Holiday Wishes :: A Card for Multiple Challenges

This card fits the bill for three (3) challenges. You might be like "wow". But my lesson is learned here. From here on out, I will primarily do just one (1) or two (2) challenges at a time. Three sort of seems like a jack-of-all-trades, master of none. I think my card just looks so-so and that if I would have focus on two challenges I would have had a better result. And I actually wanted to add a fourth element: using the 'spotlight' stamp technique for 2Peas' final week of Stamp Camp.

The three (3) challenges being attempted:

1. Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration #33
   
2. Card Positioning Systems (CPS) card sketch #93
   
3. Hero Arts Make-It-In-Minutes Card Challenge

The biggest challenge was using the Color Inspiration colors: chocolate chip, pumpkin pie, taken w/teal, certainly celery and whisper white. The colors look good in the image, but not so easy to duplicate on a small canvas like a card.

I do like this week's CPS card sketch. Nice that I had the small embossing folders from Cuttlebug to add the snowflake. I do like the rhinestone at the snowflakes center. Nice touch. I like using sketches ... just one less thing to think about while card making.

And finally for the Hero Arts Challenge ... make a quick card. This was sort of quick in that I had a sketch and the colors and just had to coordinate, hence, the challenge.

I like the dry embossing on the horizontal strip. It's from the Cuttlebug heart die and embossing folders set. I just embossed half of the strip and then embossed the other half.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Archivers, Bazzill and craft supply
patterned paper: K&Co.
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: VersaMark
embossing powder: Joann
rhinestone and felt: unknown
other: sewing

Hi :: 2 Sketches 4 You and 2Peas Stamp Camp

Wow, another week and back to the wonderful world of cardmaking.

Starting off the week w/this week's 2 Sketches 4 You card sketch. This one courtesy of Laura. I love these sketches. It did not take me to coordinate this one. Just used some of the basics. I did grab some stamps that I rarely use from See-D's. And I used a border punch from Martha Stewart. I do like that punch. It is so easy to line up and use as opposed to the Fiskars punches which take a bit more of an effort to punch through.

Also, over @ Two Peas in a Bucket, Stamp Camp continues. Last week it was a "Kissing" technique. I've been following the camp, but I've yet to post a project. So here it is. The kissing is faint on the letters, but you can see the little swirls. Well that is from another stamp. I am not one to go into detail about this technique - that is why there is Stamp Camp. Go and check out the kissing technique video tutorial by Kristina Werner.

That's enough info for now, right?

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Co.
alphabet stamps: See-D's
swirl stamp: $1 Michaels
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Textile Texture
flower: Prima
twine: Darice
button: Foof a al
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

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

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

Color Inspiration 27 and cps :: 87

I'm just a bit behind in getting this done and posting. So much so that this week's winner has already been posted for the Color Inspiration. But it's not always about winning, now is it? Besides this card fulfills not one, but two challenges. Actually, the card is also based on this week's Card Positioning Systems sketch.

The Color Inspiration Challenge is very cool. Helps me to diversify my color palette. Otherwise, I'd only use olive green and brown. This week's color was red or pink as the main color.

I'm sort of feeling this card. I used up some scraps. I also made it open face. I like my interpretation of the cps sketch because I did not follow the sketch inch for inch.

Well, I am swamped ... thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply and Bazzill
patterned paper: Basic Grey and K&Co.
epoxy embellishment and alphabet stamps: Making Memories
heart die cut: Sizzix
heart button: Dress It Up
button: Foof a la
ribbon: Creative Impression
ink: StazOn
paper flower: Prima
twine: Darice
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Script Texture
other: sewing

The World's Best Looking Greeting Card

Okay ... so I was a bit over the top w/the title post, but a girl can dream right? And in my world it's all about the dreams.

This card is based on a 2 Sketches 4 You sketch. This week it was Laura at the helm. Sometimes I scratch my head w/sketches, but not this time. I have way too many scraps in my work area so I just started pulling some and tried to coordinate. Then I lost the desire to coordinate, but somehow it still works here.

I purchased some lace a few weeks ago because I've been seeing it on more and more projects and I thought today'd be a good day to try it out.

I have a lot going on here. That's why I mentioned it as "The World's Best Looking Greeting Card". Here are the elements from the designer's perspective - that would be me:

• Used the Cuttlebug and inked the dry embossing
• Used the sewing machine to add more texture
• Stamped on the patterned paper for added effect
• Used a journaling stamp, but did not journal - ah, ha ...
  
• Created the flower using felt, muslim, stamp and button - love that
• Used felt and die cuts to cut out heart and the letter 'u' - that was tricky since my felt is flimsy and the heart and letter did not cut cleanly; had to use scissors
• How about that ribbon? It's got the wire in it so I could fluff it up (still working on my bow making skills)
  
• And finally, the bling - a heart bling - it's all about the bling!

This card is truly one of my favs and it did not take forever to make. Oh, I'm also submitting this to Card-A-Licious. And yes, it is as yummy as it sounds. The challenge was to use a journaling spot.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: Basic Grey
stamp: Scrappy Cat
ink: VersaMagic
dry embossing, heart and alpha die cuts: : Cuttlebug
ribbon: Wright's
button: Foof a la
stamp: Inkadinkado
bling and felt: unknown
lace: Wyla/Joann
other: sewing

Happy Birthday :: 2 Sketches 4 You & Hero Arts

It did not seem to take me long to make this card. I started on it last night. Not quite what I envisioned, but I do like it. Hard not like the K&Co papers. I like the pink because the card is not so matchy-matchy.

It's the stamping that I am a bit iffy about. I do love that Hero Arts 'happy' stamp. But I did not do well stamping on the edges/creases. I should know better. I intended to go off the edges, but, well ... I wanted grungy and I got what I got, right? Oh, well.

Oh, and of course I would have a sewing glitch. Yeah, it got a little nasty. I was trying to adjust the tension because I was using craft threat, but the paper still got a bit stuck in the machine. I tried to recover. I had sewn about an inch or more; I pulled out those stitches, re-threaded the machine using regular thread instead of the craft thread and sewed over the original area. Then I covered it up w/that cute little butterfly - embellishments doing what they do ... embellish! Love that.

Oh, for the 2 Sketches 4 You sketch, I turned this sketch counterclockwise - for no particular reason.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill
patterned paper: K&Co.
stamps: Hero Arts ('happy' and 'just...'); Making Memories ('birthday'); Inkadinkado (writing and post mark)
butterfly punch: Martha Stewart/EK Success
rick rack: Creative Impression
ink: VersaMark, VersaMagic and Tim Holtz/Ranger
embossing powder: Ranger
other: sewing

cps 83 :: Blog Hop Preview

Well, w/so much on my plate, I had to double dip at some point. I did have some fun w/this one. I had to go and pull out my trough of holiday patterned paper (made me decide right away that I can never purchase any more patterned paper - holiday or otherwise).

I do like this week's cps sketch so much. Thanks to Tami for hookin it up. Good stuff. Oh, and the Blog Hop Preview is that I used some of Papertrey Ink's most recent line of patterned paper - Holiday Vintage. Make sure you click the link to get the pdf and print it out for yourself.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: Papertrey Ink and Creative Imaginations
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
circle punch: EK Success
stamp: Michaels $1 stamps/Studio G
embossing powder: Ranger
other: sewing

Thanks :: 2 Sketches 4 You

Another week, another 2 Sketches 4 You sketch. Love these. So many inspirational participants. I've tried to view all of the entries. I think I got through all of them once. Almost all of them twice, then I just lost count because I have to actually craft, right?

And craft, craft, craft is what's on the menu for this week. I have this week's CPS (Card Positioning Systems) sketch, then the Two Peas Profile on Thursday as well as PaperTrey Ink's Blog Hop. I also have little entry for a contest on the Hero Arts Blog. I actually have all those projects done. So I hope to work on some personal projects and calls for publication.

As for this week's 2S4Y card, I do like this baby. I managed to marry two different lines of patterned paper - Making Memories and Creative Imaginations. Nice.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock and sticker sentiment: Bazzill
patterned paper: Making Memories and Creative Imaginations
chipboard (under the sticker sentiment): Making Memories
ribbon: Michaels and Offray
other: sewing

So Much Laughter :: 2 Sketches 4 You

My lack of access to free wifi, won't stop me from blogging. Actually, now I have more time to actually craft. Imagine that.

I've figured out a way to use my cell phone as a modem to get wireless Internet, only, of course, you can't use the phone for anything else if you are using it as a modem. My phone is quite high tech too. I can already get Internet on the celly, but that is just for temporary use and what not. Additionally, I can always travel to the nearest Panera or Get-Go (a convenient store/gas station w/a wifi cafe) for my Internet fix and they are actually very close and Get-Go is open 24 hours ... we'll see how this works out, right?

Oh, and I had to download the Facebook mobile app so that I could update my profile w/a text message. Same for Twitter - for all of my psuedo stalkers.

Back to the task at hand ... my card for this week's 2 Sketches 4 You sketch by Kazan has a lot going on. For example, I have some sewing, heat embossing, and inked edges. I fully embrace this card. I wanted to use ribbon, but alas, no room for it on this one.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock flower: Bazzill
patterned paper and fabric word (laughter): K&Co.
buttons: Foof a la
charm: Making Memories
stamps: (swirls) $1 Michaels and (alphabet) ???
embossing powder: Ranger
ink: VersaMark
other: sewing

You're Fab :: Triple the Sketch

I've gone sketch crazy. You'd think I have a personal goal to do a sketch a day; not the case, but it easily could be, huh?

I picked up this paper pack from K&Co. w/40% off coupon from Michaels. Blue Awning is the name of the line and I love it. Reminds me on denim in a way.

So I grabbed the Triple the Sketch sketch and crafted these cards. I went a bit more simple than the sketch, just trying to tone it down a bitl. I guess it works.

I used a stamp from See-D's (sophisticated friends set) as well as some blue shimmery embossing powder from Joann.

I don't know which card I like the best; they're not really that different, right?

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill
patterned paper: K&Co.
stamp: See-D's
ink: VersaMark
embossing powder: Joann
ribbon: Michaels
oval and scalloped oval die cuts: Nestabilities
other: sewing

Thank You :: 2 Sketches 4 You Bonus Sketch

I've somehow managed to carve out plenty of crafting time this week. Possibly to make up for not crafting at all last week.

This week on the 2 Sketches 4 You blog, they have a bonus sketch. I like that circle; I'm just attracted to it. So I quickly jumped to make a card. That little tag is cute too. I put some bling on the flower on the tag, but I don't know if it will stay that way. I wanted something flat that would slide in and out.

I used Basic Grey's Periphery. It's a bit bland and dreary, but I'm really smitten w/it. I found it on sale at Pat Catan's for .25 cents a sheet. Nice get, so I got it, and lots of it.

Well, enough chatter ... thanks for looking, here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill
patterned paper: Basic Grey
ink: VersaMark, VersaMagic and Tim Holtz/Ranger
stamps: Hero Arts (many many thanks) and ??? (thank you)
ribbon: Michaels and Offray
tag die cut: Sizzix
heart die cut: Cuttlekids
flower punch: EK Success
bling: Darice
other: sewing