Teacher Card in Apple Green

Core'dinations (green), white linen, black linen, apple stamp by Hampton Art, Studio G, "Best Teacher" by Imaginisce, Copic markers YG25, YG67, E50, E25, E13, black Memento ink, Quikutz Apple embossing folder, corner punch, sanding block, Ribbon by TPC Studio

I made this card tonight for Eli's teacher, and will place a "welcome back" note inside.  I plan to make 3 or 4 duplicates, as to have them in my card stash when Teacher Appreciation Day rolls around.

I adore the happy colors in this card and love it when I get a chance to use green (my favorite color).  I also love Core'dinations card stock and how when you emboss and sand, the core color isn't white...it is another color.  It's been a while since I've used my Copic Markers, and it was very nice to have them out again for this project.

By the way...the stamps used for this card were only $1.99 (each)!  The apple was in the "Hot Spot" bin at Archivers ($1.99 bins) and the sentiment stamp is either from Archivers or Michael's, and I'm pretty sure it was the same price.

Have a great weekend!

Hot Pink and Zebra Personalized Stationary / Invitations

White Linen, Black Linen, Melon Mambo, Designer Paper by gcd studios (Cosette Collection), Black Jewels (Bazzill Blackbird), name printer off on printer, Fiskars Upper Crest border punch, Martha Stewart punch, SU Corner Punch, SU Black Ribbon, Adhesive

I created the card up top last night for my friend, Jessica. She is hosting a bachelorette party for her best friend, and needs to mail out some invitations. She found the below invitation on the internet - and loved it, because her friend loves zebra print (I do too!!!). I think she did a great job picking out an invitation - don't you? She wanted me to duplicate the look. I made the above card, and gave it to her this morning. She loved it! Jessica is going to make the invitations herself, but she is borrowing my punches, and my design. I printed out the measurements for her paper cuts - so she can assemble everything pretty quickly. I think she is going to put all the party information on the inside of the card, since the home-made version opens up (not just a postcard, like the one she found on the internet). This will also leave more room, in case she wants to add a sentence or two. I really enjoyed using my favorite hobby to help a friend in need! I was pleased she asked me for help.

My Swim with the Dolphins

Here I am, getting a dolphin smoochie

I traveled to beautiful Riviera Maya, Mexico last week with my husband and son. We had such a wonderful vacation! We enjoyed many activities such as snorkeling, swimming in the ocean and pool, and also took in a couple day excursions. And most importantly, we were also able to relax and decompress. One of the best experiences I have ever had in any of my travels is swimming with the dolphins. I did it for the first time in 2002, and was lucky enough to do it again a few days ago (Friday the 13th). If you ever have the opportunity to swim with these fun and playful creatures, I highly recommend doing so. To me, they represent the aquatic version of playful little puppies - they are so sweet; only they are more peaceful and graceful. The only bad part of the experience, is that it went by too fast! We swam at a place called "Delphinus" and had an hour in the water. We wanted our son to join in and swim with our group, but he was too standoffish. Children don't realize how large dolphins are until they come close, and they really can be intimidating to a small child. I think he'll be ready in a couple years. I hope you enjoy our photos of our dolphin encounter. I will post more pics from Mexico in a day or two.Our group (they keep the groups very small, average 5 or 6 at a time with the dolphins)

Me doing the "dolphin push". (Two dolphins push your feet so you are pushed across the water.)

My husband getting a dolphin smoochie

Simple Friendship

Supplies: SU "Simple Friendship" stamp, SU cardstock in Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Real Red, Pacific Point, and Whisper White, SU Markers, Black Ink, SU Organza Ribbon, Paper Piercer, White Gel Pen, Circle Punch, SU Eyelet Border Punch

I case'd this card from Dragana Skoro, with the exception of a couple minor changes. I added the ribbon, and didn't use a scallop punch, and didn't use celery (green). I think my blue was different too - many even my orange. But it basically looks the same. Her blog is here.

