XOXO

I'm still making a few Valentines here.  Last night I whipped up a few of these (going against my usual 'one only of each design' creed), because they are so easy.

I found some red embossed cardstock in one of those $1.00 scrap bags I used to buy.  I punched some hearts out of it, and added green leaf ribbon that I won eons ago from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  A little 'xoxo' sentiment from Hero Arts and that was it!

You'll think I'm kooky, but I could not decide which picture to place in the post, so I included both!  The top one has a cooler temp, and the bottom one is warmer.  I played with the color tools on my photo-editing software, GIMP (it's free), and achieved both filters that way.  Which do you prefer?

I'm entering at Addicted To CAS:  'LOVE'

and the Ribbon Reel's last challenge (oh no!), 'Be My Valentine.'  Inspiration photo:

And though it might be a long shot, I'm taking a chance at Less Is More too.  This week it's One Layer, Anything Goes.  Is my heart a layer?  Or just an embellishment?  Hmmm.  Not sure what the judges will think!

Stamps: Everyday Sayings - Hero Arts Paper: white - PTI; Real Red Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Fibers: green leaf ribbon - Really Reasonable Ribbon Accessories & Tools: corner rounder punch - Fiskars; Petals A Plenty embossing folder, Full Heart punch - SU

Toasted Love

It's almost Valentine's Day, and so the perfect time to share this love card that didn't make it into a magazine.

All the images and sentiments are from Lawn Fawn's Love 'N Breakfast.  Cute, cute, cute!  I love that company's stamps.

Lots of paper piecing was done here.  Even the toast has a subtle pattern.

Thanks for visiting!  Have a wonderful day.   :-)

Stamps: Love 'N Breakfast - Lawn Fawn Paper: white - PTI; assorted patterns - K & Co. Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Copic markers; corner punch - SU

A Lifting Valentine

This is a Valentine of a different sort, I suppose:  no typical Valentine's Day sentiments to be found on this card.  It's rather a combination of the holiday, and one of gratitude to a friend who always lifts my spirits.

Inspiration for this card comes from the Verve February Diva Dare challenge - 'Perk Up', combined with the Viva La Verve Sketch and Color Challenge - Week 1 of February.  

The sentiment is from Verve's Brighter Days - lo-ov-ing this set.   The way the fonts are arranged, and that each phrase is vertical, is refreshing.

It's rare that I like to gab on the phone (might be the introvert in me), but with this particular friend, it's easy. I'm always uplifted, and leave the conversation with a lighter heart.  Hoping this different kind of Valentine will 'perk up' her day.

I used some polka-dotted clouds from Inspired By Stamping / The Sky's The Limit, and touched the dots with Glossy Accents.

I heard some rain and snow were expected in some areas on the West Coast of the US.  Hallelujah!  That makes me SO happy.  The droughts have been just terrible, and I prayed that rain would be sent their way. Love it when prayers are answered.  :-)

Stamps: Brighter Days - Verve; The Sky's The Limit (clouds) - IBS Paper: white - PTI; patterns - Lovely - Authentique; Basic Gray - SU Ink: Antique Linen, Pumice Stone - Ranger; Pink Pirhouette, Going Gray - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Fibers: pink ribbon - Stamp Simply Ribbon Store Accessories & Tools: White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; Petite Ovals Large, Fancy Tags Three dies - Spellbinders; pearls - Queen & Co.

Turning Flowers Into Shamrocks

This clean-and-simple shamrock card is part of the Bridal Collection that I delivered to A Beautiful Touch last month (you can see a portion of the collection here). The shop owner asked for cards that center on an Irish theme, and I knew just what to create.  Or rather, re-create.

The design may look familiar to some of you:  in my post from 2012, I shared the simple process of turning flower petals into shimmering shamrocks.  (So easy!  Paper flower petals, some shimmering paint, and pearls are all you need.)  Though I rarely duplicate cards, this one is sweet enough to do over a couple of times.  ;-)

Love, love, love the Verve set, Blessings.  The Irish sentiments in it really capture my {Irish} heart, and go so well with my flowers-turned-shamrocks.

The stems were drawn with a finely-tipped Copic pen, and a tiny twine bow was added.

