Bunnies and Butterflies

I know it's only February, but I'm ready for spring. Therefore, I'm showing off a cute Easter card I created this weekend. 

 The bunny image by Stamps By Judith is stamped onto white cardstock. I cut a triangle out of one end to create a flag and mirrored that with green striped paper. I adhered the white flag with foam risers and strung sheer green ribbon behind it. 

 

 Next, I punched out a heart from kraft cardstock and stuck it behind the white flag, but not before adding some fun doodling with a black marker. As you can see, the butterflies look as though they're flying off the page. After punching them out of yellow cardstock, I folded them in half. Glossy Accents was added just to the fold to create the dimension and movement. 

I'd love to hear your feedback... Do you send out Easter greetings?

CARD SUPPLIES
Cardstock: Paper Cut, We R Memory Keepers
Patterned Paper: We R Memory Keepers (Simply Spring Collection)
Stamps: Stamps By Judith (Bunny with Flower)
Inks: Copic Multiliner, StazOn (Jet Black)
Punches: EK Success (Heart), Martha Stewart Crafts (Butterfly)

Use It Tuesday -- 50th Challenge!

Good morning! I'm so excited you've joined me today. Use It Tuesday is turning 2, and we're partying hard during our 50th challenge! 

Challenge 50: Create a project using an un-inked stamp. Bonus points if you use GOLD! 

I'll admit, I have several un-inked stamps. So this challenge was going to be an easy one... until I had to decide which one to use! I decided to break out this set from Tim Holtz. The background stamps in this set feature reverse imagery. That's right - The words are backwards. I always liked the idea of stamping the background directly onto the embossing folder, but never found a folder I wanted or could use with such a technique. What a great excuse to go shopping! 

After a walk around Creation Galore's store, I came across this beautiful swirl embossing folder by Sizzix. I stamped the script background three times directly onto the embossing folder, inserted the cream cardstock into the folder, and ran it through my machine. When it came out, the script does not show up on the embossed edge, creating multiple layers easily. 

I applied Antique Linen Distress Ink to the embossed design with the ink pad directly. To add some depth, I added Forest Moss to just the edges of the cream cardstock with the applicator tool. 

For the gold element of the challenge, I embossed this flower stamp from Penny Black onto vellum. I also added some gold cord around the sentiment, and tied a bow. 

Thanks for stopping by today... Make sure you head over to the Use It Tuesday blog to see more inspiration and play along!

Sketch It :: Milk It

It's time for another sketch from the great challenge blog, Unscripted Sketches. I'll be honest, this week's sketch had me stumped. Take a look at it here: 

I decided to flip the sketch upside down. After playing around with several stamps and papers, my card evolved into this:

It's not exactly like the original sketch. But that's the wonder of a sketch... I say it almost every week. With Unscripted Sketches, we want to see what you come up with using the sketch as a starting point of inspiration. Link up your project here. 

CARD SUPPLIES

Cardstock: American Crafts, Paper Cut

Patterned Paper: American Crafts, We R Memory Keepers

Stamps: Market Street Stamps

Inks: Memento (Tuxedo Black), Copic Multiliner

Punches: Martha Stewart Crafts

Butterflies :: Card Making with Market Street Stamps

Hello! Just popping in to post a card I made recently in hopes of ushering in spring. Here in Wisconsin, we're expecting another 6 to 8 inches tonight and tomorrow. But I am so ready for the warm sun, colorful tulips, and beautiful butterflies! 

I gathered together this stamp set from Market Street Stamps and paired it with the new collection from We R Memory Keepers, Simply Spring. Before rounding the corners of the white cardstock, I stamped the butterfly with various chalk inks. The edge punch from Martha Stewart Crafts is one of my favorites. I love that it can be used both horizontally and, in this case, vertically. 

Sending lots of warmth and craftiness your way! 

SUPPLIES
Cardstock: Paper Cut, We R Memory Keepers
Patterned Paper: We R Memory Keepers
Stamps: Market Street Stamp (Believing Butterfly)
Inks: Memento (Grey Flannel), VersaMagic (Thatched Straw, Aspen Mist, Aloe Vera)
Punch: Martha Stewart Crafts, EK Success (Large Rounder)

The easiest cards I've ever created...

Hello! Today I'm showcasing an upcoming class I'm teaching at Creations Galore. We received a wide variety of sticker sheets from Penny Black like the one below into the store. Challenged with how I could use them, I gathered together a limited amount of supplies and set the timer for one hour. Here's a list of my supplies: 

1- Penny Black sticker sheet {The above is Embrace}

1- 8.5x11 piece of patterned paper {Paper Studio White Polka Dot}

7- 8.5x11 pieces of solid cardstock 

1- Ribbon scrap

Stapler

Circle punch

3- Sentiment Stamps

Adhesive {MyStik Permanent} 

Journaling Pen {Black ZIG Writer, White Sakura Jelly Roll}

I chose to add some fun details with the ribbon scraps, stapler, and markers; however, these are not necessary items. I did not want to use more than the papers I had chosen, which coordinated nicely with the stickers. This really propelled me to use every scrap. Many of the card elements were results of me looking through what pieces I had left. Let's take a look at the creations:

7 cards and 2 tags! I didn't have enough cardstock to create full cards with the last two stickers on my sheet. So I opted for tags! I'm so glad I pushed myself to make as much as I could with the supplies, because those scraps would have made their way into the trash or continue to clutter my desk. Instead, they're beautiful creations ready to brighten someone's day! 

After creating the cards, I realized this was by far the greatest thing EVER! At only $2.50, Penny Black Sticker Sheets are a must-have! I completed everything in under an hour! An hour! Sometimes I can't complete a single card in 24 hours! The stamping, coloring, and cutting was already done for me! Which led me to think how affordable it was. I didn't need 9 different stamps, nor did I need a collection of markers or inks. 

It may sound like it, but Penny Black didn't give me free stuff, nor am I working for them. I'm just so excited at how simple and affordable this bundle of cards was to create. I'm planning on packaging them up and giving them as a gift. If you're intimidated by card making or still gathering a collection of supplies, you'll want to give this a try! 

Cuppa Love

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. A new week brings a fresh start. Every monday I post three new Make N Takes at my day job, including the card below.

 

Just some love and caffeine to send your way today. Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!  

CARD SUPPLIES
Cardstock: American Crafts, Paper Cut
Patterned Paper: We R Memory Keepers (Winter Frost Collection)
Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Daily Grind)
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black)
Punch: EK Success (Scallop)

Sketch Saturday

Hello! It's a sketch-filled morning with SWAT and Unscripted Sketches. First up is the new challenge blog SWAT. Every first and third Saturday, SWAT posts a new scrappy challenge for you to take part in with great prize packages up for grabs! Take a look at this great sketch by Jenessa Franco.

I had so much fun with this sketch! As soon as I saw the embellishment triangle, I knew exactly what I wanted to create. Here's my take on the sketch:

I was raised in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. I've seen all kinds of wildlife, heard the wolves howl, enjoyed peaceful summer nights and full moons, and seen the wonder of snow-lightening. But when it came to fireflies, I had yet to see one, let alone capture it in a jar like I had seen in movies. Ironically, I headed off to the "big city," and my first night in New York included a meeting with fireflies. Every night on the way home, I'd walk past a large patch of greenery with swarms of beautiful fireflies lighting up the pathway. Sadly, this magical place seemed to be a nest for rats too! I encountered my fair share of those. But the childlike excitement these tiny bugs created in me surpassed those furry creatures.

I haven't decided if I'm going to write my journaling onto the polka dotted paper or tuck it into a pocket in the same place. Creating the perfect layout is always a creative journey.

I cut the fireflies from the Cricut cartridge, Stretch Your Imagination, and doodled little hearts on them. All of the cardstock and patterned papers come from the new collection, Simply Spring, from We R Memory Keepers. I loved the light colors in the collection.

These great letters and embossed stickers are from Simply Spring as well. I added the embellishments and used a Copic Multiliner to outline and bring emphasis to the layers. 

Don't forget to take a look at the wonderful inspiration my fellow design team members have put together on the SWAT blog. You have until February 25th to link up your own creation to win a beautiful prize package! 

And now for the second sketch of the day! This comes from Unscripted Sketches! USS posts a new sketch every Saturday morning to inspire you! For some blog love, stop by the USS blog and link up your own creation using the sketch below as inspiration.

Here's my take on this sketch:

For this sketch, I decided to create a card, gathering together bright colors and fun patterns. It's a simple card with big impact! 

Thanks for stopping by today. Check out these two great challenge blogs. I hope they inspire you to create!

Library Love

Happy Valentine's Day! Today I'm spending time with my love, paper crafting! Anyone with me?! I'm still working on my album full of New York memories and wanted to share a page with you. 

This page documents our trip to the New York Public Library in Bryant Park. I've been there several times, yet every time I find something new to photograph and enjoy. 

I loved this journaling block from the Storyteller sticker sheet and incorporated a few other stickers from the collection into the layout.

How great is this cutout?! I decided not to add a title to this layout and let the cutout do the work. I have a few photo sleeves full of pictures and journaling from the library in the album and felt that the small, informal title would work for this page. 

Underneath the buttons I cut and adhered pieces of American Crafts ribbon. I added the buttons, stringing baker's twine through the centers, and created an embellishment triangle on the page. 

Thanks for stopping by today! 

PAGE SUPPLIES

Patterned Paper: Amy Tangerine (Coffee Break), Echo Park (Just My Type, Journaling Cards, Instamatic), 

Embellishments: Crate Paper (Storyteller Cardstock Stickers), Basic Grey (Chipboard Stickers), October Afternoon (Cherry Hill Wild Cards)

Ribbon: A Muse Studio (Onyx Baker's Twine), American Crafts (Kringle & Co)

Practical Scrappers February Layout Sketch

Hello world, I have an announcement! I LOVE being a part of the Practical Scrappers Design Team. The ladies are talented, encouraging, and just plain amazing. Additionally, the content of the site, the challenges, and the card and layout sketches are out of this world. I've had so much fun contributing to the Practical Scrappers blog, and it's only just begun! If you haven't checked out this great site yet, YOU MUST! But first, take a look at February's layout sketch below created by Liz Chidester:

Is it not the greatest?! Here's my take on the sketch:

When gathering supplies and memorabilia for this page, I didn't plan on having so much journaling. Knowing the end result, I probably would have moved everything up farther on the background paper or incorporated a hidden pocket. Lesson learned! 

Part of my day job includes designing invites and announcements, mostly with future brides. Hoping to expand that area of our business, I grabbed my mother and roommate, Rachael, and we headed to a local wedding show. None of us were planning a wedding. Instead, we were hoping to gather some information about the current market, wedding show set up, and decide if this was the right next step. Even though we were honest about our intentions, many vendors still asked us to sign up for giveaways, threw business cards our way, and let us indulge in free samples. We laughed it off and became experts at saying "No, thank you." However, when it came to pictures with props and delicious cake, we went for it!

 

I cut the blue circles from patterned paper with scissors, cutting around each doily design. To give some texture and depth to the pieces, I used the Tim Holtz Distressing Tool on the edges.

  

The faux stitching was created with the Sew Stamper by We R Memory Keepers. The black ink was dark and bold. It stood out as a focal point with just one line. Therefore, I added it in a few other places on the page. I added additional doodles with my ZIG Writer, along with flowers and sequins.

 

The white flower above is from KinderStampO. The flowers are gorgeous, and their soft texture allows them to keep their shape and fit nicely into my albums or an envelope without the extra bulk. 

Head over to the Practical Scrappers blog to see creations from the rest of the Design Team. There are so many creative takes on the sketch!

Use It Tuesday :: Rockin' Fasteners

Good morning! If you're a craft supply hoarder like I tend to be, you're going to love Use It Tuesday! Every second and fourth Tuesday, the Use It Tuesday blog posts a new challenge for you to dig into that stash and USE IT. 

Ready for the new challenge? We want to see your fasteners! Gather together your eyelets, brads, or buttons, and create! You have until Noon on February 22nd to link up your project. I can't wait to see what you create! 

I had some glitter brads from We R Memory Keepers that I picked up years ago! Who can resist glitter?! But when it came to adding them to projects, the glitter stopped me from ever using them! Ha! How ironic. Therefore, I laid them out on my craft table and used them as a starting point for today's project. While looking around my craft room for pictures, papers, or stamps that would coordinate well with the brads, I came across a guitar stamp from A Muse Studio that I have yet to use. The lightbulb in my brain lit up, and we were ready to rock.

I punched various holes around the guitar image, stamped on orange cardstock, before adding the paper layers to the card front. The brads give an illusion of glittery music notes. 

You must head over to the Use It Tuesday blog to check out what the rest of the Design Team created for today. There are some incredibly inspiring projects! 

CARD SUPPLIES
Cardstock: A Muse Studio (Pumpkin, Sugar, Onyx)
Patterned Paper: Glitz Design (Cashmere Dame Honeycomb)
Stamps: A Muse Studio (Rock Star)
Ink: StazOn (Jet Black)
Brads: We R Memory Keepers
*You can purchase A Muse Studio products from my webstore. Select products now 30% off!

Retiring Inspiration

Good morning! It's time for a new challenge from the A Muse Studio Challenge Blog. Rita Holmes is our host the next two weeks and has a great prize up for grabs! Rita challenged us to use one of the retiring stamp sets from A Muse Studio, and I'm so glad she did! 

Haven't heard about the retiring items?! A Muse Studio is releasing a new catalog in March; therefore, we're saying goodbye to a few of our favorite products. As bittersweet as it is, I'm really excited for all the new things coming. 

Even more exciting - this year, the items on the retiring list are on sale! That's right. You'll receive 30% off everything on the list! You'll want to take advantage of this quickly! Many of the sets are already sold out. You can see the retiring list by heading to my webstore before February 28th. 

I chose the retiring set, Brief Notes. This set is so great for creating masculine cards! I paper pieced the blue tie onto the image to match the card layers. A little faux stitching and photo corners added some pizzazz to this clean and simple card. 

Now it's your turn! Head to A Muse Studio Challenge blog to link up your own project for a chance to win a great prize! And don't forget to shop the retiring list for great deals on paper, stamps, and embellishments before they're gone!

CARD SUPPLIES

Cardstock: A Muse Studio (Kraft, Sugar, Sky, Slate, Pumpkin)

Stamps: A Muse Studio (Brief Notes) NOW 30% Off!

Inks: StazOn (Jet Black), ZIG Writer (Black)

Photo Corners: A Muse Studio (Scrapbook Adhesives)

*You can purchase A Muse Studio products from my webstore

Sketch Challenge :: Swing

Hello friends! The weekend's almost over, but the fun is just starting! I'm here today with a new sketch from Unscripted Sketches. Check it out:

There are endless possibilities with the sketch; however, I chose to keep it clean and simple. Here's my take on the sketch: 

I love these stamps from A Muse Studio... I've had them in my stash for far too long! Wanting to keep a masculine theme, I chose brown and green for the card base. 

Rather than have the image on the square in the sketch, I broke up the kraft stripe, cut out the image from white cardstock, and adhered it to the card front with foam risers. 

Head over to Unscripted Sketches to add your own creation and see what our great Design Team cooked up for you! Thanks for stopping by.

CARD SUPPLIES
Cardstock: A Muse Studio (Kraft, Evergreen, French Roast, Sugar)
Stamps: A Muse Studio (Swingin' Day)
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black)
*You can purchase these A Muse Studio products in my webstore.

My personal tour guide...

Hello blogland! I've spent almost every night in my craft room catching up on Design Team projects, albums, and baby shower invites; however, I haven't been documenting them much. So sorry! I spent the afternoon yesterday photographing lots of cards and pages, and I'm so excited to share them with you. Where do we start?!

One of the albums I'm working on is dedicated to my travels and experiences in NYC, particularly a girls weekend with my roommate and best friend.

I had spent time in Central Park before this trip but hadn't explored too much of the park. There were several sites within the park that we wanted to view, so my roommate, Rachael, was up to the task of leading us. When it comes to travel, I'm the laid back type. "If we get there, we get there" is my philosophy. For that reason, I'm never the one to be in control of the map or the group. I'll be the first to admit that we would have never seen the statues, castle, or memorial that we wanted to visit. 

I started this layout with a base of green cardstock from American Crafts and gathered together embellishments and papers from Crate Paper's Storyteller collection. I fell in love with this collection when it was first released and knew it would be a great fit for these photos.

For the date, I stamped numbers from the KinderStampO Say It In Type set onto a vellum tag using black StazOn. The yellow scallop, along with the pink scallops that frame the white cardstock, were cut from the bottom portion of the 12x12 papers. I love when companies choose to add decorative elements to their barcode area. 

I use a combination of traditional scrapbook layouts and specialty page protectors in all of my scrapbooks. I first started out with Project Life page protectors but have added pages from American Crafts and We R Memory Keepers to my collection. {Click on each link to be taken to their protectors and learn more about this system} Here's a look at how the pages work with each other. I'll be starting at the beginning of this album and showing you each of the pages in the coming days. 

The journaling card in this sheet is from the Storyteller collection as well and is waiting for me to add some journaling. I would need to create far more layouts to include all of the photos I have of this trip. That's why these sheets are so great to use! 

Thanks for stopping by today! I'll be back tomorrow with a new card sketch from Unscripted Sketches!