Running With Scissors...

Relaxing with Butterfly Gardens

I stamped this weekend since it rained again on Sunday.  I can’t complain, though, because we had a beautiful Saturday and I accomplished a few things in the garden.  Stamping-wise, I have a more time-consuming project underway, but, for now, I’ll share a card I made with my newest JustRite set – Butterfly Gardens. 

I colored with Copic markers, coordinating the colors with these papers from Webster’s Pages Lullaby Lane & Life’s Portraits Combo Pack.  I cut out the center and popped it up, and finished with stitching, pearls, and a sheer chocolate bow.  All set for the next birthday on the list!

Thank you so much for dropping in.  Have a great week!

Stamps:  JustRite Butterfly Gardens  Paper:  Guava textured, blush, Classic White, Webster’s Pages Lullaby Lane & Life’s Portraits designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers for coloring  Accessories:  Sheer ribbon, copper pearls, Spellbinders Classic Circle Nestabilities Large, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

A Smile for You

Back to Monday!  I’m smiling because the rain that was forecast for the weekend never materialized.  Saturday was not bad, and Sunday was downright beautiful.  Got some garden time – slow progress on the beds, but progress nevertheless.

I also managed some stamping time, and today I’m sharing a little something I made with my new JustRite Smile set. 

I think the frames for this set are so pretty, and I love anything filigree.  This particular frame has a leafy botanical look so I love it all the more.  I brought out some older (probably retired) BasicGrey designer paper called Scarlet’s Letter.  I’m so fond of this paper I have two pads and I’ve barely touched it.  Today was its day to come out of hiding.

I must move on to other things, now, so I’ll keep this brief.  All card ingredients are listed in the recipe below.  Thank you for visiting, and have a wonderful day!

Stamps:  JustRite Smile  Paper:  Ruby Red textured, white, BasicGrey Scarlet’s Letter designer paper  Ink:  Olive, red  Accessories:  Sheer ribbon, Kaiser flat-backed pearls, Spellbinders Classic Squares Large and Small Nestabilities, Classic Circles Nestabilities, Fancy Tags Three, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

How Do You Design?

Happy Monday to all!  My wish came true and we finally had a weekend without rain so I was in the garden from early in the morning till late in the afternoon each day.  I’m completely redesigning the garden this year; only the most mature shrubs and trees will remain.  New contours, plants, walkways, steps, walls, new everything.  It will be easier to care for and able to withstand the occasional 100 lb Golden Retriever chasing a ball through a flower bed, but still a peaceful and beautiful sanctuary.  My plan is to finish it this summer, but by the end of Sunday I was wondering if I’m up to the task.  Ouch!  I will prevail, though.

Saturday evening I felt like stamping.  I knew what I wanted to stamp, but the plan for how I would stamp it had not yet developed.  My cute little Spellbinders Charms Custom Dies (made for JustRite) were calling to me, and I wanted to use them with a sentiment from the JustRite A Warm Hello set.  Here’s the card I ended up with:

You can’t really see it’s a die cut charm since I covered up that part by tying the ribbon through it.  You can tell it’s hanging, though, can’t you?  At any rate, despite the layering, the stitching, the die cuts, the embossing, and embellishing, this was a relatively quick and easy card to make and, best of all, I like it!

Long about the time I was adding the finishing touches, I got to thinking how you, as fellow stampers, might enjoy a peek over my shoulder at the design process.  I often wonder how other stampers work, and mostly I wonder how some folks can do it so quickly.  I’m a certified slow poke and that’s even with certain methods I’ve devised to help speed things up.  I’m hopeless! 

In this case, I started by leafing through my sketch notebook.  For the most part it’s filled with printed photos of cards I’ve made in the past which I felt had a layout worth using again.  The sketch to the left is one I made quite a while ago.  It was used for a sketch challenge on SCS, but I’ve forgotten the number it was assigned.  There have been so many since. I recreated the sketch in cardstock form since I’m currently clueless as to how to create sketches on my computer.  It’s primitive, right down to the bare bones, but that’s where your imagination comes into play.  I used the sketch as a jumping off point for today’s card and, though the finished product is quite a bit different, perhaps you can see the points of similarity.

I don’t always start with a sketch, and these days I don’t always see my cards in terms of sketches, but since sketches were on my mind I decided to recreate my JustRite card as a sketch.  So, here it is, a whole new sketch:

It will now go into my book to be used again in the future.  Please feel free to use either sketch if you feel them CASEworthy, and simply link back to me if you post online.

