Long Time No Post...

Hello, poor neglected blog!  How have you been?  Lonely?  Yes, yes, I can see that.  The stamps, ink pads and all the accessories have been rather lonely as well. 

I could hear you all calling out to me, yet I ignored you, my mojo gone.  Gone, I tell you.  And, there were other crafty things that needed to be done.  No, I know that's no excuse, but I had to sleep, didn't I?  No?  Well, now I think you're just being unreasonable...  I'm sorry.  It's the best I've got, and the truth.  I'm truly sorry, and I promise to try and do better in the future.  With Christmas coming, you know I'm back for a while. :o)

I have been longing for the "A Wreath for All Seasons" by PTI for quite some time now.  I had to place an order with them for some heavy white card stock, and I'll be darned if this set didn't just jump in my cart.  No, really, it did!

And, how happy am I it chose to do so? Look at that lovely CAS card up there.  Ahhhh. (This is a card heavy post as I'm loading them all for Lissie to see.)
 

I played around quite a bit with the set, trying out different ideas.  I decided no rounded corners, and yes, I was going to add the baker's twine to the wreath.

One layer and simple.

My Thanksgiving cards.  I inked the stamp with Pumpkin Pie and then rocked and rolled it in Cherry Cobbler.  Oh how I love love love the depth and richness of Cherry Cobbler. :o)

And, Jaydee is doing a card drive for Enchanted Makeovers, and I needed to kick it into high gear to get at least a few cards to her.

Here I pulled out one of the first sets I ever purchased, "Pick a Petal" and went with one of my go to color combos--yellow (Daffodil Delight) and black.

To add some interest, I used some of my newly purchased Twinkling H2O's.  I have this thing about bling and sparkles, what can I say?

Another card using "Pick a Petal".

Simple, elegant, and effective, this card uses Baja Breeze and is just like so many others I've created.  It's a fall to for me when I need a lovely card.

And, I pulled out "Darling Dots" once again to make the next two cards.  I'm planning on making cards using each of the stamps in that set if I can.

I added bling to each of the cards for a bit of added sparkle and shine. :o)

Oh, it's been so fun to get back in and play around.  I'm anxious to get in again this evening.  I made twelve cards last night, let's see how many I can make tonight! :o)

--Rach

Watercoloring for APP91

In keeping with my New Year's goals and in need of stress relief I turned to the Paper Players challenge this week which was to create a CAS card using watercoloring.  I find coloring--watercoloring in particular--so soothing.  It's a go-to activity for me when I'm in need of calming and peace.  In fact, when I was teaching, if the class was particularly unruly, I would quickly come up with some activity that required coloring (I would join in!) and before I knew it, we were all calm once more.

It's been a hectic couple of weeks around here and this challenge was just what I needed. 

I hate that that old adage about death coming in threes seems to be true because I found I was once more in need of a sympathy card.  I pulled out my "Easter Blossoms" stamp set, inked up using brown Staz-On and went to work.  I used Rich Razzleberry on the buds and blooms as it reminded me of the gorgeous red bud tree in my front yard.

Although you can't see it in the photo, the vanilla base is stamped with the same branch using VersaMark.  I wanted to include a sentiment (I don't always) but wanted the branch to stand out so I stamped the message on vellum.

And, because I was still in need of a bit of calm, AND I needed a birthday card for Miss Beanie who turned two yesterday, I made a second card (so I once more have two submissions for the challenge--I can't seem to stop at only one these days...):

I love the "Greeting Card Kids"--I find them utterly adorable!--and knew this little sweetie would make a perfect card for my little sweetie. :o)  I had a blast coloring her as Lissie and I watched "Pride and Prejudice" (the good version with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy :dreamy sigh:).  Talk about soothing--watercoloring and Mr. Darcy?  I was in heaven. ;o)

I cut the little darlin' out using my oval Nesties, added a very sweet sentiment from "Curly Cute" and I was finished.

