Sending Smiles

Here's another relatively simple card using more of the awesome designer paper from the new "Earth Love" line by Cosmo Cricket. I just love the soft pastels. There were cute little snails on the strip sheet of this paper line so I punched one out and used it as my focal point. I jazzed up the snail's shell with a little bit of Stickles glitter glue (also on the butterflies) but it's hard to see in the photo. I also used another one of the little clear stamps from the "Mini Messages" set by Hero Arts. Again, I placed it on the acrylic block in a curve. The butterflies are from a Martha Stewart punch and I put little adhesive pearls down for their bodies. I also punched some circles and layered them on top of the flower to present the snail a little better. Enjoy!

Paper: Earth Love (Cosmo Cricket); solid cardstock (Bazzill)

Ink: Rich Cocao (Memento)

Stamp: Mini Messages set (Hero Arts)

Accessories: butterfly trio punch (Martha Stewart); circle punches (EK Success); flower (Kaisercraft); adhesive pearls (Kaisercraft); fruit punch glitter glue (Stickles)

A Happy Hello

Here's a simple card I created using the awesome new paper line by Cosmo Cricket called "Earth Love." I was so excited when I got it... I just *love* the mushrooms! I got a cute little mushroom sparkle clear stamp set by Hero Arts quite a while ago... but I can't find where I put it! So frustrating! This mushroom paper would have been perfect for it! Oh well. I ended up getting "scrappy" with this card instead and just used one of the stamps from Hero Arts' sparkle clear "Mini Messages" set. The sentiments are so cute and small... but they don't quite fit the word window punch by Stampin' Up! (also frustrating). I ended up placing it on the acrylic block in a curve to match scallop. I also added little adhesive rhinestones underneath to jazz it up a little. Looking at it now I wish I would have given the flower another layer under the button, but maybe that would have been too busy. Too late now! Hope you like it anyway!

Paper: "Earth Love" (Cosmo Cricket); solid cardstock (Bazzill)

Ink: Rich Cocao (Memento)

Stamp: Mini Messages set (Hero Arts)

Accessories: scallop oval dies (Nestabilities); flower (Prima); button (PaperTrey Ink); adhesive rhinestones (Kaisercraft)

Cat in Tree- AMYRTFS5

Yipee! It's my sketch week again at Prairie Paper & Ink! Amy is kind enough to feature one of my sketches once a month for her Friday Sketch Challenge, so I must make a card using it, right? Here's what I came up with. I'm not thrilled about it for some reason, but it is my first attempt at using my new Copic markers! I had been using watercolor pencils before... but now I'm a Copic addict! Anyway, I just adore this stamp from Wild Rose Studio, a UK company that wasn't shipping to the U.S. until now! I spent several months trying to get my hands on their stamps! One of my favorite online stores, All That Scraps, started selling some of their stamps a couple of months ago, but they took a while to get the cute cat and dog stamps that I so desperately wanted! I had to wait to get my hands on those... even begging the UK company directly didn't work! I even tried to get the two stamp stores in my area to order them, but they weren't interested in clear clings. Nevertheless... I have my stamps now and I'm a happy camper! This image was bigger than I thought, so it was a little hard to work it into this sketch. Maybe that's what I'm hung up on. Perhaps these stamps need center staging without busy designer paper. Hmmm.

Paper: "Lillian" designer paper (Crate Paper)

Ink: rich cocoa ink pad (Memento); markers (Copic)

Stamp: Cat in Tree (Wild Rose Studio)

Accessories: circle die (Nestabilities); adhesive pearls (Kaisercraft); dimensionals adhesive foam (Stampin' Up!)

Kindness MOJO101

Ahhh... I finally have a card to post! This layout is from LAST week's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge (missed the deadline by minutes!). I used designer paper by DCWV (Die Cuts With a View) from their "Latte" collection. I found the paper pack on sale at Michael's and just love the colors! I also used a quote stamp from the "Echoes of Kindness" stamp set by Stampin' Up! Enjoy!

Paper: Latte (DCWV)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Stamp: Echoes of Kindness (SU)

Accessories: ribbon (May Arts); button and twine (PaperTrey Ink); circle and scallop dies (Nestabilities); paper piercer

Hello Friend - AMYRTFS4

Yessss! It's time for MY sketch to appear over at Amy Rysavy's blog (Prairie Paper & Ink)! She features me as her guest sketch designer every 4th Friday for her weekly Friday Sketch challenge! How awesome is THAT? Well, my sketch was posted last Friday and I'm am just now finally getting around to posting a card using my sketch. Slacker... I know. Anyway, I again used the K & Co. "Wild Raspberry" 8x8 paper pad that I happened upon over the weekend... I just love it! I also finally used the adorable "Dahlia" stamp from The Greeting Farm (available online at All That Scraps)... she's been sitting among my things for a while now (and there are others still sitting there to be used as well... gotta get on it)! Well, enjoy my card, AND my sketch!

