Sympathy Doilies

As many of you know, I sell some of my cards at a local boutique, Arts Plus in Collingswood, New Jersey. One of the categories that needs filling is 'Sympathy', so I made this:  

The colors are soft and quiet, befitting a card of this nature.  It's a River Rock base, embossed with Petals-A-Plenty.  The patterned paper is retired Stampin' Up! (Carte Postale, maybe?) and I over-stamped some Delicate Doilies II and a sentiment from Inspired By Stamping on it.

Each doily was topped with a Liquid Pearl.  If you can see it, I originally stamped those doilies with Old Paper Distress Ink.  It was too light, so I stamped again in Bordering Blue.  My lines didn't quite match up, so it looks a bit like an optical illusion.

Thanks a bunch for visiting me today!

Until next time,



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Delicate Doiles II, All Year Wishes I - Inspired By Stamping
Paper: River Rock, Bordering Blue, pattern (Carte Postale?) - SU
Ink: Bordering Blue - SU; Old Paper - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: white seam binding - Zipper Stop
Other: White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; Petals-A-Plenty embossing folder - SU

Making It Better + Blog Candy!

A long, long time ago (or so it seems), I created a tag using the collage stamping technique (there's a good tutorial at Splitcoast HERE).  It was all good and fine, but every time I looked at the tag, it seemed somehow incomplete and so I never gave it away.

The other day I took it out and trimmed off the top portion so I could create a card with it instead.  I like this version MUCH better!

Here's the original tag - and if you wish to see the original post, click HERE:

The card background is embossed with Ornate Flowers, Leaves & Twirls by Sizzix, and I added a glittery Petaloo flower and fancy Amira Flourish die cut by Memory Box to the former tag.

Ah!  That's SO much better!  Thanks for visiting me today.  :-)  I appreciate it so much!

BLOG CANDY ALERT:  Over at Inspired By Stamping Inspiration Challenge, there's a chance to win blog candy on the first of the month:   a $25 gift card to the IBS store!  Don't forget to head over there on February 1st.  :-)



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: assorted Mark's Finest Papers stamps
Paper: So Saffron, Crumb Cake, Whisper White - SU
Ink: Scattered Straw, Frayed Burlap, Old Paper, Tattered Rose, Walnut Stain - Ranger
Other: flower - Petaloo; Amira Flourish die - Memory Box; Scalloped Border punch - SU; Ornate Flowers, Leaves & Twirls embossing folder - Sizzix

Uplifting A Friend

Hi!  How are you all doing today?  It snowed here this morning but quickly turned to rain.  I hear we are going to have temps in the 60s in a couple of days, and for January, that is so unusual!  Perhaps I am in the minority, but I enjoy winter and a change of seasons.  Give me the cold, give me some snow!

This is a card for a friend who's been going through some rough times, and I wanted to let her know she is not alone:

I paired some pretty papers from DCWV's Garden Party mini stack with an old flower that I found in my Christmas decorations.  I took out the center and replaced it with a shiny green rhinestone brad.

The lace is more of that almost-20-year-old stash I recently used, so I am entering this card at Shopping Our Stash once again (oldest ribbon challenge).  After unearthing the lace in the basement, where it languished with all of my sewing supplies, I'm really happy to give it new life.

I'm also entering at Word Art Wednesday, a lovely place to visit.  :-)  The challenge is 'Anything Goes.'

Many, MANY thanks for the awesome comments you've left for me lately.  I'm so uplifted by all of you!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Sincere Sentiments - Stampendous
Paper: Garden Party - DCWV; Pink Pirhouette - SU
Ink: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: white seam binding - Zipper Stop; 'vintage' lace
Other: flower (leftover from an arrangement); green rhinestone brad - SU; pearls

Strawberry Valentine

Hello everyone!  Popping in tonight with a quick card to share, a Valentine for my 14 YO.  It's a bit atypical for a Valentine, but to me it makes perfect sense.

Strawberries are shaped like hearts, aren't they?  And strawberries are one of my daughter Haley's favorite fruits...always have been.  When she was was about 1 or 2 years old, she called them "traw-berries", dropping the "s".  She'd say, "Hay-yee want traw-berries and bannas."  (that was not a typo on 'bananas', that's how she pronounced it)  Ahhh, the sweet old days when the kids were babies!

I'm playing here:

• Alphabet Challenge - Y is for Yummy
• Addicted to CAS - Hearts

• CAS-ual Fridays - Make Your Mark - use markers

Thank you so much for dropping in!  I hope you are enjoying your weekend.  :-)

Hugs,



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Strawberries - Flourishes
Paper: Very Vanilla - SU
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: red ribbon recycled from gift
Other: polka dot embossing folder - SU; Copic markers

Birthday Calla Lilies

Hello friends!  Got another card to share with you from my recent whirlwind card-making.  :-)

I had pinned THIS card by Yvonne Yam on my Pinterest board because of the great sketch, and that was the basis for my card.  Yvonne's card was a 5 minute deal, and mine took a smidgen longer to make, but still, a relatively quick creation.

See the lace?  It's got hearts woven into the design, which enables me to play (again!) at City Crafter this week.  It also happens to be THE oldest ribbon/lace I own.  Waaaaaaaaaay before I made cards, I made angels from handkerchiefs (clean, of course ;-) and trimmed each one with this lace.  We're talking early 1990s, folks.  So, this lace is like more than 20 years old!  Shopping Our Stash wants to see our oldest ribbons.  Now you've seen mine!

Also note the sentiment.  It's new to me, and comes from Paper Smooches' Salutations.  I thought it was high time I owned some PS stamps, and little did I know that they had this fabulous, oh-so-versatile set in their store.  Although I love the signature style of PS fonts, I was tickled to get this set because it's different.

Had to take a shot of the yellow striped paper (Chateau Lavender by DCWV) because it's got some shimmer to it.  Can you see it?  The calla lilies sticker also has a glittered effect.

I'll see you soon with another creation.  Hope my wellspring of ideas holds up so I can get crafty again in the next couple of days!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Salutations - Paper Smooches
Paper: Pale Plum - SU; Chateau Lavender - DCWV
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: hemp cord - Darice; lace
Other: calla lilies sticker - K & Co.

Valentine Hugs

Hello everyone!  I've been  a crafting fool in the last three days:  these hands of mine made 8 cards.  Eight!  That's pretty amazing, 'cause I thought my creative mojo left town.  I just haven't felt 'myself' for a while.  Some days I wanted to get crafty but didn't have the time; some days I had the time but no desire.  I'll take it when I can get it.  :-)

Here's a Valentine to show --

It started with the pretty row-of-hearts sticker from K & Co., and grew from there.  I chose two papers from K & Co.'s Madeline paper pad to coordinate with the sticker and put on a few goodies to dress it up: half a die cut (Amira Flourish by Memory Box), a little tag with the word 'hugs' from Inspired By Stamping's Little Phrases II, some sheer pink ribbon and natural twine, and a few pearls.

I'm playing along here:

• City Crafter:  'Forever Mine' (use hearts)
• Really Reasonable Ribbon - Valentine's Day - love and ribbon

ENABLER ALERT:  If you've been wanting to place an order at Inspired By Stamping and waiting for the right moment, your time is here!  There is free shipping for IBS's Facebook fans for a limited time only, from 2 pm Thursday - 2 pm Friday BRISBANE time with a minimum purchase of $25.  Head over to the IBS Facebook page to receive your special code.  :-)

I'll be sure to come back here and share more cards soon.  Thank you SO much for your visit today!

Hugs,



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Little Phrases II - Inspired By Stamping
Paper: white - PTI; Crumb Cake - SU; Madeline - K & Co.
Ink: Frayed Burlap - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: sheer pink ribbon - Stamp Simply Ribbon Store; twine - Creative Impressions
Other: pearls; Scalloped Tag punch - Martha Stewart; heart sticker - K & Co.; Amira Flourish die - Memory Box

Shameless CASE

Yes, it's a shameless CASE.  I fell in love - complete and utter love - with a card by P. Kelly Smith of Paper Crafts Magazine and knew I needed to recreate it.

