Verve Challenge Exhibit A

Hello fellow bloggers. I seem to be on a new kick. I have designed cards for a second challenge, this one for Verve. This is only my second time to enter a challenge. The two cards on today's post are layouts #3 and #4. I plan to get the other two layouts done and posted early next week.





This is layout #3. and here is my card. The patterned paper is K & Co, and the  teal card base and butterfly base c/s is Core-dinations. The card size is 5x7". The chocolate and white c/s as well as the chocolate satin ribbon are all SU. I die cut the rectangle with an SB lacy rectangle and sponged some teal ink on before removing from the die. Then I lightly stamped a floral spray on with light plum ink and the Stampers Anonymous words with chocolate ink. The ruched ribbon was created by attaching a long piece of sticky strip to the card, then attaching the ribbon at one end and randomly scrunching and sticking it down as I worked across to the other side. Clear as mud? The butterflies were die cut with SU's beautiful butterflies Bigz die. The antennae are a single floral stamen from Michaels. The pearl body and swirls are also from Michaels. Finally, the row of tiny pearls on the rectangle (popped up with double foam squares to fit over top the ribbon) are from SU.






Here is the sketch for week 4, a CAS challenge. I did try to keep it clean and simple but because of the rather fancy flower, my card might not be considered CAS. I had the flower sitting on my desk from last November - see my post about it here. So I decided to finally use it in a card. I chose lucky limeade and brilliant blue from SU as my accent colours. The trim and label are both die cut using SB's lace doily accents die set. After rifling through my huge stash of patterned paper unsuccessfully looking for something to coordinate with these two colours, I had a light bulb moment. Why not make my own designer paper? So I use some pre-embossed paper from SU and sponged on ink to match. After a bit of buffing, the embossing shines through and voila, a perfect match. The phrase, stamped in brilliant blue ink, is from Verve, appropriately enough. Because the flower was already made, this really was a quick card to make. It only took me about 1/2 hour which I have to say is a record for me. Well, off to do some housework - where is that maid when you really need her! I hope you get your fingers inky today.

Non Traditonal

A quick post today. This card will be an entry for the Paper and Such 'non-traditional' challenge. It is also the challenge at Ribbon Carousel. You are asked to make a card using colours that would not be necessarily expected, and also use some type of ribbon or fiber 'that comes on a spool'. That is a very open challenge and I remembered this card I made a while back that really fit the bill. Sorry that my picture is a little tilted.

I stamped a design and also applied ink direct-to-paper using mustard ink on mustard c/s. Then I ripped the paper diagonally and distressed the edges with more mustard ink. I applied a strip of self adhesive copper coloured mesh to a brown card base, then attached the two pieces of c/s. On a copper metal tag I began adding layers of copper EP and when I had built up several layers, I pressed a stamp into the EP while it was still hot. Then I punched 5  holes into it with my crop-a-dile and  attached copper brads to 4 of them. I stamped the keys on mustard c/s and fussy cut them, then tied them to the tab with some copper cord and some tan and brown embroidery floss.Then I attached the tag to the card with sticky strip. That is about it, a Valentine with no red or pink on it.

When My Batteries Fail

Usually I am complaining that my memory is failing but yesterday it was my camera batteries failing that had me stopped in my tracks. I got this card made in the morning but when I tried to get some pictures, the batteries were dead. So I went to the charging unit to get the second, presumably charged and ready set, only to find that they, too, were lifeless.

I decided, while the battery situation was getting corrected, to get the info on this creation written up before my memory failed me as well and I forgot what products I used.

I knew I wanted to work with the Fancy Labels stamp set from JustRite and the #13 label die from SB. I stamped the pretty label on white c/s with Versamark, then heat embossed using SU's wild wasabi EP. After die cutting it, I coloured in some areas of the design with a wisteria marker. None of the oval dies I have matched the center oval area of the stamp, so I hand cut an oval and stamped a sentiment from Fiskar's Friends Forever Quotes stamp set using wisteria ink. The Fiskars set is clear acrilyc and did not seem to want to take the ink well, so I ended up going over the stamped sentiment with the marker. Then I cut one more label in the largest size for a mat, and put all three pieces of the element together with foam squares and dimensionals

The patterned paper is from the Bright Blossom collection by s.e.i. This paper has some very pretty glitter which I hope showed up in the picture. I cut a rectangle of wisteria c/s for a mat and punched around the border with SU's Scallop Trim border and corner punch set. Then I attached everything to a white card base and added a bow of white seam binding using glue dots.

Of course the inside got a treatment as well and I can add any words I want above 'true friend' to suit the occasion  - I just have to remember what colour ink I used! I may have to pencil it in in case I am in a big hurry and don't have time to come back here to find the info. That is usually the case; me getting a card ready 3 minutes before we go out the door. Of course, I know none of you would ever do that.

Okay, back to the sewing machine for one more day. Then I may try a card with sewing on it. I love the shabby chic effect that gives. See you again soon.

Thoughts of Travel

The patterned paper in this card is part of a number of coordinating papers that I came across in a shop in the Phoenix area last November. It practically reached out and grabbed my arm as I walked near. It has a definite East Indian/SE Asian theme and the colours are just so rich and vibrant which, sadly, does not translate to the photo. It turned my thoughts to that part of the world which I hope some day to visit. I wish I could attribute these wonderful designs to the company responsible for them, but alas, said company did not see fit to print their info on their papers. Seriously? You want me to remember that info from 2 months ago? I doubt I remembered it by the time I got into the car that day!

The c/s for the base is Bazzil - a lovely shimmery textured c/s which I also used for the label and the floral motif. The mat and bottom layer of that motif are SU's teal. As to the wonderful shiny fuchsia c/s, I am again at a loss. I used SB's lace motifs and accents dies for all the trims and motifs. The pumpkin satin ribbon is SU as is  the stamp which I went over with a sharpie because it is difficult to get a sharp image when stamping on textured c/s.

The final touch was the beautiful antique looking gem brad by Creative Charms.

You mustn't forget the inside of the card.

I have to add that every time I look at the words, visions of the Golden Girls flash through my head. I can't get that song out of my mind now.

I have lots of this wonderful paper left and I am sure you will see it again soon.

Ain't Misbehavin'...

Well maybe a little. I did get one of the sewing jobs done that was on the list. The rest are patiently waiting for me while I make cards. 

My card today is made using designer papers from a pad by Die Cuts With a View called Global Treks. It does have a bit of an exotic feel that called to my wanderlust.

I began with a 5x7" card base made from SU's naturals ivory. The trim, smaller mat and back layer of the medallion are all from a textured c/s that may be Bazzil (?).The colour is Sandstorm - more thoughts of places far away. The red layer of the medallion is SU's Red Riding Hood. I uses SB's Parisian Accents and Motifs dies to cut the trim and medallion. All the design paper is DCWV and I added some golden 'rhinestones' and raised the medallion with dimensionals.

Oh yes, I forgot that I used a Mojo Monday sketch as a guide line for the layout. Notice I used the word guideline, but then, that is what they are there for.   

The big purge

In case I have been missed by anyone, I have been keeping busy since the holidays trying to purge, organize, and generally clean up my craft room. Gotta make room for new stuff, ya know? I went through about 15 shoe boxes of cards and card fronts that have accumulated since I began stamping about 12 years ago. Holy c**p, that is a lot of paper and supplies used.

I created 3 piles; I will use, I will give to Ronald MacDonald House, and EEEEK, what was I thinking (which I dis-assembled, and then recyled what I could). Some of the first pile were only fronts, so I started attaching them to 5x7 blank card bases from Michaels. A few benefited from matting first, and I think they turned out pretty good.

Here are two that I used for a couple for friends' birthdays this week, so I shot a couple of quick pictures before giving them away. Remember that these were made several years ago so I may be a little sketchy about what products I used. Please bear with me.

Card One: I stamped a floral image on white c/s and embossed with clear EP, then sponged on some rose and saffron ink. After removing the EP with an iron and some paper toweling, I stamped a script background with rose and some swirls with burgundy. I added the rose grosgrain ribbon and matted everything with burgundy c/s.

In the revamp last week, I added the crystal and pearls hat pin and the burgundy label, made with a Cuttlebug folder. I added the white insert with a burgundy greeting and the two half pearls, then mounted the whole thing on the white card base. Except where stated, all products are SU.






Card Two: I stamped the image several times on glossy white c/s with a permanent ink, then sponged five colours over top to resemble a rainbow, and added some black ink around the edge with a sponge. After crinkling some black organdy ribbon with the heat tool, I attached it to the panel and added the bronze wire swirl. The panel was then attached to a rose mat which was also distressed around the edges with black ink. Then the word was stamped in black.

In the second phase, I added the black back mat and the
row of black 'rhinestones' across the bottom before
attaching everything to the white card base. Again, all
products were SU.  




Believe me, There are LOTS more where these came from. If I do not get back to making cards for a couple of years, I will not likely run out. But that is just such a scary thought, not making cards. I just have a few more projects to finish up and I will settle down to create. For now, it is back to the sewing machine to follow up on a couple of promises I made over the holidays. I will be back soon.