Thursday, July 31, 2014

All Occasion Cards with Cut Out Fronts

Hello Everyone!
How is your week going?  Well, I hope.  I am enjoying this fabulous cool weather here in Michigan.  Worked in the yard again today.  Moved some hostas around and weeded.
Today, I have two all occasion cards to share.  The card base fronts  have a  die cut an opening.  Pretty background stamping, dry embossing and stamping peeks out from the opening.   The cards were made for Card Care Connection-- an organization that sends cards to cancer patients.




Materials List:
Stamps: Stampin' Up 
Background stamps: Impression Obsession Cover-a-Card - Rose Lace and Ornate Floral
CS: Light blue, cream, and white
Inks: Blue and Rust Dye; Blue and rust pigment in very light shades
Spellbinders and A Muse oval die cuts
Dry Embossing Oval - Stampin' Up 
Ribbon




Instructions:

  • Make A2 sized cards in blue and cream CS
  • Die cut an oval opening in the front of each card
  • Make background pieces by stamping the large Cover-a-card stamps on white and cream CS with the light colored pigment inks.  Heat set.
Note: I use the pigment ink on the large background stamp because the ink stays wet longer.  It does take a while to ink up the large stamp.  I usually spend a few hours now and then making a bunch of  background pieces.  I keep them in a "background papers" box and I always have plenty to draw from.







  • Cut pieces from the backgrounds that will fit behind the cut outs leaving a margin.
  • Stamp  the floral border and sentiment on the background
  • Dry emboss
  • Glue the background behind the cut out
  • Add ribbons






Challenges for my All Occasion Cut Out Cards:
4 Crafty Chicks: anything goes
Penny's Paper Crafty: anything goes
Sisterhood Of Crafters: die cuts or punches
Simon's Wednesday: anything goes
Through the craft room door: anything goes


So, next time I will have another of the washi tape cards.  Stay tuned for that!    I will be spending Saturday at the Heirloom Stamping show in Novi, MI.  Now that should be fun!!!  Looking forward to seeing products from some of my favorite companies.  Maybe something new and exciting too!!  I will show you all my goodies on Monday.  See you then!!  Love ya.
Karen

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Lost Coast Designs Border Stamps with Washi Tape

Hello Everyone!
I am enjoying the lovely summer time weather!   Spending a bit of time outside in the yard.  Did not want to come in!!  LOL  
I had picked up some Washi tape recently and was brainstorming about how to use it on my cards.  And, I started to think.....washi tape....border stamps... might be a really cool combination.   It just so happens that  Lost Coast Designs has a fabulous selection of border stamps.  Check them all out here.   I grabbed a few borders and started playing around with them.  I came up with three finished projects.  I will be sharing all three with you over the next few days.  This is day one and as you can see, I combined a border stamp with brightly colored Washi tape, inks, and CS. 






Materials List:
Stamps: Stars Border and Party Words from Lost Coast Designs
CS; White, Orange and Yellow from Bazzill
Ink: Pearlescent Rust Pigment Brilliance; Orange Dye Ink
Distress Ink: Mustard Seed
Embossing Powder: Kaleidoscope - Stampendous
Washi Tape
Yellow Rhinestones
 and Yellow from Bazzill





Instructions: 
  • Make an A2 size card with orange CS and layer with yellow CS
  • On White CS, stamp the Stars Border with the pigment ink and heat emboss
  • Stamp and emboss the border stamp three times over the white CS
  • Add the Washi Tape to fill in the spaces around the stamping






  • Apply the distress inks to the white CS--on the edges and into the middle of the piece
  • Add to the card base
  • Stamp the sentiment with orange dye ink on white CS 
  • Tear the edges and add to card with dimensional adhesive





I just love this combo of Border stamps and washi tape!!  It is really fun and you can accommodate any mood or theme just by varying the inks and cardstock.


*********So, let's enter this fun Birthday card into a few challenges!!
Pile it on: embossing
Through the Purple Haze: anything goes
Cards in envy: happy birthday and A2 size
Cheerful Stamp pad: card for a guy
My Craft Creations: anything goes
Sister act: anything goes
Simon's Wednesday: emboss it

Stayed tuned for the second of my Border stamps/Washi Tape cards!!!  See you next time!!  Hope you are having a great day!!  Love ya.
Karen

Monday, July 21, 2014

Love To Scrap Challenge # 34 - Scheming Crafters

Hi Everyone!
It is time for a new challenge on the Love To Scrap Challenge Blog!!!  The theme for Challenge #34 is:


Scheming Crafters

Make a project with some stamping and select a specific color scheme.


There are two sponsors for the Challenge:


Prize: $10 gift certificate

Stitchy Bear's Digi Outlet


Prize: $10 gift certificate
Fred, She Said


For my Design Team Project, I used a Monochromatic in Shades of Blue color scheme.  I used CS and pretty papers all in shades of blue.  And, the coloring was done with Copics in blue shades.




Materials:
Stamp: Love Seat (176/311) digi from Stitchy Stamps at The Stitchy Bear Digi Outlet
CS: Medium blue and Light blue- Bazzill; Not Quite Navy - Stampin' Up; White
DP: Essentials Collection - Authentique
Copic Markers: all in blue shades
Ribbon: Marina Mist - Stampin' Up
Adorning Accents Edgelet Die cut - Stampin' Up
Big Scalloped Circles SM and Standard Circle Small - Spellbinders dies
Blue Pearls: Hero Arts





Instructions:

  • Make a card from the medium blue CS
  • Edge cut two piece of DP and add to layer of  Not Quite Navy
  • Wrap the ribbon around the CS and DP  and add to card front






  • Print the digital image onto white CS
  • Make sure the ink is dry before coloring
  • Color with Copic Markers
  • Die cut with circle die
  • Layer with light blue CS cut with Scallop Circle die
  • Add to card with dimensional adhesive
  • Tie  bow with the ribbon and glue to image
  • Add pearls






This is so cute.  I think I will use it as a love card.  But, it would be great for any kind of all occasion too....like friendship, thinking of you, etc.....

 *************A Few fun challenges for my Love Seat Monochromatic Love Card:
Sister Act: anything goes
Charisma Cards: anything goes
Southern Girls: circles
Penny's Challenge: anything goes
Fairy Tale challenge: use a digi
Left of Center: monochromatic
Crafting from the Heart: anything goes


I hope you will make your own Scheming card and link up on the Love To Scrap Challenge Blog!!!  I would love to see what you come up with.  Have a super happy day----filled with lots of stamping--of course.  Love ya.
Karen

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Funny Little Note Cards

Hi Dreamers!
Nice rainy Saturday here in Michigan.  So good for the garden veggies!  Just hanging out around the house today taking it easy.  Thought I would share another set of note cards that I sent to Operation Write Home and Card Care Connection.




Materials List:
Stamp: Stampin' Up
CS: Polka Dot and Gingham - A Muse Studios
Black Stazon Ink
Markers
Spellbinders dies
Ribbons




Instructions:
  • Make four A2 cards
  • On white CS, stamp the image with black Stazon ink
  • Color the peanuts with two or three shades of brown markers
  • Die cut the stamped pieces and add to card base
  • Tie bows and glue to card






Aren't they funny??!!  Too cute.  I think they will cheer some one up and give them a chuckle.

A Few Fun Challenges  for my Complimentary Peanuts cards:
Crafts 4 eternity: lots of laughs
Addicted to stamps and more: CAS
Crafting by Design: use a sentiment
Simon's Wednesday: spots and dots
Keep It Simple: use a bow


Coming up in Dreamland this week:   Monday is new challenge at Love To Scrap. And, I will show you some projects that combine washi tape and Lost Coast Design border stamps.  And maybe a few more of the OWH cards!!  Sounds fun, doesn't it??!!  LOL   See you Monday for the new challenge!!  Hope you are having a great weekend!!  Love ya
Karen

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Pretty Medallions All Occasion Cards

Hi Dreamers!
Hope you are having a great week!  Things are just fine here in good old Michigan, USA.  Having lovely cool weather--should be hot.  I like cool better though, so I am happy.  I can get out and work in the yard without passing out from the heat.  LOL.  

I have three fun cards to share today.  The cards went to Card Care Connection. They send out cards to cancer patients.  I used some cute sentiments and pretty papers to make the cards.






Materials:
Stamps: Dropping you a Note- DeNami; Sunshine-Impression Obsession; Circle Frames - My Sentiments Exactly
CS: coral, blue, and blue polka dot
DP: various from Cosmo Cricket
Circle Punches
Edge Punches-Stampin' Up
Ribbons




Instructions:

  • Make three A2 cards from CS
  • Punch strips of CS with the edge punches
  • Add the DP and the edge punched pieces
  • Stamp the circle frames and add the sentiments
  • Punch the circle layers 
  • Wrap ribbon around card and tie
  • Add the "medallions" with dimensional adhesive
Easy Peasy!  And, some nice cards perfect for cheering up a special someone.









********A few fun challenges for my pretty Medallion cards:
Simon's Wednesday: Spots and dots
Fan-Tastic Tuesday: anything goes
Crafting by Design: use a sentiment
Penny's challenge: anything goes

Oh, I guess that is it for me today.  I really should get going.......
Hope your day is sweet!!  See you next time.  Love ya.
Karen

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Easel Graduation Card

Hi Dreamers!
Hope you are having a great weekend!  We had some workers here putting in some new steps to the patio door.  I am really glad to have that done.

Do you have any grad parties this summer?  I seemed to have made lots of graduation cards this year.  I made this Graduation Card for my husband's cousin.  Well, actually, I made a total of four cards in this design.  Two were easels and the other regular cards.  My neighbor needed two grad cards and my friend needed one too---I sold those three and made one to send to our cousin.




Materials:
Stamps: Graduates from The Stamping Place; Sentiment from DRS Designs
Decorative Paper: K & Company
CS: Various shades of lavender and Purple
Markers
Label Die Cut: A Muse Studio
Sheer Peacock Blue Ribbon: Jo-Ann Fabric Store





Instructions:

  • Make an easel card from the dark purple CS
  • Add a layer of CS and  one of the DP
  • Stamp the image with black ink
  • Using the markers, watercolor the people
Here's how I watercolor with Markers:  Scribble the marker on an acrylic block and pick up the color with a slightly wet paint brush.   Fill the stamped area with color and pick up more water and color when the brush is dry.
  • Layer with dark purple CS and add to card







  • Tie a big bow in sheer ribbon and glue to top of card
  • Stamp the sentiment and die cut 
  • Add to the bottom 
  • Add a few pearls
  • Make the envelope pretty too by adding a piece of the DP to the flap







*********A Few Fun Challenges for my Easel Graduation Card:
Amusing Challenge: watercolor
Crafty Hazel Nut's Paper: use Decorative paper
Penny's Paper- Crafty: anything goes
Fussy and Fancy: all about girls
Sister Act: anything goes
Charisma Cardz: anything goes
Red Rubber Designs: anything goes with stamping
DRS Designs: cool colors or cool theme---I used a cool color scheme and a DRS           Designs sentiment

That's about it for now.  I will be back this week with more all occasion cards and another Lost Coast design card!!  Sound fun??  Yes, it does......  LOL  See next time!  Love ya.
Karen

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Steampunk Lady With Lost Coast Designs

Hi Dreamers!
Lost Coast Designs Challenge time!!  This is challenge #2 and the theme is use Blue and Green....with a Lost Coast Design stamp.  There are some fun prizes too.
I made a card using a LCD stamp and added lots of Distress ink.  The overall design is very clean and I am tempted to call it CAS-Vintage....if there is such a thing.  Take a look.





Materials List:
Stamp: Steampunk Bicycle Lady-Lost Coast Designs
CS: White; Tobacco Brown - Bazzill
Ink: Black Archival
Distress Inks: Peacock Feathers and Vintage Photo
Spray inks on scrap paper







Instructions:

  • Make a card from the Tobacco Brown CS and layer with White CS
  • Add a strip of paper that has been sprayed with multiple layers of spray inks
Note:  I tore a strip of paper from a scrap I had laid down while spraying inks onto another project.  The scrap paper looked so interesting that I did not want to throw it away.  I put it in my background papers box for use on some other project.  It worked perfectly with my Steampunk Lady.

  • Stamp the Steampunk Lady on white CS with Black ink
  • Tear out the image
  • Add the Distress inks; applying heavily on the torn edges
  • Add to the card base





A super fun card I can use to send to someone special!

How about a few Challenges for my Steampunk Lady??!!
Cards Und More: Vintage
Craft Your Passion: on the move
Simon's Monday: start from scratch
Snarky stampers: steampunk
Charisma Cards: anything goes


I hope you will get out your Lost Coast Design stamps and try out the second challenge!!
Coming up in Dreamland: a grad card and some cards I made using washi tape.  Should be fun and exciting!!  See you soon!   Love ya.
Karen

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Pretty Fairy in a Field of Poppies

Hi Dreamers!
How is your week going?  Hope you had a great weekend.  We had a nice weekend.  Celebrated my nephew's birthday and spent some time at Greenfield Village ( a living history park).  Today, I have some pretty cards to share with you.   I made the cards for my friend.  She enjoys sending out cards to keep in touch and encourage friends and family-----I keep her supplied with lots of fun cards.

The cards were made with a digi from A Day For Daisies colored with Copic markers.  I choose a monochromatic color scheme to keep it simple and for a soft, restful feel.





Materials:
Stamp: A Day For Daisies digi stamp
CS: White; soft green and blue gingham - A Muse Studios
Copic Markers
Spellbinders dies 
Ribbon




Instructions:

  • Make A2 cards from CS
  • Print the digis on white CS
  • Let the ink dry thoroughly before coloring
  • Color with Copic Markers





  • Die cut the images and add to the card base
  • Add a pretty ribbon bow





I really like how the colors are so soothing and simple.  Yet the die cut is very intricate and balances out the simplistic color scheme.


*************A few fun Challenges for my pretty fairies:
A Day For Daisies: monochromatic
Allsorts: fairies
Through the Purple Haze: monochromatic
Pile It on: add some flowers
Stamping Sensations: Summer blooms
House of Cards: add a bow
Tok Bobok: monochromatic

Hope you are having a great day!!  See you next time for more card crafty fun!! Love ya.
Karen

Monday, July 7, 2014

Love To Scrap Challenge # 33 - Anything Goes

Hello Everyone!
Time for a new and exciting challenge on the Love To Scrap Challenge Blog.  The new theme is a favorite of challenge addicts.....



ANYTHING GOES

****With some stamping of course.

We  have two lovely sponsors for the challenge:


Prize: 5 images to winner

Eureka Stamps


Prize: $12 gift certificate

A Day For Daisies


For my Design Team project, I used a pretty digi stamp from Eureka Stamps.   I did a bit of coloring and layered with pretty pastel colored cardstocks.






Materials List:
Stamp: Butterfly and Sunflower (20801) from Eureka Stamps
CS: White; Blushing Bride and Certainly Celery from Stampin' Up
Spellbinders Marvelous Squares die
Ribbon: Daffodil Delight Grosgrain from Stampin' Up
Markers: Marvy and Stampin' Up
Dimensional Adhesive
  







Instructions:
  • Make a 5.5" square card from the Certainly Celery CS
  • Layer with Blushing Bride CS
  • Print out three of the Butterfly and Sunflower images.  
  • Print one larger that the other two---Color the larger and cut out the butterflies on the two smaller images
  • Make sure the ink is completely dry before coloring the images






  • Color the large image and two butterflies with Markers
  • Cut out the two smaller butterflies
  • Use the die cut to cut out the larger image
  • Add the colored image to the card front with dimensional adhesive
  • Add the butterflies with dimensional adhesive
  • Tie a bow with the ribbon and add to card








This card could be used for any occasion.  I did actually use this particular card as a sympathy card.  I added appropriate sentiments to the inside and wrote a little note.

***********A few fun challenges for my Butterfly card:
Pile it On: add some flowers
Sister Act:anything goes
Brown Sugar: anything goes
Craft Dee Bow: anything goes with a bow
Crafting from the Heart: anything goes
Love to Create: Fussy and Fancy
Pink Elephant: anything goes


So, let's see YOUR Anything Goes project!!!   Pop over to the Love To Scrap Challenge Blog  and link up your creation!! 

See you next time!!!  Love ya.
Karen