Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Christmas in February, Part Deux

You can click on any image for a close-up.

This is the other set of 2 cards I made for Christmas. I just love that Polar Bear image from Stampin' Up! I got it on ebay, and I wish I knew what it was called, or the name of the set from which it came.

Anyhoo, those cute little bears were stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink, colored with Copic markers, and cut/embossed with a Nestabilities Curved Rectangles die. It was then matted on white cardstock and backed by Stampin' Up! Night of Navy cardstock.

The starry background paper was purcha
sed last year when I first got into card making. I don't know who the manufacturer is, but I do know I got it on sale at Joanne's. ;-)

The snow beneath the bears is Twinklets Diamond Dust glitter. It's really sparkly, because it's made from ground glass! The picture really doesn't do it justice. I read about it on Bev's blog, called All the things I love. (BTW, I tested it by rubbing some between my fingers, and didn't get any shards stuck in me.)



Copic colors used>>>>>

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Night of Navy, Neenah Solar White Cover
DP: unknown
Stamps: Image- Stampin' Up! (name unknown), Sentiment- See-D's Phrases Collection
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Night of Navy Classic
Embellishments: Martha Stewart ribbon,
Darice star rhinestones, Twinklets Diamond Dust


Christmas in February

You can click on any image for a close-up.

In continuation of my vow to make at least four Christmas cards each month, here are two of my cards for February (nothing like waiting until the last minute, huh?). I think this stamp is sooo funny, especially because every year my husband and I search for the perfect tree. Of course, there IS no such thing as a perfect tree, but we foolishly valiantly set out on our quest to find one every year. :-)

This stamp, from Eat Cake Graphics, is called (appropriately enough) Finding the Right Tree. It was stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with Copic markers, then matted on the metallic green paper. It looked kind of flat, so I whipped out the ol' Exacto and cut a couple of pine boughs to slip the image under. I think it gives a little more depth, though still not exactly what I wanted.

I used the Cuttlebug Divine Swirls folder for the background and lightly brushed it with Stampin' Up! Handsome Hunter Classic ink, which was also used on the sentiment.

Copic colors used>>>>>

Cardstock: Neenah Solar White Cover, metallic green unknown
Stamps: Image- Eat Cake Graphics, Sentiment- SU Best Yet
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Handsome Hunter
Embellishments: Ribbon and gold dots from Michael's, Doodlebug glitter, Cuttlebug embossing folder

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Happy Birthday, Little Sister!


You can click on any image for a close-up.

Today is my kid sister's birthday, so I wanted to make something sweet, yet funny. She never fails to remind me that I'm the older sister. (Keep in mind, this is the sister that had a heart attack last September. Smoking cigarettes is very bad for your health, dontcha know.) I hope she liked it. I can get my little digs in, too, heh heh!

This adorable Sugar Nellie image is called Daisy (Sugar Nellie stamps are available from Funky Kits). I can think of so many uses for this stamp! She was stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with Copic markers.


The image was cut/embossed with the Nestabilities Labels One die. I used the next larger size to cut the brown mat, and the panel for inside the card. Don't you just love that inside sentiment? LOL That one comes from Hambo Stamp
s Fractured Funnies (where I also got a great one for Mother's Day, hehe!).

Copic colors used>>>>

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla and Cameo Coral, The Paper Company Weave Ivory, The Paper Company Textured Brown
Stamps: Image- Sugar Nellie "Daisy", Sentiment- Hambo Stamps
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up! Cameo Coral
Embellies: Prima flowers,
punched flowers, brads, ribbon, rhinestones, jewelry findings and wire

Thursday, February 19, 2009

March '09 Card Swap


I tell ya, this card swap branch of the stamping club is about killing me. We have to make 24 cards to swap every month. But for once, I'm not frantically trying to finish the swaps the night before we meet!

Because I do have to make 24 cards, I try to keep it simple...no elaborately colored images (which takes too much time) or embellishments (which gets too expensive). I did choose to cut out all the flowers this time, instead of stamping and matting like I usually do. ;-)

The theme for the swap for March is to use SU Cameo Coral, Pink Pirouette and Kiwi Kiss, with either white or vanilla for the base. We can't use any other color, even black to stamp the sentiment!

Stamped the large flower from SU's Embrace Life set in Cameo Coral Craft ink on Pink Pirouette CS and cut it out. Edged the Bella Rose DP with more Cameo Coral. Also punched a tiny flower from Cameo Coral CS to put in the center of the larger flower and topped it with Stickles. Ran the Kiwi Kiss thru the Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots folder. I didn't have enough Kiwi Kiss ribbon for a larger bow on all the cards, so I decided to use a little snippet on each for faux leaves. The Martha Stewart ribbon matches the PP and CC perfectly!

The sentiment (WoJ General Sayings) was stamped in Cameo Coral, as well, and matted on Cameo Coral CS.

Oh, I almost forgot....I stamped the smaller flowers (from the same SU set) on the white card base in Pink Pirouette. I thought it needed "something" because it looked kind of plain.

Cardstock: SU Whisper White, Cameo Coral, Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette
DP: SU Designer Series Paper Bella Rose
Stamps: Images- SU Embrace Life, Sentiment- Whiff of Joy General Sayings
Ink: SU Cameo Coral, Pink Pirouette
Embellishments: SU Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon, Martha Stewart seam binding ribbons, Stickles, tiny flower punch


Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Bev's Delicious Candy!!!


Bev Rochester (All the Things I Love blog) has posted some fabulous candy to be given away to two lucky winners on February 24th. Just pop on over to her blog to enter for a chance to win! While you are there, check out her gorgeous creations. She is such an inspiration to me!

I'm putting this on the sidebar of my blog, too, so it's
easy to find.

Whiff of Joy Guest Designer Call!


OMG, I am so excited! Whiff of Joy Stamps has put out a call for a guest designer, and it just so happens that my pre-ordered Spring Stamp Kit from WoJ arrived this very day (well, technically yesterday), so I had new images to play with! It was almost like fate!

This is the first card I made for entry in the guest designer challenge, using Katharina's sketch. It's open until March 5th, and I didn't see where it said I couldn't enter more th
an one card, so I just may make more! ;-) One of my goals for this year was either to get published, or be a guest designer or on a design team. I would sooooo love that challenge!

I don't know the name of this stamp
, yet. As soon as I do, I'll edit this post to let you all know. Edited to add: It's called Willow with Sunhat. Every image in the new set is awesome!

Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny, so I'm going to try to get a better photo. I'm still not happy with how the colors aren't right.

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Rose Red, Die Cuts With a View textured
DP: Me & My Big Ideas
Stamps: Image- Whiff of Joy Spring Stamp Kit, Sentiment- Whiff of Joy General Sayings
Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black (I should have let it dry overnight)

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

For Josh and Kami


I am so excited! My son proposed to his girlfriend on Valentine's Day and she accepted!!! We really like her a lot, and think she and her little son will be a great addition to our family. Second marriage for both of them, and I think this time Joshua has truly found love and a life partner. I am thrilled beyond words, because it's been a very long time since I've seen him this happy.

Anyway, I made this card to give them as congratulations. I hope they like it. And since it is going on 3:00 a.m., and I'm tired, I'll post the deets when I wake up. ;-)

Edited to add:
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, The Paper Co. Weave Ivory, Bazzill Basics Blank Check
DP: Anna Griffin
Stamps: Image- All Night Media, Sentiment- Inkadinkado

Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black

Copic colors used>>>>>>

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Happy Birthday from BFF


I just had to share the gorgeous birthday card my BFF sent me! This is the woman who is directly responsible for my addiction to papercrafting, LOL. We have been bestest friends since we met in junior high school forty-two 22 years ago. ;-)

Barb obviously has mastered the ribbon blossom, which I still struggle with, but I'm determined to "get" it someday! Isn't this just beautiful? My photo doesn't do it justice, trust me.

And along with the lovely card, came the Silhouette she's no longer using, because she just got the new Cricut!!! I'm so excited, but I can't play with it yet until I get my b.day gift from hubby - a new laptop for my craft room. I am so stinkin' spoiled!!!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Valentine for My Honey, 2009

This is the card I made for my sweetie. He's so funny! When he picked it up, he said, "Hmmm, this feels kind of thick, like it might explode". Apparently he was remembering the demonstration of the confetti flinger a couple days prior (see this post). I promised I would never do that to him *snicker*, and then added that once was enough. He opened it verrry carefully, lol. There was only a lovely sentiment inside - no spring-loaded confetti.

I cut the heart out freehand after tracing it on Stampin' Up! Real Red cardstock. There's a piece of vellum over the music notes, to tone down the black/white contrast a bit. It goes with the Basic Gray background a little better.

The background was cut/embossed with a Nestabilities Curved Rectangle die, then wrapped with the musical note sheer ribbon. I have no idea where I got that ribbon. It's been hanging around my craft room for years. Too short to wrap a gift, but too long to just throw away. I knew I'd find a use for it someday!

I used the SU Word Window punch so the sentiment could peek through. That sentiment is from Verve Visual's "Wild Thing" stamp set. I masked off the "wild thing" part of the sentiment with a sticky note, inked it up, then pulled off the sticky. (You can see how I used the whole sentiment here.)

The DP underneath it all is from the Stampin' Up! Patterns Pack
.

And the Winner is.......

I guess I won't make you all wait until tomorrow morning. Here is what Random.Org generated:

Here are your random numbers:

16 

Timestamp: 2009-02-14 05:33:43 UTC

Congratulations, Donalda Martin, you are the lucky winner! Please send your mailing address to me at cdelam (at) gmail.com, and I will send it Tuesday, since Monday is a holiday.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Daughter's Birthday


Wow, I can not believe my youngest child, my one and only baby girl is 28 years old today. Well, technically, she won't be until 9:32 tonight, but still....where did the time go?!?! Hmmm, twenty-eight years ago at this time I was in the throes of transition labor, in my home with a midwife and family in attendance. Memories!

Here is the card I made to celebrate the occasion. Her fave colors are yellow and green and orange; easy to work with! She also loves mice and cupcakes, so when Whiff of Joy released this stamp, I was so happy! I knew right away it was perfect for her. Sorry the colors are all wonky. I really need to take a photography class.

My darling baby daughter is now a high school English teacher, a newlywed, and in the final months of getting her Master's Degree in education. I am so proud of her!


Copic colors used>>>>>>>>>

Cardstock: SU Old Olive, Neenah Solar White, DCWV Glitter Stack
DP: Daisy Bucket Wrapped Wishes
Stamps: WoJ Henry Celebrating Mouse, H & M Stamps All-About-Birthdays
Ink: VersaFine (allowed to dry overnight), Old Olive
Embellies: Dew Drops (Hardy Ivy), JudiKins Diamond Glaze, Prima flowers, Sugared brads

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Valentine for Grandson

Why do I have such a hard time making cards for the males in my life? Maybe because I'm somewhat of a girly girl? My grandson Trent loves red and black, so of course I had to figure out a way to incorporate it into his card. He liked the "Loads of Love" truck stamp when he was here at Christmas. He especially liked the dogs hanging out the back (from the "Loads of Love Accessories").

Remember when I said the cards were interactive? This one is a confetti flinger! (His mom, my ex-daughter-in-law is gonna kill me, heh heh. *wink*) I saw this on Paper Craft Planet, and knew this was EXACTLY what a little boy, who will be eight years old next month, will love. It is so cool! I made sure it was loaded with lots of little red heart confetti. :-D

Here is where you can find instructions, and a link to a video, showing it in action. I tested it on my husband when he got home from work (evil curious thing that I am, lol), making sure he opened it in the kitchen, where I could easily sweep up the mess. It works REEEAAAALLLY well.

Anyhoo, the card may not look like much on the outside, but there's a lot going on inside (kinda like me!).

Cardstock: SU Real Red, Paper Co. Weave Black, Neenah Solar White
DP: SU Patterns Pack
Stamps: SU "Loads of Love" and Stampin' Around Wheel "Making Tracks"
Inks: SU Real Red and Basic Black

Valentine for Granddaughter


I'm going to post this real fast, because I have to finish the card for my grandson and get these in the mail! (Running late, as usual, lol.) I'll post all the details after I finish his card and post it here, as well. Both cards are interactive - they're going to love them!

Edited to add:
Whew! Got them both finished and to the post office ten minutes before the last pick up. When am I going to learn??? LOL, I guess if I haven't learned by age 55 35, then I never will, huh? ;-)

Anyway, as I was saying, both cards are a bit interactive. For this card, I added a twirly "floating" heart inside. Before I closed the card and sealed it in the envelope, I twisted it up on its string, so when Taylor opens it, it will spin. It's kind of cute, and I think she'll like it.


Both the image (Inkadinkado "Heartful of Love") and the sentiment (from Rubbernecker) were stamped in VersaMark ink and the heat embossed with Stampendous "Red Dragon" EP. I just got that EP at Michael's a couple days ago, because I thought it looked neat. (Actually, the Magpie inside me went, "Oooo, shiny sparklies!" so I had to get it.) It matches the Riding Hood Red cardstock really well - almost liked I had planned it!

Didja notice I stamped tiny "Love", "Hugs", and "Kisses" around the edge in VersaMark?

Cardstock: SU Riding Hood Red (In Color), Neenah Solar White, Paper Company
DP: SU Bella Rose, and something from my scraps I don't know the name of
Stamps: Inkadinkado, Rubbernecker
Ink: VersaMark, heat embossed with Stampendous Red
Dragon

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Lucy's Get Well - PTW Challenge


A friend from the stamp club to which I belong is battling a very serious illness, so I wanted to make a little something to cheer her and let her know she is in my thoughts and prayers.

This week's challenge at Papertake Weekly is a fabulous sketch from Dawny, that I think works perfectly for this card.

This is the first time I've inked up any of my Sarah Kay stamps (and I've got about nine of 'em, so far). I had fun coloring it with my Copics! This stamp is called "My Sweet Lili" and, as I have been doing a lot lately, it was stamped in VersaFine Onyx Black and heat embossed with JudiKins Clear Detail EP. (Helps me stay in the lines when I'm coloring, don't you know, lol.)

I'm not positive about the papers I used, since some of them were from my scraps. I do know the dark burgundy textured paper is Paper Company Weave (color name unknown), and the pink linen-look is DCWV. The photo corner punch used was EK Success Paper Shapers. The lovely pink pearls were from Sally (and I need to order more!). The little heart buttons are a brand called Dress It Up, a Jesse James Company. Found 'em at Michael's. And the dry embossing was done on the Cuttlebug with the Argyle embossing folder.

Cardstock: Paper Co., DCWV
DP: From the huge satchel my BFF Barb sent - don't know the brand name!
Stamps: Image- Stampavie Sarah Kay "My Sweet Lili", Sentiment- H & M Stamps "A Time of Caring"
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, VersaMagic Eggplant

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Sympathy for Mary, LSC206


My cousin, Paul Torok, passed away Friday after battling colon cancer for several years. I made this card for his wife, Mary, who is just the sweetest, most delightful woman. They had only found each other 5 years ago, but I am so glad for the time they did get to spend together.

The SCS Challenge LSC206 (Say What You Feel) was perfect for this. The only stamp we could use was a sentiment, which I had already planned anyway. I knew Paul would be called home to be with the Lord soon, so I bought the cross for the card last week. Paul and Mary were deeply religious (he was a minister), so I thought a simple card, with just a sentiment and cross was appropriate.

Cardstock: The Paper Company Weave Black, Neenah Solar White Classic Crest Cover
Stamp: Impression Obsession "Sympathy Sentiments"
Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black, heat embossed with JudiKins Clear Detail EP
Accessories: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, Nestabilities Labels Two, Taylor's Tiny Twinkles black rhinestones, black satin ribbon from my stash, silver cross

Friday, February 6, 2009

Happy Blog Candy

BLOG CANDY NOW CLOSED!!!!
Thank you to all who left a comment!

Okay, folks, here it is! Today is my birthday and I am officially opening the contest for the blog candy, which will remain open until one week from today, Friday the 13th (which happens to be my daughter's birthday).
  1. To enter you must post a link on your blog to my candy, and then leave a comment here with the link to your blog in it.
  2. Or, if you don't have a blog, answer this question...."Who is the current flutist for the Moody Blues?" (which happens to be my favorite band of all time). Hint - it's a female, and she ROCKS!!!. You're on a computer - look it up!
  3. The entry deadline is 9:00 p.m. PST (GMT -8), Friday, February 13th. I will draw the winner using Random.Org and announce it the next morning.
What is in the candy jar:
Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels One
Whiff of Joy Stamps "Mouse Under Party Hat"
4 pkgs. Studio G clear stamps
2 pkgs. Autumn Leaves clear stamps (Pretty Poppies & Heart/Flower)
Prima Mulberry Paper flowers
3 Templates (2 Diamond Folds, 1 Lattice Folds)
Taylored Expressions "Taylor's Tiny Twinkles" (over 400 tiny rhinestones in 12 colors)
2 pkgs. self-adhesive pearls (white & gold)
2 pkgs. gemstone/pearl brads (pink & green)
2 pkgs. self-adhesive rhinestones (spring colors)
1 roll ribbon
1 pkg. embossed teal foil (6 sheets)


Good luck!

CCT Challenge # 46 - Metallica


This is the first time I've participated in a Cute Card Thursday challenge, but I think it won't be the last! This week's challenge is Metallica - we're supposed to use something metal on the card.... charms, wire, eyelets, whatever! I've combined a heart charm and heart brads for the metallic look.

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Real Red, Bazzill Huckleberry Pie
Pattern Paper: Making Memories Blue Gingham
Stamps: Image- Whiff of Joy "Melinda Blowing Kisses" , Sentiment- Close to My Heart "All My Love"
Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black with JudiKins Detail Clear EP

Copic colors used>>>>>>>>>>>


And now, because today is my birthday and we're getting close to 2,500 hits, I'm going to post the blog candy. :-D See post above. ^


Thursday, February 5, 2009

Heartfelt Wishes - Three Challenges!


This card manages to cover three challenges - First is the SCS Featured Stamper FS104, featuring none other than the infamous Bev, from the All the Things I Love blog (of which I am a fanatic devotee!). Her use of all the materials to which I am addicted (ribbon, flowers, charms, sparkly stuff), and her mastery of coloring the images is something I aspire to! This is Bev's card that I chose to CASE. I reversed the layout, and used different colors, image and elements (ovals instead of circles, etc.)

The second challenge is Papertake Weekly's Hearts & Flowers, in which we were to use hearts, or flowers, or both. I think that is pretty well covered on this card! In fact, I don't think I could have crammed many more in without it looking totally tacky.

And last, but certainly not least, is the OCC weekly challenge Crazy for Hearts (must have 2 or more hearts), which I also think I've got covered lol.

I really wanted something more than the traditional red and white, or pink Valentine's card....something a little more daring and sexy. So I came up with red, black and white. The image is Melinda Blowing Kisses from Whiff of Joy Stamps, stamped in Versafine Onyx Black ink and heat embossed with JudiKins Detail Clear EP. I colored it with Copic markers, cut and embossed the ovals with Nestabilities Petite Ovals and popped the image using Stampin' Dimensionals. I used Sakura Stardust Clear Gelly Roll glitter pen on her wings.

The sentiment was printed on my printer, cut and embossed and matted as for the image. Prima flowers, punch flowers, Queen & Co. red pearls and silver filigree bead caps dressed it up a bit. I can't remember where I got the heart brads, but I'm sure I got a good deal. :-D The red lace and black satin ribbon were from my sewing stash.

The Copic Sketch markers I used are shown to the right.>>>>>>>>>

Cardstock: SU Basic Black and Real Red
Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black
Stamp: Whiff of Joy

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

It's Your Day! Birthday Card


I finally inked up the new Whiff of Joy stamp called "Mouse Under Party Hat". Isn't it just too stinkin' cute? I love how quickly it can be colored and used on a card!

Did you notice there is NO ribbon, NO Prima flowers and NO rhinestones or glitter (well, except for what was on the DP already)?! I tried to do it a bit differently. I didn't even use my Copic markers . :-D

This card relies mostly on the image and the (many) papers and punches used. The mouse was stamped and then colored with Prismacolor pencils, using the Magic Colored Pencil technique (view YouTube tutorial here). Easy peasy! The image was matted twice (edges distressed), and then popped off the two designer papers under it. The sentiment and little flower to the left was also popped.

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Pacific Point, Bazzill Banana Bliss, Papertrey Ink Lemon Tart
Designer Paper: Debbie Mumm Baby Girl stack, ProvoCraft Illuminations
Stamps: Image- Whiff of Joy "Mouse Under Party Hat", Sentiment- H&M Stamps "All-About-Birthdays"
Ink: SU Basic Black Classic & Brilliant Blue Craft
Punches, scissors: SU Scallop Edge punch & Ticket Corner punch, Marvy Uchida flower punch, ProvoCraft tiny scalloped scissors

Monday, February 2, 2009

Almost Candy Time!

Okay, I promised I'd post the candy for when Heart's Delight blog reaches 2,500 hits. We're less than 200 away, so I guess I'll post a "teaser". You can see the candy, but you can't have the candy until it really reaches 2,500 hits, at which time I'll make a separate post with the rules for entry. I'm an evil wicked tease, aren't I? Heehee!

Since the Spellbinders Nestabilities was so desired last time, I figured I'd include the Labels One again. It is such a versatile set. And, of course, I had to include at least one Whiff of Joy stamp. This is the too-cute "Mouse Under Party Hat". I haven't actually inked mine up (I ordered 2), but I'll probably use it next week. The full list of what's in the candy jar will be posted when I open the contest. ;-)

I'll have a new card to show tomorrow. This has been a rather rough week (visiting a cousin who is in the end-stages of cancer), and I'm too tired to finish it and get the pics up tonight. I hope you all understand.