges.

The technique part of the challenge was to stack a background. I did this on the white sheet to the right of the card and I used two flowers from Fifth Avenue Floral and Black and Pumpkin Pie ink to create the look.

The color challenge was to use Eggplant, Tempting Turquoise, and Pumpkin Pie

Here was the sketch we were supposed to follow

I turned it and changed the sketch a little to suit my needs.

Here is a side angle of the card. I used pop dots behind the single stamped flower

Thanks for looking!

Penny Black and Cricut Christmas Greeting Card

2011-10-17T04:00:00.001-05:00

I joined a card swap over at Splitcoaststampers for Penny Black Christmas cards. I took three spots, so I have to make three different Christmas cards using Penny Black stamps. Today's card is one of my first attempts.

I started with a base of Kraft cardstock. I stamped my image on Very Vanilla and layered it with Bravo Burgundy and Hunter Green. I used rustic looking pattern paper called Candy Stripe by Sandy Lion.

I used my Cricut Expression and my Home Accents cartridge to cut out the snowflake.

I used a Cuttlebug and embossing folder for the snowflake embossing on the Bravo Burgundy layer, and used shimmery green ribbon at the line where my two papers meet.

I used watercolor pencils and blender pens for the tiny bit of coloring I did on my image.

I covered the snowflake with Stickles, and also used them on the snowflakes and the puddle of my stamped image.

I used a bit of blue around the edge of the puddle the mouse is standing in, and that helped pull out the blue stripe in my pattern paper.

Here is a close up of the snowflake.

I used pop dots behind the snowflake and the stamped image.

Here is one more look at the final card...I think I'll stamp some more and change the coloring of the image...

Thanks for stopping by!

Clean and Simple (CAS) Butterfly Thinking of You Greeting Card

2011-10-16T04:00:00.008-05:00

Today's card is a CAS design that I used dry embossing in texture and lines, pattern papers and open space to creat a simple look.

The butterfly is by Studio G and is stamped onto pattern paper from K & Company.

The pattern paper that the butterfly is mounted to is also by K & Company, and I used textured embossing folder on it.

I stamped the sentiment from Trendy Trees

And I used my Martha Stewart version of the Scor-Pal to make the embossed frame around the card.

The inside reads" A friend is one of the nicest things you can have and one of hte best things you can be. ~Douglas Pagels"

I used the same punch for the textured pattern paper as I did for the inside sentiment. Clean and Simple.

Rose Red Bliss Greeting Card

2011-10-15T15:30:00.002-05:00

Hi All! Today's card is made from a color that I don't use very often. Rose Red. It is very simple and uses the stamp set Bliss.

I used two pattern papers from DSP Rose Red, and I used Pretty in Pink ink.

The strip of white is embossed and tied with a piece of Rose Red ribbon.

I accented the center of each flower with a pearl.

This card works for the WT344 Pink, Pink, Pink Ways to Use it Challenge over at Splitcoaststampers.

The pink theme for the challenge was chosen because October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I know some pretty incredible ladies who are survivors so this is a card celebrating their survival!

Thanks for stopping by!

Halloween Spider Trick or Treat Greeting Card

2011-10-11T17:40:00.000-05:00

Ok...I've been a bit neglectfull of my blog and card making. Today I'm finally posting a project. A simple, Halloween card.

I started with a base of Pumpkin Pie, layered with Perfect Plum, a pattern paper that I can't recall the maker of, white, and a border punched of black.

The spiders are from the stamp set Bitty Boos

The sentiment is from Grateful Greetings

I used pop dots and ribbon to finish the card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Splitcoaststamper Sketch Challenge Greeting Card

2011-10-04T20:30:00.001-05:00

I've finally recovered from the wedding festivities over the weekend. The wedding went wonderfully with no hiccups at all. It was a beautiful, touching, and precious celebration on many levels and I feel so honored to have been able to participate in the beginning of my sister and her new husband's life.

So, I'm delayed in posting as I told you I'd be back on Sunday, so I apologize for my tardiness.

Today I bring you a card that I created for two challenges over at Splitcoaststampers (SCS). A Clean and Simple Challenge and a Color Challenge.

The CAS138 challenge was to use a sketch provided. I followed that pretty well, but I didn't use such a decorated edge and opted instead to just round my corners on the right side of the paper.

The Color Combination challenge was to use Soft Suede, Tangerine Tango, and More Mustard. I didn't use the Soft Suede, and instead substituted Chocolate Chip because it coordinated with my pattern paper choices.

I used my Cricut to cut out the flower, and pulled one of the more subtle colors from the pattern paper for my coordinating button.

I used a Hero Arts stamp for the sentiment and used a 1" circle punch to cut it out.

Clean and Simple is about all I really can say about this card...it isn't one of my favorites...I also promise to try to get some better pictures for my future posts. The weather is getting to really be fall here in Minnesota, and it just isn't staying dark as long. I think that means I need to stamp faster or plan further out! :o)

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

Heartfelt Thanks Greeting Card

2011-09-26T18:30:00.000-05:00

I wanted to make a special card for my cousin who is doing my hair for my sister's wedding on Friday. Here is the card I made.

I broke out a stamp set I haven't used in a long time. and paired it with one of my favorite fall colors, Pumpkin Pie.

This will be my last post until after the wedding. I hope to post for you on Saturday sometime, but I know you'll forgive me if I don't get to it until Sunday. Happy stamping and please say some prayers that all goes well for the wedding on Friday!

Thankful Thoughts of You Greeting Card Pack

2011-09-24T08:00:00.001-05:00

Today I have a set of four cards to share with you. The CAS136 Challenge at SCS was to make clean and simple cards with leaves. I was trying a version of my watercolor background tutorial without the last steps of using the embossing folder. I did quite a few "takes" during my play date with Norma earlier this week, and decided to make a whole set of cards.