One other tidbit – I have oodles of shapes sitting around in my scrap basket, cut for a card and then rejected.  Some are used eventually, but until then they serve as stand ins when I’m working on a layout.  Today’s card, for instance, did not start out with the square behind the horizontal strip.  I had the card all finished and knew there was something missing, so out came the scrap basket to search for ideas.  I slipped a Lacey Square die cut behind the ribbon and it sealed the deal.  Just what it needed.  Of course, I had to cut a new one in the desired color, plus add an embossed Classic Square, but that’s all part of the process.

Here’s a peek at some of those die cut and punched shapes that come in so handy.  This is just a drop in the bucket:

And, finally, another bit of pretty in case you forgot where we started after this lengthy post.

I’d love to know if you have any helpful hints as to how you go about designing a card.  I need all the help I can get!  Have yourself a wonderful Monday!

Stamps:  JustRite A Warm Hello  Paper:  Bashful Blue, white, Wild Asparagus designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Marker G20 for shading “you” Accessories:  Ribbon, crochet trim, rhinestones, JustRite Charms Custom Dies by Spellbinders, Spellbinders Lacey Squares (S4-295) and Classic Squares Lg (S4-126), Cuttlebug Swiss Dot embossing folder

Stamper’s Dream Blog Hop

Hello, friends!  Today I’m feeling very privileged to be stamping with some amazing talent Michelle has invited to participate in her Stamper’s Dream Blog Hop.  Two awesome prize packages from Stamper's Dream are hidden along the way, so you’ll want to be sure and leave some love at each stop – who knows where it’s hidden?

I’d like to take just a minute to tell you about my card, and that’s about all the time I’ll need because it was actually very quick and easy to create.

I’ve used my brand new JustRite Forever Friends cling mount set and gorgeous Pink Paislee Butterfly Garden designer paper for this 5 1/4” square card.

The stamped frame was embossed with copper embossing powder and cut out with Spellbinders Labels One and Classic Square Nestabilities.  I traced around the outer edge of a Labels One die and cut it out with scissors to create a narrow mat for the frame panel.

The simple layout is enhanced with lace, ribbon, a flower, and pearls.   Just a bit of stitching helps define the layers and adds to the femininity.  Anytime I make a card without coloring it’s a quick card, and this one came together with ease.

Now, here’s that fabulous line up of creative talent:

Becca Feeken      Michelle Rodgers       Jerri Kay Jimenez       Amy Sheffer       Denise Marzec       Arlene Cuevas       Cindy Lawrence       Kellie Fortin       Tosh Leyendekker       Jeanne Streiff       Mariana Grigsby       Joan Ervin       Lea Lawson      Frances Byrne       Christina Fischer       Carla Murphy       Teresa Kline       Carol Longacre       Gabriela Divine

And here’s Blog Candy #1:

And Blog Candy #2:

Remember to leave a comment on each blog for a chance to win one of these sweet packages.  Michelle will announce the winner on her blog Thursday evening, April 14.  The announcement will also appear on each of the blogs which held the hidden package.

Thanks so much for stopping here today.  Have a great day and a great time hopping!

Stamps:  JustRite Forever Friends  Paper:  Brushed metallic copper, classic ivory, Pink Paislee Butterfly Garden designer paper  Ink:  Versamark, olive  Accessories:  Ribbon, lace, pearls, Prima flower, copper embossing powder, Spellbinders Labels One and Classic Squares Nestabilities, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Make it in Minutes

Hello, friends!  Today I have one of those quick cards to share with you.  This card needed to be mature, mailable, and makeable in minutes.  Okay… 60 minutes considering the decision making process, but if I were to reproduce it I could do it much faster.  Made per request of a coworker, no frilly girl stuff allowed, yet it should acknowledge the femininity of the recipient.  Once again I relied upon pretty paper and a beautifully scripted sentiment. 

I’ve used JustRite Birthday Centers from Stamper’s Dream.  This is a great collection of birthday sentiments (and you know I’m nuts about sentiments) which are made for use with the 1 5/8” round stamper but, of course, the sentiments are not limited to a round shape by any means.  I cut the sentiment with a Spellbinder’s Classic Oval Nestabilities die and adhered it to a Ribbon Tags Trio Two Shapeabilities.  The tag’s position on the ribbon is assured with a small piece of double stick tape.

The pretty paper is Webster’s Pages Hollywood Vogue & WonderFall, and the cardstock is CTMH (Close to My Heart – a direct sales company like Stampin’ Up!  Product is sold by a consultant, frequently at home parties).  The white core of the cardstock shows when the paper is sanded, as I did here.  I sanded the edges of the designer paper, too.

The cardstocks, ribbon, rhinestones, and ink all pick up colors in the designer paper.  The rounded corners of the card front echo those of the ribbon tag, as well as the curve of the oval.  That’s it – done and delivered!  Thanks so much for dropping in.  Have a wonderful day!

Stamps:  JustRite Birthday Centers  Paper:  CTMH Autumn Terracotta and Sunflower, Classic Ivory, Webster’s Pages Hollywood Vogue & WonderFall designer paper 6x6 collection  Ink:  Palette Umber  Accessories:  Ribbon, rhinestones, Spellbinders Classic Oval Nestabilities and Ribbon Tags Trio Two Shapeabilities, Spellbinders Grand Calibur die cutting machine, corner rounder, medium grain sandpaper, Scor-Tape

I’m Out of Sympathy Cards Again

I wasn’t expecting to do any stamping this week, but I needed a sympathy card and my supply was depleted.  As it turns out, two sympathy cards do not constitute an adequate reserve.  This card needed to be made quickly, yet with loving care and respect to the bereaved and the departed.

I relied on pretty paper and a thoughtful sentiment – JustRite Sympathy Nested Sentiments – to help me accomplish the task.  I layered two Spellbinders shapes, underlined with pearls, and added decorative machine stitching.  Very understated.  Now, to find time to restock…

Please know how I appreciate all of you for stopping by.  I’m a little behind in my visiting, but I’ll be around soon.  Take good care, and have a pleasant day!

Stamps:  JustRite Sympathy Nested Sentiments  Paper:  Pale and paler yellow Bazzill textured, Prima Fairy Flora designer paper  Ink:  Chocolate  Accessories:  Pearls, Spellbinders Fancy Tags and Long Rectangles

Georgette of the Pink Jungle

Hello, everyone!  Back to Monday!  I got up to some monkey business this weekend.  A friend asked if I would make a monkey card for her to give to a little girl.  Well… I went bananas.

I just happened to have a monkey face in my JustRite Let’s Celebrate set from Stamper’s Dream.  One of these days I’m going to use the other cute images in the set, but I keep coming back to this monkey.

 
I colored with Copic markers and tried to make the monkey look more girly by drawing in some eyelashes with a very fine-tipped Prismacolor marker and adding a little blush to the cheeks.  I cut out the image and glued it onto my layered panels, then colored and cut out another muzzle and popped it up over the first image.  The “Let’s Celebrate” frame and “Go Bananas” are part of the set.  I used a marker to ink just the “Go Bananas” and then cut it out with a Spellbinders Pennants die.

The big flower was cut from a spray purchased at Wal-Mart.  I think I paid $1.97 for the spray and wound up with a whole jar full of flowers.  I layered two sizes and sparkled them up with Stickles Stardust Glitter Glue.  The button in its center is clear, with a 3/4” punched circle of designer paper behind it.

The designer paper, by the way, is DCWV Animal Crackers matstack, purchased locally.  I have plans for this paper, so you’ll be seeing more of it in the future.  This particular card is larger than my usual at 4 1/2” x 6 1/2”.  I just happened to have some envelopes to fit, and it gave me a chance to allow more of the punched scalloped border to show.

One last thing – that pink camouflage center strip is Offray grosgrain ribbon.  Just knew I’d use it one of these days!

The card will be hand delivered so I was able to add a little extra decoration to the envelope, as well.  Here’s the inside of the card and the envelope flap:

The birthday greeting is also from the Let’s Celebrate set.

Well, that’s enough fun for one day.  This is all the stamping I did this weekend and I have to work a little extra this week, so I don’t expect I’ll have anything more to share till Friday.  You never know, however.  We’ll just have to see how the “cards” play out.  Have a great day!

Stamps:  JustRite Let’s Celebrate  Paper:  Pink Pirouette, Pink Passion, white, DCWV Animal Crackers designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Pink Passion, Copic Markers for coloring  Accessories:  Offray Ribbon, linen thread, silk flowers, Stickles Stardust Glitter Glue, clear button, brads, Spellbinders Labels Sixteen, Classic Squares, and Nested Lacey Pennants, 3/4” circle punch, EK Success scallop edge punch, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Birds and Sympathy

Continuing on the bird theme. . .  I think birds make a nice focal point for sympathy cards, and since I hope to never go sympathy card-less again, I replenished my stock by two today.  It seems the worst time to be without the card you need is when you need a sympathy card.

