OCC Challenge - a three part challenge!

Hey guys!  I'm here with a sample card for this week's challenge from Our Creative Corner.  This week we have a super-fun, three part challenge.  Make a card using 1- only black and white, 2- should include lots of texture, and 3- your focal point should be text instead of an image.  Got that?  I loved this challenge.  I always like when I'm giving lots of direction.

My favorite way to add texture to a card is probably embossing folders.  So, for my card I used 4 out of the 6 folders I have.  I used swiss dots, script, diamonds in the rough, and distressed stripes.  This card has a ton for layers, which is a little out of the ordinary for me.  I really like the textured white squares layered on the smooth white squares.

It was KILLING me that I couldn't use a pop of color.  I think a hot pink or red flower in the center would look great.  I do think this turned out to be a classy card that would be suitable for a guy or an anniversary or wedding card.

Okay, now that you've seen my card, head on over to Our Creative Corner and check out what the rest of the design team created.  It sure is fun to see all the directions this challenge will take even though we are all given the same instructions.  That's one of the things I love about this hobby!

I hope you all have a fabulous Memorial Day weekend!  Thanks for stopping by today!!!

{Congrats}

Stamps: Communique Sentiments (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: True Black, SS White (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Fresh Snow (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: Foam Dimensionals, Embossing Folders (Cuttlebug ), Clear Rhinestones (Michaels)

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Paper Maniac Thursday - Patriotic Cards!

Hello!  It's Paper Maniac Thursday here on my blog.  Since Memorial Day is on Monday, our theme this week is patriotic cards.  At first I was stumped since I don't really have any supplies that I would consider patriotic.  A shame, I know.  Then I saw what the rest of the design team ladies created and was so inspired by what they used for their cards.

My card base is Blue Steel from Elan Metallics.  It has such a shimmer to it.  I love it!  The darker blue stars are Blue Jewel from Elan Metallics.   The glossy red stars are from Bindakote.  In short, my card is shiny and shimmery!!!  I added some silver pearls for interest and the ribbon was a happy accident.  I stumbled upon it looking for the pearls.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

{Thank You}

Stamps: Essential Messages (Hero Arts)

Card Stock: Blue Steel, Blue Jewel (Elan Metallics), Red Glossy (Bindakote)

Ink: Real Red (SU)

Accessories: Concentric Stars Die (Cuttlebug), Ribbon, Foam Dimensional, Silver Pearls (Michaels)

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There's No One Like You, Friend...

Hey there!  I made a card this morning for the Sketch Challenge on SCS.  I think it turned out super cute but had a heck of a time getting a good photo.  I took 26.  You'd think one would be good.

Okay, about my card.  I used a piece of patterned paper from Indian Summer by Basic Grey along with some coordinating card stock and a rectangle of cork.  The layer around the cork has distressed edges.  The cream strip of paper that says "there's no one like you" has a foam dimensional under the center so that the whole strip sort of arcs.  Hopefully you can sort of see that on the photo below.

I punched the butterflies out of some Indian Summer scraps I had and adhered them with rolled up glue dots.

Well, I would love to chat some more, but I have a sick little boy who needs some pampering.  I hope you all have a great day!!!

{there's no one like you, friend}

Stamps: Friends 'til the End (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Sweet Blush, Kraft, Raspberry Fizz, Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Indian Summer (Basic Grey)

Ink: Pink Passion (SU)

Accessories: Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Clear Rhinestones (Michaels), Foam Dimensionals, Cork, Edge Distresser (Heidi Swapp), Stampin' Sponge (SU)

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Papertrey May Blog Hop Challenge

Hello!  I made this card for Papertrey Ink's May Blog Hop.  The challenge this month was to use felt on your card.  I haven't had the pleasure of using PTI's new felt, so I decided to use what I had on hand.

This is such a simple card.  The felt I used comes in one long, skinny piece with adhesive already on the back, like a sticker.  I applied the felt to the card and added some silver pearls.  I cut out one of the daisies from a scrap piece to adhere to the sentiment panel.

Thanks so much for checking out my card and  blog.  I hope you all are enjoying the hop!

