Have a Special Day :: Color Inspiration #32 and 2 Sketches 4 You

So far it's been a nice Thanksgiving Week. Hanging w/the fam in my hometown. We had crazy snow on Tuesday, but it has calmed down since then.

And today after an early morning, two-hour workout, then a nap and then some good eats, I managed to kick out this little card. I'm excited about it since when I packed my craft bag I forgot my adhesive tape, my craft scissors, some ribbon, ink for stamping and my paper cutter. Those are some of the essentials.

Thank goodness my mom was in the mood to share some of her goodies thus enabling me to make this card for two of my fav weekly challenges: Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration and Laura and Kazan's 2 Sketches 4 You.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:

cardstock: Archiver's

patterned paper: Basic Grey

circle punches: EK Success

stamp: Hero Arts

ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger

dry embossing: Cuttlebug Birds and Swirls

scalloped edge: made using EK Success corner rounder

November Blog Hop

It's that time again. Time for Papertrey Ink's monthly Blog Hop. This month's challenge is to create a floral embellishment.

I was really looking forward to this one. Mostly due to my recent fascination w/fabric and fabric brads in particular. And boy do fabric brads look nice w/felt and fabric flowers.

I like the flower for this one. It was really easy to make. The fabric used to make the first layer is from Joann. It's actually just a swatch from the upholstery department. I matched up the fabric w/the fabric brad. The fabric brad is from K&Co. Love those. I think they have 9 for $3.99 - not too bad.

If you want to see more of my fabric flowers check out some of my previous posts:

• So Thoughtful Card
• Thank You Card
  

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Archivers and Bazzill
patterned paper and fabric brad: K&Co.
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: VersaColor
ribbon: Michaels
fabric: Joann
felt: unknown
flower die: Sizzix

Cards as Gifts

My friend recently asked me to make her several sets of cards so that she could give the away as holiday gifts. I am soooo honored.

I've been making cards for my friends for the past few years and she has always been on that list. Oh, and I made her some monogram cards too.

Anyway, here is one set. I really like this one. I'll get around to showing the others too, but I took pics of this set and I have not taken pics of the other sets yet.

I like the touch of embossing and stitching.

I'm hoping to get to make cards for my friends again this holiday season, but I'm in transition and that is an ambitious goal. Oh, well, won't it be nice when they get a package in the mail in, say, February ... ?
Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
card base: Halcraft
patterned paper: K&Co.
stamps: Hero Arts and Stampin Up!
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
other: sewing

What's Up :: cps 91

Another day and another really fun card. I created this one for this week's Card Positioning Systems (cps) sketch. I really like the simplicity of this sketch.

For me the focal point is the stamping. I like that stamp too; very cool sentiment. Picked it up this past weekend. Actually, my mom got it for me. There was only one in the $1 bin. It's one of the Studio G ones. I like when the stamps are more solid and the heat embossing melts together. And the olive embossing powder is nice too. It's from Close to my Heart.

Everything else is kind of basic ... except for the fabric. Just a piece of some fabric that I picked up for $1.49 from Joann.

Oh, and I'm trying to get things back to normal computer wise. Though it's not normal yet. I did install Picasa on the laptop that my friend gave to me. So I am getting more and more comfortable w/this one. As opposed to going back to my laptop. Anyway, Picasa allows me to easily add my name and blog address to the pics.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
fabric: Joann
stamp: Studio G
embossing powder: Close to my Heart
ink: VersaMark
ribbon: Morex
oval and scalloped oval die cuts: Nestabilities
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots
other: sewing

So Thoughtful :: Card-a-Licious

The design team over @ Card-A-Licious have some awesome work to check out. I like lots of layers and they have that. Sometimes I go simple and they have that too.

For this card, I went w/the layered look. I have been seeing some cards w/the bow and the flower on top and I've been meaning to try that. Well, here it is. I actually tied a very nice bow and almost did not want to cover it up. I like the double-faced ribbon too.

Then there is that flower. It's a nice little stack, right? I do like that new flower die from Sizzix. It's one of the Hello Kitty ones. I almost overlooked that one and the price is scary too - $19.99. Of course, I had a coupon.

I am officially in love w/K&Co. patterned papers. The paper here is from the news stack/pack that I purchased called "Life's Journey". Love that. And the mini journaling page is from Making Memories.
Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Co.
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger and VersaMagic
circle punches and die cuts: Sizzix, Quickutz and EK Success
fabric button: The Paper Studio/Hobby Lobby
flower die cuts: Sizzix and Cuttlebug
ribbon: Michaels
mini journal page: Making Memories

Thank You :: Color Inspiration 31 and Hero Arts

I've gone and created a 'wowser'. Well, actually I was uncertain as to how this one would turn out and - to me - it has a wow factor. I've been seeing some cards that have more of a white card base. I usually use olive or other colored cardstock as a base. I also like the white card base w/a panel of white on top and in this case using the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing adds such a nice touch.

I used Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration Challenge. As you can see, the image that she uses is rustic and seasonal, but I did not tap into that feeling. I do like the mix of pumpkin and cocoa, but even the eggplant and the saffron bring a nice warm touch. And those are colors, but could easily be a meal. :-)

Now, for the Hero Arts Challenge:

"This week I challenge you to create a thank you card that uses at least one stamped scrap and one Hero Arts stamp."

I think I followed the instructions. I just purchased the Thank You stamp in the upper left corner. It's in a set of acrylic stamps - Heartfelt Messages. I am learning that I like rubber stamps better in many cases. I like the Tim Holtz inks and they do not work well w/the acrylic stamps. IMO. I've tried to use an eraser to take off the residue and create better absorbency, but no luck.

Lots of fun to be had w/these weekly challenges.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock and patterned paper: Die Cuts With a View (DCWV)
stamps: Hero Arts (Thank you's); Inkadinkdo: (script)
ink: VersaMagic and VersaMark
embossing powder: Ranger
fabric brad: The Paper Studio
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots and Textile Texture
ribbon: Joann
circle and flower punch: EK Success

You're the Best :: 2 Sketches 4 You

For me to get in on 2 Sketches 4 You's weekly card sketch this early in the week is awesome. It is, indeed, the start of a wonderful week.

I had also intended to try emboss resist on the sentiment, but I just decided to leave it alone. This is week 4 of Stamp Camp over @ Two Peas. After I watched the resist video tutorial of the technique, I just have to try it out.

But I am excited about fabric brads. I found lots over the weekend when I unexpectedly landed in Hobby Lobby, Pizazz It (Columbus, OH), Michaels, Joann and Archivers.

Also, I really like making my own felt flowers. During my unplanned craft stops, I picked up a Sizzix flower die. I like the Sizzix and Cuttlebug dies for cutting cleanly through the felt and fabric. Sometimes I can cut through a thin piece of fabric w/a Quickutz die in the Cuttlebug - I just add a shim and run it back and forth a few times.

Well, enough chatter already. Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock and fabric: craft supply
patterned paper: K & Co.
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: VersaMark and VersaMagic
embossing powder: Ranger
fabric brad: The Paper Studio/Hobby Lobby
ribbon: Morex
flower dies: Cuttlebug and Sizzix
felt: unknown
other: sewing

More Thick Stickers

Just continuing to provide the supply list for the cards that I made for my Craft Critique review of American Crafts Thickers.

THX
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: Basic Grey
chipboard letters: American Crafts Thickers
other: sewing

hey!
cardstock: Bazzill and Bazzill Bling
patterned paper: KI Memories
foam letters: American Crafts Thickers
buttons: Bazzill and Miss Elizabeth's

And there is one more in the very first picture; the card in the upper right-hand corner.

Thank You
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper and letter stickers: Basic Grey
chipboard letters: American Crafts Thickers

Thanks for looking.

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 7

Yea, time for another Cuttlebug Challenge. It's week 7, in case you are counting and this is the first challenge for the month of November. You can participate in this challenge until Saturday.

I'm liking this card. I originally created it as a submission for the 2 Sketches 4 You design team. Just a cutie. And quite simple too. I used K&Company patterned papers which coordinate so well together. I've had that Quickutz dress die from some time. I've used it on occasion and I do like it. It surely does add that 'girlie' touch. Oh, and the 'tres chic' stamp is from See-D's; it's a set I have called "Ooh la la". There is dry embossing on the top half too; a bit had to see though.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Company
dress die cut: Quickutz
stamp: See-D's
ink: VersaMagic
embossing powder: Ranger
flower die cut: EK Success
bling: unknown
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots and Textile Texture
ribbon: Michaels
other: sewing

Thank You :: Color Inspiration 30

Well, if you ask me how excited I am about this card and I will tell you "uber excited"! And let me tell you why. I absolutely love the flower and the mini folder.

First of all, I am using Krista Werner's Color Inspiration Challenge. This week's colors were Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Sahara Sand and Whisper White. I love, love, love olive. So it was easy for me to coordinate for this challenge. The problem for me is the picture. I may replace it if I can produce an image that showcases the colors more vibrantly.

But my new favorite thing is fabric buttons. I went to a handmade craft fair this past weekend and lots of vendors had them. Then I went to etsy and saw even more wonderful fabric buttons. Check out these from Fabric Farrago.

So I mentioned the fabric buttons to my mom who immediately said that Joanns has the buttons covers used to make your own fabric buttons. Guess who made a trip to Joanns? That would be me. I got the buttons covers along w/a Sizzix Hello Kitty die - the outer layer of the flower. You will more than likely see more of these flowers on more and more of my cards. I like choosing my own fabric and even stamping on the fabric and making my own buttons. Now I just need to find a place that sells the buttons covers by the bag full. Watch out.

Oh, and I got the idea to use the Quickutz mini folder from Card-A-Licious; that's their challenge this week.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill
patterned paper: K&Company
stamp: Stampin Up!
ink: VersaMagic
embossing powder: Ranger
ribbon: Michaels
mini folder die cut: Quickutz
flower die cuts: Sizzix and Cuttlebug
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
felt: unknown
button cover: Dritz
other: fabric

Friendship :: 2 Sketches 4 You

Okay, so I am back to producing cards for single challenges, at least this week. The other day I managed to create one card using three different challenges.

For today's post, I'm focused on this week's 2 Sketches 4 You card sketch. It was nicely produced by Kazan. I like it, but I decided to go simple for this one. And that means so sewing, no torn or distressed edges, etc.

I did manage to use some plastic. Plastic from a milk jug. I used that to make the flower. Then I ran it through the Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots folder. And finally, I added some patterned paper to the back of it. But I think it's that fat button that really sets it off.

My bow making is still a work in progress. I keep trying. I am tying like I tie my shoes and I do believe that is the problem. This bow looks okay. I'm just afraid that I will unravel. Oh, and I do like the look of the off-white heat embossing on the patterned paper.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Company
ribbon: Morex
stamp: Stampin Up!
ink: VersaMagic
embossing powder: Ranger
button: Bazzill
floss: DMC
flower die: Sizzix
border punch: Martha Stewart/EK Success
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots

Ooooh, look ... it's thick stickers!

My most recent article for Craft Critique is for American Crafts Thickers; those awesome thick stickers. What's not to love about these?

• easy to use
• great colors, textures and fonts
• no mess

I could go on ... this is such a wonderful product, oh, and the price. Very reasonable especially if you catch them on sale like I do. I usually buy a ton of them when Hobby Lobby has them at 50% off.

So I made a batch of cards to compliment my article. Love the simple-ness of this "Hi" card.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
card base: Joann
patterned paper: Die Cuts With a View (DCWV)
bling: Darice
ribbon: Martha Stewart
oval die cut: KI Memories
letter stickers: American Crafts Cream Soda Foam Thickers

Card Making with a Purpose

I made this card as a submission for the 2 Sketches 4 You Design Team. Unfortunately I did not make the cut - not this time. I'll try again in the Spring. Congrats to the new DT; their work looks awesome.

But do I love this card? Heck yeah! It has a lot going for it: colors, texture and just plain old fun.

You can vaguely see that I stamped on the Thickers. I used a Tim Holtz's Tattered Rose which is a light shade of pink. I stamped w/a stamp w/writing on it. I do like that look. Additionally, I used my Cuttlebug along w/a Cuttlebug die to cut through the felt for the flower. I like the mix of patterns on top of the Bazzill Bling. I think this one really came together.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill Bling
patterned paper: Basic Grey, Creative Imaginations, K&Co.
letter stickers: American Crafts Gift Box Thickers
ribbon: Wrights
felt: unknown
other: sewing
button: Foof a la
floss: DMC

Classes and Good Times for This Weekend

Hey folks ... just thought I'd share information about Jessica Sprague's upcoming course. It's a FREEBIE! Love that.

It's called Stories in Hand. Seems like it will be very cool. The primary item that you need is a 6x6 naked binder. The class begins on Sunday, November 9, 2008 so you don't have much time to get the supplies and get ready to have fun.

Speaking of fun, it looks to be another fun weekend over on Two Peas in a Bucket. Not only is Stamp Camp in its second week, but Home for the Holidays kicks off tomorrow; that's right on Thursday. Check out the Two Peas Education Forum for all the details. It will surely be a chance to learn how to do a lot in a little bit of time as well as possibly pick up some cool prizes by entering contests and participating in the forum discussions.

So that should do you for the next few days, right?