Cards For Maddy Drive

I recently read THIS POST at Simon Says Stamp.  And I knew immediately that I wanted to send a hand crafted card to this little girl.   Maddy Justice has AML (this is a type of leukemia) and has relapsed.   She would love to receive cards from everywhere...far and wide.  So I'm hoping that you'll join me in brightening Maddy's stay in the hospital by sending her a card or two!

On the Simon Says Stamp blog post there is also a link to Maddy's CaringBridge site.  You can create a CB sign on and follow Maddy's family's posts on the site.

This card drive is important to me, even though I've never met Maddy.  That's because we lost a nephew to ALL (another type of leukemia) in May of 2010.  He spent a LOT of time in the hospital.  And those stays can be very, very long.  So, for someone like Maddy, who loves to receive cards...it's such an easy thing to pop a card in the mail.  And it could really brighten her day!

Pop on over to Simon Says Stamp and read the post.  HERE is the link again.  It includes a quote by Maddy from her CaringBridge page, plus more info about Maddy.  They've posted her mailing address, but I'll include it here too.
 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Maddy Justice-Patient
262 Danny Thomas Place
Attention Mail Stop 108
Memphis, TN 38105


Thanks so much!
Susie

Congratulations - a graduation card

Happy Saturday!  It's been a busy one full of laundry, planting and weeding.  Ick, weeding!
So, after all of that was done I rewarded myself with a little crafting time.  You know I deserved it :)

I created a graduation card for CASE Study Challenge #141.  Maile's cards are just so beautiful AND so much fun to CASE!  Take a look at this weeks creation from Maile.

Here is my take.

I needed a masculine graduation card.  So...no hearts on my card!  Banners were my choice.  I used my double ended banner dies, but trimmed them down to work on this card.  That patterned paper is from the Dewey Decimal pad from Lawn Fawn.  Just perfect for a graduation card, I think.

Thanks so much for taking a look today!  I hope you'll leave a comment :o)

Supplies list:
Card stock: pool party, crumb cake (SU), white (PTI)
Ink: early espresso (SU)
Stamps: sentimental swirls (Avery Elle)
Patterned paper: petite paper pack Dewey Decimal Collection (Lawn Fawn)
Other: linen thread (SU), mini key (7Gypsies), woodgrain impression plate, double ended banner die (PTI), foam tape (3M), scor-tape (Sookwang), glue dots (Zots)

Hello Sunshine! Dynamic Duos Challenge #53

Hey, it's time for another color challenge!  Dynamic Duos #53 uses some rich, bright colors.  Lots of fun to play with!  You'll see what I mean.

Pacific Point is one of my favorite SU blues and since this is a kid themed card, I decided to go bold.

I pulled out a couple of my Paper Smooches stamp sets for this card.  Then...just had fun :)
A couple of my fussy cut clouds are popped up on foam tape, along with the speech bubble.  If you've followed my blog for a while you know that I love adding dimension to my cards!
I hope you'll play along with us this week at Dynamic Duos.  Follow the link to the challenge blog to read the challenge rules.  Then, have fun :)
Now, scoot off and check out what the rest of the Dynamos have created for you!

Here are the links to all of the DT's blogs.

Anne Marie Hile

Alison Barclay

Debbie Henderson

Hayley Kew

Janet Bagnall

Janet Zeppa

Lori Turner

Michelle Folland

Susie Wittwer - that's me!

Tara Bourgoin

Tracey McNeely

Supplies list:
Cardstock: basic black, pacific point, whisper white (SU)
Ink: basic black, pacific point (SU),
Stamps: sunny skies, a birdie told me (Paper Smooches)
Other: sunrise impression plate (PTI), stardust clear glitter pen - on the smiley face (Sakura), clear gems (The Paper Studio), foam tape (3M)

Cat's Meow! Lawnscaping Challenge No. 57

Hi!  I'm sharing a card that I made for Lawnscaping Challenge No.57.  It's been quite a while since I played along.  And since I just added a few more sets to my collection, why not jump back in?  And besides...bling?  You bet!

Here's the challenge.

The idea for my card popped into my head almost a week ago.  So, I sketched it out right away.  Cause you know I'd forget it if I didn't.  Seriously.

I had fun with all of the little details on this card.  Yup, it was all in those notes I mentioned.
1. Woodgrain impression plate, then the scoring board to create the "siding" of this kitty's home.
2. Two square dies to create the window frame, adding 1 cross piece to simulate a double hung window.
3. Some patterned paper for the wallpaper.
4. A couple of pieces of coordinating patterned paper for the curtains (yes, I used my paper crimper for those!)
5. I stamped and fussy cut the kitty, then sponged on a little extra gray around the edges.  I gave him some black enamel accents on his nose, and of course...the required "blingy" collar.  :o)
Also, I traced the pattern in the curtains with a clear stardust glitter pen.  Just to add a bit more sparkle.

