Sharing some love

I needed to make an anniversary card for some friends, and when I saw Mercy's sketch, I knew I'd found my starting point. This went together quickly using some retired SU designer papers, and the Love stamp (Brenda Walton - Inkadinkado). It needed something more, though, so I die cut a heart from some heavy plastic packaging I'd saved, then went around the edges with palette ink. I embellished it with a prima and a bit of ribbon, and then used a brad to hold it all down (thereby taking care of the interminable question of how to attach a clear element). Beauteous!

Haven

These past few months I've been really into the home and house images, quotes, etc. Some of that is probably because of the MOPS theme (Home Factor: Dwell Well), and my devotion to HGTV might play a small role, too. Anyway, this is another card I made using the smARTworks' House Warming and Home sets. I started by stamping the house, coloring it with prismacolor markers, and then trimming down the panel with a portion of the house outside. "Home" is spelled out with Cosmo Cricket chipboard letters, and then I masked off the sentiment to use just the three words. Hint: cover unwanted words with scotch tape, ink normally, then remove tape and stamp. Obviously I made this as a card, but I think it would be really nice as a small framed piece for an entryway or side table (wow, did I just sound like an HGTV groupie or what? :)

Also wanted to let you know that smARTworks is releasing some GORGEOUS new images tomorrow. The online catalog has been updated, and the new goodies start at page 126. (If you want to click through quickly, then click through to page 126, and then just enter 127, 128, etc. on your browser's address bar). I cannot wait to get my hands on those Trios (flowers, and even a coffee mug!)... oh, and a beautiful house set that's just begging to be watercolored.

Hope you're having a great day, and hopefully you have just a bit of time to enjoy your own haven...

Beautiful RAKS

It hit me earlier this week that I never shared any of the lovely cards I received when my FIL passed away. My hubby likes to tease me about my "imaginary friends," but I truly have been blessed by these ladies.















A heartfelt thank you to: Dina, Heidi, Susan, and Jacki

More Mojo-ness

Well, here I am doing yet another challenge (perhaps I need to seek help? Nah, it's an excuse to stamp more!! :) This card is based on Julee's Mojo Monday sketch, and I used this darling little girl (Paperbag Studios) as the focal image. (After looking at the sketch again, I think I was supposed to have my focal point in the front square. Oops.) I added just a hint of color with chalks, and then layered some paper and other embellishments. Don't you just love that epoxy sticker? I also added three eyelets before mounting it to the brown base. She's such a cutie...



This was my first attempt. It has all the elements, but they just didn't look right when I lined them up according to the sketch. I took my color cues from a K-ology paper pad - love those purple tones! The heart image is embossed, and the gate (both images Paperbag Studios) was done with the castaway pad. (That was one of those purchases that had been "lost" in the crazy craft heap, but was recently rediscovered). I added a layered flower, and the final touch was the row of faux brads created with Liquid Pearls. I swear they were straight initially, but as I tapped the cardstock to make them settle (and get rid of the unsightly lift-off lump) they shifted a bit. Anyone know of a better way to handle that issue?

Well, I'm off to straighten up and then oversee bath time. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

More Flower Power

Well, I had more stamped copy paper left from that layered flower, so when I saw the challenge at LilyBean's Paperie, I knew I wanted to play along. We were to create a card using red, green, black and cream - but not for Christmas; make a flower; and include trim. So here goes...

I took the plain white paper stamped with script (smARTworks One Smile), and inked it up to make it "creamier." I hand cut the layers, and then edged each with red ink. I used an ivory button for the center (yes, I even sewed it!) and incorporated a bit of green with the leaves. I used papers from the BasicGrey Figgy Pudding collection, but the red print on the base was stark white, so more ink and a few spritzes of gold glimmer mist. I inked the edges with black, added a sentiment (Hero Arts) to the red panel, then layered on some lace trim that was floating around in my drawer. Quite simple (and not all that different from yesterday's card), but I think the the recipient will still be appreciative. (Finished card measures 4x6)

Inspiring Tea Party

Well, this week it was my turn to host the smART Cookie Tea Party. I debated what to do, and finally decided to make it an Inspiration Challenge based on this painting. I really liked the colors as well as the blocked layout, and I thought it would be fun to see how each person interpreted it.

I used both the colors and general layout on this card. I started by blocking off the background and applying ink directly to the white paper. I then overstamped the flowers (Vert Love Comes) and the word (bonus rubber). I also added just a bit of detailing between the red and green panels (Accents #1). I colored the flower with Prismacolor pencils, and then grunged up the card with some brown ink. (Card is 4 1/4" square)

Well, that was all I was planning to do. But then I saw this post about making layered flowers, and I just had to try it for myself.

So last night while watching NCIS (finally a new episode!!) I repeatedly stamped the script (One Smile) onto plain white copy paper. I then cut out some random wavy things that vaguely resemble circles and inked up the edges. Layered them together and added a button (which was plain white cloth covered, so I inked it up). Quite pretty! I layered that over gold ribbon, white cardstock, and a burgundy card base so I was at least in the neighborhood of the painting's colors. I added the sentiment (Bluebird), but it still needed a little something more so I made some simple leaves. I love the flower, and will definitely be making more in the future. It does take just a bit of time, but doesn't require much concentration so it's a good TV watching activity :)

So would you like to see what the other cookies have done? Check out Mama Dini's Stamperia, Dee's Studio, SusieStampALot & Sweet Somethings!

Aqua - Brown Extravaganza

As I was making my way through Google Reader this morning, I noticed that Mercy had a sketch up. I really liked it, and thought I'd give it a whirl. Once I had the kids occupied, I darted off and started rifling through paper to see what grabbed me - I ended up using these simple patterns from the BasicGrey Figgy Pudding line. I started with the eyes (Love Eyes) and added a single word ("bonus rubber," which means fun freebies added to your order). Layered it all up, and ended up straying slightly from the sketch by placing the dew drops at the bottom of the layered strip. Finished card is 3x6.

Since I had all the stuff out, I decided to make a second card. This time I stamped the sentiment (Butterflies) with a butterfly (End/Begin) behind it (stamped off once first). I glued some paper pieces onto a Fabriano notecard, misted it all down with Pearl glimmer mist, and then glued the sentiment panel on. It needed just a bit more, so I added a prima flower with a brad in the center. OK, now it's all done. One little note - I did trim the edges of the Fabriano card down just a bit so they're all nice and sleek; I normally love the "soft" edges of the notecards, but it just doesn't look right once you layer paper all the way to the edge.

Hope you're having a great day - I'll be back tomorrow for a little party with the other smART cookies!