Hello Friend!

Hello friends!

Today I have a card that was made using a stamp set in a bit of an unexpected way.  See, the stamp set I used to make my card is called "Winter Wishes" by Wplus9, not typically used on funky cards for friends.  However, by stamping the medallion images in some bright colors and pairing it with a sentiment from another set, this stamp set is transformed and can be used all year long!  I am sure I have told you before that I am all about versatility, any way to make the most out of every dollar spent.  I love it :)   I used this same idea on a card that was published in the new Stamp It! Cards.  I haven't scanned my copy yet, but I'll do that soon.

Give it a try, check out your stamps and see what set you can transform.  I'd love to see what you make!

*My color palette was inspired by this weeks Play Date Cafe Challenge.

I am also playing in the Stamp It! Cards "Hello Card" Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.

Stamps:  Winter Wishes, A Pocketful (Wplus9), Polka Dot Basics (PTI)
Ink:  Regal Rose, Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler, Wisteria Wonder, Basic Black (SU!)
Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black (SU!)
Accessories:  Bakers Twine (SU!),  Corner Rounder (Creative Memories)

Happy Anniversary

On Monday, my husband and I will be celebrating our 12th wedding anniversary.  I can't believe it.  I'm not sure if it feels like just yesterday or a million years ago.  We've definitely been through it ALL, but we've always been through it together.  We make a great team!!  When I saw the CASE Study challenge for this week, I immediately knew I'd be making an anniversary card with the inspiration. 

When designing clean and simple cards, it is important to maintain a fair amount of white space and create good balance and flow while creating a clear focal point.  This is not always easy and sometimes you need to think a bit outside the box.  I wanted my frame and silhouette images to be my focal point, but by popping up the frame, adding the silhouettes, heart and button, my design was getting too busy for my liking.  Instead I used the negative portion of the frame and added the stamping & silhouettes on the card base and added the additional embellishments flush with the top panel.  The main panel was adhered using pop dots to add more visual interest.

I was planning on a CAS lesson today, but that is what you got :)  I hope it helps you create fabulous CAS creations.

*I am also entering this card into the Moxie Fab Stamp It! Love Challenge.

Stamps:  Defining Words, Heartfelt Mix, Very Vintage Greetings (Wplus9)
Ink:  Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler (SU!)
Paper:  Very Vanilla
Accessories:  Simply Jane dies (PTI), Label Layers 3 Die, Heart die (Wplus9), Corner Rounder, button & thread 

Happy Hexagons

I am loving the hexagon trend in stamping & scrapbooking.  This set was certainly named appropriately, "Happy Hexagons" just makes me happy.  I have spent the past month or more searching high and low for THE perfect hexagon set.  I have this vision of what it should be like, but have yet to find it exactly.  Happy Hexagons fits the bill for now...I love the patterns and coordinating die, there are just so many possibilities. 

To make this card, I started by die cutting the Hexagon Coverplate.  On the die cut hexagons, I stamped four of each pattern in Not Quite Navy, Daffodil Delight and Poppy Parade.  Then added the dotted frame in Basic Black ink to two white hexagons and the Daffodil hexagons.  To make the dotted stripe on the left side of the white panel I repeatedly stamped one of the accent images from the Wplus9 set Label Layers 4.  I manipulated my sentiment a bit to make it curve to fit between my images, I think it adds nice flow.

Have you joined the hexagon trend yet?  I'd love to hear which sets make you happy, they may make me happy too :)  And, thank you for all of the suggestions on sewing machines.  Seems like the majority uses a full size machine, I'm going to start looking into that.  I'll let you know how it goes!

My color palette was inspired by this weeks ColourQ Challenge cQc143.

 
Stamps:  Happy Hexagons, Happy Trails (PTI), Label Layers 4 (Wplus9)
Ink:  Not Quite Navy, Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black (SU!)
Paper:  Not Quite Navy, Whisper White (SU!)
Accessories:  Hexagon Coverplate (PTI), Chevron Embossing Folder, Bakers Twine (SU!)

In the Summertime...

life just gets busy.  We spent some time visiting family this weekend and I have a busy two days coming up.  It's been a few days so I wanted to pop in and leave you with some inspiration. 

I'll be back in a few days.  I hope your week is off to a great start!

A fresh start

Summer has finally arrived here in Northeastern PA!  With temps in the high 90's it was finally warm enough to swim this week, too bad the water is still ice cold.  The kids jump in anyway, I don't know how they do it!!

Today's card was inspired by the CASE Study Challenge #96, another week with Joy Taylor as Muse.  Almost every detail on my card reflects something on Joy's card; the colors, clouds, black accents and banner.

I've found myself using a lot of faux stitching on my projects lately.  While I like the look of the faux stitch, I think I need to learn how to do the real thing!  Any sewers out there?  Where do I start?  I've seen small sewing machines specifically made for papercrafting, are they any good?  Is there a brand you can recommend?  I'd love your input!!!  Thanks so much :)

Stamps:  Papillon Potpourri (SU!), Heartfelt Mix (Wplus9)
Ink:  Fresh Snow (PTI), Basic Black & Baja Breeze (SU!)
Paper:  Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze (SU!)
Accessories:  Banner Trio Die (Wplus9), Elegant Butterfly, button (SU!), ribbon & gel pen

Bordered Sentiment

I came across the Make it Monday (#71) video yesterday and went wild for the bordered sentiment technique.  It's quick and easy, doesn't use a ton of supplies and when added to a clean & simple card, it is stunning!

To make this bordered sentiment card, I started by stamping my sentiments near the bottom third of my white panel.  Using a ruler,  I drew a line above & below the sentiment.  Then I masked the center with scrap paper and removeable adhesive and stamped my images.  Finally the mask was removed and this card was complete.  Easy peasy!

The color palette was inspired by this weeks ColourQ challenge (#142).

I think you'll be seeing me use this technique again real soon!

Stamps:  Think Big Favorites (PTI), Super Star, So 80's, A Pocketful (Wplus9)
Ink:  Pool Party, Indigo Island, Peach Parfait, Cameo Coral, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black
Paper:  Whisper White, Indigo Island

Jane in Black & White

I love the crisp, classy and elegant look of a black and white card.  Seriously, anything black & white is simply beautiful! Adding the Simply Jane stamp set with the color scheme is absolute perfection.

I started with a 3 1/2 x 5 piece of Basic Black card stock.  I die cut the frame, rounded the bottom corners and embossed it using the Stripes embossing folder.  Then I adhered it to my Whisper White card base using removeable adhesive and stamped the frame.  I removed the black layer and then permanently adhered it with pop dots.  The die cut silhouette & flower and simple pearl were the last touches added to my card. I decided to leave this one without a sentiment, it's a versatile enough design that it can be used for countless occasions!

**I was inspired by the CAS inspiration challenge at Splitcoaststampers(CAS175) & Stamp N Plus Challenge.  This card also fits into the Make it Monday Anything Goes Challenge.

Stamp:  Simply Jane (PTI)
Ink:  Basic Black
Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black
Accessories:  Simply Jane dies, Stripes Embossing Folder, corner rounder, pearl

Clear as Day

I guess since today is Father's Day, I really should be posting a Father's Day card, right?  Maybe I will come back later and share the card I made for my husband.  For now though I have a card that I made for the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge (CFC57), to use vellum or acetate.  I haven't used vellum in ages, so I decided to go in that direction.  I started by stamping my background with my favorite flower image from Very Vintage Greetings in Fresh Snow ink on Wisteria Wonder card stock.  To make the design pop, I used black as a contrasting color.  Vellum was used as a simple sentiment strip, which was embellished with a butterfly from Happy Trails and rhinestones.  These embellishments hide the adhesive that was used on the vellum.  A simple rounded corner finishes off this design perfectly.

Stamps:  Very Vintage Greetings (Wplus9), Happy Trails (PTI)
Ink:  Fresh Snow (PTI), Basic Black
Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Wisteria Wonder, Vellum
Accessories:  Happy Trails Die, Corner Rounder, Rhinestones

A little bit brighter

The CASE Study muse this month, Joy Taylor, has a style that I just absolutely adore!  The colors and design in her inspiration piece this week were jaw dropping!  I didn't stray too much from her design as it is perfect in every way...balanced and beautiful.

*This card is also being entered into the Stampin' Royalty Challenge:  Clean and Simple.

Stamps:  Polka Dot Basics (PTI), Mother's Day Bouquet, Spring Tags (Wplus9), Clouds & Rainbows (Lil Inker)
Ink: Basic Black, Pool Party, Peach Parfait, Lucky Limeade
Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Pool Party
Accessories:  Circle Stackers die (Wplus9), Button, Bakers Twine, Rhinestones, Corner Rounder

Birthday Wishes

Happy Monday!

After crafting all weekend with a 7 1/2 & 9 year old in my little stamp room, I decided I was going to need to find some alone time to get my own projects done.  So this morning I was stamping by 7 am.  I think that is the perfect way to start my mornings this summer :)

I combined a few of the challenges that I came across while visiting my favorite blogs and sites...The Paper Players Color Combo of Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade & Basic Gray, the new-to-me iSpy Sketches (ISSC19) and the Splitcoast CAS Challenge to use white layers.

I started with scraps of Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade and Basic Gray cardstock that were cut into
1 1/4 inch squares and adhered to a piece of copy paper.  They were stamped with Basic Black ink and then adhered to the white panel.  Next, I stamped the flower & sentiment in the same ink.  I used Rose Red Seam Binding that I crinkled by spraying it with water and crumbling the ribbon into a ball and letting it dry.  Then I tied it around the top panel and topped it with a button and bakers twine.  Rhinestones were scattered as a finishing touch.

**Head over to my Stamps for Sale page, all sets are being listed on ebay later today.  

 Thanks for stopping in!

Stamps:  Very Vintage Greetings (Wplus9)
Ink:  Basic Black
Paper:  Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade, Basic Gray
Accessories:  Corner Rounder, Seam Binding, Bakers Twine, Button, Rhinestones

Sweet Spot

On what is supposed to be the first day of summer vacation, I am home with a sick little boy.  Luckily, it's the one who likes to be crafty so I got in some stamping time :)

My card today was inspired by the CAS-ual Fridays "Sweet Spot" Challenge;  to use polka dots. I started by die cutting the coffee cup & cozy from the Cozy Coffee set by 'Lil Inker Designs.  Next I did my stamping and paper pieced the center heart for some contrast in color and pattern.  I added a fun banner & button detail to the focal panel for added interest and balance.

I hope your weekend is off to a great start!

**My Stamps for Sale page has been updated.  I am listing all on ebay tomorrow (Monday, June 11).  Please email me asap if you are interested in any of the stamps listed!!!

Stamps:  Cozy Coffee ('Lil Inker)
Ink:  Fresh Snow (PTI), Early Espresso, Crumb Cake (SU!) 
Paper: Crumb Cake, Naturals White, Cherry Cobbler (SU!), Jingle patterned paper (Lily Bee Designs)
Accessories:  Cozy Coffee dies, Banner Trio (Wplus9), Early Espresso Bakers Twine (SU!), misc button

Masculine Teacher Card

We have made it through another year.  School is officially out for the summer!!  Woohoo :)

This is the card I made for Ethan's teacher, the only male classroom teacher on the primary level.  I had several different ideas for an end of the year gift, but Ethan insisted on getting him a tie.  He even picked it out all on his own.  I got a note home today that said, "I think it's funny that Ethan knows my style." 

I figured I'd make a card to match the gift using the tie image and die cut from Super Star.  I normally wouldn't think to use this image for anything but Father's Day, but it just fit!  I kept it simple, as I usually do, especially for masculine cards. 

Before I go, a picture of my kids on their last day of school...

(Ethan - 7 1/2, Conner - 9)

Stamps:  Super Star, A Pocketful (Wplus9), Happy Trails (PTI)

Ink:  Not Quite Navy

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Not Quite Navy

Accessories:  Super Star tie die (Wplus9), Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Early Espresso Bakers Twine, Paper Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Jewelry Tag Punch (SU)

Retro ColourQ

Have the crickets started chirping here on my blog yet?  It sure does get busy at the end of the school year.  Today was my first free morning since some time last week and I was itching to stamp. This was a quick card to make and could easily be mass produced.  I stamped my background using the colors inspired by ColourQ (140) and used the Retro sketches challenge (#14) for my layout.   A simple rounded corner and layered butterfly finish this card off perfectly!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Stamps:  Mother's Day Bouquet, Very Vintage Greetings (Wplus9)

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Pool Party, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade

Paper:  Whisper White & Cherry Cobbler

Accessories:  Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Big Shot, Rhinestone, Corner Rounder 

Sponged Backgrounds

I've been playing a lot with sponged backgrounds lately.  I'm loving the different looks you can achieve by adding different techniques and using different color palettes.  Here I started with Pool Party in the center, then moved to Baja Breeze and finally Elegant Eggplant.  It reminds me of a night sky.

For added dimension, I did some shadow stamping.  I used Elegant Eggplant ink and stamped slightly off to the left of the embossed image. 

Sponged backgrounds is the challenge at StampNation this week.  If you haven't joined yet, you should!  We have almost 200 videos, can you believe it?  There is so much inspiration there that you will be wishing you had more hours in the day!!!!  I promise!!!  Click here to learn more about StampNation here, I hop to see you there.

Stamps:  Blooming Meadow (Hero Arts), Very Vintage Greetings (Wplus9)
Ink:  Pool Party, Baja Breeze, Elegant Eggplant, Versamark
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Elegant Eggplant
Accessories:  Clear Embossing Powder, Top Note Die, Heat Tool, Ribbon, Sponges, Rhinestones