Golden Butterflies

I made it back to my Freshly Made Sketches team this week.  Yay!   Jen M. has a great sketch this week and there's so much you can do with it.  I was going to try some embossing paste for the rectangle, but I didn't have a stencil that would work for what I had in mind.   I am not usually a gold person, but I wanted to play along with the challenge at The Paper Players this week.   I had all this shiny glitter paper that needed to be used for something!  lol   The music paper tie it in with Susie's HYCCT challenge.

   

I hope my card is simple enough?   It's clean for sure.  lol    I have to say a big thanks to my awesome ladies on the design team who talked me through this one.   It involved a lot of taking apart and trying different things.  It's still not really my style, but hopefully all the glitter is distracting enough to hide the craziness.

Some pictures really don't need writing.  

Stenciled Butterfly

Two posts in one day.  Wowzers.  If you are looking for my 'Tis the Season card, you can scroll down or find it here.  This care was another one I made for the Stenciled class at Online Card Classes.  I really love how much I've learned!  They are doing a one layer card class next and I think I might sign up for that one as well.  I sure need help with those.  This one used embossing paste.  I love that stuff after using it just once.  I hope I find time to make another card with it later today.  :)   

We had her 18 month check up today (a month late) and she was 33 inches tall and 25 pounds, 5 ounces.  She's getting so big!   It's a bit scary.  She woke up crying in the night again last night, so I don't know what's going on there.   I hope it's a short-lived thing as we don't function well without sleep.  I don't know how we survived the newborn stages on so little rest.  I guess it's what you get used to...and now I'm used to sleep!  lol

Text Me a Butterfly

I'm tempted to just post the picture for this one and run away.   What a challenging challenge!   I got an idea in my head and then it just wouldn't work!   I changed out papers and added layers...it was an all day event! I finally gave up and this is what was left.  lol   I used the sketch from iSpy Sketches and Theresa's HYCCT challenge:  My challenge to you today is to simply make a card that FEATURES TEXT in some way in your creation. Use a stamp, patterned paper or even pages from a book, but use text somewhere and have a little bit of fun creating a card that will be well received.

Stamps:  Fabulous Phrases

Ink:  Basic Black, Pretty in Pink

Paper:  Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, First Edition DSP, Subtles and Neutrals DSP stacks

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies die, Scallop circle and circle dies, Lacy Brocade embossing folder, Black Rhinestones (retired)

We got dressed up and went out shopping yesterday.   It lasted for a whole 30 minutes before the crying started, but we were out.  I'm really starting to struggle with depression from being stuck in the house so much.  It seems like so much work to get things together for us to go out, but I'm going to have to work on doing it more often.  Today we went to Target and she did great!  It was a quick trip, but again, we were out! Now if we can just get this nap situation back under control...   I guess I shouldn't complain too much about her short naps as she's been sleeping all night, but it's rough to not have a break all day!  If you smell me through the computer, it's because I haven't showered today!   :)

PP97: Butterfly of Hope

I'm still stamping away and decided to continue my streak today.   I figure if I need to rest I might as well have fun doing it, right?    Hopefully the creative process will be relaxing and get my dang blood pressure back down!  :)    Today I finally had an idea for the LeAnne's sketch at the Paper Players.  I've been running ideas through my head all week but nothing clicked until today.   I'm glad I waited because I really LOVE how this one turned out!  

I pulled out the lovely Everyday Enchantment paper that I had left from Sale-a-bration this year and everything just seemed to click from there!    My sponges and shimmer paint have been a bit neglected lately, so I grabbed those too!   I am not a great vintage/distressed cardmaker, but I try to pick up hints from my buddy Ann Schach and I've come a long way from where I started!   I used the shimmer paint on my Very Vanilla circle and then sponged over to get a bit of the faux mother-of-pearl technique. It works better on glossy card stock, but I didn't think that would look good with the my design.  It still has a nice shimmer even though you probably can't tell from the picture!   I sponged pretty much everything with Crumb Cake ink, including the ribbon.   All in all, I'm smiling and happy with this one.  I don't say that often, so I should probably put this one in my keep box so I can look back at it when I need motivation. :)

Stamps:  Strength & Hope (retired), Tiny Tags

Ink:  Pool Party, Crumb Cake

Paper:  Pool Party, Peach Parfait, Everyday Enchantment DSP, Very Vanilla

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Scallop Circles #2 die, 3-inch circle die, Beautiful Butterflies die, Beautiful Wings embosslit, Jewelry Tag punch, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, sponges, Pool Party Ruffled ribbon, Basic Pearls

Another Trio of Sketches

Last night I hosted a card class to say goodbye to a few retiring sets and designer paper.   I enjoyed my last set of cards that were all from the same sketch, so I went with that theme again.   :)   Here's the sketch we used from Pals Paper Arts:

I thought this was a fun one, but it sure did take a lot of punching!  I hope the ladies didn't end up with carpal tunnel after making 9 cards.  Here's our first card, the masculine version using Grunge Rock:

I'm really going to miss this set.  I bought it to challenge myself and fell in love with the fun images.   I always enjoy using it and to me, that's a sign of a great stamp set.  :)   We used a strip of the retiring Flirtatious DSP in Daffodil Delight.   I think that pattern was non-girly enough to work.   Ha!    Our next card was the feminine version of the card and my favorite of the three.   It was inspired by Deb's beautiful card that you can see here.  

This one uses more retiring designer paper, Paisley Petals.   It also uses a sentiment from Trendy Trees which is a new stamp set for me.  One of my demo BFFs was kind enough to gift it to me.  (Thanks, Mindy!).   I love the colors of this one!   I struggle to use River Rock sometimes, but it works great with Baja Breeze and Not Quite Navy.   Finally, here's our kids version of the card with a flipped version of the sketch:

Fox & Friends is the set that I'm most sad about losing.   Well, not losing because I will be keeping it, but not using it for classes I guess I should say.   It's my favorite set for kids and it has definitely earned it's keep over the past few years.   If I had to recommend one set that you should get before it's gone, it's this one!   I also used a small strip of another retiring dsp, Cheerful Treat.  It was a hostess choice this year and I got so much use out of it.  I just love the fun bright colors!   I hope you enjoyed the projects!   I want to do more of these, so you'll probably see quite a few sketch trios in the future.   

Just to update, my labs came back okay and I am NOT on bed rest nor do I have pre-eclampsia!   My blood pressure is still a little high and I have awful congestion/headache, aching ears, and a cough.  I'm hoping that will clear up soon as it's tiring to feel so yucky all day.   It's only 44 more days until our little girl is scheduled to be here!

FM43: Sketchy Fun

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

1. Make a project using the "Sketch".
2. Or Make a project using "Something NEW in your stash". (Stamps, ribbon, pretty paper...anything!)
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project "using the Sketch & something NEW in your stash".

It's Friday, Friday, Friday!   Oh sorry.  I got stuck on the most annoying song ever.   Goodness.   Anyway, it IS Friday and time for a challenge from The Friday Mashup!   Kim has a fun sketch challenge for us this week!  The other part of the challenge is to use something NEW in your stash of stampin' goodies.   I just know you have something that's sitting there unloved, so that part should be easy!  :)

I went to bed on Wednesday night knowing that I had to make my card yesterday morning.  I guess my brain was processing the sketch all night because I had the idea for this card when I woke up!  Don't you love when that happens?   I couldn't remember the colors my brain picked, but I wanted to use Crumb Cake for some reason or other.   The new product was the Wisteria Wonder baker's twine and of course I had to use my new diagonal scoring plate!  :)

This is a very different card for me.   I love clean-and-simple, but to me they are the most difficult cards to create.   I like to challenge myself to try them sometimes but get frustrated with them pretty quickly.   My sweet friend Marla helped me via our iPhones yesterday so it was good to have a buddy to talk out the design with. I love my demo friends so much!  I hope you enjoy it and will come play along with us!  

Stamps:  Fresh Vintage (SAB), Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Versamark, Elegant Eggplant

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant, Very Vanilla, Neutrals DSP stack

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies die, Boho Blossoms punch, Simply Scored w/ Diagonal Plate, In Color Dotted brads, Wisteria Wonder baker's twine

Class Cards & a Challenge

I finally stamped this week!   I have had a pretty blah month, so I haven't felt like getting in my room and stamping very much.   I am trying to make myself go do it this week as it improves my mood so much.   I have a clean-and-simple class planned for next week, so I decided to work on some ideas for that and to do at least one challenge as well.   

This card was inspired by Maureen's card found here.   I love her style!    This one is my favorite of the three cards I'm posting today; I think it is lovely.   The layout uses the clean-and-simple sketch for this week's challenge on Splitcoast.  

Stamps:  Apple Blossoms, Vintage Vogue

Ink:  Baja Breeze

Paper:  Greenhouse Gala designer paper, Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze

Accessories:  basic pearls

Tools:  mat pack, paper piercer, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies die

Here's another simple, yet elegant card.   Here I used one of my favorite colors, Pear Pizzazz to give Elizabeth her first inking.    I find this stamp to be a tad bit challenging, but I like how this turned out.  

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes, Elizabeth

Ink:  Pear Pizzazz

Paper: Greenhouse Gala designer paper, Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzazz

Accessories:  basic pearls, Very Vanilla 3/8 taffeta ribbon

Tools:  Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Scallop Trim Border Punch

Finally, here is my challenge card for today.   This is for the color challenge on Splitcoast to use Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, and Very Vanilla.   This is one of those cards where the idea just didn't translate like I wanted, but I'm not going to beat myself up over it.    It might end up being one that I take apart or add to once I think about what needs to be changed to make me love it.  :)

Stamps:  Lovely as a Tree

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Old Olive

Paper:  Jolly Holiday designer paper, Woodland Walk designer paper, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Very Vanilla

Tools:  Big Shot, Fancy Favor Die (I love the little border that it makes!)

Butterfly Easel Card

I have my monthly group coming up on Wednesday and this is one of the cards we'll be making. It is a cute little card that would go great on a gift this summer.   You can find a tutorial for the card here.  

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Pumpkin Pie

Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Greenhouse Gala designer paper

Tools: Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies die, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder

Accessories: Bright Glimmer Brads

Elegant Butterflies

Glitter is tough to photograph! I hope you can at least get an idea of what this one looks like. :o) I wanted to do a simple, yet elegant thank you card. Our embossing folders make it really easy to put together a card without having to do too much work. 

Stamps: Thank You Kindly (Sale-a-bration freebie!)

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Basic Black, Real Red

Accessories: Basic Pearls, Basic Black satin ribbon

Tools: Big Shot, Elegant Lines embossing folder, Beautiful Butterflies die, heat tool, heat and stick powder, glitter, black embossing powder

Sketchy Butterflies

This card is made for today's sketch challenge on Splitcoast Stampers.

You can find it at http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/card-sketches-f41/sketch-challenge-324-3-16-11-a-t523013.html

Stamps: Four Frames (sneak peek!)
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Pear Pizzazz, Baja Breeze, Cherry Cobbler, Paisley Petals designer paper (another sneak peek!)
Tools: Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies Die, Beautiful Wings embosslit, Designer Label Punch
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding

We got out of the house today and went to the local arboretum.   Here are a few pictures that I took while we were walking around.   I love playing with my camera almost as much as I love stamping.  :)