Covered Birdhouse Church

This is such a fun project. At Michael's there are awesome wooden birdhouses for sale for a good price. I origianally started out with a more simple project using these Small Birdhouses. But when I was at Michael's a while ago, I saw this awesome birdhouse church and knew I had to get it for my Brother and Sister in law since he is an Angelican Minster. It is just perfect!! I started out painting the church with Light Antique White acrylic paint. Then I did the roof portions with Burnt Umber. After they dried, the real fun started. I've been saving this particular sheet from Stampin' Ups Au Chocolate designer paper for the walls of this birdhouse. It is a bit tricky and really a matter of trial and error to get the right shape cut out. Generally, I take the birdhouse and lay it on the wrong side of the paper. Then I trace around the house with a pencil and cut it out. Then, I push the paper against the birdhouse to make an indintation of where the perch is and cut it out with my hobby knife. I do the same thing for the circle opening and door. Finally, I do a little measuring and estimating to get the paper cut to fit the front. The sides and back are generally a lot easier. I used Mod Podge Matte to glue this on (and I will cover the whole thing later with more but not until the details are added).

I thought the church was a bit plain and needed a bit of color. So I decided to paint the base with some Sage Green acrylic paint. Then when it was dry, I added some green grass, made by using scissors on strips of green cardstock. Then, I used the Stampin' Up Spring Flower Boquet punch to get some Pixie Pink flowers. I added a So Saffron center to each and colored the petals with my pixie pink watercolor crayon (SU) and the centers with my brown watercolor pencilcrayons (SU) to give them more dimension.

Once all those details were finished, then I painted the whole thing with more of the Mod Podge so that it could be put outside if they would like. This is a really simple and fun project! It would even be something that kids (about 8 and older) could do with perhaps a little help getting the front paper cut to fit.

I hope you enjoy this project. Have you made something using designer paper that is out of the ordinary?? If so, feel free to post a like, I'd love to check it out! Thanks for visiting.

Japanese Stab Binding Card

I just had to give Beth's Try a New Technique 142 called Japanese Stab Binding. Once I saw it, I knew I'd go with this theme (I know, it is Chinese and the technique is Japanese....) I have had these Chinese Fold Paper - Cuts for a very, very, very long time. I bet I've had them for about 12 years! I bought them in China Town in Calgary because they were so beautiful but I've never found a "use' for them. I knew one would be perfect for this challenge alone with one of the "chinese old coins" that we also picked up in China Town a few years ago. I used a basic black cardstock and punched holes with my anywhere hole punch. Then, followed the instructions to actually do the Japanese Stab Binding. It was a bit harder than I thought it would be....I am going to have to go back and "perfect" this for sure! I left a bit of ribbon on the top of the binding so I could tie a coin. Then, I sprayed the back of this very intricate cut out design and worked, very hard, to get it stuck down flat with no rips, tears, or bumps. It was really tricky as it kept sticking to my fingers and I did end up with a few bumps but I was able to smooth them out! I love this technique!! Go and give it a try!! I can't wait to see your sample in the SCS gallery, or you could leave a link here so we can see :-) Thanks for visiting again tonight.

Birthday Plaid and Pine

My husband requested that I make a card for his father!! That means a masculine card... and we all know how difficult that can be!!! Well, I took my inspiration from THIS card from leslierich! Isn't it a beauty??!! Well, I'm not sure if this measures up, but I think it turned out good, and masculine. I started with a small piece of Kraft cardstock and stamped the Flannel Plaid background using Always Artichoke. Then, I used the same stamp again using close to cocoa (a great suggestion from leslie!). Using the pine needle stamp from Fantastic Foilage I stamped randomly all over more Kraft cardstock in always artichoke and my close to cocoa marker for the stem. The main image is the pine needle and pine cones on more Kraft cardstock. It is matted on more Always Artichoke and then on some Chocolate Chip. I used my corner ticket punch and then added some antique brass brads in the corners. I added the Happy Birthday sentiment from Papertrey Ink's Papertray stamp set. I used my dauber and sponged all around the panels using close to cocoa ink (I think this might be my favorite color of ink). This is all put onto an Always Artichoke card. Well, I hope my father in law likes it. Have you made a masculine card lately?? If so, feel free to leave a link, I'd love to see it!! I'm always looking for some great ideas for masculine cards. Thanks for visiting.

