Wreath Builder Madness

I have been making some cards with Gina K's Wreath Builder.  I have enjoyed them very much.  The first two cards were inspired by the third. 

This one is all Gina K.  I used some Distress Ink for the circles.

I actually used circles from an old Papertrey set for this one.  The sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp.  I used Stampin' Up Real Red for the circles.  The inner heart was colored with a Prisma and Gamsol.  This card is for a shoebox swap.

The blog post for this card can be found here.

Holy cow! A card!

I needed to make a card for the person I am sponsoring to receive Baptism and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil.  This card will be opened during retreat next week, and it needed to contain some inspiration.

I used Bazzill Kraft as my base.  The first panel is SEI linen paper.  Then I used my Stampin' Up! banner dies and embossing folder with some Bazzill red and Neenah Solar White.  The sentiment is from PTI's A Cheerful Heart set.  I stamped with Simon Says Stamp Intense Black ink, which is quickly becoming my favorite.  I felt something was needed up top, so I stapled a bit of sheet ribbon and placed an Ali Edwards glittery white star, followed by a Studio Calico Kraft star to pull in the base.

It felt good to make a card again!

A Joyous Card

A friend of mine is fostering two children in hopes of adoption.  We are celebrating.  It's so fantastic.  Here's the card for her shower.

Stamp set: Simon Says Stamp You Matter

Die: You Wafer Die from Simon Says Stamp (coordinates with stamp in set)

Die: Stitched rectangles (I think they are from MFT, but I cannot recall)

Cardstock: Neenah Solar White and Bazzill Kraft

Patterned Paper: Simple Stories #whatever #hahahano

Ink: Ali Edwards Black Butte

Stickers: Starfoam Hearts

Popped up with dimension stickers

Stamps: Papertrey Ink A Cheerful Heart and MFT Essential Sentiments (I think it might be retired)

A close up of the sentiment on front.

Prayers Card

This pin inspired this card.  I love the colored stamps on craft.

Materials:

Stamps:

• Hero Arts Prayers set and die
• PTI Done in Love set

Inks:

• Ali Edwards
• Stampin' Up!
• Hero Arts

Embellishment stickers:

• Starform

Shower Card

A short card.  Not sure of all the vendors.  Gold under a PTI die.  Slight bling.  Looks so much better in person.  PTI sentiment inside.

Some CAS time with the MISTI

Spring Break greetings from sunny, but not warm, Central Illinois.  I guess I should not be choosy, as it is in double digits.

Over break, I met with my buddy Kim and we made a couple cards as we got to know our new MISTIs.  What is this "MISTI?"  Here's a video:

I delight in this card.  The MISTI was helpful in the placement of the sentiment as well as the bunnies.  Since I am a Peep-lover, and this is going to a Peep-lover, I could not be more pleased with the results.  The yellow and the blue look more Peep-like in real life.  My Favorite Things Candy Jar Companions is a set that I am so happy I purchased!  I had some inspiration from Jennifer McGuire's post.

I CASEd this card from my friend, Kim.  I even used her stuff!  Here's her beautiful version:

We used a Papertrey set for the sentiment and a Paper Smooches die set for the heart.

Wedding #2 of the Summer!

You know what that means!

Outside: Everyday Button Bits (Papertrey Ink), Stampin' Up!/Sizzix embossing folder, Stampin' Up! flowers, Simon Says Stamp bling, sheer ribbon

Inside: Stampin' Up! Congrats

Happy Father's Day!

This year's card had a springboard from my good pal, Karen.  Since I screwed up her awesome card, I did some craftiness and created this version:

The striped cardstock is a sampling of Stampin' Up!'s new InColor colors.  I honestly did not pay attention to the companies who created the sentiments I used.  She had a lot out for me to choose from.  I think the inside is a PTI set.

Happy Father's Day to all dads!

Happy week!

My old man is turning 49 tomorrow...a card was needed!

A little Papertrey (Wonderful Words Additions), a little Stampin' Up! patterned paper from forever ago and some SU! striped satin ribbon.  I used the reverse side of the patterned paper for the "happy" die, and popped it up with two other layers of the die cut.  I also used Glossy Accents to give it an epoxy feel.  Stampin' Up! ink was used for "birthday."  Sounds easy enough, but I was tormented a bit with the die cut.  Not sure about color or positioning, but it turned out well, in my opinion.

For our anniversary card, I used some PTI and some Simon Says Stamp.  A shout out to Jennifer McGuire, whose video definitely inspired this card (in fact, it inspired the purchase of the die!).  I also used a scrap of patterned paper!  I KNOW, RIGHT?  This was an old scrap of SEI paper that I just love.  I went over the hearts with Glossy Accents and popped them up with SU! Dimensionals.  I used SU! white craft ink for the sentiment.  Ca-yute.

Administrative Professionals Day

I have been working on cards tonight for our two secretaries.  As many a teacher knows, the school would shut down without them (and our custodians).

This one cracks me up.  The sentiment is from the Kelly Purkey "I Like You" set.  The patterned paper is from Stampin' Up, the baker's twine from Lawn Fawn.  I colored the "Thanks" with a Copic, and popped up the inner flag (cut with Stampin' Up! dies) with Dimensionals.  I hand-drew the brown outline, as it looked very stark without it.  The sentiment was perfect, as I am constantly asking the secretaries to sign some delivery for me at work.

This card has a little bit of Papertrey Ink and a little bit of Stampin' Up!  The Center Stage die is from PTI, as is the sentiment, "Think Big Favorites #6."  I LOVE how this stamped...like buttah.  The patterned paper is actually the flipside of the paper used in the card above.  The glittery black tape really makes this card directed toward the particular secretary for whom I made it.  I think she will love it.

I used Versafine ink for both cards.

Wading in Watercolors

As of late, I have seen some crafting with watercolors.  I have to say, there are some things I love about watercolors, and other things I am not so in love with.  Here are some cards that lately I have really liked using this technique:

I love the die cut over the watercolor background on this one.

This might be my favorite KKel card of all time.  It mixes two things I love: summer and Ali Edwards!  Isn't that background perfect for the sentiment?

This one's a Kristina Werner video that actually made me want to give it a whirl.

And here is my attempt.  So clean.  So simple.  Made, of course, under the watchful eye of Karen (see the photo background?).  I used her Sakura KOI Watercolors and a Stampin' Up! Aquapainter.  Then we sprayed some watercolor paper with water, and I experimented.  I loved how the paint blended, and knew I did not want to cover it much, so I looked for a sentiment that would fit.  I found one in PTI's Wise Owl set.  The cool thing is, I know exactly to whom I want to give this card.

Mighty Oak Sympathy

I have been eyeing some cards on Pinterest that use this stamp and die cut.  I decided to break it in for a sympathy card for a friend.

Paper: Neenah Solar White and Studio Calico Dot One
Stamps: SU! Close as a Memory and Hope for Comfort; PTI Mighty Oak
Die: PTI Mighty Oak
Embossing folder: SU! Woodgrain
Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip
Adhesive: SU! Dimensionals; Tombo Monoadhesive

For Our Little Prayer Partner

When second graders are preparing for their First Holy Communion in my church, parishioners choose to be prayer partners during their journey.  Our family chose a little guy who was in day care with Max.  I made him this card.

I went a little craft-cray-cray and even stamped the envelope!  Yeah me!

I was inspired at first by my buddy, Karen's, card, which used repetitive stamping to give a patterned paper feel.  She linked to the person who inspired her card.  This stamper's personalized notebooks reminded me that, HEY!  I can make my own patterns!  Duh!

One little note of sadness: as I was cleaning the design that I stamped in Rich Razzleberry, I ripped part of it off.  Sigh.  Hoping I can fix it somehow, but I am not hopeful.

Card size: 5.5 x 4.25"

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Rich Razzleberry textured, Neenah Solar white

Inks: Stampin' Up Rich Razzleberry and Always Artichoke

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Everyday Blessings

Hugs and Kisses

Man, people are getting so sick lately!  So many of my friends' kids have gotten knock-down, drag-out, Advil-resistant, viral sick.  For one little four year old, I decided to make her a card, because she spiked a 104 temp last night.  She was a good buddy to Max this summer, so I made the card from "Max and His Mom."

Wish I could say it was my idea to use a bandage on a get well card, but I did see some here and there on galleries.  It was my first use of American Crafts glitter tape (what a great idea!).  I used my Stampin' Up! Basic Gray cardstock and embossing folder.  The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink (Limitless Labels).  I used some Nestabilities dies, some google eyes, and some SU! Dimensionals to raise things up a bit.  

Hip-Hip Hooray!

Well, this card took way longer than it needed to take.  I was "Distracted Crafter" this evening.  I needed to focus myself on the fact that I wanted to do these briefly.  I was going back in to "perfectionistic masterpiece" mode, which rarely gives me a good card.  This is extremely simple, and I like it a lot.

Size: 5.5 x 4.25"

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Fillable Frames #4

Ink: Stampin' Up! Craft White

Cardstock: Neenah Solar White; Stampin' Up Basic Gray

Patterned paper: From my stash...maybe SU!?  Not sure....

Accessories: SU! Hexagon Punch

Happy World Cardmaking Day!

Hello to my dusty ol' blog.  Yes, school started again for this Teacher Mama.  Slowly and infrequently to the craft room I go.  So, here are a couple of cards I have made in the past few weeks.

First, a birthday card for a Lego-lovin' nine year old.

Inspired by these Pinterest cards

Papertrey Ink Stamp

Fiskars hole punch

Next a card for a buddy who had beautiful baby girl #3.  (Overcast day = not great photo)

Inspired by this Splitcoast stamper's shower idea

Silhouette file for the bow (love!)

Fancy Pants patterned paper

Spellbinders oval scallop

Love using the SU! chalk marker to decorate the envelope.

Envelope by Hero Arts

Happy World Cardmaking Day, my crafting friends!

