52CCT Challenge - Christmas Tree Card

So exciting to feel creative and play with my hobbies in the evenings again!

This week the 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown Blog is having a Color Challenge - use Red, White and Kraft on your card.  I love this color combination, so it was a lot of fun for me.

I went with an 'oldie but goodie' for this card and love how it turned out, even if the photo isn't worth a hoot!  (maybe I'll take a new picture tomorrow during the daylight)

Anyway...  I used the Cuttlebug Christmas Tree embossing folder, so this was a pretty fast card to make and is so pretty.  The tree has Candy Cane Stickles sprinkled throughout for added sparkle.  Cardstock is white, kraft and Regal Red - all from Stampin' Up - and I used pop dots on the red/white layer.

Deep Thoughts:  "Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree!  How richly God has decked thee!

Happy Birthday Loni!

My beautiful daughter-in-law recently celebrated her birthday and of course we all love to celebrate.  We had dinner out with all the kids and both of my 1.5 granddaughters - a great time together as always!

Loni has always been one of my biggest Crafting Cheerleaders, so it's especially fun to make a card for her each year.  I also love the new 'My Spin on the Pin' challenge in our scrapbooking group - sure makes it easier to be creative!

This is the pin I used - http://pinterest.com/pin/82331499410733993/ - and here is my card:

Virtually identical to be sure.  The Happy Birthday stamp I used is from Morning Star Stamps, the circle punches and white cardstock are Stampin' Up.

The paper is a pretty cool deal.  I'm finding that more and more I'm using digital paper and just printing out what I need.  It's far cheaper and a lot less to store.  All of the pattern paper on this card is in the Go Floral Paper Pack by Studio Basic.  

What I did was open a page in Photoshop Elements, then put two inch squares of each of the pattern paper I wanted to use on the page.  Print, then cut to fit the openings I had punched in the card.  I used dimensionals to pop up that entire layer.

I'm pleased with how this turned out and of course it could be used for any occasion just by using a different sentiment stamp.

Deep Thoughts:  "Smile as much as you can, because today is your special day. Happy, happy Birthday to you!

Happy 4th of July Card

A local scrapbooking group is starting to do a weekly challenge we're calling My Spin on the Pin.  Our only guideline is that it must be paper crafting related so I'm hoping to get some cards made and ready to send out.

Here's the pin I'm using - http://pinterest.com/pin/82331499410634118/ and here's my card:

4th of July is one of my absolute favorite holidays ever.  For us it's all about getting together and having a grand time with as many family members as want to come along.  We are almost always at the lake for the 4th and that includes decorated golf cart parades, homemade ice cream and swimming.  That night we will have air beds throughout the house, so much so it's almost difficult to walk around!  Just love getting everybody together.  :)

For this card - my stamp punch was a little bigger than the pinned card used, so I only used 3 stars.  I also didn't have any twine, so instead I used pop dots to give it some dimension.  The stamps are from the July Fourth set from Stampin Up.

This is really a lot of fun and I encourage everybody to look through their pins once in a while and do them instead of just collecting them - and I'm saying that for my benefit just as much as anybody else's!

Deep thoughts:  "Good friends are like stars.  You don't always see them, but you know they're always there."

Dahlia Fold Card

This was such a fun card to make!  I was searching for a card with folds so that I could join a local swap (and then forgot to sign up in time!) and saw this.  I knew immediately that this would be perfect for Mother's Day cards!

I used the video tutorial found at Dawn's Stamping Studio and had no trouble at all making my dahlia.  I used a 1 1/8" circle punch and I think the size worked well for the size of the card.

I made these cards while at a crop with friends and it really does take a village sometimes to make things perfect.  I had purchased some brads for the center of the cards and after making the dahlia I knew they were too big.  Danielle had a lightbulb moment and ran over to go through her bling stash and found the centers - they were perfect!

These were so much fun to make that maybe next time I won't be so intimidated to try something new.  ;)

Supplies Used:  Sentiment is from Messages for Mom set by Stampin' Up; pattern paper for top card in the My Mind's Eye 'The Sweetest Thing - Tangerine' 6x6 paper pad; pattern paper for bottom card in the Teresa Collins 'Vintage Finds' 6x6 paper pad (both paper pads purchased at Michael's); center bling by Danielle

Deep Thoughts:  "Flowers don't worry about how the're going to bloom.  They just open up and turn toward the light and that makes them beautiful."  Jim Carrey

Medic Bear Fun Card

The daughter of one of our friends has recently started boot camp and is training to be an EMT.  She's a very compassionate young lady and I can imagine she'd be a huge asset to any team.

But we all know (or know about) how boot camp can be a trying time so I've sent a few things to try and brighten her days.  This card was in a recent box and I thought it was quite cute.  Looking at it now I'm not so sure a young lady at boot camp would want a cutesy teddy bear, but really it's the thought that counts - right?  ;)

This kind of card is so fast to put together and I'm doing more and more cards this way instead of stamping.  I bought the Medic Bear graphics at Scrappin Doodles and printed the bear in the ambulance on card stock.  I then printed it again, cut out the cross and popped it up using dimensional tape.  And of course Stickles glitter glue on the light, cross and headlight.  Love the little fun pop it brings.

Looking forward to the weekend!   :)

Deep Thoughts - "Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle."  Christian D. Larson


** Linking to:  Weekend Wrap Up Party

Card #2 - Happy Birthday Beloved!

I love stamping cards and because of that I have quite a few stamps in my craft room.  Like, probably too many stamps.  The good news is that most places either no longer sell them on the wooden base or if they do they also offer the unmounted version. So much easier to store.


But what I'm noticing is that when it comes time to make a card I rarely look to see what I have.  Instead, more and more often I turn towards digital stamps and search online.  LOVE cards this way because the only storage is a little digital file tucked away on a hard drive.


This is the card I made for Keith's birthday this year and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.  It says what I feel about him and uses a pun, which we've really come to appreciate through our daughter-in-law.

I downloaded the image from Meljen's Designs and it was only two dollars!  Isn't it darling?  I printed the image on white cardstock, then cut it out using a die cut.  Then I printed it on the green cardstock, cut out the image and put it on pop dots to give it a little dimension.


And yes, we really are the Perfect Pear.  ;)


Supplies used for card:  Stampin' Up cardstock, digital image from Meljen's Designs, Top Note Die from Stampin' Up

Card #2–Happy Birthday to My Son!

Every year on my kids’ birthdays I sit and smile to myself and think how lucky I am.  Wonderful children that have grown to adults we are proud of.

Today is my son’s birthday and when I raise my eyes just over the top of my desk and look at the pictures of him at about 7 years old I still smile.  He was fun then and he still makes me laugh now.

Tonight we’ll all have dinner together and of course nothing could make this mama/grandma happier.  Hopefully I’ll remember to snap some pictures tonight while having a grand time!

 

I find the masculine cards to be the hardest to make.  Girls are simple – bows and bling and color and so forth.  I based this card from one I’d seen on Pinterest  and I’m quite pleased with how it came out.

 

I’m trying to get better about putting a lighter color cardstock on the inside of the card so it’s easier to write something mushy inside.  :)

 

Supplies used for card:  Stampin’ Up cardstock; Happy Everything stamp set from Stampin’ Up

Card #1–I’ve Got My Eye On YOU Valentine!

I love it when you can send a card that has special meaning between the sender and the recipient.  That’s the case with this Valentine for our granddaughter.

The back story – we sometimes do Face Time on the iPhones with her so that we can see her and chat.  Papa and Brooklyn started doing a close-up of their eye and saying “I’ve got my eye on you” which made everybody laugh.

 

This was such an easy card to make – I used the Monkey Eyes 4 You set from Scrappin Doodles for the pink dotted background, the monkey and the hearts at the bottom.  The sentiment I just typed out.  I bought googly eyes to fit and that graphic is raised a bit on pop dots.

I think he’s just darling!

Card #13–Sympathy Card

Sympathy cards are the hardest to make or buy.  There is no way this little folded piece of paper can ever convey the feelings you want to send.  We do the best we can.

I just had reason to have a sympathy card for a friend and this is what I came up with:

I like that it’s not overly glum, but at the same time it’s not a happy sunshine card either.

 

Inside of the card – a beautiful saying and I needed to put some lighter cardstock over the chocolate brown as there’s no way any writing would show up on this brown.

 

Supplies Used for Card:  stamps are from the Close as a Memory set from Stampin’ Up; patterned paper from Basic Grey; ink is Tim Holtz Distress Ink… I believe Tea Dye

Card #12–On Your Feet Again

A friend of mine had to have surgery and of course that means a card.  I didn’t really find a stamp I liked among my many, so I started looking online at digital images to do a hybrid card. 

 

I got the cutie pie turtle image and the heart in a set at Digiscrapkits and am so in love with her cute little face!  I put it together in Photoshop Elements and typed in the saying.  Printed it twice so that I could cut out the turtle again and put her on pop dots – of course adding some Stickles for some bling.

Hope the card brings a smile to my friend’s face!  

 

Supplies Used for Card:  Turtle and Heart from Turtle Crush 1 Clip Art; Copper Stickles; Spring Moss cardstock by Papertrey Ink; white ribbon Stampin’ Up

Card #11–You’re So Tweet!

One of the common misperceptions of handmade items, including cards, is that it will save you money.  That might be true in the long run, but I’m here to tell you that buying supplies for a card can be rather costly.  We come up with lots of ways to justify it and really the bottom line is that it’s an enjoyable hobby and therefore needs no justification.

