Saturday, May 11, 2013

Hello! Welcome to my blog and thank you for stopping by. I design and create handcrafted greeting cards. I like to call this passion of mine "visual poetry" ....imagery on paper. Please feel free to browse the photos of my cards and leave a comment.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Daisy Blues

 
Hello everyone! I found inspiration for this card after viewing a project on line. Since a friend's birthday is coming up, I decided to create it just for her.

I began by cutting a 5x5 inch panel in white card stock. Using Versamark, I stamped HFC Feather Grass Flourish images randomly over this panel. Then I heat embossed them with turquoise EP. In the next step, I created a border on all four sides using a Martha Stewart Punch-Around-the-Page punch. Turning this panel over, I used my Score-Buddy to create a fold line in order to fold one corner, making it look like a flap. My sentiment, from GKD Signs of Spring, was stamped in black and wet embossed with clear EP. 

At this point in the project I created my base card using white card stock and layered it with turquoise. The white panel was then adhered to the base with dimensionals.

I created the three flowers in turquoise card stock by die cutting them with HFC Delicate Asters (I call them daisies) and layering them in triplicate. To create the centers I placed a drop of adhesive and then added yellow Flower Soft. When dry, I adhered the flowers onto my prepared base card with dimensionals. The leafy sprigs, from a Martha Stewart punch, were adhered to the flowers as my final step.

Until next time, thanks so much for visiting my blog. Please consider becoming a follower which will always let you know when a new project has been posted. Your comments are always welcome and very much appreciated. I hope you stop by often.


This card was entered into the following challenges:
The Outlawz  -  GCC0428 - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday  -  Challenge #130 - Anything Goes
One Stitch At a Time  -  Challenge #210 - Anything Goes
Sister Act  -   Challenge #54 - Anything Goes
Brown Sugar  -  Challenge #91 - Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create  -   Challenge #69 - Anything Goes
TTCRD  -   Challenge #29 - Anything Goes
Crafting from the Heart  -  Challenge #16 - Anything Goes
Fan-Tastic Tuesday  -   Challenge #33 - Floral
Sunshine Mail  -  Apr 15-30 Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafty Girls  -  Challenge #16 - Anything Goes
Craftitude  -  Challenge #63 - Anything Goes
Crafty Catz  -  Challenge #228 - Anything Goes

Monday, April 28, 2014

Thinking of You Branch


Hello! I don't have many Martha Stewart border punches but I wanted to see what I could do with this one after trying out one of my other ones in my last post. These are different from the punch-around-the-page punches. They are not meant to punch continuously around all four sides but it can be done.

I began with creating my base card in ivory card stock. I added a layer of GKD Little Boy Blue. Next, I created a frame in ivory using a Martha Stewart punch and adhered it to the blue layer. I used a corner punch to round the corners. This was put aside while I worked on my focal point.

Using the third and fourth largest dies from Spellbinders Majestic Labels 25, I cut and embossed my focal point panel in ivory. Before removing it from the die, I sponged Memento Summer Sky ink around the edges and stamped a leaf branch (from GKD Elegant Florals). After removing it, I positioned my sentiment (GKD Framed Greetings) and stamped it in black ink.

Again, using the third largest die from the same Spellbinders set, I cut a panel in blue. I used this panel to offset my focal image panel and adhered them together. Finally, I popped this on to my base card with dimensionals to complete my project.

I hope you enjoyed this post and thanks for stopping by. 


This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
613 Avenue Create  -  Challenge #69 - Anything Goes
The Outlawz  -  GCC0428  - Anything Goes 
Crafting from the Heart  -  Challenge #16 - Anything Goes
Sister Act  -  Challenge #54 - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday  -   Challenge #129 - Anything Goes
Sentimental Sundays  -  Challenge #204 - CAS
Brown Sugar Challenge  -  Challenge #91 - Anything Goes
Just B Creative Crazy -  April's Just Because Linky Party
Craftitude  -  Challenge #63 - Anything Goes
Crafty Girls  -  Challenge #16 - Anything Goes

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Butterfly Trio Birthday


Happy Saturday! After doing some spring cleaning I thought I'd take a break and work on this card that I started a few days ago. I happened to come across a technique that called for using inks and Fantastix coloring tools and decided to try it.

I began by preparing my card base in ivory card stock and layered it with brown. Next, I cut a panel using a Martha Stewart border punch and popped it on to the base with dimensionals.

I cut a label in brown card stock using the fourth largest die of Spellbinders Labels Thirty Six. Using a stamp from GKD Stately Flowers 8, I stamped my sentiment on ivory card stock in black ink and then cut and embossed it with the second smallest die from the same Spellbinders die set. Before popping it out of the die, I sponged around the edges with Memento Desert Sand ink. This was then adhered to the brown label and then popped on to the center of my base card.

The 3 butterflies were cut in ivory using PTI's Butterfly die. Next, using a butterfly stamp from PTI Butterfly Dreams stamp set, I stamped my image on each cut butterfly. Using Memento Desert Sand and Rich Cocoa inks, I colored the butterflies using a Fantastix coloring tool. Finally 3 small pearls were added to the body of each butterfly and these were then popped on to my card with dimensionals.

I hope you liked this project and will stop by to visit often. Until next time, have a sunny and crafty day!


This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
Crafty Catz   -  Challenge #228 - Anything Goes
Sister Act  -  Challenge #54 - Anything Goes
Crafty Girls  -  Challenge 16 - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday  -  Challenge #129 - Anything Goes
MFP Speedy TV  -  Challenge #94  - Simple Salutations
Fan-Tastic Tuesday  -  Challenge #32 - Anything Goes
TTCRD  -  Apr 22-28 Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafting from the Heart  -  Challenge #15 - Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create  -  Challenge #68b - Anything Goes
Just Be Creative Crazy   -  April Just Because Linky Party


Thursday, April 24, 2014

Spring in Your Step


Hello, crafters! Spring is in the air but, believe it or not, some areas have had snow. But I'm thinking "spring" and created this card for April's final Twisted Thursday "Anything Goes" challenge at The Outlawz.

I love Japanese Cherry Blossoms and even have a photo of them on my desktop. So I decided to use them in my card project.

I began by preparing my base card in white, sized to 5.25 x 5.25 inches. Because of the dies that I was planning to use, I knew what size base card I would need for this project.

Next,  I cut a 5x5 inch square panel in brown card stock and die cut it using the largest die from Marianne Creatables Anja's Squares. This was adhered to my base.

Now I worked on my focal image panel. I cut a 5x5 inch square panel in white card stock.  I stamped my image, a Rubber Stampede stamp, on the left edge of the panel and colored it with Copics. I added glitter to each flower petal. Using the second largest die from the same Marianne Creatables die set, I cut and embossed this panel and then adhered it to the base card.

I created the sentiment on my computer and then cut it with Spellbinders A2 Distressed Edges die. While still in the die, I sponged it with Memento Angel Pink ink. After removing it from the die, I popped it on my focal panel with dimensionals.

This completed my project. I love how the blossoms sparkle, especially when held under a light. It is so pretty!

Thanks for stopping by to visit. Go and get "crafty" and come join us at The Outlawz for the Twisted Thursday "Anything Goes" challenge. We would love to see your creations.


This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
613 Avenue Create  -  Challenge #68 - Anything Goes
Fan-Tastic Tuesday  -  Challenge #32 - Anything Goes
Caftitude  -  Challenge #63 - Anything Goes
TTCRD  -  Challenge Apr 22-28  - Anything Goes
Sister Act  -  Challenge #53 - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown  -  Challenge #192 - Lots of Sparkle
Word Art Wednesday  -  Challenge #129 - Anything Goes
Crafting from the Heart  -  Challenge #15 - Anything Goes
My Craft Creations  -  New Challenge - Anything Goes
ABC Challenge  -  Just As You Like Challenge

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Sunny Day Daisies


Hello! I just LOVED creating this card! No stamps, no ink, no coloring....simply dies, dies, dies. This was the criteria for this week's challenge at Joan's Touch.

