Just Because repeat butterfly card

I fell in love with this sketch right away and I believe it will be a ‘go to’ in the future.   This Repeat Impressions Sketch #03118 on The House That Stamps Built blog is so simple and attractive, just the right proportions to paper.  I chose to make this a “small” card measuring 3.75 x 5.5 inches.  I have some lovely little envelopes to fit a card this size.  Sometimes this is just a sweet “giving” (as opposed to mailing) size. 

I used some small DP scraps up, backing them both with black cardstock for extra body.  I used some lovely butterfly stamps from Flourishes on top of the DP with the tiny text.  I stamped in black Versafine and then embossed with black.  After this I stamped this “just because” from Hero Arts and notched the end for more interest.  I finished with three pretty pearly sequins from Lucy’s Cards 

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Brilliant Birthday Card

I’m still playing around with a set of Recollection Halloween stamps I picked up, some of the images, though intended to be creepy or scary actually inspire me for other cards so I may work my way through a few more before I retire them to focus on some festive ones (coz really, I’ve not even begun to think Christmas yet)  I had stamped this sentiment when I was visiting my sister Nina and I just knew it would be a hit for this Freshly Made Sketches #361 challenge.  I wanted to make it simple so I chose a basic palette.  Silver sparkle, black and yellow against white.  I stamped the lightbulb with black versafine then colored using both a Tim Holtz distress ink in Mustard and then a bit of Tombow marker to match the color true to the bright yellow cardstock strip.  I then fussycut the lightbulb and embossed it with clear.  After layering a bit, bumping the sentiment out with foam, I was happy this card came together so easily. 

Even though it rained today and everything was misty moisty outdoors I chose to go for a super speed walk in the orchard today.  I have to fling myself out the door mid afternoon or else I begin to flag and thats not a good thing.  Its ok if I can actually nap, but that does not always happen and then I’m just messed up for the rest of the day.  I love walking the long rows of the orchard, the leaves confettied in the grass and with mushrooms popping up here and there making little cups for birds to come drink out of.  I thought this little crab apple looked like the cherry on top! 

Besides this, I played with my brand new instant pot – I treated myself.  I admit I was intimidated to begin but after making my first ever beef stew, from scratch, from a frozen roast no less, in 90 minutes – I’m already imagining my next big batch of cooking!  I am truly impressed.   Do YOU have one?  What is your favorite recipe?  Any pointers for me? 

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Fixin’ Birthday Card

Woot – just so happens chance I needed to whip up a birthday card for a friend who is a true carpenter, has literally built custom furniture for our home and so when I saw The Male Room Challenge #97 and the theme being TOOLS well, I got quiet excited (imagine lots jumping up and down in this house…)  because I have two nice Forever in Time stamp sets which are totally tools!  A great fit.  I paired the stamps with a backdrop of Bo Bunny Back to Basics DP in woodgrain.  I built upon a black cardstock base.  I used a Stampin’ Up birthday sentiment, poofing it out in the middle with a triple layer of foam tape and tacking the ends down. (you can’t really see how the sentiment kind of “wows” out in the center, almost 3d)  I stamped and fussy cut the tools, colored them with Tombow Markers.  I bumped out the Hammer and glued the nails down. 

Lacking a stamped sentiment to say something to pull this card together I improvised my own! 

Have YOU ever hand written your own sentiment inside a card? 

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You’re too kind–heart card

I had fun with this sketch challenge – CAS Colours & Sketchess Challenge #295  I chose to go with a black, white and gold palette.  I actually used some very thick foiled gold cardstock which, believe it or not is from those GIANT dark chocolate bars from grocery or Walmart stores.  LOL – someone close to us figured I could recycle them in a creative way so I have a stack of them.  They have come in handy over time. I used a heart sheet from Creativity Inc Kraft Cream & Gold Mat Stack, scuffing the heart and other areas up using a sharp edge.  I stamped the sentiment “You’re too Kind” by Stampin’ Up in black Versafine.  I finished off with various sized black Doodlebug Design Inc Jewels – Beetle Black Assortment. 

What’s something interesting you “recycle” on your cards?