Mice and Butterflies

I like to make ATCs. They are so addictive that I just can't stop making them. I found the original swap using House Mouse stamps posted by jlazarski and participated in that swap. Well, Jessica is such a great hostess, I joined her second, third, and now her fourth swap -- all featuring House Mouse stamps! If you like making ATCs, love those cute little House Mouse stamps, and would like to join in the fun, you should check out Jessica's newest swap HERE.

Anyway, back to my card. Jessica and a bunch of the other talented ladies like to share great cards that are uploaded on the Splitcoaststampers site. And THIS awesome card made by SophieLaFontaine was shared a few days ago. I fell totally in love with it and new I'd have to case it (that means copy it!).

First, I took some shiny cardstock (I just use photo paper) and sponged on some summer sun and pumpkin pie. Then I stamped my butterfly from All Night Media in StazOn Black. I cut it out carefully using my hobby knife (getting those antenna was hard!). Next, I colored in this little House Mouse image that Jessica shared with me (thanks Jessica!) using my Prismacolor pencil crayons and then blended the colors with oderless thinner (called Gamsol Magic technique on SCS). I cut him out as well. Then, I set them on a white card base and decided where I would draw my "plate" where my sentiment would be stamped. I drew it in using my black SU marker and a ruler to help, but I didn't make it totally straight, I like the "hand drawn" look of it with a few bumps along the way. I added a second layer and the little dots. Then I used my watercolor crayons and a paint brush to color in the inside of the plate. Finally, I attached the butterfly and mouse on opposite ends.

You really should go check out Sophie's gallery... she has some amazing cards there, mine is dull in comparison but I think I am going to do some practice and see how it goes. I'd love to see some cards you have made by cutting out images. Please leave a link in a comment!!

Thanks for visiting.

New Technique

Voila, a new technique!!

My son, who is 8, was playing around with our little "lazy susan", you know, the circle thing you put in the middle of the diningroom table so everyone can reach by spinning it around. Well, he was taping paper to it, then spinning it, while drawing straight lines with a pencil crayon. Then, he would add eyes, nose, and a mouth to make a "creature". He wanted me to try too and once I gave it a go, I knew I'd have to use it on a card.

So I taped some white cardstock on and used different colors and made smaller clusters of colored "flowers" (as I prefer to think of them). I added some flower centeres using the small polkadot center from Papertrey Ink's Paper Tray set and the larger polkadot center from the Beautiful Blooms set, also Papertrey. I added some of this black polkadot designer paper and the rivet sentiment! The colorful strip didn't quite look finished so I added the black lines with a black marker!

I like it!! I think I'll call it the SPINNING COLORS Technique. My son would really appreciate a comment or two about his creation -- he is really quite proud of himself for helping mom come up with a new technique!! Thanks!

Another Post Today for Beate's WSC27

I just had to post again this morning because I wanted to participate in Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #27. Can you say "cool layout". I just might have to do a second card using it to see what else I can come up with.

You've seen these wreaths before -- lots of the talented ladies on SCS have made them. Here is one example, and another but there are lots more if you go looking!! So clearly the idea is not mine, but I've been wanting to make one like it for a long time (probably since last Christmas).

I used my everywhere punch to put 2 holes on the side and tied a bow with some ribbon (getting the bow to look half decent was the hardest part of the making this card). I like the look of doodling around the edge, it just seems to finish off a large plain edged square like this. I also like the rounded edges of the card -- I see it on lots of cards but never think to incorporate it in my designs.

Dimensions of this card are 4 1/4" by 4 1/8". Supplies used: Cardstock: Buckaroo Blue, Whisper White (SU), Ink: Buckaroo Blue (SU), Stamps: Snowflakes (SU), Faux Ribbon (Papertray), Accessories: Ribbon (Michaels), Marker (SU).

Thanks for visiting, again.

An Exercise in Masking

Well, this morning I was laying in bed, thinking about a card!! Don't laugh, I know you've done it before too!! What colors, where will I put the main image....you know the drill!!

A few things were going around my brain when I came up with this layout/design. First of all, I wanted to make a card for this weeks Card Positioning System (CPS #38). As well, I've been dying to use this leaf stamp from Papertray's Beautiful Blooms!! As anyone who's been visiting regularly, I am on a mission to use up things I already own (I'm on a "no buy" mission) and I realized that I haven't even opened my new Creamy Caramel (Stampin' Up) ink pad yet. So, I decided to go with using my brown family! Finally, I decided that I really want to try making a card that consists of only stamping -- no layers. I felt certain I could achieve the results I was looking for byusin the MASKING and REVERSE MASKING techniques only!!

Well, here is the end result! It looks pretty close to what was in my head this morning.

Have you made a card using the masking techniques?? If so, please feel free to leave a comment and link to your creation - I'd love to see it!!

Supplies: Cardstock - Very Vanilla (SU), Ink - Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip (SU), Stamps - Beautiful Blooms, Faux Ribbon (Papertray), Accessories - daubers (SU), Post-It notes (3M).

Thanks for visiting.

Velvet "Create" Journal

Today, Julia posted the Ways To Use It challenge 139 and it was to use Velvet!! Well, I have had this piece of burgandy velvet sitting around for some time, as well as this beautiful piece of Wild Asparagus paper called "memories". I decided that I owuld put these items together with a little Basic Grey "Sweetie" from the Blush collection to make myself a new Crafting Journal.

I used my iron and "heat stamped" the French Flair background stamp onto the velvet, cut it out, and rounded the edges. I added this onto a piece of blue cardstock (which matched the blue backgound of the Wild Asperagus paper). I also used this same blue paper to put behind the bookmark from my Hodgepodge Hardware. I added the letters using some rub-ons. The Prima is from a beautiful package I bought a while ago and ... see that square brad in the middle, that is one of Stampin Up's new Square Rhinstone Brads. A freind was kind enough to include it with a little package... thank you!! I also used some white ribbon between the Wild Asperagus and Basic Grey papers! edited to add: I realized that it is hard to actually see the stamped velvet in my other photo so I've added this close-up.

I really like how my journal turned out and I know it will get some great use!! Thanks to Julia for giving me the push to get it made and use up these products that I've been hoarding. It worked perfectly for my new goal to use the items that I have instead of buying more stuff!!

Thanks for visiting.

Sketch Challenge 149

I always like trying Roxie's sketch challenges on Splitcoaststampers. So I decided to give the Sketch Challenge 149 a try.

The whole card is based on that strip of ribbon in the middle. I got it from Michael's about 6 months ago and I have yet to use it. When I bought it, I thought it was so pretty that I had to have it ... so why don't I ever use it?? I have decided that I am not going to buy anything new until I use up some of what I already have!! So I was determined to get that ribbon on a card!

I checked the color with my cardstock and realized that it matched the Ballet Blue. I have not used this color yet out of the Rich Regal multi pack that I have. I wanted to create flower panels that matched the ribbon -- flowers with swirls. So, I pulled out my Beautiful Blooms set from Papertrey!! This cool flower (Nicole calls it her scribble flower) was just begging to be used so I grabbed the large and small scribble flowers. To make the squares, I used two different sized squares from the Borders and conrners {square} Papertrey set...I love those b&c sets!! I got 4 of the 5. I used black for that and then stamped the flowers randomly inside. I added a flower stem that I stuck to the block in a swirve to make the swirls like on the ribbon. I also stamped some of the large flower with versamark as a background for the ballet blue card base. Finally, I added some black photo corners to the larger image and pulled it all together.

Now I know why this color hasn't been used yet!! It was fun to make this card but I can't say I'm in love with it, that's for sure!!

Thanks for visiting.

Snow and Glitter

Another challenge this month from my card making class was to make a glitter window. This technique uses packing tape, of all things!! There is a great tutorial on SCS that you can check out HERE! It is another tutorial written by the queen of tutorials Beate Johns!! I took the new Soft Sky color (which I am really enjoying!!) and stamped the Flannel Plaid background using Soft Sky ink. Then I cut out a circle using my coluzzle. Next, I turned the cardstock upside down and put a piece of packing tape on the back so that the sticky side was pointing out. Next, I poured some dazzling diamonds on the sticky side of the tape and rubbed it in. On the back on the card front, I added a piece of what cardstock that was stamped with snowflakes using buckaroo blue. You can see them through the glittery tape. Along the top of the card, I added a strip of white cardstock that I had stamped with the same snowflakes using Soft Sky this time. I cut the bottom with my scallop scissors (mmmm, I'm using them a lot lately), and then tied some silver cord around it and tied a knot. To finish off the front, I did some paper piercing around the glitter circle and then placed it on a white card base using dimensionals. Ahhh, Another card without a sentiment. Why do I keep doing that??!! Thanks for visiting.

