A {Thinking of You} Card...

Hey guys!  Do you ever see a card that is so simply awesome that you just have to make it yourself?  You think you are making a card just like theirs but in the end it's just not as totally awesome as theirs?  Seriously, I like this card, but it's just not as awesome as Susan Raihala's card shown here.  Of course I changed it a tiny bit to fit what I had on hand.  It's funny that her card inspired me and she based her card off of someone that inspired her.  It's like an inspiration parade!

Anywho, I used some scraps from an older paper pad I had.  I used 5 different pieces of paper (maybe that was the problem, Susan only used 3).  My panel is popped up on foam dimensionals for a little added interest.  

My sentiment is off center and I used a bow instead of twine, those are the rest of the major differences between our cards.  


Do you ever CASE a card and it not turn out anything like the original?  I do that all the time, but I guess it doesn't matter as long as gets you inspired.


Have a great day!

PS.  This card is being sent to one of my "blog buddies".  Someone I've never met in person but I've been thinking about her and her family that are going through a difficult time.  This crazy blog world is something else.  Who would have thought that I would have formed so many meaningful connections with people that I've never met in person?  Certainly not me when I started this blog in 2008.

{Thinking of You}

Stamps: Thinking of You (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar (CSS)

Patterned Paper: Indian Summer (Basic Grey)

Ink: Paint the Town Pink (CSS)

Accessories: Hemp Twine, Foam Dimensionals, Grosgrain Ribbon, Rhinestone Brad, Scallop Edge Punch (SU)

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A {Giving Thanks} Card...

Hello!  I'm so excited to share another card with you using Happy Fall by Clear & Simple Stamps.  This is such a versatile set.  Here I made a Thanksgiving card.  I used some lovely autumnal papers and then stamped the tree top and bottom using Versamark with some gold embossing powder.  I just love the end result.  

The perimeter of the card is sponged in brown ink.  I added some gold brads as an accent.  I don't know if you've had the pleasure of using ribbon from Clear & Simple Stamps, but if you haven't you should give it a try.  It is so luxurious!!!  It's double sided satin.  That means you don't have to worry about flipping your ribbon so the matte side doesn't show.  I know what a pain that is and I love not having to ever worry about that with this ribbon.  

Thank you for stopping by today!  Have a wonderful day!

{Giving Thanks}

Stamps: Happy Fall (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar, Espresso Your Style

Patterned Paper: Indian Summer (Basic Grey)

Ink: Versamark, Espresso Your Style 

Accessories: Creamsicle Cardigan Ribbon, Gold Brads, Stampin Sponge, Gold Embossing Powder (SU), Foam Dimensionals, Oval Nesties (Spellbinders)

 

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Paper Maniac Thursday - Thank You!!!

Hi everybody!  Today is Paper Maniac Thursday on my blog.  This week on the Paper Manaic Blog the Design Team has been expressing their gratitude to all of you that read the blog and shop in the store.  We are all so grateful for you all.

For my card today, I started with a kraft base.  The finished card size is 4.25" x 4.25".  The patterned paper is from the Indian Summer collection by Basic Grey.  I trimmed it to a 3.75" x 3.75" square and then used a large label die (2nd to the largest) to cut out the center of the square.  Then I cut a square of light brown card stock to 4" x 4" and used a smaller label die (3rd to the largest) to cut out the center of that square.  I adhered the patterned paper to the light brown paper, making sure everything is in line.  I roughed up the edges with a paper distresser and then faux stitched along the inside edge of the patterned paper (this is hard to see in the photo).  Then I applied that finished layer to the card base with foam dimensionals, adhered the rub-on to the card base, stamped my sentiment and applied the pink rhinestones.  When you are stamping on top of a rub-on the ink will take longer to dry.  Be careful not to smear the ink.

Here's a close-up so you can see the dimension.  Paper Maniac has all of their Spellbinders, Tim Holtz and Cuttlebug Embossing Folders on sale this week.  Check out the deep discounts!

Thank you so much for visiting today.  We are so thankful for you!

{Heartfelt Thanks}

Stamps: Everyday Classics (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Kraft, Close to Cocoa (SU)

Patterned Paper: Indian Summer (Basic Grey)

Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU)

Accessories: Labels 9 Nestabilities Die (Spellbinders), Indian Summer Rub-On (Basic Grey), Pink Rhinestones (Kaiser Craft), Foam Dimensionals, White Gel Pen (Sakura), Paper Distresser

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You Make Me Smile...

Hi there!  As you can see, I'm still using up some Indian Summer scraps.  The piece of patterned paper I used is sort of busy and complicated.  It is so pretty and interesting, but I was perplexed by how to use it.

I made this card a couple weeks ago at my "Girls Craft Night" and was not happy about how it turned out.  Initially I just had the patterned paper on the bottom and the sentiment with stitching around the top.  It was kind of boring and and blah.  This morning I added the other half of patterned paper to the top and added some faux stitching beneath it.  I really like how it turned out.  I think it's kind of COOL.

The little leaf next to the sentiment is a rub-on.  It comes from this Basic Grey Olio Rub-On Book that coordinates with Indian Summer.

If you signed up for the Paper Maniac Newsletter, then you received a 15% off Basic Grey products good through June 28th.

I hope you all are having a fantastic day! See you tomorrow.

{You Make Me Smile}

Stamps: Signature Greetings (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Kraft (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Indian Summer (Basic Grey)

Ink: Close to Cocoa (SU)

Accessories:  Indian Summer Olio Rub-On Book (Basic Grey),  White Gel Pen (Sakura)

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Best Wishes...

Hey there!  I was such a procrastinator this morning!  I was dreading going down to the studio since it's been a few days.  I was worried my mojo might have disappeared.  Once I finally sat down at my desk, I thoroughly enjoyed the process of making this card.  I used this week's CPS sketch for my inspiration.  Initially the card didn't have the ribbon or the brown panel.  I almost scrapped it and start from scratch.   Thankfully I kept playing around until I got it just right.

The floral and brown panels are from Indian Summer by Basic Grey.  The floral paper is sort of like the black sheep of the pack.  It really doesn't coordinate with any of the other papers.  I love it though, and was glad I was finally able to use it.

Every edge of my card is sponged with Tea Dye Distress Ink from Ranger.

I want to thank you all for the great response I received from my introductory Frugal Friday post.  You guys are the best and I can't wait until this Friday.  Thanks so much for your support!!!

{Best Wishes}

Stamps: Essential Messages (Hero Arts)

Card Stock: Kraft, Orange Zest, Terracotta Tile, SS White (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Indian Summer (Basic Grey)

Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU), Tea Dye Distress Ink (Ranger)

Accessories: Sheer Ribbon (Michaels), Foam Dimensionals, Circle Punch

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So grateful for you...

Good Morning!!!  It always amazes me how quickly a card can come together when you know what papers you want to use combined with a simple layout.  This card was easy peasy.  I knew I wanted to use up some remnants from my Indian Summer paper pad  and I also wanted to use today's sketch challenge at SCS.

The pink rhinestones I used really finished this card off.  Unfortunately I've had bad luck capturing this in my photos, every single time I use them.  It looks so good in person, really!  Some how they always look a cloudy white when they are really a pretty light pink color.

Just one more thing!  Paper Maniac has officially started their Summer Savings Spectacular.  Each week they will feature items with deep discounts.  This week Pink Paislee and Graphic 45 are marked down a whopping 40%.  This particular sale ends June 7th.  Sign up for their newsletter where all their sales are announced.

Have a great day everyone!!!

{I'm so grateful for you}

Stamps: Signature Greetings (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Kraft, Raspberry Fizz, Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Indian Summer (Basic Grey)

Ink: Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: Light Pink Rhinestones (Kaiser Craft), 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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