Horse Birthday

Silly me! I just figured out I never shared this card, and it is one of my favorites that I have made so far for our daughter! It has many of her favorite things, horses, purple and sparkle. :) This is actually from her 2011 birthday, and her birthday is coming up again soon - maybe that's what made me wonder if I had posted this card in the first place?

The horse is an image from 2010 from Serendipity Stamps (purchased that year through CreativePlayStamps). It is one of my favorite horse stamp images over most I have seen because it is just a lovely line drawing, that also lends itself very well to Copic coloring and shading. For this image, I used C2 for a monotone horse to coordinate with the SU Basic Grey, which is paired up with SU In Color Concord Crush and GinaK Pure Luxury White. the sentiment is also from a GinaK stamp set called "Tag Lines". Finishing touches were created with SU punches Scallop Trim Border and Corner, Modern Label and Word Window punches, plus a SU Basic Grey Glitter Brad and Copic Spica Silver Glitter Pen in the horse's mane and around the sentiment.
ENJOY!

Unanswered Prayers Card

This design was also made for a challenge over at StampTV. The challenge was simple - black and white only! I chose to use an SU! printed window sheet overlay for the main image, on the black. For the sentiment, I used my Basic Black Stampin' Write to ink up just the outline of a stamp from the SU! set "Four Frames", then stamped a sentiment from GinaK's "You Are Not Alone". A little SU! 1/4" White Grosgrain Ribbon adds the finishing touch. ENJOY!

Monochromatic Birthday

I made this card for a challenge over at GinaK Designs StampTV. The challenge was to use 1 layer, 1 color and 1 embellishment. You could also accent with glitter, etc. I accented with the Spica Glitter Pen in Pink, around the edge of the flower, as well as in the middle of the flower. I used SU! Whisper White and Melon Mambo, as well as the retired Melon Mambo Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon. Images come from two stamp sets by Melanie Muenchinger for GinaK Designs.
ENJOY!

Welcome Baby Boy Card

I designed this card for a sketch challenge for the GinaK Designs January Release party over at SCS. I used the GinaK stamp set by Melanie Muenchinger - "Hand-in-Hand" for the focal image and the sentiments.

The color combo is Stampin' Up! Not Quite Navy, Bashful Blue, Old Olive & Whisper White. The Designer Series Paper (DSP) is the retired Maine Blueberry. A couple of Earth Elements Brads in Old Olive and I've got a quick and easy baby card! ENJOY!

Sweetheart Card

I designed this for a challenge from the GinaK Designs January Release party over at SCS. The challenge was to create a Valentine WITHOUT using red or pink. Good challenge, as it makes us think outside our creativity box, eh? Besides red, pink and white - what is the next thing I think of for St. Valentine's Day? Why - CHOCOLATE of course! heehee So I chose Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla and Brushed Gold as my color combination.


I used several GinaK stamp sets - all designed by Melanie Muenchinger - "Little Tees" for hers, "Just So Sporty" for his both heat embossed using SU! Gold emobssing Powder. For the sentiment, I used the "Hand-in-Hand" stamp set and my SU! Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker to 'omit' and be able to only stamp the words I wanted. My Big Shot (SU!) made it easy peasy to use the Heart and Classic Petite Oval Nestabilities.

I finished off my embellishing with the SU! Eyelet Border Punch and some retired, gold, narrow organdy ribbon. SU! Dimensionals pop up the layered sentiment and the gold bow. ENJOY!

Baptism Card

I made this in celebration of the Baptism of friend's baby son in a few weeks. I found my sketch inspiration from Card Positioning Systems Challenge #148, as well as the Copic Buzz Group on PCP = use ribbon.

I used SU! Soft Suede as the base layer. Then Certainly Celery stamped tone-on-tone with a cross image from Creative Play Stamps First Communion stamp set, and SU! Corner Rounded. I also sponged Certainly Celery ink on the edges to provide a subtle, softer look - which unfortunately doesn't show up in the scan.


The Bashful Blue is punched with the SU! Eyelet Border Punch and is layered with a strip of Soft Suede Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon.

Oh look - one of my new Nestabilities again! Adore my SU! Big Shot and Nesties! lol Used to accent the adorable focal image from the stamp set "Hand-in-Hand" by Melanie Muenchinger for GinaK Designs is colored with Copic markers (I tried to make the baby's arm/hand a shade lighter than the adults) and sponged around the edge with Soft Suede ink. As well as popped up on SU! Dimensionals. ENJOY!

Cinema Saturday #60 - "Chronicles of Narnia" & Blog Hop

Four days - Six cards & a pair of altered notebooks - YAHOOOOO! I used something out of most of my newest Nestabilities as well as my Copic Markers. Aaahhhh - feels good! I even tried out a couple digital images I found for free (those designs be posted here soon!)

This lovely, sparkly, iridescent design is for TWO events. It is for the Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge, #60 - "Chronicles of Narnia" (with additional challenge of 'iridescent sparkle') as well as a second design for Melanie Muenchinger's Anniversary Blog Hop.

Our family are huge fans of C.S. Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia" book series. We even have audiobook dramatizations of all seven books on CD (highly recommended for audiobook lovers by the way - listen while you paper-craft or on long car trips.) Hubby and I have enjoyed the movies too, and look forward to sharing them with the kids when they are a bit older.

When I think of the "Chronicles of Narnia", themes like Faith, Hope & Love immediately come to m ind. Melanie Muenchinger's stamp set "Hand-in-Hand" is a perfect fit for these themes. The children siblings (sons of Adam and daughters of Eve) are symbols of hope for the Narnians, and Aslan the Lion IS the sum of Faith, Hope & Love! Even within the group of siblings - these themes run strong as one brother temporarily loses his way in Darkness. This last example is where I found my inspiration in this image and sentiment from the "Hand-in-Hand" stamp set.

I used Stampin' Up! (of course!) card stock, ink and embellishments in Night of Navy, Bermuda Bay and Whisper White, along with Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Versamark Ink, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Big Shot and Dimensionals. Also the retired jumbo wheel "Swirling Stars." ENJOY!

Sweethearts Card

Okay - these last couple of days have turned out to be awesome for me for papercrafting time! Woohoo! Have you noticed all the new Nestabilities shapes I've been using? (Yay for my birthday and Christmas gifts from CreativePlayStamps!) My Big Shot from Stampin' Up! makes it so easy to use these.

So I decided not to wait on my blog posts - let's just say I'm catching up for all the time between the pre-Christmas posts. Maybe I'll be able to keep up after this? Um, probably not! lol anyway - I hope you all are enjoying all these designs and finding a little inspiration for your own Mojo too! (I'd love to see what you are creating, so feel free to leave links to your gallery or blog in my Comments section.)

This design is for Melanie Muenchinger's Blog Hop celebrating her two years as a stamp designer. Participants may use any of her stamp sets from these past couple of years AND she's got lots of blog candy opportunities! I own several of her sets, but so far I think this one is my favorite - "Hand in Hand". Both the focal image and the sentiment come from this stamp set.

I used Stampin' Up! Bravo Burgundy and Very Vanilla and a retired DSP. Also the SU! Modern Label and Word Window Punches. The ribbon is retired SU! Wine Narrow Organdy Ribbon. My 'special touch' for this design is the Atyou Garnet Spica Glitter Pen I used to give a subtle, dark, sparkling border around the DSP layer, the sentiment the focal heart layer and the swirls on the DSP. The Garnet matches well with the Bravo Burgundy. I wish you could see the subtle sparkle - it's so pretty! - but it wouldn't scan or show up with my camera. Guess you'll just have to trust me! heehee ENJOY!

