Floral Impressions Happy Birthday

This card uses the Floral Impressions DSP and bundle (stamp set and coordinating dies) with Strawberry Slush, Pretty in Pink, Peach Pie, Crushed Curry, Daffodil Delight, Darling Duckling, and Old Olive.

Be sure to decorate the inside of your card and the outside of your envelope!  I added Pecan Pie for the flower centers.

The Happy sentiment is from the Layered Thoughts stamp set, and the birthday letters were die cut with the Alphabet a la Mode dies.

Impressions Abloom Flag Card

Happy Independence Day!  I made this flag card using Real Red, Night of Navy, and Basic White card stock and the Floral Impressions dies.

The six Real Red stripes measure 5 1/2"x3/4" and the Night of Navy rectangle is 2 1/2"x2".  I ended up using 28 of the die cut flowers (which fortunately the two dies each cut three flowers at a time).  I'm including this card in the Color Dare #659 challenge to use red and blue.

Wishing you the best today and always!

Thinking of You Red, White, & Blue Card

Who is ready to celebrate the Fourth of July?  I thought it would be fun to try a patriotic floral card with the Impressions Abloom dies paired with the new Layered Thoughts stamp set. 

At first I thought I was going to make a side-fold card but realized that I wanted to use the Layered Thoughts stamp set and a top-fold worked better.  I used the Real Red stripes from the new Regals 6"x6" DSP.  Everything else was cut with White Willow, Real Red, Night of Navy, Daffodil Delight, and Garden Green card stock.  I stamped my sentiment in the oval frame with Night of Navy ink.  A few rhinestone gems finished off this card.  

BTW, you might see this on my socials with the #GDP503 for the Global Design Team's Flowers challenge.

Sundays Are for Sketches: #22 of 22

Here is the final installment of the twenty-two sketches found on p. 22 of the 2024-25 Annual Catalog.  I hope you've enjoyed this series as much as I have!

For my card, I decided to fussy cut two snow globes out of the Snowy Scenes paper.  I used the Snowy Wonder stamp set to stamp the snowflakes in Pool Party and then I stamped the sentiment with Garden Green.  A little green twine finished off the card.

I'm also sharing this card at the Christmas Crafts Year Round blog for their October Snowman challenge.  (You still have a few days to share there if you'd like.)

As always, I'd love to see what you make based on this sketch.  Feel free to leave a photo or a link in the comments!

Happy 18th Birthday Card

Time certainly flies, and it seems almost impossible that my nephew turned 18 yesterday!  (We had a lovely dinner together hosted by his parents.)  I made this gate-fold card for him based on Tuesday Morning Sketch #778.  (The sketch reminded me of making a similar card last month.)

I started with a Night of Navy cardstock base which I scored a 1.5" and again at 5.75".  I added pieces of Take to the Sky DSP that I stamped with images and sentiments from the August Paper Pumpkin kit.  I decided to add the "belly band" to keep the card closed (plus to have a little surprise underneath).  The band was pretty plain so I added the stamped candles to it.

When you remove the band, you see the 18 "candles"- just the numbers stamped with the candle flames added on them.

I continued the motif with more stamping on the White Willow panel on the inside.  I hope my sweet nephew likes his card (and the cash that came with it)!

Card CASE: Mini Catalog, P. 34

In the crafting world, CASE means "copy and share everything" or "copy and steal exactly" or basically copying an inspiration.  I recently found the Stampin' Up! Only Challenges blog, and their current challenge, SUOC #362 is to CASE the Holiday Mini Catalog using p. 34 as inspiration. 

I used the top left card as my inspiration to create these two cards from one piece of Wildly Flowering DSP, the Changing Leaves bundle, and the birthday sentiment from the Labeled with Love stamp set.

The first card used Wild Wheat and White Willow accent only.

For the second card, I used a combination of Crumb Cake, Wild Wheat, and White Willow stamped and die cut pieces.

I really can't decide which card I like better.  I love that I was able to make two cards from one pretty piece of DSP.

