Monday, December 9, 2013

JustRite Friday Challenge #111: It's in the Bag

JustRite is challenging us to create a bag (or any sort of gift packaging item) for their last challenge of 2013. I decided to re-purpose a gift box from the mall in shimmery white & gold as I happened to have those papers in my stash.

Simply using some of the box's existing design, I cut gold paper with JustRite's Custom Vintage Labels Four die, added white pearl trim and tied sheer ribbon around the lid before gluing down my die cut.
Atop that I stamped the elaborate frame from Birthday Vintage Labels Four stamp set in Encore Gold Metallic ink on white shimmer paper, added my sentiment from the same set in Memento black ink and die cut with another Labels Four die, centering that vertically over my larger piece.
I tied my two ribbons in bows at the left of center, added white shimmer paper roses (Spellbinders' Bitty Blossoms) edged in Antique Linen Distress Ink and a pearl-adorned gold butterfly (Spellbinders' Les Papillions) to finish off the box top. For the front-closing magnetic edge piece, I paired two Spellbinders' Classic Edge dies and added more pearls.
I think my additions make an already pretty box even more elegant for a lovely lady's special occasion, perhaps a birthday or even a wedding or shower! A fun challenge indeed!

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

JustRite Friday Challenge #110: Bleach Stamping Technique

JustRite's Friday Challenge was a FUN one this week requiring us to use bleach instead of ink to do our stamping.

I'd not done this in many years but it's a technique I've always liked, partly because its exciting to see what color the bleach will reveal. I used several different CS colors, but this was definitely my FAV, an 'old rose' shade from Stampin' Up, though I don't recall the exact color. I stamped in bleach using JustRite's Fleuriste Newsprint Background Stamp which left me with a cream BG image. I die cut the image with Spellbinders' A2 Matting Basics A largest die, sponged the edge with Black Soot Distress Ink and mounted it to a cream top-fold card. I then re-stamped my BG stamp on cream in black ink, hand cutting the butterfly and oval from the stamp. I added black wire antennae to my butterfly, a hand-colored seam binding double bow, 3 small paper roses and black swirls to complete this simple card.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #124: Funky Christmas!

For our final challenge of this calendar year, our DT member, Raquel, has asked that we create any project using NON-traditional Christmas colors -- no typical green / red / white combinations or white / blue combination.  You can use those colors but MIX it up!




















I started out thinking this would be really hard OR that I'd not really like what I created, but in the end I LOVE this non-traditional teal and pink card totally!!!  Michaels recently had stamps on sale, BOGO (buy one / get one free), so how could I resist, PLUS I had a 25% off entire purchase coupon -- WOO-HOO!  I chose two Hero Arts Christmas stamps, mainly because I liked the large A2-card-filling sentiments on one and the mistletoe branches on the other. Then, as luck would have it, a couple days later I happened upon the card on the right (perhaps Pinterest?) by Shari Carroll!

Changing up the colors and greeting using the 2nd Hero set, I started with PTI's Hawaiian Shores CS for my top-fold A2 card, adding a DP layer (7gypsies 'Venice' 6x6" variety pack). My large ornament is stamped using Encore Ultimate Metallic "Pink" ink, the smaller one & sentiment in Encore's "Teal" and all embossed in Martha Stewart Clear EP. After stamping my mistletoe in Memento Tuxedo Black, I colored my leaves using Copic #'s YG41 and BG11. A small teal seam binding bow and a sprinkling of pink Bazzill gems finishes it off.  Best part of all, I know exactly who's receiving this card -- another important one crossed off my list!

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Sew, Sometimes I Craft Without (#5) (Oops, this s/be #7) . . .

paper --  this is the fifth seventh in my series of posting handmade American Girl doll clothing made from patterns from various sources, both free and purchased ones.  I'd intended to get this sweet little dress posted over a week or so ago, but my dear sweet hubby of nearly 35 years had a medical emergency. Thank God, he is much better and we hope to have many more healthy, wonderful years together!

This darling little dress modeled by Kirsten (an original Pleasant Company AG doll from 1990) is from the Feedsack Fun: ebook of 1930's patterns, available in several different sizes in one pattern -- all original designs created by JenWrenne. The above link is for her fabulous Etsy storefront!!!  She's a very lovely and TALENTED lady and her awesome blog (including lots of FREE patterns you'll LOVE!) can be found here!  Please go visit Jen's blog and her Etsy store -- you'll NOT be disappointed!  She also does fabulous contests every so often and has one open through November 22nd!

For those of us who remember 'feedsacks', this is such a fabulous array of darling dresses that Jen has beautifully drawn for our enjoyment.  I also LOVE that Jen gives lots of historical information along with her patterns -- she's truly an educator & doll lover!  I just purchased a couple more patterns from her and now have so many that it's hard to know what to sew for my DD's dolls first -- a great dilemma to be in -- Hee!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today; I love to hear from you, so please feel free to leave a comment. Thanks!!!


