Birthday Combos

Today I needed two birthday cards. After getting started, I decided that I would make matching calendars. I am going to just let the cards speak for themselves. I let the pretty papers be the focal points on the cards and calendars. Most pieces were from the scrap box -- there are so many treasures hiding in that box. I have also been trying to decorate the inside of my cards as well. It takes a little extra time, but it is so worth it.

No Frills--Just CAS

Today I am posting some simple cards that were made for a class on the CAS style. I love the simplicity of each one.

These last two cards are made using designer paper. I wanted the paper to be the focal image of the first card so I tried to keep it very simple.

I also used some paper from my collection and several scrap pieces that I found that worked perfectly for this next card. A punch was used to create the scalloped border. Another punch was used to make the hearts.

Clean and Simple -- My Style

On January 12, I posted a card for a challenge to use a flourish on your card. I loved the idea so much that I decided to try making another card which you see below. It is much the same except I splattered some ink over the design. That softened the white just a little which I really like.

Then I had the idea to try making a similar card using no dies or punches which you see below. The flourish stamp is from the SU set "Everything Eleanor" stamped with Pear Pizzazz ink. The flowers are from the same set stamped on two shades of orange card stock with Calypso Coral ink, then cut out by hand. This time I splattered the image with ink and cut it so that it could be mounted with a layer of black and then green card stock. I would have to say that this is my favorite.

Simple Cards

I have been trying to make some really easy cards for an upcoming class. I am focusing on simple cards with limited supplies. Not everyone is able to purchase large numbers of "tools". So the goal was to see what kind of cards can be made using mainly stamps and ink. It has been challenging and fun. The advantage -- cards are quick to make and very easy to mail.

These hearts were stamped and heat embossed, then punched out with the coordinating punch. They could have been cut out using scissors as well.

Again the hearts on the following card were punched out of red card stock. They could have also been stamped. Ink was used to add the ground and sky. This was a CASE of a card that I saw on Pinterest. What a great place to get ideas.

This next card is so simple. The mouse and greeting were stamped. The mouse was colored with Prisma pencils and a little sponging was added for dimension.

Flourishes Challenge

I wanted to do a card for this week's "Less is More" challenge. The challenge was to make a one layer card with a flourish on it. I don't have many flourish stamps but I thought of this one Cheery Lyn Die that I have. I think it is called "Fanciful Flourish". I wanted to make it a part of the card so I cut it out and used the negative part as a stencil. Using Stampin' Up's Pear Pizzazz and Always Artichoke inks, I sponged the image onto the front of my card. The thank you stamp is from a long retired Stampin' Up set called "Heartfelt Thanks". Stamped it in the upper left corner using the Pear Pizzazz ink. I wanted to add a little something else and I found this flower. It was a flower from the SU set called "Secret Garden", stamped on a pastel colored card stock and embossed with white detail embossing powder. I glued it directly to the card front and it really feels a part of the card. I hope that my card would still be considered one layer. I often have leftover flowers from a project that I am working on. I have them in a little drawer, and, like today, I found just the flower that I wanted.

CAS Cards

I have been working on some cards for a new stamp club that will be starting later this month. This afternoon I realized that I could post this one card to the "Less is More" challenge. The challenge is to make a CAS card using Neutral colors. I have never entered a card in this challenge so this will be my first.

I have had this stamp for a long time and never used it. I stamped it onto white card stock and then drew a box around it so that the little guy would look like he is peering out of a hole. He was colored using colored Pencils. I am sending the card to my granddaughter tomorrow. She loves animals.

So I made a second card. The same but a little different.

Thanks for visiting my blog today.