I'm grateful to the Paper Players for this week's challenge--it helped me find my calm center once more.  Thanks, ladies! :o)

Close As A Memory

This week's Paper Players' challenge is to focus on water coloring on a C & S card. That's exactly the effect I wanted so this card came together easily. I used Rose Red and Certainly Celery as my colors, added a punched piece at the bottom of the card, and a satin ribbon across it. Finally, I paper pierced the corners of the water color paper. The stamp set is one of my favorites--Close As A Memory.

Ellie's Birthday Card

Next week Ellie will be two, and I needed to make a card to go with her gift. I wanted to use my new cupcake punch and new Nestabilities die. I found a sheet of DSP that I thought would work and I set out to design the card. I cased a card at Treasure Oiler's site and adapted it. Here's what I used:

-DSP: ???? I have no idea! It was a single sheet that wasn't labeled.

-Card Stock: Bashful Blue, Regal Rose, Whisper White, and So Saffron

-Stamp: Curvy Verses

-Ink: Bashful Blue

-Punches: Cupcake and Scalloped Eyelet

-Nestability Die: Open Scallop

-Ribbon: Bashful Blue Satin

The card looks much better in person than in the photograph. :-)

--Lissie

Card 2 Color Challenge: Not Quite Navy, Certainly Celery, Pool Party

Here is the second card I made using the colors in this week's Paper Players' challenge.

And for this one ...

-DSP: Botanical Gazette

-Card Stock: Not Quite Navy, Certainly Celery, Pool Party, Whisper White

-Buttons: Certainly Celery

-Nestabilities: Scallop Circle, Circle, and Border

-Ink: Not Quite Navy

-Ribbon: Certainly Celery

-Stamp Sets: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Nature Walk

--Lissie

Card 1 Color Challenge: Not Quite Navy, Certainly Celery, Pool Party

I made two cards with the above color combination, and I may enter one or both of them into this week's Paper Players' color challenge. For a long time I thought about the colors and the DS papers I have before jumping in and making the cards.


For this card I used the following supplies:

-DSP Botanical Gazette

-Card Stock: Not Quite Navy, Certainly Celery, Pool Party, Whisper White

-Buttons: Not Quite Navy

-Scallop Border Punch

-Ink: Not Quite Navy

-Ribbon: Certainly Celery

-Stamp Set: All Year Cheer 1

What I like best about this challenge is that it forced me out of my comfort zone and pushed me into using a new style as well as colors I probably would not have put together on my own.

--Lissie

Tea Shoppe for PP89

I had no time to get into the offudio to stamp last week as we were busy traveling.  While I'm still traveling this week, at least I'm at Lissie's where she and I can play together. :o) 

The two of us so enjoy stamping together and I'm grateful she loves stamping and card making as much as I. :o)

This week's challenge at The Paper Players is a theme challenge--"Tickle Your Funny Bone".  The idea was to create a silly or punny card and when I saw this little stamp set, I knew it was perfect.  I seem to have a thing for tea cups of late...

I am absolutely in love with the "Domestic Goddess" DSP and thought the kitchen-y theme would work beautifully with the stamps I selected.  Oh how I love Calypso Coral paired with Pool Party. :o)

I don't really have a recipient in mind as of yet, but I have quite a few people in my life who certainly "Suit me to a tea".  I'm thinking it's time to send one off. :o)

This card uses:
*Stamp Set: Tea Shoppe
*Paper: Domestic Goddess DSP, Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Whisper White
*Ink: Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight
*Accessories: Calypso Coral ribbon

--Rach

I Dig You

I have no brothers and no sons, so when I ended up with a grandson, it was all new territory for me. He is all boy, so I had to find appropriate stamp sets. "I Dig You" from Stampin' Up is perfect for little guys, and I used it to make this card. My grandson also is crazy about green, so I made that the base color. Here are the other supplies I used:

Stamp Set: I Dig You

DSP: Just Add Cake

Embossing Folder: Textured Impressions

Card Stock: Peach Parfait, Wild Wasabi

Label Punch

Inks: Peach Parfait, Basic Gray, Basic Black

--Lissie

More Birthday Buttons

Well, what can I say? The Paper Players challenge this week really inspired me and I couldn't help but submit this one as well. ;o)

I had to make another birthday card and decided the piggy from "Button Buddies" would be perfect.  What four year old boy wouldn't enjoy pigs in birthday hats?  :oP

Since I absolutely adore yellow, and since I wanted to use my pom pom trim and didn't think a four year old boy would appreciate Melon Mambo, I went with Daffodil Delight for the base dug into my Sunny Garden DSP for the hats.

I can't help but smile when I look at this card--even if I am the one who made it. ;o)

--Rach

Birthday Buttons for PP87

Since I've been getting back into the groove of things (not as much as Lissie, but getting there) and getting into the offudio to stamp and play, I've been having fun getting back into participating in challenges.  The Paper Players have a fun one this week and I couldn't wait to play along.  Nance's challenge was to create a CAS ("clean and simple") card using buttons.

Now, I have to confess I was a bit stymied at first--I didn't want to just throw something on the paper and simply glue buttons on...that would NEVER work.  I also wanted to challenge myself not to use my go-to "Button Buddies".  Since I have a friend's birthday coming up soon, I decided I needed to make a birthday card, and then, since she's my friend, my mind jumped to my "Season of Friendship" stamp set.  Perfect!

I used a combination of Chocolate Chip and Early Espresso on the trunk, and then had to figure out what to do with the leaves.  I decided I wanted a spring-y look as I'm surrounded with early spring leaves right now.  I pulled out my Certainly Celery and rock and rolled that with some Wild Wasabi.

Then, I had to figure out the buttons.  I knew I didn't have enough to do all one color, and since I have a bit of a Roy G Biv "thing" (for lack of a better word, more like an OCD), I pulled out my Brights buttons and got to work. 

I wanted to put the sentiment on the front, but didn't want to clutter up the image by stamping over it.  I was intrigued by Nance's use of vellum for her sentiment on her button card and decided to give it a go.  It was perfect!

I added a bit of scoring behind the tree on the card base and that was it--card finished!

Now, let's just hope Dani loves it as much as I. :o)

This card uses:

*Stamp Sets: "Season of Friendship", "Curly Cute"
*Inks: Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso, Real Red, Rich Razzleberry
*Paper: Whisper White
*Accessories: Assorted Brights buttons

--Rach

P.S.  Don't forget to scroll a little further to see Liss's card for the day. :o)

Making Cards to Mail

Another color I decided would be nice to use for Easter cards is Wisteria Wonder. On the first card I layered the color by using Wisteria Wonder both for the background color and then again as the scalloped border for the large oval. I also did this so that I could emphasize the satin roses, which I love. But you cannot easily mail a card with the roses because the post office does not like anything that won't zip through their machines. So, I had to devise a way to make this card without the roses. I chose to use a subtly patterned DSP to add interest. Here are the supplies for both cards:

DSP: Flirtatious Specialty

Ribbon: Very Vanilla 5/8" Satin

Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Wisteria Wonder

Ink: Wisteria Wonder

Stamp Set: Easter Blossoms

Nestabilities: Large Oval and Large Scalloped Oval

--Lissie

Playing With Colors

I have always loved the combination of Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, and So Saffron. And what better time to use them than Easter? I have five grandchildren, so for every holiday (and sometimes in between) I make each of them a card different from the others. These Easter cards were made using these supplies:

Textured and Non-textured Card Stock: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, and Bashful Blue

Ribbon: Certainly Celery

Stamp Set: Everybunny

Inks: Staz On Black, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, and Bashful Blue

Various Nestabilities

I also followed Rachael's lead in decorating the inside of each card.

I'm sorry my photography skills are sorely lacking.

--Lissie

For Rachael

My daughter, Rachael, is fixated on colors in ROY G BIV order. So, I made this card with her in mind. I wanted to make a clean and simple card with buttons to possibly enter into the Paper Players competition. Here's what I used:

Card Stock: Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green, Brilliant Blue (retired), and Whisper White

Buttons: Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green, Brilliant Blue (retired)

Inks: Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green, Brilliant Blue (retired), and Old Olive

Rick Rack: Pumpkin Pie

Stamp Set: Hello Blossoms

After layering the card stock in ROY G BIV order, the rest of the card came together very simply. The overload of colors in the border led me to using a lot of white space as a counterbalance. It seemed to need something else so I added the rickrack. Now I'm not sure if I should have left it off.

Tea-Riffic Tiny Teacups for PP86

This week's challenge over at the Paper Players is to use the colors Crumb Cake, Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder and Pear Pizazz on a card.

I thoroughly enjoy color challenges, while sketch challenges give me fits.  The moment I saw the colors, I knew what I wanted to create.

I love this Tiny Teacup stamp and have been wanting to play with it for a while (aw, who am I kidding, I've just been wanting to find time to stamp once more, the teacup is just an added bonus) and couldn't wait to get it out and play.  The trick for me was finding a sentiment to go with it. 

I had picked up a rather inexpensive set at JoAnn's and thought this sentiment fit the bill.  (Although, I have to put in a plug for SU! and other well respected stamping companies--there is something to be said about quality stamps and the clearness of the image when stamped.) 

I popped both the teacups and the paper they're mounted on up on dimensionals.

And (I know it is difficult to see in the top photo), I scored the white base behind the images to balance the card and add interest without adding a ribbon (Brien had challenged me, you see). This card is meant for my Grandfather, and Brien is adamant masculine cards (and gender neutral cards in general) DON'T have ribbon.  Alrighty then, scoring it is. :oP

We've really been struggling with the time change this week so I've not had much of an opportunity to get in and stamp.  I'm glad I had the chance to do it with this card. :o)

--Rach

Thoughts of Spring PP85

I made this insanely fluffy bit of a wreath for Grandma (at Lily's insistence that she would love pink--methinks the six year old loves the pink, but I digress) and need to send it to her.  I wanted to include a card that was bright and cheerful and rather spring-y. 

We've not had much in the way of a winter in this part of the world, but have still had a number of cold and grey days, making me long for the blossoms and fluff of spring, and I wanted to convey that in the card I made.

As luck would have it, the Paper Players challenge this week was "Spring has Sprung!".  How utterly perfect! 

I've not been in my stamping space that much of late and my poor New Years goal has not been met.  However, I'm ready to dive back in and this challenge is my jumping off point. :o)

One of my favorite stamp sets is SU!'s "Branch Out".  It's such a sweet set and so versatile and I have no idea why I don't get it out more often.  Hm. 

I used my large acrylic block to stamp on some Pool Party ink for the background and got to work.  Using the "leaf" stamp in the set, I stamped Calypso Coral in the center and used the retired Cameo Coral for the rest of the blossoms.  I stamped off to add more blooms without adding too much more color and muddying up the image.

I paired the tree with my favorite Ann Frank quote from "Hope Happens" and add the whimsical little butterflies at the end in Calypso Coral.  Grandma is a huge fan of butterflies and they were the perfect finishing touch. 

I'm hard-pressed to not do something on the inside of a card, and this one was no exception. ;o)

I do hope Grandma loves this little card as much as I!

This card uses:
Stamp Sets: "Branch Out", "Hope Happens"
Paper: (retired) Cameo Coral textured and non textured card stock, Pool Party card stock
Inks: (markers) Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi, (stamp pads) Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Cameo Coral

--Rach

Thanks a Latte

I needed a couple of thank you cards and decided to pull out this set I purchased at Michael's awhile back.  I just loved the steamy coffee and the punny sentiment and thought they could make a cute card.  I pulled out my "Domestic Goddess" DSP and made a bit of a "tablecloth" and then wanted to balance out the cup with the bling down on the right.  And, yes, I fussy cut the thing out.  I can't believe I did it. ;o)

And, because the last photo of the piggy card was so shoddy, I wanted to post a couple of better ones. :o)

--Rach

Birthday Piggies

I know the photo quality is lousy--iPhone photo.  Sorry. :oS

Lil had two birthday parties to attend this weekend and thought I should use the "Button Buddies" stamp set for the birthday cards.  She loved the cherries as well and wanted to use those.  I told her I didn't think they were very "birthday" and she said we could just put birthday hats on them.  That made me think of this sweet little piggy and I knew he would be fabulous with a birthday hat. :o)

Since the parties were for a 7 year old and 6 year old, I figured Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink and sparkly paper were the way to go. :o)  The pom pom trim and button added the perfect finishing touches.

I find there are times when I struggle with 3"x3" cards, and other times, they just come together in a snap.  The past two cards have been like that.  I think it must be this cute set. :o)

Button Buddies Cherries

I didn't purchase the "Button Buddies" stamp set, but Lissie did.  I fell in love and borrowed hers.  I think I'm going to have to get my own as I've really had some fun with it.  I've got plans for the sweetest little box of 3"x3" cards as this set lends itself to those beautifully.  Just wait until you see the birthday cards I made. ;o)

I happen to LOOOOOOOVE cherries and already have two different sets with cherries.  Doesn't matter.  I need these.  ;o)

I needed a quick thank you card for a customer and decided this set would be perfect.  I made three cards using Real Red as the base and mounting the white on Old Olive.  I used the thank you sentiment from "Short and Sweet".

I wanted to play around with a couple of ideas for the cherries and hit these guys with Crystal Effects.

With this card, I actually used the buttons.

I think each card is sweet on its own, but really like playing around with variations as well. :o)

--Rach

Masculine Birthday

When Amy asked me to make a birthday card for her father I was more than happy to do so.  However, masculine cards are NOT my strong suit, so I was a wee smidge worried.  I knew I could do it, but also knew it would prove to be a bit of a challenge.  As easily as those baby cards come to me, masculine cards are just as much a struggle.

However, I've purchased a number of "masculine" stamp sets and figured I could give it a go.  I have to say, I'm pleased with the results--Amy says her dad was too. :o)

I pulled out "The Open Sea" stamps and "Nautical Expedition" DSP and got to work.  I used the large ledger stamp as a background image in "Crumb Cake" and stamped-off once before stamping onto the vanilla card stock.  I also stamped-off the Night of Navy world map image as well. 

 I wanted to add a bit of balance and pull the eye down across the image so I (to steal a Jaydee-ism) "fussy cut" the anchor and adhered it using a couple dimensionals to pop it off the page.

 The vanilla was a bit bright and jarring so I swiped the edges across an Early Espresso ink pad to add a little depth without having to mount it on another layer.

The stamp set lends itself to distressing since it has such an aged look about it, and I couldn't resist adding a bit of interest by tearing across the bottom of the image.

I didn't bother with a sentiment on the outside because I wanted the image to be the main focus.  I don't think cards necessarily need to have a sentiment on the outside--sometimes they work, and sometimes they don't. :shrug:

What I DO know is this card worked for me (and for Amy's dad), and that's what's most important. :o)

--Rach

Pink Pink Pink

I needed a fun card to send to Grandma, and a 1st birthday card for my niece.  Grandma's favorite color is pink, and I thought the Melon Mambo/Pink Pirouette combo could work nicely for both cards. :o)

This card is another go to layout for me.  I love CAS cards and this one fits the bill.  I used "Darling Dots" and "Signature  Greetings" on this one.  I also made sure to draw a line and use my Stamp-a-Ma-Jig to line up the flowers.

I'll send this along with a sweet spring wreath I made for her. :o)

And, here's Ever's birthday card. :o)  Using the same layout and idea, I used the flower stamp from "Season of Friendship" and the sentiment from "So Happy For You". I tried to use a "rock and roll" technique on the sentiment and it sort of worked.  Oh well.  It's the thought that counts, right?

I used some Dazzling Details to add some sparkle to the centers of the flowers and the butterfly's wings. 

It's been so wonderful to spread my creative wings once again.  When my mojo has flown the coop, I have a terrible time getting going again, but once I do, things start to flow. :o)

--Rach