BUTTERFLY SYMPATHY CARD

I don't keep sympathy cards on hand.  Well . . . I might find a few cards in my stash without a greeting that would suffice, but I typically like to make sympathy cards when I need them.  That's my time to remember the person who has passed and think about/pray for the person who will receive the card.

This card was made for the daughter of a lady that I have known since about as far back as I can remember.  Actually, I didn't know her all that well . . . she lived in the community, and she seemed to think a lot of my grandmother.  Through the years, she would sometimes visit my grandmother, and she always had the sweetest smile--such a pleasant lady!  Communities aren't what they used to be.  I think now about the people my grandmother would mention in conversation, and she either went to church with them or they were friends/acquaintances from her community.  And when they visited one another, they didn't show up empty-handed.  I think I grew up at a perfect time because I got to witness that kind of genuine care for others.  

I never seem to know what kind of card to make, and I don't know the official name of this card design.  I can tell you that it was very simple to make.  I just took two pieces of 4.25" x 5.5" cardstock, scored both pieces at the same measures, and adhered the two edges together.  It's always a treat when just a couple of scored lines can add something unique to a card design!  What's better is when the card can fold flat for mailing but demand attention on display.

The die-cut clouds were in a bin on my desk, and I liked their subtle look to the design.  Stampin' Up!'s retired "Stitched Greenery" die was used to add texture to the card front.  For the butterfly, I used Blending Brushes to add the Gorgeous Grape and Lemon Lime Twist colors.

Of course, there was plenty of space on the back of the card to write a message.  I will definitely make more cards like this in the future because they're quick to make, have a unique appearance, and must be a pleasure to receive.

Have a stampin' good day!

 

"SWEET BUGS" NOTE CARD SET

Today's post is all about a cute, cute, cute set of blank note cards featuring Stampin' Up!'s "Sweet Bugs" bundle and coordinating "Cute as a Bug" designer paper.  Being able to use dies to cut images from designer paper adds so much value to a bundle of products--and how you can enjoy using them.  My cards also feature one of the Scalloped Contours dies (retired), and some of the cards feature the "Forever Plaid" embossing folder.  Let's take a look:

First up is this adorable ladybug reading a book beneath some flower petal shade.  The embossed cardstock layer is Gray Granite, and both of the die-cut images are from the designer paper.  This card also features one of the "Ladybug Garden Epoxy Shapes", and they are so very adorable!  If you like them, I'd suggest ordering a supply while they are available.

The next card features a Mossy Meadow cardstock layer that was embossed with the Forever Plaid embossing folder.  I don't know if she's heading to a buffet and trying to stay protected from rain or sun, and I wonder if she's aware that a cute ladybug is tagging along.

The ladybug is too cute!  Surely, these two are friends.

The sweet bug on the card below was fussy-cut from the designer paper.  Fussy-cutting is not my favorite thing, but who could resist???  The embossed cardstock layer is Petal Pink.

Check out little miss prissy bug:

Who knows where she's headed, but she's going with confidence!  Notice the clear epoxy accents on the flower and her eye?  They're included in the pack of "Ladybug Garden Epoxy Shapes".  The embossed cardstock layer is Poppy Parade.

You've seen your fair share of ants before, but have you ever seen such happy ones?  I don't know if they're in a band or a parade, but they're holding nothing back.  The embossed cardstock layer is Cajun Craze.

One of my favorite bugs featured on the designer paper is this girl who is busy knitting a scarf.  Don't you love her hat?  The embossed cardstock layer is Blackberry Bliss, which is a color that I really like but seem to seldom use.  

And here's one more look at the whole set:

I had so much fun making these cards!  My favorite thing about making a set of note cards is that they're basically all the same and yet, at the same time, there's something different about each one.  What made the process quicker for me (after I decided to use a colored cardstock layer and the die-cut scalloped rectangle on each of my cards) was choosing and cutting all of the images that I might want to use.  From there, all I had to do was choose the image(s) for each card.  I've still got a few more images cut and ready to use on cards!

Hope you like this set as much as I do! 

BUTTERFLY SYMPATHY

 

Well, it seems that I fell off the blog wagon (again), but I'm back today sharing a sympathy card.  The butterfly is from Stampin' Up!, and I used blending brushes to color it with Gorgeous Grape and Lemon Lime Twist inks.  Take a look at the whole card:

The lovely background texture was created with Stampin' Up!'s Stitched Greenery die.  I don't recall the name of this pop-out card design, but below is a better photo that shows it on display:

It's a really fun design, huh?  Best of all, it's a fun one to make, and it folds flat for mailing.  Win, win, win!

I recently saw the beautiful sentiment on Amazon, and it was perfect for this card!

I'm sure there are so many ways to decorate a card like this, but I kept this one clean and simple.  There is ample space on the back to write a message, but I suppose there are other clever ways to include a message on this type of card.

Thanks for visiting my blog today!!!

FROSTY'S BABY PICTURE

Some time ago, I purchased a few wooden frames from Chalk Couture but didn't have any particular plans for them--I just liked their cute size.  While working on Christmas gifts recently, I decided to use a pretty snowflake image from the "Snowflakes" Chalk Transfer to create Frosty's baby picture.  

A rhinestone jewel was placed in the center of the snowflakes, and then I printed little banners to attach to the frames.  I thought the frames could use some jewels, too.  They turned out cute, right?

I didn't think the frames were chunky enough to trust that they'd stand on their own so, fortunately, I have a small stash of cardboard easels that I adhered to the back of each one.

I like that the Chalk Paste (Glacier, I think) had a hint of shimmer.

One of the frames even ended up with wild-tail bow.

All in all, this was a fun little project that should make a festive stocking stuffer, and it can be on display for the remainder of Winter.

AUTUMN DOODLES

 

Yes, I fell by the wayside when it comes to sharing projects, and I have had every intention of sharing today's project for a couple of weeks.  I know we all have our sights on Christmas, but I'm still going to post this Autumn colored card.  It features a little doodle art that I enjoyed drawing . . . I enjoyed the coloring process even more.  Below is a photo of the whole card:

After coloring the image, I used blending brushes to color the sky blue and the grass green, added some white splashes, and then finished with a tag and the sparkly rhinestones.  My cardstock colors are Pool Party and Poppy Parade by Stampin' Up!  Here's another view of the details:

Because I was on a roll, I added some art to the envelope:

Hopefully, I'll be back soon to share a Christmas card or two.  Thanks for visiting today!

FLORAL DOODLES & LINES

 

I can't believe it's been a month since I last posted.  Time goes by so fast, and it seems that I don't find enough of it to create--and even less to take photos and share projects here.  Because my medical insurance rates (through healthcare.gov) are egregiously high, my part-time employment has turned into full-time just so I can pay much less for better benefits.  I honestly don't know who can afford to spend close to $1700 per month on health insurance, but I wish the government had never touched the health insurance market.  I don't know who Obamacare and the ACA actually serves, but it certainly has created a burden for self-employed individuals and those who would prefer to work part-time to earn hobby dollars.  Argh!!!!!!!!!  But this post is not about all of that.  Today I'm sharing a doodle project that I turned into a birthday card for a sweet friend.

I've never been good at drawing--just never had a good eye for it, but I have thoroughly enjoyed doodling and coloring lately.  It's such a relaxing way to unwind and do nothing (when there's plenty to be done).  It occurred to me one night that I could add some colors to the background and use my creations on cards.  

The good thing about this type of creation is that anything goes--there's no right or wrong.  I just decide as I go what I want or what I think is needed.

Here's one more look . . .

Looking at the pictures, I wish I had added some sparkly rhinestones and am surprised that I didn't think to do that at the time.  I love sparkly jewels!  

Below is a photo of the pillowbox gift, and you can see a little bit of how I decorated the envelope:

It turned out to be a pretty little ensemble, huh?  

CHEERS & SIPS BIRTHDAY CARD

I've had the Cheers & Sips bundle for a while and finally took the time to work with it while creating this birthday card.  

All of the images on this card were cut from the Celebratory Sips designer paper, which is so much fun!  I had actually stamped several different images to color, but then I didn't like how they looked after they were cut with the dies.  I'll definitely need to play around with that in the future, but using the DSP was just so easy because there are so many options!

I used blending brushes to color the background, and the stamped sentiment is from the (retired) "Birthday Banners" stamp set.  The card screamed for some colorful and sparkly gems, and I may have gone overboard.  

Below is another photo of the finished card:

It's a fun one, right?

FALL "CRATE" CARD + CUTE LITTLE FOX

 

I work at a social club in a 55+ community, and one of the sweet members brought me a homemade mini loaf of pumpkin bread last week that was so delicious!  Naturally, I wanted to send her a thank you card, and I thought something fall-ish would be appropriate.  I used Cricut Design Space to create a crate card, complete with a pumpkin, colorful leaves, and a sweet little fox.

All of the images (except the layered hearts) were Print then Cut images.  They are too easy to use, and I have been addicted to using them all summer.  On the fox's banner, which was adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals, I added a text box for the word "thanks!".  That's just one great thing about Print then Cut images--they can be personalized.  The heart "charm" is actually three cut hearts adhered together, and they were tied onto the pumpkin stem with Linen Thread.  As you can see in the photo below, this was a side-fold card:

I knew that I would need a white panel on the inside of the dark brown card, and behind that layer was the perfect place to adhere the colorful leaves.  Don't they look nice sticking out from the top of the crate?

I didn't think the card needed too many embellishments, so I chose three metallic sequins and then placed a tiny rhinestone in the center of each.

This card came together quite quickly, and working on it has only made me even more ready for all things Fall.  Since today is the official first day of Autumn, it seemed to be perfect for this blog post.

Happy first day of Fall/Autumn!!!

STAMP SALE + MORE THAN AUTUMN

 

So maybe it isn't officially Fall, but I am officially READY for Fall!  I was looking at my collection of stamp sets today and, when I opened the "More than Autumn" stamp case, I found a little baggie with some stamped die-cuts ready for color.  I used Stampin' Blends alcohol markers to color the images, and my colors are Cinnamon Cider, Crumb Cake, and Pumpkin Pie.  It's an odd combination but, surprisingly, I think the coloring turned out quite well.

One of the fun things about that little leaf die is that it cuts two pieces, which means that you can use two different colors of cardstock for the leaf and its veins and outline.  Genius!  The More than Autumn bundle is a great one to have on hand--all the time.  Although it was designed for a particular time of year, several of the images are actually generic and fantastic for ALL year (slice of pie, doughnut, coffee drink, whipped topping for the drink and a smaller one for the pie, sprinkles, straw for the drink, and some adorable small images--heart, apple, pumpkin, gingerbread).

This bundle is seriously one that every card-maker should have--and keep forever.  

STAMP SALE!!!  For 24 hours only, Stampin' Up! is having a stamp sale on September 18th.  Following are the details:

• This stamp sale only happens once a year!
• The sale will run for 24 hours.
• The 15% discount will apply to all stamps and stamp tools.
• Bundles are not included in this sale.
• Stamp sets and tools are only available while supplies last.
• See and shop all qualifying products in my online store.
• Excludes Last Chance products.

If you want to purchase the More than Autumn (or any other) bundle, just purchase the stamp set and the dies separately to get the 15% discount.  Of course, I will greatly appreciate it if you shop with me.

The "hey" for my card was created with a set of (retired) alphabet dies.  Stampin' Up! has some wonderful alphabet dies, and it's nice for crafters to have at least one set.

How about one more look at my card:

MASCULINE BIRTHDAY CARD

My niece's husband, Matt, has a birthday this month, so I needed a masculine card.  If you're a card-maker, then you know that masculine cards are sometimes quite a challenge.  I always want to use sparkly gems, bows, and brushed glitter, but men aren't usually too keen on those embellishments.

While using Cricut Design Space recently, I came across this gorgeous Print then Cut lake/mountain image and decided that it would be perfect.  My niece's family lives in Michigan, and they seem to have some of the most beautiful parks and landscapes nearby.  Naturally, they enjoy spending time outdoors because there are so many gorgeous places to do so.  My cardstock colors are Misty Moonlight, Early, Espresso, White, and Vellum.  The hiking boots were also a Print then Cut image, and I print some extras that I used on the envelope and the signature layer inside the card.  The boots that are tied to the top right of center layer are double-sided.  I wanted to make sure that if they get flipped around, they will still look like hiking boots.  This was achieved by copying the image and then flipping it in Design Space so that the two cuts could be glued together--back to back.

You can see in the above photo that the Early Espresso layer was embossed with Stampin' Up!'s "Forever Plaid" embossing folder.  The boots were tied on with Linen Thread.

The birthday sentiment was stamped onto a scrap of Vellum cardstock and then heat-embossed.  After making sure the embossing was cool, I gave the sentiment a torn edge on the top and bottom.  I don't recall the name of the blue embellishments as they have been retired for quite some time.  I loved them so much and bought so many that I still have quite a collection.

If I didn't mention already, this card folded on the side.  You can see the hiking boots on the bottom right of the signature layer inside the card.  

Want another look at the card and envelope: