So Sorry For Your Loss

Hello there. :)

Just sharing another one of the {many} sympathy cards I make for the shop, Arts Plus Gallery. It's pretty simple and straightforward, with some silhouette-type flowers (Hero Arts) stamped over scroll-patterned paper, with a couple of black sequins from Pretty Pink Posh accenting the panel.

I think it has kind of a modern feel to it, don't you?

Thank you so much for your visit today, and have a blessed weekend!

Stamps: flowers, sentiment - With Sympathy - Hero Arts Paper: Vintage Cream, True Black - Papertrey Ink; taupe pattern - Stampin' Up! Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Onyx sequins - Pretty Pink Posh

Hello Handsome

Hello!  I made this card for my husband's birthday back in the spring:

It was very difficult to capture the many golden touches on here:  the tiny fleur-de-lis motifs all over the patterned paper, the two different shades of golden sequins, the gold in the tapestry ribbon (a gift from a friend), the gold-embossed sentiment frame.

Maybe you can see them better in the photo below?

I wanted my man to know how special he is to me, and tried to get as many "luxe" touches on his cad as possible!

Stamps: sentiment - Year Round Sentiments - Hero Arts; frame - Boutique Borders: Love Paper: Crumb Cake - Stampin' Up!; fleur de lis pattern - Mariposa Stack - DCWV Ink: Versamark, Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: tapestry ribbon - Rebecca Deeprose Accessories & Tools: 10mm gold sequin - Pretty Pink Posh; gold sequin (kids' art stash); coordinating frame die - Papertrey Ink; gold embossing powder - Stampin' Up!

Shells for a bridal shower

Hello there!

This is a card I made for my sweet niece's bridal shower.  She lives along the Gulf Coast in Florida, and I was unable to attend the shower (but we did go to the wedding!).  Her wedding theme was all about the beach.  So, I made something very reminiscent of the shore.

A tumble of shells, and a "sandy" background, a sprinkling of sequins....
and a simple tag tied on with hemp cord.

There's even a "wave", made with Pool Party cardstock and a Memory Box die called Elegant Scrollwork (I use that one a lot).

I'm pleased as punch (er, or a die cut!) with the way this turned out. :-)

Stamps: Itty Bitty Backgrounds - Stampin' Up!; Seashells - Blockheads Paper Arts; Scallop Shell - Golden Acorn Paper: Pool Party, Crumb Cake - SU; white - Papertrey Ink Ink: Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede, Close to Cocoa, Crumb Cake - SU; Walnut Stain - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: hemp cord Accessories & Tools: Marshmallow and Sand sequins - Pretty Pink Posh; Elegant Scrollwork die - Memory Box; Lots of Tags Sizzlit - Stampin' Up!; Copic markers; pearl - Queen & Co.

Soft Sympathy

Hello.

The day I made this, I was playing with a new-to-me (and on clearance!) stamp from Inkadinkado called Floral Woodcut.  However, it's barely visible at first glance of this card.  You need to look closer at the tag; I stamped it subtly as a background, behind the Anna Griffin roses stamp.

I do love making subtle details, appealing to those who take the time to carefully inspect the smallish things in life.  :-)  That Floral Woodcut is stamped on a pierced tag diecut, and topped with a Tiny Tags diecut for the sentiment.

I'm so glad you dropped by today!
See you soon,

Stamps: sentiment - Tag-Its #5 - Papertrey Ink; roses - Anna Griffin; background script - Floral Woodcut - Inkadinkado Paper: Vintage Cream, white - PTI; green pattern - Mariposa Stack - DCWV Ink: Antique Linen - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: Mushroom seam binding - Hug Snug - The Zipper Stop; cream twine - May Arts Accessories & Tools: Tiny Tags die - PTI; Pierced Traditional Tags die - My Favorite Things

Brightening Your Days

Hi there!

It was so lovely to have you visit my last post!  Thank you to each of you who took time to leave a comment and let me know you were here.  :-)

I've so missed being able to share my creations with those of you who appreciate seeing them.  When I began my job back in the fall, and having a major crisis in the family at the same time, well...I was really knocked off balance.  We all were, my family and I.  Blogging had to take a back seat, and so did crafting for a bit.  And then, with my computer having issues of its own, geez...  Let's just say, my Life became unrecognizable for a while.

However, the good Lord has helped us regain our footing, bringing happiness and joy into our lives once again.