Well, that turned into a rather long post.  If you stayed with me all the way...thank you!  And thanks for visiting :)

Supplies list ~
Cardstock: white (PTI), basic gray (SU)
Ink: onyx black, smoky gray (Versafine), basic black (SU)
Stamps: critters in the 'burbs (Lawn Fawn)
Patterned paper: patterns pack III (SU...retired)
Other: black enamel accents (Ranger), stardust clear glitter pen (Sakura), green gems (The Paper Studio), double ended banner die, woodgrain impression plate (PTI), classic squares large dies (Spellbinders), scor-pal, paper crimper, foam tape, scor-tape

A yellow rose for CASE Study Challenge #140

Happy Saturday to you!  A quick post today, to share a card I made for CASE Study Challenge #140.  Maile Belles is the May Muse.  I adore Maile's style, so I HAD to  make time to play along again.
Here's Maile's card.

And here is my CASE of her card.

Ahhh...this is one of those rare times when my card turned out exactly as I had pictured it in my mind.  Why doesn't that happen more often?
To create the layered rose, I stamped the image 3 times onto the yellow cardstock using Versamark.  Then embossed with clear EP.  I fussy cut the 3 layers, swiped my Versamark pad across the edges of the outer petals (for more color depth) and assembled them with foam tape. Oh, and I curled up the edges of the petals just a bit.
Thanks for taking the time to stop and take a look!

Supplies:
Cardstock: barely banana, sahara sand (SU)
Stamps: fifth avenue floral (SU), background basics: wrought iron, turning a new leaf (PTI)
Ink: versamark, onyx black versafine (Tsukineko), always artichoke (SU)
Other: clear EP (SU), foam tape (3M)

Dynamic Duos Challenge #52 - DD 1 Year Anniversary Challenge!

Happy Anniversary to Lesley, Anne Marie and the Dynamic Duos Challenge Blog!  We're celebrating 1 Year of Dynamic Duos Challenges with DD#52!  I hope you'll play along, it's sure to be fun ;)
Just take a look.

See what I mean?  You get to choose from any of the past Dynamic Duos challenges for this week's project.  So much to chose from that you may want to play along more than once!
I chose DD#6 for my card.  Loved the gray and rose colors together.  They really pop!

Since I don't have any Regal Rose (sadly), I used Rose Red.  I'm so pleased with this combination and I really had fun with this card.

I used a "new to me" stamp set from Lawn Fawn.  I couldn't resist that sweet tea cup.  Well, and everything else in the set. I admit it.   Also, I HAD to use that new ribbon from Stampin' Up!.  It's the Basic Gray Two Tone 1- 1/4".  So soft and so pretty!
I've added a few highlights to my images with a Stardust Clear Glitter pen.  It adds such a nice shimmer.

I hope you'll play along with us at Dynamic Duos this week and help us celebrate our 1st Anniversary!  Now, pop on over to the Dynamic Duos blog.  Take a look at the challenge details AND see what the rest of the team has created.  Ok?

Supplies:
Cardstock: rose red, basic gray, whisper white (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: rose red, basic gray (SU)
Stamps: my cup of tea (Lawn Fawn)
Other: basic gray two tone ribbon (SU), stardust clear glitter pen (Sakura), clear gems (The Paper Studio)

Two Hearts - A wedding card & 2 challenges

I created a wedding card for a wonderful young couple that is getting married in just a few weeks.  The wedding will be in Colorado, quite a distance from many of the relatives here in Illinois.  But, there will be a reception, locally, next month.  I'm so excited about it!

So, onto the card, right???

I'm playing along in 2 challenges.  The Play Date Cafe Challenge #180.  Black & white with a splash of magenta.

Case Study #139
Maile Belles is this month's Muse!

I used Maile's layout and technique, but changed the colors, stamps and embellishments.

I created my own patterned paper directly onto the card base, then popped up my panel with foam tape.  I followed Maile's technique of impressing the die into the cardstock without die cutting it, then trimmed off the left edge of the panel and cut around the left edge of the heart.  I finished off the stamped images with a few black pearl gems from Hero Arts.  Had a lot of fun making this card :)
Thanks for stopping in!

Supplies:
Cardstock: white (PTI)
Ink: smokey gray, onyx black (Versafine), raspberry ripple (SU)
Stamps: with all my heart, love & marriage (PTI)
Other: black pearl gems (Hero Arts), limitless layers heart die collection (PTI)