Card - Happy Birthday - Night of Navy

A card for my brother who is celebrating a birthday this week.

I chose a beige card base with navy and red accents.

The red layer was embossed with a recent thrift store purchase.  See below.

I punched a navy 1.75" circle and added a 1 3/8 circle greeting on beige cardstock.

I trimmed the embossed layer to place the circle off center, then ran a length of Night of Navy seam binding along the left hand side.

I attached the 2 circles over the embossed circle and held them in place with a navy mini brad.

A quarter sheet insert and an envelope and it is ready to deliver. 

No company branding on these but considering that the price was 2 for $1 and I have all the Stamping Up circle punches and Nestabilities dies which will cut circles I decided that it was a good investment.

One is masculine and the other would work for feminine cards it was a great combo.

There is some room in the embossing folder storage box which is priority as well.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

I found a few things at the Thrift Store this week.

There Christmas section upstairs was open so I had to have a look.  I found a PartyLite bird tealight holder. I own a silver one and a ruby one so this will make three. Perfect.

The little LED Christmas tree will come in handy and all it needed was a new battery.  The string of snowflakes works.  All of this for less than $2. 

I have been looking for a swivel peeler for about 6 weeks. When I visited one of my sisters she just used the peeler to create carrot curls instead of grating it.  I thought it was a genius idea.  

My old stiff peeler did not so such a great job.  The ceramic peeler was just what I wanted and for under $1.

My sister and I decided we needed to swap things that were going in both directions. We decided to each take a bit of a drive in meet in the middle.

We had lunch at Wendy's then hit the 2 Thrift Stores in town.  I found this tea strainer brand new in the box for less than $1.  I have been looking for one since I misplaced mine. It retails for over $10 so that was a bargain.

The shape could not be better, a little teapot shape.  I have not seen one of these before.That will pair great with Lemon loose tea I found recently and really enjoy.

I also found pillowcase for cotton for the bags I am going to sew.

My trusty 2" circle punch bit the dust while I was preparing tags recently.

When Michaels had a 40% coupon in mid October I bought a new one. I do have thinlits I could cut circles with but the punch is so handy.

It really comes in handy for a lot of things.

I have decided to buy my bread at Cobs. Yes, the price is high but it is very good quality bread.  I can pay the same price at my regular grocery store and not get the same quality.

I find with this bread, I can cut the size of slice I want.  I can eat 1 slice and not feel triggered to eat 3 more slices which I found happens with the grocery store bread.

The loaves are bigger than my regular store and it is very wholesome and very good.

It is more expensive but I eat less so it works out.

This is the Country Grain Loaf.

A small little book with a great story. The Music Box by T. Davis Bunn.

Angie Picard as moved from the city to the mountain country and her home town. She is a teacher and enjoys her vocation. She has had a lot of challenges in her 31 years. She returned as a young widow.

Melissa Nealey is a newcomer and is quiet and shy and in the eight grade. She and her father Carson have moved from the city. She loves music and has a music box left to her by her mother when she passed 3 years ago.

In a crisis, Angie steps in to help Carson and Melissa through a health crisis.  She cares and loves on them and much healing takes place. 

Melissa and Angie share their love of music and life brings healing to Angie as well. 

The traveling was good to attend the reception Saturday afternoon.  I met a couple of my aunts there and shared with the other artists in attendance.

The 12x12 pieces were hung by color.  There are many wonderful works in the show.  It was a good time to connect with others in the group.

I did visit Michaels again this week with another 40% coupon for basic card making supplies. 

Christmas Cards - Gold Foil Manger

I made another set of Christmas cards for by card box.

These are A2 sized at 4.25 x 5.5 inches. 

I used the free gold foil card stock I received recently.  I cut the letter sized card stock into quarters. I placed it on the  Stampin Up Sunburst thinlit aligning the top left hand corner and ran it through the Big Shot.

The designer paper I selected is Crate Paper - Holly Collection - Garland  with a beautiful felt finish.  Love the soft colors. This piece was trimmed to 4.00 x 5.25 inches.

Based on this DSP I chose SU Pool Party as my card base. I used an extra half sheet of the same to punch my 2 inch circles.

I used the Penny Black Manger die on the gold foil card stock to coordinate.  I adhered the manger die to the 2 inch circle of Pool Party with a gold star tiny brad through the star in the die cut. I also added double sided tape behind the crib.

