Celebrate! card

It is so great to be creating again. Just a quick note to let you know that my Etsy Shop, Frolicasions has re-opened. Check it out!!

Today’s card was inspired by Color Throwdown #151. With a rainbow:

I just got a handful of new Copics so I had to give them a trial run. I chose this darling little heart stamp for the main image and went for it.

I think it was rather fun…now, who has a birthday coming up???

Important Stuff
Colorants Sketch B16 Cyanine Blue, B32 Pthalo Blue, BG01 Aqua Blue, BG15 Aqua, BV04 Blue Berry, E41 Pearl White, R22 Light Prawn, RV09 Fuchsia, RV23 Pure Pink, Y08 Acid Yellow, YG05 Salad (Copics); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko)
Stamps Celebrate (Stampin’Up!), Tart of Hearts (Lockhart Stamp Company)
Tools Die Templates S4-161 Labels One, S4-170 Pinking Circles LG (Spellbinders); Crop-a-Dile Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers)

Other Stuff  Blue card, dark blue and orange cardstocks, PVA Glue, Glue Dots, dot ribbon

Thoughts and Prayers

I haven’t been over to Card Positioning System in a while but this sketch is so fabulous (#209)

This card came to be fairly quickly. Although the central image changed a few times, I think the final design works well.

Two techniques that I think are worth a second look: Stenciled butterfly and box pleated ribbon.

1) After cutting the butterfly, I laid a stencil on top of it and sprayed it with Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels. A light mist is best and after drying more layers can be added. Simple but maybe something you hadn’t thought of before.

This technique, placed over patterned paper makes it somewhat subdued but it provides a lovely addition to the vellum

2) Box pleating is an elegant but different way to bring texture to a ribbon. Folding it is like creating two Z’s that face back-to-back. I toyed with different ways to glue the pleats together but finally decided on stapling. It worked and I tucked the stapled edge under the edge of the mat.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you are inspired to try a new technique.

Important Stuff
Papers Paisley patterned paper (My Mind’s Eye), Clear Vellum (WorldWin)
Stamp/Ink Thoughts and Prayers stamp (Stampendous), Black Archival Ink (Ranger)
Embellishments Turquoise Blue Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Stencil (Heritage Handcrafts), Heidi Grace Orange dot ribbon (EK Success), Black Gingham ribbon (Bazzill Basics)
Adhesives Glue Dots (Glue Dots), 3D Adhesive squares (Scrapbook Adhesive by 3L)

Other Stuff Red line tape, PVA glue, stapler and staples

dream BIG card

I’m trying a new challenge today: Colour Q. Each week the team provides a photo and color scheme that inspires their designers to  create their own interpretations. They are working on week #75:

I love these vibrant, intense colors. What fun they bring.

I really had a fab time creating this. After choosing some papers, I decided the cake die cut would be a fun place to start.

The Cricut did the trick and then a few acrylic paints made the rest of the work a great adventure: cherries on top, blue icing, polka dots…fun, fun, fun! The sticker, which had a slick surface (not so good for stamping), was treated to some scratching with a craft knife and then to a stamped sentiment. Next, the BIG was covered with Glossy Accents and allowed to dry. A border of yellow, cut and embossed, topped the polka dot patterned paper. A few layers and a little Distress ink completed the look!

Now all I have to do is send it to a fabulous friend who is having a birthday this week.

Cheers, Thanks for stopping by today. Come again soon!

Important Stuff
Papers Neenah Solar White Classic Linen paper (Cutcardstock.com), Chloe’s Closet orange dot and flower sticker (Making Memories), Blue polka dot (My Mind’s Eye)
Stamps and Die Cuts Studio g Dream Big stamp (Hampton Art), Cricut Spring in Paris Cartridge (Provo Craft)
Colorants Stampology Turquoise ink (Autumn Leaves), Lumiere Crimson and Burnt Orange metallic paints (Jacquard), Adirondack Acrylics Stream, Orange Marmalade Distress Ink (Ranger)
Adhesives 3D Squares (Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L), Glossy Accents (Ranger) PVA Glue (Lineco),

Other Stuff Star sequin, blue cardstock, yellow patterned paper

Quilt-ish card

I am trying a new challenge blog today for inspiration: The Play Date Cafe. I have visited a few times and finally had the time to plunge into this challenge:

This was a little harder than I thought: use black and white and a splash of color.

I chose a grayish-green and created this card.

I feel like the “splash” got a little out of control but that’s why it is called a challenge.

It was simple to put together. I layered colored cardstock and white cardstock onto a card base. Then I arranged patterned paper squares and stamped images onto the white rectangle. I used a pen to create the stitch lines on the squares.

Here you can see where I actually stamped right onto the white rectangle.

Important Stuff
Papers Patterned (My Mind’s Eye), Cardstock (Prism)
Stamps and Ink Stitched with Love stamps (JustRite Stampers), Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko)
Extras Sketch Marker BG93  Green Gray (Copic)

Other Stuff PVA Glue, gray pen

Reading is Sweet

More inspiration from the Shabby Tea Room (#48)…It’s the most adorable photo inspiration and an a “use hearts” rule. Check this out:

I created a bookmark for my darling daughter who loves to read. I think it is a great Valentine’s Day gift to go along with a piece of chocolate…or maybe a pile of chocolate!

Check out the closer version that shows off the “sugar-topped” chocolates.

Then, just one more look…at the top of the book mark.

Whether your day is full of romantic notions or just a good book to read…have a Happy Valentine’s Day. Come back and visit soon!