I love yellow and white paired together, with a touch of black. To me, these colors are so warm and happy and inviting. So these are the colors I chose for my project.

I began with making my card base in black and layered it with white. Next, I die cut all my elements. I used a die from Marianne Creatables Anja's Large Oval die set to cut the large frame in yellow. Following this, I used 2 dies from Marianne Creatables Anja's Vintage Frame to create the center of the large yellow frame, using one die to cut the white center frame and another die to cut the yellow lattice center. I arranged these elements and adhered them together and then popped them on the base card with dimensionals.

The flowers (or daisies as I refer to them) were cut using HFC Delicate Asters dies. I didn't have a circle die small enough for the centers of the daisies so I improvised by using a die from Spellbinders A2 Locking Loops (where there's a will, there's a way). And finally, the leaf sprigs were cut using Poppy Stamps Leafy Sprig die. Both flowers and the leafy sprigs were attached to the yellow frame with dimensionals. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. I would love if you would become a follower of my blog. You will always know when a new project has been posted. 
Thanks for  visiting and please come again!


This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
Joan's Touch  -  Challenge #9
613 Avenue Create  -  Challenge #67 - Anything Goes
TTCRD  -  Apr 15-21  - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday  -  Challenge #128 - Anything Goes
Sister Act  -  Challenge #52 - Anything Goes
Crafty Girls  - Challenge #16 - Anything Goes

Girl in Bonnet


Hello, everyone! The Design Team at The Outlawz has showcased their creations for this week's Twisted Thursday challenge. Thursday's challenges are always "Anything Goes"........but there's always an optional "twist." This week's twist was to make a "birthday card."

If I haven't mentioned it in previous posts, sponsors for April's challenges are Nicecrane Designs and Paper Temptress.

For my card I selected a Nicecrane Designs image from a set called Adorable Girls. I printed out the image on white card stock and colored it with Copic markers. Next, using a die from Spellbinders Classic Squares Large, I cut the image into a square and using craft decorative scissors, I cut around all four edges. Then, using the next larger size from the same set, I cut another square. I used decorative scissors once again on all four edges and then sponged GKD Grass Green ink on those edges. I used this square panel to mat my image panel. I then put this aside while I worked on building up my base card.

I used purple card stock to make my base card. Next, I layered it with patterned paper. I die cut a frame in purple using Spellbinders Timeless Rectangles and adhered it to my base. The base card was now ready for placement and positioning of my focal point image.

I used dimensionals to adhere my focal image to my base card. The sentiment was computer generated and die cut with Spellbinders A2 Distressed Edges and then the edges were sponged with the same ink as those of the focal point.

To finish off my card I die cut ivy leaves in green card stock using Cheery Lynn Ivy Corner Flourish. I adhered the leaves to my card, overlapping parts of my focal image, and my project was complete.

I hope you enjoyed this post and were inspired to create and participate in this week's challenge at The Outlawz. Have a wonderful day!'

And one final note......wishing all a Happy and Blessed Easter!

This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
613 Avenue Create  -  Challenge #67 - Anything Goes
TTCRD  -  Apr 14-21 - Anything Goes
Mod Squad  -  Spring Color Challenge
Word Art Wednesday  -  Challenge #128 - Anything Goes
Crafty Girls  -  Challenge #16  - Anything Goes
Sister Act  -  Challenge #52 - Anything Goes
FOSTV  -  Challenge #120


Thursday, April 10, 2014

Double Gatefold Card




Hi, everyone! Here it is Thursday and time for the Twisted Thursday challenge at The Outlawz. The challenge for today is "anything goes".....but with a twist. And the twist is..........a  gatefold card.

I decided to make a double gate fold card. Here's a link to a tutorial on how to make a small double gatefold card. However,  if you want a larger one, just increase the length of your card size but keep the scoring lines for the folds the same as instructed in the tutorial.

In my first step, I prepared my base card. To add a little interest I made the top panels scalloped by using dies from Spellbinders A2 Scalloped Borders One.

