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

Anything 3D challenge

Tiki Bar

 I thing I got my zing back. Thanks to Jessica at: http://jessicascropcorner.blogspot.com  
She visited my blog and invited me play along with this challenge. I used her files from: svgattic.com 
the Just Beachy and Luau collections. There are so many fun elements to choose from I had to stop myself from getting carried away.


 I started by cutting 2 tiki bars at 8" height. I created the depth by cutting a  1 1/2 " strip then scoring them at 1/2" and 1". I folded the score lines and glued them to the front and back bar. I made a floor to support the bar by cutting a  5 1/2" square. I scored that at 2"-2 1/2"-3"-3 1/2" then folded it and inserted into the bottom of the bar. I found some yellow straw-like ribbon in my stash so I glued that to the top and front of the bar. I used distressed brown ink to mute the yellow. I cut the palm tree at 8" the surf boards at 5" and the lanterns at 1 1/2". I put flip flops a star fish and some sand on the floor. Enough about the details if you're interested leave a comment and email then I'll send that information. 

Art is the only way to run away without leaving home. - Twyla Tharp

Be well and thanks for visiting. All comments are appreciated. Thank you:)

CPS Sketch 230 Challenge

Today's plan was to get back to making cards and blogging, yet I'm not feeling inspired. I'm lacking some zing or something. I was in a very creative zone last week, making banners and letters and decorations for  my grandson...Wyatt's party. Time just flew by. Now it seems to be a struggle to come up with some fun play time. After hearing all the troubles and heart aches my friends are experiencing I will sent prayers and give thanks for my dull days. As John Denver sang: Some days are diamonds, so days are stones:)

I used a sketch from CPS 230. I started with an olive 

printed paper and covered it with the pretty floral print. I used a glossy pink packaging card stock I saved from my Sizzix Big Shot and a paint sample card for the green. I love recycling....The best I can say about this card is that the colors look good on the blog. Now my best buddy Beau  wants to go for a walk. So that's all for today. I hope I get my zing back. Be well.

Wyatt 3D cowboy letters

Hello...I've been busy for a few days creating decorations for my grandson's 5th birthday. The letters are from SVG Cuts, as well as the horses. I'm a bit frustrated that I can't get a good picture with just my camera phone, but that's an old story and I can't let it stop me from posting on my blog. I made Wyatt a memory box as well and forgot to take a picture before I wrapped it. But I will get a picture of it and post it later. I'm going to publish this now and get busy creating a card for a CPS Challenge. Be well, Thanks for visiting:)

Shaped Star Card

My grandson ,Wyatt will be 5 this month and he wants to be a cowboy, I think he should be the Sheriff! So I made this shaped card for him. I scan my cards, because my computer is not adequate to download picture. So what looks like black is actually gold metallic paper.  I had a dickens of a time trying to create it in scale. It just wouldn't come together, so I made 2 separate pieces and glued two of the circle points together so it opens. The inside says: "Have a rootin' tootin' Birthday" I plan on making a memory box for him with horses, cowboy boots and cowboy hats. I'll post that when complete. My work space is a mess. I spent way too much time on this, but I'm sure Wyatt will wuv it. That's all for now. Thanks for looking. Be well

Mix It Up Monday Challenge Stamp TV

This is a tough challenge, breaking all the rules. 
http://stamptv.ning.com/forum/​topics/mix-it-up-monday-challe​nge-4

1. 2 brads/flowers/pearls (no odd #s!)

2. Put the image at an angle or not centered.

3. Use colors that clash.

4. No standard size card.

My card measures 4.75" X 6.25". I used purple
 red and gold. The stamps are from:
 Gina K: Seeds of Kindness--- 

http://www.shop.ginakdesigns.com/product.sc?productId=880&categoryId=37


I love coloring stamps but I don't have any copic marker;(  so I have to use what I have. The "hang on" is  part of the sentiment...I'm so glad I have you to hang on to. Gina K 's papers emboss so well, good card stock... great impressions. I used lipstick red.


