Sweet Peas

For all you Sweet Peas out there...

My oldest daughter has always been our Sweet Pea.  When Flourishes came out (years ago) with the Sweet Pea stamp set, I had to have it.  The main image in the set is pretty large, and therefore, takes time to color, so I don't always have time to play with it.  But for my girl's summer birthday, I made time to color up some pretty pink blossoms.

I trimmed a 4.25" x 5.5" inch card down a bit to accommodate the sweet pea panel, so that the panel is flush with the sides of the card base.  I added some pretty die cuts at the top and bottom using a Fancy Tags Three die from Spellbinders, then popped it all up on foam dimensionals.

The only other adornments:  a stamped sentiment from the set, and sparkly sequins from Pretty Pink Posh. 

This card was a hit with my kiddo, and she hung it on her bedroom wall, so I know it passed muster!

Stamps: Sweet Peas - Flourishes Paper: white - Papertrey Ink Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Sparkling Clear sequins - Pretty Pink Posh; Copic markers; Fancy Tags Three die - Spellbinders; corner rounder punch - Fiskars

Masculine Workbench Scene

Welcome to someone's workbench!

My dad would have LOVED this Father's Day card! And I certainly enjoyed creating it. Scenes are FUN to put together. These Pegboard and Workshop Tools dies from Our Daily Bread Designs are really cute and easy to work with. For most of the tools, I die-cut them from both black and light tan cardstock, then trimmed and assembled.

The patterned paper couldn't be more perfect. It's from American Crafts' Do It Yourself (how appropriate!) 6 x 6 paper pad.

The tiny nail, nut, screw and some other doohickeys (can you tell I'm not all that familiar with home-repair?) are all die-cut from silver mirrored cardstock, and set upon the 'workbench'. 

It's one of my favorite creations ever. :-)
Thanks for taking a peek today!

Stamps: sentiment - Tiny Tags - Papertrey Ink Paper: Creamy Caramel, Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Rustic White - Stampin' Up!; patterns - Do It Yourself - American Crafts; silver mirror - WorldWin; white cardstock - Papertrey Ink Fibers: hemp twine - Hemptique Accessories & Tools: ticket punch - Photo Labels punch - EK Success; Workshop Tools, Pegboard & Hooks dies - Our Daily Bread Designs; corner rounder punch - Fiskars

Beachy Wedding

Hello there!

I had a little bit of time this past weekend to photo-edit some cards from June. LOL  And here's one!

It's another cluster card, done in a beachy style for some happy couple, somewhere. :-) I looked in my box of already-stamped-and-colored images, and thought these nautical cuties would be pleased to get together with one another.

It's my favorite way to make a card when I'm pinched for time: look on my craft desk at the inevitable little piles all around me, and challenge myself to make something good out of assorted pieces.  I've honed the formula, too:  

• Stamped images (or stickers) 
• Patterned paper or embossed cardstock (or both)  
• Little embellishments such as pearls/gems, or sequins
• Fabric (in the form of ribbon, or a smidge of burlap,etc.)
• Maybe a sentiment; depends on how much room is left.

I like my cards to be touchable, and have a bit of texture, and possibly a bit of bling. :-)  Today's card certainly fits the bill!

Thanks for taking a peek!

Stamps: starfish, sand dollar - Seashells with Rounded Frame; shell, rectangle - Seashells with Rectangle Frame - Blockheads Paper Arts; sentiment - Wedding - Hampton Arts Paper: kraft, Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink; swirl pattern - Stampin' Up!  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark - Tsukineko; Close to Cocoa, Crumb Cake - Stampin' Up!; Walnut Stain - Ranger Fibers: Cameo Beige seam binding - Hug Snug - The Zipper Stop Accessories & Tools: Sand sequins - Pretty Pink Posh; Matte Gold sequins - MJ Trimming

Orange Blossom

Hello!

This card is pretty simple, doesn't need much explanation. I needed a bold-looking thank you card, and had fun playing with new-to-me Sizzix Flower Layers & Leaf dies.  The greenery is from Spellbinders Foliage die set. Pairing orange and green with black/gray gave it a fresh, modern feel that I was aiming for.

"Thanks" a bunch for coming by today!

Stamps: (?) Paper: Tangerine Tango, Old Olive - Stampin' Up!; white - Papertrey Ink; pattern - Momento Fibers: frilly sheer black ribbon - Offray Accessories & Tools: Foliage die - Spellbinders; Flower Layers & Leaf dies - Sizzix; orange gem - Queen & Co.

You Light Up My Life

Hi there!

Okay, so with this sentiment, I am totally hearing Debby Boone's voice in my head, with a song by the same title. She earned a Grammy in 1977 as Best New Artist [Wikipedia} as a result of the success of this song.  Do you remember how HUGE this song was??

But...back to the card. I used a gold-embossed Filigree Star from DRS Designs, trimmed it out, and set it upon a "lasso" of twine. A scattering of golden sequins and a perfect-match-of-a-sentiment go well with that shimmery star (Tradefish Design).

I am so glad you came by today! 

Stamps: sentiment - Outta This World - Tradefish Design; Filigree Star - DRS Designs Paper: Sage Shadow, Crumb Cake, Whisper White - Stampin' Up!; pattern - Lucky Charm / Dear Lizzy - American Crafts Ink: Versamark, Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions Accessories & Tools: bright gold sequins - Pretty Pink Posh; matte gold sequins - MJ Trimming; gold embossing powder - Stampin' Up!

A CASE of Congrats

Hello friends!  

I'm sharing a card today that I CASE'd (Copy And Share  Everything) a crafter named Jessica Frost-Ballas.

If you have Instagram, here is a direct link to Jessica's card.  Isn't it lovely? I changed the sentiment (Altenew), decided on a pure white background, and did not dove-tail the sentiment banner. Other than those minor changes, I kept many details that J did, because I love this design!

This gave me a chance to play with my neglected set, Ruby Reprise, by Papertrey Ink.  All clustered together, I love the impact they give.

Thanks for taking a peek today!

Stamps: flowers, leaves - Ruby Reprise - Papertrey Ink; Sentiments & Quotes - Altenew Paper: white - Papertrey Ink; Rose Red - Stampin' Up!Ink: Rose Red, Pink Passion, Pixie Pink, Pretty In Pink, Old Olive - SU; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: rhinestones - Queen & Co.

White Wedding

Welcome!

If this looks familiar, perhaps you saw this earlier version of the same card here on my blog. I skipped the glitter on this one, and added sequins and little hydrangea blossoms.  This is my favorite version. ;-)  It's a go-to design for wedding cards for the shop.

As with the earlier version, this card was inspired by Alicia Thelin's card on page 54 of Paper Crafts Magazine's 75 Creative Card Challenges.


Thanks for popping by, and have a wonderful day!

Stamps: Love Story - Verve Paper: white - Papertrey Ink Ink: Basic Gray - Stampin' Up! Fibers: white seam binding - Hug Snug - The Zipper Stop Accessories & Tools: Full Heart, Itty Bitty Accents punches - Stampin' Up!; Branch With Leaves die - Sizzix; Floral Doily Motifs die - Spellbinders; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; Woodgrain embossing folder - Tim Holtz/Sizzix 

A thousand miracles

Hello there!

I am so grateful that more and more stamp companies are selling faith-based stamps.  I think we need a little more God in this world. :-)  This sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's Everyday Blessings.  It's a beautiful reminder to stop, breathe, and take time to look around at the beauty and magnificence of life's tiny moments and blessings. 

I surrounded it with wooden butterflies from Studio Calico (a steal at Tuesday Morning), some Pretty Pink Posh sparkling sequins, and a paper gardenia.

Thank you so much for coming by to take a peek today. Enjoy your weekend, my friends!

Stamps: Everyday Blessings - Papertrey Ink Paper: white - Papertrey Ink; patterns - Lucky Charm / Dear Lizzie - American Crafts Fibers: Cameo Beige seam binding - Hug Snug - The Zipper Stop Accessories & Tools: Sparkling Clear sequins - Pretty Pink Posh; wooden butterflies - Studio Calico; Rounded Rectangles dies - Wplus9; pink gardenia paper flower - www.iamroses.com

Modern Roses

Happy Friday!  So glad the weekend is close on the horizon. :-)

A little while back, I had just received the Papertrey Ink Circle Scribbles dies, and wanted to test them to make sure they worked well.  (They do, but with a little extra pressure, because the detail is so fine.)  I made two cards:  one light and one dark. I paired the 'roses' with die-cut leaves, a PTI Wonderful Words: Congrats die, patterned papers and sequins.

As you can see, I did not cut through the entire Circle Scribbles dies. That was not by design, but an accident.  When I was testing the new dies, and had not applied enough pressure, this was the result.  I decided I'd go with it, instead of tossing them into the trash.  They have a beauty all their own this way! 

Which card do you like better?

P.S. I LOVE reading your comments. Thank you for taking the extra moment to do so!!

Paper: Purely Pomegranate, Certainly Celery - Stampin' Up!; gray stripe - Momento; chevron (I forget!  Twirly Girly by Chickaniddy, maybe??) Accessories & Tools: Circle Scribbles, Wonderful Words: Congrats dies - Papertrey Ink; Modern Leaves dies - Avery Elle; silver, gold, Sand, Sparkling Clear sequins - Pretty Pink Posh; Foliage die - Spellbinders

Blue Butterfly

Tie-Dyed Wildflowers

These wildflowers.....well, they kind of look like they are tie-dyed!  I die-cut two Memory Box Honeyblossom Sprigs out of hot pink cardstock, then spritzed them with assorted pinks and purples from Ranger's Distress Ink Sprays.  