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So Worth Celebrating card

Wow, this card turned out to be quite a bit more of a bite than I thought it would be – sometimes thats the way it goes, right?  The Freshly Made Sketches #360 It was worth the effort, I believe.  My first choices were the this sentiment (can’t find credit for in my phone notes, darn it) and this pretty floral Photoplay.  I backed it with a neutral for the oval, then created my own scallop behind on white cardstock using simple scallop scissors.  I adhered this on top of this woodgrain DP by Bo Bunny Back to Basics.  I added another backdrop of black cardstock.  In the end I also hand cut many leaves from scraps of DP and grey cardstock and layered them every which way, bumping some up with foam tape. 

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Spooky Creepy Card

I admit I don’t usually get Halloween cards made but I found myself with the time, supplies and inclination (and a family to gift it to) so, this week when I saw the CAS(E) this sketch #295 Challenge I decided I’d take the plunge.  I flipped the sketch upside down for my project.  I stamped the sentiment onto black cardstock and embossed with Stampendous Stamp-N Stuff Detail White embossing powder.  I stamped the beakers and bottles and potions stamp from Recollections (Michaels) Halloween collection.  I used Versafine Black and then embossed with clear. I colored the “potions” in using Tombow markers.  For a final touch I added “cobwebs” of white sewing cotton. 

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Throw Kindness Card

Back home after a lovely week visiting my sister Nina and then over to the coast to stay with my Mother in Law for another week.  Feels I’ve been on the hoof so much lately that my home is a resort haha!  (specially with all my craft supplies calling out to me… so should I say that my home is a “retreat getaway” LOL)  So happy for technology so I can create challenges both with Nina and my Sister in Law Judy too.  I poked through challenges and saw this challenge for Always Fun Challenges #80 and Nina and I agreed the monochromatic theme for this one appealed. 

I bought some square cardstock and envelopes while away so I decided to go with square (I rarely do square) I used up a square of sparkly paper which was in my “big scraps” bin.  Love using scraps up.  I added on this sentiment by Carta Bella, added a double bow in black and white and finished off with sparkly (confetti like) sequins.  So simple, so fun.

More cards getting posted in the coming days, mark my words.  Thanks for stopping in today. 

“Celebrating YOU” Card

http://sundaystamps.blogspot.com/2018/09/ssc168-time-to-get-sketchy.html

So happy to be able to play with paper with my sister Nina on this wet moisty Autumn day - Let it RAIN, I say, while we stay snugged up in amongst all the wonderful designer paper, stamps etc.  We are in a creative bubble enjoying a card or two.  We hunted up this Sunday Stamps #188 which whetted our appetite and managed some attractive cards! 

I used a snippet of scrap DP for the background, cut with a Simon Says Stamp rectanglular diecut.  I cut a coordinating bit of teal cardstock and slightly smaller white cardstock, stamped these pretty Favorite Flowers by Simon Says Stamp in Memento Summer Sky, Red Magic and Cantaloupe.  I stamped a few leaves and fussy cut a few of the carstock.  I finished off with Sequins from Lucy’s cards.com

More to come soon - appreciate you dropping by! 

Honey Bee Simon Says Stamptember challenge:

I had a lovely creave session with Nina this weekend, ONLY card I managed this weekend, no regrets as I got a day away with my handsome Mr.  Nina pointed me to this challenge for STAMPtember at Simon Says Stamp

and as I have some lovely Honey Bee stamps I managed to whip up a card (pictured above the STAMPtember ad)   I Stamped the Thank You on thick bright white cardstock then die cut it with a Simon Says rectangular stitched diecut.  I stamped the Honey Bee  “I CAN’T” and “ENOUGH”  and pretty butterfly.  I used Tim Holtz  distress inks (birthday gift from my sweet Sis) in dusty concord and victorian velvet on all things stamped.  I used a diecut for the sentiment tabs and fussy cut the butterfly.  I added some Gelly Roll on the butterfly for a bit of soft glitz.  I mounted everything on the card, adding a Studio Katia gem for the butterfly’s head and sprinkling a few sequins around the rest of the card to draw your eye around. 

I love how this butterfly looks as if it hovering on my card, ready to take flight. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

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Floral “Remember Today” Card

AAA Cards Challenge #123

I feel like I’m giving into this “simple” theme on a lot of cards lately and being able to assemble quickly and happily – so unusual for me.  I’m happily ensconced into my craft cave for the second time today and it feels like I got the very last scoop of ice cream or something.  My sister Nina and sister in law Judy are both doing this card along with me too, so now I feel like I hit the winning ticket for sure.  The very most wonderful thing I can think of doing before this long weekend ends and the daily grind gets me.  LOL!  Do you craft along with a sibling, relative or friend while you create?  Do you text?  Do you Facetime?  How blessed we are when we do, doubles our joys, so to speak.

I started my card with a basic thick white cardstock.  I save the “good stuff” for cards where I make mostly white on the front panel which I diecut using what I think was a Spellbinders set.   I find a top rate cardstock makes a big difference in sturdiness and quality of my cards.  I stamped some pretty florals using versafine and Stampin’ Up “both way blossoms”  I shaded them in gently using Tombow Markers.   I used an  Echo Park sentiment. 

Thanks for dropping in!  Visit me and I’ll come a-visitin’ you too  

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You’re RAD Dino Card

Sometimes these tic tac toe challenges can be a hoot!  I liked the idea of this Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog #211.

I decided to go a little crazy and try out a couple sets of diecuts I purchased at least 3 months ago and have not used as much as I thought I might.  Thes diecuts and stamp sets are Recollections.  I used two sets, one a dinosaur theme (thus the diecuts)  the other for some award ribbon looking ones.  I liked the dino from one and the sentiment from both sets.  The thing that really made this card so fun is this DCWV The Gone Wild Stack.  Its 12 x 12 in nice thick textured paper with lots of glittery stripes and such (thus the glitter)  I used two DP (thus the two pattern papers)  the greenish sparkly stripes one for dino and then the red, more muted one for the backdrop.  I stamped the ROAR on and filled it in a bit with Gelly Roll clear star.  I stamped the sentiment and trimmed it into three bits and popped them out with foam tape.  Finally I decided to make a spring for behind dyno so he can squiggle around for even more scary action. 

I was given this paper a few years ago by my lovely freind Jocelan.  (muah, muah MUAH Jocelan and I’ll be emailing you sooner than soon, really!)  At the time I really wondered how I would use it, it was a huge departure from the patterns and tones I usually gravitate to.  But you know, this stack keeps filtering right up to the top of my stacks pile every so often and exactly when I need a unique card.  And now is a great time with Grandkids growing up – both boys and girls – they all seem to like dinosaurs these days. 

Isn’t that the coolest thing really though – giving someone a gift and knowing that whenever they use it, it comes with a memory of WHO gave it and brings them to mind?   I love sharing out things with my family and friends and seeing how they use it… incredible to see how we all interpret things differently.  Is there something special you have recieved from someone that you enjoyed?  I’d love to know.

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Bless Your Little Heart card

I’m jumping on a sketch a day it seems for this past week, but I’m sure my streak will stop very soon and I’ll take a breather and come back refreshed.  I seem to work in bursts.   I liked this straightforward CAS(E) this sketch #287 and so it was easy to figure out just what to whip up.  I used this gorgeous designer paper “Love Story” – an 8 x 8 block of the most textured and lovely paper by Kristin Cronin Barrow 

As you can see its deeply embossed and nice thick and strong paper.  I used a Simon Says stitched diecut for the circle and then used a small diecut for the heart.  The stamps are from one of my favorite stamp companies – Honey Bee Stamps. 

Hope you are on a crafty creative streak too.  What a nice bunch of coincidences for me:  a long weekend (Labour Day here in Canada) – my sweet husband home and getting to spend quality time with him – and making a few cards here and there. 

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Follow Your Heart Card

The moment I saw this Sketch #279 at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge I knew that I finally had a sketch which would inspire me to use some supplies up.  I picked up this Forever in Time  Designer Paper because it is ideal to go with the ART-C feather stamps and diecuts I’ve been aching to use but never seem confident enough to use.  I used a Simon Says diecut for the stitched rectangular background.  I also used two more smaller stitched diecuts to make a clear plastic window and the ochre frame.  I did not want to hide the background completely so I chose a bit of shimmering gold see-through ribbon and a narrow strip of teal.  I stamped and cut the diecut feathers from a watercoloured paper.

With school coming soon I’m sharing a couple of “school theme” pics from a recent visit to a cool little ghost town museum we visited:

This is me, sucking in my neck and frowning as if I were a mean old biddy teacher…

And I liked this sweet vintage lunch kit too –

I can just imagine some tow-headed boy or little girl with braids and ribbons clutching this.

Have a good holiday weekend if you’re hear in Canada and if you’re not, hope you have a super one too. 

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on the way to school.

WHALE Hello There…

TaDA!  Another card pulled out of my creative hat.  I was soooooo tired when I saw this Freshly Made Sketches challenge #352 but I made myself prop the peepers open to take this one on.  Yup, it was do or die and so I quickly picked out this designer paper from DCWV 12 x 12 “Coastal” pad.  I laid my hands on this Cheeky Modern Pop Stamp and Die Kit I’d bought from Michaels  because seriously, I’d bought it a while back and had not even had a chance to crack the package and I said to myself “THIS is the day”.  I Heat embossed Mr Whale.  I added a black sequin for the eye.  I used some wide silvery ribbon underneath some clear hard plastic I ran through a WeR Memory Keepers embossing folder.  I stamped the sentiment on and trimmed the sentiment into a notched banner.  The final touch was to add the “spout” of water from his nose hole. 

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Have Courage Card

I decided to stretch this pretty designer paper by Graphic 45 for this CAS Colours and Sketches Challenge #287.   You may have noticed I flipped the challenge sketch horizontally so that I would  not lose any of the pretty florals on the DP.  I layered this up with two tones of cardbase and backed it by black to coordinate the black cardstock base.  I used a bright white for the Cuttlebug  embossed background.  The sentiment is a new favorite from the Echo Park “Loving Expressions” set. 

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Elegant Hello Card

Finally back at the drawing board with a challenge card after a long hiatus in all things creative due to a lovely summer chock full end to end.  (even better I was able to join this challenge with my sister in law Judy) I chose this great little sketch from the Paper Players #407 because it is  so simple and versatile.  I liked it so much, indeed, that I created a batch of 4 out of this lovely designer paper by Graphic 45 called Joy Luck – Bird Song Collection.  I even have enough left over in scrap that I can make even more cards to eat it ALL up!  Have you ever challenged yourself to use a paper up in one fell swoop?   I cut the Hello from my Die-namics diecut, layering it up for strength, and I glued it onto the bottom panel of my card, which I had “bumped up” using a thick foam tape. 

Thanks for dropping by! 

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Sum Sum Summertime

Ah these crazy hazy summertime days. Happy crazy, good crazy peppered with visits and visiting. Crazy with a whole two weeks of precious moments with my grandbabies and family and even grand dawgs. Crazy with my 3 year old granddaughter giving me a peck on the cheek after not seeing her for oh so long and her meowing through our visit (she was a CAT and I enjoyed her feline take on the world through her eyes). I got to hold my brand new grandson for the first time ever. I got time with my daughers and daughter in law too, my heart is full. These sweet memories printing out in my mind as little insta-prints going into a jar where I can take them out one by one in the future and examine them. Lovely time with my Sister who loves me so fiercely and unconditionally that I feel her hug surrounding me always. Meeting new family I never knew existed before - how crazy is this? Its like being given a teeny bit of my family history back. So amazing.

The hazy - all the fires here in British Columbia. It seems not to matter what the weatherman calls the day to be, its all gray and ash. My prayers go out to the people on the frontline of the fires and those who are silently in the back volunteering.

I hope you are having a beautiful summer and I thank you for taking a few moments out to stop in and say hi!

Colorful Birthday Card

So my Sister Nina texts me this morning and asks if I’m into making a card and I say “Sure!” – she asks if I have a challenge in mind so I hunted and pecked and settled on Your Next Stamp Sketch Challenge #92 – and I discover that once again our sisterly brains are on the same creative wavelength because she had not only chosen this same challenge but had already chosen and assembled her bits in readiness.  This happens to us often.  Do you have this happen too?  This said, I think its so cool how we can take the same sketch and make completely different looking cards out of it. 

I used a slice of K&C Company designer paper for the backdrop and then layerd on stripes of color coordinated cardstock bits (nice way to use up scraps!  I stamped this sentiment from Your Next Stamp (love this set) and diecut this banner panel from glittery cardstock.  I thought I was done at this point.  Showed and Telled to Nina then took a pic in prep to post.  Wandered off and had lunch, all the while thinking it looked kind of naked up by the sentiment.  Came back and it hit me to add the small bits of blues and greens to “frame” in the words.  Voila! 

Do you ever wander off and come back with revelations of improvement or enhancement to your cards? 

Thanks for stopping by today!

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Thinking of You frame card

Feels like forever since I’ve created and posted all in one fell swoop.  Well, thats the way it has to be with me, isn’t it with such busy days.  I am happy with this oh so simple Just Add Ink  #414 challenge.  I pulled this one together quite effortlessly, keeping it straightforward before I could get carried away.  I was dying to use this panel from Kaiser Craft Hanami Garden Collection, and because I wanted to “Just Add” some Ink I used a tombow clear ink marker and embossed this sentiment.  I diecut the frame using stitched die from Simon Says Stamp  with DP by CraftSmith “Natural Luxury” (a 12 x 12 pad I go back to time after time and wish I’d bought two, no three, NO, the craft hoarder in me yells 12 haha!) 

For a final touch of elegance I added some Twinkle Dust glitter to the blooms.  And there you have it.  Hope you’re enjoying a beautiful and creative day. 

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Sweet Birthday Card

Really loved this fast and simple Your Next Stamp Sketch Challenge #90, chose this over the colors as I sometimes have a difficult time bringing colors together – I get hung up on the colors and lose direction.  I went with allowing the designer paper to do most of the heavy work.  Loved this panel from A.W. Cute of a vintage jam label.  I paired it with my “go to” (so many many times) stamp from Your next stamp (birthday sentiment) and added a “sweet” from Honey Bee Stamps  on white cardstock, backed with dark blue which I scalloped.  Lastly was the teensy tiny gem to dot the “i”.

Thanks for dropping in today. 

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Hello To You Card

Oh so quick post – believe it or not posting this Sunday Stamps #180 Challenge is my big fat reward for vacuuming the upstairs of my home.  I know I’m a weirdo but carding to me is like a milkbone to a dog.  1 load of laundry, 1 card.  Clean out the freezer, well heck, that deserves a two card session.  You get the picture… and if it happens to rain outside well thats an excuse too! 

I used some Boy Oh Boy designer paper by Carta Bella, layered it upa with a lovely sheer fat ribbon, notched.  Layered a rectangle and then scalloped another, added the Dienamics hello diecut and also the “to you” from a Honey Bee stamps set. I backed the dp with black cardstock and added the stitched black ribbon and layered everything up using foam tape in two different heights. 

Thanks for stopping in!  I’m off to suck up the basement before I post another card…

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Daisy Wreath Card

I managed to tuck in a short window of crafting on Monday and my card is the result.   I chose to do this Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #266 because I have a diecut I’ve  not had a chance to use yet and the floral wreath element of this sketch segues perfectly into it. 

The background designer paper is one my friend Terri gave me a bit ago, unfortunately no details on it.  I diecut it with enough room to allow the cardstoc to become a “frame” for it.  Next, I diecut the wreath:

Its a very interesting and intricate one and at first I was hesitant – just did not know how I would use it.  Then I realized one of my Simon Says stitched circle diecuts fits perfectly in the middle section.   I had this lovely sparkled up daisy sticker hanging around and thought the bright white of it and sparkles were a nice contrast to the green background.  I used a tombow marker to color most of it a deep green, leaving the two tiny blossoms white and adding some clear gems from Pretty Pink Posh.  I used a sharp needle to poke holes in the middle of the daisy for added texture.  Next I stamped the sentiment with a Your Next Stamp and fashioned it into the little flag to affix to my card and Voila! 

The flood waters are abating here in Osoyoos and our weather has cooled a bit as well. 

The cherries are coming on now, just the first few red ones which are hardly eating size yet, but still!  My mouth can already taste them. 

And on my way to pick up my handsome Mr from school (he’s an instructor) I came across this little lemonade stand.  What a sweet way to finish an afternoon.  I skreached on the brakes in my Frisky little Fiat and queued up for a glass of this fresh-squeezed treat. 

What’s special in your little corner of the world? 

PS – A VERY VERY Happy Birthday to my Sister in Law Judy 

PPS – if you are reading this Jocelan, I have NOT forgotten about you… LOL!  I will send you an email really soon

Technorati Tags: Mrs Miles,Barb Derksen,Barbara Derksen,Osoyoos,Osoyoos BC,Osoyoos Cherries,Osoyoos Fruit,Okanagan Fruit,BCFruit,Atlantic Hearts Stamp Challenge,Simon Says Stamp,Simon Says,Your Next Stamp