A Great Teacher

I received a request to make a card for a male teacher as a thank you. As many of you know, making a masculine card is like having your hands tied behind your back or something.... I mean, no flowers, no ribbon, no cutzie little pearls or bling? I mean... what the heck is left?


So I admit I snuck a little of all of those "forbiddens" on this card, but I'm hoping the note paper background, the shades of brown and the scripted patterned paper are enough to "man this up". I love the quote ... another great stamp from Quietfire Designs.


The inside I kept very simple and carried the note-paper theme through. The stamp is from a beautiful Verve set called A Happy Hello.


Well that's it for me tonight. One more day of work to go! If you look really hard... you can see the weekend from here. Oh yeah!

Basic Grey Marjolaine

Snow Day = PJ's, coffee & Basic Grey Marjolaine. {{sigh}}


Made 2 cards from this gorgeous paper this afternoon. In this first one I made a frame with the S/Binders Label 13 - I need to do this more often, I just love the affect. I glittered up the rolled flower & Martha butterfly.


In the second one, I used an old SU stamp for the wording because I needed something teeny-tiny... and the flowers are from Verve.


Well I've procrastinated long enough......... I must go and try to dig out my car. Any such thing as two snow days in a row? LOL Naw... didn't think so. =)

Kind Words...

Back with another "quote card". No surprise I know... luvs me quotes-ha! This beautiful quote from Mother Teresa is by Verve.

The sentiment on the inside is also from the same set:

I just in the mood to "make something pretty". You know... all flow-y and soft... haha. Added a bunch of pearls to this and sponged the edges on most of it. Used my very last piece of cream silk ribbon. Martha's butterfly was added as a last minute thought.

We're expected to get hit quite hard with a storm tonight so fingers (and toes) crossed that the roads will be okay for the morning drive.

Your Friendship Warms My Heart

A very beautiful quote stamp I bought a while ago from Quietfire Design. I love the beautiful calligraphy of all their stamps and they are such a pleasure to work with.


I decided to make a bit of a friendship Valentine although it can be used at anytime, not just on February 14th.

I printed off more of the sheet music I found on-line onto my all-time favorite SU Baja-Breeze. Man I love that stuff!! I added a little sponging around the edges and a bit of crazy sewing (no, I wasn't drinking........lol) because I thought matched well with the frayed edges.

Another rolled flower (addicted now.... guilty as charged) and a few leaf springs from Martha Stewarts punch. And.... a bit of May Arts polka dot ribbon... just because I love it. The heart punch is also Martha.

The inside sentiment "your friendship warms my heart" is from a Hero Arts Valentine sentiment set.

Well I must say I don't think I've ever posted so regularly... this can only mean one thing: My house is a mess. =0)

Enjoy your week!!

Carla.

With All My Love. With All My Heart

Another little Valentine. The stamps are from Verve... "can I just say how much I freakin love VERVE??!!!"


This time I tried my little rolled flower with some coarse glitter added to the top. It really gave it a lovely affect and seems to add a little more romance to the card... or is that just me being tired and slightly delirious... lol...I dunno.

The inside...........

Well, I don't actually having a Valentine myself .... so I won't be making a whole bunch more... except of course for my Dad and my brother.

Wait...... did I just seriously post two days in a row? What the heck is up with that?!! LOL!

HAPPY SUNDAY ALL!

HAPPINESS

Another little challenge with Gabriella to use this sweet little Mo Manning image. I thought this quote stamp (Verve) & paper from Bella Blvd (that I've been hoarding) matched well with it.

I added Baja Breeze cardstock at the bottom, did a little sewing with the layers, added Martha Stewarts fench edge punch, a few buttons, a little ribbon and all done.

"Happiness is found along the way - not at the end of the road." Isn't that quote so true?

Now head on over to see Gabi with an Eye ...you'll love the music & you'll stay for her beautiful cards!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Carla.

Musical Valentine

Hello Bloggettes! Just dropping in to post a Valentine Card that I did as a request for someone who wanted a music theme and the words "You are My Love Song".

