CAS Sheltering Tree and Surgery Update

Hello, Friends!

This may be the most Clean and Simple card I have ever made...ever.  My Dad needed a sympathy card for a man in his Sunday School class who's brother passed away.  He just wanted a simple card that I had stamped.  This is the card I created.

All it took was one piece of card stock, one stamp set, a brown ink pad, three green ink pads and a sponge.  Compared to a lot of cards, this isn't much!  The stamp set is a photopolymer set made by Stampin' Up called "Sheltering Tree."  On a 110 lb piece of white card stock, which is thick enough for a single layer card to not feel flimsy, I stamped the tree trunk.  Then, I stamped the leaves in a dark green, Always Artichoke Classic Ink by Stampin' Up.  (I was a Stampin' Up demonstrator for a long time, so that's who made most of my colored inks!)  Without re-inking the stamp, I moved it over slightly and stamped it again.  Because I could see through the stamp, this was easy to do.  I cleaned the stamp, inked it in a different green, Garden Green, and stamped it in a slightly different position from the first two times.  Without re-inking in that green, I moved it a fourth time and stamped it again.  This gave me four different green colors of leaves with only two ink pads.  Even though I have stamped the leaves four times, there were still white spots you could see through the leaves.  I grabbed a sponge and a third color of green, Old Olive and just sponged this ink around the leaves.  This filled in the white space and made the tree look full.  (Tip- cut your yellow stamping sponges available online or at craft stores into wedges.  You don't need a whole sponge for each color, just a small wedge will work.  This saves money for more stamps!)  Using that same green, Old Olive, I stamped the grass hill type stamp on the right side.  I cleaned that stamp, and stamped the hill with the second green color I had used, Garden Green.  Without re-inking it, I stamped the grass one more time and got the lightest green color of grass on the bottom.  I stamped my sentiment in the same color as the tree trunk, Early Espresso, and my card was finished.  It was clean, simple, and I really liked it.  My Dad was happy with it, as well.  He wrote a note inside and he was able to get it right in the mail. 

Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the thinking that my card has to be "perfect" with lots of layers and details and colors and embellishments that I don't ever get a card made for the person I wanted to send one to.  I'm sure the people who didn't get a card would have preferred to hear from me as opposed to not getting the "perfect" card.  Who wants to not get a card as opposed to getting one?  This card proved that every card doesn't have to take 3 hours with lots of products to be the "perfect" card because a perfect card may be one that gets mailed to a person who needs it!

On a personal note, I have good news.  My back surgery is scheduled for this coming Wednesday, March 4th.  I should be on the road to recovery in less than a week.  Praise God for the fact that it is right around the corner!  I'll be having a lumbar fusion and material put in between the vertebrae in my spine to take the place of the disk that is completely gone and the disk right above it that is severely damaged.  This should relieve the constant pain that I am in, even on very strong pain medications. 

Right now, about the only thing I do is stamp a card and put it on my blog, with the help of my parents bringing materials over to the table for me.  Otherwise, they have to take care of Frank and I completely.  (They know stamping keeps me from losing my mind from the pain and the depression of not being able to take care of myself!)  I'll have to recover from the surgery and then rebuild my muscles from not being able to do much because of my back.  After that, I should be able to be a functioning adult again!  Woo Hoo!  I have been so blessed that they were willing to care for Frank and I, but I would like to take care of myself so they don't have to.  I've told them they should be enjoying their retirement on vacation in Florida instead of babysitting their adult daughter!  I'll have a few more cards and then off to surgery I'll go.  I hope to get more cards scheduled  on my blog to share off and on while I'm recovering so you don't forget me!  I'll let you know if that happens before Wednesday.  Until surgery...

Happy Stamping!

I used the following supplies to make this card:

Sheltering Tree Stamp Set by Stampin' Up

Always Artichoke, Garden Green, Old Olive and Early Espresso Classic Inks by Stampin' Up

Solar White 110 lb Card Stock by Neenah

Yellow Stamping Sponge



Donut Know What I'd Do

 Hello, Friends!

