My Sheri Crafts Challenge #156: Birthday Bash

I chose this theme for our challenge @ My Sheri Crafts, asking that you create a birthday card and coordinating envelope. You may either decorate an envelope you already have or create your own -- then stamp, emboss, add a frame for the address, or whatever you think of to 'dress it up' to coordinate with your card and create a 'hint' for the recipient as to what awaits them inside!  ;)

For my first project, I made my DD a card for her birthday, using Spellbinders' Die D-Lites: Asters and Poppies and Frame One, as well as in'spire dies: Birds on a Wire and Celebration (sentiment). Again, no stamping on this card! ;)  I then used the Birds' dies as a decorative cut on my envelope's flap. DD is a florist, so she loves flowers and nature and that's what inspired me to create her card.

My second card was for a 9-year-old's birthday.  She wanted to have a tea party with just a couple friends her age, adult family members/friends. Her gift set had to be special, so I used Spellbinders' Tea Service as well as Nested Tea Cup dies for her card front, the front/flap of her envelope (created with WRMK's Envelope Punch Board) and her gift bag.  A sentiment from JustRite's Birthday Floral Vintage Labels Eight and Nine seemed fitting.  These metallic papers were difficult to capture in a photo, but very pretty IRL! ;)  Think she liked her card/envelope, but it was totally trumped by the handmade tea party-themed Footie Jammies I made for her 18" doll & her friends' dolls!  I had sooo much fun creating her card/envelope/gift bag and sewing jams and other items for the 3 girls -- felt almost like being a 'Grandma'!  ;'}

Hope these inspire you to create a birthday card and coordinating envelope for someone you love and post it @ My Sheri Crafts for us to enjoy too!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #153: Easter Wishes!

For our current challenge @ My Sheri Crafts we're asking that you create an Easter card including EITHER a bunnies, eggs or a cross.

I seldom send many Easter cards any more, but in my 'spring' stamps and embellishments I discovered some Studio G stamps, as well as a tiny bunny from Inkadinkado. Looking at them, I decided to re-create one of those plastic eggs used for an egg hunt -- it's supposed to look like the itty-bitty bunny and some small eggs spilled out when the child opened the large plastic egg -- at least that was my hope?!

I embellished the top with a banner from JustRite's Buntings and Banners Clear Stamps and cut/Copic colored my lower edge with Spellbinders' Curved Borders Two and rounded my corners with the WRMK Corner Chomper. 

Can't wait to see your Easter Wishes cards @ MSC!!!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #151: Welcome, Spring!

Our new challenge at My Sheri Crafts is: Welcome, Spring!  We're simply asking you to welcome spring with a spring-themed project!   Hopefully it is SOON going to be spring for so many of you who've already had way more than your share of winter/cold/snow this year!

For my CAS card, I started with a 5" square card of Stamper's Select White CS and a layer of New Leaf from Papertrey Ink.  I then cut another piece of white CS with Spellbinders' Labels Three die and filled that in with a Grate Works die cut -- love how pretty it is!

Finishing off my card is a Les Papillions butterfly in pink and my Just Rite sentiment from Buntings and Banners in True Black on a Spellbinders' banner backed with a New Leaf banner.

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #143: Buntings & Banners

Our latest challenge is up @ My Sheri Crafts today asking you to create any card/project featuring any style of buntings or banners -- really fun, I think!


I made a bright and colorful 'celebration' card that I'll likely use for an upcoming birthday.  For my base, I used a striped paper for my BG and small polka dot paper from Echo Park, which I die cut using Spellbinders' A2 Polka Dots.  My sentiment is from Just Rite's Celebrations 'Labels One and Bracket Borders One' and my banner was made using Just Rite's 'Buntings and Banners'.  A sprinkling of sequins sent to me from a dear friend finishes off this CAS card.

Anxiously looking forward to seeing your take on our latest challenge!  ')

JustRite Friday Challenge #126: Don't Be So Negative!

For the current challenge @ JustRite Sheri asked us to use a "negative" piece (the part that is left after you cut something out) somewhere in your project. This was an easy decision, as I still had a green negative piece cut using Gold Majestic Circles. I loved the beautiful embossed edges I was left with and what a lucky break to have saved it!

I decided I wanted to do a rather unique Christmas card using yellow/gold instead of the traditional red/green.  First I embossed my yellow card with Gold Majesty Circles. Then to make it more festive, I threaded my sewing machine with Sulky Holoshimmer and stitched around the negative piece before attaching it to the yellow card. My sparkly greeting is from JustRite's Festive Poinsettia clear stamp set. Some gold gems and a textured gold bow complete my simple, sparkly Christmas card and I'm one card closer to having them done for 2014!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #139: Non-Traditional Shaped Cards

We were asked to create non-traditional shaped cards (any shape/fold besides straight-edged standard cards allowed) and I decided to do a sympathy card. Always need to have a couple on hand, sadly. Ever since I received Spellbinders' Arched Windows die set, I felt it would be a good beginning to create this type of card. Using the Cross Collection dies also seemed fitting and my decision was to go simple in keeping with the solemn occasion.

My Papers are Bazzill and Papertrey Ink's Fine Linen and a gold metallic (source unknown) for my cross. My sentiment is from JustRite's stamp set "With Sympathy" stamped in Memento's Tuxedo Black. Decorating the inside arch is Latte tulle and ZVA Creative pearls.

I'll be anxiously watching to see your non-traditional shaped card @ My Sheri Crafts challenge soon!

JustRite Friday Challenge #125: Non-Traditional Christmas

JustRite's Friday Challenge (ending tomorrow 6PM CDT) requires us to use non-traditional colors -- 'the majority of your project must contain NO RED or BURGUNDY'. I always enjoy this challenge sooo much because I have a few 'special' cards I hand deliver each year and this card/matching envelope will be one, so I had fun making/decorating my envelope too.

