Sympathy - Gold Leaves

I made this card for a friend who lost his wife, Eva this week.

I started by reusing parts of a card with gold foil leaves on it.  I cut the layer down to leave a small border.  I found a rust card that worked well with it.  I added a gold colored grosgrain ribbon across the bottom third. Taped the ends to the back of the layer then adhered it to the card front. I stamped the Stampendous sentiment on a left over from the original card and gold embossed it. Using the Spellbinders A2 Matting Basics I cut the sentiment then the next largest rectangle in card stock same as the card. I layered these together then adhered it to the card with 3D foam tape.
I have not thought of these for layering smaller pieces because I forgot how small the little ones were. Very happy!

Sympathy - Sketch

I made this card for a friend who lost her Mom this week.

I started with a Stampin Up Groova Guava card. I stamped it with Script Background Builder ink Blush Blossom craft ink and clear embossed it. This provided a subtle texture I wanted. I paired this with a Sahara Sand DSP of small flowers.  I made a banner from SS stamped with the same background in the matching ink.  I created the ends with my 2" square punch.  I don't have a SU sympathy stamp so I used the one I have from Stampendous.  It was stamped in Blush Blossom and clear embossed.  Cut with smooth circles in SB Nesties 2.5".  Then I cut a 3" circle from GG onto which I layered my sentiment. This layer was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

Submitting this card to Fab Friday Challenge 58.

"Winter Glory" Card Set

These Christmas cards were created with laser printed panel cards of this winter landscape which I was given. They needed to be refurbished and re-purposed to be appreciated.  I decided to make them into cards for the Christmas season.  I cut down the panels leaving all the edges straight. Once I had the dimensions I create a grey rectangle leaving a small border from the edge of the image.  I added a greeting in the bottom right hand corner. This was printed on white card stock.  Once printed, the image was adhered to the card front.  An insert was added inside with the sentiment.  I think they turned out really nice.

Again, these are packaged in a clear box in a set of 20. They will be donated to the auction in the fall.

Note Card Refurbished

Here's a card I created with one of these note card on which I made a mistake when writing. Since it's only one layer I had to cut it down and layer it again.  The yellow matched perfectly.  To help incorporate the element into the card I placed it on my light table with the thanks facing down and traced around the edge with my embosser.  I did a lot of that in my early card making days.  I now have an extension cord set up in my craft space where I can plug in my tools rather than having to go to the kitchen.  Helps in actually making it happen.

Baby Card - Block Letters

I'm cleaning up leftovers from past projects. This was my first attempt at these cards.
It is Stampin Up Ice Cream Parlor designer paper but the letters are not SU. I chose Bazzil Great Lakes card stock which matches SU Pacific Point.  I trimmed the graphic close to the border then layered a couple pieces of lighter blue behind the top and bottom.  Added a trio of coordinating buttons held in place with Zots.

Photos - Organizing, Storage and Decluttering

I've been working really hard at de-cluttering and creating a place for everything.  Two years ago I added drawers to my craft space which helped a lot.

Top: The boxes in top photo are on top of the black shelving unit in my craft space.  Check here for a photo.  I have always stored them wide which meant they were stacked 3 deep which makes getting to the bottom one was not fun. They were too wide for the shelf as well so the last row on the right were precarious at times. Just by turning them on their side I can get them all in less space and only 2 deep which means less hassle to get to the box I want. Really happy about this.

Left: A new shelving unit to store all the stuff that did not have a home.  I now know exactly how much stuff I have and must stop buying!! The large containers hold yarn and silk flowers - perfect for the top shelf. I will have to organize the contents of pizza boxes and iris cases but I least I can see them all at once now.

Right: I bought an Ikea narrow Billy bookcase which sat perfectly in the space next to the black shelf in the craft space. This stores card stock and 3 classes/project cases.  It will keep the light and dust out and maintain the quality of the paper.

Left: I had a bit of space under my work table which could be used if I had a storage solution.  I knew it had to be drawers again.  I managed to these narrow drawer units a Walmart and they fit perfectly.

Center: I found that I saved boxes in case I needed one but there was no specific place for them to be so again I did not have any idea what I had so I needed a place. With that comes tissue paper, bubble wrap, gift bags, etc.  Home Depot had these containers on sale for $4 each so for less than $20 I got all I needed. What did not fit here went to the recycle center.
Right: I re-wrapped my work surface with new black contact adhesive vinyl.  This station is right across from the large metal shelving unit so it gives me a place to open a box I've pulled off of there and look inside. There's a better chance it will return to it's place if I don't move it too far away.

Card - Non Traditional Christmas Star

I started with a teal card.  I used a DSP by My Mind's Eye - Good Day Sunshine - Bold Dots Paper.  I cut it to leave a small border on the card front.  For the stars I started with a yellow ivory card stock and brushed it with Tim Holtz Distress Stain in Antique Linen and then added a bit of TH Gathered Twig to match the dots in the paper. I cut the stars with the Sizzix Star Die. I used TH Aged Mahogany stain for the small star and applied some to the edges of the yellow and teal stars.  I wanted the greeting to match so I brushed some stain onto the rubber stamp but the coverage was not great. I brushed the edge of greeting with the same Aged Mahogany stain. I dyed a piece of white cotton thread with the same stain.  I wrapped it around the DSP layer then glued it to the card front.  I layered the stars and held them in place with a tiny gold star brad.  The greeting is adhered to the card front over the thread with 3D foam tape.

Submitting it to:
 Holly Jolly Christmas Card Challenge - non traditional colors.
Christmas Card Challenges - Sparkle Creations - Anything Goes
Crafty Hazel's Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes

Beauty & The Beast - Thank Yous

I made a couple of these cards to thank my sister and the lady responsible for the tickets for The Beauty and The Beast.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to see live theater and it was a great performance. Check my original posting here.

I started with a royal blue card which I stamped with one of the Stampin Up Itty Bitty Backgrounds in a royal blue ink.  I photographed the rose which everyone in the audience received.  I applied a couple of photo filters and printed and cut it out with one of the smooth round SB Nestabilities.  I cut a piece of white in the corresponding scalloped circle nestie.  I rubbed the edges of the smooth circle with the same royal ink pad. Once glued together I adhered the element to the card front with 3D foam tape.  I added a red cotton ribbon across the bottom 3rd of the card.  I put a slit in the fold so I could pull the ribbon through and tape both ends to the inside of the card. I used a printed sentiment from my stash and rubbed the edges of the SU Decorative Label punchie.  It is also mounted with 3D foam tape.

How To: Memory Box Grand HB Alignment

How to Set Alignment for the Memory Box Grand Happy Birthday die:

The yellow layer was cut to 4.00 x 5.25".

Once the yellow layer was cut to size I placed a pencil mark on the left and right hand side at 7/8" from the top.  I then aligned the die just below this mark which made the cut straight and the marks are on the piece which is removed which means no erasing marks. Taped down the die and ran it through the Big Shot.

See the card here.

Photo - My Walk Today

A few shots from my walk today.

The sidewalks on average were wet and icy but some were bare and dry. The puddles provided nice reflections.  Wow is that snow dirty in number 2.

I came across a dried up hydrangea plant which still looks pretty good for being dried up.  I thought the color was nice as well.

The sky was wonderful with a bit of cloud.

The temperature was great and I was able to wear my old running shoes and my spring jacket.  That was super nice.

I'm submitting my collage to Mosaic Monday with Judith at Lavender Cottage.

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