Happy Mother's Day

Hi guys. It's been awhile, but I haven't really been making cards recently. Until I remembered Mother's day was coming up in a few weeks, and I needed a couple cards to send off. So I sat down...and made a card completely out of my comfort zone!

I don't have a Mother's Day stamp, and my printer isn't working, so I had to come up with another idea for my sentiment. I ended up creating one using three different stamps! And it turned out great! :)

I used some cut out flowers from my stash...and some coordinating disigner paper (I cut the flowers from designer paper awhile back, but I'm not sure if these two papers are actually from the same line or if they just fit together VERY nicely!) Either way, it worked. And here is my card....

 Most of the flowers have dimensional tape to make them pop more.

So that's my latest card. Hope you're having a great spring! :) Happy crafting.

challenges:

Simon Says -- Anything Goes
The Paper Shelter --  Pearls
Clear It out -- Theme: Flowers; Stash: Leaves
Kraftin Kimmie -- Anything Goes

Cross with a Flower

Hi guys. I have another favourite card to show off today. :) Like last time, I used the Darice cross embossing folder -- did I mention before what a big fan I am of the folder??? I love it!

Today's card is a lot simpler, but the embossing folder is so striking all on it's own, that you really don't have to do much else to make the cards stand out! Simplicity...and yes striking! Love CAS cards that come together so quickly!

And it's always a plus when I get to use scraps or punches/dies from my stash.

thanks for dropping by my blog. :) Have a great day! :)

challenges:

simply create too -- keep it simple

lia stampz -- embossing

pennys challenge -- anything goes

cards galore -- anything goes

life in details -- anything goes

vs sweet ideas -- emboss it

through the craft room door -- anything goes

wordart wednesday -- anything goes

For My Mom with Hearts

Hi guys. I have another card to share. I finally got time to make my card for my mom for Mother's day. It was a little out of my comfort zone cause it's not as CAS as my usual cards, but I'm loving it more everytime I look at it. Hopefully my mom will like it as well. :)


A friend of mine sent me this word art she made a few years ago. I loved the sentiment, but didn't like the wordart the way she had created it. So I created my own sentiment using the quote she had sent me.

I wanted to incorporate hearts into the card, so I punched a border with the Fiskars Heart border punch. I added bling to accent the hearts. I love love love it!!! :)

I created the flower myself -- using four different punches. And of course I added a butterfly...just cause butterflies are always sweet. :)

Here's the full card. Love all the sparkle! <3 p="">

Thanks for coming by. :)

Challenges:

7 kids challenge -- Anything Goes

double click connections -- for mom or a girl

inky impressions challenges -- embellishments (pearls and gems)

fresh brewed designs -- for mom

fab n funky challenges -- may flowers

ema-ginationstation -- anything goes

pennys challenges -- anything goes

rubys rainbow -- anything goes

simon says stamp blog -- lets get sentimental 

kraftin kimmie stamps -- anything goes

wordart wednesday -- anything goes / family friendly

Embossing Lines

Hi guys. I love including embossed backgrounds on my cards. Of  course, that usually means embossing some cardstock with my Cuttlebug, but recently I've discovered the Score Pal. It's a very handy tool to have when creating projects with lots of exact folding...(helps get those those folds perfect every time)...but you can also use the ScorePal to create your own embossed backgrounds. (get a little more hands-on)

So today I want to show a card I made using an embossed background made with my ScorePal.  It's really not that complicated -- just lines...but it's different from the regular Cuttlebug embossing folders, so that makes it different. :)

Starting off with my embossed background, I layered some patterned paper on top. I wanted a bit more definition between the two papers, so I added a punched border on the bottom. Using my Cuttlebug, I cut a beautiful Creatable...and stamped on my sentiment. I added foam dots to the sentiment...to give it a bit of dimension. Then I stamped a flower stamp I borrowed from a friend...and cut it out. Finally I added some punched leaves...and the pink pearls. :)

I must say -- it turned out so pretty. I'm definitely loving the color combination. :) How about you?

challenges:
Addicted to Stamps: CAS
The Crafter's Cafe: Die Cuts/Punches
Word Art Wednesday: Anything Goes

Simon Says Challenge Blog: Anything Goes

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

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)

For You

hi guys. I've been having fun stamping the last few days...and my inked fingers are a good indication that I actually got things done! :)

I borrowed a stamp set from a friend, and went to work on some sketches I've been wanting to try, but didn't have a big enough silhouette image to use. It was so much fun! (I was still stamping at 10pm last night!!!) :p But that's just me -- when I get started, I have to finish the project -- can't leave it unfinished. Especially when I have some mojo flowing! :)

Here's the card.