Next, using a die from the same Spellbinders die set, I cut a layer of patterned paper, slightly smaller than the panels, and adhered it to the top panels. I also layered the inside panels with the same paper. Because my base card was white, I wanted to add some contrast when the card was closed, so I layered the panels behind the top most panels in pink card stock.  (I hope that makes sense)

For the inside of the card, I stamped a partial image of a cherry blossom branch from Rubber Stampede on white card stock and colored it with Copics. I added some butterflies from GKD Celebrate the Season and GKD Sending Sunshine in black ink. The sentiment, from GKD Framed Greetings, was also stamped in black. I then used a MS punch-around-the-page punch to create the frame. This was then adhered to the inside center of my card.

As a final step, and to ensure that the card would remain closed, I added a belly band made from ribbon and topped it with a bow.

Hope you enjoyed this post and please join us at The Outlawz for this super challenge. You are not required to make a gatefold card....only if you would like to take advantage of the "twist". "Anything Goes" means just that.....anything goes, your choice.


Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Hello Friend in Plaid


Hi, everyone! Here I am again with a card that I created for this week's challenge at Joan's Touch.  The criteria for this challenge was to use plaid, checks or stripes and to have a border around your image. I chose a gray plaid pattern from GKD Poppy Prints paper pack, which I coordinated with red.

I began with my base card in white card stock and layered it with a medium gray color. I added a layer in red and then my gray plaid layer.

Next, I worked on my focal image, which is a stamp from HFC Sun Kissed Fleur Swirls. I stamped my image in Memento Gray Flannel ink on white card stock. I colored the image with Copic markers and then die cut and embossed it with a die from Spellbinders Timeless Rectangles.

The sentiment is from GKD Stately Flowers 1 and was stamped on white with GKD Cherry Red ink. This was then die cut and embossed with the smallest die from the above mentioned Spellbinders die set.

The last step was to pop the focal image and the sentiment on my card with dimensionals and my project was complete.

Thanks for stopping by to visit! 


This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
Joan's Touch  -  Challenge 8
Word Art Wednesday  -  Challenge #127 - Anything Goes
Sister Act  -  Challenge #51 - Anything Goes
Crafting from the Heart  -  Challenge #13 - Anything Goes
Crafty Cardmakers  -  Challenge #113 - You've Been Framed

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Cinderella's Shoes


Hi, my creative friends! I really enjoyed making this card today. I don't know why, but it just put a big smile on my face. It was made for StampTV's MIUM challenge which required participants to use the same image stamped 3 times.

I started with a base card in white card stock sized to 5x7 inches. Using the 2 largest dies from Spellbinders 5x7 Matting Basics B I embossed a frame on the base card. Next, I adhered a layer of turquoise dotted swiss patterned paper from my stash. I put this aside.

I used the shoes stamp from GKD You've Got Style stamp set and stamped them in Memento Tuxedo Black ink three (3) times on white card stock. Next, I colored each pair of shoes with Copics and then die cut and embossed each with a die from Spellbinder's Captivating Squares. To add a bit of sparkle to the shoes I added a drop of Stickles to the bow.
The sentiment, from the same stamp set, was stamped in black ink and then cut and embossed with Spellbinders Petite Scalloped Ovals Large.

As a final step the shoe images and sentiment were popped onto the base with dimensionals and that completed my card.

I hope that, like me, it put a big smile on your face too. Thanks for stopping by and I'll be back again soon with another project.


This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
Fan-Tastic Tuesday  -   Challenge #30 - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday  -  Challenge #126 - Anything Goes
Sister Act  -   Challenge #51 - Anything Goes
Craftitude  -   Challenge #62 - Anything Goes
Crafting from the Heart  -  Challenge #13 - Anything Goes
TTCRD  - Challenge Apr 8-14 - Anything Goes

Scored Frame Tutorial


Hello! 

I have been asked how I created the scored frame in a recent card that I last posted on my blog (Easter Iris). I'm including a list of supplies needed and instructions with photos.


