More Quick & Easy Cards

How are all of you today?  My week is so very busy, but I thought I'd pop in with a couple of quick and easy cards I made recently.  They helped reduce my scrap pile, and stamps that needed a little lovin' got some play time.

First, a masculine thank you card:

The 'guy' cards are always my biggest challenge, but I'm happy with the way this turned out.

Next up: a couple of cards with pre-made bases by K & Co.

Both of these incorporate bits and pieces I found in my soap boxes, so putting them together was a breeze.

I dumped the contents of those soap boxes onto the table, sorted through, grabbed colors I thought might match the card bases, and started arranging.

Thanks a lot for joining me today!  Hope your day is a beautiful one.  :-)



Masculine thank you:
Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Essential Messages - Hero Arts
Paper: Marina Mist, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, pattern - SU
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions
Other: blue gem - Want2Scrap; Postage Stamp, Corner Rounder punches - EK Success


Hugs cards:
Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Truly Appreciated - Hero Arts
Paper: K & Co. pre-made bases
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other: assorted punched shapes; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger

A Simple Hello

This is my second post for today.  Please scroll down one post or 

click HERE for my Creative Inspirations Paints post.  

I received a lovely message earlier this week from Denise (aka resqbarbie), the Splitcoast Clean and Simple Challenge Hostess.  The CAS team is spotlighting some past Guest Designers (early in my blogging days, I was a GD), and chose one of my cards for its sketch as this week's challenge.  I am so honored!  I've seen some marvelous takes on that sketch in the gallery.  One player's card won over at Moxie Fab World in the Card Design Handbook Focal Point challenge!

Of course, I HAD to play in this challenge.  ;)

I used two scraps from the big ol' scrap box, a bit of punching to dress them up, and a butterfly sticker.

The sentiment and lace are from Inspired By Stamping.

Thanks for dropping in, and enjoy your day!




Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Springtime Beauty II - Inspired By Stamping
Paper:  Very Vanilla, taupe patterned paper - SU; aqua pattern - Old World Stack - DCWV
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: Princess Crochet lace trim - Inspired By Stamping
Other: butterfly sticker - K & Co.; Bracket punch - EK Success; Deco Fan corner punch - Martha Stewart

Flower Petal Christmas Tree

Today, I have a Christmas tree card to show you, with a unique twist.  These leaves look like eucalyptus leaves, don't they?

This tree is made from paper flower petals, painted with Emerald shimmer paint.  (You may recall I made some shamrocks with these, too.)

I cut them apart and assembled into a tree, directly onto the patterned paper, using craft glue.  Use the glue sparingly, though, so it does not warp the paper beneath (you live, you learn ;).

The punched-star was gilded with Gold shimmer paint, and the tree trunk (a Word Window punch) sports a coat of Chocolate shimmer paint.

Sadly, this is my last post as a DT member of Creative Inspirations Paints.  :-(  I have THOROUGHLY enjoyed being part of the team, and am such a fan of these amazing paints.  With some new work commitments in my life, however, I need to pare down a bit.  Thank you to Kendra for being a terrific DT coordinator, who makes everything wonderful with her great organizational skills and sunny attitude.  :-)

And thank YOU ever so much for joining me here today!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Holiday Sayings - Hero Arts
Paper: patterned paper - Our Holiday Traditions - Me & My Big Ideas; Chocolate Chip, Handsome Hunter, Cranberry Crisp - SU; white - PTI
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions
Other: star die cut; Gold, Chocolate, Emerald shimmer paints - Creative Inspirations Paints; flower petals - Prima; Word Window Punch - SU

Fright Night - Guest Designing!

I'm excited to be coming to you as a Guest Designer for the City Crafter Challenge this week!   I earned the spot when THIS card of mine was chosen as a winner.  Thank you so much for having me, Kirsty!  I've loved your challenges from my early blogging days.  :o)

The theme this week is "An Early Boo," and here's the inspiration picture:

Source credit

I picked up on the kraft from the baskets and haybales, the black of the stairs, and touches of purple from the chrysanthemums.

My husband told me this looks like something from Grandin Road, a high-end decorating catalog.  That was such a compliment to me, and just what I was aiming for: a vintage-style, shabby chic Halloween card.

I used a new-to-me Unity set called Fright Night.  I stamped the banner, distressed all edges, cut apart and 'hung' on a black twine line.  The purple spots were made by sprinkling glitter over dots of Liquid Pearls (you can use any color, since it is covered by the glitter).

The black/gray paper is flocked, and came from one of those awesome $1.00 Scrap Bags I get from my Stampin' Up! demo.

I covered a Grommet Tag die (which was already in my soap box) with glue and dusted on purple glitter. The Fright Night label was stamped first on white cardstock, then on kraft.  I trimmed the center part out of the kraft version, edged it in black glitter, and popped it up on some foam dimensionals.

