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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{Hello}...

Hello!  Happy Monday!  Well, I've had strep throat twice in the last two months.  It's been a real bummer.  Luckily I'm the only one that's been afflicted.  I might have to have my tonsils out, blah.

So, my goal for this morning was to make a card while a load of laundry dried and I did it.  This card came together pretty quickly except for the button embellishment.  I just couldn't figure out what I wanted to do with that space before I settled on the button, and then it took a while to tie a perfect bow, due to shaky hands from drinking too much coffee.  

This card was made for this week's PTI Make-It-Monday challenge to use three different pieces of patterned paper on a card.  I used one of my all-time favorite pattern pads that is pretty much all scraps now (Offbeat by Basic Grey).  I knew the the blue floss would work because that color was also included in the paper pack.


Have a great day!

{hello}

Stamps: Communique Sentiments (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Kraft Like A Rockstar (CSS)

Patterned Paper: Offbeat (Basic Grey)

Ink: Perfect Little Black Dress (CSS)

Accessories: Foam Dots, Glue Dots, Floss, Corner Rounder Punch, Large Circle Punch, Button

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Another {Happy Birthday} Card...

Hello!  I've been a busy girl this past week.  The kids only have four days of school left and my friend and I have been trying to do all the things we'd said we'd do together throughout the year (while our kids are in school).  We've been doing stuff maybe once a month and we just did four things in the last two weeks.  All the girl time has made my soul happy, though.  


It feels like FOREVER since I've had some serious studio time.  I made this card for this week's CPS Sketch.  It was so simple (like they always are) and perfect to get my mojo heading in the right direction.


I stamped the sentiment first, masked the sentiment and then stamped the lattice image.  Easy peasy for sure!


Have a great day!

{Happy Birthday}

Stamps: Designer Lines, All Occasions 2 (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Green With Envy (CSS)

Ink: Perfect Little Black Dress, Glamazon Green (CSS)

Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch

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A {Happy Birthday} Card...

Good morning!  I think I designed and executed this card half asleep.  I've not slept well the last three nights and our new bed and mattress will be delivered here shortly.  Hopefully there will be a nice nap in my future on a foam mattress that feels like a cloud.

For my card I used a triangle banner image from the new CSS set "Triangle Trinkets".  I penciled a light line where I wanted the banner tops to line up, then I stamped the banner images and then paper pieced the banners.  Then I took a black fine tip marker and drew a short line connecting the banners, they look like they are linked. 

Hope all that made sense since I'm still half asleep (and I've had two cups of coffee).  Thanks for bearing with me.


I'm submitting this PTI's challenge this week to mix up many patterns of scrap paper.


Have a great day!

{Happy Birthday}

Stamps: Around & About Sentiments, Communique Sentiments (PTI), Triangle Trinkets (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: A Blanc Check (CSS)

Patterned Paper: Silver Valley (SEI)

Ink: Brilliant Blue, Dare to Be a Diva Red, Perfect Little Black Dress (CSS)

Accessories: Black Fine Tip Pen, Red Floss, Corner Rounder Punch

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CSS Group Project!!!

Today we get to share our group projects!  I just knew I'd want to use the new alpha dies no matter the theme.  This month's challenge was to make two cards,  a boy version and a girl version.

If you can't tell , the yellow and gray card is masculine (I think yellow is gender neutral, right?).  Plus, the black and gray houndstooth pattern in the background makes it even more masculine.

How I did it: I cut the pink and yellow card stock to 4" x 5", arranged the dies how I wanted them on the card and ran them through my cuttlebug making sure not to lose the little inside piece for the letter "A".  I wanted the letters to be arranged the exact same way on each card, so before I removed them from the card stock, I put a piece of tape over the six letters and picked them all up at one time and then put them on the next piece of card stock.  The tape ran through the cuttlebug along with the dies and I was able to slowly peel it off.

Before attaching the front panel to the card, I stamped a background from Designer Lines in black ink on the card base and stamped the sentiment on the front panel.

When I attached the die cut panel to the card base I used foam dots for added drama.  You'll want to attach the center of the "A" at this time using a foam dot as well.

You won't want to miss what the rest of the deigned team has in store for you!  Check them out here:

• Lori Tecler
• Jaclyn Miller
• Kim Duran
• Tracy Schultz
• Laurie Willison
• Jennifer Rzasa
• Laura Bassen
• Clear & Simple Stamps Blog

Have a great day!

{Thanks, You Are Amazing}

Stamps: Designer Lines, All Occasions 2 (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Say Yellow to All Your Fans, Simply Blue-tiful, Coral Necklace, You're Such a Gray-cious Host (CSS)

Ink: Perfect Little Black Dress (CSS)

Dies: Uppercase Alpha (CSS) 

Accessories: Foam Dots

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CSS Release Day!!!

Hello!  It's release day and I can finally share with you what I've been working on!  This graduation card uses three new sets: Occasions 1, Trinket Sentiments, and Designer Lines.  I love them all, but am obsessed with Designer Lines, they are so trendy and you can do so much with them.  You'll be seeing those a lot from me.

I created a panel using lots of Purplicious ink and cutting.  

