\What do you get when you cross Roxie, Sharon and Julia??

Well, you get an awesome card!!

I decided to play with Roxie's sketch challenge #162 tonight. But I also wanted to play along with Sharon's Stamp Simply Challenge #20 - Pretties. Then I realized that the card also fit with Julia's Ways To Use It Challene 141!

So, what's a girl to do but combine the three!

Roxie's challenge is pretty straight forward...see the sketch, that's it!! :-) If you haven't participated in a sketch challenge, you really should. They are a ton of fun!!

Julia's challenge asked us to use stitching on our card. I love to pull out my sewing maching and put some stitching on a card. It makes the card feel more soft and warm...just my opinion!! I knew that the stitching would go great with the fabric I was planning to use!!

For Sharon's challenge, she asked us to pull out our pretties and use them on a card. See that fabric...that's my pretty!! I've had it for almost a year now...saw it in a scrapbooking store and loved it instantly but have never gotten around to using it (it was just too pretty and I'm into hoarding the pretty stuff). I also have some other pretties on here too. The flower is a vanilla Bazzill Basics flower...only use them on very special cards!! And see that hat pin, just found those in a craft store in Calgary!! My first time trying such elegance on a card!! And, see all the designer paper...well, that is K&Company stuff!! I love their paper, truely elegant and beautiful! I have a hard time using it (the hoarding thing again) but I made myself pull it out and use it!!

Thanks ladies for all the inspiration!!

Supplies: Cardstock-Very Vanilla (SU); Designer Paper (K&Company), Stamps-Green Thumb (Papertrey Ink); Ink-Old Olive (SU); Accessories-Fabric (Junkits), flower (Bazzill Basics), Button (unknown), thread (DMC), ribbon (SU), hat pin (unknown), sewing maching and thread.

Thanks for visiting !!

Donelda

February 5 - Design Basics Lesson #5

Sorry I'm a bit late posting this!!

This is the 5th lesson in my own exploration of Design Basics. I am basing my learning on a book by Jim Krause called Basic Design Index.

Lesson #5 - Harmony by REPETITION Today's lesson from my friend Jim Krause is about Harmony! This section of the book is pretty basic and straight forward!

Jim says that harmony is "..agreement between elements" in your design. He goes on to explain that this agreement is "...achieved through repetation of elements and through echoes of theme, color and style"

Today I am featuring cards that express Harmony through REPETITION. As you can see on my first card, I have repeated the flowers. You can see the small flowers are repeated on the strip of vanilla paper. And then, the same flower, except larger, is repeated at a focal point on the right.

On my second card, I am using REPETITION again to get harmony by using circles. On this card, the centers of the flowers are plaid circles. Then, the circles are repeated as a background design - same color as the flower circles and same size! It seems to pull the card togehter.

This is a pretty basic lesson and I know that I see this element in many many cards out there!! Even without reading this chapter, I think I had this idea of repetition figured out!! Do you agree?? I know I've seen repetition in YOUR cards :-)

Next lesson will be a continuation of the element of Harmony. Can't wait to see you then!!

Supplies: Cardstock-Groovy Guava, Very Vanilla, Buckaroo Blue, Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White (all SU), Ink-Groovy Guava, Close to Cocoa, Purely Pomegranate, Buckaroo Blue, Summer Sun, Wild Wasabi (all SU), Stamps-Beautiful Bloosoms, Faux Ribbon (both Papertrey Ink), Accessories-Fiskars cutter and template (to make large scallop), corner rounder (unknown), Chocolate Chip taffata ribbon (SU), small scallop scissors (Provo Craft), double stitched ribbon (SU).

Thanks for visiting.

Donelda

Papertrey Ink !!!

If you haven't been over to see Nicole Heady's

blog lately.... you'd better go and see it!! There are a ton of new things happening!! A new site, a new design team, a ton of new contests and prizes...wow!!

If you've followed my blog for any length of time, you will realize that I LOVE Papertrey Ink stamps!! I am soooo excited about all the great and innovative things Nicole and her team are doing!! And boy, how exciting would it be to be part of her design team...I'd love to be on the PTI design team...***Donelda dreaming**** Oh, back to reality....

On Nicole's blog today, she shared this project - a transparency card!! I loved it and had to make one!!

The best part of this card is the little bunny hiding in the bushes!! I just had to put him there!! This was such a fun card to make!!

You have to go and visit Nicole's blog and the Papertrey Ink site. There is so much inspiration it makes my head spin!! Nicole is going to be posting new projects and contests daily... you have to read her blog to be part of the fun!!!

See you there!

Supplies: Cardstock-Whisper White, Wild Wasabi (both Stampin' Up), brown (unknown); Ink-Wild Wasabi, Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up); Stamps-Take a Bough, Faux Ribbon (both Papertrey Ink), Drawing on Nature (Stampin' Up); Accessories-transparency (unknown), Designer Lable Punch (Stampin' Up), 1" circle punch (EK Success), Mini Sprinkles - brads (Queen & Co.), Ribbon (Michael's), Pencil crayons (Prisma), Odorless Thinner (Grumbacher), blending tortillons (Loew Cornell), dauber (Stampin' Up), white gel pen (Marvy).

Thanks for visiting my blog! Don't forget, tomorrow is Tuesday and that means a new lesson on design basics. See you then!

Donelda

Anna Griffin Black and Red Valentine

One of my favorite things to do is to find inspriation in magazines and other places for cards!! I was flipping through an old magazine and found the bottom picture. Once I saw it, I knew I'd make this card....

Supplies: Cardstock-Basic Black, Whisper White, Mellow Moss(SU), Designer Paper (Anna Griffin); Ink (Basic Black), Stamps-Borders & Corners{rectangles} (Papertrey Ink), Fancy lexible Phrases (su), Accessories- red ribbon (Michaels), heart shaped button (unknown).

Thanks for visiting.

Donelda

Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #33

I popped onto Beate's blog and saw her weekend sketch and I LOVED IT!! I have about a hundred ideas running around my head for it!!

Here is the first one. I love these strawberries!! They make me hungry!!

Supplies: Cardstock-Kraft, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White (all SU); Designer Paper-unknown; Ink-Ruby Red, Wild Wasabi (SU); Stamps-Green Thumb, Faux Ribbon (Papertrey Ink); Accessories-red gingham ribbon (SU), flowers (unknown), rhinstones (unknown).

Thanks for dropping in for a visit!

Donelda

Red and White Valentine

I saw that the challenge on Daring Card Makers was to make a RED and WHITE valentine. What fun!!

Yesterday I found a Lil' Templates from American Traditional Designs so I thought I'd give it a whirl. I made a white card that measured 5" x 7" (this is the Small Note size that Stampin' Up sells and has become me new favorite card size to make!).

Then, I used the square and rectangle from the template and dry embossed them on the card. Of course, I never do things the easy way...I don't own a light table so I have to tape everything to the window !!! I stamped the small heart into the square and the sentiment into the rectangle. Then I used my small scallop scissors to cut a decrative edge and added an embossed line (I simple flipped my card upside down and using my Pampered Chef scraper and my cutter embossed the line ...works like a charm!). I outlined my heart using my silver Sakura Gelly Roll pen that I got from Cornish Heritage Farms. I love this pen and until I actually got a Sakura gelly pen was just using some cheap brands...it really makes a difference. If you love using gel pens then you MUST buy a Sakura pen!!

Finally, I added a bit of red ribbon. A clean and simple card!!

Supplies: Cardstock-Whisper White (SU), Ink-Real Red (SU), Stamps-Heart, Everyday Flexible Phrases (both SU), Accessories-embossing template and embossing tool (American Traditional Designs), small scallop scissors (Provo Craft), silver gel pen (Sakura), ribbon (Michaels).

Thanks for visiting.

Donelda

Staples, staples...everywhere there's staples!

I had so much fun with Julia's Ways to Use It challenge 151 that I actually made 2 cards. This one I made using a designer staple. I don't own one of the fancy fastners, just the staples!! it is really no problem to use them, just some bending of metal!!