Ah June

The first few weeks of June are super stuffed with birthdays and anniversaries in my family. Sometimes I am good about cards, other times not so much. Today is Scott's birthday, and whipping him up a card is something I truly enjoy. Alas, in the photo, you cannot tell that I colored in the 4 and the 6.  Here goes:

Recipe:
Size: 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps: Stampin' Up! Bring on the Cake and Whimsical Words
Cardstock: Stampin' Up: Crmb Cake, Papertrey Ink Plum Pudding, Stampin' Up! So Saffron (or its equivalent); Papertrey Ink White
Ink: Adirondack Earthtone Pitch Black, Stampin' Up! Crushed Curry marker
Embossing: Sizzix Texturz Plate - Weave

My Go-To Set for 2010

Signature Greetings by Papertrey is quickly becoming part of my stamping Hall o' Fame.  There are so many uses for this set, and it fits cards from the casual to the more formal.  Definitely getting my money's worth.

Today's card is clean and oh-so-simple.  My good friends let my 13 year old tag along to Six Flags last week, sparing me the agony of a day at an "amusement" park.  Don't get me wrong, I like Six Flags, but I would have had to take my 5 year old, too, and that was not at all appealing.  OVERSTIMULATION to the maximum!

I knew I had this roller coaster sticker, and I figured I could make a fairly easy, yet still fun-loving, card based on it.  One story from the day was that Ignatius and Erik waited 2-1/2 hours to get on the Raging Bull roller coaster, so I figured a coaster theme would be appropriate.

I am also loving Chalk Box's Creamy Brown Cat Eye.  Talk about versatile!  It is a simple way to make a card pop.  I inked the coaster hill, as well as the outside of the card, with it.  I used SU! Chocolate Chip for the sentiment.  The cardstock is SU! Bordering Blue, and I think the brown is textured SU! Creamy Caramel, or its Bazzill equivalency.

I remember a few years back I was a member of a card club, and the leader of the club said using stickers was becoming passe.  Every time I use a sticker, her voice pops in my head.  It was such a ridiculous statement, especially considering the explosion of Thickers and rub-ons.  If I can incorporate a cute sticker in a fun way, then call me passe, baby!

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue...

I had to prep some cards for a shoebox swap I am attending.  If you have read my blog in the past, you have heard and seen about my adventures with shoebox swaps.  It's just a fun time to prep some cards for other crafters.  We usually end up gathering sometime in the summer for this event.  We could design one card and provide enough supplies for each participant to do two cards with that design, or two designs and each participant would make one.  I chose two designs, mainly because one of my designs will be somewhat labor intensive.

I went with the "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" philosophy.  Hey, it's been 18 years since I was a bride, so why not?  The first card hits, something old and something blue.  I started with a totally different card concept... and I mean way different.  That became too complex, so I decided clean and simple was necessary (especially since I made this card after my first one).  I pulled out my Encore Ultimate Metallic silver ink for this one.  I stamped using A Muse's Bomb stamp, and the inside of my card uses the same ink with their Da Bomb! stamp (beware: after a while, this ink fades... not a good choice if you're keeping something in your stash).  I loved these stamps the first time I saw them because this is one of my pet phrases.  After stamping on a piece of 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 black cardstock that had been corner rounded, and allowing it a few minutes to set, I pulled out my SU! Crystal Effects to give the bomb some sheen.  I also used my Waterfall Stickles on the sparks to pull in some of the blue from the base of the card, and to add some more dimension.  I used SU!'s Bashful Blue (and then realized that was my only sheet, so many of my fellow swappers will be using SU! Baja Breeze, which is just slightly darker in hue) for my base for a 3 x 3" card.  You can't really tell from the photo, but I affixed the black panel using Dimensionals, which gave it a little lift from the blue.

I went fairly girly with my next card.  It, too, is the culmination of a few different tries.  I love how it turned out.  My something new: I am using my new Papertrey Ink Plum Pudding cardstock and my new Dawn McVey Signature Greetings set also from PTI.  I have the whole set in the shoebox, so my fellow swappers can choose a sentiment they need.  Something borrowed is the idea of crumpling patterned paper for flowers.  I crumpled some SU! Bella Birds DSP, then punched some flowers with my SU! Daisy punch (another oldie, but goodie).  They have a fabric-like feel to them when punched from crumpled paper (click on the photo for a closer look).  I affixed the flowers with some brass brads (I think they are from Hobby Lobby).  I used SU! Barely Banana for the panel, which I paper punched as well as inked with SU! Perfect Plum ink.  I also used the SU! Scallop punch for the panel.  I mounted the Barely Banana panel on another panel of Bella Birds.  I stamped the sentiment using SU! White Craft ink... a staple of mine when it comes to sentiments on darker paper.  I placed a panel of Barely Banana inside for note writing.  I love the heaviness of the PTI cardstock.  While it's not the best when you want to cut out an image (a little too heavy...scissor boo boos become glaringly apparent), it's a fabulous 4.25 x 5.5" base.