Simple

After stamping for many years, I always feel inclined to make elaborate cards. Unfortunately, my time is short and I would rather do a little something, rather than nothing at all. I'm sure there are others out there who feel the same. Plus, sometimes clean and simple is kind of a fun a change of pace. The cards below fit the bill - and will most likely be sent to Operation Write Home:

The sentiment is made from letter stickers.

The bottom curly line is a portion of paper tape. Both cards were made from kits from SimonSaysStamp.

Going with the simple theme of yesterday's card, I used a punch out, Baker's Twine and Washi tape to create the details of this card. The only stamped images were the line with dots and "hello".

Loved how it came together!

Unpacking...

I spent Friday through Sunday at a Crop. Some Close to my Heart demonstrators sponsor a "Diva Crop" - art space, hotel room and food for one reasonable cost at a local hotel. My main goal was to get some photos scrapped on to pages. Not complete pages, but just onto pages. Scrapping is my least favorite paper arts activity. Unfortunately, I have a bunch of photos that need a home. So, I decided to match up photos with pre-made pages and bring them along. I figure I can go back when I only have a limited amount of time ad title, journal and embellish. It was quite successful:

Photo one is a top view of the 2 12 x 12 packages of layouts and photos. The lower photo is a side view of the completed pages. It took me Friday (started around 4:30pm) and most of Saturday, but they are done to the point I wanted. Then, I dove into some SimonSaysStamp cards kits to play:

I made these rather simply so that I can send them to Operation Write Home. Thus ended a very satisfying weekend (can't wait to do it again!)

Thank You

I'm slowly, but surely, getting my holiday thank you cards done. After cutting and matting some patterned paper strips, I decided I needed a variation. Using some of the same strips and adding some stamps:

The background stamp is by Hero Arts and has quickly become a favorite!

I wasn't quite ready to put away my holiday patterned paper. So, with a bit of mixing and matching, fun winter card fronts. I cut 5 strips into 3/4 x 3 3/4 (or close to it) and mounted them to a black mat.

I added a snowflake stamp from Stampin' Up and a little "thank you". Some of my Christmas "thank you" cards are complete. And, it all came from my stash!

Some Favorites

A few years back, I was debating about getting a Big Shot by Sizzix. After all, I didn't like to use die cuts. I had steered clear of them for decades. But, I did like embossing folders, so I figured why not get the Big Shot. One of the best tools I ever bought. I think this is pretty funny since almost all the cards and tags I have been making use a die cut!
I made the card below for a friend. The snowman in the fold-over card. I folded white card stock in half and the put the fold just below the top of the hat. That way, it doesn't cut through:

After die cutting, I opened the snowman up and placed the front into a snowflake embossing folder. I slightly inked the raised snowflakes and smeared on a bit of glitter glue. The photo below shows how the snowman opens. The banner is made from a SimonSaysStamp thin die (a new favorite!). I mounted the snowman to the card with mounting tape.

                                          

Let it Snow

One of the more interesting card sketches this season has layered stamping. I was playing around with this technique using some snowflake stamps and Distress Inks.

To make it a bit easier to stamp, I used re-positionable adhesive to keep my white panels in place. The sizes of the white panels are:
                       5 1/4 x 4
                       4 1/4 x 3
                       3 1/4 x 2
The blue card stock sizes are:
                       5 1/2 x 4 1/4 (fold over card)
                       4 1/2 x 3 1/4
                       3 1/2 x 2 1/4
Super easy to cut and the card comes together quickly, The plastic snowflakes have a bit of iridescent glitter glue. I threaded a scrap of home made twine in red and white.

Falling Stars

I recently purchased a couple of new dies, mainly for backgrounds. I love the Falling Stars thin die made by Memory Box for SimonSaysStamp. I decided to combine it with another die I bought some time ago (and never used!)

After assembling the pieces, I decided to add my "homemade twine" and a mini tag (from Stampin' Up). I added a bit of glitter glue -

Loved the way this card turned out. It may be a future Christmas card...

Merry and Bright

"Tis the season for all things holiday. I recently purchased a few (trying to stick with my "use my stash" commitment) new Christmas papers. The above background chevron's are from My Mind's Eye. Love the colors. I'm having a Holiday lunch for my gym buddies and thought it would make a great background for the invitation.
I wanted to make it simple and easy since I needed a dozen or so. I "second generation" stamped the sentiment "May all your days be merry and bright", and over stamped the "You're Invited" in a deep eggplant color. I love the subtle contrast that the two colors bring. Originally, that was going to be the entire card...but I decided to punch and stamp the mini tag (Stampin' Up!). Then, I needed twine...to match....So, out came the markers and white twine to customize the color. It was a long process making the twine for 12 cards, but I am pleased with the final product!

Squirrely Challenge

It has been a while since I participated in my friend, Nancy's, "Squirrely Challenge". This was a simple charge - use Washi tape. If you have read my blog for some time, you know this was right up my alley! It seems as if Washi tape is everywhere - but is it actually Washi Tape?
Washi is a type of paper from Japan, often used in Origami. The tape is made similarly - often from pulpy paper sources. It has a distinctive weight and finish (both the paper and the tape). There are a lot of decorative tapes out now - some are true Washi, while others are tissue or craft tape. The Tim Holtz/Ranger products are tissue tapes. They are made differently, have a different texture and adhesive. The behave differently, particularly with wet media.
All that being said, I used a variety of tapes on this card for the challenge:

The trees and striped tapes are "craft/tissue" tapes and the blue text is actual Washi tape. The "Keep Calm and Merry On" is from a clear set of Darcy's Christmas stamps. Had a bit of a problem as the stamp is not very deeply etched. It will definitely require "surgery"! The embossing folder used on the card is by Stampin' Up. I made my own red and white twine with string and a Sharpie!

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends...

Cheer

I was playing with the Holiday Card Kit from SimonSaysStamp. Included with the papers, card stocks and other goodies, is an adorable little wafer die of a gift. Had to try it out! So, I ran it through my Big Shot using print, solid and white papers. Love the way packages turned out - so quick and simple!

Grateful

A little bit of masking, stamping and sponging for a festive fall card. I am grateful to all the support many of my friends have given!

A Bit of the Holidays

I was playing around with some new Holiday stamps (like I really needed some!) and wanted to fiddle with some background ideas. Holiday Card Workshop online class had a day of embossing techniques. So, I thought this would be a fun "old meets new(er)" idea. The background card is glossy white which I brayed Kaleidacolor's "Fruitcake" rainbow pad. I turned the cover over and placed it on Martha Stewart's Score Board and added some raised lines. I then sanded off the color. It's difficult to see in the photo, but it creates an interesting contrast to the strong ink colors.   The stamps are by Stampin' Up.

Faux Fresco

I signed up for an online card class, Holiday Card Workshop, to get back into the spirit of creating. Plus, I really need some Christmas card ideas for this year's cards. One of the techniques demonstrated was a "Faux Fresco" using an embossing folder,markers and paint or Distress Stains. I cut my embossed card stock in half to create 2 cards using this technique - one with white paint and one with white Distress Stain.

The folder is by Cuttlebug, actually both folders used are from them. After running a piece of card stock through my Big Shot, I very sloppily colored with light markers (an eggshell/light tan and a light blue/aqua). Once dry, I dapped a Ranger  white paint Dabber (top card) and Picket Fence Distress Stain (bottom card). When the panel was dry, I sponged along the edges with Old Paper Distress Ink. I used glossy card stock, since I already had it on my desk. I think I might try again Bristol for a different look.

A Bit of Washi

I had made the base of this card a while back. I love Washi tape and tend to use it a lot, particularly in art journals. When I received this floral tape from my friend Sherry, I knew it would make a fun background. So, I just cut a panel and taped away!

It was quick and easy - and I really love the shades of blue in the tape. Since tapes are the hottest product out there, you will have a variety from which to choose for backgrounds and accents! I added colored card stock (Club Scrap) and some Stampin' Up stamps and punch. I used Distress markers to color the inside of the flowers. It is difficult to see, but I used a vine embossing folder on the brown strip. Quick and easy, especially if you have pre-made bases!

So-So

I was inspired to use my Inktense watercolor stick by a card made by my Squirelly (Art) friend, Nancy. I scribbled, painted with a water brush, die cut, and stamped. Not sure I like the results. I was not going to post, but I think it is good to show your art in different incarnations. Sometimes, things work out well and other times, not so well. We all have these experiences, even some of the captains in the industry. I remember watching a demonstration by Kevin Nakagawa (Stampscapes) - he ended up with a funky thumb print in the middle of the card. Others have tried a new color combination in a demo, and ended up being less than happy with the result. So...here is my "less than thrilling" card:

It could be better...and it could be worse! What has been your experiences?

Using My Stash

As much as love this paper collection, I am determined not to hoard. So, I made this cute little card using a scrap and a sticker. Add a stamped greeting - 10 minutes of less!

A Bit of Inspiration...

I was in need of a baby card - but was a bit stumped. I am having issues with my mom (in rehab, refusing physical therapy and a cousin who is a nightmare....think Jerry Springer) so I have not been feeling terrible creative. While out looking for some wrapping paper, I found this tissue paper in the same colors as the outfit I bought.

I love the color combination of pink and grey! So, I pulled out an embossing folder,ink pads,  some stamps and punches:

I was very pleased with the clean and simple look of the card. From what items have  you drawn inspiration lately?

Squirrely Challenge Part 2

I had another idea for the Squirrely Challenge. I originally thought I would use darker, more masculine colors, but just went with the flow:

The pearl was white, but I colored it with a Copic marker. The background was colored with Distress Inks. The stamp is from Club Scrap.