Ornate Butterfly...

Here's a sweet card I created using a new digi image from Fred, She Said called Ornate Cut Out Butterfly. I printed it in different sizes and colored with Copic markers before layering them. My sentiment is from Stampin' Up!

Holiday Sunday...

Well, I've decided that it's Holiday Card making time! I know! I know! It's way too early! But I'm itching to make some, so I will devote my Sunday posts for a Holiday card! Any Holiday of my choosing! So, without further ado, of course, the first card MUST be a Christmas card!  I did a little paper pricking, embossing and glittering. My image is from Stampin' Up! And, don't forget the gold pearls!! My corner punch is from Martha Stewart!

Deedee's Digi's Blog Hop!

A new digital store is having their grand opening today! Deedee's Digis and the Sweet 'n Sassy Design Team are having a BLOG HOP for the big celebration!

Visit each participating designer's blog for fun, creative inspiration, along with several chances to win freebies from Deedee's new store. Hope to “see” you at the party!!!

Ceal
Darsie
(You are here!)
Janette
Kim
Korin
Leah
Lisa
Lorie
Micki
Nancy
Nicole
Sandy
Tricia
Crafting With Deedee's Digis

Please take a moment to comment on my blog as this will put you into a drawing for a FREE digi of YOUR CHOICE from Deedee's store! Make sure you comment on all of the design team's blogs which will make your chances of winning even better! Sunday night is the deadline for all comments to be made! Also, leave a comment and wish Deedee luck on her blog (the last stop) and you'll be entered into a drawing with a chance to win a $20 gift certificate! How great is that?

Here is my card for the BLOG HOP using the oh so cute "Blowing You Kisses" digistamp! I just LOVE this bear and she has others to choose from as well!

I printed "Blowing You Kisses" and the "sentiment" on Whisper White cardstock, then colored with Copic Markers. My designer paper is from the paper stack "La Creme" by Die Cuts with a View. My luscious ribbon is from Stampin' Up! I added a few pearls for accents and my card was done! Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches

Critter Challenge #6

Click HERE for the "Fred, She Said" BLOG HOP!

Today is the Critter Sketch Challenge and we are inspiring you to use the colors Yellow, Blue, Red and White! The sponsor is Paper Jewels, and they are giving away a $15 gift certificate to a lucky winner at the end of the month!

I stamped my image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto Whisper White Cardstock then colored with Copic Markers. My background papers are glitter cardstock and polished stone glossy paper. I vpunched my glittery cardstock with a Martha Stewart punch, added a pretty bow, a sentiment sticker and rhinestones to make this an easy and fast card! Card size: 5 1/2 x  4 1/4 inches.

You give me wings...

Well, it looks like we're going to get about 12 - 20 inches of snow once the storm has finished tomorrow night! So what better way to spend the day than to play in my newly organized craft room! I tell you, I can find things!! I can't say too much how wonderful it all is, because my sister will get a big head! And we definitely don't need that!!

My card today uses the Pendant Nestabilities, Cuttlebug Embossing folders and dies and a Digistamp Sentiment from Sweet 'n Sassy Digital Stamps! I love the look of an all white card with a touch of black. It's such a clean, crisp look and can fit many occasions. Scroll down to see how I made my creation!

This card fits the following Challenges: C.R.A.F.T. Challenge, Cute Card Thursday, Crafty Creations, Creative Inspirations, Belli Challenge, Flutter by Wednesday, Corrosive Challenge and Little Red Wagon


This card uses a lot of elements but comes together fast! I first embossed a white cardstock panel using a Stampin' Up embossing folder. Next, I cut out the decorative square Pendant Nestabilities using more white cardstock. My butterfly was cut out with the Butterfly Cut and Emboss from Provocraft, and I added some glitter to the surface with an Essential Glue Pad, though it's hard to see in the picture. I printed my sentiment from Sweet 'n Sassy and cut it out with the plain Square Nestabilities. I layered it to another square panel and added decorative pearls above and below the sentiment. I mounted my background embossed panel to a white card, then added my Pendant, my sentiment squares and butterfly. Next came the satin ribbon and a bow, then I popped up my butterfly wings and added pearls to finish the card. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches

Cute as a Button...