I sure hope you get a chance to play along with us at City Crafter!

On a personal note, I'd like to enter this at Friends With Flair over at Unity and in the Pennants & Banners challenge at Unity as well.

Thanks for coming by...I always appreciate your visit.  :o)




Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Unity
Paper: Crumb Cake, flocked pattern - SU; white - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Walnut Stain - Ranger; Crumb Cake - SU
Fibers: black twine
Other: black, purple glitters, 1" circle punch - Martha Stewart; Big Shot; Grommet Tags die  - Spellbinders; Liquid Pearls - Ranger

My Delight

This is my second post today.  Please scroll down one post 

or click HERE to view my sheep card.

Hi!  I'm back with another card this evening.  This one is for my husband, to celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary in October.  We've actually been together for 24 years, though -- almost half my life.  Wow.  I still consider myself blessed to call him mine.  :-)

I'm using some more new-to-me Unity rubber on this card.  The sentiment is from Delightful Little Things, a set of all sentiments that I just LOVE!  I bought several Unity sets from my friend Sav's Stamp Sale (runs until 10/1/12).

I used a bit of white gel pen, a red marker and touches of Liquid Pearls here.

The banners are from Fright Night.  I stamped them in red and in blue, trimmed and reassembled.  Each one got a dot of Liquid Pearls at the tip and in between pennants, too.

Challenges entered:

• Unity - Pennants and Banners
• Moxie Fab World - Card Design Handbook Repetition challenge
• Just Us Girls - photo inspiration - I picked up on the colors (blue, red, kraft) and the pennants

Thanks for dropping by today!

Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Delightful Little Things, Fright Night - Unity
Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White - SU
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Riding Hood Red - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: Cappuccino twine - The Twinery; natural twine - Creative Impressions
Other: White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; white gel pen; Riding Hood Red marker - SU; corner rounder punch - EK Success

Love Ewe

Hello my friends!  I'm popping in with a card for my younger daughter.  Her birthday is in October, my favorite month.  I sure do love Autumn!  It's the perfect time for a birthday.  When she was little, we'd have birthday parties outside.  I made a Pin The Wart On The Witch game (large posterboard, painted with a green witch's face; use little globs of Silly Putty as the 'warts') one year, and the kids loved it.  I also bought lots of tiny pumpkins and hid them around the yard for a Fall version of an Easter egg hunt.  I'm not sure what we'll be doing this year.

My DD loves animals.  I'm sure she'll say "Aw!" when she sees this adorable image from Unity.  It's new to me, and she hasn't seen it yet.  I bought it at my friend Sav's Stamp Sale (runs till October 1st).

I'm entering this card here:

• Unity Opportunity Challenge:  FALL - birthday card for my daughter, whose birthday is in autumn
• Moxie Fab World - Card Design Handbook Asymmetry Challenge - hope Cath isn't tired of my entries in this one....it just happens to really strike a chord with me!
• CAS-ual Fridays - Inspired By Fall - again, this is for a fall birthday

Have you entered my challenge at Do More With Less yet? I am Yvonne Yam's Guest Blogger, and together we're hosting a challenge.   I encourage you all to play - there's a prize for one randomly selected winner.  Just make a card in the shabby chic style, using pearls and lace, and link it up in THIS post by Friday, October 5, 2012.

By the way, I finally have a new post over at bleu hydrangea, if you can stand some more flower pics. ;)



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Love Ewe - Unity
Paper: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Whisper White - SU
Ink: Close to Cocoa - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: Cappuccino twine - The Twinery
Other: Square dies - Spellbinders; D'vine Swirls embossing folder - Cuttlebug; Big Shot; 3/4", 1" circle punches - SU; pearls

Whoo Hoo Wednesday - Victorian Style

Over at the Inspired By Stamping blog, Joanna Munster hosts a feature called Whoo Hoo Wednesday,  where each of the design team members showcases a project or tutorial.  It's my turn today, and I'd like to show you a larger-than-A2 Victorian card.

I began with a dressmakers form made from chipboard (thanks to my friend Carol for sending me a slew of them!), and painted it with white Crackle Paint.

When the paint was dry and crackled, I sponged on Walnut Stain Distress Ink with a soft, swirling motion, to get it in the cracks.

Time for a skirt.  Turn the dressmakers form upside down on a piece of patterned paper that is also upside down, and trace with a pencil.

After adhering the trimmed patterned paper skirt, it's time to glue on some pretty lace.  This is a remnant from my stash.

I added a bit of ivory braided trim to the waist (yes, it's quite high-waisted!) and then glued on a piece of a cheap pearl necklace.  I set an acrylic stamping block over the pearls to apply pressure until the glue set.

As a last minute idea, I sponged some white ink to the edges of the dressmakers form.  I also added some BEAUTIFUL little pink roses from the Inspired By Stamping store (link at end of post).

The patterned papers are retired Anna Griffin pieces, and gave such a Victorian flavor to this card.

See the crackle on the stand?

I stamped a portion of a sentiment from the Daisies set on this oval die cut, and gently shaded it with sage chalk ink.

This is a peek inside the card.

Thank you SO much for joining me here today!  Please be sure to visit the Inspired By Stamping blog every Wednesday --- you never know what you might see.  :o)  And don't forget they are having a big sale during the entire month of September!

On a personal note, I am entering this in the Moxie Fab Card Design Handbook Asymmetry Challenge.  Yes, again.  ;)



Dimensions: 4 7/8" x 6.25"
Stamps: Daisies, Big Treasures - Inspired By Stamping
Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla - SU; green flourish, cream floral - Anna Griffin
Ink: Antique Linen, Walnut Stain - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black, Sage chalk ink - Tsukineko; Whisper White craft - SU
Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions; ivory braid - Waverly; taupe lace
Other: pearl necklace; Big Shot; Oval, Fancy Tags Two dies - Spellbinders; dressform chipboard - Tim Holtz; Picket Fence Crackle Paint - Ranger; pearls; Mixed Color Small Flowers - Inspired By Stamping

Thinking of You Anniversary

Hello friends!  I've got a simple anniversary card today, as a break from the fancier, more time-intensive creations I featured the last few days.

I try to keep my supply of cards flowing to the boutique where they are sold, so people always see something new and different when they shop.  My Weddings/Anniversaries category is dwindling.  Time to restock!  Although I love to do shabby chic/vintage designs most often, there are buyers who aren't into that.  They want something crisp and simple, like this.

I'm playing along in Verve's Diva Dare Fanspiration 2012 challenge.  To play, we need to choose a creation by a non-Diva from the Verve Gallery.  I chose THIS card by Luanne Ford.  She used a lively purple and bright green combo, and some yummy buttons too.  :o)  I kept the color combo and use of a button, but went with a CAS design.

The flower is made with a scalloped circle punch, with some 'petals' cut into it.  The leaves come from a 5-Petal Flower punch.  

I am also entering this in the Go Fish challenge, CAS Anniversary.

Thanks for visiting me today!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Kind Words - Verve
Paper: white - PTI; Kiwi Kiss, Lovely Lilac - SU
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions
Other: Kiwi Kiss corduroy button, Scallop Circle punch, 5-Petal flower punch - SU; corner rounder punch - EK Success

Inspired By Stamping - Joyeux Noel

I've got one last project from our new September releases over at Inspired By Stamping.  I used the new Elegant Christmas Sentiments and paired it with another IBS set, Paris.

Here's a close-up of the sentiment and a new paper rose available at the store....

....and a new ribbon, too!  Elegant black, with a subtle pattern on it.  It is soft and holds its shape beautifully.

The snowflakes, stamped on the doily and the book page, are from Elegant Christmas Sentiments.

The edge of the envelope wears some decoration, as well:

Inspired by Stamping has a store-wide sale going on in September.  You can check it out HERE.

Each design team member has one last project to share with you:

Deb Hickman

Irit Shalom

Joanna Munster

Kendra Sand

Kim Score

Tammy Hobbs

I always love to read your comments, so let me know what you think about today's project.  Thank you so much for visiting!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Elegant Christmas Sentiments, Paris - Inspired By Stamping
Paper: white - PTI; Basic Black, flocked red damask - SU; book page
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko; Frayed Burlap, Antique Linen - Ranger
Fibers: Black Ribbon (new!) - Inspired By Stamping
Other: Red Flower (new!) - Inspired By Stamping; doily - Wilton; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; Arches punch - EK Success

Pinterest-Inspired Christmas

Just popping in with a quick post, so I can play in Flourishes Timeless Tuesday challenge, "A Pinterest Christmas," and Stampendous' embossing challenge.

I silver-embossed a sentiment from Stampin' Up!'s Snow Swirled, and made a rhinestone wreath.  This close-up shows the sentiment better than the larger photo below does.

It's a super-simple card, and was inspired by this Pinterest photo --

photo credit

The silver candlesticks and berry-red shade really spoke to me.  Should have added some touch of green, but thought of that after I did the photos.  ;)

Thanks for coming by!

PS - don't forget you have a chance to win some blog candy I'm offering over at Do Less With More, if you play in my challenge!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Snow Swirled - SU
Paper: Bazzill
Ink: Versamark - Tsukineko
Fibers: satin ribbon - Michael's
Other: scalloped edge punch - SU; rhinestones; silver embossing powder - SU