I used a few different color combinations. The colors in the various cards are: Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, and Real Red.

I used the same two stamp sets on each card: Lovely as a Tree, and Grateful Greetings.

The cards that I used Old Olive on I used a base of Pumpkin Pie.

On the cards that I used Real Red ink, I used a base of Real Red as well.

I chose to round the corners of a couple, and paper pierce the others.

One last look at the set. Thanks for stopping by!

Simple Poinsettia Christmas Greeting Card

2011-09-22T19:00:00.009-05:00

SoI haven't exactly made progress on my fall cards, but I had an image rolling around in my head for some paper poinsettias I purchased a number of years ago from Oriental Trading Company, so when Norma came over for our play date, I made the cards below.

My first attempt was the Kraft base, and the second one is Hunter Green. Both Norma and I liked the Hunter Green base. We both thing the Kraft would be the card of choice if I had stamped on the white rather than the Kraft base. I'll have to try it another time and see.

These are both very simple cards and the only embellishments aside from the poinsettias is the Real Red 1/4" ribbon, and the glitter that I used to enhance some of the embossed image.

The stamp set is Heard for the Heart by Stampin Up!

I used glitter in the center of the embossed images for more sparkle since the leaves of the poinsettias.

Here is a close up of the poinsettia.

Which card base do you like best?

Thanks for stopping by!

Faux Cloisonne Technique: Fifth Avenue Floral Greeting Card

2011-09-20T04:00:00.001-05:00

A few posts back I showed you a card I made using the Faux Cloisonne Technique. Today's card was also made using this technique.

This is a very different color scheme for me. Okay...not the lavendar since it's left over from my sister's wedding invitations, but the Going Gray combined with it is new for me.

I used Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set and stamped it onto a magazine image and then heat embossed it in silver embossing powder and cut it out.

I used an embossing folder on the lavendar layer of paper. The ribbon is Going Gray taffeta ribbon from Stampin Up!

I mounted the flower onto a paper doily and then adhered it to my card.

Thanks for looking! Happy Stamping!

Thinking of You Pansy Greeting Card

2011-09-18T13:00:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I shared a tutorial with you for how to make paper pansy flowers from the butterfly punch by Stampin Up and some ink pads. Today I'm going to show you how I used the flowers I made in the tutorial.

I used a base of Eggplant Envy and layers of White and Black.

I used the bird punch for the leaves. They are in Pear Pizzaz, and Old Olive. The leaves that are in Pear Pizzaz are embossed.

The sentiment is stamped in Elegant Eggplant (THANK YOU NORMA!).

Here is a close up look at the pansies.

I adhered them to the card with pop-dots.

One final look. Thanks for stopping by! Happy stamping!

Butterfly Punch Pansy Tutorial

2011-09-17T20:00:00.000-05:00

I hinted earlier about what my post later today was going to be. I've watched a ton of tutorials on this process, but I didn't have the right reinkers or the aqua pen as needed per the tutorials I watched, so I improvised.

The supplies I used for this project are:

3 butterfly punches per completed pansy (in Whisper White)
Water spritz bottle
Cotton Swabs (instead of Aqua Painter)
Elegant Eggplant and Daffodil Delight stamp pads
Yellow brads
Punch or paper piercer
Heat gun (optional)

I laid out all my punches on a paper towel.

Then I spritzed them with water. Not so they were dripping, but damp.

Start by pushing the center of the butterfly into the yellow with the pad of your finger or with the cotton swap.

Dip the cotton swab into water and then brush over the yellow to let it bleed into the paper. (Key is that you want a large area of yellow to start with as it will become hidden once you add the purple).

Here is the punch after brushing with water.

Here is the whole set of them after I was done with the yellow.

Now move onto the purple with the outer edges of the butterflies. If needed, re-spritz with water to keep them damp.

Here are the punches after the purple was applied.

Either wait for the punches to dry naturally or if you're like me, heat them until all dry. Then lay three butterflies on top of each other and punch in the center to place brad.

Here is a side angle of punching.

Set brad in center and then turn butterflies to form flower petals.

An now you have unique handmade flowers for your projects.

Here are the completed three pansies. I'll show you the project I use them on tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Personal Update

2011-09-17T06:50:00.000-05:00

Good Morning everyone! It's the day of our PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) Walk. I'll post once I'm home. Our walk starts at 10am CST, so this afternoon I'll get to blogging my craft project.

My friend Norma and I were playing around with the Butterfly punch from Stampin Up, and some we followed some of the instructions from tutorials, and then made things up as we went along, but we cam up with something pretty cool and that's all I'm going to tell you about the project this afternoon.

See you later!

Thrifty Thursday Cloisonne Technique Greeting Card

2011-09-16T04:00:00.002-05:00

OK...it's not Thursday, but I found this tutorial and had to try it! What a perfect use for old magazines or scraps of paper! I was inspired by the photo below.

I went through some old magazines, and here is what I came up with.

My color base is Soft Suede and paired it with Taken with Teal and Whisper White.

I love the loop border punch, so I used it again on this card.

The butterfly is a $1 bin buy by Studio G, and the sentiment is from Perfect Punches by Stampin Up!

I used tinted embossing ink, and gold embossing powder on the butterfly and then cut it out.

What do you think? What will you come up with?

Splitcoaststampers Challenge Paper Piecing and Punch Greeting Card

2011-09-15T04:00:00.022-05:00

Challenge F4A81 over at Splitcoaststampers (SCS) is to use paper piecing. So for today's card, I stamped my flower from Nice and Narrow onto my white cardstock and then again on am image stamped from Punch Potpourri and then cut it out to layer it on top of the petals.

