Aloha Aqua Flower

Today's post name comes from the creativity of my ten-year old. My creativity is better expressed in card-making (I would've called it Aqua Hello Card. Pretty boring, I know.)

I did have a lot of fun with the Fusion Challenge -- I just love the aqua ombre wedding cake! I tried to fancy up my card by using the lacy swirly circle die along with a background stamp that I got at 70% off after Valentine's and have finally gotten around to using. (It's so hard to justify buying more stuff when I haven't used what i own, but who can pass up a 70% off clearance bargain?!).

I started by creating the narrow panel by clear embossing the stamped image then blending three shades of distress inks, from lightest to darkest, over that. The darker panel was created by first covering the paper with distress ink then stamping the background pattern with Brilliance Moonlight White Ink to give it a subtle shimmer. I had in mind to use the same flowers for both cards, but I ran out of white flowers so I had to improvise. I use coffee filters to catch my embossing powders or glitter, so I just grabbed one, die cut the flowers from it, then inked them with distress inks and Brilliance. I also added another wish-list item from this card: I wanted to stamp 'thinking of you', but I didn't have a stamp with just the right font or size for this label. Who knew that having several of the same sentiment stamps would STILL not be enough?! And the stash will continue to grow....can't wait for Christmas!

Supplies Used:

Inks: Tumbled Glass, Broken China & Peacock Feathers Distress Inks; 

Brillance Moonlight White, VersaMark

Stamps: Recollections Background Stamp, Verve & TSOL sentiments

Dies: Heartfelt Creations Layered Elegant Swirl, Sizzix Swirls, 

ODBD Vintage Flourish Pattern, Nestabilities Rose Creations

Other: Spare Parts Flowers, Clear Embossing Powder, Forever in Time Gems

Fall Flower Patch Cards

I followed the sketch for Mojo Monday Sketch 370 and used the Fall color palette from Cupcake Inspirations Challenge 285. I didn't think I had the right stamps to make a Fall card, but with the right colors, the Flower Patch Stamp Set from Stampin' Up works well. I'm going to try and make a more feminine version of these cards (both of which I made for male relatives). 

The background piece was made by stamping the flowers first, then masking them to add the leaves. I learned that it is critical to carefully cut your mask, as you can really mess up your project quickly if you over-stamp where you didn't intend to. I also learned that no matter how much time you put into making all the pieces, if you don't pay attention when you are assembling it with super-sticky tape, you could ruin your work! I accidentally taped the flower panel upside down, and that little white spot on the top right ended up on the bottom left. I couldn't let the error go; I had to cut the green background piece and re-assemble to put the flower strip on the way I wanted it. Picky, I know, but I am very happy with the end result now! TFL!

Another similar card
Supplies Used:

Stamps: SU Flower Patch, Rubber Stampede Sentiment

Paper: SU Old Olive & Tangerine Tango

Ink: SU Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight

Other: SU Flower Fair Framelits, Fiskars Threading Water Edger Punch, SU Candy Dot

Watercolor Background

The Crooked Stamper's Card

Here is the last card I made for an October 11th Birthday. I copied the technique of watercoloring the background from The Crooked Stamper. I love her blog as it is very inspirational and quite entertaining. She was right in that this is rather time-consuming, but I had a lot of fun doing it. TFL!

Supplies Used:

Paper: Watercolor Paper & scraps from my stash

Stamps: Penny Black Allover Pattern, Hampton Art Birthday Cake

Color: VersaMark,  Embossing Powder, Watercolor Pencils

Other: Tonic Studios Ticket Punch, SEI gems

Celebrating Seven

Card #2 for today....this one is for my seven-year-old nephew. I used Sketch #508 over at Split Coast Stampers. What a great place to get inspired! I had fun pulling out my old Sizzix Gifts dies and was happy to find a yellow number seven sticker. And, I got to use some scraps for all the die cuts!

Supplies Used:
Paper: from my stash
Stamps: TSOL
Dies: Sizzix Gifts, Nestabilities Labels Eleven
Other: The Paper Studio Medium Polka Dots EF, The Paper Studio Twine

Color Crush Butterflies

One of my nieces turns 18 today...where does the time go?! I love the bright colors of this paper pad from Ki. Had to use one of my buttterfly dies and I even used a different butterfly stamp on the inside. I'm entering it in the Mojo Monday 366 Contest. Now I've got to get back to creating....I have a total of three family birthdays today!

Supplies Used:
Paper: Ki Color Crush 6x6 Pad, White, Pink & Teal cs
Ink: Vivid! Raspberry
Stamp: TSOL spinner2stamp
Dies: Nestabilities Labels Four, IO Butterfly
Other: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots EF, Ribbon, Gems

Inside:
Stamps: TSOL Butterfly, Stamps by Judith Dots, Stampabilities Sentiment 
Ink: Vivid! Raspberry, SU Tempting Turquoise 

Flower Power

Having fun with those cheery papers & my new Stampin' Up Flower Patch Stamps & Dies. Loving those butterflies, too. Entering this into MOJO Monday's Sketch Challenge (MOJO361). TFL!