Just a quick card today, as I've been under the weather for the last week! I made this card for the Monday (February 4th) digi challenge for Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps on SNR Card Universe, another forum like SplitCoast Stampers. Hopefully, I'll have a new card made for tomorrow's post!


I printed Sew Happy Cocoa on Whisper White cardstock, then cut it out with an Inverted Square Nestabilities. I then sponged Marvy Oriental Blue ink on the edges before removing it from the die. Next, I colored the image with Copic Markers and added "faux" stitching with a black pen. I found an image of buttons on the internet and mounted it to black cardstock. My designer paper is from Stampin' Up and I used the Loops punch for the edges then adhered it to a white card. My sentiment is computer generated and I finished the card with buttons and a thread bow. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches

Winter Trees ...

I was in a "scenic" type of mood yesterday and created two scenes, one for Christmas and one for Thanksgiving. As most of you know, scenic stamping is my passion. You can evoke so much emotion into a scene, with the right color, trees, etc. Take a look at my creations from yesterday!

This scene is for the OCC Sketch Challenge (sketch below), and I had a specific idea in mind for this card. I wanted wintry trees against a blue background and had fun creating this scene. On Whisper White cardstock (Stampin' Up!) I used the edge of my ink pad and swiped color across the card using Memento Summer Sky first, then added a touch of Marvy Pale Violet to the mix to soften the blue. I added swipes of Marvy #3 Blue, and Marvy Prussian Blue to add the mountains, shore line and reflection in my water. I stamped my tree (Judikins) in Memento Tuxedo Black on the right and left side of my card, then overstamped it with Versamark and embossed it with white embossing powder.

(OCC Sketch - you should play along!)

Once my scene was finished, I mounted it to a white panel, adhered my DP (Hot off the Press) to another white panel, tied a ribbon, and glued it to a navy blue card. I added iridescent rhinestone stars to finish the card! Card size: 5 1/2 x 6 inches.

You know my love of blue and brown, and this snowman from Plum Purdy Designs begged to be used for this card. I stamped him on Whisper White cardstock, colored him with Prismacolor pencils, then added a bucket of glitter to give him a lot of sparkle! I then mounted him to glittery cardstock, and put him aside. I put together my card with DP from the Paper Studio, added a brown organza ribbon, rhinestones and pearls and topped it off with a glittered brown felt snowflake! Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

My second scenic card gives a warmer fall look with my wheat and sunset. My inspiration for this scene is from Michelle Zindorf's blog. I cut out a panel of Whisper White cardstock with the Labels 4 Nestabilities. I cut off the lower half and laid it aside. On the larger half of the panel, I sponged Memento Dandelion ink in the center with the Colorbox Stylus. I added Memento Tangelo and Marvy #3 Orange above the yellow, not covering it entirely. I then added a touch of LadyBug Red to deepen the sunset. Next, I laid a post-it note across the upper portion of the yellow, then added Orange, Tangelo and Ladybug Red to the exposed white area which would be my "water". I turned my post-it note around and sponged Memento Rich Cocoa ink along the edge for my shoreline. I stamped my wheat (Inkadinkado) twice with Tuxedo Black and highlighted it with my white Signo gel pen. I sponged Tangelo, Orange and Ladybug Red onto my second piece and stamped "Happy Thanksgiving" (G Studio) with Rich Cocoa ink. I mounted these two pieces to my punched DP (Hot off the Press) which was adhered to an orange card. I added my ribbon and decorative rhinestones to finish the card. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

More Christmas cards...

My first card is for the Our Creative Corner Sketch Challenge and I really love this card! So wintry and majestic, and perfect for Christmas. This would make a great male oriented card as well!

I laid down a circle mask for my moon and post it notes with torn edges on the lower half of the card for my snow. With the Colorbox Stylus, I added my sky using Memento Summer Sky and Paris Dusk, then Marvy #3 Blue and Prussian Blue inks. I removed my masks, then stamped the buck from Nature's Silhouettes (Stampin' Up!) using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I tore more post it notes with ragged edges to make my snow drifts. Laying the torn edge down, I sponged Paris Dusk along the edge making sure to leave a lot of white for my snow. I embossed my sentiment (Hero Arts) with white EP, then mounted it to a white panel. I adhered my piece to an icy blue card, added a ribbon, a glittery snowflake and finished it with rhinestones. Card size: 6 x 5 1/2 inches.

This next card focuses on a new designer of digistamps and this is "Danika", her first stamp! Lee of Ethereal Forest Designs draws the sweetest, cutest girls and images I've ever seen! I printed her on Whisper White cardstock (Stampin' Up!) then colored her with Prismacolor markers and added highlights with a white Signo gel pen. I stamped my sentiment (Inque Boutique) with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I glued her to a glittery green panel, my designer paper is from Die Cuts with a View, then added a fancy ribbon. I added pretty pink rhinestones for her necklace, with more rhinestones and pearls to finish it off. Card size: 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches

This last card uses clip art I purchased from D.A.I.S.I.E Company. I just fell in love with the red bow and chickadee! I printed it on Whisper White cardstock, then cut it out with Labels 4 Nestabilities and the Cuttlebug. My frame is a leftover piece from another label I had cut, and I punched the corners with my All-in-1 corner punch then embossed with the Swiss Dot folder in the Cuttlebug. I mounted both pieces to green mirrored cardstock, added pearls and adhered the panel to a red card. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches

Christmas Roses...

I'm still working on Christmas cards in between preparing for my upcoming Stamping party on Saturday. I got to play with a few new things, as several of my orders came in from Oh My Crafts, and I received some of the new Inkadinkado single clear stamps. Of course, I had to have as many of them as I could get. There is so much versatility with them!

This first card uses a beautiful rose digistamp by Jules' Junk and you can purchase any of her digistamps at Digital Ink Co. I colored the roses with Prismacolor markers on Whisper White cardstock by Stampin' Up! then cut them out with the Labels 4 Nestabilities die in the Cuttlebug for the design. I sponged Memento New Sprout ink on the edges (before removing it from the labels die). I received my Cuttlebug embossing folders (Holiday Release 09) from Oh My Crafts and was surprised to see that some of the folders fit a 5 x 7 inch card front! Now we can emboss our entire cards instead of just the front panel! This folder is called Holly Ribbons and it is so pretty! I didn't do much more to the card, as I wanted the roses to stand out, except adding a red satin ribbon, a peel off sentiment, and rhinestones. I mounted the panel to a white card, sized 4 1/4 x 6 1/4 inches.


This next little darling is another digistamp, and comes as one of three angels. You can purchase these cutie pie's at All That Scraps. I printed the angel on Whisper White cardstock then colored her with my Prismacolor makers. I cut her out with the scalloped rectangle Nestabilites then sponged Memento Cottage Ivy ink on the edges while it was still in the die. My designer papers are from Die Cuts with a View Christmas stack. The lacy border is from Martha Stewart's new doily punch which punches out that strip! I also punched one of the coordinating papers with her new Holly border punch. I wrapped a pretty satin ribbon around the card, attaching a pink button to the bow portion instead of a traditional knot. I added a peel off sentiment and stars to finish the card. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

This last card uses one of the new Inkadinkado clear single stamps! I stamped the cardinal frame with Memento Tuxedo black ink on photo paper then colored it with Prismacolor markers. I then cut it out and mounted it to a glittery black card panel. I stamped the holly leaves (Inkadinkado also) on my card front of photo paper, then stamped both sentiments from Close to my Heart. I attached the cardinal frame to my card panel with pop up dots, adhered the entire piece to a black card and finished it off with rhinestones. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

Last cards for Halloween...

Here are my last cards for the Halloween season. I am on to making Thanksgiving and Christmas cards and creating the cards for my next two parties! My girls are coming home for Thanksgiving, so I've got a lot of preparing to do for that, as well. Making food lists will take me forever, no doubt!

On to the cards! I have to apologize. This little bat was a freebie download from a blog I visited and I thought I had written the creator's name down, but I can't find it anywhere. If you know who this belongs to, please drop me a line so I can give her proper credit! There were six Halloween tags like the bat, and they are just so darn adorable and fits really well within the scalloped circle Nestabilities.

The background paper is from Debbie Mumm's Harvest Stack, and the bat paper is from Paper Studio. I punched the corner of the background paper with Martha Stewart's bat punch, cut a triangle out of the bat paper, and mounted both pieces to a black card. I printed the batty on Stampin' Up! Whisper white cardstock, then cut it out with my scalloped circle Nestabilities with the Cuttlebug. I left the cutout in the die, and sponged on lime green ink around the edges. I adhered that piece to black glittered cardstock, then tied a ribbon around the card. I added my batty piece with pop dots and finished it with lime green rhinestones. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.


For this next Halloween card, I used the same technique as my previous cut out cards. You can find basic directions on this post. All stamps used are from Stampscapes and inks used are by Memento.

This cutie of a card was sent to my sister, Robin, who giggled when she saw it! The ghost/pumpkin was a freebie by Nina May. I colored the image with Copic markers, then cut it out with the large scalloped rectangle Nestabilities. I left it in the die and sponged purple ink on the edges, stamped it with a swirly spider stamp (Inkadinkado) then mounted it to black cardstock. I used the Swirls folder on my background purple cardstock after punching the corners. I adhered my designer papers (The Paper Studio) to my purple panel, added ribbon and my ghost image, then mounted it to an orange card. I finished it off with rhinestones in the corner. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches

Christmas cards...

I've started working on my Christmas cards, have you? The holidays will be upon us, and time will slip by before you know it! This first card is a delightful Santa from Plum Purdy Designs. I love her stamps, and plan to get quite a few more in the next few weeks.

I stamped Santa on Whisper White cardstock from Stampin' Up! using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I colored him with Copic Sketch markers then dusted the edges with the Colorbox Stylus using New Sprout ink from Memento. I added highlights with a white Signo gel pen, then started putting the card together. The designer paper is a mixture from JoAnn's and Hobby Lobby. I finished the card with a white grosgain bow, rhinestones and a holly leaf button. Card size 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches.

(closeup of Santa's face)

For my next card, I borrowed an idea from a friend on one of my Yahoo Groups, and did my own interpretation of her creation. I've been seeing a lot of "clear" cards on cardmaker's blogs and thought to try one of my own. I didn't have any sturdy transparency (acetate), so I cheated and used a sheet of Frosted Shrinky Dink. It's a bit expensive to be using it, but it gave me the look I wanted! I'm sure there's something better on the market, but it was what I had in my stash.

The ornament cut out is from a template from a member on the Yahoo group and the challenge was to make a scenic ornament using it. I stamped my scene using stamps from Stampscapes onto glossy photo paper, then used the Colorbox stylus to add more blues and purples to evoke the winter setting. All inks used are by Memento. With my white Signo gel pen, I added stars to my sky. I cut another ornament out and stamped my sentiment and snowflakes (Inkadinkado) and laid it aside with the other ornament. Next, I stamped my snowflake (Inkadinkado) onto the Frosted Shrinky Dink card using Vibrant Violet StazOn ink. I added decorative pearls and a satin ribbon then mounted both ornaments to the front and back of the front panel of the card. The last touches for the front side of the card was a glittery snowflake with a soft blue rhinestone, and a silver peel-off sticker for the ornament "cap".

For the inside of my card, I used my Cuttlebug to cut out a scalloped square from glossy photo paper then stamped my Stampscapes scene using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. With the Colorbox Stylus, I added my color using the same blues and purples I used for my ornament. I finished the scene with my white Signo gel pen and added stars and ripples in the water. I mounted this piece to the inside back panel of my card. Lastly, I cut out an additional scalloped square from white cardstock and mounted it to the back of my card. Card size: 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches.

seasonal cards...

My first card is for the All That Scraps Weekly Wednesday Challenge and the requirement was to make a Tall Card. My card measures 3 3/4 x 7 inches tall! Most everyone knows I love sunflowers, so when I saw this darling image by C.C. Designs, I had to get her! Birgitta is a digital image as well as a rubber stamp! You can find her and other adorable stamps and images on the All That Scraps Online Store.

I colored Birgitta with Prismacolor markers on Whisper White cardstock from Stampin' Up!. I cut the image with my long scalloped rectangle Nestabilities, and dusted Memento New Sprout ink on the paper before removing it from the die. I laid the image aside and began to assemble my card. I stamped "Indian Summer" sentiment (TPC Studio) on a Martha Stewart tag using Memento Rich Cocoa ink. I added my designer paper to a dark olive card, then attached a pretty brown satin ribbon. Next, I adhered Birgitta and the sentiment tag to the card, added paper sunflowers (Martha Stewart) and finished it off with a few rhinestones.