 The tag is Spellbinders Fancy Tag. After I cut and embossed the tag I traced around the outside of the die, on red paper and cut by hand. Then I taped the cut to the die and ran it through the cuttlebug to emboss it. I used the negative side to mount the tag on. That worked well. 

The reason it's so difficult for me is that is does break all the rules. I'm not fond of colors that clash. Rules create order and balance. I like order!  So I broke the rules and tried to make an attractive card..... What do you think?

Thanks for visiting, stop back soon and please leave a comment, they encourage me to keep posting. Be well.

I'm also trying to win a 500 Fan Giveaway, check it out....

lots of fun goodies to win;)

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.219517784759644.67858.111266488918108

Challenge # 2: Create a shaped card

I was invited to play along with this challenge by my cousin/dear friend and fellow blogger. She has many amazing talents so check her out at: http://artedar.blogspot.com/

I started this morning by drawing a frog. I cut it my hand traced it on a folded a piece of paper measuring 4.25" X 5.50" so that it would be even. I then scanned it and made a svg file in SCAL. I created the eyes with circles to match the shape and cut it with my Cricut. I cut the bow tie by hand, but I will include that in the frog file.  I inked the edges and colored some spots. I punched little circles and glued them on his feet. I used dimensional dots on the eyes and the bow tie.  I think he turned out pretty cute and  hoppy;)  The inside could be: Have a hoppy birthday, or hop you're feeling better:) I pasted a dragonfly punch beside the sentiment. I just thought about adding a little strip/tag across his belly that says; Hippity Hoppity Happy Birthday.

The challenge is offer by: Laurel DeViney and you can find  her at:  http://paperandscissorsrock-laurel.blogspot.com/ 

Laurel offers many you tube and ustream videos. Her slide show has a wonderful collection of her scrapbook layouts and cards.

Since I've just started blogging in June, I have so much to learn and I am excited and inspired to see all that's offered on other crafting blogs. The challenges help keep me focused on creating something new if not every day at least several days a week.

If your interested in the frog file let me know by email. I have a lot to learn about sending files but if you use SCAL and Inkscape I believe I could email it to you. 

Thanks for visiting, comments are much appreciated!

Beach Theme Thank You Card

   With anticipation I made this card to thank our host and hostess for inviting us to their beach house. I printed the blue striped paper from a collection of digital files I have in 
Picaso. I used there editing function to lighten the navy stripes to a look more nautical. I used the largest Spellbinder label four to cut and emboss the tan paper, then I traced around the outside of the die on an ivory glimmer paper for the outline.


 The starfish and seashells are svg files from the Cape Cod and Just Beachy. www.svgattic.com  All the shells are inked and dry embossed for added dimension and then mounted with dimensional dots.


 I cut the little bottle from some plastic packaging and put in a little note SOS. I use some jute twine to tie around the neck and on the tan strip. 


I then used some outline chain stickers and the gold Thank You from Mark Richards Peel Off's. I order them  from Paper Wishes http://www.paperwishes.com I love the peel off's and keep several in stock, I think they add a touch of class. What do you think?


Thanks for visiting. Comments are appreciated:)

 A work of art is the unique result of a unique temperament

 Oscar Wilde 

Memory Box

Yesterday my daughter Corina the owner of 3 yoga studios in the Philadelphia area, asked if I could make a memory box for a Yoga teacher that was leaving for a year to get her PHD. Tina has been a much loved student and a teacher at Wake Up Yoga since 2006. This is the memory box I made using the colors of the studio www.wakeupyoga.com  I always save the card board from paper collections and various packaging and I had all I needed on hand. I chose to make it 9"X 12"X 3" and assembled the box using duct tape to secure the pieces together. I covered the inside with a glimmer paper in brilliant yellow, wrapping all the edges before assembling.The box is covered in a beautiful gold card stock. I cut the letters and made a shadow cut to back them. I created some svg files of  a budda and yoga poses and cut them with my cricut. I printed the chakra symbols and cut them by hand. The lotus flowers are from  the Pagado cartridge. The swirl flourishes are from sixxiz. This was a labor of love. I worked for my daughter Corina, as a bookkeeper for a few years before I retired, so I know and love Tina. She is an amazing young woman and I hope that all her students will fill the box with cards acknowledging the gift she shared teaching yoga. The top shows  Wake Up Yoga in an octagon, the front (not visible) says:loves Tina. The octagon was created in SCAL featuring the Budda showing the chakras. This was a two day project and I'm sure I could improve on it. Now that it's complete I have more ideas. Thanks for visiting. Comments are appreciated!

