Gift card holders

Just a quick post to get in on the Caardvarks challenge this week to make a gift card holder.  I made a lot of these for a craft fair I was doing today, in different colors and different designs.  This gift card holder was created using Dawn Griffith's tutorial here.  I tried using up some retired SU papers for these and Basic Grey Jovial papers.

Here is another style of gift card holder that I did which is a side opening gift card holder.  My friend Chera Wiest had this on her blog one day and I knew I needed to make some of these with scrap papers that I had laying around.  Loved how these turned out!  

This is how it looks like opened.  The tree was a CTMH image that my sister-in-law let me borrow.

The belly band is actually setting inside where the gift card is to go.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend, we are off tomorrow to take some family photos and hope it's not too cold outside for us.

Glitter it up for a Boy

This week over at Critter Sketch Challenge we were to make a masculine/boy card using GLITTER.  Do you know how hard it is to make a boy card using GLITTER?  I didn't know how hard it would be either, but finally figured out a way I could make it work. 

I stamped my card in yellow and then over it in versamark and embossed it using Glitter Embossing powder from Stamp N Plus Scrap N.  With the except of the color of my card turning out a little wonky I thought it looked masculine enough.  It was for a 4 yr old's birthday party so I thought it would work.

Remember, this month Limelight Papercrafts is our sponsor and if you haven't been over to their site, it's worth wandering over there.  I just got an order from Mandy this week (quick shipping) and need to get to work using all that new Basic Grey cardstock (Max&Whiskers and Capella at 40% off right now) I ordered from her as well as some bling brads.

I had just seen the FTL103 layout posted and thought this would be a perfect layout for this image.  

Hope you will join us over at Critter Sketch Challenge and show us how you work your magic using glitter on masculine/boy card.  If you need some inspiration to jump start you, make sure to visit the design team here:

April Lower
Heidi Burt
Lisa Somerville
Marsha Sanderlin
Melanie Newby
Moira Coward

Card details:
Stamps: Flyin' High by CTMH

Cardstock: Bravo Burgundy, Summer Sunrise, Enchanted Evening, Confetti White, Fancy Pants Design-Kraft Kuts {That Boy}

Inks: Versamark, Summer Sun, Enchanted Evening

Accessories: Enchanted Evening twill ribbon, Glitter Embossing Powder from Stamp N Plus Scrap N

Clean & Simple Teacher's Gifts

Today I'm going to share a few of the Clean & Simple cards I had created for teacher's gifts.  You can see some of the others I created here and here.  

The above card is a set from Close to my Heart which is perfect for masculine cards for either kids or adults.  I've had it for quite some time and it always works for those hard to create man cards.

The cards I created for the teacher's gifts were using simple layouts from the following blogs in which I used sketches, inspiration, etc. from:

Clean & Simple
Simplicity
 

 

I tried ONLY to use scraps from my scrap bin with the exception of the card base.  This one was very simple and I made a lot of them.  I simply put a little sentiment on, one stamp-that's it.

Hope you have enjoyed the clean & simple cards today-I need to find my mojo as it's hidden somewhere and it's been hard to create this weekend.  I think I managed 2 cards-think I need to clean my craft area and reduce some of the supplies I have on hand.  Do you ever look at your stuff and feel overwhelmed as to what stamps to use, what papers, etc?  I think I get that way sometimes.  Sometimes.

Have a great Monday!

Blogger's Challenge 129: Birthday Theme

Oh, I just had one of those stressed out moments. I finished my card this week and am in LOVE with it and then I went to look at the number of blogger's challenge we are on...and thought I made the wrong theme for the week. WHEW!!!

So, this week, our blogger's challenge is birthday themed. It worked out so well this week for me as I needed to make a birthday card for one of my favorite little guys who is turning 1 this weekend and I can't wait to see him (and my BFF).

I pulled out some neglected stamps to make this card. I love them and think I need to pull them out more often as I'm not always happy with how my cards turn out, but I'm going to have a hard time giving this one away.


This is a new sketch I used from Just Us Girls, which I have been following, but just have not had time to participate in yet. I liked this sketch a lot and although I did eliminate one of the elements, I still like how the images worked with this sketch.



Thanks for all of you for continuing to follow my blog even though it's been quiet the last few weeks. My family and I have been doing some traveling & I've also been working on some new and exciting things for Clear & Simple Stamps. So while I have been doing a lot of stamping, I can't share any of it just yet. I am excited for it and can't wait to share it all.

Check out the other blogger's challenge peeps to see what fabulous birthday creations they have going on this week.


Card details:
Stamp Sets: Flyin' High by CTMH, Hot Rocketz by Stampendous
Cardstock: Pumpkin' Pie, Tempting Turquoise, Scrapworks Doublesided Sedona dot, Chocolate Chip
Inks: Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip, Versamark
Accessories: Ribbon from Michael's, Clear embossing powder, circle punches

Bloggers Challenge 97: Sketch

This week Lisa challenged us to use this sketch. Right up my alley, clean, straight lines. I knew exactly what I was going to do with this one and it came together quite nicely.

I combined it with my buddy Libby's From Courtney's Closet Challenge. Libby has challenged me in more ways than one with her outfits and color challenges!

I've been having a great week!! I just was asked to return to Clear & Simple Stamps as a Guest Designer through mid-June and am excited about the opportunity. Make sure to check out all their awesome stamps and keep an eye out for more details for their DT coming soon.

This sketch is sure to produce some fabulous works of art from the others participating in the blogger's challenge which you can view here. Or join in the fun and post your creations to any of our blogs, SCS or PCP with keyword BC97.

Card details:
Stamp Sets: Little Gal by Cornish Heritage Farms, Happy Day by CTMH
Cardstock: DSP by SU!, Green Galore, Apricot Appeal, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White
Inks: Memento Black, Copics
Accessories: Green Apple & Turquoise ribbon, Crystal effects, Frosted Lace Stickles, dimensionals

Happy Birthday Butter!

My husband actually asked me to make him a card for a friend. Actually he said don't you have a card you can send out to Butter? I said, do you want me to make him one? Sure, that's be great...so here's what I came up with. I know he likes to golf and I tried to find some masculine colors and just love these so hope he likes it!

I'm too lazy to type up the deets today but the image is an old one from CTMH.

Thanks for checking it out!

ETA: Oops, got a little too finger happy and hit send too soon. Wanted it to post tomorrow but Oh well!

Technostamper's Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #58

Loved this sketch and this card came together so easily! My husband is ALWAYS complaining I never have any kids cards for when my son goes to birthday parties. So, this new set I just bought called Hot Rocketz by Stampendous was perfect!

Pretty simple card using a scrapbooking kit I had from CTMH called Building Blocks. I have a ton of these kits but I don't scrapbook hardly every anymore so I will rummage through now and then to use some of the paper. I forgot about all the sticker sheets that come with the kit until I went through the stash a little more AFTER my cards was finished.

I practiced more with my copics and told my friend Kerry I really need to add more colors to my collection. I was showing this card to a friend who came over for dinner tonight (a different friend than Kerry) who originally got me stamping years ago and she was laughing at all the stamp stuff I now have. She sarcastically asked if I was glad she got me hooked. I laughed...in a way I am, but I can never afford all the stamping stuff I want :-)

Check out MJ's site for all the other cool cards the girls are creating with this sketch.

Happy Holidays!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

This year I decided last minute to make my own Christmas cards after seeing an awesome sample by Heather Nichols. I chose to change a few minor things about the cards, and inside instead of a gift card, I included a picture of our kids in the pocket like hers.

I completed 78 of these cards in a matter of days and found it to be therapeutic to complete them at all. That's what I get when I buy Christmas cards for the following year on clearance only to open up the package and see they say "Happy Holidays 2007" on them. Good thing I bought them 1. on clearance, 2. could use the envelopes for these cards.

I used up old retired papers as I had some fabulous papers laying around. This paper was from a CTMH kit. The stamps I used were from Stipple Celebrations and Best Yet from Stampin'Up! I accented it with a strip of ribbon and used my scallop and circle punch for the image.

Hope you all have a wonderful, safe, happy holiday! Is this not the most realistic Santa you have ever seen??? And could my little one be any more unhappy about having to sit on his lap?

Whiff of Joy/Mystery Image

This is the stamp that our wonderful host Stefanie Summerersent us this month. I'm not big into holiday stamps as I never seem to use them, but I did like this image from Whiff of Joy.

I used SCS SC194 for this card. The patterned paper and cardstock is from Close to My Heart's Just Chillin' Paper pack. I also used some retired cranberry crisp paper from Stampin'Up!

I chose to coordinate Charlotte's clothes with the patterned paper I chose, which I love! I topped off her had and her scarf and a little of her skirt with some Ice Stickles.

I LOVE doing these mystery images as I get a feel for some other stamp companies and what images they offer.

Hope the recipients like their card!

Blogger Challenge, Week #55

I'm on the ball this week !! I had my card done on Wednesday instead of waiting til the last minute as usual. I had fun with this challenge which was to use bugs or insects. I haven't used this stamp since my little guys birth announcements in November.

Nothing extremely spectacular about this card, but I do love the layout which I adapted from Julee's Mojo Monday sketch from January.

Card details:

Stamps: Studio G (hello) and Stampendous

Cardstock: Patterned paper and solid green (CTMH), Bashful Blue, Apricot Appeal, So Saffron, Whisper White

Inks: Versafine Onyx Black, Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Garden Green

Accessories: Prima Flowers, Soft Subtles buttons, gold leafing pen, 1 1/4" circle punch

Make sure to check out the Bloggers Challenge Links for all the other participants!

Blogger Challenge, Week #49

Crazy to think this is week #49 of our challenges! This week our challenge was anything animal. I've had this set on my desk for about 6 weeks, borrowed it from my SIL and have only used it a handful of times. Thought it would be a good one to use as you all might be getting tired of me using my Bundle of Joy and Bundled in Love ;-) I used the same color combination as I did the other day here.

This is a simple card for me, I didn't have a lot of time. I'm going on vacation and trying to wrap things up with work so I may not be participating next week...we'll see how much time I get to stamp over the weekend (with baseball tournaments...huh!)

Make sure to click the Bloggers Challenge Logo on the right of my sidebar----> for the other wonderful creations the members came up with.

Card Details:
Stamp Sets: Nursery Bash by CTMH, Lots of Thoughts by SU!
Cardstock: Real Red, Basic Black, Fabriano notecards
Colors: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron
Accessories: Primas, Real Red brads, round tab punch

Color Inspiration #9

I decided to sit down and make a few cards today. Pathetically I only accomplished two of them, but I like them both a lot. My husband commented he thought it was my best work yet.

This color inspiration came from Kristina Werner and if you've ever seen her work, you should definitely check it out! I'd have to say this is one of my favorite color combos so far and I really like them all together.

I decided that I would color a few of the new images I ordered and love them with these colors!!! I love the images too and Vicki Garrett is the one who got me hook, line and sinker with the Stampotique stamps and I really love how well they stamp.

Hope you enjoy the cards as much as I enjoyed making them!

Card Details:
(Left) Stamp Sets: Comfi by Stampotique, Sittin' Here by Amuse (Right): Card Sentiments by CTMH and Girlie Chick by Stampendous
(Left and Right) Cardstock and Inks: Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black, Whisper White, Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: Tag punches, Real Red and Old Olive brads, ribbon unknown

Blogger Challenge, Week #41

This week our challenge was to use the layout on p. 65 in the Spring/Summer Catalog. I liked this layout a lot so I decided to do 2 cards. Don't laugh...one of them is a baby card. We just found out today that my BFF is expecting and they had been trying for awhile so we are elated. Now to wait to find out of if it's twins or more.

The card on the left I used a few different sets: CTMH Nursery Bash for the ducks, SU! Absolutely Fabulous and Rubber Soul baby set. I forget who makes the patterned paper. Cardstock colors are certainly celery, chocolate chip, soft sky, whisper white and I believe it's rose romance which is retired. Ribbon is uknown. I also used the word window punch, scalloped punch and 1 1/2" punch.

The other card was easy, I tried to make it very simple. It uses the unfrogettable set by SU! with some leftover cardstock from CTMH.

Make sure you check out the other bloggers by clicking here.

Have a great week, it's Spring Break here...not that we have a thing planned.

Blogger Challenge, Week #39

This week our challenge was to use bayou blue, sky blue, real red and chocolate chip. I had to make a "congrats" card for my SIL/BIL who just had a baby boy and I really wanted to use this set I borrowed from my SIL (different SIL than the one that just had the baby) called Nursery Bash by CTMH. I like all the images in this set and think it could be versatile.

Please make sure to check out the other blogger's work here.

Stamp Set: Nursery Bash, Happy Day, both by CTMH

Cardstock: Watercolor paper, Real Red, Bayou Blue, Soft Sky and Chocolate Chip

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Real Red, Bayou Blue, Soft Sky reinkers

Accessories: Corner rounder, Waterfall stickles, aquapainter, chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon

Happy Easter!

