Thursday, March 31, 2011

OLW47 Mrs. Bunny



One Layer Wednesday had this sketch to follow this week. (http://stylesink.ca) The image I used is from CTMH Sensational stamp set. I used a very tiny flower from another retired set for the border instead of dots, and put some on her apron to match.

Not much time to stamp because we are playing with the grandsons today. We went to 'Pump It Up' this morning - that's a workout!!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Just Fun Today





My worktable was a disaster! You know the mess created when you keep pulling out things to see if they work...and after two or three cards there isn't any table (or even floor!) space to see. Time to clean up. But sometimes those very scraps or notebook scribbles inspire again. I had out all my Bugaboo images and a lot of blue CTMH Stardust paper for yesterday's monochromatic...and Cool Cat was made. He didn't like buttons, so had been dropped yesterday. Stars are his thing. A lovely card seen on the Clean & Simple blog inspired me to go out and buy an EK butterfly punch today...hence the butterfly CASE card. I tucked a piced of matching paper into the envelope to make it a bit fancier. Otherwise it's a 3-5 minute card. Got to love those punches and a little bling!

Well, I'd managed to clean down to my notes and sketches...and saw the egg idea scratched on a page. I had seen an egg card with a swiveled top and these little chicks, but no directions at all. I free-hand cut the large oval, used a small Nestabilities for the oval chicks and a scalloped punch cut in four for their wings. Gave them a little color with red chalk. The eyes are just hole punched pieces glued together. I cut a 1" strip of Autumn Terracotta textured card stock for the 'feet' - trimmed one side with Fiskars small scallop scissors, and folded. That lets the chick stand up on his own. The grass I bought in a package at Michael's last year... I had a blast making these. And my workspace is nearly clean enough to start again!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Bugaboo ~ You've Got Flair!


My husband says that this version IS monochromatic. It's also pretty wild and fun!

Something about purple that must either be somber or silly. I pulled the ribbon through the button holes, ran the center strip through a Cuttlebug folder. The papers are long retired CTMH as are the buttons and ribbon. It feels good to use some of the saved up things...then you can't feel so guilty for buying more. lol

Does this make you want to dress up and go dancing?

Bugaboo Challenge ~ Monochromatic w/ 3 buttons


Attempt #1 . . .these are three greens Sweet Leaf, Juniper and Topiary. The Juniper photographs blue. sigh. But I had lots of fun doing the 'Bandanna' technique on the Bugaboo block digital image. I used CTMH Veranda creative basics and Stardust papers, and three buttons from the new CTMH buttons Green Assortment.

I have some chores to do and will try again with blues or reds. This really fits the challenge category! Matching sketch, buttons, image and papers in one color. Thanks Bugaboo for stretching my crafting mind today.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Designed to Delight ~ Lady Bug Bloom



This cute flower and bug are part of the weekly digital image challenge at Designed to Delight. I used Close To My Heart papers from the Mayberry collection, Cocoa and Colonial White card stocks, the sentiment is from CTMH Happy Holidays set.


Three posts today! and lovin' it. But light is fading and I must get out to do a little work in the yard for the real bugs and blooms.

Simply Less is More 'Tall and Skinny"





All that luscious Sophia paper and Pear card stock on my worktable...so for this sketch I've used the same colors as my last post, and stayed dimensional as well. Love these quick folded flowers that actually lay quite flat to mail. Two of them creates a butterfly- which I saw on some's blog weeks ago. I try hard to keep track of these things, but cannot locate the name to give credit.

On the flower card I embossed the bottom portion with a Cuttlebug folder.

Clean&Simple FTL 133




On spring break! Time for craft challenges...my first is a card sketch from Clean & Simple. The directions are to put a three dimensional embellishment where the flowers are. My stash is full of lovely things that don't get used enough. The flower and pin are from SU! The beads on the pin are a combination of clear from SU! and pink and green from years ago CTMH. Cardstock is CTMH Pear and a tiny strip from CTMH Sophia collection - as is the customized brad. Card base is CTMH textured White Daisy stamped in Hollyhock ink. Fun!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

You are in my thoughts...


Lots of people fit this sentiment for me. So many of the cards I've been making this week are inspired from others, that I'm happy to say this one is entirely my own creation. Kraft cardstock is a favorite - just can make anything look classy to me.

The background stamp is new from CTMH and very fun to use. I cut a wavy shape from regular paper and masked the cardstock before stamping in Brown Bag ink. The flower is from a retired set You are Beautiful that has been one of my most used floral stamp sets. The inks used were Olive and Tulip. The ribbon was a velvet that came in a Christmas basics package and somehow I'd never used it. Can't imagine why not, but it's not just for Christmas.