But I won’t tell you how much the supplies for my cards cost….

When I bought the items for this card the scrapbook gal and I had a big laugh over me telling her everything was for one card.  And I do know that the stamps and markers will be used for years to come and if I genuinely cared I suppose I could figure out how many projects they are used on and then divide it out.

As if…..

 

A friend did an amazing thing for me in recognition of Joe and I couldn’t let it go by without sending a card. 

I had a lot of fun making this one – paper piecing the little girl’s dress, using the Copic markers and the colors – oh the colors!  Rather a retro, vintage feel and I just love it.

Oh and on another note – the card holder?  Got that while antiquing with a friend.  I learned that this is called a “frog” and is used at the bottom of a vase to hold flowers in place for an arrangement.  A day spent with a friend can be fun AND educational!

 

Supplies used for card:  You’re So Tweet set by My Favorite Things; buttons and pattern paper by October Afternoon; Very Vanilla cardstock by Stampin’ Up; blue cardstock by Bazzill

 

* Linked to Card Makin’ Mamas Be Thankful Challenge, Inspire Me Friday at Joyful Stamper

Card #10-Mojo Monday #211–Happy Birthday

Today is my daughter’s 26th birthday!  We’ll be celebrating later, but for today I want to show the card I made for her.

 

I used the Mojo Monday sketch and it came together quite easily. 

 

The flower in the corner?  I *MADE* that!  It was so simple and as soon as I read about it on Stampin’ Pretty’s blog I knew I had to try it.  The only problem with finding something that cool and that simple is that I fear I’ll be using the same flower on everything I make for awhile.

Supplies used for card: stamp from Stampin’ Up’s Well Scripted set

** Linking to Mojo Monday, Make It Monday

Card #9–OWH Holiday Card Blog Hop

 

For World Cardmaking Day I’m participating in the Holiday Card Blog Hop with Operation Write Home.  If you’ve never heard of this organization I encourage you to click above and see what it’s all about.

 

A clean and simple, monochromatic card for Christmas, since that seems to be my favorite style.

 

I stamped it twice and cut out the sentiment, putting it up on pop dots.  I like the added contrast.

 

Now I just need to get to work and get a bunch more made and mailed before the October 31 deadline for Christmas cards!

Supplies used for card:  All Stampin’ Up! products – stamp from Holiday Best set; white cardstock; Real Red striped grosgrain ribbon, 1-1/4”

Card #8–Wedding Card

During the school years one of the easiest ways to find friends with common interests is through the elective classes.  My daughter played the viola, so was in the orchestra all through school. The fun thing is that many of the friends she made she still sees today.

As a Booster Club parent, I got to know the kids very well.  Our orchestra went on a trip each year for a competition.  We rotated back and forth between in state and out of state trips.

The best trip of all was when we went to New York City. Obviously it wasn’t cheap, so the entire school year we worked for tips on Saturdays as carhops at our local Sonic. What a fantastic fundraiser that was! The bonus was that spending so much time with the kids made it even more fun when the trip rolled around and my mom and I went along as chaperones.

This Saturday one of those girls is getting married.  She also was one of my daughter’s very first roommates when she first moved out.  I truly cannot wait to go to her wedding and I know visions of the young girl will be going through my head as I see her in her wedding dress. 

 

Naturally I had to make a card for her.  This card also proves that you are never too old to text a picture of a card you’ve made to your mom, then call her and ask her opinion. 

My original plan was to put the sentiment on another piece of cardstock and mount it on the lower right of the card. But when I got to this point I just loved the way it looked and kind of hated to add to it.  My mom agreed and loved the card the way it is, so I stamped the sentiment on the inside, which reads”happiness always.”

Supplies used for card:  Cuttlebug Embossing Folder; Offray 1 1/8” Antique White Satin Ribbon; sentiment stamp by Stampin’ Up

* Linked to:  Strut Your Stuff, I’m Lovin’ It, Inspire Me Fridays

Card #7–Clean and Simple FTL144

This week’s card sketch at Clean & Simple Stamping apparently struck a chord in me because I actually finished a card on the same day the sketch came out!  I’m not sure how clean & simple my card is since I added a few things, but it was a fairly fast card to make.  And again, I just happen to have need for a Thank You card, so hopefully this will go in the mail pronto.

 

For the longest time I was a “pink place” and everything I made or wanted was pink.  I still adore it, but turquoise/teal is sure giving pink a run for its money here lately!

One note – if you decided to use Stickles as a flower center as I did, I *highly* recommend affixing the flower to the card first and then applying the Stickles.  A blob like this takes a very long time to dry. 

Supplies used for card:  Stamp – Curly Greetings set from CTMH; Cuttlebug Embossing Folder; Prima Flowers; Waterfall Stickles; SU Cardstock

Linking to:  Clean&Simple Stamping, Inspire Me Fridays

Card #6–Hoppy Birthday Loni!

