trick or treat (2S4Y 60)

It’s the beginning of September and Halloween is the end of October but all of a sudden, it’ll be here. I used the sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You (#60) to inspire this Pumpkin card. Here is the sketch:

And here is the result:

Making this pumpkin was great fun. Let me share how:

• Cut S4-227 Pumpkins with two pieces of patterned paper
• Remove one of the pieces and set aside. Then layer the following for embossing in the Wizard™: Cut mat, Impressabilities® template, Die cut with cut side up and paper in die, embossing mat, cut mat. Keeping the paper in the die will give the shape a flat edge. If you’d like embossing to go all the way to the edge, just take it out of the die.
  
• Run it through the Wizard.
• Then sand the pumpkin to enhance the embossed edges. This piece of patterned paper was a little fragile after all the “working” it. I think it just adds to the character of it. But if you prefer, use a heartier piece or maybe a colored core cardstock.
  Then just put it all together!

Important Stuff
Papers Fun in the Sun Matstack, Latte Matstack (Die Cuts with a View); Natural cardstock for card base (WorldWin)
Die Cuts S4-226 Harvest Borderabilities® Petite, S4-198 Flourish Accent, S4-227 Pumpkins, I2-1009 Flourish Impressabilities™ (Spellbinders™ Paper Arts)
Stamp/Ink Studio G trick or treat stamp (Hampton Arts), ColorBox Watermark ink (Clearsnap)
Embellishments Rust Fizz EP (Sparkle N Sprinkle), Sea Mist Glitter (PK Glitz), Orange safety pin (Creative Impressions)

Other Stuff Olive green cardstock

Shabby Chic Thank You card (2S4Y 59)

A simple but wonderful sketch challenge over at 2Sketches4You this week:

And here is my rendition of it:

In this close up you can see some of the intricate machine stitching I did. It is actually a hem stitch with every fifth stitch being created in a zigzag and “couching” the specialty fiber in order to keep it on the card.

It was fun to create and hopefully will be fun to receive.

Important Stuff
Papers ColorMates purple cardstock (WorldWin); Purple patterned paper (Provo Craft); Dark purple textured paper (Core’dinations); Green lined paper (Making Memories)
Stamps Square frame (JustRite Stampers); Stampabilities Thank You (Crafts, Etc!)
Inks/Colorants Memento Lilac dye ink (Tsukineko); Atyou Spica Mint glitter pen (Copic)
Tools/Die Cuts Wizard System, S4-161 Labels One, S4-127 Classic Scalloped Squares LG (Spellbinders Paper Arts)

Other Stuff Cream fibers, sewing machine, purple thread, white paper

Happy Card (2S4Y 59)

It’s great to be back at 2 Sketches 4 You…it’s been a while since I have had a chance to wander over there to try out a sketch challenge. Here is this week’s challenge by Kazan:

Today, I started with the chipboard tag in the middle and built the card around it. I loved the two polka dot papers and chose cardstock to set the images off. Adding a sticker to the tag and some machine stitching finished it off. It is a happy card, indeed. Thanks for stopping by to check it out.

Important Stuff
Papers Treasures Pure White, ColorMates Medium Hawaiian Blue (WorldWin); Yellow textured/Scalloped (Die Cuts with a View), Polka Dot papers (Making Memories)
Embellishments Heidi Grace Chipboard tag (Fiskars), White Sticker Word (Bo-Bunny Press)
Adhesive Zip Dry Liquid Glue (Beacon)

Other Stuff PVA Glue, blue thread, sewing machine, blue beads

How about one more look, close-up:

You Fill My Heart (2S4Y)

I just can’t help myself: loving these sketches. My faves came from the gals at 2 Sketches 4 You. This week’s sketch was great fun. Find it HERE. I also seem to be on this purple kick (although if you’ve known me for any length of time, you know that purple often creeps in to my designs)…so who am I trying to kid…here you go.

This was the first time I used my S4-204 Fleur de Lis Pendants die template. I absolutely love it. Hanging the single fleur off the bottom of the Pendant was a little inspiration for balance. I think it worked. Here is a close up of the sentiment.

and of the charm…

Important Stuff:  Wizard™, S4-204 Fleur de Lis Pendant (Spellbinders™), Loving Thoughts sentiment, 2″ Decorative Borders, 2″ round stamper (JustRite Stampers)

Other Stuff: Patterned Papers (My Mind’s Eye, Sonshine), Organza glitter ribbon, Sewing machine, Lavender thread

Sweetheart Card

Back at it today, using a sketch from 2 Sketches 4 You. I love the simplicity and elegance of Laura’s Sketch 42. Laura challenged the 2S4Y Design Team to use red, black and silver. I liked what they came up with and also just love the colors. So I borrowed the idea. Here is my version:

I know that Valentine’s Day is not far away but I really imagine this as an Anniversary Card. Hope it inspires you in some way.

Quick Instructions:

• Cut/emboss/sand red color core cardstock from S4-214 Eyelet Borderabilities Petite. Add them to the flower strip.
• Cut/emboss/stencil the heart die template from the Rose Border Small. Add black ribbon to the back.
• Stamp sentiment and die cut with S4-200 Flower Bouquet. Accent with glitter pens. Color background with W3 Copic marker and edge with W5.
• Trim gray textured paper and adhere to card base. Layer card elements on top to finish.

Here is a close up of the center image. The glitter pens seem to shine a bit more here. They are lovely in real life.

Important Things: Wizard™, S4-214 Eyelets Borderabilities® Petite, S4-164 Rose Border Small, S4-200 Flower Bouquet (Spellbinders); Treasures Natural Cardstock, Grey textured paper (WorldWin); Red color core cardstock (Core’dinations); Spica glitter pen in Lipstick and Silver, Sketch Markers W3 and W5 (Copic)

Other Stuff: Flower paper, adhesives, sandpaper, gem stickers

Happy New Year…soon

I am really enjoying these card challenges…my fave, again, 2 Sketches 4 You. For this week’s sketch, found here, I imagined what might make the embellishment coming out of the circle…I thought, “What about streamers?” and the Happy New Year card was born.

Almost every element on the card has some sort of shine to it. There’s glossy black marble paper, iridescent vanilla paper, Stickles, shimmery organza ribbon and some glitter pens over the stamped numbers. I think it turned out elegant and fun.

Important Stuff: Wizard™, S4-199 Floral Accents, S4-198 Flourish Accents, S4-014 Timeless Heritage, I2-1005 Circles Impressabilities™ (Spellbinders™ Paper Arts); Treasures Natural cardstock (WorldWin); 95 pt. Brayton Font letter stamps (JustRite Stampers); Turn Mounts (Creative Impressions); Glue Dots; Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink (Tsukineko), Pansy Purple Plaid paper (BoBunny), Spica Sky Blue Glitter pen; 3-D Adhesive Squares, EZ-Runner adhesive (SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES by 3L), Sketch Marker C10 (Copic)

Other Stuff: Iridescent pearl paper, Glossy Black Marble paper

Here is a close-ups, showing some of the shimmer.

Hey, thanks for coming by and happy creating, Eli

Snow Love Challenge Card

Well, the craft fair was a huge success. I had a blast with my buddy Kazan Clark and so many wonderful friends at St. Anne’s. Let’s hope it happens again next year.

Now that I have a little breather, I wanted to try my hand at some challenges. This week, I figured since I had such a great time with Kazan, I would go over to
2 Sketches 4 You and try out their challenge. Click the link to check out the sketch.

I love the little play on words “Snow Love” because 1) I love snow and 2) “sNOw Love” is for when people feel a little left out in the cold. So leave a warm message inside when you send this one to a friend.

Important Stuff: Wizard™, S4-222 Create a Flake One (Spellbinders™); Crush patterned paper, Head Over Heels (Fancy Pants); Black/White patterned paper (Die Cuts with a  View); Tis the Season snowflake ribbon (Jo-Ann’s), Black/White stitched ribbon (Michael’s); 95 pt. Letter Stamps, Horizontal Stamper (JustRite Stampers); Encore! Silver ink (Tsukineko), Glue Rings (Glue Arts); Heart Brad (WesTrim); Jackpot Embossing Powder (Powder Keg); 3D Foam Squares (SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVE by 3L); Diamond Glaze (Judi-Kins); Sketch Markers-C3, W3, W5 (Copic)

Other Stuff: Clear glitter, White cardstock

(A close up to finish it off…see all those little sparkles? Glitter. Snow-looking Glitter!)

If I don’t chat at you before then…have a fabulous Thanksgiving!!

Eli