I thought this card was so festive when I saw it - I just had to make one!
I wondered what is was that captured my eye. Then, it hit me! It reminded me of this:
Memories of fun days in Mexico! Hope this brings a smile to your face today!

Starburst Card

Hero Arts "Starburst" stamp, Hero Arts "Truly Appreciated" (sentiment), SU Whisper White cardstock, SU Markers (Always Artichoke, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Elegant Eggplant, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black), Archival Ink in Jet Black, glue pen, SU Glitter, dimensionals, scissors, Martha Stewart sequin (center), Me and My Big Ideas sequins (small), Tattered Angels glimmer mist in Pearl

This is my shameless case of Brandi Wiggins' card that was featured on Splitcoast last week. As you can tell...I LOVED it!!! And, so did many, many others. I think her card got over 2,000 hits. Her blog is here.

Well, I had to change a couple things, because I didn't have the stamp set she used. I would love to own it, but it is retired. So, I used "Starburst" and "Truly Appreciated" by Hero Arts. Looks almost the same, don't ya think?

The border is hand-drawn / hand-doodled. The starburst image was colored in with SU markers, then lightly sprayed with glimmer mist before stamping onto the cardstock. The glimmer mist got all over the card, which made a beautiful effect. Wish you could see it in person...so glimmery! Enjoy!

Wedding Card using the Sizzix Swallow and Impressibilities

Sizzix Sizzlets "Swallow", Spellbinders Impressibilites "Floral and Stone", Vellum, SU So Saffron paper, SU So Saffron Ink, Sponge, SU So Saffron Ribbon (retired ribbon originals), SU "Congrats" Stamp Set, Archival Ink in Jet Black, Black linen and Ivory linen paper, glue dots, adhesive, vellum tape, Big Shot machine, C3 Copic Marker

Tonight I made this wedding card for my dear cousin. I am a "little" late - her wedding was a month ago! This was my first time using the Spellbinders Impressibilities. You just use it like you would a stencil. You tape it down and sponge on top of the stencil, so you get a reverse image. I love the look. The look is more shabby and homemade looking than you would get from purchased designer paper (and I know there are times we don't want to achieve that look).
To make this card, cut your birds using vellum. Then color them with a Copic Marker, otherwise the birds to not show up on the paper. Stencil your image on the So Saffron paper using So Saffron ink and a sponge. Use vellum tape to tape down the birds. Use glue dots to adhere the ribbon, every inch or so (I just eyeballed it), and scrunch up the ribbon as you go along. Stamp sentiment on card using black ink. Enjoy!

BE YOU!

"Be You" stamp by Studio G, American Crafts patterned paper, American Crafts ribbon, Janlynn floss, neutral button by The Paper Studio, Ranger Distress Crackle Paint painted on the flower (flower was cut out of a piece of patterned paper), SU Cameo Coral paper, SU Elegant Eggplant Ink, Archival Ink in Jet Black, white linen cardstock (base layer), glue dots, adhesive, dimensionals

I love owls. A lot. So, I just haaaaaad to buy this stamp set! :-) I tried to make the card as fun and funky as possible. And, I'm not a button girl, but I do use one every now and then (the middle of the flower needed something). You should really check out this stamp set if you like this card. It is at Michael's for only $2.49!

"Birthday Party" Pastel Card

"Birthday Party" by TPC Studio stamp set, white linen paper, Bo Bunny designer paper, Bazzill paper flower, Martha Stewart pearl, Making Memories ribbon, "Embossed Curve" EK Success punch, oval nestability, Big Shot machine, Versamark ink, Zing embossing powder in Pink

I'm not ecstatic about this card. This stamp set is very whimsical, and the card is not. Well...I started off inking up the acrylic stamp with bright markers. I wanted to do each layer of the cake in a different bright color. Well, the ink wouldn't stick to the acrylic! It was then I realized I always use black ink on acrylic, and then color in with Copic markers or watercolor. But, since this stamp is block style...I couldn't do that. I really do like rubber stamps better...but I still buy acrylic if the image is cute. So, since my plan wasn't working, I decided to emboss. And this is the only embossing powder I had that was "birthday-ish". So, that is how this card came to be.

