Happy New Year!

The new school year is upon us. Living in a part of Virginia that doesn't begin until the day after Labor Day (the so-called "King's Dominion Law" because there is a belief we need the high school kids to run all the amusement parks and tourist attractions in this part of the state), I still have a few more weeks before I being with students, although I "report" to work via Zoom next Tuesday. :o)

I come by my teaching honestly. 

My mama (Lissie!) was a teacher and I spent my childhood before and after school in her classroom learning the ropes of the life of a school teacher. In turn, I set up my own classroom, teaching my stuffed animals and a--at times--resentful sister. ;o) And, then, somehow, 20+ years passed, and here I am! 

All this to say, my life has always (always!) revolved around the school calendar. Whether it was beginning daycare in September or starting school (and later college), or now, as an adult, setting up my room and making plans for the year, the school calendar drives my life. 

Every September I call out, "Happy New Year!" because, to me, this just makes sense! It is, without a doubt, a new year!

Starting a "new" year in January? 

Nope. ;o)

This week at The Paper Players the challenge was to make a CAS Back to School card. 

I've been trying to forget my summer of "freedom" (um, really? Freedom? In the time of Covid-19?) is ending and put off this card to the last possible moment. :oP 

The beginning of the year is always hectic, chaotic, and exhausting, and this year will undoubtedly be more so. We will be starting all virtual and this is going to present its own unique challenges. I hope my family's ready for Teacher Rachael to come on in and shove Summer Rachael on out of the way. LOL!

For now, I have a few more days of leisure before I hit the ground running on my New Year. :o) 

 (I always laugh at what a huge mess I make when making such a crisp card.)

Stamp Sets: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Tart and Tangy

Ink: Real Red, Shaded Spruce, So Saffron, Early Espresso, Memento Black

Paper: Whisper White (both), Real Red

Miscellaneous: basic pearls

Notes:
That apple stamp has always bothered me a bit because when you slice into an apple, in general, it is NOT red (or green!). That said, I have seen pink-y streaks in an apple so I wasn't too bothered by the touches of red on the "flesh". My biggest dilemma was trying to figure out what color to use for the fruit inside. 

I inked the stamp up using my Stampin' Write markers and used my trusty and old faithful Stamp-A-Majig to place the apples.

Get Well Lady Bugs for Hadley

My cousin's baby is sick and has been hospitalized for quite some time, and I wanted to create a cheery card to send to brighten up her room a bit.  I found a fun sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches and thought it would be perfect!

I had already settled on using the ladybugs from "Darling Dots" (I do so love red and black as a color combo) and colored them with markers and fussy cut them so I could mount them on the circles using dimensionals.

I continued the dots theme throughout the card using the dotted DSP and the Swiss dots embossing folder. 

All I need to do now is write my message to sweet Hadley on the inside and ship it off. 

--Rach

This card uses:
*Stamp Sets: "Darling Dots" (retired hostess), "Teeny Tiny Wishes"
*Papers: Cerise (retired DSP), Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red
*Inks: Real Red, Basic Black
*Accessories: dimensionals, 1" and 1.25" circle punches, Itty Bitty Banners framelits, Swiss dots embossing folder

A Baby Card for Sarah

My dear friend Sarah delivered her (not so) little man Tuesday and I'm overjoyed for her and her family.

I wanted to make the perfect card for them and knew at once I wanted to use my "Oh, Whale!" stamp set.  So, how chuffed was I when I saw this week's Paper Player's challenge was to create a CAS baby card with buttons and bows?

And, per the norm, I'm leaving it to the last possible moment to post my card here and to the challenge, but hey, at least it's done. ;o)

I typically have a layout in mind, but just wasn't sure how I wanted to use this cutie.  I toodled on over to CAS(E) this Sketch to look for a layout.  If you're a fan of CAS cards, this is a site you will want to visit!  There are wonderful sketches and super inspiration, and if I had managed to get off my patootie a bit sooner, I could have entered this card in the challenge. Oops.  This happens to me more often than I would like to admit...;oP

I had originally made the card using Basic Gray and Daffodil Delight, but it was missing something.  I realized the "something" was a Basic Gray layer and I had no Basic Gray card stock.  Drats.

So, I dropped back and punted and just love the results. :o)  Pool Party and Midnight Muse work so beautifully together! I popped the whale up on some dimensionals, added a small pearl for an eye, and three more below the sentiment because who doesn't like a bit of elegant bling?

Maybe someday I'll figure out how to take a non-crooked photo...

Inside I stamped the wave across the bottom (have I mentioned how much I love my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig?) and used the little die cuts from cutting the whale to create my ocean scene.  I added little eyes to make them "pop".  Besides, who doesn't love a little personality on their sea stars and fishies? :o)

And, here's a slightly more CAS version of the same card minus the buttons and baker's twine. 

This card uses:

*Stamp Sets: "Oh, Whale!", "Teeny Tiny Wishes"
*Inks: Pool Party, Midnight Muse
*Paper: Pool Party, Midnight Muse, Whisper White
*Accessories: pearls, dimensionals, Clearlits "Happy Whale", neutrals white flower buttons, white baker's twine

--Rach

Blowing Kisses Birthday

I can't seem to stop using this sweet "Blowing Kisses" bunny.  He makes my heart feel light and happy and I find him utterly adorable.

Miss Gracie had a birthday earlier this month, and being the spot on auntie I am, I got this card out right away...yeah, no.  No, I didn't.  But, I called her on her birthday and let her know we were thinking about her, and hey, this extends her birthday a bit, right?

I stamped the bunny and grass on watercolor paper and colored him using markers and a water pen.  I then cut him out using my Deckled Rectangles Nesties. The "ribbon" is two strips of paper cut 1/2" and adhered together using  two-way tape.  I figured out a nifty trick to cutting the chevron in the end, I take my 1 1/8" square punch, and match it up to cut a notch out using a corner. 

I finished it off by stamping the sentiment from "Teeny Tiny Wishes" and using VersaMark to stamp just the heart part of the balloon from "Blowing Kisses".

I know this image is fuzzy--I'm sorry. The sentiment is from "Friendly Phrases" and I added the heart balloon to finish it off. 

Happy Birthday to Miss Gracie!

--Rach

This card uses:

*Stamp Sets: "Blowing Kisses", "Teeny Tiny Wishes", "Friendly Phrases"
*Paper: watercolor paper, Crumb Cake, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla
*Inks: black StazOn, Pretty in Pink, and Wild Wasabi, Pretty in Pink and Crumb Cake markers
*Accessories: Deckled Rectangles Nesties

Blowing Kisses for Baby

You know what they say about good intentions...

I had every good intention of making cards and sending them and entering challenges, and somehow they just didn't come to fruition. It was so much easier to get in and make cards when Ellie was a little baby.  Now she's this busy toddler who is into everything and I just can't leave her unattended.  The thought of what she could get into simply boggles my mind. 

I've determined, though, no more excuses.  I love making cards and getting my creative juices flowing, and if I want to do something, I just have to make the time to do it. 

My cousin and her husband just had their first baby and I'm SO excited for them! I knew I could combine the challenge at the Paper Players with the need for a baby card and come up with something sweet.  :o)

A big challenge for me is stepping outside the box with regards to stamps.  For example, if the stamp is a Christmas or summer stamp, I have a tough time thinking of a way to use it other than for its intended purpose.  "Blowing Kisses" is a Valentine's stamp, but that sweet little bunny just called to me and I knew he was perfect for this card. 

I stamped him in Staz-On on watercolor paper and colored him using Crumb Cake and Pretty in Pink.  The grass is colored using Wild Wasabi and Pretty in Pink.

I found a piece of pink gingham paper I had stashed away and it pulled the card together.  I'm such a sucker for gingham and baby cards...:o) 
 

I always like to so a little something special on the insides of my cards and I loved the way I was able to tie in the balloon from "Blowing Kisses" with the sentiment from "Friendly Phrases".

Hooray for getting into my space and stamping again! :o)

--Rach

This card uses:

*Stamp Sets: "Blowing Kisses", "Teeny Tiny Wishes", "Friendly Phrases"
*Paper: Pink Pirouette, Crumb Cake, watercolor, Very Vanilla, Memory Makers pink gingham DSP
*Ink: Black Staz-On, Pretty in Pink, Crumb Cake and Wild Wasabi markers

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

Hello Baby!

Hello stamping blog!  Long time no post.  One of my New Years goals was to make at least five cards a week and send at least three.  Uhhhh, yeah.  Still trying to work on that one...

But, my friend Amy gave me a nudge when she said she needed three cards and asked if I could make them.  Sure thing!

She needed two gender neutral baby cards and a masculine birthday card.  I knew the baby cards would be cake because, well, I have a go to card for babies.  I simply adore the giraffe from "Wild About You" and love to use it.  I also love this very simple layout and just change it up a bit based on what is needed. 

This card uses So Saffron, Certainly Celery and Bashful Blue and the retired DSP "Cutie Pie".

I also needed two "girlie" baby cards for a friend and a cousin.  I am in love with brown and pink paired together for a little girl and pulled out Early Espresso and Pink Pirouette and some Pink Pirouette DSP. 

The sweet "Hello Baby" sentiment comes from "Teeny Tiny Wishes" and finishes off the card. 

I suppose I should branch out with regards to baby cards, but when I can put something this cute together so quickly, how can I resist?

--Rach

Bitty's Birthday Cards

Lissie was busy on a cross-country trip for the past couple of weeks and knew she wouldn't be able to make Lil a birthday card and get it in the mail in time for it to arrive on her birthday.   So, she did what would any good grandmother do--ask their daughter to make the card. ;o)

I punched triangles using the Pennant punch and adhered Melon Mambo pom poms to them.  The stamp comes from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" stamp set. 

This card is our card to Miss Lily.  It is over-the-top blingarific and she should love it.  We'll see. ;o)

I stamped the horse from "Pony Party" in black Staz-On and colored her using Melon Mambo ink and a blender pen.  I added two-way glue and Dazzling Diamonds to strands of the mane and tail.  Blender pens are great because you can layer on color for more intense or less intense looks.

I stamped the wing and horn on the silver glimmer paper using black Staz-On, and cut and glued them on.  To give the wing a bit of lift, I added a dimensional at the top and simply adhered it to the bottom.

This card gives me a tooth ache just looking at it, but I know my Bitty girl will looooove it. :o)  After all, a girl only turns six once. :o)

An Apple for the Teacher

 Poor neglected blog.  Poor thing.  I'm so sorry I've left you with nothing new.  I've been busy.  That's my excuse. 

But, with school starting tomorrow, I wanted to send in a couple of cards to Lil's teacher and assistant and quickly threw something together. 

This first card is for Mrs. W.  I used a sketch from Stamping 411 and pulled out "Greeting Card Kids" because, let's face it, they're perfect!  They go wonderfully with the "Summer Picnic" DSP (that I have hoarded...) and I think it is a sweet little card.

I used the apple from "Tart and Tangy" to VersaMark the vanilla base behind the image--I know it's hard to see.  

Then, there's this card I pulled together for Mrs. S.  I had meant to make a horizontal fold card, but somehow managed to cut the card stock for a vertical fold.  OOPS!  This is making lemons from lemonade. ;o)

I love love love "Tart and Tangy" and haven't pulled it out nearly enough recently.  I used it to not only make the focal image, but also VersaMarked the lower right corner behind the sentiment, and along the red strip on the inside.

I hope the ladies enjoy their cards.  I certainly enjoyed getting back in my stamping space! :o)

When Good Cards Go Bad

Well, it had potential and then it didn't. I wouldn't be posting this except I promised Lissie I would post my ugly card. So, here it is, in all it's awful glory. There's not much to say, really. I tried distressing, it didn't work. Oh, well. Not my style, I guess...

This card uses:
Stamp Sets: "Greeting Card Kids", "Teeny Tiny Wishes"
Paper: watercolor, Blushing Bride, Newsprint DSP
Inks: Black Staz-On, Soft Suede, Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Night of Navy, Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Sahara Sand
Accessories: Log Cabin Smooch Spritz

We'll give it an A for effort, right? Right?!?

--Rach

School Daze

It's that time of year again--the back-to-school sales are on and there is excitement in the air. Teachers are scurrying to get their rooms ready in between all the mandatory meetings and school division professional development requirements (trust me, there is VERY little time to get that room ready!). But, it's all worth it, for the day after Labor Day (around here, anyway--don't ask about the "King's Dominion Law"...) we are greeted with shiny, smiling faces in brand new clothes, ready to embark on a new year. I confess, I'm going to miss that.

I borrowed the spiral punch idea from Lissie and the card came together. :o) Those kiddies are just too stinkin' cute!

And, the inside. I thought that sentiment went well with the kiddos on the front. :o)

This card uses:
Stamp Sets: "Greeting Card Kids", "Teeny Tiny Wishes", "Warm Words", "Heard From the Heart", "Tart and Tangy"
Inks: Oh, dear, let's see, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, Real Red, More Mustard, Wild Wasabi, Garden Green, Sahara Sand, Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink, Night of Navy, Chocolate Chip (Whew!)
Paper: Real Red, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Watercolor, Summer Picnic DSP (which I have hoarded), Newsprint DSP
Accessories: Eyelet border punch, spiral notebook punch

Goodness I'm enjoying watercoloring!! :o)

--Rach

Autumn=Halloween?

As you all have probably realized, I'm dying for autumn to arrive. Halloween and pumpkins are definitely autumnal, right? Well, I have had so much fun watercoloring these sweet kiddos that I have many, many images lying around, ready to use in cards. Last night, while waiting for Brien to return from the rehearsal dinner he was attending, I got in the studio and decided to do something with them. The latest Paper Players challenge is a sketch challenge and I decided to play along, especially as I haven't been able to play along in quite a while.

Yes, I know, I didn't make a square card, nor did I use a circle (I don't have any large circle cutting devices...), but it remains fairly true to the sketch otherwise. ;o)



And, of course, the inside. I didn't have anything to stamp in here so I decided to use paper instead. :o)

This card uses:

Stamp Sets: "Greeting Card Kids", "Teeny Tiny Wishes"
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black, Sahara Sand, Black Staz-On
Paper: Watercolor paper, Very Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, retired SU! Halloween DSP (I can't for the life of me remember the name--Sorry!)
Accessories: Dimensionals, scallop border punch, 1 1/4" Pumpkin Pie striped grosgrain ribbon, mini pearls

I'm planning on making some similar cards to send to my nieces and nephews--I just can't get enough of these "Greeting Card Kids" and the watercoloring--it's such a stress relief for me. :o)

--Rach

Elegant Wedding

Brien will be the best man in a wedding Saturday. Assuming I can find babysitting, I'll be attending as well (our sitters sort of fell through and now I'm scrambling). I needed a card for the happy couple and knew I wanted something understated and elegant.

Thinking "elegant", I promptly thought of my "Elegant Lines" embossing folder and from there the card simply gelled. :o) To set off the embossing, I decided to use dimensionals to give it a "lift".


My biggest problem was finding an appropriate stamp for the inside, as most of my sentiments, while having a nifty font, were too informal for this card. I came upon "Sincere Salutations" and knew it was perfect. :o)

This card uses:
Stamp Sets: "Teeny Tiny Wishes" (this is SO a "must have" set!), "Sincere Salutations"
Paper: Whisper White, Sahara Sand
Ink: Sahara Sand
Accessories: "Elegant Lines" embossing folder, pearls, dimensionals

I just LOVE how beautiful and simple this card is!

--Rach

In Sorrow

I found out two days ago, one of Brien's friends and former coworkers had suffered a devastating loss--her youngest brother was killed in Afghanistan. I knew I had to make sympathy cards for her and her parents as soon as I got home.

Then, yesterday, more awful news, a coworker lost a life partner. It's a season of sadness right now. :o(



I had been anxiously awaiting the arrival of my "Just Believe" stamp set, and it came while I was away. Looking at it, I knew it would be perfect for the cards I had to create. It's such an elegant stamp set and lends itself to clean and simple cards.

This card uses:
Stamp Sets: "Just Believe", "Teeny Tiny Wishes", "Thoughts and Prayers"
Inks: Marina Mist, Certainly Celery
Papers: Very Vanilla (Whisper White just looked too harsh), Marina Mist, Certainly Celery
Accessories: scallop boarder punch, small pearls, dimensionals


Then, because you know how I am, I had to make the card in another color combination as well. Also, when I make a card, I make TWO of them, that way I can have one on hand if I need it. Or, I will have it on hand as a model for later.


The only difference between this card and the other is I used Rose Red in place of the Marina Mist.

The only thing left to do is include a personal note of condolence and get them mailed.

--Rach