Monochromatic blue

Am I blue?

Now that I have my collection of blue papers out I was    inspired to make another monochromatic card using the same sketch but not square. I made the rectangles little pockets with a butterfly pull up. I doubled the butterfly punch gluing the top half first then glued the bottom to the insert so when you pull the insert out the back is pretty too. The back of the paper is white so there is room to write or stamp a sentiment. I used the gelly roll pen again for a bit of sparkle, it's like adding a little pixie dust. The paper is from Stampin'Up , it might be discontinued but I love double sided collections. I'm going to enter this is StampTV's challenge: Mix it up Monday. There are times like today when I'd rather be creating then blogging:) 

Thanks for visiting,  I appreciate comments!

CPS card sketch 228 part 2

 A monochromatic card made using the CPS sketch 228. I again used the botanic paper from Graphic 45, inked the edges then added the ribbon and some bling. Due to technical difficulties I have to scan my cards. The scanner seems to make them look different , this card looks more yellow than green. I used a GellyRoll Sakura pen over the Gina K stamp for some sparkle. I love that pen. 

Just for fun free standing pop up card

I watched a u tube video on how to make a free standing pop up card and I had to try it just for fun. I used svgcuts bird and another file called" In The Garden" from Scrappingtable.com  I bought my SCAL 
( SureCutsAlot) program from her even before my Cricut arrived. She offers tutorials and fonts as well as several svg theme collections. I was sold on SCAL as soon as I watched her. I took the picture with my camera phone, and then scanned it folded flat. 
My granddaughter Rylee will love it. Untill next time.... Thanks for visiting.

pop up folded

Mojo Monday 201 Challenge

Another dilemma, I now have a working camera thanks to my generous sister, however today when I went to install the software I discovered my operating system is not adequate :(

Ah shucks, back to scanning or using the phone camera.

This is my first entry for Mojo Monday Challenge 201, I choose a monochromatic color scheme in shades of blue. It didn't scan very well I guess because of the velvet ribbon is so thick, and it's hard to get the lighting right with the phone. One of these days it will all come together:) Thanks for visiting, wish me luck!

CPS card sketch 228

Inspiration and genius--one and the same. Victor Hugo

While looking for inspiration I picked up an
 old issues of CardMaker magazine (Sept 2010) 
and read an article about a designer
Tami Mayberry, so I went to her blog: www.cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com 
then decided to make a card using her sketch. The blog offers many different tutorials and sponsors offer prizes for the challenges. They have several designers offering great ideas and inspiration. Working with sketches allows you to focus on a design then choose the papers and elements you want to use.
 I used Graphic 45 botanica papers, I inked all the edges and mounted them on Gina K 's chocolate brown card stock,than used MS photo corner punch and a fantastic memory thread in gold tucked under the rectangle. I found that at ACMoore's in the embroidery section. Thanks for visiting:) 

Black & White Cameo

Cameo/leather & lace

Today's temperature is 101 degrees, a very good reason to stay in the comfort of air-conditioning, might as well enjoy it considering the expense. My card today started with inspiration from the Card Maker Magazine. An anniversary card by: Sherry Wright. 


I had the hounds tooth paper, and choose glossy white photo paper to cut a frame with Spellbinders label 4. Then I found a black leather sample paper that was sent with an online paper from Paper-temptress  (https://www.papertemptress.com )
They have fabulous papers. I cut the SB Fancy tag from a flocked plastic I recycled from a cologne package, I love that! 
I used the glossy photo paper with a MS border punch. The cameo cut is from SVGCUTS My Big Day file. I altered it by cutting around the frame. A strip of black satin ribbon and finished with tiny pearls. Both the framed cameo and tag are mounted with foam dots. I spent to much time trying to add a pop of  red but in the end it's all black & white

Romantic

A friend of my daughter asked if I could make some romantic cards to give to her man. I believe everyone has an idea about what that might look like. Graphic 45 has a whole collection of papers that's called "le' romantique", so that is what came to my mind. I created this card by cutting different elements and arranging them in a collage on some background paper with muted colors. I inked all the edges and printed the greeting and added the black dots. I'll continue to look for romantic inspiration. What are your thoughts on what is romantic?  Maybe a night in Paris? I created the Eiffel tower and the poodle as a svg file, cut out the oval from a pink striped paper, I used the brown card stock and outlined with a gelly roll sakura pen for some sparkle. I love the brown and pink stripes together. I played with this all day trying to add other elements, like a pair of champagne glasses, or some flourishes, but it just wasn't coming together and now it's time to quit. My scrap room is a mess and it's getting late. 
Thanks for stopping by, till next time be well!                                                                        

Black & White

I'm back again with a sympathy card in black & white. I love Spellbinders dies and sometimes that's all you need to make a fabulously simple card. I used the large and small Fleur De Lis dies for this card with a very good card stock from Gina K. (her link is on my blog favorites) There is a distinct difference with good paper, the cut is crisp and the embossing shows the quality. I used the mirror setting on acetate to print the words and then rubbed them on the card stock. I love that trick especially because I don't have many stamps. This is a bit uneven but I wasn't feeling steady. Martha Stewart score board is great for embossing an outline frame around a card it

adds a finishing detail.

I used the smaller Fleur De Lis die for this birthday card added some  "Gina K" lipstick red card stock for a pop of color. The hounds tooth paper has a sophisticated feel and  I think it could be used for a masculine or feminine birthday greeting.

 Also used on this card: MS photo corner punch, Spellbinders fancy tags, scalloped oval and small oval, cuttlebug embossing folder for the red and black strips. And a little bling with the red rhinestone in the center

That's all for now, I'll be checking out my favorite blogs for inspiration and ideas. Thanks for visiting, Be well:)

                          

Asian Collection



Asian Gift Set

Here are some pictures of my Asian Collection Gift Set. It holds 6 to 8, 4.25" X 5.50" cards and envelopes. I lined the envelopes and the inside with parchment paper that I stamped with Asian coins and bamboo.
I'm lacking inspiration today and I seem to get more response on FB than my blog but I'll keep posting and learning as I go.


Please post a comment and contact information if you are interested in how to make the gift box. Thanks for visiting.

inside view

view with cards and envelopes

Tiki bar step card

Fun in the Sun

 Happy Independence Day! Today I played with the Luau files from:

 SVG Attic, so much fun using tropical colors and remembering past vacations. I love the palm trees and  torch. The tiki bar is embossed and  I had to improvise the sign because it was to small to cut. I used water color paper for most of the cuts, then colored them with Marvey pens. I wanted polka dots on the flip flops so I used a fabric paint. I didn't have a stamp that said FUN IN THE SUN so I printed it on acetate using the mirror setting than I just rubbed it on the sun. I did the same for the TIKI BAR. That's a great tip I learned from a tutorial by Linda at Paper Boutique. If you would like that link please make the request. Thanks I have to go, Hubby's calling.

Red White and Blue Challenge step card

I just finished this card and used my phone camera so it will show some depth. I was excited about posting it to see how it shows up.  
I'll be back later to complete the post, but for now I must feed my man.

Time to celebrate step card

Wow the summer is officially here when the 4th of July celebrations begin. So I made another step card. This one has a patriotic theme with the Statue of Liberty, a flag, and the Liberty Bell. There's fireworks in the back with Uncle Sam, a hotdog with mustard and a bottle rocket. The grill,  picnic basket with a napkin and a lawn chair put me in the mood for a picnic. For details of the products and files I used please let me know. Be well and Happy holiday.