Dad’s Day

Although I didn’t post yesterday, I did make a card. I’m not so sure I’m in love with it, but I’ll post it later anyway. For today’s SCS Sketch Challenge and yesterday’s SCS Color Challenge, I decided to get a jump on a Father’s Day card. I’ve had some patterned paper for a long time that has an olive background and a bunch of different accent colors for the words. I thought I’d get a head start on a Father’s Day card for my dad. I used Old Olive, Ballet Blue and Barely Banana as per the color challenge. There really wasn’t any Ballet Blue in the patterned paper (more of a Bashful Blue), but you have to work with what you’ve got, right? I hope to visit my dad on the May long weekend, so I’ll hand deliver this to him. I started off with a 5.25 x 5.25 card base using Taylored Expressions CS and I layered the patterned paper with Barely Banana and Ballet Blue. I used the Verve set “Father Figure” and used my SU markers in Old Olive and Ballet Blue to color the sentiment. I framed it with Barely Banana and Ballet Blue. I kept this card pretty simple because my dad is not a “frilly” kind of guy at all. I know he loves my cards though and he’ll appreciate the love that went into this. Thanks for having a look!

Happy Monday

I’m in a wonderful mood! I accomplished more at work today than I expected to and I’m all caught up with my report writing. I’ll be out of the office for the next 3 days and won’t get a chance to do much work, so this feels amaziing! I’m TOTALY in love with the new SU colors coming out in July. I received a sample of the 5 new colors last week and I wanted to hang on to them until I could pre-order full packages, but I just couldn’t wait any longer. It didn’t help that every piece of patterned paper I picked up matched the new colors perfectly! After trying 3 times to use a current color, I gave in. I made this card for today’s Mojo Monday sketch challenge (MOJO136). Given the option, I will always choose a square card. I used Taylored Expression Choice Buttercream for my card base (5.25 x 5.25) and added a panel of Early Espresso (LOVE IT!!). I added a panel of My Mind’s Eye patterned paper. Tucked behind that is a little panel of Buttercream and behind those I tucked some punched pieces of coordinating patterned paper. I added some brown self-adhesive pearls to the Buttercream panel. I stamped the sentiment from Verve in Momento Rich Cocoa and cut it and layered it with my nesties circle and scallop circle dies. I sponged some Valnut Distress ink around the edge to give it a little dimension. I popped this up with dimensionals. I added some SU Vanilla satin ribbon and tied the bow with a brown button from my stash using embroidery floss. Thanks for a great sketch and thanks for having a look.

Holiday Foursome

I had a few stamping pals over yesterday for a playday. We made a few cards, had some treats and caught up on all kinds of stuff. What a fun time! We’ve decided to do this every 6 weeks. Two of us live in the same town about an hour away from the other two. They packed up a box of stuff they wanted to use and I had a “few” supplies out too. My good friend, Laurel, was in awe of my “punch drawer”. I do have a few punches! I decided to print off a few sketch challenges from a few blogs to use as a little inspiration. This helped me catch up on a few that I missed along the way. I’m going to load them all up in one post, so prepare for a long one!

The first sketch is from Amy Rysavy’s Prairie Paper and Ink (AMYRS79) seen here: . All four cards used the same stamp set from Flourishes, which I just received last week. It is called “All that Glitters”. I’m not sure why I wanted to get a Christmas stamp set now, but I guess I figured I will have more cards to make this year to give to family members, so I might as well get started! I’ve loved all of the cards that I have seen in various galleries, so I wanted to give it a shot too. I really liked the simplicity of this sketch. I bought a huge package of Christmas patterned paper, so I plan to use as much up of it as I can this year. Here are the details of my card, which will be the same for all four: image was stamped in Momento Tuxedo Black ink. I used the following copics to colour the image(s) – YG11, YG13, YG17, YG67, R24, R27, R29, R59 and BG000 (outlined the images). I used my nesties to cut out the oval shapes and I coloured the half pearls with a red copic marker. I popped the image up with dimensionals and added the sentiment on the bottom right (SU sentiment). I added stickles to the ornament on the left side – I don’t think it shows up very well in the photo (on the left side).

