In everything give thanks

Another card for our MOPS childcare providers, and I used the cuttlebug embossing folders again, too. This time I started out with Elegant Eggplant cardstock, embossed it with the "Textile" folder, and then went over it with my Brilliance Galaxy Gold pad. I sometimes wish that the color was a truer gold, but the soft brassy tone was just perfect for this project. Next I pulled out my Happy Harmony stamp set (SAB freebie). I inked the flowers with the Elegant Eggplant, but stamped off twice before the final impression. I added the verse - one I needed to be reminded of this evening - in Basic Black, then punched it out with my mega scalloped circle punch. I layered a bit of narrow cream organdy ribbon before layering it with basic black and then finally onto the Ivory Naturals cardstock. Another simple creation - but definitely elegant.

Happy spring!!

One of my downline came over last evening and we had a ball just playing around. I needed to make some more cards for those wonderful ladies who provide childcare during our MOPS meetings, and since it was the first day of spring, I felt the need for some bright, happy colors. After much goofing off, this is what emerged: I first stamped the card base with the Linen background, then ran it through the Big Shot with the "Stylized Flowers" cuttlebug embossing folder. I considered highlighting the design by rubbing some additional ink over it, but ended up keeping it simple. I stamped the flower from Easy Elegance once, then again without reinking, layered with a simple mat, then added the sentiment. Simple, but very pretty!

"How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it." - George Elliston

Eureka! It's autumn...

Yes, I am fully aware that the first day of spring is just days away, but several of us from the Eureka Stamps board decided to create some fall cards to submit to Stampington's Take Ten magazine: fall themed with traditional colors, including burgundy. I don't know whether they'll be chosen, but I did enjoy making them. This was my first card: I simply stamped the cornstalk image onto a Fabriano notecard, then colored it in with an aquapainter and some ink pads. I did brush over the stalks with Twinkling H2Os just to add a bit of shimmer. Tied on a ribbon and that's all, folks!

These next two cards featuring the "Tree Losing Leaves" took a bit more time and I love the results. (Side note: these also use the stamps that were created from my handwriting!) On the "greetings" card, I very carefully inked the tree, as I didn't want the entire image. I then finished it off with BasicGrey paper, fibers, and a metal button from K&Co. The transition card, though, is my favorite; it's 5x7, which is larger than I generally make, but I had to accommodate the immense tree. I colored it in with a variety of Twinkling H2Os to capture the rich tones of the season, then accented it with some Chatterbox paper, a hardware frame and a bit of ribbon and copper cord, and we're all done! They took quite a bit longer than ten minutes, but the guidelines for the publication are that the card could be recreated in that time frame, so hopefully I'm good...

Face the Music...

I got into stamping because I consider it pure bliss to ink up a slab of rubber, and watch it magically transform a piece of paper. Since becoming a demonstrator, I must admit that the "joy" factor has waned a bit, as I try to showcase the latest products and design projects based on my customers' preferences. I am now making it a point to sit down occasionally and just play... There are always plenty of opportunities for RAKs - and I certainly couldn't send something to a friend in plain old card-free envelope! I wasn't able to stamp yesterday as I had planned (muttering about the ice storm under my breath), but I did take some time this evening to make this one card. Definitely a departure from my usual - I think I'll refer to it as "collage lite." The patterned paper is from MAMBI (scrappy chic collection), and I dug through my embellishment box to add the black patterned mulberry paper (scrap of unknown origin), Prima flower, copper dragonfly brad, and May Arts ribbon. The sentiment stamp is from Stamp Francisco, and the woman is by Inkadinkado (Dawn Houser). Yep, stamping is still a whole lot of fun!!

Oh Baby!

I can't even tell you how many pregnant people I know right now. I started working on some long-overdue congratulatory cards last week, and even managed to cut into some new BasicGrey paper (gasp!) I had some credit with an online store and was not-so-patiently waiting for them to get the new collections in, and now have them in my possession. OK, so now on to the card details. The pregnant lady and the sentiment are both from the $1 bin at Michael's - can't beat that price! I stamped the lady on Sahara Sand cardstock, then colored with markers and carefully cut her out. The card base is Almost Amethyst, and it's topped with Celery grosgrain. The paper is from the BG Phoebe collection, and I accented the sentiment with a little heart brad from Making Memories. Rather simple card, but quite fun!

More Artfully Asian samples

OK, I'm digging out some more samples of AA that I made last year. Both of these also use the Aida Cloth background image, which is great for adding some textural interest.

This first card is with So Saffron (one of my favorite colors!), Not Quite Navy, and Garden Green. The stitching is done with a paper piercing tool and a white gel pen, but appears quite real. BTW, if you're wary of gel pens, then you need to check out the white Signo pen that is sold through Stampin' Up. I threw out a sizable box of gel pens last summer that I'd probably used 2-3 times apiece, but none of them worked anymore. I tried freezing them, heating them - no dice. But this Signo pen is absolutely marvelous, and still writes like buttah after more than a year.

The next card is made with Apricot Appeal and Pink Passion - much brighter than my "usual," but I really liked it. I paired these two up when I was playing with the scraps on my worktable. See, good things really can come from chaos! I added a bit of glitter to the flowers, rounded off the corners and tied on a bit of ribbon for a somewhat elegant look. I also popped up the floral image on some dimensionals.

Enough with digging through my past creations - I want to share some new goodies! I still have some digging out to do in my craft pit, but I'll be stamping on Saturday whether it's completed or not. One of my downline is coming over for a "playdate" and I know we'll have a ball!!

Artfully Asian Sympathy

Sympathy cards are my absolute least favorite to make - necessary, but definitely not fun. I generally go with dark tones and a simple layout with very little embellishment. I needed to send a sympathy card to a friend, so I pulled out this card I made last year. I really like the "Artfully Asian" set, and used the floral image to create the very simple pattern. I then stamped the sentiment from "Close as a Memory" onto a strip of white, which I then wrapped a few times with gold cord. Simple and somber, but most importantly it lets my friend know that I am praying for her.