Group Project: Nature of Winter

Hey there!  I have a fun winter project to share with you today.  It's our first Clear & Simple Stamps group project of the year.  The first challenge was to make a card/project with the theme of Nature in Winter.  

I put together a wintery card using a twig from my yard, some liquid appliqué for the snowflakes and woodgrain stamp for the "tree".  

I colored the my little owl guy with copics, using a darker color to outline the scallops and ears.  I used an orange sharpie for the owl feet.

I stamped the letters for "wishes" using Alpha Clear and colored them in with a light blue copic marker, the same color as the owl's eyes.

I used a snowflake stamp from Taglines and liquid appliqué for the snowflakes, although you can't see the stamp.  I used it as a guide for the liquid appliqué.  If you've never used liquid appliqué, it goes on like puffy paint and then it puffs up when you heat it up with your heat gun.

I used Tombow Multi Glue to adhere the twig and it is staying on really well, much better than the glue dots I tried at first.  The glue dries completely clear.  

Check out the other group projects that are happening today with a Nature of Winter theme:

• Lori Tecler
• Jennifer Rzasa
• Clear & Simple Stamps Blog

Have a great day!

{Winter Wishes}

Stamps: Alpha Clear, Icons Sentiments, Taglines, Taglines: Critters, Background Basics 1 (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar, Cre'me de la Cream (CSS)

Ink: Espresso Your Style (CSS)

Accessories: Liquid Applique, Foam Dots, Twig, Orange Sharpie Marker

Copics: B93, W1, W3, W5 

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A {Mr. & Mrs.} Card...

Hello!  I had a clear vision for this card, just a one layer card with six squares popped up on dots.  Well, I had my 2 x 3 rectangle cut and stamped, then I accidentally made my first cut at a half inch instead of an inch!  Whoops!  I could have redone it, but I wanted to see how it played out.  I didn't intend to mat the rectangles (would be squares) on the gray card stock, but it was just easier to maneuver.  I laid them all out first, then adhered them with foam dots, then trimmed the gray card stock.

The design reminded me of stained glass that you might find in a church, so I thought this would be a perfect wedding card.  

I also have another card to show you, it's on the Clear & Simple Stamps App for the iPad/iPhone.  Here's a sneak peek...

Have a great day!  

{Mr. & Mrs.}

Stamps: All Occasions 1, Background Basics 1 (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Dare to Be a Diva, Cre'me de la Cream, Such a Gray-cious Host (CSS)

Ink: Perfect Little Black Dress (CSS)

Accessories: Foam Dots

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A {Happy 5th Birthday} Card...

Hey there!  Sunlight was not on my side when I took this photo today.  The sun was out in full force so that's why my card has some shadows.  I think you can get the gist though.

My card is a CASE of this card I found on Pinterest.  I loved the layout and tried to recreate it based on the supplies I have on hand.  This card is for my nephew, so I wanted to keep it as boyish as possible.

Here's a close-up of the center panel.  Ugh, those shadows.

Have a great day!

{Happy 5th Birthday}

Stamps: Background Basics 1, Number Blocks, Circles Plus, Trendy Tags 2 (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: A Blanc Check, Such a Gray-cious Host, Trendsetter Blue, Dare to Be a Diva Red (CSS)

Ink: Dare to Be a Diva Red, True Blue Fan (CSS), White

Dies: Numbers, Tags 2 (CSS)

Accessories: Navy Blue/White Twine (CSS), Foam Dots, Circle Punch

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CSS Group Project: Joyful Resolution

Hello!  I have a super fun project to share with you today.  It's group project day for Clear & Simple Stamps and today we are sharing a New Year's favor along with a crafty resolution for the new year. 

I had so much fun making this wine tag.  As soon as I had the idea of using the champagne class for the #1, I was ready to go!  It's funny how it takes just a little something for my mind to go into overdrive.  

I started with a strip of card stock about 7" long and a little less than 2" wide.  I used a circle die from Shapes: Circles to make the opening that would slide over the wine bottle neck.  I stamped it using the woodgrain stamp from Background Basics 1.   The label itself uses a frame Label Frames 1 stamped using Dare to Be a Diva Red ink and then cut out.  I added some diagonal pink lines using Designer Lines.  That cute little wine glass is from Taglines and is colored using copic markers.  The die cut numbers were adhered using foam dots, so they literally pop off the label.  The sentiment is from the Limited Edition set JOY.  

