Card Club - Feb - HB Masculine Plaid

I started with the plaid DSP on this card.  I selected the yellow layer based on the paper.  I cut the layer to 4 x 5.25" as usual.  I cut the paper with the Memory Box Grand Happy Birthday thin die.  See notes below on alignment. The yellow layer was glued to the card front.  I left the happy with no glue.  I then glued the designer paper which was cut to 5 x 1.5" below the greeting.  I punched 2 holes through all layers of the card front with a 1/8" circle punch. I pulled the ribbon through and knotted it. Trimmed the ribbons ends.  The contrast between the solids really makes the sentiment pop.

I made kits with green, brown or navy cards to give some variety and the DSP provided lots of choices. These make great cards for guys.

Card Club - Feb - DSP Split

This is a DSP Split layout.  I really like the softness of this designer paper.  I was fortunate that it had 3 different bands so variety was built into the kits.  The DSP is by Deja Views - Sharon Ann Timeless Collection - Panels with Red Batik.  I cut the DSP to 4 x 5.25" then cut again at 3.25".  I flipped the smaller piece to reveal the red color on the back.  These were tape back together on the back to create a complete layer.  This layer was wrapped with red cotton ribbon over the join and the ends were taped to the back. This layer was then adhered to the card front.  I designed the greeting to fit the 2" oval punch and color printed them in colors to match the DSP.  The oval is adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

Card Club - Feb - Flower HB

This is a feminine birthday card. This card is based on the thank yous I made here.









I used panel card and envelopes sets I bought thinking that they would make quick kits.  The envelopes unfortunately were not A2 so all the white cards had to be trimmed.  I then trimmed the color panels down to match leaving a small border. I punched the top with the Fiskars ribbon punch once on the left and once on the right hand side. I ran the white seam binding through and knotted in the center.  I trimmed the ends. This was adhered to the card front. I created the greeting and color printed them.  I trimmed it close to the border.  It was mounted to the card front with 3D foam tape. I laid the white flower in the centre of the card, used a push pin to create a hole then put the small flower sequin, then the medium blue flower and the large white flower onto the white tiny brad, pushed the prongs through the hole and spread them on the inside of the card.

Card Club - Feb - Scallop Oval

Here are the cards for Card Club for February 2015.  We will have a good time tonight card making and visiting.

I started with the designer paper from Glitz Design - Sparrow Daisy. It had lots of colors and a solid color on the back which would work well with the layout I had in mind. I cut the DSP with the Sizzix Frame Oval Scallop red die then I turned the scallop frame over to show the orange then I placed the oval back inside and taped them together on the back.  I selected a card based on a color in the oval then I added a white embossed layer with the Cuttlebug A2 Rebecca folder.  Onto the white layer I glued the oval frame. I color printed the greetings and punched them with the Stampin Up Word Window punch.  I layered it onto a black banner cut with one of the SU Bitty Banner Framelits which was adhered with 3D foam tape.  To balance the layout I added a black flower punchie with a white flower sequin held in place with a tiny black brad.

I made kits which had yellow, blue, teal or purple cards.

Quick Thank You Notes

I needed some quick thank you cards to include with my blog give away calendars. I whipped these up using some of my original watercolor backgrounds with a frame from Clker. I found the frame in a few colors and a couple worked with the watercolors I had selected. I added the sentiment with a nice script font in a color to coordinate with the watercolor.  Another great one to add to my collection of note cards. Bonus.

Photo Challenge - Day 11 to 15

This is the final week of Sally Russick's 15 day Ordinary Extraordinary Everyday Mini Photo Challenge.   I always enjoy being challenged and thank Sally for hosting this challenge.  Here are my pics.

Day 11 - Macro

This is a close up of the view finder on my now defunct Canon Powershot A430 from the front. I loved this camera.  It was my first digital camera and I used it for 6 years and my Mom for another 4, so it was long lived.

Day 12 - Temptation

Ice cream bars with chocolate, the only thing missing is nuts is one of my temptations.  This is a small one so it's less calories when I do indulge.  It was delicious.

Day 13 - Sweetness

This orange is my sweetness with my breakfast.  A bit of tea, an egg and an orange.  I really need the Vitamin C as I'm fighting a cold.

Day 14 - Love

This is a heart shaped bowl which is a set of 2 that I received from my Mom and Dad when I graduated from college.  It is special to me.  I love the way the glass creates this blue frame around the dried flowers inside.

Day 15 - Togetherness

I found these exquisite Cameo buttons during my clean up this week.  I find it amazing that they were designed to face each other and they are 2 different ladies.  I can imagine them as 2 sisters, a mother and daughter or special cousins.

What type of mixed media techniques are you using?  Please leave me a comment on the post here. 

Blog Giveaway - I will send a gift calendar to 2 of the people who leave me a comment.

After going through my inventory I found 4 calendars so I'm sending one to the following ladies:

Diane A - ON

Diane A - ON

Karen W - ON

Dianne K - QC

Mosaic Monday - Beauty and the Beast

I got a call from my sister asking if I would like to attend a performance of the Beauty and the Beast as they had an extra ticket.  I decided to go.

