November 26, 2008

2S4Y Weekly Sketch--Kazan's Sketch 14 & Being Thankful

This is a short work week for me, and it's the start of my four day weekend! I finished up my 2 Sketches 4 You card earlier today before I had to go to work. Here is Kazan's lovely sketch--I'm totally in Christmas card mode, so here's yet another holiday card based on her sketch--

Even though I don't need anymore crafting tools, I just bought a Cuttlebug because I couldn't pass up the 50% sale at Michael's. I have a Sizzix and a Cricut, but I love the embossing with the Cuttlebug. It is so much fun! I didn't use any patterned paper on this card which is pretty unusual for me. I embossed navy blue and silver cardstock with the Cuttlebug scroll embossing folder. I highlighted the blue cardstock with some silver ink. I used a Martha Stewart border punch, and the snowflake is a Sizziz die cut. I stamped "warm wishes" (Plaid All Night Media) in navy blue ink and finished with some blue and silver ribbon and silver craft wire that I tried to bend into scrolls.

Kazan shared her Thankful List, and I would also like to share the five things I'm most thankful for. I'm sure they're the same things so many others are thankful for, but I feel truly blessed each and every day.
  1. My family--My wonderful husband and son, my parents, my brothers, and my husband's family. We're blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful and caring people.
  2. My friends--Our lives get busier and we don't see each other or talk as much as we'd like, but my friends are always there when I need them most. They accept me for who I am.
  3. My job--With the state of the economy, I am blessed to have a job I enjoy (most days, anyway). I can pay my bills. My family has health insurance. My work is appreciated.
  4. My home--It isn't fancy, and it's usually pretty cluttered. But it's warm, and it's ours.
  5. My crafting--I love having hobbies I enjoy and that give me a little break from my hectic life. I love being creative. I love the internet and online communities that connect me to other creative people around the world who continually inspire me.

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 25, 2008

Caardvarks Corny Challenge

I missed out on the last Caardvarks challenge because I couldn't come up with a chocolate-themed card. The current challenge is to make a card based on this photo--


I used the photo as inspiration for the colors, textures, and layout of my card.


I used mostly scraps to make my card which is a huge bonus. The cardstock is Making Memories, and the corrugated cardstock is some really old Paper Reflections. The squares are scraps of different colored and textured cardstock, and I inked all the edges with Tim Holtz Vintage Photo Distress Ink. The stamp is Kolette Hall (another $1 Michael's bargain). The raffia, hemp cord, and buttons are from my stash.

I like the idea of using a photo for inspiration, and I had a lot of fun with this challenge. All of the cards are now being uploaded to the Caardvarks Flickr Gallery, and I love being able to leave comments about each card. The prize for this challenge is a Guest Designer spot, so I hope my card is a winner! Thanks for looking!

November 19, 2008

2S4Y Weekly Sketch--Laura's Sketch 13

I immediately loved Laura's sketch this week over at 2 Sketches 4 You. It has a nice, basic design but has so many possibilities--

I made yet another Christmas card using patterned papers from the new American Crafts Christmas pack. I really did not need any more paper, but I couldn't let my 50% off coupon go to waste!

I like the how the polka dots are repeated throughout the card. I used dark green cardstock (The Paper Company), red cardstock (Making Memories), patterned paper (American Crafts), "joy" stamp (Vap! Scrap $1 Michael's stamp), green ink (StazOn), ribbon and buttons from my stash, and machine stitching to complete the card. Thanks for looking!

November 12, 2008

2S4Y Weekly Sketch--Kazan's Sketch 13

Another week and another sketch challenge at 2 Sketches 4 You. Here is Kazan's sketch--

I don't know why I had so much trouble again this week. I think sometimes there's just too many possibilities! After an unproductive try on Monday evening, I came up with this card last night, and I love the way it turned out.

I used textured brown cardstock (Die Cuts With a View) and ivory linen cardstock and paper (wedding leftovers). The burgundy cardstock is leftover from another project. I stamped the ivory paper with a script stamp (Stampabilities). I used the same stamp on the ivory wired ribbon (more wedding leftovers) and added a button from my stash. I stamped a flourish ($1 Michael's stamp) under the ribbon and stamped a "Noel" sentiment (Brother Sister Design Studios). The holly and berries is a Sizzix die cut and I distressed all the edges with some brown ink. I like the shabby/vintage look it has. Thanks for looking!

November 5, 2008

2S4Y Weekly Sketch--Laura's Sketch 12

Another week and another great sketch challenge over at 2 Sketches 4 You. Mondays are always a little bit better since a new sketch is revealed. This week Laura offers this lovely sketch--
I made another Christmas card, and I am loving this color combination.

I used textured burgundy cardstock and an Archiver's silver flat card. I used my new Martha Stewart punch to make a scalloped edge on the silver card. The patterned paper is from a really old Provo Craft slab, and I like the non-traditional green for a Christmas card. The ornaments are a Sizzix die cut. I used a Sandylion stamp to make the swirls and embellished with some silver embossing powder. The ribbon is more leftover wired ribbon from my stash--I love that I can make beautiful bows with the wired ribbon. I stamped "joy" using individual letter stamps. Thanks for looking!

November 1, 2008

Caardvarks Monogram Card #2

I finished a second card for the Caardvarks "Initial Reaction" challenge. I made this monogram-themed card--
I used textured sage green cardstock (Archiver's), patterned paper (Provo Craft Holiday Slab), and a "Joy to the World" stamp (Stampabilities) in StazOn olive green ink. I cut the "J" using my Cricut then did a lot of zig zag stitching with my sewing machine. I like the way it turned out and made an extra card to donate to Mission Soldier Support which will provide blank, handmade holiday cards to soldiers serving overseas. You can read more about it at Captured Time Books blog, and I'll be blogging about it soon when I finish all my cards. Thanks for looking!

2S4Y Weekly Sketch--Kazan's Sketch 12

I finished my card for this week's 2S4Y challenge late last night after a fun evening of trick-or-treating with my son. (If you want to see some totally adorable pictures, check out my previous post.) Here is Kazan's inspiration sketch--

I always get a little worried when I see those flourishes on the sketches since I'm not usually a flourish kind of girl. Here's my card based on the sketch--

I used red and white cardstock (Making Memories), striped patterned paper (Provo Craft Holiday Slab), and white rik rak (American Crafts). I spelled out the sentiment with a tiny alphabet set from the $1 bin a Michael's, and it's stamped with StazOn Blazing Red. I made the candycane by cutting it out from some cardboard (rescued from the trash at work) and wrapping it in some red boucle yarn to make the stripes. Some zig zag machine stitching completes the card. It's very red, white, and stripey. Thanks for looking!