I've been dying to try one of the rolled flowers and I love it! I just cut a circle with my spellbinder die, made a spiral and rolled 'er up... then added the little dew drop trio to the center. So fun & easy.

I didn't have any music cardstock ("Jingle Bells" was my only choice...lol) and no musical stamps so I went searching on the internet for sheet music. It took a while, but I finally found something that I could print on some lightly patterned paper and then I embossed with a cuttlebug folder.

I finished the inside with a little more of the music theme.

My first Valentine card done for the year. I'm way ahead! (who knew?)

Happy 2011

A very happy (and belated) Happy New Year to all my stamping buds! Thought I would actually post a card today... will wonders never cease???? Guess I haven't been the definition of consistent since I started up my little blog... at least I know I can't get fired! LOL

In this card I used one of Verve's stamps - I just love it. It's probably overkill on the embellishments, etc... but it's been a while and I just wanted to use everything in my craft room, heh, heh.

So nothing too tricky or weird & wonderful here -- just some sponging, sewing, a few spellbinders, my new Martha leaf edge punch, a little ribbon & a flower. Badda boom, badda bing.

That's it for me today. Hope everyone had a really wonderful relaxing Christmas holiday. Looking forward to all the new cards that will spring from 2011... mine & yours!

Cherry Cobbler & Early Espresso (A Challenge!)

Merry Christmas to you!!

Not sure if anyone even checks back here... haven't posted in such a long time. Well, tonight I've cleaned off the cobwebs and did a little Christmas card with Stamping Bella's Polly Packages.

Actually my good friend Gabriella (Gabi with an Eye) has cleverly challenged me to making a card and using our newly purchased SU! papers: Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso. We had both just ordered them and have been dying to use them.

So out came Polly Packages and coloured her up with Copics. Again. And again. (So many mistakes!) But when I was finally happy with it, I plopped her out with Spellbinder oval dye cut & Labels 10. I used the Cuttlebug Swiss Dot folder on the back panel of Early Espresso and sewed everything together on a final layer of Whisper White. Satin chocolate ribbon & May Arts polka dot ribbon with a few adhesive pearls... and a little glitter... finished her off.


Thanks for popping in... I'll try not to be so long in between posts next time. Have a great Christmas!

Here's some Fall, Y'all...

When I'm supposed to be concentrating on Christmas cards, I'm suddenly inspired to make Autumn cards. Oh well, Christmas cards next.

This fall paper line from Imaginisce is fantastic. I bought it ages ago and have just be admiring it on my paper rack. Haven't been feeling the mojo until lately. Stamp sets used are from Inkadinkado & Verve.

Thanks for stopping by!

Carla.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star...

... do you know how loved you are?

I know this Verve stamp has been out for a while, but it's new to my collection - and just love it. Not to mention the new Spellbinder beaded circles - love the texture.

So I haven't been doing a lot of stamping... or blogging... or Etsy posting. Just kind of got busy with different things. But now I feel I'm back into the swing of it --- I'm off today for starters so it's going to be a crafty day.

Also want to share a picture of my new purchase from the weekend. A scrapbook store in town in closing it's doors and are selling their fixtures. I've been wanting a second 12x12 paper rack for my craft room and finally broke down and bought one!!!

My 7 year old card-making-niece dreamily says "it looks like a store". I told her I take Debit and all major credit cards if she wanted to make a purchase. LOL.

Baby Card:

Stamps: Verve Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury White cardstock, Whisper White, Barely Banana, KC&Co Designer Paper Accessories: baby ribbon, May Arts white polka dot ribbon Tools: Copics (RV34), sewing machine, Spellbinder circle & beaded circle, Swiss dot embossing folder, MS border punch Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black.

Just popping in...

