Flower Fancy Birthday Card

The Stampin' Up! "Flower Fancy" set is one I had not used much at all. I had run across a picture of a card sample I printed out years ago and it had three flowers on it. SO I paged through the catalog to see what flowers I thought would look great on my card. I did change the layout a bit too so if you were to compare them they wouldn't match at all! But that's ok, I wasn't out to copy the card, it just had some elements that I really liked.

The base of my card is Soft Suede. A color I have to challenge myself to use. It's in the cupboard but overlooked SO often. Fortunately the background paper from the "Thoroughly Modern" package needed the Soft Suede color to compliment it so it was easy to go with that color. All of the designer paper on this card if from that package.

I colored the flowers in with a blender pen and Dusty Durango. I SO love that color. The center of the flower is Crushed Curry. The image was stamped on Whisper White card stock using Black StazOn. A must if you are going to be using a blender pen on your stamped images.

I was not fond of cutting out the flowers. Not a thing I like to do when making cards. Those punches have spoiled me. I use to cut out TONS of stuff.

The "happy birthday" is from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set. I punched it out with the oval punch and then punched a scalloped oval using Bermuda Bay card stock.

It's a very colorful birthday card and I actually like it!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

FABULOUS Men's Card!

I was blog surfing and ran across this adorable card that I just had to CASE! I am not sure what blog I found it on first but they had a link to the instructions and you can find it here at Mel Stampz.

It's always hard to find great masculine cards and personally I think this one tops them all. I LOVE everything about this card. Mine is a bit different than the one at Mel's web site. I didn't have an image to do the pocket watch and I didn't have any chain even if I did have the image. I added an extra brad and I like it just fine. I did make a mistake on the button hole. I should have gotten all of my supplies together first. In doing that I would have seen that the button hole did not need to be that large. And I did stitch around it the wrong way. I should have used more of a "button stitch" than a running stitch but it's ok, I still like the card the way it is.

Oh and on the pocket is where I changed it too. It was suppose to be striped but I didn't like the look of that, it just blended right in so I turned the piece over and liked the solid pocket. And for the top of the pocket I turned the stripe the other way. I REALLY like this card. Now to make one that is a regular size card. This one is 6" x 6". I don't have an envelope that big!

It's difficult to see in the photo but the white part is decorative paper from the Stapin' Up! "Bride" package. But from the looks of the photo you could get by with white card stock.

For my buttons I used "Build a Brads". I just trimmed the prongs and folded the remainder back behind it. I stuck them in place with pop up glue dots.

Isn't it a GREAT card? And get this, I didn't even have to open up the sewing machine, it was all done by hand. Fortunately there was a fun movie on so it went fast. I don't like to sew, not even hand sewing!! But I did sew for this card because it was SO worth it!

Thank you for visiting today,
Wanda

Wednesday Sketch Challenge

Another Wednesday is upon us. It's amazing how the time flies. It's already going on the second week in June. Next thing we know it will be Halloween!! Today felt like a fall day, it was raining off and on, a chill in the air and the clouds were very thick so it looked a bit darker out, like it does in the fall. But by evening the rain stopped and the sun came out. Tomorrow promises to be a much better day.

SO onto my card. I used Chocolate Chip card stock for the base of my card. Then I layered on some DCWV paper from the "Sweet" stack. The lace at the top is a strip from one of the pages in that stack. I thought I would cut it out and use it on the top part of the card.

I used the Stampin' Up! "On a Pedestal" set for the image. I used the Nestabilities oval and scalloped oval dies behind the cake on the pedestal. The ovals and the cake and pedestal are set in place using Dimensionals. I think I need to start taking my photos at an angle to show dimension better. I always seem to take my photos head on, even my 3-D stuff! Maybe I need to take a class on taking photographs!

Anyway, I'm not so thrilled with the card. I wanted the cake part to be darker and now that I think about it I should have just stamped the image on the matching card stock and cut them out, that way they would be darker. But this is how it turned out and I'm leaving it that way!