The card base is Garden Green, the Pink is Pixie Pink, and there is a layer of River Rock that I mounted my stamped image onto.

I used an embossing folder from Cuttlebug. I used the ornament punch from Stampin UP to cut out the vase and then I stamped it with the swirl from Trendy Trees in Versa Mark for the pattern on the vase.

I accented the vase with pearls as well as the center of the pieced flower.

I used a pop dot to adhere the pieced flower for more dimension.

Here is a final look at the card. Thanks for stopping by!

Baby Wipe Stamping Technique Greeting Card

2011-09-14T04:00:00.000-05:00

Today I used a technique using a baby wipe that I put drops of reinker on. I used Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizazz, Baja Breeze and Pretty in Pink. Usually this technique allows the inked baby wipe to be used as a stamp pad, and you would use a solid shaped stamp. I really liked the design the reinkers made, so I just placed my sheet of paper on top of the baby wipe and pressed it down to create the background.

The base of the card is Baja Breeze. I used Vintage Labels to stamp the sentiment in Pear Pizazz.

I used a border punch for the looped edges, and a BossKut die for the scroll.

I used Pretty in Pink 1/4" ribbon, and pearl for accents.

Here is a close up of the pearls on the scroll.

I've shown you in the past how to use punches to make a border for a larger image. The Happy Birthday image above was calling for a scallop border around it, but of course there isn't one the correct size in my stash, so I used the circle scallop punch and make one myself!

Thanks for stopping by!

Butterfly Bliss Any Occasion Greeting Card

2011-09-13T04:00:00.002-05:00

Here is today's card. I'm not happy with the photos, as the colors are a bit distorted.

I used the Stampin Up set called Bliss. There is a flourish stamped in Versa Mark, and then the butterfly stamped in pink.

The card base is Melon Mambo, and then there is a layer of River Rock. The River Rock layer is the one that opens.

I used border punches for the bottom and for the band covering the pattern paper under the flourish.

There are two pattern papers from K&Company. One on the top and a coordinating on on the bottom inside that shows through the punched edge.

Here is a closer look at the flourish.

Here is a look at the inside.

One more final look at the card. Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Birthday Greeting Card: Do the Polka!

2011-09-12T04:00:00.003-05:00

Today's card is very simple, and the obvious theme is polka-dots. I used Cuttlebug embossing folders on the Pear Pizzazz card base, the Whisper White strip, and the Baja Breeze circle. I continued the them with the dot frame from Four Frames, and a matching button from my stash.

Everything on the card is toward the left side...I'm debating on adding something to the bottom right side, but I'm not sure what...Ideas??

The sentiment is from Vintage Label, and I stamped it in Black Stazon ink.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy stamping!

Simply Thinking of You Greeting Card

2011-09-11T12:00:00.001-05:00

Today's card is a simple monotone card. I was inspired by the colors of my neighbor's "burning bush" which is becoming very vibrant with call colors. I know we'll have warm days left, but the colors are beginning here in Minnesota.

I used two Stampin Up! stamp sets. One of mine, Trendy Trees, for the sentiment, and one of my friend Norma's, Punch Potpourri.

The colors are Purely Pomegranate, and Very Vanilla.

I used a Martha Stewart border punch, and two punches from Stampin Up! for the sentiment. I used Norma's punches for the heart and butterfly as well as her ink pad and her Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.

I bent the wings of the butterfly and mounted it with glue dots onto the Very Vanilla 5/8" ribbon.

I added two pearls to the center of the butterfly.

Here is one final look. Thanks for stopping by!

Technique Greeting Card: Clear Tiles and Rub-Ons

2011-09-07T04:00:00.011-05:00

Today's card is one that I cannot claim credit for making. My sister received it with one of her shower gifts. Isn't is lovely? It uses clear tile stickers and rub-ons! Who knew? I certainly didn't, but it it really impressed me.

I loved the paper flowers, and the color choices for the card.

I love pink and blue together!

Here is a close up of the tile with the rub-on. I love the velvet scallop border too. I may have to case this one!

Here is one final look. Thanks for stopping by!

Give Thanks Fall Greeting Card

2011-09-05T19:30:00.000-05:00

I know it's been a whole week. Life has taken some interesting turns over the last week. My husband had a heart stress test as a precaution since his brother who is just a few years older than him had a heart attack at 40. Well that didn't go so well. They found two areas of his heart have reduced blood flow, so Friday they did an angio gram to determine if there is blockage causing the reduced flow. Thankfully, the angio gram didn't find enough blockage to cause the issues, but unfortunately, now we're back at square one to find out what is causing the issues. Please keep my hubby in your thoughts and prayers as well as the doctors, so they can find out the problem.

Weather here in Minnesota was very crisp and a bit chilly. PERFECT! I love this weather, and this time of year. I love the start of the holidays, so I decided to start on my fall cards. Today's is a card that reads Give Thanks on the front, and on the inside I stamped "The truest measure of out thanksgiving is how we use the blessings for which we give thanks."

For a simple card, I used three different Stampin Up sets. The sentiment on the bottom right is from Holiday Best. The leaves on the top left are from Lovely as a Tree, and the sentiment inside is from Grateful Greetings.

The base of the card is Old Olive, with stamping on Very Vanilla. There are layers of Pumpkin Pie and Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip Ink, and Pumpkin Pie ribbon. I don't recall the pattern paper maker.

I used buttons and twine from my stash to make the cluster of buttons on the right side.

here is a look at the stamped sentiment inside.

Here is a look at the dimension that the ribbon and buttons add.

Thanks for looking!