Stamps: Dahlia (The Greeting Farm); Hello Friend (Hero Arts)

Paper: Wild Raspberry designer paper (K & Co.); cardstock (Bazzill)

Ink: Rich Cocoa Memento (Tsukineko); watercolor pencils (Derwent)

Accessories: adhesive pearls (Kaisercraft); circle and oval scalloped dies (Nestabilities); word window punch (SU); ribbon (May Arts)

One Of A Kind - MOJO 97

I finally got around to creating a submission for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge, which ends tonight! I was putzing around in my craft space and happened upon an 8x8 pad of K & Co. paper called "Wild Raspberry." I forgot that I had it and I just love all the papers in it! It was a sweet surprise to find! Enjoy!

Stamp: One of a Kind (Hero Arts)

Paper: Wild Raspberry designer paper (K & Co.); cardstock (Bazzill)

Ink: Rich Cocoa Memento (Tsukineko); watercolor pencils (Derwent)

Accessories: button and twine (Papertrey Ink); flowers (Kaisercraft, Hero Arts); adhesive pearls (Kaisercraft); scalloped scallop border punch (EK Success); circle and scalloped circle dies (Nestabilities); small circle punches (SU); photo corner punch (SU)

Razzleberry Friend

I actually have a card that isn't a sketch challenge submission! Can you believe it??? The layout is simple, but I was focussed on the stamp. I really like this one in the Razzle Dazzle set. It was fun to play around with. I really like the new "in colors" too.

Stamp: Razzle Dazzle (SU)

Paper: Razzleberry Lemonade dp (SU); cardstock (SU)

Ink: markers (SU)

Accessories: razzleberry dot ribbon (reversed) (SU); buttons (PaperTrey Ink); adhesive pearls (Kaisercraft); scalloped scallop border punch (EK Success); circle and scallop circle dies (Nestabilities); Billboard letters decorative strip die (Sizzix Big Shot)

Thanks So Much - AMYRS5

Here is my submission for Amy's Friday Sketch Challenge this week. I finally used a stamp from AmyR's "Thank You Sentiments" set! I also finally inked up the Junebug fairy! She's so cute! Anyway, I just love the new Cottage Wall designer paper from Stampin' Up... and I'm excited that I have flowers to match! Thanks for the nice "oldie but goodie" sketch Amy!

Paper: Cottage Wall dp (SU); solid cardstock (SU)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); watercolor pencils (Derwent)

Stamps: Junebugs fairy (C.C. Designs) ; 'Thanks So Much' sentiment (AmyR Stamps)

Accessories: ribbon (SU); flowers (Prima and Hero Arts); brad (Bazzill); adhesive pearls and rhinestone (Kaisercraft); word window punch (SU); Nestabilities circle and scalloped circle dies (Spellbinders); Stardust glitter glue (Stickles)

Just Saying Hello - MOJO96

OOohhh! I'm late! I hope Mr. Linky is still awake so I can upload my submission to this week's sketch challenge at the Mojo Monday blog before a new sketch is released! I finally inked up and created some "real" cards last night at scrappy hour. Yeah! I'm feelin' the creative juices flowing again!

Paper: Cottage Wall dp (SU); solid cardstock (SU)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); watercolor pencils (Derwent)

Stamps: Swiss Pixie Heidi (C.C. Designs) ; 'Just Saying Hello' sentiment (Hero Arts)

Accessories: ribbon (May Arts); flowers (Prima and Hero Arts); brad (Bazzill); adhesive rhinestone (Kaisercraft); word window punch (SU); Nestabilities circle and scalloped circle dies (Spellbinders); Stardust glitter glue (Stickles)

Birthday Wishes - AMYRS72

Here's my submission for Amy's Friday Sketch Challenge this week. All the papers and elements are from the "Forget Me Not" digi kit by Zoe Pearn (Sweet Shoppe Designs). Enjoy!

[Yes, I cheated again... but I printed it out and photographed it... impressive, huh?]

