Huge Thanks! (Masculine)

6/08/2016 Update: This card was a Top Three winner at the Atlantic Hearts Challenge.






How many paper "collectors" are there besides me? I bought this paper collection when it was introduced and could not bring myself to use it for several years. Then a few months ago I decided to use old paper before purchasing new so this retired paper provided the nautical theme for my card. I have used it once or twice before in recent months and now it seems I cannot use it up quickly enough!

Because Pool Party is a shade of blue my card takes on a bit of a patriotic flair as red, white and blue.

I mixed five different paper patterns to make the card. I cut all the elements to cover a panel of Pool Party cardstock, including the cut out square at top center. On a card base of white, a panel of navy cardstock was adhered along with another paper pattern for the background of the whale. The Pool Party and adhered elements were added, popped up using craft foam.

The whale was adhered to white cardstock for stability, fussy cut and popped up with foam, then covered with Glossy Accents. The sentiment was stamped and adhered with craft foam. The clear droplets were added. The inside was stamped with little fish for decoration.






My card is being entered into four challenges:

1. Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #162







2. Creative with Stamps #3



3. Can You Case It? #123








4. The Paper Players #298







Size: A2 (4/25" x 5.5")

Stampin' Up! Materials
Ink: Pool Party; Stampin' Write Marker in Night of Navy
Cardstock: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Pool Party
DSP: Maritime Collection
Misc.: Dimensionals

Other Materials
Stamps: Paper Smooches "Surf and Turf" (sentiment and interior)
Misc.: Pretty Pink Posh clear droplets, Glossy Accents, Craft Fun Foam

Father's Day at Downton Abbey

06/10/2016 Top Cut Winner!




06/01/2016 Update: Top Three Winner at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge!



Although my father has passed away, I usually make a Father's Day card for my brother, David, who has two grown sons. David is a car aficionado so I thought this stamp from the Downton Abbey collection was a good choice.

On a card base of black cardstock, a panel of textured silver foil was adhered. I used the textured because I am out of the plain silver so the texture does not show well. On a panel of white cardstock, the car was stamped and colored then sewn to a panel of Cajun cardstock. The sentiment was also stamped. This panel was adhered to gray cardstock and outline stitched. A die was used to create the grill work along the lower edge of the card. It was cut twice and then adhered to slate cardstock with foam tape. The silver cord was wound around the card several times and tied. Some gears were adhered to the card. This was all adhered to the card base and silver panel. The inside was lined with white cardstock, stamped off with a partial image of the car in gray.

I will be mailing this card. It weighs exactly 1 oz. with the metal gears but I'll be sending it with a thin pad over the front, making it thicker so it will require the base postage at $0.49 plus the extra currently at $0.22.

This card is being entered into the following challenges. The sketch served as the design layout and was turned 90 degrees.

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #161




Watercooler Wednesday #69










Aud Sentiments #156
Anything Goes + Sentiment





Cut It Up #97
Any sketch + a die cut
(See sketch above.)

Techniques: Stamping, coloring, die cutting
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Stampin' Up Materials:
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Basic Gray, Smoky Slate, Cajun Craze
DSP: Adventure Bound
Inks: Basic Gray, Smoky Slate, Cajun Craze
Misc: Dimensionals Foam, Silver Cord

Other Materials:
Stamps: Crafter's Companion Downton Abbey Elements 2 & Sentiments 2
Paper: DCWV Texturized Silver Foiled Cardstock
Dies: Reverse Confetti Squared Off
Misc.: The Paper Studio Spare Parts Collection "Vintage Gears"
Sewing Machine by Bernina

Laughs and Love

My grand-niece is packing up and preparing to move to St. Louis in a couple of weeks to begin her first college semester since graduating from high school just a week ago. I decided to send her a little something to celebrate the occasion of leaving home and this is the card I made to send it. She is a girly-girl so the card just had to be very feminine.

Using a card base of white, the edges were masked and the front was stamped with a dotted image. A panel of cardstock was die cut with three triangles and a zigzag along the
bottom edge and popped up on foam and adhered to the card base so the dotted stamping would show through the triangular spaces. Smaller triangles were die cut and popped up inside the existing triangular openings. A large butterfly was die cut from cardstock and two smaller butterflies were cut from vellum. All were popped up onto the card front. The sentiment was stamped, fussy cut and backed with foam tape. The clear droplets were added. Wink of Stella was used on the largest butterfly but it does not show in the photos. The inside of the card was decorated with triangular die cuts and a small pink punched butterfly.

The cards were inspired by two challenges:
1. Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #160

2. Color Throwdown #393

To view clever card creations, visit the blogs using the links above.

Techniques: Stamping, die cutting, fussy cutting, vellum
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Stampin' Up! Materials
Cardstock: Whisper White, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Vellum
Ink: Smoky Slate
Dies: Butterfly Framelits
Misc.: Dimensionals Foam

CTMH Materials
Stamps: Celebrate with Cake (banner) & Share the Love (sentiment)

Other Materials
Stamp: Hero Arts Pearl Strings (background)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Dies: Lil' Inker Designs Dual Stitched Triangles & Lawn Fawn Stitched Zigzag
Misc.:Pretty Pink Posh Clear Droplets

Fun Fold Twisted Box - CAS

After viewing a video on You Tube I decided to try making this fun fold box. I chose the smaller box that is made from 8.5" x 11" cardstock. There are also instructions available to make a larger one. I made it using 80-lb. cardstock and it tore quite easily. So I made another using Neenah 110-lb. cardstock and found the box to be sturdy and suitable to use.

I think this box would be a fun gift or a party favor... maybe even something for everyone's place at the dinner table. The video uses candy in the top and bottom but I think it would be just right for some cash or a check for graduation or birthday. Who doesn't appreciate a monetary gift? I would also add a festive ribbon and tag.

The cardstock was stamped in several colors using stamps from several stamp sets and two sentiments were stamped directly onto the box: "Lovely Amazing You" is stamped on the lid and "Beyond Awesome" is stamped on the side.

Using THIS VIDEO for instruction, I constructed the box. I found the instructions to be a little confusing at first but the second box was a breeze to create.

Lessons learned:
1. The regular weight (80-lb.) cardstock collapsed and began tearing at the folds while attempting to twist the box.
2. The heavyweight cardstock (110-lb.) twisted perfectly into place on the first try.
3. Twisting the box open and closed too frequently will rapidly wear out the box.
4. Firmly burnishing the score lines makes a difference. The diagonal scores should be folded and burnished in the opposite direction from the "square" scores. (I think I missed this in the video.)
5. Don't glue the bottom closed until after the box has been twisted and the gift or goodies placed into the bottom of the box. This reduces twisting and untwisting the box.
6. While empty and the ends not glued shut, the box folds flat but once filled and the bottom glued, the box no longer folds flat for mailing.

But I enjoyed the project!

I am entering this into Aud Sentiments Anything Goes Challenge #155.
I am also entering this into Creative with Stamps CAS Challenge #2. The box was really quick and easy to make once I understood the construction. I hope you'll visit the challenge blogs to view a wide variety of cards and other paper crafted items.

Here's a peek into the top of the twisted box.

Techniques: Stamping, Fun Fold, Twisted Box
Size: 2" square and 6.25" in height

Stampin' Up! Materials
Stamps: Awesomely Artistic, Lovely Amazing You, Best Thoughts, Flower Patch
Inks: Wisteria Wonder, So Saffron, Lost Lagoon, Certainly Celery, Regal Rose

Close to My Heart Materials
Stamp: Beyond Awesome

Other Materials:
Cardstock: Neenah Solar White 110-lb.
Ink: Stazon Jet Black

Happy Times

Since the paper pack was already on my table I decided to use CTMH's new Happy Times collection again. This paper is just so pretty.

On a card base of white, a panel of DSP in ombre tones was adhered along with a die cut doily from foiled cardstock and a strip of plaid paper. The next layer was a panel of Glacier cardstock that was texture embossed with little hearts along with a three-layer square of papers all popped up on foam. Next the gold cord was added, followed by the three die cut flowers with enamel dot centers, also popped up with foam. The inside was decorated with a die cut flower.

