A Fashionable {Good Friends} Card...

Hello!  So glad you stopped by today.  It's another cold and rainy day here and once again I am typing while sitting in front of my space heater.  I took a peek at today's Sketch Challenge at SCS first thing this morning and then I tried to make a card a few hours later from memory.  Turns out I didn't remember the layout quite right, but I think it's close enough.

I love paper piecing these purses. This card uses a total of 6 different patterned papers.  That might be a record for me.  The rhinestones were colored using a pink copic marker.  I love that trick!

Have a great day!

{Good Friends...}

Stamps: Just My Style (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar, On the Catwalk Cream (CSS)

Patterned Paper: Gertie (My Mind's Eye)

Ink: Perfect Little Black Dress, Green With Envy (CSS)

Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch, Rhinestones, Stamping Sponge, Foam Dimensionals

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A {Birthday Wishes} Card...

Hey guys!  I've been having some computer issues this week.  I turned on my laptop yesterday morning and it went straight to an error page and wouldn't boot up.  Until that gets fixed I'm using my husband's net book.  It's really small and I really don't like it.  I miss all my programs and shortcuts I have on my computer.  So, I made this card today and had to download photo editing software so I could crop it and adjust the lighting.  Hopefully my computer will get fixed tonight if all goes right.


So, here is my card.  I'm combining two SCS challenges.  The first one is the "Ways to Use It" challenge where they wanted you to use polka dots on your card, I think mine has more than enough.  The other one is a "sketch challenge".  The layout is pretty unique that I just had to give it a try.  

Here's another view so you can see all the dimension.  


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

{Birthday Wishes}

Stamps: Icon Extras (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar, On the Catwalk Cream (CSS)

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

Ink: Dare to be a Diva Red, Simply Blue-tiful (CSS)

Accessories: Heart Punches (Paper Shapers), Stamping Sponge, Blue Rhinestones (Kaiser Craft) 

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A {Thank You} Card...

Hello there!  I'm sharing this yummy card with you today.  For some reason it reminds me of neopolitan ice cream.  I guess it's the pink and the horizontal strips.  Anyway, this card combines two challenges.  The layout is from today's sketch challenge at SCS.  The colors come from today's color challenge at Papertrey Ink.  The color combo I chose to use is: Spring Moss, Ripe Avocado, Hibiscus Burst, and Sweet Blush.

I love how the embossing continues over all three colors of card stock.  I simply cut three strips of card stock, adhered them to the card base and then embossed it was one piece.  


Thanks so much for visiting today.  Hope you have a wonderful day!!!

{Thank You}

Stamps: Signature Greetings (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Sweet Blush, Hibiscus Burst, Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Old Olive (SU)

Accessories: Pink Rhinestones (KaiserCraft), Corner Rounder Punch, Birds & Swirls Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Green Ribbon (Offray), Foam Dimensionals

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An {Enjoy the Ride} Card...

Hey there!  I made this card this morning using today's sketch challenge from SCS.  To be honest, I like the idea of this card a lot more than I like the actual card.  I've been wanting to do a white on white card.  It's something that my mind keeps going to when I start thinking of card making.  Although I'm not in love with this card, I still wanted to share it.  

I used black enamel accents on the boat's portholes.  I think that turned out cute and much easier than brads or eyelets.

Thanks so much for dropping by!  See you tomorrow!!!

{Enjoy the Ride}

Stamps: Across the Miles (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: A Blanc Check, Simply Blue-tiful (CSS)

Ink: Simply Blue-tiful, Trendsetter Blue, Perfect Little Black Dress, Dare to be a Diva Red (CSS)

Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch (SU), Foam Dimensionals, Black Enamel Accents (Ranger)

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A {Happy 6th Birthday} Card for Colin & Cake Pops...