{thank you}

Stamps: Communique Sentiments (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Kraft, Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Close to Cocoa (SU)

Accessories: Daisy Chain Fozz Felt (Kaiser Craft), Silver Pearls (Michaels)

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You are a blessing to me...

Hi there!  Just a quick post today.  I went camping with my daughter over the weekend and have so much to catch up on today.  My little guy is finished with preschool so I have him to entertain as well.

Sooooo, my card this morning is for this week's CPS sketch.  I'm trying to use up some old supplies to justify buying some new stuff.  I've had this little tin of primas for quite some time.  I use them here and there, but I think I just fell out of love with the variety of colors I have left.  This is an odd size card.  It's 6" x 4.25", so I would have enough room for all four flowers.

The flower centers are just punched circles with an epoxy dome sticker stuck on top.

I hope you all have a great day!  I can't wait for it to get back to normal around here.  Take care!

{You are a blessing to me}

Stamps: Signature Greetings (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: SS White, Hibiscus Burst (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Green at Heart (Basic Grey)

Ink: Pixie Pink (SU)

Accessories: Clear Rhinestones (Michaels), Flowers (Prima), Cork, Foam Dimensionals, Epoxy Dome Stickers (Papertrey Ink), Brads, Circle Punch, Glue Dots

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OCC Challenge - Sketch Challenge!!!

Hi!  Welcome to another challenge from Our Creative Corner!  This week, Loretta is challenging us to make a card using this sketch.  I loved the sketch, but decided to flip it so that I could use the oval as a sentiment panel.

The two panels of plaid have a thin yellow stripe on them and that's where the yellow base and yellow brads come from.

Here's a close-up of those flowers!  I love the dimension and softness it adds to the card.

Now, head on over to the Our Creative Corner and check out all the samples from the awesome Design Team.  We'd love you to play along with us!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!

{Congrats}

Stamps: Communique Sentiments (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Lemon Tart, Ocean Tides, Vintage Cream, Pure Poppy (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Love Me Do (My Mind's Eye)

Ink: Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Foam Dimensionals, Flowers (Prima), Indian Summer Brads (Basic Grey)

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Need some input please...

*This is my second post for today, scroll down to see my earlier post*

Hi guys!  I'm creating a series of weekly posts about how to save money in this very expensive hobby of ours.  I would love to incorporate questions from you, my awesome and supportive readers.  Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about me or paper crafting in general.  Depending on the results, I may have a separate Q&A.  Just leave your questions in the comments section.

Thanks so much in advance for your help.  I can't wait to hear from you!!!

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Altered Notebook & Teacher Cards

Hi there!  I'm so glad you stopped by today!!!  I have two projects to share with you today.  First up is an altered mini composition book that I made for my little girl to help her (and me) keep track of all the books she reads.  She's just finishing the first grade and reads a chapter book a day!  I'm the one who ends up going to the library to pick up and return books for her and I can never remember what she's read and what she hasn't.

Anyway, about the notebook.  I used three pieces of patterned paper from the Green at Heart collection by Basic Grey.  I colored the centers of the flowers with a black fine-tip sharpie to better coordinate with the black binding on the book.  I also used the sharpie for the faux stitching.  I used my computer and printer for "Halle's" and then punched it out with a curly label punch. Halle loves things like this.  She was so happy when I showed it to her.  We can't wait to fill it up!

Next, I have a set of cards I made to go along with gifts for Colin's preschool teachers.  As you can see these cards are super simple.  Every year the last day sneaks up on me so that's really why these cards are so simple.  These cards are 3" squares.  They use a little strip of fozz felt and one meaningful stamp.  I had Colin dictate what he wanted to say and then signed them himself.  Most of them went something like this: "Thank you for being a good teacher.  I hope you miss me next year when I am in kindergarten.  Have a good year without me.  Love, Colin."  Too cute!!!  He also picked out a few books from his bookshelf to donate to his preschool classroom.  He is such a thoughtful and kind little boy.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

{Halle's Books Notebook}

Patterned Paper:  Green at Heart (Basic Grey) 

