CFC62 Back in Black

CAS-UAL FRIDAYS  Create a clean and simple design using a black base card. This weeks sponsor: Lil Inker Designss is providing a $20.00 gift certificate to  buy some of their made in USA stamps and dies. It sure would be fun to win that.

I love black in fact most of my clothes are black or white, with some blue for interest. The contrast of black and white is strong and fresh. Starting with the black base I outlined a silver .25" frame. I used the simple flower die from SU with a yellow center. The center flower is attached with dimension squares, some leaves on the side, and the birthday sentiment completes this card.

You've got to see the designers cards. You'll be inspired to create one of your own. I love them all. They've used several different techniques you will want to try too!  Fun and funky examples that will delight you. This striking card by: Dana Seymour is so stunning I wanted to use stripes for my card.

I started working with stripes of white glitter tape. I found some scraps of leopard fur paper (I bought years ago) and decided to make some more purses, they're so fun and use just the smallest bits of paper. Then I cut the black glitter paper in scallops to look like an awning, attached with some dimensional squares. And then I realized it was not a clean and simple design. This is an issue with me...more is better...NOT for this challenge, so I stopped and created the birthday card. I'll get back to this later.

Next up is a champagne shaped card I made for a friend from our local Woman's Club. Thelma is celebrating her 90th birthday. Her daughter is hosting a party for her and Bill and I are invited, so of course I had to make a unique card for this amazing woman.

 I used this pink glitter paper that reminds me of sparkling pink champagne. I used gold stickles to cover the black numbers I had available. The star burst and gold chains stickers add more sparkle and interest to the "cork" top.  I'm using a silver Mylar bag that the State store offers for gift bags as  an envelope, tied at the top with a ribbon and flower.

"The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't."  ~Henry Ward Beecher

Be well ~ Carole

CTD201

I like challenges because they get me out of my comfort zone, they challenge me to play with colors I wouldn't ordinarily use, and I get to play with another community of crafters.

This is the first time I'm entering Color Throwdown. I saw one of the designers cards entered in another challenge and that's what brought me here. Lynn Put made a fabulous sympathy card using the Mojo Monday sketch.

I gathered the collection of colored papers and scraps and cut the largest piece (more mustard) to fit my base card - 4.25" X 5.50". I die cut the flowers and punched the leaves and began laying it out. When I put the chevron strips together it had a Spanish flare and brought all the colors together giving it some rhythm and movement.



This was out of my color comfort zone but now that I completed this card I rather like it. I will be more inclined to play with these colors now and not just with the soft pastels I'm drawn to. Thanks for a new challenge Color Throwdown;)

"We cannot live only for ourselves.  A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men."  ~Herman Melville

Be well ~ Carole

Playing with Scraps

So I'm playing with scraps and pieces that were in the bag of treasures my cousin Darlene Gail brought home from Michigan and shared with me. See the gold foil strips  So delicate and sweet. I will delight in using every little piece. Do they carry anything like that at Micheal's or A C Moore's ? Have you seen any of these foils before?



Now look at this card, isn't it smashing? See what I mean about delight, just an inch makes a dramatic difference on the silver coin embossed purse, and I only had to add 3 little sections on the gold purse. So much fun!



I'm sorry this picture is a little blurry but you can see the assortment of wonderful mulberry, flocked and glittered paper strips, one even has stitched metallic flourishes. And a bonus of paper doilies. There was a bunch of hand made papers, stamped images and envelopes in my goodie bag as well. So exciting to play with these extraordinary papers.

When my daughter traveled to Dubai to train yoga students to teach, she bought some beautiful papers home for me, then when we had lunch in Philadelphia, she took me to the Paper Source an outstanding source for sure. It's the first time I saw such fine papers displayed on rolls sold by cut sections of different dimensions. Japanese, Indian, Thai, Cavallini, European, amazing...I was like a kid in a candy store, no kidding...remember the rush?  I decided I would only spend $10.00, mostly to contain myself. I chose a beautiful burgundy with a raised black flocked Damask 20" x 30"  $6.50 and a dogwood printed wrapping paper $3.50. I don't drive to Philly very often, but if I do I'll find time to go back to the Paper Source.

