Genuine

I just had to participate with the Finding Inspiration in a Layout challenge over at the Moxie Fab blog.  I think it is a fabulous idea!  I loved the background of this scrapbook page (pictured below) with the large blocks of patterned paper, stitching, distressed strips, and ribbon tying everything together.  I emulated those techniques and layout in my card above using some Cosmo Cricket Boyfriend paper, ribbon, and chipboard.  I added a little extra distress around the two largest block of patterned paper using the PTI tea dye duo inks and used two layers of sloppy stitching for this card.  I also used PTI's woodgrain impression plate and the chamomile tea dye ink to bring out the woodgrain a bit more.  Other then a little extra texture I really stuck to the base layout of the scrapbook page.

I am also super excited.  1)  I had a great run tonight 4 mi with a 10:11 min/mile pace.  That is pretty quick for me especially in this humidity and 2)  I made the Schlosser Designs DT (announcement here).  I think #2 might be part of the reason I ran so well...I am quite over the moon about being on their DT starting in August!!

Supplies:
Paper: River Rock cardstock (SU!); Boyfriend Collection Patterned Paper (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Basic Black (SU!); Tea Dye Duo Ink (PTI)
Stamps: Garden Variety Stamp Set (Unity)
Extras: Boyfriend Collection Ribbon and Chipboard (Cosmo Cricket); Woodgrain Impression Plate (PTI); Sewing Machine

Ready Set Recline

I love the Tuesday Trigger over on the Moxie Fab Blog this week; it is Mapping Color.  I love the different thickness of the striped fabric and how the stripes of the strips of fabric next to each other don't line up.  I mimicked the look by cutting different widths striped paper from Joy Ride by Cosmo Cricket.  I love this collection and what was even more fun it was free. I won it from the Three Cheers for Chairs Challenge (Thanks, Cath!).   The lamp shade was paper pieced using a bit of polka dot that was a swatch on the packaging, since it was just the right size.

I combined two inspirations together by using this sketch from 2 Sketches for you.  I will be off the grid for a few day on vaca, but I will schedule a post or two.  I can't wait for a little R&R!  Have a great week/weekend.

Supplies:

Paper: Patterned Paper (Joy Ride by Cosmo Cricket); Kraft and Whisper White Cardstock (SU!); 

Ink: Soft Suede and Chocolate Chip ink (SU!); Turquoise Gem Versamagic (Tsukineko)

Stamps: On My Couch and Chairished (PTI); Sentiment (A Muse)

Extras: Jute Twine (May Arts)

Game Over

I am back from my Holiday Blog Break! I hope everyone had a very Happy Holiday and a Fantastic New Year. My 2010 resolution is to post 2-3 times per week and get back to participating in more challenges. So to kick off the year here is a card I created yesterday.

I made this card for my boyfriend's brother-in-law's 30th Birthday!b He enjoys video games and would appreciate the humer (I hope). After the card was made and envelope ready, Mike had the brilliant idea to record the sound that plays when Mario dies and have it play inside the card when it is opened. Here is the sound bite I am talking about:

Mario Dies sound bite Mario sound bites

Supplies:
Paper: Basic Gray cardstock (SU!); Patterned Paper (Boyfriend from Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: None
Stamps: None
Extras: Chipboard and Rub-ons (Boyfriend from Cosmo Cricket); Black Metalic nailheads (JoAnn's)

Holiday Wishes

I made this card a few weeks ago when I was hangin' with Marisa and Janie. I know I am slacking and have just gotten around to posting it. My favorite thing about this card is all the fabulous patterned papers and the non-traditional Christmas colors. Janie used my card as layout to create this card; I just love what she did with my template. You also have to check out some cool tags Marisa made here.

Enjoy the Season!

Supplies:
Paper: Bermuda Bay cardstock (SU!); Patterned Paper (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: White Pigment (PTI); Tuxedo Black (Momento)
Stamps: Snowflake (A Muse - Peace and Cheer); Sentiment (PTI)
Extras: Floss; Mitten Die (Sizzix): Beads border die (Quickutz); Scallop Punch (EK Success); Bling (Marc Richards); Stickles Icicle (Ranger Ink)

Sketch Girls Challenge #8

Wow 2 weeks have passed so quickly and it is time for another sketch girl challenge! I won this fabulous boyfriend collection at the Moxie Fab Blog on WCMD (Thank you Cosmo Cricket and Cath!) and knew I had to use it as soon as possible. I also figured you could use a little break from the Halloween and Christmas *wink*. The hardest part about making this card is picking only a few items from the boyfriend collection to use. As I was going through the collection and making my card I got a fun 80's song stuck in my head....hahaha! In case you don't know which song I could possibly get stuck in my head while making this card watch the video. I crack my self up sometimes. Have a happy Friday -- TGIF!!!!

Don't forget to stop by the Sketch Girl Blog to see what the other Sketch Girls created and to play along using this sketch. Don't forget you can flip it on its side or even upside down like I did.

Supplies:
Paper: Spring Moss cardstock Bitty Box patterned paper (PTI); The Boyfriend Elements (Cosmo Cricket)
Stamps: None
Ink: None
Extras: The Boyfriend Chipboard and Cardstock sticker (Cosmo Cricket)
Holy cow I just realized I didn't even use ink on this card!

