New Technique--Must Try Again

I saw a video on creating unique backgrounds using wax paper on Stamp TV and I wanted to give it a try. I then saw several really pretty cards that people posted using the technique. So--I had to give it a try. I am not sure what I did wrong because mine did not come out as dramatic as the other cards I had seen. (My first try went into the waste basket.) The stamped images on my card are from Stampin' Up's "Fabulous Florets". The sentiment is from a "Prickly Pear" set I got last summer. I used the wax paper technique on the background which I then sponged with Memento Ink and Tim Holtz's Distress Ink in Antique Linen. The texture was very light and does not show in the picture. I love pink and black together--one of my favorite color combinations.

Reversed Color

We are having a beautiful day in Michigan. The early flowers are blooming and the trees budding. Makes me want to be outside. This morning, while the grass was still wet, I finished up a couple of cards that I had been working on. I love to see how different designs or colors will work, so this time I made two cards that are identical except that the colors are reversed. I used white card stock, SU perfect plum card stock and ink and two different embossing folders. The stamp set is SU "Just Believe". The images (circles on the white background card) were clear embossed and then sponged with perfect plum ink. On the second card, the images were simply stamped with the ink.

Hydrangeas

This image had been on my workspace for several weeks. I finally got it used in a card. It was a free digital stamp that I had downloaded months ago. I cannot remember where it came from, but I do love it. The background was gray card stock stamped with a background stamp using Memento's London Fog.Then the edges were sponged with the same ink. The image was colored with copic markers.

Cornish Heritage Farms Design Team

I am so excited to say that I have accepted as a member of the Cornish Heritage Farms Design Team. For me this my first. I am so thankful to be given this opportunity. There are so many great designers out there. I look forward to the weeks ahead. I am looking forward to the new stamps that CHF will be releasing soon. Here is the link to their web site.

Sketch Challenge Wednesday

I always look forward to getting the new sketch challenge each week at Splitcoast Stampers. They make me "think". It is so easy for me to just do the same thing over and over. I enjoy the challenge of trying something new. Here is my card. I went to my paper scrap pile and found all the pieces The black doily was lying on my workspace for weeks. The lavender card stock matched the flowers that I stamped for the focal image. The white strips were from previous projects.

SC375
Stamps--Rubber Stamp Tapestry "Carolina Dreamin'"
               Greeting from Gina K Designs "Spring Mix"
Ink--Versacolor Cubes Indigo, Evergreen & Old Rose
Doily from Prickley Pear
Sizzix Embossing Folder

Leap Day Post

I wanted to post a couple of cards today. The first is for the Sketch Challenge at Splitcoast Stampers. These challenges always "challenge" me to think about what I am creating. This week's sketch was a fun one to work with.

The focal image is stamped from SU Watercolor Trio set and the greeting is from Spring Mix by Gina K Designs. The background was stamped with "Le London Script" from Stampabilities. The card base is Crumb Cake card stock with Soft Suede as the accent color. I also used Soft Suede ink. The focal image was cut with the petite oval Spellbinders nestabilities.

The second card was fun to do. I had never done a spotlight card before. The stamp is from Stamping Bella and is called Young Love by Mo Manning. When I saw the stamp, I knew it was one that I had to have. The spotlight was colored with prisma colored pencils and gamsol.

Our Daily Bread Designs Challenge

I have never done one of Our Daily Bread Designs Challenge. This one sounded very interesting. The challenge was--

This week the challenge team is challenging you to think outside of the box....Create any card or project that is not an A2, A6, or A7 rectangular or square card. It can be a different fold (diamond fold, joy fold, easel, accordion, step, sidestep etc.) or a different shape.

As I was thinking about this challenge, this idea popped into my mind. Some weeks ago I had created a card pattern with my Cricut and Gypsy. I called it my pedal card. I used four circles, welded them together to create a card base. I adjusted the size to give me a 5-inch card when the pedals are folded in. I am not sure the card actually fits the challenge, but it is a different fold. The important thing was that I had fun creating the card. I used one of the verses from "Faith" and the inside greeting from "Happy Birthday". My cards are not as elegant as many of the other cards; I guess my style is more "clean and simple".

The flower on the front of the card is handmade. Last week as I was looking at cards on different web sites and then at different blogs, I ran across a pattern for small crocheted flowers. So last night I decided to see if I could make one. I used some embroidery thread and a small hook. You can see the result. Here is a link to the blog where I found the pattern.

Happy Birthday Alex

This week our oldest grandson turned "sixteen". He is a very talented young man. Because he loves music and is in the marching band at his high school, I wanted his card to have a musical theme. A friend gave me the stamp which turned out to be perfect. I used SU crumb cake card stock for the base of the card, soft suede ink and card stock for the focal image with chocolate chip card stock for the border.

Pretty in Blue

As I look in my scrap box, I find lots of items that I have worked on and never used. That is the case with this card. It is always exciting when a card comes together and you are happy with it.

Reflections

Last Wednesday I received an e-mail from Our Daily Bread Designs saying my cards "Three From One" which I posted on January 27, 2012 had been selected for "Customer Card of the Day". I felt truly blessed to receive that recognition.
As I was going through my scrap box the other day, I came across one of the first cards I made. It was a Christmas card. I was wanting to get our Christmas cards, that I thought I had purchased the previous year (on sale), ready to mail. I could not find any cards. Time was running out. I had to do something. I thought--"I can make what I need". I found a stamp that I had had for years, an ink pad and some card stock.  At the time, I was so pleased with my creation. I think that I have come a long way. It has been a fun journey. I have learned so much. I truly love being able to share my cards with others.