Saturday, November 9, 2013

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #123: Thanksgiving

Our challenge @ My Sheri Crafts asks simply that you create a project that's Fall or Thanksgiving related -- so let's see yours!

Simplicity ruled for me, as a family emergency consumed several days. All ended well, so that's ALL that matters in the end and I now need this card for a neighbor that helped me in my time of need. I designed this card with him in mind and kept it very simple and as masculine as I could. I chose Kraft CS and a deep red-orange Bazzill CS to add behind my Spellbinders' die-cut bottom edge. Using JustRite's stamp set (Give Thanks Nested Frames & Occasions - retired) and two coordinating Just Rite die sets (retired), I stamped my leaf/acorn frame and sentiment and popped them up with foam dots for dimension atop my brown ribbon. That's it for me now, but I'll be watching for your project @ MSC!!!

Saturday, November 2, 2013

JustRite Friday Challenge #109: It's WOW!

Guess you could say, I'm dreaming of a White Christmas' with this card that I created for JustRite's current Friday Challenge to create a 'white-on-white' card and sponsored by Spellbinders.
This was such a FUN Christmas scene to design! My favorite thing about this card is that you can see light through it along the Radiant Rectangles open edges. I lined it with vellum and then cut a large rectangle out of my card front. For this card today I've used various white card stock and vellum pieces from my stash, lots of pearls, several Spellbinders' dies and my sentiment from JustRite's Antique Christmas Tags: One.
The gifts under the tree were difficult to capture with all the white, so I've added a close-up of them below. Thanks so much for stopping by to visit!





Dies Used:  Radiant Rectangles, 2012 Holiday Tree, Frosty Forms (pkg & bow) and various rectangle dies.














Tuesday, October 29, 2013

JustRite Friday Challenge #108: Sketch

Needing Christmas cards, I thought this JustRite Friday Challenge #108 would be the perfect time to knock another one out, following Sheri's fabulous sketch!

Think this card is pretty simple construction-wise, so I'll simply list the 'ingredients' used below. Any questions, just comment and I'll be happy to reply and thanks for stopping by today!!!

Paper: Papertrey Ink's Vintage Cream and Pure Poppy CS; October Afternoon's Holiday Style 8x8 Paper Pad
Stamps: JustRite's Christmas Antique Labels One and Just Because Set (retired) for the From Our Family tag
Dies: JustRite's Vintage Labels Four and Antique Labels One and (retired) Nested Sentiment Dies

Saturday, October 26, 2013

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #122: A Little Comfort

Our current challenge @ My Sheri Crafts is a simple (but important) one: to create a card that brings 'A Little Comfort' to it's recipient(s), either a sympathy card or simply Thinking of You!

I did a new take on my favorite simple sympathy card previously created here in black/cream, making it instead in shades of cream/light brown sugar. I started with a Papertrey Ink Vintage Cream CS base, added a DCWV light brown shade of textured CS and finished it off with PTI's Fine Linen CS. On that I stamped/embossed my BG vine stamp also from PTI's With Sympathy set) and embossed with American Crafts Brown Sugar Zing EP -- LOVE this color. I stamped a sentiment from the same stamp set onto a Petite and Scalloped Oval by first using VersaMark Ink and adding American Crafts Brown Sugar ink on top and heating with my heat gun until dry. A few pearls were added below my sentiment and cream seam binding bow at the side for an understated sympathy card. Always good to have a couple of these in our stash, so I hope to see your version of "A Little Comfort" posted soon for our challenge @ My Sheri Crafts!!!

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Sew, Sometimes I Craft Without (#6) . . .

paper -- and oh my, did I ever LOVE making this ADORABLE little Penny Lane Jacket by Liberty Jane Clothing -- it is my FAV, at least at the moment, but I'm sure it will be a top FAV for years to come!

I purchased Linen fabric for this little beauty and I'm sooo glad I did, as it is just sooo sweet!!! I used what I believe to be a tiny piece of vintage fabric, probably from my Mother's stash from many years ago and just love that it went so well with the linen, IMHO!  Ohhh, what I would make IF I only had more of this sweet little flowery print -- sigh!
I've also used some possibly vintage buttons, but who remembers where all those buttons come from?! Molly is modeling for us today, wearing her Peplum Top and Skinny Jeans (also from LJC), but this top is not quite ready for 'prime time' yet. I absolutely LOVE that sweet green fabric that I found at my local Wal-Mart of all places and I'm ever so tempted to make myself a top from it -- that's how much I like it!
The first Peplum top I made is a bit too snug on my original/plumper American Girl dolls. The added 10% is a bit too much though, so more tweaking will happen as I just adore this top and will get it's fit perfected soon. When I do, you know I'll post it!  ;~)


Wednesday, October 16, 2013

JustRite Friday Challenge #107: Easel Cards

Card Open w/all 3 Layers
Easel cards are the theme this week @ JustRite's Friday Challenge -- something I've only done once or twice before, but they're a really fun way to create a card that's a bit more unique! I decided to make it a real 'challenge' and create a triple-easel Valentine's card basically following this video.