Papertrey Ink Stamps

Well, you just knew that I would have to play with my new stamps from Papertrey Ink. It was so much fun putting all the stamps in the CD case that they send in the packaging. In fact, Nicole's packaging is so beautiful, it is actually hard to open them up!! But I did and had fun just going through them all! Then I knew I needed a card for a friend who is changing jobs and I will not see her much in her new job so I wanted her to know I will miss her! I decided to go with the Green Thumb set (one of my favorites - I love strawberries!). I stamped the smallest strawberry with Cranberrry Crisp ink onto Whisper White cardstock. Then I added the stems with Wild Wisabi. I then cut that strip into four 1" pieces and attached them to a piece of Cranberry Crisp. All of that got placed on a larger piece of white. I then pulled out my SU paper piercing template and poked a bunch of holes into the strips of white above and below the berries. I did this because I wanted to do some hand sewing on this card. You see, the latest Caardvark challenge is to use sewing on your card. So I pulled out some black embroderie thread and sewed those X's along the top and bottom. Finally, I added the "MISS" and "you" from the Paper Trey set (just words) to the top and then I inked up the "berry much" from the "thank you berry much" stamp included in the Green Thumb set and added it to the bottom of the card. I think my friend will like!

This other card is just a tiny card but it was actually made first. I just had to make my very first card for my hubby to tell him how much I love him. I mean who couldn't love a man who just bought his wife 12 stamp sets!! This card used the Text Boxed set and the sentiment is from the Faux Ribbon set. The carstock is Very Vanilla and Sky Blue and the ink is Buckaroo Blue. I outlined each star, the box and the sky blue panel using my silver Gelly Roll pen!! It is nice and sparkly in real life!! And he definatly appreciated it!!

You can expect to see a whole lot more cards made with my Papertrey stamps!!

Thanks for visiting.

Coffee Cup Cards

Well, like I told you, I went to Calgary on Thursday and Friday for a conference. It was pretty good, but I've got to say, one of the most exciting parts of the conference was the coffee cups!! I know that sounds bizarre. You see, the little coffee shop was selling coffee in 3 different sizes and each size had the same styrofoam cup with a design on it but THE COLOR COMBINATIONS WERE DIFFERENT!!! I liked the combos for the small and medium but not really the large. And once I saw them, I new I'd have to make cards based on the design and colors. I only wish I'd been able to take a picture of the cups so you could see how cool it looked. So, the first color combination (small coffee) was a vanilla colored base with a burgandy strip along the top with leaves stamped in an off-white color. It totally made me think of stamping with bleach. Then, on the vanilla color base, some other leaves were stamped with a River Rock color. In the middle of that, there was some information in the same burgandy color as the stirp on top. So, here is my card version. As you can tell from the picture, the medium coffee cup used the following color combination: white, summer sun, and not quite navy. I actually like the burgandy and river rock combo the best! And I like how that bleaching took on the burgandy cardstock. Well, I hope you like my creations! If you like this combination of colors (either the large or the small) make your own card and leave a link in the comment section so I can see what you did with it! Thanks for visiting.

My Early Birthday Present

Look at all of this!! It is my Birthday Present from my husband!! I think he got tired of all the "hinting" about PaperTrey Ink stamps and called up and ordered .... not one, not two, not even five, ... not even 10 set... but ordered 12 sets (all listed on my wish list, of course)!!!!! I am soooo excited!! I don't even know what to do first!!

You can be sure that you will see some PaperTrey cards being made and uploaded here!!

I love my hunny so much!!

I'll upload an actual project later tonight... I just had to share all of this!!

