April 30, 2009

365 Cards Day 60 & 2S4Y Kazan's Sketch 25

I didn't get a whole lot accomplished today, but I did manage to combine a few card challenges. I used Kazan's 2S4Y Sketch 25 and 365 Cards Day 60 challenge to use "what" as the card sentiment. I love Kazan's sketch because I love stars:

And my "What?" card:

I had to improvise a little from the sketch. I didn't plan ahead very well and ran out of room for my sentiment. So I stuck it at the bottom. And the inside sentiment:

I thought it was kind of creative, but my husband disagreed. Apparently he's received Hallmark cards like this. He thought the card would be better if the inside said "I thought you had a vasectomy." He's always full of suggestions for my cards. Maybe he needs to start making his own. Thanks for looking!

Caardvarks "Trees a Crowd" Challenge

After missing out on the last Caardvarks challenge, I did get a card made for the Trees a Crowd challenge that ends today. I was also pleasantly surprised when I checked out today's 365 Cards challenge. The challenge is to put a leaf (or two or three) on your card. I haven't been doing a very good job keeping up with the 365 Cards challenges, so I'm glad I completed at least one this week. So, here's my card:


It's the same stamp I used on the Caardvarks critter card challenge, but I really like it. I printed a birthday sentiment on the inside:

The tree stamp is one I carved awhile ago. I just used the branch part of the stamp. The leaves are made from that paper twist stuff. The larger leaves are a Sizzix die cut, and the smaller leaves I cut by hand. Thanks for looking!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Hobby Lobby and ivory linen cardstock
Patterned Paper: K & Company
Stamps/Ink: handmade tree stamp, Kolette Hall bird stamp; StazOn timber brown ink
Other: paper twist, machine stitching

April 26, 2009

Etsy Omaha Craft Night & Fabric Flower Brooches

Last night I went to the monthly Etsy Omaha Team (or whatever our name is) craft night. The project was fabric flower brooches, and we used a Raggy Flower Tutorial by Molly Chicken. Ellene was kind enough to host again this month. She has two beautiful Etsy shops: Bustle offers clothing and accessories and Deciduous Soul offers women's clothing, jewelry, and accessories. If you check out her shops, you'll see the wonderful fabrics she uses. After digging through all the lovely fabric scraps she has, I chose a pretty blue, yellow, and brown print fabric to make this brooch:

I finished up my brooch today by adding a button and some hemp cord. This is probably the first project I've actually completed in a timely manner. It matches my thrift store spring jacket perfectly, and I can't wait to show it off! Thanks for looking!


April 24, 2009

365 Cards Days 41 & 54

I've finally got cards to share for two of the 365 Cards challenges. For Day 41 - Feel Better Friday, I made this:



This is one of those cards that should have been easy (a get well card with five flowers), but it sat on my table half-finished because I couldn't figure out what I wanted to use for the flowers. It wasn't until I was trying to clean up a little and noticed that one of my favorite stamps happened to have five flowers on it. Problem solved!

I also made a card for Day 54 - Recycled Elements. I am always saving little bits and pieces that I think would be perfect for cards. I also bring home tons of great chipboard-like cardboard from work because it is too useful to throw away. Some of it ends up being used as a work surface for stamping and painting, but some of it is really pretty so I used it to make this card:


I used my new clearance Cuttlebug heart die to cut out the shape and make a little "window." I embossed that piece with the swiss dots Cuttlebug folder. I used some red cellophane from a box of chocolates my husband gave me for Valentine's Day a few years ago, added some stitching, and stamped the sentiment. Even the inside "liner" is some white paper that my mom rescued from the trash at her work. It must be genetic!

Thanks for looking!

April 18, 2009

365 Cards Day 46 & 47

I made a few more cards for Scor-it week over at 365 Cards. For Day 46, I made this matchbook card in one of my favorite color combinations:

And the inside:

For Day 47, I made this pop-up card:


And a little pop-up message on the inside:


I had never made a pop-up card before, but found some instructions for this basic card here. I would definitely make this kind of card again. I love the little pop-up message inside. Thanks for looking!

2S4Y Kazan's Sketch 23

Kazan has a fabulous sketch this week over at 2S4Y. I love the clean lines--

I thought the sketch was well-suited for a masuline card, and I just purchased some great "DAD" patterned paper (Paper Salon) on clearance at Archiver's this week. I made this card which will work for Father's Day--


Pretty much exactly like the sketch, but my husband gave his approval so it's a good guy's card! Thanks for looking!

April 15, 2009

365 Cards Day 43 - Gift Card Holder

Here's my gift card holder for 365 Cards:


I think the front is kind of plain, but it's probably good for a guy's graduation card. Here's the inside:


The stamped sentiment is one of my favorites to use for graduation cards. This card fits in an A1 envelope. Thanks for looking!

April 14, 2009

365 Cards Day 44 - Money Holder

I'm getting a late start on Scor-it week over at 365 Cards. Yesteray's challenge is to make a money holder. I made graduation money holders last year and have been wanting to make more, so this was the perfect opportunity. I quickly whipped up two using my Scor-it (so much easier than the old butter knife and ruler). I am so glad I saved the final measurements after all my trial and error last year!


I did make one change by making a folded card to go inside rather than a flat card. This makes a nice little folder to tuck the money or check into and provides a lot of room to write a message.


I love the finished size of this holder because money or a check fits perfectly inside the folder and pocket. The pocket then fits perfectly inside a #6 3/4 envelope which is so practical. Thanks for looking!

April 8, 2009

365 Cards Day 39 - Wacky Color Wednesday

I was able to whip up a card for Wacky Color Wednesday before I went to work today, and I want to get it posted so I can be entered in the last giveaway. I actually love orange and green but rarely use purple. I was able to come up with this card which turned out pretty cute--


I'm also mentioning the Scor-it since Scor-it Week starts Sunday over at 365 Cards. I have a full-size Scor-it my parents gave me for Christmas. I love it, and I love the perfect folds I can make on my cards. Thanks for looking!

365 Cards and 2S4Y

I haven't been doing a very good job keeping up with 365 Cards the last few weeks. I did manage to make 2 cards for 365 cards and combined one of them with Laura's sketch over at 2 Sketches 4 You. For 365 Cards Day 38 - That's it, I Quilt! I made this card:


This challenge reminded me of some other "quilted" cards I've made before. I even used the same patterned papers because I love them so much.

I combined 365 Cards Day 37 - Do it Yourself with Laura's 2S4Y Sketch 23:

I never buy chipboard because I have an endless supply of really nice cardboard I rescue from the trash at work. I used it to make die cut stars which I painted and distressed. Even though I don't need any new patterned paper, I couldn't resist buying this fun plaid paper. I should have known better than to go to Hobby Lobby! Thanks for looking!

April 5, 2009

CardPatterns Sketch #9

I hadn't participated in a CardPatterns challenge in awhile, but I needed a birthday card for my niece. Her birthday is on Tuesday (which I totally forgot until today), so her card will be late. Here is the CardPatterns sketch:

Here is my card:

I didn't do a very good job cutting; the words on my little tags aren't quite centered. I didn't notice until I added the eyelets! I don't think Bailee will care, though. Thanks for looking!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Making Memories (brown), Archiver's (pale blue/green), ivory linen (http://paperandmore.com)
Patterned Paper: MME Magnolia slab
Printing/Sentiments: computer generated
Other: ribbon, foam squares, eyelets (Making Memories), machine stitching

April 4, 2009

2S4Y Kazan's Sketch 23

I thought today would be a pretty productive card-making day, but I haven't accomplished a whole lot. It's so cold, cloudy, and windy outside that I don't feel like doing much of anything. I did manage to make my 2S4Y card today based on this awesome sketch from Kazan:


I really love the way my card turned out. I think it's because of the color combination.

And my new favorite way to decorate the inside--more stitching:


Supplies:

Cardstock: Making Memories (black) and Archiver's (red)

Die Cuts: Sizzix leaves and Sizzlets script alphabet

Other: Prima flowers, button, ribbon, machine stitching