Shabby Chic Birthday

Wow, I never got around to posting this card (it's from last summer, I think) here on my blog and I really would like to share it.  :-)

I used a bird cage and its inhabitant from Aviary, and a sentiment from Big Wishes II, both by IBS.  Honestly, at this point, I cannot remember where the patterned paper came from.  Prima?  Webster's Pages?  Pink Paislee?  You've got me! ETA:  my friend Leslie informed me it's Prima Annalee.  Thank you, Leslie!

I added some go-to cereal box chipboard stars and a bit of fun iridescent garland to keep the mood festive for this birthday card.

Well, I've been a busy, busy stamper this weekend.  I created a collection of 11 wedding-related cards for a local boutique that sells bridal accessories & more.  (At 1 - 1.5 hours per card, it has really taken some time!)  I approached them about selling my one-of-a-kind creations, and they're giving it a trial run.  A total of 20 cards, actually.  I've got one more to finish, then photograph, and package everything up.  I'll be sure to show them on my blog!

Stamps: Big Wishes II, Aviary - Inspired By Stamping Paper: cereal box chipboard; Vintage Cream - PTI; patterns - Annalee - Prima Ink: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Fibers: iridescent garland - SU Accessories & Tools:  hematite gem - The Paper Studio; star, corner rounder punches - Fiskars; Crystal glitter - Martha Stewart

Home Sweet Home

I was making some new home cards for the shop, and tried to make two of the same thing (very, very difficult for me...it bores me to make more than one of a design) for business purposes.  Well, as often happens, I don't have enough of a certain supply to help create a duplicate card.  Or, I do have enough supplies, but after making Card #1, there are certain things I'd like to change for Card #2.

Here's Card #2 first...my personal fave out of the pair:

...and here's Card #1, which is okay, but not my fave.

The same background paper (retired SU) was used for both, and I stamped new-to-me Papertrey Ink Polka Dot Parade #10 sentiments on top.

On Card #1, I just kept adding elements, and wasn't happy with the effect.  You know, you add a horizontal thing, and another horizontal, but that's too many, so you add something in a corner, and so on.  Ugh.

You're allowed to like Card #1 if you wish, but let's all cheer for Card #2, shall we?  LOL

Stamps: Polka Dot Parade #10 - Papertrey Ink Paper: house, chevron, heart patterns - SU; white - PTI Ink: Chestnut Roan - Clearsnap; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Fibers: vintage thread; Argentina seam binding - Hug Snug; crochet lace - Hero Arts Accessories & Tools: Branch punch - Martha Stewart; doily - Wilton; Simply Scallops Large die - MFT/Dienamics; Postage Stamp punch - EK Success 

The Cutest Apple for Valentine's Day!

I am a sucker for cute stamps.  I've given in to the urge on many occasions, and adorable stamps sit on my shelves.  Occasionally on my blog they make an appearance.  The problem is, I try to create (with the cute stamps) in the vein of the super-talented, clean-and-simple gang of crafters out there.  And I usually fail miserably.  It's really hard to change your own 'style' and make it work successfully, isn't it?

I decided to give this l'il apple from Lawn Fawn a chance to play on a "Colleen" card, using my own style.  Hence the doily, twine, button and Liquid Pearls...my go-to basics.

And I am happy to report that this attempt was blog-worthy!  Hope you like it as much as I do.

Stamps: My Silly Valentine - Lawn Fawn Paper: kraft, white - PTI; Real Red, ledger, newsprint - SU Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions Accessories & Tools: Copic markers; circles, scalloped circle punch, flower button - SU; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; doily - Wilton

Everything-But-The-Kitchen-Sink Baby Card

Oh, yes, I feel like I've included everything but the kitchen sink on this baby girl card!  Sometimes, I try a different technique or style, and it can feel like walking on a tightrope.  You know, a little shaky and unsure. I feel very 'wobbly' about this card.  But my critics-at-home (aka, my daughters) both liked this, so I thought I'd share with you.    

I did a little skirt treatment at the bottom, since we're going over-the-top girly here.  There are roses from the embossing folder, too, adding to the feminine factor.

This big ol' cluster includes so many things.  Most of the elements were thrown in a pile on my desk in a little junk pile, and they looked good together.  The "for baby" had been trimmed off a stamped giraffe from Stampin' Up!'s Little Hellos.  On a different card, I used just the giraffe.  I kept the sentiment as-is, in a little triangle.  Just inked the edges to shabby it up a bit.  The big pink punched flower was in a scrap bag and had already been peeled.  (Roll the petals around using your fingers to loosen the fibers in the paper. You will see the paper starting to separate.  Then peel apart the layers).  I added some glitter to the edges and, when dry, roughly wiped away most of it.

Thanks for checking out my sink card today!

