Bling HB Card

A birthday card for a young lady celebrating her birthday today.  

I started with a purple card one of her favorite colors.  I added 3 banners of designer paper which coordinated.  I wove a piece of green between the banners and chose another piece to highlight the flag ends at the bottom of the card.  I added a flag end to the greeting.  I added a strip of bling rhinestones above the greeting then added a shorter strip on the right to balance the layout. 

High Bush Cranberry Syrup - Start to Finish

Recently I picked High Bush Cranberries with my sister who knows how to make them into wonderful syrup.  It can be eaten with pancakes, ice cream or in my case cereal. 

The first picture is the berries which were plentiful and the bushes were not much higher than me so picking was delightful. Once cleaned they went into the pot, they then spent time in the food mill to extract the juice and pulp and remove the seeds and skins. Back to the pot with honey for a bit of sweetness. Once back honey is melted the syrup is poured into jars.  They were processed in a hot water bath and now can be stored for eating. They will provide a reminder of warm sunshine during the cold winter.


Here's a link to the process for Cranberry Sauce.

Today I poured it onto my Red River cereal for breakfast along with yogurt and bananas.

Get Well - Pine Branches

I made this card for a guy that was under the weather last week. I hope he is feeling better this week.
Green card with dark green strips of card stock punched with the Fiskars Upper Crest border punch.  I glued the strip of pine branch designer paper in the center of the card, then the dark green strips on top and bottom overlapping the designer paper.  I added an embossed metallic star with a SU Modern Label Punch with a Word Window sentiment on the right.

Vertical Greeting Tag

I had made this card as a sample for card club and when it came time to make up the kits I decided to not go ahead for these reasons: the die cut alignment, the banner alignment and the juvenile color scheme of the card.  I could have worked with the different papers to improve the scheme but decided to just replace it. 

This card is white with a purple gingham designer paper layer on the front.  I created the tag with the new Stampin Up Triple Banner punch.  I chose a piece of solid card stock in purple which coordinated with the designer paper.  I placed my Tattered Lace Vertical Greeting dies on my magnetic cutting pad.  Placed my card stock and ran it through the Big Shot.  I adhered the greeting layer to the back white banner.  Then I put a hole in the top and ran a piece of white fiber through.  I adhered the banner greeting to the card front with 3D foam tape. I then placed a trio of buttons to the left.  They are held in place with Zots.

Card Club - Incentive

I made Gift Card Holders for my incentive for Card Club. Each lady received 2 of these great items along with a thank you card from me. 

I used 12x12 double sided card stock.  Scored at 4.25" then just under 3.5" from the other end to ensure the the back was just a smidge smaller than the front so it can not be seen from the front.  I tied on this wonderful felt gift to the card front with coordinating ribbon. I added a quarter sheet insert and an envelope to hold the gift card, coupons or cash.  A clip keeps the card close but allows quick access.

You can check out the original design here.

Thank You Card - Alphabet Photos

Here's my Thank You card to the girls who have signed up for Card Club.

I've been working on my inventory of letters for several years.  I decided to go ahead and start using them.  I laid out the letters and added 2 frames around the words. One skinny one wider.  Printed them on white card stock.



Here's how I packaging their small gift.  I used treat bags in a warm yellow color.  I used the same paper clips I had used on the Gift Card Holders to keep the bags closed.  I added a small note which I personalized with their names.

Card Club - Sept - Qtr Sheet Ripped Split

I chose a red card.  I ripped the black and white designer paper in two.  To keep the white edge on the bottom piece I ripped with my right hand towards me.  I then placed the bottom piece with the ripped edge in my right hand and did it again.  I glued the pieces to the top then the bottom edges of the card revealing the card stock in the middle.  The accent was cut with the Stampin Up Blossom Party die in white and black with a quarter ink circle in the centre. This accent was placed on the right hand side.  I placed a greeting made with the SU Modern Label punchie in black and a color printed greeting punched with the Word Window.  This was adhered on the left hand side.