I absolutely love, love, love black and white together and when I saw the Snow border stamp from Inkadinkado, I knew I had to make a card using just those two colors. I stamped my border stamp on Whisper White cardstock, and added my large snowflake (Inkadinkado) to the right of the border. Next, I stamped my border onto a black card with Versamark and embossed it with White Detail embossing powder. I mounted my white piece to the black card, added black pearls and a bow and was wonderfully happy with this creation. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

I've shied away from "Changito the Monkey" by Stampendous for quite a while, but I just had to have this cute Vampire stamp with matching sentiment. I stamped both images using Memento Tuxedo Black ink then cut them out using the Labels 4 Nestabilities and the Cuttlebug. Before removing them from the die, I sponged Memento Lulu Lavender on the edges. I colored Changito with Prismacolor markers then laid it aside to assemble my card.

I punched two opposite corners of my designer paper (K & Company) with the Corner Spider Web punch by Martha Stewart. I added another dp and adhered orange trim and a black bow around the center of the piece. I mounted my two stamped images with pop dots to my card, glued it to a lime green card and finished it off with googly eyes and rhinestones. Card size: 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches.

1 Stamp, 3 different cards...

Recently, I stumbled upon a wonderful artist's website and found the cutest images! Of course, I had to show it to my sister, Robin, as she loves anything close to a snowman. The website is Plum Purdy Designs and we had to have "Too Much Snow", (a delightful fat snowman). We will order more soon, especially the Santa images! With this fat snowman, I made three very different cards to show the versatility of the stamp.

The first card I used several coordinating designer papers from Stampin' Up! called "Cottage Ivy". The striped pattern I purchased at Hobby Lobby. I stamped the snowman on ivory cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, then colored him with Sakura Gelly Roll pens and Prismacolor markers. I mounted that piece to a sage green cardstock and put it aside. I rounded the corners of the two patterned papers then adhered it to my main background paper. Next I added a soft green ribbon across the bottom of the panel and added snowflakes with rhinestones. I stamped "Happy Holidays" from Inkadinkado onto a punched tag, mounted it to matching sage green cardstock then added that to my panel. I made a matching bow and attached it to my tag, then mounted my snowman piece with pop dots to my panel. I finished the card off with rhinestones and glued it to a sage green card. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.


My next card with the smowman uses only two colors, white and gold. I stamped the snowman onto Stampin' Up! Whisper white cardstock with Versamark and embossed the image with gold embossing powder. I layered that piece to gold glittery cardstock and put it aside. I stamped my "snowflake trail" from Inkadinkado with Versamark on white Bazzill cardstock, then embossed it with the gold powder. I mounted my snowman onto the snowflake piece with pop dots, added shimmery stickers and then adhered the panel to a white card. A fast, easy, yet elegant Christmas card! Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

For this card, I first stippled a white panel with two shades of blue, then stamped my snowman. I colored him with Prismacolor markers, added some faux snow, and "snowflakes" with my white Signo gel pen, then put him aside. Next, I embossed Snowflakes on half of my card using my Cuttlebug and Snowflake folder. I adhered my designer papers (The Paper Studio) to my card, then added my snowman panel. I glittered a felt Snowflake, glued it to my card then finished it with rhinestones. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

10 minutes or less...

I've been swamped all week, so I've taken a few minutes to make 2 cards that took less than 10 minutes each. As we head into the Holiday season, I bet a lot of us are going to have to squeeze our cardmaking into small amounts of allotted time!

I've used the "Autumn Harvest" stamp set from Stampin' Up! for these two cards. I love this little set as it's so versatile and perfect for the Fall holidays. This first card is for a friend who has a birthday in October, and her sister asked me to make a card that had pumpkins and sage green incorporated.

I punched the Fluer-de-lis border on both sides of a soft yellow cardstock sized 4 x 5 1/2 inches using an EK Success punch. Next I stamped "Happy Birthday" (Close to my Heart) in Memento Rich Cocoa. I then stamped "Dot Flourishes" (Inkadinkado) using Pear Tart where my pumpkins would be. I stamped the two pumpkins from the stamp set onto light orange cardstock using the Rich Cocoa ink. With Pear Tart, I stamped the small leaf on the light orange cardstock as well.