Sundays Are for Sketches: 4 of 22

How was your week?  I am loving all of your creations!  I hope you're enjoying this series as much as I'm enjoying sharing with you!  These sketches are all found on page 22 of the Stampin' Up annual catalog, and I'm sharing my take on each one for 22 weeks.

Hopefully you aren't tired of the Unbounded Beauty DSP or the In Color cardstock and glimmer paper!

I think next time I will use a mat on the large rectangular panel and some colored cardstock for the sentiment strip.  It's still a pretty card, though, in my opinion.  Don't you love how you can create something simple or something elaborate with the same sketch?  I can't wait to see what you make this week!  Share in the comments or on my Facebook page!

Sundays Are for Sketches: 3 of 22

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there and to all the men who have stepped up to be a father figure in someone's life!  (I'm really grateful for these two, my dad and my daughters' dad/my husband!)

Now it's time to share Sketch Challenge #3!  Thanks to all who shared their creations last week.  Here are my suggestions for Sketch 3:

Again, I used the beautiful Unbounded Beauty DSP, this time with a Summer Splash cardstock base.  (I really can't decide which new In Color is my favorite!  They are all so pretty!). Rather than use ribbon or twine, I added a strip of Pretty in Pink glimmer paper.

See those pretty glimmer gems on the sentiment?  One of them is covering up a booboo!  When I inked up the "happy" portion of the stamp (from the Sentimental Park stamp set), I accidentally got a little ink on the B.  Rather than flip the oval over and try again, I added the gem to cover it up (after inking and stamping the "birthday" portion of the stamp).  As my dear friends/longtime customers know, "it's not a mistake; it's an opportunity to embellish!"

I can't wait to see your take on this sketch!  I've had a lot of fun making these cards (and as you can tell, I am in need of birthday cards because I am committed to sending more birthday cards this year).  Share your creations in the comments or on my Facebook page.

Sundays Are for Sketches: 2 of 22

Can you believe another week has come and gone?  Thanks to everyone who participated in last week's fun sketch challenge.  I'm back with sketch 2!  (Again, these are my interpretations of the 22 card sketches found on page 22 of the Stampin' Up! annual catalog.)

Again, I used Petunia Pop cardstock, Unbounded Beauty DSP, and the Sentimental Park stamp set.  In addition, I added the die cut frame from the Sentimental Park dies.  The white thread was from my stash.  (It's always great to do some stash busting!)

I can't wait to see your take on this sketch this week (and beyond)!  Share in the comments or on my Facebook page.  Thanks for having a little crafty fun with me again this week!

Sundays Are for Sketches: 1 of 22

In the current Stampin' Up! annual catalog, page 22 highlights 22 different card sketches.  For the next 22 weeks, I am going to feature each one and encourage you to join me to create a card (or other project) with the sketch.

Here is the first sketch and my suggested measurements:

Here is the card that I made using Petunia Pop cardstock and glimmer paper with the Unbounded Beauty DSP.  My sentiment is from the Sentimental Park stamp set.

I added a few In Color glimmer gems for a little more pizazz.  

Please join me in creating something this week with this sketch!  Post in the comments or on my Facebook page.  Let me know if you need any help.  Happy crafting!

March Happy Birthday "Hue and Me" Layout

With this week being my spring break, I’m using some time off to get crafty.  I can’t believe that I was able to scrapbook my birthday within just a few days of it happening!  I decided to use the March Live Your Story "Hue and Me" color palette* since it went so well with my outfit.  (Please tell me you also buy clothes to match scrapbook paper and vice versa?)

From top to bottom, I used 1“ x 12“ strips of light Seabrook, Seabrook glitter paper, Glacier, light Jade, light Evergreen, and Evergreen glitter paper.  The balloons and sentiments are all from various retired birthday stamps in my stash.  (If you look closely at the balloons, I used coordinating shimmer brushes to color alternating stripes.) I’m really happy with how this layout turned out.  Don’t be afraid of using card stock and stamps instead of patterned paper. 

How did I do on using this color swatch?  