For my card I've used various Spellbinders' heart-shaped dies (Nested Hearts; Lace Hearts) and Labels One to create my Valentine's Day card using gold CS and red/gold sparkly DP as well as JustRite's Winter Words, Ooh La La French Fills and JR Grand Sentiments for my three sentiments. With the above-mentioned video, I think what I did is self-evident, except to say that I added Viva Inka Gold Metallic Rub to my largest heart, the key from the Lace Hearts die cut in Spellbinders Red Foil and several red gems.

What a FUN challenge and although it took a bit longer than I'd hoped to finish, I LOVE the result!
Card Folded Flat for Mailing
Largest Heart




Medium Heart








Smallest Heart

Saturday, October 12, 2013

My Sheri Crafts #121: Nighttime!

My Sheri Crafts 'nighttime' theme this week reminded me of a pair of owls that had taken up residence in our former Phoenix neighborhood. We lived very near the Indian Reservation there also and since our older, established neighborhood had lots of big  trees and some 2-story homes it attracted owls. Sitting atop the chimney of our next-door neighbor's house, the male would have a conversation with Mrs. Owl! It was always a joy to fall asleep listening to them, almost like he was guarding the area, though I doubt the smaller critters he was hunting felt very safe!

Several variations of 'toilet paper or paper towel roll' owls can be found online at Pinterest and a friend sent the Bazzill blog link where a mutual friend shared hers. They are so fun and a great creative activity for kids as well! Using SEI's older Madera Island CS I covered both rolls. Then you simply fold down the back and front at the center to form the ears. Mr. Owl has wiggle eyes, while Mrs. Owl's are made with pearl brads and stick-on enamel dots. I used a Spellbinders' leaf die to cut wings from CS/felt and  beaks were hand cut from velvet paper. The possibilities are endless for embellishing your owls, so just let the creativity flow and have FUN!!! Hope to see your version of 'nighttime' posted over @ My Sheri Crafts!

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

JustRite Friday Challenge #106: Color Inspiration

Wasn't sure I'd find time this busy week for the JustRite challenge, but I managed in the nick of time to get a card done. Didn't think I even liked it, but my hubby LOVEs it!!!  ;-)  I do think I captured the required colors pretty well?!
I used JustRites' Birthday Vintage Labels Four stamp set, Grand Large Labels die for my purple BG piece, followed by Majestic Labels Twenty-five (green & orange layers) and topped it all off with JustRite's own Vintage Labels Four die cut for my stamped birthday wishes. The elegant BG swirly stamp was stamped in VersaMark & embossed with black embossing powder that contains orange glitter. It doesn't show very well in my photo, but is really striking in person! A2 Bracket Border die cuts in the same orange striped vellum, a big bow and a few purple gems finish it all off.
I know the perfect person to give this card to, who LOVEs purple, always a win-win when you're following a color inspiration challenge!!!  ;-)
EDITED to add:  Still 10 minutes before challenge closes, so I've added a 2nd close-up now of my glittery orange stamp! Okay, 3:54 PM & I'm DONE -- LOL!



Monday, September 30, 2013

Sew, Sometimes I Craft Without (#5) . . .

paper -- LOL!  I also love using fabric and my beloved sewing machine and spent a bit of time sewing my very first Liberty Jane Clothing patterns: Skinny Jeans from their Jeans Bundle and Peplum top. These patterns are so beautifully designed and fabulously detailed that I LOVE them even more than I thought I would!
I used a silvery stretch 7 oz. denim fabric remnant from Joann's for my skinny jeans. This pattern has ALL the sweet details a pair of jeans should have, including front & back working pockets and top stitching everywhere.  I used a twin needle and two coordinating threads on all the pockets as shown in a close-up of the back pockets below.For the Peplum top, I used another remnant piece and recycled zipper from an old wallet -- gotta love recycling!  ;~)  I just think this top is perfect because the fun detail-stitched pockets show below the peplum's gathers. The top is completely lined except for the peplum itself and goes together so easily following the pattern's excellent instructions. I love how the sweet little blue flowers in this fabric coordinate with this denim, but have another fabric I'm anxious to stitch up another peplum top with now too! Fabric is as addicting as all those  pretty papers I can't resist -- hee!  Check back or follow my blog, as I will be posting several more AG Doll outfits as soon as time permits stitching, photographing and posting -- thanks for visiting!

