Fun & Easy Cards for Kids and Lots of Thanks

Early last week a friend called and asked if she could come Friday and make cards all day. Umm, let me think...yes, yes,YES! I had no plan, just asked her to bring along her "All Wrapped Up" set. The only thing I had ready when she got here was the cinnamon coffee cake in the oven. Guess that reveals the real reason I like to have folks over...I tend to have something in the oven cooking when they get here. We both had a set of SU fresh-cut notes and that became the first thing we tackled. I saw some great cards on SCS and we both decided to case the same one. The result - the black and white cards in the middle...and the first fifteen cards done!

The cards on the left are packages of embossed thank you cards. That's another 32 cards.
I needed valentine cards for Bree and Ty and also made them 2 gift pouches that I filled with dollars instead of candy.
Don't think that I made all these cards on Friday. Other than the fresh-cut notes, I only stamped images from Donna's stamp set on Friday. I finished the cards on Saturday and Sunday evening. Here's the result. There were 19 of these cards - I used 2 already!

It's sounds like it took a long time - but it really didn't. I only spent a couple hours on Saturday night, about 2 hours last night and then finished up this morning. Here's what they look like all together!

Mojo Sketch Inspired

Yeah, I know, it's been ages since I've posted any work. It's not because I haven't made anything...I just haven't had the time. You know how it is - 45 min trip to work, 45 minute trip home, dinner, dishes, do this, do that and it's 11pm. Fortunately, I'm taking advantage of a few weeks off (thanks, Gary). While I'm tackling a list of long overdue projects, I'm pausing occasionally to share some of the things I've been making.
This afternoon I looked through some old mojo monday sketches and decided to try one from April. I used the new SU color coach to find a color combo for real red. It had real red, early espresso and pumpkin pie (wasn't really sure about this combo at first). But since I wanted to add some designer paper to the mix, I decided to switch to choc chip. It worked, I'm done, and I have another card to add to my growing stash!
Stamps:Pocket Silhouettes, Sanded, Matchbox Messages
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic Ink; Real Red Marker, Pumpkin Pie marker, and Soft Suede marker

After many weeks...

...and what seems like months since I shared any cards I've made, I finally grabbed my camera and took a few pictures. This whole thing takes a few days. I took the pictures last Monday when I had an hour of sunlight in my computer room. You know that little room we used to call the black room. The room where Julie watched a lot of movies, I had early morning devotions, Gary now has early morning devotions and it is now my home office. That room (just a bit of information that is not really necessary but shared nonetheless)! Yesterday I thought about editing the pictures, but took some medicine for my cold and went to bed. So today I took advantage of having a day home from work and uploaded the pictures and voila...a post! Anyway, here are 3 pictures of some recent projects. I used a sizzix die to make the tiny envelope on the first card. The white border was created with the new Stampin Up border and corner punches. And the border punch was free - it's a Sale-a-bration product.
The next little card (yes, it is only 1 3/4 inch square, tiny) was one of the projects made at my valentine card class last month. I then made several more to go with boxes of heart truffles. The glassine envelope is a new item in the SU occasions mini catalog...so cute! I named the little cards hugs and they add a nice touch to the top of the truffle boxes.
The last 2 cards are from a shoebox swap that I participated in with other SU demonstrators. It was fun to go to somewhere else and use other people's "toys" to make cards.
Okay, that's enough for now. Gary is coming in the door...gotta go!

A Few Cards to Share

I finally took a few minutes and quickly edited some pictures of some cards from some recent classes and card swaps. The first card is from a swap using hostess sets from the new SU IB&C. I used "Of the Earth" a level 1 hostess set. The colors for the card came from the designer series paper "Tea Party". You wouldn't know it from these pictures, but "purples" aren't colors I normally choose.

The next card was from a class last month and when I made it I knew exactly which of my friends would be getting this one. And it was made knowing that I would be giving it to her to cherish the memory of someone she loved very, very much.

The last 3 cards were made at a quick and easy class I had last week. I had to go back to some basic layouts and work really, really hard to keep some of the cards simple. That's not an easy thing. But it worked and everyone completed all 12 cards in 2 hours. That's a good thing, especially when you have people who've never stamped before.