As far as my crafty resolution is concerned, it's all about organization.  From keeping a blog agenda, scheduling more posts,  handing in projects before the deadline, to keeping my studio space neat and tidy.    

Be sure to check out the designers projects and resolutions:

• Lori Tecler
• Clear & Simple Stamps Blog

Have a great day! 

{NYE Wine Tag}

Stamps: Background Basics, Label Frames 1, Designer Lines, LE Joy, Taglines (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar, A Blanc Check (CSS)

Ink: Perfect Little Black Dress, Dish All the Dirt Brown, Dare to Be a Diva Red, I'm a Princess Pink (CSS)

Dies: Shapes: Circles, Numbers (CSS) 

Copics: Y32, Y35, W1, 110

Accessories: Foam Dots 

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A {Hello Friend} Card...

Hey there!!!  It was so nice to sit and craft this morning in my little craft studio with a big mug of coffee, that is until the utility tub overflowed!  Thankfully our laundry area is right by my craft area so I heard it as soon as it happened.  Something was clogged in the drain where the water that the washer uses is drained.  Minimal clean-up!

So, there is another great post from CSS's Style Watch this week all about One Layer Cards.   To me, one layer cards usually mean masking.  That's just what I did here with the heart.  I die cut the heart on a post-it note, placed it on the card stock and then stamped the woodgrain over it.  Easy peasy!

I knew my kids made a gigantic mess in my craft area over the weekend.  They even got out my dies *cringe*.  At least they know what paper is off limits.  So, they cleaned up their mess yesterday and this is what I found when I went to craft this morning.  I love that my kids are so creative.

And yes, that is Ellen on my iPad.  I'm about a week behind and trying to play catch-up today.  Watching shows on my iPad while I craft is one of my favorite things to do.  

Things have been really busy around here, but good busy.  I got the iPhone5 on Friday and I'm totally in love with it!  I've never had an iPhone before and I'm in heaven.  The photos today were all taken with the iPhone since it has such a nice camera.  We'll see if it's better than my regular point-and-shoot camera.  

Have a great day!

{Hello Friend}

Stamps: Tweet Notes, Tag Lines, Background Basics 1, Shapes: Hearts (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar (CSS)

Ink: Dish All the Dirt Brown, Green With Envy, Dare to Be a Diva Red (CSS)

Dies: Shapes: Hearts (CSS) (used as a mask)

Accessories: Red/Green/White Twine (CSS)

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Another {Mr. & Mrs.} Wedding Card...

Hey there!  I noticed that I was running a little low on wedding cards when my cousin asked me for one.  I had a bunch of "Congrats" and "Best Wishes" cards, but hardly any specifically for a wedding.

Obviously I'm loving the sentiment "Mr. & Mrs." from the All Occasions 1 set from Clear & Simple Stamps.  Actually I am loving that whole set, which is clearly evident by how many cards I've made using that set.   Also worth noting, I cut the sentiment apart.  In the set it is all one piece.

I think that the background building stamp I used is so elegant, perfect for a wedding card.  This card is 5" x 3.5, which is a size I am really loving.  Just a bit smaller than the regular A2 size I make.  

Have a great day!

{Mr. & Mrs.}

Stamps: All Occasions 1, Background Basics 1 (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Green With Envy, True Blue Fan, On the Catwalk Cream (CSS)

Ink: True Blue Fan, Green With Envy (CSS)

Dies: Tags 2 (CSS) 

Accessories: Green Floss

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CSS Style Watch!

I have a super fun project to share with you today!  I'm sure you have an iPhone or knows somebody that does. Seems like everyone has one but me, but I'll be getting one shortly when the new one comes out.  What does do crafting and iPhones have in common you ask?  Well, CSS has created a template to design your own insert to go with those clear iPhone cases!!!  I love those trendy and fun cell phone covers, but they are so expensive!  This way, if you already have a clear case, you can change out your insert everyday using supplies you already own.  If you are having a hard time following me, here are some photos that may help.

Here's the template printed on regular copier paper.  I didn't want all of my inserts to use the same color card stock, but I also didn't want to be wasteful by printing the template out a bunch of times of different colored card stock.  You can see here that I planned ahead as to what color and design would be on each template.

