Flower Window

Welcome!  It occurs to me that I've posted bright, clean, happy cards this week, and they look like summer.  Though I am surely in the minority, I do like winter.  Four seasons is a good thing in my book.  But this week...maybe I'm tired of looking at the grey skies and need some color!

This card is hard to photograph.  The stamped frame (details at end of post) has two strips of clear acetate-and-flower die cut borders adhered behind it.  These strips were from the Martha Stewart line, and they've been in our house a while.  I just did an internet search for these and did not come up with anything; sorry!

The sentiment is from Power Poppy and pretty much sums up what a birthday is all about.

Thanks a bunch for dropping by today!

Stamps: frame - A Lovely Birthday - Inspired By Stamping; sentiment - Dynamic Duos: Peonies and Tulips - Power Poppy Paper: Apricot Appeal, apricot pattern - Stampin' Up!; white - Papertrey Ink Ink: Rose Red - SU; Onyx - Versafine - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: rhinestones - Queen & Co.; clear border floral strips - Martha Stewart

Row, row, row your boat

Hi!  Somewhere in Blogland, I saw a card that featured a tiny boat inside a jar, turned on its side.  I thought it was so clever, and wanted to give it a try:

I used a retired The Craft's Meow set, It's A Shore Thing, for the boat and water droplets.  The jar is from Inspired By Stamping, and the sentiment is Hero Arts (all details are in the supply list at the end of this post).  After the water drops were stamped, I added some Glossy Accents to make 'em shiny.  A twine bow adds another nautical touch.

Clean and simple, that's for sure.  This card kind of reminds me of my friend, Amy.  She LOVES jars on her cards.  =)

Stamps: sentiment - Essential Messages - Hero Arts; jar - Mason Jar - Inspired By Stamping; boat, water droplets - It's A Shore Thing - The Craft's Meow Ink: Baja Breeze - SU; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions Accessories & Tools: Copic markers; Glossy Accents - Ranger

Little Grass Skirt

Hello everyone!  I want to give a shout-out to my Boston-area readers...you guys got 5.5 feet of snow already this season??  Holy guacamole!  That's just unbelievable.  Seems like that region is taking the brunt of the storms that have come up along the East Coast, pretty much bypassing our area in New Jersey.  (thank you!)

Here is a very un-winter-like card to share today:

I used some marvelous scraps to construct this:  stamped flower-with-sentiment, pink die cut flower, fringed green panel, snippet of green ribbon.  I added sprigs of greenery, and gems.  Boy, that was easy!

I'm getting a bit better at juggling work/family/card-making.  Obviously, priorities have to shift in order to accommodate it all.  I make time for prayer, and one of my prayers is for help prioritizing everything in my life. 

Thanks so much for coming by today! 

Stamps: Flower Patch - Stampin' Up! Paper: Pink Passion, Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Old Olive, white - Stampin' Up! Ink: Melon Mambo - SU Fibers: Pear Pizzazz ribbon - SU Accessories & Tools: Rock Fern punch - Martha Stewart; pink gems - Queen & Co.; flower punch - SU

Hills of snow...made of words

Hello there.  :-)  Back before Christmas, I had a thought:  what if I made a snowy scene from an old book page?

Snowflakes were added, as well as some teeny little sentiments from Papertrey Ink's Tag-Its #8.

I already had the Patterned Pines trees stamped and trimmed from a previous project, so they were included in the mix.  Topaz-colored gemstones decorate them.

It *is* rather dirty looking snow, though, isn't it?  Ha ha!

Stamps: Patterned Pines - Stampin' Up!; star - O Christmas Tree - JustRite; snowflakes, sentiments - Tag-Its #8 - Papertrey Ink Paper: vintage book page; kraft, Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink; white Ink: Chocolate Chip, Handsome Hunter - SU; Antique Linen, Walnut Stain - Ranger Fibers: gold twine - SU; chocolate twine - American Crafts Accessories & Tools: topaz rhinestones - Queen & Co; gold sheer paint - Martha Stewart; Tiny Tags dies - Papertrey Ink

Wonder and Peace

Hello!  Yes, it's a Christmas card again.  I'm still sharing from before this past holiday.

The sentiment panel came from a scrap bag, and though I know it's a Stampin' Up! stamp, I do not know which set.  I added it to some pretty patterned paper, threw on a few snowflakes (topped with glitter glue -- barely visible in the photo, and gems).

That's it!  It was a relatively quick card to make.  Gotta love those.  ;-)

Stamps: sentiment - Stampin' Up! (no idea which set!) Paper: Purely Pomegranate, River Rock, white - SU; pattern - Holiday Traditions - Me and My Big Ideas Accessories & Tools: Arctic Snowflake punch - Martha Stewart; Decorative Label punch - Stampin' Up!; rhinestones - Queen & Co.; silver pen?; iridescent glitter glue / Stickles - Ranger 

Ooo la la, Mr. & Mrs.

Hi.  :-)  I have a thing for Eiffel Tower images.  I hear you saying, "Yea, we know!" ;-)  Love to use it for wedding-themed cards for some reason; maybe because Paris is known as the City of Love & Lights.

I stamped the image (from Mon Ami Paris by Technique Tuesday) in cocoa, and then found some pretty papers to coordinate, beginning with Pink Paislee's damask design from their Sweetness collection.  Leafy Vine from Hero Arts was first stamped in chocolate off one corner, but that didn't show up very well, so out came the gold embossing powder.  Added some gold sequins to match, but, geez, the camera makes them look bright yellow!

“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a movable feast.”

 ~ Ernest Hemingway

Stamps: Leafy Vine - Hero Arts; Eiffel Tower - Mon Ami Paris - Technique Tuesday; sentiment - All Holidays - Stampin' Up! Paper: Soft Sky - SU; chocolate and blue damask - Sweetness - Pink Paislee Ink: watermark - Versamark - Tsukineko; Close to Cocoa - SU; black Fibers: brown satin ribbon - Martha Stewart Accessories & Tools: gold embossing powder - SU; gold sequins; Mini Wavy Pennants die - My Favorite Things 

Growing Hearts

Welcome!  I'm growing some hearts today in a garden of pink, red and green.

I used more wonderful scraps from those $1.00 (well, now $2.00) scrap bags from my Stampin' Up! demonstrator, Gail Murray.  I found pretty hearts, even some that were embossed, as well as a leafy branch to 'grow' them on.

I planted it in crochet lace 'soil', and a mixture of patterned papers.  Some sparkling sequins from Pretty Pink Posh were added as 'dew drops'.

I think this could serve as a Valentine's Day card, but maybe a 'just because I love you' occasion too.

Thanks so much for coming by!

Stamps: Small Phrases - Verve Paper: Pistachio, Certainly Celery, Real Red, red pattern, taupe floral - Stampin' Up!; pink rose pattern - Authentique? Fibers: crochet lace - Hero Arts Accessories & Tools: Full Heart, small heart, Word Window punches, leaf die - SU; Sparkling Clear sequins - Pretty Pink Posh; embossing folders

Golden Ornament

Hi there!  Thanks for coming by today.  I've got a Christmas card to share, that I hadn't time to show before the actual holiday in 2014.  Hey, I'm early for 2015!

This is definitely a clean and simple design, making good use of patterned paper, but I've jazzed it up by doing this:

• Add a strip of houndstooth patterned paper at the top
• Stamp and trim a branch to 'hang' an ornament from; add glitter glue to the branch
• Gold-emboss a sentiment
• Add thin gold cord to a punched, gold-embossed ornament (don't know the name of the stamp set this came from, as it was in a $1.00 Scrap Bag from my Stampin' Up! demonstrator)

Thanks SO much for dropping in today.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Stamps: Christmas Greetings - Inspired By Stamping; branch - All That Glitters - Flourishes; ornament - Stampin' Up! Paper: patterns - Holiday Traditions - Me and My Big Ideas Ink: watermark ink - Versamark - Tsukineko; Always Artichoke - SU Fibers: thin gold cord Accessories & Tools: gold embossing powder - SU; iridescent Stickles - Ranger; Ornament Punch - Stampin' Up!

Silver Wedding Rings

Hi. :-)  I looooove an all-white card, don't you?  But, with all that whiteness, you need some texture to make it extra appealing.

The details that bring this to the next level (all supplies listed at the end of this post):

• a 'busy' embossed background
• a lacy, filigree heart die cut
• a wedding ring die cut, with the ring portion embossed in silver (I used a Versamark marker to get only that section covered)
• one rhinestone gem

I am so glad you popped in today.  Hope you like the card!  Be blessed.

Paper: white - Papertrey Ink Ink: watermark - Versamark Marker - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Lacy Brocade embossing folder - Stampin' Up!; Precious Wedding Rings die - Memory Box; Large Doily Heart die - Simon Says Stamp; rhinestone - Queen & Co.

Overjoyed for You

Hello!  Ever have a song of joy and gratitude in your heart, and when you make your art, it shows? The day I made this card -- and then the day I wrote the post about it, which were months apart -- reflect the joy in my heart at those times.

I had just received a juicy ol' bag of scraps from my Stampin' Up! demonstrator, and it included this fringe-y strip of cardstock, and some butterflies, and a few flowers.  I threw them together and it ended in this happy card.

The pink butterfly had been white, with a strip of floral washi tape on it.  I customized it by running a pink Copic marker over the white parts, to tie in with the flower below.

Had to add some pearls too, 'cause I just think they make nearly everything better!

“Joy is the serious business of Heaven.” ~ C. S. Lewis

Thank you SO much for visiting today!  May peace and joy be yours.

Stamps: Purely Sentimental - Verve; flower, butterfly - Stampin' Up! Paper: cardstock and patterns - SU Accessories & Tools: 5 Petal Flower, butterfly, small flower punches - SU; pearls; washi tape; pink Copic marker 

Loving lavender!

Welcome!  It's no secret that I love purple, if you've followed my posts for some time.  I don't always reach for it in crafting, but when I do, I get a little thrill.

I found a card with this sketch in one of my older issues of Papercrafts Magazine, and earmarked it. It's simple in design, but those two rounded corners give so much more interest.  All supplies used are at the end of the post, but I want to point out the sentiment:  it's from Verve's Joy For The Journey.

I love this sentiment!

Stamps: Joy for the Journey - Verve Paper: Pale Plum; Wild Wasabi - Stampin' Up!; white - Papertrey Ink; damask - Luxury Stack - DCWV Fibers: lace Accessories & Tools: assorted roses - iamroses.com; Branch With Leaves die - Sizzix; corner rounder punch - Fiskars

Bada Bling!

Hey there!  Thanks so much for the supportive comments from my last post, regarding balancing work and family time and "me" time (aka, crafty time).  I had to laugh at this one:

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

My time is at 3:30 in the morning! That's when I get everything done! LOL!! People say I am crazy (probably true! HA!) ... but it's the only time the whole house is asleep and there is QUIET for me! So it works! :) I love love love your card! LOVING the pearls!!!!!

Julie, you are too funny!  I WISH I could do that, but boy do I ever need my sleep.  If I don't get enough of that, I'm a little cranky.  ;-)

I'm sharing a bit of bling today, for a card that can be used for engagement, wedding or anniversary.

I had delivered this one to A Beautiful Touch a couple of months ago.  It was easy enough to make:  two circles, one die cut in white (to match the background) and one die cut in silver mirror cardstock.  Got mine from WorldWin, but I'm sure there are other sources available.  The sentiment is from Verve's Love Story.

Thank you, too, for the comments with regard to my frequency of posting.  I used to post nearly every day (which is probably too much for some folks), so this new routine/schedule feels strange to me, like I am lacking in some way.  I realize though, that it is 'quality' versus 'quantity', and I am okay with that.

Stamps: Love Story - Verve Paper: white, True Black - Papertrey Ink; silver mirror - WorldWin Accessories & Tools: circle dies - Spellbinders; rhinestones - Queen & Co.