I highly recommend you play with the sketches. I love having a new one to try out each week. I save them in an album and refer to them when I have a stamp that I'm not sure where to go with it. I find a sketch that fits the image and I'm off to play!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Motorcycle Card

This is another card I did at Sue's on Sunday. I love the layout of this card. It's SO unique. You will have to click on the image to see the bottom where the circle punches are. Sorry about the bar to the frame holder. I need to find my easel ones that only have the two little prong things in the front. There is a piece of decorative paper behind the punched holes and a brad in every other hole.

The background paper was dry embossed using the "Square Lattice" folder and brushed silver card stock.

The image was stamped in black on Whisper White card stock. Just as simple as that. The base of the card is Sage Shadow, one of my favorite colors that will be retiring. I will miss that color but the ones that are coming in will be just as fun and it won't be long and we will have forgotten about those colors. Though I still remember the color "Rocket Red!" Not so easily forgotten. What's amazing is, I can remember that but I can't find a receipt I had just two days ago!!! LOL

Ok, onto the rest of this card. The punched strip is Basic Black and so is the small layer behind the Sage Shadow layered under the Stampin' Up! "Motorcycle" image. And that's it. A quick and simple card to whip up in no time!

Sue has some fabulous card ideas that are usually very quick, clean and neat looking. This one goes into my favorites. I LOVE to do masculine cards. There are not that many images out there to make them with and when I find one I run with it for a while. I know not all guys like motorcycles but if you make it for the kids to give to dad he never seems to mind!!! LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting my web site today,
Wanda

Elements of Style and Texture

Here is a card you can do up SO quickly. It will probably take you longer to gather the supplies than it will to stamp and put this card together.

The Stampin' Up! "Elements of Style" set was used here. I am SO loving that set and am extremely happy I bought it. It was stamped in Handsome Hunter on Whisper White card stock. Then it was dry embossed with the new "Square Lattice" folder. I just can't get enough of those folders. They sure do dress up a card when you emboss over the image and when you use them as a background. The image was then taped to a piece of Handsome Hunter card stock. And that was taped to the base of the card. This card is a square one. You don't see me do too many square cards, I become image challenged when I see a square card!!! The wording came from the same set. It was stamped in the Handsome Hunter and then punched out with the large oval punch and layered on top of the scalloped oval punch. The ribbon was tied around the front of the card with a knot and that was it. Easy Peasy!!! Oh my, I haven't used that phrase in eons!!

Ok, I showed you how to make a quick and beautiful card now go create one yourself!!! I know you can do it! Even you "Just Peggy"!!! Testing to see if she's reading this, which she probably is and you will definitely want to check back to read her comment because I'm sure she will leave one!!! :o)

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Card from It's the Thought Set

This cute little giraffe came from the Stampin' Up! "It's the Thought" level one Hostess set from the Summer Mini Catalog. It's a very cute little set too! There's some other fun images in there to play with and I'm thinking what a versatile set this really is. Hmmm, I may just have to get this little gem! I have a feeling the image I would probably be using the most is the cute little crab and the words under it are "sorry I was crabby." Gosh that sounds SO much like me lately!!!

Anyway, back to the card. The base of the card is Crushed Curry and the accent color is Chocolate Chip. The image was stamped on Whisper White using Basic Brown ink. You do want a permanent ink if you are going to be coloring over it like this. Something that won't smear.

The edges were punched out and behind that are a few Dimensionals. The Giraffe was punched out after coloring and taped in place. The Crushed Curry card stock was dry embossed using the Dotted Swiss folder. One of my favorite folders. Though lately I think I'm saying that about every folder I've been using. I do have a few that are tops on the list and I will never part with!

A piece of chocolate Chip ribbon was used around the layers before it was taped in place. It's a nice clean and simple layout that I just love the looks of. I made this today at Sue's Customer Appreciation event. She also invited her DIVA's to attend, she's so sweet! I have a few more cards that I will show you as I have room for them. I've got some other cards and projects I'd like to post too so they will all be mixed in as I complete them.

Thank you ever SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Sweet Scoops Birthday Card

I wanted to make a birthday card using the new Stampin' Up! "Sweet Scoops" set. I've only had it for over a month and I actually had to put it together before I could use it. I hate it when I do that. Why don't I just put them together right when I get them? Does anyone know the answer to that one???

Anyway, after I got the set put together I thought I would make a fun birthday card with it. I stamped the images on card stock and cut out each piece. Something I don't usually like to do. But I was only making one card so I figured it wouldn't be too bad and it wasn't. I wouldn't make a set of these though unless it was an "assembly required" set!!! LOL

I stamped the cones in Creamy Caramel and the ice cream was done using Chocolate Chip, Vanilla and Regal Rose craft inks. I sprinkled them with clear embossing powder and heat set it. This set is so cute it comes with sprinkles and even a cherry! I'll have to play with that one on another card!

The words were done using the "Happy Everything" set. I used the Lace border punch on the Regal Rose card stock. On top of that is a piece of Chocolate Chip card stock. I LOVE the pinks and browns together. Such a sweet look.

It's kind of a blah card though. But these are the ones you give to kids and put money inside and they won't care what the outside of it looks like. Right? LOL

Anyway, this is a fun set and I plan to play with it a bit more. The cards will only get better, we hope!!! LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Summertime Splendor Magnetic Card Holder Weekend Project

Yesterday I posted 4 cards I made using the Stampin' Up! "Summertime Splendor" download. Click here for a quick look at them. And after making them I thought they should be put in a holder for a gift for a friend. I whipped up another "Magnetic Card Holder" in no time. It was so easy to put together.

I was so thrilled with how pretty the holder turned out. I love that download. It wasn't very expensive and I can print them out as I need them. Just remember when printing them out to use 28 or 30 pound paper or even a bit heavier works. You don't want to use regular copier paper, it's much too thin and your image won't look as nice. Thicker paper gives the look and feel of designer paper. Card stock is a bit too thick for it but it can be used too. I just highly recommend the 28 or 30 pound paper. I used 28# on this project.

The pattern for the magnetic card holder box can be found here. It's very easy to put together. What I like about it is that all of the edges are enclosed so no mater which way you turn the holder the cards are not going to fall out. The flap stays closed with a magnet and that gives the front a nice clean look. I LOVE making these card holders. I'm getting some together for the fall craft fair. I have LOTS of retired decorative papers that I will be able to use up for these!

I made cards and a card holder a while back. You can see it here. And I made another one last week, click here to view that one.

The photos are not lining up right today and I don't know why but you can see the photo on top is of the holder, closed. There is another photo of the holder with just the flap open. And the third photo is showing you the inside of the holder with the cards and envelopes. The holder closes up and the sides are not open so the cards won't fall out or tilt and hang out.

Now the only thing I didn't like about making this was the envelopes. Usually I stamp on the envelopes but using the downloads it's difficult to put a design on it. Though I seriously did think about setting up the size of the design area to print out on the envelope. I didn't get that far though and I'm not too sure if I will. But if I do I will save the layout so I can just insert different images and have them print the same way. Maybe I'll work on that this coming weekend.

It's a fun project and I'm going to make 4 or 5 more for the fall craft fair. This would be a fun Stamp Camp project too! You can have your customers make the cards at one station and the holder at another. It's also a great way to use some of that decorative paper you are hoarding!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Summer Splendor Orchids

I just downloaded one of the newer digi images from Stampin' Up! I saw a card made with one of the images from this download and I knew I had to take a look at it. And after looking I knew I had to buy it!!! One thing I REALLY like about these downloads is, when I purchase them I can download them right away and start using them! And that is exactly what I did!

There are a few other flowers in the download that I like but this one was the one I printed out. I imported the image in my graphic software, got the image the size I needed and printed it out. When I print my own digi papers I always print on either 28 or 30 pound paper. You really want to print on nicer paper than regular copier paper. And I did set my printer to high quality too. I wanted the best image possible and that is what I got! Aren't they pretty? Click on the image for a closer view.

The image here is called Orchids. After I printed it out I cut it to size and then layered it on top of a trimmed piece of Night of Navy card stock. I taped the layers to a piece of white cut in half and that half I folded in half.

I used black StazOn to stamp the words. And the words are from one of my favorite sets, "Sincere Salutations." I have used that set SO much I'm surprised the wood doesn't show wear marks!!! I couldn't decide what words I wanted on the card so I ended up making a set of four cards and used four different words. It makes a nice gift set and it's cards you would use up in the course of a few months too!

During the month I will make a some more cards from the other images in that download. I LOVE them all! Making cards like this is still fun because you still get to stamp and you get to make quick cards!!! The only thing I don't like about it is when I make a mistake stamping. It's not easy to cover it up. A layer on top of your error may work but most of the time I end up reprinting. And I wonder why I go through printer ink so fast!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Wednesday Sketch Challenge "Motorcycle"

I'm a bit late posting tonight. It's been such a busy day. Why is it when you have a Monday off you feel like you are trying to catch up on things? But if you take a Friday off there is not catch up? Is it because you work harder all week to make sure you are caught up?? I have no idea but I've felt like I've been playing catch up these past two days.

I wasn't sure I was going to find the time to play with the Wednesday Sketch Challenge this week but I did manage to fit it in after dinner. And when I get done here I will have to go finish up the dishes, they don't magically get done on their own. Well, not in my house anyway! LOL

For today's sketch I used the Stampin' Up! "Motorcycle" image and the "To the Nines" decorative papers. I find the motorcycle a bit difficult to work with when I have to color it in. I don't know my motorcycle parts so I'm sure I've colored some "pipes" that are actually hoses or vice-versa.

I colored in some areas of the motorcycle with Always Artichoke only because it was the same color ad the decorative paper and I wanted it all to match. I also colored in a little Bordering Blue using a blender pen to give it the look of metal.

I used the new "Square Lattice" embossing folder on the #3 layer on the card. The words were done using my computer, they were punched out using the 1-1/4" circle punch. Under that is the 1-3/8" circle of Always Artichoke and the scallop is Chocolate Chip card stock.

I added a few brads to the #4 piece on both sides of the motorcycle. I wanted to keep that piece the same size as the diagram shows but in doing that those sides looked too open. But the brads filled in the area nicely. I sponged the edges with Always Artichoke and put it all together.

I did turn the sketch to fit the image I wanted to use. If you have time play with this layout, it was a LOT of fun!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Beautiful Wings Embosslet

Oh my!!! I can't even begin to tell you how quick this card was to make! And if I must say so myself, it's very pretty and colorful too!

I love this Stampin' Up! "Beautiful Wings" embosslet. Those little embosslets are amazing, aren't they. You open them up and look inside and you can't even begin to believe that it would cut your card stock. Oh but not only cut it, it embosses it too. Look closely at the butterflies, they all have some raised parts on them. Just TOO pretty! Cut and emboss at the same time! Such a deal!

I used the in colors to make this card. I was even able to make it using scraps. I had cut my scraps to 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" and placed them one at a time in the embosslet. I ran it through my Big Kick and it cut and embossed these beautiful butterflies! I saved the other butterflies it cut out, I'll use them for other projects or cards.

There are 5 different size butterflies in this embosslet. Endless possibilities with it!

The colors on my card are as follows:
The base of the card is Whisper White
the butterfly colors from left to right are, Dusty Durango, Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry and Rich Razzleberry.

The words were done using black StazOn and the "On Your Birthday" set. I was looking for some wording that was long (on one line) and thin enough to not take away the butterflies as the focal point! I think the next time I make these I will use Melon Mambo for the card base and the white will be a layer on top. It will give it a bit more dimension. It's got a clean look to it now which is ok too. I think I would like it either way!

This is a versatile card too. You can use it for birthdays, thinking of you, friendship and get well.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Elements of Style Birthday

I just LOVE this Stampin' Up! "Elements of Style" set. I am aware that there are four more images to the set and one of these days soon I will play with them but for now I'm SO into this flower image. It just has WAY too many possibilities to it!!

The base of my card is Basic Black card stock. The next layer is Melon Mambo that was dry embossed using the "Square Lattice" embossing folder. I have so many things I want to make using that folder!! I just need more time in the day to do all the things I want. Too bad we have to sleep, huh? LOL

I colored in the larger flowers using a blender pen and Melon Mambo ink. The flower was done using Ballet Blue and a blender pen. The center of the flowers were colored in with the Crushed Curry marker. And the leaves were colored in with a blender pen and Old Olive ink. After I colored them in I went back over the darker areas with the Old Olive marker.

The "Happy Birthday" was done using the computer and then punched out using a 1-1/4" circle punch. I sponged the edges on the large flower piece and the Happy Birthday. I also used a Scalloped Circle punch on the Happy Birthday layer. I layered everything in black. It just seems to make the colors pop more!

I wouldn't describe this card as a quick card because the coloring did take a little while to do. Not a long time but nothing like just stamping and calling it done! Once in a while I just like to sit down and color! I think the next time I "sit down and color" I'm going to color around the whole image too with either a soft yellow or a light blue hue. And of course I'll share it with you, no matter how it turns out!!! You poor people get to see all the good, bad an ugly cards and items I make. I hold nothing back!! Just lets you now that we all make mistakes and it's ok!

Thank you SO much for visiting today!
Go create something,
Wanda

Awash With Flowers VERY Versatile Card

I am SO loving this Stampin' Up! "Awash With Flowers" stamp set. It will be available in the new catalog as a level three Hostess Set. I pre-ordered mine a while back but hadn't had time to play with it. So this week I put it together and have been having a little fun with it. I ordered the clear mount set. It's cheaper and easier for me to store. I'm running out of room in my workroom for more stamps.

The background is Old Olive decorative paper. I LOVE it that Stampin' Up! had put these colors in a variety pack, a variety of designs in the one color that is. A multicolored pack would be fun too but there is always a color that is not so popular to me and gets ignored. This way I pick out the color I like and I know I will use it and hopefully use it up!!! I'm still working on the "use it up" part!! But honestly I am hoarding less and less all the time!

I stamped my image with Crushed Curry stamped off once and then the edging of the flower was stamped with Crushed Curry. The stem was stamped using Old Olive. I sponged the edges with Old Olive and layered everything. It is a very quick and simple card to make. Though I did use the Stamp-a-ma-jig on the outline flower image. I wanted to get it as close to the inner design as I could without it being too far out of whack. I was happy the way it turned out.

I was thinking of putting some wording on it up near the flower head but I didn't want to take away from the image plus I liked the openness of that area. In not adding any wording I now made the card a very versatile one. It can be used for birthdays, get well, thinking of you, thank you and even a sympathy card. Just add your sentiments on the inside! It's a simple and sweet card to make!

Oops! I was mistaken and thank you all for refreshing my memory on this. The Awash With Flowers will be available for purchase in the new catalog!! Even better!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Just Buzzin' By Cards and Card Holder Weekend Project

My dear friend Sharon purchased the Stampin' Up! "Just Buzzin' By" stamp set and left it here for me to play with. And I played with it a little. I'm not done with this set yet!!! I have a few more ideas I want to try out before I give it back to her.

I first made the card with the little bee in the circle window. I used some retired decorative paper, More Mustard and white card stock. I tied a piece of More Mustard ribbon around it and I colored in the bee with a marker and blender pen. Isn't it just TOO cute!

Well, I just couldn't stop there. I made three more matching cards. I got out some envelopes and stamped a little bee on them too. And I even colored that bee too!!!

Then I decided to make a card holder for them. It just completed the set, didn't it? Not quite, I had to cut out one little bee and tape it to the flap of the card holder. now it was complete!!!

The pattern for the card holder is still available here. It's very easy to put together. What I like about it is that all of the edges are enclosed so no mater which way you turn the holder the cards are not going to fall out. The flap stays closed with a magnet and that gives the front a nice clean look. I LOVE making these card holders. I'm getting some together for the fall craft fair. I have LOTS of retired decorative papers that I will be able to use up for these!

I made cards and a card holder a while back. You can see it here.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda