Birthday Card for My Husband

Happy Thursday, y'all!

Today is my husband's birthday so of course I had to make him a card!  I made him one last week (see post below) but the more I looked at it, the less I liked it for him.  I came to the definitive conclusion that a new card was needed when I came across this paper in my stash.  Its neither masculine nor feminine - it just is :-)

I added a little bit of metal in the form of a metal strip embossed with a pattern that looks like high end tool boxes so there is your masculine flair! 

The layout was inspired by the square card sketch in the Mojo Monday Challenge # 234

And a sketch from Sketches4All Spring Challenge #5

Recipe:

• Paper = Colorbok Game Day set
• Metal Foil = QuicKutz
• Embossing folder = Cuttlebug
• Stamp = Studio G
• Brads = Basic Grey

Tattered Spring Layout

I am really trying to catch up on my scrapbooking.  I love making cards but my 12-yr old daughter has said "no more cards, Mom" (I was making about 4-5 a week with only a fraction of the occasions to use them  - LOL).  So, this is another photo from the trip my daughter and I took to the Dallas Arboretum last spring.  The tulips were in full bloom - I can't describe how beautiful it all was!

Since I can't seem to "just" do a layout for the sake of doing a layout, I am of course entering it in a few challenges:

1. Sketches4All Spring Challenge # 4 (use stitching and distressing)


2. Paper Secrets March Layout Challenge (use a sketch)

Recipe:

• Cardstock = DCWV (blue) and from stash
• Printed Paper = digital download - Delight
• Twine - Pink Paisley
• Title and edging - cut on Cricut using Make the Cut software

Easter Tidings and Thank You Notes

My family received a great Easter package of goodies from my in-laws in Wales yesterday - chocolates, tea, and lovely trinkets for my DD.  So, it was a great chance to make a pretty Thank You card.

The pastel pink and green papers are from Anna Griffin; the crochet flowers are from Close to My Heart, the ribbon is Offray, the gems are Recolletions, and the tag is cut on my Cricut using an SVG set from My Time to Create.

In addition to using this for real (ha ha), I am also entering this into the following challenges:

1. My Sheri Crafts Challenge #81 Easter - while this isn't a pure Easter card, it is Easter-like colors as a thank you to an Easter present :-)
2. Sketches4All - Challenge #1 Spring and Easter Contest based on a sketch using pastel colors
3. Whimsical Designs - "Celebrate Spring" Whimsical Wednesday Challenge
4. Exploring Cricut - Its a Spring Thing

Birthday Card with CTMH Pemberly

I recently signed up to be a Close to My Heart consultant and received such a great starter kit including the Pemberly Workshop kit.  I just love the colors in the paper pack - blues, pale yellows, beige...

While the particular pattern I used in the card has flowers, I think the colors and the addition of the brass brads help to downplay the floral - at least I hope so since it will be given to my husband for his brthday next week!  He is not a super-macho sports-obsessed person (other than soccer) so I didnt think it had to be uber-manly!

I will be entering this into the following challenges:

1. Viva la Verve March Week 4 over at Splitcoast Stampers
2. Little Scrap Pieces "Use Yellow"
3. Paper Playtime # 70 - For the Guys

Recipe:

• Cardstock = Close to My Heart (CTMH)  Pemberly; Paper Company Brushed Cotton Navy Blue
• Patterned Paper = CTMH Pemberly set
• Embossign folder = Cuttlebug
• Ribbons = Offray
• Brads = stash
• Stamp = CTMH Pemberly Worshop kit
• Ink = CTMH Indian Corn Blue

Spring is Here!

An absolutely gorgeous Saturday here in the Dallas area!  The sun was shining and we were in the upper 80s.  And better yet, there were no soccer games to go to, no errands to run... just the time to bask in the sunshine!  And with my DD on a sleepover, I have an evening of guilt free scrapping!  The great weather had my humming an old song old day - "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves so I thought I would find a photo that fit my mood.

I am entering this into

1. Creative Cutter Room Strolling Through the Park challenge which was to use four different elements (Stickles, a charm, ink, and embossing)
2. My Craft Spot Challenge # 49 - use scallops in the project which is my green border under the title
3. Die Cutton' Divas - Challenge # 57 Music

Recipe:

• Photo mats cut on Cricut using Art Philosphy cartridge
• Ribbon = DCWV Adhesive Ribbon that I won in another challenge
• Ribbon slide = Making Memories
• Cardstock = DCWV
• Flowers = Studio 18
• Lettering = Thickers vinyl letters
• Pattern Paper - My Minds Eye Apron Dots and Check Him Out
• Border Punch - EK Success and Fiskars corner punch
• Stickles Liquid Pearls around edge of charm tags (Buttercup)
• Charm Tags = EK Success
• Embossing at Top = Fiskars Scrapboss Creative Sampler (haven't used it for ages)
• Inking on border punch = ColorBox chak ink Creamy Brown

Shout Out to One of my Favorite Products - Crinkle Ribbon

Just a quick note to say how much I adore a new type of ribbon I've seen - crinkle ribbon.  The best source I have found is My Craft Spot - she has so many different colors and color sets.  I wouldn't know where to start in deciding! And her twine choices are great too - color combinations I haven't seen before - Chocolate Cupcake, Orange Licorice, and so much more.  And now to figure out how to sneak it into the craft room without hubby seeing....

Check it out.

Clean and Simple - Black and White Card

I love black and white - simple yet dramatic.  This will be for my sister who needs a pick me up at the moment.

Recipe:

• Cardstock = stash
• Embpossing fodler = Paper Studio
• Stamp = Close to My Heart Pemberly Workshop; TPC Studios Greetings
• Embossing Powder = Stampendous White
• Ribbon = Offray Micro Dot
• Bling = Recollections

Because I am obsessed, I am entring this in the following challenges:

1. Black and White with Bling
2. Paper Players # 87 - CAS (Clean and Simple) with Buttons

My adorable 12-yr old daughter also decided to get into the Black and White Challange:

Just a Note...Mojo Monday and Fantabulous Cricut

I love making cards - they allow pure creativity without the restriction of worrying about what goes with a photo!  While I know its spring and I should be thinking bright, sunny colors, I have always liked the more earthy Tuscan-like colors including rust, browns, deep reds, and dark yellows.  So, why go with the mainstream with pinks and blues and greens?  Think outside the box!

Recipe:

• Cardstock = Co'Ordinations Merry, DCWV Harvest Gathering, Bazzill Basics Pineapple
• Printed paper = Paper Studio Tattered and Worn
• Border = EK Success border punch
• Matts = cut on Cricut using Art Philosophy cartridge
• Ribbon = Offray
• Chipboard tag = Close to My Heart
• Stamp = TPC Studios Greetings

I am submitting this into the following challenges:

1. Mojo Monday #233
2. Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Me Monday # 103
3. Use Your Stuff Challenge # 26

So Egg-citing

Its getting close to Easter so what better time than to finally scrap some Easter photos from 2005!  Ha Ha!  Alex loved dying eggs and always wanted to do it well in advance of when the Easter Bunny really needed them!  I loved it too as it meant making deviled eggs - yumm!

Recipe:

• Cardstock = Co'Ordinations Love Potion, Bazzill Swiss Dots, and other paper from stash
• Printed paper = Recolletions Ducks, Paper Studio (stripes), and Recollections Bold Basics (polka dots though it doesn't show up well in the photo)
• Embossing on grass = Cuttlebug
• SVG files for eggs = Platypus Creek Digitals (two of the filigree eggs); Images by Heather (eggs)
• SVG for Flower and bunny  = unknown author
• Title = cut using SCAL (font = Duality)

I will be entering this into the following challenges:

1. Getting Scrapping March 18
2. Wifey Cookies ABC Challenge # 3
3. Jessica's March Challenge at Sketches4All
4. Unique Crafters Challenge - Anything Goes
5. Platypus Creek Digitals Challenge 2

Wish me luck!

The layout was inspired by a sketch over at Sketches4All:


Love You Card and Sketch Challenge

My DD and I went shopping the other day for some retail therapy - she had just had a minor surgical procedure and her neck was in pain so she decided she needed pain relief that only shopping could give her.  Amazing that at only 12 she already appreciates the healing powers that clothes shopping has!

While out shopping, I convinced her to go to the craft store afterwards.  It was obvious how wonderful her clothes shopping experience was since she said "OK" without hesitation (she HATES when I drag her to the scrapbook store....).  She enjoyed the craft shopping so much that she even helped pick out some of the papers including a paper pack from 7Gypsies called Paddington.  The set is mostly black and white with a very urban London feel - very appropriate since we used to live in London!

I had to make something with it and came across this argyle cut file I downloaded ages ago along with some argyle ribbon.  Perfect!

Entering this in two challenges:

• Unscripted Sketched # 150
• Sketches4All - Cheryl's Challenge Group "Get Out that Chipboard"

 Recipe:

• Printed Paper = 7Gypsies Paddington set
• Ribbon = Ribbon Trends
• Ribbon Buckle = JoAnne's
• Rhinestones = Michael's dollar bin
• Stamp = TPC Studio Greetings set
• Ink = StayzOn Jet Black
• Chipboard circle tag = Thickers Accents
• Glitter Glue around sentiment = Ranger Stickles (black)

Make a Wish

Mt daughter's best frined is having a birthday so of course I had to make a card.  In keeping with the taste of pre-teen girls, I used bright colors including printed papers my daughter picked out just for this card.

I am entering this in two challenges - Platypus Creek Digitals March Week 2 challenge (my daughter entered this, too!) and into Make A Wish challenge over at Sketches4All

Recipe:

• Printed Papers = Paper Studio
• Balloon Embellishments = cut from SVG files I created for this card
• Bakers Twine = Sew Easy
• Ribbon = Ribbon Trends
• Cardstock = DCWV

Alex's First Challenge Entry

My 12-year old daughter decided the various challenges I was entering sounded fun so she asked if she could enter one.  We went through a few until she found one she liked - Platypus Creek Digitals March Challenge 2.  The challenge was a 1-2-3 challenge - 1 ribbon, 2 printed papers, and 3 embellishments.  For some reason, she decided to do a winter theme despite the beautiful spring weather we're having.  LOL!

She is also entering it into the Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge where the theme this week is Red, White, and Blue.


Recipe:

• Ribbon = Ribbon Trends
• Pattern Paper = Recollections Bold Basics and hand-made printed paper created from multiple images of a snowflake stamp done in silver ink on blue cardstock
• Embellishments = alpha brads by Paper Studio

What a great start to her paper crafting future!

Birds of a Feather

I am rushing to get some projects done while I have a few days off from work for spring break (I use my daughter as an excuse for taking the time off and then seemingly neglect her while I lock myself in my craft room ! )

This project was inspired by a challenge hosted by one of the great ladies over at Sketches4All.  Rosey's theme for her "I Hear the Birds Chirping" challenge was to make something with birds.  It was perfect given the warm weather here in the Dallas area allowing me to have the windows open to hear all the birds singing.  And as we live on a park, I was listening to a few kids playing and laughing which made me think of doing a layout of my daughter and one of her friends - they always seemed to be screeching like birds (with happiness of course) when they played together!

Recipe:

• Cardstock = unknown (general stash)
• Printed paper = Recollections Bold Basics paper stack (love the colors and coordinating prints but the paper is so thin)
• Die Cuts = free SVG files I found online (SVGCuts.com, I think) for the birds and flowers cut on Cricut
• Brad in center of flower = Paper Studio
• Title = alphabet brads from Paper Studio
• Background of title = self-created SVG file cut on Cricut

Thinking of You Tattered Card

Time for the weekly Verve Stamp Challenge (March Week 2) based on s particular sketch.  I love the design that Verve has so I am keepng my fingers cossed that I will win one of the challenges soon :-)  So many great designs that I doubt it will happen, but you have to be in it to win it!  In any case, I love the challenge it gives me to push my crafting and design sense beyond the basics.

I am also entering this in Joanna Sheen's March challenge with a spring theme - the flowers and the green do make me think of spring, while the dusty blue reminds me that spring is often accompanied by the showers so needed for the flowers :-)

And the third challenge this is being entered into is The Paper Players Challange # 86 which is a color challenge.  Check out what their design team created - beautiful cards!

My design this week is a bit unusual for me as I went heavy on the distressed look rather than my ususal clean lines.

Recipe:

• Cardstock = Tim Holtz Co'Ordinations line
• Printed Paper = Basic Grey Marjolaine set
• Ribbon = American Crafts
• Brads = Paper Studio
• Die cuts = various SVG files cut on Cricut
• Chipboard tag = Close to My Heart
• Sentiment = TPC Studio Greeting stamp set

Rainbows of Love

This was done for my in-laws in Wales.  I will also be entering it into the [Lawn]scaping Challenge # 29 sponsored by Simon Says Stamps.  This challenge was based on the sketch below:

I will also be entering it into Cooking with Cricut # 77 where the theme was a rainnbow or St Patrick's day.

You Are Special

Work has been a little crazy lately with a lot of client projects due and my very talented team working non-stop to get it all done.  The stress has been high and I realized I was forgetting the human side of my team and being a bit hard on people to get the work done.  So, I realized I needed to take a step back, breathe, and show my analysts - one in particular - how much they are appreciated.

For this one, I used a little bit of everything:
Cardstock:  Bazzill
Ribbon:  Celebrate It
Embossing folder:  Cuttlebug
Metal Slide Frame
Stamp inside the frame and Ink:  Studio G with Stickles on the white petals
Borders:  EK Success with the second scallopped border pierced
Stictching between the two borders made easier with Sew Easy
Sentiment - printed from my PC with the edging embossed with Zing embossing powder with Stickles on some of the labels (don;t do this - the glue reacts poorly with the printer ink and causes the letters to bleed)

St Patricks Day Tent Card (Mojo Monday)

I'm usually not a big celebrator of St. Patrick's day but I thought what the heck - any excuse for a card.  And I've been meaning to make a tent card so here it is.

Papers:  Cricut Animal Kingdom 6x12 pack
Cardstock:  Cricut Greens & Black 6x12 pack (not a fan - paper is too thin when used in embossing folders)
Ribbon:  Ribbon Boutique
Shamrock Die Cuts:  Make the Cut gallery
Embossing Folders:  Cuttlebug

Entering this in the Mojo Monday 232 Challenge

New "Friends" Scrapbook Layout

More old photos of my DD.  Everything she did back then was sweet and funny.  Still is - with just a bit of pre-teen attitude occassionally thrown in :-)

The printed paper is from Paper Studio.  The background cardstock is crinkle paper from Wausau that I found at Target.  Lots of inked edges on the kraft cardstock along with piercing on the edges.  The embellishment is just eyelets, hemp twine, and a button.

Entering this in the Getting Scrappy March Challenge over at Amanda's Crafts blog.

Just Standing Around

Still finding old pictures as I go through an external hard drive!  I just picked up a small pack of ColorBok paper that had a purple-green-blue color scheme hat was a perfect complemnet to the purple shirt my daughter is wearing.  The lace was from a wider ribbon edged in the lace that I deconstructed for this.

As I often do, I have entered this into one of the March Sketches4All challenge

Verve Card Challenge - March Week 1

One of my daughter's teachers fell and broke her ankle.  While I thought about sending a Get Well card, it seemed so "expected", so I went for a "Sending You Good Wishes".  It was actually a partial stamp - the full sentiment was Sending You a Harvest of Good Wishes - I just wiped off the ink from the parts I didn't want before I stamped it.

Most of the materials came from Paper Studio's Affinity collectin - paper, flowers, gemstones.  The ink is Studio G and ColorBox; the chipboard tag is from Close to My Heart, and the medallion on the tag is cut from the Cricut Art Philosphy cartridge, also from Close to My Heart.

I am entering the card into this week's Verve Stamp challenge.  I adore their stamps so again - wish me luck!

Platypus Creek Digitals Sketch Challenge

Platypus Creek Digitals kicked off their very first sketch challenge with a freebie AND great prize of four free digital stamps, papers, or cutting files.  I created the card below for this challenge using one of their cutting files - the Weaved Flower.  Wish me luck!

Found Objects Challenge

Enfys over at Going Buggy has a cool March challenge this month - use something on your card that wasn't intended for cardmaking.  I was really jazzed by this.  It reminded me of when I first started scrapping and didn't want to pay so much money for all the fancy embellishments [ I'm still reluctant :-) ] so I would try to be "creative" with what I used as embellishments (not always successfully).

So as it is a rainy cold day here in the Dallas area, I jumped right in and found three objects:
1.  Red mesh bag from a bag of cheese snakcs - used for the "rosette"
2.  Washers - used on the ribbon and in the center of the rosette
3.  Black plastic screw hole cover from a flat pack shelving unit - used insode the washer in the center of the rosette

The papers are from a ColorBok paper pack; the cardstock is Bazzill Ruby Slipper, the very center of the rosette is Stickles silver glitter glue, and the ribbons are from Hobby Lobby.

Enjoy!

March Birthstone Challenge

Lyla had a fun challenge over at Sketches4All - combine aquamarine (the March birthstone) and yellow for the spring flowers.  Check it out - http://sketchesforyou.ning.com/forum/topics/march-birthstone-and-flower-challenge

Pink-Brown-Blue Card

I love making cards, though I admit I am running out of people to send them to!  LOL!

This latest card was inspired by the Mojo Monday 231 sketch as well as another challenge to use pink, blue and brwon.

The papers are from Heidi Grace (Cherywood Decor) and Basic Grey (Sultry Eite).  The ribbon is hand pleated, and the tag is from Close to My Heart.

On to more challenges (I am a little obsessed at the moment and getting SOOO much insipration)

Shery K Designs Digital Papers

I have recently started using digital papers in some of my layouts - I love all the options, takes up no space in my already-cramped craft room, and can be used over and over again :-)

One of my favorite sources is Shery K Desings - check out her latest free download offer - http://www.sherykdesigns.com/shop/promotions/info_6.html

Sunflower Smiles

Spring is in the air here in Frisco, TX.  It was in the 80's and bright sunshine on Tuesday - just the weather I needed to put a big smile on my face.  What better way to share the smile than with Sunflowers!  I love the flowers from Martha Stewart and paired them with stems and leaves I modified from a chrysanthemum SVG I had.  The grass is also cut from an SVG file I created based on an EK Success border punch.

Hope it makes you smile, too!

Just Because Card

I never thought of using these three colors together but this week's Challeng Me Monday over at Fantabulous Cricut got me to think outside the box! 

That's Entertainment Scrapbook Layout

I was going through an external hard drive I had and came across a ton of photos from four to seven years ago that I forgot I had.  Gave me some great new material for some scrapbook layouts.

The printed paper is from SEI (Chocolat Papillion); the butterflies are cut out from that paper while the flourish die cuts are from the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge (luv it!).  The borders in the middle are lace and Braid edge punch from EK Success.  All was edged with brown chalk ink and glammed up with Stickles silver.

I think I'll enter this in Rochelle Spears March Challenge

Watch Cats Scrapbook Layout

There was sooo much blue in the photos that I struggled to find the righ background so I resorted to basic black.  The borders are from an old Bazzill Just The Edge pack (I am determined to use up old stash).  The title is my own creation from Euphorigenic font.  I stamped the yellow card base with a Stampalities Polka Dot stamp before cutting it with the Cricut.

I am entering this in Grand Diva's Creative Corner March Challenge.

Metal Yellow

I don't use yellow very often but it was a warm, sunny day here in Texas and the birds in the embossing inspired me to bring out the sunshine!  And the embossed metal looks great with it!  I used a Cuttlebug folder along with Bazzil Just the Edge borders I have had for ages.  Silver dots from Jolees All That Bling and flower from Studio 18 ($1 for 36 flowers!),  Will post this on the Mojo Monday challenge this week and Sketches4All February metal challenge hosted by Stacy.  Enjoy!