Another Music Card

Can you handle another music card?  I love this set from MFT!

I tried to stay with the antique-y-feel of the old record player and thought a little lace could add to that.  I stamped the image in SU Choc Chip & Always Artichoke.  I used Sizzix die Corner Flourish #2 (cut into pieces & assembled) for the base of the rolled flowers and added glitter to both the flourishes & the little fern leaves.  Lastly, I glittered up the small Martha Stewart butterfly & added the MFT border punch.  By the way, I absolutely love these dies from MFT - they cut beautifully. 

The Sizzix die as "uncut"... is as it appears on the inside.  It's my first Sizzix die I've ever tried - and I love it!

Well that's it from me!  I have to say it really is so nice being back in blog land... thanks for all of your encouraging comments - means a lot!  =)

A Musical Thankyou

Hey bloggettes!!  Happy Valentines Day to you all... I suppose it would only make sense I would pop in today with a Valentine card.... but no such luck.  =)

I had a request to make a thank you card with a musical theme. 

I thought I would try this Bo Bunny paper, which is a little out of my comfort zone for colour but I was happy with it in the end.  I placed a single dew drop on the center of this old style record player (image from MFT) and used a combination of spellbinders (Fancy Tags, Classic Ovals, Nestibilities Labels 10) to frame the image.  I love this beautiful ribbon I found at my local stamp store!!

The inside:

I used to have a stamp with this sentiment on it (I believe it was SU!) but after looking high & low I resorted to the printer and a nice font.  =)

Well I've taken the day off work so I have a big card-making day planned.  Have a wonderful Valentine's Day with whomever you're with... and wherever you are! 

Times Does Not Change Us

Yesterday, with my Michael's 50% off coupon... I bought the Martha Stewart jumbo monarch butterfly trim punch and raced home to try it out.  I usually try the punches out in the parking lot and all my receipts from Michael's usually have a design in them or are half missing... lol... but this time I just went straight home and starting playin'.

Naturally I had to dig out all my butterfly "stuff" and coloured up my favorite Stampin Up! butterfly with Copics.   I also used my new Cuttlebug embossing folder - I think it's called Victorian - it leaves a great impression - I just love it.  Can't remember the name of this patterned paper, it's the last of it's kind in my stash.  Hey - I just realized I didn't use ANY brown in this card... that might be a first for me.  =)

I love the deep richness of this Cherry Cobbler SU cardstock... Christmas and Valentine's has really depleted my supply.  =)

Happy Sunday everyone! 

Thank You

My brother asked me to make a card for my parents expressing his gratitude for all they have done for him.  This was for the eve of his wedding, so this is what I came up with. 

For some reason, the lighting on this picture is terrible... AND there's no colour - so you'll need to squint!  I started out wanting to do something with white & cream monotone, but stumbled across Sahara Sand (the cardstock... not the desert...) when reaching for Very Vanilla (the cardstock... not the icecream). 

I decided to try and "channel" (LOL!) Becca Fekken and her lovely flowy flourishy (are those real words?) style... so how I did this without ribbon I'll never know.

Sentiments inside and out are both from Verve (because they rock!).  I propted the inside message up with dimensionals and added a bit of Always Artichoke to the leaves when inking. 

And last but certainly not least, I don't think my brother would mind me posting a picture of him and his new bride.  I think they're such a cute couple and pretty picgtures can only improve my blog - right??  lol

Happy Saturday y'all!!

My Heart is Yours

So happy to get another Valentine done this evening.  Made this one for a friend to give his girlfriend (their first Valentine's Day together) so I hope he likes it.

I was happy to finally play with my new spellbinder heart die set and my new MFT border die & rolled flower die.  Yeah - love new toys! 

The inside is fairly simple, wording is from the same Verve set as the front and the paper is from American Crafts... it may be hard to see in the picture but it's actually a "salmon" colour.

Well that's it for me.  Had a lovely day off and looking forward to the rest of the weekend.  Hope you all have a lovely one too!

With Sympathy

We've all had occasion of needing to make a sympathy card... it's not easy, is it? I think from now on, I'm going ot make a point of having some on hand, because I find the whole process kind of daunting... especially when I know the friend who has suffered the loss.

I mean, you just want it to be right, but the image, colours & glitter hardly matter in the end. It's just that you thought of them I guess.

I dug out one of my old favs from SU - this beautiful stipple rose and I coloured it up with my copics. I coloured extra roses and added them with foam tape and added a little glitter for a bit of a frosted look.

On the inside is a sentiment from Verve. You can always rely on Verve for just the right thing to say... in a beautiful font. How can a stamper ask for anything more??????? =)

I Won!!!

OMG - I actually won the Stampers Dream prize!! I can't believe it - I'm so excited!!!!!! Just look at this amazing package...........


Can't wait to get my hands on all of these goodies. I'm just beside myself with excitement!!!

And all I was going to post today was a Valentine Card - LOL!

I made this for a friend to give her (french-speaking) husband. I thought I would do the words on the computer to personalize it a little for her. So no stamps were dirtied in the making of this card.... also I just copied a layout from a previous post so it was super quick too.

This fun paper is from My Mind's Eye (Lush). I love that it's not a primary colour red, but it's rich and deep - it's gorgeous.

Well that's it for me......... I'm off to have a Stamper's Dream about all my new goodies!!

Courage

Spellbinders just never get old, eh? I can't wait until my new bundle from the new release arrive in the mail. With each new spellbinder you add to your collection, it just brings new life to the ones in your stash.

On this card I used Labels 13, Floral Accents & Classic Rectangles. Sentiment is from a gorgeous Verve set. I added the Martha Stewart punch in Close to Cocoa (because I'm on my usual "brown" kick). Finished up with a little bling, SU satin ribbon and this time I made my rolled flower a little looser. Can't remember the name of the pale blue background paper... it's been in storage as long as my skinny jeans - lol.

Back tomorrow with a Valentine. xox

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