Be Yourself

Simple card to share today - the lovely lady is from an Inkadinkadoo inchie set, and the sentiment is Hero Arts.

White cardstock, two ink colors, layered onto a card base. Sometimes nothing more is needed...

Daisy Day

This is another of the images that I just couldn't resist from Tuesday Morning... seriously, ninety-nine cents?! Anyway, it's from Inkadinkado, and I liked the sketchbook feel it had. I stamped it onto some dictionary paper that I'd gone over with white craft ink, and the bits of color were added with twinkling H2Os - so yes, it's much prettier in person. I was also quite happy with myself as I threw on one of those little hardware bits that I just couldn't resist a couple years ago... and yet the box still sits there, nearly full! Continuing to chip away at the stash...

Fun with Cupcakes

As promised, I'm back with a fix for your sweet tooth :) These cards were made with the Inkadinkado clear "Birthday Cupcake" set; I'd been eyeing up the set for awhile, and Joann's just happened to be running a good sale and the set ended up in my basket... Anyway, this first one is super simple. I stamped the image onto a piece of white cardstock that I'd previously cut with the scalloped oval nestabilities, then a bit of color with prismacolor pencils. They needed some personality, so I "frosted" them with stickles (frosted lace), then topped each with a single dew drop. I grabbed some coordinating American Crafts ribbon, and used Bazzill for the card base.

This second one started out with the sketch from Taylor's Cupcake Challenge, but I ended up deviating in a big way. I took the colors from the ribbon - one of those "Ooh, cute!" thoughtless grab-n-go purchases from Michael's. Yes, I like it but the colors and pattern make it pretty tough to incorporate... Anyhoo, I think I pulled it off here :) I used a pre-glittered card base (DCWV), and the brown panel is embossed (Fiskars rose plate), then edge punched (Martha Stewart). The cupcake was colored with prismacolor pencils, and I layered that panel with another pre-cut scalloped panel from my scrap pile (with a flubbed image stamped onto it). I added some strips of brown cardstock to accentuate the ribbon, and then added the sentiment, which I die cut with a nestabilities oval. It's definitely bright and fun, and I'm thinking that it will be mailed off to a niece soon.

Check back tomorrow for the latest smART Cookie challenge - I think you'll like what emerges!

A few more cards

I managed to participate in one other VSN challenge last night - this time we were to use the cracked glass technique. Frankly, I've had mixed results with that technique and much prefer using Ranger's Crackle Accents. Since I needed to allow for drying time, I started by stamping and coloring the Butterfly (End/Begin), then coated it and set it aside. I pulled out BasicGrey paper and fiddled with a few ideas before settling on this layout. I just love that sentiment (Soar), and I added the little caterpillar on the bottom as a creeper. Tied a bit of ribbon, and it was all set.







I also made this card yesterday, using this weekend's Sketch for You To Try. I really like the clean and simple lines of it, and know I'll be using it again. I grabbed a stack of 7gypsies paper, and stamped the girl (Paper Artsy by Inkadinkado) over the script. I added more paper, layered it onto a base made from Bazzill, then added some sheer ribbon and a lock padlock. The charm says "secret" on it, and I think it looks like this girl has one :) Final accent was three dew drops; the paper actually had dots on it already, so it made lining them up super simple!

Well, I think I've now shared all my weekend projects... time to take care of some household duties!

Lovebirds

I'm still trying working my way through the ChatterBox scrap kit, plus when I was cleaning off my workspace I found this one, lonely shipping tag. So yesterday's "Ways to Use it" challenge of a tag was perfect. I stamped the cute little lovebirds (Inkadinkado), clear embossed, spritzed the tag with denim blue glimmer mist, and scalloped the edge with decorative scissors. It still needed more, though, so I added the word (Stampington), a flower, and some ribbon. I layered it onto a burgundy card base, accented with some paper and lace. I'm really happy with the final result, and it will be perfect to give some friends who are celebrating their anniversary soon.


Tomorrow I'll be sharing two simple thank you cards that I made using this same kit. Hopefully you're not getting too sick of it yet :)

Being Still

I usually keep things pretty much stamp-related on this blog and save my personal ponderings for my other blog. I'm making an exception today, though.

Our family is currently in a state of shock, as my FIL passed away unexpectedly on Monday night. The kids and I have been/are sick, so we're staying here while hubby is now out in Arizona with his family.

There has been a lot of other stuff happening, too, and rather than me writing a novel right now I'll just say that I'm feeling rather overwhelmed.

So I made this card for myself this morning. A reminder to be quiet and find strength and comfort in my Savior. "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 What a blessing to know that whatever may happen, He is still in control and will work the circumstances to fulfill His purpose (Romans 8:28).

So if you notice I seem quieter than normal - no, you're not imagining it. Just taking care of other things as necessary. But I guarantee I'll still be making time for my personal ink therapy :)

Card details: stamps - Inkadinkado Birds Galore, SU Words of Wisdom, paper - SU, embellishments - prima flowers, dew drops.

Sheesh...

Ever have one of those cards where NOTHING goes right? I started out to make a card based on a sketch from another blog. Pulled together the paper and stamps I wanted to use. This should be simple, right? Well, turns out the stamp had a dead spot (which I finally admitted to myself after stamping it about 8 times with different inks, papers, etc.). Guess I'll be contacting the manufacturer about that. I tried a few other images, but nothing was clicking with the sketch. I then pulled out this swirly flower - the phone rang, startling me, and making for quite a smeary image. Dropped my ink pad and messed up the second image. Then the kids were fighting, so by the time I made it back to my workspace, I had forgotten my glorious plan. Oh, well. This is what finally came together. It looks nothing like the initial sketch, but it's done. I'll just pretend that I can't see the rough condition of that poor flower or the bumps in the ribbon from the glue dots (and I'm reminded of why I don't like satin ribbon). But I *do* like the end of the ribbon off on the side there. See, something postive! No more ink or rubbah for me today - I think it would be best for all of us if I take a break :) Stamps: Inkadinkado and Paper Trey, Paper: Chatterbox

Birds!!

While out running errands earlier this week, I stopped by AC Moore to pick up a box of glue dots - and noticed that the Inkadinkado Birds Galore had landed! There was one left, and I quickly snagged it (the glue dots can wait another week :) I've been doing much better about purchasing stamps, but this was definitely coming home with me!

This is the first card I made - unusual colors for me, but I'm liking it. Still not quite sure about this layout (it seems a bit bottom-heavy because of the ribbon and tiny rhinestones). Thoughts?

BasicGrey Stella Ruby Paper, "JOY" by Fancy Pants

This second card is super simple - I started by stamping the line of birds onto the card base (DCWV). It's textured, which definitely shows up on the solid images, but I kind of like the effect. I debated about what sentiment to add, and I finally settled on this Dr. Seuss quote (Skipping Stones design). I think this would be a really nice graduation card... you know, the idea of taking flight and all. This is a small card - just 4 1/4" square.

Continuing on the bird theme - here's a shot I took this morning of a bird feeder we have in our backyard. Yep, there's snow in Philly suburbia!

In other news, yesterday was supposed to be my "shut out the world and create day." Didn't exactly turn out the way I'd planned. While I did stay away from the computer and avoided answering the phone, I didn't get much creative time. Just too much other stuff going on! I think I'm going to give it another try next week, though. If nothing else, we may declare Thursdays "unplugged day" around here.

Caffeine!! Caffeine!!

Since I already had my Fabriano notecards and watercolor crayons out yesterday, I made this second card later in the afternoon. This one uses Dawn Houser images (Inkadinkado) and are red rubber mounted with foam and a repositionable adhesive back. They work pretty well, but the index on this set is not accurately printed (I do, however, have another set that is spot on). My other beef is that there is quite a lot of extra rubber on the edges. I worked around it, though, and carefully inked up the mug and stamped onto a piece of a previously mucked up notecard. I added a bit of color with the watercolor crayons (prismacolor pencils obscure the fun words too much), carefully ripped the panel, then covered the edges with versamark and embossed with scented embossing powder (CHF). Mmmmmm... I added the sentiment to the bottom, and now it's ready to brighten someone's day!