I cut four pieces of card stock (from scraps) to fit right over each template and then adhered them with masking tape.  This worked really well and didn't get come apart in my printer. 

Here's what they looked like off once removed from the printer paper.

I would definitely recommend stamping your template and then cutting them, so much easier that way.  If you look closely, you can see the template under all that glorious stamping. 

Once I had the iPhone Cover Inserts made, I needed a cute way to give them to my friend.  Since these covers will reflect how cool, trendy and unique she is, I wanted a card to go with that theme.  

I created a little pocket on the inside of the card so that the inserts could slip right in.  

You can download the template by clicking HERE.  I was just thinking that it would be really cool to use the template on photos as well.  I would probably cut the template on card stock first and use it as a stencil on a photo.  I've seen custom photo covers and I'm sure they are pricey. 

Some of the other design team ladies are getting in on the actions!  You won't want to miss their awesome creations!

Stephany Zerbe

Jennifer Rzasa

Jaclyn Miller

Denise January

Lori Tecler

Clear and Simple Stamps

Have a great day!

{You Are an Original}

Stamps: Sunburst, Craft Room (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Dare to Be a Diva Red, A Blanc Check (CSS)

Ink: Dare to Be a Diva Red (CSS), White

Accessories: Foam Dots, Sticky Tape, Circle Punch

{iPhone Cover Inserts}

Stamps: Background Basics 1, Squares Plus, Designer Lines (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar, A Blanc Check, Green With Envy (CSS)

Ink: Dare to Be a Diva Red, Dish All the Dirt Brown, Say Yellow to All Your Fans, Orange You Fabulous, Glamazon Green, Your Style Blue Me Away, Simply Blue-tiful, Purplicious (CSS)

Accessories: iPhone Cover Template

Read more...

A {Thank You} Card...

Hello!  I have another card for the 10 Minute Craft Dash Challenge.  This week the challenge was to use three colors plus neutrals.  The colors are light blue, a darker blue, and a green.  Here's the card I made and it took every second of ten minutes.

This card came together pretty quickly, the most time consuming were putting the gems on the butterflies and gluing them down.

Thanks so much for taking time out of your day to stop by!  I hope you have a great weekend!!!  Speaking of weekends, I'll have a really fun post for Clear & Simple Stamps tomorrow.  You won't want to miss it!

Have a great day!

{Thank You}

Stamps: Background Basics 1 (CSS), Communique Sentiments (PTI)

Card Stock: On the Catwalk Cream, Trendsetter Blue (CSS)

Patterned Paper: Basics Manila (Basic Grey)

Ink: Simply Blue-tiful (CSS)

Dies: Spiral Notebook (PTI) 

Accessories: Edge Distresser, Stamping Sponge, Floss, Foam Dots, Butterfly Punches (Martha Stewart)

Read more...

{Happy 10th Anniversary} Sweetie

Hello!  Happy 10 year anniversary to me and my husband!!!  Technically we celebrated it when we were in Toronto, but we couldn't let the official day pass without acknowledging it somehow.  So, we are going to the jewelry store (it's been 10 years, I think it's time I get a wedding band to go with my engagement ring), and then dinner and a movie.  I can't wait!

So, here's the card I made for my hubby.  It's a one layer card and there is a wood-grain panel in the center that is really hard to see, but it's there.  I used stamps from 4 sets on this card!

I just love those swirly stamps from the Taglines: Critters set, they are so easy to manipulate.  I tried to keep the girly-ness to a minimum, but I did have to throw in that cupid.

Here's a close-up of the wood-grain I was telling you about.  It's slightly darker than the card base.  


I'll be back bright and early tomorrow (and the day after) for some Clear & Simple Stamps releases.  You won't want to miss it.

Have a great day!

{Happy 10th Anniversary}

Stamps: Trendy Tags, Taglines: Critters, Number Blocks, Background Basics 1 (Clear & Simple Stamps) 

Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar (CSS)

Ink: Dish All the Dirt Brown, Glamazon Green, Dare to Be a Diva Red, Brown Leather Satchel (CSS)

Read more...

A {Happy Birthday, Fella} Card...

