This Christmas - I'll Be Ready!

Pin It Now! So, it's only 218 days til' Christmas!  It's never too early to prep.
My youngest & I go walking as often as possible around a park loop, and we have the tradition of playing Christmas music on Pandora, even in the dog days of summer.  It really got me in the mood for Christmas cards.

I went looking for a sketch challenge to start with, and noticed that Freshly Made Sketches and Sunday Stamps have similar layouts this week.  So, I thought I'd take the same elements and make one card for each sketch.

I've used new SU DSP called This Christmas, and a retired and perfectly gorgeous stamp, Prince of Peace.

I love both sketches! Circles are my favorite element. Please visit them and check out all the fantastic inspiration!

I'm just tickled to have two Christmas cards to add to my very small stash!

Easter Bunny Does the Happy Dance for HSSSC208

Pin It Now! This sketch challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments will have you pulling out embellishments and ribbons from all corners of your craft room.

Lots going on here! The oval shape is just perfect for the Happy Easter Bunny stamp, and I got another chance to use my Bow Builder Punch, embellished with a little sequin and a rhinestone.  I love coloring the bunny and the little vine around him!  For the side circles, I used vellum with a Starburst die cut in half and hole punched with a Crop-A-Dile.  I love using vellum to add layers. 

Hop on over to HSS and play along!  

SUPPLIES: 

STAMPS: Happy Easter Bunny (Spring 2015 mini)

INK:  Memento Black, Strawberry Slush, Pear Pizzazz, Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight

PAPER: Brights DSP stack, Strawberry Slush, Whisper White, Vellum

EMBELLISHMENTS: Bermuda Bay sequin trim, Strawberry Slush Thick Twine, Basic Rhinestones,Bow  Builder Punch

Butterfly Basics Birthday HSSSC206

Pin It Now! I thoroughly enjoyed myself making today's card!  I love layers, and these are subtle, but there are plenty of them.

The sentiment panel is made up of several stamps from Butterfly Basics, then spritzed, then pierced with the coordinating piercing template.  The butterfly is a leftover wax paper layer that I used so that all the little bits don't stick in the thinlit!  I love how it's so very thin and translucent, but doesn't add bulk. I also added a sponged layer of roses stenciled with a paper laser cut sheet from this spring's Artisan Embellishment Kit.  

The sketch we are offering at Hand Stamped Sentiments this week is a great one. 

Inside, just a couple of DSP strips to complement the front.  

SUPPLIES: 

STAMPS: Butterfly Basics

INK: Mossy Meadow, Daffodil Delight, Blushing Bride, Lost Lagoon, Pistachio Pudding, Whisper White Craft

PAPER: All Abloom DSP Stack, Crumb Cake, Whisper White

EMBELLISHMENTS: Artisan Embellishment Kit Spring 2015 (pearl), 

BIG SHOT: Framelits Labels, Large Polka Dot TIEF, Butterfly Thinlits

OTHER: Piercing Pack, wax paper, Spritzing Tool

The Bunny's Happy Dance

Pin It Now! Isn't this the cutest Easter bunny ever?  It rivals Stampin' Up's beloved chocolate bunny in the sweetness department.  It's nice and big, easy to color, and makes a BIG statement!

Here I've used our latest sketch from HSS to showcase my cutie.

Those embellishments on the top...amazingly beautiful!  The resin rose, pearls, and the doilies are all included in SU's latest Artisan Embellishment Kit. The bunny is colored with Blendabilities skin assortment, in Nude and Blush for the belly.  I used a variety of markers and Blendabilities for the flowers, eggs, and leaves, depending on what colors I needed.  I used only one doily - cut in half and strategically placed.  

And some glitter on his tail!  

Inside, I chose a retired sentiment, as I wanted to stamp something in there, but "Happy Easter" is already emblazoned on the front.  So since the bunny is dancing, and Easter is the most important Christian holiday, "celebrate" is totally appropriate!

Here's the sketch...what can you do with it this week?  Head on over to Hand Stamped Sentiments and have fun!  

SUPPLIES:  

STAMPS: Happy Easter Bunny, Inviting (ret)

INK:  Memento Black, Soft Sky, Blushing Bride, Rose Red, Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight. Blendabilities: Skin Tone Assortment, Old Olive light. 

PAPER:  Painted Blooms DSP, Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Artisan Embellishment Kit, Wild Wasabi seam binding ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

OTHER: Creative Memories oval cutting system

Terrific Trendy Sketch - 2 Ways! HSS197

Pin It Now! I was thrilled to be able to work with this lovely sketch at Handstamped Sentiments, courtesy of the talented Elizabeth Price!  Very fun.

I love the offset panel trend.  It lends an unexpected element to the typical rectangular greeting card.

The cut background is a nice way to break up a pattern.  I added gold embossing to an Autumn Wooden Element.  I hugged the tiny package of these when they arrived in my Stampin' Up! order. They are endlessly cute.  Much thinner than the big box craft stores' wood embellishments, so they're much better to use on a card that you're going to send.

