One-of-a-Kind Friend

I am finally got back in my craft room. I celebrated (and ignored the mess that is my craft room) by having fun with Copics and clear cardstock. There is a layer of Avocado cardstock on the inside of the card, so when the card is shut there is a green border around the aqua.

I made this card for a challenge on Becky Oehler's blog. I think this card might have gotten me out of the funk. Keep your eyes peeled for more posts. I foresee a Dawn McVey and Kristina Werner color change in my future. Let me know what you think and thanks for looking.

The Close-up

The Copics

Supplies:
Paper: Aqua Mist and Ripe Avocado cardstock (PTI); Solar White cardstock (Neenah); Acrylic carstock
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento); Cotton White (StazOn); Basic Black (SU!)
Stamps: Friends Till the End (PTI)
Extras: Copics

Topsy Turvy Cake

Have I ever told you that people I work with are very talented. We had a 30th surprise party last week for someone at work. It went quite well, she was totally shocked and at first didn't realize we were all there for her. After dinner we had this beautiful topsy turvy cake brought out. This cake was made by Michelle from the Quality group at work. I know... this is very Ace of Cakes! The cake was just what we were looking for, bright, fun, and artsy. I just thought I would share some non-paper artwork and give kudos to Michelle for being so creative.

Blogoversary Candy!

Wow -- What great blog candy! Debbie is giving this away at her blog. You have to check this out!

Mother's Day - Long Cards

Mother's Day is just around the corner and we are preparing for the Mother's Day event at the coffee shop. I made these cards to be displayed (and hopefully sell) at the event. These were fun and I even got to sew on one of them using Marisa's sewing machine. I sew need one of these (ba-da-bump)! This is my last set of cards I made during stamping/scrapping weekend with my friends, Marisa and Janie. We always have such a good time. Gab, shop, eat, gab, stamp and scrap, eat, eat gab...it is a good time had by all.

Supplies:
Paper: Patterned Paper (Autumn Leaves), Ocean Tides cardstock (PTI), Whisper White and Chocolate Chip cardstock (SU!)
Ink: Ocean Tides (PTI), Chocoalte Chip (SU!)
Stamps: Studio g - another $1 stamp at Michael's
Extras: Wide Satin Ribbon (SU!); This Satin Ribbon (Target Club Wedd); Thread; Leaves Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Scallop Die (Quickutz), 2" Circle Punch (Fiskar's)

Paper Challenge #4

It is time for another monthly paper challenge. Click here for the rules. I was given Scenic Route paper, green on one side and orange floral on the other. I went a little crazy....it was busy paper, so I used it sparingly on 2 full size cards and 2 mini cards for each of the 5 participants (including me). I received paper from Katie for the exchange, and she also gave me a fabulous, handmade, crocheted flower. I decided to use the flower on one of the mini cards that I will be giving her. Sorry gals...I only had one.

Just keep scrollin....there are 4 photos!

Supplies (Spring Flowers):

Paper: Patterned Paper (Scenic Route); Sahara Sand and Whisper White cardstock (SU!); Spring Moss (PTI)

Ink: Tangerine Tango (SU!); Lemon Tart, Spring Moss, and Ripe Avocado (PTI)

Stamps: Beautiful Blooms (PTI)

Extras: Oval Die (Spellbinders), Ribbon (SU!), Apron Lace Border Punch (Fiskars)

Supplies (Just Because):

Paper: Patterned Paper (Scenic Route); Sahara Sand and Whisper White cardstock (SU!); Raspberry Fizz cardstock (PTI)

Ink: Raspberry Fizz and Fresh Snow (PTI); Basic Black (SU!)

Stamps: Damask Designs (PTI)

Extras: 2" Circle Punch (Fiskars), 1 3/4" Circle Punch (SU!)

Supplies (Flower- mini card):

Paper: Patterned Paper (Scenic Route); Sahara Sand cardstock (SU!)

Ink: None

Stamps: None

Extras: Crocheted Flower (KatieTurtle), Orange Flower (from my Stash); Button (PTI), Clear Bling (Marc Richards)

Supplies (Just For You - mini card):
Paper: Patterned Paper (Scenic Route); Spring Moss and Ripe Avocado cardstock (PTI)

Ink: Basic Black (SU!)
Stamps: Sentiment (Hero Arts)

Extras: Ribbon (Target Club Wedd); Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug); Button (Autumn Leaves); embroidery floss

Cupcake-tini

I had a little fun with Copics tonight! These things are so stinkin' addicting; they are like paper crafting crack. I created this fun Cupcake Martini card for a friends 30th B-day. We will passing this one around the office tomorrow. I used quite a few Copics, but that is because there were so many elements to this stamp. The glass, the cupcake, candle, and flame....all of these used different colors. I colored the stamp to match a new paper pack that I bought 1) for the fun colors and 2) because the paper line is Tiffany's. Couldn't resist!

