Stampin' Royalty #100 - Snowman Tag

Hi!  Can you believe it's Thursday already?  This week is going FAST!  So much to do for the holidays.  It seems like you just finish with Thanksgiving and it's time to start digging out the Christmas things!   I'm having a good day getting things done and had a little time so I thought I'd play along with the Stampin' Royalty Challenge.  This week it's "Anything but a card!"  So I made this cute snowman tag.  I think a fancy tag really brightens up any gift.  This one is so sweet maybe it could double as a tree ornament!

I found the snowflake gem in the dollar bins at Joann and have been making good use of them.  For this design I took a plastic button that looked almost like glass and glued the snowflake gem to it.  I couldn't resist a few jingle bells and a dusting of glitter for some added shine.  This one was a pleasure to make - gotta tell you - the hardest part was taking the photo!!  The ribbon is so top heavy that this little guy kept wanting to roll away!!  Maybe you're making something other than a card this week.  If so, you might want to drop by Stampin' Royalty and enter the challenge.  All the details are here:  http://stampinroyalty.blogspot.com/2011/11/stampin-royalty-challenge-100.html.

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Just Rite Happy Everything Tag Making Kit, Old Fashioned Christmas Set
Polka Dot Stamp - Studio G
Dies:  Spellbinders:  Picot Edge Circles, Standard Circles
Markers:  Copic  B00, B24, B32, YR09, YR04, R24, R27, R29, W0, W1, E000
Glitter:  Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter
Ink:  Momento Summer Sky, Paris Dusk, Tuxedo Black

Card Patterns Sketch 139 - October 29, 2011 - Fall Flowers

 Hi and Happy Wednesday!  I wanted to start working on some Thanksgiving cards so I'm not caught empty handed toward the end of the month.  I always have lots of people over for Thanksgiving and there are always so many preparations-  searching recipes, grocery shopping, setting the table, cleaning and decorating - trying to make sure it is a special day for everybody.   I've been missing out on all the card challenges on line due to my cold so I'm playing catch up.  I always appreciate a little inspiration or at least a starting point for my holiday cards. 

This week's card patterns sketch is no exception - if you'd like to play along, you can get all the details here:  http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/2011/10/sketch-139.html

The stamp I used is from Just Rite Nature's Nested Sentiments and all three lines are on one stamp.  I taped off the portion of the stamp I didn't want to use, inked it up, removed the tape and stamped away.  The red flourishes I cut out with Spellbinders Floral Flourishes die.  These are really intricately cut and are HARD to get out of the die.  To help get these out a little easier I cut two pieces of paper at the same time and left one stuck in the die.  This helps cushion the second piece of paper so it doesn't get stuck in there as tight.

Supplies Used:  Finished Size is 5" x 7:
Paper:  K&Co Tim Coffey Fall Collection
Stamp:  Just Rite Nature's Nested Sentiments
Die Cuts:  Spellbinders:  Floral Flourishes, Assorted Leaves
Ink:  Momento Rich Cocoa, Ranger/Tim Holtz Antique Linen

Mojo Monday Sketch 210 - October 10, 2011 - Pink Thinking of You with Crown

Are you getting your mojo on?  Me, not so much today.  I took my car in for service -  that wound up taking several hours.  Just when I made it home the nurse from school called and asked me to pick up my son who is ill.  After making soup for him and then a big pot of curry for dinner I got time to sit down and play.   There's big benefits to dinners like soup, curry and chilli - you can make them ahead and steal some time for yourself.       I know it's Wednesday and the challenge is Mojo Monday, but it's not too late right?  The mojo hits when it likes and you have to take advantage of it whenever that may be!!!! 

 I made this pretty pink "Thinking of You" card for the sketch this week.  I started out with the map paper in the center and went from there.  I think this will be a great card for my daughter to send to one of her friends that are away at college. I really like the bright pink and that crown die has been one of my favorites since I first lay eyes on it.  

Of course I have a decent amount of the bling I am addicted to - the glittery plaid paper, the pearls on the crown, and that heart gem in the tag hole.  This is the first bow I've ever made with cord, but I think it turned out ok.  I hope you are having a great day and don't forget to Sieze the Mojo!

Supplies Used:    Finished Size:   5" x 7"

Stamp:  Just Rite Stampers Cling Fancy Tags

Die Cuts:  Spellbinders Tag for Just Rite, Nested Crowns, Fancy Tags 3

Border Punch:  Ek Success Double Embossed Dotted Lace

Embossing Folder:  Paper Studio Intricate Swirl

Ink:  Momento:  Angel Pink   Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Antique Linen

Pattern Paper:  Plaid My Minds Eye Lost & Found Collection, Map K & Co.

Stampin' Royalty Challenge #92 - October 5, 2011 - You Inspire Me

Hi!  I hope you are having a good week.  My husband has been working off hours this week so we've been sneaking out for lunch almost every day this week.  It's not very often we are on our own so we are making the most of it!

I made this card for the Stampin' Royalty Challenge #92.  The challenge this week is to make a card that uses primarily Olive, Mustard, Saffron and Eggplant.   So where to start?  Find the paper?  Pick a theme?    I started more than a few times before I came up with this one that I am happy with.   My first thought was sunflowers with a purple background - but that got quickly nixed - the stamp was too big, and the purple looked like night.  

I finally got to use my new Spellbinders Nested Butterflies Two set, and a great quote from the Just Rite Stampers "You Are My Anchor" set.  It feels like a bit of a departure for me - no big fat bow, but I did put a frilly flower on it. And there is still a tiny bit of bling - the silver flourishes on the butterfly, and the purple wire antennae on the butterfly!

If you are interested in playing along you can get the details here:  http://stampinroyalty.blogspot.com/2011/10/stampin-royalty-challenge-92.html.
I hope you have a great day and find some time for yourself to do something you love!

Supplies Used:    Finished Size 5" x 7"
Stamp:  Just Rite Stampers: You Are My Anchor Set
Die Cuts:  Spellbinders: Foliage, Nested Butterflies Two, Ornate Artisan Tags & Accents, Fleur De Lis Rectangle
Border Punch:  Martha Stewart Eyelet Lace
Sizzix Embossing Folder:  Diamond from Diamond & Tropical Paisley Set
Ink:  Momento Sweet Plum, Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Antique Linen
Flower: Prima Whisper Collection - Fairy

Mojo Monday #209 - October 3, 2011 - Butterfly

Are you getting your Mojo on?  This is the sketch challenge for Monday October 3.  Top picks this week receive a set of Verve stamp set of their choice!  

I just got the Papillon set of stamps from Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous and used them as my starting point for the challenge this week.   I like how the images look like they are from an insect field guide. 

I put the focus of my card - the butterfly - in neutral to draw your eye to it.  I used the K & Co. Tim Coffey Blossomwood paper collection because I like the "fabric" look it has and how it lends a little texture to my card.

Of course, you know me, I had to put some bling in there somewhere.  If I'm going to make a card I want it to be extra special and a little sparkle never hurts!   I included a big fat two color seam binding bow with a big gem bauble in the center, and a swirl of turquoise gems to give my butterfly a little magic.  Thanks for stopping by to take a peek!  I hope you are having a great day!

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 5" x 7"

Pattern Paper:  K&Co. Tim Coffey Blossomwood, Tim Holtz Kraft Resist

Stamps:  TIm Holtz Stampers Anonymous Papillon, For You from Stampin' Up!

Die Cuts:  Spellbinders Standard Circles, Picot Edge Circles,

Border Punch:  Fiskars - Tag Punch Stampin' Up

Seam Binding:  Snug Hug Elegant Peacock Blue, Havana Brown

Ink: Momento Rich Cocoa, Sand  Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Antique Linen
Twine:  Martha Stewart
Button:  Bazzill Bling!  Gem Swirl:  Recollections

CR84FN39 - September 24, 2011 - Orange Yellow Brown - Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving has not always been my favorite holiday.   There was a time when I hated Thanksgiving because it took all the attention away from my birthday which falls on this holiday quite often.  To make it worse, my older sister's birthday is just 3 days after mine  - so when family and friends would gather to celebrate it wasn't just for me, or for my sister, or for Thanksgiving.  The gathering was multi functional really making nothing about it special for any one individual person.  I can't tell you how many pumpkin pies have been my birthday cake :) !!   Or how many cakes got sung to twice - once to my sister, and then to me!!  

 Now that I am older I don't find presents so exciting - I like to pick out things for myself.  Who needs a new scarf when there are new Spellbinders to be had?   I focus on a great meal spent with great company and  my birthday cake  is saved and shared with just my husband and children.