I originally created the stamped strip panel at 4" x 5-1/4" out of habit, and realized the sketch called for a shorter one.  So I used the extra to decorate the inside.  

I was so crazy about this sketch, that I made a second card. While cleaning up from the first, I noticed my washi tape stack, and thought it would work great for a quick, clean card.  This was easy!  I cut the angled panel twice, stamped the greeting on the bottom piece, and used the large oval punch on the top panel to make a window.   A little sequin trim and linen thread bow, and it's simple, sweet, and ready to send. 

Head on over to Hand Stamped Sentiments for more inspiration on this fabulous sketch!  I'd love to see what you're inspired to create!

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS:  For All Things, Petite Pairs,Hardwood 

INK: Cherry Cobbler, Mossy Meadow, Hello Honey, Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Gold Embossing, Early Espresso

PAPER:  Cherry Cobbler, Mossy Meadow, Very Vanilla

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Gold Sequin Trim, Autumn Wooden Elements, Linen Thread, Gold 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Gold Washi Tape

PUNCHES: Large Oval

Thank You, Sweet Friend - HSS190

Pin It Now! It's time for a fun sketch over at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  I tried my best this time to stick strictly to the sketch, and not to use the Big Shot.  Looking over my latest cards, I realize that I use it for everything.  Which isn't bad at all, but I wanted to keep things a little simpler.  -ish!

I have a wonderful, wonderful friend and her husband that I have met through our love of card making, and today I made a thank you for her husband.  My boys call him Mr. Joe, and I can't begin to tell you how much they adore him.  He's so kind, and always willing to entertain them when us ladies are hid away making cards. 

I've stamped the soda pop onto a piece of white and layered the banners over the base.  "Sweet Friend" is part of a longer sentiment, so I used a marker to stamp the words I needed.  A wrap with baker's twine, punched heart, clothespin, and finally a few scattered sequins.  

Head on over to HSS to see what everyone's up to!

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS:  Cycle Celebration

INK:  Real Red, Island Indigo, Soft Sky, Hello Honey, Memento Tuxedo Black

PAPER:  Brights DSP Pack, Moonlight Paper Pack, Real Red, Whisper White

EMBELLISHMENTS:  In Color Sequin Assortment, mini clothespin, Island Indigo Baker's Twine

Postage Due Thank You Note - CCMCSU14-03

Pin It Now! Hey crafty friend!  I'm dropping by with a thank you note I made with the latest sketch from Create With Connie & Mary.  Super cute sketch!

I hope they're having fun with their first LIVE event!  Wish I were there!!!

This was honestly the easiest card I've made in a while!  I'm getting ready to head to my hometown to see my mom & dad for a few days, but I got the itch to make ONE more card, since I'll be without craft supplies!   Just a little criss cross with the papers and then trimmed them to fit, a tag that I made a pile of for customers, a black ribbon to anchor it, and some sequins.  Ta-da!  

I cannot do anything without sequins lately.  Just sayin'. 

I love Postage Due for it's vintage collage look!  And the "thank you" is new from Something to Say.

Thanks for swinging by!

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS:  Postage Due, Something to Say

INK:  Coastal Cabana, Memento Tuxedo Black

PAPER: Typeset Specialty DSP, Basic Black, Coastal Cabana, Very Vanilla

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Basic Black 3/4" Chevron Ribbon, In Color Sequin Assortment, Strawberry Slush Thick Twine, Natural Chevron 5/8" ribbon

OTHER:  Honeycomb Embossing Folder, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Scalloped Tag Topper Punch

File Folder Valentine, Hearts A Flutter

Pin It Now! Hello, crafty friend!  I have another Valentine card to share today.  I'm making LOTS of Valentines this year, because I'm determined to send them out all over the place this year!

Here's a file folder card made with the Envelope Punch Board.  These are SO fun to make, and only take a minute more than a standard card to make.  I used these instructions from a printable I found on Pinterest.

I love the color combo from the current challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments:

Strawberry Slush

Coastal Cabana

Wisteria Wonder

What a fresh color pallette!  

Closer up, you can see I've used the heart framelit from Hearts A Flutter for the cute doily heart stamped in Wisteria Wonder, heat embossed  "sweet little you" from Perfectly You, punched a chevron banner with the Chevron punch, and sprinkled hearts about with SU's heart punch (retired, why do they do that?!). The little floral strip that you see under the chevron banner is DSP from the Mini Memories Simply Created Mini Album (Spring 2014). 

Inside, from Perfectly You and colored with Stampin' Write markers and Aqua painter. 

I've used the sketch from Create with Connie & Mary, turning it on its side. Super cool sketch, I wouldn't have added the glitter hearts if they hadn't suggested it in the sketch!  Love it!

