Love Deeply - Paper Smooches

This year marks the 40th wedding anniversary of my soon-to-be parents-in-law.  40 years is a long time to love and grow with someone.  What adventures the last 40 years must hold.

In celebration of their love, I made the following card.  It cannot do a lifetime of memories justice but I hope it expresses a portion of the love I share with them.

This card is being entered in the Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge.

Materials:

• Paper: Recollections Paper Packs, and white and colored cardstock
• Stamps: Paper Smooches Stamps and Unity Stamps
• Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Memento Ink, and Copic markers.
• Embellishments: Twinery Twine, self-adhesive gems, and Tim Holtz embellishments
• Other: Fiskars - Trimmer, scissors, Fiskars Texture Plates and fabri-tac

Happy Birthday, Dad

Any reason for a celebration is glorious in my book.  This world needs more joy and happiness...  The difficulty, I've found, is making a birthday card masculine - for those moments that require creativity for the men in my life.  How in the piles of buttons, flowers, and bright colors can you create something for a man - that isn't completely embarrassing for him to receive?

My latest attempt at crafting masculinity:

I began scowering my stash of crafting supplies for browns, blues and greens.  Yes, I realize that those colors aren't distinctly male but for the 70+ year old recipient, no doubt they are preferred to pinks.  I used a grey card backing and began layering, tearing, and inking. 

First, I cut out a white sheet and ink the outer edge with two ink colors (Tim Holtz Distressed Ink).  After which, I made little incisions and peeled back the paper to add a vintage quality. 

Next, I tied twine around a banner I cut out and continued by using punches to add various shapes and colors; adding buttons for additional embellishment.  

I just hope he enjoys the finished product!

Materials:

• Paper: DCWV Paper Packs, Recollections Paper Packs, kraft, white and colored cardstock
• Stamps: Market Street Stamps - Simple Salutations
• Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Vintage Photo and Paper, Memento Ink - Tuxedo Black
• Embellishments: Twinery Twine, buttons, self-adhesive gems, alphabet chip board, embellished stick pin
• Other: Fiskars - Trimmer, circle punch, square punch, scissors, and scalloped circle punch, black paint and fabri-tac

Inner Beauty - Beach House and Be Inspired Challenges

Time for a couple challenges!  Both Fusion and Unity had great parameters this week. I used the color scheme from Fusion and a portion from Unity (using a Unity stamp for the main sentiment).

Fusion's Challenge:

Unity's Challenge:

Firstly, a beautiful wallpaper pattern was used for the main background.  I then added a yellow pattern to the top and a blue pattern to the bottom in a diamond-type formation.  Saving the sentiment for last, lace and twine was adhered next.  Finally getting dimension through chipboard underneath the sentiment and completion with the pearls on the corners.

Materials:

• Paper: DCWV Paper Packs
• Stamps: Unity Stamp Company
• Embellishments: Self adhesive gems, Martha Stewart lace, Twinery twine
• Other: Tim Holtz chipboard, Memento Ink Pad - Tuxedo Black, Fiskars - trimmer, corner punch, Fabritac

Daisy - One of a Kind

Some days I just want to make the people in my life feel extra special.  This card was designed for that purpose.  On a normal day, this card will be sent to someone I love just to remind them that they are irreplaceable in my life.  

I started with a classic black and white theme hoping the color in the flower would stand-out on the background all the more.  I used Copic Markers to color-in the daisy; while adding a chip-board piece under the sentiment for a little dimension...

...eventually adding gems in two corners for completeness. 

Materials:

• Paper: Black and white standard cardstock
• Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black
• Stamps: Unity Stamp - Layers of Life and Unity Grab Bag Special Collection 2
• Embellishments: Chipboard and self-adhesive gems
• Other: Fiskars Trimmer, Fabri-tac, Copic Markers

Thank YOU, Professor - A Wise Owl

Each of us have people that come into our lives that make a difference.  Individuals that inspire you to work harder, learn more and be better.  Just like the wise owl in The Sword in the Stone.   This past spring, I had a professor that did just that.  He challenged me to grow as a person.  So, when the end of the semester came, I wanted to show him just how much his tutelage meant to me. What better than a card?

This professor always dressed the part.  Every day coming to class in shined shoes and a tie.  In honor of his impressive style choices, I made a dress shirt and tie card.  I wanted to reflect his personality and preferences.  I must admit that I tied a fair number of paper ties before I finally landed on the following.  Either way, it is now out of my hands and in his.  A BIG thank you again, Professor!

Materials:

• Paper: Kraft, DCWV Cardstock
• Accessories: Brads, Tim Holtz Paper Clips
• Fiskars: Paper Trimmer
• Adhesive: Fabritac and a Glue Stick

See You Later, Alligator!

I am currently lamenting the loss of a dear friend of mine.  This card was inspired by a close friend moving to the other side of the country.  Seriously, from California all the way to Washington, DC.  He will be dearly missed and the following was made for a group to sign and present to him at a farewell camp-out...

Materials:

• Paper: Kraft, DCWV Paper Pack
• Stamps: Unity Stamp Company
• Ink: Memento Black and White, Copic Markers
• Embellishments: Self Adhesive Gems and Tim Hotlz Chip Board
• Other: Fiskars Trimmer and Rounded Corner Punch

Feeling Happy - The Return

After a year's hiatus, I am back with a crafting vengeance.  I am refreshed and ready to make-up for some lost time.  But first, below are some pictures from the last year showing some of the exploits that took me away from crafting.

It's been a glorious year but it is time to get back in to the groove of crafting.  Below is a card I made for a friend's birthday.  She's one of the most important people in my life and was a great way to restart my crafting fever.

Materials:

• DCWV Cardstock, Kraft Paper
• Fiskars Trimmer and Corner Punch
• Fabritac
• Twinery Twine
• Self Adhesive Gems

Baby Shower Invites - Tea Party

Recently, I helped a friend create invites for a baby shower she is planning. The party is Tea Party themed, so we thought it would be fun to use tea cups. 

Materials:

• Tea-cup stencil - Created from Google image
• Twinery Twine
• DCWV Paper Packs - Assorted
• Memento - Ink Pads
• Fiskars Scissors, Trimmer, Punch
• Fabri-Tac
• Glue Stick
• Ribbon

Get Well!

It's Design Team Tuesday yet again over at Shabby Chic Stamp Co. Take a peek at the wonderful crafty creations. 

Mine is below:

Supplies:

1. Shabby Chic Stamp Co. - Greetings
2. Market Street Stamps - Vintage Background
3. Prima Flowers
4. Memento Ink Pad - Rich Cocoa 
5. Twinery Twine
6. Tim Holtz - Grungeboard
7. Wrinkled Ribbon (etsy)
8. Fabri-Tac
9. Lace
10. Fiskars Trimmer, Scissors

Mother's Day Is in Bloom - RCC50

With Mother's Day just around the corner, I needed a plan. Instead of waiting until the last minute (again) I used one of Shabby Chic's new sets to create cards for this Mom's Day.


I also included the second card in Ribbon Carousel's RCC50 Challenge.

Supplies:

• Shabby Chic Stamp Company - Mother's Day, Meshed Up
• Memento Ink Pads
• Fiskars Trimmer, Scissors, Heart Punch, Butterfly Punch, and Scallop Border Punch
• Praire Bird Boutique - Shabby Wrinkled Ribbon
• Prima - Pins
• Twinery Twine
• Oriental Trading Company - Buttons, Self Adhesive Pearls
• Martha Stewart Lace Pack
• Fabri-Tac
• Echo Park - This & That Paper Pad
• K & Company - Julianne Mat Pad
• DCWV Matstacks

Fiskateers Online Cropping - Projects

The Fiskateers are having an impromptu online crop. Here are a few projects I've created for the challenges... If you are thinking Fiska-What?! Check out there site here: Fiskateers

Spring Card:

Women's Retreat Layout:

Seussical - Yarn Flowers:

Supplies:

• Yarn
• Sticks
• Fiskars Scissors, Pruning Shears, Kaleidoscope Border Punch, Heart Punch, Trimmer, Circle Punch
• Cricut
• Glue Gun
• Pearlized Pins
• Praire Bird Boutique - Shabby Wrinkled Ribbon
• Twinery Twine
• Button - Oriental Trading Co.
• Memento Ink Pads
• Shabby Chic Stamp Co. - Greetings Set
• Martha Stewart Lace Pack
• Fabri-Tac
• Prima - Almanac Collection Paper Stack
• Echo Park - This & That Paper Pad
• DCWV - Summer Dream, Christmas & Winter Mat Stack
• lilybee design - Buttercup Tiny Tablet
• K & Co. - Julianne Mat Pad
• Tim Holtz - Grungeboard