I donut know if you've noticed, (HA!) but donuts are all over the stamping industry right now.  Lots of companies have donut products which is great if you like donuts and I love a good donut.  There was a Dunkin' Donuts on my way to work in Arizona.  Thankfully, I used self-control almost all of the time and drove right past it.  However, when my parents came to visit, it was a tradition that the first morning they were there, whoever woke up first would go get us fresh donuts.  You had to get there early to get a good selection.  They were delicious.  I wish I had one right now!

This donut was made by the company Reverse Confetti.  It's a super cute die cut, but not nearly as tasty.  It did let me live out my dream to be a baker and "frost" my donut, though.  I used white embossing paste and put it right on my frosting die cut to give the look of real frosting.  I didn't put it on very neatly, on purpose, so it would have texture like real frosting.  I put adhesive on the back of my card stock before I die cut the little sprinkles, but I think the embossing paste would have held them in place when it was wet.  I sponged a little bit of ink around the edge of my donut since a real donut wouldn't be the exact same color all the way around the edge.  The frosting and sprinkles on top made the perfect donut for my card. 

The sentiment comes from a Reverse Confetti stamp set called "Donut You Know."  They have several cute donut sayings in it and you can stamp your sprinkles on the frosting die cut instead of cutting them out, if you'd prefer.  This would have been faster, but not as cute.  Stampin' Up made all of the card stock and matching patterned papers.  I love it that they have matching card stock for their patterned papers, as well as other goodies like ink, ribbon and buttons so you don't have to spend hours trying to find a match, especially on nights like tonight when I'm tired!

I made this card for an amazing friend.  We met in college, lost touch for awhile, but have been talking again for the last six months or so.  She has been a huge support during all of this with my back.  Unfortunately, her husband has gone through similar problems.  She has truly been a gift from God and I don't know how I would have gotten through all of this without her.  This will be the perfect card to send her.  Thanks to Reverse Confetti for making the perfect products for it!

I am entering my card in three challenges.

First, I am entering it in the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge which is Donut Delight.  Be careful if you're hungry, because there are some good looking donuts there!

My card design came from the sketch at Reverse Confetti's blog.  Each month, they have a challenge called "Reverse Confetti Sketch For You To Try."  I did try, although I didn't follow it exactly.  I've said that a lot lately.  My sentiment and donut ended up being a rectangle instead of a square and I didn't want to cover up any of my words with any of the paper.  I used Reverse Confetti's products though which were great, so I wanted to share the card I made with them. 

Finally, I am entering my card in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge to Add a Little Texture.  My donut frosting adds a lot of texture to this card. 

Now, I need to go find something healthy to eat since all I'm thinking about are donuts!

Happy Stamping!


I used the following products to make this card:

Donut You Know Stamp Set by Reverse Confetti
Memento Rich Cocoa Ink by Tsukineko
Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Strawberry Slush Daffodil Delight and Crumb Cake Card Stock by Stampin' Up
All Abloom and Season of Style Designer Series Paper Stacks by Stampin' Up
Wendy Vecchi Embossing Paste by Dreamweaver Stencils
Donut You Know Confetti Cuts by Reverse Confetti



You Have My Heart, Wiener Dog

Hello, Friends!

I made a New Year's resolution this year that I would not buy any new stamping/scrapbooking products.  I would only use what I have.  No new stamps.  No new paper.  No new anything.  Unless...it had a wiener dog on it.  If there was a new stamp or stamp set with a wiener dog on it, I gave myself permission to get it.  If there was new wiener dog paper, that would have been okay, too, but I've never actually seen any wiener dog paper.  I thought this was a pretty safe resolution, because, honestly, what are the chances that a new wiener dog set would come out?

As it turned out, actually, the odds were pretty good.  In the very first release in this year, My Favorite Things released the set, "You Have My Heart."  Guess what it has in it?  There are two stamps with wiener dogs in it, along with paw prints, hearts, and fabulous sentiments.  My card features one of the scenes.  It's actually made up of two stamps and the matching dies, the little girl with the heart and the wiener dog.  If you want to use the little girl by herself, you can.  You could use the dog by himself, too.  I say himself, because obviously this is me and Frankfurter.  I even intend to get my hair cut like this little girl when I'm out in the real world again.  Until then, I'm just letting it grow and I'm going to donate it to a charity that makes wigs for kids.  I've always wanted to do that and now's a great time to let it grow.  Now, back to my card.  It kind of looks Valentine-y which wasn't my original intention.  I just wanted to put the little girl in a pink dress.  When I added the heart paper from Doodlebug and the pink pierced heart from My Favorite Things, that made it look more like a Valentine's Day card.  The sentiment was actually one long line, which was too long for space.  It was easy to curve and stamp the photopolymer stamp so it matched the curve in my paper, which I love.  I was able to stamp the "Have My Heart" and then add the word "You" above it.  The card was cute when it was all put together, but there was a lot of empty space in the heart above the dog.  It looked like it was missing something.  Then I realized what it needed. 