I made that oval piece of designer paper using some Papertrey Ink stamps. Faux Ribbon for the stripes and one of the tiny images from Borders & Corners {square}. It took a bit of time and is not perfect but I think it looks pretty good. I'm also loving this color combo!!

My second card uses regular staples. I decided to try using up some of my scrap ribbon -- I'm gathering quite a bit. Love this cat image. He is just to INTENSE!!!Well, there you go...some ways to use staples!! Thanks for visiting.

Donelda

Sympathy Card for Daniel

Needed to make a special sympathy card. These are so hard to make. I always want to make a bunch so I don't have to make one "in the moment" but I never seem to get to it. Guess it is because they are so sad to make.

I did a lot of sponging on this one. It was fairly simple.

Supplies: Cardstock-Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip (SU), Ink- Basic Black, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip (SU), Stamps- Wheat (Cornish Heritage Farms), Paper Trey (Papertrey Ink); Accessories-Twill, black brads, ticket corner punch, daubers (all SU).

Thanks for visiting.

Donelda

House Mouse ATC - the distraction!

I love house mouse stamps!! And I especially love adding things to these individual stamped guys -- put a hat on them, make them hold something...what ever!! You can see a few of my other exampes HERE and HERE.

Jessica is the infamous House Mouse ATC swap leader!! She is on her 4th HMATC swap!! and I've joined every one of them!! She is just the best hostess in the world and the quality of ATCs in the swap is just amazing!!

This time I am not all that pleased with my results. You see, I got really stuck on using light modeling paste for the ice cream... then I felt I needed to add the words to clarify the story..... any way, I'm not overly pleased with the end results. I can't wait to get all the great ATCs back in the swap...these ladies are SERIOUSLY talented!!

Supplies: Cardstock - Whisper White (SU), light cardboard (unknown); Ink-Basic Black, Creamy Caramel (SU), Stamps- Mudpie Tells, What? (House Mouse), Icecream (Michael's $1.50 bin), Faux Ribbon (Papertrey Ink); Accessories - Light modeling paste, red acrylic paint, rhinstones, printer, prisma pencil colors, odorless thinner.

Thanks or visiting.

Donelda

January 29 - Design Lesson #4 - Grouping

Well, it is time for another lesson that I have learned from the book Design Basics Index by Jim Krause. This is the fourth lesson. If you are interested in the first three lessons you can read them HERE, HERE, and HERE. Today, Jim is talking about grouping. I found this section very interesting!! Jim expalins that "grouping" items on a layout helps the "viewer make useful connections between elements". So on a card or scrapbook page, I interpret this as meaning that when you put certain things together they become connected or related to each other. Below I have designed 2 cards. The sentiment on the card on the RIGHT is seperated. When I look at this card, my mind kind of says that the FLOWERS are JUST FOR YOU since that part of the sentiment is closer to the flowers making me "connect" those elements. The sentiment on the card on the LEFT is not seperated as much. There is a bit of a seperation only in that the second part is placed on the green strip of paper. However, the different pieces of the sentiment are close enough together to be connected and clearly on this card it is the BIRTHDAY WISHES that are JUST FOR YOU. What do you think?? Interstingly, I asked my "non-card making husband" which of the 2 cards he liked better and he said "I like the one on the left. The other one looks like everything is all over the place, like things are all grouped randomly"....and that was before I had filled him in on the title of the lesson! So, one last bit of information. Those flowers are actually flower transpariencies. I got the idea from Shari Carroll at Hero Arts Online. It is like making a photo transparency using packing tape. Only for this technique, you stamp on cold laminate (like a transparancy with a sticky side) with StazOn ink and then stick the cold laminate to some colorful designer paper. Then with water, you "wash off" the white side of the paper leaving a colorful transparancy look to your flowers. It is really hard to see it in these photos (even the close up I've included) how cool this looks in real life, you'll just have to trust me on this one!! Supplies: Carstock-Wisper White (SU), Color Me Silly Green and Striped (Basic Grey); Ink - StazOn Black (Tsukineko), Baisc Black (SU); Stamps-PaperTray (PaperTrey Ink), Delight In Life (SU), Accessories - Cold Laminate (I got this from a wonderfully kind person Jean in Austrailia. She kindly sent me a few sheets. I've been meaning to look for it here in Canada but I haven't found it yet. Does anyone know?? I've looked on line at Staples but could not find it.) Well, I hope you have enjoyed this lesson on grouping. I know that I certianly did. I think I am going to go and see what else I can "group" together!! Thanks for visiting.