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. - Psalm 30:5

I will see you soon. :)

Stamps: Brighter Days - Verve Paper: Orchid Opulence - Stampin' Up!; pattern - Peace & Butterflies - Hampton Art / Ki; white - Papertrey Ink Fibers: Pink Aster seam binding - Hug Snug - The Zipper Stop Accessories & Tools: rhinestones - Queen & Co.; Rounded Rectangles die - Wplus9; butterfly sticker - K & Co.; Simply Scallops Large die - My Favorite Things

Back with a Lilac

Oh, my goodness, it feels so good to post here again!

Forgive my long absence.  Life has been swiftly moving along, but coupled with that were persistent computer problems that took a while to get fixed.  Crossing my fingers, but we're doing good enough for me to photo-edit pics now, and even write a post!  Hallelujah!

And boy, do I ever have a lot of photo-editing catching-up to do.  It'll take me some time, so please bear with me.  Tonight, I was able to work on these photos of a card I made for Mother's Day.  A sweet woman I work with bought it for her mom, who loves lilacs.  Her mom loved it, and that makes me so happy!

The lilac is from Flourishes' Lilac set, and the sentiment from Papertrey Ink's Tiny Tags set.  I stamped the flower, fussy cut it, colored it, and mounted it on a Holiday Frame (Stampin' Up!) embossed oval, which was also fussy-cut.

I added a few drops of Glossy Accents to the leaves, and added one sparkly sequin to the sentiment tag.

Oh, what joy this one post has brought to my heart tonight!

I do hope you have enjoyed stopping by.  I'm giving you a virtual hug for coming over!!
Hope to see you soon,

Stamps: Lilac - Flourishes; Tiny Tags - Papertrey Ink Paper: Naturals Ivory, white, Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions Accessories & Tools: Tiny Tags die - Papertrey Ink; Copic markers; Glossy Accents - Ranger; Sparkling Clear sequins - Pretty Pink Posh; Holiday Frame embossing folder - Stampin' Up!

It's Your Day To Shine

Hello there!  It's been too long, and I've missed being here on the blog!

Let's get right to a card, okay?

I was in a clustery mood the day I made this.  Lots of little goodies were piled onto a doily die cut (Colorbok):  sequins, pearls, little roses, a shiny button.  A sentiment from Papertrey Ink's Lighten Up was stamped on a fancy tag die cut (Spellbinders) and nestled under that cluster.

The primary reasons for my absence here: not only is life in full swing with my job and my family, but my computer has been "sick" for quite some time.  I can't load any new photos on, or even photo-edit the ones I've got because of a computer-memory issue. (I've got memory issues of my own, but that's another story altogether.)  The repair man was supposed to have come this past weekend, but had to cancel, and we are rescheduled for his "house call" this weekend. Fingers crossed he can fix what ails this computer of ours!

Stamps: Lighten Up - Papertrey Ink Paper: Bashful Blue, pattern, Very Vanilla - Stampin' Up!

Ink: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Soft Sky - SU Fibers: Mottle Brown seam binding - Hug Snug - The Zipper Stop Accessories & Tools: Marshmallow sequins - Pretty Pink Posh; Fancy Tags, Classic Ovals Large dies - Spellbinders; gold button sticker - Jolee's Boutique; small taupe flowers - iamroses.com; doily die cut - Colorbok; Sugar embossing folder - Sizzix; pearls - Recollections, Queen & Co.

Black and white leaves

Looks like it's snowing on these leaves, doesn't it?  It was not my intention, but now that I'm writing my post and looking at these pics, that's what stands out for me.  I only meant to give a distressed look to the card, but in a soft and subtle way, letting those black and white leaves take center stage.

Back in the fall, at my Stampin' Up! demonstrator's fabulous sale, I picked up Magnificent Maple.  I LOVE IT.  I mixed it here with Itty Bitty Backgrounds, a sentiment from Inspired By Stamping, and a scattering of sequins.  Oh -- the leaf in the back was stamped-off once, so it is not as intense a black as the one in the foreground.

I think this card has a masculine edge, but even I would welcome this!

Stamps: Magnificent Maple, Itty Bitty Backgrounds - Stampin' Up!; Creative Tags - Inspired By Stamping Paper: kraft, white - Papertrey Ink; black and white stripe - Momenta Ink: Crystal opaque ink - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Sparkling Clear sequins - Pretty Pink Posh; Gunmetal sequins - MJ Trimming

Memory Box cake is yummy!

Hello everyone. :-) If the feel of this card looks familiar, perhaps you saw this post of mine a little while back.

At the time I created this, the Memory Box cake layers and stand dies were new to me.  I wanted to decorate a cake, a paper cake.  I did not do a great job, and need to practice some more!

The Inspired By Stamping sentiment goes really well with a confection like this one.

Thanks for taking a peek today!  Take a slice of cake with you before you go!  ;-)

Stamps: A Lovely Birthday - Inspired By Stamping Paper: white - PTI; Almost Amethyst cardstock and patterned papers - SU Fibers: white seam binding - Hug Snug - The Zipper Stop Accessories & Tools: Branch, Rose Leaf punches - Martha Stewart; Petite Cake, Scalloped Cake Stand dies - Memory Box; K & Co. flower die cut sticker; Petal Pink and White Opal Liquid Pearls, iridescent Stickles - Ranger

Pearlberry Wreath

Hello!  I've shared a few creations that my friend asked me to make for her (here, here, here and here).  And now, another one to share:

My friend likes preppy patterns, a la Lilly Pulitzer (just type that name in an Internet search, and there are oodles of examples).  This paper from the Wild Raspberry Matstack / K & Co. was a good option.  It already had a fancy shape to it, since it was meant to frame photographs.  I lopped off portions of it, and mounted it to one side on a white card base.

The Poppystamps Breezy Wreath / Memory Box die cut was adorned with pearls, and a sentiment from Stampin' Up!'s Absolutely Fabulous on a hand-trimmed banner.

I am so pleased with how this turned out.  My friend likes wreaths as well as paisley patterns, and the two elements came together beautifully (especially with the addition of my favorite pearls!).

Stamps: Absolutely Fabulous - Stampin' Up! Paper: white - Papertrey Ink; Wild Raspberry Matstack - patterned - K & Co.; Old Olive - SU Fibers: white seam binding - Hug Snug - Zipper Stop Accessories & Tools: pearls - Queen & Co; Poppystamps Breezy Wreath die - Memory Box; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger

Christmas Post Card

Hello there, welcome!  I'm having a deja vu, because I could have sworn that I already shared this Christmas card here.  After some searching on my blog with key words that would help me find it, nope...this did not turn up.  So, here you go:

This is one of my favorite holiday cards that I created for Christmas 2014.  I think it's that post card element (Winter Post / Stampin' Up!), combined with a beautiful Anna Griffin sentiment right beneath, all arranged on a Top Note die (SU).  Or maybe it's the scattering of vintage buttons and sequins.

Or maybe the fancy corner flourish by Spellbinders, or the vintage-look K & Co. die cuts (Santa, holly leaves and berries). 

I can't make up my mind!

Hope you've enjoyed seeing this one today.  :-)  Thanks for coming by!

Stamps: Winter Post - Stampin' Up!; sentiment - Anna Griffin - HSN Paper: Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, dark green pattern, Crumb Cake Ink: Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake - SU; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Tea Dye - Ranger Fibers: sewing thread; cream twine - May Arts Accessories & Tools: Top Note die - Stampin' Up!; vintage buttons; gold sequins - MJ Trimming; Corner Flourish die - Spellbinders; Santa, Holly die cut borders - K & Co.

Busy Butterflies

Good heavens, but this is a busy card!

It began with a panel of butterfly-print patterned paper from Stampin' Up!, and was built from there, pulling colors from that paper.  The pink glittery banners are actually glitter ribbon, bought for pennies after Christmas from JoAnn's.

No stamping on this card.  The sentiment is an epoxy and metal sticker from American Crafts, found at TJ Maxx a few years ago.

Not my favorite card, by any means, but I wanted you to see it.  :-)
Thanks for dropping by!

Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, orange stripe & butterfly patterns - Stampin' Up!; 

Fibers: Venise lace - eBay; narrow white grosgrain ribbon; pink glitter ribbon Accessories & Tools: epoxy sentiment sticker - American Crafts; pink silk flowers

Zig-zagging Away

Welcome back!  Stilllll sharing photos from my archives, of cards that never made their debut here on my blog.