If my son ever doubts my love for him, I will remind him (and show him these photos) of the day Mommy made him clown cake pops.  I enjoy baking and am a fan of Bakerella.  Everyone loved the cake pops I made a couple years ago, which tasted a lot better than they looked.  I checked out this book at the library a few weeks ago and once Colin chose these clowns, there was no changing his mind.

They turned out pretty cute, definitely home-made looking.  They required a lot of time, patience and candy (which we have a lot leftover that I'm trying not to eat).  I took a lot of liberties with these.  I was not about to buy 48 sugar cones, cut off the tips for the birthday hats and throw the rest away ('cause what can you do with a bunch of cone pieces?).  Also, the fuzzy hair was supposed to be French Burnt Peanut Candies, which I couldn't find at the two stores I checked.  I ended up using some raspberry gummies that had bumps that resembled hair, although I had to trim all of them down.  For the eyebrows I used some green holly sprinkles that I found all the way in the back of the cabinet.

The book suggested making different versions of the clowns (some with collars, without collars, different kinds of smiles, etc.)  I opted not to do this since Colin will be sharing them with his class and I wanted to avoid the "why does hers have more candy?" thing.  Apparently the author doesn't have children.  So, luckily my kids had a snow day yesterday and I was able to dedicate about three hours to making these (not including the hour I spent the day prior baking the cake, mixing the cake with icing and then rolling them into balls).

When I told people that I was making these cake pops, all of them said the same thing.  They had either tried it themselves or knew someone who had and they all had the problem of the cake ball falling off the stick. After I had the balls rolled, I refrigerated them overnight.  I dipped the end of the stick in chocolate before sticking it in the balls.  Then (thanks to recommendations from friends), I stuck them in the freezer for about an hour before I dipped them in the white candy coating.  This worked like a charm (just make sure your balls don't freeze).  Out of the 48 cake pops only one fell off the stick.  Once the cake pop is dipped you have to work quickly to stick on all the candy.  The white candy coating dries really quickly.  There were a few times where I needed to apply a little more white coating to certain areas with a toothpick and then stick on the candy.

So, will I make these again?  Yes, because my little girl is already asking me to make them for her birthday.  I probably won't enjoy it, but I will make them again.  Hopefully she'll pick a less tedious cake pop.  Oh, I almost forgot to mention that the kids had another snow day today, so Colin will be taking these cake pops in whenever they go back to school.  So glad I rushed to get them all done!

So, onto the card I made for Colin's birthday.  I'm sorta impressed with myself over this one.  There's a lot of stuff on this card and that IS NOT my usual style. It is very Silhouette heavy, but I wanted something really special for my special guy.  Pretty much everything was cut using the Silhouette except the rectangles.  It took me quite a while to do the banner, getting them all spaced out and centered without being able to glue the string down.

Lots of dimension to this card.  The banner flags, number 6, sentiment blocks, and white panel are all popped up on foam adhesive.  BTW, this sketch used today's sketch challenge at SCS.


Wow, this was a really long post.  I'm giggling to myself re-reading this at all the innuendos with the word ball and balls.  Tee hee hee, I'm a perpetual 12 year old boy.

Have a great day!

{Happy Birthday}

Stamps: Essential Messages (Hero Arts)

Card Stock: Ocean Tides, SS White (Papertrey Ink)

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

Ink: Real Red (SU)

Accessories: Red Floss (DMC), Foam Dimensionals, Stamping Sponge, Digital Cutter (Silhouette)

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An {I love you so much} Card...

Make sure you scroll down or click here for my GIVEAWAY post!

Hey guys!  I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!  We are fortunate to have two days to celebrate.  We spent this past Sunday with my family and then yesterday with my husband's family.  It works so well that way and no rushing around to be in two places.  We are having a lazy day here.  I printed out this week's Sketch Challenge at SCS on Wednesday and finally made a card for it this morning while still in my pajamas.  


I really love this collection Be-Loved by My Mind's Eye.  The patterns compliment each other perfectly.  I used two types of stripes and two types of polka dots, but I think it all works.  