 Have you ever been to a store like that? I know everything is available on line, but it's not the same experience as seeing and touching. I'll be back to share more creation using my treasured scraps.

"There is no such thing as pure pleasure; some anxiety always goes with it. "

 ~Ovid, Metamorphoses

Enjoying the pleasures of paper -Be well ~Carole

Staying Cool

My Favorite Things Upsy Daisy Die works perfect for these black-eyed Susan's. I love the simplicity of this craft paper card. It has the bold yellow color with the dark brown centers, a little gingham bow and a "Happy Birthday" stamp to complete it.

I have 6 friends and family celebrating birthdays this month, and 1 anniversary. It's not that I don't have a stock pile of cards made but I like to make the cards with the person in mind. The entire time I'm creating the card the person is on my mind-in my thoughts-and in my prayers. So it's extra special.

This purple  butterfly delight has 2 recessed circles and one popped up. I stamped the flourish with a light lavender so I could see it, then using silver stickles I followed the design making  dots of glitter, some connected, some separated. Pretty snazzy.

Because I started with the deep purple card base I needed to add white card stock to the inside. So why not embellish that too? I dry embossed it with the cuttle bug frame folder, punched butterflies and stamped the sentiment, but  it was not straight...so I re-stamped it on a scrap then cut and mounted it on purple. We learn tricks to cover up mishaps, now that's crafty.

I decided to make this a card that can be recycled. By adding the corner pocket, embellished with a SB die cut, I can write a personal note explaining that the card was made with them in mind, but it has two envelopes so that it can be recycled if they choose to send it on. I'm sure not everyone wants to keep all the cards they receive. I like to think of it as a gift/card.

I am so thankful for air-conditioning on these hot summer days. Perfect for crafting and staying cool.

"Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional."  ~Chili Davis

Be well my friend. Thanks for visiting ~ Carole

After a week off

After a week off I couldn't wait to get crafting. Today I made 3 cards, this brilliant daisy birthday card was rescued from a blob of ink. Oops. I love the bright red and as I was making the tiny dots, I smeared  a glop of ink. The daisies are big enough to cover it and they won't tell.

It was suppose to have the "Happy Birthday" down on the corner with a die cut lady bug angled at the top of the sentiment. Red and black where to be the colors. Simple and fun. Oh well I'll do that another time. 

 Now here's a simple quick "hello" card. I started with a brown paper bag cut and spray glued to card stock. I attached the "Tim Holtz big sizzix vintage telephone die" with dimensional dots. I did apply Glossy accents to add a shine, stamped the "hello!" with the individual letter stamps I bought at Micheal's for $1.00...all done!  

Next up is a step card. I had all the elements cut from last year so it was just a matter of assembling them. Featured is the light house, a cloud and the sun with an anchor on the rocky shore. A pair of flip-flops a scallop sea shell and a tiny crab completer the first step. Behind that is another sandy step with a bucket and shovel beside a sand castle. The umbrella is glued on the back of that step. The last step has a sail boat on the ocean as the dolphins jump and play. Behind the last step has a pull out card with a big thank you and a personal note.

  This is a thank you card for my Aunt. She has a nice vacation trailer down in Sea Isle City, NJ. 

I have an open invitation to come and stay over anytime I want. How gracious! I try not to take advantage.

I often cut multiples of these tiny elements to have on hand. It helps cut down on the time it takes to create a unique card. I use watercolor paper and cutting with Cricut - and the SCAL program, I cut all the elements on one sheet, then I color them with  pencils or markers. This saves me time with the layout and using different colored paper.

"There is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed.  If it is unexpressed, it is plain, old-fashioned ingratitude."  ~Robert Brault

 Thanks for visiting. Comments are appreciated. Be well ~ Carole

Play Date Cafe PDCC#135

Welcome back! Today I found time to play along with The Play Date Cafe challenge. The suggested colors are aquamarine poolside and clay. The PDCC DT's  have posted some great examples for inspiration. Check them out and you'll notice several DT's are using The Craft's Meow stamp sets.

The Play Date Cafe challenge this week is sponsored by "The Craft's Meow"  (TCM) They offer an array of stamp sets designed by some of the best artists in the business!                                              

     As soon as I saw the colors I imagined a fishbowl and some cute little fishes. I looked through my scraps and papers and pulled out the clay color for the fish. I had scraps of aquamarine but nothing big enough for a 5"X7" card so I used the aqua colors for the fish bowl and circles. The I found the poolside blue in a 8"X 8" paper pack.  

After inking the edges I attached the fish, pebbles and seaweed to the fishbowl and circles. Puffy fabric paint was used to enhance the eyes, then glossy accent drop were used for air bubbles. 

After that dried I place the cut top blue layer over the card base, holding that in place I glued the circles within the circles and then the fishbowl. After having them glued in place I added dimensional squares to the blue top layer and secured that in place. 

If I had planned better I would have attached acetate to the back of the top layer before adding the dimensional square. Oh well I guess I'll have to make another one. I used the printer to create "Swimmin' fishes bringin" Birthday wishes" and edged that with a chevron punched zigzag to represent waves. So cute.   

 

I would love to win a stamp set from this sponsor. You may have noticed most of my cards are made using die cuts, because I don't have many stamps. Now... having more experience I have a better idea of stamps that I would want and use often.   

 May the holes in your net be no larger than the fish in it.  

~Irish Blessing       

Be well and thanks for visiting. Carole            

Finishing up some started cards

I have several cards started but not complete.  I some how lost my groove or motivation.  So every once in a while I will go back to try to complete some started cards. I think that's the most challenging for me. I couldn't make them work before but I'll try again. Waste not want not. This is an example, four cards are now complete...not wonderful - but complete. 

 This black and white card reminds me of flocked wall paper and bead board with an antique mirror framed and embellished. I'm not liking the glittered Happy Birthday, maybe I'll remove it and replace it with a stamped label.

The lilac card was cut and waiting to be assembled. I crocheted the little flowers behind the paper ones. I used my home made blue Styrofoam crumbs on a stamped image to resemble flower soft. 

This get well card is a single layer card with the label and punched flowers attached. Simple and quick.

The second get well card I used a new SB die ( Moroccan Accents) for the corner cuts. More examples using those dies coming up in the next post. I've learned some new techniques and will share the results. 

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." ~  Albert Einstein 

I hope you're having a great day. Be well Carole

 

           

A fishing vest card for my brother

I looked at my stats today and was surprised to see 73 page views...yet not one comment. I know you just stopped by to look... no time to comment, don't know what to say.  Well I hope some of you are inspired by the cards I make. 

Today's vest shaped card sports a fishing hook, made with some wire and beads. The vest is a free file from SVGCUTS. The fishing net is from Scrapping Table theme set- Great Outdoors. 

I purchased the SCAL program from Michelle at Scrapping Table when I first bought my cricut. She offers many tutorials on how to use the program and she offers free fonts, shapes and theme sets to her customers. Thanks Michelle, I've use them often.  

Here's a tip: When you download svg files be sure to print a picture to keep in a binder. This way when you're looking for files to cut you have a reference. 

Back to the vest. I used a tan card stock and distressed it with Tim Holtz vintage photo ink to give it a well worn look. I did some dry embossing to shape the pockets and then used a quilters wheel around the edges to appear like stitching. I only glued 3 sides of the pockets so I could tuck in some embellishments.  A feather and some spectacles for fun. I think I'll make the envelope from a brown bag, line it with fishy paper to complete the theme.

I'll finish the inside and send it off this weekend so Russ is sure to receive it by the 27th for his birthday.

"The longer I live the more my mind dwells upon the beauty and the wonder of the world. I hardly know which feeling leads, wonderment or admiration." John Burroughs

Till next time...be well

Carole

Birthday Card for Cathy

   Black Friday...no shopping for me, I plan to stay home and craft. Yesterday I did a fun blog hop celebrating Mimi's birthday. I visited 11 designers blogs and saw some really fun cards. As I was viewing some cards I found myself just smiling and getting inspired. So this morning I made this birthday card for a chance to win the Birthday Bash Blog Hop.


The base card is actually purple. I used some colorful origami paper to create gift boxes and tied them up with bows. Punched little flowers in coordinating paper added pearls and stamped the sentiment. When your birthday is on Thanksgiving some bright and colorful presents will cheer you on. I hope you had a great birthday and Thanksgiving Cathy... Keep jumping in puddles  ;)




A man is getting old when he walks around a puddle instead of through it. ~R.C. Ferguson


Now I'll get back to playing with my paper.   Be well Carole

Frog Shaped Card #2

     I was so inspired creating the elephant shaped card yesterday that I had to try another one. I've done a frog shaped card before and didn't want to re-post that so I drew a new one. A pretty simple outlined frog I saw somewhere and made a sketch. I did paper piecing cutting the head, eyes, body and legs separately then glued them on the outlined card. The purple legs set him apart from regular frogs.  Inside I'll add a dragonfly and write: Wishing you a hip-pity hop-pity birthday...ribbit ;)


I will  enter this in the Try It On Tuesday Challenge. Their designers did some amazing cards. I really loved the bird house by: Yvonne  It's worth viewing. The sponsor for this challenge is One stop card crafts.


Thanks for hopping by. Be well Carole

Fold Over Triangle Cut

I created this card by using a sample from a card collection I purchased years ago. I loved the design and spent hours figuring out how to recreate it. Now how do I explain it? 


The black square (featuring the trophy) opens to reveal the inside design. It features a black and white striped scalloped edge folded over and glued down. It reminds me of an awning. I used a svg file from SVGCUTS.Com that features a Studebaker (definitely a classic) to tie in with the  #1 Classic trophy that I designed and created an svg file for. I'll offer that free if your interested in it. Just let me know.


 I created this card for a friend that my husband worked with who  is celebrating his 65th birthday and retirement.


I used little magnets on the corner to hold the square down. Velcro circle would work as well. I used outline chain sticker for the square and the Happy Birthday Sentiment. I know this sounds a bit convoluted, but it is so hard to explain. If you have any questions please leave a comment and I'll reply.


I must say that I'm pleased to have created this design. I'll be happy to share  it with you if you are interested. 




All art requires courage. ~Anne Tucker


Be well. Thanks for visiting. Comments are appreciated. Carole

Red & Black birthday card

   A very dear friend is celebrating her birthday this month. With her on my mind I created this brilliant red and velvety black card. She's a Leo of course, so she likes red as her power color. The black is a flocked plastic I recycled from some cologne packaging. The flower is made from the punched out parts of the SB Fleur De Lis shapeabilities pendants. There were 12 petals from each cut. They were beautifully embossed as well, so I had to use them. I just glued them on a circle and there is a lovely flower with a rhinestone in the center.


 The inside has a martini glass I created in SCAL and cut it on acetate. I used spray adhesive to mount it on the card then had cut an olive an stir stick. I placed a second piece of acetate over them again using spray adhesive. I used a gel pen to outline it so you can see it and printed the verse. Jenny and I have declared that it is the "S" in martinis that creates a problem. I'll line the envelope with the same brilliant red and post it this week. I hope she enjoys it.  
Thanks for looking. Please leave a comment:)  Be well


What art offers is space - a certain breathing room for the spirit. - John Updike