Accessories: Daiquiri Thickers (American Crafts), Raspberry Fizz Topnotch Twill (Papertrey Ink), Curly Label Punch (SU), Black Fine-Tip Marker (Sharpie), Computer & Printer, Mini Composition Book 

{Grateful for you}

Stamps: Signature Greetings (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Kraft (Papertrey  Ink)

Ink: Close to Cocoa (SU) 

Accessories: Daisy Chain Fozz Felt (Kaiser Craft), Corner Rounder Punch (EK Success)

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Paper Maniac Thursday - Chipboard

Hello there!  It's Paper Maniac Thursday and this week the DT and I are using chipboard on our cards.  Everything on my card (except for the kraft card base) comes from the Basic Grey Card Kit, Green at Heart.  The letters spelling "sweetie" and the flower center are from a whole sheet of chipboard elements that come with the kit.  The flower, the swirls on the purple heart, the "for my", and the faux stitching are all rub-ons from the kit.

I punched two hearts from paper that came with the kit.  The patterned paper panel with the white scallops is a die cut from the kit.  The finished card size is a 3.75" square.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!!

{for my sweetie}

Card Stock: Kraft (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: Green at Heart Card Kit (Basic Grey), Heart Punch (Paper Shapers), Foam Dimensionals

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A tiny hello...

Hi there!  I'm on a field trip with my little man this morning, but made this card the other day to share with you today.  I'm still using up my Indian Summer patterned paper by Basic Grey.  I am in love with these colors.  They are so warm and happy!

Don't let the photo fool you.  This card is tiny!  It's a 3.25" square with each patterned paper square being 1".

Here is a close-up of the sentiment panel.  It's curved and it doesn't show up that way in the above photo.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Have a great day!!!

{Hello}

Stamps: Essential Messages (Hero Arts)

Card Stock: Kraft, SS White (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Indian Summer (Basic Grey)

Ink: Close to Cocoa (SU)

Accessories: Light Pink Rhinestones (Kaiser Craft)

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I'm so grateful for you...

Hello!  I made this card last night since I knew I wouldn't have much of a chance to make anything today.  I actually made two cards, you'll see the other one tomorrow.  I'm just now getting a chance to write my post for today's card.  This is another card using up scraps of Indian Summer patterned paper by Basic Grey.  I love the simple layout of this card.  It's a single layer, no foam dimensionals , no ribbon.  Just paper, ink, and rhinestones.

The rhinestones I used are light pink.  I can never seem to get them to look pink in my photos.

I hope you are having a great day!

{I'm so grateful for you}

Stamps: Signature Greetings (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Kraft (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Indian Summer (Basic Grey)

Ink: Pink Passion (SU)

Accessories: Light Pink Rhinestones (Kaiser Craft)

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Happy Birthday, Friend...

Hello!  I need to make a card for my friend's birthday that is coming up next week.  I'm so thankful for my Birthday Calendar reminder in Facebook or else no one would be getting cards from me.  Anyway, I just wanted to sit down and dream up a fabulous card, but I couldn't get the Mojo Monday sketch out of my head.  I disregarded it when I saw it this morning since it had that one crooked panel, and you know I just can't deal with that.  So, I decided to make that panel straight.  I don't think I'll get arrested by the sketch police.

I'm trying to use up some older patterned paper to make room for new ones.  I absolutely love Indian Summer by Basic Grey.  Somehow it was pushed aside for bigger and better things.  This is an older collection but Paper Maniac still has 6 x 6 pads and coordinating embellies.

Here's a close up to show you all the lovely layers and dimension.

I hope you all have a great day!  My kids are off school tomorrow for election day here in KY.  So, I'm sleeping in and hope to have a card to share will you all in the afternoon.  Thanks for stopping by!!!

{Happy Birthday, Friend}

Stamps: Communique Sentiments, Friends 'Til the End (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Kraft (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Indian Summer (Basic Grey)

Ink: Pink Passion, Close to Cocoa (SU)

Accessories: Light Pink Rhinestones (Kaiser Craft), Labels 9 Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Stampin' Sponge (SU), Raspberry Fizz Topnotch Twill (Papertrey Ink)

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