Lots of dimension to this card, just how I like it!  All edges are sponged with red ink.  I love the shabby feel it gives the card.  


Well, now that I'm caught up on cards and such, it's time to clean up the house a bit and start decorating for Christmas.  The kids are excited to help, something we do together every year.  


Have a great day!

{I love you so much}

Stamps: Signature Greetings (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Pure Poppy (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Be-Loved (My Mind's Eye)

Ink: Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink), Warm Red (Colorbox)

Accessories: Heart Punch (Paper Shapers), Foam Dimensionals, Red Rhinestone (Kaiser Craft)

 

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A "Congratulations" Card...

Hey there!  I made a bright and cheery card for today's sketch challenge at SCS.  I stamped the kraft card base with text, slightly darker than the card.  The center panel with flowers was cut from an entire sheet of rectangular focal point elements.  I punched my own flowers out a few scraps to add a dimensional effect to the card.   All of the papers come from the Echo Park collection Life is Good.

I adore that pink vertical strip.  It came from a sheet of border elements.  I wish there was a whole sheet of that pattern.

I hope you are having a great day!

{Congratulations}

Stamps: Text Style (Papertrey Ink), Enjoy (American Crafts)

Card Stock: Kraft (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Life is Good (Echo Park)

Ink: Chestnut Roan, Dark Brown (Color Box)

Accessories: Flower Punch (EK Success), Light Green Rhinestones (Kaiser Craft), Foam Dimensionals

 

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An "I'm So Grateful for You" Card

Hi there!  I have a happy card for you today that uses today's sketch challenge at SCS.  Once again I'm using the Hippy Girl paper pad by Kaiser Craft.  You all may need to have a intervention since I think I'm addicted to this paper pad.  Most of the colors in the pad are bold and bright, but I managed to keep this card sort of calm and muted.  The striped panel that covers the card base is actually flocked.  It's doesn't really look flocked in person either, but you can definitely feel it.

All of my layers have inked edges.  I did this so I would not have to matte each layer and make the card really bulky.  Even though my card has 5 layers, I still think it looks pretty clean and simple.

Thanks so much for visiting today.  Have a wonderful rest of your day!!!

{I'm So Grateful for You}

Stamps: Signature Greetings (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Aqua Mist (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Hippy Girl (Kaiser Craft)

Ink: Lime Pastel, Orchid Pastel (Colorbox), Perfect Plum (SU)

Accessories: Foam Dimensionals, Oval Nesties (Spellbinders)

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Thoughts of you...

Hi friends!!!  In my happy mail from last week I received some Echo Park goodness.  This is my first experience with Echo Park so I wasn't sure what to expect when it came.  Sometimes you buy something and have all these plans and then when you actually go to use it, it just falls short of your expectations.  KWIM?  Well, I'm happy to report that the Echo Park "Life is Good" Collection Kit definitely surpassed my expectations.  It comes with 12 double sided sheets of 12" x 12" patterned papers along with 2 sheets of stickers (1 alpha and 1 images).  Even though the sheets are 12" x 12" the patterns are a good proportion for card making.  They also include a lot of images that can easily be cut out and applied to cards.  Love it, love it!!!

My card uses today's sketch challenge from SCS.  It's such a simple layout and I love simple.  The flower is a sticker from the Echo Park "Life is Good" Collection Kit.  I simply applied it to a piece of scrap card stock, cut it out and then applied it to my card using foam dimensionals.  That way it won't stick to anything it shouldn't.

The little flowers that are peeking out from behind the striped panel are from the PTI set, Mailbox Greetings.  The sentiment is also from this set.  I love to curve my sentiment panel like it's a banner in the wind.  Such a cute finishing touch.

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

{Thoughts of You} 

Stamps: Mailbox Greetings (Papertrey Ink) 

Card Stock: Kraft, Lemon Tart (Papertrey Ink), Chocolate Chip (SU)

Patterned Paper: Life is Good (Echo Park)

Ink: Close to Cocoa (SU)

Accessories: Flower Sticker from Life is Good (Echo Park), Edge Distresser, Foam Dimensionals, Scissors

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Paper Maniac Thursday - Pile it on!