Personal Update: Wedding Shower and 2011 PKD Walk

2011-08-29T04:00:00.001-05:00

No card this morning. I wanted to update you on the wedding shower I hosted for my sister on Saturday, and give a huge call out to my friends that helped me in the planning! Thank you to NORMA for helping me make the thank you cards I gave as a gift, in addition to making some of the best door prizes ever! Handmade necklaces, as well as beautiful applique hangers. Thank you to TARA for bringing fresh salad and veges from her garden as well as for helping execute the shower! Thank you to KATHY for helping wrap the gifts and keeping things on track! You all helped me make the shower special for my sister and her guests seemed to have a really good time! We're a month away from the wedding! I can't believe the time is going so quickly!

Onto my second subject this morning. The 2011 PKD Walk. PKD is Poly cystic Kidney Disease. It's a disease that has impacted my family back to my great-grandmother. My mom had two kidney transplants before she passed away in 1999, and she struggled with complications of the disease from the time I was in grade school. My whole family has been impacted, two of my mom's siblings have also had transplants, and only one of the five didn't have the disease. most of my cousins also have PKD, and one cousin had a brain aneurysm rupture that can be attributed to it. I have another aunt awaiting surgery for a brain aneurysm also because of this disease. So in memory of my mom, and in support of the rest of my family still battling this disease, I'm walking in the PKD walk next month. To learn more and see my donation page, you can go to the link here.

I'll work on cards tonight and hopefully have new stuff for you tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by!

Simple Neutral Baby Greeting Card

2011-08-25T04:00:00.000-05:00

I'm participating in some swaps over at SCS for baby cards, and I finished them up last night. This is my neutral card. The stamp set is my lovely friend Norma's (THANK YOU!).

The base of the card is Pear Pizazz. The pattern paper is from DCWV. The giraffe is stamped onto whisper white twice. The background image and then I cut out the color image and popped it for dimension.

The white is mounted onto Barely Banana, and then onto Close to Cocoa, with a wavy border punched.

I added some green buttons to the wheels of the cart the giraffe is one. I'm hoping this can be used for either a shower or an arrival card. Neutral enough?

Thanks for looking! Have a wonderful day!

Wedding Shower Gift: Recipe Box

2011-08-23T04:00:00.002-05:00

I've been a bit slow at posting as I'm trying to get everything ready for my sister's wedding shower this Saturday. We had a shower hosted by my aunts for the family this past weekend, and today I'm going to share with you the recipe box I made.

I followed the great tutorial over at Just Give Me Stamps.

Thanks for stopping by!

Embossed Doily Thank You Cards

2011-08-17T04:00:00.002-05:00

I'm getting ready for the showers being held for my sister's upcoming wedding celebration. The first shower is this weekend being held by my wonderful aunts. Next weekend is the shower I'm hosting for my sister's friends. I showed you the shower invitations that I made with left over paper from the wedding invitations that I made for her.

My friend Norma came over for a play date last night and brought her new toys from Stampin Up! and let me play! She has the new doily background stamps, and when I saw it I new what I was going to make for one of the shower gifts.

I still have a lot of extra papers from the invitations, so here is another use of the purple and black that are so familiar in my recent posts. :o)

I stamped the Doily and the sentiment from Because I Care in embossing ink and then used fine white embossing powder to heat emboss. Norma and I tag-teamed the process and made 25 of these Thank you cards. They are just flip cards and don't open, so her message will be written on the back of the purple base.

It's late, and the photos aren't the best, so I'll just leave you with the one image for now and take more photos to share later.

Thanks for looking!

Masculine Seashore Birthday Greeting Card

2011-08-15T04:00:00.001-05:00

Another masculine birthday card. This one is very simple, like yesterday's card. I used no pattern paper, and chose to limit my embellishments. I used the stamp set called Lighthouse from Stampin Up! for this card. I used two of the stamps and "masked' the boat and then stamped the seagull on the pole to the right of the image.

The sentiment is from Vintage Labels, also by Stampin Up! and I used the window punch to make the sentiment look like a tag under the navy button.

I used a base of River Rock, and layers of Chocolate Chip and Night of Navy that both have torn edges.

I wrapped brown twine around the middle of the card and used it to secure the button as well.

Lastly, I used pop dots to raise the image over the thickness of the twine. Simple and masculine.

This card meets the theme requirements for the challege over at One Stop Craft Challenge this week (At the Beach).

Thanks for looking and happy stamping!

Masculine Nature Birthday Tree Greeting Card

2011-08-14T18:00:00.004-05:00

I'm still trying to figure out what cards to make for a masculine card exchange, so I'm been playing a bit today with more attempts. Today's card is a CAS, but uses some of my favorite techniques.

I used two stamp sets from Stamp Up! Lovely as a Tree, and Little Hellos.

I stamped my tree image in VersaMark and then used chalk to "pop" color onto the image and the Very Vanilla piece that I stamped on.

I used brown hemp twine and brads as embellishments.

Paper tearing is the other technique that I used. I think torn and distressed edges ad dimension to the images.

This card meets the requirements of at least 3 brads for the Birthday Sundaes challenge.

Thanks for looking and for your comments! Have a wonderful week!

Masculine Birthday Fishing Greeting Card

2011-08-10T18:00:00.000-05:00

It's been a slow few crafting weeks for me. I was able to play a bit and have another masculine card to share. I mentioned that my stash of masculine cards is too thin, so today's card a 4 1/4" square card with a fishing theme.

The base of this card is in Chocolate Chip, and the pattern paper is from K&Company. The stamp sets used are Fly Fishing, and Vintage Labels. The stamped image is stamped in Ivory, and mounted to Always Artichoke.

I stamped the outside and inside images in Chocolate Chip, and inked the edges of the paper

I tore the top of the stamped image on the front of the card as well as the top of the Always Artichoke layer.