Important Stuff
Papers Brown textured (Prism), Pink Basis 80# (CutCardStock.com), Ruched White paper (WorldWin), La Paperier green patterned paper (My Mind’s Eye)
Tools Cindy Loo Cricut Cartridge, Cricut (Provo Craft),
Embellishments Letter stickers, Flower grommet (Making Memories); AtYou Spica Chocolate glitter pen (Copic)

Other Stuff PVA Glue, clear glitter, corner rounder punch, gems

 

Miss You!

subtitled {Spring, where are you?}

Color Throwdown this week features a lovely set of colors that are just begging for fun…

While I was choosing my papers, my daughter said, “Mom, what is Saffron?”

“It is a rare, expensive spice that has this great color.” I pointed to the yellow patterned paper that I used…She looked and saw the resemblance to the screen…I chuckled about it…

Here is my card:

Then check out a quick close-up…

Important Stuff
Papers Brown Ruched (WorldWin), Yellow patterned (K&Co.), Blue patterned (My Mind’s Eye)
Tools Cindy Loo Cricut Cartridge, Circut (Provo Craft)
Embellishments Letter stickers (Making Memories), Sketch Marker (Copic Marker)

Other Stuff PVA Glue, Gems

bon jour, Paris

Two summers ago, our little family was privileged to spend it in Europe, most of it in Paris. When I was looking around for Cricut cartridges last week, I found “Summer in Paris.” Well, I had to have it. It arrived yesterday and today’s card is dedicated to those incredible memories…

Important Stuff
Papers La Paperie patterned papers (My Mind’s Eye)
Tools Cricut, Summer in Paris Cartridge (Provo Craft), Airbrush System (Copic)
Inks/Colorants AtYou Spica Chocolate glitter pen, BV01, BV08 Sketch Markers (Copic), Top Boss Watermark Ink (Clearsnap), Make It Iridescent! spray (Krylon)
Accessories Lacy Lilac Glitter (Sparkle N Sprinkle), Emboss Simple Stick (A Muse Art stamps)

Other Stuff PVA Glue, gems, brown ribbon, scroll stamp

LOVE chipboard album

Today I want to share a project, LOVE chipboard album, that was inspired by the Shabby Tea Room (one of my new favorite haunts for challenges). The theme, “White and Bright” was enhanced by this photo inspiration:

I love the idea of white or cream in layers but I find it a challenge. I created the cover of this little album over 2 days, switching elements around until I came up with this design.

Here are a few tips on how to create some of the techniques in it.

• Use recycled snack boxes or cereal boxes as the base of each page and use PVA Glue to adhere metallic papers to either side.
  
• To distress the edges, go over them with the crease of a pair of scissors or use a single blade directly on the edge.
  
• To bring out the distressed look, ink the edges of the pages. {Not sure how this fits the White and Bright theme but I just couldn’t leave them “naked.”}
  
  
• Next, check out the design of the inner pages. By the way, the album is 4½x6″ so you can get four pages out of a 12×12″ piece of cardstock.
  
  

Important Stuff
Papers Opal Stardream Metallics, Natural White cardstocks (CutCardstock.com); Patterned papers (My Mind’s Eye)
Tools Wizard, S7-017 On the Vine Border Grand, S4-214 Eyelet Borderabilities Petite, S4-210 Lattice Pendant; S4-167 Flowers-retired (Spellbinders Paper Arts); Cricut, Jubilee Cartridge, Embossing Sleeve (Provo Craft); Crop-a-Dial punch (We R Memory Keepers)
Embellishments atyou Spica Gold glitter pen (Copic); 1/8″ Metallic thread (Kreinik); Perfect Medium, Tea Dye Distress Ink, Inking Tool (Ranger); Cosmic Opaque Opaline Embossing Powder (Sparkle and Sprinkle)

Other Stuff “O” Rings,

Colors with a Purpose

Color Throwdown is a challenge blog that I have recently begun enjoying. Each week, someone from the team offers a color combo for paper crafters to use. Great fun!

This week, the team asked designers to send their creation to a fellow crafter who has been diagnosed with Cancer.  Thanks, CTd for a great focus for this week’s creations and reminding us that we are all in this together.

Here is the color combo for the week.

My card came together quickly this time:

Important Stuff
Paper Brown (My Mind’s Eye)
Tools Cricut George & Basic Shapes (Provo Craft)
Stamp/Colorants Thinking of You stamp (Stampendous), AtYou Spica Baby Blue glitter pen (Copic)
Embellishments Jesse James Mini Buttons (Dress It Up), Ribbon (American Crafts)
Adhesives Glossy Accents (Ranger), Glue Dots (Glue Dots, Intl.)

Other Stuff PVA Glue, open brads, pink patterned paper, white cardstock

Bloom with Happiness (MojoMonday)

Nothing like a little Mojo Monday sketch challenge to get the creative juices flowing after a long holiday break. Here is the sketch:

I wanted to use something light and lovely…a yard and a half away from traditional green and red. Thanks for checking it out.

Important Stuff
Papers Basis White 80# cardstock (CutCardstock.com), Yellow background paper (Crafty Secrets), Yellow Dots (My Mind’s Eye)
Stamps Blooming with Happiness stamps(Stampin’Up!)
Colorants Brilliance Coffee Bean Pigment Ink (Tsukineko), AtYou Spica Baby Blue, Sky Blue, Peach, Clear glitter pens (Copic)
Adhesives 3D Squares (SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVE by 3L), Pop Up Dots (Glue Dots)

Other Stuff PVA glue, circle punch, blue organza ribbon

and a closer look…

Check out the little bit of sparkle in the outlines on the side, the organza ribbon and the stamped cake colored with glitter pens.