For my second card, I used the sketch from Verve’s Beach Party 2010 Week 4 challenge (VSAPRBP4). Unfortunately, I didn’t find these challenges until it was too late, so I didn’t have enough time to make other cards for the weekly sketches. I might make a few other cards using these sketches anyway, since I love using sketches brilliant individual’s create! I don’t have an ounce of creativity in my body, so these sketches really make stamping worthwhile for me. I used the same supplies as in my card above, but I forgot to mention I used Papertrey White CS for my card base and used Certainly Celery, Garden Green and Real Red for my accent colours. I added some Real Red 5/8″ grosgrain ribbon and some Papertrey Ink green buttons to this card. I used some green embroidery floss to tie a ribbon the on button as well. The sentiment is from SU’s “All Holidays” set that was stamped in VersaMark and embossed with white EP.

My third card employs a sketch from Our Creative Corner (OCCSC12). For this card, I used a different ornament – this one looks so much like an old fashioned ornament my Baba gave me a long time ago. Her’s was a soft pink colour with glitter on it. I broke it a few years ago, but I’ll always remember it. I feel as though I should have added something to the Certainly Celery panel, but I wanted the ornament to be the focus. Sometimes, I find I just get carried away. I really do like my cards to be simple rather than ornate. The red satin bow is courtesy of Linda, who gave us a little tutorial on how to make good bows. I added the tree branches to the side of the image using Distress ink that I stamped twice. I’m not sure that I should have used brown, but since my ornament was green, I needed to use a different colour.

On to the last card – I made this one this morning. I think it is my favourite of the four. I obtained the sketch from Stampin’ Royalty – Sketch Challenge 16 (SR#16). This also satisfies the Creative Belli Blog challenge this week to use die cuts. I decided to break out my Top Note die from SU, since this was the shape on the sketch challenge image. I haven’t used it in ages. I used 3 ornaments on this card from the “All that Glitters” Flourishes set. I layered the main white panel with a Real Red panel. I used the same copic markers as noted in the first card entry. I had this ribbon in my scrap ribbon bag for about 5 years. My sister bought it to use on some scrapbooking pages she made when we first got into this craft and made scrapbooks for our Dad of her kids as a Christmas present. There was a little left (I try to salvage what I can) and it worked out perfectly – I cut it on either side of the sentiment repeating itself. Gotta love it when that happens! I added three buttons (green from Papertrey Ink. and red from my own stash). I added stickles to the ornaments (red and green). I love how vibrant this is.

I’m goine to make one more card, then duplicate them all to use as a set to give my Aunt (she’ll remember that I promised to make her 20 Christmas cards). Her birthday is coming up, so maybe these will double as her birthday gift. Thanks for bearing with me and having a look. Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Birthday Wishes

It is my DH’s birthday tomorrow, but since his mom and sister and family are coming over for dinner, we’ll celebrate today. I thought I had better make him a card for the occasion. I used the layout from Flourishes Timesless Tuesday sketch challenge (FTTC63). I started the card by picking the patterned paper. I just reorganized all of my patterned paper and when I came across this sheet, I knew I’d use it for my card. I then decided on the stamp. I had a bunch of different images out on my counter but had to find one that was big enough. I ended up using Hammock Riley. I figured my DH could use a little R & R. He’s been busy repainting and repairing some rooms in the house. I hadn’t used copic markers with this stamp before, so I gave it a shot. I found the sand and sky a little tricky – I didn’t want to add too much colour so I just whirled the marker around in circles. The sky actually looks like it has little clouds swirling around – not sure if that comes through in the photo. I like the way the colouring turned out, but I know I still have a long way to go to learn how to use copic markers properly. Anyway, I layered some dark blue CS on top of the Kraft card base (card measures 5.25 x 5.25). I added 3 horizontal white panels on top of that and then my 3 patterned paper panels. I added brownishbrads to the corner to make it a little more masculine. Hubby is a no-ribbon-on-a-guy-card fellow. I cut the image with my round nesties and popped it up with some foam tape for a wee bit of dimension. I stamped the sentiment (don’t know who made it) in Momento Rich Cocoa. I hope DH likes it!

More retiring colors

One of my favorite SU colors is retiring – Sage Shadow. This will be one that I stock up on for sure! I incorporated today’s SCS Color Challenge #267 which called for us to use Sage Shadow, Apricot Appeal and Basic Gray along with Mercy’s Tuesday Sketch Challenge (MTSC70). I always love playing along with Mercy’s sketch challenges. I decided to use my new Flourishe’s From the Garden set. This is such a versatile set. I can see using it on a regular basis. I started my card using Flourishes White CS. I had a scrap of patterned paper (from Crate Paper, I believe) and layered some Sage Shadow under it. I tied some retired SU grosgrain ribbon around that. I used an Apricot Appeal panel behind the main image, which I had run through the Big Shot (it’s a SU texturz plate). I softened the corners with my corner rounder. I stamped the image with Momento Tuxedo Black and used copics to color it. The sentiment comes from the same set. I cut it out using my nesties die and popped it up a little. I finished the card off with a bow and button along with a few dew drops in the corners. Thanks for having a look. I’ll probably post a couple of other cards that I made last night but didn’t get a chance to upload. Have a beautiful day!

Beautiful Butterflies

I forgot to check the Viva la Verve Week 3 Challenge on SCS until today. This week, Amber is featuring living rooms. I am always impressed with the inspiration photos she gives us to use as a spring board for our creations. I chose the middle photo. I was immediately drawn to the patterned curtains. I knew I had some patterned paper that had a damask pattern. I used some cream CS as my background and layered a panel of Old Olive on top of that. I added the patterned paper panel and tied some velvet olive ribbon that I had in my scrap bag. I recently purchased the butterfly Sizzlet butterfly die from SU, mostly because I have seen a “flurry” of butterfly inspired cards in various galleries lately. I used a Verve sentiment that featured a butterfly since the Verve sketch had a butterfly on it. I cut it out with my nesties and added a Ruby Red background panel behind it. I added the other butterflies to the side horizontal panel and added some very pale blue self-adhesive pearls to all of the butterflies. I like the way this turned out, even though I wouldn’t normally put these colours together, but I went with the colours that I saw in the inspiration photo. Thanks for looking!

Sweet Sunday

The weather is beautiful today – we were supposed to get rain, but the sun is shining and it is a lovely temperature. I’ll have to get one of my boys to cut the grass (first time this year!!). I have spent the last week cleaning up my craft room and reorganizing my paper (to move the retiring SU stuff to a different area) and relabelling my card stock shelves (I’m waiting with baited breath for the new SU stuff to be available!). I have also convinced my DH that he has to build me more shelving for my paper. I took apart the 12 x 12 paper rack I have and resorted it all. I feel like I can now navigate around with more ease.

Anyway, I got a chance to make a card today and used the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge SSSC65 for my layout inspiration. I am selling a few things and I’m giving this card to the customer as a thank you card. I have to say, I’m really disappointed that Ruby Red is leaving the SU color family. I will definitely get another package of card stock before it retires. I do like Riding Hood Red, so at least there is a go-to color that is similar. Ok, here are the details for my card: the card base is Ruby Red and I added a panel of Martha Stewart “heirloom” patterned paper over top. I used a coordinating patterned paper, layered with Ruby Red on the horizontal panel. I stamped the flower image and the sentiment from Flourish’s “From the Garden” in Momento Rich Cocoa and colored with with copic markers. I cut out the image with my nesties die and sponged Pretty in Pink and Ruby Red around the edge. I added a prima flower embellishment (with Gina K. button) onto the panel as well as some Riding Hood Red grosgrain ribbon (attached with a mini glue dot). I think the card is pretty simple, but I like the way it turned out. Thanks for having a look!.

Baja’s Back!

Well I’m sure everyone has heard that Stampin’ Up! is going through a “Color Renovation” with the upcoming catalogue. Fortunately, they are bringing back some of my favorite In-Colors that had been previously retired. Woohoo! I’ll have to stock up on a few packages of current card stock colors that will be retiring. There are 30 colors that are going! I have to admit, I was a bit shocked at first, but the more I look at the new colors and color groupings, the more I like them. The only thing I think that is missing is some kind of soft purple color. I really don’t use much purple anyway, so I don’t think I’ll miss them much.

This was a long explanation for me to get to my point! I dedicate this card to the return of Baja Breeze. I only had scraps of card stock as well as DSP left in my stash, but I had enough for this card. I also had a bunch of felt flowers left (one of those products that I hoarded instead of used). I ended up putting a bunch of felt flowers together, combining the Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip and Pretty in Pink. Now I’ll be using them on lots more cards. I really need to start using some of the gazillion embellishments I have in my craft room.

Here is the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge (SSSC64) at Karen Giron’s blog. I thought this was a great sketch and I loved the samples that were shown. My card measures 5″ x 5″. I used Chocolate Chip as my card base and layered some Baja Breeze over that. I used some of the DSP along with some Baja Breeze grosgrain ribbon and adhered that to the card. I used my square scalloped nesties (I think for the first time) on some coordinating DSP and then layered that on some white card stock with the corners rounded. I adhered the felt flowers (with clear rhinestone brads) with some glue dots to the DSP. I stamped Gina K.’s Tag Lines sentiment in Chocolate Chip on white CS and punched it with the Word Window Punch. I layered that on some Chocolate Chip and again with Baja Breeze using a SU punch and die. This card took me WAY longer than it ever should have! Thanks for having a look!

There’s No Tie…

I thought I’d get a jump on a Father’s Day card for my kids to give their wonderful dad. I took the layout from Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge. I wanted this to be a fun card. I couldn’t put too many embellishments on it because my hubby doesn’t like cards that even remotely look like a “girly card”. So, I used a White CS base (5.25 x 5.25) and added a layer of Certainly Celery. I took some scraps of patterned paper that were in my “scrap bin” and laid them out according to the sketch. I paper-pieced the ties. . Just the other day, I was saying to my DH, “why can’t I stamp straight”? After a little debate, I figured my problem was that I didn’t mount the rubber straight on the wood blocks. Unfortunately, I can’t use that excuse today. My sentiment is straight, but it is too far to the left! I wasn’t going to re-do the card, but I KNOW my DH will comment on it. You see, he works in the field of architecture, and he has this THING about everything needing to be cemetrical! I’ll just tell him the kids made the card!! I hope you like it! Thanks for having a look!

Asian Flair

I’m a week late getting to the Prairie Paper & Ink sketch challenge (AMYRS77) but I liked this sketch . I love yellow and black together. I have had this beautiful Paper Crate patterned paper for a few years. When I saw it on my paper shelf, I just knew I wanted to use it! My card base is Basic Black and I added a layer of pale yellow. I framed the patterned paper panels with Basic Black for a little contrast. The floral image if from Hero Arts (I think). I colored the flowers with 4 shades of copics. I didn’t want to add any more color, so I filled in the stems with my S-U Basic Black marker. I cut out and layered the floral image with my nesties and popped it up for a little dimension. The ribbon is Very Vanilla grosgrain, but I think it has a little bit of a yellow tinge to it, and I like the added contrast against the polka dot paper. I added one of my Baba’s black buttons and just adhered it with a glue dot. The black rhinestones are self-adhesive. It’s a busy card, but I like the way it turned out. I’ll add a sentiment to the inside. Thanks for having a look!