With a sponge, I tapped Memento Dandelion and Tangelo inks onto the pumpkins. I tapped a light amount of Rich Cocoa on the stems. I then added a touch of New Sprout ink to the leaf. I tied a pretty brown/gold ribbon around the card then attached my pumpkins and leaf using pop dots. Lastly, I added tiny brown rhinestones on the sentiment. Card size 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

This next card was fun! My sister and I were doing a challenge where you can only use two colors in your cards, and we had to use the "Dot Flourishes" stamp set from Inkadinkdo. Her card was adorable with lime green and pink as the main colors!

I stamped the flourish stamp using Memento Tuxedo Black onto dark orange cardstock. I then tied a black with orange polka dots ribbon around the card and knotted it. It's hard to see in the photo but the black piece behind the pumpkins is glittered cardstock. I repeated the process for the pumpkins as with the previous card. I added the faces instead of leaving the pumpkins blank. I omitted the leaf, instead cutting out a tag and stamping "Trick or Treat" (Hampton Arts) onto it. I mounted the pumpkins to the glittered cardstock with pop dots, attached the tag with a polka dot brad, then finished it off with orange rhinestones. (Yes, Robin, I have that stamp set for you!) Card size 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

Don't forget to check out my friend Sandy's blog, as she has been doing some adorable cards for Halloween, Winter and more. Her parchment crafting is gorgeous too!

Fall and Halloween...

From time to time, I'll get an email with another cardmaker's blog address and I'll browse their creative websites and learn new things. I was sent Michelle Zindorf's Freedom in Creating blog and fell in love with a lot of her ideas. She's a Stampin' Up demonstrator and her cards are fresh and exciting.

This first card is an adaptation of her card titled "On a Cliff - Tutorial #258" (you'll find this card on the first page if you scroll down a bit) and another card titled "Lonely Owl - Tutorial #243 (you'll find this card on the fifth page of her website). Both tutorials are well detailed with excellent instructions. I added a few of my own personal touches, and I'm quite pleased with the techniques I learned with this card. The stamp set I used from Stampin' Up! is called "House of Haunts". The flying bats is a stamp from Stampscapes called Gulls, but look like bats from my point of view! I used a white Signo pen to add the highlights to the tree and ground. Card size is 5 x 5 inches.

These next two cards were created from her card titled "Blowing in the Wind - Tutorial #257" (about half way down the first page). As you can see, I changed the design a bit, added my own touches, and a new card was born! The leaf stamp on the first card is from Judikins and the leaf on the second card (below) is from Inkadinkado. The sentiment on the first card is from Stampscapes, and the sentiment on the second card is from Stampendous!. First card size is 4 1/2 x 5 1/2 and the second card size is 5 1/2 square.

My latest necklace has a Fall feel to it. The cubed bead has a base of white, with a pretty orange/gold/red frit burned in, then accented with a gold-filled bail and findings on a gold necklace.

ATC crazy

So, I was on Circle of Crafters and normally I stay within the "General Card Making" category where you can see beautiful cards created by those around the world. Last week, when I was sick, I started browsing the ATC section of the forum. I had forgotten where I started my love of paper crafts. Back in 2004, I went from crazy quilting with fabric, to making fabric ATC's, then onto paper ATC's. I remember loving the tiny art treasures that I had made and exchanged in yahoo groups.

Needless to say, I decided to test the waters and joined the International ATC Swap. Instantly, 6 ladies asked to trade with me, so of course, I started making them right away. Below are the fruits of my labors!


The first ATC was done with a stamped floral background from Stampin' Up (I love that stamp). I stamped it in black ink onto glossy cardstock, then with a paintbrush, I painted the flowers with ink. I punched the edges, added a glittery oval peel-off sticker from Pop Ups by Plane Class and glittered a sticker dragonfly. I mounted that piece to a shimmery soft lavender cardstock, added some pretty rhinestones on the corners and was done! All ATC's are sized 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches.

The second ATC uses a floral background that my daughter made for me (she's the true artist)! I then punched a pretty border strip, added it to the background and topped it off with a glittered peel-off butterfly sticker.