Enjoy - MOJO95

At long last... I made a real card! I certainly wasn't as productive at scrappy hour last night as I should have been... I socialized WAY too much! Nevertheless, I managed to create a submission for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge before it ends tomorrow! This card is all "scrappy" and not "stampy" at all. I used paper from Basic Grey's new "Lemonade" collection, which I love, and I cut the letters with my Cuttlebug using the "Billboard" Sizzlits strip die from Stampin' Up. The letters are a perfect size for cards! This card took way longer to create than it should have (I messed around with it too much), but I also spent time showing friends the digi cards I've been creating, which I printed yesterday to see what they would look like, and I was impressed! I went ahead and took a photo of the three printed digi cards together to try to show what they look like as printed cards.

I just might have to do this for my holiday cards this year! It would be a lot less stressful to just design a few and print a bunch! Anyway, I've got plans to go back to scrappy hour again next Saturday, and I think I'll try to organize some projects this week so I can be more productive when I get there! :)

Paper: Lemonade (Basic Grey); solid cardstock (Bazzill)

Accessories: "Billboard" Sizzlits strip die (Stampin' Up); sprig leaves punch (Martha Stewart); ribbon (unknown); adhesive pearls (Kaisercraft); circle punches (EK Success and SU); flowers (Bazzill and Hero Arts); button (Papertrey Ink)

Thank You - AMYRS71

Well, I'm still not back on track with real crafting, but I plan on putting in some serious creation time tomorrow night during Scrappy Hour at Green Tangerines... and hopefully that will re-spark my enthusiasm for making cards! In the meantime, I have created yet another digi card for my last-minute submission to Amy Rysavy's Friday Sketch Challenge this week. I made this 'Thank You' card using elements and papers from the "Retro Cocoa" kit designed by Melissa Bennett (Sweet Shoppe Designs). I'm really enjoying making digi cards when I can't get studio time, but I'm also missing the "hands-on" creation experience. I still wonder how these digi cards would look printed out. Perhaps I'll try that out soon. Thanks for looking!

Digi Thanks - MOJO94

It's "contest" week over at the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge blog! I still haven't been able to get into my mini-studio to craft in the evenings, but I didn't want to miss out on the random drawing so I whipped up a digi card on my laptop while the boys played outside (I swear a digi card can take longer to create than a regular card!). My submission is a simple "Thanks" card and I'm really curious to see how it would print out. I used papers and elements by Traci Reed (Sweet Shoppe Designs), and I keep learning a ton about how to use PSE6! I still need to figure out how to make a "tear" for torn paper and how to make a distressed edge for that popular grunge look. I'm guessing there is a "brush" for that and I'm guessing I would have to purchase and download it from somewhere. I haven't been been able to find anything like it in the existing brushes and tools. Anyway, I promise to get back into making "real" cards soon! I really miss the hands-on experience! I have plans to meet friends at "scrappy hour" at Green Tangerines twice this month, and I intend to make several "real" cards then. I hope you enjoy my digi card!

Powerful Quote Digi Card - AMYRTF3

Well, I had intended on making both a digi card AND a regular card for Amy's Friday Sketch Challenge tonight... but I never made it into my mini studio to make a regular card! We're leaving in the morning for Clear Lake and we had to do laundry and pack for the kids, so that took priority. Such is life, I guess! Anyway, here is the digi card I made while the kids napped today. Everything but the quote are from digi kits by Traci Reed (Sweet Shoppe Designs). The digital papers are from the "Nicole's Graham" page kit in her "Those We Love" collection, the star brads are from the "Techno Princess" page kit, and the stitching is from the "Fly Catchin'" page kit. I initially intended to go for a "star" theme for the holiday, but it really doesn't have that feel. Oh well. A Facebook friend posted the quote on her wall today and it resonated with me so I put that on the card. Now I'll have to wait until Monday to get a real card made for Amy's Friday Sketch Challenge since I will be out of town! Say, does anyone know how to recover an accidentally-deleted "drop shadow" effect in PSE6? I accidentally deleted the "soft" drop shadow button and can't for the life of me figure out how to get it back!

YIKES! I'd better get crackin!

I've been out of sorts lately and haven't been crafting or posting (just whining alot... sorry about that)... but now I'm guest sketch designer again for Amy Rysavy's Friday Sketch Challenge and I don't have a card made and my blog isn't updated! Yikes! I'd better get crackin' and whip up a fantastic creation with my sketch! I'm actually grateful that Amy keeps using my sketches every four weeks because it's like encouragement to keep creating... which always makes me feel great! Thanks Amy!!! I think I'll whip up a digital card on my laptop while I hang on the sofa and the kids nap (since my hubs is working in his office... where my mini craft area is)... then tonight I will go in and make a real card. Be sure to check back later today for a digital card, and then again tomorrow for my proper challenge submission!

