Happy Birthday

Christmas hasn't come and gone but it's time for me to turn my attention to some other more "all occasion" cards. My first one is for someone's birthday.

The Cuttlebug folders make greeting cards so easy to make without a lot of effort. Using Snickerdoodle paper from Lasting Impressions I cut a piece 4 1/4 inches by approximately 5 inches. I used a Martha Stuart punch for the scallop and Cuttlebug folders for the embossing....leaving enough room to stamp the Happy Birthday. After I realized that the black stamping on the ecru paper was rather harsh, I added two strands of narrow ribbon to help tie it together.

This 4 1/4" x 5" piece was then mounted with double sided tape onto the main card. What I like most about this card is that this type of design can be used with various sentiments on the open space for stamping...........anniversary, get well, thinking of you etc. There's no limitations to it's use.

Baby Girl Card

Yesterday I needed a break from Christmas cards. I pulled out my "Over All Embosing" video by Lorie Jacobs and got inspired to make baby cards. Watching her make cards on this video is awesome. She made everything look so easy.

This card was made using Petal Pink and Snickerdoodle papers from Lasting Impressions.
First I embossed the jammies with vellum and cut off the collar portion to be later mounted on the little jacket. I dry embossed the jammies by running it through my Cuttlebug using the Swiss Dots folder. I then dry embossed the upper portion of the jammies on the solid Pink Petal paper, mounted it on the full vellum piece and then added the collar. I think the rest of that card is pretty self-explanatory. You can sure contact me if you have any questions about it.

Madonna and Child

This was a very simple card to make but I love the simplicity of it. It's easy to see that I used the Cuttlebug Snowflake folder on the entire front of the card. I then stamped the "Madonna and Child" design from Paper Inspirations with SU Bold Blue Ink onto off white cardstock. After stamping the image, I took a glue pen and went over the entire design and sprinkled with crystal glitter (which doesn't show up on the picture). Using two sizes of the Nestabilites Classic Scalloped Ovals I cut out the two oval shapes and attached them to the card with pop dots.

Non-Traditional Colors for Christmas

I am part of a wonderful group of ladies on Yahoo. We exchange a lot of cards each year. Last year my Christmas/Holiday cards to them were all pretty much the same card. This year I was determined to send everyone a different card. Some are similar but I don't think there were any two identical. This was a lot of fun.

I had some ideas for Christmas/Holiday cards but was excited when I found of variety pack of glittery papers at Michael's which really went with what I had in mind. On the front of the pack it gave coordinating solid colors to use along with the patterns in the pack.

I had purchased the deer stamp from Paper Inspirations a long time ago but had never used it. The focus of this card is the glittery deer which was embossed with Egyptian Gold Embossing Powder. The deer was mounted onto a glimmery piece of light aqua Bassil paper which had been cut with my rectangle Nestabilities and then mounted onto the tan piece of tan Bassil which I had cut with my scalloped rectangles.

The aqua paper was embossed with the Cuttlebug Snowflake folder and added more glimmer to the card. The striped paper was one the papers in the variety pack I bought. I'm not sure if it shows or not but the striped paper does have glitter on it. Before mounting the deer onto the card with pop dots, I ran a very narrow piece of metalic gold ribbon through my Xyron and attached it to cover the seam of the two papers.

As a final touch I added a gold foil sentiment at the bottom of the card.

Glittery Snowflake

Once again too many days have passed by without me getting to my Blog Homepage. Thanksgiving was very pleasantly spent with family. Then I had a couple of granddaughters here for the weekend. While they were here, two other granddaughters came to visit and decorated our Christmas tree.

But now it's time to think about Christmas/Holiday cards. This is one I can show for now. I've made quite a few others but can't show them here for a while because the recipients might happen to see them too soon.

This card was made using a discontinued paper from Lasting Impressions. I loved the color and happened to have glitter to match the paper. I used a snowflake Cuttlebug folder and my Scor-Pal to emboss the main card. The glitter portion is made using a technique I learned from Dreamweaver Stencils when I attended CHA in 2007.

Materials Used --
Paper: Lasting Impressions and JAC paper from Dreamweaver for the glitter piece
Other: Cuttlebug Snowflake folder, Ultra Fine Glitter

Card for Fall

One last card for fall. This is actually a card I made last year, too. It is a case of one I saw someone else make and I loved the layers and the torn edges of paper. I had all I needed to make it. Papers and ribbon is from Lasting Impressions.

Pumpkins and leaves were dry embossed separately. I used the pastel scuffers from Lasting Impressions to give the pieces more dimension and then assembled them using glue but then also went over the back with double sided tape to attach them to the main card.

Papers from Lasting Impressions: Rusty Wheelbarrow (card base), Weathered Sunflower (narrow layer), Weathered black (wide layer), Tangerine/Nutmeg/Thyme(pumpkins/stems/leaves) - Ribbon was also from Lasting Impressions.

Birthday Cupcake

In recent weeks (actually months) time has been at a premium around here and I wanted to send a cute card to a friend of mine (Harriet) for her birthday. I chose this card not because it was so difficult to make - because it wasn't. I chose it because I love the way the new patterned paper from Lasting Impressions matches the cupcake stencil (L9373 Have a Sweeet Day) that I already had. The paper comes in one of the new variety packs and it was easy to match the colors of the cupcakes in the paper for the embossed design with other L I papers.

Materials: All papers came from Lasting Impressions.

Other items: Marvy Scallop Circle punches

"A" is for Acorn

Time to Give Thanks

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away. A couple of weeks ago I made this card using stamps from SU. I love the style of this stamp. It gives a complete design all in one and gives the opportunity to use some great fall colors together. Coloring was also done with SU markers. On the right hand side of the page you can click on the link to a great SU Demonstrator for some really good service.

Let this card be my way of telling all of you just how thankful I am for all of you. Your business has always been appreciated but the friendships that we have formed have meant even more!!! THANK YOU!

Anniversary Card

Well it has been too long since I posted something new to this page. I've been under the weather and pretty busy with grandchildren in the last couple of weeks.

Recently a friend had an anniversary so I made this card for her and her husband. I used the Cuttlebug Diamonds in the Rough embossing folder to emboss the front of the card made with Lasting Impressions Powdered Sugar card stock. For the two oval layers I used Marvy Clever Lever punches and stamped the SU flower on the white layer. The sheer ribbon bow and gold sticker butterflies were added and just that quick I had a finished product.

(The card stock and punches can be ordered through me. SU ink and stamps can be ordered by clicking on the link on my home page. CropStop.com is a great place to purchase Cuttlebug folders.)

Two Friendship Cards

I've had my computer back since last Friday -- our friend is so generous to give immediate attention to problems when I ask for his help. However since that time I came down with my annual Fall virus which is upper respiratory and sinus. I just haven't been up to making daily blog entries.

Today I had a break through and made five cards. Sure felt good! This first card is actually a remake of a card that I messed up on a few months ago by stamping the sentiment crooked inside the card. I cut the front off, cut it down slightly in size and mounted it on a matching cardstock. I also added a butterfly that was made with a Spellbinders die. "Friendship" is just a portion of a vertical stamp from Paper Inspirations. (If interested, I can get the VersaFine ink, P I Stamp and Spellbinders die.)

Materials used --

Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black and SU Markers for coloring the flower

Paper: Stampin Up

Stamp: Not sure but think it is Stampendous for the flower and Paper Inspirations for the "Friendship"

This second item is a card which I cased from one I saw on SCS and just loved the layout. It took three tries to get it the way I wanted. The first one I had way too many butterflies, the second one I tried using two SU colors of blue and they didn't go together as well as I thought they would. But the third try was satisfactory. I've had this SU Spring Garden stamp set for months and had never used it. I used a sentiment of my choice and added glitter to the butterflies to give a little dimension to the front.

Materials used -- all SU papers and inks. (I don't sell Stampin' Up but I know who does!)