The other stamp sets used are medallion, fun and fast notes, and sentiments from thoughts and prayers and from warm words.

Blessings!

Friends 24-7

So hard to believe that more than a month has gone by since my last post. I really have made more than this one - single - solitary card. Really!

I've taken pictures twice. And realize that on my wish list I should be dreaming of a new camera - as in Canon Rebel (whatever camera that Jill bought on Julie's recommendation). Did I mention dreaming? Anyway, if I do get the camera how do I get in Julie's classes? She will be having a workshop in Southport in the spring, so if you have a digital SLR camera, I'm sure this class would be well worth your time and money.

I'll keep you posted.

Anyway, Julie bought a big new mac computer and her old one now resides in my home office. I'm having a difficult time transitioning to Photoshop. Again, I need classes. Julie needs to move closer. Wouldn't it be great if Brunswick Community College would add a photography/arts program and hire her. Dream, wish, hope!

Back to the card. This was one of the cards from my last class. The layout is from the 2009-10

SU Idea Book & Catalog. The stamp set is called Friends 24-7...such a great set. I'm so glad I have a 24-7 friend!

Blessings

Happy Birthday Bree!

Today's is Bree's 4th birthday. When I called her this morning she proudly told me that she is now 4, that when she goes to school (childcare) today she will be 4, and that she will be 4 for a long time. I guess when you're four a year does seem like a very long time.
Bree is all about pink. Her bedroom walls are pretty close to the pink layer on the card. She likes cupcakes and princess stuff, but is not afraid to pick up the worms that get caught on the driveway after a rain. She gathers them, places them back on the grass, and then waters them hoping they will plump back up and live again.
I used the scallop edge punch to make the cupcake bottom and a circle punch for the top. I had to add some pink rhinestones to dress it up a bit. And the sentiment - well, it says it all. So Very Sweet! At least I think so.
Happy, Happy Birthday Bree!

Mojo Monday Challenge

I made a card for todays Mojo Monday Challenge, and then I switched out the center of the card to give it a whole new look.  Choosing a patterned paper from SU Sale-a-bration collection determined the color combination.  The ribbon is also from last February's Sale-a-bration.   The circle background and thank you stamps are from Inkadinkado (at least I think).  The Japanese doll was made from punches.

This layout would be great to use for a brag book or mini album. Okay, now there's one more card challenge I would like to try before I begin dinner.  If I keep it simple, I just might make it.  

New Baby Card

My niece Stacy had a baby boy a couple of days ago.  She lives in another state so I'm glad my sisters have posted pictures so quickly to facebook.  He's a cute little guy - only weighs 5lb 5 oz.  Stacy and Will are home now and are doing great.  Congrats to Stacy, her husband Eric and their sons Ian and Bradley.

I used Taylor's Challenge layout to make the card for Stacy.  I found the soft sky patterned paper pieces near the top of my dp stash, so that determined the colors I used.  The sweet bundle of love stamp is from Sweet Celebrations, the little baby from Tag Time and sentiment from Congrats (all retired SU sets).  I used Blue Bayou ink for the image and sentiment. 

On her post, Taylor said this was an easy layout and she was right. Check out her blog and see some of the other great cards using this layout.

Catalog Inspiration

Most of the time I refer to the Stampin Up Idea & Catalog as just "the catalog." But it really is more than that. It really is a great place for ideas and inspiration. At the first Stampin Up workshop I attended, I purchased a catalog (see there I go again...calling it "a catalog"). Of course, I could have held a workshop or something and received it free, but that's another story or lesson learned. Anyway, the point is that I saw the value of having in my hand a wonderful source of ideas and inspiration. The card today was made using a sample on page 15 as the inspiration.
There is a level 2 hostess set in the new SU catalog called Asian Artistry. I really like the set and will hopefully be able to add it to my collection. But for now I pulled out a retired set (Calming Garden) to make this card. I used the same layout, kept the colors similar, and left off the ribbon. I also added a layer to the inside of the card. There is another sample on the same page that I think I would like to try with another stamp from Calming Garden. And then perhaps when I get the new set I can try both cards again with new images.
The original card can be seen in the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog.

Japanese Doll Card

Sorry about the awful pictures.  I guess you can tell I didn't take much time making sure the light was right, etc.  There was a lot going on and I was trying to make sure I snapped a couple of pictures before the little dolls got packed away in a suitcase.  My sister Becky and her family were here for a couple of days before they headed to the beach. We had been having problems with our well and were waiting for a new one to be dug.  We had a temporary fix - yeah, right!  That's difficult and inconvenient all by itself.  Add six more people to that mix and I guess it was just bound to break.  Saturday morning we woke to no water at all.  Needless to say it was an interesting morning.  We were able to get water from the neighbors to get things cleaned up before we all left for the beach.  How did they do this 100 years ago?  Oh, and while all this was going on, the little cat decided to give birth to her kittens.  One did not survive the day and the other only survived 3 days.  Sad.

Anyway, back to the subject.  I saw some Japanese dolls made from punches on Kirsteen's blog.

I knew right away that Becky would want to make some.  Kirsteen had listed all of the measurements for the card and the dolls.  So Becky and I made a bunch of the dolls and one card.  We knew we didn't have enough time to make a bunch of cards, but at least we made the dolls.  Hopefully Becky will be able to make a bunch of cards when she gets home and things get back to normal - well just crazy normal (she knows what I mean.)

Check out Kirsteen's blog and see her other samples as well as the instructions

Finally...some new cards!

Between working and helping Jill when I can, I haven't had a lot of time to make cards nor to post.  So I snapped a couple of pictures to share. These are some that I have made over the last couple of weeks.

This first card was one of two made for Chris' birthday.  This was my favorite and was the one made for Jill to give to Chris. I used a retired set called Fly Fishing.  It's one of the first SU sets I bought.  I don't have a lot of "guy" stamps, and this is one that I've just not been able to part with.

The patterned paper is from Parisian Breeze...so sorry to see the end of this paper pack.

I cased these cards from some fellow stampers.  They are made with patterned paper and the large scallop sizzix die.  

All of the patterned papers are from Stampin UP retired designer collections.  Sure is nice using up some of my stash.  

These are packed in a cello bag, tied with ribbon and sold at our store.  They complement the Hype Strype collection we sell.

Next I want to make some of the cards with the little Japanese dolls on them.  I really need to get busy on those before Becky's visit.  She loves things with an "Eastern" look.

Have a blessed Fourth of July - Celebrate and read Mark Levin's book "Liberty and Tyranny."

Mojo Monday Challenge

Wow...I managed to make another challenge card! I was beginning to think that perhaps these were a thing of the past for me. There's way too many things I should be doing on my Monday at home. Today, I painted some baseboards (should have been done months ago), washed the dishes, did some laundry, and...began the process of cleaning the grout on the kitchen floor...how gross is that? So, the Monday Mojo Sketch Challenge sounded like a good thing!
I used the Parisian Breeze Specialty Paper...it's on SU "going, going, gone" list. Baja Breeze was one of my favorite In Colors this year...I'll miss this one. Thanks to the Mojo Design team for another fun card sketch. Check out all of the cards here.

My card components:
Paper: kraft, baja breeze, Parisian Breeze Specialty, white
Ink: close to cocoa, chocolate chip marker, baja breeze reinker (with blender pen)
Accesories: close to cocoa ribbon, oval punches, flower fusion, CB folder

2 Challenge Cards

The sketch for the first card comes from Jen's Saturday sketch challenge. The card is for my nephew who turned 13 on Saturday. I know I'm a bit late in making the card. It's not that I don't remember these birthdays...I just remember too early and then put off making a card...then when I remember again...I'm late! I need a better system.
The sentiment on the card is from the retired SU set called Alphabet Soup (this set is one of the retired sets that I am selling).
Stamps: Alphabet Soup, Sanded background
Paper: baja blue, not quite navy, basic grey, white, not quite navy dp
Ink: not quite navy and going grey SU markers
Accessories: punches
I made this card for a friend using the mojo monday sketch. Papers: white, baja blue, Parisian Breeze Specialty paper. Ink: Not quite navy, baja blue, SU markers (not quite navy), reinkers (baja blue and kiwi kiss) with blender pens
Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Cheep Talk, Think Happy Thoughts
Accessories: grey satin ribbon, punches, ice brads

Mojo Monday #80

Card sketch challenges are a wonderful inspiration when making a card. But even then I sometimes have a difficult time choosing colors or stamps. But today's Mojo Monday card was much easier for me because I had a specific kind of card to make. I needed a card for a new baby boy and I wanted to use the retired SU set "I'm Here." I couldn't believe I still had some papers from SU "Splash" designer paper collection. Now all I need to do is make a couple of scapbook pages for Ty and I should be able to use up ALL of that paper.)


Gotta go, Gary will be walking through the door any minute and I need at least look like I'm making dinner. :)
Paper: barely banana, certain celery, bashful blue, white, Splash dp
Ink: bashful blue, barely banana
Accessories, punches, certain celery grosgrain ribbon

Hoppy Birthday Card for SFYTT

Yesterday I took care of Ty while his mom and dad were painting and working at their new house. Ty's sleeper had a pocket on the front with frog eyes coming out of the top and frog legs sticking out the bottom...so cute! When I took the picture, I had already made the card, but got an ink smudge on the white card stock next to the frog image and was quickly stamping and coloring another frog. I put a couple of blankets on the floor and let Ty play. He figured out how to grab one of the hanging rattles and was having a great time. Such a cutie!



Anyway, his frog was the inspiration for the card I made for Jen's SFYTT challenge. All of the stamps are from the retired SU set called Unfrogettable. Everything was first stamped in Garden green and then colored with SU markers. The toadstool/mushroom is cutout and attached with a pop up dot. The patterned paper is on of the SAB papers (still available for 2 more days).
Check out the other samples posted on Jen's blog.
All supplies Stampin Up!
Paper: barely banana, SAB print, bashful blue, white
Ink: Garden Green, SU Markers - gable green, only orange, bashful blue, barely banana, garden green
Accessories: brads, Stampin Dimensionals

Thanks A Bunch for SFYTT

This was supposed to be a quick card for today's SFYTT challenge, but it has taken forever (or so it seems). Part of the reason is trying to take a picture correctly. I really need to take some (lots) of lessons from Julie. I should start by looking at some of her blog posts and following the photo tips.
For this card I used SU pocket silhouettes stamp set and Parisian Breeze specialty paper (again). I know it seems like I've been using these quite a bit lately...that's because I have been using them quite a bit lately. I like them, they are both in the current catalog, and it makes sense to use what I have. Am I rambling? Ok..I'll quit!


Paper: Kraft, Baja Breeze, white
Ink: SU old olive, not quite nave markers, baja breeze re-inker
Accessories: Felt flower, flower and circle punches, blender pen, dotted swiss embossing folder

Mojo Monday #78

It's Mojo Monday and another great sketch to inspire all of us (well, me) to make a card. The flower from Pocket Silhouettes is probably the only SU stamp (current) I have that fit in the parameters of the white panel. But that's ok...it's one of my favorite stamp sets. I used a not quite navy marker and a blender pen with baja breeze re-inker to color and stamp the flower. The patterned paper is from Urban Garden and the texture on the baja breeze panels was made with cuttlebug embossing folders. Circle Ice brads filled some of the empty space at the top, and gray satin ribbon "tied" the whole thing together.







I remembered to stamp and add an inside panel. I don't know why I don't do this more often. It only takes a minute and easier than adding it later.
I've enjoyed Mojo Monday sketch challenges and hope I'll be able to continue participating. My work schedule changes and I'm not quite sure where this will fit in. Oh well, it was fun!

Hello There, Somebunny Loves You Challenge Cards

Last Wednesday I got my first Taylored Expressions stamp set (Sweet Spring). What can I say? They are soo cute. Unfortunately I had to wait until Saturday to try them out. Thursday I was helping a friend make her daughter's wedding programs. Friday was a mad rush cleaning and cooking for book club - and tea at my house. Julie came home Friday night (she photographed the wedding and she also brought an assistant with her). Of course when she comes, Jill comes. After all Julie needs to see Bree and baby Ty. Then some other friends stopped by. It was like old times. And what a great day for them to stop by...lots of goodies and chocolate.
So Saturday afternoon, I found an hour alone and pulled out my new goodies from TE...Sweet Spring and Easter Key Ingredients. I used Friday's sketch challenge and made this card. The blue and patterned paper, along with the green rick-rack, brads and flowers are all from the Easter Key Ingredients pack. The other papers are SU Gable Green and Pretty in Pink. I colored the images with SU markers. I'm sending this card to Bree. She loves getting stuff in the mail and is sure to love the bunny, especially the pink brad!










I also made a card for Jen's SFYTT. SU's Cheep Talk provided all the stamps for this card. I used SU markers to color the branch, leaves, and birds. The ribbon is from the SAB catalog...love that free stuff! I used Jill's CM oval cutters to make the oval layers and a punch to make the dragonflies. You can't see it in the picture, but there are 2 white dots on each of the dragonflies. They were made with white glaze pens.
Paper: Always Artichoke, So Saffron, Always Artichoke designer prints, white, and a 5x7 card from my "stash"
Ink: SU markers - night of navy, always artichoke, so saffron
Accessories: So Saffron ribbon, SU button, dragonfly punch, CM cutter

So here I am at the end of a fantastic weekend...tea with my very best friends, both girls were home...and Bree and Ty, saw some friends I haven't seen in a while, church was awesome today...and I made some cards.

Mojo Monday and Divine Design Challenge

Today's Monday Mojo sketch provided the inspiration to make this month's Divine Design Bible Verse Challenge. I just finished reading Humility: True Greatness by C. J. Mahaney. (My book club is reading it this month.) It's a great book and I highly recommend it. C. J. Mahaney offers some advice on how to weaken pride and cultivate humility in our lives. Number 14 is identify evidences of grace in others and number 15 is encourage and serve others each and every day. It is in the discussion of encouraging others that he encourages the reader to memorize Ephesians 4:27 and to take it with you into your many conversations day by day. So I chose this verse for this month's Divine Design Challenge.
I used my computer to print the verse. The words "Good" and "Grace" are printed in baja breeze (I used RBG color to match). I wanted those 2 words to stand apart - just to help get the point across.
Perhaps if I have time I can make a couple more of these to give to my friends in the book club. Maybe I can make it like blog candy for them...a "treat" for reading my blog.
What did I use on the card: Cardstock - Chocolate chip, baja breeze, white, and Parisian Breeze Specialty Designer paper. Ink - baja breeze and chocolate chip markers, kiwi kiss re-inker and blender pen. Accessories - 5/16" brown brads, large scallop punch, cricut to make circle.
Last Word - Read the book if you have the opportunity.

Becky's Cards

Last Sunday I shared some of the things my sister Becky made while she was visiting. These are are a few of the cards she made. I was supposed to post these Monday, but you know the saying...better late than never.
Becky made a total of 15 cards and took home the "ingredients" for some Christmas cards that were left over from a Christmas class and only need to be stamped and assembled.

Becky's a very busy mom and wife, so I wanted to help her make some quick and easy cards.
These cards were made using Stampin Up designer papers. What you see on the cards are the 2 sides of the same piece of designer paper. Either a strip of coordinating paper or a ribbon was attached where the 2 pieces were attached together. The sentiments were stamped and punched with either the curly label or circle and scallop punches or the window punch.

The next 2 cards use the same flower, just different colors. flower is colored with SU markers, stamped across the bottom of a single layer card. Easy!

I made a card similar to this a couple of weeks ago, but used more mustard and kiwi kiss. Usually the image colors are determined by the color of ribbon I have available.
Another set of cards we made (sorry no picture) had grass (from Inspired by Nature) colored in Old Olive and Kiwi Kiss. Butterflies (MS punch) and/or dragonflies (an old punch I have from???) were attached and a sentiment stamped across the top. I CASED the card from one I saw on Splitcoast Stampers.




The flowers and sentiments from Thoughts and Prayers helped create a great sympathy card to add to Becky's collection. The lovely lilac layer was embossed with the swiss dot CB folder. The flowers and stems were colored with SU markers.

It's hard to tell how much time it took to make 15 cards. Most of the time was spent choosing papers and colors, but these cards could easily be don within an hour! Sweet!