Here's another alternative provided where there was a heart accent inside of flowers.

Card Club - Sept - Artisan Label Greeting

I chose warm blues for this card.  I have 2 designer card stock selected.  I ripped the first layer shorter leaving some space for the white layer.  I ripped with my right hand coming toward me to leave the white edge on the bottom piece.  ?The white layer started at 2.00 x 5.25" wide. I ripped the white layer separately.  If you would like them to match exactly then rip them at the same time.  I adhered the white layer to the back of the designer piece. I wrapped the 24" length of string around this layer several times and knotted it. Trimmed the ends.  This layer was then adhered to the card front.  This leaves the bottom of the blue green card showing.  The greeting was color printed then punched with the Stampin Up Artisan Label punch. The color was coordinated with the decorative card stock layer. I then adhered my greeting to the top right hand corner with 3D foam tape.

The other decorative card stock I included in the kits for this class.

Card Club - Sept - Flocked Floral Border

I started with the flocked floral border which came on a roll.  I cut a length to about 4 inches then trimmed both ends with scissors following the pattern to make them pretty.  I selected a small patterned decorative paper in burgundies, trimmed it to leave a small border and adhered it to the black card front.  I placed the border in the bottom third of the card and used a push pin to make holes where I was going to place the brads. I placed small gold flower sequins on the brads then pushed them through the holes I made earlier and press the prongs apart on the inside of the card. I layered my color printed greeting on the larger layer.  I added a gold sequin onto the greeting accent with a tiny bling Zot.  The greeting was adhered to the top right hand corner of the card front.
Amazing just a different designer paper can make the to the appearance of the card.

Card Club - Sept - Butterfly

We start another session of card club today.  I look forward to seeing my regulars and meeting new participants.

I started with a piece of double sided designer paper cut to 4.00 x 5.25 inches.  I then cut it again at 3.5 inches.  The small piece was turned over and then the pieces were tape together on the back over the join.  The brown grosgrain ribbon was placed over the join across this layer and the ends were taped to the back.  This was then adhered to the card front leaving a small border.  I created the accent with a cotton butterfly die cut onto which I layered a vellum butterfly punched with the Martha Stewart punch.  I placed a tiny copper brad near the head to keep these layers together.  The accent was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.
 
I chose a several designer papers and card stock to provide variety to the group.

Blessing Note Card

I needed a quick card to include in a bag of craft supplies I am contributing to a friend's budding crafting adventure.  I chose a small lavender envelope and cut a scrap of antique white linen card stock to fit inside.  I stamped the Ornate Pear by Rubber Stampede with purple for the pear and green for the stem and leaf.
I dug through my stash of ribbon and pulled out narrow, medium and wide ribbon in a variety of colors as well as texture including satin and grosgrain.



She is working on large letter decorator items as well as Scrabble Tile tree ornaments.
Stash busting is always a good thing.

Mosaic Monday - ABC

I've been working on my inventory of Alphabet Photos.  It's taken 4 years to get at least one image for each letter.  I have several options for about half the letters.  It's a lot of paying attention to my surroundings and putting on my letter seeing glasses to see them from a different perspective.

I've created a collage of the first 3 letters and the last 3 letters of the alphabet.

Submitting to Mosaic Monday hosted by Judith at Lavender Cottage.

Gift Card Holders - Felt Gifts

I had a good sale on Saturday so it's time to replenish some of my inventory.  I made more gift card holders in a different design this time.














It's still a tri-fold design but this time it features a felt gift on the front.  I selected coordinating 12x12 double sided card stock cut to 5.5" tall.  I used a narrow gold ribbon pulled through 2 holes in the bow to tie it onto the card. The bow repeats the bow on the felt accent.  The card is held closed with a gold metallic paper clip.

The inside features a quarter sheet insert for the giver's sentiments and a small envelope to hold the gift card, coupon or cash.