I applied double sided tape to the back of each of the rays in the sunburst. It was then aligned along the top left hand corner and press down.  I then trimmed the sunburst to the edge of the designer paper layer.  It was then adhered to the Pool Party card base.  I then adhered the circle manger accent to the middle of the sunburst with 3D foam tape.  I added a quarter sheet insert and an ivory envelope and they are ready to go.  Super happy with this set.

Christmas Card Challenge - Watercolor - Doves

I created watercolor backgrounds with the intention of using these dove brads for this set of cards. The watercolor has a bit of salt technique.

The doves come in right and left facing styles. I used a Sakura GellyRoll Stardust - Clear Star gel marker for the olive branch.

The circle behind the dove is a 13/8 inch circle punchie.

The greeting is a color printed double flag end banner I designed.

This card is Stampin Up Elegant Eggplant which is a deep rich purple color.  This card is in the landscape orientation.

On this card I used Stampin Up Primose Petal for the card base as I did not have any Rose Red card stock.

The circle is Rose Red.

The greeting is also Rose Red and I chose Peace on Earth in various fonts.

You can see the Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust - Clear Star gel marker on the image on the right. 

It just adds mostly sparkle with little colors so it works well in many situations.

 

These watercolor backgrounds were created with the Stampin Up Watercolor Wonder Crayons which makes it easy to match to the card stock.  

This card had lots of salt action on the color.

The card base, the circle punchie and greeting are all Marina Mist on the left and Always Artichoke on the right.

Small Gifts - Oil Diffusers - One of a Kind - Set 3

I am loving this creative process of making cool felt diffusers for these diverse type of containers. 

Here, I have a two inch square crystal napkin holder laid down flat with the hole facing up.  I made a different type of felt flower for this one.  You can find the tutorial for this flower here. 

Teal Blossom - I chose teal felt and cut six 2 inch circles then a yellow one for the center of the flower and a green one for the base.  I thought the green one suggests leaves without having actual leaves imposing onto the edge of the glass. I really wanted to be able to see the 4 corners of the napkin holder.

The video suggests hot glue but I chose to stitch this flower together which makes a cleaner end product.

I then stitched it to a white felt ball which helps the flower stay in place on the napkin holder.

This flower design is full and very easy to put together.

On the right is a photo of the top. 

With the oil being placed on the yellow center it will keep any discoloration to a minimum.

With Love Cup - This is a beautiful Mikasa - With Love pattern ivory bone china cup from the early 1980's.  

I decided to make the diffuser an ivory felt stuffy decorated with a  round petal pattern. 

I found this Petal Pattern video on line. The opening of the cup measures 2.75 inches but I needed to add some for seams and for puffiness. I cut 2 ivory felt circles measuring 3.5 inches in diameter and sewed them together with a 1/4 inch seam leaving an opening to turn it inside out. I then stuffed it with cotton batting and slip stitched the opening closed.  I then created the petal pattern according to the video using warm rose yarn to match the cup.

To accent the center I added a warm green circle topped with a gold metal filigree accent which was stitched on with the same yarn. 

I have created a spacer to place under the petal to keep it at the top of the cup.  I could keep the drops of oil to the center to lessen an discoloration of the ivory felt.  This diffuser would fit in nicely in a kitchen, a dining room, a reading nook or even on a bedside table. 

Time to Unwind - A ball of variegated yarn to encompass many shades of brown and reds which brings in the colors in the basket as well.  I created the ball by hand to be just the right size for the basket.

I created custom sized knitting needles from skewers cut down to about 4 inches.  I glued wooden beads to the blunt end.  Once the beads were dry I used Distress Ink of Antique Linen and Vintage Photo to add some color to the needles to be more in keeping with the overall color scheme. 

I added the More Mustard tag which was color printed and punched with the 2 inch circle punch.

Perfect quiet time to enjoy the aromatherapy of essential oils.

Triangular Trio - A set of three felt flowers with white pom pom centers set in a triangular bottle.

The flowers are purple, grey and light blue.  Each has a yellow fringe surrounding the white pom in the middle.

Each flower has a twisted silver wire stem which is terminated at the bottom with a iridescent ebead just before the end curl.

I have wrapped a length of yellow grosgrain ribbon around the neck of the bottle to repeat the yellow in the bouquet.

The essential oil can be applied to either the felt or the pom pom. The essential oil may discolor the white centers.

I wanted a less flowery option in a diffuser.

Tiny Beer - This diffuser started with a vintage etched crystal shot glass with a nice handle. It measures 4 inches tall. 

I rolled a piece of ginger colored felt to be the beer and placed it in the bottom of the glass.

Now I needed to create the frothy foam at the top of the drink.  I rummaged through  my yarn stash to find a messy white yarn which I wrapped around a white pom pom.  I secured the head to the beer with hot glue.

I think it looks great!

Exchange Cards - July - Chrome Circles

I had these chrome circles with flowers inside in my stash.  I believe they are old earrings (when big earrings were a thing).   I have clipped off the hanger with my wire snips.

I punched a 2 inch circle from coordinating card stock which in this case is Garden Green.  I placed it behind and pushed holes through for the mini brads. 

I chose a card base of Bashful Blue and scored it to create a tall card standing with fold at the top.

I wrapped Early Espresso seam binding around the card front and taped ends on the left hand side.  I adhered the metal circle with 3D foam tape over the place where the ends were taped.

I added strip of designer paper along the bottom edge of the card.  

I chose an oval color printed greeting to match the card color and adhered that with 3D foam tape.

This card is just a swap of the Bashful Blue to the Garden green for the card base.

Bashful Blue 2" circle behind the chrome accent with mini brads in Bashful Blue, Garden Green and Early Espresso.

They are finished off with a blank quarter sheet insert on the inside with a white envelope.

Cards - Birthday and All Occasion

I chose a piece of Stampin Up Designer Paper from the Tea for Two series and cut it into 6 - 4.00 x 5.25" pieces.

The paper was designed with Island Indigo as the deep blue I don't have that color so I substituted Midnight Muse which works well.  Love the quilting pattern.  This is my Angle Rectangle design where the decorative paper is titled on the card front and adhered. Then it is trimmed to the card edges with scissors. 

I added a length of Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon and knotted it on the front aligning it on the left near the fold.

I punched an Artisan Label from a scrap of the same DSP and turned it over to reveal the Calypso Coral polka dot side. I layered a Modern Label blue greeting over that. It was adhered in the bottom right hand corner with 3D foam tape.

This will be a card for one of my quilting sisters.

For this card I have paired it with a Lucky Limeade card base.

I cut the layer at 3.5" and turned the smaller piece over and taped them back together.  I placed a length of Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon along the join and taped the ends to the back.  The layer was then adhered to the card front.

I created the greeting with a SU Scallop Circle punchie in a coordinating orange card stock with a color printed circle greeting.  The blue and green greeting was punched with the 1 3/8 inch circle punch then adhered to the scallop.  This accent was then adhered to the card front over the ribbon with 3D foam tape.

This card is for a friend who celebrates her birthday in early August.

I made a couple of all occasion cards for my card box.

Here I have paired the reverse side which is the Calypso Coral Polka Dots with a coordinating card base. 

I assembled the flower accent with a couple handmade paper flowers (turquoise and yellow) and a couple silk flowers (white and orange).  All held in place on the designer paper with a tiny blue brad. 

The layer was then adhered to the card front with double sided tape.

I used another Midnight Muse card base with the quilting side of the Tea for Two DSP facing out. I made a slit in the designer paper and folded back the triangles to reveal the orange polka dots.  Like the way it repeats the triangles in the paper.

I wrapped a length of narrow organza ribbon in the Lucky Limeade color around the narrowest point of the front layer and tied a bow.  Trimmed the ribbon ends.

The layer was then adhered to the card front.

I added some three warm white Sugar Dots in the triangle space across from the ribbon bow.

Each of these has a white blank insert and has been paired with an white envelope.

Exchange Cards

I have rejoined my greeting card exchange group after not participating last fall due to my health issues.

I used the 3D Painted Texture Embossing Folder from Stampin Up on a piece of mottled purple card stock.   Trimmed to 4.00 x 5.25 inches.

I punched half holes on both side about 2" up from the bottom and wrapped a piece of heavy yellow thread around the layer and knotted it to the front. Trimmed the ends.

I adhered that to a dark purple A2 card base in the portrait orientation.  

The focal element is chalked and cut with the Spellbinders Nestabilities - Small Deckled Rectangles thinlits.  I used Stampin Up chalks and a Qtip to apply the color.  The images are from the Stampin Up Blossoms Abound set.