Hello!  It's Thursday and around here that means a card featuring Paper Maniac.  This week the design team was challenged to make a card that piled on the layers (at least 4).  As soon as I saw the sketch challenge from SCS, I knew it would be a perfect fit.  I started out with a kraft card base and then all of the other papers are from the Nook & Pantry collection from Basic Grey.  When I am making a card with so many layers I always use a collection since I know all the papers coordinate.

The cupcake is cut out from a sheet of cupcakes and is popped up on foam dimensionals.  I added the pearls to the scalloped edge and distressed the floral layer to give the card a sort of shabby chic feel.

Thanks so much for visiting today.  Have a wonderful day!!!


PS.  Paper Maniac just marked down the entire Nook & Pantry Collection (as well as other BG papers)!!!

{Live richly and savor all of life}

Stamps: Essential Messages (Hero Arts)

Card Stock: Kraft (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Nook & Pantry (Basic Grey)

Ink: Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch (SU), Pearls (Michaels), Foam Dimensionals, Paper Distresser (Tim Holtz)

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Hope your day is fabulous...

Hi there!  My card today fulfills two challenges.  The colors come from the current challenge at Embellish Magazine.  I love how these colors go together.  The layout comes from today's sketch challenge at SCS. I took a different approach to the sketch.  Those hearts are supposed to be squares, but I was kind of in a hearts kind of mood.  The brown rectangle is embossed with the Birds and Swirls embossing folder and so is the orange heart.  I love how this makes the orange heart pop off the card a bit.  I sponged the edges of the kraft base with turquoise ink.  It's subtle, but it adds a nice finishing touch to the card.

Well, today is my last "live" post for the week.  I have posts scheduled for Paper Maniac Thursday, Frugal Friday, and for my Our Creative Corner post on Saturday.  We'll be in Gatlinburg, TN for a nice long weekend away with our kids and some old friends and what's sure to be some new friends too.  Take care!

Have a great day!!!

{Hope your day is fabulous}

Stamps: Signature Greetings (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Kraft, Orange Zest (Papertrey Ink), Close to Cocoa (SU), Simply Blue-tiful (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Close to Cocoa (SU)

Accessories: Birds and Swirls Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Heart Punch (Paper Shapers), Brown Floss (DMC), Foam Dimensionals, Rhinestones (Kaiser Craft), Stampin' Sponge (SU)

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Color Throwdown #100

Hello!  The Color Throwdown blog is celebrating their 100th challenge today.  I thought this would be a good time to try my first throwdown challenge.  This card was really challenging, but I enjoy a good challenge.  If you don't try new things, you'll never grow and stretch your talent to new heights.  

I combined this challenge with today's Sketch Challenge at SCS.  I think I had more difficulty with the sketch than the colors.  Once I found paper that somewhat matched the colors for the throwdown I was good to go.  

This card uses so many elements, which is a little out of my comfort zone.  When I mix and match papers I tend to stick within a collection, but not today.  I have papers from Little Yellow Bicycle and Sassafras.  

The sentiment was the last element I added to my card.  I thought the overall feel of my card was elegant, so I wanted a sort of fancy looking sentiment.  I picked this "thank you" from a set from Clear and Simple Stamps.

Thanks so much for visiting today!  Have a good one!!!

{Thank You}

Stamps: Thank You (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Kraft Like A RockStar

Patterned Paper: Sunshine Lollipops (Sassafras), Sweet Love Tablet (Little Yellow Bicycle)

Ink: Pink Passion (SU)

Accessories: Aqua Rhinestones (Kaiser Craft), Birds & Blooms Sizzlit Dies (SU), Green Satin Ribbon (Offray), Coluzzle, Foam Dimensionals, Circle Punch (SU)

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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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