Gift Card Holders - Trifold

I made some Gift Card Holders for my sale tomorrow.  It's based on the design of this one.  It's a tri-fold made with 5.x5 x12 inch double sided card stock.  They are held closed with ribbon.  They have an envelope to hold the card or coupons or cash.

100th HB Card

One of my friends has an aunt turning 100 near the end of September.  She asked for a special card for this lady.

I started with applying foil to coaster to make chipboard numbers.  Once cut with the Stampin’ Up! Typeset Alphabet Bigz Dies I chalked the edges with a similar color to the card.  I selected a lavender card. I color printed the sentiment onto white card stock then trimmed it down to leave a large border.  I embossed the top of the layer with the Craft Concepts Whisper folder.  It was adhered to the card front then the 100 was added. 

Wow that is a great accomplishment!  I hope she has a great day!

Joy to the World

I started with the chalkboard JOY which was cut from a card with the A2 Matting Nestabilities.  I then cut the red envelope with the next size up rectangle.  I then created the banner and color printed it on white card stock.  Cut the banner ends with the Stampin Up Triple Banner Punch.  Adhered it below the large greeting.  I then printed some red music background onto white card stock and trimmed it to leave a small border.  Once adhered to the front of a black card the greeting layer was adhered as well.

Gentle Peace - Holy Family Vellum

I'm always working on Christmas Cards.  This one is a simple one.

I selected the Stampin Up Gentle Peace set.  I stamped the Holy Family with Versamark ink on vellum and then heat embossed it with gold powder.   I trimmed it close to the border with scissors.  I chose a multicolored designer paper from Karen Foster - Shades of Morning and trimmed it leaving a small border.  I chose a deep purple card but several colors of card would have been possible.  I adhered the designer paper background to the card front then adhered the vellum layer with 3 gold brads.  One star brad at the top and 2 tiny rounds in each of the bottom corners.


Submitting to following challenge.
Sparkles Christmas Card Challenges - Anything Goes.

Mosaic Monday - Happy Feet

I went to the Calgary Zoo on the long weekend.  While I was there I check out the new exhibit of penguins.  I captured 3 species of penguins: Rock Hopper, Humbolt Penguin and King Penguin.  They have a great exhibit where you can see them swimming under water.  I had recently seen Happy Feet so these characters were familiar. It was great and the kids liked it. 

Submitting to Mosaic Monday hosted by Judith at Lavendar Cottage.

25th Wedding Anniversary Card

Here's the card I made for the happy couple celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary.

I started with a grey card which supports the silver theme.  I then embossed a white layer with the Cuttlebug DeVine Swirl folder.  Trimmed the piece to leave a small border.  I added a greeting that I used in this class.  It was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.  I punched the 2 hearts from silver foil adhesive with the Stampin Up Sweetheart punch.  The numbers 25 was cut with the GoGoBoots sizzlet set.  These were adhered to the card front above the sentiment.

25th Anniversary Wishing Well

I was asked to make a pretty box for a surprise 25th Wedding Anniversary celebration taking place soon. It's designed to hold monetary donations for the blessed couple.

I chose a box which I planned to cover and decorate.  I thought it needed some weight so I created a false bottom into which I added some heavy material.  The false bottom was hot glued into the bottom of the box.  I then wrapped the box with silver gift wrap.  First the bottom then the top.  Where the papers joined I added 2 lengths of brown silver edged ribbon held in place with double sided tape.  I created a large bow with silver ribbon and adhered that to the front of the box.  It is held in place with Zots.  To the hole in the top I added some silver tape to make the edges smooth.  I added a die cut Stampin Up Top Note in Chocolate Chip card stock.  I cut out the shape of the hole with an E-xacto knife then adhered the die cut onto the top of the box.  I added 2 SU Sweetheart punchies from the adhesive tape on both corners.  I will be placing it on a glass platter with a white paper doily to set off the box.  I'm happy with the way it turned out.

Exchange Cards

I made these cards for my card exchange. 

