A Christmas Wish

I have finally completed and mailed my Christmas cards. I'm having problems getting them loaded onto my blog but I hope to have everything resolved and have pictures posted by tomorrow.

Stamps Galore

Card Collapsed

I'm loving last week's Color Challenge:  CC541 Rose Red, Mint Macaron, and Tip Top Taupe.  I used it to make another card for today's Technique Challenge TLC545 Fussy Cutting.  I pulled out quite a few stamps to make this card some of which, before today, had never been inked up.

Stamp Sets:
Gorgeous Grunge
Butterfly Basics
You've Got This
Best Thoughts
Best of Butterflies
Wetlands
Express Yourself

Partially Opened

Inks:
Rose Red
Mint Macaron
Tip Top Taupe
Black StazOn
White Gel Pen

Fully Opened

A Pictorial Tutorial:

4 1/4"x2 3/4"; 11 1/2"x5 1/2"

Score at 1/4"; 3 3/4", 7 1/4"

 

Cut away 5/8" at top left on first 2 panels

A closer look at cutting away 5/8" in picture #3

After 5/8" cut away

Fold on score lines using bone folder

Cut away small tab on top left side

After tab cut off. 4 1/4" x 2 3/4 panel from  picture #1 will be attached here.

Attach 4 1/4"x2 3/4" panel from first photo to the 1/4" strip

Decorated card & template of card

An Open Heart

My favorite new stamp set is 'An Open Heart'.  I finally ordered it and this is my first time using it.

This is a 'Thank You' card for one of my daughter's fellow Airmen who sent us a Memorial Video put together by the 433 Security Forces Squadron, San Antonio, TX.  I thought it such an honor that they loved her enough to honor her in this way.

The Challenges:
SUO127  (Favorite New Stamp Set)

CC541 (Color Challenge: Rose Red, Mint Macaron, Tip Top Taupe, Dessert: Ribbon... I only had Whisper White Ribbon so I used my Rose Red Stampin' Write marker to color it Rose Red)

SC551 (Sketch Challenge)

Birthday Step Card

Front of Card

Today's card was a real challenge until I finally got it right.  Part of the challenge was in deciding how to decorate it and decorating it would depend on the sentiments used.  I decided on 'Birthday'...  my friend Tabitha's birthday is July 20th and I need to make & mail her a card ASAP...  I missed her birthday last year & she celebrated a milestone.  I'm making up for it this year by making something extra special for her.

I wanted to participate in the SCS Color Challenge, CC539 by using Perfect Plum, Soft Sky, and Wild Wasabi.  I followed Jan Brown's YouTube instructions for Veronica's Step Card.

Back of Card

I think the Butterflies on this card qualifies it for the TLC542 Challenge ... All Different Directions.  I used three butterflies and each Butterfly is facing a different direction.

Jan didn't decorate the back of her card but I decided I wanted to decorate the back of mine and add a sentiment on the back.  Even though I added a sentiment on the back, I also added an additional sentiment on the bottom of the card which is where I will sign it before mailing it to Tabby.

The finished card is 6" x 4 1/2".  I am so glad that I have the Stampin' Up Envelope Punch board because I was able to make the 'perfect size' envelope for my card using it.  The paper I use for my envelopes come from scrapbooks I

Bottom of Card

purchase.  I usually remove the light-weight white card stock from the page protecters in the scrapbook and replace it with either DSP or heavier-weight card stock that coordinated with whatever project I am working on.

Did I mention that you can fold this card flat to insert it in an envelope to mail?  That's one of the best perks.  Because of the size of the card, you'll probably have to pay extra postage to mail it.  I added more panels than the YouTube tutorial because I wanted to add extra strength and stability. Most of my extra panels were added inside of the card.  I hope you will give this card a try.

Flat Fold

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Watercolor Trio (sentiment on bottom of card); Wild About Flowers (sentiment on back of card); Decorate a Daisy (images in circles); Papillon Potpourri (Butterflies).

Inks:  Perfect Plum, Soft Sky, Black StazOn, Versamark.

Papers:  Perfect Plum, Soft Sky (card stock & DSP), Whisper White.

Happy Birthday

Just trying my hand at a couple of SCS Challenges... Sketch and Color.  I wanted to make a birthday card but was drawing a blank and, whenever that happens, the best place to surf is SCS.  I love that there is a new challenge every day.

The colors from last Tuesday's color challenge are Melon Mambo, Island Indigo, and Sahara Sand.  The Sketch challenge is from last Wednesday with an optional dessert option of Stripes.  My mat behind my image panel has stripes on it but you cannot see them.

Hello

My card for today was kind of an experiment using  the SCS Try a New Technique... Camouflaging Die Cuts, TLC540.   I really like this technique and will definitely use again.

Stamps:  Flower Patch, Hardwood Background

Dies: Flower Fair Framelits, Hello You Thinnest, Project Life Cards & Labels Framelits

Inks: Watermelon Wonder

Cardstock: Watermelon Wonder, Whisper White

Hello

Front.  I inverted the Fun Fold

This just in... my new Stampin' Up! Supplies.  Love them. The SCS New Technique Challenge is to "Look Into My Window".  Also, This is also for the SCS Color Challenge Pools of Wisteria Bliss.  New Supplies... New Challenges... New Folds (for me).  I followed LeeAnn Greff's  directions for her Corner Fold Fold Card on her YouTube Channel.

Inside of Card

Thanks So Much

Front of Card

Inside of Card

I've never tried the Chalkboard Marker Magic Technique before.  I don't have many solid image stamps but after trying this technique, I'll probably add more to my collection. 

Cardstock: Calypso Coral, Old Olive, Basic Black
Blendabilities: Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, and Old Olive

VersaMark Ink and White Embossing Powder

Calypso Coral Ribbon

Butterfly Basics Die (Inside of Card)

Stamps:Oh, Hello; En Francais; Serene Silhouettes

Remembering our daughter this Memorial Day Weekend

To My Dear, Sweet, and Beautiful Angela...

It was a year ago today that I last heard your sweet voice and saw your beautiful smile. I cherish those last weeks spent with you because we had no way of knowing that God would perform the ultimate miracle of calling you home to rest safely in his arms ... forever.

Oh how my heart aches for you... I miss you dearly. You were my first born and I thank God for blessing me with you.  I thank Him for the short time we had together, and for allowing us to spend your final hours here on earth with you.

I think of you every day and will continue to think of you every day for the rest of my life.  I look forward to the day when we are reunited again as a family... until then, just know that you were and still are loved beyond measure.

I'll love you always... Mom

Happy Mother's Day

Card Front and Envelope

My Mother was admitted to the hospital a few days after the big finale of her 95th birthday celebration.  After her health improved, she was released to rehab.  Great news... she goes home tomorrow and she gets to spend Mother's Day in the comfort of her own home... there's no place like home.

The latest SUO Challenge #121 is to make a Mother's Day card or project; this card is for my mother.  After the new SU! catalog was revealed on line, I fell in love with a card pictured on page 26 ... I CASE'd it but  used my Honeycomb EF. Other SCS challenges for this card: WT530, SUO, WT528 Inside and Out. 
All products are from Stampin' Up!

Inside of Card

Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers, Butterfly Basics, Sweet Laughter, a Delightful Dozen

Card Stock:  Pool Party, Whisper White

Other Products:  Basic Jewels, White Detailed Embossing Powder, Honeycomb EF

Ink: StazOn Black Ink, VersaMark

Dies: Ovals Framelits, Butterfly Basics Die

Another View

Happy 95th Birthday, Mother

Before adding the banner

My mother's 95th birthday was March 19th but our tradition is to celebrate her for the entire month of March. I wanted to make her a really special card this year and I saw a really neat money cake on the Internet and I decided to try my hand at it.

After finishing the cake, I was at a loss as to what to use as a topper. I subscribe to the SUO Challenge Blog and the latest SUO Challenge was #119 - Fun Folds. My Fun Fold is a Pop-Up Box Card and I decided to use it as her birthday cake topper.  The tutorial for this card can be found on the Splitcoaststampers website Here.

My Mother loves watching hummingbirds and butterflies so I had butterflies popping out of the. Pop-Up Box Card. She absolutely loved it (as you can see from her reaction) and I was really pleased with it myself... so was the rest of the family.

The finished cake

Surprise, Mother!!!

True Friend

During the pastor's message at church yesterday, members of the congregation were asked if they had two or more friends...  This gave me pause to think because I only count people as friends if I consider them 'True' friends... someone I completely trust.  I have at one person I consider a true friend and this card is for her.

I made the flower by punching 5 flowers out of Wisteria Wonder Cardstock using the SU! Medallion punch, then securing together with an antique brad.  I added a little shimmer by mixing alcohol with Champagne Mist, then spritzing it all over the flower.
 

Challenges: SUO; TLC526 Punch and Pleat; CC522 Whisper White, Smoky Slate, Wisteria Wonder, Dessert: A touch of green; WT523 Triple Play

Stamps: Let Your Hair Down, Flowering Flourishes

Other: Champagne Mist; Flower Medallion Punch; Edgelits Border, Fancy Fans TIEF, Antique Brads

Spring Forward

Today is National Daughter's Day and I really miss my eldest.  Spring is just around the corner and I had her in mind as I made this card.  When she and her sister were little girls, they would always be on the look-out for the first flowers of Spring to pick and give me.  Next week her dad and I will place fresh flowers on her grave.  Angela... this card is for you...

SCS Challenges:

• IC484 Beautiful Cookies: As I waded through the cookies on today's Inspirational Challenge, I was reminded of the old mason jars I displayed my flowers in from my daughters when I came across these cookies.
• TLC524 Stamped Acrylic Block Background: I loaded my acrylic block with Soft Sky, misted with water, then stamped onto Whisper White cardstock.  I then loaded my acrylic block with Pink Pirouette, misted the block again, then stamped it on top of the Soft Sky ink.
•  F4A264 Baby Pinks & Blues: Pink Pirouette and Soft Sky.  I also used Lost Lagoon, Rose Coral, Strawberry Slush.  I really wanted a spring feel on this card.
• To get the dimension on the flowers, I used the rounded tip of a ball point pin to roll over the backs of the flowers to break down the fibers in the Cardstock and puff the flowers up in the centers. I attached the flowers with glue dots to slivers of clear plastic and extended them from the jar through a slit that I cut in the top of the jar, 
• CAS315 Ribbon:  Is any card really complete without adding ribbon or a butterfly.  I used some of the Rose Coral ribbon on the jar, then tucked a butterfly behind one of the flowers.
• WT521 Hoop It Up: My got plenty of use from my Framelits today.  I also used my Petite Petals Punch to punch out my flowers and added brads to the centers (Brights, Neutrals, & Vintage).

Stamps:  Perfectly Preserved, Petite Petals, Papillon Potpourri 

Framelits: Cannery Set, Ovals Collection, Circles Collection, Starburst, Edgelits

Papers: Whisper White, Soft Sky, Pink Pirouette DSP & Pink Pirouette Cardstock 

Inks: Memento Black, Rose Coral Chalk, Soft Sky, Pink Pirouette, Lost Lagoon, Strawberry Slush

Brads: Brights, Neutrals, Vintage

Ribbon: Rose Red

Perpetual Birthday Calendar

 Birthdays have a way of sneaking up on me and I am usually 'last minute' making cards for friends and family.  I decided to make a Perpetual Birthday Calendar to keep on an easel near my desk in my craft room so that I can keep track more closely.  This calendar is double-sided... six months on the front and six months on the back.  The total overall size of it is 8" x 10" and I can easily frame it and hang it on the wall if I need to.  I'll just have to flip it over at the end of each six months. I made this calendar using the same colors and card stock that I used in my previous post. 

*Stamps:  Notes & Details, Best of Flowers, Gorgeous Grunge, Blooming with Kindness, Bliss (Sale-A-Bration), Full Calendar (SU! Retired)

*Inks: Early Espresso, Soft Suedes, Crumb Cake Blendabilities

*Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso

Thinking of You

This is for SC529 (Sketch Challenge) and F4A262 Free for All).

For the F4A262 challenge, we were to use Kraft  or brown cardstock.  Since I didn't have any Kraft cardstock, I decided to make a masculne card using Crumb Cake and Early Espresso.

 

*Stamps:  A Happy Thing, Wetlands, Best of Flowers, Gorgeous Grunge, Blooming with Kindness, Bliss (Sale-A-Bration)

*Inks: Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake Blendabilities

*Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso

 

I made a second project using these colors and it will be in my second post.

 

 

Friendship

I have several views to share with you in this post.  I made this Stationery Box to give to my sister for her birthday next month and I will include two each of the following: Thank You, Get Well, Birthday and Sympathy.

Since this is a card and a project, I ended up using a lot of my stamps, some retired but all Stampin' Up!.  The main image on my card is one of the new stamps from the 2015 Occasions Catalogue, Butterfly Basics.  I love butterflies so I stamped one of the butterflies in VersaMark ink on Vellum, heat embossed using white embossing powder, colored the back of the butterfly with Blackberry Bliss ink, then attached it to the image panel.  I forgot to snap a picture of the inside of my card.  The inside sentiment is from a retired SU stamp set, Friend to Friend.

The tutorial for the Stationery Box can be found here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/stationerybox/.  I made a few changes... I made a small notepad rather than the pocket for the stamps.  I will still add stamps in one of the pockets I created in front of the card holder.  

I was inspired by Brandy to use a layout she used on one of her cards (http://brandyscards.com/). I didn't have the stamp set she used for her background so I substituted the Hardwood background stamp and it worked just fine.  I just received by Bow-Builder Punch so I had to try it out.  Worked perfectly to complete the outside panel for the stationery box.

Stamps: Lotus Blossom, Butterfly Basics, Papillon Potpourri, Notably Ornate, The Nicest Things, Rue Des Fleurs, Hardwood, Perfect Blend

Card stock: Blackberry Bliss, Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, Vellum

Inks: Blackberry Bliss, Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz

Bow Builder Punch, Oval Punch, Little Letters Thinlits, Basic Jewels

Butterfly Wishes

I spent the day making cards in my craft room and decided my final card of the day would be for the SCS Featured Stamper Gallery.  I wanted to use some of my new supplies and I wanted to use the Emboss Resist Technique on my card.

Stamps: Indescribable Gift, Butterfly Basics
Inks: Tangelo Twist, Mossy Meadow, Daffodil Delight, VersaMark

Congrats!

I'm usually a few days or a few weeks late making cards for SCS challenges.  I wanted to use some of my new stuff so I used some of the new DSP and inked up one of my new stamps for the Ways to Use It challenge (WT512). I also used Wednesday's Sketch Challenge (SC526), and Tuesday's Color Challenge (CC516).  The color challenge was to use Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, and Melon Mambo; the Dessert option was to use Vellum.  

I stamped the butterflies on vellum in VersaMark ink and heat embossed them using white embossing powder. I colored the backs of the butterflies with the darkest of the Melon Mambo blendabilities.

The poppies were stamped Whisper Whitehite card stock, fussy-cut, then colored with Pink Pirouette and Melon Mambo Blendabilities. The Edgelits die was used to give interest to the side of my strip.

I sponged Melon Mambo and Pink Pirouette onto the Irresistibly Yours DSP before attaching it to my card front.  

Supplies (all supplies are from Stampin' Up!):
Card Stock: Vellum, Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, Irresistibly Yours DSP
Stamps: Simply Wonderful (Sale-A-Bration), Papillon Potpourri, Pleasant Poppies
Inks: Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, VersaMark
Other Supplies: Basic Jewels; Edgelits Die, Stampin' Blendabilities, White Embossing Powder,

Thanks So Much

Sneak Peak of Front and Back

Catching up on my Blog Posts:

SCS Challenges:
Wednesday's Pop-Up Diorama Card
Wednesday's Sketch Challenge: SC524
Ways to Use it - Ovals: WT515
New Technique - Triple the Possibilities: TLC517

Stamps & Accessories (Stampin' Up! Only:
Image Stamps: Papillon Potpourri
Sentiments: For Your Country, Blooming with Kindness

Papers:
Whisper White Card Stock; Paisley Petals DSP
Inks: Tangerine Tango, Memento Tuxedo Black

Punch/Framelits:
Ovals Collection;2" Punch
Butterfly Punch

Front View

Front

Inside of Card

No Calories Here

This is the card I made for my husband's birthday this year.  I was inspired by SCS Challenge F4A256, Cutting Back Calories.  When our children were growing up, I always baked cakes for birthdays but now that it's just the two of us here, I don't bake as much.  He loves cookies and milk so here are his cookies and milk... minus the calories.

Front of card

Inside of card where Gift Card was inserted