Not only does the little girl love her wiener dog, but the wiener dog loves the little girl!  I added three little die cut hearts from Simon Says Stamp above the dog and then the card was perfect.  At least, I think it's perfect. 

My sketch came from My Favorite Things who made this awesome stamp set.  I'm entering it in their challenge this week.

The House of Cards is still running their February challenge with the cue word "love."  Since I love my wiener dog like this little girl loves hers, I am entering my card there as well.  My style, in this card, as in most of my cards is cute and fun.  This has an illustration type image as opposed to a realistic image.  My card features lots of bright colors to make the person who receives it happy!

Finally, I am entering my card in the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: No Rules. 

So, have I followed my New Year's Resolution and only purchased things with wiener dogs on them and absolutely nothing else?  Well, let's just say I haven't bought everything I'd like to have.  Not by a long shot!  That's really good, right? :) 

Happy Stamping!

I used the following products to make this card:

Birdie Brown's You Have My Heart Stamp Set by My Favorite Things

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink by Tsukineko

Copic Markers

Pure Luxury White Card Stock by Gina K

Solar White 110 lb Card Stock by Neenah

Bright Assortment of Texture Card Stock by Doodlebug Design Inc.

Sweet Cakes 6x6 Paper Pad by Doodlebug Design Inc.

Birdie Brown's You Have My Heart and Pierced Heart STAX Die-namics by My Favorite Things

Landscape Trio Creative Cuts by Mama Elephant

Mini Hearts Set Dies by Simon Says Stamp

Scotch Double Sided Foam Tape by 3M



Slinky Dog!!!

Hello, Friends!

I made a Slinky Dog card!  I want to give credit where credit is due.  This Slinky Dog was not my original idea.  I'm sure I saw it on Pinterest, although I couldn't find the original creator.  When I saw it, though, I loved it and knew someday I had to make my own Slink card.

In case you aren't familiar with Slinky Dog, Slink is a toy wiener dog that has a metal slinky for his body.  He has a pull string, although I didn't include it on my card, so kids or adults can pull him around the room.  His head comes first, his body made from the slinky stretches out, then pulls his feet back together.  I used to have one in my office on my wiener dog shelf and little kids loved to play with it.  Although the slinky itself was invented in 1943 and toys such as the Slinky Dog and Suzie the Slinky Worm followed, Slinky Dog became famous with younger kids today from the movie Toy Story.  That's where he earned his name "Slinky" or "Slink" for short.  Who knew?  This blog features cute cards and is educational as well!!  Just a bit more Slinky Dog trivia.  There are two Slinky Dog roller coaser rides for kids at Hong Kong Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios Park in France.  The rides are called the "Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin" and are located in the Toy Land areas in the park. 

I decided now was the perfect time to make my own Slink card because Shopping Our Stash Weekly Challenge Blog's challenge for this week is The Big Screen.  Your card is to be inspired by a movie.  My card is inspired by the Toy Story trilogy.  Slinky Dog was one of the few toys to be loyal to Woody.  Dachsies are loyal animals, even the Slinky version!

My design came from CAS(E) this Sketch!  The oval was perfect for my wiener dog.  The heart worked out perfect as well, for my "I Woof You" sentiment.

I am also entering my card in the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, Anything Goes.

When you look at the list of products I used for this card, you'll see I did not stick to one company.  Paper Smooches, Reverse Confetti, Hero Arts, Stampin' Up, Taylored Expressions and Sizzix all contributed to products that helped make this card.  Unless you work for one of those companies, don't lock yourself into just using one company's products.  There are tons of great materials out there that all work well together.  Just like Slinky Dog and Woody, let them be friends and work together!

Happy Stamping!

 

I used the following products to make this card:

Santa Paws Stamp Set by Paper Smooches

Puppy Love Stamp Set by Reverse Confetti

Canvas Background Stamp by Hero Arts

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink by Tsukineko

Garden Green and Night of Navy Classic Ink by Stampin' Up

Copic Markers

Pure Luxury White Card Stock by Gina K

Tangerine Tango, Crushed Curry, Garden Green and Night of Navy Card Stock by Stampin' Up

Flowerpot Designer Series Paper by Stampin' Up

Puppy Love Confetti Cuts by Reverse Confetti

Curly Border by Taylored Expressions

Oval Framelits by Sizzix

Scotch Double Sided Foam Tape by 3M



Flower Garden for Winter

Hello, Friends!

I don't know what the weather is like where you are, but we got nine inches of snow between Friday night and Saturday morning.  My wonderful father along with a neighbor scooped out both of their driveways along with a third and helped push a neighbor's car when he backed out of the driveway and immediately got stuck.  When you look out the window in central Illinois right now, you see white snow everywhere.  I missed the snow when I was in Arizona and thought it was beautiful when it was coming down but I also don't have to and can't scoop it right now. From what the weather says, lots of people in the United States are looking out their windows and seeing snow.  So, I thought we could all use some spring flowers to go along with our winter snow!     



When I saw the different shades of purple and deep pink from the colorQ #280 challenge, I immediately thought of a wide variety of flowers.  I knew I had two stamp sets from Stampin' Up that had several different flowers in them with a matching punch for each one that would make it easy to create the vision I had in my head.   

My card was influenced by the sketch on Freshly Made Sketches.  Like most sketches, it isn't exactly like it.  I used much thinner ribbon for the wide diagonal stripe and I didn't use a circle, but Sizzix framelits dies I had never used before. 

My sentiment makes my card eligible for the Just Add Ink challenge this week, which is to "Just add Thank You."  My sentiment stamp actually had a tag border around it that can be used with a matching punch.  The set it came in is free with a $50 purchase right now.  Who doesn't love free, awesome stamps!  I wanted to add the word "you" in gold to stand out on the front of my card though.  Instead of inking it with an ink pad, I used a matching marker to color the words.  This was much easier than trying to avoid the tag outline with a full sized ink pad.  It also gave me the freedom to add the three "..." so I could add the die cut word "you" to the front of the card and have it still make sense.  I cut the white and the gold layers out with Sizzix dies and adhered the whole new sentiment panel to my card.

Another option would have been to put the die cut word "you" on the inside of the card.  However, since I knew I was also going to be putting this card on my blog, I wanted the complete sentiment on the front of the card.

I have lots of people to be thankful for who have been very supportive and encouraging of me over the past few years, especially.  I'm going to need a lot more of these cards if I want to send one to each of them!  What a wonderful problem to have!

Happy Stamping!

I used the following products to make this card:

Flower Shop, Petite Petals and You Brighten My Day Stamp Sets by Stampin' Up

Wisteria Wonder and Blackberry Bliss Classic Ink by Stampin' Up 

Raspberry Ripple and Blackberry Bliss Stampin' Write Markers by Stampin' Up

Whisper White, Raspberry Ripple, Blackberry Bliss and Brushed Gold Card Stock

3/8" Raspberry Ripple Stitched Satin Ribbon by Stampin' Up

Pansy and Petite Petals Punches by Stampin' Up

Ornate Label #3 Framelits by Sizzix

Love and Adore You Die-namics by My Favorite Things

Happy Bird-day one more time!

Hello, Friends!

You may remember this card from a couple of weeks ago.  I put it on my blog specifically for Paper Smooches, the company that made the stamps and dies used on the card, 4th Birthday/Anniversary.  I thought I entered it in their "Anything Goes" challenge, but when I went back and looked, it wasn't there.  I contacted Paper Smooches because I wasn't sure if I had done something wrong and they had to delete it (they had not) or if there had been a glitch uploading it (it seems there was.) 

So, because they are such a wonderful company, they are letting me try again.  I am going to enter my card in the Paper Smooches Anything Goes challenge today.  They always have wonderful cards and I don't expect to win.  However, I was proud of my card and I wanted Paper Smooches to get to see it since it was for their Birthday.  "Happy Bird-day" is a sentiment that comes with the bird stamp.  I thought of using the two lambs as "2 ewe" myself, instead of the usual, "to you."  I thought it was a cute idea and other people might want to use it as well. 

Thank you, Paper Smooches, for letting me enter my card since it didn't work the first time.  I'm afraid it was probably my error, which makes it even nicer that they were willing to let me try again!

Happy Stamping!

I used the following products to make this card:

Alphadot, Birthday Buddies and Party Posse Stamp Sets by Paper Smooches
Buddies and Posse Icons Dies by Paper Smooches

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink by Tsukineko

Copic Markers

Pure Luxury White Card Stock by Gina K

Bright Assortment of Texture Card Stock by Doodlebug Design Inc.

Day to Day 6x6 Paper Pad by Doodlebug Design Inc.

Scotch Double Sided Foam Tape by 3M



Hey There, Farmer Girl

Hay there!

I mean Hello, Friends!

I have had this little stamp set from My Favorite Things for a while, just waiting for me to make a cute card with it.  I have most of my sets organized and put away except for the few that I want to make a card with next.  This poor little set has been in the "I have to make a card with that stamp set soon" pile for quite some time.  Finally, a challenge pushed it to the front and I'm so glad it did!  I think the little pig has such a cute little face and as always, I love the girl featured in the Pure Innocence series. 

Thank you to The Friday Mashup Challenge!  Because of their challenge to make a card with a farm animal, I finally made this card!  It isn't an official mashup because I don't have any bling on my card unless you count cornstalks as bling.  Some people in Illinois probably do, so I might be able to make a case that it is a mashup, but I doubt it would hold up in a court of law outside of farm country.  I tried to think of a way to add some bling, like put earrings on the little girl, but I just didn't think it would look right. 

The design for the card came from Fusion Card Challenge.  As you can tell from the picture above, you can make a card based on the photo, the sketch or both.  To fit both the little girl and the pig on the hay stack, I had to make my card more of a square shape instead of a rectangle with a much bigger circle to stamp in.  I made my card like the sketch, but it just looked a little plain.  I had bought the cornstalk die on sale very cheap and had thought it would look cute with this stamp set.  Besides, I figured I'm a girl from central Illinois right in the middle of corn country!  It was bound to come in handy sooner or later and tonight it did!  My card doesn't look as much like the sketch because of the cornstalks, but it's more important to make a card that you are happy with than just to follow a sketch.  I really like this sketch, though, and plan to remember it for the future! 

I am also entering my card in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge which is All Creatures Great and Small.  I love all animals, great and small, including this little piggy!

I also have some good news!  I go to the doctor tomorrow (Wednesday) for my pre-surgery checkup.  The only bad news is that my back may not cooperate with me stamping for a few days after that, based on going out last week.  Sooner or later, hopefully sooner, I'll be back with more cards until I finally have surgery!

Happy Stamping!

I used the following products to make this card:

Pure Innocence The Farm Girl Stamp Set by My Favorite Things

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink by Tsukineko

Copic Markers

Pure Luxury White Card Stock by Gina K

So Saffron and Old Olive Card Stock by Stampin' Up

There is no official name on the 6x6 Paper Pack I used by Studio G for the patterned paper.  Too bad because it's cute and it was only $1 at Walmart a while ago. 

Cornstalk and Stitched Circle Die-namics by My Favorite Things



Every Cloud Has A...Shaker Card

Hello, Friends!

I thought of another card in the middle of the night.  It seems I'm quite creative when everyone else is sound asleep!  I was thinking about how my back has been hurt for about two full years now but before long I will get to have surgery, I'll recover, and this will just be a small portion of my life in hindsight.  The black clouds are almost gone, the silver lining will show itself and then happy times will be here again.  White puffy clouds are in my future!  That became the foundation for this shaker card.  Everyone goes through hard, black cloud times but a silver lining and good times are just around the corner.  It's simple and to the point.  Hopefully it will remind the person I send to who is going through a hard time not to give up but focus on the future coming!

I am entering my card into Virginia's View Challenge #12 Shaker Cards.  There are over one hundred shaker cars entered now.  If you're a shaker card enthusiast, that is the place to go!

I am also entering my card into Simon Says Stamp's Monday Challenge, which is A Piece of Paradise.  When you've been staring at black clouds for a while, believe me a giant cloud with a silver lining and a white, fluffy cloud is a piece of paradise! 

Happy Stamping!

I used the following products to make this card:

Marshmallow Cloud Dies by Memory Box

Blueprints 13 Die-namics by My Favorite Things

Pure White Luxury Card Stock by Gina K

Solar White 110 lb Card Stock by Neenah

Silver Glimmer Paper by Stampin' Up

Kraft in Color 6x6 Paper Pack by Doodlebug Design Inc.

Urban Market 6x6 Designer Pad by Teresa Collins

Acetate Sheets by Unknown

Black, Silver, and White Round Cup 5mm Sequins by Tree House Studio

Scotch Double Sided Permanent Tape by 3M 

Snow Day Bunnies Love Card

  

Hello, Friends!

I have another card to share with you.  This card actually features bunnies from a Christmas stamp set from Lawn Fawn.  The great thing about them, though, is that they can hold the heart that they came with in the original stamp set or they can hold other things as well.  I have them holding a much smaller die cut heart from a whole string of hearts from Simon Says Stamp.  I added Wink of Stella, which it seems I can never capture in a picture (!) on the pink in their ears, their tails and on the heart.  It was just a way to add a little bling to an otherwise simple card.  Calling it a simple card isn't a negative- that's what I wanted when I created it!  Some cards are very complex with lots of layers and textures.  Others are more clean and simple by design.  I like learning to make more Clean and Simple cards as a challenge to myself. 

By the way- these were the bunnies I made on Friday night when I couldn't get my shaker card to work.  At the time, I couldn't figure out what to do with them either, even though I had the bunnies and knew I was going to use the string of hearts.  My card making Mojo was clearly gone at the time!  Once I went from the string of five hearts, which I had planned to use only three, down to one, I liked it much better. 



When I saw this sketch, from CAS(E) this Sketch! it helped me place my bunnies with the strips of paper on the side.  When I tried to figure out the placement on my own, it looked like a lot of my card wasn't finished yet.  This design was perfect, though, and I think the card looks finished.  Thanks CAS(E) this Sketch!  Because of their help, I can enter my card in their challenge, as well.

 

I am also entering my card into Lawn Fawn's Lawnscaping Challenge for a Clean and Simple Card.  Remember they are the ones who made the sweet little bunny stamps I used on this card.



Finally, I am entering my card in the House of Cards Love cue word challenge.  Their design team has made some great cards if you're looking for some Valentine's inspiration.

I've been fortunate that my back has let me keep stamping the past couple of days.  If I miss a day or two, remember I'll be back.  This is very likely if I get to go see my Grandma soon.  It may take time to recover from the trip.  It will be worth it and I'm sure you will all understand.

Happy Stamping!


I used the following products to make this card:

Snow Day Stamp Set by Lawn Fawn
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink by Tsukineko
Copic Markers
Whisper White, Blushing Bride and Soft Suede Card Stock by Stampin' Up
All Abloom Designer Series Paper Stack by Stampin' Up
Snow Day Dies by Lawn Fawn
String of Hearts Craft Die by Simon Says Stamp
Wink of Stella by Zig



You Have My Heart Gerbera Daisy Valentine

Hello, Friends!

Valentine's Day is just a few days away, so I made this sweet little card featuring the same flower dies that I used last night.  I absolutely love these Gerbera Daisy Die-namics from My Favorite Things.  They can be used in bright colors like yesterday's card or a little bit softer colors like today's and they look great either way.  I have even used them on an all white card for a wedding that I just haven't posted on my blog yet.  The best part about these dies is that they were free with a $60 purchase from My Favorite Things several months ago!  These flowers are very similar to an old Big Shot Sizzix die from years ago which is no longer available.  I still have that die which I always liked but it is in storage.  I was thrilled when MFT had these available and I was able to get them for free!  The only thing better than great products are great products for free!  These dies are also the thin wafer dies which take up much less room than the original Sizzix dies. 

I made this Valentine's card for my Grandma.  I thought she would want to sit it out in her room for a little while, so I didn't specifically stamp "Happy Valentine's Day" on it, but just made it a general, "You have my heart" card.  The flowers can remind her spring is coming, too, since it's so cold here right now!  I am hoping to hand deliver her card this week.  I haven't gotten to visit her since her birthday in September.  She isn't very far away, but the roads here are so bumpy that I can't stand to ride in the car.  One of the things I'm most looking forward to after recovering from back surgery will be getting to visit family, especially my 89 year old Grandma!

 

Along with using lots of their products for this card, I also used this week's sketch challenge at My Favorite Things to make my card.  Instead of using half a circle on the side, I used a heart instead.  This seemed to make more sense with my words.  I was tempted to reverse the sketch and put the heart on the left side, but I was glad I went ahead and followed the plan of the sketch.  Because I used the large flowers, there wasn't enough room for all of the words, "You have my heart."  So, I just stamped the three little hearts in place of the circles and let them fill in the rest of my sentiment. 

There are a lot of color challenges this week that are suitable for Valentine's Day cards.  I chose this one from Clean and Simple Colours and Sketches because of the softer nature of the colors.  I like these pinks better for my Grandma than a bright red and hot pink combination.

I am also entering my card in the Friday Mashup Challenge.  My card fits the challenge to create a project with a "love" theme.  It's not a mashup though, because I didn't use the color red in my card along with a "love" theme.

If you haven't made your Valentines cards yet, don't wait too much longer!  Whether it's your Sweetie or your Grandma, it's a great opportunity to remind the people in your life how much you love them!

Happy Stamping!

I used the following products to make my card:

You Have My Heart Stamp Set by My Favorite Things

Memento Rich Cocoa Ink by Tsukineko

Strawberry Slush Classic Ink by Stampin' Up

Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Strawberry Slush and Sahara Sand Card Stock by Stampin' Up

Gerbera Daisy, Pierced Hearts, Blueprints 1 and You Have My Heart Die-namics by My Favorite Things

Femme Frames Creative Cuts by Mama Elephant



Gerbera Daisy Birthday Card

Hello, Friends!

 

Ahhh.  This card is so much more "me" than the "love" shaker card I shared with you yesterday.  I actually was able to make two cards today and they both felt like they were much more in my groove.  They both just came together so easily.  It could be that I tried to force the "love" card together when my back was killing me.  I don't think I've ever tried to make four different cards and not been able to get one of them to work!  It could be that the sequins became a nightmare.  It could be that it just wasn't what I had in mind originally, so I wasn't as happy with the end result, even when the sequins did behave.  I don't know, but there is definitely a sweet spot to making cards and this card feels like my sweet spot.  Just a short while ago, this card didn't feel so comfortable because it is similar to a CAS, clean and simple card.  There is a lot of white space.  There aren't layers on top of layers of card stock and patterned paper.  (I don't think the flowers count because the way you make them is putting different layers on top of each other.  You'll read more about that in a bit.)  I like that this card is now in my "style" so I'm glad I made it a goal to stretch myself creatively this year.  It just feels good to put a card on my blog that I'm happy with and feel comfortable sharing!

 

  

 

The colors came from a ColourQ Challenge.  As soon as I saw them, I loved them!  I love the bright, cheery feel- part of my sweet spot.  :)  They are great for Valentine cards this week, but my card is actually going to be a birthday card for a very sweet lady from church.  She has gone out of her way to be supportive and encouraging to me on Facebook, sent me a card in the mail, and always checks up on me by talking to my family, since I can't go to church myself.   She's one of those people that when she tells you she prays for you every day, you know she really remembers and prays for you every day!  As wonderful as she has been to me, I knew I had to make sure I did something to show her how special she is to me.  Hopefully getting an unexpected cheery card in the mail will brighten her day like she brightens mine.

 

Freshly Made Sketches provided the sketch my card is based on.  The sketch would make a perfect Valentine if you chose to follow it right like it is.  Since I needed a birthday card, I changed the large heart to a flower and the small heart into three butterflies.  One butterfly just looked too lonely up there in the corner by herself.  Things usually look better to the eye when they are grouped in odd numbers, so that sweet butterfly got two friends and they were all set.  I punched the butterflies out of regular flat card stock and then ran them through an embossing folder to give them some texture and life of their own.  Then, I only adhered one wing down so it gave the appearance that they could fly right off the card if they desired.  Of course, they don't want to leave that pretty card, so I think I'm safe. :) 

 

Earlier I said this card is similar to CAS.  Freshly Made Sketches blog likes the white space and clean lines of a Clean and Simple card.  However, unlike a typical CAS card, they also like lots of detail and embellishments as long as it doesn't interfere with the clean look of the card.  This allowed the detail of the layers of flower petals, the embossed butterflies and the little bakers twine bow to fit into their style because neither compromised the clean lines and white space.  I think it's fun to learn all of the different styles and how different blogs interpret what is acceptable.  I'm kind of a geek that way!

 

I believe this card fits the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog theme All Things Bright and Beautiful, so I am entering it in their challenge as well. 

 

Once again, this card doesn't have any stamping, that you can see, at least.  I will stamp "Happy Birthday" on the inside, but it is primarily made of die cuts and punches.  This wasn't something I intended to do, it just worked out that way.  Tomorrow's card features these same die cut flowers, which I love, in a totally different way and there is stamping, so be sure to come back and check it out.

 

Happy Stamping!

 

 

I used the following products to make this card:

 

Gerbera Daisies Die-namics by My Favorite Things

Bitty Butterfly Punch by Stampin' Up

Whisper White, Pretty In Pink, Melon Mambo, Real Red and Pumpkin Pie Card Stock

Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper by Stampin' Up

Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder by Sizzix sold by Stampin' Up

Pink and White Bakery Twine by Hampton Art



The Shaker Card That Shook!

Hello, Friends!

 

Just to prove I told you the truth yesterday, I was able to finish this shaker card.  All it needed was for the acetate to be wiped down with a dryer sheet (like I guessed) to get rid of the static electricity and the invisible sequin leader was gone.  My shaker card now has sequins that actually shake. 

 

This is the 4th card that I started on Friday night.  The die I used to cut the hearts is called "Tic Tac Toe Hearts" and will cut all nine hearts at once in perfect distance from each other.  For someone as picky as I am, this is wonderful because I didn't have to try and line up the hearts myself.  Instead, I cut my hearts out of 3 different colors of card stock and used one of them as a stencil to show where to glue the other hearts.  They are in perfect order because all I had to do was stick them in the holes of the card stock stencil I had made.  I cut and added the word "love" and this card would have been complete pretty quickly, if it weren't for the static electricity issue!  

 

There are no stamps or ink on this card, only die cuts, card stock, sequins and adhesive.  Sounds pretty simple for such a card that put up such a fight!

 

 

I am entering my card in Virginia's View Challenge #12 Shaker Card Challenge.  There are some fabulous shaker cards on Virginia's blog already.  I encourage you to look at them.  There is one that is a rainbow that is fabulous! 

 

I am also entering it in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge All Things Bright and Beautiful.  My colors and sequins are bright and I think the card turned out to be beautiful. 

Finally, I am entering my card in The Male Room Challenge Blog for Valentine Cards for Males.  I think this would be a good guy Valentine card for a few different reasons.  Most importantly, it has moving parts.  Every man I know from age 3 to 103 would have to shake the shaker card, try and get all the sequins on one side, etc.  I also think the simple layout of the monochromatic blue hearts would be appealing to men.  (It's not all girly with flowers, lace, ribbons, and bows.)   My Dad liked it so, that's good enough for me! 

 

If I miss a day or two of blogging it's because my back has been acting up more.  It's trying to convince me that I really do want to have surgery!  (I really want it fixed, I just don't really want to have back surgery!  That's understandable, I think.)  Keep checking and I'll have a new card for you as soon as I can.

 

Happy Stamping!

 

 

I used the following products to make this card:

 

Small Love You and Tic Tac Toe Hearts Craft Dies by Simon Says Stamp

Rectangle Frames Die-Namics by My Favorite Things

Pure Luxury White Card Stock by Gina K

Soft Sky, Tempting Turquoise and Pacific Point Card Stock by Stampin' Up
Blue Mix of Round Cup 5mm Sequins by Tree House Studio

2 Way Glue Pen by Zig

Scotch Double Sided Permanent Tape by 3M