I'm so honored to be Card of the Week!!!

Lucky me!  My card was chosen as Card of the Week over at 2 Sketches 4 You!  

Click here to see my blog post with the card that was chosen.  I'm so excited and honored!  Thank you Laura and Kazan!

Another White Outline Card

This is another simple White Outline card.  Can you tell I really love this technique?  I have done quite a few of them.  I like that it's easy and so elegant.  I also like that it's designer paper made by me instead purchased.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE purchased designer papers, but there's something so impressive and so "back to basics" about handmade designer papers.
This card is done with Twinkling H2O watercolors and has such an amazing shimmer.  I used marigold morning and mellow moss cardstock and the images are from the SU set called Infinite Goodness.  
I don't know if you can see the shimmer in the picture but it's there and it's gorgeous!  
And here's the inside embellished with a small strip of the handmade paper- a scrap leftover from trimming it.

Have a great day!

Happy Birthday Card

This is a birthday card that I made using colored pencils and gamsol.  I'm pretty new to this technique and I must admit that I'm longing for a set of prismacolor pencils.  I have one prismacolor pencil and I can tell from it that they are SO much nicer than any other colored pencils that I have or have used.  

Well, here's the card:

It's a simple one.  I stamped images from the SU set called Time Well Spent and colored them with colored pencils and used gamsol to smooth out the pencil.  It came out looking like designer paper, I think.  Then I set it aside and it sat there staring me for a while.  I finally decided to make it into a simple birthday card.
Some cardstock layers of sky blue and black and topped off with some black zig zag stitching and a birthday sentiment.  
Simple.  Done.  I like it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Graduation Day!

Today is the day that my little boy is graduating from high school!  Wow.... how fast the time goes by!  It seems like just yesterday I was sending him off "all alone" on that big yellow school bus for his first day of kindergarten.   And here we are- Graduation day!

Here's the card I made for him:

It's a simple but very cool card that is the shape of a graduation hat.  I found the template for it on Splitcoast Stampers.  Click here if you'd like the template.  I will tell you that I had to work with the template a bit, so if you try this, do it on scrap cardstock first and then when you get it just right, use that as your final template.  
Here's the inside of the card and the coolest part of the card is that the bottom section forms a pocket that you can tuck some money or a gift card into.  

I'm so proud of my son for so many reasons.  Most of all for being so brave and committed to our country that he enlisted in the Army.  He'll be leaving for Army Basic Training a week from Monday.  He's a good boy that is turning into a good man.  I pray everyday for his safety and courage.  

Have a wonderful day!

Congratulations with Handmade Ribbon Roses

This is a birthday card that uses the SU set called Congrats.  This is a really cool set that is very versatile.  I was lucky enough to win the set from Michele's box top contest on the Gingerwood board.  (Thanks again Michele!)

I used layers of designer paper on this card.  I don't remember which slab of paper it's from at the moment, but the very bottom layer is actually vellum that has the same pattern as the next largest layer.  The different papers give the card an interesting look.
I used my SU slit punch to make the scallop and believe it or not, I made those roses!  I'm so thrilled with how they came out.  They are so super easy too!  You wouldn't believe how easy they are to make.  You can click here for a video tutorial.  
Here's the inside and as you can see, the sentiment on the inside is what makes this congratulations card into a birthday card.  

I hope you enjoyed this one and I hope you'll try making a ribbon rose.

Gingerwood Bulletin Board

If you are a regular to the Gingerwood Bulletin Board, you have probably noticed by now that it has been down today.  I received a message tonight that the board could possibly be down until Friday.  There's a chance it may be back tomorrow, but they aren't sure and want to get the word out that they trying their best to fix it as quickly as possible.  

I hope it's back soon!

Clever Storage for Glitter

I had an idea that I just had to share.  I have a collection of glass salt and pepper shakers in all shapes and sizes that has been sitting boxed up since our last move.  I had an idea to repurpose them for my glitter and microbeads in my art studio.  I dug them out and they work perfectly!  Here's some of them:

I love all the different shapes and sizes and now I really love them with all the different colors of glitter in them!

Kazan's Sketch #29 Challenge

I decided to participate Kazan's most recent card sketch over at 2 Sketches 4 You.  Click here to see the sketch.  And here's my take on it:

This card is another large one measuring 8 1/4 inches wide by 5 1/4 inches tall- just shy of a full sheet of cardstock folded in half.  
I layered lots of K & Company designer paper and added lots of stitching to give this card a very luxurious detailed look.
The large flower is cut using the George and Basic Shapes Cricut cartridge.  It is just flowers cut in graduated sized and layered.  I curled up the edges of the petals by wrapping them around a paintbrush handle.  The leaves are cut with the Accent Essentials cartridge.
The happy birthday banner is cut by freehand and adhered to the card with a wave in it to give it more dimension.  The sentiment stamp is by Stampin Up.
And here's the inside with matching papers, stitching and flowers.

Thanks for stopping by!

My First Christmas Cards (Sort of)

I decided that I'm going to start making a few Christmas cards and here's the first ones:

Well, they are more winter than Christmas, but that's okay!  For the snowflake paper on these cards I used the White Outline technique again.   
I used the SU set called Snowflakes and I stamped them with versamark on white cardstock and embossed them with clear embossing powder.  Then I colorwashed over them with Twinking H2O watercolors in blue and teal.  When it dried, I covered it with a piece of copy paper and ironed it to remove the embossing.  It looks so pretty in real life with the shimmery watercolors.
I layered brilliant blue and taken with teal cardstock on this card and I stitched around the edge with dark blue thread.  I also added white and teal grosgrain ribbon.
Here's a close up of the bow with two gem pins.  The pins are from the floral supply store and are capped with earring backs.
I'm not sure if you can see it in the photo but I added Swarovski crystals to the centers of the snowflakes and that makes the card very sparkly.  
And here's the inside with a strip of the handmade snowflake paper (from trimming it to fit the front of the card) and there's some stitching and couple more Swarovski crystals on the inside too.

So it's official.  My first two Christmas cards are done.  

Homemade Dew Drops

I tried making homemade dew drops a few months ago using clear hot glue.  It turned out okay but not spectacular.  Then it finally occurred to me that I had a stash of colored and glittered glue sticks.  I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner!  

It's easy to make nice round dew drops with the glue gun on a non-stick craft sheet.  Just puddle the glue to size you want- it helps to keep the tip very close to the craft sheet to do this.  When you pull the gun away, just move the nozzle around in a circle on top of the drop to help get rid of the point that forms.  As the glue cools off it levels off to nice round mound.
I used many colors and I ran a clear glue stick through after each color.  I kept making drops with the clear glue and it made several shades of each color in lighter shades.  
I put the drops into a watchmakers tin as they cooled and I separated the different shades so they'll be easier to use.  I'm really pleased with this project and wanted to share it.  I hope it inspires you to make some of your own!

Another quick tip: I read recently that glue dots are perfect for adhering these.  That's a great idea!

Our Creative Corner Stars Challenge

This week's challenge over at Our Creative Corner is to use stars.  I chose to accent my card with a star and here it is:

In keeping with my "what's old is new again" theme, I made this background paper with Spectra Art Tissue.  So easy and the results are so great.  Click here for directions and click here for my last card made with this background where I give some additional information.
This card uses the SU set called Priceless.  I randomly stamped images from that set over my art tissue background using pixie pink pigment ink and then embossed it with clear embossing powder.  
The sentiment is stamped in black pigment ink and then clear embossed.  The card base is made with marigold morning cardstock.
The pink ribbon is from my stash.  I added some pearl black pins from the floral supply shop and capped them with earring backs.  I topped the bow with a star from stash of charms.  Click here to see the charms that I have available for your projects.
And here's the inside.  

Have a great Monday!  Thanks for stopping by!

Masculine Birthday Card with Bleach Stamping

The next installment in my "What Old is New Again" series is bleach stamping.  Here's the card:

This card uses the SU set called Ferns and I randomly stamped the fern stamp on handsome hunter cardstock with bleach.  The bleached out sections turned a nice brownish color that I matched with a layer of sahara sand cardstock.  Some black added to the card pulls the whole look together.
Another thing I'd like to point out about this card is the size.  A few months ago I won an ebay auction for eight packs of large SU envelopes.  I paid almost nothing for them and when I got them, I tucked them away.  It's time to use them.  The envies are the size of a half sheet of cardstock and I made this card to fit that envelope.  I wonder what the postage will be on this one!
Here's a closer look at the front.  The sentiment is stamped with black pigment ink and embossed with clear.  The button is tied to the ribbon with some hemp twine.  
And here's the inside.  Pretty plain.  

I hope all of the men in your life are having a wonderful Father's Day.  If you want to see the card that I made for my dad click here.  Have a great day!

White Outline Flowers

Here's another take on the White Outline technique that I've been playing with this week.  

This one is randomly stamped with the flower images from the SU set called Delight in Life.  I watercolored this one with Lyra watercolors.  
When I started playing with this technique I liked the look of it with the embossing and almost didn't take the time to iron it off.  I was so surprised at the look of it after ironing it that I was glad I did it.  It gives a look that is just so different than anything else.  

This card uses green galore and brocade blue cardstock and regal rose ribbon.  The pins are from the floral supply store and I capped them off with earring backs.  
Here's a closer look.
And here's the inside with a strip of the trimmed background to dress it up.

Have a great weekend!

White Outline Collage

Here's another take on the White Outline Technique.  This one is different only in the way I stamped up the cardstock.  It's more of a collage look.

For this one, I randomly stamped images from the SU set called Natural Beauty with clear ink and embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I watercolored it with Niji watercolors.  I let it dry several times and kept adding more color to get this look.  When it dried the last time, I ironed it between sheets of copy paper to remove the clear embossing and leave the nice clean white outlines.  
The cardstock and ribbon colors are green galore and taken with teal.  The dogwood flower charms are from my jewelry business and you can see the cool charms that I have to offer for your own projects by clicking here to view my other blog.  
Here's a closer look.  I love this color combo.  It reminds me of Florida for some reason.  Doesn't it look a pattern you would see on the furniture in the Golden Girls house?  I don't know why but that's what I think of!  {giggle}  I love that show!
And here's the inside.  I used a strip of the background paper that was trimmed to make the inside match.  It's so easy to add details like that.

I hope you enjoyed this one.  I have more to share so stop back again.  Have a great day!

White Outline Stamping

In my continuing effort to use what I have and not buy any supplies for a while, I've been looking around for some "old" techniques.  I found this one listed over at Gingerwood and it's called White Outline.  Click here for directions.  And here's my first card with it:

I just love this one!  In a nutshell, I used clear embossing ink and powder to stamp and emboss my images.  Then I painted it with watercolors.  For this card I used Niji Watercolors.  

When it was dry, I placed it between a few sheets of copy paper and then ironed it with a hot iron. This picks up the embossing and leaves you with beautiful, shimmery white outlines.  In real life it's gorgeous!
With such spectacular backgound paper, this card doesn't need much else so it's really a very simple card.  The cardstock is SU brocade blue and green galore.  The stamps are all from the SU set called Infinate Goodness.  The antique brass pear charm is from my jewelry business.  You can see what I have to offer for your creations by clicking here to visit my other blog.
Here's a close up of the watercolored background paper.  
And here's the inside. 

Before I go, I have a tip for you:  

When you are making your own background paper, start with a full sheet of cardstock and cut it evenly into 4 quarters (5.5 by 4.25 inches each).  Use these quarter sheets to make your backgrounds and then when you trim them to fit your card fronts, you will end up with a strip that you can add to the inside of the card to dress it up like I did above.  

Monday Mojo Challenge #91

This week's Mojo Monday Challenge sketch is a great one.  You can see it by clicking here.  And you can see my take on it here:

 I like the shape of this card, which is tall and long to fit into a business sized envelope.  In keeping with my "what's old is new again" streak, that colorful paper is made with art tissue and if you keep reading, I'll tell you how to do it.
This card uses all SU cardstock and stamps.  The cardstock is Groovy Guava, Marigold Morning and Regal Rose.  The swirly flower background stamp is called Swirls and Blossoms and the diamond pattern background stamp is from the set called Looks Like Spring.   

I also used the Cuttlebug to dry emboss the two main panels of this card.  I used Swiss Dot and Swirls folders.
That colorful paper is made by spritzing white cardstock with water and then laying down torn pieces of art tissue paper.  I use Spectra brand art tissue paper.  Just so you know, regular colored tissue paper will not work.  When you get the wet cardstock covered with tissue, spritz it with water again and lay another piece of white cardstock down on it.  Then use a brayer to smoosh it all together.  When you pull it all apart, you end up with some gorgeous rainbow colored paper to stamp on.

The antique brass corners and flower pieces are from my jewelry business and you can get your hands on some reasonably priced brass findings on my other blog- just click here.
The oval metal frame is from SU's Hodgepodge Hardware set and the sentiment is printed out on my computer in a font called Pharmacy, which is one of my favorites.  It's so fun and fresh.
And here's the inside.  

I hope you enjoyed this one.  I am so happy to have had some playtime tonight and I have more to share with you this week so come back again tomorrow!