How 'bout these bold colors?  I know, it's rare to see them here.  One day, I just felt like using up some blue cardstock scraps, and built a card around them with My Favorite Things' Chevron Stripes dies.  I found some zigzaggy patterned paper in my stash that harmonized with all the blues. A bright orange flower from Verve's Brighter Days seemed a good choice to temper all the cool tones, and a sentiment from Hero Arts leads the way.

I am SO glad you could join me here today!

Stamps: Everyday Sayings - Hero Arts; Brighter Days - Verve Paper: white - Papertrey Ink; Brilliant Blue, Bermuda Bay, some other blue (ha), pattern - Stampin' Up! Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Chevron Stripes dies - My Favorite Things; corner rounder punch - Fiskars; Copic markers

Purple Hydrangeas

Oh, you've caught me, still digging in my photo archives for things I never shared here before.

Like many of you, I have a hard time throwing out little things that I think will be useful in my crafts. Well, these purple silk hydrangea blossoms fell off a flower arrangement I used to have, so I saved them.  I love how they dress up the card, especially when paired with an abundance of purple rhinestone gems and a couple of little leaves.

This is intended as a bridal shower card, and is in a shop (or hopefully, it's sold by now), but with that general sentiment, it could be for any number of occasions.

Stamps: Small Fancy Labels 1 - Inspired By Stamping Paper: white - Papertrey Ink Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: silk hydrangea flower blossoms; purple gems - Queen & Co.; small green leaves - iamroses.com; corner rounder punch - Fiskars 

Feliz Navidad

Hello!  I've been digging in my photo archives for things I never shared before here on my blog. Here's one:

It was submitted to Paper Crafts Magazine, but not chosen.  I forgot all about it until recently.  The background is Punched Tin from Market Street Stamps, and the sentiment is from Verve. 

Thanks for letting me share this oldie with you!

Stamps: sentiment - Glad Tidings - Verve; background - Punched Tin - Market Street Stamps Paper: white - Papertrey Ink; Always Artichoke - Stampin' Up!  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Branch with Leaves die - Sizzix; circle die - Spellbinders; red flower - JoAnn's

Something To Be Thankful For

Hello!  Isn't this the best sentiment??  It's from Stampin' Up!'s You Brighten My Day.  (I used another cute sentiment from the set in a card on Wednesday; you can see it HERE.)  

I think the overall design has a Thanksgiving-ish feel to it, but I'd love to give it at any time of year. There truly is something to be thankful for every day.

In the background, you can see the Hardwood stamp from Stampin' Up!, a new-ish purchase for me.  Then, I layered on bits of a salvaged store-bought greeting card (the orange, red, and glitter), and a fun tag.  The tag is from a friend, and it had some buttons attached to it, though not these, and also the satin ribbon.  I strategically covered the holes with vintage buttons and the sentiment, which had been colored with Distress Ink sprays by Ranger.  Had received a bunch of them for Christmas, and this is the first time I played with them.  

Very thankful YOU dropped by today!  Enjoy your weekend!

Stamps: You Brighten My Day, Hardwood - Stampin' Up! Paper: Close to Cocoa - SU; white - Papertrey Ink; orange, red, glitter strip - salvaged from an old greeting cardInk: Frayed Burlap - Ranger; Chocolate Chip - SU; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Picked Raspberry, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade spray inks - Ranger Fibers: wavy jute rick rack ribbon - TJ Maxx Accessories & Tools: tag with satin ribbon from my friend; vintage buttons; topaz rhinestone - Recollections

"Yay" for a birthday

Hello there!  We've made it to the middle of the week.  YAY!

This is actually a birthday card, not a "we've made it to the middle of the week" card, but I suppose it could be for anything you want to celebrate.  I used some new-to-me Date Night / Chickaniddy Crafts goodies (from the local Tuesday Morning shop):  the patterned papers, and the big flower sticker.  The sentiment is also new, from Stampin' Up!'s Sale-A-Bration:  You Brighten My Day.  I love that set.

And, near the sentiment, a current obsession:  Sparkling Clear sequins from Pretty Pink Posh.  Oh, man, I am tempted to use 'em on nearly every card.  LOL  I need to hold back sometimes!

Thanks so much for coming by today!

Stamps: You Brighten My Day - Stampin' Up! Paper: all patterns - Date Night - Chickaniddy Crafts; Not Quite Navy - SU Accessories & Tools: flower sticker - Date Night - Chickaniddy Crafts; Sparkling Clear sequins - Pretty Pink Posh