I was working through part of a SimonSaysStamp kit - just using items from the kit. For me, it's a good exercise in using imagination. It limits me to what is in front of me - any ideas on other images, embellishments are ignored. I thought this particular card came together nicely. Being a stamper, I tend to use stamped images as my focal. Not with this:

The bird image on the bottom is part of the patterned paper. The large heart was cut from a traced pattern. This card will go into a batch for Operation Write Home. Pull a patterned paper from your stash and give it a try.

Just for Fun

I am trying out ideas for possible Christmas cards. I had been thinking of using my ornament die from Sizzix as a focal. After die cutting the shape, I decided to punch an oval and insert a mini tag I was making. This definitely sparked some ideas of pairing punches and die cuts!

Squirrely Challenge

The Squirrely Challenge is from the current edition of Technique Junkies Newsletter. It is called the "embossed puzzle" - dry emboss a card stock panel, cut and ink. For more information, check out TechniqueJunkies.com. For links to additional Squirrely Challenge girls, visit Nancy's blog at Squirrely Art. My contribution:

I inked the embossed pieces with a variety of Distress Inks. The telephone was colored with Distress Marker (yellow) and a Cut and Dry Nib inked with Distress Raspberry ink.  Stamps used are from Printworks and SimonSaysStamp.

Paper Play

I have fallen in love with patterned paper. Yes, it has been around for many years - and I had a lot at one time. It was mostly 8 1/2 x 11, and pretty basic. So, I stopped buying it and starting making my own with rubber stamps and inks. Then, I could customize each page as needed.
Jump ahead: there are so many wonderful themes and collections available. I resisted for a while - mainly purchasing (and hoarding) Basic Grey. Then, came all the Graphic 45 collections....sigh. So, I have not only embraced patterned paper, and bought patterned paper, I have been using patterned paper. The above card is all Pink Paislee except for the stamped message. I cut (and die cut) portions of a 12 x 12 sheet - making a pretty little card.

Christmas Cards

Finally completed my Christmas cards - in the nick of time! I showed an "in process" shot earlier this month. I stamped the white glossy panel with stamps from Stampers Anonymous and Technique Tuesday, using Distress Inks and Brilliance Galaxy Gold. The mats and card are from Club Scrap. I die cut the deer and then embossed  with a snowflake pattern. A little Distress Ink was sponged on to add dimension. A quick die cut of a ticket, more inking and stamping, and a strip of  Washi tape - the card is complete!

Stains/Stencils Class

My Distress Stains and Stencils class was this past Thursday, June 30th a A Work of Heart in San Jose.  Six of the seven ladies were able to attend. Some photos of the ladies busy with the stencils and stains!

Some of the ladies with their favorite completed card. Many had never made a paper card before this class.

Every one took my original samples and made changes to create their own designs. They all did a fabulous job!