I'm Still Alive...

I just realized it's been about six months since I've posted a new card or anything to this blog and thought I should let you know that I am still alive.  My creativity goes in spurts with my Lyme Disease and the past six months I haven't spent much time in my art studio, as you can see.

I'm currently on my second round of daily IV infusions and today is day 59, which is awesome because I only made it 40 days last time and I'm doing well with this round.  I'm just not in a creative mode lately but it will come back and I'll be back... hopefully sooner, rather than later but we'll see.

We will be moving my art studio to a new space soon so maybe that will spark some creative juices.  Lots going on here.  Hopefully you'll see more of me soon.

Bold & Bright Magazine Page Card

 This card is made for two challenges:

Crafty Ann's #59 Bold & Bright Challenge and Mojo Monday #229 Sketch Challenge

 What I love about this bold and bright cards is that the beautiful background paper is actually a page torn out of a magazine.  It was Gucci ad and I wish I'd take a picture of it before I cut it apart.  I was flipping though InStyle Magazine over the weekend and the page just jumped out at me and I knew it would make a beautiful card.  I just love the way it came out.  

SUPPLIES:

Stamps/Images: Sentiment is computer generated, Images are Stampin Up

Paper:  Georgia Pacific White Cardstock, Pomegranate Cardstock, Magazine page

Ink/Coloring: Pink and Red pigment ink with clear embossing (ink up stamp with lighter color then add darker color around the edges before stamping).

Accessories:  Tearing ruler, Oval punch for sentiment, Corner Chomper, Ribbon, Swarovski Rose Flat Backed Crystals.  

Embossed Grapes

I made this card using a sketch at a challenge blog that I later realized that has rules that you can only use Stampin Up supplies in order to play along with them.  I think that just stinks so I won't even mention who they are.  

I made this card by embossing a brass stencil with the cuttlebug and then tearing around the edges of the embossed rectangle it made.  This is a great way to put your old brass stencils to use.  Emboss them with the embossing mat the same way you would spellbinders dies.  

 After embossing the grapes, I held the stencil over the embossed image and rubbed some green pastel chalk over it to highlight the grapes.  

 Here's the inside:

SUPPLIES:

Stamps/Images: Sentiment is computer generated, Grapes brass stencil embossed with cuttlebug and highlighted with green pastel chalks.   

Paper:  Georgia Pacific White Cardstock, Moss Cardstock, K&Company DP

Ink/Coloring: Pastels

Accessories: Spellbinders Die Cuts- Fancy Tags, Button, Ribbon, Peridot Crystals, MS Arch Lattice Punch,  Tearing ruler.

Mojo Monday #228- Sweet Birthday Wishes

 This is my card for this week's Mojo Monday #228 Card Sketch.  

 The inside of the card:

SUPPLIES:

Stamps/Images: Inkadinkadoo 

Paper:  Georgia Pacific White Cardstock, The Sweet Stack Paper Stack, Paint Chip

Ink/Coloring: Pastels, Black Pigment Ink w/ clear embossing 

Accessories: Spellbinders Die Cuts- Round, Labels, Lace Edge Circle, Flat Backed Pearls, Ribbon, Brides Flowers/Brad.

White on White Birthday Card

 This white on white birthday card was inspired by the following two challenges:

CCEE Stampers #1207 White on White Challenge

Terrifically Thrilling Thursday Anything Goes Challenge

 I've been using a lot of computer generated sentiments lately.  I find it easier to make what I want on the computer and print it out than to keep buying sentiment stamps.  Is that cheating?  I'm not sure.  I thought I'd share with you how I make my sentiments.  

I print out what I'd like in the size I'd like on either plain paper or a large label.  If it's on plain paper, I use my xyron to add adhesive to the paper and stick it to white cardstock, or I stick the label to white cardstock.  Then I can easily cut that out with a Spellbinders die and use it on my card.

If your printer can handle printing on cardstock, then you can do this even easier and print right on the cardstock.  There's no limit to your sentiments this way.  Sentiments, sizes and fonts are limitless.  

 Here's the inside.  I always make the inside match the card not only because it's a nice detail but with layers on the front of the card, the card is more balanced when it has at least one layer added to the inside.

SUPPLIES:

Stamps/Images: Sentiment is computer generated 

Paper: Georgia Pacific White Cardstock

Ink/Coloring: none

Accessories: Spellbinders Beaded Oval Dies,  Grosgrain ribbon, Lace, Buttons, Cuttlebug/Embossing Folders, Flat Backed Pearls.

Clean & Simple #177 Sketch Challenge

 This birthday card uses this great sketch over at Clean & Simple Challenge #177.  

 The 3 dimensional flower is super easy to make using the Cricut and George & Basic Shapes Cartridge. If you cut the flower in several sizes, curl the petals up a little and hot glue the layers together, it makes a gorgeous 3 dimensional flower.  

 Here's the matching handmade envelope. 

SUPPLIES:

Stamps/Images: Sentiment is computer generated.

Paper:  Georgia Pacific White Cardstock, Celery Cardstock, K & Company SW Botanicals Paper Pack

Ink/Coloring: none

Accessories: Spellbinders Tags Die Cuts, , Flat Backed Pearls, Leaves cut with Accent Essentials Cartridge/Cricut, Pearl Brad.

Valentine Chocolate Bars

 Here are three Valentine Hershey bars that I made as gifts for friends.  This is such an easy, thoughtful gift that is alway appreciated.  Something small sometimes says so much and this is perfect for that.  I'm entering these in the If the Shoe Fits Anything Goes Challenge #99 this week, along with Crafty Catz Valentine Challenge #119.

SUPPLIES:

Stamps/Images: Sentiments are computer generated 

Paper:  DCWV Street Lace Paper Stack, The Sweet Stack Paper Stack,  Georgia Pacific White Cardstock, Black Cardstock, Aqua Cardstock

Ink/Coloring: Pastels for shading embossing

Accessories: Spellbinders Ribbon Tag Trio 2 Die Cut, Spellbinders Tags Dies, Spellbinders Lacy Circle Dies, Hearts cut with George & Basic Shapes/Cricut,  Grosgrain ribbon, Brads.

Mojo Monday #227- Two Valentine's

 I made two cards for this week's Mojo Monday Challenge.  

Here's the insides:

 And matching envelopes made with the Martha Stewart Scoring Board.  

SUPPLIES:

Stamps/Images: Sentiment is computer generated 

Paper:  SU Designer Paper (in my stash from a long time ago),  Georgia Pacific White Cardstock, Burgundy Cardstock

Ink/Coloring: Pastels to highlight the oval die cut embossing.

Accessories: Spellbinders Beaded Oval Dies,  Grosgrain ribbon, Hearts cut with George and Basic shapes cartridge/Cricut, Brides Flowers/Brads

Card Patterns #151 Sketch Challenge

 This is my card for this week's Card Patterns Sketch.  

I love the embossed, glittery dragonflies on this paper.

SUPPLIES:

Stamps/Images: Sentiment is computer generated 

Paper:  DCWV Street Lace Paper Stack,  Georgia Pacific White Cardstock, Black Cardstock

Ink/Coloring: none

Accessories: Spellbinders Tags Dies,  Grosgrain ribbon, Dragonfly Charm, Flat Backed Black Pearls.

Get Well Soon

SUPPLIES:

Stamps/Images: Sentiment is computer generated 

Paper:  DCWV Street Lace Paper Stack,  Georgia Pacific White Cardstock

Ink/Coloring: Green pastels to highlight oval die cut embossed areas

Accessories: Spellbinders Beaded Oval Dies and Oval Dies,  Grosgrain ribbon, Corner Chomper, Paper Flowers, Dollar Store Flowers, Brads.

Stitched Valentine

This Valentine card is for two challenges:

 Stampin' Royalty Challenge #109 Valentine Challenge

Paper Pretties #191 Ribbon Challenge

SUPPLIES:

Stamps/Images: Sentiment is computer generated and cut out with Spellbinders Oval Scalloped Nesties.

Paper:  The Sweet Stack Paper Stack,  Georgia Pacific White Cardstock, Rose Cardstock

Ink/Coloring: none

Accessories: Spellbinders Oval Scalloped Nesties, Grosgrain and Satin Ribbon, Organza Ribbon Flowers, Flat Backed Pearls, Sewing Machine Stitching.

Love is All You Need

 Here's another Valentine using this weeks Fall To Layout at Clean & Simple Stamping (Sketch #176).  This card could be a wedding or anniversary card too.  I think I like the sentiment. 

SUPPLIES:

Stamps/Images: Sentiment is computer generated 

Paper:  DCWV Street Lace Paper Stack,  Georgia Pacific White Cardstock, Black Cardstock

Ink/Coloring: none

Accessories: Spellbinders Fancy Tags Dies to cut out sentiment, Grosgrain and Satin ribbon, Hearts cut with George & Basic Shapes on Cricut, Corner Chomper, Martha Stewart Arch Lattice Border Punch, Rose Swarovski Flat Backed Crystals.

Aqua Valentine- Less is More #53 Challenge

 This week's challenge at Less Is More is a color challenge- Aqua.  I am still working on Valentine's cards and I love non-traditional colors like this.  

SUPPLIES:

Stamps/Images: Sentiment is computer generated 

Paper:  DCWV Street Lace Paper Stack,  Georgia Pacific White Cardstock

Ink/Coloring: Aqua pastels to highlight oval die cut embossed areas

Accessories: Spellbinders Beaded Oval Dies, Organza ribbon, Corner Chomper, Martha Stewart Lace Edge Punch, Paper Flowers, Organza Rose Embellishment.