I LOVE how they turned out!  I layered one over the other, with the top one slightly askew.  The best glue to use for something delicate and fine like these dies is Ranger's Multi Matte Medium.  Once dry, the glue virtually disappears.

After adding the 'congrats' die (Papertrey Ink) over top of the flowers, the card needed a little something extra.  Onyx sequins from Pretty Pink Posh were the perfect fix:  they add texture in the bare areas, but with a tone-on-tone subtleness.  (I love to do that, add subtlety to things.)

How was your weekend?  Did you do anything that gave you joy?  I had a weekend at home, which is my FAVORITE kind of weekend. :-)  I am a serious homebody, and being in our nest gives me such joy and peace.  I cleaned the living and dining rooms, the kind where you get down on your knees and really do a thorough job.  Can I tell you a weird thing about me?  Cleaning used to be my hobby. Yep, I am strange!  LOL  This was in the days before kids, and before card-making.  You literally could have eaten off of my floors.  hahha!  Nowadays, I don't advise that.  ;-)  

I did spend time in the attic studio over the weekend, too, and did some laundry, and photographed cards and photo-edited a handful. All in all, it was Good.  :-)

Paper: True Black, white - Papertrey Ink; Pixie Pink - Stampin' Up! Ink: assorted pinks & purples Distress Ink Sprays - Ranger Accessories & Tools: Wonderful Words: Congrats die - Papertrey Ink; Onyx sequins - Pretty Pink Posh; Honeyblossom Sprig die - Memory Box

Festive Party Banners

Happy Monday!

Hope you had a nice weekend!  We attended a family wedding in Cape May, NJ.  It was fun seeing faces you love, all in one spot. :-D  The bride looked ever so lovely, and so did her groom.  They just glowed, you know what I mean?  Sigh.  Love, sweet love! 

Today's card doesn't need much explanation.  Just another birthday card to fill the basket at the shop, strung with party banners, thanks to my FUN Petite Pennants Builder Punch by Stampin' Up!  I need to pull that out more often.

Thanks for coming by today, and hope to see you again soon!

Stamps: Salutations - Paper Smooches Paper: white - Papertrey Ink; Pumpkin Pie, Regal Rose, patterns - Stampin' Up! Fibers: ivory twine - American Crafts Accessories & Tools: Petite Pennants Builder Punch, Flower Trio punch - Stampin' Up!; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; iridescent sequins

Electic Thank You

Hello there! The card I'm sharing today started with a small, puffy glitter heart. I found it on a sidewalk or parking lot, not really sure anymore. :-) In my mind, I said, "You're coming home with me," and stuffed it in my pocket.

When I got back to the craft room, I started to gather various bits and pieces that were already on my desk, arranging things to see what looked best. The heart was literally the cherry on top, the very last thing I placed on here.

The sentiment-in-tag was also already lying on my desk.  Some time ago, I had stamped several of these (from Stampin' Up!'s Holiday Home) and spritzed the heck out of them with assorted colors of Distress Ink Sprays. I knew each would find a home in time.

I think sequins make nearly everything look better, so I added pretty sparkling clear and gold ones from Pretty Pink Posh. My eldest daughter, who adores all things shiny and sparkly, would agree. :-)

Thank you so much for coming by today! 

Stamps: sentiment - You Brighten My Day - Stampin' Up!; houndstooth - Background Basics II - Inspired by Stamping Paper: Ruby Red, Sahara Sand, Creamy Caramel - Stampin' Up!; Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink Ink: assorted Distress Ink sprays - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Ruby Red - Stampin; Up! Fibers: burlap Accessories & Tools: Sparkling Clear, gold sequins - Pretty Pink Posh; circle die - Spellbinders; puffy glitter heart (found!); Scalloped punch, Vine Street embossing folder - Stampin' Up!; Fancy Flourish die - My Favorite Things

Hexagonal Sky

It's a great feeling when you let your crafting supplies take you for a ride. It happened here, on this New Home card. The patterned papers -- which wound up being the sky -- were on my desk for another project, and I had already punched them out with the Fiskars Hexagonal Punch. 

I started arranging the punched out pieces along the top of a card base, not knowing yet where it would lead. I knew I needed more New Home cards for the shop (they're a popular seller), so then I stamped a house image from Stampin' Up!'s Holiday Home and colored it in tones to match the patterned papers.  Then, I added a fence, and clouds, and a tree.  :-)  A sweet little scene!

I love creating little scenes on card fronts. I have blended my love of miniatures (my dad and I built a dollhouse together when I was in my late teens) with cardmaking!