Pale Blue Engagement



Hello there!  Got a little pale blue engagement card to share today.

I made an all-white focal point by using some die-cut splendor:  Romantic Rectangles and Fantastic Flourish One from Spellbinders, topped with pearls and a silver-embossed Papertrey Ink sentiment.

I delivered this one to A Beautiful Touch a couple of months ago (maybe more?), and I hope it sold.  :-)

Well, I'm crying "uncle":  it's hard working many hours, and trying to balance family and "me" time. You got me.  I don't know how many crafter/bloggers juggle full time work, and then sit on many design teams (and therefore post often), and still have kids at home.  Wish I had their secret! I suppose maybe if I didn't go to bed so early...but hey, a gal needs her sleep, right?  I ain't givin' that up!

Thanks so much for dropping by today.  It means a lot to me!

Stamps: Propose a Toast - Papertrey Ink Paper: white - PTI; Pool Party - SU Ink: Versamark - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: pearls; silver embossing powder; Fantastic Flourish One, Romantic Rectangle dies - Spellbinders; Regal Flourishes embossing folder - Sizzix/Tim Holtz

Thinking of you today

Hello!  As I type this, it's Monday, and the first business day of the new year.  Over the long weekend, I immersed myself in card-making.  It felt SO good.  My hours are now occupied with a job, which leaves less time for crafting.  So...that long weekend...yeah.  It was glorious.   

I cut into a Webster's Pages patterned paper, and I love the mix of images right there on one sheet:  honeycomb, ivory frilly frames, cheetah spots, flowers.  All I did was add a bow and pearls, a sentiment from a new Papertrey Ink set, "A Cheerful Heart", and some pretty K & Co. die cuts.

I'll be back soon to share more fruits of my crafting labors.  Thanks for stopping in to see this one today!

Stamps: A Cheerful Heart - Papertrey Ink Paper: kraft - PTI; pattern - Webster's Pages Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions Accessories & Tools: pearls; rose die cuts - K & Co.

Thanking our Creator

Hello there.  :-)

You know that saying about taking time to stop and smell the roses?  I've decided that is how I want to live my days, focusing more on the beauty and blessings that surround me, and away from the never-ending to-do list that weighs me down.

The inspiration for today's card is based on the beauty of nature, and gratitude to our Creator for giving it so freely to us.  I started with a piece of masked, spritzed paper (see THIS post for the 'tool' used to achieve the look), and stamped random leaves on it (With Gratitude / Stampin' Up!).

A wood grain embossing folder (Sizzix/Tim Holtz) seemed perfect with the natural theme, and a simple but powerful sentiment ties it all together (Joy For The Journey / Verve).

Thank YOU for coming to visit me today!  I truly appreciate the time out of your busy schedule.

Stamps: With Gratitude - SU; Joy for the Journey - Verve Paper: kraft, white, True Black - Papertrey Ink Ink: Lettuce ink spray - Ranger; black - Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: black twine - Creative Impressions Accessories & Tools: brown corduroy button, oval punch - SU; plastic netting; Copic markers; Woodgrain embossing folder - Sizzix/Tim Holtz

Happy New Year!

Happy 2015, everybody!  Did you stay awake 'til midnight to ring in the new year?  Or maybe you fall asleep well before then, as I sometimes do.  hee hee  Older I get, harder it is to make it past 9:30 or 10!

For the first time ever, I did not get any Christmas cards mailed out -- either store-bought or handmade.  Life was too full!  Luckily, mailing out New Year's cards IS a thing now, so I'm trendy.  :-)  I took inspiration from my friend Virginia, and mass-produced these as our New Year's cards:

I like Virginia's version much, much better...but I needed to make over 30 of these, so some of the pretty design elements had to go.  Ah well.  I am still pleased with how they came out.

Wishing you a fabulous new year, my friends!    

Paper: Night of Navy - SU; white glitter paper - Colorbok Accessories & Tools: turquoise glitter, Alpine & Himalayan snowflake punches - Martha Stewart; silver sequins; Snowflake punch - Stampin' Up!