I made the sentiment stand out by scoring the backside of the card stock above and below the sentiment.

Be sure to check out what the Design Team girls created with their new fantastic stamps!

• Denise January
• Jaclyn Miller
• Stephany Zerbe
• Jennifer Rzasa
• Laura Bassen
• Kim Duran
• Tracy Schultz
• Laurie Willison
• Clear & Simple Stamps Blog

Have a great day!

{Congratulations}

Stamps: Occasions 1, Trinket Sentiments, Designer Lines (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: A Blanc Check, Purplicious (CSS)

Ink: Purplicious (CSS)

Dies: Shapes: Circles (CSS)

Accessories: Foam Dots, Purple Gems, Stamping Sponge, Scoring Board

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An {I Love You} Card...

I've been really smitten with gray and yellow recently.  I decided to throw some turquoise in the mix today.   The patterned paper that I chose is gray and silver, so kinda shiny.  

It's such a dreary day here, although it's great for taking photos.  I just can't wake up even though I slept great last night.  Maybe too much sleep?  I don't know but I think there is a nap in my future.


Check back tomorrow for the Clear & Simple Stamps release party!
Have a great weekend!!!

{I love you so much}

Stamps: Shapes: Hearts (Clear & Simple Stamps), Signature Greetings (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Say Yellow to All Your Fans, Simply Blue-tiful (CSS)

Patterned Paper: Silver Valley (SEI)

Ink: Perfect Little Black Dress, Simply Blue-tiful (CSS)

Dies: Shapes: Hearts (CSS) 

Accessories: Foam Dots, Stamping Sponge

Read more...

BlogHer Book Club

Hi there!  I have another great book to share with you from the BlogHer Book Club.  This next book is called "You Have No Idea" written by the famous Vanessa Williams and her mom, Helen Williams.  This book really is a treat.  One of reasons I found it so fascinating is that Vanessa and her mom wrote this book separately and then combined their work.  They found out so much about each other, including a deep, dark secret that Vanessa had not shared with her Mom.  They have both lead such fascinating lives.  If you don't remember, Vanessa was the first African-American Miss America.  She faced a lot of racism and then there was a scandal.  You will enjoy the behind the scenes look at these events.  


Make sure you join the conversation over at BlogHer Book Club where we tackle a different subject every week.


Have a great day!

Read more...

CSS Preview Day #3

It's day #3 of the Clear & Simple Stamps preview to collection #3.  Today I'm sharing a new product that I'm so excited about.  It's alphabet dies!  I know I'm going to use those like CRAZY!

I stamped the lines on the card base (which is part of a new stamp set called Designer Lines) and then I lined up the letters on a scrap piece of paper and stamped the lines again with From an Anonymous Source (watermark ink) and then clear embossed it.

 Here's a closer view of the letters and embossing.

My daughter Halle's favorite color is green, so I know she will just love this card.  Also, green and brown are girl scout colors, so that's an added bonus.  


You won't want to miss out on the sneak peeks from the Design Team:

• Laura Bassen
• Kim Duran
• Laurie Willison
• Stephany Zerbe
• Clear & Simple Stamps

Have a great day!

{Birthday Wishes, Halle}

Stamps: Trinket Sentiments, Designer Lines (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Glamazon Green, Brown Leather Satchel (CSS)

Ink: Glamazon Green, Dish All the Dirt Brown, From an Anonymous Source (CSS)

Dies: Upper & Lowercase Alpha Dies (CSS) 

Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Foam Dots, Glitter Brad, Brown Baker's Twine (CSS)

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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 

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A {Hope this year...} Card...

Happy Monday!  I have a quick and simple card to share with you today to ease into the week.  I used this week's CPS sketch.  It's been a while since I participated in any challenge, but this one was so simple, I couldn't resist.

I started a new board on Pinterest for color combinations that I like.  That is how the color combo came about for this card.  Here's the inspiration photo.

Today was the first time I used my new card stock organizational system and I have to say that I LOVE it!  Having my scraps organized by color and on top of my desk is so handy.


Have a great day!

{Hope this year...}

Stamps: Signature Greetings (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: On the Catwalk Cream, Green With Envy, Brown Leather Satchel (CSS)

Ink: Dish All the Dirt Brown (CSS)

Accessories: Birds & Swirls Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Foam Dots, Stamping Sponge, Corner Rounder Punch, Mini Hole Punch, Baker's Twine

Read more...

Card Stock Organization

Hey there!  I have a different kind of post today.  I don't know if it's the weather or what, but I've been in major organizational mode.  Whenever the mood strikes, I must take advantage of it because it might be gone as quickly as it came.  


Back in 2010 I posted a whole series called "Frugal Friday" where I shared tips for getting the most out of your supplies.  In this post, I showed you how I organized my card stock.  Well, that was two years ago and as of yesterday, it was still filled with PTI card stock.  I've been on the Clear & Simple Stamps design team for almost two years now (and haven't bought anything but CSS card stock since) and just now switched my files over to all CSS card stock.  Plus, I added a little something to organize my card stock scraps.