Both cards use JustRite Backyard Birds and Sympathy Nested Sentiments.  This is the best grouping of sympathy sentiments I've come across, so I wasted no time adding it to my collection.  The first card is colored with Copic markers.

 

I also made use of my Nested Frames Custom Dies again today, and both cards use BasicGrey Curio designer paper.

The second card is watercolored:

 

I'll keep this brief today, as I'm spreading my time over a lot of different activities while I'm home from work.  I hope you're enjoying the remainder of the holidays.  Take care!

Stamps:  JustRite Backyard Birds and Sympathy Nested Sentiments  Paper:  Prism Suede Brown Medium and Dark, Classic Ivory, Always Artichoke, Arches 140 lb cold press watercolor, BasicGrey Curio designer paper  Ink:  Memento Rich Cocoa (for Copic colored outline), Palette Umber (for watercolored outline), Always Artichoke (for sponging edges of second card), various Stampin' Up! dye based inks for watercoloring, Copic markers  Accessories:  Ribbon, brads, Spellbinders Square, Circle, and JustRite Custom dies, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

A Christmas Card

I spent most of Wednesday addressing Christmas cards.  I had a few other things that needed doing, but very few of them got done.  Mostly, I addressed Christmas cards.  And still I didn't finish.  I fell short... ran out of cards... after all that time spent making them.  So... back to the drawing board, or, rather, the stamping desk.

You'd think I'd come up with a simpler design for one of those last minute cards, wouldn't you?  In fact, this card was nearly finished; I just added the ornament.  I've used my JustRite Christmas Ornaments set.  This one is embossed in silver on 90# hot press watercolor paper, and watercolored with Stampin' Up! dye based inks.  I added the punched branches and ribbon, and hung my ornament on a narrow white panel to set it off.  The branches and parts of the ornament are glittered up with Stardust Stickles.

I went JustRite all the way with one of the Christmas Nested Sentiments (and another on the inside), and framed the sentiment with a Nested Sentiment Custom Die by Spellbinders.  I tried not to overdo the card, but, still, when I look at it, I think how many different "toys" are represented here.  You certainly don't need all these things to make cards, but I do enjoy playing with them!

I'd hoped by starting my cards months ago I'd be further along than this by now.  Isn't it amazing how quickly the days go by after the calendar turns to December?  It's barely more than a week till Christmas!  With all the activities this time of year, I've not had much time to spend on the computer, so please forgive my absence.  I hope to get back in the swing of things soon.  Take care, and enjoy this beautiful season!

Stamps:  JustRite Christmas Ornaments and Christmas Nested Sentiments  Paper:  Pink textured Bazzill, classic white, 90# hot press watercolor, BasicGrey Eskimo Kisses designer paper  Ink:  Versamark, Rich Razzleberry, Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss, Soft Sky  Accessories:  Ribbon, silver cord, Stickles Stardust glitter glue, Martha Stewart branch punch and edge punch, Spellbinders Nested Sentiments Custom Dies, Cuttlebug Swiss Dot embossing folder, silver embossing powder

It's Time to Get Those Christmas Cards in the Mail

I've been working diligently on my Christmas cards this year, and still I find myself a little short now that it's time to get them in the mail.  You know what that means. . . the simpler cards are looking mighty appealing.

 

So, I'm popping in today with a quick post to share some quick cards which, truthfully, I like every bit as much as anything I spent most of the morning working on.   I've been saving this particular paper from the Memory Box Spearmint collection for some simple cards like this -- just the paper and a sentiment.  Doesn't the tree look like snowy branches blowing in a blizzard?  It's too pretty to cover up and, gee, in no time at all I've got three more Christmas cards.

The sentiment is from JustRite Christmas Nested Sentiments (on sale).  It's a snug, but satisfactory fit in my Spellbinders Fancy Tags Shapeabilities.  Have you seen the custom dies for the JustRite nested sentiments?  Oh, my word!  I just now saw them at Stamper's Dream and by the time you're reading this I hope Michelle is packing up my order!  Well. . . maybe I can wait till she gets home from work. . .

Now, I've got a few Christmas cards to address, so I'll move along.  Let's get together again real soon!  Happy day to you!

Stamps:  JustRite Christmas Nested Sentiments  Paper:  Classic White, Memory Box Spearmint designer paper  Ink:  Always Artichoke (Stampin' Up!)  Accessories:  Snowflake brad, Spellbinders Fancy Tags Shapeabilities