Simple starry Christmas

Here's one of my latest creations for the holidays.  What do you think?

Supplies:
Paper: Hero Arts eggshell layering paper, KC ivory and black fusion patterned paper
Stamps: Hero Arts Happy Holidays stamp
Misc: Martha Stewart pearls,
foam dots, snowflake punch
Ink: Versafine Black Onyx

Christmas is almost upon us!

So it is almost Christmas and my cards should've all been created, written and mailed.  Needless to say, they are not yet done or mailed ... :( 

Here is one I created using my fabulous Cuttlebug!  I am loving the embossing folders....

Supplies:
Paper Hero Arts eggshell folded card, green apple notecard, crimson notecard,
Stamp: stamp from M's
Ink: Versafine black onyx inkpad
Misc: Stickles, foam dots

Scraplifting

One of my all time favourite blogs to read is Kristina Werner's.  She is absolutely amazing!!  I used her card as inspiration for these ones that I made.  This is called CASEing or 'scraplifting.  Thanks, Kristina, for your amazing ideas!

I used my Cuttlebug with a bunch of different embossing folders before using my Martha Stewart postage punch.  Easy peasy!

Supplies:
Paper - Papertrey Ink
Tools - Cuttlebug, swirls, pops and dots, traffic jam and victorian embossing folders, Martha Stewart postage punch
Misc - foam dots, M's pink ribbon

You're a dear!

I found the cutest stamp set with all sorts of animals and cute sentiments.  I thought the one that said 'what a dear' was pretty fun!  I stamped the deer using my Distress Ink in vintage photo, cut a circle with my detail scissors from Basic Grey's Cappella 6x6 paper pack  to adhere to a Hero Arts note card and then stamped the sentiment using white Hero Arts ink on a scrap of brown paper I had.  I popped the sentiment on some foam dots to add some dimension then a quick tie of black hemp and I'm done!

Supplies:
Paper - Hero Arts card, Basic Grey Cappella 6x6 pad
Stamps - Hampton Arts Footlongs Woodland Animals
Ink: Distress Ink Vintage Photo, Hero Arts White Ink
Misc: black hemp, foam dots

Baby, baby, here she comes!

It seems I still can't get enough of Basic Grey's paper packs.  I love the 6x6 size and all the fun patterns for a low price.  This one is the Cappella collection.  Gorgeous designs perfect for a grownup baby card!  I used my 'bundle of joy' message inside from Papertrey Ink's Mega Mixed Messages.  I took a stamp that I picked up from M's to paper piece, made a square card and mounted some Carnation layering paper with pop dots.  Voilà!

 If you would like any of these supplies, check out Two Peas for free shipping for any order over $25 .... hmm, I could do with a few things myself! :)  Oh, and by the way, things have been SO much easier since I finally bought detail scissors.  What a difference in my paper piecing!! :)

Supplies:
Paper - Basic Grey Cappella 6x6 pad ,  Hero Arts Carnation layering paper
Stamps: Papertrey Ink's Mega Mixed Messages, onesie stamp from M's
Misc: pop dots , detail scissors

Idea Book

I was inspired by Kristina Werner's post on her sketchbook and used her template to make my own.  I used some KC patterned paper from their Ivory Black Specialty line, some Olivia Alphabet stickers from Basic Grey and Glossy Accents on the letters to add some shine.  I attached it with some thread and used a paper piercer make holes.  Very easy!  I am looking forward to using it ... what a great idea she had!

 

Supplies: KC Ivory Black Specialty  patterned paper

Basic Grey Olivia Alphabet stickers 

Ranger Glossy Accents 

Tonic paper piercer 

Metallic embossing

I am doing a lot of embossing on dark paper because it looks so gorgeous and professional.  This is a stamp I got from Papertrey Ink called Out on a Limb Revised.  I am loving the embossing powders from Two Peas - I used silver and gold here but Zing has some amazing colours.  I took a Hero Arts note card (great because they are white inside) and stamped with Versamark ink.  Then I embossed and voilà - the card is done.

Supplies: Stamps: Out on Limb Revised.
Embossing Powders - Zing
Paper:  Hero Arts note card
Ink: Versamark ink 

What sentiments do you use?

When you are making cards, what are your go to sentiments or do you simply like to leave your cards blank? I recently picked up a very useful set from Hero Arts called Everyday Sayings. It has everything you would need for a wide variety of cards.  Love the cool fonts and the variety of choices available ...

Hello to Basic Grey!

I have fallen in love with Basic Grey's paper pads. The 6x6 pads are very reasonable at Two Peas in a Bucket and have lots of selection.  I used a page here from the Ambrosia pad as my background and my with some distress inks.

Supplies:
Stamps: Martha Stewart clear alphabet stamps, M's French writing
Paper: Staples cream, Basic Grey Ambrosia paper pack (6x6)
Misc: Distress Inks vintage photo, antique linen, dried marigold, pop dots

Merci card

Whenever I go to San Francisco, I always check out one of my favourite stores for new papers, stamps and inspiration.  This flower stamp was on one of those trips to Paper Source.  The corner rounder punch came in handy yet again for every layer of this card as well! I used the linen impression plate by Papertrey Ink to add some texture and pop dots for the sentiment.
 

Supplies
Paper: Staples cream, Gina K pure luxury turquoise sea, shimmery navy
Misc: M's black dye ink, Versamark + silver embossing powder, Fiskars corner rounder punch, Papertrey linen impression plate, pop dots

Thinking inking inspiration

I am constantly inspired by Jennifer McGuire and her great design sense and ideas.  I made this card based on one of her thinking inking videos.  I embossed the flower image with white embossing powder and then sponged different distress inks over top.  After that, I stamped a letter script stamp for a subtle layer.  The green mat is done with Papertrey Ink's Sunshine impression plate.  I am loving these plates for some texture.

Supplies:
Paper - Staples cream,  Gina K Pure luxury fresh asparagus, chocolate brown
Stamp: M's flower blooms, French script
Misc: Tombo glue runner, Distress Inks, white embossing powder

Expecting!

When I heard the fabulous exciting news that some friends of mine are expecting, I went to work.  Here is what I came up with:

 I scored the cardstock with my cutting tool - I used my bone folder and scored in the gully of the cutter.  I stamped the inchies with Versafine, then watercoloured them with pencils.  Adhered to the cardstock with a glue runner and all done!

Supplies:
Paper: Staples cream card stock, Inchies
Stamp: Expectant Mother (stamp was a gift)
Misc: watercolour pencils, bone folder, Fiskars paper cutter

Another hello and rock and roll technique

A cute little tiny card that I used the direct to paper technique on at the edges.  I also did the rock and roll technique on the flowers to add some depth by adding a darker ink to the edges of the stamp.  Simple and clean.

Supplies:
Paper: Staples cream and white, Gina K pure luxury fresh asparagus
Ink: Distress Inks -- spiced marmalade, fired brick, shabby shutters
Stamps: M's hello, Impress flowers
Misc: pop dots

Inchies

Well, I found a cool new product called Inchies (and Twinchies) that are made of matboard.   They are fabulous little squares to stamp on and or colour.  I stamped with Versafine, then used watercolour pencils and some water to colour.  I used my Perfect Pearls mist to spritz the cardstock to add a coppery finish.  Voilà - a simple birthday card. 

Supplies:
Paper: dark chocolate brown from Paper Source, inchies
Stamp: M's $1 cupcake
Ink: Versafine black
Misc: Perfect Pearls copper mixed with water in a mini mister, watercolour crayons

Simple clean hello

Love the colour combination!  What do you think?

Supplies:
Paper: Staples white, Gina K pure luxury fresh asparagus
Stamp: SU Upsy daisy, M's hello
Ink: Versamark, Peeled Paint Distress Ink
Other: white embossing ink, embossing tool

Fun with chalk inks!

I have recently been inspired to buy chalk inks by all the posts people have had showing off their soft matte finish.  So I went to a store armed with a coupon and ready to buy!  I couldn't seem to find any large ink pads but found dew drops by Tsukineko:

I am loving this set!  It's called Clowning Around and it has Thatched Straw, Midnight Black, Cloud White and Red Magic.  These colours are scrumptious and I am definitely going to get another set. To make the card below, I used my Papertrey Ink Giga Guidelines stamp set with these inks.  I ran my SU Kraft cardstock through my cuttlebug with the Giga Guidelines Impression Plate for some texture.  I used the Thatched Straw yellow ink and it was wonderfully juicy.  Added a scrap strip of Gina K pure luxury Smoky Slate card stock and a jewel and voilà!

Supplies:
Paper: SU kraft, Staples white, Gina K smoky slate
Stamp: PTI Giga Guidelines
Ink: Thatched Straw Tsukineko chalk ink
Tools: Cuttlebug, PTI Giga Guidelines Impression Plate, Marvy square punch, Fiskars paper cutter, pop dots
Embellishments: amber jewel

Cards for Grace

One of my favourite blogs is Jennifer McGuire's and she is doing a wonderful thing called Cards for Kids.  Right now, there is a little sister who has recently lost her twin and Jennifer is organizing a special super quick card drive.  Read here for more details.  I am working on some cards this evening and encourage you to join.  How worthwhile ...

Another thank you ...

I have this delicous ribbon that is two toned in blue/brown and pink/brown and love using it to add a little colour.  This combined with a circle punch, a mixture of a whole bunch of Verve clear stamps that give thanks and some patterned paper and voilà, card done!

Card recipe:
DCWV patterned paper, Georgia Pacific recycled brown paper, Chocolate Mousse ribbon, Holtz distress ink, glue dots

Made to order card for a wedding

Here is a card I made that a friend ordered for a wedding.  The theme was eat drink love so I used that as my message.  Papertrey stamps used for the background and foreground with some gold embossing and an amber rhinestone.

Mother's Day Card

Here is the card I made for my mother.  Love my new Twinkling H20s!

DCWV textured pink paper, Staples card stock, Paper Source flower stamp, Paper Trey Ink Mega Mixed Messages, Paper Trey Ink stripes, Versamark ink, white embossing powder, Twinkling H2Os

Inspiration from around the world

Here is some of my latest inspiration via others' creations.  It's amazing how many beautiful designs are out there ...

from The Kraft Room:

Divine, aren't they?

And now, from the Bald Dragonfly:

Love the juxtaposition of colours ....

Okay, next one is Recapturing Wonders:

Fabulous composition, n'est-ce pas?

Verve Stamps - a thank you set

I have gotten a lot of use out of my new Verve clear stamps.  I bought a thank you set, another one with this circular design and a few others.  Love them!!

Flowery Birthday

I am loving this Amy Butler China patterned paper pack.  There are such cool colour combinations.  I used a flower I had found in the wedding section (go figure?)  of Target for next to nothing for a big pack.  Amazing the finds you can make!

Swirly thank you

 

I am always looking for easy ways of layering and making thank you cards.  Here's what I came up with using my new Verve stamp set of Thank You's ....

Distress Inks and Multi colour inking

This is my new favourite technique and I learned it from Jennifer McGuire.  I love my Tim Holtz Distress inks and I now have vintage photo, antique linen and broken china.  For this card, I used a Papertrey Ink flourish and a Verve sentiment stamp.  I inked in the lighter broken china ink and then did some areas over again with vintage photo.  Voilà!

Gold embossed First Nations images

 

I love these images.  I found them when I was on vacation this past summer in Tofino on Vancouver Island.  They are First Nations stamps that I used with some gold embossing powder.  Simple, quick but effective.

 

A corner rounder punch, some glittery patterned paper and voilà!

I just love this combination of colours - a lime sort of green with a purply shade.  This card was a quick one to make.  The black and white paper has sparkles on the flowers but it's hard to see with this picture.