Sunday, September 29, 2013

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #120: Stitch Time

Our new challenge at My Sheri Crafts is to make a project which includes a sewing theme, so I took advantage of my Spellbinders' A-2 Fancy Ribbon Threader and Decorative Dress Forms dies to do some hand stitching on my fun little card, made with a very special young woman in mind! We seldom get to see each other, but last time we had an especially rewarding shopping excursion. She's going through a bumpy time professionally and we reminisced about the fun we had, so this little card just makes me think of her even more!
I started out cutting the A-2 Fancy Ribbon Threader die #4 and lacing two coordinating colors of 6-ply DMC embroidery thread separately through the outside holes, framing my card. I did the same with Die #1 using 3 strands of floss, as well as stamping my sentiment from Papertrey Ink's Birds of a Feather.
To die cut my dress, I folded a piece of CS in half and placed the die just above my fold, so I'd have a way to insert my tiny Tim Holtz hanger and hang it from the matching TH brad. I used a Timeless Touches Elegance Border template to create the holes on my dress neckline and hemline and again added hand stitching. A ribbon and rose finish off the dress at the waist and a cotton ribbon is laced through at the bottom of my card and tied into a bow to hold my sentiment tag.
Would LOVE to see your "Stitch Time" project over @ My Sheri Crafts, so please post it for us all to enjoy!

Friday, September 27, 2013

Masculine Happy Birthday: Fusion & Moxie Fab Style

Needing a masculine birthday greeting, combining Fusion's #18 sketch (ends 10/02) and Moxie Fab's
Metal, Wood and Cork challenge (ends 10/21) seemed the perfect pairing. My husband really liked the outcome, which is a real bonus!  ;~)
I honestly can't think of much more masculine than metal, wood and cork, so I cut my balsa wood (Michaels) with Spellbinders' Labels Twenty-one and cork from Grand Large Labels. I like their coordinating clipped corners and flipped the sketch sideways, adding my wood piece on the left.
Metal corners (source unknown) were added to my red CS layer. Then using Spellbinders Sprightly Sprockets, I cut both Tim Holtz Grungeboard for strength and craft foil, securing them together with metal screws though the holes. I then centered a
Tim Holtz clock face with foam dots over the sprocket. 'Time for a party' was stamped using JustRite's Market Place Alphabet onto Nested Lacey Pennants to complete this card.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

JustRite Friday Challenge #105: Autumn Splendor

Decided this AM to create a card for the JustRite Friday Challenge sponsored by Spellbinders that ends at 4 PM today, since I seem to work better under stress -- UGH!

I truly enjoy using the many Spellbinders' dies I'm so lucky to have and wanted to cut and ink up this little Whimsical Tree die for a while now, as well as use the Wrought Iron one I won awhile back from JustRite. I added those into the mix with the Arched Window dies, attempting to make it look as though you're peering out the window, using Spellbinders' Craft Foil for my arch and wrought iron trim. Just a bit trickier to cut/emboss/remove from that intricate die than I'd envisioned, but in the end I think it works?! I  needed some leaves/grass under my tree, so borrowed Sheri's Flower Soft idea. My sentiment and fall leaves (from JustRite's Autumn Words currently on sale for only $4.95!) were stamped with Memento's Potter's Clay and Rhubarb stalk inks and die cut with my newest Spellbinders' die set, Back to Basics Tags.
Go check out all the fabulous entries at JustRite and take a peek at their new challenge going up this Friday, as well as all the great stamps and Spellbinders' dies for sale in their store!

Monday, September 16, 2013

Fusion #17: Sketch Challenge

My DD & co-worker needed a baby card for another co-worker, so I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to play in the Fusion Challenge. It's so unique because you can either use just the provided sketch or just the provided inspiration photo or combine BOTH for 'fusion' -- clever, huh?!  ;-)

I went with the sketch for my first entry and created a very simple baby boy card using bright primary colors. The ribbon I wanted to finally use featured various vehicles on twill tape, so I chose the 'little tyke' sentiment, stamped onto my inside layer and then die cut a Spellbinders (retired) rectangle to create the opening to view it through. 'Welcome' was then stamped onto another rectangle die from the same set, backed with red CS and attached at top left.

I like the way the letters in these Inkadinkado Baby Boy stamps are kinda off-kelter and all lower case, which makes me think a small tyke wrote them! I added a bright striped paper from DCWV's Nana's Kids below that fun Jillibean Soup ribbon.

Another fun thing about this challenge is that anyone (participants & non-participants alike) can vote for their three favorite cards for 24 hours after the challenge closes. This is a new challenge concept for me, but I think it will be fun to see the results!

Saturday, September 14, 2013

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #119: Native American Day

Our new challenge @ My Sheri Crafts is to help us celebrate Native American Day which is September 27th.

My card uses two unmounted Native American stamps that I've had for many years and unfortunately I do not recall their origin. I stamped the feather near the card's bottom edge in VersaFine Black Onyx onto Papertrey Ink's Fine Linen CS.

My American Indian image is also stamped on Fine Linen and colored with Copic Markers. I then die cut with a Spellbinders' circle die and mounted it onto green and rust-colored die cut circles that were embossed/debossed with Gold Rounds One -- LOVE the texture these dies add! My card front is mounted to a rust card base with foam dots.

Hope you can join us for our Native American challenge!!!


Monday, September 9, 2013

Sew, Sometimes I Craft Without (#4) . . .

paper --!  Found some adorable fabric with owls on clearance @ Joann's, so HAD to have it for a doll dress. I've accumulated so many sweet doll patterns recently and once I decided which pattern to cut with this one-way owl fabric, I purchased a banana cream solid for the bodice and underskirt -- LOVE how it turned out!

I used the Garden Tea Dress designed by 123 Mulberry Street available for $3.99 @ Pixie Faire (formerly Liberty Jane) for this dress -- LOVE this sweet pattern and to me that adorable back bow just MAKES a simple dress outstanding!

I also recently knitted an easy sweater (from this free pattern) in green yarn and Molly's modeling it too. This was the perfect 'starter' pattern to complete a small project, as I've knitted very little and long ago. Just using a skein of yarn I had, it turned out fine, but a lighter weight yarn might be better. Still a very cute little pattern with 4 options included and my favorite price too!  ;~)





Sunday, September 1, 2013

JustRite Friday Challenge #104: Clean and Simple Sketch

For JustRite's "Clean and Simple Sketch" challenge, I decided to make it complicated -- LOL! Not really, but the banner I chose to do across the top was a bit 'fiddly', but I do love the result AND I have another Christmas card done -- YAY!!!

Edited to add: My tree is decked out with MS glitter (just like my banner), but I can't seem to photograph it so it looks as fabulous as it does IRL!!!  ;-(
Also entered into this challenge: Moxie Fab World: http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2013/08/holiday-cards-more-week-holiday-card.html

Products Used:
Stamps: JustRite's Buntings and Banners, Noel Christmas Ornaments (greeting) and Antique Christmas tags One (holly)
Dies: JustRite's Buntings and Button Dies; Spellbinders' 2013 Holiday Trees and Nested and  Lacy Nested Pennants
Papers: Echo Park's Very Merry Christmas 6"x6" pad; PTI's Pure Poppy CS
Inks: Memento's Bamboo Leaves and VersaFine Olympia Green
Miscellaneous: Martha Stewart White Gold glitter; star and gems from stash; Copic R29 on gems

Saturday, August 31, 2013

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #118: Fall Colors

For our biweekly challenge at My Sheri Crafts we're asking you to create a project simply using Fall colors -- whatever colors/shades say "Fall" to you!

For my card I had to use burlap, which is currently the most appealing aspect of fall for me at this point as our hot desert summer drags on & we miss every rainfall by a few miles, making it difficult to think cool weather/fall colors! I LOVE burlap so I'm anxious to finish a wreath I started last year and actually use it!

This burlap ribbon with gold threads woven through was purchased last year @ Hobby Lobby. I merely fringed both ends and mounted my huge banner die cut atop it. 'Thanks' was a left-over 9-cent Michaels bargain from a couple years ago, cut apart to fit to the curve of my banner. Bo Bunny's 6x6" Apple Cider Collection was used for my card's BG, mounted onto Papertrey Ink's Fine Linen CS and  Spellbinders' Les Papillions butterfly was cut from Apple Cider text paper and inked with Wild Honey and Vintage Photo distress inks.  My 'go-to' Antique Linen adds definition to the banner and a flower from my stash finishes off this simple card.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

JustRite Friday Challenge #103: Things With Wings

The challenge ending in a couple hours @ JustRite Papercraft asks us to use something with wings on your project. This could be a butterfly, bee, angel, fairy, dragonfly or even an airplane! I see a few entrants have also cleverly thought of birds!

I began with a zipper art dragonfly after having seen many versions on Pinterest. In the end, I just combined a couple different things I'd seen and 'winged it' (pun intended) by first coloring my white zipper with blue and yellow Copics to coordinate with my gorgeous flowery Summer Fresh paper (Simple Stories). I made the blue dragonfly body first securing with hot glue and then tucked the yellow inserts into his upper wings, which really gave him a lot of character.
'Thinking of You' (JustRite's Grand Sentiments) was stamped onto die cuts from Decorative Labels Eight and Labels Eight and my flowers and leaves were created using Bitty Blossoms.
Off to post -- maybe I won't be last -- thanks so much for popping by!!!

