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! :)

 

 

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:

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

Happy Father's Day!

I got the card done in time -- total me fashion too!!! LOL

It turned out a lot plainer-looking than I wanted -- but I'm thinking it's got something to do with the plain dark brown paper on all the layers. Oh well -- it's still beautiful! :) I dry embossed the leaf with a Fiskars shapeboss -- that is seriously one amazing tool to have! I've seen people adding these dry embossed cutouts to cards, and I've really liked the look. Thought I'd give it a try as well. And this may just be the first of many!  I found the message online -- it's totally perfect!

 Well, everyone is into Father's Day challenges on the blogs. Here's just a few I've found to enter this card in:

Pear Tree Designs: Father's Day
Crafty Cardmakers: Cards for Men
Totally Stamalicious: Celebrating Dads
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge: A Tribute to all Fathers

Hidden Journalling

Hi there! I've been participating in an online crop on Fiskateers the past two days. Been having a fab time -- and it's just soooo much fun to go through the gallery and see everyone else's uploads and stuff. Tons of inspiration to be found there!!!

So, we were challenged to lift one of three scrapbook layouts. I've been wanting to scrap a page with us working in our greenhouse. I had made a flower pot card in recent months, and had decided it would be perfect for a layout! So I thought I'd give the layout with the most number of photos a shot...and this is what I came up with. (It's still missing a title, but I'll get to that later.

I was introduced to hidden journaling awhile back...and was pretty impressed with the various forms you can use. Since the flower pot is a card, it's perfect for that! The pot itself is a pocket...and you simply slide the flowers -- attatched to the journalling out and then slide it back in! Simple...yet it something that you wouldn't actually see/know unless someone pointed it out! I love it! :) TFL

How the flowerpot-hidden-journaling works: (no, I haven't added the journaling yet) LOL

I'm entering this layout into some challenges:
Pollycraft: Make Your Own Flowers
One Stitch At A Time Challenge: Flowers
Die Cuts Dream Challenge #45: Make Your Own Flowers

Just Add a Little Bling!

I've been admiring the cards that use the Cuttlebug -- especially ones that use the embossing folders. This is one of my card attempts using some paper that's been embossed. The new texture just gives it a little something extra! I definitely need to get myself one of those machines! They look so much fun!!! :)

So anyways, here's another card I made -- this one shows off one of my all-time favourite colour combos. Blue and yellow are sooo sweet together -- and this baby card can be used for a girl or boy. Added a little bling to the bottom to give it a little something extra as well. TFL.

Challenges:
The Cuttlebug Spot: Bling
Practical Scrappers: Bling
Pile it On: No Image!
Make it a Combo: Combined my two fav colours

For the Boys

Hi there! I wanted to attempt making some baby cards. I've been surfing the web for days now trying to find something that inspires me. I didn't have any embellishments to use...nor did I find any great baby papers in my stash. So yeah, it's kind of hard to make do with that! LOL

I finally found a card online that had a baby carriage that I absolutely loved! First though, I had to try to create one -- paper piece it. As it turns out though, it wasn't that difficult. And with my fancy edge scissors in hand I set out to recreate the carriage. (I gotta admit -- after the first one was completed, I was so inspired I spent the next few hours making at least six diffferent ones!!! LOL) But the carriages are so cute...it's hard to stop!!!

I added the little sailboat embellishment from my stash -- just makes the card so much more boy-ish! :) TFL.

Challenges:
A Spoonful of Sugar: One for the Boys
Our Creative Corner: Bows

A Sketchy B-day

I got some new papers yesterday...and borrowed some coloured ink. Stamped out a few images...and embossed them with my clear/sparkling embossing powder. I followed a sketch I found this morning -- and I think it turned out great! :) Love those papers!!!

I've entered this card into the Sketch Challenge #17. TFL :)

** HINT:
If you're new to stamping and embossing, here's a little hint when buying supplies: I bought some embossing powders awhile back (clear/sparkling and silver). I quickly learned that instead of buying coloured embosssing powders, it's simpler just to buy coloured ink...and emboss with clear/sparkling powder. Your image keeps its ink colour...and is shiny. :) So if you're trying to save money...this would be one way to keep things simple and less expensive.

Have a Daisy of a Day!

I won my first Fiskars punch last week. Man was I excited when I opened that box!!! LOL I took one look at the punch...and thought "DAISY!". Gotta love a punch that can produce your favourite flower!!! :)

This card came together soooooooo fast -- it may be simple, but it's so cute! And man! Do I love my new punch!!! I'm gonna have so much fun with it! :)

I've entering this card into challenges:
All sorts Challenge Blog: Spring
 Saturday Challenge: Spring has sprung!
Sweet Stampin Challenge: Spring is in the Air!
Frosted Design: Think Spring

Cute Daisy May Challenge: Anything Goes!
Creative Cottage Challenge Blog: Flowers

Spring is here!!! :)

It looks like those long winter days are behind us (it WAS supposed to snow again yesterday, but didn't!) So...I'm gonna keep my fingers crossed that this warm spell and spring weather we've been getting around here recently is here to stay! I know there's a saying about "....in like a lion, out like a lamb..." or something...but I'd prefer it if the next two months stay nice and mild. Spring weather...and lots of sunny days! :)

On to my latest card -- I made another Spring card. This is one of my favourites from the month of March. Love the spring feel I get just by looking at it! :)

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
 Alllsorts Challenge Blog's "Spring is in the Air".
Totally Gorjuss: Challenge #22: Ribbon 
PaperPlay Challenges: Week 11: Thank You / Good Luck
The Pink Elephant: Challenge #58 Spring
Saturday Challenge: Spring Has Sprung!
Sweet Stampin Challenge Blog: Spring is in the Air!
Frosted Designs: Think Spring
Paper Garden Projects: Using Spring or Easter Colours
Creative Cottage Challenge #2: Flowers 
Cute Daisy  May Challenge: Anything Goes!

Going Dotty

Here's a card I made for a Going Dotty Challenge. To be quite honest, I didn't intend for it to look like this -- had a whole other sketch going...but then decided to change it up. Unfortunately you can't really see much of the second dotty paper I used...but what the heck! I like it anyways -- especially since I was able to use up some embellishes that I've had for too long! Love the sticker...and how it made the whole card come together (at least for me!) TFL. :)

Also entered this card in:
Crafty Creations Challenges: Challenge #59 Spots & Dots

Have a Cupcake!

I love this mouse with a cupcake stamp!!! I have yet to get into the whole colouring part of stamping, but for now I like the embossing look. :) I used a sketch from Friday's Sketchers for the card. Tried to use some spring-y paper -- I'm sooo tired of winter...and these papers were soooo cheerful! :)

Challenges I'm entering:
Friday's Sketchers #94
One Stop Craft Challenge: Let it Shine!

Like it...don't...like it...don't -- I don't know!!!!

I was trying to work with the border punch I borrowed from a friend. Seriously, the punch is awesome...and I love the look. But trying to incorporate it into my card layouts is becoming a little difficult! :( Don't know what's happening to my creative juices!!!!

But I did finish the card -- LOL -- not sure exactly whether I like it or not. I think I do...more than don't! LOL (If you can understand that!!!)

I'm entering the card into a challenge: Paper Play Challenges -- Week #9 -- Just Because.
 I've been having fun working with challenges these days. :)

It's a Bee!!!

Hi there! Well, I was wanted to create a card using ribbon for a challenge, but I couldn't come up with a layout I liked. Then, I borrowed a fiskars border punch from a friend, and I was suddenly inspired!!! I had made one other card previously using a fiskar border punch, so I decided to try the layout again. (since that card was such a big hit!) LOL

Also, I wanted to use some pink paper I had lying around, but never could quite figure out where to use it. Love the pink/brown combination, so I went with that. :) I also added a cute little embellishment from my stash. So what do you think???

 

Challenges I'm entering this card in:

Challenge 101: Ribbon-Tastic!

Challenge #8: Anything Goes!

Simon Says: Mother's Day/Girly

Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps: Something Old!

Creative Card Crew -- Celebration!

GingerSnap Creations -- Birthday

Stamp Simply #129 -- Border Punches

Sketch Challenge

I just love scrapping paper with two different designs. One on the front...and a completely different design on the back!!! Plus, the two papers coordinate...so basically you have your papers picked out for you!!! No questions, no worries about the papers clashing or anything like that! Totally brilliant!!! :)

So, getting to the whole point of the two-sided paper -- the card I've featured is an example of using both sides of the paper for one card. (the present paper and the patterned paper) Cool, isn't it??? :)

I found a sketch this morning that I absolutely loved! So I'm entering this card into the challenge. Wish me luck! :)

 

Challenges I've entered this card in: 

Sketch Saturday's Week #93  

Lexi's Creations Challenge #8 -- Anything Goes!

Simon's Says Challenge: Mother's Day or Something Girly

Something Green for a Challenge

It's been a busy week for me. But I was browsing through some blogs this yesterday...when I found a challenge for a green card! :) I've had these different green papers lying around for awhile now -- just waiting to be used! And I also needed to make another birthday card as well, so I thought -- Why not put those two together!!! :) Brilliant idea! LOL Here's what the card looks like.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Prairie Frairie Fridays Week 9 Challenge
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps "Something Old Challenge"
Crafty Creations -- Use only One Colour
Crafty Katz Shades of Green Challenge
CCEE Stampers -- Anything Goes:  What does the photo make you think of???
GingerSnap Creations -- Birthday

Wish me luck! :)

Moving Challenge

I've been wanting to make a card for the Sir Stampalot Challenge at >>> Floral Fantasies <<<, but just haven't found the time in the last week!!! Too busy doing other projects!!! I finally sat down and attempted to make a birthday card for a girl I babysit. I always thought I'd go with a card that had embellishments that could move around...LOL. Here's what I came up with.

As you can see...the embellishments are free to move as they please! :)

Trying for Challenges

Well, my card is finished!!! I love how it turned out!!! :) It's the first time I ever heat embossed, so I was kind of a little freaked out...and hoped it would all turn out right! Actually, I used both a stamp and my inkjet printer!!!! After reading about using an inkjet printer to emboss, I figured I may as well try it. Honestly, I prefer stamping an image...as my printing dried a little faster than I would have liked, but it worked!!! Go HERE if you would like to know how the Embossing with an Inkjet Printer Works. (I'm gonna try printing colours later and seeing if that'll emboss!!!!) Should be interesting.

Anyways, on to my card.

 

I'm entering it in  a sketch challenge at Skipping Stones. I've run across a few challenges in the last few days that I think I could enter it into as well...so I'm gonna try find them! :) Wish me luck!

Update: I've also entered this card in: ABC's Something New Challenge, and Belli Challenge #84: Ribbons

Non-traditional Christmas Card Challenge

Hi there! I've seen so many people working on their Christmas cards already...and I think it's an awesome idea! This year especially I was determined to have all my Christmas cards handmade -- and man did that call for some stressful times!!! LOL So I've joined the ranks that are getting things done early! :)

I've entered this card into a challenge at: Susie & Vikki's Christmas Club. It's definitely not as busy and interesting as some of the other cards...but there's always a chance I could win! (cause you don't even have a CHANCE if you don't try!) Wish me luck!

Birthday Cards...for a Fiskateer Contest

It's been a busy day at my crafting table. Fiskateers has a challenge for 6 birthday cards. The cards had to have ribbons, buttons or brads. I had a blast! Here's what I created: