Stamping on Washi

Today I was determined to use Washi Tape on a card. I have a growing collection of tape and was just itching to use some of it. I began by dry embossing a piece of white cardstock with a striped diagonal pattern. I layered Washi tape diagonally, along the embossed stripes and stamped flowers onto the tape.  I used orange cardstock for a mat and adhered it to a brown cardbase.  I cut a narrow strip of the brown cardstock, attached three brads and adhered it to the bottom of the card.  I'm not sure you can tell from the photo, but the texture that resulted from the dry embossing and layers of Washi is a great combination.

Supplies:  Cardbase: Core'dinations, Washi: Darice, Embossing Folder: Darice, Stamp: Stampin' Up, Adhesive: Scotch ATG, Ink: Memento

Accordion Snowmen

There's a "Shape Up for the Holidays" challenge over at Jingle Belles. It's a fun challenge which gets us thinking about making Christmas cards that are not square or rectangular. I decided to cut my card into the shapely form of snowmen. I had fun creating them, probably too much fun!  I just couldn't stop adding detail. I started by folding a piece of white cardstock (accordion style) then cut the cardstock into the shape of a snowman. I used up bits and pieces of patterned papers and cardstocks to create little vests, small bow ties and hats. To ground the snowman, I added a torn white cardstock snowbank, adding a bit of highlight to it with chalk. Next I cut letters for the sentiment and tucked them into the snowbank. Finally, I made two brooms and stuck one on each side. They really helped to "pull" the card together.

Supplies:
Cardbase: Recollections, Scrap pieces of cardstock,  chalk,  EK Success punches, Studio G Glitter Glue, Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive, Scotch ATG

Shaped Christmas Card

Are you ready for a fun challenge?  If so, look no further than Jingle Belles. The current challenge is to create a card that is Not square or rectangular...but a shaped Christmas card! I haven't participated in a challenge for a few weeks (still experiencing computer frustrations), but once I saw the inspirational cards from Lauren and Steph, I just had to play along. My take was simply to use my computer to print "Merry Christmas" onto cardstock. I folded the cardstock so the top of the letter M was at the folded edge, added some holly leaves and glitter glue berries, then traced over the letters with glitter glue. Once the letters were dry, I trimmed around the letters and holly leaving the folded edge in tact over the M. This was a fun challenge so  I image my brain won't let  me rest until I attempt at least one more shaped card. So, if my computer cooperates, I'll probably be back with another card.

Supplies:
Cardbase: Recollections, Punch: Emagination Crafts Inc., Studio G Glitter Glue, Colored Pencils: Crayola, MS Word

Black & White

Yesterday was such a perfect day here. Our weather was incredible so my husband, son and I took advantage of it and went on a family hike. The hiking trails were very busy so I guess lots of people had the same idea. The best part of our hike was when we reached an area called "Hidden Falls". My son and I had hiked this same trail earlier this summer, but we didn't catch a glimpse of the falls because of a lack of rainfall. We could hear the falls, but couldn't see it...thus the name "Hidden Falls". Fortunately yesterday's hike was so very different. Recently we've had a lot of rain (a rarity here in the high desert), so the stream was over flowing its banks and the water was rushing by rapidly as we hiked along it's edge. When we reached the falls, the water was cascading down and was a stunning sight! We felt very fortunate for the perfect weather and the spectacular view!

So...about the card:  It's one of those cards that came together very quickly! I simply cut strips of decorative tape and layered it over the center of the card. Next I punched flowers from white cardstock, added button centers and some detail on the petals and that's it. I love the contrast of the black and white and the simplicity of this card.

Thanks for stopping by! 

I hope you've had a fantastic weekend!

Supplies:
Cardbase: Recollections, Decorative Tape: Darice, Punch: Ek Success, Adhesive: Scotch Quick Dry

One More Christmas Card!

One more Christmas card for my growing pile of holiday cards! Thanks to the wonderful sketch at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown this card came together quickly. Right away, I decided to rotate the sketch.  I started by cutting an oval in the patterned paper, then punched the boughs for the tree. I layered the boughs over a trunk cut from brown cardstock that I inked. I added pearls and a star then finished the card with the decorative border strip, which also included a stitched strip in the center.



Supplies: Recollections Cardbase, Fancy Pants Saint Nick Patterned Paper, Lifestyle Crafts Border Die, Janome Sewing machine, Martha Stewart Bough Punch, Queen & Co. Pearls, Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive, Scotch ATG

Crescent Moon

This is one of those cards that was inspired by a sketch. I saw the current sketch challenge at CAS(E) this Sketch and the image of a crescent moon popped right into my head. Of course, I rotated the sketch in order to put the card together. I started by hand cutting the crescent moon image. Mr. Moon needed something to wear, so I added the hand cut "Santa" hat. I added detail to the moon surface with chalk and drew in an eye with a marker. I punched stars into dark blue cardstock, added white gel pen dots to represent more stars and adhered the moon to this. I "dangled" a piece of silver thread from the hat and attached letters to spell "Merry Christmas".  Since I had a heck of a time trying to photograph the metallic "Merry Christmas" sentiment I'm sharing a close-up photo so you can see it more clearly. 

Supplies: Cardbase: Recollections, Cardstock: Fox River Co, Metallic Thread, Stickopotamus Alphabet Stickers, Star Punch, Sakura Gel Pen, EK Success Marker, Chalk, Polyfil, Scotch ATG Adhesive.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Butterflies with September Sketch

I've used the September sketch from the The Sketch File to create this butterfly card. The sketch really lends itself to using lots of texture so that's what I went for this time. This was a perfect way to use up the smaller bits of ribbon that I have been holding on to.

Kathy has posted other inspirational projects over at the The Sketch File. I hope you'll stop by for a peek and then link up a project with us.

Folded Dahlia Flowers

I've seen these folded flowers on a number of blogs and decided it was time for me to give them a try. There is a great tutorial at The Joy of Scrapbooking.  They are really quite simple and fun to create.  You simply start with a circle punch and fold away. I experimented with different sized circles and definitely prefer the more delicate looking smaller blue flower rather than the large purple one.

Supplies:
Cardbase: Recollections, Embossing Folder: Darice, Patterned paper: ? from my scrap stash, Decorative Tape: Darice, Pearls: Queen & Co, Ink: Memento, Adhesive: Scotch Quick Dry and Scotch ATG, Ribbon: Offray, Leaf Punch: Marvy Uchida

Blogger Issues?

This is a quick post to ask if anyone else using Blogger is having issues accessing it, posting, making comments etc. The only way I can read comments, post etc. is to use the incognito screen. I'm hoping someone out there in blogland will read this and suggest an easy solution. I've already tried to contact Blogger about the issue...no help there.

I would appreciate any suggestions!
Thanks!
Brenda

A New Sketch

September already? WOW time is really flying by! A new month means a new sketch over at the The Sketch File. Kathy has created a fantastic sketch to inspire us all. When I first saw it, I had lots of ideas buzzing around in my head and finally settled on this group of tree houses.  I colored them with markers and adhered them to black cardstock. I tore the top edge of the cardstock to recreate that fabulous wavy look that Kathy created in her sketch. To create the horizontal detail,  I used decorative scissors and cut white cardstock into strips. I also layered washi tape onto white cardstock strips.  It was a fun sketch to work with and I hope you are inspired as well. Please link up your creation with us over at The Sketch File.


Supplies: Cardbase: Recollections, Digital Stamps: The Wax Fruit Company, Washi: Darice, Cardstock: Recollections, Markers: Bic Mark It, Colored Pencils: Crayola, Adhesive: Scotch ATG

Sketch Challenge at Jingle Belles

If you follow my blog, you may realize that I LOVE creating Christmas cards. I also love to participate in the challenges over at Jingle Belles. This week there is a sketch challenge. The sketch was created by Allison Fillo from Stampin When I Can (another blog that I follow). I love the simplicity of Allison's sketch and her color scheme so I didn't veer too far from it. I added a bit of embossing along with a MME patterned paper and embellished it with a a small wreath.

You might have noticed that my posts are less frequent lately. I'm still crafting but I've had issues with my vision and my computer. I recently acquired new lenses for my glasses and am working through the process of adjustment. Viewing the computer screen with them is somewhat of a challenge. Also, my issues with my computer have limited my ability to post to my blog, to link up with challenges and comment on other blogs. I am continually redirected to other websites.  I've tried a number of solutions but can't seem to resolve all of the issues. For awhile, I couldn't access my blog but finally found a way in.  The security software program that I use was unable to assist me in moving forward. I think I am running out of options.  So, if I disappear for a bit, it's probably because of the computer issues.

Supplies:  Cardbase: Recollections, Cardstock: Bazzill, MME, Embossing Folder: Darice, Punch: Martha Stewart, Ribbon: Offray, Marker: ZIG EK Success, Adhesive: Scotch Quick Dry & Scotch ATG

With Sympathy

I have been busy crafting a mini baby scrapbook album, so I haven't posted very many cards lately. Today I decided to take a break from the album and put together a card. This card came together very quickly. I started with a piece of inked water colored paper. It was left over from a previous project. So, I tore it at a diagonal and then layered the torn pieces, overlapping them. I used a bit of yarn and wrapped it around one edge before adhering the whole piece to black cardstock. I centered it over a cardbase and finished by stamping the sentiment.

Happy Birthday Splotches

We're wrapping up the month of August over at The Sketch File with a few more designs based on Kathy's August sketch. You still have plenty of time to play along with the challenge. We'd love to see your creations. For more inspiration visit us HERE and to link up your creation go HERE. See you at The Sketch File!

Supplies:
Cardbase: Recollections, Cardstock: Recollections, Stamp: Stampin' Up, Embossing Folder: Darice, Ink: Studio G, Adhesive: Scotch ATG, Bling: Queen & Co

Baseball Birthday Card

This card is all about baseball. I started with the fabulous August sketch that Kathy created over at The Sketch File. Instead of splotches, I used handmade baseball images and layered them onto my interpretation of a baseball diamond. I absolutely love making handmade embellishments. I love the challenge it offers.  BUT now I realize that in my haste to create, I totally ignored the bottom portion of the sketch...ooops! It would have been an ideal place to print the sentiment but then what would I have used for an image in the bottom right hand corner. Oh well...

I hope you are inspired by the sketch and will join in on the fun. Please share your project HERE.

Bright Red Poppies

I created this card with a the help of the August sketch from Artful Delight. I've been a long time follower, but haven't played along with a challenge for a long time.

I decided to use bright red poppies as the focal point. I stamped them on a white card base so they would really pop once they were colored with bright red.

This card came together with the help of a Penny Black poppy stamp, Memento Ink,  BIC Mark Its, the Brocade die from Lifestyle Crafts, DMC Embroidery thread and Bazzill cardstock.

Cluster of Evergreens

This CAS card evolved from the pile of scrap pieces of papers piled on my desk. I had used a tree patterned paper for a previous card and had a bit of the paper left over. Instead of filing it away my scrap stash, I decided to put it to use. I cut several trees from the patterned paper, adhered them to white cardstock and fussy cut around them. I decorated the two tallest trees with wire, by wrapping it around each tree. I also had a piece of white cardstock on my desk that I had considered using on a previous card. I had lightly inked the edges but it obviously didn't work for my previous card. Since I had inked it with green and that was the color of my trees, I decided to use it for this card. I randomly cut it into three sections, adhered my trees in a cluster  on the center panel and attached it to a green cardbase.  I love it when I am able to create a second or third card from the "scraps" on my desktop. There's that much less to clean up!

While I was creating my card, I had several inspiring challenges in mind. I'm linking this card up at Twisted Tuesday Challenges. The challenge is to create a CAS Christmas themed project.  There is also an "Evergreen Tree" challenge at Christmas Card Challenges and the "Anything Goes...as long as it's Christmas" challenge over at Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenges . Just for the fun of it, I'll also link up with Old Back Porch where anyone is welcome to share a current crafty project.

Thank you so much for stopping by and taking a peek at my card!

Enjoy your day!

Home for the Holidays

I created this card early yesterday, but had major computer issues and couldn't post. I finally resolved some of the computer issues this morning. YEAH! I wish I knew a computer genius! My computer would certainly keep her busy!

This card is for the "Home for the Holidays" challenge at Jingle Belles. I grew up in a state where there was always plenty of snow around Christmas time. I decided to "go home" with this card and create a snowy scene. I began by inking the sky and then I stamped the trees. I printed a log cabin image, colored it in with colored pencils and fussy cut around it. I even painted a tiny wreath and ribbon on the door. I adhered the log cabin in front of the trees and then had a blast adding snow. (I used to do landscape painting ages and ages ago. It was fun to pull out the acrylics and play around a bit.)  Over the top of the snow scene, I added a die cut frame. The frame needed a punch of color so I also added the red and white twine. I must have had one of my sister's in mind because the scene looks very similar to her first home. I loved visiting her there. It was always so peaceful and SNOWY, but warm and cozy by her fireplace!

Supplies: Cardbase: Recollections, Die Cut: Fiskars, Patterned Paper: Colorbok, Acrylic Paints: Master's Touch, Adhesive: Scotch ATG

Making Discoveries....Evergreen Tree Brads

I am feeling pretty fortunate tonight. As I was leafing through a pile of Christmas patterned paper, I came across this paper with evergreen trees. Earlier today I had created a card for the "Evergreen Trees" challenge over at Christmas Card Challenges. I knew that this patterned paper would make an excellent background for another card. As I was poking around looking for embellishments to use with the patterned paper, I discovered some evergreen tree brads. How lucky can I be! Don't you just love it when you find the perfect supplies right at your fingertips! The card came together very quickly once I'd located all the goodies. I began by adhering the patterned paper to a white mat, then layered it on top of a green cardbase. I threaded a piece of green cardstock through the tree brads and attached them to an inked background. I layered this onto a piece of white cardstock with faux stitching. I love how quickly it came together and I am thrilled that I discovered the paper and embellishments. Now I'm heading back into my studio to see what other forgotten goodies await me.

I'm also linking this card up for the "Anything Goes" as long as it's Christmas challenge over at Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge.
 
Supplies: Cardbase: Bazzill, Cardstock: Recollections, Patterned Paper: Oriental Trading, Brads: Oriental Trading, Ink: Memento, Adhesive: Scotch ATG

Evergreens: Peace on Earth

I recently purchased a lovely evergreen tree stamp. So it is very fortunate that the current challenge at Christmas Card Challenges is EVERGREENS!  I couldn't wait to try out the stamp. I started by inking the sky background using a cardstock circle to mask where I wanted the moon to appear. Next I inked up that lovely tree stamp and repeatedly stamped across the base of the inked skyline. I tore white cardstock and layered it below the trees to represent the snow.  On the last strip of  snow, I printed Peace on Earth. To finish the card, I used a gel pen and very carefully added "snow" to the pine trees. I really like the peaceful feeling of this snow scene. It reminds me of the winters of my childhood.

I will also link this card up at Crafy Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge. It's anything goes as long as it's Christmas for the whole month of August.

Supplies: Cardbase: Recollections, Cardstock: Recollections, Ink: Studio G, Memento, Stamp: Inkadinkado, Adhesive: Scotch ATG, Sakura Gel Pen

Back to School

This card came together after I saw the current FUSION CARD CHALLENGE. The FUSION challenges leave plenty of room for creative interpretation. The challenge is to use just the sketch, just the photo or both to create a card.  When I first saw the challenge, I knew immediately that I wanted to create a back to school card with a stack of books, chalkboard and pencils. I used BOTH the sketch and photo for inspiration. I was inspired by the fabulous chalkboard image and the stack of books in the photo. The sketch provided the perfect layout for the books and pencils.  With the exception of the "ruler", which is decorative tape, all the embellishments are handmade. I had a blast creating the small books, pencils and apple. My chalkboard is a piece of DCWV cardstock with white colored pencil lettering.


Supplies:   Cardbase: Recollections, Cardstock: Kraft: Recollections, Black: DCWV, Green Cardstock: Bazzill, Blue Cardstock: Fox River Paper Co, Yellow & Red Cardstock: DCWV, Crayola Colored Pencils, Sakura White Gel Pen, Scotch ATG & Scotch Quick Dry Adhesives, Darice Decorative Tape