Getting in The Spirit with Spellbinder Nested Stars

Howdy folks!
   Just dropping in to share a quick and cute little card I just made.  This is a plain and simple A2 card with a blank inside.   I used JoAnn's and Michaels cardstock, SU Poppy Parade Classic Ink Pad, SU retired stamp set  Perfectly Penned, Spellbinders Stars, Spellbinders Belly Band 2, a Gelly Roll White Gel pen for a little faux stitching.   I saw a similar card on the internet some years ago and kept thinking I wanted to make this card.  Well of course I didn't write down the artist name or the website.  I searched all over today, looking for that card but could not find it.  I could not find a tutorial on how to line up the stars (somebody needs to really get on that). I just kept thinking about it, cut several demos trying to get it right and finally it clicked!  Thank goodness, I was getting tired and this was supposed to be a 30 minutes to 1 hour card.   When I actually figured it out, the card took less than 30 minutes to cut and put together.   Now that I have the concept down, maybe I'll try it using some patterned paper.  This would be a great graduation card layout.  And...If you have the patience of Job, you can do these as invites to a 4th of July celebration.  Now, I'm thinking about all the other nesties dies I can use with this technique!    I hope you give it a try.   Here's my attempt.

 

Hugz from Moi!

  

Diamond Filigree Background Stamp

Hi everyone,
    I hope all is well for you this evening.  I felt a little energetic and decided to play in my craft lab today.  I will share my little creation later in the post.  First, I want to share some sad news...I decided to close my store.   Yeah, I wasn't selling like I thought I might, even with self advertising on FB.  Although; I have to say, I'm really not broke-up about it.  I NEVER planned to have 25 cards in the store at one time let alone 100, which is what I was paying for.  I did it for one month and that was enough for me.  Just more work that I didn't need.  I don't mind selling my card and altered projects but when it turns my crafting into another job, that is where I draw the line! So no sorrow or sadness, more like a relief; one less thing to monitor and worry over.  Other sad news, my blog has been acting up really bad.  My post for Mema's Crafts last challenge did not post as scheduled.  I have timed all my post for her challenges and they have all posted automatically without a problem until this last one.  So I just corrected that and it is now posted.  The card is called the Graduate (I think).  It's really cute (once again, my thought).  
   Okay, so on to what I did today.  You know how you just keep collecting beautiful dies and stamps and say you are going to make something but you never do; then life gets in the way and then you don't have time?? Well, I decided today, I had some energy, I got out some stuff, look at some cards that inspire me and got to work.  And so that I would stay focused, I decided to take my energy as far as it would go and stop there.  My problem is I over work it and try to either come up with some spectacular design on my own and try to finish it all in one night.  I mentally and physically exhaust myself, I get frustrated, I end up rushing through the project, not giving it my best, disliking it, not finishing it, and being pissed because I wasted my crafting supplies.  Well, I just decided that would be a NO for today.  I would do what I could and when my mind started to wonder too much, that was it for that project or card for the day.  I was able to get the front of the card done today.  I did not do the inside yet but it will be something simple maybe just plane colour coordinated panels and I haven't made an envelope either.
   I used the JustRite Stampers Diamond Filigree Background stamp to make this adorable little A2 (4 1/4 x 5 1/2") card.  I also used Spellbinders Belly Bands Two, Stampin UP classic ink and cardstock Marina Mist, Recollections White cardstock, some white seam binding (love seam binding!!), some Recollections tiny flat pearls, and Wild Orchid Craft white Sweetheart flowers.  What a simple but elegant little birthday greeting.  Tip: Background stamps can be very difficult to control if you don't have large and steady hands (I have neither).  Thinking within my crafting box...I decided to use my Prima doll block.  The large Prima doll stamping block (I do not believe this to be it's official name) measures 6" x 8", this is more than enough room to accommodate most of your background stamps.  It also has a handle for even better control and pressure distribution.  So, if you don't have one, this is one of those highly recommended items (smile).   For my next venture I'm going to try a little game. I'm going to close my eyes, spin around my craft lab (pray I don't fall), point to something, and whatever I see when I open my eyes is what I have use in or on the next project/card.  Enjoy...