Who Am I Fooling? (AMYRS70)

Okay, I don't know who I'm fooling because I am having the hardest time getting my rear into my mini-studio to craft some cards! Every time I tell myself that I'm going to "make some cards tonight," I get distracted by something else or find myself "just too tired." You would think that I would be chomping at the bit to get crafting as often as possible! I don't know what's going on internally... maybe I'm in a funk or a rut... but I still have creative juices that need to be squeezed! *wink*

Since I'm a stay-at-home mom with two small boys, and because my mini-studio is in the corner of my husband's home office (and he works from home), I'm not able to sneak away to make a card during the day... and dragging my goodies out to the kitchen table to make a card is out of the question with the kiddos around! I am, however, attached to my laptop on the sofa quite a bit while my eldest plays in the afternoons and my youngest naps for three hours (yes, three hours!).

During my laptop-sofa-time yesterday I decided to try my hand at a digital card using Photoshop Elements 6 (PSE6) and a free digi kit I downloaded from Papertrey Ink last year... or maybe it was the year before. I also used some embellishments that I got off of a CD that I won at a papercraft event last year that is loaded with several digital kits by Traci Reed, who is an awesome designer for Sweet Shoppe Designs. I'm not familiar with PSE6 beyond mildly tweaking my photos, which I don't even do that often because I'm not a scrapbooker, but I am excited that I was able to figure out as much as I did on my own! I even figured out how to change the colors of the embellishments! Anyway, I came up with a cute digi card made with Papertrey Ink's "Spiral Bouquet" digi paper and digi sentiment plate... and I tweaked some of Traci Reed's flowers, buttons and rhinestones to match. The layout is from this week's Friday Sketch Challenge by Amy Rysavy over at her "Prairie Paper & Ink" blog. It's not necessarily a "proper" submission since it is completely digital and not even hybrid... but at least I squeezed some creative juice and learned a ton about PSE6! I'm sure there is still so much to learn, and I don't even know if this card would look very good printed out, but at least it's worth a blog posting!

I hope you enjoy my first all-digi card since there may be more digi cards in my future... especially during these lag times in-between "real" card crafting so my blog isn't so dormant! Stay tuned!

Zinnia Hope (TECC72)

Happy Birthday Taylor! This card is my submission for the Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge this week, and it just happens to fall on Taylor's birthday! The stamp I used is "Hope" from the Hope & Grace collection by The Greeting Farm. She's so cute! I also used designer paper from the new "Zinnia" collection by Little Yellow Bicycle. I love the color combo they used! Anyway, this is a pretty basic card. I colored Hope with watercolor pencils, cut her out, and stuck her on with adhesive foam dots for some depth. I used flowers from Bazzill (they had all the right colors!), and accented the corner of the card with adhesive rhinestone gems from Hero Arts.

Paper: Zinnia (Little Yellow Bicycle); white cardstock (Mohawk 110 cover weight)

Stamp: Hope & Grace (The Greeting Farm)

Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento); watercolor pencils (Derwent)

Accessories: flowers (Bazzill); antique nickel brads (Making Memories); adhesive rhinestone gems (Hero Arts); adhesive foam dots (Stampin' Up); brown marker; white gel pen (Inkssentials)

Gretel Bird-Day (AMYRS69)

I went to Scrappy Hour at Green Tangerines last night and wasn't very productive! I only finished two cards, including this one for Amy Rysavy's Friday Sketch Challenge. I just got my Swiss Pixies in the mail yesterday and HAD to use one! I used Swiss Pixie Gretel on this card, along with the new "Happy Bird-Day" paper from 3 Bugs in a Rug. I cut her dress from designer paper, used Stickles on her wings, and used a tiny orange rhinestone for her hair tie. I'm still coloring with watercolor pencils, but I'm totally craving a set of Copics! Hopefully for my birthday... I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Paper: "Happy Bird-Day" collection (3 Bugs in a Rug); white cardstock

Stamps: Swiss Pixie Gretel (C.C. Designs)

Ink: Deep Cocoa (Memento); watercolor pencils (Derwent); brown marker

Accessories: ribbon (May Arts); tag punch (Marvy Uchida); flowers (Bazzill, Prima); clear rhinestone brads (Oriental Trading); diamonds glitter glue (Stickles); adhesive rhinestone (Kaisercraft); dimentionals adhesive foam (Stampin' Up); white gel pen (Inkssentials)