Sketch Girls Challenge #7

Its that time again, a new sketch is up at Sketch Girl! This sketch is super fabulous and was surprisingly easy to work with. When I first looked at it I was like "how can I make this work?", but then I sat down and it came together so quickly. I went kitchy, aged with this card by inking the edges using scattered straw, a yellow colored ranger ink. I love how this card turned out; it is full of Cosmo Cricket goodness with a splash of Basic Grey and Sassafras. This card also works with the 365 cards - Same, but Different challenge here. The challenge was to use two different colors of the same patterned paper. I had a great time with this sketch and I hope you do too!

Stop by the Sketch Girl blog to see what the Sketch Girl Design Team and the guest designer, Amber, created and to play along! Just create a card using this weeks sketch, post the card to your blog or online gallery, and link it up using Mr. Linky on the Sketch Girl Blog. Happy creating!

P.S. Thank you Char! The Cosmo Cricket I used on my card was from blog candy I won on her blog for WCMD.

Supplies:
Paper: Green, Blue PP, Fussy Cut tag (Cosmo Circket); Red Polka Dot PP (Basic Grey); Cream cardstock (Neenah)k)
Ink: Cocoa Ink (Momento); Scattered Straw (Ranger Ink)
Stamps: Sentiment (A Muse)
Extras: Chipboard (Cosmo Cricket); Fabric Brad (Sassafras); Petite Scallop Circle Die (Nestabilties)

Pop on Over

Cath is having a challenge over on the Moxie Fab blog. The challenge is to create a card using household items. I have so many ideas swirling around in my brain and came up with this won first. When I first bought the chipboard I need I wanted to turn the toast and toaster into a card with a pun. Since it didn't look right on the outside I added to the inside. It makes me giggly and is so punny!

Outside


Inside

Supplies:
Paper: Patterned Paper (PTI and Cosmo Cricket); Kraft (SU!)
Ink: Antique Linen (Ranger Ink)
Stamps: None
Extras: Cardstock Stickers (Basic Grey); Decorative Chipboard (Cosmo Cricket): Glaze Pen; Corner Chomper

Little Helper

My niece Ruby loves to help, especially when it comes to cooking. I made this layout using the May kit from Studio Calico. It is stuffed full of Cosmo Cricket goodness. The American Craft thickers were from my stash and matched perfectly!

The Close-Up

Supplies:

Paper: Patterned Paper (Cosmo Cricket); Sahara Sand cardstock (SU!); Butter (Studio Calico kit); Aquamist cardstock (PTI)
Ink: None
Stamps: None
Extras: large scallop border punch (EK Success); Circle and Scallop Circle punches (SU!); Thickers and Ribbon (American Crafts); Marker (Zig)

Early Bird Project and Fun News

I received some Cosmo Cricket Early Bird paper with my Studio Calico kit last month. It was so stinkin' cute I picked up some more coordinating cardstock and chipboard accessories to match. I came up with these fun cards. I used brown as the base and went to town. It was so easy, and came together so quickly that I had a rough time stopping!

Now that you have seen the project. The fun news is that I made Dawn McVey's Spotlight this week (Two weeks in a row!) I couldn't be more ecstatic!

Don't forget to scroll down...2 posts in one day. I am on a roll!

Edit: Ok, so my days must run together...I had posted a card and scheduled it for Wednesday but had thought that it had already posted, and I thought the lady bug card was posted on Tuesday. Geez, I need a vacation. hahahah!!!! Sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself.

Supplies:
Paper: Patterned Paper (Cosmo Cricket); Chocolate Chip Cardstock (SU!)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU!)
Stamps: Sentiment (SU!)
Extras: Chipboard (Cosmo Cricket); dic cut (Quickutz); letters (American Crafts); Ribbon (Basic Grey and Fancy Pants); Punches (EK Success)

Live Your Bliss

It was a really busy weekend. In between the storms on Friday I went to my fav LSS, Craft Fancy, for their 1 year b-day celebration. I picked up these super fab yellow roses and pearl, swirl bling. I saw them and knew I had to make a card for my Mom's B-day with them. I matched them up with papers and a die cut from my June Studio Calico SCRAPBOOK* kit, did a little distressing to tone down the white and to turn my aquamist into a more vibrant blue, and viola. I did all that late on Sat evening. That sucker didn't stay sealed in the envelope for long, since my mom's b-day was on Sunday. She loved it! And oh how I loved this card, too. It was a nice depart from my typical style....I rarely go vintage.


*Note: I really am supposed to be scrapbooking with these things...I broke down. Too much instant gratification with completing a card.

The Close-Up

Supplies:
Paper: Aquamist cardstock (PTI); Very Vanilla Cardstock (SU!); Yellow PP (October Afternoon - SC Kit); Red polka dot PP (Cosmo Cricket - SC Kit); Die Cut (Collage Press - SC Kit)
Ink: Broken China and Antique Linen distress ink (Ranger)
Stamps: Mega Mixed Messages (PTI)
Extras: Apron Lace Punch (Fiskars); Bling and Flower (Prima)