Can you stand a few more Father's Day cards?

Alas, I was unable to get these posted before Father's Day last weekend, so here are my stragglers.

This card base is a weird color to me.  You might think it was Soft Suede by Stampin' Up!, but it's not.  I've had it in my stash since I served on the Mark's Finest Papers team a while back.  No idea what the color is called.  There actually IS some Soft Suede on here; the larger die cut frame.  Quite a difference, huh?

Stamps: Masculine Tags, Background Basics II - Inspired By Stamping Paper: brown pattern, green pattern - Old World stack - DCWV; Soft Suede, Going Gray, kraft - SU; brown base - Mark's Finest Papers Ink: black - Rubber Stampede; Early Espresso - SU; Walnut Stain - Ranger Fibers: cotton twill, jute ribbon, vintage thread Accessories & Tools: corner rounder punch - Fiskars; brown corduroy button - SU; Bronze Distress Glitter glue - Ranger; Fancy Labels 2 die - IBS

The next one is a go-to card for Father's Day for me.  I've had it pinned almost 400 times on Pinterest, from an old post of mine from 2010.   I remade it for the shop, and added a sentiment on the front this time.

I did make several to sell, and so my hand was a-hurtin' after cutting out all those fish!  I used an old, old stamp from Bizarro.

Stamps: sentiment - Cherish - Inspired By Stamping; fish - Bizarro; Print Pattern background - SU Paper: Close to Cocoa, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Naturals, Ivory - SU Ink: Close to Cocoa - SU; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: cotton twill, twine - SU Accessories & Tools: circle punches; black fine-tipped pen

The next card was inspired by this card.  I did not want to outright CASE every detail, so I changed it up to feel more masculine and earthy.

All of the stamps are from Inspired By Stamping.  On the harlequin border, I used a new-to-me Distress Embossing Powder from Ranger.  Pity you can't really see it in the photos.  It's something with a sandy texture.

Now, I'm notorious for reading directions, er, um, not very thoroughly.  Just ask dear hubby.  So, I went about embossing this image for the first time with the Distress Embossing Powder, and I thought I was doing something wrong.  It kept crumbling off.  I thought I had not heated it enough.  Kept hitting it with the heat gun, burning my fingers and all.  Then, I checked the package, which reads "To distress, emboss image and allow to cool for a few seconds. Lightly rub embossed image with your finger or Cut n’ Dry Foam to remove the special release crystals. Some colors release more than others, so don’t worry if some rub off more or less …it’s part of the “aged” look."  (You can read the rest of the instructions here if you want.)  Ahhh!  So, I was doing it right all along! (shaking head)

I added splashes of Khaki Glimmer Mist from Tattered Angels on the card to 'mess it up' a bit, and you can see it best below:

Since my husband turned the card this way (see below) when he opened it on Father's Day, thinking this was the proper orientation, I wanted to show you what it looks like in a horizontal format.

Had I not already filled in the inside of the card, I would have just twisted that fleur-de-lis around and kept the card horizontal.  I like it better!

Stamps: father's day - Happy Occasions, wishes - Chalkboard Birthday, fleur-de-lis & harlequin border - French Country - Inspired By Stamping Paper: River Rock, Soft Suede, Basic Black, ivory - SU Ink: Versamark, Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko; Chocolate Chip - SU Fibers: chocolate twine - American Crafts Accessories & Tools: Khaki Glimmer Mist - Tattered Angels; circle punches and dies; chocolate pearl - Recollections; Corduroy Distress Embossing Powder - Ranger

Thanks so much for visiting today!  Have a wonderful weekend!

It's Pretty CAS

Yep, it's a pretty clean and simple card, as you can see.  I almost didn't show it because it is so sparse.

I had received this Verve set, Brighter Days, from winning a contest months ago, and the sweet rose and leaf stamps are a gift from a dear friend.  They are from DeNami's Solid Rose Accents.  I added a gold sequin to the rose, and a little bee sequin near the top of the sentiment.  These I raided from my children's long-neglected crafting stash.  I'm happy to oblige if they don't want their stuff anymore.  =)

Thanks a bunch for coming by today.  May YOUR days be filled with sunshine and laughter!