Memory Book - Mini Scrapbook

This morning the Papercrafts Blog said it was "National Tell a Story Day". What a perfect day to share about our weekend! Day before yesterday, we traveled to Abilene, Kansas, to share in Mom and Dad's 50th Anniversary Celebration! What an accomplishment! Us kids (me and my brother and sister) have been VERY BUSY for about two months now...planning the event. The lunch and celebration was at the Brookville Hotel (restaurant), in Abilene. Before the lunch, we went to mom and dad's church service. After the lunch, we went to the park (with most of the relatives) and had lots of family photos taken. The photographer was great! I can't WAIT to see the photos.
During the lunch celebration, my brother shared a slide show in which we all contributed old family photos. It was a beautiful and touching presentation. Also, my Aunt Connie brought some memories to share. She brought some old photos, and some dishes that belonged to their Grandmother. It was so interesting to hear the stories behind the dishes. I think antique dishes DO tell a story. Don't you?
I made this Memory Book (mini scrapbook) (photos below) for mom and dad. I included several pages so that guests could sign the book. It was a BIG HIT at the celebration. Everyone signed the book, and several even wrote down favorite memories. And the funny thing was...I had just the right amount of space for journaling in this book. When mom and dad get their photos developed - they can glue a few of their favorite photos in this book, and viola - a mini scrapbook.
It was a wonderful day and a wonderful celebration. I was so happy to be a part of their day.










Supplies for Mini Scrapbook:
6 x 6 Blank Board Book "Create & Treasure" from C&T Publishing
Beacon's 3-in-1 Craft Glue
Prima Flower (smudged with Distress Ink)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tea Dye (smudged on flower, sponged on ALL pages, and smudged on ALL edges and folds of board book)
Paper: The cover and a few pages are K and Company. A few other pages and stickers are Creative Imaginations. The ruled paper (for journaling) is We R Memory Keepers.
Other: Martha Stewart Rhinestones, Lace from Hong Kong (purchased on ebay)

Four Shabby Chic Cards (Archiver's Class)

Here are the four cards I made during the Archiver's Shabby Chic Class last Friday morning. I can't believe this class was a week ago! It seems like yesterday. It is amazing how busy the weeks get in April and May. We are wrapping up the school year and the days just fly by.
I really enjoyed this class. It was such a popular class at Archiver's, they brought it back, due to popular demand. The cards really look better in person, and they are meant to be "shabby", and not perfect. A little messy is a good thing when you are doing this method.
This was the first time I've stamped with paint. There is no ink on these cards. Just Ranger Paint Dabbers (acrylic paint). It was a lot of fun, and it took some getting used to. I never got my card right the first time, and had to flip over and use the other side every time. And boy does it make a mess out of the acrylic stamps!
I also enjoyed using the shimmer paper - I think it looks great with the shabby look.
I really loved using the Hero Arts flowers. We applied the Ranger Rock Candy crackle paint and Distress Stickles on the flowers to make them stiff and shabby.
Another cool thing: we painted the brads (they were originally silver) with the Paint Dabber, let it dry, and then applied Distress Stickles. I will definitely use this little trick on a few other cards.
After the class, I did buy two of the Ranger Paint Dabbers, the Rock Candy, and the Hero Arts collage flowers, so I can try this at home.



Supplies
Cardstock: Antique Gold Shimmer, Arctic Gold Shimmer, Cream linen, Fudge, Lakeshore, Paprika, Royal Purple
Stamps: Hero Arts "Poppy", "Silhouette Vase", "Chandelier", "Truly Appreciated", "Silhouette Spray", "Silhouette Fern", "Huge Hugs", "Antique Engravings"
Ranger Paint Dabbers: Eggplant, Espresso, Gold, Juniper, Sandal
Embellys: Ranger Distress Stickles (Antique Bronze, Dusty Concord, Picket Fence, Spiced Marmalade), Hero Arts Gems, Hero Arts collage flowers, Making Memories 1/8 silver brads
Other: adhesive, glue dots