Supplies used: 

Paper: Making Memories GIGGLE kids, SU Melon Mambo

Stamps: Stampin' Up Flower Patch

Dies: Stampin' Up Flower Fair Framelits, SU Beautiful Wings Embosslits

Ink: Stampin' Up Melon Mambo

Other: Making Memories Ribbon

Twenty-one Fun

This card was made using Deconstructed Sketch #166: 

So glad I remembered having these stickers for a 21st birthday - and I thought these papers were perfect for the sketch. Got to use my new Stampin' Up Flower Patch Stamps & Dies...very fun! I changed up the stem of the flower a bit by adding the larger leaves over some of the smaller ones & by adding a little accent with a white gel pen. I inked all the edges and the center panel is popped up. TFL!

Supplies used: 

Paper: Making Memories GIGGLE kids

Stamps: Stampin' Up Flower Patch, and Close to my Heart Celebration (Inside)

Dies: Stampin' Up Flower Fair Framelits Dies 

Ink: Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay & Melon Mambo

Other: Making Memories Ribbon, BasicGrey Candy Buttons, TPS Stickers, Signo White Gel Pen

Color Throwdown

Got to break open my new SU ink pads...and matching paper! Used the color combo of Bermuda Bay, Real Red & Smoky Slate for the CTD304 Challenge over at Color Throwdown. Also used Sketch MFTWSC188 over at My Favorite Things. I originally was going to use dp from Authentique, but it didn't match the SU Colors EXACTLY, and I really wanted to use my new SU stuff, so I opted for making my own background paper with some old flower stamps I had. I don't have any of the SU Neutrals, so my slate is the background paper which is from Authentique. I'm sending this to a friend who is celebrating her 50th...I think she will appreciate the fact that I didn't emphasize that number in her card! TFL!

While I was at it, I did manage to make a second card. I am in love with those little butterflies!

Supplies:

Paper: SU Bermuda Bay & Real Red, Authentique Collection: Celebrate

Stamps: Fiskars Friendly Flowers, Heartfelt Creations Botanical Floral Sets 1 & 2, Stamps By Judith: Dots, TSOL crazy4daisies HB sentiment

Dies: SU Beautiful Wings Embosslits, Rose Creations Shapeabilities 

Sugar Rush Birthday

Once again I have been using 'scraps' that I found while reorganizing my craft space..It was fun to use some sweet cupcakes again. 

I'm entering this card in the challenge at Die Cuttin Divas which uses this sketch:

Inside: 

Supplies Used:

Paper: Bella Blvd: Birthday Girl

Dies: Scalloped Circles, Classic Circles

Stamps: TSOL 

Other: Swiss Dots EF, Sticker Sentiment, flower punch

Sweet Hello

I just love this paper pad from Prima called Hello Pastel. The colors are just so sweet! I'm happy that I utilized several little scraps in this card - it almost justifies me saving all those tiny pieces...I have such a hard time getting rid of anything! This card was quick & easy to make (no stamping!) but it did take me like forever to choose all the details. I had a second card base out so that I could make two cards at once, but I somehow forgot all about it....sigh. I must work on my efficiency!! Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: 

Paper: Prima's Hello Pastel

Other: Matching Journaling Stickers

Candy Dots By Recollecions

EFs: Swiss Dots & Medium Polka Dots

Scallop Scissors

Nestabilites Scalloped Circles

Ink: SU Pool Party 

Sparkly Brush Strokes

I'm entering today's card into the Encouragement Challenge over at a2zscrapbookingblog and also for the Color Challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers (CC490). I just received two sets of Stampin' Up Ink Pads and I was very excited to use them! Had to use the Wink of Stella Glitter Pen to add a bit of shine...TFL!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Hero Arts Brush Strokes & Truly Appreciated, TSOL Butterfly

Inks: SU Pool Party, Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi & Real Red

Other: Wink of Stella Glitter Pen

Celebrate with Glitter!

In this card, I got to use my new Wink of Stella Glitter Pen. I bought a clear one but when I tried it, I was disappointed to see that it really looked gold, not clear. But then the other day I came across someone else saying the same thing, and I found out that it only looks gold when you initially get the ink flowing. After a few swipes, it does come out clear and now I know why everyone is so in love with these pens. The glitter adds such a cool shimmer! Check out the smaller photos below - you can really see those stars shine! TFL!