The layout was inspired by the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #159. Be sure to visit the blog to view the cards and
scrapbook pages on display.

Techniques: Die cutting, dry embossing
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

CTMH Materials
Cardstock: Glacier
DSP: Happy Times Collection
Misc.: Embossing Folder

Stampin' Up! Materials
Cardstock: Whisper White
Misc: Gold Cord, Dimensionals Foam

Other Materials:
Cardstock: DCWV Foiled Cardstock (gold)
DSP: Lawn Fawn Plaid
Dies: Our Daily Bread Designs Delicate Doily, Lil' Inker Designs Perky Posies
Misc.: Enamel Dots

Happy Times Cards & Envelopes Set w/Box

Lately I've enjoyed making small sets of A2-size cards to give as gifts to family members who enjoy writing personal notes rather than sending emails. I think it's a kind gesture to actually receive a handwritten note from a loved one.

For this color challenge, participants are to use a new set of CTMH DSP named Happy Times or the related colors. It's very, very pretty paper. I decided to make a set of eight small cards with coordinating envelopes and a box. The cards, which are too small to be mailed, are perfect to slip inside a gift bag or box. Because the cards will not be mailed, the envelopes can be made with any pretty paper.

The box was made from heavyweight cardstock and a sheet of DSP that is white with broad gold foiled stripes. Directions to make this exact box can be found HERE. The cards and envelopes in the tutorial are different than what I made for this challenge.

The eight envelopes were made from DSP using three different papers and using an envelope punch board based on the card size of 3" x 3.5". They were wrapped in a belly band and decorated with a fussy cut flower from the DSP backed with a yellow DSP circle for stability.

The eight cards were made using white cardstock measuring 3.5" x 6", scored and folded at 3". The beautiful floral paper is the highlight of this paper pack. Eight panels were cut measuring 2.75" x 3.25". Each was adhered to a panel of Glacier cardstock measuring 2.875" x 3.375" (that's 2 7/8" x 3 3/8"). The layers were then adhered to the card bases. A belly band was made exactly like the one used for the envelopes.

The cards and envelopes fit perfectly into the box and a piece of lace ribbon matching the Glacier cardstock was tied around the box.

If you enjoy color challenges, stop by and visit Color My Heart Color  Dare #192.









CTMH Materials
Cardstock: Glacier
DSP: Happy Times Paper Pack

Stampin' Up! Materials
Cardstock: Whisper White 100# Heavyweight, Whisper White 80# Regular
Misc.: Dotted Lace in Mint Macaron

What I Love Thank You card - CAS

Here is the second post of the four designs I planned to make while attending an all day crop recently. My first post can be found HERE. This card is one of a bundle of six identical cards. I'm posting the other designs separately. I planned to make 24 cards in four designs of six cards each. I managed to get 12 cards completed and six cards partially done but the remaining six cards never materialized. With all the chatting and fun that goes on at a well-attended crop, it's a miracle that I came home with any completed cards!

On a small panel of cardstock, flowers and leaves were stamped and some spatter was added toward the left side of the panel. On the right half, a little yellow butterfly was stamped and the sentiment. The panel was backed with black cardstock to pick up the black dots on the DSP. Before adhering, the upper right corner was rounded. The card base front panel was torn along the right edge, then scored and folded back. A strip of DSP was adhered along the torn edge. The ribbon was

added and the folded back section adhered to the card front after spattering the front with ink. A panel of DSP was added to the inside of the card along the right edge - just wide enough to cover the exposed portion of the inside. The small stamped panel was popped up with foam tape and adhered to the card front only. No sentiment was used on the inside to leave ample space for correspondence. With one wing adhered and the other folded up, another butterfly was added at the card closure.

My card is being entered into the CAS challenge at Creative with Stamps #2. Be sure to take a look at this new monthly challenge - there are prizes to be won! (I was lucky enough to win a prize in the April challenge.)

My card was made using a "Flash Card" method I found HERE.
Techniques: CAS, stamping, tearing, punch cutting, modified z-fold
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Stampin' Up! Materials:
Stamps: What I Love (flowers, leaves), Flowering Field (tiny stamped butterfly), Circle of Spring (sentiment)
Inks: Calypso Coral, Mossy Meadow, Daffodil Delight, Island Indigo (sentiment)
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black
DSP: from stash
Punch: Elegant Butterfly
Misc.: Dimensionals, ribbon (Calypso Coral)

Flowers for You - CAS

Attending an all day crop recently provided the opportunity to make small bundles of cards for family members who enjoy using them for correspondence. This card is one of a bundle of six identical cards. I'll be posting the other designs separately. I planned to make 24 cards in four designs of six cards each. I managed to get 12 cards completed and six cards partially done but the remaining six cards never materialized. With all the chatting and fun that goes on at a well-attended crop, it's a miracle that I came home with any completed cards!

The second card can be viewed HERE.

A card base was stamped with monochromatic ink and the edges sponged for
a vintage look. An oval was die cut from a panel of cardstock. The cardstock was stamped with flowers and colored with markers. Spattering and sponging was added as well. An oval frame was die cut and adhered to the oval cut out. The panel was popped up with foam tape and adhered to the card base. Another oval was die cut, stamped and adhered directly to the card base through the oval cut out. Gold Glitz was added to the centers of the flowers. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of cardstock. For decoration, the pink oval was stamped with a leaf and tiny butterflies and adhered to the inside.

I'm not sure if my card is quite right for a CAS challenge, but based on my own design aesthetic, it qualifies. This card is being entered into the Creative with Stamps Challenge #2. Visit their blog to join in the fun and win prizes!

The card was made using a "Flash Card" technique found HERE.
Techniques: CAS, stamping, sponging, coloring, die cutting
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Stampin' Up! Materials
Stamps: Awesomely Artistic, Make a Cake (tiny butterflies), Circle of Spring (sentiment)
Inks: Tip Top Taupe
Stampin' Write Markers: Pink Pirouette, Strawberry Slush, Pear Pizzazz
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand, Pink Pirouette
Dies: Gina K Designs stacking and nesting ovals
Misc.: Dimensionals, Dazzling Details (Gold Glitz)

Above and Beyond - Masculine

5/11/2016 Update: Above and Beyond was a Top Three winner in the Atlantic
Hearts Sketch Challenge.





Recently I purchased a stamp set of unique sentiments so was eager to use one of them on a card. My card developed into a gender neutral card but I would probably use it as a masculine card.

A green panel was texture embossed using a wood grain design and adhered to a white card base. Using a square panel of cardstock, the background scene was colored totally with sponged ink. For the green and yellow portions, torn paper was used to establish the horizon and land areas. The sky was sponged freehand to resemble either dawn or dusk - the choice is up to the recipient of the card. The moon was sponged with white craft ink using a mask with a hole cut out. A small bit of color was sponged across the moon after the craft ink had dried and the trees were stamped.

The square was cut into quarters and two edges rounded on each piece. The pieces were matted with cardstock, backed with foam tape and adhered to the card base. The sentiment was stamped, die cut and matted with a coordinating reverse scallop oval die cut. Three green candy dots were added and the oval adhered to the center of the four blocks. Along the lower edge, a strip of white cardstock was die cut in a zigzag pattern with a strip of cardstock for color. The inside of the card was stamped with additional trees, leaving sufficient space for a personal note.

The card layout was inspired by the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #158. For challenge fun, visit their blog to see the unique sketches.

Techniques: Sponging, stamping, die cutting, dry embossing, masking
Size: A7 (5" x 7")

Stampin' Up! Materials
Stamps: Lovely as a Tree
Cardstock: Whisper White, Perfect Plum, Pear Pizzazz
Inks: Mossy Meadow, Old Olive, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Perfect Plum, Blushing Bride, Soft Sky, Craft White
Misc.: Dimensionals foam, Candy Dots

Other Materials
Stamps: Stampendous Soaring Sentiments
Dies: Gina K Designs nesting and stacking ovals, circle for moon
Misc.: WRMK Corner Chomper, Spellbinders Wood Grain EF