Eek A Boo Halloween Card

I recently joined the Spellbinders Small Die of the Month kit club and was really excited to get this months kit.  I thought my little Halloween guys would look good on the Box Card Kit.  

Guys, these dies are tiny!  Grab your jewel picker when assembling to make it easier.  Once all the die cutting was completed, time to glue these together.  

For the Box Die I used the Big Shot with the magnetic extended platform and cut purple paper for my base.  Black glitter paper really stands out on the purple.  The orange squares are stamped with this months My Monthly Hero Kit.  A Stardust pen adds sparkle and the sticker is from my stash.

Have a great day and keep on crafting!

Affiliate links used at no cost to you.  Not all links are affiliate, I just want to share what I used.  All products were purchase by my unless noted.  I don’t sell anything nor am I employed.  This is my hobby and I hope to inspire you to play :)

Three Cards, Same Stamps

I purchased several new stamps and dies from Neat and Tangled and here are three cards made with the Succulent Journaling Card stamp and matching die set.  Love how the sentiment has the perfect spot on the image! 

The first two are similar, just different sentiments.  Stamped with Versafine ink and colored with Tombow Markers.  One of the sentiments is embossed with Zing clear embossing powder after using Versafine to stamp.  I also used a Wink of Stella clear pen to color the green, picked up some green tombow ink, that I scribbled on a clear block and pushed it around on Bristol Smooth card stock.  I assembled these with The Stamps of Life Stitched Rectangles as background, inked with Palette Raw Sienna around the edge.  I used just the outside portion of the Succulent Journaling Die to cover the edges.

The final card has a different technique on the background.  I purchased the Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks at the April CK Convention.  One of the vendors had a stash that he saved for convention attendees!  All of my online sources were backordered so I was thrilled to get all 12 of them.  Had fun using a blending tool to add the ink to Mixed Media Card Stock, then sprayed water to get the mottled look.  I used cracked pistachio, faded jeans and wilted violet.

This time I used the entire die to cover the stamped image lines and raised the whole image with pop dots.  

I had fun mixing up the colors and will be making several card with these stamps and dies.  

Have a great day!

I love using up supplies!

It's fun using up supplies with new products added to my stash!  I recently found some Art Impression Stamps on clearance at Hobby Lobby.  Of course I snatched them up.  This card has an image from the Birthday Wishes set that I colored with Tombow markers on Bristol Smooth paper.  Paper does make all the difference when coloring with different mediums.

So one of the other new items I purchased was Hero Arts Stamp and Cut sets.  JoAnns had all their stamps 50% off a few weeks ago and bought, Happy, Congrats and Thanks.  Obviously the Happy set was used.  The birthday sentiment was heat embossed with Zing White powder on a matching strip.

From my stash, I used Stitched Rectangles from The Stamps of Life to die cut the colored image and backing.  The background papers are from Nana's Nursery, Baby Boy card stack and inked with Raw Sienna Palette Ink.  I buy most of my card stock from Michaels Recollections with a coupon!  

Hope you have a wonderful day and keep on crafting!

Saving Big when you own BOTH a Big Shot and Silhouette

So yes, I love all things paper!  Especially those lovely machines!  My craft area has a place for two Sizzix machines (remember that red one that you had to press down instead of crank), two Cricut Machines (the small and the large) and finally a Silhouette Cameo. 


There are loads and loads of techniques out there to get the best bang for your buck.  There are lots of people I follow and one of my favorite is Jennifer McGuire Ink.  She makes wonderful videos that showcases new products as well as techniques for products you may already own.


It was this Jennifer McGuire Ink video that I fell in love with a layering die from Birch Press called Dazzle.  It's actually a set of three A2 plates that have a hefty price of $69.  So, I asked Santa and all his elves for Gift Cards to Simon Says Stamps for Christmas.  Yes, I was prepared to pay that.


I was playing with my Silhouette software, looked at the online store for images and be still my heart...there was a VERY close design by Lori Whitlock called A2 Stacking Card Base Burst for $.99  - That's a $68.00 savings!!!!!!!  Now don't you worry about those Simon Says Stamps gift cards...I have a huge wish list there, so it won't go to waste.


If you are toying with the idea of Silhouette, you can visit www.silhouetteamerican.com or for crazy good tutorials and projects -  Silhouette School Blog.


Here's the card I made for my parents 59th wedding anniversary using that Silhouette Design, Tim Holtz dies and The Stamps of Life die.

You have a wonderful day!

You're the Apple of my eye

I'm a member of The Stamps of Life Die Hard Club which means every month I receive The Stamp and Die of the Month set before the public can buy it.  I really love this month's set apple2stamp.  Most months there are coordinating stamps to add patterns and additional sentiments.  Big Plus if you join one of the three available clubs you get an additional 15% off other products! AND if that's not enough to make you want to join, one the first of the month they release a new item and have a FLASH Sale for 40% off for 24 hours only - plus club members get the 15% off that also! 

Ok, enough about club stuff, todays card came together super fast using apple2stamp, dies and scraps!  It seems that most cards I make these days have stitched rectangles on them.  Kraft paper is the base and the rectangle is inked with Amaretto Powder Puff from Quick Quotes.  The white sentiment is not going anywhere because I used Sizzix Adhesive Sheets before die cutting.  A bit of The Ribbon Boutique sheer black dotted ribbon from Michaels and we're done.


Have a great day and keep crafting!

You're so Sweet

I just love those tiny hearts and the tiny sentiment of this card!  The stamped images are from The Stamps of Life hearts2love.  All of the dies are from The Stamps of Life also, Birdcage Club Die Set,  that teeny pink flower is from Sizzix Flowers and Fence Dies and Stamps and finally Stitched Rectangles.  A bit of ribbon and a black rivet finish this card.

Have a great day and keep on crafting!

Birdie Birthday Card

Expanding on my stamp and die collection...You know when you find an image or die that you fall in love with?  This post is about using the other stamps/dies that came with it.  There is that satisfaction of finishing your project that came into your mind, when you chose to make that purchase.  That's a great feeling!  But thinking outside of the box for those other dies/stamps, that's a pretty good feeling also!  So this one uses a zig zag die that came with Sizzix Birds & Trees dies and stamps.  Also used Triplits Spring Birds from The Stamps of Life.  Was excited to find this pattern paper in a paper stack called Nana's Nursery Baby Boy that I bought some time ago at Hobby Lobby.  The sentiment is from the birds and trees in the link above using Palette French Lilac.  Crystal Stickles adds a bit of bling.  Of course I added some doodles and pearls that I had on hand.  Cardstock is from Michaels Recollections Collection.

Have a great day and show some love to your unused stamps and dies!

Congrats/Flower Card

I wanted to make a simple card using lots of stamping and this is what I ended up with.  My base for this card is one I seem to be using quite a bit these days - Sizzix Circle Flip-its in red cardstock. Most of my card making cardstock is purchased at Michaels in one of their Recollections packs.


The two different sized flowers from The Stamps of Life thanks2you set along with the sentiment on the back of the circle were all stamped in Tim Holtz Festive Berries.  The Congrats Circle Die really stands out of this card.  This particular die doesn't come with an outer circle so I just cut a slightly smaller 3" circle before cutting with my Sizzix Big Shot.  A bit of sheer ribbon and a black rivet completes the card.  Oh and don't forget the doodling.

Have a great day and keep on crafting!

Box Birthday Card for my Bestie!

So for the first time, I believe, I had my best friends birthday card made up ahead of time!  Go me!  Did lots of stamping on this one. and tried out a new die as well.  I bought the Tim Holtz Celebration Words Thinlits Dies for both her and myself.  I had been on the lookout for these babies for a while but couldn't find them in the store.  Let's face it, purchasing items with a coupon is best, second best online.  Scrapbook.com had them.

The base of this card was made using The Stamps of Life Box Card Die and all the flowers were made with flowerpower2fill stamp set and Flower Power Dies.  It really go together fast with the stamps and matching dies.  My ink choices are from The Stamps of Life:  Guava, Tangerine, Sea Glass and Palette:  French Lilac, Raw Sienna and Cote D'Azure.  I really like a bold sentiment and the happy birthday was a tiny bit bigger than the card base, so I cut 2 of them, one with Sizzix Adhesive Sheet on the back.  When I placed it on the base I used the extra sentiment to cover the sticky on the back.  The tiny ladybug came from Gift Card Flip-its Set from The Stamps of Life.


I also find that when using this box card die, you really need to use a strong adhesive. 


Have a great day and keep on crafting!!

Baby Boy Shower Card

So this card is for a baby shower that I'm going to.  My best friends youngest daughter is having her first baby!  I'm sooooo excited!!!

The card base starts with Sizzix Cute As A Bug Step Up Framelits.  Then for the onesie I used Sizzix Oh Baby Triplits and popped up the teeny baby duck.  The metal embellies are from Making Memories charmed baby. Patterned paper is Deja Views Sharon Ann little ones collection.  Recollection card stock and Celebrate It 360 ribbon, both from Michaels finish this card off.


Have a great day!

Daddy's Day

I'm sure everyone out there is making Father's Day Cards for those special guys in our lives.  For those of you have Daddies in Heaven, my deepest sympathy!


Here's my Daddy's card. 

I love using my sizzix to make cards, especially those pop up ones.  This time I used Sizzix 657802 Card, Horizontal A2 w/Circle Label 3-D (pop-up) for the base.  Two colors of blue cardstock along with Recollections Turquoise Tiles PP help this one come together.  The Stamps of Life Stitched Rectangles and Stitched Circles are used both inside and out.  I also used Memory Box Mustache die.  For the DAD I used my Silhouette and chose the font Niagra Engraved.  For the inside sentiment JustRite All in the Family Large Sentiments using The Angel Company All American Blue ink.  A bit of ribbon and bling from Want2Scrap helps complete this card.

Trying Out More New Goodies from CKC - Art Impressions

Playing with Art Impressions Water color Stamps are a lot of fun.  The best part is there is loads of video's on You Tube showing just how easy it is!   The skinny on doing these super easy watercolors is using waterbased markers to color the stamp and beautifying it with a damp paint brush.  They recommend Marvy Markers but I have a rather large collection of Tombow Markers so I used those.  This is one of the stamp sets  I used along with this flower set and this foliage set.  Now I'm not going to tell you that this start up was cheap, but I definitely think it was worth the $$.  Watch the videos, scroll down on each product page.  You can also follow them on You Tube, and they have loads of samples on Pinterest.

I've been using The Stamps of Life Stitched Rectangle Dies on most of my cards these days.  Looooove them!


The inside was made using this 3D Drop In with Scallop and this 3D Drop In Thinking of You.  Doodling around the scallop with my Gelly Roll sparkle pen.


Hope you have a great day!

Using My New Stamps of Life Stamps and Dies

Still using my newly purchased stamps and dies from CKC and having a blast!


This card uses several sets, including bicycle2stamp, bicycle club die set, Sizzix Thinking of You 3D Drop Ins, Sizzix 3D Drop In Scallop, Stitched Rectangles and finally Mini Flower Dies.  Now, I already owned the 3D Scallop and Thinking of You Drop Ins.  Really love the Mini Flower Dies because there are just soooooo many and I do love using up scraps with tiny dies to have ready to go!


Here's the card,

 

You can't tell from the picture, but the white and lavender layers are raised with pop dots, including the sentiment.  The twine I used is pretty thick and this was the best way to keep it contained on the card.  Inside the card had a row of those Mini Flower Dies with a bit of Stickles in the center.  The bicycle has Glossy Accents on the frame and finally the flowers stamped on lavender was using Pixie Ink from The Stamps of Life. 

My First Lawn Fawn Stamp Set - Loads of Love

I've been checking out pinterest a lot lately and fell in love with this set.  The base is actually from Sizzix and is called Cute As A Bug Step Up.  I purchased both of these at CKC (including a whole lot more).  The images were colored with Copics and the sentiment was highlighted with a Quickie Glue pen and ultrafine crystal glitter.  I also added Glossy Accents to the knobs on the machine.The pattern paper is from Nana's Nursery Stack from Hobby Lobby.

I was surprised by the cost of this stamp set.  I don't buy anything without a coupon!  Only one booth at the CKC had Lawn Fawn products 20% off, believe me, I looked!  Once I played with them, I realized why.  They are very similar to Technique Tuesday stamps, very substantial, thick in depth and makes a detailed impression.  My selection of stamps is based purely on design but it's nice to appreciate the quality of different manufacturers.

Have a great day!

Creating Keepsakes Convention - Had a Blast!

My bestest buddy (Becky) and I have been going to the CKC for many years!  So many years that we drove to Nashville TN before they started coming to St Louis MO - Now that's devotion!


We have noticed that the number of Vendors has diminished over the years.  We were very sad when Embellish It and Technique Tuesday stopped because we always looked forward to their classes. Boooo 


This year we took 4 classes and all but one was new for us.  The Thursday night Technique Class always offers a "Head Start" on all the newest products/techniques offered.  It's a three hour class and this year we made 6 items.  One jewelry item from Craft Fantastic, one card from Queen and Company and the rest were layouts from: SEI, Lickety Split Scrapbooks, The Paper Loft, Kellers Creations and Creating Keepsakes.  Now we don't actually complete all those items, but we get the skinny on the technique/product and move on.  This one is by Likety Split Scrapbooks.

Friday we took a Creating Keepsakes Class called the Newest and Coolest for 2016.  This is a lecture class along with a bag full of product - $130 worth, and the cost of the class was in the low $50 range.  Seems like 52, 54?   Here are some of the goodies.

Now we always choose more classes on Saturday because we shop on Friday.  This year we took The Stamps of Life Class on Cards.  I highly recommend this class and or any class by Stephanie Barnard.  She's a great teacher, her products are awesome and below is one of the cards.  We also made a Box Card and Pop Up Card.  For some reason my computer is being stubborn because the edits I did in Microsoft Office are not working properly and I hate to turn my head sideways to see the silly picture.

Next we took Stamplistic Class, Stacked and Gorgeous.  These were very beautiful, expensive and time comsuming cards that have real Swarovski Crystals on them.  And here are the two cards we made.

So, my advise:  If you have an opportunity to attend a Creating Keepsakes Convention, plan ahead, go online and select and purchase classes.  If you pick three classes you gain free admission both days of the Vendor Fair and gain early access pass.  Take your best buddy and have a ball!!!

Pop Up Birthday Card - Surprise!

I just love playing with Scrappy Stuff!  A while ago I was at Michaels and they had bags of merchandise for $2.00.  Full bags!  I bought three of them and they were loaded with all kinds of goodies: flowers, scrappy stuff, doilies, stamps, cardboard albums (to decorate).  Now, why am I telling you about this now?  The doily is from one of those bags.


The background paper is from Nana's Nursery Baby Boy Stack that I purchased at Hobby Lobby a long time ago.  I made a bow using seam binding and the sentiment is one I printed off and cut to have handy.  A little washi tape, button and little Scrapper Spools twine made this card come together.  Now for the inside... I used The Stamps of Life 3D Drop Ins Scallop Gifts, and their sizzix adhesive before I cut the sentiment again in white.  Made it super easy to adhere.  Love that stuff!

Have a great day and keep on creating!



Happy Birthday Dominic!

This bright eyed 8 year old guy is my oldest Grandson Dominic!

Right now this fellow is into Lego's, especially Lego's designed for Major League Hockey, video games and all things sports related.

Here's his birthday card made just for him!

First of all, the colors were chosen because of his new team.  The background was made with my silhouette.  I used wordmark.it to view my fonts and select several 8's and attached with Tombow Multi liquid glue.  The candle die is from The Stamps of Life and was attached with pop dots, after I wound twine around it.  I like all my cards to have a bit of bling so a little crystal stickles on the flame and done.

I also used a leftover 8 inside the card when writing the sentiment.

Why Not Make 4 Cards Instead Of One?

It is my opinion that once you cut into a piece of cardstock or pattern paper, why not use most of it up?  These days, I'm selecting the papers I'm going to use and if I'm not using scraps, then I'm making four cards.  Yes, four of the same card. 


I selected 3 patterned papers all 12x12 and then 2 pieces of 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock for the card shown below.  I used some black scraps and attached Sizzix adhesive sheets to the back to die cut my sentiment.  Dies are from The Stamps of Life.  These pattern papers were from The Paper Studio from Hobby Lobby and a textured piece from a clearance pad at Michaels.  I cut all my pieces, inked those puppies up and adhered them.  Every card needs a bit of bling and some ribbon so I grabbed some from my stash.  My hand is reaching for the ATG runner, the Herma Dotto Runner and Zots for adhesive.  I have to figure out how to label my Zots (outside the box) to easily find the right size - oh the troubles of having too many.  lol

Have a great day!

A few more of those recovery therapy cards

The Stamps of Life has monthly club memberships to get the stamp of the month, the stamp and die of the month or the card kit of the month.  I just upgraded to the Die Hard Club - stamps and dies because I've been wanting the dies for the past few months.  They send out the stamps and dies on the first of the month.  If you only have the stamps, you have to wait until the 20th before you can order the matching dies.  Twenty days is too long!  Here's a few cards using the Bandage2stamp set.  PS...All of these cards were made without the matching dies....Yes, I ordered them but didn't have them for "therapy" time.

Made my first Exploding Box Card



I have thought these cards are just adorable, I've seen so many on pintrest and the possibilities are unlimited.  But I'm not one to sit and measure and fold etc.  That's why I was super excited when The Stamps of Life came out with their Box Card Die Set.  Just run that sucker through my Big Shot on the extended platform and walaaa!  All the side panels are included and a whole host of flowers, leaves and such. 

Now, I like to mix and match and I have quite the collection of dies.  While I was recovering from surgery I took several of those dies and used up scraps with Sizzix Adhesive Sheets on the back and cut oodles of tiny bits.  So this card has dies from Happy Birthday Step Ups, Mail Box Dies and stamps happymail2stamp.  All from The Stamps of Life.  Stephanie Bernard had lots of videos showing how to use her products.


I did use the Kuretake Gansi Tambi 36 Set Watercolors to color the mailbox and Tombow Brush Markers to color the bird.


Here's the other view.