Sending Smiles

Well, it's been a while since I've posted a card.  I finally found some time to make a card this afternoon...and it sure felt good.  :)

I'm playing along with 2 challenges today.

Fusion - French Twist

Virginia's View #14 - Layers and Dimension

When I took a good look at the Fusion inspiration photo, many ideas came to mind.  But what I was really drawn to were the fabrics.  Lots of texture.  Oh, and those beautiful colors!  Love that combination of gray, yellow and white.  In fact, I had almost finished this card when I realized that I am wearing those colors today.  :)

Then there is Virginia's challenge using layers and dimension.  I knew right away what technique I wanted to use on this card.  Stitched pieces of patterned paper, layered over several colors of card stock.

Here's what I came up with.

Ahhh.  Paper crafting is good for the soul.  I'm sure of it!

I used 6 patterned papers, all from one 6 x 6 pad.  It was a bit "challenging" to get my patterns aligned in the right direction, with all those random angles.  All worth the effort, though.
I even did a bit of stitching on the sentiment strip, just to tie it all together.
That's it for now.  I think it's time to spend some time outdoors before the next round of rainy weather moves in.
Thanks for looking!

Supply list ~
card stock: so saffron, basic gray, whisper white (SU)
ink: onyx black (Versafine)
patterned paper: breeze 6 x 6 pad (MME)
stamps: up and away (Mama Elephant)
other: thread, sewing machine

A Banner Birthday for Seize The Birthday

Hi!  Our new challenge at Seize The Birthday has a Toppings option of Banners and/or Pennants.  Such a fun challenge!  Click the link above to see all the details at the STB blog.

Our Toppings option is just that...an option.  So if you're not in a banner or pennants kind of mood, no problem.  Anything goes, as long as it's a birthday card!

When I saw toppings for this challenge, I knew right away that I wanted to use my Stampin' Up banner punch along with some SU designer series paper.  Here's what I created.

I punched banners from SU Print Poetry DSP (love the colors and prints), then sewed them onto my card stock panel.  I tied the ends of the thread in little bows.  Ummm.  Not so easy.  The thread kept twisting instead of laying in a simple loop!
Anyway, I attached this to a layer of blue cs after stamping my sentiment.  All of this got popped onto my kraft card base with foam tape.  A fun and very easy card!
I hope you'll play along with our challenge, because we love seeing what all of you create. :)
Now, click on over to the Seize The Birthday challenge blog to see what my teamies created!

Supply list:
Card stock: kraft (PTI), midnight muse, very vanilla (SU)
Stamps: handwritten sentiments (SSS)
Ink: midnight muse (SU)
DSP: print poetry stack (SU)
Other: banner punch (SU), navy thread, sewing machine

Seize The Birthday: Stitching!

It's time for a new challenge at Seize The Birthday!  Our Toppings option for this challenge is Stitching...faux or real.  As always, it's your choice to use the topping, or not.  As long as it's a birthday card!

I love to stitch on cards, so I jumped at the chance to do a little sewing on my card.  How about some zig-zag stitches?

I used several patterned papers to create this card, sewing them onto some very vanilla card stock.  Then I decided to add a few vintage touches, since one of the papers depicts vintage dress pattern instructions.   The "flower" was created from a length of vintage lace.  Then I sewed on a tiny wooden spool (wrapped with a bit of thread, of course) and backed it all with some green twill ribbon.  The final touch was a pearl hat pin.

I hadn't used my vintage embellishments in quite a while, so I really had fun with this card!

Now, click over to Seize The Birthday to see what the rest of the Design Team has created for your inspiration!  I hope you'll play along.  We love to see your creations!

Supply list ~
Card stock: confetti cream, very vanilla (SU)
Ink: midnight muse (SU)
Stamps: boutique borders:birthday (PTI)
Patterned paper: print poetry (SU)
Other: green twill ribbon (SU), wood mini spool (Maya Road), vintage lace (from an estate auction), beaded hat pin (Petaloo), thread, sewing machine, glue, glue gun

Hey there! 3 challenges

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It's been a gorgeous weekend for us in northern Illinois.  Sunshine and blue skies.  The low temp last night was 8 degrees, but the high today was a balmy 32!  But I didn't even mind the cold temp this morning because we finally have sunny skies.

I'm sharing a card that I put together quickly this afternoon.  After cooking and cleaning, and some reorganizing in the basement...I rewarded myself with a short time at my craft table.
I found 3 challenges that fit together well (surprisingly) for the card I had in mind.

The Play Date Cafe - challenge #171  (love these colors together, don't you?)

