Tuesday Morning Sketches #650

 Hello!  Thank you for stopping by.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and let me tell you, I had a lot of fun making my card.

My card features a technique using two embossing folders.  If you want to know more about it, this is the video I referenced.  The card traders group I belong to threw this technique down as a challenge and I have to say... I'm not a fan.  My card, I love how it looks, but you really lose the 1st embossing folder image when you do the 2nd.

For my card I used the brick wall embossing folder (Cuttlebug) first.  Then I used the Sketched Floral folder (EOM from Spellbinders) over that.  I did use Ranger watercolor paper.  I then colored the inside petals and flower centers using Zig Real Brush markers and a water brush.  For the square piece I smooshed the watercolor paper in some Mustard Seed Distress ink.  The sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp that I die cut out using the Stitched Circles dies from Pink and Main.  The ink is from Altenew.

Now, let's zoom in a little on the detail.  You can still see some of the brick wall texture...

Please head on over to the TMS blog to join us.  And don't forget to leave some love for the team!

#cardsforukraine

i-Crafter Shadow Box Card - My last post

 Hi friends.  Thank you for stopping by for my last share on i-Crafter.  I've been dropped from the team, so this is my last post. 

I'm sharing the Shadow Box Card by Lori Whitlock.  Fun card, different take on the box card.

Here's the front. The actual die is to create a front and base with that circle opening and one center piece, but I made two.  I also cut the back panel on my paper trimmer because I didn't want a hole through my card.  This way I have a place to write a message.

Here's the side view so you see how it goes in together.  I did make a 2nd center panel, but when I was finished putting this together, it didn't stand or pop the way I thought it would, so really, I could've just decorated the back panel and saved me an hour's worth of work.  But it's all a part of the creative process I guess.

I hope you like this card and it inspires you in some way.  

My thanks to i-Crafter for this opportunity to play with their products these last few months.

Tuesday Morning Sketches #649

 Hello!  Thank you for stopping by.  The newest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and it's one by Debbie.  It's a nice and easy sketch - you'll love it!

When you check out the sketch, you'll see I exaggerated some elements.  Debbie meant for a wider margin around the middle panel, but mine pretty much fills the space.  My card features a cute die set that I picked up at Hobby Lobby at 40% off.  It's by Momenta which I think is HL's store brand or generic.  The stamped sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp and the banner is an old die from MFT Stamps.

Of course, everyone will recognize the Happy Birthday embossing folder that is one of the OG embossing folders.  The decorative paper is from Pink and Main.

I've only got about 18 more of these to make.  I'm making cards for the card drive that Bearly Arts is now officially holds a charity for - #cardsforcubs.  I applied to their design team (for a 3rd time) but signed up to do the cards well before that.  My job used to do cards for foster kids but now that we're 90% virtual, this has gone by the wayside.  So I'm excited to have this opportunity again.

Tuesday Morning Sketches #648

 Hello!  Thank you for stopping by.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and sadly this is our last sketch from Andrea.  Andrea, after being with us for us 3 1/2 years, she's stepping down.  I will miss her greatly but I hope we'll see her around on blogs and social media.

So here's my card using her last sketch.  I don't usually make St. Patrick's Day cards, but this one was a lot of fun...

The paper is digital paper that I purchased from Etsy and printed.  The pot o'gold is made from 3 different sizes of ovals and the legs from the word window punch from SU!  I did cut the smallest oval from matte gold card.  It's a little hard to tell in this picture.  The rainbow and cloud is from a die set from Pink and Main.  I cut it out several times from scraps of card stock and then to put it together I adhered to sticker paper and then cut away the excess sticker paper.  After gluing the rainbow to the pot of gold I stuck down several gold sequins for the gold coins.

I hope you like this card and it inspires you to make something fun.  Now head on over to the TMS blog and join the fun.  Leave the team some love!

i-Crafter Shakin' up the Mailbox

 Hello!  Thank you for visiting me today.  Please scroll down for my TMS project, too.  This month's release is all Lori Whitlock dies - you know I'm such a huge fan of her SVGs.  It's fun to work with her designs in die form, too.

I am featuring the Mailbox die set Lori Whitlock - this is such a fun 3D Spring set but I didn't want to make just the mailbox.  I wanted to take it beyond what it was truly meant for.  So this is what I did...

Yes, I made a card!  Now if you want all the details on how I made this card, please visit the i-Crafter blog.  But let me summarize.  I used Bristol Smooth card stock to create the base.  I used Distress Oxide inks, so my favorite card is Bristol Smooth with oxide inks - they just blend so well.  I used a cloud stencil by MFT Stamps to make my sky.  Then I made the mailbox lid per the die.

And when you open the mailbox...

I made this into a shaker card!  Isn't this the cutest?!  I love how this turned out.  It was a lot of work and I really did want to do a tutorial but I forgot to keep taking pictures of the steps I took to get this accomplished.  Again, visit the i-Crafter blog for the deets.

Here's a better view of the inside of the mailbox where I used the bird and branch that come in the die set to decorate the inside.  Sorry, I don't remember where I got the sequins.  I've had them for a super long time.

I hope you enjoy my project.  Have a great day!

Tuesday Morning Sketches #647

 Hello!  Thank you so much for stopping by.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and it's a fun one by Andrea.  She wants us to create a scene.

I didn't make a scene, I felt something else....

I really wanted to make a floating card!  So this sketch really worked for it.  Sorry about the glare and seeing my drop ceiling tiles.  It can't be helped because of the acetate.  

I made an A2 size card (top fold) the cut off at 1 1/4 inches.  Then cut a strip for the bottom at 1 1/2 inches.  Then taking a sheet of A2 size acetate, I trimmed just a bit off and then adhered to the inside of the card.  Attached the bottom strip.  Die cut the butterfly (Spellbinders) and adhered to the card.  The Scor-Tape that I used to adhere everything does show but it doesn't bother me.

Then I stamped a birthday message on the inside - it's from Hero Arts.  Cute, huh!?

Oh, and do you see that yellow basket in my background?  I have to show you this!  I did this last weekend.  My daughter bought a baby gift set for a friend of hers and it came in this yellow bin.  She didn't want that part and gave it to me. So I made dividers for it and have this.....

It sits at the center of my table and has a space for scraps and 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 bases, the middle is A2 size cards (normal) and the back is A2 sized cards (tent fold or top fold).  It's sooo nice!  I love it.

Okay, off you go to the TMS blog to join in the fun and leave some love for the team!

i-Crafter Release Day!

Hello!  It's release day at i-Crafter!  So excited for this card.  Today I am using the Shadow Box card by Lori Whitlock, but I didn't make it into a shadow box card, I wanted to do something different with it.

Although the shadow box card is very cool and dimensional, it's hard for me to send dimensional stuff to my Mom.  So I went with a traditional flat card that I think is so pretty, so Spring time happy and it's shiny!  This die set comes with all sorts of flowers which is my Mom's most favorite thing.  It also comes with a die that says "Mother" - but my Mom doesn't like word.   In fact, we only called her Mother to jump on her last nerve when my sisters and I were being particularly testy.  So I cut out the mo and then the m again and made "Mom."

I did cut the flowers out from Bristol smooth card stock and then colored them all with Distress Oxide inks.  I love the ombre look this gave me.

Well, I hope you enjoy my card.  Thanks for your visit!

Tuesday Morning Sketches #646

 Hello!  Thank you so much for stopping.  I do appreciate your visit.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and it's a really easy going sketch.  I think you're really going to like it. 

My card is for the #CardsforUkraine - it's just heartbreaking hearing all the stories particularly from someone you "know" and admire.  My heart goes out to Yana Smakula and her family.  As you know, she's a cardmaker that inspires me regularly.

My card features paper from the Blue Citrus 12x12 paper pad, letters from Spellbinders and stamp from Simon Says Stamp.  I also made it a white flower that Yana taught me how to color.  I did the use the Inverted Scallop die from Pink and Main so a for a bit of texture I embossed the outer frame and popped the center back in.

My heart, thoughts and prayers go to the people of Ukraine. 

Please join us at Tuesday Morning Sketches and if you want to participate in this card drive, just make a card in blue and yellow (Ukraine flag colors) or sunflowers (their nation's flower).  Then share your card on social media using the hashtag #cardsforukraine