I used to varied size circles to punch out the senitment and used a silver brad to adhere the sentiment to the card.

Here is a better look at the fish stamped on the bottom right side of the inside of the card.

Thanks for looking! Happy crafting!

Handmade Stamped Wedding Shower Invitations

2011-08-06T17:45:00.002-05:00

It has certainly been a BUSY week at my paying job. I didn't get much time in my craft room. Today I was able to induge, as I needed to finish wedding invitations for a shower I'm hosting for my sister. I had extra paper left from her invitations, so I used them to make the invites for the shower as well.

These are front/back cards, that don't open.

I used the same layout idea from one of the cards I had my folks at work make

Each cake has a layer of pearls at the base. The pearls match the wedding invites.

The back of the invitations are very simple.

Thanks for looking!

Masculine Handmade Birthday Beach Stamped Greeting Card

2011-07-31T11:00:00.001-05:00

Along the lines of yesterday, I need more masculine cards. This card could actually be masculine or feminine, but for may purpose I'm calling it masculine.

I used a stamp set called Along the Shore and the Happy Birthday sentiment is from All Occasions.

I cut out the individual shells, and I used colored pencils to add green to the grass, and blue to the sky of the stamped image.

I used twine and embossing for added texture for the card.

Brads to secure the sentiment to the stamped image.

Here is one more look at the card.

Thanks for looking!

Masculine Deer Birthday Greeting Card

2011-07-30T08:00:00.001-05:00

It's been a long time since I made a masculine card, so I figured I would change that this morning.

I used to Stampin Up! stamp sets for this card. The deer image on the inside and outside of the card are from Noble Deer, and the sentiment is from Cheery Chat.

The base is Chocolate Chip, and it is folded at the top.

The pattern paper is from DCWV, and the Argyle embossed is Old Olive.

I used a circle punch for the sentiment and embellished it with three silver brads.

The middle of the card is accented with a blue ribbon that coordinates with the pattern paper.

Here is the inside of the card.

One more look at the outside of the card.

Thanks for looking!

Paisley Doily Hand Stamped Greeting Card

2011-07-28T19:00:00.000-05:00

I made today's card after being inspired by a fellow stamper over at Splictoaststampers (SCS). Here is a link to the card that inspired me.

The stamp set I used for the sentiment is from Because I Care.

The base of black measures 4 1/4 x 5 1/2". The layer of Pretty in Pink measures 8 x 5 1/4" and it folded at the top.

I used the Cuttlebug embossing folder called Perfectly Paisley on the top layer of the pink.

The pattern paper is from DCWV Nursery paper pack and measures 2 1/4 x 5 1/4", and the ink and scallop oval punch are in Pear Pizazz.

The paper doily was cut in half and adhered to the left side.

A strip of pearls finish the edge between the cardstock and pattern paper.

Thanks for looking!

Simple Hand Stamped Birthday Greeting Card

2011-07-27T04:00:00.001-05:00

I've talked about Clean and Simple (CAS) cards before, and just because a card doesn't have a ton of paper and layers, doesn't mean it's lacking in style and design. Today I'm showing you another CAS design that I really like. I made this for a co-worker and friend for her birthday today. I made this card based on a card from the featured stamper over at Splitcoaststampers (SCS). Here is a link to her card.

I punched 1" squares from pieces of cardstock embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder (THANK YOU NORMA!)

The colors from left to right are: Whisper White, Pear Pizazz, Melon Mambo, Perfect Plum and Daffodil Delight.

The base is Kraft

I used the stamp set called Well Scripted for the birthday sentiment, and wrote a personal message inside.

Here is a close up of the squares. I tried to punch the same section of each piece.

One more final look at the card. Thanks for stopping by!

Punched Flower Greeting Card and Personal Update

2011-07-26T04:00:00.001-05:00

First of all, thank all of you for the prayers offered for my brother-in-law. He's recovering and is very grateful for having gone to the hospital when he did. The doctors told him that if he'd waited five more minutes he would have died since his major artery was 100% blocked. If he continues recouping as he has been, they will discharge him today.

My wonderful friend Norma came over last night to have a stamping date since I was home by myself. She brought a stamp set, punch and photo of a card using them for us to make. the end result was this iris card.

I stamped the petals and punched them out, and embossed the Daffodil Delight background with the Vintage Wallpaper folder (my new favorite!). Norma did all the assembly.

Here is a side view of the card.

Thanks for looking!

Personal Update: Prayers Requested

2011-07-24T17:34:00.000-05:00

No card today. Our serene Sunday morning was anything but. My husband and I were waked by a phone call from my sister-in-law who is a traveling nurse and is located in Eau Claire, WI, about 2 hours from us. She had just received a phone call that her husband in Tennessee (my husband's brother) had a heart attack this morning. Stanley quickly packed a bag and drove to Eau Claire to drive with my sister-in-law to Tennessee to be with her husband. I'm asking for prayers for quick healing and not linger effects of the damage done to the heart, and I'm asking for a safe drive for my my husband and sister-in-law.

They've put in a stint, and my brother-in-law has been able to talk to people throughout this incident. He's be his usual, short-tempered self in hearing of the phone conversations he's been having, so I take that as a good sign that all will be good.

Thank you for your prayers.

SCS Challenge Greeting Cards: Double Embossing & Thrifty Ribbon

2011-07-23T17:00:00.002-05:00

Well, I've had a slow blogging week, so today I'm showing you two cards. I've made them both for the Free For All Challenge over at Splitcoaststampers F4A74. The challenge was to use two of things on the card. I started by wanting to use some fabric for a ribbon. I made a double bow (first for me) and I used the same image twice using the masking technique.