Stamps: Solid Rose Accents - DeNami Design; Brighter Days - Verve Paper: white - PTI Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko; Green Galore, Rose Red - SU Accessories & Tools: gold, bee sequins

Patriotic~Miltary Collection

Last week, I shared one of the patriotic / military cards I've been creating for the shop.  I've got several more to show today.  The way these came about:  an employee at Arts Plus Gallery, where I sell my cards, told me there is a need for cards geared toward our military servicemen and women.  The cards can be sent to those who are stationed away from home, or who have recently returned home from their tours.

At first, I had a hard time getting started on designs for this category.  The stamps and papers I have didn't seem well-suited.  Then, I remembered my Hero Arts set, Year Round Sentiments.  On the packaging is Operation Write Home's logo, so it's a good fit!  There's a 'welcome home' sentiment from Papertrey Ink's Boards & Beams, and starry paper from LilyBee Design's Picket Fence collection which helped me out a lot. After a couple of cards, I was in a groove.  =)

I'll let the cards speak for themselves.

Depending on how well these sell, I need to come up with more ideas.  If you have any suggestions, please let me know.  I'd love to hear 'em!

Thanks for coming by today!

Stamps: stars, 'thank my lucky stars', 'thank you' - Year Round Sentiments - Hero Arts; 'welcome home' - Boards & Beams - Papertrey Ink Paper:  stars - Picket Fence - LilyBee Design Accessories & Tools: Stripes embossing folder, tag die - SU; Clear Stacker Star dies - Wplus9; buttons; Ribbon Banners die - Spellbinders; Glossy Accents (for stars on bottom card) - Ranger

Relax & Unwind, Dad

Okay, one more card this week...and it's a Father's Day card, since this Sunday is the holiday.

I made this for one of my fathers-in-law, who lives near a beach.  When I found this fun palm-tree paper from Webster's Pages I knew it was perfect for him. Not sure which 6 x 6 paper pack it came from; they are kind of mixed up at the moment...but rest assured, it's probably discontinued.  Most of my goodies are.  Ha!

I stamped a 'relax & unwind' sentiment from Inspired By Stamping, and a 'dad' one from Lizzie Anne Designs, added some twine and presto!  It was finished.

I'm painting my front door tomorrow in a color called Universal Black by Benjamin Moore.  Who knew there could be so many shades of black paint?  It's the blackest one I could find in that brand, and can't wait to see how the door looks!

Stamps: relax & unwind - Inspiring Sentiments - Inspired By Stamping; dad - Monthly Mix May 2010 'Dream Big' - Lizzie Anne Designs Paper: Pear Pizzazz - SU; palm tree pattern - Webster's Pages

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko; green chalk ink - American Crafts Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions Accessories & Tools: corner rounder punch - Fiskars; circle punch - SU

Hello Handsome! (a military hero's card)

This is my second post today.  Please click HERE for my Card Concept Debut post.

Hello there!  I've been whipping up a batch of patriotic-style cards for Arts Plus Gallery recently.  A shop employee told me there's a demand for cards geared toward the military, i.e., to send to loved ones stationed far away, or who have just returned home to the U.S.A. from their stations.  At first, I had trouble coming up with ideas for this category of cards (red, white and blue is just not my thing), but it's getting easier.  This is my favorite card so far:

The stamp set I used is Year Round Sentiments by Hero Arts.  It includes adorable sentiments and plenty of star/stripe/heart motifs.  I used a large heart with stars on it in red, then flipped the stamp over and used the solid side to stamp the blue heart.

Ahh, the perfect sentiment for this type of card, right?

Just so happens that The Paper Players is doing a red, white and blue challenge this week, so I'll be linking up there.

I am happy you came by today!  I appreciate each and every comment left for me.  They're the little things that make my days happy.  =)

Stamps: Year Round Sentiments - Hero Arts Paper: gingham, stars - Picket Fence - LilyBee Designs; Not Quite Navy - SU Ink: Red Riding Hood, Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy - SU; Frayed Burlap - Ranger Fibers: twill; burlap Accessories & Tools: circle die - Spellbinders

Happy News! The Card Concept #12 - Nautical

I've got some wonderful news:  I am a new member on The Card Concept's Design Team!  I am filling the 'Classy & Elegant' seat there.  Huge thanks to my friend, Lesley Croghan, for inviting me aboard.  =)

The new challenge is Nautical-themed.  Isn't the inspiration photo so serene?

Searched my stash for anything with an anchor, and came up empty-handed.  Instead, I grabbed a sand dollar image from Blockheads Paper Arts.  This swirly embossing folder lends an ocean-like feel, too.