Supplies:

card stock cut 10" by 7"
Scoring board & tool
Spellbinders 5x7 Matting Basics B dies


Instructions:

STEP #1

  • using your scoring board and tool, score your 10"x7" card at 5 inches but DO NOT FOLD at this point. Folding the card at the score line will be the very last step.

STEP #2



  •  turn your card over to the back side 
(Note: Since you want the scored frame to be prominent on the front of your card, you must turn your card over to it's back side to create the scored frame)


STEP #3


  •  take the 2 largest dies from Spellbinders 5x7 Matting Basics B and position them, one die inside the other, cutting side down, on the back side of what will be the front panel of your card; it would be a good idea to use removable tape to make sure the dies don't move from their position.(Remember, you're doing this on the back side of the front panel of your card)
  •  make certain your machine is prepared to emboss ONLY and not cut; run your card stock with the dies through your machine, according to your machine's instructions.
  
STEP #4


  •  remove the dies from your card and turn your card over to the right side

STEP #5 (final step)




  •  using care, fold on the initial score line 

You now have a beautiful frame on your card and are ready to dress it up to your heart's content. With the Spellbinders 4 different sets of Matting Basics dies you can create frames of various sizes.

I sincerely hope these instructions and photos were clear and helped to explain how the scored frame is created. Put your creativity to work and go create some framed beauties!
 


Monday, April 7, 2014

Easter Iris


Hello again! Easter is less than 2 weeks away and I thought I'd create another Easter card. I read Theresa Momber's tutorial on coloring the iris stamp from GKD Stately Flowers 8 and was inspired to create this card.

I began with a 5x7-inch card base in white card stock. I scored the base card but did not fold it at this point. Using the 2 largest dies from Spellbinders 5x7 Matting Basics B, I embossed the top portion of my base card  and then scored and folded it.

In the next step I die cut 2 frames in white card stock with Spellbinders Gold Labels Four, using the 2 largest dies. While still in the dies, I lightly sponged the edges of both label panels with Memento Cantaloupe ink. I stamped the Easter greeting, a wood mounted stamp from Stampabilities, in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on the smaller panel. At this point I popped on these panels onto my base card with dimensionals.

The iris was stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink, colored with Copic markers and cut out. The final step was to adhere the iris to my card with dimensionals.

I really love how this card turned out. Thank you, Theresa, for the tutorial and the inspiration! And thank you all for stopping by to visit.


This card was entered into the following challenges:
613 Avenue Create  -  Challenge #66 - Anything Goes
Crafty Cardmakers  -  Challenge #113 - You've been framed
Crafting from the Heart  -  Challenge #13 - Anything Goes (Easter Theme)
TTCRD  -  Apr 1-8  - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday  -  Challenge #126 - Anything Goes
Crafty Girls  -  Challenge #15 - Anything Goes
Sister Act  -  Challenge #51 - Anything Goes
Crafty Catz  -  Challenge #225 - Springtime
Challenges 4 Everybody  -   Challenge #40  - Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments  -  Challenge #103 - Easter or Spring Sentiment
Craftitude  -  Challenge #62 - Anything Goes


Whitewash Floral


Hello! I made this card yesterday using the "whitewash technique". This coloring  method gives your image a very soft look. Here is a video by Melanie Muenchinger, illustrator for Gina K Designs,  if you would like to see what it's all about.

I won't go into the details since you can see how the technique is done in the video. I did an additional step of cutting out my flower image after stamping and coloring it and popping it on to my card. Listed below are the products that I used:

Base card:  GKD Pure Luxury white
Layer:  GKD Pure Luxury blue denim
Die cut:  Spellbinders Asian Motifs
Stamps:  GKD Stately Flowers 7, Signs of Spring
Ink:  Versamark, PTI Fresh Snow, Memento Danube Bamboo Leaves and Black
Additional:  white EP, water brush. adhesive, dimensionals, scissors

Hope you decide to check out this great technique and try it. I'm sure you will love the result when done.

Thanks for stopping by and I'll be posting again very soon.