Saturday, August 17, 2013

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #117: National S'mores Day

My fellow designer, Raquel, chose National S'mores Day (Aug. 10th) and National Marshmallow Toasting Day (Aug. 30th) as her theme for our current My Sheri Crafts Challenge -- isn't she ever sooo clever?!  ;~) Her challenge to you is to create a project with chocolate or marshmallows on it!
I modified Spellbinders' Nested Tea Cup a bit by trimming the top edge down with an oval die and adding my 'hot chocolate' (also using the oval die) and tiny pom pom marshmallows behind. My tablecloth is from Papertrey Ink's Dotty Biscotti 8" paper pad, my place mat and doily die cut with Spellbinders' Floral Ovals from a coffee filter and my saucer from Papertrey Ink's Vintage Cream CS, using another oval die.
After cutting the spoon from SB's Tea Service, I brushed on silver Inka Gold Metallic Rub -- LOVE this new-to-me crafting goodie! JustRite's Winter Words (retired) acrylic stamps provided the perfect sentiment and a bit of chocolate twine finishes it all off.
Stop by My Sheri Crafts and peruse all the fabulous chocolate/marshmallow designs my fellow teamies created and add you OWN!

Monday, August 5, 2013

JustRite Friday Challenge #102: Color Inspiration

I couldn't help but think baby when I saw JustRite's current color inspiration challenge and since I LOVE Samantha Walker's Buntings and Banners acrylic stamps, I just had to create a sweet baby card!

I stamped my two banners and die cut using JustRite's coordinating Buntings and Button dies. I then stamped 'sweet baby!' along the banners using JustRite's retired Times New Roman 50 point font. My banners are attached using little sheer pearl-centered bows that my sweet sister-in-law kindly sent me. They were among my beloved MIL's crafting stash, but she's turning 97 the last day of August and isn't able to sew or craft any longer. I think this card will have to go to someone on my DH's side of the family!

My focal sentiment and button again from Buntings and Banners are matted from the bottom up on Card Creator A2 Matting Basics B, A2 Locking Loops and Resplendent Rectangles. I then added strips of baby rick-rack colored with Copic Y13 to pull in more yellow, pop-dotted the button next to my sentiment and finished up with the pink tulle and ribbon bow and a tiny pacifier from my stash.

Saturday, August 3, 2013

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #116: Back to School

It's that time of year again for many of you, so we're celebrating Back to School @ My Sheri Crafts!!! Gearing my card for the younger bus-riding crowd, I found a free SVG file @ http://www.scrapbooksvg.com/freebies/ which worked perfectly! The cut file actually includes the words 'school bus' cut out, but I stamped my letters instead using JustRite retired alpha letters.
I also wanted that very important STOP sign for my bus, reminding all students and drivers out there to 'Be Safe', so I cut the sign from a Spellbinders Octagon die and embossed my word in white EP. I then took an embossing pen to add white embossing along the edges. My sentiment is from stick-on letters I had in my stash. For windows, I took a strip of vellum and colored with an aqua Copic. Finishing off the bus are some sparkly Little Yellow Bicycle jewels for lights that sadly don't sparkle very well in photos, but are fabulous in person!











My card is bright/colorful inside. Since my bus w/stop sign took a 6 1/2" card size, I pieced the right inside edge, secured with Washi tape and then added 2 more Washi strips just for FUN. My inside sentiment is stick-on letters too. Hope to see your back to school projects @ MSC in the next 2 weeks!

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Summer Card Camp 2: Week 3, Day 2

Do you ever make a card that just refuses to turn out even remotely like you envisioned and you have to end up making nearly each/every little part of it over. . .& over. . .& over -- until you're determined to finish & post it, regardless?!  Maybe it's just a personality disorder -- LOL?!

It was all 'operator error' along the way -- the cards @ SCC2 were FABULOUS, as were the videos/directions/explanations. My biggest problem,I think, was that I tried so many different things with the flowers that in the end even though NOT the colors I'd hoped for, I still kinda liked them and had spent sooo long on them that I just felt I had to roll with it. Of course, the colors don't even look the same in my photo since they're shiny/embossed, but I still like them.

One FABULOUS idea from camp was the embossed clear acetate, but that gave me fits too -- kept seeing scratches or I'd get a bit of adhesive on it and that annoyed me -- sigh! Oh well, I still had a fabulous play with layering different embossing powders on my die cut flowers/stems and practice working with acetate and LOVE the verse I found that I'd forgotten I had, so in the end it's all good!

Supplies:
Paper: PTI's White CS; blue CS from stash
Stamp: PTI's Year of Flowers Collection
Ink: Versamark Dazzle (to add a bit more glitz to my sentiment/stems)
Dies: Lifestyle Crafts Ovals

Miscellaneous: Personal Stamp Exchange's Woven Tapestry EP, Stamp 'n Stuff Lilac EP; Martha Stewart's Clear EP; various markers (on flowers); Grafix Dura-Lar acetate film


Wednesday, July 24, 2013

JustRite Friday Challenge #101: Christmas in July

My preferred type of card to create is classy/elegant and I'm sooo thrilled that this Christmas card definitely fits my standards! The challenge over at JustRite that ends today thankfully asks us to create for Christmas and I NEED many more cards for the holiday, so at least now one more is finished -- YAY!!!

Using my beloved Radiant Rectangles, I embossed 2 layers in white and aqua to layer onto my white card, rounding all corners to compliment those on the Radiant Rectangles. I stamped/embossed/die cut my ornament from a favorite JR Christmas clear stamp set, also die cutting the center opening with a custom JR Antique Labels One die, also a big FAV. Noel is stamped/embossed and sits below the ornament, which I adhered with foam adhesive for depth. LOVE the dimension this and the embossed rectangles create along with my embossing powder. Sadly my camera (or just the operator) couldn't pick up the gold flecks in my EP or how totally sparkly all those gems are in real life -- sigh!

Edited to Enter @ Moxie Fab World's challenge: http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2013/08/holiday-cards-more-week-holiday-card.htmlhttp://www.moxiefabworld.com/2013/08/holiday-cards-more-week-holiday-card.html

Supplies:
Paper: PTI's White CS; Ice Silver Metallic & Aqua Metallic from stash
Stamps: JustRite's Noel Christmas Ornaments
Inks: VersaMark
Dies: JustRite Custom Antique Labels One; Spellbinders' Radiant Rectangles; Heirloom Ornaments 2010
Other: WeRMemoryKeepers Corner Rounder; Little Yellow Bicycle's Jewel Stickers (on bow); Crystazzi Flatback gems (Michaels); BMuse Pale Turquoise Metallic EP; white ribbon from stash

Monday, July 22, 2013

Summer Card Camp 2: Week 3, Day 1

Struggled a bit finding a good white ink for my stamped BG and with the purples in today's color combo, but what a FUN sketch -- LOVE the fabulous banner. In the end I feel this makes a great card, even quite appropriate for a male, which is why these geometric BGs appeal to me so much! Always love another male card idea and can't wait to try more with different shapes.

Supplies:
Papers: PTI's Kraft; Bazzill White & Blue CS
Stamps: JustRite's Pattern Basics
Inks: VersaFine Vintage Sepia; Colorbox Eggshell White
Dies: QuicKutz/Lifestyle Crafts Spring 2011 Gift Set (Alphas)
Embellishments: Buttons & brown jute from stash

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Summer Card Camp 2: Week 2, Day 5

I was so taken with Jessica Witty's Layered Vellum card (and actually had two stamp sets used) that I just HAD to make my own. Once again, I pretty much CASEd her card, except I used a different color combo, mine being #4 of the 6 we were given on Friday.  Had a bit of trouble with ALL the hot pinks/raspberry ink shades I own on my vellum, both dye and pigment inks  -- NOT sure why? They only wanted to pool up/look splotchy on my flowers -- even after cleaning them extra well AND rubbing over them with a white eraser?! In the end, I used different flowers from the same set which where were a bit better.
Jessica's card layers begin with white CS. Stamp your first flowers near the center bottom in your neutral color, so that they basically look like a shadow in the BG. Mine is Memento's London Fog. Next, stamp a vellum piece the same size as your white base with grass/blooms a bit off the left edge. Finally, another vellum piece with stems/blooms at the right side and your sentiment near the top. My sentiment should have been about a half-inch or so lower, but I still think it's a sweet little card. I colored white crochet thread sporadically with a Cool Gray (C-5) Copic and wrapped it just at the edge of my vellum.

Wish I was a great photographer to truly do this card justice -- SIGH! I plan to create this card again in different colors as a sympathy card because I think it has such a peaceful, serene tone -- LOVE it!!!

Supplies:
Paper: Grey Bazzill CS; vellum
Stamps: PTI (Botanical Silhouettes); Technique Tuesday (Growing Wild & Long-Stemmed Sentiments)
Inks: Memento's London Fog & Pear Tart; PTI's Raspberry Fizz; VersaColor's Marigold

My Sheri Crafts Challenge 115: Let's Take a Trip!