I'm entering this in Verve's Floral Fantasy Diva Inspirations February Challenge.  You need to use at least one flower on your creation.  Here's the inspo pic, though you don't need to follow the colors in it to play:

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  We've got nothing special planned, but I love times like that.  I'm a putterer, as my father was, and enjoy the process of finding things to do around the house very rewarding.  Probably, I'll end up in the craft studio for a bit.  Probably.  :-)

Stamps: Blessings - Verve Paper: white - PTI Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions Accessories & Tools: corner rounder punch - Fiskars; fine-tip marker - Copic; paper flower petals - Prima; Emerald Shimmer paint - Creative Inspirations Paints; pearls - Queen & Co.

Hello, Thinking of you!

This is my second post for today.  Please click HERE for 'Hope In A Jar.'

I'm back again today, and would've saved it for later, but I'm playing in some Wplus9 challenges and one closes very soon.

I'm new to the Wplus9 challenges.  It feels good to participate!  I've wrapped two-into-one, and I hope that's okay with owner Dawn.  :-)

I've got their Birthday Celebration Week 1 challenge, which is "Comfort Zone," as in, create within your own comfort zone.  Those of you who follow my blog know this is right in my zone!  I've got pearls, a doily, lacy things, and a very feminine feel.  Ahhhh.

This entry also goes into Wplus9's Monday Mood Board.  Look at this pretty assortment of things to be inspired by:

I used nearly everything in the photo:  kraft card base, pink paper flowers, 'hello' (mine is a Memory Box die), petite pink flowered paper, pearls, a doily, lace.  My heart is singing!

One more challenge to enter:  The Card Concept -- Monochromatic Pink.  I hope this counts.  I've used neutrals plus pinks, including that deep raspberry pinkish red for the 'hello' die.  I'd classify this card as Shabby Chic, since we need to choose a design style for this challenge.

The pale pink stamped doily and sentiment are from Mehndi Medallions, one of those sets I just adore.

Papers came from Authentique's 'Lovely' collection, and the lace came from a generous friend.  :-)

Thank you SO much for the lovely comments you leave.  They make my day!  Take care, and be well.

Stamps: Mehndi Medallions - Wplus9 Paper: kraft, white - PTI; Blush Blossom - SU; patterns - Lovely - Authentique Ink: Pink Pirhouette - SU; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain - Ranger Fibers: lace Accessories & Tools: circle die - Spellbinders; pearls - Recollections, Queen & Co.; doily - Wilton; flowers - IBS; 'Hello' die - Memory Box

Hope in a Jar

I made this encouragement card for the shop back in November 2013, and it's fiiiiiinally making its way here onto my blog.

I used all Inspired By Stamping products here:  Mason Jar for the jar (duh) and banner, Elegant Flowers for the rose, and Beautiful Iris for the sentiment.

I'm hoping this card made its way into the hands of someone very deserving, who truly needs some encouragement to get through a difficult time in life.

Thank you so much for your visit today.  It means a lot to me.  :-)

Stamps: Mason Jar, Beautiful Iris (sentiment), Elegant Flowers (rose) - Inspired By Stamping Paper: white - PTI Ink: Pink Pirhouette - SU; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: pearl - Queen & Co; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; Copic markers; corner rounder punch - Fiskars

Viva La Verve - January Sketch #5

This is my second post today!  Please click here for 'Pink Socks For Valentine's Day.'

Well, look at that!  I did manage to complete another Viva La Verve January challenge (#5) after all!  In between jobs today, I quickly made this:

I used some new-to-me papers and die cuts from Kaisercraft called Lady Rose - a generous gift from a friend.  :-D  The Verve sentiment is called Galatians 6:9.  Sometimes I need this verse.  Keeps me in check, keeps me on course.

The kids had a snow day yesterday, went back to school today, and tonight we're expecting more snow. The weather forecasters see another storm heading our way this weekend.  Wow, what a winter we're having!

Stamps: Galatians 6:9 - Verve Paper: Naturals White, Chocolate Chip - SU; patterns - - Lady Rose - Kaisercraft Ink: Early Espresso - SU; Walnut Stain - Ranger Fibers: crochet tape - IBS Accessories & Tools: floral, butterfly die cuts - Lady Rose - Kaisercraft; pearls - Queen & Co.; corner rounder punch - Fiskars

Pink Socks for Valentine's Day

Hello!  Here's a Valentine card that was sent to the shop a couple of weeks ago.  Isn't it cute?  I love the red and pink together on a natural, rustic card base.

I've got a 'Colleen Bow' here in a new-to-me shade of seam binding called Ash Pink.  It was a Christmas gift and it just keeps on giving and giving, since each roll contains 100-yards (under $10!).  And those precious little socks from Lawn Fawn's My Silly Valentine.  Love this set at this time of year.

All patterned papers are Stampin' Up! scraps (yay, getting the pile to go down!), and the buttons are from my stash.

Using the same stamp set, and the same color palette, I created another Valentine, but it's not my fave:

The pink 'envelope' was created with a tag I found in a $1 scrap bag a while back.  It's such a large tag, I wasn't sure how to use it until now.  Just folded up the bottom and created a little pocket for the chipboard-glittered-hearts to pop out of.

Thanks so much for your visit today!  :-)

Stamps: My Silly Valentine - Lawn Fawn Paper: Naturals White, all patterns - SU Ink: Real Red - SU; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: Ash Pink seam binding - Hug Snug; vintage thread Accessories & Tools: buttons; pink marker - SU; Copic markers; white die cut - Martha Stewart 

Love & Valentines EAD Designs Blog Hop

Hello everyone!  Welcome!  Today is special.  :-)  There's a group of us that are EAD Designs fans so we decided to inspire each other to use our goodies!  For those of you that don't remember, EAD Designs created vinyl stickers and rub-ons.  Awesome products but the company closed up shop over a year ago.

What all of our projects will have in common is that we are all using EAD Goodies and our challenge is:

Love & Valentines

Here's how it inspired me:

I built my card around the hot pink EAD sentiment, which I placed on a strip of vellum. A piece of retired Stampin' Up! patterned paper gave me my color scheme.  

There is blog candy hidden along the way!  The more you leave comments on the blogs that are participating, the more chances you have to win!

Commenting open until Saturday, February 8th at 11:59 pm pacific

winners posted on Amy's blog on Monday, February 10th

Have fun hoppin'!

Amy  

Colleen - you are here!

Julie Smith

Julie Tucker-Wolek

June

Katie Brooks

Lauren Bergold  

Rose

Stephanie 

Wendi 

Huge thanks to Amy for inviting me to participate in this hop, and sending me some EAD goodies to play with.  :)

ETA:  I'm entering this in Simon Says Stamp's 'Love Notes' challenge, and their 'Twine or String' challenge.

Thanks for your visit today.  Hope you win some blog candy!

Paper: Pink Passion, Chocolate Chip, pattern - SU; vellum  Fibers: Early Espresso satin ribbon - SU Accessories & Tools: EAD Designs sentiment sticker; glittered chipboard hearts - Recollections; corner rounder punch - Fiskars; pink gems - Queen & Co.

A Big Valentine Parade

One thing I love about winter:  a gal can spend oodles of time indoors crafting, without too much guilt.  No gardening to do, no pool to vacuum and skim, no plants to water.  :o)

And so, I've been holed up in the craft studio a lot.  Here are a bunch of Valentine cards to share as a result:

See that faceted gem nestled in the cluster?  I stumbled upon a few packages left at Michael's the other day, and they were only 79 cents on clearance!  I took whatever they had left.  They are so pretty!

Stamps: A Lovely Birthday - Inspired By Stamping Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, floral pattern - SU Ink: Real Red - SU; Vintage Pink - Prima; Antique Linen - Ranger Fibers: Ash Pink seam binding - Hug Snug / Zipper Stop; pom pom trip - Darice Accessories & Tools: faceted gem - Recollections; corner rounder punch - Fiskars; Fancy Tags Two die - Spellbinders; Copic marker; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger

This next card -- very clean and simple in design -- is for my mom.  She LOVES black and white, and all things crisp and modern (remember the black frame and wreath gift I made for her?  Last one in the post.)  The heart was punched from a Philosophy bubble bath package.  Though the camera didn't capture it, there are polka dots embossed on it.  I could not get a good shot of that.  I added some red Liquid Pearls around the perimeter.  The Hero Arts sentiment was stamped a couple of times in a row.  The relative flatness of this card makes it cheaper to mail to Mom.

Stamps: Everyday Sayings - Hero Arts Paper: Basic Black, Houndstooth - SU; white - PTI; red packaging Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Ruby Red Liquid Pearls - Ranger; Full Heart punch - SU

Love how this next one turned out.  The soothing natural tones paired with deep red make my heart go pitter patter.  I used an older Stampin' Up! set, A Happy Heart.

After stamping the large font-filled heart, I layered on some punched hearts, popping up only the center one.

Pearls and lace -- aaaah!

ETA:  I'm entering the above card at Fusion Challenge.  Thanks to my friend Sindhu for letting me know that my card would fit nicely in the challenge. :-)

Stamps: A Happy Heart - SU Paper: Confetti Naturals, patterns - SU Ink: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler - SU Fibers: crochet trim - Hero Arts Accessories & Tools: corner rounder punch - Fiskars; Heart to Heart punch - SU; pearls - Queen & Co., Recollections

After stamping Bella Toile background (SU) on a red card base, I did not want to cover it up too much.

I made the ribbon rosette by using gathered lace, some white thread and a loose stitch along the edge.  After I pulled the thread, it gathered nicely into this little adornment.  Some Verve Small Phrases sentiments tucked under the glittered chipboard hearts will remind my daughter that she is special to us.

Stamps: Small Phrases - Verve; Bella Toile - SU Paper: Real Red, Whisper White - SU Ink: white - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: white seam binding - Hug Snug / Zipper Stop; white gathered lace Accessories & Tools: glittered chipboard hearts - Recollections; gold/pearl brad - Bride's / Michaels

Before I go, I want to answer a question that I received on my Bridal Collection post:

Paulette Manion has left a new comment on your post "The Bridal Collection - Part 1": 

Elegance personified! You're sure to wow all visitors to the shop! I am curious: How do these loaded cards fit into an envelope or are they presented another way? 

Yes, making loaded cards does pose a challenge for packaging.  Instead of the standard A2-size envelope, which fits a slim 4.25" x 5.5" card, I use an A6-size envelope.  It measures 4.75" x 6.5".  I count on these larger envelopes for mailing my 'fatter' cards.  I bought mine in bulk from Mark's Finest Papers - A Heinrich Co. a while back, but I could not find this size in their store as I write this post.  Plenty of other sites carry the envelopes, though.  Just search "A6 envelopes" in a browser, and you'll get a boatload of options.

So glad you were able to stay for a little visit.  I hope you have a wonderful day!

K & Co. to the Rescue

You all know how much I love K & Co. accents, right?  I collect so many of their die cuts and stickers because they're so beautiful.  They really help me jazz up a card in no time.  These two cards were made as a set, which I gave as a gift to my stepmom for Christmas.

The vintage-look die cuts came from a K & Co. pack, the name of which escapes me.  I added a couple of light orange gems, half of a punched flower, and a bit of burlap.  The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's Think Big Favorites #16.

The dimensional bird sticker was added to an ivory scrap to frame it better, and then added (what else?) pearls because I love them so!  All papers are by Stampin' Up!  The greeting below is from IBS's Happy Occasion Sentiments.  There was an exclamation point on the end of the stamp's phrase, but I'm not keen on using those on my cards.  It feels like I'm shouting at the recipient.  So, I just trimmed it off.  I won't miss it.  ;-)

I'm so glad you dropped by today.  :-D

Stamps: Think Big Favorites #16 - PTI; Happy Occasions Sentiments - IBS Paper: Very Vanilla, Barely Banana, Whisper White, Cajun Craze (or Really Rust?) patterned papers - SU Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Fibers: burlap; white seam binding - Hug Snug Accessories & Tools: light orange gems - Recollections; Deco Fan border, flower punch - Martha Stewart; pearls - Queen & Co.; K & Co. die cuts and sticker