Using Spellbinders' Layered Poinsettia dies, I cut my poinsettia flower petal layers/leaf using lusciously-thick Curious 'Nude' CS (a lovely gift from my sweet friend, Marilyn). Next, I stamped JustRite's Festive Poinsettia clear stamps using VersaMark ink and embossed with Squash Blossom EP.  For my leaf, I stamped/embossed a sentiment from the same set and detail embossed the leaf's edges.  I nestled it under the flower and mounted all onto Spellbinders Gold Majesty Circles -- LOVE that die!  Sheer ribbon bow and gems finish off the card.
My A2 envelope is cut from the same CS and lined w/the coordinating metallic paper, using We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board. Since it won't be mailed, I die cut/embossed a poinsettia leaf on the flap and added gems for a little sneaky peek of what's inside before it's opened -- LOVE doing that for a few special cards!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #138: Christmas in July

Sue on our My Sheri Crafts DT has asked this go-round that we make a Christmas in July project with lots of layers, so mine has six.

I started with the lightest shade of green for my A2 card base and then stamped three layers on darkest green to lightest with JustRite's Merry Christmas BG Cling Stamp and cut with Spellbinders' A2 Matting Basics. Finishing off this simple card I added the small tree from Spellbinders' Fanciful Holiday set decorated with red gems, sparkly gold star and Stickles snow.

Hope you'll join us with your many-layered Christmas in July project @ My Sheri Crafts challenge -- why not -- you'll have one more crossed off the list for Christmas 2014!  ;-)

JustRite Friday Challenge #124: Sketch Inspiration

For this JRFC #124 challenge I've used a new stamp from the June release, Rose Bouquet Vintage Labels, coloring the gorgeous roses with the Spectrum Noir yellows set I won on a recent challenge -- they are AWESOME (as is this stamp set)! I shall definitely be adding to the blues and yellows set I won very soon.

My roses were die cut using Grand Labels Four and I topped the die on my card with a partial cut from Gold Labels Four in a lighter green CS.  I had to stamp that sweet little bee and added a bit of yellow to him also, along with sparkle for his wings from a Sakura pen -- LOVE him! My sentiment is from JR's With Sympathy and this card is going to someone special who is having a difficult time with medical issues currently. Hope it brightens their day a bit when it arrives.  It's quite a large card, so I wanted to construct a matching envelope with my WRMK Envelope Board, but ran out of time to get that done this week. That will be next on my agenda!

JustRite Friday Challenge #123: Color Inspiration

Sheri asked us to use the colors pink, yellow and purple from her beautiful inspiration photo for the current JustRite Friday Challenge.
I started by stamping Fleuriste Newsprint BG on ivory CS mounted to a purple card and distressing my edges with Antique Linen.  My flower was created with Spellbinders' Bitty Blossoms using crinoline fabric. Recently inspired by Tammy Tutterow's informative blog post, wherein she not only explains what crinoline (aka buckram) is but where to purchase it and links to two beautiful floral projects, I had to try this new-to-me medium. Love combining two of my fav things: paper/fabric. I colored my flower using Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist 'Popsicle' and secured with a yellow Copic-colored gem brad and added a pink Copic-colored seam binding bow beneath. My sentiment is stamped using Ooh La La French Frills and a small flower from Botanical Butterflies onto a Spellbinders' oval, also aged with Antique Linen. A few purplish/pinkish gems finish it all off.

JustRite Friday Challenge #121: Color It Pretty!

A challenge to 'get you coloring' this go-round @ JustRite's Friday Challenge, so I used Copics on my focal image, my sentiment tag and on a clear butterfly pick.

I used JustRite's Botanical Butterflies clear stamp set, removing the "Just a Note" sentiment edge from my focal image using a Spellbinders' circle die after stamping and then coloring.
These were added to a layer of watercolor paper embossed with just the center area of Spellbinders' Labels 34 Medallion Embossing Folder that I hand cut.
My sentiment from JustRite's Botanical Medallions & Banners was stamped and die cut using JR's exclusive Vintage Label & Banner dies.
Finishing off my card is a formerly clear Sugar Pick from Jillibean Soup and yellow ribbon from my stash. This card was so fun to create and color!

JustRite Friday Challenge #119: Get Krafty!

After a longer-than-planned absence from challenges, I'm going to attempt a comeback - LOL!  Really love Kraft paper so just HAD to squeeze in a card for the JustRite Friday Challenge this go-round.

JustRite Stamps/Dies:
Merry Christmas BG, With Sympathy (Roses & sentiment)
Vintage Label & Banner Dies (sentiment), Labels Eighteen, Floral Ovals

Papertrey Ink Kraft & Vintage Cream CS, Copic Markers, hand-dyed seam binding, sequins

Thanks for stopping by after my hiatus; hope to see you back here again soon!

JustRite Friday Challenge #113: In the Background

The challenge ending @ JustRite in a couple hours is to use a background stamp or any JustRite stamps to create your own custom designer paper. One of my favorites is using VersaMark ink on your stamp to create a subtle tone-on-tone background as I did today for this Happy Valentine's Day card. Thank so much for stopping by!

Stamps: Winter Words (retired);  Botanical Medallions & Banners
Dies: Lace Hearts

JustRite Friday Challenge #112: Color Inspiration

New Year, new JR Friday Challenge, new challenge rules and new 'less-is-more' me, as I cut back on crafting to spend more time with family/friends.

Stamps: JustRite Birthday Vintage Labels Four (Clear)

Dies: JustRite Custom JB04300 Vintage Labels Four; Spellbinders' Les Papillions

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!

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.

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

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

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!

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.