Ginko

I didn't have time to make a card especially for today's post so I am pulling a sample of one from my files. This is a case of a card in one of the Penny Black catalogs. I simply stamped the Ginko design randomly on the main card. The small red square was stamped on off white using a Hero Arts background stamp and then I stamped the Ginko on it. The corners of that layer were punched and then I ran fine gold thread around the piece to give it some elegance. This layer was mounted on a square of shiny black paper and popped onto the card. (And the squares were actually cut B. N. - before Nesties.)

Materials --

Paper: Red - Not sure but it was probably from SU; Black was from "Stephanie" who sent it from Thailand and Off White was from L. I. --- Stamp: Penny Black --- Ink: VersaFine Black

A Little Glitz

Is it really that time? I know some are already working on their holiday cards so I am posting one that I made using the new Poinsettia stencil from Lasting Impressions. I used a piece of cardstock that was 5 1/2 x 11. Using my Scor-Pal I scored fold lines at just under 4 1/4 inches from the left edge and then again at about 2 1/2 inches from the right edge. I used the CB folder to emboss the two flaps. After dry embossing the Poinsettia and leaves, I scuffed them and then cut them out to attach to the card. As you can see I added Gold Glitter Glue to the center of the flowers and on the leaves. I also finally was able to use some magnets (which I have had for several months) for the closure. I do need to add something to the upper right hand corner and a message inside but wanted to share my first card of this type and possibly give you an idea for your holiday cards. (All of the materials may be ordered here.)

Materials used --

Lasting Impressions Papers: Snickerdoodle, Poppy Solid and Forest Green Dots

Template: L9607

Accessories: Glitter Glue and Magnets

It's a Boy

I had need for a quick baby card . The white card stock was embossed with a Fiskar embossing plate (feet and hands). The colored paper is double sided so I punched a circle out of the solid baby blue and cut a strip to put along the bottom of the card. I used my paper piercer on each of the blue scallops. This was a very "quick and easy" card to make. (L I Papers and paper piercer, stamps, inks and punches are available for purchase here.)

Materials --

Paper: Lasting Impressions Powdered Sugar and scrapbook paper from Michael's

Stamps: Paper Inspirations Clear Stamp set

Ink: VersaFine Black Onyx

Accessories: Fiskar Embossing Plate, Marvy Uchida punches and Lasting Impressions Paper Piercer

Two Tulips

A friend (Kris) made a card recently using a two-step flower and shades of blue. I loved it and with her permission I am posting my "case" of her card. The flower on both cards were very simple. I stamped the flower with SU Bashful Blue -- stamping the first image off on a scrap piece first and then onto the cardstock. Second step was with the same ink and stamping it right on top of the lighter color. I added pearl accents and mounted the image on Lasting Impressions paper. A ribbon trim finished off the first card. The second image was mounted a layer after I had torn the edges of the blue paper - then on two complimentary papers - the plain blue having been embossed with a CB folder. (L I Papers and Pearls may be ordered by contacting me.)

Materials --
Stamps: SU Terrific Tulips
Papers: L I Powdered Sugar, Boardwalk Blue, Scraps of scrapbooking paper
Inks: SU Blissful Blue and SU Mellow Moss
Accessories: Hero Arts Medium Accent Pearls, ribbon, CB Swiss Dot folder

A Beary Nice Day

Today's card is taking a completely different turn. Lasting Impressions has a wonderful software program that coordinates with most of their stencils. You can resize images, change colors, overlay images, import images and use only portions of a stencil design as well.....only to mention a few options. Or print them off in actual size. Only the actual size items can be embossed. This card shows some of he different examples. The sun was printed off in actual size, embossed, cut out and attached. The fence and flowers are actual size and were embossed -- but I was also able to layer the various patterns. The "peeking teddy" was too big in the full size so I made the design smaller and had him peeking over the fence. It's a little hard to describe the steps I used, but thought it would be a change of pace to post a "fun" card -- showing just what can be done with the Lasting Impressions software. (Software and stencils available to order at a discount. By the way I still have a supply of a lot of the discontinued L. I. Papers.)

Materials used:

Stencils: Smiling Sun (S711), Flowers (Used part of L9335), Tulip Border (B235), Teddy (S797) and Picket Fence (L930)

Papers: from Lasting Impressions

Accessories: Lasting Impressions Software

Whooooooo?????

This is a fun clear stamp set with so many possibilities. I started with off white paper and used a CB folder on the bottom half of the card. The scrapbook paper was cut to the right size and I scalloped the edge using my corner punch. Scalloped circles were made with 3 sizes of Scalloped Circle Punches and I used my paper piercer on each of the scallops of the green and brown layers. Owl was colored with various markers that I have. Circles were popped with pop dots. I tend to make cards ahead of time but wait with adding a sentiment or message on the outside until I know who will receive it. I will probably use this card for a birthday so a piece will be added at an angle on the upper right hand corner and a sentiment stamped inside. (Stamp set, punches, pop dots, various marker sets and paper piercer may be purchased from me at a discount.)

Materials used --
Papers: SU Very Vanilla, Glorious Green and Chocolate Chip papers
Stamps: Hero Arts CL155 Clear Design Playful Animals
Accessories: Marvy Scalloped Punches, CB Swiss Dot folder and Lasting Impressions Papers. The markers were from SU, Marvy and Zig.

Whoooo???

Today's card was made with a clear stamp set from Hero Arts (CL155 Clear Design Playful Animals). I used SU cardstock for the base and did the lower edge of the card with my CB Swiss Dot folder. I then took a piece of scrapbook paper and added a scalloped border using a corner punch and attached it to the front of the card. This time I used three sizes of scalloped circle punches from Marvy Uchida. The Owl is colored with various markers I have (SU, Marvy and Zig). Medium scalloped circle is SU Glorious Green and the largest scalloped circle is SU Chocolate Chip. I used my Lasting Impressions Paper Piercer on each of the scallops of the green and brown circles to finish it off. The three circles were put together and then popped with pop dots.

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Falling Leaves

The seasons are changing here and leaves are truly falling around us so for today's card I chose the Lasting Impressions stencil L9611 "Falling Leaves". The card is made entirely of Weathered papers from L. I.........Wheat Field for the card base, White for the layer to which I attached the tree, Thyme for the tree, Sunfower and Beet for the leaves. (If you are interested, I have these materials in stock and you can purchase them from me at a 25% discount off retail prices.)

Fluttering By.....

I've been doing several cards lately with a window affect. The card base is made with SU paper....Green Galore. The silver outline is actually a sticker which was placed on Acetate and then colored with Glaze Pens. I'm sorry to say I don't have the packaging to know what company made the stickers. I framed the Acetate with a frame made with my long and narrow Nestabilities. The front of the card is about 3/4 inch narrower than the inside of the card and is punched with a butterfly border from Tonic Border System. Each section of two butterflies is punched separately but when spaced properly it makes one flowing design. The inside edge of the card was embossed with the CB Swiss Dot folder. (Just FYI, you can purchase the Nestabilities, Tonic Border System and Glaze pens from me at a discount.)

Fall Blooms

Today's card was made using the M21 stencil and papers from Lasting Impressions. The paper for the actual card is called "Elementary Lined". The designs are made using Weathered Sunflower, Weathered Nutmeg and Weathered Thyme. I embossed each of the pieces on the appropriate papers and scuffed them with L I Scuffers. This was a fun card to make. (You can purchase the materials for this card from me -- and I offer a 25% discount on all of it.)

The Rose

Tonight I made this card using one of the stamp sets I acquired from Kitchen Sink Stamps.....set LRGC006 Hearts and Roses. I love flowers and this single rose is one of my favorites. It is a 4-step stamping process for the rose bud and a 3-step stamping process for the leaves. The "I love you" script was also from that set of stamps.

This design was stamped on white card stock using inks from SU: Rose Red, Real Red and Bravo Burgundy for the flower, Mellow Moss and Old Olive for the stem and leaves. I cut and embossed the first layer with the plain long-narrow rectangle dies from Nestablities. Then I used the next size larger to cut a scalloped layer. A little over half of the card front was embossed with the Swiss Dot Cuttlebug Folder (one of my favorites) and the red paper with white dots is scrapbook paper.

I hope to post new cards regularly but my daily schedule is very irregular. Hope you check back from time to time.