Supplies: 

Dies: Sizzix Stars #2, Edgeabilities Classic Edges One

Ink: Copics & Memento Paris Dusk 

Stamp: We R Memory Keepers

Other: Washi Tape, Wink of Stella Glitter Pen

Camp Cards for Theme Week

This week's theme at the girls' camp is "County Fair'.  I had the perfect paper for cards to match this theme: SEI's A Fair Day. I just love the soft, cotton candy colors of this paper! I think these will be a big hit with my girls:

Supplies Used:

Paper: SEI

Stamps: TSOL sampler2love, happyBday2you, flipflops2stamp

Other: Open Scallop Edger Punch, embroidery floss

On this card, I made a little cotton candy using TSOL's popcorn2stamp & crazy4daisies sets.

Camp Cards Card #2

This card was created using the sketch at Fusion:

Supplies Used:

Paper: Prima Hello Pastel

Stamps: TSOL flower2doolde

Dies: Edgeabilities: Classic Edges One

Other: Prima Stickers, Heidi Swapp Stencil

Camp Cards: Card #1

I was inspired by both the photo and the sketch at Fusion:

Supplies Used:

Stamps: TSOL flower2doodle

Dies: Rose Creations

Paper: Prima Hello Pastel

Bubbles Edger Punch, Scallop Scissors, Enamel Dots

Two More Masculine Cards

I'm trying to send my uncle a card a week, but I'm almost out of ideas & I've only made him three cards! Well, maybe I should just consider this a challenge and see what happens...

At any rate, here are the two cards I made recently: 

INSIDE:

Supplies Used:

Stamps: TSOL hot4balloons and abc4you

Dies: TSOL Cupcake Die Set

Paper: teresa collins Every Day Moments

This card was made following last week's Mojo Monday Sketch #354. Love this sketch! 

Supplies Used: 

Paper: Prima Hello Pastel

Other: Scripture Sticker, Ribbon

Flip-it Card

The Splitcoaststampers' Die Cut Swing Card Tutorial inspired me to give this flip-card thing a try. I know there are many flip-card dies out there to make it easy, but I'm not sure if I like them enough to invest. So I thought I'd try the DIY version, but I had to go and make it more complicated by changing the dimensions of the card. I prefer 4 1/2 x 6 cards, so I started with a card base of 6 x 6. I picked up the dp at the local fabulous scrapbook store, Memories & Beyond.  I'm entering it into the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Anything Goes even though my card is more green than blue, but I thought it was close enough. Once again, it took way too long to make, but that was because I had to practice to get the dimensions right. Then I realized that there wasn't much room to write....ugh! This just may be my one-and-only flip-it card:

Supplies Used:

Paper: Prima

Stamps: Power Poppy, TSOL (inside sentiment)

Dies: Nestabilities Labels Four, Rose Creations

Other: Copics, gems

Shout out to Stacey!

I didn't have time to make any cards or post this week...will have to do some catching up later today, I hope. But I did find time to check out others' posts and I found a new blog to follow - another talented card maker: Stacey Schafer's Blog. Thanks for the inspiration & for the chance to win, Stacey! Hope you had a great birthday!

A Lighthouse Card for Uncle

I used Sketch 494 to make this set of cards. Once again, I cannot make exact duplicates no matter how hard I try. One thing I did for these cards was to use computer-generated sentiments as I did not have the appropriate sentiment or the right size stamp. I really like how they came out! First up, is the card I made for my uncle: 

And the second, nearly identical, card for future use:

Supplies Used:

Paper: Kraft Paper & MME

Stamp: ODBD Light of the World

Other: Nestabilities Circles, Sizzix Circles/Frames, Twine

Camping-Themed Cards

I loved this week's Sketch Challenge at SCS. I brought out the Camping Papers I bought at last year's Scrapbook Expo and set to work. I ended up making a total of six cards - I think that is a record for me. But try as I might to make exact duplicates, I just cannot! There are just slight differences, but these are those last-minute decisions that end up adding minutes to each card. Oh well, they were fun to make and I loved this sketch so much I am sure I will be using it again & again. TFL!

I flipped the sketch and added a sticker and some candy buttons.

For the inside, I used my sprig & dots stamps from Stamps By Judith, along with a sentiment stamp from Paper Inspirations. 

For this next card, I had to use a smaller oval to cut out the picture, so I added another set of ovals behind the small ones. Also replaced the sticker with more candy buttons. 

 These two are going to be sent to my daughters while they are away at camp, so I added the scallops for a more feminine touch. 

 It's so hard to do masculine cards, but this sketch worked so well with these papers that I knew I could get more use out of more of these types of cards. I think I will use them for birthday cards for my nephews - but I didn't add the sentiments yet in case I end up using them for something else!

 

Supplies for all the cards:

Paper: Bella Blvd, Kraft, olive cs

Dies: Creative Memories Ovals, Nestabilities Scalloped Circles

Other: Fiskars Edger Punch: Threading Water, Jolee's Stickers, basic grey candy buttons, sequins