Burlap-and-lace Inspired Bridal Shower

Hey there!  I believe that burlap-and-lace is still a popular theme for weddings.  Hoping so! I made this card for some special bride-to-be.

Doilies make me happy, so I stamped them in white on a kraft card base.

I made a Colleen Bow, and added some Venise lace along the bottom edge of the ribbon (that lace was an eBay find a few years back).  The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's Happily Ever After.

Thanks for coming by today; I really appreciate your visit!

Stamps: Delicate Doilies II - Inspired By Stamping; Happily Ever After - Papertrey Ink Paper: kraft, white - Papertrey Ink Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Crystal white pigment ink - Ranger Fibers: white seam binding - Hug Snug - The Zipper Stop; Venise lace - eBay Accessories & Tools: tag punch - Martha Stewart; pearls; heart punch - Stampin' Up!

Shells for a bridal shower

Hello there!

This is a card I made for my sweet niece's bridal shower.  She lives along the Gulf Coast in Florida, and I was unable to attend the shower (but we did go to the wedding!).  Her wedding theme was all about the beach.  So, I made something very reminiscent of the shore.

A tumble of shells, and a "sandy" background, a sprinkling of sequins....
and a simple tag tied on with hemp cord.

There's even a "wave", made with Pool Party cardstock and a Memory Box die called Elegant Scrollwork (I use that one a lot).

I'm pleased as punch (er, or a die cut!) with the way this turned out. :-)

Stamps: Itty Bitty Backgrounds - Stampin' Up!; Seashells - Blockheads Paper Arts; Scallop Shell - Golden Acorn Paper: Pool Party, Crumb Cake - SU; white - Papertrey Ink Ink: Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede, Close to Cocoa, Crumb Cake - SU; Walnut Stain - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: hemp cord Accessories & Tools: Marshmallow and Sand sequins - Pretty Pink Posh; Elegant Scrollwork die - Memory Box; Lots of Tags Sizzlit - Stampin' Up!; Copic markers; pearl - Queen & Co.

Purple Hydrangeas

Oh, you've caught me, still digging in my photo archives for things I never shared here before.

Like many of you, I have a hard time throwing out little things that I think will be useful in my crafts. Well, these purple silk hydrangea blossoms fell off a flower arrangement I used to have, so I saved them.  I love how they dress up the card, especially when paired with an abundance of purple rhinestone gems and a couple of little leaves.

This is intended as a bridal shower card, and is in a shop (or hopefully, it's sold by now), but with that general sentiment, it could be for any number of occasions.

Stamps: Small Fancy Labels 1 - Inspired By Stamping Paper: white - Papertrey Ink Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: silk hydrangea flower blossoms; purple gems - Queen & Co.; small green leaves - iamroses.com; corner rounder punch - Fiskars 

A Krafty Shower

Hi there!  I'm sure today's card looks a bit familiar.  I did similar versions here and here.  I like when hydrangeas rain down, what can I say?  =)

It's a pretty simple card that doesn't need much explanation.  I hope you've enjoyed it today! Take care, my friends.

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes - SU; Large Umbrella - DeNami Design Accessories & Tools: Hydrangea punch - Martha Stewart; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger

For The Happy Couple

Happy Monday!  I'm still working my way through posting all of the cards I've made over the last couple of months.  Yes, I was in the attic studio a lot. ;)

Here is a beach-themed creation that went to A Beautiful Touch in Westmont, NJ for sale:

To help speed things up, when it comes to creating cards in a certain theme, I've devised a little system:

• I keep a container with certain elements that I know I'll use again and again -- for example, the branch punch-outs -- near my desk at all times.  I use different colors of cardstock that reflect nature (various greens, browns, tans) and keep them all together.  

• Since the beach theme seems so popular with brides right now, I stamp images such as shells, sand dollars, starfish, etc. on scrap pieces of white or cream cardstock.  I may color some, or leave them as-is, then trim and put into a small clear envelope (I save all the clear poly bags that pearls/gems/stickers come in, and use those).

• When it's time to make a card, I pull out those supplies, choose papers in colors of the sea and sand, and begin.

