Less is More #55: Use Punches and Die Cuts

This is my second entry for the challenge this week at Less Is More. This card uses four different die cuts!  I love flower dies and punches and probably absolutely own more than my fair share, but that's ok =D This flower die from Papertrey Ink is one of my favorites, as is the large scallop die. A big thanks to Carol for coming to my rescue with this ribbon. The original 1/4" gingham I tried was way too narrow. In the picture it looks like I need to straighten and loosen it a bit though.

I appreciate the visit today and hope you'll come back soon.

Hugs,
Colleen

Less is More, Week #55: Theme - Use Punches or Die Cuts

As always, Mandi and Chrissie have a wonderful challenge this week on their blog - to use punches or die cuts. I chose two Martha Stewart punches for this cas card using multi layers vs. foam dots and creating a pompom for the party hat from twine. So simple! 

Thank you so much for taking time to visit.

Hugs,
Colleen

Happy Birthday, Harper!!

A BIG Happy Birthday wish to our granddaughter who's turning one today! Miss you and hope you had a great day, Harper Marie!

Less Is More Week 52 - Sketch

52 weeks of Less is More Challenges! I'm so happy to participate this week as LIM celebrates its first year of challenges supporting a clean and simple genre. Thanks Chrissy and Mandi!!

This week's challenge at Less is More is a sketch.

We were to adhere strictly to the sketch, keep the rectangular shape, in landscape orientation, with the band in a vertical position.

My card is a Valentine and uses Stampin' UP! and Papertrey Ink products.

Thank you for stopping by to see my card.

Hugs!

 

Papertrey Ink January 2012 Blog Hop!

I am thrilled to join Papertrey Ink in their first 2012 Blog Hop! It's a step in the right direction for me as I resolve (again) to participate in more challenges.

The directive from Nichole:  This month, in honor of the New Year, we are challenging you to pick your favorite project from 2011 and share it with all of us. To take it a step further, you are challenged to create a second card that is inspired by the favorite project you select. Your new version of an old favorite could carry over the color scheme, the layout or the stamp sets.

                                            So here is my inspiration card from 2011:  
           

And the new card.....

Using almost exclusively Papertrey Ink products (minus the heart punch), I opted to use the Take Three die to mimic the squares from the inspiration card and make a Valentine.

Have a great day, all, and thank you for stopping by.

Hugs,
Colleen

Thanks So Much

Today's word is "motivation" since this card was created solely for the purpose of utilizing this Papertrey Ink flower I've had on my desk for weeks. I love this flower (what's not to adore?), and it was time for it to have a home. The background texture is from a PTI impression plate, and the sentiment, label punch and ribbon are from Stampin' UP!. To mat the label, I simply punched an additional label in yellow, cut it in half and attached it to the sentiment along the top and bottom. Sheer genius, huh? But probably not my genius.

I should now be much more productive with that flower no longer taunting me . . .

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope it's been a good one for youl

More Flowers

This stamp set from Hero Arts with matching dies is a new favorite of mine. The thank you card's layout is similar to Elizabeth's birthday card from my previous post.Sentiment from Paper Smooches (another fav)

Thanks for stopping by today.

Hugs,
Colleen

Happy Birthday, Elizabeth!!

A special wish today to my beautiful daughter, Elizabeth, on her birthday!! I hope your day is as wonderful as you are, sweetie. Love you!

Contemporary and Vintage Christmas Cards

A quick post ... busy, busy. The first two cards are contemporary. I love the difference just changing colors makes! Which do you prefer? Do you like the more traditional color scheme or modern?

The third card has a more of a vintage feel to it. Even though I haven't made many layered cards lately, I do love the "Debbie Olsen look". I just have a hard time knowing when enough is enough =D

A Blessed and Merry Christmas to everyone. Thank you for your visits to my blog.

Hugs,


Colleen

Happy Birthday, Ashley!!

I took a break from making Christmas gifts a few days ago to make a special birthday card for my niece. Using the cupcake from Papertrey Ink's "Sign Language", my favorite Martha Stewart punch and a sentiment from Paper Smooches, I came up with this colorful ditty for the cupcake-loving Ashley. Happy Birthday, sweetie! I can't wait to see you next week.

Thanks for dropping by today. I know everyone is super busy.

Hugs,
Colleen

Colorful Gift Card Set

This is the first time I've used this year's Papertrey Ink anniversary set. I don't know what took me so long. By having my PTI stamps segregated, I sometimes forget about a set if I haven't used it.

These cards were inspired by this post of Susan Raihala's  from back in July. I didn't CASE it entirely, but close. Most of the cards have a touch of bling using Copics' Spica glitter pens, and that doesn't show in the photos.

Sorry for the misalignment of the photos. I could not for the life of me get these arranged properly.

Thank you for the visit today. Have a great weekend.

Hugs,
Colleen

Second Post for Today!

It's crunch time on Christmas cards and gift sets, so just in time I'm feeling the mojo stir and the ideas are flying. Be sure to check out the Santa card in the post below this one.

I used a Hero Arts background for this card using Versamark Dazzle on a cream base and heat embossing it. Love the sophistication this adds to a card. The die wreath is from Memory Box and the Poinsettia die and sentiment is Papertrey Ink's. Looking at the photo, I think a little inking around the edge of the card might look nice. I may try that. It feels like it needs something..

Now to clean up the royal mess I made for two cards =D

Thanks stopping by.

Hugs,
Colleen

Paper Smooches Santa Card

Kim Hughes of Paper Smooches has some of the cutest stamps! This little Santa has been sitting on my desk for a couple of weeks just begging to be inked, and just by dusting off my Copics and coloring him, I think I finally woke my mojo from hibernation =D It feels so good to get inky and be creative.

The background stamp is from Northwoods, and I stamped it in the new Evergreen Bough Distress Ink from Tim Holtz. Popped up Santa and added the inside sentiment "Ho, Ho, HO!" I know just who I'm sending this to....

Thank you for your visit today.

Hugs,
Colleen

Less Is More Week 41 One Layer - Leaves

It took this challenge at Less is More to motivate me to make a card. I played a bit recently, but couldn't seem to complete anything blog-worthy. All stamps used are from Memory Box.  The inks used were Kiwi Kiss, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Riding Hood Red and Cajun Craze from Stampin' UP! for the leaves and VersaMagic Jumbo Java for the wreath. The impression plate is from Papertrey Ink, and the ribbon is Stampin'UP! that I customized using Copic YG21.

It sure feels good getting inky and participating in a challenge. Just what the doctor ordered!

Thank you for stopping by.

Hugs,
Colleen

My, How Quickly Things Can Change!!

Hmm.. I only thought I was busy before.

You know that I seldom discuss personal issues on my blog. You come here to be inspired by my wonderful card creations and uber coloring skills =D, but please indulge me today.

A few weeks ago my husband had a serious heart attack . . . I came very close to losing him. This wonderful, handsome, caring, generous man is the rock of my life, my partner and best friend, and I'm still reeling from the shock of almost losing him. I'm assessing our life and re-evaluating priorities as we make necessary lifestyle changes.  And NO, I'm not shutting down my blog or giving up crafting . . . quite the contrary. I need this creative outlet more than ever. I just wanted needed to share this with you. Without a doubt, God was with us. I'm feeling extremely thankful and blessed and ask you to keep us in your prayers.

If my mojo hasn't completely deserted me, I hope to have something crafty to post later.

{{{BIG HUGS}}}