Until yesterday, I was keeping all my CSS card stock in a little bin where all the paper was stacked on top of each other in no particular order.  It was a nightmare when I needed to order card stock but wasn't sure what I was running low on.  


Okay, so here is my hanging file rolling cart.  I keep it under my desk right next to my chair so it's within arms reach.

I have a hanging file folder with a manila file inside for each color of card stock.  I punched a circle of each color, folded it over the tab and stapled it in place.  Then I wrote the name of each color in the punched circle.  I put the neutral colors I use the most in front (white, cream, and kraft).

In my new system, I decided to keep only large sheets of paper in the folders.  I found that when I kept scraps in here last time that they would slide out the sides.

Here is the system I created for my scraps, which I consider any size that will fit in here.  I used a Huggie's wiped container with the lid removed.  I'm keeping this on top of my desk so it's easy to reach.  It will also be handy when I clean up after crafting, just toss the scraps right in the box.

I basically did the same thing as the hanging file folders, same order of colors as well.  I took some manila file folders and cut them up (each divider is 7.75" x 4.5").  Since these don't have a tab on top, I punched a circle and just stapled it right to the divider, staggering them so it's easy to see.  

Here's a peek inside.  I'm also keeping die cut scraps in here as well.  I can't wait to put my new system to work.

Have a great weekend!!!

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A {Class of 2012} Grad Card...

Hello!  As soon as I received the Number Blocks stamps set from CSS, I couldn't wait to start making graduation cards using the colors of the local high schools.  I love to personalize cards!  This card features green and white, which are the colors of my alma mater.  I think I get the love of the color green from a different place though, not high school.

The number stamps are so bold against the green because I used white embossing powder.  How fun!  This powder even had bits of glitter in it for an extra special kick.

Have I told you lately how much I adore Glamazon Green?  Well, I do!  The End.

Have a great day!

{Class of 21012}

Stamps: Number Blocks, Circles Plus (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: A Blanc Check, Glamazon Green (CSS)

Ink: Glamazon Green, From an Anonymous Source (CSS), White

Accessories: White Embossing Powder, Foam Dots

Read more...

Blogher Book Club: The Book of Jonas

I have been so fortunate to read so many great books recently from Blogher Book Club.  This next book, The Book of Jonas is no exception.  And no, this is not a book about the Jonas Brothers!  


This book is about and fifteen year old boy that is sent to the U.S. after his family was killed during an attack on their village in the Middle East.  As you can imagine, life is difficult for Jonas and he has a hard time fitting in.  Through counseling, it is suggested that he meet the mother of the soldier who saved him during the attack on his village.  The soldier had gone missing since the time he rescued Jonas.  


This is a fantastic book and it really makes you think about what really goes on during a war and all the trauma that comes about afterwards.

We'll be talking about this book over at Blogher Book Club, come join us!

Read more...

A {Cute as a Button} Card...

I've seen so many ladies on the CSS DT making cards like this.  I just had to try my hand at it too.  All those buttons are a little tedious since they are each threaded with a sliver of gray card stock.  The whole time I was doing it, I kept hoping it would be worth all the trouble.  I'll let you be the judge.  I'm just not a person that can put a "naked" button on my card, it looks great on everyone else's cards, but looks half-assed when I try to do it.  KWIM?

I had a lot of fun with my scoring board on this one.  I think the diagonal lines look classy.  That little stamp that is replacing a button says "too cute".  I forgot to take a closer pic.

The sentiment panel is a label stamp, stamped in white and then cut out with scissors.  I stamped the sentiment and then attached it under the button panel. I like the little look of whimsy, which is so not like me, LOL.

I'm subbing today in my son's 1st grade classroom.  He is really excited about it.  Hoping for a smooth day all around!

Have a great day!

{Cute as a Button}

Stamps: Baby Sentiments, Party Elements: Baby (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: You're Such a Gray-cious Host, VIP Purple, Purplicious, A Blanc Check (CSS) 

Ink: Purplicious (CSS), White

Accessories: Glue Dots, Scoring Board (Martha Stewart), Stamping Sponge, Buttons, Foam Dots, Edge Distresser 

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A Tweet {Happy Birthday} Card...

Hey guys!  I'm sitting at the library typing this up.  Our internet is down at home and I didn't want to wait to share this card.  I made two cards this morning and they couldn't be more different.  The other one I'll share tomorrow.  I made it ahead of time since I'll be subbing.  


This card is totally clean and simple, I love it!  I actually used three different stamps sets.  The lines are from "Party Elements: Baby," the birds are from "Baby Shower," and the sentiment is from "Craft Room."  


I had the birds totally spaced out on a scrap piece of paper exactly where each bird should be stamped, but then I just went for it and started stamping my heart out.  It probably turned out better like that anyway.  


Have a great day!

{Happy Birthday}

Stamps: Craft Room, Party Elements: Baby, Baby Shower (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: A Blanc Check (CSS)

Ink: Perfect Little Black Dress, Purplicious, Orange You Fabulous, Paint the Town Pink, Glamazon Green, Say Yellow to All Your Fans, Simply Blue-tiful

Accessories: Green Embroidery Floss 

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