Technostamper's Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #6

This week our sketch was fairly easy and I decided to incorporate the layout in to one of my scrapbook pages that I have been working on. I did add on a little journaling circle, but the basic layout was still the same.

Here's what Mary Jo's sketch was:

Stamp Set: Sketch Caps, Little Pieces

Cardstock: CTMH Lazy of Days of Summer paper pack, Mellow Moss, Brocade Blue, Whisper White

Inks: Versafine Onyx Black, Always Artichoke

Accessories: Rhinestone Brads, Primas, Coluzzle Circle, journaling markers

Please join in on the challenges and make sure to check out Mary Jo's website for other great samples of the sketch!

Blogger Challenge, Week #34

This week our challenge was to use the card on p. 42 of the Spring/Summer Catalog (the "happy birthday" card). While this layout was fairly easy, I was short on time due to 2 sick kids at home most of the week so I didn't get to play as much as I wanted to. If time permits tomorrow, maybe I'll make another one.

I used my new Flyin' High set from CTMH along with the SCS Color Challenge for the week using Green Galore, Kraft and Temping Turquoise. I added a little ribbon and some brads to the card as well as some crystal effects to the car to make it shiny. I think my hubby wanted to puke when I just showed it to him, but hey, that's life. We don't always LOVE the outcome of the cards we make, but some little kid will appreciate it I'm sure.

Make sure to check out the Blogger Challenge logo that will link you to all the other fabulous players. Check them out to see how many different cards can be made based on one layout.

Have a great weekend!

Fun With Squares Challenge and Name Frame

Tonight I completed a name frame I started working on this afternoon...well I totally revamped what I originally started with as it wasn't working for one of the long name frames.

The picture to the left is actually a challenge Anna Wight had, called Fun with Squares. This was the perfect and easy sketch to use for the baby card I needed to make to go with the frame.

The frame a square wood one I bought for like $1 last year...I got 2 of them and they have collected dust in my cabinet so when the first frame I attempted wasn't working out the say I wanted it to, I brought this one out. Connie Babbert was sweet enough to stamp me some images of the Wanted and Bronc Buster set, most of which I didn't even end up using, but will at another time on some cards. Thanks Connie!

I used sticky tape to adhere the paper to the frame and then cut around the edges and sanded them down. I then stippled some color on to the edges. I decided not to paint or do anything to the frame itself except cover the front as they them in the room is Western/Cowboys and thought that the exposed wood frame would work well.

Card Details:

Stamp Sets: Bronc Buster, Wanted, Simple Sayings (retired)

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, 3 bugs in a rug Jovial Jester and Jovial Zesty, textured cardstock unknown

Inks: Chocolate Chip and Brocade Blue

Accessories: Round Tab punch, cirlce punches, brads, stipple brush

I copied Anna's layout using 2.5" square patterned paper

Name Frame:

Stamp Sets: Bronc Buster, Wanted, CTMH Giggle Caps Alphabet

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, 3 bugs in a rug Jovial Zesty, textured cardstock unknown

Inks: Chocolate Chip, Brocade Blue

Accessories: Square and Circle Punches, brads, Chocolate Taffeta Ribbon

Blogger Challenge, Week #29

This week are challenge was to use the layout on p. 37 of the SU! Spring/Summer Collection Catalog (the save the date card). The card here was my 2nd attempt. My first one my dimensions were all off and I got frusterated so I quit and tossed it.

I'm pleased with this one and am going to use some more of the patterned paper to do a few more cards.

Details:

Stamp Sets: Little Pieces, Hero Arts "Many Friends", Canvas Background
Cardstock: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Pixie Pink, CTMH Groovy Blossoms
Ink: Certainly Celery, Pixie Pink, Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Shite Grosgrain Ribbon, SU! Markers

Bloggers Challenge: Week 28 Pink and Brown

I haven't posted this to my blog before so I hope that a recycled item will fulfill todays challenge. I do hope to do something this weekend for this challenge that is new, but I did want to post something today as well.

This is a name frame that I was commissioned to do last year, and I did about 3 of them that were all pink and brown. This one was challenging for me as I had a different size and layout requested. I had fun doing it and was thrilled how it turned out. It's been a year since I completed it so I apologize that I do not recall all the supplies used.

Stamp Sets: Pick a Petal, Bundle of Joy, CTMH Giggle Caps, Doodle That, several others for backgrounds of each letter which are difficult to see

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink

Accessories: Brads, Primas, Hodgepodge hardward