More Altered Notebooks

Here is another altered composition notebook. I made many, many of these - in pairs with different colored main layers. This one uses Basic Gray as the main layer. Other colors used (but not pictured) included Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Sahara Sand, Basic Black, and Kraft. All pairs used the same Real Red and YoYo Yellow accents. Images and sentiments used are a mix of Stampin' Up! and GinaK Designs, as well as the Worldwide Marriage Encounter stamp. I hope the recipients of these dialogue notebooks ENJOY them! Our friends had a wonderful idea for using these as gifts for their support team.

A "Love"-ly Design

I feel like I am on a roll! I cleaned off my stamping table this week, and have been using up 'left overs' that I've been keeping - you know the ones, those scraps and extra Big Shot cut outs you are *sure* you'll use so you don't throw them away? Okay - so my pile of these is waaay bigger than what I've used up so far, but hey, a girl can feel good about what she does use, right?! :)

I immediately loved this sketch when I saw it on GinaK's blog. I never would have thought to slide a layer between layered cut outs - but I really like the effect. I am going to try this layout for some altered notebooks I want to get done. I think it will be really pretty. For more inspiration for this sketch, check out GinaK's blog or StampTV - as this is actually one of two sketches - a simple one and a step-it-up one.

I'm not sure what occasion I will use this card for yet - possibly a Christmas card for my honey, or a support letter for a Marriage Encounter Team Couple, or maybe it will even last until February to be a St. Valentine's Day card for my honey (probably the most likely! heehee)

Both the image and the sentiment come from the GinaK set "Hand-in-Hand". In case you go check out this fun stamp set - I drew the fingernails in by hand with my Basic Black Stampin'Write Journaling Marker. I used Basic Black, Real Red and Very Vanilla. I paper-pieced in the dress sleeve with some Real Red patterened DSP I had left over, then used my Glue Pen on the polka dots, to create the bracelet on her wrist, his cuff link and edges of the scalloped heart to add some red glitter. The Ticket Corner Punch leaves a wonderful little nook to place some gold brads, and a stamping sponge with Real Red ink finishes off the edges of this design. I hope the up close shot helps you to see the glitter detail better! ENJOY!

Super Mom Card

I made this card for one of the Release Party Challenges for GinaK Designs this month. Using a YoYo Yellow solid background is not typical for me - but I wanted this simple design to be bright and cheerful for whichever of my super Mom friends I send it to! The joyful look on "Kindred Spirit - Julia's" face matches with the sunshine yellow she is flying through! For me, this represents the underlying joy that gift of motherhood brings - even if a day isn't going so well, the underlying joy remains.

I couldn't get the detail on Julia to photgraph - but her Brilliant Blue suit is all sparkly from a Spica glitter pen, and her Real Red cape is shiny from a Sakura glaze pen. I used three Stampin' Up! punches - Star, Large Star and Modern Label. Also used - Crop-a-dile, Star eyelets (retired SU), and Dimensionals to pop up Julia and the Super Mom sentiment. (Julia and the sentiment are both GinaK.) ENJOY!

No Layers Challenge

I made this card for a challenge from the GinaK release party last week - NO LAYERS! Sounds easy doesn't it? Not necessarily! Easy for some, quite the challenge for others! :) I used the GinaK set Comfort and Peace.

I really liked the way this design turned out - and it was fast and easy. I did do a little cutting to make the rectangle template for sponging to create my "faux" layer.

First, I used SU! Embossing Buddy, Black Embossing Powder and Heat Tool with Versamark ink. I could have just used black ink too - but I wanted the shine of the embossing powder to add texture andinterest. Then I used my rectangle template, and oval punch - attached with a little temporary adhesive - and sponged on SU! Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango and Soft Suede. VOILA - Done! ENJOY!

Cinema Saturday #50 - "Pretty Woman" Challenge

I have been working on this card since last Saturday - obviously it's been busy around here, eh? :) I heard about the Cinema Saturday Challenge from the GinaK site. Each week - they pick a movie as an inspiration. I thought this was a unique idea for adding inspiration to the paper-crafting world and wanted to give it a try. Challenge #50 was to use the technique of Paper Piecing and the movie was "Pretty Woman". I remember Julia Roberts character being a down-to-earth kind of girl (despite her... ahem, "occupation"), so I went with the t-shirt and ball cap image, but kept the pink color family and of course, the bling! I used Basic Grey Lemonade paper, Heidi Swapp bling, GinaK and SU! stamps, and of course SU card stock cuz it's the BEST (in Rose Red, Regal Rose and Whisper White). I added some Sponging and Paper Piercing for added texture. The SU! birthday sentiment is heat embossed in white and popped up on dimensionals. ENJOY!

Pink Passion Birrthday

Here's a simple birthday design using the GinaK Little Tees set. Pink Passion is another color that isn't in my usual color repertoire, though I do like it! Stampin' Up! Scallop Edge, Scallop Circle and 1 3/8" Circle Punches and paper piercing tools add to the fun. The finishing embellishment is rhinestones from Kaiser Craft.

Tip: Every now and then, it's good to step outside your normal color zone!

ENJOY!

Another...It's a Girl! Design

This sweet design goes out to my soon-to-be newest goddaughter, Rosemary - who was born in August. I had the Pretty in Pink frame left over from the previous post's design, and thought, "What a perfect frame!" I popped it into the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder for subtle texture. The Spica Glitter Pen for sparkly highlights, of course! And again, the Stampin' Up! Fire Rhinestone Brads for the perfect flower center embellishment.
ENJOY!

It's a Girl! Design

Here is the third and final design for the sketch challenge I mentioned two posts ago. This uses the GinaK Designs set, "Little Tees" for the focal image. It's actually a t-shirt - but I masked the stamp to make it look like a onesie.

Two of our friends welcomed baby girls into their families in August - so I needed a couple of girlie girl designs. I don't often use pink in my designs - so it was fun to give it a whirl. I don't think you can go wrong with pink and white - so pretty together. Especially when the pink is Stampin' Up!'s Pretty in Pink!

I used a NEW Stampin' Up! Big Shot Texturz Plate on this design - both sides actually. I love the Texturz Plates because they cover so much more surface area than other dry embossing folders. For the white side strip - I used my rubber brayer to lightly apply Pretty in Pink ink to highlight the dry embossing. Also- little girls MUST have glitter - so I used the new Spica Glitter Pen color called Blossom to embellish around and on the 'onesie', as well the scallops on the ovals, and the tiara with the sentiment. The Stampin' Up! Fire Rhinestone Brad is the perfect embelllishement as a flower center. Now to get this card in the mail! ENJOY!

More Birthday Wishes

This was the second card I made for the sketch challenge I mentioned in the previous post. This time, I was using some of the leftover Basic Grey Lemonade paper from another card kit class attended as part of the Scrap Expo.

Isn't the vase pretty? I used the technique called "paper piecing" to create that look. First I stamped the GinaK floral image on the vanilla card stock. Then I stamped the image again, on the Lemonade paper. Next, I cut out the vase only, and adhered it on the main stamped image. The flowers are colored with Copic Sketch markers.

I really like the combination of Stampin' Up!'s Bravo Burgundy and Bashful Blue - and the Lemonade paper was perfect for me to highlight that color combination. The double layer of ribbon gives a nice texture that compliments the Lemonade paper. The finishing embellishment are light blue, Robin's Nest Dew Drops. Did you know you can make your own "dew drop" style embellishments using Stampin' Up!'s Crystal effects and your re-inkers? There's a sample here several months back (maybe Jan. or Feb.?), using the Stampin' Up! Just Buzzin By stamp set.
ENJOY!

Birthday Wishes Card

I made this design in the hopes of participating in the GinaK Designs August Release party. Would you believe I actually made 3 cards to the sketch challenge - all done well before the deadline even - AND my computer's hard drive died. I'm mean really now! Now I can laugh, but it wasn't funny a couple of weeks ago.

I had attended the Scrap Expo in St. Charles, IL with Cathy L., and taken a Basic Grey Junebug Card Kit Class. So I wanted to keep using some of the leftovers from the kit. I also wanted to use my Copic Markers and Spica Glitter Pens. The NEW Stampin' Up! In Color - Dusty Durango - went so well with the orange in the paper. So did the Night of Navy. I am pleased with the outcome of this design! A pretty Fall birthday card.

The mosaic vase is a GinaK Designs image, and I used the Spica Glitter Pens to really make it stand out. This close-up shot is my attempt to show you the glittery vase, but I've found that glitter usually doesn't photograph well. I also added some orange sparkle to the orange sections on the Junebug paper. Nestabilities Classic Ovals for the focal image. Stampin' Up! Oval and Curly Label Punches. And here's a COOL thing about Copic Markers - they can color metal! See the "navy brads" embellishing the GinaK sentiment? Those brads started out as silver Stampin' Up! brads that I then colored with B39 Copic Sketch Marker. Way cool!

ENJOY!

Altered Notebook - Anniversary Special

I made a pair of these altered composition notebooks for some dear friends of ours, whom we met through Worldwide Marriage Encounter. Don & Teri are celebrating their 30th Wedding Anniversary next week - woohoo! They are a beautiful witness of God's Love through their service to Him, each other and their ten children. May God continue to bless your Sacrament abundantly Don & Teri - and all of Willeville too! :)

I am lovin' my Big Shot with my Nestabilities, and am lovin the embossing capability of the Nestabilities! And what's not to love about my Copic Sketch Markers? lol

Tip: Back to School sales are going on right now - you should be able to find these composition notebooks at a reduced price so you can stock up!

Stamps: Coast to Coast & Everyday Expressions (retired SU); Hand in Hand (GinaK Designs), WWME stamp
Card Stock: SU! Ballet Blue, Brilliant Blue & Very Vanilla
Ink: SU! Brilliant Blue & Ballet Blue, Versamark, Memento Tuxedo Black
Copics: YO2; C2; YR00, 14, 18, 20,21; B18, 21, 24, 32, 41
Accessories: Big Shot; Nestabilities Classic Hearts & Labels Four; SU! Paper Piercing Kit, Mini Glue Dots, Stamping Sponge, retired Corner Rounder Punch & retired Bluebird Grosgrain Ribbon; Scotch Double-Sided Tape.
ENJOY!

Be My Valentine Card

I created this card with a layout from one of the challenges from GinaK Designs January Release Party
It was originally a scrapbook page layout, but a card came to mind so I did that instead. I think I actually missed the submission deadline - lol, gotta love to hate dial-up!

This is another design using the wonderful stamps and paper crafting supplies over at Creative Play Stamps.
Supplies like their Valentine Circle Stamp Set and embellishments and tools like the Prima Belle Fleur Vintage Ruby Flowers, Prima Pebbles- Definitions (self-adhesive!) [find Prima supplies HERE) and Cuttlebug A2 Swiss Dots Folder [ find HERE].

What do you think of my non-traditional St. Valentine's Day colors? :) The Prima Definition Pebble I chose comes from a package of 8 and says "Adore - to regard with loving admiration and..."

Stamps: Valentine Circle
Card Stock: SU! Bravo Burgundy, Always Artichoke, More Mustard & Very Vanilla
Ink: Bravo Burgundy
Accessories: SU! Scallop Edge Punch, Cuttlebug and Swiss Dots A2 Embossing Folder, Prima Belle Fleur Vintage Ruby Flowers, Prima Pebbles - Definitions, SU! Stampin' Dimensionals and Paper Snips.
ENJOY!