I chose the greeting then found designer paper which coordinated, then card stock that worked with it. I trimmed the designer paper to leave a small border of card color and adhered it in place. I added an embossed strip of vellum across the bottom third of the card. I punched the greeting with the Stampin Up Decorative Label.  I punched a coordinating aqua label and cut it in half crosswise. I adhered them to the back of the greeting offset to the left and right.  I mounted the greeting layer with 3D foam tape.

For the 2nd card, I chose a deep pink card which matched the designer paper. I offset the paper down from the top and up from the bottom.  It was trimmed leaving a small space between the 2 designer paper pieces.  I put a piece of white of seam binding in this bright space.  It was knotted and the ends were trimmed.  I added a color printed greeting.  I added a blue SU decorative label offset like the first one.  Mounted to the card front with 3D foam tape.  They are off to 2 partners in the exchange.

HB Trifold

I made another tri-fold card for a niece who is having a birthday this week.

I chose a deep warm green card.  I scored at 4.25 inches and then flipped it over then just over 3.5 so the center panel is just shy of the front.  Stampin Up Window Frame in the same as card with a square of pink to hilight the flowers.  I printed the SU greeting from Elementary Elegance printed in Regal Rose on Very Vanilla card stock.  Punched with the 1.75" circle punch.  I added a pink ribbon to keep the card closed.

I tucked a bit of something for her to contribute to her thrifty shopping.

Gift Card Holder - DSP 12 inches

I'm working on tri-fold Gift Card Holders.  I started with 12 x 5.5 inch piece of double sided card stock.  I scored at 4.25" then flipped it and scored just shy of 3.5".  This allows the front to be just a bit wider than the second panel.  I chose a pretty paper and added a square of teal, a Stampin Up Window Frame diecut in purple and a greeting from Stampin Up Just Thinking set.  I chose a ribbon that pulled another color from the paper and added the ribbon to match.  The ribbon holds the card closed.  I placed a quarter sheet insert on the center panel for the personal message.  I then added a white envelope on the last smaller panel to hold the gift card.  The variations of this card is limitless!!

Stone Orb

Here's a close up photo of one of the elements from the Zimsculpt show I visited recently.  I am amazed how the sculptors can make such exquisite shapes.  It was smooth and shiny and perfect.  The stone was a different color than the rest of the sculpture and it rested in a pod like structure.  I decided to get as close as possible to just get the wonderful orb. 

Check out the other photo to see the overall image.

These sculptures were wonderful and there were a lot of them.  I believe they were all for sale.  The gift shop had many more.  I would recommend the exhibit if you live in the Edmonton area. 

I'm submitting to:
Macro Monday 2

I Heart Macro

Christmas Card Challenge - Sept - Skate Diecut Banner

Here's my card for this month's Christmas Card challenge.  I challenge myself to make cards all year long so that I will have the ones I need by December 1st.  How is your card making going?  I hope you are on track.  I think I'm a little behind.

The focus of the challenge is to include with skates, die cut and a banner.  I cut the Tim Holtz Bigz Die - Ice Skates from some warm blue card stock.  I cut the skate blade again from blue metallic card stock and trimmed it and adhered over the card stock skate. I laced it with some heavy crochet cotton and finished it with a bow at the top. I added a white snowflake punch to the ankle area. I chose a deep warm blue card.  I embossed a white layer with the large Cuttlebug Snowflake embossing folder.  I added a banner greeting which was stamped with Stampin Up sentiment from the Home for Christmas set with Marina Mist on the same card stock as the skate.  I trimmed it close and use the Triple Banner punch to flag both ends and mounted it onto a piece of dark warm blue card stock.

Mosaic Monday - Zimsculpt Exhibit

This exhibit is on display at our local conservatory.  Zimsculpt is a set of Zimbabwean sculptures.  There were so many wonderful images.  I especially liked the birds.  Isn't the elephant terrific?  The sculptures where we see the 2 different textures are really great.  I spent 2 hours of time in a different space. 

Sharing with Judith at Lavender Cottage - Mosaic Monday.