It's about the Sentiment

Hi guys. So I have a few minutes to show off a card I made this week. It's a Sympathy/Thinking of You type of card -- never a fun card to make, but one we require all too often. So I always like to have them in stock....

Today's card features one of my favourite stamps for this type of card. I'm actually not sure exactly what the stamp set it called (I borrowed it from a friend and stamped a few extra sentiments for when I want them in the future)...but it's a beautiful sentiment.

I also used a border embossing folder that I haven't used in much too long. I always love adding textures to my cards...just a bit more detail. :)

So here's the card:

Thanks for stopping by...and your comments are always appreciated. :)

Challenges:

Crafty Calender :Things with Wings

Inspirational Challenge: Space

Simon Says Stamp: Let's Get Sentimental

One Sheet Wonder

Hi guys. I saw the Simon Says "Happy Birthday" challenge...and since I have a birthday card in my "One Sheet Wonder" card set that I made, I decided to do a quick post. :)

I had a lovely sheet of paper with some foil (that shines) that I finally decided to cut up and use for some cards. It's been in my stash forever, and I just haven't been able to bring myself to use it! So I took the plunge...and made the first cut... :p

Here's the set of cards I created (very CAS).

I managed to capture the shine on the paper!!! :)

Here's the individual cards:

"Thank You":

"Birthday":

"Wedding/Occasion":

"Thinking of You":

 challenges for these cards:

blog quick quotes - celebration

Simon says - happy birthday

simply create too -- anything goes

sister act card challenge - anything goes

crafty catz weekly challenge - anything goes

qkr stampede - april showers bring may flowers

Christmas Blessings

Hi guys. Today I want to show you a card I made using an images from "Class Act Stamps". It's the first time I've worked with this brand...and I love the crispness of their stamps. :)

The image is colored with some alcohol markers. Using my Scorepal, I scored a few lines onto my background paper...to give it a little more detail. I also created a double bow. And finally, to keep things interesting, I stamped the sentiment on sideways....

some challenges:

 Brown Sugar Challenge - Christmas
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards -- Happy Holidays
Craftitude -- Anything Goes / Christmas Sparkle
Sister Acts -- Anything Goes
Crafty Hands -- Winter Theme
Totally Papercrafts -- Christmas using non-traditional colors

Thankful

Hi guys. Just a quick post to showcase a Thank You card I made. It's actually a mini-card -- just 4x3...but it's cute. :)

Since everyone is into thank you cards right now (due to the US Thanksgiving I guess) ...I figured I'd join the flow and make one too. :) So here's a look at it:

And some challenges to enter:
365 cards -- Thankful
7 kinds college fun -- Anything Goes
Crafter's Cafe -- Anything Goes
Crafty Creations -- Thank You
Flutterby Wednesday -- Thank You (with a butterfly or fairy)
Simon Says -- Anything Goes

Our Hearts are with you

Hi guys. Summer came and went. Autumn is almost over as well. The year sure flies by!!! Especially when I think of our little guy who was born in January -- seriously where did those months go to!!! He sure made them interesting...and busier than usual...leaving very little time for scrapping and card making (which is why I haven't posted much in the past few months).

With the cold days keeping us inside these days though, I'm finally getting some time to craft. :) Guess there's a little bit to like about winter. :p

So without further ado...on to my card for today...

Simon Says Stamps blog is having an "Anything Goes" challenge. It happens to be my favourite challenge -- simply cause I can do what I want. :)

Of course I had to use my Cuttlebug (all-time favourite crafting tool) and add some embossing. It just adds so much more detail.

I stamped a beautiful sentiment on a small scrap of cardstock and simply stuck it on top of the border and the background. And because I love them -- a butterfly punch finished off the card. :) Love the result! :)

Of course I looked around for some challenges to enter it in. And here's the list:

Simon Says -- Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday -- Anything Goes

Addicted to Stamps -- Clean and Simple

Summery Birthday

Hi guys. Can you believe it's September already!?!! The summer sure flew by!!!

It's been busy...and a different type of summer, that's for sure! Our little guy is now almost 7 months old!! He keeps me busy when I don't have other jobs to do around the place, so that leaves me even less time to sit down and make cards. But he's sooooooooooo worth it! :)

I was running short on my Happy Birthday cards supply...so I decided to make a few and stock up again. I borrowed some awesome flower stamps from a friend...and set out to see what I could come up with . I love the way this card turned out! I really didnt' have anything in mind -- just basically stamped the different flower stamps with different colors...and then finally added a few circle stamps from a different Stampin' Up stamp set to tie them together.

I stamped and cut one big flower out and added it with some dimentional tape...just so the card wasn't all flat. I love love love it! Very bright and cheerful. :)

I found some great challenges to enter the card into:

(I'm keeping my fingers crossed!!!)

Squigglefly Challenges: Add a Flowers

Simon Says Stamps: Anything Goes

The Paper Nest Dolls: CAS cards

 Less is More: Use a Rubber Stamp

Creative Romance: Clean and Simple

Whimsy Stamps: Clean and Simple

Addicted to Stamps: Anything Goes

 

Thanks for dropping by my blog today. Leave me a comment and I'll be sure to check out your latest creations as well. Feedback on my cards is always appreciated. :) Have a great day! :)

Christmas in July

Hi guys. Not a whole lot of crafting happening in recent weeks. Too much other stuff to do -- outdoors! :) I'm LOVING summer!!! :)


...after saying that I guess it's a little strange and funny that I'm showcasing a Christmas card during the summer...but oh well. :p

I loved working with the Christmas Trees embossing folder. It definitely made this card a fast card to put together.

challenges

LEJ Designs -- Anything Goes

Loves Rubberstamp -- Christmas in July

Simply Challenged - Christmas in July

Sweet Stamps -- Anything Goes

Through the Craftroom Door -- Anything Goes

Tuesday Throwdown -- Anything Goes

Anything Goes Challenge Blog -- Anything Goes

For Dad

Hi guys. Well it's been pretty busy around here in recent weeks. Plus, the weather has been too beautiful outdoors to spend  a whole lot of time inside. :) So I'll have to show a card I made awhile back...

this is the card I made for my dad for Father's Day.

I wanted to change it up a little from the cards I've been making recently. I love the Clean and Simple look, and that's generally what my cards turn out to be. But for this card I decided to try incorporate some vellum. I have a Fiskars "Family Legacy" vellum paper sets booklet with absolutely gorgeous vellum pages. So I started with that...

Then I created a word art and printed the sentiment onto the vellum.

I added a Cuttlebugged background ...and some designer paper as well. (scraps, scraps, scraps!) :)

I used the bow-easy to create a perfect bow...(absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE that tool!!! -- it makes perfect bows every time...and it's soooooo simple to use!)

And here is my finished card:

challenges:

Pollycraft Challenge: Anything Goes

Penny Black Saturday Challenges: June Challenge: Masculine

Art Impressions Blog: Masculine Cards

 CCEE Stampers: CAS Masculine card
DL Art: Cards for Man
The Sisterhood of Crafters: For the Boys

3 Wisemen

Hi guys. Yes, I'm back again to show off another Christmas card. I've had this stamped image in my stash for two years now, and finally decided it was time to use it! It's about time, eh?

I didn't want to do a whole lot with the background, cause I wanted the stamp to be the focus point.

Just added some punched borders and matted it on my white embossed cardstock. Not too much to this one, but I like it. Let the image do all the work...

Here's the full view:

supplies used:

Cuttlebug Folder: Argyle

Fiskars punch: Lace

Bling from stash
Stamped image from stash (not sure what it's called)

Challenges for this card:

Creative Craft World -- Anything Goes (not 12x12)
Quirky Crafts Challenges -- Last Minute Christmas
Pan Pastel -- Christmas Time

Christmas crop

Hi guy. We had a crop with a few of the girls on Friday evening...to make some Christmas cards. It was fun -- lots of laughs. :)

So today I want to showcase one of the cards I made that evening. I must admit my mojo was a little lost when we first started, but a few hours into it, it finally found me...and I did manage to get a few good Christmas cards made. :p

First off -- I had a blast playing with the spellbinders. They make card making so much easier and faster! Plus, we had lots of great stamps and tons of fun papers to work with!!!! The mojo just HAD to come!!!!

I actually added dimensionals to the image...which my camera apparently had a hard time picking up on.

LOL This crop made me realize just how into the color brown I am!!! I'm putting it everywhere these days -- and not getting tired of the color either! It just happens to look good combined with a multiple number of different colors...

...who knew brown was a Christmas color?!! ...I guess you learn something new every year! :p

Here's the full card:

 Thanks for dropping by my blog today. Leave me a comment and I'll come visit your blog as well. :) Have a great day! :)

challenges:

Our Daily Bread Designs blog: Winter Holiday -- Christmas
Creative Cards Crew: Anything Goes
Paper Creators Crafts: Christmas
Natalie & Amy Challenges: Favourite Color Combo -- Brown & any other color
Penny Black and More: Any Die Will Do
Challenges 4 Everyone: Anything Goes

Christmas is Coming & Some Giveaways

Hi guys...I'm back with another Christmas card to share with you. This one features ribbon. Ribbon is one embellishment that I love to see on cards, but when I try using it on one of mine, they often don't turn out quite right.

This card actually turned out the way I had it planned in my head. :) Thanks to an online friend, I have the Easy Bow maker to help make the perfect bows.

The Easy Bow Maker doesn't look like a whole lot, but it makes perfect bows every time...and saves lots of time trying to get the bows look pretty. It's definitely a time-saver. :)

Here's the full view of the card:
 

supplies used:

Inkadinkado Christmas Silhouette Stamps

Cuttlebug Folder -- Victorian

Ribbon from Stash

Red Bling

Also want to let you know about an amazing giveaway. Nicole's Stamp Addiction is having a Thank You giveaway -- 50 promarkers!!! I have never used one of these markers, but if you're into using stamped images for your cards, this giveaway is for you! They look like a lot of fun to play around with. :) Her giveaway ends when she reaches 3450 followers -- so head on over to Nicole's Stamp Addiction and sign up. You can't win if you don't try. :)

Also, The Scrapbook Garden is having a fabulous November/December giveaway. Head on over to her blog to get all the details. You could be the winner of this:

I've never actually tried Distress Inks, but from the tutorials I've seen using them, they look like sooooooo much fun! And there so many different ways of using them! I would love to win this! :)




Really Reasonable Ribbon is having a pre-holiday blog candy. I have been the lucky winner of the RRR blog hop twice (they have one every month with an amazing ribbon prize), so from experience I know their ribbons are awesome! They are great quality and great looking too! :) Plus, their pre-holiday giveaway has a lot of extras. Head on over the Really Reasonable Ribbon blog to read all the details.

And if you're looking to be further inspired with Christmas related cards and projects, head on over to the At Studio D blog. They're having a 25 days of Christmas giveaway -- and there's lots of inspiration to find there as we head into the Christmas season.

challenges:

Stamping Sensations -- Traditional Christmas
Word Art Wednesday -- Anything Goes
Totally Stampalicious -- Bling
Through the Craftroom Door -- Anything Goes
House of Gilli -- Celebration

For a Sad Occasion

Hi guys. Today I have a very simple card to showcase. Nobody likes making cards for sad occasions, but it's during those times when a card from a friend helps and means so much! Just letting someone know you care -- what better reason could there be to send/mail off a card?

I used the Stampin Up "Thoughts and Prayers" stamp set again. I love love love this set! It's so versatile! :) ...and it makes even the simplest cards look striking. I also embossed the background with my Victoria embossing folder to give the card a little texture. Finally, I added two punched out butterflies (not sure of the punch name or brand) from my stash and added some bling to make them pop a little. :)

I also added pop dots to the whole card...just to give it a little dimension and keep things a little different. I love how it turned out! :)

I found a few challenges to enter this card into:


The Cuttlebug Spot is having a "What's on Your Desk?" challenge. Here's what I found lying around...and decided to get another card made with the Stampin' Up stamp set. :)

Word Art Wednesday - Kind Words

Crafts and Me -- Anything Goes
DL.Art -- Sympathy or Get Well
Shelly's Images -- Tic Tac Toe Challenge
--  *Bling  *Free  *Embossing  --

Sentimental Sunday -- Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly -- All Creature Great and Small

Simon Says -- Punch and/or Die Cuts

Background Stamping

Hi guys! I'm back again to show off my latest creation. :)

I've always loved the look of cards with script stamping. Those big block rubber background stamps give cards such cool details -- especially when you don't necessarily want to add texture to the card and just want to use ink and stamps. So when I got the chance to use the Stampin Up "script, Irish Blessing" stamp, I went for it! It was a learning process that's for sure...

After inking up the stamp, I tried stamping it onto my cardstock...only to discover that I wasn't pressing hard enough or something, 'cause what I got was cardstock with the inked image...and lots of empty spaces where nothing had transferrred!!! So I tried again. This time I made sure to precisely ink up the WHOLE stamp (in case that was the problem) and then stamped it on my cardstock, making sure I pressed really hard on every part of the block. Same result!!! Grr!!! I was getting frustrated!! Not to mention wasting perfectly good cardstock!!! :(

Finally, after multiple attempts and the same results, I decided to try a different approach. This time I inked up the block stamp...but instead of stamping onto the cardstock, I took the cardstock and pressed it onto my stamp (which was lying upright on the table of course). I made sure to lightly press all over the cardstock...and when I pulled the cardstock off the stamp...what do you know -- a perfectly stamped background!!! :)

Trial and error. Lots of patience. I've learned something new. And next time I won't be afraid of wasting cardstock, 'cause this technique is now tried and true -- and works everytime! (I stamped multiple backgrounds so I know it wasn't just luck. :p It really works everytime!)

Anyways, enough of about all that stamping drama!!! I'm sure you all want to see my card, eh???

I stamped the Script background stamp with red ink. Next, I stamped a beautiful  LOVE clear stamp onto some plain white Vellum paper I've had in my stash forever.

I love Vallum on cards, but it just never seems to fit for any of my cards. With this stamped background it was perfect! :) I love that you can see the script underneath, but it's not so overpowering and the "Love" stamp is still the focal point of the card.

Finally, I added two tiny butterfly cutouts and of course some bling. :)

It's a simple card, but because of the stamped background paper there's still lots of detail. Background stamps are soooooooooo cool!!! :)

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. :) ...and all your kind comments. You make blogging and showcasing my work that much more fun! :)

challenges I'm entering this card into:

Simon Says Stamp Challenge -- Anything Goes

Moving along with the Times -- Seeing Red 

Less is More -- Love and Marriage

Hiding In My Craftroom -- Anything Goes

Summertime Birthday

Hi guys! I finally sat down at my scrap table for a few hours and got some more cards made! Whew! (I've been seriously lacking mojo lately, so it was quite the challenge!)

For me that typically means a few flops for cards, but it didn't happen! I guess taking a break for a month worked. LOL  

I borrowed a few stamps from a friend, and tried some new ideas...

This card is quite simple, but the color combo still makes it jump off the page somehow. There's something about blue and yellow  -- vibrant, happy and just plain playful. :) A perfect combination for a Birthday card during the summertime. :)

 Here's a look at the finished card:

(the dark blue bling on the flowers didn't show up on the photo, but that's just little details. Typical, I guess -- it looks even better for real! LOL)

Thanks for dropping by -- and have a happy, summery day. :)

challenges: 

Everybody - Art Challenge: Anything Goes

My Time to Craft -- Milestone Birthday

Simon Says -- Anything Goes

 Forever Friends -- Anything Goes
DL Art -- Birthday

CAS Gift Set

Hi guys. Today I want to show you a card gift set I made. I wanted to make something for a friend of mine's birthday...and I thought a set of blank cards is always a nice gift to get, so why not? :) I hope she likes them. :)

They are very plain and simple. Basically I used one of the ribbons from the spring collection from Really Reasonable Ribbons...and used some metal embellishments and some bling to spice them up a bit.

I must say, I find adding the charms a bit of a challenge (mostly 'cause I don't use a whole lot of bows on my projects). but I love this simple way of adding the charms to the ribbons...so I tried it here....

supplies used:

Cuttlebug folders:
"Victorian" and "Just My Type"
Upsy Daisy Stamp Set
Really Reasonable Ribbon
Metal Embellishments from stash
Pearls from stash

Challenges:

Anything Goes Challenge Blog -- Things with Wings

Lollipop Crafts Challenge Blog -- Anything Goes

Paper Playtime -- Anything Goes

Pan Pastel UK Challenge Blog -- Spring Time

>> butterflies represent "spring" to me -- as well as the ribbon from RRR "spring" bundle.

Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge Blog -- Anything Goes

Creative Card Crew -- Ribbon

Aud Sentiments -- Anything Goes

One of a Kind

Hi guys. Today I have a sweet pink card to show yo. I saw a card in Google images where they had attatched a metal embellishment to a ribbon (no bow in sight!) and I thought it was  a great idea! For one, my ribbons-tying skills need some major practice...and when I have to spend too much time trying to tie a bow perfectly, it makes things complicated. :p

So here's an easy card. It's very simple...yet I love the elegance of it. :) The most time consuming part was adding the tiny bling to my embossed flowers, but I guess you could skip that step if you want to make a card in a hurry! Cuttlebugging looks good on it's own. :)

Here's my card. 

This card sketch is definitely going into my saved card sketches folder. It's quick, easy...and looks amazing no matter what! One can never have too many of THOSE sketches, now can we??? :)


I've had this charm in my stash for forever! Sometimes I find it hard to use supplies that I love...just 'cause then they're gone! LOL But I guess it's time to use them...and help brighten someone else's day, eh???

Have a great day...and God bless you. :) Thanks for dropping by. :)

challenges:

Stampin' Sisters -- Use Soft Pastels 
Ribbon Carousel Challenge -- Anything Goes -- Spooled Item 
Creative Card Crew -- Ribbon
Craft Room Challenge -- Ink It
One Stitch at a Time -- Anything Goes
Kaboodle Doodles -- Emboss It!
Simon Says Stamp -- Anything Goes 
Craft Your Days Away -- Metal 
Love To Create Challenge -- Anything Goes
Crafts and Me Challenge -- Embossing
Make it Monday -- Anything Goes

I always love letting my fellow bloggers know about great giveaways or deals I found online. Here's  one I stumbled across -- A  Silhouette Cameo Giveaway !!!! Like how amazing would that be?!! Click the link and sign up! :)

 

 

Black White & One

Hi guys. Here's a look at another card I made using the Upsy Daisy stamp set by Stampin Up!.  This stamp set has six different sentiments -- and I've absolutely loved playing around with it. :)

This time I only inked up the image once. There's definitely something wonderful about silhouette images -- love them! :) Especially flowers. (something on my "to buy" list for sure!)

I once again used my Cuttlebug to create the textured background. This folder is called "Victorian" and it's one of my favourites. so pretty! I used the Fiskars Effervescence border punch on my red "accent" colour paper....to give the card a little more detail. I just love border punches! :) And finally I added a white sheer ribbon...which I won (could have been from RRR??? I'm not quite sure anymore -- but it's the last of it, so I have to get more! Love it! :)

I'm entering this card into Really Reasonable Ribbon's Challenge:
    >>  Black, White and One Accent Color plus a Ribbon

Paper Playtime -- Birthday Card with Sentiment
Stamptacular Sunday -- Layers
Go Fish Challenge -- Anything Goes
Bearly Mine Challenge -- Embossing
Whimsy Stamps -- Punches and Die Cuts (used a border punch)

Quick Note Card

To go to my Candy Giveaway, click
>>>  HERE   <<<

Hi guys. I just have a quick note card I made today. Simon Says Stamp Challenge has a challenge to use one of your favourite crafting tools. For me, that is of course my Cuttlebug. :) Don't know what I did without it! :)

Here's my quick note card:

items used:
"Victorian" Cuttlebug Folders.
Stamped the image and then coloured with pencils.
Also used twine from Really Reasonable Ribbons. :)

challenges:
Simon Says Challenge Blog -- Use Favourite Tool
Anything Goes Challenge Blog 
Party Time Tuesdays -- Flowers
Stamp with Fun -- No Easter Card
The Cuttlebug Spot -- Sketch and Choose Your Own Theme
Word Art Wednesday -- Quote or Scripture
Just Keep on Creating -- Anything Goes


Also want to let you know about a giveaway you can enter. Sharon Callis Crafts has a huge giveaway for the month of April. Head on over to the blog and check it out :)

silver hearts

Blogland is covered in hearts!! or have you noticed it yourself??? Well, Valentine's Day is coming up in 12 short days! (I thought the new year just started...where has the time gone!!??)

So I decided I'd join the party. I  had some heart stamps lying on the shelf that I've been meaning to use...and haven't gotten around to it. I stamped and embossed them with silver embossing powder. I'm always amazed at the whole new look a stamp gets when it's heat embossed. Of course since I had the Fiskars heart border punch on my shelf I had to use that one as well.

here's my card:

And just to give the card a special touch, I decided to "dress up" the inside of the card as well. It turned out a lot better than I thought it would.  :)

And yes...I had to add some butterflies to the card as well. Butterflies are romantic, right??? Well magical at least.... :)

I think that's enough hearts for one card, eh???  TFL :)

...or not. (I stamped another two tiny ones on the back of the card...just 'cause!) LOL

Thanks for dropping by....and have a good and crafty day.
God bless you :)



Sentimental Sundays -- Dry Embossing
Paper Sundays -- Valentines
Tip Top Tuesdays -- Valentines
Joanna Sheen's Challenge Blog -- Love is in the Air
Inky Impressions -- Use Pearls and/or Bling
Die Cutting Diva's -- Anything Goes
Little Miss Muffet Challenges -- Love and Valentines
Digi Doodle Shop -- Love is in the Air
Totally Stampalicious -- Keep it Clean and Simple
Lolipop Crafts -- Anything Goes
Oldie but a Goody Challenge -- Have a Heart
Party time Tuesdays -- Anything Goes
Truly Scrumptious - Love and Hearts
Anything Goes Challenge Blog -- To the One I Love
Crafty Sentimental Designs -- Punches and/or Dies
Ladybug Craft Ink -- Loves Me, Loves Me Not
The Stamping Boutique -- Valentines
Stamp N Doodle -- Love, Romance and/or Valentine
Paper Make Up Stamps -- Be My Valentine
Corrosive Challenges -- I {Heart} You
The Paper Shelter -- Love is in the Air
Diva's by Design -- Anything Goes