Note: I stamped the the martini in Momento so I could use Copics, but I stamped the sentiment in SU! basic black ink. This is because the fine lines of the script ink up better in the SU! ink. The Momento can sometimes make thicker lines.

The Full Card

The Copics

Supplies:
Paper: Solar White cardstock (Neenah), Tangerine Tango and Basic Black cardstock (SU!), Patterned Paper (We R Memory Keepers)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Moment)), Basic Black (SU!)
Stamps: Cupcake Martini (Impression Obsession Inc), Sentiment (Stampabilities)
Extras: Ribbon (Target Club Wedd), Glitter (SU!), Twinkles red glitter pen.

Fairies Live Here

I wasn't going to participate in the Good Knight! Caardvarks Challenge, until I saw this $1 acrylic stamp at Michael's yesterday. This stamp set was perfect, since the theme of the challenge is Fantasy. I just love the little mushroom and sentiment that I used to create this 4.25 x 4.25 inch card. Hope you enjoy.

The Close-Up

The Copics

Supplies:

Paper: Aquamist Cardstock (PTI), White Cardstock (Neenah), Patterned Paper (SU! - retired)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento), Black (StazOn)
Stamps: Mushroom and Sentiment (Studio g)
Extras: Square Scallop die (Spellbinders), Ribbon (SEI), Button (Autumn Leaves), Emboidery Floss, Green Glitter Pen (Marvvy), and Copics

Got Margaritas?

I decided to give the A Muse Stamp Simply challenge another go. I think my Bunch of Berries card may not have been simple enough. This is my second try at the challenge. I only have one layer and no embelishments, which is unheard of for me. I usually at least need ribbon. I love this card (if I do say so myself); it is very simple and clean, yet colorful; you know how I love my color.

The Copics

Supplies (4.25 x 4.25 inch):

Paper: White Cardstock (Neenah)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento)

Stamps: A Muse

Extras: Copics. White Lace Stickles (Ranger Ink)

Bunch of Berries

I am participating in the A Muse monthly challenge. The challenge was to create a card meeting the following criteria.

-use A Muse and/or Saltbox Studio stamps
-use minimal embellishments (one or none!!)
-use minimal layers (no more than 3!!)

This is my first A Muse challenge and was so much fun! I love their stamps and will definitly be doing this agin. I was done with my card including design in 35 minutes, and for those of you who know me this is uber-fast. I am kind of a poky card maker. The strawberry heap was created by masking the berry. This took no time at all, since I already had a few masks made. Once I a mask for a stamp I keep them attached to that stamp; this way I don't have to keep re-making them. I used minimal Copics in order to keep it simple. Sponging was also super easy, because I used the Nestability die to create the edge of the oval I had already cut and embossed.

The Copics

Supplies:
Paper: Patterned Paper (A Muse), Vanilla Cardstock (Neenah)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento), Baja Breeze (SU!)
Stamps: Berry (A Muse), Sentiment (PTI)
Extras: Ribbon (Target Club Wedd), Copics, Oval Die (Spellbinders), Corner Rounder Punch (SU!)

Mother with a Little Glitter

I created 2 different cards using the same color scheme and image. I just changed it up a little bit. I created the flower image by coloring the rubber stamp with watercolor crayons, misting the rubber with water, and then stamping the image. Once the stamped image dried I added the sentiment and glitter. I think I like Happy Mother's Day card better than the window card, and will be mass producing this card for the Monthly card exchange.

The Close-up

Let me know what you think. I love reading your comments and greatly appreciate them all.

Supplies:
Paper: River Rock cardstock (SU! - Retired), Cream cardstock (Neenah)
Ink: Basic Black (SU!)
Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes and Happy Mother's Day sentiment (SU!), Mother sentiment (PTI)
Extras: Watercolor Crayons (SU!), Taffeta Ribbon (SU!), Dazzling Diamond Glitter (SU!), Die (Spellbinders), Corner Rounder (SU!)
Notes: I used Green Galore, Always Artichoke, Tempting Turquoise and Elegant Eggplant watercolor crayons. I mixed bold brights and rich regals in order to subdue the bold color and still have an image that stands out against the white paper.

KWerner Challenge #49

I do have to say I love, love, love this color challenge. The photo and colors were very inspiring. I created a very layered card using patterned paper layered on clear embossed black paper. The floral design is a Basic Grey Chipboard flower/flourish that I adhered and then trimmed the overhangs to fit the card. I then doodled with a black, photo marker to make the flower stand out against the background.

This is my favorite Color Challenge that Kristina has put together. Let me know what you think.

Supplies:
Paper: Bali Breeze PP (SU! - Retired), Kiwi Kiss DSP (SU!), Basic Black and Pacific Point cardstock (SU!)
Ink: Versamark
Stamps: Brocade Background Stamp (SU!)
Extras: Chipboard (Basic Grey), Photo marker (Zig), Bling (Mark Richards), Apron Lace Punch (Fiskars), Top Notch Die (Sizzix Exclusive for SU!), Clear EP (Ranger Ink)

Splendiferous Day

I had a few scraps of American Crafts paper from Easter cards posted HERE and a new $1 stamp from Michael's so I created this fun b-day card. I also have been seeing ribbon run through a button on cards lately. I really like how this looks and I had to give that a go! This card fits right in with my color and design theme lately, center pattern paper with image and ribbon using vivid colors. Maybe I will get to a sketch this weekend, to break up my theme. Does anyone else have a go to card layout that they can't help but fall back on? I do and this one is mine!

Supplies:
Paper: Watercolor paper (Archiver's), Berry Sorbet cardstock (PTI), Chocolate Chip cardstock (SU!), Solar Crest White (Neenah), Patterned Paper (American Crafts)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento), Chocolate Chip (SU!)
Stamps: Cupcake (Studio G), Sentiment (Amuse)
Extras: Ribbon and Button (PTI), R22, R32, RV09, Y08, Y21, B00, BV04, BV01 (Copics)

Spring has Sprung

Ok - not really, it snowed this weekend. I can't wait until I see at least a solid week of spring weather. I have been into vibrant, fun colors lately that remind of a nice warm spring day. Maybe I am compensating for the crappy weather. Anywho, here is a fun and easy card that I made using ready-to-go chipboard flowers (bling and all). I think I am going to have to make some more of these quick cards and use this color combo again (chocolate, baja breeze, white, tangerine tango, spring moss).


Supplies:
Paper: Tangerine Tango cardstock (SU!), Spring Moss cardstockck (PTI), Solar Crest White cardstock (Neenah), Patterned paper (Luxe Designs)
Ink: None
Stamps: None
Extras: Ribbon (SU!), Chipboard flowers (Me & My Big Ideas)

Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #3

I had a rough time with this challenge. I kept thinking Valentines Day. In the end I decided to go simple with a touch of bling. I added bling to the tulip (from my fav PTI set) and to the brad I wrapped around the end of the ribbon.

Supplies: (4.25 x 4.25)
Paper: Kraft and Riding Hood Red cardstock (SU!), Melon Berry cardstock (PTI), Patterned Paper (Chatterbox)

Ink: Riding Hood Red (SU!)

Stamps: Wishing You (PTI)

Extras: Scallop Edge Punch (SU!), Melon Berry Grossgrain (PTI), Bling (Michael's), Brads

Baby Boy - CBI25

I have been in a sketch mood. I found this sketch on line at the Cuttlebug Challenge Blogspot. This is my first CBI challenge, and it will not be my last. I have been into sketches lately. When you know your theme and color scheme but need a little inspiration for the design, sketches are the way to go. They are fun and easy. You can rotate them, I chose not to since I like this one just the way it is.

I made this card to congratulate my cousin and his wife; they just had a baby boy. I used a cuttlebug embossing folder on the Lemon Tart and paired this with Bashful Blue and Wild Wasabi. Adding the brighter green added a little punch of color. I love the look of clean lines, so I decided to use a white, watercolor background in order to maintain a nice clean look and to add a little more texture.

Supplies:
Paper: Wild Wasabi and Whisper White Cardstock (SU!), Lemon Tart Cardstock (PTI), Watercolor Paper (Archiver's)
Ink: Chocolate Chip and Wild Wasabi (SU!)
Stamps: Nursery Necessities (SU!)
Extras: Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Buttons (Autumn Leaves), Ribbon (SU!), Apron Lace Border Punch (Fiskars), Circle punches and Star punch (SU!)

Penciled Inspiration - TCP Tuesday

I love to blog browse, and I am always looking for new and inspiring sites. Today I came across this TCP Tuesday Inspiration Challenge. I just love the bright pencils with the lead a little out of alignment. I immediately thought craft with fun circles. Using their inspiration I created this. I would love to hear what you think.

Supplies:
Paper: Kraft, Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White (SU!), Lemon Tart (PTI), Patterned Paper (October Afternoon and Luxe Designs)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU!)
Stamps: Hero Arts
Extras: 1" circle punch (EK Success), Kiwi Kiss Ribbon (SU!), 1/2" circle punch (SU!), Buttons (Autumn Leaves), Hemp (Michael's), Tropical Brads (Making Memories)

Where's Your Man Card?

Wow, this is my second masculine card this week. This is so rare for me, because I feel so at home making cute girly cards with scallops and flowers. For some reason men and scallops don't quite go. I tried convincing my boyfriend that bows and scalloped edges were masculine?!? Ok, so he didn't buy it. It is rare that I really like a man card, but this one I really like. I think it might because I got to use my fav embellishment of all...ribbon, and it didn't look girly.

Supplies (4.25 x 4.25 inch card):
Paper: River Rock, Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip, and Very Vanilla Cardstock (SU!), Patterned Paper (DCWV)
Ink: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip (SU!)
Stamps: Curvy Label (SU!), Mega Mixed Messages (PTI)
Extras: Ribbon (Autumn Leaves and Basic Grey), Curvy Label Punch (SU!)