Stamps: Little Hellos - SU Paper: Blush Blossom, Pretty In Pink, houndstooth, polka dot - SU; green pearl - California Paper Goods; white - PTI Ink: Frayed Burlap, Antique Linen - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: burlap; white lace trim; pink and white striped ribbon - SU Accessories & Tools: Roses embossing folder - Cricut; Floral Ovals, rectangle dies - Spellbinders; pearls - Queen & Co.; Heart to Heart, large flower punches - SU; pink and clear glitters - Martha Stewart; rose digital die cut - Inspired By Stamping

Sweet Valentine

I'm in a pink mood lately.  My craft desk has been covered with pink papers, pink glitter, pink hearts, pink accents, pink inks.   I even cracked into my precious pink Anna Griffin papers for this card.

Isn't this garland of hearts the sweetest?  It's from Basic Grey, and comes to me via my equally-sweet friend, Rebecca.  Thank you, Rebecca!!  I added pearls on each end, and a small epoxy sticker on the largest heart.

The sentiment is from Stampin' Up! (retired, of course; all I seem to own from SU is retired).  The glittered heart came in a pack of many from Recollections, and I added burlap and a bit of ivory satin for a bow.

And that's it!  What do you think of today's card?  I sure do love to read your comments.  Thank you for each and every one.

Stamps: Something to Celebrate - Stampin' Up! Paper: pink florals - Anna Griffin; blush - Mark's Finest Papers Ink: Frayed Burlap, Tattered Rose - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Fibers:  ivory satin ribbon; burlap scrap Accessories & Tools: heart garland - Basic Grey; pearls - Queen & Co.; glittered chipboard heart - Recollections; epoxy sticker - DCWV

Verve Shimmer & Shine - Sympathy

This is my second post today.  Please click HERE for My Sweetheart Valentine.

I need a bunch of sympathy cards for the shop, and thought I'd enter one of these in a challenge, Verve's Shimmer & Shine January Inspiration Challenge.

Perhaps you're wondering, "Where's the shimmer or shine?"  Check below.  After stamping the flowers from Verve's Kind Words in green, I applied Glossy Accents over top.  There are pearls on here, too, which also count.  Since this is a sympathy card, I didn't want to get too glitzy.  Just a touch here and there.

The French ombre wired ribbon is from my gift-wrapping box, usually reserved for presents.  Rediscovered it at Christmas time, and decided it needed to grace a card front or two.  I tucked a snippet of black punched cardstock underneath.  It was leftover from another long-ago project.

what happened to the colors?  couldn't photo-edit it just right.  it's not quite this bright!

It's been a while since I played at Pixie's Snippets Playground.  The black punched border is my ticket to play there this week.

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Stamps: Kind Words - Verve Paper: damasks, Basic Black - SU; white - PTI Ink: Wild Wasabi - SU; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: ombre wired French ribbon Accessories & Tools: Glossy Accents - Ranger; pearls - Queen & Co.; corner rounder - SU; Double Arches punch - Martha Stewart

My Sweetheart Valentine

Hello there!  Valentine's Day is about a month away, and I've begun making a small stash to deliver to the shop for sale.  If you live in South Jersey, head over to Arts Plus Gallery in Collingswood.  You'll find a great gift for your sweetheart, and some pretty cards, too.  {wink, wink}

If this wasn't so girly, I'd probably give it to my husband -- just to keep it in the family.  LOL  I really love how this turned out!  The pink cherub label and small round taupe flower are epoxied stickers from DCWV. A couple of pink houndstooth hearts, just lying on the craft desk, made their way on here.

The pink floral paper in the background is Anna Griffin (sigh).  I ripped out a page from K & Co.'s Flora and Fauna Ledger paper tablet, and I kept the torn edge the way it was.  Just inked it a little to shab it up.  The "LOVE" stamp and "my Sweetheart" stamp are from the same Fiskars set, All Year Greetings.

Edited to add:  I'm entering this at the brand new challenge, The Card Concept.  There are 6 design styles to choose from, and here are the colors that are part of the inspiration:  

I chose the Freestyle Collage style because of the random mix of elements I've used.  You can find descriptions of each card style for this challenge HERE.  

I so appreciate you joining me today!

Stamps: All Year Greetings - Fiskars Paper: pink floral - Anna Griffin; blush - Mark's Finest Papers; Flora and Fauna Ledger - K & Co.; houndstooth - SU Ink: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Fibers: vintage thread Accessories & Tools: Heart to Heart punch - SU; doily - Wilton; epoxy stickers - DCWV; pearls - Queen & Co.

You Are Not Alone

Back in the late summer, a relative of mine received devastating health news.  My heart goes out to her, and wanted her to know she's often in my thoughts and prayers.  This was the card I made for her:

I pulled out Stampin' Up!'s Organic Grace for the fern, and a sentiment by Anna Griffin.  It felt very appropriate, because I wanted my relative to know that she was not going through this difficult time all by herself.

The chicken wire die is fairly new to me.  Once I became a fan of My Favorite Things / Dienamics dies, I ordered all kinds of stuff from them!

Hope you've got fun plans going on for the weekend.  I'll be in the attic studio for part of mine.  Been taking down Christmas decorations, too, box by box.  One a day.  That way, it doesn't feel so overwhelming.

Thanks for dropping by!