 

Hugz from Moi

Fish in a Bowl and a Wedding Card

Hi everyone,
Today I am sharing my cute little Mema's Crafts DT inspiration card.  The inspiration for this card can be found on YouTube (see link below). The challenge will be posted on Monday, May 4th.  Our gracious sponsor for this challenge is I Break for Stamps! and the theme is everyone's favorite...Anything Goes! Come join in on the fun for your chance to win a really cute digi. Our mission for May's challenge was to make 2 cards or projects.  One using an image from I Break for Stamps digis and the other was to use flowers of some kind.  I used the Fish for my DT inspiration card.  The digi can be found by clicking the link.  I Break for Stamps also has the pretty flowers I used for my 2nd card- 2 toned chocolate Sweetheart Flower.  I used the fish because he reminded me of something from the "Little Mermaid".  I'm not sure what kind of fish he represents but for me, I made him a Gold Fish by colour (lol).  PS: if this is you first time trying the water card with the treat cups; be patient. It took me 3 times before I was okay with the results.  He is my supply list and some photos my fish card:

Title/Theme: Gold Fish in Bowl
Date: 050115 (this is the date I made the card)
Tutorial/Video:  Fishin' Around Card   By Esther Boyle
Category: Many Occasion
CS:  Recollections white, Stampin Up Marina Mist, Old Olive
Patterned Paper/CS:   N/A
Flowers/Greenery:  N/A
Ink (s): STAZ-ON Black, Stampin Up Chocolate Chip and Marina Mist
Marker (s):  Tim Holtz Distress Markers Stormy Sky, Faded Jean, Peeled Paint,  Wild Honey, Forest Moss, Broken China, Tumbled Glass, and Mustard Seed.                             
Embellishments:  N/A
Stamp/ Set(s): Stampin Up By the Tide, Just Rite Stampers Large Fancy Sentiments, Autumn Leaves (Stampology) Fourishes v.2, Magnolia Seaweed
Adhesives:  ATG runner, Scor-Tape, and Hot Glue Gun
Punches:  Stampin Up 1 ¾ circle punch, 1 ½ punch (generic)
Die(s): N/A
Tools (other): Stampin Up Textured Impressions Embossing Folder “Fancy Fan”, and items in a basic crafting tool kit.
Misc.: No. 1 paint brush, Strathmore 140lb (cold press) Watercolor Paper, Stampin Up Diamond Glaze, Water, Stampin Up circle Treat Cups.
Card Dimension: 4 1/4" x 5 3/4 "

The embossing folder I used worked out well. I made it look like waves on the front and when you open up the card they look like sea shells. 



 

I love how the Diamond Glaze looks like sparkling sand on the bottom of the fish bowl.

 

 

 

 

 

I added a place for a gift or special message.  I Made this card for a wedding but this layout works well for many occasions.

 

 

Well that's it for now  but I'll be back real soon with my last couple of Mother's Day cards.   Thanks for stopping by and good luck in the challenge! Hugz from me.

Merry Christmas Tree

Wow! only 13 days left!  You're all probably busy running around preparing for the next wave of holiday madness, so I won't take much of your time.   This little cutie I've seen while surfing the net many times. Credit goes out to anyone who's ever done one.   I have seen so many versions of this card and thought I would give it a try.   I used Recollections cardstock, a Tim Holtz embossing folder, Stampin Up stamp set "Lovely As A Tree" ( I think this is still available, #115026),Poppy Stamps "Grand Madison Window" die, Gelly Roll Stardust pen (streaked on the branches of the tree), Stampin Up Stampin Write markers ( Colours used: Chocolate Chip, Early Expresso, and Always Artichoke).  I also used Stampin Up classic ink pad Mellow Moss to stamp the large tree.  I used the We R Memory Keepers envelope punch board to make the matching envelope.  If you are in my area, you can contact Barbara Cambron on her Stampin Up website (click the hyper-link). Some of the items I used are retired but Stampin Up has replaced them with similar if not even better colour options.  You'll be sure to find something that you just gotta have! If you are not in the area but want to get your hands on some Stampin Up products, check their website to find the demonstrator nearest to you.

Happy Holidays and Hugz from me!


A2 (5 1/2 x 4 1/4) sized card with matching envelope

You can see the Gelly Roll Stardust on the branches better here.

Kept the inside very simple.