Hello!  I hope you are all having a great summer, we've been keeping busy going to the water park, library, and just hanging at home doing some crafts and baking.

My brother's birthday is coming up and I needed to make him a card.  He's not really a tie wearing kind of guy, but if he did, I think this quirky tie would fit the bill.  

Lots of layers going on here.  I couldn't quite figure out how to line up the sentiment since they are three separate stamps, so I thought the off-kilter look suited the quirky tie.  


My next project will be some Father's Day cards for this weekend.  Hopefully I'll be posting those tomorrow!

Have a great day!

PS.  Thanks so much for those of you that read my really long post about being vegan for a year.  I really appreciate it and all the great feedback I received from blog reader, my friends, and my family.  If you left me a comment asking a question, you should have received an email back from me.

{Happy Birthday, Fella}

Stamps: A Guy Thing, Background Basics 1 (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: A Blanc Check, Dare to Be a Diva Red, Kraft Like a Rockstar, Trendsetter Blue (CSS)

Ink: Dare to Be a Diva Red, Dish All the Dirt Brown, Your Style Blue Me Away (CSS)

Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch, Foam Dots, Silver Brads, Stamping Sponge

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A {With Sympathy} Card...

Hello!  Today is the last day of school for my kiddos.  I tried to squeeze a ton of card-making in this morning.  I'm hoping that I'll be able to sneak away for a little craft time (me-time) in the mornings this summer. 


This is a CAS card I made using All Occasions 2.  I just love the colors of the vases, I think that's what makes the card look modern.  I created a "shelf" for the vases using a thin strip of Dish All the Dirt Brown card stock with the the wood grain image from Background Basics 1 stamped over it in the same color ink.   

The center vase is popped up on a foam dot just for added interest and dimension. I stamped the flowers on the card base first and then adhered the vase.

Have a great day!

{With Sympathy}

Stamps: All Occasions 2, Background Basics 1 (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: A Blanc Check, Dish All the Dirt Brown (CSS)

Ink: Orange You Fabulous, Dish All the Dirt Brown, Brown Leather Satchel, Simply Blue-tiful, Green With Envy (CSS)

Accessories: Foam Dots

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A {Best Wishes} Card...

Hello!  Don't you just hate when life gets in the way of crafting?  Lol, but that's what happened yesterday.  The whole day was just a blur and I'd like to keep it that way.

So, as I was browsing my regular blogs this morning, I really liked this week's challenge from Runway Inspired Challenge.  The sun was overhead when I took the photo so the ribbon looks a little weird, it's just tied in a knot, the rest is a shadow.

I used a labels die to create a flap for my center panel.  It adds a touch of elegance and creates a place for more embellishments.

Have a great day!

{Best Wishes}

Stamps: Baby Sentiments, Quotes II, Background Basics I (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: On the Catwalk Cream, I'm a Princess Pink, Kraft Like a Rockstar, Brown Leather Satchel (CSS)

Ink: Perfect Little Black Dress (CSS)

Dies: Labels 9 (Spellbinders) 

Accessories: Clear Gems, Sheer Ribbon, Foam Dots, Stamping Sponge

Copics: W5, R85 

Read more...

A {One of a Kind} Card...

Hi there!  It seems like I get up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night almost every night.  A few nights ago though, this card popped into my head. Bizarre, I know!  I finally got some time alone in my studio and I had fun figuring out how to use the "washi tape" technique.  I think it works best with wide sticky tape, but all I had was skinny tape, but it still turned out just fine, just a little extra effort.


I started out with some tissue paper trimmed to 1" width.  If that tissue paper looks familiar, it's Clear & Simple Stamps signature blue tissue paper that comes in every order.  I used Background Basics I and True Blue Fan ink to make all my strips of "washi tape".  It was very easy to do.

Adding the lime green floss was something that almost didn't happen.  It was an afterthought when I realized I didn't want a completely monochromatic card.  I just love the pop of color it adds.  I chose the sentiment to reflect the different patterns in the strips.  I have a friend that is definitely one-of-a-kind and I know she will love this card.


Have a great day!

{You are one of a kind}

Stamps: Crafty Sentiments, Background Basics I (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Trendsetter Blue (CSS)

Ink: True Blue Fan (CSS)

Accessories: Tissue Paper, Sticky Tape, Green Floss

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