CASEing a Crafter - Baby Bokeh

It's so fun to see all the crafting inspiration out there.  My Pinterest boards provide a never-ending source of it.  I think I've got enough ideas in my head to last me the rest of my life!

Deanna of Kloset Kreations made the CUTEST bokeh-inspired baby card that I fell in love with.  I made two versions of it.

I cut white cardstock into two panels, then got my Simple Shapes set from Stampin' Up! out, along with various green inks.  On one panel, I randomly stamped one circle at a time with the ink full-strength (second card).  Then, without cleaning the stamp, I stamped the same design onto the second panel. Repeat. (top card)

The sentiment I chose is different from Deanna's.  This one is from Technique Tuesday / Ali Edwards - Sweet Baby.  I bought the set in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in an Amish furniture shop. Who knew they had a whole scrapbooking area off to one corner!

Thanks to Deanna for such adorable inspiration.  :-)  Have a great day!

Stamps: Simple Shapes - SU; Sweet Baby - Ali Edwards/Technique Tuesday Paper: white - PTI Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko; Certainly Celery, Sage Shadow, Kiwi Kiss - SU

Tick-Tock Anniversary

Hello!  I needed an anniversary card, and without too much thought, reached for this clock stamp by Inspired By Stamping's Paris set.  I like that it can look feminine or masculine, depending on how it's accessorized.

My dad gave me some Treasure Gold paste from Plaid Enterprises, long before he passed away.  He's been gone 19 years.  This stuff has a long shelf life.  ;-)  I swiped it randomly along the edges of the clock, then wiped it with a dry tissue to buff it to a shine.

An old book page became a flower with help from Flower Fusion dies by Sizzix/Stampin' Up!. After die cutting several layers' worth, I gently inked the edges, stacked them, wrinkled them a bit and added a brad. BUT: the brad was silver, which looked weird with my color scheme, so I dabbed on some of that Gold stuff to the center and buffed.  Perfect!

The dots on the oval around the sentiment were done with a fine-tipped Copic pen.

Thanks for your visit today.  Hope I've inspired you.  Happy October!

Stamps: clock - Paris - Inspired By Stamping; Daily Designs Sentiments - PTI Paper: vintage book page; kraft damask - The Paper Studio; burgundy patterns - SU; white, kraft, True Black - PTI Ink: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: skinny black ribbon - SU Accessories & Tools: oval punch - SU; circle, Ribbon Banners dies - Spellbinders; Floral Fusion dies - Sizzix/Stampin' Up!; micro pen - Copic; silver brad; smoky topaz gems - The Paper Studio; Treasure Gold paste - Plaid Enterprises

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

Hanging Leaves

Hello!  This card reminds me of a pot rack, but instead of pots, there are leaves hanging down.

I had this assortment of die cut leaves from one of those amazing $1.00 Scrap Bags from my Stampin' Up! demo (alas, they are now $2.00 -- STILL a bargain), but didn't like them in their plain form:

So I painted, inked, shimmered and distressed a bunch of them....

....and thought they'd look pretty hanging in a row together.  I actually used my sewing machine for a change (yay!) to secure a snippet of burlap and a snippet of crocheted lace, too.

Annnnnd...I'm entering this in a challenge!  City Crafter's inspiration photo this week totally reminded me of the card I made, so it was meant to be.

Thanks for dropping in today!

Stamps: Tag-Its #8 - Papertrey Ink Paper: River Rock, kraft, assorted colors - SU Ink: Frayed Burlap - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: burlap, lace snippets; vintage thread Accessories & Tools: leaves dies - SU; Victoria embossing folder - Cuttlebug; shimmer paints - Creative Inspirations; sewing machine; mini tag - SU; Treasure Gold - Plaid Enterprises

A Custom Creation: Have a purrfect day

Hi there!  Back in the summer, my 12 YO daughter was invited to her best friend's birthday party. My girl asked me to make a special card.

I LOVE custom challenges like this!  You can see some of my other custom creations here and here.

The birthday girl adores cats.  This fact gave me the purrfect (ha) chance to use my new Cat's Meow stamps and dies from Papertrey Ink.

I'm kind of new to the "coordinating dies" thing that everyone's doing these days.  Have to say I really appreciate having these dies.  Hand-trimming these stamped objects would not have been fun.

The sentiment comes with the Cat's Meow set, but I wanted my scene to have a picture hung on the wall above the cat.  Enter this pretty frame from Vintage Frames / Inspired By Stamping.  It was just the right size for the words.  I stamped it in chocolate ink, then drew on a nail and picture wire with a fine-tipped Copic marker.

I love cats, too, by the way.  Here is Cristabel, our sweetie:

She's pretty tough to photograph with all that dark fur.  I keep trying!

Stamps: Vintage Frames - Inspired By Stamping; Cat's Meow - Papertrey Ink Paper: white - PTI; hardwood strip - gift Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Chocolate Chip, Ballet Blue, Going Gray - SU Accessories & Tools: Cat's Meow dies - PTI; Copic markers

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

Using ancient embossing powder

Hello!  I hate to throw away things that might be useful.  I've got gold embossing powder from Rubber Stampede.  Have had the stuff for, oh....how long ago was my wedding?  20 years.  Yep, that was when I bought it and handcrafted our Rehearsal Party invitations, gold-embossing an ivy stamp.  Oh, I have newer Stampin' Up! gold EP, too, but I was trying to use up the old stuff first on this card, and I don't recommend it.

Not when it's 20 years old.

It doesn't shine very well, and it's completely flat; no raised, beautiful sentiment here.  In fact, you can barely see it.

At least the pennant I strung across the card has visual interest!

Stamps: Whimsical Banners - Inspired By Stamping; Think Big Favorites #5 - Papertrey Ink Paper: white - PTI; yellow leaf pattern - Carte Postale (?) - SU Ink: Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Old Olive - SU Fibers: ivory twine - American Crafts Accessories & Tools: old gold embossing powder - Rubber Stampede; chocolate pearls - Recollections

The Card Concept #20 - Boo, It's A Chandelier!

Hello!  It's time for a new challenge at The Card Concept, and for the next two weeks, it's all about Black, Orange and White.  There's also a fabulous inspiration photo (see below my card), featuring a Halloween-ish buffet.  I was inspired by SO many things in the photo!

Here's the challenge pic:

Oh, the black and white gingham tablecloth!!  Love it.  I had this bow sitting in my black ribbon bag of scraps, and it's just perfect.  And see the candelabra on the table?  I thought a Chandelier stamp (Inkadinkado) would be a great focal point, since it has candles on it, as well.

Some retired Stampin' Up! patterned paper, a BOO sentiment (Autumn Apparitions / SU) and a few rhinestones were the finishing touches on this Classy & Elegant card.  (Remember, at The Card Concept, there are 6 defined styles in which to create...C & E is my designated style.)

I'm so glad you came by for a visit.  I hope you'll join us for the challenge!  Click HERE for all the details.

Stamps: Chandeliers - Inkadinkado; 'boo' - Autumn Apparitions - Stampin' UP! Paper: True Black, white - PTI; black & orange pattern, Pumpkin Pie - SU Ink: black - Inkadinkado Fibers: black and white gingham bow (taken from some packaging) Accessories & Tools: circle punch; rhinestones

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

Pumpkin on a shelf

Hello everyone!  Today's card was made for Seize The Sketch, before it closed its doors.  Glad I still get to share this with you.  It's a great sketch, if you ask me:  it's so simple, that this card came together in no time.

The pumpkin sticker is shiny and fabulous, thanks to Jolee's Boutique.  I had a piece of espresso cardstock already punched into a border like this, and it said, "Use me."  It kind of looks like a shelf, doesn't it?  Paired it with a pretty scrap of Stampin' Up! paper, and a sentiment from Verve, and it was done.

Hope you have a wonderful week, my friends!

Stamps: Happy Fall - Verve Paper: Early Espresso, pattern - SU; Vintage Cream - PTI Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: pumpkin sticker - Jolee's Boutique; Scallop Diamond punch - EK Success

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