Here is the first card.

I used pattern paper from DCWV, the base is Very Vanilla, and the stamps I used are from Fifth Avenue Floral by Stampin Up!. I used regular colored pencils to color the flowers, and the "ribbon" is a torn strip from my hubbies favorite pajama bottoms that have seen better days.

I stamped the first flower to the left of the scallop oval (cut from the Storybook cartridge on my Cricut), and then I masked the image by stamping it onto a post-it and cutting it out. I then placed the cut image on top of the first flower and stamped the second flower onto the scallop oval.

I used Pumpkin Pie ink to stamp the flowers, and then Black for the sentiment.

Here is my first double bow (I know, it leaves a lot to be desired!)

Here is a close up of the stamped/colored images.

Here is the strip of "ribbon" one I tore it from the pajama leg.

Here are the pajama pants before I tore my ribbon.

One more final look at card one.

The second card today also qualifies for the F4A74 challenge, as well as the Ways to Use it challenge, WT332--Heavy Metal

For the Two by Two challenge, I used two butterflies (cut from my Cricut and stamped with the set Delight in Life by Stampin Up!), two metal brad/buttons, and the double embossing technique. The WT332 challenge is accomplished with the metal brads.

Here is a look at my paper before and after the double embossing. I started with a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and used the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. I then inked the entire pieces with brown embossing ink, and then used Kaleidoscope Transparent embossing powder from Stampendous.

Here is a close up of the background once it was embossed with the heat gun.

The base of this card is River Rock.

The sentiment is from the Stampin Up set Trendy Trees.

I added pearl embellishments to the sentiment and butterflies after inking them with brown around the edges.

Thanks for looking! Happy Stamping!

Simple Greeting Cards for Make and Take

2011-07-20T19:00:00.000-05:00

I mentioned yesterday that at my paying job today I was going to have a make and take for about 14 people. It was so neat to share this with my co-workers. They have all complimented my cards and crafts, and I appreciate that very much, but to share with them how to make the cards and watch them enjoying themselves while many stamped for the first time was very neat.

Here are the two cards they made. To their surprise, the wedding cake card was the simpler of the two.

I had all the parts cut to size, so they stamped and assembled. I think I may have some new stampers eager to learn more! I love being an enabler!

Here are some more detailed photos of the cards.

The base of this card is River Rock, with Black embossed in a Cuttlebug Paisley embossing folder. The cake is stamped on Whisper White, in Stazon, and the pearls are a strip cut to length and adhered to the last "layer" of the cake.

The stamp set is from Stampin Up! and is called: Sweet Treats

This was the more difficult of the cards because of having more layers and ribbon to tie.

They used pop-dots for the sentiment.

The white folded piece is mounted onto the black base.

This stamp set is also by Stampin Up! and is called Cheery Chat.

One last look at each card.

Thanks for looking!

Wedding Invitations Complete

2011-07-19T20:00:00.000-05:00

Hello All! It's been a week since I posted. I apologize for being slow. With the help of some GREAT people, I was able to finish my sister's wedding invitations. The wedding is about 10 weeks away, and I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited for Jen and Paul. I'm also REALLY excited to have finished their invitations.

Here are the outside of the invites with the belly band in place.

Here is the inside of the invitations with the belly band off to the side.

I have an exciting day and my paying job tomorrow. We have meetings that we call Fast Fun and Friendly, and this month, I'll be doing a make and take of cards for the group. All are new to stamping and card making, and only one of the 14 has scrapbooked before, so I will start them out slowly, and then see if they have interest to do more later.

I'll post photos tomorrow of the cards they are making.

Thanks for stopping by!

Thrifty Scrapbook Tips: Chipboard and Acrylic Distress Tutorial

2011-07-12T19:00:00.005-05:00

I apologize for today's post being later than usual.

In pasts posts I’ve shared with you some ways that I use the chipboard that I find around my home. It is really easy to find usable chipboard around your home. Toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, boxes from pasta, cereal, crackers, backs of used notebooks, soda packaging, packaging from scrapbook supplies…the list is endless. I have only shown you very few things that can be made with the chipboard you find around your house.

First I showed you a calendar, and then I showed you a notebook holder, and a box made from the packaging from crackers. Today I’m going to show you how to make great coordinating embellishments with chipboard and die cuts or Cricut machines. (Note that if you are using your Cricut machine you’ll want to ensure you have the deep housing blade).

First cut out the shapes you want to use on your project. In this case I created one label from my Cricut, and three from my Top Notes die and Cuttlebug. You can decorate these anyway you choose. You can cover them with pattern paper, ribbon, leave them “naked”…I chose to paint my pieces with Making Memories paints and then used my embossing folders and Cuttlebug to add dimension. As I mentioned, you these are great to use with this simple embossing, but I chose to use a technique to add even more pop to these items.

This is a label cut from the Storybook Cricut cartridge

After selecting a different embossing folder for each of the three Top Notes die cuts, I painted each a different base color: Chocolate, Marine, and Cantaloupe. The next step was to sand the raised images of these with sanding paper. These removed the paint from the raised sections to reveal “naked” chipboard again. This technique is referred to as Acrylic Distress. The last step was to choose a coordinating ink and use the direct to paper technique of running each pad over the embossed image.

I used the label from the Cricut to make the card for today.

Are you thinking about how you'll used your chipboard? Let me know what you come up with!

Vintage Elements Greeting Cards

2011-07-11T05:00:00.034-05:00

Today I have two cards to share with you. Yesterday I mentioned that I had been working with my Cricut machine, and my Storybook cartridge to be specific. Will the oval and oval scallops that are on the two cards today are cut from that cartridge as well. Each ensemble is adhered to a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder (Thank you Norma!!).

Both of these cards are considered CAS (Clean and Simple). I used chalks to color the image from Elements of Style for this card. I also trimmed the embossed piece to 4 x 5 1/4". The oval is cut at 3 1/2" and the oval scallop is cut at 3 3/4".

I chose to select the same colors of paper for each layer to make the card more elegant feeling.

I chalked the flowers with varying intensity to add to the subtleties of the card.

Here is the last look at card number 1.

Card number two has very few difference. The most obvious is the lack of coloring in of the image.

I also used the entire piece of vintage wallpaper rather than trimming it.

I added pearls and paper roses in place of coloring.

The ink is Chocolate Chip.

I also added a pearl to the each corner of the embossed background.

One last look at card number two.

Up until a few days ago, I had only used my Cricut for scrapbooking, but since I haven't scrapped in quite a while, it was time to see what else I was overlooking! I'll keep digging, and I hope to share more Cricut card creations with you this week.

Cricut Eastern Bloom Greeting Card

2011-07-10T12:00:00.002-05:00

Today I decided to play around with my Cricut. I love the look of Eastern/Asian flowers, but I don't have any stamps of them, so I used my Storybook cartridge, and using the Accent/Frame function for the letter "K", I got my image. Below are the steps I took to make this card.

The base measures 4 1/4" x 11" and is folded in half at the top of the card. The layer of Ruby Red measures 4 x 5 1/4" and the layer of pattern paper from K & Compaby measures 3 3/4 x 5".

I started with my image cut to 3 1/2" on Very Vanilla. I used chalks to color with branches, leaves, and flowers, then I used Chocolate Chip ink to go around the "frame". I punched flowers and added them on top of the die cut.

Then I adhered the frame to a single layer of white tissue paper and trimmed it down. I followed this layer by adhering it to a paper doily, and then again trimming it to the edge of the frame.

I added pearls to the flowers.

Old Olive is the base of the card, then Ruby Red and pattern paper by K & Company.

I machine stitched around the edge of the pattern paper

Added the sentiment (from Trendy Trees), ribbon (Old Olive), and accent flower with matching punched flower, and that was all.

Thanks for looking! Look for future posts with Cricut die cuts.

Sketchy Frog Greeting Card

2011-07-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

I made today's card for the SC340 Challenge at SCS. I decided to use a technique that I don't use very often, masking, and I also used a stamp set that is retired, but newly acquired by me that I've never used.

Here is the sketch we were to use.

Here is my card. I was inspired by the ribbon, and built the card around it. When I saw the sketch, I thought the ribbon would be the perfect element along the left border in the sketch.

I used a base of Kraft, the embossed piece is Pear Pizazz, and the ink is Pear Pizazz and Chocolate Chip.

Thanks for looking!

Tutorial: Acrylic Resist Technique

2011-07-08T02:00:00.003-05:00

Today's post has a lot of photos. I wanted to show you detailed steps to make duplicating the process easier. This is another card that I made using the Acrylic Resist technique.

The supplies are a white pieces of cardstock (papers for finishing the card later as well), a background stamp and accent stamp, acrylic paint and applicator, coordinating ink pads, Paper towel, wet wipes, adhesive and other embellishments for finishing. Heat gun is optional, but I use it as I am NOT patient.

Start by applying the paint liberally to your stamp (don't worry, it will wash off when you're done).

All coated and ready to stamp with

Stamp onto your cardstock.

This is what mine looked like when I was done stamping the background.

As I said, I'm not patient, so either let your image dry naturally or help the process with a heat gun.

Using two different lavender colors Versa Color, I stamped the image from Elements of Style

Wipe excess with paper towel.

Your image will look similar to this.

Now wiped the entire pieces of paper with a wet wipe and smear, blend the ink into the cardstock and off of your painted image.

Here is the finished piece. Trim as desired and create away!

Here is a look at the card I made with the piece created in this tutorial.

The striped paper is left over from the scrapbook page I made the other day.

The purple and black pieces are extras from the wedding invitations that I'm making for my sister.

Black satin 5/8" ribbon and a sentiment from Well Scripted finish the card.

Here is a close up of the acrylic resist piece.

Thanks for stopping by! If you try this technique, please let me know and send me a photo!

Happy crafting!

Faux Silk Technique Challenge at SCS: For you Greeting Card

2011-07-07T02:00:00.003-05:00

This card was made for the TLC332 challenge over at SCS. The challenge was to use the Faux Silk technique. To do this, you use tissue paper as the stamping medium. I originally tried to use the SC340 Sketch challenge as well, but made some significant changes, so I'm not sure it it still counts! :0)

The flowers and bird with sentiment were stamped onto white tissue paper. I set the images with a heat gun.

I mounted each stamped image onto white cardstock for more stability in manipulating them, and then I distressed the images with a lighter brown than the Chocolate Chip I used in stamping.

I used my Nestabilities for the scallop circle and the circle with the bird and sentiment.

The colors are Pear Pizazz, Chocolate Chip and Baja Breeze.

Here is an up close look at the bird and sentiment.

One more final look.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

Shabby Chic Bliss Greeting Card: Acrylic Resist Technique

2011-07-06T02:00:00.027-05:00

For my last day of the long weekend, I decided to try a technique that is new to me: Acrylic Resist. SCS has a tutorial on this technique and I followed it to begin with and then improvised on a few things for myself.

I started with plain white cardstock and used white paint from Making Memories on my argyle background stamp from Inkadinkado. I used my heat gun to dry the paint.

Then I used Real Red craft ink with the flourish from Bliss and stamped over the argyle. Once I'd filled the pattern as I wanted, I began to rub off the ink from the paint using a paper towel and then a wet wipe. By using the wet wipe, it moved the "pink" into the background in varying degrees. I used my heat gun to dry each layer as a went.

Then I used the flourish in Chocolate Chip for the central image and also used Chocolate Chip for the sentiment from Shot and Sweet.

I inked the edges of the paper, and then used my scissors to distress the edges.

The paper roses are from the $1 bin at the craft store. I added three of them to the top corner and each additional corner received a pearl.

The base of my card is Pink Pirouette, and the image is mounted to a layer of Chocolate Chip.

Thanks for looking!

Shades of Blue Challenge Greeting Card

2011-07-05T09:00:00.002-05:00

Hello! Today's card is for a challenge over at Less is More to use shades of blue.

After playing with multiple shades of blue and staining my fingers to match, I finally decided on a base of Brilliant Blue, Images and border circles in Baja Breeze, Brilliant Blue, and Night of Navy (shown in the photo from left to right).

I stamped the sentiment in Brilliant Blue and punched it in a large oval. and continued the embossing onto the punch to continue the flow.

The stamped images measure 1 1/4" circle and the border circles measure 1 1/2"

Here is a close up of the sentiment.

Thanks for looking!

Blissful Happiness Greeting Card: Shabby Chic

2011-07-04T02:00:00.003-05:00

Today's card uses two stamp sets from Stampin Up!: Bliss, and Heard from the Heart.

I used a base of Pretty in Pink, then a layer of Very Vanilla, Purely Pomegranate, Pretty in Pink and another layer of Very Vanilla. The three layers that have punched borders each measure 2 x 4"

I punched the three smaller layers with a border punch and then placed them on top of each other. I accented each layer with a pearl to match those that are placed on the Pretty in Pink ribbon separating the flourish from the sentiment.

This isn't a typical color combination for me, but I'm happy with the results.

Have a wonderful and SAFE holiday!

Single 12x12 Scrapbook Page: Lovely Lavendar

2011-07-03T17:30:00.001-05:00

I decided it's been way too long since I've made a scrapbook page, so today you get a simple single page. I used the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder from Stampin Up! for the texture on the mats.

I've had the floral and the striped paper for a number of years and never used them. Today was their day.

Here is a close up of one of the mats. It's Perfect Plum

This mat is in Very Vanilla

The flowers are from Oriental Trading Company--I've had these for years as well.

The border punch I used for the strip in the center is new to me. That means that his layout works for the Something Old, Something New challenge over at SCS.

Thanks for looking!

Birthday Butterflies Greeting Card

2011-07-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

I'm still on a butterfly kick! Oh well, I'll continue to go with it until something elese inspires me. :o)

Today's card is made with more of items I stamped and used from Norma's stash. The embossing folder, the punches and the stamps used on this card are from her! THANKS NORMA!

I used Brocade Blue as the base for this card, and then a layer of Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla and accents in Pumpkin Pie.

I used a direct to paper technique to accent the embossed edges of the paper.

I popped the sentiment up with dimensionals

added pearls into the circles formed by the embossing folder

used double layers of the butterflies for added dimension

and ran the top layer of each butterfly through an embossing folder for added texture.

Here is one final look at the card.

Thanks for looking!

Butterfly Friends Greeting Card: Embedded Embossing Technique

2011-07-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

Here is today's card.

My wonderful friend Norma and I got to create yesterday and I used her stamps and punches to create the elements of this card.

I used a new color combo (to me). The base is Purely Pomegranate, the green layer is Pear Pizazz, the light pink butterflies are Pink Pirouette, the dark butterfly is stamped in Purely Pomegranate and the sentiment is stamped in Chocolate Chip.

I accented each butterfly with two flat back pearls and stamped the one butterfly from Punch Potpourri in Purely Pomegranate ink.

The sentiment is stamped in Chocolate Chip and is from Simple Sayings by Stampin Up

Here is a close up of the stamped butterfly.

After adhering the butterflies in the pattern I wanted, I ran the piece of green paper (Pear Pizazz) through my Cuttlebug for the embedded embossed look.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Cricut Flower Greeting Card

2011-06-30T18:00:00.000-05:00

It was certainly a busy week at my paying job. I worked a few extra hours so I could have an extra long holiday weekend, but that took me away from my craft room until today. I was able to sped the afternoon at my wonderful friend Norma's and I ended up casing a card I found in her stash. Later this weekend I'll make some cards with the items she and I worked on.

Here is today's card.

I used my Cricut today. I used the cartridge George Basic Shapes for the flower. It was cut at 3 3/4" on Chocolate Chip cardstock.

I used 3/4", 1", and 1 1/2" circle punches in Bermuda Bay, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, and Melon Mambo

The piece of Melon Mambo cardstock eas run through my dot embossing folder and measures 4 1/4 x 3"

I used a clear circle button with a 1" circle below is in Certainly Celery. The Bermuda Bay circle is 1 1/2"

I stamped the sentiment from the Small Script set by Stampin Up!

Here is one final look at the card.

Van Gogh Butterfly Life Greeting Card

2011-06-28T02:00:00.001-05:00

For today's card I used a technique that I rarely use anymore. I punched a circle in the bottom front of the card to show the image that's adhered inside. I used a color combination that I haven't tried before. Bermuda Bay and Soft Suede...it's okay. I'm not in love with it, so I'll play more.

I used the stamp set from Stampin Up! called Dreams duJour. I love this set, but this is only my second time inking it up. I'll have to pull it our more often.

I love the quote, and I wanted to draw more attention to the all capitalized letters, so I used markers to ink the stamp in the coordinating color.

I used the scallop border punch to accent the circle punched into the front of the card.

Here is a close up peering into the card

This is the inside of the card

Last look.
Thanks for stopping by!