*Live Your Story is an amazing memory-keeping community hosted by Stacy Julian.  I really love being a part of this community in addition to my Close To My Heart community.  You can learn more HERE.  If you decide to join, tell Stacy that I sent you!  (No, I don't get any commission for recommending this group; it's just that wonderful!)

{Layout 13/52}

Dreaming of a White Christmas Cards

Do you normally have a white Christmas?  (We do not.)  Here are two versions of the same Christmas card.  I love the versatility of our two-sided patterned paper!

The Silver Bells collection is lovely with the December stamp of the month, Christmas Snow Globes.

I used very little color (just a little gray colored pencil) on the first card, and the clear shimmer adds a nice touch.

I added a little more color for the second card (but not much).

Which one do you prefer?

I'm linking my cards to the Color Dare #578 Three Neutrals challenge.

Floral Notes Thank You Card

Florals are still an option for fall with the right color palette!  This card uses the new color of the year, Journey, paired with Pumpkin.  The techniques used on this card make it so pretty (in my humble opinion!).

I stamped the focal image in Journey twice on the card front and multiple times on the 1/4"x4-1/4" White Daisy strip to create my own patterned paper.  I then used a blending brush to add Journey ink to the floral cluster on the card base.

I also stamped the floral cluster in Black on a coordinating Thin Cut (die cut) piece, then colored it in with our beautiful new Colorista by Spectrum Noir colored pencils.  I added a 1/8" piece of Journey cardstock and a 1" piece of Pumpkin cardstock and a few Journey glitter gems to finish off this thank you card.

I'm linking this card up to Double Trouble's Challenge 150, Fancy Floral(s) because of course I used florals and I didn't use patterned paper; instead stamped my own!

Mother’s Day Layout

When I saw the CSI Case File No. 414, it inspired me to scrapbook our Mother’s Day pictures from this year.  I used the Close To My Heart Flower Shoppe and Hello Darlin’ collections.  

Can you tell how the case file inspired me?

I loved the color scheme, the dresses, and the florals especially.  (Unfortunately I couldn't figure out how to add a little bird to my layout.)

The white and sapphire floral paper is from the Flower Shoppe collection, and it added interest without overpowering my photos.  I absolutely love the Candy Apple, Periwinkle, Sage, and Sapphire floral from Hello Darlin', so I was able to use one of my last scraps on the left page.  All of the Sapphire and Candy Apple embellishments are from the retired Hello Darlin' embellishments (with the addition of clear sparkles).

The top and bottom Sapphire strips are also from Flower Shoppe.  To make the thin Candy Apple polka dot strips, I cut a zip strip carefully in half.

My journaling is pretty simple because this layout is part of our family album, and it would be obvious who is who based on the larger context.  I'm not yet ready to journal about how this was our first Mother's Day without BJ (and I may not ever be), but I have a few extra photos just in case I decide to do that.

Thanks for letting me share my Mother's Day layout and take on the CSI Case File No. 414!

The Bee’s Knees Meets Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #531

The Close To My Heart July stamp of the month, The Bee's Knees, has so many possibilities!  When I saw Sketch #531 at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge, I wanted to give it a try.  (I love using sketches to help me create pretty projects, and this one is no exception.)

I decided to use the current Bring Back My Pack special, For Always, with its beautiful black and white designs.  I paired it with Honey Butter to fit the bee theme.  After fussy cutting the bee, I colored it with the Spectrum Noir TriBlend darkest Citrus Blend and lightest Alpine Green.  After adhering the bee to my card, I colored its bum (technically its abdomen) again with my Honey Butter shimmer brush and then brushed Clear shimmer brush over the wings.  See that pretty sparkle?

Here's the actual sketch for reference:

You've only got a day left to join this particular sketch challenge, but the July stamp of the month, The Bee's Knees, is available all month long.  (If you're interested, you can learn more HERE.)  Thanks for buzzing by!

Hello Darlin’ Floral Card

This card doesn't have a sentiment (yet) because I'm not sure who will be getting it or why.  I started with the Change the World stamp set (which supports Operation Smile) and the Hello Darlin' collection. 