It's a Clean and Simple look -- 'cause I just LOVE that look! :) simplicity has always worked best for me.

I double stamped the image -- first with a greyish/black ink and then with a dark black ink. It definitely gives it a cool effect. Reminds me of a shadow. :)

Whatcha think???

Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog -- Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog -- April Showers bring May Flowers

Wags N Whiskers -- Anything Goes

The Pink Elephant -- Flowers

Paper and Such Design -- Clean and Simple

Cupcake Craft Challenges -- Spring is in the Air

Paper Pretties -- Use lots of layers, 3 or more

Crafty Creations Challenge -- Flower Power

Cute Card Thursday -- Spring Flowers

My Mom's Craft Shop Challenge Blog -- Celebration (birthday card)

I also want to let you know about a fun blog hop @  Fresh Brewed Designs. There's some great prizes to be won as well (always a bonus)...so head on over there. The hop is happening from April 14-16.

Fiskateer Spring Blog Hop

Hi guys! You ready for another blog hop??? I love them! I've participated in so many -- (won a few prizes here and there) and just altogether had a great time...and of course was inspired by the bloggers' creations. So hopefully this hop will do the same for you! :)

Welcome to the Fiskateers Spring Blog Hop

You should have come here from Michelle over at Scrapbooking SOS. If you are hopping into the middle of our blog hop and you are a Fiskateer, you can start here www.fiskateers.com.

 If you are thinking a “Fiskawhat?”, you should know that Fiskateers (www.fiskateers.com) is an online community of craftiness (paper crafts, sewing, gardening, etc.) all based around our love and appreciation of Fiskars (think orange-handled scissors to start).There is a blog, gallery, and message board led by four lovely Lead Fiskateers who along with the other Fiskateers are fabulous at getting creativity flowing via chats, challenges, on-line crops, and interviews with other crafty celebrities.If you would like to join in the inspiration of Fiskateers, or would like to learn more, simply go to www.fiskateers.com/join and join.Then, join in the fun at the beginning, www.kellystarsallthingscrafty.blogspot.com

We'll be hopping all weekend, March 24th and 25th to welcome spring! The blog hop officially ends on Sunday March 25th at 11pm CST. Some Fiskateers are offering sur-prizes...check their directions carefully to participate. If you get lost along the way, here is the complete list of the blog hop.

START www.fiskateers.com

Kelly 6446 (and PattyB 2262)www.kellystarsallthingscrafty.blogspot.com

Jennifer Ashley 6361 www.asecretvintage.blogspot.com

Judy 5798 www.bepresentbereal.blogspot.com

Tracy M 6773 www.fiskarscraft.typepad.com

Tara 4402 www.osirisandloki.blogspot.com

 Jean 7358 www.pagesintime.blogspot.com

Debby 2852 www.debbysdares.blogspot.com

Maya 351 www.mayadahan.blogspot.com

Tami 804 www.tamibayer.com

Michelle 7586 www.scrapbookingsos.blogspot.com

Divinity 6688 www.scrap-n-patch.blogspot.com

Cindy 4113 www.cindyderosier.com

Tifany 5942 www.inkblotsbytrd.blogspot.com

Sue 6150 www.sueinct.blogspot.com

Ladydoc Karen 2858 www.karenscorneroftheweb.blogspot.com

Stephenie 3 www.mycraftyadventures.com

Courtney 8459 (and Shelley 8356)www.youwillwontyou.blogspot.com

Betsy 2572www.aimhappy.blogspot.com

Tracie 8436www.tinymightstales.blogspot.com

Groovy Deb 2644 www.ifitsgroovy.blogspot.com

Pamela 8040 www.cottagebelow.com 

Donna 6036 www.scissorsstampsandscrapbooks.blogspot.com

Lizzie 5926 www.ohsnaplizzie.blogspot.com

Marianne 6701www.number1aunt.blogspot.com

Emily 7021 http://emily.kincke.com/fiskateer-spring-blog-hop-giveaway/ (this website is very secure because it is owner maintained, you can read the certificate then simply click continue/allow to head on over to my post)

Whew! That's quite a list of bloggers, eh??? Now on to my creation.

It's springtime! I love this time of the year! Despite all the rain and mud...it's one of my favorite seasons. I love the first spring shower....the feeling I get when I see the first rainbow of the year...or smell the freshness of the air. And of course, best of all, the flowers start to bud. That's enough to put a smile on anyone's face. :)

With that in mind, I put together a card that represents "springtime" to me.

Yes, there's lots and lots of layers! :)

This card was so much fun! I made the "pot" myself -- inked the edges to make them stand out more. Then used some very old pre-punched flowers (from the Dollarama, which is an awesome dollar store here in Canada). The leaves are punched with a Fiskars mini punch...which I hadn't really found a purpose for before. Glad to finally find a way to use it! :)

Of course I Cuttlebugged the background papers:

"Distressed Strips" folder for the white paper and the "Swirls" folder for the yellow).

The borders along the sides were punched with the Fiskars "Effervescence" border punch. And finally, the buttons and bling were in my stash. :)

So that's my "spring" card. Now hop on over to Cindy's Blog to see what wonderful project she has to show. Enjoy the rest of the hop. :)

Fly Away Card

Well blogland....I'm not officially back yet.... :P but I did spend a hours at my crafting table this afternoon, so I thought I'd post my creation.

A fellow cardmaker gave me her Fiskar "Fly Away" border punch to borrow....to see if I could come up with an idea of how to incorporate it into a card. While I do love the punch I actually had to give it back without even one single card to show!!!!!!!!!! It's a cute punch, but it's different. Kinda a lot wider than punches I've used in the past....I don't really know what it was about it exactly.

Today I saw the punched sheets and thought -- why not give it another try. This time it worked....and I finally have a card to show for it! LOL What'cha think??? Think it works???

challenges:
The Paper Shelter -- Anything Goes
Sweet Stampin' -- Flowers
Paper Craft Star -- Sketch
The Squirrel and the Fox: Anything Goes

Me and You

I'm back to working on my graduation scrapbook. Here's a look at one of the pages I completed awhile back. I actually lifted the layout....and I absolutely love it! It's one of my favourite pages in the whole album. Me and my grandma :) TFL

 

I love the embossing on the background papers!!! :)

Summery Sunflower

t's another birthday month! Lots of birthdays to celebrate -- and I was running low on birthday cards. Here's my latest one. I love the summery feel it has! :) TFL

die kreativen stempel freunde -- Birthday 
kaboodle doodles -- flowers as main focus 
kb challenges -- anything goes 
ppp make it monday -- anything goes 
\wood ware usa clear stamps -- happy birthday

Punching it Out

When it comes to cards, I love the simplicity. Neat. Everything having it's place. No elaborate cards...although those tend to come from time to time as well. :)

So here's the latest card I made. I've had these punched flowers and butterflies lying around since Christmas -- but couldn't come up with a use for them. When I saw the latest card sketch on the card lifters group I joined, this idea popped into my head. Perfect way to use punches! :) TFL

Other view:

Spring & Flowers

Hi'ya all!! :) The weather outside is back to being glorious. [we had a major blizzard on the 1st of May!!!] brought back all kinds of thoughts on winter (evil thoughts!) But the sun is shining brightly again...and the snow is [almost] gone for good!!! :) Bring on the spring!!! :)

To keep with the season of spring, I've created a flowery card. :)

Actually it's my Mother's Day card for my wonderful mom. It's a few days early, but last minute card making is NEVER fun! And when the mojo flows...keep the creations coming! :)

TFL and have a blessed day! :)


Pear Tree Designs -- Anything Goes
Crafty Calendar -- April Showers bring May Flowers
Crafts and Me Challenges -- Distressed
Stamptacular Sunday -- Mums the Word
Moving Along With the Times -- Anything Goes

Cards for Easter

Someone ordered 10 Easter cards! Honestly, I was a bit stressed...'cause I was running low on supplies, low on mojo (I had just completed a big order the previous day) and basically had no ideas whatsoever!!!

I love love love online galleries!!! I found a few card sketches I liked...and set to work. LOL Apparently stress makes my mojo flow!!! Who knew!! :p At the end of the day, I had a whole set of cards that I loved. You might not to able to tell, but I managed to use up scraps at the same time!!! I'm totally happy with how these turned out! :) TFL 

 PaperPlay Challenges -- EasterCupcake Craft Challenge -- Lots of Layers

Quirky Crafts -- Sparkly, Punches & Easter
My Time to Craft -- Easter Wishes
 Pear Tree Designs -- Easter

Totally Stampalicious -- Keep it Simple
Daring Cardmakers -- Spring

It's been too long!!!!

Yeah -- I think it's time to get back to some blogging already!!! I've been working on a few other projects in the last weeks, and haven't spent a whole lot of time making cards and layouts. But I'm planning on getting back to making some cards next week -- have a whole bunch of ideas to try.

Here's a card I make for the card lifter's group I joined in Fiskateers. Basically you're given a card/sketch and everyone in the group makes a card based on the card/sketch given.

I had an idea of what I wanted to do with the sketch, but honestly it didn't turn out quite the way I had it planned, but that's okay. I did a whole bunch of layers (love love love layers!!!) and inked up the edges.

Yeah -- the card's growing on me. Maybe by the time I send it off, I'll love it! :p TFL

I Did It Creations: Bling it Up!

Fancy Folding

I had a little card making sessions with one of the girls I babysit. We had a blast! :) I love crafting with other people -- simply to get ideas -- and surprisingly those little girls often have such awesome ideas!!!! Plus, it helps them to learn some new techniques -- someone's gotta teach them! And I love it, so....

Anyways, here's one of the cards I made during the session. I was working with a sketch -- and the card required the paper folds in the center. Honestly when I first saw this technique on the card I was trying to lift, I freaked out a little. It looked great -- but complicated. Until someone sent me the directions! :p And now that I've tried it, it's definitely something I'll be doing more of!!!! I love the look....and it's just plain fun!

I love pink/brown combination!!! TFL :)

My Time to Craft -- Brand, Spanking New!
>> Tried a new technique -- the fancy folding
Cupcake Craft Challenge -- Thank You!

Beautiful Shades of Purple

I've been having fun with more "Fred, She Said" images. I love them -- especially because of the great 3-D effect you can get with bending and combining multiple images.

I created this card for a lift challenge -- also known as a sketch challenge. When I first saw the card we were to lift, I was kind of a little lost. I don't have a fancy edge border punch -- so unless I'm borrowing one from friends, I'm basically challenged to come up with ideas for edges. Then I found this template online, and I decided to give it a try. I inked up the edges so they show up more.

Finally I added my flowers and a few punched butterflies.

It's been awhile since I made a square card. This was fun!!! :) TFL

A Spoon Full of Sugar -- Distressing
Stamp with Fun -- Square Cards
Fairy Fun Friday -- Make Your Own Flowers

Using Some Digis

A friend of my mom's is battling cancer. It's always tough to come up with something for those type of cards, but she wanted something simple...just a "thinking of you". Here's what I came up with:

I've been using these pre-coloured digital designs from "Fred, She Said" -- I absolutely love them! These flowers were on a freebie sheet -- although they're from way back when -- so you'll have to do some digging on the blog if you want to try getting them! But it's totally worth it! :)

I bent up the top flower pedals to give the flower a 3-D look.

Also used my Fiskar "In Stitches" border punch around all the edges. TFL :)

Title Page

I've been working on this scrapbook page for like months. I had a basic idea of what I wanted to create, but it kept changing every time I sat down and worked on it! Which led to frustration of course!!!! :( So many times I simply put everything back onto the shelf...and waiting for the inspiration and ideas to come back!!! But it finally came together yesterday.

I found the journaling online a few years ago when I researched the meaning of my name...and although so much of it doesn't actually fit (LOL) -- some of it does work! And those name cards are always interesting -- so I figured why not use it! :)

The letters are made of wood -- originally they were all different colours, so I had to paint them.

So yeah!!! I've FINALLY finished the title page for one of  my scrapbooks!!! :) The first page has been empty -- waiting for this page.

challenges:
The ABC Challenge Blog: F is for Flowers

Putting in a Twist

This is my latest card for a card lifting group I joined. Honestly I didn't know exactly what I was signing  up for -- I just thought lifting cards was something I've done before...so why not! I love getting inspiration from other people! There's always something new to learn! And a new technique I can try out.

But I've kind of given the whole lifting idea a twist of my own. I take out my scrap box, and then try to come up with a card using my scraps!!! Using scraps is in itself a challenge for me, but it keeps my cards interesting! And I love adding a twist to a project -- makes it all my own!

TFL :)