Less Is More Sketch

Simple sketch and will be a go-to when I need a classy, quick card. There are some stunning sample cards at Less is More here. For mine card I used a strip of Outdoor Denim card stock stamped with a CTMH Rock the Block image, Studio 'g' chalk inks in a powder blue and green. The card base is CTMH Pear, sentiment from the Card Chatter- Sympathy set inked in Outdoor Denim. I added some liquid pearls.

Stella Says Sketch

I had just purchased my newest Stella at Bug a Boo Stamps and then found her command to sketch on the Catch the Bug blog (here). Don't you love the saying?
I started by soaking the paper in odorless mineral spirits and then coloring with Prismacolor pencils. The Papers are all CTMH: Typeset Reflection, Vineyard Berry card stock and Colonial White. Button brads are also CTMH. I scissored, tore, sanded, and ink distressed the edges. Much more fun than cleaning. Better do as Stella says!

Something Old

Wow, a challenge I could work on every day for months! At Card Makin'Mamas this week: use "Something Old" - for a craft hoarder this was too easy. It had to be supplies/tools that have been waiting patiently in your cupboard for at least six months. Over a year ago I bought a gorgeous set of chip board embellishments (three full panels!) ....and the cool little embossing corner punch that has four different corner designs has been waiting even longer. I almost donated it away when cleaning last week. The paper behind the bird was made on Colonial White card stock and stamped once with CTMH Universal Background set (script) in Desert Sand, and again with Sorbet ink using CTMH Two-Step Background set. I tried to mimic the chipboard pattern behind the bird. The card base and panel are CTMH Barn Red card stock. Ribbon from SU! (Thank you to my stamping buddy who stopped me from being matchy-matchy). I sanded the embossed corners to bring out the design. (Thank you Brenda -I've done this before, but your beautiful card was fresh in my memory or I might not have thought to do it.) A very fun challenge.

Inchies

Beautiful paper from Japan plus 1" square chip board pieces from Impress. Card base and ink are CTMH Moonstruck, sentiment from CTMH Kangi Phrases. It gives me much happiness to think of my son in Japan, and to remember the perfect visit I had there last summer.

Heart

Designer 2 Delight Saturday Challenge was to use a heart(s). This sweet digital heart flower is theirs and I have used it with CTMH Sophia papers, Hollyhock twill and ink, and Pear card stock. The heart button is from a CTMH set many years ago. Just love it when I use things I've saved!

Cuddle Up FTL 174

Love the sketch at Clean & Simple ....but had more trouble with photography than paper. My first version of this card used pink and pale blue for the sentiments which would not show up even when I used the scanner. I am not sure about this version. Does that happen to you? You can over work something and then not appreciate it at all. Perhaps it will look better in the morning.

Products: CTMH Topstitch paper and Stickease, Chocolate ink, Baby Pink card stock, Heavenly Blue card stock and ribbon. Sentiment stamps are a very old set of words from my SIL -I no longer have the packaging.

One Layer with Birds

Less is More(click for link) challenge is to create a one layer card with a bird(s). I Have used CTMH Trees and Things stamp set and Liquid Applique (for the snow), Cocoa ink on Sky cardstock. It is snowy and icy here in western Washington, and school cancelled for the third day tomorrow....it will be very sad in June, but right now it translates to more time in my craft room..that is a good thing!

Rock the Block

Just thrilled with this project - inspired by Lisa Stenz here. I had selected my photos, cut out letters for the family name, but wondered what to do with the remaining side...Tic-tac-toe was brilliant, Lisa! And my grandsons love playing it. I used CTMH Elemental Reflection paper, CTMH ribbon in Sorbet, twill in Outdoor Denim (retired), and a tiny metal tag from the Sorbet Mini-Accessories, the Rock the Block stamp set and my AP cartridge to Cricut the letters. This was really an easy and quick project. It creates four fun picture puzzles, the game, and practice for my kindergartner spelling his last name :-) I am going to give it to them for a Valentine with a few sweet treats.

Random Stamping Project

Susan Daniels, a CTMH consultant recently shared this project - random stamp an 81/2X11" sheet and then cut it into 9 pieces. Create a card with each piece. She gave credit to Vicki Wizniuk who has long been my inspiration for all card skills. She is the queen of random stamping! If you haven't been to her blog, you are missing some beautiful paper art http://wizardshangout.blogspot.com/

Well, I tried my hand at this. I changed the colors and a few things on some cards, but basically followed Susan's template. It is fun to 'collage' stamp that way and make your own 'designer' paper.

STAMPS: Rock the Block, and various sets for sentiments

COLORS: Smoothie, Pansy Purple, Sweet Leaf, Bamboo, Spring Iris