Away

Hey my blogger friends.  I just wanted to let you all know that I am away this week on a course.  It is pretty intensive and there will be a need to study in the evenings so I won't be able to be posting this week.  I had hoped to schedule some posts but the weekend was just too busy.  It must be that time of year. 

So, enjoy your week but don't forget to come back next week!! 

Donelda

Fin-tastic Fish

I love this fish (from Inkadinkado).He was in my scrap bin.   I colored him a while ago with my Copic markers.  It was so much fun!!

Used some of the BasicGrey papers (Phoebe collection) that my Secret Sister sent me (thanks Banu!!!)

Sentiment is from Papertrey Ink (Pond Life  Additions). 

Thanks for dropping in.
Donelda

Elephant Parade

I continue on my quest to use up stuff from my scrap bins.  These elephants were punched out of some watercolor paper I had 'painted' with some reinkers.  Before punching out the elephants, I sprayed the paper with some water that had Perfect Pearls (Ranger) in it.  It gives the elephants a funky shimmer (see the smaller close up!). 

I added some starbursts (Martha Stewart) punches cut in half like a scallop border.  Very different and I like it!  The sentiment is from this year's anniversary set from Papertrey Ink called Round and Round , I really like the fonts used in the sentiments.  The background paper is BasicGrey (Phoebe collection). 

The elephant punch and the Basic Grey paper were given to me in a swap by my Secret Sister, Banu.  Isn't she the best??!!

Have a great day!

Donelda

Butterfly Flight

A while ago I was playing with transparencies and alcohol inks.  Back then I had made this focal point, which then got put into my "use later" bin.  There is a lot going on in that focal piece.  I started out by cutting a piece of clear acetate or tranparency with a Labels 1 (Spellbinders) die. Then, I used some green alcohol inks (Ranger) to color it (probably Lettuce and Meadow).  Next, I adhered some text paper from an old book (bought at a garage sale many years ago).  Finally, I added the butterfly (Rubber Stampede) and flourish (Fancy Flourishes, Papertrey Ink) using StazOn ink. 

So a few days ago, I pulled this piece from my bin and wanted to add it to a card.  I decided that I liked the piece so much I wanted to keep it the 'main attraction' so kept the rest pretty clean and simple.  I added a round birthday sentiment also found in my "use later" scrap bin (an old retired Stampin' Up set).  To finish off the card, I used my .3 black marker (Prismacolor) and a ruler around the edge of the card. 

Lots of white space on this card.  If you can (I realize this feature does not seem to work for everyone) click on the picture so you can see the focal piece close up and check out everthing going on there!

Thanks for dropping in today!   Have a good one!
Donelda

Deer Wishes

I was in a swap a few months ago and my Secret Sister Banu sent me this aweosme  paper!  Is it not the best colors ever?  I certainly think so.  I wanted to make a card to hightlight those yummy colored stripes. 

Pretty clean and simple, hey!! 

Stamps: deer is from Friends (American Crafts), sentiment is from Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink).

Have a wonderful day!
Donelda

Faux Ribbon - Ahoy

See that "ribbon" ... it's not really ribbon but actually a strip of designer paper that I have had for a long time.  It was the last edge of the paper but the design was running lengthwise, making it hard to use.  But then I started seeing some "faux ribbon" made from strips of designer paper with stripes like this.  So I tried it out.   

One of the reasons I had the designer paper around for so long was because I was having trouble matching the colors as they are such bright blues, pinks, and greens.  I did find that the Papertrey Ink's Spring Rain was a close match so used it to color in the sailor hat (from Out To Sea, Papertrey Ink).  I used only part of one sentiment in the set and added a scallop circle (Spellbinders) cut from Spring Rain cardstock.  The background was created by stamping the various small images from the stamp set onto some K&Co. designer paper.  I added some Close to Cocoa (SU!) ink around the edges and on the "ribbon" to help distress it all a little. 

Off to work.  Hope you have a great day!!

Donelda

Masculine Cheers

I was asked to make some masculine birthday cards.  It's one of the things that I try to do on a regular basis since I have a lot of guys in my life!

This card started with the argyle on the strip of blue cardstock.  It is a small stamp set from g studio that I found at Michael's.  I don't own any of the latest argyle being put out by companies so I picked it up for $1.50  - definately at my price range!!

The drinks come from a cube stamp from Stamp Craft (it's quite old).  I stamped them and then colored them using a blender pen and a little ink.  The sentiment is created using the letters from Fresh Alphabets (Papertrey Ink) - always a nice way to add whatever sentiment you want!!

Cheers to you for dropping by.  Have you made any masculine cards lately?
Donelda

Loonie Stamper's Challenge #118 - One Layer Wonder

The Loonie Girls are at it again this week with a great challenge.  This time it was Regan's turn to pick the challenge and she went with a one layer card.  Well, that's no real challenge for me!!  LOL!!  But I'm pretty sure there will be a few loonies struggling with this one!

I was also looking around on another blog and saw something about a "shape" on the front of the card which reminded me of this cute bear stamp I got from Cornish Heritage Farms (which is no longer in business) and have yet to use.  Can you believe it!!  I knew I wanted to make a shaped card from him and these 2 ideas blended together to result in this one layer shaped card!!!

I stamped the image onto a regular 5.5 x 4.25 folded card.  Then I cut around the top of the image leaving a place at the bottom for a sentiment.  I colored him in with my Copic markers.  I checked out a few tutorials on how to add fur (I clearly need more practice ... and markers!!).  I added some doodling lines around the bottom edge and a sentiment from Everyday Classics (anniversary set from Papertrey Ink). 

I love how this turned out!!  Better than I had even imagined!!   I think I might re-create a few and change up the colors.

Now off to see what the Loonie girls created:
Regan, Dee, Wendy, Jewels, Maria, Char

Thanks for dropping in!  Have a wonderful Sunday, hopefully filled with lots of craftiness!!!

Donelda

Au Revoir Mini Collage

I cased this idea from Susan Rihala's Splitcoaststamper Gallery that you can see HERE.  I had remembered it from a loooooong time ago.   I looked and looked and looked and finally found her card. 

The sentiment was created using my computer!  The stamp is a real stamp!!!  I got it on a package I received from a blogging friend Dina.  While you can't see it well in this photo, there is some sponging around the edges which gives it a nice soft definined edge in real life. 

Stamps - Background Basics: Text, Wedding Day, Polka Dot Basics(Papertrey Ink), Travel (Fiskars).

A very clean and simple card in many ways.
Thanks for dropping in.  Enjoy your day.

Donelda

Clean and Simple Friends

I adore these cute little animal stamps from the American Crafts set Laughter.  They are just so sweet.  So I decided to do a real Clean and Simple card to highlight them. 

I've had this strip of blue cardstock with the holes punched in it for a long time in my scrap bin.  The circles were the perfect size for my 3 friends.

Originally, the blue rectangle was plain, however, when I photographed it I realized that it would look best with some faux stitiching around it.  What do you think?  It is really pretty clean and simple!

I am glad you dropped in to visit my little piece of the web.  Enjoy your day!
Donelda

Dollar Store Finds

I found these awesome decals at my local Dollarama.  They are supposed to go on your laptop.  They were beautiful and even had some rhinstones on them.  I knew they were destined to come home with me to create beautiful cards!  And look at these 2 beauties that I ended up with!!  The colors in these decals are lovely!!!!!!!  And the decals were so easy to put on ... no adhesive needed.  And if you get them in the wrong place they are easy to pull up and put down again.   Both sentiments are from Papertrey Ink stamp sets.                                                              

Have you found something at a dollar store that you have used in your card making??? 
Thanks for dropping in!
Donelda

Loonie Stamper's Challenge #117 - Doily

The Loonie Stamper Girls continue to throw down some great challenges and create amazing cards for them.  This week, the challenge is to use DOILIES (not dollies!! hehehe). 

I wanted to play along and went for my large paper doilies, then remembered that I have a bunch of Martha Stewart doilies left from my flirtation with Christine Middlecamps inspiration (you can see versions HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE).  Then, I remembered that I actually had a doily all decorated up waiting to be put on a card (if you visit often you have already seen it but now you get to see it on a card).  A bit of a 'cheat' perhaps but you all know how I am trying to use up all the stuff in my scrap bins and half finished item bin. 

So, I grabbed some lovely K&Co. designer paper, stitched around the edge and inked it up.  Then I added the white grosgrain ribbon (from my friend Jessica G - thanks Jessica!!).  Finished off the easy card with this pre-made embellishment.  See that butterfly ... it's an iron-on ... you know, those things you iron on to your jeans.  Sentiment if from Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink).  I took a photo from the side so you can see how layered the embellishment is. 

Now, off to see what all the Loonie ladies did with doilies (not Dollies Wendy!):

Wendy, Dee, Char, Maria, Jewels, Regan

Thanks for dropping in.  Now we are off for a Friday night supper.

Donelda

One Layer Wednesday (OLW) - Peace Wreath

I haven't played along with Susan R's One Layer Wednesday (OLW) for a while becuase my computer has been toast (for over 5 weeks!!).  In fact, until the last few days, I've not really done much stamping at all!!!

So tonight, I pulled out some cardstock and stamps and got busy!!

The challenge is intresting.  Make a card that would meet the requirements of a penitentary (no metal, gems, brads, etc).  I decided to pull out a few pots of Twinkling H2Os (yes, Susan has inspired me) and a set I haven't used nearly enough - Rustic Branches (Papertrey Ink).   A little black marker around the edge of the card and voila, a great CAS Christmas card. 

Here is a close up of the glimmer - you can always click on it to make it bigger (or maybe right click and then click on open).  

Enjoy the day, especially since it is Friday! Yeah!!!!

Donelda

Get Well Teapot

I adore this wonderful set from Papertrey Ink but I find that I rarely pull it out.  So a few days ago I did grab it and created a card. 

I had also bought a package of 8x8 papers from October Afternoon called Fly a Kite - it was 50% off!!!  I adore the designs on the papers.  They are so vintagey and fun.  So I used the yellow pattern, called Dandelions, for the teapot!!!

The card is pretty basic, just some various sized strip of paper anda bit of cutting with my deco scissors!!

Supplies- Stamps: Tea for Two (Papertrey Ink); Paper - Fly a Kite (October Afternoon), Bitty Dots in Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink), Very Vanilla cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Ink - Chocolate Chip (SU!); Other - large scallop scissors (Provo Craft), marker. 

Loonie Stamper's Challenge - Past Due!

That's right, this card was based on a Loonie Stamper's Challenge from a loooooong time ago!!  You know me, making cards but never getting them posted!! 

The actual challenge was to use animals on your card.  I knew I had a package of animal chipboards from Martha Stewart so I pulled them out and looked to see what I had left.  There were 3 cows and they matched.  So, I decided to pull them together on this card.  I couldn't find a plade where I liked the sentiment so I put it inside.  It says ........

                                  udderly cool

hehehehehe!!  I don't generally like those play on words but I think it fits (even thought I'm pretty sure all those cows on the front might not necessarily have udders!)

Thanks for joining me again this week!  I hope you find time to stamp a little today!
Donelda

Apple Cards

I love Betsy Veldman's work and while I tend to be a more clean and simple (cas) stamper than she is, she still inspires me in many ways.  A while ago she posted THIS awesome apple card on her blog.  I knew instantly that I would have to re-create a similar card but simplify it a bit.  Here are my results::

I created an apple template for the main card base and slightly smaller templates for the apple and the leaves.   I cut 2 card bases out of the cardstock of my choice and then cut the designer paper in colors that were appropriate.  One apple is more traditional green and red however teh other is a bit more funky (but I love that bright limey green).

Stamps are Papertrey Ink.  The papers are all from my scrap bin.  Many of the buttons are Hero Arts but some are from my own vintage collection. 

Thanks for dropping in!  I hope you have a wonderful week!

Donelda

Using Scraps 7 - Hello You Deer

So I created a second card based on Kim Kesti's sketch shown on page 22 of the Sept/Oct issue of Paper Crafts magazine.  And continued to use up pieces of scrap.    This time I used one of my new stamps from American Crafts.  Isn't that deer the sweetest!!   and this time I did make the card square (yesterday's card used the same sketch but it was a typcial A2 size).  

See that light brown circle, it is cardstock that has woodgrain already embossed into it.  However, the store where I bought it did not have the manufacturer identified so I just know that it is super cool!! 

Well, there you have it!  7 cards all using nothing but scraps and all inspired by the September/October Paper Crafts magazine.  taht was lots of fun!!  I'll have to try it again soon!

Have a great weekend!

Donelda

Using Scraps 6 - Wishing Your Happiness

So I know that I've had that dark blue flower in my scrap bin for many, many years and I'm happy to use it up on this card.  As well, the inky circle and the yellow frame have also been hanging around for a while :-)  

This card was created based on Kim Kesti's sketch.  Of course her sketch is a square card but I wanted mine to be a regular A2 size.  To create the effect of square, I added the dark blue strips of cardstock down both sides! 

I tell you the Sept/Oct issue of Paper Crafts magazine is truely chalk full of great inspiration!!   I have one last card to share tomorrow! 

Donelda

Using Scraps 5 - Recycled Hello

This card was inspired from Maile Belles' card shown on page 24.  What a great layout!!   So what scraps did I use??  Well, all the paper on this card (with the exception of the base) is from Papertrey Ink packaging!!!  That's right.  I tend to keep the bands that go around the stamp sets when they arrive.  I realized as I dug through my scraps that I had 4 differnt colors of the same pattern so I wanted to use them together.  I cut them to be all the same size and popped them up on the card.  Then I added some black organdy ribbon.  Then, see that flower ... more of the same recycled PTI packaging!!  Yup, I punched out the starburst (Martha Stewart) and then cut slits to create petals.  A small circle of Sweet Blush cardstock (Papertrey Ink) with the simple sentiment completes the card!!!

I am having so much fun using up my scraps!!   Hope you are having as much fun seeing what I created.

Donelda

Using Scraps 4 - Flowers and Buttons

Yes, I am still using up scraps and being inpsired by the Sept./Oct. issue f Paper Crafts magazing.

This card is based on a tiny one on page 20 .. it is in the top row in the middle.  See it??  I LOVED those trees made out of that great checkered paper.  Well, in my scrap bin I have a ton of gingham paper in various colors so I decided to go with that!!   I punched out a bunch of the flowers (Martha Stewart) and then added the centers (colored metallic half pearls with my black Copic marker).  Added the leaves and sentiment. 

SEe that pale purple background.  That has been in my scrap bin for many many years!! It is a technique where you wrinkle tissue paper and glue it or iron it to a piece of cardstock (I kinda forget it's been so long!).  Finally used it up.  I drew the lines with my Prismacolor markers and a ruler. 

Wow, my scrap stash is getting a bit smaller!!  but I still have more cards to share using scraps and being inspired by the magazine!  come back tomorrow for some interesting scraps!

Donelda

Using Scraps 3 - Stripes

I LOVE this color combo - brown, red, turquoise, and white!!  So bright and fresh!! 

This scrap card comes from inspiration on page 17 of the Sept/Oct Paper Crafts magazine.  The original card is craeated by Jessica Witty.  Jessica was right up my alley with her suggestions on how to use up scraps.  Her ability to combine colors is amazing ... I stick to the basics and safe colors!!  LOL.

This layout is an excellent one for using up thin strips of desinger paper.   Just pull out colors that go together, slice them, line them all up on a piece of scrap cardstock and trim them all to the same size. 

Thanks for dropping in to check out.  I have another scrap inspired card tomorrow too!!   See you then.

Donelda

Using Scraps 2 - Glimmer Mist Gratitude

So here is another paper Crafts magazine inspired card.  This time the inspiration was from Betsy Veldman's card seen on page 16.  I LOVE Betsy's work!!!   When I saw her great fall card I realized that I have the same leaf mask, however, not the same mist colors.  No problem - I just decided to change up the colors.  I stuck the masks on, misted the top half with Electric Blue and the bottom wiht Viva Pink Glimmer Mists (Tattered Angels).  The focal image was a piece I cut from hand after tracing a beer lable (weird I know but such a great shape).  Then, I misted it with Black Magic Glimmer Mist.  What a great color!!!  I stamped on the sentiment, a flourish and a few leaves in black ink.  I also sponged around the edge with a bit more black for definition!  A few small bits of organdy ribbon on both sides finished the card off. 

I love how this card turned out.  I am having a lot of fun with my scraps and new produts - like these mists!!        I have another scrap card posting on Monday morning from page 17 of the magazine so be sure to drop back in to see it!!  

Stamps - Spiral Boquet, Turning a New Leaf (Papertrey Ink), Build a Flourish (Gel a Tin)

Thanks for dropping in!  Donelda

Using Scraps 1 - Halloween Stripes

I am always so inspired by those of you who buy crafting magazines and actually use them for inspiration !!  You know who you are.  So, I decided to take my Sept/Oct 2010 issue of Paper Crafts and actually let it inspire me (in addition to drooling all over the great cards!).

In addition to using the magazine for inspiration, I also decided to go with all scraps!!  Everything you will see in the coming posts will include items from my scrap cardstock pile, scrap designer paper pile, or from my bins of "things" I made but didn't end up using .. you know, like die cuts, stamped images, etc.

This card was created based on the Moxi Fab Color Combo - grey, royal blue, rich purple, and gold (page 32).  Once I pulled out a bunch of the scraps onto my crafting desk, the colors were totally Halloween so I created this card.  The grey shape was hand cut and then spritzed with some Silver Sugar Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels).  The buckle of the hat was coated with some Glossy Accents (Ranger) to make it shine.  the hat stamp is a g studio from Michaels and the sentiment is from an old Stampin' Up! set that retired long ago!! 

I am excited to share with you all of the rest of my Scrap Cards inspired by the Sept/Oct issue of Paper Crafts!!   Make sure you drop back in tomorrow!!

Donelda

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

I was browsing around at a local Dollar Store the other day and I found these great mirror birds - 3 for $1.00.  I knew I had to use them on a card.

I started out by stamping on the mirror bird with a flourish (Fancy Flourishes, Papertrey Ink) using StazOn white ink.  I set is aside and let it dry.  Then I used the 2 large leaf images from Sprial Bouquet (Papertrey Ink) on the kraft card base.  I aded the bird to a black circle and adhered it over the stamped images.  I strip of black and white designer paper and an appropriate sentiment (Bird Watching, Papertrey Ink) finishes off the card. 

I have 2 more birds which you will see on a card at some point in time. 

Thanks for dropping in to my little piece of blogland!
Donelda