Stamps: Organic Grace - SU; sentiment - Anna Griffin Paper: white - PTI; black - SU; black linen pattern - DCWV Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: black and white polka dot ribbon - Martha Stewart Accessories & Tools: Chicken Wire die - MFT/Dienamics; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; scalloped circle die - Spellbinders; Copic markers

Viva La Verve January Week #1

Top o' the morning to you!  I was feeling up for a challenge, and the Viva La Verve sketch really appealed to me.  Went with some cool blues and greens for a bridal shower card:

The sentiment is from Friendly Phrases, a sweet little Verve set. I like the mix of point sizes within the same clean, crisp font.

Here's the sketch before I go:

A little shout-out to my 12 year old, who received the Thumbs Up! award from her teachers yesterday.  The certificate says she was given the award for "having an excellent attitude and work ethic!  You're having an excellent impact on our team!"  Proud momma moment, right here.  :)

Thanks so much for popping over here today!

Stamps: Friendly Phrases - Verve Paper: Baja Breeze, all patterned - SU Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Fibers: blue twine - American Crafts Accessories & Tools: white die cut flower - K & Co.; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; Scalloped Square, Curly Label punch - SU

A New Home

"Warm and cozy, like a housewarming thing" is how my 12 year old describes this card.  I had asked her if I should bother publishing this on my blog.  She gave it the thumbs up.  I was second-guessing it.

I suppose it's the colors that give me that "eh" feeling.  So Saffron yellow just didn't photograph well.  The houses are from Stampin' Up!'s Good Neighbor set, and the sentiment is Inspired By Stamping.  The little arrow is also from IBS.

The "New Home" category of my cards at the shop always seems to need replenishing, so this one will go straight there!  Thanks for taking a peek.

Stamps: Good Neighbors - SU; Big Congrats, Arrows - Inspired By Stamping Paper: So Saffron, patterned - SU Ink: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Marina Mist - SU Fibers: twill - SU Accessories & Tools: markers - SU

The Butterfly That Didn't Make It

Have to admit, this is one of the oldest cards still remaining in my stash.  This butterfly from Touch of Nature, a retired Stampin' Up! set, has my heart.  It's okay to give love to stamps that aren't brand, shiny new anymore, right?   The ones that languish in the halls of eBay and on yard sale tables across the country?  I don't think I'll be parting with this stamp set, no sir.  It gives me joy.

I made two of these cards and sent one off to Take Ten magazine eons ago, in the hopes of being published.  I was following one of their sketches.  Unfortunately, it didn't make it into the issue.  Glad I have its twin here so I could share (they don't send back stuff they don't wind up using).

More old stamps used here:  Skipping Stones Designs music background, and Craft's Meow sentiment. Both of those companies are no longer around.   More antiquity?  The Wrought Iron corner punch by Stampin' Up!.

Well, thanks for taking a walk down Crafting Memory Lane with me today!

Stamps: Touch of Nature - SU; music notes - Timeless Textures - Skipping Stones Designs; sentiment - Timeless Tags - Craft's Meow Paper: Regal Rose, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White - SU; K & Co. pattern Ink: Old Paper - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Wrought Iron corner punch - SU; Copic markers; Starry Night embossing folder - Sizzix

Fern & Butterfly Sympathy

Hello everyone!  It's Friday, January 3rd as I write this post, and we've had our first Snow Day of 2014.  About 6 inches fell where I live, and the kids got to stay home from school.  It was a great week, with only one day of school/work, and now a three day weekend is upon us.  Hooray!

I've spent a lot of time in my attic studio lately, but this card was made before Christmas:

Something simple, but made a bit more dressy with stamped doilies and beautiful K & Co. stickers.

The doilies and sentiment are from Inspired By Stamping.  Though I retired from the team, I do love using their stamps.

So much of the U.S. is experiencing very cold temps this week.  Hope you're staying warm, wherever you are!

Stamps: Delicate Doilies II, Fancy Sentiments - Inspired By Stamping Paper: Blush Blossom, Whisper White - SU; fleur de lis pattern - DCWV Mariposa Stack  Ink: Groovy Guava - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: fern, butterfly stickers - K & Co.; pearls - Queen & Co.; Dotted Scallop punch - EK Success

One Layer Christmas Thank You

My children had many thank you cards to send after Christmas.  It's important to me that they learn the art of gratitude.   My 12 year old told me she "didn't feel like" writing her thanks.  So, I pulled out my Most Patient Mother Voice to point out that someone went to a lot of trouble to give the gift, and they deserve a note of appreciation.  

It must be a dance most parents & children go through.  You tell them to do something, they complain, you make them do it, and then..."See?  That wasn't so bad, was it?"

The cards were fast and easy to make.  One layer = cheaper postage, but they still  need to be festive.  The pine bough is Peaceful Wishes / Stampin' Up!; sentiment is Think Big Favorites #5 / Papertrey Ink; and ornaments from All That Glitters / Flourishes.

What was your favorite gift this Christmas?  I loved all of my gifts, and it's hard to narrow it down.  Crafty supplies were at the top, though!