Birthday Card - Snippets

I punched the large 1.5 inch squares from scraps of solid DSP then punched the smaller 1.25 inch squares from coordinating patterned DSP.  I corner rounded two opposite corners on both sets of squares. I printed the cross on a piece of white card stock which was trimmed to leave a small border.  I found a greeting in my stash and trimmed both ends at a slant. I then layered it with another small piece of the same solid DSP.  I trimmed both ends leaving the same border.  I adhered the white layer to the card front with coordinates with the colors on the front. This is a create scrap buster idea.

Submitting card to the following challenge(s):
Less is More - 234 Recipe - Snippets

Banner Thank You

I made this card for color challenge.  I started with the thank banner as I need a card for a friend who hosted me at her cottage a while ago. 
I stamped the Thank You from the Stampin Up Noteworthy stamp set in Night of Navy 3 times on a piece of white about 1.75" wide.  In my recent order the Banner Triple punch arrived as well.  I punched the bottom of the white layer then cut a NofNavy layer and punched that one too.  I then adhered the white to the blue and trimmed the top to match. I love that I can make my banner as long as I want. I tied a Calypso Coral ribbon around the banner above the words.  I added a small flower button in NofN with a Zot. I printed a
section of a Decorative Overlay in NofN onto the front of the More Mustard card.  I adhered the banner to the right of center.

Submitting the card to the following challenge(s):
Color Q #301

Painted Blooms Thank You

I just love this Stampin Up Painted Blooms DSP.  I just received my order with the Lost Lagoon card stock so I was ready to cut a sheet - it was hard though. I wanted a large thank you across the bottom so I selected a digital one from the Eventful Year collection and changed the colors to match this paper. I printed it on vellum and embossed it. I printed again from Eventful Year some polka dot paper which I changed to Lost Lagoon onto my card front.  I cut my DSP at 3 by 5.5 inches.  I adhered it off centre to the right.  The greeting was getting lost in the stems so I placed a strip of white card stock behind the vellum in order to have the greeting highlighted.  I adhered the vellum to card stock with vellum adhesive then adhered that to the card front.

Submitting to the following challenge(s):
Fab Friday 69 Colors

Blue Bird HB

I started with a Stampin Up Marina Mist card.  I stamped the You're Amazing - Happy Birthday stamp in the same color on a piece of white.  I then stamped the bird from the Punch Potpourri in MM and punched it out with the coordinating punch.  I punched a wing from the same blue. I punched the branch from Certainly Celery card stock.  I glued the branch above the greeting then adhered the bird sitting on the branch with 3D foam tape.  The white layer was then adhered to the card front.






Submitting this card to the following challenge(s):
TGIF Challenge 13 - Clean and Simple

Washi Tape Cross Section

I made the card based on a challenge sketch.  I chose Stampin Up Washi Tape for the elements.  I used Hello Honey from at Happiness Is Project Life Accessory Pack, Bermuda Bay from the Everyday Adventure and the other is Crushed Curry from the Cherry on Top set. I placed them 90 degree angles to each other in the bottom left hand corner on a white card. I cut a couple of them down to half the width to add interest. Once the tape was applied a spattered the piece with Bermuda Bay ink. I chose a More Mustard card and a button to match. I stamped the greeting from the Noteworthy stamp set in black and then added a layer of black between the card and the washi tape layer.  I knotted some black string into the button then adhered it to the card front with a Zot. 
Submitting this card to the following challenges:
Stampin Celebration Sketch 109

Majestic Tree

I created this card for someone celebrating a birthday this week.  I started with a Stampin Up Crumb Cake card stock piece.  I selected a piece of DSP from the Adventure Bound  Paper Stack and cut it to 3" square.  I stamped onto it a tree from the Lovely as a Tree stamp set in black. I added a layer of Basic Black card stock cut to 3.25" square.  I stamped the greeting from the Itty Bitty Banner stamp set in black on the same colored card stock. I then die cut it with the corresponding framelit.  I cut another one from black, cut it in half crosswise and adhered it to the back offset on both ends. I stamped a bit of washi tape from the Tape It stamp set in black on the card front before I adhered the tree layer.

I think I was too tentative with my stamping and they should have stuck out more but such is life.  I adhered the greeting to the card front below the tree layer with 3D foam tape.

Submitting this card to the following challenges:
CAS Colours & Sketches #134
City Crafters Challenge - Masculine Card

Blues Mosaic

I prepared this mosaic then was reminded that Mosaic Monday is on a break till next week so I'm posting it anyway.

I decided to go with blues. I placed a sky with clouds as my background. I took this hosta flower this week. I found the edges of the petals looked like a photo filter but this is just how I took it with a bit of a crop.  The fountain was looking good and feeling cool.  The last of my fresh saskatoon berries for breakfast on this last week.  The blue fountain in the park a couple of blocks away.  The sound of moving water is so terrific.  This large purple blue flower was in a flower bed close enough to the sidewalk so as to not invade their yard to take the picture.

Enjoy your week!

Joy to the World Challenge

I started with the Tim Holtz JOY Mover & Shaper cut from green card stock.  I then cut the word out of the piece of card stock with one of the Spellbinder Smooth Oval Nestabilities.  I cut a scalloped oval with the corresponding SB Nestabilities from gold card stock.  These were adhered together.  I cut the TH Ornamenal die from ivory music decorative paper.  I chose a deep red card onto which I stamped some washi tape from the Stampin Up Tape It stamp set in black ink.  I colored printed the "to the World" greeting in black and I applied a bit of TH Antique Linen Distress Stain to just remove the whiteness of the card stock. I flagged the end of the banner with the SU Chevron punch.   I then layered it onto the same green card stock as the Joy die cut leaving a tiny border. I adhered the Ornamental die cut to the card front then adhered the banner in the bottom third of the card.  I then adhered the Joy scalloped oval with 3D foam tape.

Submitting this card to the following challenges:
Sparkles Christmas Card Challenge - Anything Goes
Holly Jolly Christmas Card Challenge - Inspired by a Christmas Carol

Wisdom for Couples Calendar

My nephew is getting married this summer and we had a bridal shower for his fiance a few weeks ago.  This is the gift I made for them.  I scoured the internet for advise for newly weds.  I selected 12 that I made into this calendar for their first year of marriage.  She is a very down to earth girl who does not stuff too frilly so I selected a barn board photo I took a while ago for the background.  I love the open red hearts I found on CLKER. 
 
I started the calendar in August which is the month they are getting married in.  I placed these nuggets of wisdom in a black 4x6 metal frame which set off the couple on the front nicely.  I hope that this will be a reminder of the important things while they work through their first year.  I'm sure there will be more good than tough but there will be some tough undoubtedly. 



I wish them a long and happy and healthy life together.

I know most young people manage their calendars with their cell phones rather than a paper calendar but I hope this one finds a place in their home where they can see it regularly.

Cards - Tab Closures

I made a couple of cards for my exchange group.  A Stampin Up Card Base Pop 'n Cuts XL die has come my way and I didn't know it created a card which closes with slits and tabs.  That was a super surprise. I've done some research and there are interesting projects to come.
For these cards I cut the double sided card stock with the card base then folded it in half.  For the blue one I used Make a Wish Dandelion paper from Pebblesinc.  I cut a SU Lattice Die in white and adhered it to the card front in the tall orientation.  I punched a couple of SU Five Petal Punchies in deep brown then 2 small white Five Petal punchies and adhered them onto the brown ones.  I added a bit of a centre with a marker.  These were mounted with 3D foam tape. I added a greeting in the bottom right hand corner with a SU Modern Label punchie in white stamped with a stamp from the Small Script Stamp Set. I punched a brown punchie same card stock as the flowers, cut it in two crosswise and offset them to the back of the greeting layer.  This layer was then adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

 This second card was cut with the same card base die.  I used this map card stock with a deep red on the back side.  I cut the Tim Holtz Camera Mover & Shaper from the same card stock but with the red in front.  I cut it twice and then layered some pieces from the second onto the first so I would have map accents on it.  I used a strip of white card stock which I put Distress Stain in Antique Linen and Gathered Twigs to help it coordinate with the card stock.  I then cut the sentiment with the Stampin Up Little Letters dies and adhered them onto the colored strip.  I ran the edges of the strip into the dauber of Gathered Twigs stain.  I adhered the strip to the card front. I wrapped the card front with several layers of kraft twine and knotted it on the front. I then adhered the camera to the left of the sentiment with 3D foam tape.  Note the card is being used in the reverse manner from the first one hence you only see the red tabs showing through the slits.  Very versatile die.

Lily Black & White

I chose this lily from my walk photos this morning for Black and White Wednesday.  It has good contrast and I like the way the stamens of the top flower appear as separate at the top of the picture.  They had watered at the community garden so droplets were present as well which was very good!

I was going to link this to
B&W Wednesday but there is no linky this week.

Here's the colored version.

Lady Bug - Hide and Seek

I played hide and seek with this little lady bug for about 20 minutes during my visit to the Muttart Conservatory. When I put my lens too close for her comfort, she would walk to the back side of the leaf.  I then had to pull back and she would return to the front.  I had to be focused and fast to get a few good shots.


Submitting to the following challenges:
Macro Monday 2

Great Weekend!

These are pics from my weekend.
The first 2 pictures are from the feature pyramid at Muttart.  Theme is Journey to Middle Earth.  The hobbit house is terrific and Smaug the dragon had "fire" coming from it's nostrils.
On Saturday, I joined my sister to pick saskatoon berries at a U-Pick.  They were just perfect. We picked Nan King Cherries also but I forgot to take a picture.
Jasmine Green Tea Dragon Pearls which I received from a friend.  It was very good!
I have been craving hot dogs roasted on an open fire.  My brother in law made the fire and the hot dogs were just as I had imagined!  Thanks.
The canola fields are turning a wonderful yellow. I chose to have the barn in the background.
It was a perfect Alberta summer weekend.

Submitting this to Mosaic Monday hosted by Judith at Lavender Cottage.

Lily - B&W

This is a lily type flower I took recently in a public park near my place.  I just cropped it a bit to have it placed better in the shot. 

Submitting to this challenge:
Black and White Wednesday

Variegated Leaf

I took this shot of small leaves on a bush in a garden. They are an interesting variegated color. I love the colors and the shape of the leaf.  I love the blurry green and purple background.

Submitting to these challenges:
Macro Monday 2
I Heart Macro

Mosaic Monday - Blooms & Critters

I  includes pictures from my walks recently.  The gecko in the top left I found on a fence in a garden, the glitzy butterfly is in a flower bed, the pink lily is from my birthday bouquet, the poppy is from the community garden and the heron garden ornament is from a garden. The background is the rain drops we got on Sunday!!!

Submitting to Mosaic Monday hosted by Judith at Lavender Cottage.

Fence Post - Get Well

I made this card for a friend who experienced a stroke recently.  I have looked a fences made with the SU Hardwood background but I don't have the stamp. I have hoarded a few sheets of wood 12x12s so I cut into one to make this card.
I color printed a hillside scene from CKLER onto vanilla card stock.  I adhered it to the a dark green card.  I cut the paper down to approximately 2.75" after determining that is where I wanted my fence.  I cut them .5" wide and used the SU Chevron punch to create the peaks on each plank.  I ran a green ink pad to match the card along all the edges.  I cut a longer strip for the cross piece.  I adhered these to the card front and trimmed the bottoms to the card edge.  I added an oval greeting which has been chalked.  The edges again have been rubbed with the same green ink pad.  I hope he is feeling better soon.

Some More Cards from Decorative Paper

Some more cards from Decorative Paper I have made recently.  This is an alcohol ink background in reds, oranges and purples. 
I cut the greeting with Stampin Up Little Letters framelits from white card stock layer.  I then cut tropical flowers with the SU Flower Fair framelit set.  They remind me of hibiscus flowers.  I used the larger die to create the 2 holes in the white layer then cut the resulting positive shape with a smaller framelit.  I used a deep red marker with a fine nib to create a dot shadow around the hole.  Once the colored layer was adhered to the magenta purple card front, I adhered the white layer to the colored one.  I then adhered the 2nd white flowers in the center of the holes cut.

Another alcohol ink background. I sure love these vibrant colors.  I stamped the white layer with a SU Itty Bitty Background stamp in deep blue.  I cut the greeting with the Memory Box Grand Happy Birthday die from the decorative paper. I aligned the bottoms edges leaving a small border.  I cut the butterfly with the Sizzix Winged Beauties Thinlits set from the same paper. 

I cut the Acrylic Paint Decorative Paper with the Cricut and the Just Because Cards cartridge.  It was cut at 6".  It was adhered to the card front.  I tucked a color printed oval greeting in the lower crescent.  I layered several silk flowers starting with a large white with yellow ends, then a white medium then a blue purple one which repeats the colors in the DP.  I added some green silk leaves and held all these layers in place with a tiny white brad. 

This decorative paper was created with spritzing re-inker ink with a small mister spray bottle.  I selected two warm orange silk flowers, then a green handmade paper flower then then a white silk smaller flower all held in place with a blue mini brad.  I added a strip of coordinating strip of card stock across the bottom third of the card.  I then added a bright greeting coordinating with the colors in the DP.  I added a color printed oval greeting cut with the CM oval cutter.

This is the same decorative paper as the previous card. I cut it with the Sizzix Tim Holtz Vintage Cabinet Card die.  This layer was adhered to a golden yellow card.  I layered a large silk flower, then 3 from the Sizzix Flower Layers and Leaves die in warm green and golden yellow. I selected a golden yellow mini brad and placed a white sequin then the card stock flowers then the silk then onto the card front.  I designed the greeting, color printed in black on vellum then clear embossed it.

This is a layer of Acrylic Paint decorative paper in blues and purples.  I cut a flower from vellum to match the greeting.  The white felt flower was cut with the SU Blossom Party original die as well as the purple slim petal one.  I added a tiny iridescent sequin onto a tiny white sequin then layered the flowers.  This was adhered to the card front once the decorative paper had been glued to the card front of a purple card.  I designed the greetings and printed them on vellum. I adhered the vellum greeting to the card front with vellum adhesive.  It was printed in black and clear embossed.  They look great!

These cards are a line of cards I've designed with unique  decorative paper I design regularly.  I've named the line Unique Cards. These are for sale in a gallery.  Check the tab at the top of the blog.

Fireworks Bokeh

I took this photo from my balcony of the Canada Day Fireworks in the river valley.  It turned out bokeh in black and white so I just went with it.

Submitting to these challenges:
B&W Wednesday

Christmas Card Challenge - July - St. Nick Spatter Buttons

It's time for the Christmas Card Challenge again.  This month it is Santa/St. Nick / Spattering / Buttons.  Santa could be die cut, stamped, color printed. Spattering could be paint, ink or some other color medium.  Buttons could be chipboard, real, die cut. All kinds of options. Be inspired!


I chose a St. Nick I found on-line which has a rich colored tunic, a snowy grey background and majestic stags.  I color printed it in the size I needed.  I trimmed it leaving a white border.  I dug through my button collection to see what I had that matched either the tunic or the stags.  I chose a grey card which matched well with the background in the picture. I spattered white pearl acrylic paint on the front of the card with a spatter tool then sent them aside to dry.  Once dry, I wrapped a piece of white seam binding around the card front and knotted it on the right hand side.  I repeated the colors in buttons - white, burgundy and grey.  These are held in place with Zots.
Submitted to the following challenges:
Sparkles Christmas Card Challenges - Anything Goes