ETA:  adding this in to the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge, at the suggestion of my friend Donna!  The theme is "Stamps."  Yay!

I hope you have a wonderful week, my friends!

Stamps: sentiment - Happy Ever After - Papertrey Ink; sand dollar, shell - Blockheads Paper Arts

Paper: River Rock, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip - SU; pattern - Seashore - Prima Fibers: abaca fiber ribbon Accessories & Tools: branch punch - Martha Stewart; pearls; Swirl border punch - EK Success

A fancy pink dress + a customized graduation card

Hello all!  I've got two cards to share today, both completely different.  The first is a card I delivered to the bridal shop, A Beautiful Touch.  It is intended as a bridal shower card, but certainly it could be given to a young lady for her birthday, as well.

I hope you're not tired of seeing the dress image from Stampin' Up!'s Blooming with Happiness.  It really lends itself well to the bridal cards, and is very sweet; fun to color, too.  :-)

Stamps: Blooming With Happiness - SU; sentiment - Fresh Cut Wreaths - Wplus9 Paper: gingham - digital paper - Inspired By Stamping; white - PTI; Sahara Sand, pink and brown patterns - SU Ink: Antique Linen - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: white sheer polka dot ribbon - Really Reasonable Ribbon Accessories & Tools: circle, scalloped circle dies - Spellbinders; Copic markers; pearls; White Opal Liquid Pearls, iridescent Stickles - Ranger

One more card to share before I go.  My childhood friend's daughter graduated high school in May of this year.  I received an announcement in the mail, and wanted to send a special keepsake card for the graduate.

Using the announcement, I die-cut the circular panel for the front of the card, matted it with navy, and layered it on an embossed red panel.

I stamped a sentiment from Hero Arts on the inside panel, which reads:  YOU DID IT! Congratulations."  On the inside left, I die-cut a phrase which was in the announcement.  It reads: "The journey of a thousand miles, solely, begins with a single step."

Thanks for taking a peek at my cards today!

A Chocolate Chandelier

Hi!  I'm always trying to come up with new ideas for cards to place in the bridal shop, A Beautiful Touch, in Westmont NJ.  This one is meant for a bridal shower, but truly it could be used for many different occasions.

What's a chandelier (Paris - Inspired By Stamping) without a little flicker? I added some golden glitter touches to the bulbs.

I'm fond of using this sentiment from Fresh Cut Florals / Wplus9.  I split apart the words when stamping (it comes in a horizontal format), inking each word separately and making it a vertical sentiment.  Fits better that way in small spaces.

Thanks so much for your visit today!

Stamps: chandelier - Paris - Inspired By Stamping; 'for you' - Fresh Cut Wreaths - Wplus9 Paper: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla - SU; all patterns - Lost & Found - My Mind's Eye Ink: Antique Linen - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko; Chocolate Chip - SU Fibers: Ash Pink seam binding - Hug Snug - The Zipper Stop Accessories & Tools: button, chocolate pearls - Recollections; round circle punch; gold glitter glue - Ranger

Aqua & Pink Bridal Gown

Hello!  Just so you know, I'd never have worn a wedding gown that is pink and aqua.  No sir, not me. I'm rather a traditionalist, but you could probably guess that.  What got me started was the pretty digital paper from Inspired By Stamping.  Out came my favorite dress stamp from Stampin' Up!'s Blooming With Happiness, and a few Copic markers.

I added touches of iridescent glitter glue to the flowers in the dress.  Can you see them?

This tag...oh, this tag.  It did not turn out as I had envisioned.  It is kind of bright.  The Copic markers were much more neon than I wanted, and after using a Blender Pen to dilute the color, the 'watercolor' effect kind of grew on me.  I left it alone.  The sentiment (Fresh Cut Wreaths / Wplus9) was stamped individually in a stacked way, instead of horizontal as it appears in the set.

Whaddya think?  Too bright?

Stamps: sentiment - Fresh Cut Wreaths - Wplus9; dress - Blooming With Happiness - SU Paper: white - PTI; digital patterns - Inspired By Stamping Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: vintage thread; white seam binding - Hug Snug - The Zipper Stop Accessories & Tools: Classic Tags die - Memory Box; circle, scalloped circle dies - Spellbinders; Copic markers; pearls; iridescent glitter glue - Ranger

Beachcombing for the Mr. & Mrs.

Welcome!  Wouldn't this grouping be a fun find along the beach:  a seashell, a starfish, a sand dollar, some golden seaweed, and pearls?  With a collection like this, even a bit of seaglass - which I am giddy about - would pale by comparison.

Yes, this is another card that went to the bridal shop.  Creating these beach-themed cards is lots of fun for me.  I hope they give pleasure to the brides and grooms who receive them.

Was happy to get a chance to use my Wonderfully Worn Background stamp from Stampin' Up! as my 'sand.'

Thanks a bunch for coming by today!

Stamps: Wonderfully Worn Background - SU; Fresh Cut Wreaths - Wplus9; (starfish, sand dollar) Seashells with Round Frame - Blockheads Paper Arts Paper: Creamy Caramel, Naturals White, Very Vanilla - SU Ink: Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip - SU; Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: vintage thread; abaca ribbon Accessories & Tools: seashell sticker, gold die cut - K & Co.; pearls - Recollections, Queen & Co.; Scalloped Tag Punch - Martha Stewart

Baby Shower Flowers

Hi!  I have had a thing lately for raining hydrangea blossoms down upon an umbrella.  I love how cute it looks, and this one is perfect for a baby shower.

Had to add my signature pearls, of course, both Liquid and hard gem versions.

I wish I had received a card like this for my baby shower 16 years ago.  I'd have had it framed, and hung it in the baby's room.  A tiny Haley and I would have looked at it every day, talking about flowers and pearls, counting the blossoms, and discussing what an umbrella is good for.

When she was a wee one, sitting in her high chair as I busily washed bottles and dishes (we had no dishwasher at the time), I'd talk non-stop to her.  I figured it would be more interesting to her as she sat captive, and she'd learn a lot in the process.  As I washed and put away spoons, forks, dishes, etc., I'd say, "Spoon.  This is a spoon, and we eat with it.  Haley eats with a spoon."  I felt sort of ridiculous saying these things, but, hey, this is how we learn, right?

I like thinking back on those days.  I recall being tired often, but things seemed much simpler then.  It was nice.  Now, I've got a teenager and one almost-teenager.  Life is...different.  Tempers flare more often.  Moods fluctuate from hour to hour.  Small annoyances become magnified.  I'm still trying to learn to parent children in this age range.  I think I aced the younger years, but the jury's out on my ability to parent through this phase!

Stamps: Large Open Umbrella - DeNami Design; Teeny Tiny Wishes - SU Paper:  Vintage Cream - PTI; Baja Breeze, Soft Sky, Pink Pirhouette, Very Vanilla - SU Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Hydrangea punch - Martha Stewart; Copic markers; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; pearls - Queen & Co.; corner rounder punch - Fiskars

Eiffel Tower for the Blushing Bride

Today's cards have oodles of details on them.  These were made for the shop, A Beautiful Touch, in Westmont, New Jersey.  I made two versions, both basically the same except for the card base color. The first features a chocolate card base:

The next card was created on a cocoa card base, so just a wee bit lighter than the one above.  You can see the gold embossing of Leafy Vine / Hero Arts better here:

Loads of details if you look closely:  pearls, Liquid Pearls, doily, fleur de lis, Eiffel Tower, and a Colleen bow made with my FAVORITE seam binding in Mottle Brown, from the Zipper Stop.

So glad you dropped by today!  Thanks!

Stamps: fleur de lis - Paris - Inspired By Stamping; Eiffel Tower - Mon Ami Paris - Technique Tuesday; Leafy Vine background - Hero Arts; sentiment - Happily Ever After - PTI Paper: Close to Cocoa, Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip - SU; Vintage Cream - PTI Ink: Crumb Cake, Close to Cocoa - SU; Antique Linen - Ranger; Versamark - Tsukineko Fibers: Mottle Brown seam binding - Hug Snug - The Zipper Stop Accessories & Tools: gold embossing powder - SU; doily die cut - Martha Stewart; pearls; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger

Believe In Fairytales

Crafty confession:  I just had to have Hero Arts' Leafy Vines background stamp after seeing it on various blogs.  If you're a stamper, you know exactly what I'm talkin' about:  the desire, the need to possess the thing you covet so.