This third ATC was from an unfinished greeting card. I had punched the white background using various hand punches from a pattern I made, but never finished the card. I dug in my stash and found the floral basket sticker, and mounted that to the background card. Then I sliced it in half! I was able to make 2 ATC's from that background piece! I backed it with a pretty teal foil cardstock, added a gingham bow and some rhinestones and was pleased with the results.

ATC #4 uses the other half of the stamped image of ATC #2. I used the same techniques for that card as well.

ATC #5 uses Copic Sketch Markers, a Thomas Kinkade stamp and two Stampscapes rubber stamps. I made the early morning background by taking the markers and adding colors for the sky. I used Pale Blue (B32), Heath (V01), Powder Pink (YR00), and Mauve Shadow (BV00). I then stamped the Pine Tree with Marvy Inks in Salvia Blue, Pale Lilac, Gray, and Blue #3. I used Salvia Blue and Blue #3 ink for the birds, and Black for the sentiment.

The last ATC, I decided to do a tiny version of Paper Embroidery. This was a fun and quick card to make and you don't necessarily have to use it for just ATC's. It works perfect as a miniature to mount to a regular card. You could back it with a pretty cardstock, then adhere it to a Cuttlebug embossed background. The pattern is below for your pleasure.

On a final note, I've also been doing my glass work and below is a picture of my latest beads! I'm having a blast and learning so much! I'm making very pretty bookmarks with my beads, and if you're interested in seeing some, just drop me an email and I'll show them!

New Cards finally...

Here's a pretty card I made for my good friend, Sue Iven, for her birthday! We had a lovely evening celebrating at the Olive Garden with great food, wine, and friendship. I used one of the new Stampin' Up Textured plates in the Cuttlebug for this card.

I love these new plates, and you get 6 designs for under $10! You can't beat it, and they are so diverse! You do need a silicone mat to emboss these plates in the Cuttlebug. You'll need your A plate, C plate, cardstock and the silicone mat. Here is how to make the sandwich: A Plate, Texture Plate, Cardstock, Silicone Mat and C Plate. It will be a bit tough to put it through the machine, and you can always try the B plate if it won't go through no matter what you do. If you do have to use your B plate, use cardboard as shims to make it work.

I used a pretty double-sided floral paper from a paper stack I got at Michael's by K & Company and Brenda Walton. One side is the green floral, and the other side is the pink floral. I punched the edge of my embossed white cardstock with one of the new EK Success punches (from Michael's). Next, I mounted a pink strip of paper on the inside of the card, where the punched edge would show.

I punched both ends of the green floral strip with the Fleur-de-lis border punch from EK Success and threaded a pretty pink and gold ribbon through it, then tied a bow. I glittered the embossed white cardstock, added a "Happy Birthday" gold peel-off greeting and it was ready for Sue. She loved it, too! Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

This next card is a favorite of mine. I love the color combination and I adore the dandelion rubber stamp by Hero Arts. The mottled background paper is by Murdock papers, and comes in a wide variety of colors. I used the Martha Stewart Lace punch on the background paper and mounted two punched pieces to a white card. Next I tied a black gingham ribbon to the card then stamped "thanks so much" in the white space between the two background pieces. This stamp is from Hero Arts as well.

Lastly, I stamped the dandelion onto white cardstock, adhered it to black cardstock, then mounted it to my card with foam dots. A simple yet elegant card! Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

Here's a sweet baby card that would work for either a girl or a boy. I used background papers from the "Nursery" stack from Die Cuts with a View that I purchased from JoAnn Fabrics. I cut one strip at 5 1/4 x 2 inches of the words paper, and the same from a green gingham print and adhered them to an olive green card.

I tied a pretty satin lavender ribbon around the card and added a sweet button for fun. I stamped the "baby shoes" from Stampendous on white cardstock and used colored pencils for a touch of color. I glued this piece to darker purple cardstock, then mounted it to the card with foam dots. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

and something new.... I've been playing with glass these past two months!! I've been learning lampworking and am making my own glass beads. I absolutely love this medium. It is so challenging and so much to learn! I've been fortunate to have already sold some of my beads and several bracelets, a necklace and earrings. It's so exciting and I'm having a lot of fun! Stay tuned for more information about my glassmaking!