It was wonderful.  The set design was exquisite in my opinion.  The performers were great. The music and the singing was excellent.  We were on the main level about 15 rows from the front on the left hand side, very good seats.

Of course, we could not take photos during the performance which  was disappointing.

There were little girls everywhere.  Some in yellow dresses, some all dressed up with tiaras like a princess, some not in costume but all of them excited!!!

Thanks for the great experience.

I'm submitting my post to Judith's Mosaic Monday.

Photo - Challenge - Day 6 to 10

I'm participating in Sally Russick's 15 day photo challenge.  The focus is our every day lives.

Day 6 - Minimal

This is a white egg in a black dish.  I wanted it to be a black and white photo.  I love the reflections of the egg on the sides of the dish.

Day 7 - Daily Chaos

This was my chaos today. I've been sorting through stuff and deciding what is hitting the garbage can and what is going to the second store. My place is feeling less cluttered.

Day 8 - Words

Here's a poem I wrote years ago.

Day 9 - Night Time Calm

This is a tool I use in the evening to calm down before I head for bed.  Of course, the suggestion of cup works for my favorite chamomile tea in the evening wind down.

Day 10 - Outside

This a puffed up black billed magpie sitting on a tree branch on a very cold day.  

Photo - Walk

Here's what I saw on my walk today. The wind was quite cold so a person needed to be well dressed.
The footprints on the left were from someone who did not stick to the sidewalk, the goose was stoic but cement has that effect, the little birds were feeding, the little brown bird was sitting in a pine tree all puffed up to keep warm, and the large tree down in the valley stood straight and true.

Card - SU Book Party Thank You

Here's the Thank You card I made for those who placed orders on my party.  My demo gave me some samples from the Salebration brochure. I thought I would use for these cards.

Card - Calypso Coral
DSP - Irresistibly Yours DSP from the Salebration Brochure.  I used a couple drops of Crushed Curry and Bermuda Bay reinkers in a Aqua Painter water brush in a wash.  Once dry, I pressed it flat then cut it to 3" squares.  I layered it with a piece of Basic Black.
Ribbon - Salebration Best Year Ever Accessory Pack which includes Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry and Coastal Cabana. I glued them down with double sided tape then trimmed them together at an angle.
Flower - I added a narrow Whisper White flag then a light aqua handmade paper flower held in place with a repeat of black tiny brad.
Greeting - Stamped the Thank You with a SU stamp with Onyx Versafine ink pad.  Not sure about the set.

R2G Card Kit - Baby Bird HB or Welcome

This is a card kit I adapted from the extras from this Card Club.  Likely no one needs 4 baby cards so I decided to add a birthday greeting which then could be used for others. In this case 4 birthday and 4 Welcome baby greetings are included to provide the most flexibility to the card maker.

Card - 2 shades of blue card and 2 shades of yellow are included in the kit
Bird - I designed and drew the bird & branch. This allows me to color it to suit any given situation.
Banner - matches the card color.  The banner can be cut with a flag end as shown for just at an angel based on preference.
Greeting - I designed the greeting and printed them in colors to match the card. I used a large 2" oval punch to create the greetings.  The greeting is 3D foam taped over the banner. This gives dimension and keeps the dark banner from showing through the greeting.

R2G - Card Kit - HB Stars on Label

This is a set of cards I had planned for a class later this month but my plans were changed so I've made them into card kits instead.  These make great cards for guys.

DSP - SU Just Add Cake DSP custom cut with Cricut The label die cut is adhered in the top half of the card.

Card stock - Stampin Up Early Expresso & Wild Wasabi

Stars - Sizzix Stars and Star#2 cut in EE and WW with tiny star brad. The star accent is layered as shown then a hole is made in the centre with a push pin and the tiny star brad is put through.  This accent is adhered to the center of the DSP diecut with 3D foam tape.

Greetings -  Early Espresso ink on Whisper White Decorative Label with a HB Stamp  The greeting is placed as desired on the bottom of the card and then the excess is trimmed off with scissors.

Photo - Challenge - Day 1 to 5

I've decided to participate in Sally Russick's 15 Day Mini Photo Challenge.  Photos of my ordinary life everyday which looks pretty good!  I like to challenge myself to see things in a different way or at least creatively.

Day 01 - Reflection

This is a reflection of a lamp in the melted liquid wax of a warmer.  I was so surprised to see it create this circle around the edge.  It scented the air for most of the day in a fall scent and it was this most delicious orange color.

Day 02 - Wrapping

This is a wrapping for a cell phone.  Handmade in the great colors of red, black and grey.  It provides protection for the phone and looks great.  The loop at the top hooks on the red button to keep the phone in place.

Day 03 - Kitchen Ritual

This is a daily ritual of boiling water for tea.  In the morning it's for black or red chai tea and in the evening for herbal citrus chamomile. I'm enjoying my cup as I blog.

Day 04 - Paper

This is a shot of the card stock standing on their side in my paper cupboard.  I loved the lines of color and the variation in the shades.

Day 05 - Repetitive Pattern

This is a photo of the closed blind in my craft space.  I have a light on the lower half which makes the top darker and with heavier shadows.  It provides a regular horizontal pattern with lights and darks.

Card - Challenge - HB Envelope

I made this card to meet a few challenges.
Designer Paper - I started with the patterned paper by Webster Pages - Kickball.
Envelope - I made the envelope with the Sizzix Scallop Envelope Bigz die by Stampin Up.  I used a watercolored turquoise paper which I warmed up with Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Stain because it was too white for the DSP.  I stamped the greeting in warm green with a small SU stamp.
Masculine HB - The colors were quite masculine, so to add to that feeling, I hid the scallop edge of the envelope with a small card which was the same color as the card and just fit inside.   I cut the letters HB with the Sizzix Shadow Box dies in complementary colors of light and dark blue green.
Ribbon - I added a length of caramel seam binding across the DSP which I knotted before I adhered the envelope to the front.

I'm submitting this card to the following challenges:
1. Daring Card Makers - Envelope
2, Hazel's Patterned Paper - February
3. Crazy For Cards - C4C271 - Masculine HB

R2G Card Kit - Ornament on Stripes

I have had the supplies collected for this card kit for a while and I found time today to put it together.
DSP - The Stampin Up DSP is Holiday Thyme and the card colors are Old Olive, Bravo Burgundy, True Thyme and Cranberry Crisp. I chose the stripes so that I would have all 4 colors in the one paper.
Greeting - I chose a greeting from the Joy to the World Stamp Set and put it on a SU Modern Label punchie of Very Vanilla in the same color as the card.
Ribbon - I matched the 1/4" ribbon to the card color as well. Some is stitched and some solid grosgrain ribbon. The ribbon is placed at the top of the DSP and a slit is made in the fold on the left to pull through the ribbon and it is taped to the inside of the card on both ends.
Ornament - The ornament is from the Ornament Keepsakes stamp set and it was die cut with the matching set of thin lits. Once cut, I wrapped a piece of vanilla thread around the hanger of the ornament. The greeting and the ornament are adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

You can check here for similar kits.

Challenge - Hearts

I started with a pink/purple paper heart doily from this project.  I selected a purple card to match and added a layer of moire gold decorative paper.  I traced the heart shape in the center of the doily onto to the back of the same gold paper and cut it by hand. I added 3 small flower sequins just off center on the gold heart and held them in place with tiny gold brads.  I stamped the Mr.&Mrs. by Stampin Up in black on a piece of coordinating card stock. I then punched it out with the SU Tab punch.  I mounted it to the card front with 3D foam tape.  I like the texture of the decorative paper and the paper doily.

I am submitting this card for the following challenges:
1. CST - Home Page Card Challenge at CST which is hearts for February
2. Cute Card Thursday - Crazy in Love

Photo - Years of Memories

These are a few of things I brought home after clearing my office this week.

The top left is a painted rock which represents the Northern Lights which I received from a friend in Yellowknife.  The THANKS rock was a gift from my boss on Admin Support day a few years ago.  The hand painted vase I don't recall where it came from but I filled with silk flowers.  The yellow balls came from a bouquet of flowers I received from another boss for appreciation of my work.  There's another yellow mug which will be no surprise from those who know me. This one is a bit on the small size for my taste but it's just the right color. You will find another in this post.  The star 3D puzzle was a prize for our team who raised the most dollars for world missions a few years ago.

Card Exchange - Key with Heart

I made these cards for my monthly card exchange. These hearts are left over from this project. I decided on the color combo of brown, red and cream.  I chose a brown texture card. I cut a piece of white pearl paper to 2.5" x 5.5" and embossed it with the Stampin Up Pretty Print folder.  I adhered it to the card front leaving even spaces on the top and bottom. I rubbed the edges of my heart die cut with a brown ink pad.  The heart was cut with the Cricut and the Folk Art Festival Cartridge.  I added a antique metal key on the heart and held it in place with a tiny brass brad.

Christmas Card Challenge - Feb - Star Layers Ribbon

The Christmas Card Challenge for February ( is it really here already?) is Star Layers Ribbon.  Are you going to join me?  Leave me a comment with a link to your card.

Here's my card for the challenge.  I started with the designer paper.  I wanted something with a small enough design to be okay with the size of the star.  I chose Celebrate Family Flowers - Confetti - Kaleidoscope Collection by My Mind's Eye. I chose the Sizzix 3 Stars die.  I then found a warm dark blue card stock to match the DSP.  I had decided that I would chose solid card stock, DSP and silver metallic, cut them all three of them at once and then just swap the stars into 3 groups. I need a light background for my dark stars so I selected a silver pearl card stock which I embossed with the Sizzix Stars and Swirls folder.  I trimmed it to leave a small border.  I added a red cotton ribbon bow that was just cinched in the middle with a piece of matching thread.  This creates less bulk for mailing.  I adhered a piece of the same thread to the back of the pearl layer in the top center before I stuck the layer to the card front.  I brought it down the card front and taped it down, which will be covered by the star.  I layered the 3 stars and pierced the centre with push pin and inserted the tiny red star brad.  I mounted the stars to the card front with 3D foam tape.   I decided to leave out any type of greeting. Repeating the star in the background worked well.