Mona couldn't have picked a better time of year for the beautiful color combination this week at CR84FN!  A Thanksgiving card seemed like a natural for all the beautiful colors of the fall we are working with this week.   Are you playing along?  There is a new color challenge posted every Sunday.  Here is the link if you'd like to play along: http://cr84fncolorchallenge.blogspot.com. 

I made this card using kraft paper that I embossed with pumpkins.  I added some texture by embossing a pearl brown sheet with a weave pattern.  I tied some twine around the card to give it a bit of a rustic outdoors look, and finished it off with a two color bow. 

Supplies Used:  Finished Size: 6" x 6"
Just Rite Stamps:  Happy Everything Tag Making Kit, You Inspire Me
Dies:  Spellbinders Assorted Leaves, Petite Ovals, Harvest Border, Scrap-Mart Exclusive Die
Embossing:  Cuttlebug Pumpkin Harvest Folder, Sizzix Weave Texturz
Seam Binding:  Hug Snug Orange & Antique Gold
Ink:  Momento Rich Cocoa, Tangelo   -   Ranger:  Tim Holtz Distress Antique Linen
Turkey Salt Shaker Fitz & Floyd

Stampin Royalty Challenge 90 September 21, 2011 - Trickster

 
I've been looking for a some new sketch challenges to participate in and I found this one listed on a blog I visit.  This is the Stampin' Royalty Sketch Challenge - there is a new one every Wednesday.  If you want to play along their address is http://stampinroyalty.blogspot.com/.  I know that October will be here before I know it and I'm really behind making cards to send to friends and family.  I love getting cards for holidays and they are a great way to add a bit of festivity to a room.  I hang Christmas greetings as a garland, and I place others on shelves around the house - even in my kitchen so I can see them every day.    I found this neat vintage cat stamp with the SMILE sentiment in the dollar bin at Joann's.  Who says you have to spend alot of money to make a great card?  I used only a small portion of one 12" x 12" sheet of patterned paper.    I used a different dollar stamp for the light purple background I stamped behind the cat.  I used buttons and ribbon that I already had on hand.  The only thing new I used on this one is the Spellbinders Orchard Harvest Tags and Accents.  I'm lovin' all the new dies - and I'm getting what I can afford one at a time.

I embossed the purple background and made my bow out of wired organdy ribbon.  I dressed up the design a little with a border punch, brads on my sentiment, a gem flower button,  and a little gem heart on my trickster cat's nose.

I hope my card makes you smile and helps get you into the playful spirit of Halloween!

Supplies Used:    Finished Size 5" x 7"

Stamps:  Inkadinkadoo Mini Halloween Assortment

"Happy Halloween" from Just Rite Happy Everything Tag Making Kit

Die Cuts:  Spellbinders Orchard Harvest Tags and Accents, Double Ended Tags, Spellbinders for Just Rite Label

Dry Embossing:  SIzzix Texturz Plate Ivy Flourishes

Patterned Paper:  Fancy Pants Trick or Treat Collection R.I.P.

Border Punch:  EK Success

Ink:  Momento Tuxedo Black, Lulu Lavender - Embossing Powder ZING! Black

OWH Mid Week Throwdown Challenge - Autumn

This week's  OWH Midweek Throwdown Challenge  is Autumn.  If you saw my OWH Thanksgiving card you will notice that I'm stuck on turquoise and copper for fall.  Maybe that's because while I am walking the dog I'm looking up and seeing the leaves changing color against that beautiful blue sky!  Or maybe just because I think its a striking color combination!  Whatever works right?

I used a few products that I've had on hand that I finally got to put to good use!  I bought the stamp set about a month ago - it's on sale at Just Rite for $5.  I bought the Spellbinders Labels 21 I don't remember when.  I thought they were a neat shape, but hadn't come up with any clever way to put them to use.  Don't you hate when you buy something and it goes unused?  Glad I don't have to say that about these two any more!

I wrapped some twine around the card base to anchor the tags so they look tied down.  I thought the button looked cute but didn't want to put string through it - I thought it would take away from the sentiment - so I stuck some tiny little gems in the button holes.  OK so it was just another excuse to put a little glam on my card!!  I also used metallic paper for the leaf, button and blue tag.  Hope you like it!

PS Thanks to everyone who left me a sweet comment on my "Princess" - Anything But Glitter card.  Since I got a good response I am in the process of making 20 more (as promised).   I'm working assembly style - cutting each element one at a time.  Thanks alot of cranking through the old die cut machine, but it's worth it!

Supplies used:
Stamp:  Just Rite "Give Thanks Nested Frames & Occasions"
Patterned Paper:  Me & My Big Ideas
Die Cuts:  Spellbinders Labels 21, Assorted Leaves, Timeless Heritage, and sentiment die from Spellbinders for Just Rite
Twine:  Martha Stewart
Ink:  Momento Rich Cocoa, Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Antique Linen

OWH Skech Challenge 84 - August 27, 2011 Travel Collage

I have some extra time today - my husband and son left early for a 50 mile bike ride.  They are meeting up with a group of scouts and will be gone for a few hours, that gives me time to be creative.  I've had this stamp from Stampabilities called Travel Collage for a while. I think it's a really great masculine stamp and I thought it would be a good fit for one of my OWH cards.

I just recently started using the seam binding from Hug Snug for my bows.  You can get it at Fabric.com (Amazon has it a little cheaper but no free shipping).  It runs about $10 for 100 yards - that's really affordable at 10 cents a yard.  It is made out of Rayon so it has a really nice shine and is easy to work with.  It looks great smooth or crinkled.  I haven't tried this but I heard that the white is easy to die to your perfect shade by mixing your favorite ink with a little water and spritzing the ribbon.  It comes in so many beautiful colors - you are bound to see a shade you will love!

Products Used:

Stamp:  Stampabilities Travel Collage  Just Because Stamp - Just Rite

Patterned Paper:  K& Company

Ribbon:  Hug Snug Seam Binding Aquarelle

Ink:  Momento Rich Cocoa, Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Ink:  Antique Linen

Die Cuts  Spellbinders for Just Rite

OWH Any Hero Thanksgiving Card 8-25-11

 
I've been missing in action a little this week - but I guess better late than never.  I had a pasta party for the whole cross country team on Monday, and then on Tuesday I had some dental surgery so I have been spending time resting.  I felt like I was missing out on all the fun - the sketch challenge and then the mid week throw down - so I had to get back into the grove and make something!  Here is my Any Hero Thanksgiving Card. 

I know these aren't traditional fall colors - and I won't blame that on the pain killers.  I really loved the wheat design on the patterened paper by My Mind's Eye and went from there.  I used a pearl gold paper for the wheat die cut, and the light blue oval paper is Coordinations Gemstones so it has a pearl shine as well.  The wheat die cut is from the Cricut Thanksgiving Solutions Cartridge.  I haven't been using him (yes I call my Cricut Crick-EE and yes it is a him) in a while so I had to dust him off.

I hope you like it - I had lots of fun making it!

Products used:
Wheat Die Cut:  Cricut Thanksgiving Solutions Cartidge
Oval Die Cut:  Spellbinders
Tag & Sentiment:  Just Rite Happy Everything Tag Making Kit
Patterened Paper:  My Mind's Eye
Hug Snug Seam Binding Fig Beige

CR84FN Challenge 35 - Lavender, Celery, and Gray Thank You!

I hope everyone is having a good week!  I can't believe it is August already. The weather here is still hot and humid.  My garden looks totally wilted!  I go out to water and the mosquitos start to swarm.  You know it's bad when even the dog wants back in the house!

I told you last week our Boy Scout Troop was hosting a troop that was riding from Illinois to Niagara Falls.  Some of our scouts escorted them 25  miles out and then returned home .  My husband, son and daughter took the 50 mile trek and did very well considering how hot it is here.  My job was rescue vehicle driver - like all good scouts you need ot be prepared for anything.   I had the bike rack on the back of my car and was ready with Gatorade and mobile air conditioning.  Fortunately no one required assistance and the adventure was complete with no incidents.

Things are back to normal now so had some time to work on my card for the CR84FN color challenge.  My favorite thing about participating in a challenge is that it gets me to try something new and step out of my comfort zone.  I know when I start working on a card I tend to gravitate to the same colors or a particular style.  Lately it seems like alot of purples for me so this week isn't such a big stretch - but sometimes I don't know where to begin!  Here's my card - I hope you like it!

Supplies Used:
Stamp:  Just Rite Stampers Heart to Heart
Die Cuts:  Spellbinders Lattice Pendant, Labels 18, and Just Rite Custom Rectangle
Ribbon:  Hug Snug Lavender
Ink:  Momento Sweet Plum  / Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Antique Linen
Glitter paper:  K & Co. Amy Butler Collection 
Polka dot paper:  My Mind's Eye Market Street Collection

Operation Write Home Sketch Challenge #75 Happy Halloween!

 
OK... I'm going to admit it... .  This was a really hard card for me.  I couldn't get my head around the stripes... .I kept picking out a pretty paper for the background and getting mad because those stripes kept covering it up.  I was up until way past midnight until I finally got a lightbulb over my head and came up with this Halloween card.  It's probably not too early to start thinking about fall and holiday cards to start making to send to the troops - especially if you're going to make a bunch like me!

I'm really happy with how this one turned out.   The bright colors and the die cut mask in glitter paper (not the kind that will flake off)  give it that perfect little shimmer for that Halloween magic.  I'm looking forward to seeing what everybody came up with!  This was a great challenge to keep me on my toes!

Supplies used:
Patterend Paper - Basic Grey
Stamp and rectange die cuts - Just Rite Stampers
Mask Die Cut:  Quickutz

Operation Write Home Sketch Challenge #74

Here's the Operation Write Home Sketch  Challenge for the week!

I saw alot of feminine cards submitted on the blog page http://www.owhstarsandstamps.org/
and thought I would do one for the boys!

I really like participating in the sketch challenge for three good reasons.....

1.  It gets me to try new card layouts

2.  When I'm all finished I have one more card in my box that I am filling up to send off to OWH

3.  I get to use up scraps of all that pretty paper I've been hanging on to.  The requested card size of 4.25 x 5.5 is perfect for piecing.

If I get a good response on the card I always make a few more because once it's already thought out making a few more is always easy.  And chances are good that I still have everything I exprimented with coming up with the card still scattered all around my craft room.   Sometimes it looks like a tornado went whipping through the room - my poor dog - she can always walk into the room but alot of the time she has to back out since there is no room to turn around.

I was originally going to make one for the girls and one for the guys but I am running out of time.  I was having some computer issues that ate up most of my day (been there done that right?)Hope you like this one!

Supplies Used:

Patterend Paper:  K& Co.  Addison

Stamp:  Just Rite Custom Design Cardmaking Kit

Dies:  Spellbinders Lotus Pendant, Circles

Ink:  Momento:  Rich Cocoa, Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Chipped Sapphire, Faded Jeans, Antique Linen

Operation Write Home Sketch Challenge #73

I wanted to play along with Operation Write Home Sketch Challenge #73.   This is a great way to experiment with a different style card and pack one more in that box I have in the corner that I am filling up with cards to ship off to OWH.  

I made a "Thinking of You" card with lots of butterflies, with a pearl and organza ribbon embellishment. Just enough to give it a little special sparkle, but not too much to make it bulky in the mail.

 I love this color blue/ turquoise with brown.  It reminds me of sand and ocean - and fun times at the beach.  I hope you like it!

Materials Used:

Patterened Paper:  K& Company WIld Saffron Collection

Stamp:  Just Rite from Custom Design Card Making Kit

Punch:  Martha Stewart Deep Edge Butterfly, Border Punch Fiskars

Die:  Petite Scalloped Circle Spellbinders

Ink:  Momento Rich Cocoa  Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Walnut, Antique Linen, and Broken China

Operation Write Home Sketch Challenge #72

  
Operation Write Home supports our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them.
Crafters of all ages and levels of experience have participated since 2007...and are on the way to a landmark one MILLION cards!  This is their weekly sketch challenge for June 5, 2011.



I started with some Paper Studio camouflage paper I bought at Hobby Lobby, and added linen print paper from K&Co.'s Boy Scouts of America Collection.   I chose the sentiment "Special Delivery" because I know that any letter from our loved ones is always welcome and a "special" treasured momento - their written words to us - something we can hold on to.  

Here's my card....
 
Products used:
Paper:  Paper Studio Camouflage, K&Co. BSA Collection Linen
Die: Quickutz
Stamp - Special Delivery Just Rite Stampers
Ink:  Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Burlap, Forest Moss - Momento Tuxedo Black