CFC55: Hope your birthday is outta sight!

Happy Friday!  I can't believe it's already June!  Crazy!!!  And today is my parents' anniversary.  I s'pose I should get on that, card wise... but first, I'm back with a new CAS-ual Fridays challenge.  And since it's the first challenge of the month, that means it's a Guest Designer Challenge!  And this challenge is open to so many possibilities:

Create a Clean & Simple card using bling - rhinestones, glitter, even stickles.

This challenge is sponsored by the fabulous Simon Says Stamp!

I love that eye charts and eyeglasses are popular right now - they're so fun!  I got the Maya Road Eye Chart Sentiments stamp set recently, and couldn't wait to use it!  And I thought it would look great paired with the glasses from the Paper Smooches Get Outta Town set.  I stamped the glasses onto a star die-cut, then blinged them out with red rhinestones.  Okay, are you ready for the paper yummies?  Here ya go:

I scored the edges of my white cardstock with a scoring board, then added a computer-generated sentiment (printed on a chevron patterned paper from the Echo Park Sweet Day 6x6 pad).  Here's a close-up of my blingy specs:

So are you ready to play along with this week's challenge?  You can add as little or as much bling as you want - just keep the card clean and simple.  You have until next Thursday, June 7 at noon EST to link up your card.  We'd love to have you!

I'm also playing along here:

Charisma Cardz Challenge #21: Bling

Lily Pad Cards Star Challenge

Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes Challenge

Supplies: cardstock: Recollections (black), Georgia Pacific (white), Core'dinations (yellow); patterned paper: Echo Park; stamps: Maya Road (eye chart), Paper Smooches (glasses); ink: Tsukineko; star die: Spellbinders; die cutting machine: Cuttlebug; scoring board: Martha Stewart; baker's twine: Divine Twine; rhinestones: The Paper Studio

October Afternoon 9 to 5 contest - hello

Happy Wednesday, everybody!  I am super excited today, for a couple of reasons.  One is that I just put a deposit on a new (to me) SUV this morning, and I can't wait to get it!  I've been wanting one of these for a few years now.  The other reason I'm so excited is that October Afternoon is having a sketch contest using their 9 to 5 line, which I happened to pick up recently.  It's such a cute collection!  Here's the sketch:

I think this sketch lends itself more to a layout than it does to a card, but I haven't done a layout in years, so I went ahead and turned it into a card.  And now for the paper yummies:

I really loved working with this sketch, and I think the card turned out so cute!  I used Nestabilities dies to cut different sized circles out of several patterned papers, then arranged them according to the sketch.  I popped some of them up with dimensional adhesive:

Then I used some of the cutie buttons from the same collection and arranged them in place of the hearts in the sketch:

I used the alphabet stickers to create the "hello" sentiment.  Then I punched a heart from the black chevron paper, popped it up on dimensional adhesive, and applied Glossy Accents:

I finished the card off with some machine stitching around the edges and under the sentiment.
Thanks so much for looking!

I'm also playing along here:
Crafty Creations Challenge #172: Running in Circles
Little Red Wagon WOOD you? Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes Challenge

Supplies: card base: The Paper Studio; patterned papers, alphabet stickers, buttons: October Afternoon; Glossy Accents: Ranger; sewing machine: Kenmore; thread: Singer

Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge - just a note

Happy Memorial Day!  I hope everybody is having a safe and enjoyable long weekend.  Today kicks off a new Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge.  And since it's the 4th week of the month, the theme is:

That's right - it's a photo inspiration challenge!  And here is the inspiration:

This photo really threw me for a loop.  I've been thinking about this one for weeks, and nothing really "clicked".  I was inspired buy that cool blue piano, but wasn't sure how to translate that to paper.  I wanted to mimic the piano keys, so I got a little creative with my stamps to make this paper yummy:

I used two of the banner stamps from Circle of Honor to create the piano keys, and I think it turned out pretty darn cool!  I had this idea in my head for awhile, but I was totally lost on the sentiment.  Then my friend Laura said "how about 'just a note'?"  She's some kind of genious.  It's so simple, and so perfect!  I used the Alphadot set to create the sentiment.  Since I don't have a PS set with a music note on it, I also used Alphadot to create the music notes.  They were a combination of letters, numbers, and dots.  I finished off the card with some baker's twine and an orange button:

I'm really excited to see how other people interpret this photo!  You can play along with the challenge here. You have until next Sunday, June 3 at 11:59 PM EST to play along.  The winner will receive a $30 credit to the Paper Smooches store!!  And don't forget the check out the rest of Team 2's wonderful creations, and give em' some love!

Angeline

Erica

Jackie

Savannah

Thanks so much for looking! 

Supplies: cardstock: Georgia Pacific; patterned paper: KI Memories; stamps: Paper Smooches; inks: Ranger (piano keys), Tsukineko (Onyx Black for sentiment, watermark for music notes); baker's twine: Divine Twine; button: craft supply; black pen: K & Company

Simple Card Saturday - a happy day to you

Happy Saturday!  I hope everybody's long weekend is going great so far.  I'm on duty tomorrow, so I don't really have a long weekend, but I have 6 days off after that, so YAY!  Last week I picked up a bunch of goodies from BlueMoon Scrapbooking, including some of the Sidewalks line from October Afternoon.  I absolutely love the papers in the collection, and the stamp set is adorable.  The line was released last year, but I didn't have it yet and couldn't resist.  Okay, now for the paper yummies:

Okay, is that stamp not the cutest thing EVER?!?  I love it!  I stamped him on the natural colored cardstock, colored him in, then paper-pieced his clothes and flag:

I love that this stamp set has multiple sentiments that will fit in the flag.  The stamps and all patterned papers are from the Sidewalks collection.  I machine-stitched around the cardstock, then added a button from the October Afternoon 9 to 5 collection on top of a little ribbon tab:

Thanks so much for looking!  I hope you continue to have a wonderful and safe weekend!

I'm playing along here:
The Gingham Challenge in the Moxie Fab World
One Stop Craft Challenge #184: For the Boys
Paper Play Challenges '12 Week 21: Summer Lovin'
Paper Crafting Journey Challenge #10: Anything For Kids Goes

Supplies: cardstock: Recollections; patterned papers, stamps, button: October Afternoon; ink: Memento; markers: Prismacolor; ribbon: Michael's; stapler: Ranger; sewing machine: Kenmore; quilting thread: Singer

CFC54: NO. 1 dad

Happy Friday!  I'm back with another CAS-ual Fridays challenge. Here it is:

Make a clean and simple masculine card using patterned paper

This week we are sponsored by the wonderful Gina K. Designs:  

Gina K. provided each member of the design team a pack of 6x6 papers to use for this challenge, and get this: the paper collection is actually named "Casual Friday"!  How perfect is that?!? You can see the collection here.  It has such great masculine patterned papers, which is especially great for me.  I struggle with masculine cards, and this paper just made it so easy to create a manly card.  And since Father's Day is coming up, I made this paper yummy for my dad:

I kept this card pretty darn simple.  I stamped this deer stamp in Versamark ink, then used a Versamark pen to make the front deer stand out.  I used two different patterned papers from Gina K. to underline the deer:

I used some corrugated alphas from Jillibean Soup to spell out "dad", then stamped a subtle "NO. 1" above it, again in Versamark ink.  I finished off the card with some machine stitching, deliberately going up the side of the last "d" in dad:

How about you?  Does masculine come easy for you, or do you struggle like I do?  Either way, I want to encourage you to play along with this week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge!  The winner will receive their very own Casual Friday paper pack!  You have until next Thursday, May 31 at noon EST to link up your card (s).  Thanks so much for looking!

I'm also playing along here:

Simon Says Stamp Father's Day/Special Male Challenge

Crafty Catz Challenge #134: Card for a Man

Creative Inspirations Challenge 164: Anything Goes

Supplies: cardstock: Core'dinations; patterned papers: Gina K. Designs; stamps: Penny Black (deer), 7 Gypsies (NO. 1); watermark ink: Tsukineko; corrugated alphas: Jillibean Soup; sewing machine: Kenmore; thread: Singer

Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge - One of a kind

Happy Monday to all!  Today I have a card for the weekly challenge at the Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge blog. Even though I'm in group 2 of the design team (weeks 2 and 4 of the month), I still created a card for today's challenge. It will be linked up to the challenge gallery rather than in the blog post itself.  Being that this is the third week of the month, the challenge is this:

Yep, it's a color challenge! And the colors for this month are super yummy:

Fun, right?  I know these colors are "Candylicious", but my card doesn't have anything to do with candy.  And I don't know how these colors appear on your screen, but the color in the upper right kinda messed with me a little.  On one computer, it looked a little lime-y green, but on my laptop it looks yellow.  And since my laptop is the one I use while I'm crafting, I went with yellow. Ok, now for the paper yummies:

I used the giraffe from the Zoo Crew set and a sentiment from Word Salad, only I changed the configuration of the words in the sentiment a little.  I colored in the giraffe using Prismacolor markers that match the papers, and paper-pieced him onto the orange patterned paper.  I added Glossy Accents to his eye and "horns":

I added some twine and a cute little button, and finished off the card with some machine stitching:

I used a super cute sketch from Retro Sketches from last month:

I hope you will play along with this challenge.  For each challenge, there will be a PS PRO. This PS PRO will receive a banner for their blog and a $30 credit to the Paper Smooches store.  You have until Sunday, May 27 at 11:59 PM EST to play along.

Please stop by and show some love to the Team 1 designers also:

Kasia, Heather, Glenda, Lori, and Savannah

Did you know?  Paper Smooches is now on Pinterest! Come follow the entire team and company here!!! 

Thanks for looking!

I'm playing along here:
Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge

Supplies: card base: Recollections; cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white); patterned papers: Echo Park; stamps: Paper Smooches; ink: Memento; markers: Prismacolor; twine: Offray; button: craft supply; hole punch: We R Memory Keepers Crop-a-dile II; sewing machine: Kenmore; quilting thread: Americana

Simple Card Saturday - Hello friend

Happy Saturday!  Today I have a quick card to share with you, using the current color challenge at The Play Date Cafe:

And now for the paper yummies:

Okay, so maybe I used a little bit more than a "splash" of mustard with my black and white, but I think it still works.  Thanks for looking!

I'm playing along here:
The Play Date Cafe Challenge #132
The Gingham Challenge in the Moxie Fab World
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #169: Alphabet letter  (use 3 elements beginning with the same letter.  I used B: black, bee, buttons)
Little Red Wagon Challenge #133: DIY Patterned Paper
Papercraft Star Challenge 97: Checks/gingham
Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge #139: Animal, bird, or bug
Paper Sundaes #120: Things with wings
Simon Says Stamp Clean & Simple Challenge

Supplies: cardstock: Recollections (black), Georgia Pacific (white); stamps: Paper Smooches (hexagons), Hampton Art (sentiment); inks: Clearsnap (Citrus Yellow), Tsukineko (Onyx Black); ribbon: Hobby Lobby; buttons: craft supply; baker's twine: Divine Twine; sewing machine: Kenmore; thread: Singer

CFC53: you are the apple of my eye

YAY!  It's Friday!  And you know what that means...another CAS-ual Fridays challenge!  This week we're getting punchy:

                   CFC54: Clean And Simple projects using punches, or dies

And the fabulous sponsor for this week's challenge is Lawn Fawn:

I've been a fan of Lawn Fawn's cute stamps for awhile now, but hadn't been lucky enough to try them until recently.  They have some of the cutest images out there!   And now for the paper yummies:

I used Lawn Fawn's My Silly Valentine set to create this cute little card.  Although the set may have originally been intended for Valentine's Day, most of the images and sentiments can be used for non-Valentine cards.  I thought this apple was adorable...just look at that cutie face!!!  And the sentiment fit perfectly onto this patterned paper with writing lines by Cosmo Cricket. I chose to use a scallop punch that was large enough to fit an apple in each little "hump".  I paper-pieced each apple and leaf with cardstock, and popped one lil' guy up with dimensional adhesive.  Here's a closer look:

I also used a corner rounder punch on the corners of the writing paper and the card itself.  I hope you will break out your punches and/or dies and play along with this week's challenge!  The winner will receive a $25 gift certificate from Lawn Fawn.  You have until Thursday, May 24 at noon EST to play along.  And don't forget to check out the rest of the design team's creations here.  Thanks for looking!

I'm also playing along here:
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge #169: Alphabet letter 
(3 elements beginning with the same letter. I chose P: patterned paper, punch, and paper piecing)
Friday Mashup #59: It's all ribbons and bows (I mashed it up, using a decorative edge and ribbon)
Simon Says Stamp Clean and Simple Challenge


Supplies: card base: The Paper Studio; cardstock, patterned paper: Cosmo Cricket (blue, red, writing lines), The Paper Company (green); stamps: Lawn Fawn; ink: Ranger; scallop edge punch: EK Success; corner rounder punch: We R Memory Keepers; ribbon: The Ribbon Boutique; dimensional adhesive: American Crafts 

Happy botday! ("magic" card)

Happy Thursday!  Today I'm sharing a card I made for the Hero Arts May 2012 contest.  There are three categories for the contest: 1) theme (birthday), 2) interactive cards (any theme), and 3) color challenge (any theme).  I chose to combine two and make an interactive birthday card.  I had the perfect recipient in mind - my friend's daughter, Emma, who was turning 8.  She loves crafting with us and had even asked for a handmade birthday card.  I decided to use the Hero Arts Robot Trio stamp set and to make Emma a "magic card".  I used a combination of this tutorial and this tutorial.  Basically, a "magic card" has an image that appears black and white, then when you pull a tab, the image "magically" becomes colored.  Sounds confusing, right?  Well, lemme just show you what I'm talking about with this paper yummy:

Here is the card "closed".  The cute little robot is black and white. See that little pull tab at the top?

When you pull that tab, the image starts to emerge "magically" colored!:

Continue pulling, and he continues to be colored all the way.  He even has a special message for the birthday girl, or should I say "botday" girl? (Sentiment was created using Hero Arts Fanciful Swirl Alphabet)

Here's the cute guy all colored in:

And here's the whole card, fully extended:

The card also opens just like a regular card, so I could write my own special message to Emma.  I wasn't there when she opened it, but she told me she loved it.  This card took a little while to make, but was a lot of fun.  I will definitely try this technique again!  How about you?  The Hero Arts contest runs through the end of the month, so you still have plenty of time to enter!

I'm also playing along here:

A Blog Named Hero Challenge #4: Dust 'em off

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge #169: Alphabet letter (use 3 elements beginning with the same letter.  I used R: robot, ribbon, rectangle dies)

Ooh-la-la Creations Challenge #105: Ribbon or twine (or both)-  I used both

The Pink Elephant TPE148: Polka Dots & Stripes

Truly Scrumptious Challenge #80: Anything Goes

Supplies: cardstock: Core'dinations (berry), Georgia Pacific (white); patterned papers: Echo Park (aqua stripe, cupcake, pink houndstooth frame), My Mind's Eye (yellow dot); acetate: Recollections; stamps: Hero Arts; inks: Tsukineko (Versafine Onyx black, Staz-On Jet Black), Close To My Heart (Hollyhock); embossing powder: Hampton Art; markers: Prismacolor; star dust pen: Sakura; white gel pen: Uniball; rectangle/scalloped rectangle dies: Nestabilities by Spellbinders; scalloped circle punch (for pull tab): Martha Stewart; eyelet: American Crafts; ribbon: Michael's; baker's twine: Divine Twine

Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge - Welcome home, hero!

Happy Monday!  I hope all the moms out there had a fantastic Mother's Day spent with your loved ones.  Today begins a new challenge at the Paper Smooches SPARKS blog.  Since the format of the challenges changed, this is the first post for Team 2 (which I'm on - YAY!).  And since it's the second week of the month, the theme is Designer Drafts:

That's right - it's a sketch challenge!  I really enjoy following sketches, and lemme just tell you - the sketches that Kim Hughes has drawn for us are just awesome!  Many of them are quite different than the other sketches out there, I think.  Some of them are definitely challenges to me, especially with curved and diagonal lines.  Like this month's sketch:

I gotta say, many of the cards I've been most pleased with were the result of a challenge that I wasn't completely comfortable with.  I love that!  In this sketch, those diagonal, asymmetrical lines totally took me out of my comfort zone, and I never would've thought to do something like that on my own.  However, I absolutely love the result,  which is this paper yummy:

The one diagonal line that crosses the other two was the one that really threw me.  I wanted to use patterned papers, and to me it seemed as if the patterns should be different on one side of that line than on the other. I didn't really want to use 5 different patterns, so I ultimately decided to use vellum to slightly change the look of the patterned papers above that line.  I don't use vellum very often, but I really love the way it worked on this card!  Then I cut narrow strips of paper for the diagonal lines, adhered them onto the card, and stitched down the middle of each strip, as well as around the edge of the card.  I created the sentiment using two stamps from the Circle of Honor stamp set, and paper-pieced the little house.  Down in the lower right corner, I stamped some little stars from the Smarty Pants set.  Here's a close-up of the sentiment and stitching:

I'm really excited to see how other people interpret and use this sketch!  You can play along with the challenge here.  You have until next Sunday, May 20 at 11:59 PM EST to play along.  The winner will receive a $30 credit to the Paper Smooches store!!  And don't forget the check out the rest of Team 2's wonderful creations, and give em' some love!

Angeline

Erica

Jackie

Savannah

Thanks so much for looking!  Now get busy with that sketch! :)

I'm playing along here:
Creative Mondays Challenge #8: Stitching
AnnaBelle Stamps AC072: Say it with...stitching

Supplies: card stock: The Paper Company; patterned papers: Authentique "Celebrate" 6x6 bundle (blue, stars, strips), Echo Park "Happy Days" 6x6 pad (red); vellum cardstock: Core'dinations; stamps: Paper Smooches; ink: Tsukineko; sewing machine: Kenmore; thread: Singer

Enjoy (It's your day)

Happy Sunday and Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!  Today I have a lovely card that I made that is a copy of a card I made a few months ago, only then it was a thank you card.  I just changed the sentiment for Mother's Day.  Now for the paper yummies:

I cut a bunch of strips of patterned papers from My Mind's Eye, and arranged them on a piece of white cardstock.  I tilted them different directions and varied the exposed width of each strip.  Then I trimmed the overhang and stitched all the way around the edge as well as where each pattern meets the next.  I used a Hampton Art stamp and embossed it, then cut the label using a Nestabilities die.  I finished off the panel with some ribbon and a brad, then attached it to the card base.  Here is a closer view of the sentiment:

I think this card is really sweet, and it reminds me of a strip quilt.  This type of card is a great way to use up scraps, and could be used for any occasion with a simple change of the sentiment.  Thanks for looking!

I'm playing along here:
AnnaBelle Stamps AC072: Say it With...Stitching
Card Makin' Mamas Challenge #45: May Flowers
Raise the Bar Challenge #104: Mother's Day
The Ribbon Carousel RCC52: Word to Your Mother

Supplies: card base: The Paper Studio; cardstock: Recollections; patterned papers: My Mind's Eye; stamp: Hampton Art; ink: Versamark; embossing powder: American Crafts; label die: Nestabilities by Spellbinders; die cutting machine: Cuttlebug by Provocraft; ribbon, brad: craft supply; sewing machine: Kenmore; quilting thread: Americana

Simple Card Saturday - Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Saturday!  I hope everybody had a wonderful week and is having a fantastic weekend celebrating mothers.  Here is a quick card I made last night using last week's sketch from Card Patterns:

I already made my mom's card for Mother's Day (click here to see it), but a couple of the guys at work had asked me if I would make cards for them.  I really liked how simple and versatile this sketch was, and thought it would be perfect for a simple Mother's Day card.  Please excuse my photo - it's caca.  My camera battery died right after I photographed a different card, so I had to use my phone for this picture.  Now for the paper yummies:

I used 3 different patterned papers from My Mind's Eye, alphabet stamps from American Crafts, a circle die from Spellbinders, some twine, and a button.  This card was super simple, and would be easy to reproduce for any occasion.  I'll be back tomorrow with another Mother's Day card that I totally CASEd from a thank you card I made a few months ago.  I hope everybody has a lovely Mother's Day!

I'm playing along here:
AnnaBelle Stamps AC072: Say it with...Stitching
Through the Craftroom Door Challenge #25: Happy Mother's Day
Fab 'n' Funky Challenge #120: Buttons & Bows
Papercraft Star Challenge 96: Use a stamp (I used alphabet stamps to create the sentiment)
Raise the Bar Challenge 104: Mother's Day
The Ribbon Carousel RCC52: Word to Your Mother
Tuesday Throwdown #97: Motherly Love

Thanks for looking!


Supplies: card base/cardstock: Recollections; patterned papers: My Mind's Eye; stamps: American Crafts "Ginger" alphabet; ink: Memento; circle die: Nestabilities by Spellbinders; die cutting machine: Cuttlebug by Provocraft; twine: Recollections; button: craft supply; sewing machine: Kenmore; quilting thread: Americana

CFC52: Feathered Friends

Happy Friday!  I hope everybody's week was just ducky.  And speaking of ducky, let's talk about this week's challenge at CAS-ual Fridays!  YAY!  The challenge is to make a CAS card with a bird theme:

The fabulous sponsor this week is

AnnaBelle Stamps

Now for the paper yummies:

The timing of this challenge worked out perfectly, since 1.) one of the May releases of Paper Smooches stamps is a set called Circle of Honor (which has a military theme and this adorable eagle), and 2.) graduation season is quickly approaching.  I thought it would be fun to paper piece him, then I added the graduation cap from the Smarty Pants set:

The sentiment is also from Smarty Pants.  I stitched around the edges of the banner-cut patterned paper, then finished off the card with a big red button:

I'm so pleased with the way it all turned out.  Go check out the cards from the rest of the design team at CAS-ual Fridays, and please play along too!  The winner will receive a $20 gift certificate from AnnaBelle Stamps.  Also don't forget - the playing time has now been extended!  You have until 12:00 pm (noon EST) on Thursday to submit your entry.  Have fun, and thanks for looking!

I'm playing along here:
CropStop Challenge #71: Show us the animal in you
Lawnscaping Challenge: Clean and Simple

Supplies: card base: The Paper Studio; patterned papers: October Afternoon (green stripe), Echo Park (all other patterns); stamps: Paper Smooches; ink: Tsukineko; corner rounder: We R Memory Keepers; sewing machine: Kenmore; thread: Singer; button: craft supply