Thanks for joining me today. :-) Be blessed, and have a wonderful day!

Stamps: house, sentiment - Holiday Home - Stampin' Up! ; fence, tree - Boards & Beams - Papertrey Ink Paper: Soft Stone, white  - Papertrey Ink; patterns - Stampin' Up! Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Clouds 1 & 2 dies - Papertrey Ink; Copic markers; Hexagon punch - Fiskars

God Is Good, once again

Hello there!  I hope you don't mind that I'm sharing an older card from the archives. I just really love it, and re-photographed it for this post.

I used Stampin' Up!'s Elements of Style for the roses, and a Hero Arts script stamp behind the colored roses. The sentiment is from Verve's Joy For The Journey.

Thank you so much for your visit today. I hope you have a lovely week!

Stamps: Old French Script background - Hero Arts; Elements of Style - Stampin' Up!; Joy For The Journey - Verve Paper: white, True Black - Papertrey Ink Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: white crochet lace; black satin ribbon Accessories & Tools: circle die - Spellbinders; Copic markers; pearls - Queen & Co.; Scallop Dot border punch - Martha Stewart

Bunnies on a hill

Hi there!

A friend of mine lovingly helped me through a difficult time, and I sent this bunny card to her as a small token of appreciation. I adore making little scenes, so this card really tickled my fancy. 

The bunny dies are from L'il Inker Designs, and I'd never have even known they existed if it were not for my friend, LeAnne.  She has used this set time and again, and I love every variation she shows. :-) Thanks for enabling, LeAnne! 

I sponged on a hill using various green inks, and added polka-dotted clouds from Inspired By Stamping. The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's Think Big Favorites #15, and who was my enabler for that set?  My pal, Stella. :-) After she used these sentiments a few times and shared on her blog, my wallet just opened itself up, and now I own the set, too. :-)

Time for me to hop scoot back to work!
Glad you joined me today. 

Stamps: (clouds) Springtime Beauty II - Inspired By Stamping; Think Big Favorites #15 - Papertrey Ink Paper: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Cameo Coral, Pixie Pink - Stampin' Up!; white - Papertrey Ink Ink: Soft Sky, Pear Pizzazz - SU; Peeled Paint - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Bunnies & Bows dies - L'il Inker Designs; Hydrangea punch - Martha Stewart; pink gems - Queen & Co.

Hot Hydrangea

Hi there!

I am so pleased with the way this card turned out. I envisioned a hydrangea blossom in really hot colors, and for fun, I added some patterned papers in the mix, too. Learned the hard way that it is best practice to create this flower on a circle die cut or punch-out, instead of directly on the card base. All the gluing creates unsightly warping and buckling on the cardstock underneath the blossoms. You can see little peeks of a white circle under the tiny flowers, below. I popped up the whole flower head on foam tape by 3M for some dimension.

Those leaves were die-cut from felt, with Avery Elle's Modern Leaves. I scored that die set when iHeartPapers was closing down. I really like the clean, streamlined leaf shape.

The most visible hydrangea florets each got a touch of Liquid Pearls in centers. A small, sweet sentiment from Hero Arts was the only other touch added.

Thanks so much for coming by to say Hello!

Stamps: Everyday Sayings - Hero Arts Paper: white - Papertrey Ink; Pink Passion, Pretty Ink Pink, patterns - Stampin' Up! Fibers: green acrylic felt - JoAnn's Accessories & Tools: Hydrangea punch - Martha Stewart; Itty Bitty Accents punch (smaller florets); Modern Leaves dies - Avery Elle; yellow Liquid Pearls - Ranger; stylus - McGill; circle die - Spellbinders

Vintage Roses for Mother

Happy September!

Ah, here it is, nearing the end of summer, and yep, I'm still sharing cards from my 2015 Mother's Day Collection! This one was hard to photograph, with all that white. On my monitor, as I write this post, it has a greenish cast. {roll eyes} 

I used Altenew's Vintage Roses with a masking technique, to make the leaves look like they're tucked behind not one, but two, roses. The MISTI came in handy for this. :-)  I need more practice with Vintage Roses.  But when there are so many stamp options, my head turns from one pretty, shiny thing to the next.  And by shiny, I don't necessarily mean 'new'.  Just something lovely that catches my eye. :-)

After the roses, on went a sentiment from Stampin' Up!'s Well Scripted, and a few Marshmallow sequins from Pretty Pink Posh.  

So glad you could join me today!  Have a WONDERFUL day!

Stamps: Vintage Roses - Altenew; Well-Scripted - Stampin' Up! Paper: white - Papertrey Ink; Wild Wasabi - Stampin' Up! Ink: Pink Pirhouette, Pixie Pink, Pink Passion, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive, Always Artichoke - SU; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Marshmallow sequins - Pretty Pink Posh; MISTI