I Swear I've Still Been Crafting!

It's been awhile since I posted, but I really have been doing some crafty things. Not as much as I would like, but a few things I've been working on. I'm not ready to show some of them, but I did want to share the Mother's Day cards I made before I forgot. This year I made cards for my mom, my mother-in-law, my stepmother-in-law and my husband's granny. They were actually really fun and pretty simple once I figured out the size I wanted to make them. They were all hand delivered so I didn't worry about the thickness of them and they all fit in 5x7 envelopes. I put a small charm on each card that says "love" and the flowers pull out of the flower pot to reveal a message. I didn't take any of those pics though! Enjoy!

This one used CTMH "Blossom" paper and some CTMH retired paper flowers. 

I believe this paper is CTMH "Bella" and I used a variety of silk, paper and knitted flowers from my stash. 

This paper is CTMH "Mayberry" and again a variety of flowers.

This card uses CTMH "Sophia" paper and again a variety of flowers.

Homespun 6x6 Paper Pad by Simple Stories - Part 2

I'm still working on this first 6x6 paper pad...but I think I'm finally down to just scraps...but I think I can get a few more cards out of it, so I'm not done yet!!! Here's what I've done since Part 1. (These 7 cards bring my total to 15 so far...I think).

I love this layout...and will use it again real soon! (Maybe with every paper pack I make in the future...LOL) I used Outdoor Denim cardstock to matte everything and Outdoor Denim ink to distress the edges and for the stamped sentiment. The sentiment stamp is from PTI. I used a little bit of red shimmer trim behind the small punched heart for a little sparkle...just the right touch!

Here's a close up of the shimmer trim...love!

These next three cards are all the same sketch...all matted with Outdoor Denim and stamped with a sentiment from CTMH also in Outdoor Denim. I used embossing folders from CTMH on the 2nd and 3rd card for some interest. The little metal embellishments are from the Honey and Smoothie Mini-Medleys. (I stocked up on those when they were on clearance...love the look!)

This next card was a struggle for me...I didn't really think it out ahead of time, but I'm pleased with the outcome. I used some red shimmer trim on the inside of the card which you can see in the 2nd picture. I used Honey cardstock from CTMH for the card base and matting.

These two cards use the same sketch and I loved the mix of pattern papers. Both cards are matted with kraft paper too...which I LOVE to use! In the close up pictures, you'll see the bling I used in the stamped images. I'm not sure if I love the Honey cardstock behind the sewing machine...still contemplating changing it to red.

Assortment of Goofy Cards

I had precut the patterned paper and Goofy faces for these cards quite some time ago, but never finished them. One of my goals this year is to get my "in progress" box under control, so I decided to tackle these this past week. I decided to keep the layouts basically the same, but do an assortment of sentiments. They are pretty flat, so easy for mailing as well. Pretty simple & kid friendly.

Here's what I started out with. I'm not sure what brand the orange card base is, but it's REALLY bright, so I wanted to cover up most of it. I matted the patterned paper on black cardstock (Recollections brand from Michael's). The Goofy squares were cut from a page of Disney characters, some are matte, some are glossy.

I cut all the frames for Goofy on my Cricut. 

I used different hardware on each of these cards. One is colorful brads, one has rhinestones and then the 3rd has small black brads.

There are 3 each of these sentiments as well. 

Homespun 6x6 Paper Pad by Simple Stories - Part 1

I have recently purchased several (ok...A LOT) of 6x6 paper pads in hopes of making sets of cards that match or coordinate, but have various themes. I have studied this blog: http://eponinekc.blogspot.com and this blog: http://airbornewifestamping.blogspot.com as inspiration on how they use up the 6x6 paper pads completely. I used some of their sketches (thankfully they posted some measurements too!) to help get me moving in the right direction.

I know I have TONS of 12x12 papers I could be using, but I love the scale of the 6x6 packs for cards. Smaller prints and a variety of papers that all match are GLORIOUS! I didn't really have a goal of how many cards I wanted to get out of this one paper pad, I just wanted to use it all up and have fabulous cards. I also didn't know how long it would take me to finish up this set...I made the first 8 cards pretty easily, then needed a break from the paper. 

I started with Simple Stories Homespun papers...and here's how this first group of cards went.

I made 2 of these cards. I added some glitter shimmer trim in bronze (CTMH). I used Honey and Colonial White cardstock (CTMH) for the base, matting, and stamping. The ink is Outdoor Denim (CTMH) and I added a few button brads in Honey (CTMH). Stamp is also CTMH.

I made two of these as well. I used Outdoor Denim cardstock (CTMH) for the card base and matting. The green cardstock is DCWV. I also used some twine (Hobby Lobby) and bling (CTMH & Want2Scrap) for a little extra flair. I believe the butterfly punch is EK Success.

These two cards used the same layout on the front, but I wanted to do a little something special for the birthday card. It's for my mom, so I wanted to do an easel card. The picture is a little blurry...oops. The turquoise cardstock used for matting is DCWV. I used Colonial White cardstock (CTMH) for the base of the easel card and for all the stamping. I added a little bit of red shimmer trim (CTMH) to both cards and teh flower, brad, and all the itty bling are also CTMH. I used a border punch on both cards as well. All stamps & ink are CTMH.

AS you can see from this angle, I used another strip of red shimmer trim and then two glittery turquoise brads on the inside of the card, which helps keep it standing for display. There's enough room above the brads for me to write a message. All stamps and ink are CTMH.

I used Outdoor Denim cardstock (CTMH) for the card base and matting on both of these cards. The card on the left I used a scrap of gold cardstock (DCWV) and a border punch under the sentiment. On the 2nd card I used some twine (CTMH) tied around the card for a little something extra. Stamp & Ink also CTMH.

After these first 8, I had to take a break from this paper. We also hung some shelving above my desk area and I needed to get myself re-organized. Once I finish the whole pad, I'll take a group shot of all the cards and post a "Part 2".

Thanks for taking a look!

Bowl Of Cherries

I started these cards about 2 years ago...EEK!! I saw the layout somewhere and thought it would be cute and easy (it was) and then I selected some paper I thought for sure would be easy to embellish (it was not). I don't know why I struggled so long...I had the cherry stamp set this whole time! Anyways, this weekend I started going through a box of "In Progress" cards and I was determined to finish SOMETHING.

I chose a green glitter paper for the scallop circle, stamped the focal point and then used some foam tape to pop it up. I love how it turned out. The inside is stamped with a pretty versatile sentiment, so I can use these cards for a variety of things. 

Card base & Patterned Paper, Recollections. Glitter Paper, DCWV. White Daisy Cardstock & All Stamps & Inks, CTMH.

Close up so you can see the glitter paper.

Again, all stamps and ink, CTMH.

Baby Girl & Birthday Cards

Here's another baby girl card. I'm not really sure how many cards my MIL is going to need (she isn't sure what the sex of one of the babies will be) so I'm just trying to make a few and she can pick what she likes. It won't hurt to have a few baby cards in my box for future use.

I used CTMH Grey Wool and White Daisy cardstock. The inks used were CTMH Grey Wool and Cotton Candy. I know the polka dot and grey washi tapes are CTMH, not sure about the yellow chevron. The stamps are both CTMH as well.

I also made a few birthday cards using this pattern. The first one I used pretty much like the inspiration card I found, but I didn't really care for it. The 2nd card I added some layering and loved how it turned out. What do you think?

Starting 2015 Strong!

I've tried to start this year out with some crafty time. Since the wedding, I've sold my townhouse and moved into my husbands house, which means I had to merge my hobby with his in our joint hobby room...about 1/2 the space I used to have. It's been an adjustment, but I've purged some things, rearranged some things and I think I'm getting settled. Here are some things I've recently made:

I used an OWH Sketch for this card. The paper is SEI "Corrine" (it has some silver metallic in it, which is fabulous), black cardstock is CTMH, sentiment stamp is from PTI.

These cards are from one of CTMH's card workshops. The paper line is Snowhaven. 

My mother in law asked me to make a few baby cards for her. This first one is using DCWV Nana's Nursery paper. the sentiment stamp and twine is CTMH.

This is the 2nd baby card I made...I know the paper is DCWV, I think it's Nana's Kids??? Sentiment and Outdoor Denim cardstock is CTMH.

Weekend Wrap Up

I had some friends over to craft this weekend. Since there is a lot of talking and I am easily distracted as the host, I try to just work on cards I've already designed & hopefully pre-cut the pieces for. I worked on the hot pink cards I designed last weekend & here's what I finished...this is a total of 14...I have more pieces cut, but ran out of the ribbon I wanted to use, so this is it for now!

Weekend Wrap Up

I was on call for my regular job this weekend, so I really didn't have high expectations for what I wanted to complete. I guess I will say I was pleasantly surprised to be able to get a handful of Christmas cards completed and another handful cut & ready to be assembled. These green, red & white cards were inspired by a design from Vicki Wizniuk's blog...you can see her awesome work here: Wizard's Hangout. I get a lot of inspiration from her designs...they are always clean and eye catching.

For these first two, I tried to keep in mind that I need to mail a lot of cards so I kept these pretty flat. The only thing that adds a little bulk are the rhinestones & the metal looking embellishments. The White Daisy cardstock & sentiment stamp is from CTMH & I used a border punch by Fiskars. The patterned paper & red cardstock is from DCWV. (I WILL use up papers I've purchased long ago...I will!!!) The bling is from want2scrap.com & the metallic bling is from JoAnn's dollar spot, I think. I have 3 each of these cards completed.

These two cards were the same basic design as the first two, but I decided to use a different stamp & add some baker's twine to fill in that white space. The sentiment piece is popped up with a little foam tape, but still not too thick to mail. I don't think I'm a fan of the colored one...but the verdict is still out! I will have 3 each of these cards as well.

This card will be a set of 12 & I have another 12 precut with a different background paper, it's hot pink w/glittered words all over. I will use the same stamp & sentiment on those as well. The finished cards will use a variety of sheer ribbons to embellish the focal point. All the papers except the white cardstock are DCWV. The White Daisy cardstock & stamps are CTMH. I used a mix of glitter & clear detail embossing powder over the trees & sentiment & heat set it for a little more sparkle on this card. It doesn't show up in the picture, but it does look pretty! I need to finish stamping, embossing and assembling all the rest of these cards. That will be a project for next weekend I'm sure!

Well, that's all I was able to get accomplished this weekend. The coming week will be a little busy after work, but hopefully I will be able to accomplish something!

Productive Labor Day Weekend

Now, I will admit, I spent a lot of time just lounging this past weekend...but, I also completed 26 Christmas cards...and I am excited about that!

I completed 8 of these:

Paper: DCWV & CTMH  Sentiment Stamp: CTMH
Twine & Silver Shimmer Trim: CTMH
 

I had cut out the papers for this card a LONG time ago & never completed them, so this was the year! I love a little sparkle on my Christmas cards & I'm really loving twine lately. This is another great card for mailing, not too thick!

I also completed 18 of the blue & white snowflake cards I posted about a week or so ago. I loved the ease of that design so much, I made another set of 18 with a red/cream/kraft color scheme & I have started a third set of 18 with a red/green/blue color scheme. I need to take pictures still of the finished products, so those will come in a later post.

I believe my completed Christmas card total is now at 72! I'm going to keep on going because I really want to sell some this year for some Christmas cash...and because I have a really obscene stash of Christmas swag that NEEDS to be thinned out. I'm loving not feeling the rush of doing them at the last minute and I'm pretty confident I'll be done creating Christmas cards by the end of October. WooHoo!

Throwback Thursday - Cards From The Past

I used to have a different blog...but I never kept up with it and so I decided to start fresh with a new blog & new name at the beginning of 2012. Since I have a bunch of older cards that have never made it on this blog, I thought I would start posting some of them so they could be documented. I'll do my best to try and remember what supplies were used...this could be interesting! These cards were made in either 2008 or 2009...some of my earliest card creations that I'm willing to share. LOL :)

I know the patterned paper is from DCWV as well as the card base. The metallic paper on the bow & tag was purchased at WalMart (I so wish they still sold this!) and the stamp is one I picked up in the dollar bin at Michael's. I don't remember what brand the brad or rub on from the gift tag is from. I want to say the Cricut cut is from Celebrations...but don't quote me on that!

This paper was from a stack of birthday themed paper I purchased at Target, not sure of the brand. Again, I think the Cricut cuts are from Celebrations. The card base is DCWV and the buttons and thread were from my stash.

This paper was from the same stack I bought at Target. Card base and cardstock is DCWV & the ribbon was from my stash. The overlay on the tag was from a book of clear transparencies I bough from Paper Wishes, I think.

Card base is DCWV and I'm not sure who the paper is by. The embellishment came on a sheet of other chipboard birthday embellishments I purchased at Michael's or JoAnn's. The ric rac ribbon was from Joann's and the orange ribbon was just in my stash.

This card must have been after 2009...because that sentiment is from Close To My Heart & I didn't start using their products until I started selling them in late 2009. The papers and card base is from DCWV, ric rac from JoAnn's & brads from my stash...maybe SEI? That background paper has some glitter embossed on it...super cute!

Laughing Lola Cardmaking Kit

A few weeks ago, I completed the Laughing Lola Cardmaking Kit from Close To My Heart. I love these kits! They come with the card bases & envelopes, paper, embellishments, stamp set & instructions all for the great price of $24.95 plus shipping & tax! What a deal! With this kit, you make 15 cards...5 each of 3 designs. Here's my finished product!

I played around with the papers here. The B&T papers are double sided, so you can simply turn them over for a different look. I also added some shimmer trim to these cards. In this picture you can see each one has a different color of shimmer trim (silver, bronze & black).

On this set, again I played with the choice of background paper. Also, I chose to cut the heart out on my cricut instead of just stamping it on the white cardstock. I also used a background stamp on the white cardstock behind the heart. And I also added shimmer trim to these cards! :)

On these cards, I only reversed the background paper so I would have more variety in my finished product. Everything else was just as the instructions called for!

A Pinterest Inspired Success!

I find a lot of inspiration from other blogs, Pinterest & Facebook. I always try to make it my own in some way and sometimes they are downright copies. There are so many talented crafters out there! I'm really trying to use up papers and supplies I've already purchased. I have a box full of papers I've already cut into 4 x 5 1/4 just waiting to be used, so this sketch was perfect for that.

This set of cards was inspired by a Pinterest post. Here is my pin:

http://pinterest.com/pin/161074124145966539/

And here are my versions:

This is the group of all the cards I made. All the sentiment stamps are from Papertrey Ink. The butterfly punch is from EK Success. The yellow sheer ribbon is from my stash, pretty sure I purchased it at the Dollar Store and the Baker's Twine is from Close To My Heart. The patterned paper is from my stash & the cardstock if from Close To My Heart.

The sentiments on these two cards were stamped in Grey Wool (CTMH-Retired).

The sentiments on these two cards was stamped in Pansy Purple (CTMH-Retired).

The sentiment & baker's twine on this card are Lagoon (CTMH). Also, I used foam tape under the white cardstock to give this card a little dimension (and it helps with the baker's twine...I don't like lumpy cards!)

I hope you enjoy these cards. A few of them will be donated to Operation Write Home, the others will join my stash. And I'll probably make a few more in the coming days. They were super simple to assemble and you could switch out a variety of sentiments!

I will likely re-use this style for some Winter/Christmas cards using a snowflake punch instead of a butterfly. I have tons of Christmas paper screaming to be used!!!