 

I used the same card stock base and embossed layer on this card.

For the focal element I used the Stampin Up Blessed Easter Tulips.  Again, chalked with SU colors.

I used a piece of warm purple fiber to tie around the embossed layer.  

The half circles were punched with an 1/8" punch.  Trying very hard to only use half otherwise it looks a little funny.

The focal elements were adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

Loving the new embossing folder.

Using what I have - the Deckle Edge Rectangles I have seldom used and I am really liking this use.

Easter Cards - Going to be late

I was slow out of the gate to get Easter Cards made for family.

I started with a warm teal A2 card base.

I cut the pink layer to 4.00 W x 5.25 T and adhered it to the card front.

I cut the striped glitter paper with the Stampin Up Sunburst Thinlit die, then another from the blue green polka dot paper.  They need to be cut so they align.

I cut off some of the rays from the blue green one to leave me a cross.  The striped one was adhered first, then the blue green cross on top of the striped one.  I placed the cross offset so all the rays of the striped one are visible.  I think it makes it stand out more.

I added a greeting in the center made up of a Scalloped Circle punchie in gold paper and a 1.25 inch circle color printed greeting on white.  This accent was adhered with 3D foam tape in the center of the sun burst.

The one on the left features different papers.


A blue card base. A polka dot background, patterned sunburst layer and a blue cross.  The designer paper is Authentique - Easter Time.

The greeting was white card stock so I just chalked with a bit of yellow to make it fit into the color scheme of the rest of the pieces.

These will be mailed after the long weekend so they will be late.

2020 Cardmaking - CH - Class 2

I chose the Angled Rectangle as my layout for my card making session at Compassion House tonight.

The designer paper is cut to 4.00 x 5.25 inches. I layed it on the front of an olive card till I was happy with the layout. I adhered it then trimmed it to the edges of the card.

I used one of the triangles cut from the edges as an accent along with a white silk flower, an aqua handmade paper one and a white sequin all held in place with a tiny blue brad.

I have built in a lot of variety in the kits for this class so not any of the cards are the same.

This is a versatile layout as it works tall or wide.

I chose a teal card for this designer paper. This one has a greeting in the form of a Stampin Up Modern Label greeting in the top right hand corner.  It is adhered with 3D foam tape.

The accent is a dark teal circle with a yellow star die cut on top.  It repeats the pattern in the designer paper. It is also mounted with 3D foam tape.

The inserts in on the inside are blank.

This one started with a brown card to work with the scratch pattern in the designer paper by Bo Bunny - Back to Backs - Gift of Love

I added a Modern Label greeting in the bottom left hand corner.

A Tim Holtz Old Jalopy die cut in the top right hand corner.

Makes a great card for the guys in our lives!

R2Go All Occasion Stack Kit - Set 9

I started with a medium teal colored card base in linen finish.

I added a layer of dark warm blue green designer paper with spots of yellow.  I have no credits for this paper.

I angled it until I was happy on my tall card then adhered it.  I trimmed the excess paper away along the card edges with scissors.

I created an accent with a deep teal 1.75" circle topped with a yellow card die cut.  The circle punched and the star die cut with the Stampin Up Star Thinlit set from deep golden yellow card stock.  This was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

The greeting was color printed and punched with the Stampin Up Modern Label punch.  It was adhered with 3D foam tape aligned in the top right hand corner.

I started with a red card base in the wide (landscape) orientation.

I chose designer paper - Aspen Frost by BasicGrey which was trimmed to 4" by 5.25" then cut with the Stampin Up Sunburst Thinlit.  I adhered it to the card front aligned along the edges leaving a small border.

I created an accent with a large 2" circle punchie in white, a medium teal circle punch measuring 1.75", a large white silk flower, a smaller red flower with a teal brad.  It was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape. 

These layouts are very versatile as they work in both orientations and a greeting can easily be added to either.  I included SU Modern Label punchie greetings in this kit with 3D foam tape to adhere them.

R2Go All Occasion Card Kit - Set 8

I made a couple more Ready 2 Go All Occasion Card Kits today.

This card started with a navy blue card base set in the tall orientation.

I chose designer paper Color Ways Sapphire Collection by Paper House. I trimmed it to 4" by 5.25" and then cut it with the Stampin Up Sunburst Thinlit die.  I adhered it to the card front aligning all edges leaving a small border.

I created an accent with a 2" white circle punchie then a blue 1.75" punchie.  I added a large white silk flower, then a smaller blue one.  I aligned them on the circle and used a push pin to create the hole for the brad.  I placed the silk flowers on the brad and pushed the prongs through the hole and spread them apart on the back of the circle.  This was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

I generally include cards in a stack kit which would work for the guys in our lives.

I started with a Soft Suede colored card base.  I added a layer of gorgeous designer paper but I can't find the credit now.  I trimmed it to 4" by 5.25" then angled it on the card front until I was happy.  I adhered it with double sided tape and then trimmed it to the card edges with scissors.

I added a Tim Holtz Old Jalopy die cut in dark brown card stock.  It was cut with the Movers & Shapers set.  It was adhered with 3D foam tape.

The greeting was printed and then punched with the Stampin Up Modern Label punch.  It was adhered with 3D foam tape as well.   

These layouts are very versatile as they work in both orientations and a greeting can easily be added to either.  I included SU Modern Label punchie greetings in this kit with 3D foam tape to adhere them.

Invites Selected & Delivered

She loved them both so in the end we combined elements of both designs into a final one.


She loved the insert in the blue design.  The colors pink and green from the designer paper pad appealed to her. 

I made half of the invitiations with the pink and green set of papers and the other with the blue and ivory paper.

The scallop was punched from one of the sheets in the pad that was patterned but in a pink color only.

The green circle is the same as the card base.  The text layer is Rose Red on ivory.

Delivered those on Wednesday. 

Excellent job.

2019 Cardmaking - CH - Class 4

I had a class tonight with the ladies at Compassion House.  I am using the Tropical Note Card stack kit.

The accent layer is glitter paper which has been painted. It was cut with the Tim Holtz Cabinet mover shaper.

The yellow was cut with the TH Cabinet die.  I added a circle punchie layered with a Stampin Up Five Petal Punch and held in place with a yellow mini brad.

The yellow layer was embossed.  I added a length of yellow fiber. 

I decided to add greetings to this set. The greeting was color printed on ivory and punched with the Stampin Up Large Oval punch. It was mounted with 3D foam tape.




The greeting on the blue one is the Stampin Up Modern Label punchie.

The purple greeting was color printed and punched with the SU Modern Label punchie.

These were printed on white & turquoise card stock respectively.

I brought this kit as well and we made most of these as well.  Great stash busting session.

Check out the details with these links Eiffel Tower  Butterfly   Bee & Flower

Exchange Cards

I`m sending off cards to my exchange friends today.

For this card I used Medium Outdoorsy Olive card stock as the card base. The designer paper is polka dots by Imaginesce - Kewl Stuff - Hot Spots which I cut with the Stampin Up Sunburst thinlit. I cut my designer paper before I ran it through the Big Shot so it was the exact size I needed (4.00 x 5.25 inches).  It was adhered to the card front leaving a small border.

I then punched a 2 inch circle from Dark Outdoorsy Olive and a 1.75 inch circle from the same color as the card.

I added a copper metallic butterfly with the Martha Stewart punch.  It is held in place with a tiny copper brad.

This accent was attached to the card front with 3D foam tape.

This card features Kraft as the card base.

The sunburst is by Carta Bella - Beautiful Moments by Carina Gardner - Happy Thoughts.

The paper was cut to 4.00 x 5.25 then run through the Big Shot with the Stampin Up Sunburst thinlit. It was adhered to the card front.

I punched a white 2 inch circle then a Kraft 1.75 inch circle and added a gold metallic butterfly done with the Martha Stewart punch.  It is held in place with a gold tiny brad.

This layer was adhered to the card front  with 3D foam tape.

Exchange Cards - October

I took this card kit from Card Club and adjusted it.

My sister made a similar card here which is my inspiration.

I embossed white rectangles with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots and the Devine Swirl embossing folders. I glued them in opposite corners onto the bright green card.

I glued the postage to a piece of vellum then this accent was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

Another card kit from Card Club.

I ripped the vellum to separate the vellum greetings.

I attached the vellum to the black card front.  I then adhered the gold foil stickers to a teal card stock then punched them out. 

These were adhered over the edges of the vellum strips.

These cards are headed to my card exchange partners.