So, I did get Leafy Vines and am completely happy with it.  It makes a fabulous background in any color, which means it is earning its keep in my craft studio.

I added a sentiment from Verve's Fairy Tales and a couple of punched-and-glittered cereal box chipboard hearts.  The white rose ribbon is from American Crafts.

This one went to the shop, and am keeping my fingers crossed it sells!

Stamps: Fairy Tales - Verve; Leafy Vine - Hero Arts Paper: kraft, white - PTI; cereal box chipboard Ink: Crumb Cake - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Fibers:

Accessories & Tools: pearls; Full Heart punch - SU; white roses ribbon - American Crafts; Crystal glitter - Martha Stewart

Texty Shower Umbrella

Happy Monday!  Today's card reminds me of a quilt, with that pretty paper from Authentique's Uncommon paper pad.

This could be used for a bridal or baby shower, with the sweet little DeNami Design Umbrella sporting a shiny coating of Glossy Accents.

Thanks so much for coming by today.  I hope you have a week full of blessings!

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes - SU; umbrella - DeNami Design Paper: patterns - Uncommon - Authentique; Vintage Cream, white - PTI Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Basic Gray - SU Fibers: thread Accessories & Tools: doilies - Wilton; pearls; sewing machine; Fancy Tags die - Spellbinders; Glossy Accents - Ranger

Pink and Black Bridal Chandelier

Welcome, and Happy Monday!  I've got a bridal shower card to share today, so let's get right to it:

This black flocked paper from Stampin' Up! (um, pretty much all the SU papers I have are retired.) still thrills me.  I love that you can touch it and it has dimension.  It makes a bold, dramatic statement, so that was my starting point.  A chandelier (Paris / Inspired By Stamping) has the same effect, so paired them together.  The sentiment, stamped in two parts, is from Papertrey Ink's Happily Ever After.

I remember in maybe 9th grade, I bought myself a pink and black peplum blouse.  Boy, I thought I looked so sophisticated!  It might have been from The Limited, back when that store was relatively new.  Whenever I needed to feel good about myself, that was the shirt I'd wear.

Thanks so much for dropping by today.  =D

Stamps: chandelier - Paris - Inspired By Stamping; Happily Ever After - PTI Paper: True Black, white - PTI; Pink Pirhouette, black flocked patterned - SU Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: flower - Prima; Fancy Tags Two die - Spellbinders; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; rhinestone - Queen & Co.

It's raining hydrangeas!

Hello!  After a period of quiet here on my blog, I'll be giving you lots to look at this week.  =D Hope that's okay with you!  I'm finally getting around to photo-editing the more than 30 cards made in the last month or so.  Sure does take time.  :-/

 Let's begin with a dainty, girly card:

This shower card went to the bridal shop, and uses one of my faves from Stampin' Up!:  Blooming With Happiness.

This chipboard frame from Maya Road - a free gift, for having a card published in CARDS magazine a while back - received a coat of white paint, then iridescent glitter.  LOVE how it turned out!  A bevy of pink hydrangea blossoms rain down upon the sweet umbrella.

The sentiment is from SU's Teeny Tiny Wishes.  Out of my entire collection of stamps, this is the only one with this exact wording.  I wish for another sentiment exactly like this, but in a larger font.  It's hard to find, though.  If you know of one, please let me know!

Thanks a bunch for your visit today!  I'll see you here again soon.  xoxo

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Blooming with Happiness - SU Paper: white - PTI; Pretty In Pink, Pink Pirhouette - SU Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; Hydrangea punch - Martha Stewart; oval punch - SU; chipboard frame - Maya Road; corner rounder punch - Fiskars; white craft paint; iridescent glitter; Copic markers