I gilded both sand dollars for a touch of fanciness, so that my card would qualify as a Classy & Elegant creation for the challenge.

That beautiful sentiment is from Stampin' Up!'s Occasional Quotes, and it's the first time I've inked it.  I'm doing pretty good in a self-challenge of using up my stuff, without buying anything new.  Of course, I've just gone and bought a new stamp set from Power Poppy...it's so hard to say no when there's so many awesome goodies out there.  Is there a 12-step program for crafters like us??

I'm so glad you came by today, and I hope you get a chance to join us at The Card Concept.  Click HERE for all the info you need.   

Stamps: sand dollar - Seashells with Round Frame - Blockheads Paper Arts; sentiment - Occasional Quotes - Stampin' Up! Paper: white, kraft - PTI; Night of Navy - SU Ink: Versamark, Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko; Walnut Stain, white chalk ink - Ranger Fibers: navy satin ribbon - Offray Accessories & Tools: pearls; gold embossing powder - SU; D'vine Swirls embossing folder - Cuttlebug; Fancy Labels Dies 2 die cut - Inspired By Stamping

Seize The Sketch #22 - Strawberries & Chocolate

Hello friends!  Time for a new sketch at Seize The Sketch!  Design team member Lori Tecler came up with a neat design that can be adapted in so many ways.  Here's my take:

So funny:  my first and second cards as a design team member here at STS both include berries!  I must be hungry.  ;-)

See the square that says "any shape"?  I used two strawberries from Papertrey Ink's Fusion Berry for my shape.  Tried to give them a sugared effect with a coating of clear fine glitter, and a few 'water drops' from Glossy Accents.

I bought some pearl-topped pins from Dritz in the sewing notions section of my local craft store, but they seemed a bit sparse here.  Pulled out my old Stampin' Up! Pretties Kit, and added another pearl and faceted bead to one pin.  Much better!

On a personal note, I'd like to enter this in my friend Darnell's first-ever challenge!  It's called NBUS, which stands for "never before used schtuff".  Don't we all have plenty of that.  (wink, wink)

Thanks so much for dropping by today!  I'm glad you're here.  Hope you get a chance to play with us!  Click HERE to link up.

Stamps: Fusion Berry - Papertrey Ink; sentiment - Fancy Sentiments - IBS Paper: Chocolate Chip, polka dot, brown damask - SU; white, kraft - PTI Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko; Riding Hood Red, Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green - SU Fibers: burgundy velvet, bronze lace - stash Accessories & Tools: Glossy Accents - Ranger; corner rounder punch - Fiskars; Pointed Flower punch - EK Success; Crystal fine glitter - Martha Stewart; pearl-topped pins - Dritz; pearl, clear faceted beads - Pretties Kit - SU

Quick Sets of Thank You Cards

Hello friends!  I'm sharing some quick, one layer thank you card sets I made recently.  My daughter turned 16 (!!) and needed these.   Man, does THAT make me feel old! ;)

In keeping with my self-challenge to use things I have, and try not to buy anything new, I pulled out an Inkadinkado set called Chandeliers for the cards above.  The sentiment is from Flourishes' Thank You set.

On the cards below, I used Practicing Creativity's Nature's Wonder, and used a stamping-off technique. Only Old Olive and Regal Rose were used, but by continuing to stamp again and again with the same dab of ink, it looks like I've got more shades of the same hue.   

Another way I've used my self-challenge:  these 3.5" x 5" card bases have been languishing in my drawer from heaven-knows-where, for who knows how long.  Finally, they've been put to use! And, best of all, they are mailable at this minimum size accepted by the US Postal Service.

I know these aren't anything all that special, but sometimes you just need flat cards to help save on postage. Thanks for taking a peek!

There's No Place Like Home

Ahh, that phrase, "There's no place like home," reminds me of The Wizard of Oz movie.  It was Haley's favorite, favorite movie when she was 3 years old.  We watched it many times a day.  =)  She had such a fascination with anything Oz-related, and even wore her very own Ruby Red Slippers every day.  Those glittery red shoes even made an appearance beneath her pretty white flower girl dress, worn in my sister's wedding.  It was adorable.  Sigh.

So where was I?  Oh, right.  About to show you some new home cards!  Yes.

I used Papertrey Ink's Boards & Beams, and that set is so much fun to play with.

The way the word "home" wound up on a punched circle was completely by accident.  That word had smudged on the first try, and so, this idea was born.  I like the new way so much better, that when I made a second card (below), I did the same thing to it.

I'm so glad you came by today.  =)  Have a beautiful day!

Stamps: Boards & Beams - Papertrey Ink Paper: blue polka dot, green/khaki pattern - SU; Vintage Cream - PTI Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Cloud 1 & 2 dies - PTI; 3/4" circle punch - SU; Copic and SU markers

Masculine Postcard Collage

Okay, one more reminder card for Seize The Sketch #21!  This sketch was SO versatile, I found myself using it without even realizing it!  After I made this card, I thought, "Hey, this looks familiar...." and so a Reminder Card was born.  =)

I turned the sketch, as you can see.

I made a collage using a bunch of different stamps (listed in the supply section at the end of this post), and I intended for this to look masculine.  Did I succeed?  I'm not so sure.

Here's a cereal-box-chipboard star...I've got a whole bunch of those, just made up and stored in a zippered plastic bag.

The piece de resistance is this sweet Susan Winget die cut bird and nest from K & Co.  I love her work.

There's still a little bit of time left to play with this sketch at STS!  Click HERE to link up.

Thanks for your visit today!

Stamps: 'postcard' - Christmas Postcard - Flourishes; bird cage, 'no. 147', bee - Nature Walk - Stampin' Up!; corner, rust colored postage - Vintage Traveler - Our Craft Lounge; kraft colored post mark - Vintage Blue - Glitz Design; 25 cents - Garden Seed Packets - Inspired By Stamping Paper: Creamy Caramel, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip - SU; Old World stack - DCWV; cereal box chipboard Ink: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko; Tea Dye, Walnut Stain - Ranger Fibers: chocolate brown grosgrain ribbon Accessories & Tools: corner rounder punch, star punch - Fiskars; bird/nest die cut strip (trimmed) - Susan Winget's Botanicals - K & Co.; Crystal fine glitter - Martha Stewart

A Happy Bluebird

It feels good to finally get around to inking some stamps received long ago.  Owl Be Thinking Of You from The Craft's Meow was an incentive set for me, after I'd had a card published using their stamps.  This set has been in my stash for a few years now, and, well, here is its debut on my blog!

I made this for a dear friend's birthday several months ago.

The sentiment is from an {old} Close To My Heart set, Flower Pot.  A friend gave me that set, when she was paring down her stash.  It's really cute, and I'm glad I hung on to it - even after paring down my own stash a year ago.

Thanks so much for coming by today!  I love when you visit.

Stamps: sentiment - Flower Pot - Close To My Heart; tree, bird, birdhouse - Owl Be Thinking Of You - The Craft's Meow Paper: blue and green patterns - SU; white - PTI Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions Accessories & Tools: pink gem - Queen & Co.; Copic markers

Seize The Sketch #21 reminder - Yum Yum!

Did you have a nice weekend?  We enjoyed some pleasant weather, ate our dinners outside, and worked around the house.  I also went to the gym:  my fourth visit since last year's foot surgery.  Yay!  Time to shed the pounds that have crept back on.  :/

I had time to craft, too, and made a reminder card for the current Seize The Sketch challenge.  I used this cute image from a friend.  She stamped a bunch of different things on little cardstock bits and mailed them to me.  This My Favorite Things image is called Hello, Cupcake.  My 15 YO thinks the little girl looks scary.  LOL

Our current sketch:

As a cherry on top of the cupcake, I used a new-to-me Twinkle Goosebump by Queen & Co.  Looks delish, doesn't it?

And down at the bottom of the card, I used a stamp from Too Terrific Tags (Stampin' Up!) that has never seen ink.  Check out what I did with the little girl's dress too:  after coloring it with shades of blue-green Copic markers, I used a Colorless Blender to create a little scallop-and-dot pattern.  Sweet!

I hope you get a chance to play along.  Just click HERE for all the details!

Stamps: Hello Cupcake - My Favorite Things; Too Terrific Tags - SU Paper: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Cool Caribbean (?), Ruby Red, polka dot pattern - SU; white - PTI Ink: Close To Cocoa - SU Fibers: chocolate brown twine - American Crafts Accessories & Tools: small, large Tag punches - SU; blue rhinestones, red Twinkle Goosebump - Queen & Co.