Let me start off by saying how enormously blessed I am to have a daughter-in-law who is also a friend.  It certainly makes getting together with them something I treasure all the more!

Today is her birthday and really she’s one of my biggest crafting fans.  Each year as she opens the envelope with her card she always looks up, smiles and asks if it’s an “Elizabeth original.”  Now with somebody like that how can you NOT make a card? 

 

Another thing about Loni is that she LOVES puns!  Seriously, she is one Punny girl! (Hoho – did you see what I did there?  Snuck in a pun!)  So for this card I first came up with the sentiment and went searching through my stamps looking for a cutesy frog.  Apparently I don’t have one so I searched online for an image, but just didn’t find anything I liked.  So what else hops?  TIGGER!  (OK, I realize he bounces, but he’s cute and a bounce really is like a hop!)

 

I kept the color theme for wrapping her gift and I really think I’m on to something here.  I went to the “big box store” to buy a roll of Kraft paper, but they didn’t have any.  They DID have many solid colors and I figured white would be pretty.  Instead of curly ribbon I went back to the craft section and bought a roll of 7/8” grosgrain ribbon.  Actually the nice grosgrain was no more expensive than the curly ribbon and it can be reused in so many ways.  And doesn’t it make a pretty bow?  I think this might be my “go to” wrapping now – frugal and I think it looks oh so pretty!

Supplies used for card:  Image found online; striped ribbon and orange scallop behind Tigger – Stampin’ Up Pumpkin Pie

Linking to:  Motivate Me Monday, Blog Hop, Making Monday Marvelous, Just Something I Whipped Up, Craft-O-Maniac Monday Link Party, Mad Skills Monday, Market Yourself Monday, Sharing Monday, Made With Love

Card #5–Just When I Need You

Isn’t it wonderful how we have people in our lives that are always there when we need them? I am so blessed with a beautiful person/mentor that never seems to mind when I just need somebody to listen.

So during a recent crop with friends, while all I managed to finish was one card, it was a card from the heart.  I’m looking forward to getting this in the mail and hopefully brightening her day!

The quote – since it’s hard to read – says “You always pop up just when I need you!”

Supplies used: Stamps – Furnished With Love (Stampin’ Up); Ribbon – Soft Suede 1/2” Polka Dot Grosgrain (Stampin’ Up); and Stickles!!!

Card #4–In My Thoughts

This card has seriously taken its sweet time making it up on the blog.  I made this card some time ago while scrapbooking with friends and was honestly one of those cards that just kind of came together.  I had in mind one certain friend to send it to and then kept thinking of others that could use it right now.  My new plan is to see if this paper is still available and make quite a few of this design and get them all in the mail to friends.

 

Supplies used – Stampin’ Up Old Olive 5/8” satin ribbon, Stampin’ Up Whimsical Words stamp, an old heart shaped Sizzix die, cannot remember the pattern paper

Card #3–Happy Birthday Beloved

So even though his birthday was a bit ago I’m still going to post this card.  

My Beloved celebrated his birthday and I was pretty pleased with how the card came out. His favorite color used to always be orange, so that’s what I went with. And one of his favorite things to say is “Love”, which he pronounces in a monotone (maybe you’d have to be there to fully appreciate it), so I was delighted to find this very old Stampin’ Up set amongst my goodies.

 

The ribbon is also Stampin’ Up and the the little hearts on the sides are free form with Stickles.

A very fast to make card…except for the Stickle drying time. 

Card #2 – FTL 128 – Just Saying Hello

So of course once I decide to do something I have a hard time with all the “documentation” involved.  Back in January I shared about the 52 Weeks, 52 Letters for 2011 and how great an idea I thought it was. Well I’m running behind on sharing the cards online, but that’s ok.  I also realized that if I send a “store bought card” (*GASP!*) that I’m not going to say anything about that on the blog, so my numbers might not look right online at the end of the year.  And that’s ok.

Moving on….

Every now and then when making a card you just feel it. That’s what happened with this card and equally wonderful was being with two girlfriends while making the card.  Great afternoon, even though this is really all I have to show for it. 

This is my Card #2 and it’s using the FTL128 layout from the Clean & Simple Stamping blog. Keith and I were just saying at dinner tonight that sometimes sending a card for no reason can be even more important than a card for an occasion. We never really know what other people are going through and this jaunty little bird stopping by to say hello might be just what somebody needs to hear/see.

• Stamps – a set from Hero Arts (I bought it at a scrapping/stamping garage sale and it didn’t have the outer envelope with the stamp set name on it)
• Ink – Stampin’ Up Chocolate Chip
• Paper – Stampin’ Up cardstock
• Size – 4.25 x 5.5

** Linking to Clean & Simple Stamping