CAS(E) this sketch! - CTS#17 (another fun sketch by Jackie Rockwell)

The Paper Players - PP135 (a sewing theme by LeAnne - and I love to stitch on my cards)

And my take on the 3 challenges:

I almost used white card stock as my card base, because I knew I wanted lots of "white space" or open space.  But I reminded my self that it doesn't have to be white.   Why not change things up a bit and use one of my favorite SU colors...Pool Party?   I like the results.  I did some stitching on 2 of the patterned papers..even tied the thread in bows on the sentiment panel.  Then popped up the largest panel with foam tape.  The finishing touches are a button and my new favorite ribbon (from SU!).
Thanks so much for taking a look.  I love visitors :o)
Later!

Supplies:
card stock: pool party (Stampin' Up!)
ink: onyx black versafine
stamps: signature greetings II (Papertrey Ink)
patterned papers: follow your heart - be happy 6 x 6 pad (My Mind's Eye)
other: button (Basic Grey), very vanilla 1/8" taffeta ribbon (SU), glue dots, scor-tape, foam tape, thread

Holiday Hugs - a Christmas Card

Just a quick post tonight to share a card I made yesterday for 2 challenges.  The evening got away from me, so I had to wait until tonight to post.  Those weekends go SO fast.

CR84FN68 Color Challenge

Retro Sketches - rs#40

I made this card for one of my very special Aunts.  I think she'll like it!

I didn't have any natural light to take these photos, so the burgundy looks a bit washed out.  It's much richer in real life.  I did a lot of layering and embellishing on this card.  And it was fun.  Lots of fun!

I'll list my supplies below.  Gotta go.

Toodles!

Supplies:
Card stock: basic gray, naturals ivory, bravo burgundy, silver glimmer paper (SU)
Ink: smokey gray, onyx black (Versafine), cranberry crisp, basic gray (SU)
Stamps: BB:Postmarks, button boutique, love lives here-holiday (PTI)
Die: button card die collection (PTI)
Other: pewter stick pin (Jenni Bowlin), wine organdy ribbon, linen thread (SU), cream pom pom trim (from my stash), mini wooden spool (Maya Road), thread, scor-tape, foam tape, glue dots

Happy 90th Birthday!

Hi!  I'm back for my second post today.  You'd think, with all the time I spent at my craft table this weekend...that I made a lot of cards, huh?  Nope.  My excuse is, um.  Quality over quantity.

Yes.  That's my story.  Ha :)

I made this card for an Aunt who will soon turn 90 years old.  And she sure doesn't look, or act, like she's almost 90.  In fact, 5 years ago we had a family picnic and my Aunt played bags for the first time.  Oh my.  She was awesome!  She beat nearly everyone there.  What fun :)

I'm playing along in 2 challenges with this special birthday card.

Just Us Girls #156

Color Throwdown #211

My card ~

It's been a while since I created using a bit of shabby chic, so this was a lot of fun.  I used some vintage crochet trim from my estate auction stash.  I used several dies and a bit of machine stitching.  Just a fun card to create.  I hope that my Aunt likes it as much as I do.

Thanks so much for spending a little time at my blog!

Supplies:

Card stock: sahara sand, pumpkin pie, summer starfruit (SU), kraft (PTI)

Patterned paper: 6 x 6 sunshine pad (MME)

Stamps: signature greetings II (PTI)

Other: by the numbers die set, pinking shears border die, doily details die B (PTI), gems (The Paper Studio), thread, vintage crochet trim

Just For You - CR84FN Color Challenge

Hey, welcome to the weekend!  We finally have some normal temperatures here in northern Illinois.  The current temp is 78 degrees...at noon!  It's so refreshing :)

Anyway, I'm sharing a card that I've created using the beautiful colors over at the CR84FN Color Challenge - #59.

I love the inspiration photos, but coral isn't a color I use very often.  Not sure why.  But, I was so drawn to these photos that I just had to give it a try.  Oh boy.  It proved to be QUITE a challenge for me.  I struggled to decide which colors to use on the various parts of this card.  It took me most of the evening to complete this card.  Does that ever happen to you?

This is final result.

I'm so glad that I didn't give up.  Because, I'm thrilled with the results!  This turned out to be one of those cards that I keep looking at, every time I walk past it.  And each time I do...it makes me smile.

I used several dies for this card (the frame, the sentiment panel and one of the roses).  The die cut rose is popped up on dimensionals, then I added a few drops of platinum liquid pearls. I even pulled out my Versamark frost ink pad, to add a few subtle roses in the background.

Thanks so much for taking a look!  I'll list my supplies below.

Supplies:

card stock: early espresso, creamy caramel, sahara sand, calypso coral, whisper white (SU)

ink: calypso coral, creamy caramel, crumb cake, basic black (SU) dazzle frost and plain Versamark

stamps: rosie posie (PTI), just because (SU)

dies: fabulous frames, rosie posie (PTI)

other: platinum pearl liquid pearls (Ranger), early espresso baker's twine (SU), white thread, sewing machine, dimensional foam dots (SU)

You're Not Old - Birthday card - 2 challenges

Hi all!  I've got another card that I made yesterday, but had to wait to photograph it today.  And our weather has been so cloudy that it's difficult to get good pics. And, wouldn't you know...now that my photos are edited and I'm ready to post.  The sun is out! lol

Anyway.  This birthday card is going into 2 challenges.

Lily Pad Cards - Simon Says Stamp Presents a Patterned Paper Challenge.

Unscripted Sketches #144
I chose to rotate this sketch for my card.

I have a 6 x 6 pad of Modern Homemaker patterned paper that is soooo cute.  I've been in the mood to pull it out and put some of those sweet papers to use.  I've used 2 patterns for this card.

Isn't that retro kitchen paper sweet?  I love it.  Maybe because I remember those items from my childhood.  Hmmm...I'm showing my age :)    So.  I used a Spellbinders die for the focal image.  Slightly off-setting the solid yellow card stock from the striped paper.  I added a little machine stitching, a banner for the sentiment and some buttons and ribbon.  So fun!

I'll be putting this card in my Etsy shop soon.

Thanks for taking a look!

What's in it?

card stock: daffodil delight, basic gray (SU)

patterned paper: modern homemaker (October Afternoon)

sentiment: generated in MS Word

other: labels four die (Spellbinders), buttons (Basic Grey), ribbon (Michaels), yellow thread, sewing machine

Happy Birthday (with patterned papers) - Lily Pad Cards Challenge

Hi, it's Saturday morning...so it must be time to get crafty, huh?  Well, the laundry is almost done, so I gave myself permission to spend some time at my craft table :)  This card is a lacy, frilly one.  These cards take quite a while to make (at least for me), but I was in the mood for frills and some soft, subtle patterned papers.

I'm playing along in the Lily Pad Cards "Simon Says Stamp Presents a Patterned Paper Challenge".
We're supposed to dig out something from that stash of patterned paper that most of us crafters hoard...ah, collect.  Maybe you can relate?

My card ~

Ahhh.  This is one of those times when the card turned out just as I had envisioned it.  Believe me, that doesn't always happen!  I used 2 patterned papers, 2 types of lace, a piece of ric-rac and a piece of that oh-so-pretty Pool Party seam binding that I bought recently.  I did some stitching on the main panel and the focal panel.   I also added a stick-pin, a tiny button...and as a finishing touch, a little tinsel glitter above the layers of lace.   Yeah.  Frilly fun.  Seriously.
Anyway, thanks for looking!  I hope you'll leave a comment.

P.S.  I'll be putting this card in my Etsy shop soon.  There's a link in my upper right sidebar that will take you to my shop.

The recipe:

card stock: white (PTI), pool party (SU)

patterned papers: basics white 6 x 6 pad (Basic Grey)

ink: onyx black (Versafine)

stamp: think big favorites #12 (PTI)

other: pool party seam binding (SU), button (Basic Grey), die-namics edge die (MFT), crystal tinsel glitter (MS), wide white lace (The Paper Studio), narrow lace (from my stash), beachfront white ric-rac (SU - discontinued), pewter stick pin (Jenny Bowlin)

Give Thanks - CR84FN challenge

This has turned outed to be such a busy weekend!  But, I just HAD to squeeze in a little bit of time to create a card.  This will have to be a quick post, since we have another commitment, later this afternoon.

Anyway, I saw the colors over at CR84FN 40 and loved the fall-ish colors.  Since I need to make some Thanksgiving cards, these colors fit the bill :)  Take a look at the inspiration photos.  Gorgeous, huh?
Also, take a minute to read the quote from Steve Jobs, just under the photos.

My card ~

I stamped the tree image onto Confetti Cream cardstock in Chocolate Chip ink.  I colored some of the leaves with Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, More Mustard and Creamy Caramel Stampin' Up! markers.  Then, I added Glossy Accents (by Ranger) to some leaves.  The sentiment was stamped in Choc. Chip.  I love this new set from SU.  It's called Hand Penned Holidays.  I did a little machine stitching to attach the cream CS to a mat of Early Espresso, then adhered that to a piece of Real Red CS.  It's all mounted onto a card base of Crumb Cake (SU's name for kraft).  Oh yea, I added a length of brown & cream gingham ribbon, tied in a bow.  I like the "country in the fall" look of the card.  I hope the recipient likes it, too!
Thanks so much for taking a look.

Supplies:

card stock: confetti cream, real red, early espresso, crumb cake (SU)

ink: ruby red, chocolate chip, more mustard, creamy caramel (SU)

stamps: leaves of a tree, hand penned holidays (SU)

other: glossy accents (Ranger), gingham ribbon (Michaels), thread, sewing machine