Excuses 'R Us

I'm SO sorry I've let you lie here neglected and abandoned, little blog.  There was SUCH enthusiasm when I began you, and now that autumn has arrived, I've lost steam.  More to the point, I've lost precious time.  Because we travel so much in the fall (at least every other weekend), my card making time has been greatly reduced. :sniff sniff: 

I'm so sorry, sweet blog.  With Brien out of town the next two evenings, I'm going to try to do better.  I'm going to pop in some old movies, get the stamping juices flowing and see what I can create.  I'll check out a few challenge sites as well, and see if anything catches my fancy. 

I hope to see you in the morning, my friend.

Sincerely,
Me

Busy, Busy, Busy

It is true that I am mostly retired, that is, I do not have a full-time job or a job to which I must go. However, I do work for a publisher, and, lucky me, I get to work from home. The work is sporadic, though lately, there seems to always be something to do. Mostly, I oversee the development of materials and review them. Recently I received a new title, Director of Special Projects, which basically means I do a wide assortment of things. The company I work for is small—a husband and wife comprise the company—and I cannot express how much I love working with them. Unlike large publishers I’ve worked for, all the work for this company is done with a verbal handshake, and they truly value my opinions. We trust each other and it is a lovely arrangement, one that I hope continues for many years. Just the other day, the husband contacted me to see how much they owe me for my work in September. We both had to think through everything I’ve done for them in the past month. Being able to trust someone 100% as I trust this husband and wife is a great joy. I love the loose arrangement, and I much enjoy the work I do. So, why am I telling you this? Because this week I’ve been up to my ears reviewing a new book, reviewing a revised book, working on a presentation I will give on Saturday, and planning how to proceed with a new project, among other things. As a result, I have no time to stamp. So, I looked through my cards and found one I created last summer when I had lots of time on my hands. To make it, I used these supplies:

• Stamp Set—Simply Said
• DSP—Delicate Dots
• Card Stock—So Saffron, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
• Twill Ribbon—Certainly Celery and So Saffron (layered)
• Ink—Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery
• Nesties—Circle and Scallop

--Lissie

Sparkly Birthday Wishes

When I made Ella's birthday card back in July, I made two (as is typical for me), but instead of keeping one as a model, I made the second for my niece Jocelyn's birthday in September.  When I first saw the "Pony Party" stamp set, I just knew it would be perfect for birthday cards (and "just because" cards) for little girls.  How right I was.  :o)

Because Ella is the child of the original "Pink Bunny", I made the card as pink and sparkly as possible.  It is an easel card so it can be propped up and long admired. ;o)

To create the shades of pink in the mane and tail, I simple got out my blender pen and the Melon Mambo stamp pad.  Then, I layered more color on where I wanted it darker and less where I wanted it lighter. 

Using my two-way glue pen, I added Dazzling Diamonds here and there on the pony/unicorn.  For the glittery images in the background, I used VersaMark and heat and stick powder. 

It really was a fun (if time consuming!) card to make. :o)

This card uses:
Stamp Set: "Pony Party"
Papers: Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
Inks: Black StazOn, Melon Mambo, VersaMark
Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds, 1 1/4" Pink Pirouette grosgrain ribbon, heat and stick powder

Autumn Gift Enclosure

Rachael is away for the weekend so I decided to post a small card, one I'll use as a gift enclosure. I like to make square cards, but it can be tricky designing a card for a small space ... at least it is for me. I rummaged through my Designer Series Paper and was surprised to find a favorite paper with designs I had not yet used that would work for this card. (Don't you love it when that happens?) I finished the card and then realized it was out of balance so I added the two buttons. Here's what I used to make this card:

• DSP--Autumn Traditions
• Card Stock--Always Artichoke; Soft Suede
  
• Buttons--Always Artichoke

--Lissie

Sisters

My sister's birthday is coming up, so I decided to make her a card using one of m new stamp sets, The Nicest Things. I'm still struggling to learn how to effectively use watercolor paper, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. I also wanted to use a color I haven't played with much--Baja Breeze. I made it the main color for the card. The colors on the card itself are far more muted and pastel-like than they show up in this picture where they appear much darker and more vibrant, probably because of the auto-correct feature I used in iPhoto. Here are the other supplies I used:

• Inks--Baja Breeze, River Rock, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Blush Blossom, and Crumb Cake
• Stamp Sets--The Nicest Things and Well Scripted
• Crochet Trim--Victoria
  
• Embosslits--Beautiful Wings
• Designer Series Paper--Baja Breeze
• Card Stock--Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze

--Lissie

Birthday Butterflies

Grandma's birthday is Sunday and I wanted to create a card I knew she would love.  Grandma's favorite color is pink and she has always loved butterflies--more so now that we've lost Hannah, as she (like us) views them as a symbol of the Monkey.

So, all I had to do was combine pink and butterflies. No problem!  I remembered how much I had enjoyed working with a similar color combination on a Paper Players challenge and pulled out Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery and Very Vanilla and went to work.

"Just Believe" is an incredibly beautiful, feminine set and lent itself perfectly to meet my needs.  I knew the "Beautiful Wings" embosslits would coordinate wonderfully with the set as well. 

I love it when a card just comes together. :o) 

Because it's a birthday card for a very special lady, I decided to bling it up a bit.  I used Dazzling Diamonds on the flowers and butterflies, and then went a step further, adding pearls as well.

I just knew "Curly Cute" would be the perfect sentiment to accompany such a pretty card.  :o)

And, you know me, I had to add a little something to the inside.  I mimicked the scalloping on the outside and added a butterfly, Dazzling Diamonds and pearls as well.  I left plenty of space to write a personal message to Grandma.

This card uses:
Stamp Sets: "Just Believe", "Curly Cute"
Papers: Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery textured card stock
Inks: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Scallop edge punch, "Beautiful Wings" embosslit, Dazzling Diamonds, pearls

It's such a sweet card I just want to prop it up and look at it all day. :oP  I can't WAIT to give it to Grandma. :o)

--Rach

P.S.  I'm sure I must have CASE'd this from somewhere, but for the life of me I can't remember where...

Muted Autumn Colors

I wanted to create a card with muted autumn colors. I'm particularly fond of Sage Shadow, a recently discontinued color. As I dug through my Designer Series Paper, I found Autumn Vine, a paper I've used in the past; it includes Sage Shadow. I had cased a card on Split Coast Stampers with a similar layout and decided to try it, altering it a bit. The only thing I would change about this card is the size of the oval. I think it needs to be a bit smaller because it tends to overpower the tree. Here's are the supplies I used:

• DSP--Autumn Vine
• Stamp Sets--Give Thanks and Forest Friends
• Card Stock--Sage Shadow
• Inks--Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, More Mustard, Really Rust (the colors in the DSP)
• Nesties--Oval and Scalloped Oval
• Piercing Tool
• Embossing Plate--Dots

--Lissie

Well...

 

I had thought Lissie was going to post today, otherwise I would have posted this sooner.  Liss is busy doing her "real" job today and unable to post.  Thank goodness I had something. :oP My sister-in-law's birthday is tomorrow.  Dana's favorite color is black and I had originally thought to do a tuxedo card.  But, I looked at this image, and I just knew I had to color those little falling leaves.  I wanted something unobtrusive and felt Blushing Bride fit the bill. 

Well, once I had that little pop of color, I knew I had to have it in a couple of other places as well.  :o)

I have to say I'm thoroughly enjoying the clear mount stamps.  In this instance, it allowed me to get the images stamped fairly uniformly without the aid of the SAMJ. 

 

I had resisted purchasing any more sentiments (I have SO many already), but saw "Curly Cute" and had to have them.  :sigh:  I have no willpower.  :oS  But, look what a sweet inside it makes! 

This card uses:

Stamp Sets: "Funky Four", "Curly Cute"

Papers: Basic Black, Whisper White, Blushing Bride

Inks: Basic Black, Blushing Bride

Accessories: 5/8" black satin ribbon, scallop trim border punch

Let's hope she likes it!

--Rach

Oh My

 

I'm SO sorry it has taken so long to post a new card.  Things have been utterly crazy busy here and I FINALLY got some stamping time Saturday evening.  I'm going to try to do better in the coming weeks.  Fall is a busy busy time for us, as we are inevitably traveling to or from Blacksburg for football games and visits to the mountains in autumn.  

My evenings have been eaten up with chores and sick kiddos.  :sigh:

Anyhow, I had a chance to play with my "Funky Four" stamp set Saturday evening, and I LOVE the results!  I thought it was SUCH a fun stamp when I purchased it, but then could figure out NOTHING to do with it.  EEK!  I hate it when that happens. 

Then, without warning, an idea popped into my head and a light bulb went off.  :o)  This is for my nephew Miles.  He was nine and I thought, "What little guy wouldn't like mushrooms?"  I think they are cute cute cute.  As for that crooked sentiment, that will teach me to not get out my SAMJ and just think I can "wing it".  :oP

This card uses:

Stamp Sets: "Funky Four", "Happy Everything"

Inks: Soft Suede, Real Red

Papers: Whisper White, Real Red, Soft Suede

I'm still struggling without my flash.  I'm sorry the photos I'm going to be posting aren't so wonderful...:sigh:

Another One for Halloween

When Rachael came to visit this past weekend, she brought my Stampin' Up order. I couldn't wait to begin playing with my new stamp sets. It was hard to decide where to begin ... I ended up going for Halloween and created this card, one I'll send to one of my grandchildren. Please note that the cat is actually centered perfectly inside the cutout; the camera angle makes it look off center. Here's what I used:

• Designer Series Paper--Cast A Spell
• Stamp Set--Fang-tastic
• Card Stock--Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive
  
• Ink--Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Blush Blossom, Blushing Bride
• Punches--Scallop and Circle
• Dimensional--on the pumpkin to make it stand out from the witch

--Lissie

Sparkly Hannah Day 2010 Cards

I have been trying and trying to get some studio time.  This is always my crazy, busy time of year.  We are out of town every other weekend for football games, we are traveling to see family, we are just busy. 

I know, I know excuses excuses...

At any rate, I made it a point to get in the studio last night as I had a mission.  Today is Sparkly Hannah Day 2010 and I wanted to give out anonymous cards with a couple of dollars in them.  The plan is to leave these cards on random cars in parking lots. Inside the card reads, "We know this isn't much, but we hope you will use it to buy yourself a little treat".  Besides that, the card is simply adorable. :o) Who wouldn't smile after receiving one of these cards?

This card uses:
Stamp Set: Darling Dots, PTI Signature Greetings
Paper: Whisper White
Inks: Melon Mambo, Only Orange (retired)

I made ten of them last night.  You MUST use a Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to get the images lined up!  I also drew a light pencil line across the card to give the flowers a baseline. 

As for the poor image quality, well, my sweet Lil dropped my camera and my flash broke.  Boo hoo hoo!  I hope to have it repaired soon!

Happy Sparkly Hannah Day!  Go forth and perform a RAK!

Combining Techniques

I wanted to make a very simple, clean card. I also wanted to use a new embossing folder and watercolor paper. And now, for the life of me, I can't remember everything I used to make this card. ARGH! Old age has impacted my memory. I know I used two different shades of pink card stock, but I'm not sure what they are--Rose Red? Melon Mambo? [Rachael just told me that those are the correct colors.] Here's what I know I used:

• Embossing Folder--Elegant Lines
• Ink--Certainly Celery and Melon Mambo
  
• Water Color Paper (spritzed with water prior to stamping)
  
• Stamp Set--Watercolor Trio

--Lissie

Feeling Autumn-y

The air has a slight nip to it this morning. It has the past few mornings as well. I'm awaiting the annual color change, and doing so rather impatiently. I decided since they weren't changing nearly fast enough to suit me, I could just create some fall foliage myself!

I pulled out my "With Gratitude" set and stared at it. I pulled out different colored card stocks and stared some more. I came up with nothing. Nada. Zilch. The set mocked me. It did! Here I had this gorgeous set and I could come up with nary a thing to do with it. Ack! Dejected, I walked out of the studio and vowed I would think of something, that no mere stamp set would beat me. So there!

I took a different approach last night. I found a sketch challenge at Stamping 411 that looked promising and decided to give it a go.

I tried a vertical card first. No dice. Once I got it oriented correctly, the card came together. :o) I showed it to Brien who said, "ACK! What did you do?? You had this wonderful masculine card and you added a bow. A BOW! Now it just looks all sorts of confused."

Really? Oh no!
But you see, the thing is, I was proud of that bow. It was the most perfect bow I had ever made (thank you, Jaydee for the tutorial!) and I was going to leave that bow, even if it didn't work.

But that didn't mean I couldn't create another card. I typically make two cards anyhow, so this was easy to do. :o)

I rock-and-rolled the leaves on the background to achieve that multi-color effect. I ran the Cajun Craze piece through the Cuttlebug with a Swiss Dots embossing folder to give it some texture. The maple leaf is first stamped in VersaMark and then in Cajun Craze, covered with clear embossing powder and hit with the heat gun. I gave the card some depth by mounting the maple leaf using dimensionals.

These cards use:
Stamp Sets: "With Gratitude", "Watercolor Trio"
Inks: More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke, Early Espresso--it should be noted I considered using Old Olive, but I thought it was too bright next to the more muted Regals colors
Papers: Whisper White, Early Espresso, Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze
Accessories: Early Espresso 5/8" satin ribbon, dimensionals, Regals button, Swiss Dots embossing folder, scallop border punch

Ha! I won!! I made a card with the stamp set, and even have another cooking for Friday's post! Hee hee hee. ;o)

--Rach

Happy Halloween

Fall is in the air and leaves are drifting down from the trees in my backyard. Soon Halloween will be upon us. I've been making cards for my grandchildren, and found this skeleton to use. I tried stamping it in white on black using craft ink, but that didn't work well because the image looked muddy. So, I resorted to using Staz-on black ink; it seems to create a darker image. Here are the other supplies I used:

• Designer Series Paper--Cast a Spell
• Ribbon- Pumpkin Pie Striped
• Card Stock--Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie
  
• Ink--Staz-On Black

--Lissie

Grandfather's Birthday Card

I have NO idea why I didn't post this Saturday, or even yesterday. I guess I took a weekend vacation.

I've been puttering around with autumn-y cards and pulled out "Thoughts and Prayers" the other day to ink up the tree with some fall foliage. I pulled the sentiment from "Watercolor Trio"--it just seemed to fit. :o)

I struggled with this one. I needed something to balance out the bottom, but ribbon wasn't cutting it, and buttons were too big. I had three brads originally, but managed to get them off-center so had to add the fourth. Ah, well, I don't think GF will mind. ;o)


This card uses:
Stamp Sets: "Thoughts and Prayers", "Watercolor Trio"
Inks: Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Early Espresso
Paper: Very Vanilla, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Early Espresso (anyone else love love loving the deep, intense hue of this paper?)
Accessories: Neutrals brads


And, just because I can, I wanted to share my workspace with you. I'm already sharing it with a four year old girl, see? :oP

--Rach

Another Ugly one

Most of the time I am satisfied with the cards I make. I plan each one carefully, and generally can envision it in my head before I make it. When I was young and made some of my own clothes, I could do the same thing with a pattern and fabric. I could "see" the results when picking out the right cloth and the perfect pattern. So, it was with confidence that I tackled this card. I knew I wanted to use red and black again, a favorite combination. But it all went pear shaped, as the British say. I've over-analyzed what the problem is and have come to the conclusion that it is the stamp I used in the circle. The shapes are simply too big for the rest of the card. Since no one will want to make this card, I hesitate to post what I used, but here goes:

• Designer Series Paper--Cerise
• Card Stock--Real Red and Basic Black
• Stamp Set--Circle Circus

--Lissie

Fall, Oh Fall, Where Art Thou?

I'm sorry I took a much longer break than anticipated. Miss Ellie received her four month shots Tuesday and she was a wreck that day and the next. As such, I was unable to get in the studio. :o( I'm pleased to say Ellie is doing better, and I had some play time last night. :o)

As the temperatures here continue to hover in the upper-80's to 90's, I'm insanely jealous of those with more seasonal temps. The kiddies are back in school, that means the days should be cooler with a crispness that I'm just not getting here. Williamsburg is a lovely lovely place to live, there are so many activities and so much history, but it lacks a proper autumn. As that is my favorite season, it makes it tough this time of year. Now Blacksburg has an autumn to be envious of. :sigh:

All this to say, I was trying to decide what I wanted to make to submit to the Paper Players Challenge this week (Clean and Simple--my style to a "T"), felt my longing for fall, and picked up "Branch Out". It all came together from there.

Since maples are my favorite tree (only because I don't live out west with the gorgeous, majestic aspen), and I LOVE their vibrant fall foliage, I decided that was what I was going to create. :o)

And, of course, I can't leave out the inside. :o)

This card uses:
Stamp Sets: "Branch Out", "Hope Happens"
Inks: Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Cherry Cobbler, Real Read, Early Espresso, Garden Green
Paper: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Tangerine Tango

We have highs projected to be lower-80's and upper 70's for this weekend. Maybe fall is on its way?

--Rach

Labor Day Holiday

I'm taking time off until after Labor Day. Enjoy your weekend, everyone! :o)

Posting From On The Road

Knowing I would be a way for a week, I decided to make a few cards ahead of time and then post them from the road. I am sitting in a McDonald's in Lebanon, Tennessee as it is the only free wi-fi in the area that I could find. The smell of breakfast and grease isn't the best atmosphere from which to get online, but, it's better than not getting online at all.

I made this card to send to a friend, but I'm not as happy with it as I'd like to be. I think the oval needs to be smaller, but it is what it is. (I think often we are our own worst critics.) Here's what I used:

• Stamp Sets--Garden Silhouettes (I seem to be stuck on this set lately.) and For a Friend
  
• Designer Series Paper--Certainly Celery
• Card Stock--Bashful Blue and Whisper White
  
• Inks--Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery
• Nesties--Oval Scallop and Oval
• Ribbon--Satin Bashful Blue

--Lissie

Lovin' Me Some Trendy Trees

I can't get enough of "Trendy Trees". It's such a simple stamp set, so easy to use. I wanted to play with the In Colors, and I wanted to play with my "Sunny Garden" DSP, so I went back to my go-to layout. And, I was right, the trees look wonderful in the In Colors. :o)

This card uses:
Stamp Set: "Trendy Trees"
Paper: Whisper White, Poppy Parade, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizazz, "Sunny Garden" DSP
Ink: Early Espresso, Poppy Parade, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizazz

And really, there's not much more to say. ;o)

--Rach