Horizontal Pocket Card

Hi everyone!! I don't usually get to do many of the challenges from SCS these days, but I saw these awesome Horizontal Pocket Cards that Beth wanted us to do on the Try A New Technique Challenge 141 and I had to give it a try!! Here is the technique from SCS but notice that at the very bottom, there are specific directions for making it HORIZONTAL instead of vertical card. I started out making a vertical one before I realized what I was doing.... you'll probably see that card tomorrow, LOL. I started the card out by using some Buckaroo Blue cardstock for the main part of my card. Did the cutting and folding as it instructed me to do. Then, I used one of the flourishes from the Fancy Flexible Phrases set on the folded part of the card. I added this beautiful piece of designer paper on the front of the card, under the fold. I'm sorry, I used most of the paper on another project and I no longer have the name of who designed it. If I find it, I'll edit the post and let you know. Don't you just love it when you find a beautiful piece of designer paper and cardstock that matches perfectly!! This color combo has been sitting on my craft table for the last few weeks, just waiting for the right project!! Back to the card. After adhearing the edges closed, I made the inside part using Certainly Celery cardstock. I simply added a 1" circle of the designer paper as a pull tab. Then I took this teeny tiny picture of a House Mouse (that I received from my friend, thanks Jessica!) and colored him in using my Prisma color pencil crayons. I then cut him out very carefully using my hobby knife and watercolored some Buckaroo Blue beneath him. I adheared him to this rectangle of Certainly Celery with rounded corners and stamped the "little baby" sentiment from Everyday Flexible Phrases set. Once together, I thought it needed just something to make the Certainly Celery pieces stand out so I took my black marker and drew a line around the edges of those pieces. Perfecto -- or should I say Wiggity!! I hope you like this little guy. If you try the horizontal pocket card, leave a comment with a link so I can check it out!! Thanks for visiting.

Covered Board Book

Hi Everyone!! It has snowed here in Alberta but it is just enough snow to cover the ground and it actually looks quite pretty!! I suspect that it will be gone by Monday since it is supposed to be warmer.

The pretty snow makes me feel all nostalgic so I decided to photograph this covered Board Book that I made a while ago. My plan was to create a book to give to my son so that he knows all my wishes for him. (I know -- too sentimental but I'm a real sap!)

I started out with a child's board book -- you know those little kid books that have pages made from really heavy cardboard. This one was a Barney book, I think. I took this awesome designer paper and covered the front of the book with it. I cut and sanded the edges and sponged them with close to cocoa ink. Isn't this paper perfect for the theme of the book - unfortunately, I made this book way before I ever dreamed of having a blog and, thus, never thought to identify the maker of the paper. If I find it I'll edit later.

Then, I covered all the inside pages with paper from Die Cut With a View paper- the Old World Stack (which is absolutely beautiful and you can see a similar project made by Erika Martin[Stampin' Mama] with the same paper) and matching Bazzil cardstock that I bought at my local scrapbook store. That was a really good idea I had, to buy the designer paper and while I was at the store, I walked around the solid cardstock section and purchased colors that matched exactly with the designer sheets! I'll definately do that from now on. Some on line stores are also doing that - like Rhea at R&R Scrapbooking where I've noticed you can purchase Basic Grey designer paper packs and Rhea has listed the solid Bazzil cardstock colors that match perfectly -- way to go Rhea and any one else doing that !! It makes shopping on line a whole lot easier!!

This whole project was so much fun because I was free to design each page any way I wanted!! I really wanted a bit of an elegant feel on this blue and green page so you can see how I added the pinstripe background stamp (retired SU) onto the inside of that little envelope using Hunter Green. And I also used lots of fancy scissors and rub ons (that yummy brown swirl in the corner is from Fancy Pants designs and is called the fancy-free collection). I used the word "Wishes" from the Fancy Flexible Phrases set (SU) throughout the book -- since that was the whole point. I did lots of distressing with both Close to Cocoa (SU), Basic Black (SU) and white pigment ink from Rubber Stampede. Here is a close up of some of the finer detials:

And here are some of the other pages that are included in the book too.

The black swirls on the purple page are from Heidi Swapp called Diamond Drama 1 and they are scrapbook scenery stickers. And see that purple "string clasp", well I made that myself using a 1" circle punch some black eyelets (SU) and some string. It is pretty easy to make. On the turquoise and black page, you can see that "wishes" from FPP again and some swirls from the Finest Flourishes set (SU). I also added some paper from the Provo Craft 8x8 slab by Christina Cole.

Looking at these pictures, it is easy to see that when I scrapbook I love having interactive features. Including pockets and envelopes are a must for me. I'm not sure why but it just "feels right" to have them on my pages. I guess I love the surprise and anticipation of opening them up to see what is inside -- is it a picture or some journaling. Maybe I'll post some of my scrapbook pages with interactive features another day!!

If you like to include interactive features on your cards, scrapbooks, or other projects, I'd LOVE to see them. Leave me a comment with a link to your project! Remember, leaving a comment on my blog helps me know if you are enjoying my ideas and projects!

Thanks for visiting.

Happy Halloween and Travel

Well, tonight is Halloween and we've been busy trick or treating and handing out candy. We had a total of 70 kids at our house which is more than double last year!! It is probably because it was good weather for being out. No snow and the temperature is just sitting on 0 degrees celcius (about 29 degrees F). Just so you know, I am off to a conference for the next 2 days. That means I will not have access to my computer. So, I will not be posting. Maybe I'll post on the weekend :-) Have a great and spooky evening.

Reflection Technique

One of the techniques we did in my card class last month was the reflection technique. There is an excellent tutorial from the splitcoaststamping forums HERE that was written by Beate Johns. You really should check out her blog as she is the queen of tutorials and an awesome stamper!! Anyway, whatever technique we do that night, we are challenged to make another card using that technique and bring it back the following month to be entered in for a draw. So, I set to work considering a different idea to use the reflection technique with.....I've already done trees, boats, and snowmen. I thought that a butterfly looking into a pool of water might work... and cattails... an image formed in my mind and this is what I ended up with. I'm not really sure I like it afterall... but it took a ton of time and energy to make, that's for sure. I started out stamping the main butterfly in basic black. Then, I cut a mask for him so I could stamp the cattails (a stamp I bought from Cornish Heritage Farms) around where the pond would be. Then, using the acetate, I stamped the reflection image of the butterfly, and some reversed cattails at the opposite side of the pond. Next, I used my Close to Cocoa marker and drew in some extra details around the water's edge. I colored in the butterflies with my prismacolor pencil crayons and used oderless thinner to blend the colors together (called gamsol magic technique on splitcoaststampers). Then, using a watercolor brush and my ink pads (Soft Sky and Mellow Moss) I added just a touch of color to the water, sky, and ground. I added a sentiment from the Happy Harmony set. I cut this image out with my coluzzle, and then added some black cardstock behind the oval. Using a small scallop scisssor, I cut around the image to make a scallop mat. I then placed this onto a Mellow Moss card that was stamped with the retired French Script background using Versamark so that it was a subtle effect. I really thought the image was so busy that nothing more should be added. I'm not sure the reflection image is in the right place... it should have probably gone more directly under the top butterfly but I was thinking of him looking down upon himself... well, anyway... there you go!!

Lockhart Quilt Stamp

A few month ago, Debbie Olson had this Lockhart quilt stamp as a give away to a randomly drawn comment. I was lucky enough to have won the stamp!! I usually don't win things, my husband is generally the "winner" in our family, so I was very excited!! That week at my card class, our challenge was to use chalks or Stampin' Up pastels. I thought that my newly acquired quilt stamp would look warm with some pastels on it so I pulled it out and gave it a try. This is the end result. I used all earth element pastels, more mustard, pumpkin pie, ruby red, and glorious green. I then took a button that was a close match with the more mustard and tied a few strands of floss through it and added it to the center of the quilt image. I matted this on some black, then ruby red, then more black cardstock. All of this was placed on a card front of more mustard which I stamped with the Flannel background in more mustard for a subtle and soft background. The finishing touch was some natural colored hemp knotted to the right of the image and the front placed on a black card base. I think it all pulled together quite nicely! I did not put a sentiment on the outside. I often feel like they should go on the inside. Any comments?? Do you think this card needs a sentiment on the outside?? Are you a card maker who always puts a sentiment on the outside?? or do you sometimes leave the inside to do the talking ?? Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts. edited to read: I am sorry but I cannot get the Lockhart Stamp link to work above... so maybe this will work - try to link from here!! http://www.lockhartstampcompany.com/index.htm Thanks for visiting.

Cracked Glass

Wow, I finally got a chance to do a "cracked glass" card. I have tried it only once before and when I did, I only tried out a very small sample, not even big enought to actually use it for a card or anything.

So, this morning, I saw that Beth's Try a New Technique challenge was to do the cracked glass technique. There is, of course, a great tutorial on SCS that you can find HERE if you are interested in giving it a try!!

I began this card this morning by stamping this awesome snowflake that I have from Inkadinkadoo in Buckaroo Blue (last years "in" colors that is out now!). Using my 2-way glue and a Q-tip, I added some dazzling diamonds to these big snowflakes. I then took the tiny snowflakes from the Snowflake set (SU) and using Soft Sky (this year "in" color, which I love!) and filled in all around the bigger snowflakes. I cut the piece to the size I wanted and then covered it with Versamark and then clear embossing powder. I repeated that a number of times (note: using extra thick embossing powder is best but it can be done with just regular embossing powder as I've done here). Once I thought the layer of "glass" was think enough I put it in the freezer for a few minutes and tried to see if it would crack...and it did. Then I had to go to work (shucks!!)

When I got home and took care of my 2 sick boys (my son and husband that is), I got to work finishing up the card. The piece cracked even better tonight as you can see in this picture.

I used a Soft Sky blue card and stamped the circles from the Delight in Life set (SU) also in Soft Sky for a gentle "falling snow" effect for the background. I softened the edges by sponging some Soft Sky with a makeup sponge. Next, I cut a piece of Buckaroo Blue to go across the bottom of the card. I stamped the sentiment in Buckaroo Blue on the right side of the strip. To finish off the card, I matted my cracked glass on some Buckaroo Blue and then on white and placed it ont he right side of the card. I really like how the soft sky snowflakes seem to intermingle with the cracks and the bigger snowflakes!! Beth picked the perfect technique for this time of year.. this looks great with snowflakes. I will bet there are a bunch of snowflake cards in the gallery this week!!

Feel free to leave a comment linking either a cracked glass or a card that has snowflakes on it!! I'd love to see your creation too!

Thanks for visiting.

Keychains

Here is a project I've been meaning to do for a very long time. I saw these: I thought they were by Sylvie (from her blog Crazy Stamps) but I looked and couldn't find them. The other place I might have seen them was on Godelieve's blog but I didn't see them there either. I copied the picture a long time ago, before I figured out a good system to be able to give credit to whose idea my projects came from. Although I am not sure if the idea is actually from the two ladies above, you must check out their sites... they are so talented!! And whoever posted the above picture -- thank you and feel free to leave a comment or pm me at SCS and I will quickly edit this post with credit to you!!! Regardless, I decided that my old ratty key chain had to go and that this would be what I replaced it with! The cardstock color here is the new Wild Wasabi from Stampin' Up. It is a great color of green and makes an interesting mix with a number of other colors! Here, I've paired it with Close to Cocoa (one of my absolute favorites) and Chocolate Chip. On the back, I've added some of this awesome polka dot paper from WeR Memory Keepers called Limade - and it matches the Wasabi perfectly!! To make the keychain, I punched some light cardboard with my 1 1/4" circle punch. Then punched out 4 wasabi circles and 2 of the Limeade paper (note one of the circles is solid green on both sides). Then I glued all of the circles together. Next, I stamped some swirls from my new Gel-a-tins clear stamps called Build Your Own Florish using close to cocoa. I added a sentiment from the Fancy Flexible Phrases and one of the swirly designs from that same set on the back, both times using Chocolate Chip ink. Finally, I added the little leaves from Petite Patterns in Versamark. Next, I stamped the star from Year Around Fun 2 and the leaf and heart from a small gift set I received from my demo (thanks Geri!) using Chocolate Chip ink onto Close to Cocoa cardstock. Cut these out and glued them on. Each circle has a Sahara Sand eyelet. I finished each circle off by drawing around it using a Close to Cocoa marker and then I inked up the edges using the same color ink pad. I really like how they turned out. If you decide to give this fun little project a try, post a link in the comment section to let me know. Have fun! Thanks for visiting!

Candy Shoes

I made these "witch shoes" a bit ago but spent today filling bags with the kandy korn filled shoes and adding them to bigger bags of candy treats!! My son was drooling over everything...the temptation is killing him!!

The template is from Ellen Hutson. On splitcoast someone was looking for the template of these shoes on this thread . They had seen them in a magazine. Sweet Ellen was able to help everyone out and posted it on her blog!! Wasn't that wonderful for her to do. I totally fell in love with the shoes and started making them!! They are quite simple to make. It does use up a lot of black paper as it is hard to cut 2 templates from one 81/2 x 11" sheet but if you are really careful you can do it! It also takes a lot of cutting -- the black shoe and then the inside designer paper. But the embellishing part is easy. I have that great buckle stamp from Close to my Heart which worked well with ribbon. My other favorite (not shown here) is to use 3 small rhinstones along the right hand side (like buttons) and a bow on top. You can see one done like that uploaded on my Splitcoaststampers gallery HERE.

And my big question for the season... When exactly did purple and green become Halloween colors?? They were never considered Halloween colors when I was a kid!! I find that very interesting!!

If you decide to make some of these great shoes, leave a link in a comment here so I can go ooooh and aaaaahh over them!!

Thanks for visiting.

Happy Halloween

I made this card for Caardvarks challenge - A Card to Die for, where they asked us to use Diecuts on our cards.

Well, I looked at the samples and all the beautiful cards that others had done and I became quite confused as to what a Diecut actually was. Was it a piece of chipboard?? a punched shape?? or a piece of an old Christmas card? You see, I had believed that a Diecut was an already cut shape of some sort.... does that make sense. Anyway, it seemed like what others were using as diecuts was much more liberal... which works for me!! Well, I looked through my stash of stuff and found a book of Alpha Blocks by Deja Views and right there on the cover it says "10 Die-Cut Cardstock letter and number sheets" so I guessed that I was good to use them!! Yeah!!

The card itself is quite simple. I decided I'd use a letter H and make a halloween card. I don't really like halloween all that much (I know, I'm a big scaredy cat!) so I don't have many stamps to use for such cards. I did find this cool ghost stamp (sorry no indication on it who makes or distributes it) in my stash that I bought about 6 years ago for a project I don't think I ever got around to doing (what else is new). I used a piece of Kraft cardstock and stamped the ghost image all over it. It is a self inking stamp and comes out in a light brown color - similar to close to cocoa. Next, I added "appy alloween" using some black funky letters called Alphabitties from Provo Craft. I tied a small bit of black organdy ribbon along the top of the diecut H and added that little web and spider in the corner (I just couldn't help myself *giggle*). To finish off the card, I inked the edges using my Close to Cocoa ink pad.

Feel free to leave a comment! Let me know if you are a scaredy cat too or leave a link to a halloween card you have made so I can check it out!

Thanks for visiting.

Stripes and Leaves

inspiration, inspiration, inspiration..... This morning when I was getting ready for work, I saw this awesome advertisement for Liz Claiborne. I particularly liked the combination of the sky blue and chocolate chip, the muliple leaves, and that awesome brown and white striped pillow in the middle. I instantly saw the card that HAD to be made!! To make the card, I took some whisper white card stock and the small template from my Plaid Maker (which was purchased from Stampin' Up last year but I don't think it is being sold any longer). Using a sponge dauber, I sponged chocolate chip ink in vertical strips. I used a piece of that for the bottom of the card. This part represents that wonderful brown and white striped pillow in the middle of the Liz Claiborne ad! Next, I took a piece of Soft Sky and using the leaf stamp from Carte Postale, stamped with Soft Sky and Chocolate Chip ink all over in various directions. I used a piece of Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon knotted to transition the two pieces. See the way I cut the ribbon ends... I like to call that a "Kurtis cut". You see, Kurtis is an increadible card maker (krabearkub on SCS) and he often cuts his ribbon ends "straight" instead of the typical diagonal cut. Here is one card, here is another, and here is one last awesome card that Kurtis has in his gallery using this straight cut. I think it is so refreshing! To finish off the card, I put the card front on a chocolate chip card base (All supplies are Stampin' Up). I have not added a sentiment because, well, to be honest, I thought it looked so pretty, I didn't want to cover any of it up. As well, it is easier to add a sentiment at a later date if I decide to add one at all. Have you ever seen a great magazine add or something on a website that you used to create a card... feel free to leave a link in the comment section. I'd love to take a peek. Thanks for visiting.

Little Ladybug

I really wanted to make a card using this stamp! It is the cutest little ladybug and you will never guess how much I paid for it..... only $1.33! That is such a deal for a great stamp, especially in Canada. I found it at Walmart in a double pack, there was a bumble bee with it and I used it to make this card. So I samped the ladybug with Basic Black ink onto white cardstock. Then I used my SU watercolor crayon, the red of course, to color in the ladybug. Then I cut her out. Next I cut the red gingham paper and since my sewing machine was out from a sewing project I had done earlier, I did some stitching around it with black thread. There is just something nice about stitching on a card. Next, I tied the ribbon and added the Rivet stamp for a sentiment. I tucked a piece of Real Red cardstock over the ribbon but under the rivet. Then I glued on the little ladybug and drew his "tracks". I fairly simple card but lots of fun. Have you made a card and REALLY sewn on it?? If you'd like to share, leave a link in the comments so we can take a peek at your great project! Thanks for visiting.