This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
613 Avenue Create  -  Challenge #66 - Anything Goes
Crafty Cardmakers  -  Challenge #113 - You've Been Framed
Word Art Wednesday  -  Challenge #126 - Anything Goes
Crafty Girls  -  Challenge #15 - Anything Goes
Sister Act  -   Challenge #51 - Anything Goes
Crafty Catz  -  Challenge #225 - Sprnigtime

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Unforgettable Orange Floral


Hello, fellow crafters! I made a couple of cards today and this one was created for the week's challenge at Joan's Touch.

Beginning with a white card base, I layered it with GKD Sweet Mango card stock, followed by another layer in PTI Dark Chocolate and then a layer of patterned paper which I selected from my stash. I rounded the corners of the patterned layer and, using dies from Cheery Lynn Lace Corner Deco B, added intricate corner die cuts in brown to opposite corners.

On white card stock I stamped my floral image, from GKD Unforgettable duo stamp set, in Memento Espresso Truffle ink. To color the flowers, I used the "huffing" technique. I colored the flower petals with Memento Tangelo marker and the stems with Memento Rich Cocoa marker. Before stamping my image onto my card stock, I "huffed" on my stamp in order to remoisten it and then stamped it. I did this three times in order to get the 3 floral images. (Here is a link to a very concise but informational video on huffing).

Next, I die cut my floral image panel with Marianne Creatables Small Ovals by Petra, and while still in the die, sponged around the edges with GKD Sweet Mango ink. For my final step, I popped my focal panel onto my card using dimensionals and this completed my project. 

Hope you enjoyed this post and thanks so much for stopping by!


This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
Joan's Touch  -  Challenge #7
613 Avenue Create  - Challenge #66 - Anything Goes
Sister Act  -  Challenge #51 - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday  -  Challenge #126 - Anything Goes
TTCRD  - Challenge Apr 4-8 - Anything Goes
StampTV - MIUM - Celebrate Spring - STV14MON13
Fan-Tastic Tuesday  -  Challenge #29 - Patterned Paper
Crafty Girls  -  Challenge #15 - Anything Goes
Challenges 4 Everybody  -  Challenge #40 - Anything Goes
Crafty Cardmakers  -  Challenge #114 - You've Been Framed
Crafting from the Heart  -  Challenge #12 - Anything Goes
Crafty Catz  -  Challenge #225  -  Springtime


Thursday, April 3, 2014

Girl in Yellow


Hello, everyone! I made this card just for fun. I had come across some digital stamps by Art by Miran that I liked and so I decided to use this one (called Lillian) to make a card. I thought this would make a really cute card for a young girl. It also gave me an opportunity to do a lot of coloring with my Copics. And there was a lot of coloring here, especially the hair. It took me several tries to get it just right, or what I thought was just right. But I'm sorry to say it was a dreary and rainy day and I didn't have good lighting when I took a photo of my card. So...sadly, the vibrant colors aren't very intense or even very visible.

I made my base using GKD Pure Luxury Christmas Pine card stock. I layered the base card with white and then added another layer of digital dotted swiss patterned paper.

The green panel (same color as base) was die cut with the largest die from Spellbinders A2 Polka Dots die set and adhered to the base. The little girl image was colored with Copics and then adhered to the green panel.

To add a little extra to the focal point, I created a bow from yellow ribbon and adhered it to where there was an actual image of a bow which I had already colored. The sentiment is from GKD Buds and Vases stamp set and was cut and embossed with the smallest die from Spellbinders Lattice Rectangles.

This completed my project. I hope you liked it. Thanks for visiting and I hope you'll stop by again.


This card was entered into the following challenge(s)
TTCRD  -  Challenge Apr 1-8  - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday  -   Challenge #126 - Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create  -  Challenge #65 - Anything Goes
The Outlawz  -  Alcohol Markers Challenge - CPC032814
Sister Act  -  Challenge #50 - Anything Goes
Fan-Tastic Tuesday  -  Challenge #29 - Patterned Paper
Crafty Girls  - Challenge #15 Anything Goes
Crafting from the Heart  -  Challenge #12 - Anything Goes
Craftitude  -  Challenge #61 - Anything Goes