For the MSC challenge this go-round, we're asking you to create a project that has something to do with traveling. It can be a mode of travel, a destination, reason to travel, etc. In my case, I'm just dreaming of a Paris vacation, because I was looking for something I'd misplaced in my craft room yesterday and ran across this 'ancient' tag -- LOL! Okay, it's not quite that old, but I did seriously make this in a class MANY years ago.

I always LOVED it and never wanted to part with it, but decided yesterday it would be awesome with the Eiffel Tower in the BG. It also gave me a chance to play with my new find: Inka Gold Metallic Rub. The very day Becca Feeken used it on her Spellbinders' Release projects, I went into Hobby Lobby and my dear friend there showed me some new items, including the Inka metallic rub. I just bought gold, but think now I'll need the silver too! I backed my card with black CS, rubbed some metallic rub along the edges and buffed with a soft rag. I added a bit on two corners of my tag also. Next I stamped just the word dream from a JustRite retired sentiment stamp on black CS, embossed in gold EP and cut with JustRite's Antique Labels One die. Of course, I'm only 'dreaming' of ever actually seeing Paris, but life would be dull without  dreams -- and paper crafting!

Looking forward to seeing what your dreams (or reality) for travel might be!!!

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Summer Card Camp 2: Week 1, Day 1


(Updated version!)
Following Jennifer's colors and her sketch
quite literally for a flap-style card (wherein the recipient's greeting will go underneath the flap) and building a dimensional die cut, this is my first 'homework' for class -- life got crazy again! I love the 'chevron'-style BG stamping she taught us in her video -- really FUN and quite easy to achieve with her tips/tricks.
EDITED to add: New updated photo of same card, but I added orange gems (colored with a Copic marker) and ribbon -- after looking at this card for a couple days and battling allergy symptoms ever since Card Camp began, I felt this needed a 'punch', so here's my changes. Sure I'm not the only one who likes her cards better after a change or two?!

(Original version)




SUPPLIES: 
Paper: PTI's Aqua Mist & Spring Moss; white CS from stash
Stamps: PTI's Beautiful Blooms II and Everyday Button Bits (sentiment)
Ink: Memento Rose Bud, Tangelo & Dandelion
Dies: QuicKutz/Lifestyle Crafts Spring 2011 Gift Set (Alpha Letters)

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

JustRite Friday Challenge #100: Delicate Doilies

I seem to be on a 'yellow' binge with my creativity lately, so I just went with it for JustRite's 100th Challenge -- WOW -- I first took part in Challenge #005 in February 2010 and have rarely missed any since. It's been really fun and hope it continues for a long time!

I decided to make a large half-fold card (8 1/2" x 5 1/2") for this challenge in order to use the entire large oval doily from my stash. Beginning with a white card, I die cut the bottom edge as well as my layer of yellow dot paper with Spellbinders' A2 Bracket Borders One. After attaching my doily, I stamped a border from Celebration Labels One & Bracket Borders One in Moonlight White Brilliance Ink to finish off the bottom detail.

Next, I inked Spellbinders' Floral Oval Die #3 with white ink and embossed it into a black oval -- I LOVE the 'blackboard' look this gave my focal image and border. Lace Medallion Labels stamped in Moonlight White on black CS is where my tiny 'lacy' butterfly originated. He's finished off with wire antennae and three tiny pearls. For my sentiment I combined Grand Sentiments and Celebration Labels stamps on a yellow oval die cut with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and accented both ovals and doily with pearls.

Using Spellbinders' Bitty Blossoms, I cut a white coffee filter and spritzed with Tattered Angels Sunshine Glimmer Mist -- just love the soft color and shimmer (which sadly never shows in photos). My flower and simple seam binding bow finish off my entry for JustRite's monumental 100th Challenge.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Summer Card Camp 2: Pre-Class Challenge 2

For our 2nd Pre-Class Challenge for Summer Card Camp, we were given a sketch -- really had fun working on this as my fav style is classy & elegant, which I think this is!

Working with Papertrey Ink's Mehndi Medallion stamp set, I first began with Spellbinders' Radiant Rectangles, which I inked with Memento's Dandelion ink prior to embossing. Once my 'frame' was done I stamped the three medallions in Memento's Rich Cocoa, Dandelion and Pear Tart ink.

Next, I cut my sentiment banner with Spellbinders' Nested Pennants, inked the edge and stamped my sentiment from Papertrey Ink's Iconic Images in Rich Cocoa, then added a small medallion from each stamp set. Finishing it off, I adhered my Vintage Cream CS piece to a Dark Chocolate card and colored clear gems with Copic Markers and a brown Sharpie to add to each medallion.

So excited to see what fun we'll have when our actual classes begin tomorrow -- thanks for coming by for a peek!

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin