Cure For The Monday Blues...on Thursday

When I joined the Moxie Fab Thanks Blog Hop in November of last year, I came to know a blogger named Taheerah just a bit better.  Her creations are so whimsical, and I follow her on Facebook.  Recently, she created a new challenge called Cure For The Monday Blues.  I'm playing in the second challenge, and I'll share the inspiration pic in just a moment.

I created a butterfly-ful baby card, based on the plethora of 'flies I spy on the wall.  I also picked up on the soft peachy pink of the pillow shams, and the general softness of the whole scene.

My chipboard butterfly was wiped with white craft ink, then glittered.  I wish I had painted it white instead, 'cause I'm seeing too much chipboard-color.  Still, I think it is pretty.  The sentiment is new-to-me Papertrey Ink / Think Big Favorites #16.

Snow will be melting around here bit by bit as we are expecting temps in the 50s this weekend.  Though I love snow and winter, even I am ready for a bit of a thaw.  Well, really it's my arthritic joints that are hoping for the warmer weather ;-)

Stamps: Think Big Favorites #16 - PTI Paper: Mariposa Stack - DCWV; white - PTI Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Fibers: white crochet lace Accessories & Tools: chipboard butterfly - Michael's $1.00 bin; pearls - Queen & Co.; iridescent glitter

Hearts Ever After

I'm zipping in real quick so I can enter my last creation in the Viva La Verve January challenges.  I managed to get Week 3 done, and here it is.  Inspiration pic follows my card.

I chose to follow the inspiration picture instead of the sketch this time.  The points I picked up on:  that FABULOUS black and white wallpaper pattern in the background, the baubles on the chandelier, and the almost iridescent look of the coffee table.

I used some iridescent gems to give pizzazz to the sentiment area (Love Story by Verve), and used a cut of iridescent paper from Garden Vignettes / My Mind's Eye.  The glittered chipboard hearts from Michaels spell love, and even though this card is intended as a wedding card (delivered to the shop!), it could stand in for an anniversary, or even a Valentine.

That's it for me!  If you are in the southeast USA, good luck with the snowstorm heading your way.  Bundle up and stay safe!

Stamps: Love Story - Verve Paper: white - PTI; black glittered - Colorbok; iridescent flourish - Garden Vignettes - My Mind's Eye Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Fibers: black seam binding - Hug Snug / Zipper Stop Accessories & Tools: iridescent gems - The Paper Studio; glittered chipboard hearts - Recollections; white die cut - Martha Stewart

A Stack of Presents, Verve Style

Hello!  Thank you all SO much for the fantastic, encouraging comments on my Bridal Collection post yesterday!  I sure hope they are a hit at the bridal store.  It's fun to make such a special card for a special occasion.  I've got more, more, more to show, but need the time to photo-edit them first.

Time's ticking on the Viva La Verve January sketches, and I need to post this card before the month's up.  I'm using the January sketch from Week 2.  Aaaaaand....my card began when I spied these little scraps on my work desk:

They were just little rectangles of patterned papers (no flower yet).  The colors harmonized together just right, and when assembled, they looked like a little stack of presents!  I inked the edges, added some vintage thread to 'tie' them together, and added a Verve flower from Small Celebrations.

  Here's the complete card --

The sentiment is also from the same set.  I stamped the flower twice, colored one completely and trimmed it out.  The second one was colored only in the center portion, trimmed, and popped up onto the first with foam tape.

The stack of gifts needed a little pizzazz, so I stamped that flower once more and trimmed just the center once again to add as a package topper.

I was not able to get to all the sketches for this month.  The big order for the shop took me some time.  I've got one more post to put up for the Verve January challenges.  See you soon!

Stamps: Small Celebrations - Verve Paper: Soft Stone, Vintage Cream - PTI; text, wine floral - Colorbok; plaid, polka dot, damask - SU Ink: Antique Linen - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Fibers: vintage thread Accessories & Tools: pearls - Recollections; Copic markers; circle, Labels Thirteen dies - Spellbinders; Key Tag punch - SU

The Bridal Collection - Part 1

I am sharing Part One of my Bridal Collection, as delivered recently to A Beautiful Touch in Westmont, New Jersey.  Weeks ago, I approached the store owner about carrying my cards in her shop.  She received my creations with enthusiasm, and together we are embarking on an experiment.  We want to see if her customers will be interested to buy cards for the shower and wedding gifts sold in the posh, beautiful store (almost makes me wish I was getting married right now!  the things she carries are exquisite.). Keeping my fingers crossed that they will be a hit!

Here are a few that I brought in:

I used a much-neglected set, JustRite's Damask Borders, for my sentiment and frame.  I picked up some pins from Dritz in the notion section of our JoAnn Fabric & Craft Store.  The pack contained many colors of pearl-topped pins.  Perfect for such a fancy card!  (and the price was terrific, too)

The next card features one of my favorite older Stampin' Up! sets, Blooming With Happiness.  I love, love, love that floral dress.

I used Cameo Beige seam binding (Hug Snug, from Zipper Stop).  Got it for Christmas, and the soft creamy vanilla shade is perfect for so many of my cards.

And last, something for the bride that honeymoons in Paris (or just has a 'thing' for it, as I do):

Had a snippet of Stampin' Up! lace on hand, and tied it around a twine bow.

I used another beloved SU stamp, Bella Toile background, to give interest to my kraft card base.  The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink, Happily Ever After -  another Christmas goody.  Chunky glass glitter covers a punched heart.

I was pretty excited to show these cards to you, and I do have more.  Will need to do another installment of the Bridal Collection so this post doesn't go on forever!

Card #1

Stamps: Damask Borders - JustRite Paper: Vintage Cream, white - PTI; patterns - SU Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko; Antique Linen - Ranger Fibers: lace; ivory ribbon - Stamp Simply Ribbon Store Accessories & Tools: paper flowers - IBS; circles, Floral Doily dies - Spellbinders; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; doily - Wilton; pink pearl pins - Dritz

Card #2

Stamps: Blooming with Happiness - SU Paper: white - PTI; patterns - SU Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Antique Linen - Ranger Fibers: Cameo Beige seam binding - Hug Snug - Zipper Stop Accessories & Tools: Copic markers; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; doily - Wilton; pearls - Queen & Co.; circle die - Spellbinders

Card #3

Stamps: Bella Toile - SU; Happily Ever After - PTI Paper: kraft - PTI; Lost & Found Madison Avenue - My Mind's Eye Ink: Crumb Cake - SU; Frayed Burlap - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Fibers: lace - SU; twine - Creative Impressions Accessories & Tools: White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; Doily Lace punch - Martha Stewart; oval die - Spellbinders; Heart to Heart punch, Champagne glass glitter - SU

A Laundry Line of Cute Socks

Sigh.  I love the little socks from Lawn Fawn's My Silly Valentine.  It was fun hanging them on a laundry line for a Valentine.

One little sock fell off the laundry line, landing right near the sassy sentiment.

I used regular scissors to create fringe-y grass, and added some punched red hearts.

We've got a small snowstorm happening as I type this on Saturday, 1/25.  We're expecting a couple of inches to add to our 10" or so we received earlier this week.  It really is a winter wonderland around here!

Stamps: My Silly Valentine - Lawn Fawn Paper: Real Red; Bashful Blue, Pear Pizzazz patterned papers - SU; white - PTI Ink: Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive - SU; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: cream twine - American Crafts Accessories & Tools: Heart to Heart punch - SU; Copic markers

B Is For Baby

This is my second post for today.  Please click HERE for 'Bluesy Love Cards'.  

Well, it feels good to say I'm playing in a challenge today!  One of my new favorite challenges is The Card Concept, created by my friend Lesley.  If you haven't heard of it yet, go check it out.  It's unique, I think, because not only are you given a prompt (like an inspiration photo) and a dictate (like this week, we need to use Texture), but you must also have your card fit into one of 6 style categories.

Mine is the Freestyle Collage --

Here's the inspiration pic at The Card Concept:

I was inspired by the almost cardboard-like roof, and so I pulled out a chipboard "B" for this baby card.  I also noted all the greenery around the house, and added some of my own punched greenery to the card.

Had to capture the shimmer of this light green cardstock for you, which is under the "B".  It is a sample piece from California Paper Goods from oh-so-long-ago.  The letter was wiped and sponged with white craft ink.

I also wiped white ink on the bright pink flower to tone it down a bit.  The sentiment, from Little Hellos by Stampin' Up!, was singled out (the stamp has an image of a giraffe, too) and inked onto a little punched leaf.

Thanks so much for your visit today!  Enjoy your weekend.  :)

Stamps: Little Hellos - SU Paper: Old Olive, Sahara Sand, Pretty In Pink - SU; paisley pattern ?; pale green shimmer - California Paper Goods Ink: white opaque, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Antique Linen - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: cream twine - American Crafts Accessories & Tools: Branch, Rose Leaf punches - Martha Stewart; gold/pearl brad - Bride's; rectangle, scalloped rectangle dies - Spellbinders; doily - Wilton; pink flowers - Prima; pearls - Queen & Co.

A Custom Creation: Bluesy Love Cards

I've doubled up love cards for this post, both in shades of blue.

The first is an icy, wintry, elegant wedding card that went over to Arts Plus Gallery a little while back.

It's really a pretty simple card.  I stamped Hero Arts Large Fabric Design background in blue on a white base.  Added a sheer blue bow, topped with a silver tassel (from an old bookmark-making kit I received) and a glorious bejeweled button.



...and then, some chipboard letters in silver.  Done!



In November 2013, I posted THIS custom engagement card.  And even though I am not one to duplicate cards, I did love it so much that I created a similar one for the shop.

I changed the color of the cardstock to a soft blue instead of purple, and added a sentiment this time.  For some reason, this card was easier to photograph and photo-edit than the previous, purple version.  My camera has a hard time with reds and purples.

Thanks so much for joining me today!

Card #1:

Stamps:   Large Fabric Design - Hero Arts Paper:  white - PTI Ink:  Bordering Blue - SU Accessories & Tools:  tassel; button; silver chipboard letters - American Crafts

Card #2:

Stamps:  Love Story - Verve Paper: Bordering Blue, Whisper White - SU; Once Upon A Time patterned paper - DCWV Ink: white opaque, Walnut Stain - Ranger Accessories & Tools: Oval die - Spellbinders; butterflies - removed from store-bought card; Floral Frame embossing folder - Sizzix; Elegant Scrollwork die - Memory Box; Modern Label Punch - SU; pearls - Queen & Co.

Talk About A Quick Birthday Card!

Well, this card needs no explanation, does it?   It went together very quickly, was fun to make, and it's a fabulous way to use up some scraps.  Even the butterfly was hanging around - colored and trimmed - in my UFO* box.

I'm going to keep this idea in mind for more speedy birthday cards in the future.



* UFO is a term my friend Bonnie uses often, and it stands for UnFinished Objects.  

Stamps: Trendy Circle Sentiments - IBS; Touch of Nature - SU Paper: Purely Pomegranate, Old Olive, Very Vanilla - SU Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: circles, scalloped circle punches - SU; orange gems - Recollections; corner rounder punch - Fiskars

Blue Butterfly Sympathy

Hello friends!  I'm back with another card that was passed up for publication a while back.  Actually, I suppose it was meant to be, because I wound up sending this to a good friend of ours who just lost his father.

This beautiful blue butterfly is from the Lost Coast Designs set, Butterflies.

I used a Labels Eighteen die to cut an opening in the stamped-script panel (Hero Arts Manuscript Background). On the opposite side of the die cut, I stamped the sentiment and set it aside.  After popping up the script panel, I laid the sentiment piece inside and secured to the card base.

I'm so glad you dropped by today!

Stamps: Butterflies - Lost Coast Designs; sentiment - All Year Greetings - Fiskars; Manuscript Background - Hero Arts; flowers - Nature's Wonders - Practicing Creativity Paper: white - PTI; Crumb Cake - SU Ink: Crumb Cake - SU; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions Accessories & Tools: Labels Eighteen die - Spellbinders; pearls - Queen & Co.; Copic markers

Using Up Scraps for a Guy Card

No frou-frou creations here today.  Check back here soon for that!  

Instead, I've got a masculine birthday card for a loved one.  It features pretty much ALL snippets and scraps of Stampin' Up! papers, plus one of their images:

Tried to create a strip of 'washi tape' with paper....not sure if it's convincing, but just humor me.  ;-)  The edges were punched with a Postage Stamp punch to give a torn edge look.  Hmmm...

The fern is from Organic Grace.  I turned up one bottom corner of the image panel, to try to make it look like I just casually 'stuck' this up on the card with the (failed) washi tape.  

As I type this, I am laughing at this attempt of a guy card.  Hope it gave you a little chuckle too!

Stamps: Organic Grace - SU Paper: white - PTI; all patterns - SU Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: brad and D-buckle metal thing - SU; Postage Stamp punch - Fiskars

A Bitty Giraffe for Baby

One of the card categories I need to beef up is Baby.  And more specifically, Baby Boy.  I can crank out Baby Girl cards like nobody's business, but the boy cards are a little less...well....fun.  Sure, they can be very cute, but one can't add all the girly touches (lace, pearls, bows, etc.) that come more naturally to me.

So, here is one of my attempts at a masculine baby card:

I used the sweetest little giraffe from an old Stampin' Up! set, Little Hellos.  The stamp does feature a little bow around his neck, and then I added a real bow made of vintage twine.

Thanks so much for your visit today.  I really appreciate it!

Stamps: Little Hellos - SU Paper: white - PTI; Close to Cocoa, patterns - SU Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Antique Linen - Ranger Fibers: chocolate twine - American Crafts; natural twine - Creative Impressions; vintage thread Accessories & Tools: Romantic Rectangles die - Spellbinders; Copic markers