After stamping the florals in black, I colored them with my Spectrum Noir TriBlend alcohol markers.  The final touch- which adds so much- was to add some outlines with a white gel pen to try to match the Hello Darlin' floral.  I love what a difference that little touch made!

I'm linking my card to the Color Dare Challenge #555 to use at least 3 of the four colors.

Botanical Shadows Meets Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #529

When I saw the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #529, I knew that I had to play along with the materials that were still out on my craft table: the June stamp of the month, Botanical Shadows; Flamingo, Melon, Sundance (and black) inks; and blending brushes.

Here is the original sketch:

Here is a close-up of the spine circle with the splatters of Sundance and Flamingo shimmer brushes.  (I made a stencil by cutting a circle out of a card front panel, then used washi tape to hold it in place on my actual card panel.  I used the blending brushes to add the ink in the circle, then spattered the area with shimmer brushes before removing the stencil.). Finally, I stamped the floral sprig from Botanical Shadows but then decided to use the "thinking of you" sentiment from Floral Sentiments.)

Thanks for letting me share another June stamp of the month card with you and this pretty sketch!  (If you're interested in any of these products, you can find them HERE.)

 

May Stamp of the Month, Little Stinker, Card #2

When I saw the current Sunday Stamps Sketch Challenge SSC308 In the Middle, I knew I wanted to use my new May stamp of the month, Little Stinkers.  Here's my take on their sketch. 

Withe the help of Coolors.co, I selected a fun color palette of Paprika, Nectarine, Flamingo, Honey Butter, Lagoon, and Harbour, paired with a pretty piece of textured patterned paper from the Hey, Handsome collection.  I began by random stamping the mushrooms on the white base using all of the colors.  Then, I stamped the cute skunk on a Thin Cut White Daisy circle to go inside the Lagoon scalloped circle Thin Cut.  I scissor distressed the tweed patterned paper, stamped the sentiment on a strip of Nectarine cardstock, and fussy cut the mushrooms after stamping in Honey Butter.  A little pink acrylic heart finished off the card.

What do you think of my take on the SSC308 sketch?  Please leave a comment before you leave!  (You can learn more about Close To My Heart and the May stamp of the month, Little Stinkers, HERE if you're interested.) Thanks for stopping by!

May’s Stamp of the Month, Little Stinkers, Card #1

Happy May Day!  Of course Close To My Heart has yet another adorable stamp of the month, Little Stinkers, for May!  This set of 17 stamps features 5 cute skunks, 5 cute sayings, and lots of accent stamps.

My first card uses the Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge 604 sketch.  I searched for a color combo at Coolors.co that would compliment the new Hey Handsome collection (Paprika was my main color).  I used Paprika, Nectarine, Honey Butter, Lagoon, Black, and White Daisy cardstock, plus Citrus and Magenta TriBlend markers (with a touch of clear shimmer brush on the flowers- much prettier in real life!).  I used two heart acrylic shapes and a little faux stitching to finish off this quick & easy card.  

I decided not to include a sentiment on the inside until I decide who will be getting the card.  I think it's still pretty stinkin' cute, if I do say so myself!  Maybe you will be inspired to create a similar card or to use TSOT 604 yourself.  Please leave a comment before you go.  Learn more about the May stamp of the month, Little Stinkers, HERE!

Sweet Tweets "Just a Note" Card

This card was inspired by two different challenges and a coloring class I recently took and uses the April Stamp of the Month, Sweet Tweets.

This cute sketch was popping up all over my social media feeds, so I decided to try it myself.  (It's the Tuesday Morning Sketch #702.)  I was also inspired by the Color My Heart Color Dare #544- Triple Play color combo of Peach, Harbour, and Rosemary.

I hope that my coloring (with Spectrum Noir TriBlend markers) ties these colors together.  I cut the Harbour scalloped circle with my Thin Cut of the same name, which I popped up with 3D foam tape.  I mounted the rectangles on the lighter side of Charcoal cardstock to anchor all the pieces together.

This close-up shows you some of the coloring techniques that I used.  (I really like how it turned out!)

In honor of our Close To My Heart current Cardstock Carnival special, this card uses cardstock only.