Here's my version, which is so very similar to P. Kelly's:

It was incredibly easy to make, thanks to a fabulous Anna Griffin rose sticker.  The sentiment is by Fiskars. Can you believe there are only 4 things on this card?  Cardstock, patterned paper, sticker, sentiment.  Boom.  I guess part of me is craving simplicity right now.  :-)

Thank you so much for your visit today!  Hugs!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: All Year Greetings - Fiskars
Paper: Flea Market - Colorbok; white - PTI; Bashful Blue - SU
Ink: Frayed Burlap - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Other: flower sticker - Anna Griffin

Inspired By A Pillow

Hi everyone!  It's been AGES since I did an "Inspired By..." post, where I make a card based upon something I see (stuff in magazines/circulars, signs along the road, clothing, etc.).  I thoroughly enjoy this sort of  "self-challenge" and haven't made enough time for it.

At Christmas, I received a catalog from Red Envelope.  I saw this pillow in it and thought it would make an AWESOME card:

Last night I made this as a Valentine for my hubby:

Just lots of punching and one embossed sentiment, from the set Fancy Sentiments by Inspired By Stamping.  Super simple, but big impact, don't you think?

I'm entering here:

• Addicted To CAS - embossing (any type)
• Little Red Wagon - Get Into Shape - repeat a shape (mine are the punched flowers and hearts)
• Word Art Wednesday - anything goes (ya gotta love a challenge where anything is accepted, but more than that, I love the extra-warm reception I always get from the ladies at WAW)

As promised, here are a few pictures of my daughter the night of her high school's recent Winter Ball.

The dress and necklace both came from Forever 21, which is a god-send to parents who need to watch their wallets.  Great fashion at very affordable prices.  ;-)

Thank you all SO much for the great, big cyber-hugs you've sent my way.  They really do help!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Fancy Sentiments - Inspired By Stamping
Paper: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler - SU
Ink: Versamark - Tsukineko
Other: Heart to Heart, Boho Blossom, Extra Large Bird punches - SU

Inspired By Stamping Challenge #42 - Celebrate

Hi everyone!  How's your week going?  Mine's been busy, working as a sub here and there in the schools nearby and running errands.  Errands:  my favorite (roll eyes).  I've also had some things sell on eBay, and if you've ever sold stuff on there, you know all the work involved.  You really do earn your money there!  LOL

Let me share my card with you.  LOVE the fresh color combo for this week's challenge over at Inspired By Stamping:  White, Olive Green and Blue.

The inspiration photo really spoke to me, and I went with lots of white and smaller touches of the green and blue, just like in the photo.  And of course, I used flowers, too:

After stamping various backgrounds from Background Basics and Vintage Backgrounds on scrap white cardstock, I used a hydrangea punch to create some blossoms.  They kind of remind me of Delft pottery.   While I was at it, punching leaves from various green cardstocks, I just made a whole bunch and bagged them up for future projects.

The sentiment is from Just Because, a newly released set.  I'm so loving the font on that!

If you missed the announcement, we have a new team of designers at Inspired By Stamping!  You can find the announcement at Joanna's blog.  I'm excited to see the creations these talented ladies will share with us.

Thank you so much for your visit today!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Background Basics, Vintage Backgrounds, Just Because - IBS
Paper: white - PTI; Old Olive, Garden Green - SU
Ink: Not Quite Navy - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other: Framed Tulip embossing folder - SU; Hydrangea punches - Martha Stewart; rhinestones - Queen & Co.; Rock Fern punch - EK Success

Whoo Hoo Wednesday - Mini Note Card Set

Hello everyone!  It's my turn to feature a project for Whoo Hoo Wednesday over at Inspired By Stamping. I used a silver hinged tin that has been lingering in my basement for too long and turned it into a sweet mini note card holder.  Supplies are listed at the end of this post with links to the IBS goodies used.

I started by creating 5 mini note cards for this set.  Cute Circles is the perfect stamp set to use.  There are 5 different circle frames, and I made each one a different color, using the same sentiment for each.