I decided to add this card to my workshop this weekend even though it uses a retired set. It's more about crafting with friends than selling product for me anyhow.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Hippity Hop


This is a CASE of the card on page 51 of the CTMH catalog. It uses one of the new A-sized sets called A Hop (just $7.95 for the set of 5 stamps). Sometimes a card is just cute and begs to be copied. The catalogues are a perfect resource when your own creativity seemd to ebb. In fact we call it the Idea Book. You can see the current one online by clicking on the link on the sidebar.

The designed paper comes from the Mayberry collection.

I stamped a row of eggs on the insde of the card using Olive, Smoothie, Honey, and Sky inks.

Friday, March 25, 2011

CTMH Special ~ Hope for Japan


A way to contribute to relief funds for Japan. My company, Close to My Heart, will contribute the full purchase amount of this stamp set to relief for those survivors of the Japanese quake and tsunami. Now and during the month of April, you can purchase this exclusive "Hope for Japan" A-size acrylic stamp set for $5.00 * (retail value $7.95). CTMH will donate 100% of the profits to the American Red Cross efforts in Japan. If you would like to participate, go to my CTMH site to order:


* offer valid March 24-April 30, 2011. Tax and shipping charges on retail amount apply.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Sensational Season


That's the name of the Close to My Heart March Stamp of the Month. It is quite sensational- we have had some sunshine and suddenly there are cherry blossoms on many trees! I bought two bunches of daffodils for the table and they make me happy just looking at them. Unfortunately, I never remember to plant some in October....

This card uses just one of the dear bunny images from the set, and another on the inside. I stamped the image on watercolor paper in chocolate ink and colored with markers. The background paper is from CTMH Twitterpated collection, chocolate and sorbet card stock and ribbons used also. This will be one of the cards we make at my workshop this weekend.


It's been a long day. My cold is making me feel pretty rotten. Enough to call in sick if it weren't a Friday and the last day before spring break. So I'll take my germs to school tomorrow. sigh.

BUT I have a week of rest and stamping time ahead. Smile.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

First try at 'Bandana' technique...


Tresa Black, the "Stamp Goddess," has some fabulous tutorials on YouTube. This technique is simple, but a really fun way to create your own background/designed paper. I was so excited to try it...but didn't have a white colored pencil. I tried to use a white crayon, and it didn't work very well. But even so the card is bright and fun. I'll get a white pencil from my huge bin at school and try again. (I always wondered what the white pencils were for. There are lots of beautiful unused white ones in my mapping supplies box.)


How to: Pick three stamps that can create a design. Randonmly stamp them on your paper. Color around each object with the pencil, then using a sponge or breyer, ink over the whole with the same color. The white should resist the color and highlight/outline each object. Mine done with crayon...not so much.

The flower was made using a scalloped 1 1/2" punch. I cut around it to make petals. Then I stamped one of the 'bandana' flowers in blue, cut it out and fastened the two together with a small sprocket. I really like the look of this cheerful card.


CTMH products: CTMH White Daisy and Cranberry cardstock, Cranberry and Outdoor Denim inks, Smiles and A Little Everything stamp sets, Outdoor Denim Accessories (retired). Other: blue ribbon from SU!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Clean and Simple FTL 132


A nice sketch at Clean and Simpe this week. I used a shimmery pearl embossing powder for the flowers and the resist technique with Heavenly Blue and Crystal blue inks. The paper is CTMH Miracle collection, and CTMH One of a Kind, Card Chatter-Birthday, and Smiles stamp sets.

There are several challenges I hope to do...so little time. Instead of stamping this weekend, I played with my grandsons which was wonderful fun. Lots of papers to grade tonight, but perhaps I will be able to sneak back upstairs for another card.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Bugaboo Challenge- Baby Steps


This digital from Bugaboo is called Reading Time. Such a happy scene - always one of my favorite things to do with my boys and now the grandsons. Even at 3 months they would look at pictures and could be soothed by reading. We had fun just last night reading Tawny,Scrawny Lion and The Best Ever Joke Book.
This is a simple card...No bling or buttons...but anything I tried to add just looked fussy. So simple it is.

products: CTMH Splendor paper collection; Moonstruck and White Daisy cardstock; Sunflower, Moonstruck and Topiary inks.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Design 2 Delight Challenge


Well, I was slow and missed the deadline by a few hours again! lol That's what happens when I don't get my stamping time during the week. This little angel from Design 2 Delight digitals it so sweet. The digi set comes with a flower and also with an angel with eyes open. Check out their great collection of digitals at www.designed2delight.blogspot.com

The inside reads "I thought of you today...and smiled."

I am still having trouble getting clear photos when it isn't natural light.


Products used: CTMH Sweet Home paper collection, Indian Corn Blue cardstock and ink, CTMH spring button collection, CTMH Smiles stamp set for the sentiment; Create a Shade pearlized paint. Other: ribbons; Cuttlebug embossing folder; MS* border punch

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Catch the Bug Challenge -Scallops


I've wanted to color this sweet pair for weeks! I think the leaves resemble scallops, too.
This is one of my favorite Bugaboo digitals.
It's taken several days to get this done. I've not wanted to be away from my computer. But it was good to go up and finish it today. My favorite place as a child was swinging on the homemade swing in our back yard. I spent hours in motion contemplating the clouds.

My son is on a train toward Maebashi (NW of Tokyo) as I type. Each moment further from the scary Fukushima reactor. He will stay with friends of colleagues until he knows if he can return to his home in Iwaki. He says he wants a long hot bath - it's been five days without water. He's one of the very lucky ones. Thanks to all the wonderful people who left messages of hope, comfort, and love on my last post. Your kindness has been very much appreciated.


products used: CTMH Splendor paper collection, Topiary and Brown Bag cardstock. CTMH marker, Chocolate Waxy flax. Nestabilities; flower and brad from stash.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

One Layer - off the Edge for Less is More


Well, as my husband said - you have always been off the edge. Hmm? Wonder exactly what he meant by that? I know certainly I have been off the last few days. My son teaches and lives in Iwaki, Japan. He was about 40 miles from the epicenter of the big quake and is 23 miles from the Fukushima nuclear plant that had an explosion late last night. He is safe and fortunately, still had internet service early today so we have been able to talk through Skype. He is amazed that he still had electric power - expecting that not to last much longer. Water is not running, but his building has a holding tank on the roof that is still providing some water, though not for drinking. Last night when we talked he was making batches of cooked rice so that if power was lost he would have something to eat for a few days.

He has been so concerned about his students and their families. Tsunami damage was severe in his area.

So the Less Is More challenge was for a one layer card, off the edge. My heart and mind is with those in Japan right now, and so this card sprang immediately to my mind.

products used all CTMH: Colonial White textured cardstock, Bamboo, Blush, and Baby Pink inks, Aspirations and Kangi Phrases stamp sets.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Less is More - Pastels



I have been wanting to try this technique for the longest time! Last year I purchased some Fiskar plates with designs for $.50 each. I thought perhaps I could run them through my Cuttlebug....it didn't work, so they sat in the box with other folders....until I bought some Nestabilities and a brown embossing pad from Spellbinders. The package had directions and a web site. Wow! It was full of cool ideas and tutorials. So here I have inked up a plate and then embossed on CTMH White Daisy cardstock. I trimmed it to 5" x 5" - the finished card is 6 X 6"
I am thrilled with how quickly and easily this went together, but it looks elegant. I couldn't bring myself to trim it more so there would be room for a sentiment, so that will go inside.

I keep missing the chance to link a card to what has become a favorite blog - so hopefully, this will qualify as pastel colors.

products used: CTMH Pear and Lagoon inks and cardstocks, CTMH green sparkles, Fiskars embossing plate.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Lucky Bird


This week's image from Delightful Inspiration (www.designed2delight.blogspot.com/)

is a sweet bird. They have many lovely digital images, and if you play along with their weekly challenge, you get a free one emailed for the next week. What a great deal!! Of course, it is difficult to just have one....but digital stamps are very affordable and can be resized.

I used both markers and chalk to color the image, and gave the boots a gloss of liquid glass to make them shiny.


products used: CTMH Caboodle paper collection, CTMH Sorbet ribbon, CTMH metal tabs, Sweetleaf and Vanilla Cream cardstock. Cuttlebug embossing folder, Nestabilities small circle die.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Cute Chick


Last year I bought this sheet of chicks paper and some stickers intending to make something for Easter, which never happened. Do you have a stack of saved up paper like that? Well, when I saw the Bugaboo digital image of the bird sitting on the branch last month, I thought it was the cutuest thing I'd seen in a while. Of course, I had to buy it to go with my chicks paper. I found it very difficult to match the yellow though, and am not happy about my coloring job. It didn't look too bad until I saw the photograph. The camera's eye is unforgiving. Still, it's a fun card and I love how sweet the white gel-pen dots look on the red.