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS:  Perfectly You, Hearts A flutter, Delightful Dozen (retired)

INK: Wisteria Wonder, Jet Black Staz On, Coastal Cabana, Strawberry Slush

PAPER:  Strawberry Slush CS, Whisper White CS, In Color 13-15 DSP Stack, Coastal Cabana CS, Silver Glimmer, DSP floral print from Mini Memories Simply Created Mini Album (Spring 2014)

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Pool Party Twine (SAB 2014), 

PUNCHES: chevron punch, hearts punch

BIG SHOT:  Hearts a Flutter Framelits

ENVELOPE PUNCH BOARD, CROP A DILE

Heartfelt Happy Birthday Dad - Husband - Friend

Pin It Now!

My husband has a *really big* milestone birthday this week, so I took advantage of the sketch at Hand Stamped Sentiments to make a special card for him.  My idea of masculine isn't the same as his, but he knows I take his cards back after he enjoys them for awhile ;) Like all things in marriage, we share!

Here's the sketch.  Simple, and wide open for interpretation.  I had a LOT of fun with it.

The base is Basic Black, layered with a sheet of print from Tea for Two (Spring 2013 mini), and a rosette made from the same sheet.  It measures 2 lengths of 12" x 1-3/8", scored every 1/4", and this makes is nice and full, but not too bulky.  Pool Party seam binding ribbon is wrapped once around the rosette, and an extra piece is added to make 3 banner ends on the right.  Oh, I almost forgot the burlap!  I haphazardly cut and frayed a scrap of burlap (from when it was all the rage last year...can we say Pinterest?) and layered it between the rosette & the print DSP.  I think it "manlies it up" quite well.

The fun part!  At the center is a chalkboard-style sentiment.  This comes from several different stamp sets, and you can see them all at the supply list below.  First, the "Heartfelt" stamp from Layered Labels is hand inked with a Versamark pen, leaving the center out.  Stamp & heat emboss with white embossing powder. Die cut it with the coordinating frame from Framelits Apothecary Accents.  {I rubbed it first with the Emboss Buddy, under the impression that it'd keep my messy stray white spots off.  It didn't really, but it did add a little white smeariness to add to the chalkboard effect.}  Next, whip out the Stampamajig and stamp HUSBAND, FRIEND & DAD from Family Reunion, and emboss.  I added the embellishment crown and flourish from Tiny Tags with just white craft ink.  A couple of Vintage Trinket buttons (they're hot glued to the burlap) and rhinestones (guys like shiny stuff, too.  that's why they love us)

Inside and envelope...

I think it passes for a masculine card with a vintage edge to it, yes?

So glad you stopped by!  Have a blessed and creative day.  Erika

SUPPLY LIST:
STAMPS:  Layered Labels, Family Reunion, Vintage Verses, Tiny Tags
INK:  Craft White, Black Staz-On, Soft Suede, Tea Stain Vintage Ink Spot
PAPER:  Tea for Two DSP, Basic Black, Very Vanilla
EMBELLISHMENTS:  White embossing powder, Emboss Buddy, Framelits Apothecary Accents, Rhinestones, Vintage Trinkets, Pool Party seam binding ribbon
OTHER:  Burlap

Vintage Chic Blessing Card HSSSC154

Pin It Now! My least favorite type of card to make is a sympathy card, and I really only make them when I have a reason to.  Well, this week, I need to send one off to a neighbor.  Upon sitting and thinking on it, I decided I would not do a typical black/dark/formal card, but one that might bring a smile to her face.  Pretty, ethereal, and with a simple blessing.

At Hand Stamped Sentiments, for the next 2 weeks, we have a sketch to work with, so here's what I came up with using sympathy and the sketch for guides.

I used layers of Very Vanilla, in the form of embossed cardstock and ribbon, and a die cut from Apothecary Accents, with a little Crumb Cake sponging.  Two butterflies punched with the Elegant Butterfly punch from Tea for Two DSP, and wrapped with a length of Linen Thread.  The card base is dry embossed with the Delicate Designs lacy embossing folder, and the center piece of CS is embossed with Lacy Brocade, brayered with Crumb Cake and popped up on the card base.

Inside, a simple prayer to remind her to trust in the Lord.

I like the way it turned out, and that it's understated.  I'll probably make a few to keep on hand for other occasions as well.  

What do you think of this sketch?  I hope it sparks some ideas and that you'll join in the challenge!  I'd love to pay your blog a visit!  Click the image below to see the other designers' projects and to link up.

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS:  Crosses of Hope, Trust God, Layered Labels

INK: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede

PAPER: Very Vanilla Tea for Two DSP

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Very Vanilla seam binding ribbon, Linen Thread, Elegant Butterfly, Frost White Shimmer Paint

BIG SHOT: Lacy Brocade EF, Delicate Designs EF, Framelits Apothecary Accents

Summer Smooches Sketch Swap

Pin It Now! I whipped up a dozen of these bright pretties for my local monthly card swap in record time!  Two hours!!!  
Thank you, Keurig!  Coffee helps with productivity :)



This month's swap theme was this sketch! Yay!  I love a sketch, and this one's clean and simple.



Each vase of Bright Blossoms is topped with a luscious Designer Fabric Brad. They're big and beautiful!
A little bling on the patterned paper circles, some polka dot embossing, punched sentiment, and some grosgrain ribbon.



The inside is simple, but done.