Hey There Delilah

Man, I've been singing the song "Hey There Delilah" by Plain White T's since seeing this morning's Try a New Technique - Dahlia Fold. I know that a Dahlia and the name Delilah are totally different, but they get stuck in my brain .....together...

Anyway.....the challenge was to make one of these cool dahlia folds (which is like tea bag folding) and add it to a card. I actually do not like my finished card at all but I do like the actual dahlia fold part. I also like these shaped cards. I got the idea from Dina on her awesome blog.

As I was trying to figure out what I was going to do with the dahlia, I decided I should add a scallop edge...see it there at the bottom. I believe that it also meets Sharon's stamp simply challenge to use a scallop edge. Since I don't own any scallop punches nor the SU corner or slit punch, using my scallop scissors was my only option.

Now that I am looking more closely, I think I see some better options for the card...I think I might just take this apart a bit and pull it together a bit differently. If I like it a lot better, I'll post it.... we'll see.

Supplies: Paper-Whisper White, Soft Sky (SU), Making Memories designer paper; Ink- Soft Sky (SU), Stamps-Carte Postale (SU); Accessories-Scallop scissors (Provo Craft), 1 1/4" circle punch (SU), Coluzzle, rhinstone brad (unknown - gift from a friend).

I hope to see you all here tomorrow night ... Tuesday night and a new lesson. I think you will really like this one!!! There is also a new technique on the card!

Thanks for visiting.

Donelda

I've been tagged

I've been tagged by Chris and it looked like a lot of fun ... so here it goes: Five things I was doing 10 years ago: 1. We went to Vegas twice that year. 2. We had been in our house for only 6 months. 3. I was teaching. 4. I was driving the bubble ... Ford Aspire 5. We were enjoying "wing Wed." every wednesday at Earls (it was obviously pre-kid years!! Five things on my TO DO list for today (were): 1. Play with my son. (did it) 2. Get some groceries. (did it) 3. Clean the bathrooms. (actually did it, believe it or not) 4. Play some more with my son. (did it) 5. Get stuff ready for the work week. (it's 11:15 and still not done..) Five things I will do when I'm a millionaire: 1. Put some in trust for my son. 2. Share most with friends and family. 3. Travel ... leisurely 4. Buy a place somewhere warm and with a beach 5. Buy all the crafting gadgets I've always wanted Five things I'll never wear again: 1. Fancy Ass jeans 2. a wedding dress 3. a poncho (had a purple and white one as a kid) 4. Peter Pan get away boots 5. those sweat pants that have elastic at the ankles...yuck, I can't believe I actually was seen by others in them once.... Five of my favorite toys: 1. Crayola crayons 2. Lego 3. Shrinky Dinks 4. Fashion plates 5. puzzle books Five banes of my existence: 1. People who drive in the left lane!!!! 2. People who believe that their way is the only (and best) way!! 3. when my husband gets 7 letter words in Scrabble 4. untrained staff -- like at restaurants, checkouts, etc. 5. dirty bathrooms. That was harder than I thought it would be. Now, it is my time to tag some folks. Better check your comment sections...it might be YOU !!! :-) Thanks for visiting. Donelda

Wooden Valentine

Sorry I didn't post last night but I was over at a friends house (Hi Geri!!) to visit and make cards. Geri is my SU demo and has every product and card making supply....including a cuttlebug!! She was kind enough to let me use it which I did in order to make this card.

Julia was back this week for Ways to Use it Challenge (150) and this week she challenged us to use paint!! I love using paint!! I have these great wooden hearts that I bought at Kmart for about 1.00!! So I painted them with white and then I added a bit of pink here and there!!

I added them onto this beautiful white card that I cuttlebugged with the little folders. If you want more details on how to exactly get this effect, you have to check out Sharon's blog (No Time To Stamp) since I totally cased it from her!!

Supplies: Cardstock-Whisper White (SU), Ink-Basic Black (SU), Stamps-Fancy Flexible Phrases(SU), Accessories-Wooden hearts (Walmart), white and red acrylic paint, cuttlebug and folder (thanks to Geri!!), pink ribbon (SU).

Thanks for visiting!

Donelda

Hi Birdie Friend

I love this guy!!! I've had this awesome bag of feather's pulled out and thinking that I really wanted to make something with them!! I didn't have any stamp sets with birds in it big enough that would accommodate the feathers...so I needed to put on my thinking cap. But then, I was browsing Kristina's blog (kwernerdesign) I came across these fun little birdies and I knew I'd have to use this great idea!! I drew a similar bird on paper and then used it as a guide to cut the orange fabric. It is that warm fabric that you can make stuffed animals and hats and such with...I can't remember what it is called just at the moment! Anyway, after cutting out the bird, I selected just the right feathers for the tail and a wing. I glued them into the fabric using some Crystal Effects (SU). Then, as it dried, I worked on the rest of the card. I attached the strip of orange plaid and brown cardstock onto a Creamy Caramel base. I stamped the sentiement with Chocolate Chip ink. See the dots of the letter i's ... I wanted something funky so I used those double circles!! Finally, I attached the bird, drew in his eye and feet and Voila, he is ready!!! Supplies: Cardstock-Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip (SU), plaid (unknown); Ink-Chocolate Chip (SU); Stamps-Beautiful Blooms, Borders & Corners {Square 'I think'} (Papertrey Ink), Accessories-feathers, chocolate chip marker (SU), Crystal Effects (SU). Thanks for visiting!

Okay....Just One More.

Yup, that's right! Just one more post today. I gotta say, my creative MOJO is on overdrive these days!! I can't stop making cards!! What fun!!

Tonight, I dropped into Card Position Systems and found their latest sketch. I loved it. In fact I loved it so much, I made 2 cards (see what I mean about mojo!). One pink and one green (I know it looks kinda yellow in the picture but it really is green).

I pulled out my Botanical Gardens set since the panel on the sketch reminded me of the leaf design. I decided to emboss the images with black embossing powder and then color them in using my Stampin' Up water color pencils. Finished them each off with some pretty paper and a white bow or knot. Guess what...the center of the images land at PHI!! (If you want to know what I mean about PHI, you can read this post).

Supplies: Cardstock-Whisper White (SU); Designer Paper-K&Company (pink), Creating Keepsakes (green); Ink-StazOn Black; Accessories-black embossing powder, Water color pencils (SU), white grograin ribbon (SU), dimensionals (Making Memories).

Thanks for visiting AGAIN today!!

Grateful for Butterflies

I have so much to share, I decided to post twice today!!!!!! I had bought a few Heidi Swapp masks a few months ago but I've not gotten around to trying them out. So I pulled out these butterflies and gave it a whirl!! I put the masks onto Soft Sky cardstock and then sponged Soft Sky ink over the entire card front. When the masks peeled off a beautiful image was there!! I also like using a make-up sponge (vs. a brayer, not that I have one that works) since it creates such a soft molted kinda look, know what I mean??!! Then, I wanted to use Kraft and Black to go with my butterflies. I added the sentiment in black and one of my Maya Road velvet flowers. I find it soooo hard to actually use these since I think they are so amazingly beautiful....I just like to hoard them!! But I forced myself to add one to this card. I also have a leaf mask that I'll have to try soon!! Supplies: Cardstock-Kraft, Soft Sky, Basic Black (SU); Ink-Soft Sky, Basic Black (SU); Stamps-Small Script (SU); Accessories-Mini Mask (Heidi Swapp), makeup sponge, velvet flower (Maya Road), antique brass brad (SU) Thanks for visiting!!

January 22 - Design Basics Lesson #3

Hello and welcome to my third lesson. If you are interested in the previous 2 lessons, you can find them HERE and HERE. Today's lesson is a bit different - no pictures...just an activity for you to do!!

Today, I read about the Fibonacci Series and The Golden Section! Jim is really confusing me at this part but I do clearly remember talking about this when I was waaaaay back in High School. The Fibonacci series (which is mentioned in the Da Vinci Code) is an aesthetically pleasing division of space often used by artists. It is found frequently in nature (i.e., I remember my high school teacher telling us about conch shells and pineapples). In my book (Design Basics Index by Jim Krause) Jim shares how the divisions are obtained using math and a value known as Phi. At this point in the book, Jim offers an exercise to make a Golden Section ruler so I've done just that. Although Jim explains how to use vector-based software (whatever the heck that is...) I've just used good ole' cardstock!! In his example, he directs you to make a 13" long line and mark at 8". Well, that size of ruler is just not helpful unless you are a 12" x 12" scrapbooker (which I am not, I only work on *" x 11") so I cut is in half so my ruler is 6 1/2" with a mark at 4". I added 2 contrasting colors of designer paper on the 2 seperate sections and made 1/2" marks along the back.

What has been very interesting about this ruler is that I've taken it and layed it against some of my previously made cards and guess what.... the main images or panels usually fall at Phi!! Wow, now that is cool! Go make your own ruler and check some of your cards. I'll bet you find the same thing!

I know I haven't really expained this very well but Jim says that if you google or search for more information about Phi you will find tons.

Thanks for visiting. I have some really fun cards for the next lesson so make sure you drop back next Tuesday!!!

Dry Embossing

I love dry embossing!! In fact, I love it so much that I will not buy a Cuttlebug ... well, not right now anyway! You see, in this world of papercrafting, I love to do it all!! I love to make my own embellishments, do my own dry embossing, I even enjoy making my own backgrounds (however, I have totally fallen prey to designer paper -- love it and hoard it!!). These cards are made using a dry embossing line along the main panels. It is easy to do. I just stamped my image, cut the cardstock to the desired size, then turned it upside down on my cutter and using a stylus (or in my case, I use my handy dandy Pampered Chef scraper) emboss a line where I want it! Because I wanted these cards to be Simple (Sharon, you are totally rubbing off on me) I kept the images basic. I went back to my original favorite of coloring the image in with a watercolor brush and my ink pads. I only used a touch of color as well!! Just some subtle shading. The images and colors were picked to coordinate with these delicious taffita ribbons -- chocolate chip and pomegranate that I got from Stampin' Up when they were on sale. I bought a bunch so you will likely see it popping up on lots of cards!! Here is a close up of the embossed lines on the sandcastle card. There is on across the top and two running down the sides. It is a subtle look but really finishes off the panels!! The mouse card has only single lines on the top and sides. I chose to leave the bottom without the embossing. I just liked it that way! Also, I found a new Challenge site (I love challenges!). It is called Arty Girlz Challenge Blog. The red mouse card is going to be my entry for this weeks challenge as we were asked to use RED. Well, pomegranate is red, isn't it?? LOL Well, I hope you like them. See you all tomorrow for a new lesson. Thanks for visiting. Supplies: Paper-Whisper White, Once Upon a Time {brown} (DCWV), K&Company {pink}; Ink - Chocolate Chip, Purely Pomegranate (SU); Stamps - mouse is Stampin' Up (not sure of the name), Princess Castle (Kaisercraft - this is an Austrailian company); Accessories - taffita ribbon in Pomegranate and Chocolate (SU), water color brush, Pampered Chef scraper (I used it to do the straight lined embossing).

The Valentine Bug

It's true...I've totally been bitten by the Valentine Bug!! I am sitting here browsing all things valentine!! I can't seem to get enough.

I do have a bunch of projects on the go, however, I am not ready to share yet (other than a few sneak peeks). So, I decided to share this Valentine Box that I made for my wonderful son last year!!

Yep, you read that right, I actually made that box, from flat vanilla cardstock and adhesive!!

It wasn't all that hard, just the time it took for the glue to set when I glued the sides to the bottom and top!! I covered the top with torn paper and ModPodged it.

I just love how it turned out. I keep it on my "display shelf" in my craft room. It reminds me that I can do anything if I put my mind to it!!

Thanks for visiting.

HIdden element card

The current challenge over at Daring Card Makers is to make a card that has a hidden element! I love that kind of thing and often include hidden tags, pulls, or sliders in my scrapbooking, however, I rarely think of doing it on a card.

I decided to hide a small card on top of a larger card. If you were to untie the hemp on this card, there is a sentiment that says "thinking of you".

Since I am always trying to make masculine cards, I decided to stick to a more masculine theme on this one and see where it went. It all started with the trees which led to the color choice and the rest of the elements.

Supplies: Cardstock - Very Vanilla, River Rock (both SU), artichoke green (unknown); Ink - Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Close to Cocoa (all SU); Stamps - Tree Cluster sm. (Stampscapes), Take a Bough, Faux Ribbon, Borders & Corners {rectangles} [this is inside the small card on top]; Accessories - hemp (SU), daubers (SU), Pastal Chalks (SU).

Thanks for visiting my blog!! I am really enjoying this adventure!! :-)

Donelda

Sharon's Challenge and Beate's Challenge

Sharon's Challenge:

I wanted to play Sharon's Stamp Simply challenge #18 - TEAR IT UP (ssnotime18)! I love the look of torn paper on cards. It gives it an elegant feel!

So, as I continue to make valentine cards, I decided to go with the red, black and white color combo. I also used another silver metal wire heart that I made. On this heart, I added some red seed beads and a bit of black ribbon.

I hope someone will think this would make a nice card for their sweety!!

Beate's Challenge:

And Beate had a really cool sketch on her blog too that I really wanted to make!! So I did it too!!

I really love the Beautiful Blooms stamp set from Papertrey Ink. I had yet to use these cute flowers so I thought I'd use them for Beate's challenge.

I didn't have a brad that I really liked to go with the sentiment so I got to wondering if I used my Versamark pen and dabbed on little dots, could I cover them with white embossing powder?? I tried it and I think it turned out pretty good. What do you think??

Well, thanks for visiting my blog. I have a million cards and projects that I have finished and can't wait to share with you!!! Make sure you come back soon!!

Donelda

( )_() (='.'=)

(")_(") The Bunny (my son helped me create this)

Darn Snow!!

Laying in bed .... sore back ... husband has put some Japanese Oil on it....darn snow!! We got our first amount of snow today and I was the first one home so I got to shovel!! Enough whining....on to my cards.

Sharon over at No Time to Stamp? asked us to make a Tall and Thin card for her Stamp Simply Challenge #17. That is where the first card of this set came from and then I just kept going. I saw an outfit in a magazine....beige crop pants and a purple tank top... and I loved the color combo so I decided to give it a try. On my tall and thin card, I made a faux metal heart to put in the bottom right corner. It is really easy, just cover a square of cardstock with versamark, cover with embossing powder, repeat until you have a good layer, push stamp into liquid embossing powder until cooled, remove stamp and voila...faux metal heart!! This particular heart is from a Stampin' Up retired set called Sketch an Event -- very versatile!

A few special bits on the other cards. I made the heart on the left card out of silver wire. That was interesting and fun. I have a ton of wire in whole bunch of colors and I'm always trying to find new and fun things to do with it!! On the middle card I used my 2 sided glue strips to put glitter on...been meaning to try that!!

Here are some close-ups of each card.

Well, thanks for visiting!! Enjoy your stamping evening... and if your back is feeling fine...take a moment and appreciate that!!

Donelda

January 15 - Design Basics Lesson #2

Well, here is my second lesson on Design Basics. For those of you who missed the first lesson, you can read it HERE. I am using a book called Design Basics Index by Jim Krause and learning a thing or two about design so that I can feel more confident in my card and scrapbooking creations!

Today, I was continueing to read about The Principal of Unequal Spacing - dividing space. I intrepret Jim to mean that if the spacing of a design is unequal it will look pulled together and more interesting.

Here I have made 2 cards that include the same components but I've applied what I learned from Jim to the one on the left and kept spacing equal on the right. What do you think?? Cover one up with you hand and look at the other and then do the same to the other card. I've got to agree with Jim, the one on the left definately appeals to my eye more!! Especially the two different sized spaces (designer paper) on the left.

Also, while I was tying the hemp onto the bottom shapes, I realized that they fit the Principal of Unequal Spacing - point placement (lesson #1) as well. See WHERE the hemp is tied on the left card...it is off to the side. While the hemp on the right side I tied in the middle and knotted it in the middle - YUCK!! It is amazing how once you really start thinking about this principal, you realize how often you actually use it.

A few notes about making these cards. The stamp I used actually has 2 boys and a dog on it but I only wanted one cowboy. So I partially inked up the boy I wanted with my ink pad and then finished it off with my black marker (SU). I made sure to "huff" on the stamp and then put it to cardstock - Voila, one boy. He is dressed in his awesome polkadot shirt and jean shorts - did this by stamping this part onto the designer paper I wanted to use, cut it out and attached it in the correct location! It is called paper piecing and there are a ton of great samples in the SCS gallery. Finally, if you are looking for this cowboy from the supplier, you will not find him with a cowboy hat! Those stars totally screamed COWBOY to me, but I don't have any cowboy or western images but that never stops me. When a roadblock like this happens, I often turn to CLIP ART....and that is where I got that cute cowboy hat!! I printed it on vanilla cardstock, cut it out, sponged it with some more mustard and Voila, a cowboy! I love that kind of creativity!

(Supplies used: Cardstock: More Mustard, Very Vanilla, Basic Black (SU), Designer Paper: Scenic Route's Cape Town - Warren Hill and Multi Stars by Sarah Milne and jean paper (unknown), Ink: More Mustard, Basic Black (SU), Stamps: Justin and Kyle (Me&My Big Ideas) - note how I only used part of the stamp!, Accessories: hemp, clip art (the cowboy hat - I don't have any western stamps but this paper screamed Western to me!!)

I hope you've enjoyed today's lesson as much as I did. I must admit, I am looking at cards totally different than I did before I started reading Jim's book!!

Thanks for visiting.

Sweet Green Thumb

Here is another card that is inspired by Kristina and her blog kwernerdesign. She is amazing so if you don't check her blog everyday (like I do) you should go over there and check it out!! When I first became interested in Papertrey Ink stamps by Nicole Heady (also an increadible stamper whose blog I also check every day - go check it out!), I fell in love with the little grasshopper in the Green Thumb set. However, last night I realized that I've had the stamp since the middle of November and still had not even used it yet!! That is HORRIBLE so I immediately too him out and got to work! I started out with that awesome strip of green paper with vanilla polka dots. Believe it or not but I think it was the very first piece of designer paper I ever bought!! I remember because I was looking for pink and brown stripes for a certian card and that is what is on the back of this piece. Unfortunately, because I bought it so long ago, I have no idea who makes it. You can tell that I never throw out any paper no matter how small the piece is. You never know when you'll need just a tiny piece of something! Anyway, back to the card. I added some vanilla cardstock and made some black dots along the top edge. Then I stamped the grasshopper in celery ink and then added the celery colored ribbon along the left edge of the card. Finally, I added the sentiment "sweet baby". Since this is green, it would be usable for a baby boy or girl card. Supplies: Cardstock-Kraft (SU), Very Vanilla (SU), green (unknown); Ink-Certainly Celery, Basic Black (SU); Stamp-Green Thumb (Papertrey Ink), Fancy Flexible Phrases (SU); Accessories-ribbon (dollar bin at Michaels), 1" circle punch (SU), black marker. Thanks for visiting.