Haven't been doing a lot of blogging lately... just to state the obvious. I guess it's a "summer thing", but I'm not spending a lot of time at the computer. I've been off all week and had an amazing vacation hanging out with my little nieces - you can learn a lot from a 3 year old and a 7 year old. I wish I could post pictures of them in all their cuteness, but my sister has reservations about putting their pictures on the net so I have to respect that. You'll just have to take my word that they are the sweetest. =)

But I can post pictures of cards! I have been posting a lot to my Etsy shop and am really enjoying that experience. It's a real thrill & compliment when someone likes something you've made enough to spend money on it - what a compliment, eh?! Haven't done a whole lot of craftiness since I've been off work, but here's a few that I was working on just prior to my holidays:

Any product or technique questions you have, please feel free to contact me. Hope you are all enjoying your summer.

Bye for now,
Carla.

A Mother's Love...

Caroline, a friend a fellow stamper where I work, brought in a beautiful book of quotes one day and I glanced through it. I eventually got pulled into the book & read them all and then chose this quote as my favorite.

"Sweater, n. garment worn by a child when it's mother is feeling chilly."

As a surprise, Caroline had this quote made into a rubber stamp for me! I was so surprised and thrilled!! I'm not sure on what occasion I would use this for a greeting card, perhaps Mother's Day? Anyway, I thought it went well with Mo Manning's little girl bike rider.

And the inside...

Hope you are all managing this heat wave. I've got the fan on high stuck right in my face while making cards... I'm pretty sure I resemble one of those skydivers. I'll leave the visual up to you. =0)

Stamps: Mo Manning, Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury White cardstock, Basic Grey Max & Whiskers, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa Accessories: sheer organza ribbons, glitter, adhesive pearls Tools: Copic Markers, Spellbinder Oval, EK Success edge punch, swiss dots embossing folder, sewing machine, Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Doing THE RUMBA with Gabriella…

Ever hear of toddlers Rumba pants? Well, myself and my stamping buddy Gabriella… as in Gabi with an Eye… were admiring cards by different bloggers using a large scallop border to create a layered look and she said, “Hey these look like the Rumba pants that my daughter wore as a toddler.” So from that moment on… we refer to this as the Rumba Pants Design.

So! A challenge immediately ensued and we were off racing to our respective craft rooms to do a little Rumba Crafting…. here is a photo that we both used as inspiration to create our own Rumba Pants Card…

Sweet, eh? Well here's my card. I thought Mo Manning's image with all the ruffles would be a good match to this Rumba Pant inspired card.

This was so fun doing this challenge with you Gabriella!! Now, you've got to check out Gabi's Rumba Pant card here. It's ADOREABLE!!

Stamps: Mo Manning, Hero Arts Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury White cardstock, Basic Grey Basic, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, dark brown Bazzel, Accessories: pale blue sheer organza ribbon, satin ribbon, brads, glitter, adhesive pearls Tools: Copic Markers, Spellbinder Rectangle & Oval, EK Success Double Embossed Dotted border punch, sewing machine, Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

SFYTT - Butterfly

Well I finally got my lazy-blog-butt back to the computer. I stumbled across the newest sketch for SFYTT on Facebook and a notice that I had 3 hours to meet the deadline for a chance to win $30 in Verve product. Wouldn't that be something - I luvvvvv's Verve....!

So here's my card. I just fell in love with this Prima Flights of Fancy Collection paper so I followed along with the theme and used this Verve sentiment and MS butterfly punches.

Stamps: Verve, Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury White cardstock, Prima Flights of Fancy, Whisper White, Bazzell brown Accessories: Sparkly chipboard thingies... not sure who makes them, adhestive pearls in brown & pink Tools: Spellbinder Fleur de Lis & EK Success edge, sewing machine, Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Happy Father's Day

For my personal plumber.... tax advisor.... furniture mover.... picture hanger guy.... best bbq'r.... house designer.... politics explainer.... country & western lover.... confident, friend & true Canadian.... & incredible cartoonist & artist.... for my DAD .

Inside:

Stamps: Mo Manning, Verve, Flourishes Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury White cardstock, MME Love Me Do, Crate Paper, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Accessories: Nothing… it’s a Dude Card, Tools: Copic Markers, Spellbinder Rectangle & Labels 10, MS fence edge punch, EK Success Double Embossed Dotted border punch, sewing machine, Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Friendship

Tonight I gave right-angle-punching a try... to form a medallion. I found the video tutorial on Becca Feeken's blog, Amazing Paper Grace under yesterday's date... it really opens up the possibilites with those corner punches!

I've been a bit blog-lazy lately but I've been busy learning a bit about Etsy and listing some cards to sell on-line. Have any of you tried this and had any success? I've inserted the link on the top right corner of my blog. It should be interesting to see how it goes. Knock on wood anyway (rubber mounted on wood block that is... lol).

Stamps: Quietfire Designs Paper: Whisper White, Jillibean Soup, Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery Accessories: grosgrain ribbon, dew drops, adhesive pearls Tools: sewing machine, Spellbinder dies, Martha Stewart punches & SU! square punch Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Cool Carribean (sponged around sentiment).

What's Mew?

I've been dying to post this card! Made for a dear friend & stamping buddy who received it in the mail........ so now I'm safe to post!... lol!! Love, love, love this sweet image from Mo Manning. I was lucky enough to pick it up as a freebie some time ago. So quick & easy to colour; not to mention off the charts in the cute department.


Sentiment is from Stamping Bella and because I am a cat-fanatic... I will have plenty more opportunity to use it. :0)

Happy Friday all... and happy card-making weekend.

Stamps: Mo Manning, Stamping Bella Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury White cardstock, Basic Grey Indian Summer, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Accessories: Sheer ribbon, Tools: Copic Markers, Spellbinder Circle & Blossom Nestie, Shapeabilities fancy tag die cut, MS Double Loop edge punch, EK Success Double Embossed Dotted border punch, sewing machine Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Another Go with an image by Mo....

Isn't she a cutie? But biggest regret: The Green. Seriously... for those of you that watch Dr. Phil... I can hear him in my head saying, "What were you thinking?!" I love green... a warm green... but I've never warmed up to this Apple Green at all. What was I thinking?!! LOL...

Anyway, I'm going to try her again in soft pink... everything is nicer in pink. 8)

Stamps: Mo Manning, Verve Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury White cardstock, Basic Grey Origins, Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Green Galore, Accessories: Sheer ribbon, Prima flower, adhesive pearls Tools: Copic Markers, Spellbinder Circle & Labels 4, MS Double Loop edge punch, sewing machine, Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Father's Day

What an awesome Friday! Last day of my holidays and my big list of "to-do's" is done... okay mostly done... but there are a lot of check marks on things I've not been able to get to (aka procrastination at it's finest).

The card I'm sharing today was not a Have To Do from my list, but a Want To Do. My friend Donna has her Dad in the hospital in Newfoundland recovering from a stroke for quite some time. She's been to visit and has tried to manage things as best she can from here in Ontario. With Father's Day approaching I thought this little Mo Manning fishing image might be just the ticket for a card for her to send. The inside says (or at least it will when I'm finished... see what I mean???)... "Happy Father's Day".


Stamps: Mo Manning, Stampin Up!, Flourishes Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury White cardstock, Jillibean Soup, Basic Grey Capella, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Accessories: Sheer ribbon, button, string Tools: Copic Markers, Spellbinder Circle & Rectangle & Labels 10, sewing machine, Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

You Touched My Heart...

... and this little Mo Manning image has stolen mine. Isn't he something else?! And so fun to colour too.

Layout is pretty basic. Where would I be without the Spellbinders? Huh??? Hope you don't get sick of this Jillibean paper......like I said I bought a wack of it. LOVE IT LOVE IT.

Ta-rah for now!

Stamps: Mo Manning, Verve Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury White cardstock, Jillibean Soup, Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Accessories: Sheer ribbon Tools: Spellbinder Labels 13, EK Success edge punch Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

OCC Challenge & Mo Manning

Well I finally did my very first Mo card. I have a few of the images and I've been colouring like crazy, so I thought today I would use one in a card for the OCC Challenge:

I bought a whole wack of this gorgeous Jillibean Soup - love the softness and the small design. The sentiment is from a Hero Arts clear set. (Don't you just love Mo's images??? **sigh**)

Back to the Copics!

Stamps: Mo Manning, Hero Arts Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury White cardstock, Jillibean Soup, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Whisper White Accessories: Pale blue sheer ribbon Tools: Spellbinder Oval, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, sewing machine, MS double loop edge punch Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Two Hearts One Love

Hi everyone! Made a wedding card with the beautiful Basic Grey Cappella designer paper - how can you go wrong?

Not sure why my photos of the inside always turn out fuzzy. Weird.

Hope you're enjoying this great Spring so far. I think I'm going to enjoy the sunshine all the way back to my craft store for more of this Cappella gorgeous-ness.....

Stamps: Hampton Art & Inkadinkado Paper: BG Cappella, SU Sahara Sand & Whisper White Accessories: Sheer white ribbon, adhesive pearls Tools: Spellbinder Renaissance Hearts Pendant, MS Deep Edge Punch - Garden Trellis, sewing machine, glue pen, glitter Ink: Brilliance Archival Pigment Graphite Black (with clear embossing powder) & Barely Banana (for sponging).

Missing You...

I love it when all the scraps on my desk seem to go together and it give me ideas. Besides it's so much more fun to make something then having to put everything away!

I didn't feel like doing any colouring, so I just stamped with the brown & green from the SU colours and kind of layered it off kilter. The flower was an afterthought (and probably too big)... but what the heck... it stays! 8)

Stamps: Stampendous, SU! Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury White cardstock, BG Cappella, Pink Paislee (autumn blossom), Close to Cocoa, Whisper White, Very Vanilla Accessories: Satin ribbon, brass button, Prima flower, brad, adhesive pearls Tools: Spellbinder Labels 8 & Classic Rectangles, Shapeabilities Fancy Tags, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, sewing machine Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Choc Chip, Always Artichoke.

Happy Mother's Day

Made for my fabulous Mom.......

Inside:

And as Mom's go....... she's the BEST.

Stamps: Verve Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury White cardstock, BG Cappella, Brown Bazzel, Barely Banana, Accessories: May Arts while polka dot ribbon, Prima flower, adhesive pearls, glitter flourish Tools: Spellbinder Labels 13, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, sewing machine Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Close to Cocoa (for sponging).

A Friends Anniversary Card

Made this card for someone who asked that the Anniversary card have a "friends theme" as the receiptents are such good friends.

So I came up with this.

The little white flowers I bought in the wedding section at Michael's (with a 40% coupon... of course!... ha) - they come in a big tin. Then I just ran them through the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder and sponged the edges lightly in Barely Banana.

Well........ Mother's Day weekend. No big surprise on what I'm working on now. 8)

Stamps: PTI, Inkadinkado Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury White cardstock, BG Porcelain, Whisper White, Always Artichoke Accessories: May Arts while polka dot ribbon, decorative flower ribbon, pearl Dew Drops, pre-cut white flowers from Michael’s (in wedding section) Tools: Spellbinder Labels 9 & Fancy Tags, MS Simple Deco Shell Edge Punch, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Barely Banana & Always Artichoke

Catherine's 1st Communion

Today is my niece's 1st Communion. I thought I'd make her a card that she might identify with instead of something a 7 year old may not want to read.

I thought this girl from MFT (B.C. Dzyns) might be a good pick. I found the sentiment in Ottawa years ago, liked it then, but never found the right time to use it. Here's the inside:

Well that's it for me. Enjoy your Sunday everyone!! 8)

Stamps: MFT, The Stamp Barn Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury White cardstock, MME Love Me Do, Whisper White, Bazzel Accessories: Dew Drop, Adhesive bling, satin ribbon, Tools: Spellbinder Labels 8 & Cross Collection, MS Simple Scallop Edge Punch Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black