I used mostly dye inks to stamp on my mini note cards, and one chalk ink.  Not sure why, but the chalk ink SERIOUSLY stained my stamp after just one use.  Bummer.

These little 3" x 3" note cards have envelopes too.

To fancy up the tin, I measured the front of it, cut my kraft cardstock to fit, and rounded the corners with a punch.  Before adhering the cardstock to the tin with double-sided tape (so it really stays put), please follow the next step.

Punch strips of kraft cardstock with a Doily Lace punch.  Adhere to cardstock cover, then trim off excess.  Secure to front of tin.

Cut two more kraft pieces to fit inside the tin, and secure with double-sided tape.
Time to create two pockets, as seen below.

Attach each pocket along 3 sides (again with double-sided tape), leaving the top open so the mini cards can fit inside.

I added some Vintage Crochet Trim and buttons on the bottom section.

Let's look at the finished product one more time....

I do so love the flowers that IBS carries.  I used a Pink Curly Flower and White & Pink Medium Flower here, along with a vintage button (topped with a pearl) and a sentiment from Little Phrases II.   The Vintage Crochet Trim and Rose Seam Binding go "sew" well together, don't they?  Tee hee!

Hope you enjoyed this project!  The possibilities for upcycling boxes and tins are endless.

Check out our brand new Design Team today over at Joanna's blog!  Welcome aboard, ladies!  Can't wait to see all the inspiration you will bring.  :-)




Dimensions: 3" x 3" cards; 4.75" x 5 3/8" tin
Stamps: Cute Circles, Little Phrases II - Inspired By Stamping
Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake - SU
Ink: Ocean chalk ink - ColorBox; Perfect Plum, More Mustard, Ruby Red, Pear Pizzazz - SU; Frayed Burlap - Ranger
Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions; Vintage Crochet Trim, Rose Seam Binding  - IBS; white twine - SU
Other: metal tin; vintage button; champagne pearl - Want2Scrap; Doily Lace Trim punch, Scalloped Tag punch, Scallop Dot punch - Martha Stewart; mini envelopes; corner rounder punch - EK Success; White & Pink Medium Flower, Pink Curly Flower - IBS; buttons; Scor-Tape

Joyeux Noel

Hello everyone!  Happy weekend!  What are you all doing this weekend?  Our 14 YO has a Winter Ball dance tonight at her high school, and she is taking her boyfriend.  I can't wait to snap some pix of them all dressed up.  :-)  My daughter chose a dress that reminds both of us of the singer, Taylor Swift.  It's lovely and feminine without being too, well, you know, skimpy.  I just can't believe some of the dresses that girls wear now.  Yikes.  What ever happened to leaving a little something to the imagination?  Sigh.

Anyway, I made a Christmas card yesterday (yes, I know, I'm either late or early for it, depending on how you look at it!) out of some pieces lying about in the cast-off box.  The sentiment flag is one of those pieces.

It's a little hodge-podgey, I know.  I threw on some embossed bits that have ragged edges on them.  Just trying something different, just because.  ;-)  The damask background is by Purple Onion...this enables me to enter Moxie Fab World's 'Make Your Own Background Paper' challenge. The Eiffel Tower is a Technique Tuesday stamp, and the sentiment is Verve.

I'm also playing at In The Pink:  they want to see LACE and lots of PINK.  Got it covered.  :-)

I know I nearly always say 'thank you' at the end of every blog post for your visit and comment.  But can I just say so EMPHATICALLY this time?  There is a lot of stress going on in my life right now from various things, and that has rather forced me to look at my blessings and count them.  My dear blogging friends are among my many blessings.  I am all the better for knowing each of you!  May God bless you all.



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Vintage Damask - Purple Onion; Mon Ami Paris - Technique Tuesday; Glad Tidings - Verve
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Blush Blossom, Whisper White, damask pattern behind oval die cut - SU
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Wheat Chalk Ink - Tsukineko; Frayed Burlap - Ranger
Fibers: lace
Other:  Kassie's Brocade embossing folder - Cuttlebug; Postage Stamp border punch - EK Success; pearl/gem tape - Recollections; oval die - Spellbinders; Scallop Dot border punch - Martha Stewart