I made this card that I'm saving for my husband for Valentine's Day--
I used ivory linen cardstock, navy blue cardstock and kraft cardstock (scored with my new Scor-It my parents gave me for Christmas), "I Love You" stamped sentiment (studio g), painted die cut hearts (Sizzix), brads (the Paper Studio), and hemp cord. I didn't have any brads that matched the cards, so I painted them. We'll see how that holds up. Hopefully, I'll be back with a card for Katie's bonus sketch. I already have an idea for a birthday card for my son. I just need to find the time to make it. Thanks for looking!December 31, 2008
2S4Y Weekly Sketch--Laura's Sketch 16
December 24, 2008
2S4Y Weekly Sketch--Kazan's Sketch 16
One of my crafting goals for the new year is to try and make more masculine cards. I have a husband, a son, a dad, and two brothers so I'm always in need of cards for guys. I start off with good intentions, but I also end up adding silk flowers or ribbons or other non-masculine embellishments. Here's my card for the challenge--
I used ivory linen cardstock, a scrap of textured green cardstock, striped patterend paper (My Mind's Eye) and painted die cut stars (Sizzix) all distressed with brown ink. I stamped the "make a wish" sentiment ($1 Michael's letter stamp set) and tied the tags to the stars with some hemp cord. I proudly showed it to my husband thinking he would really like it. He wanted to know why it was "dirty," but he did like the "lassos." He also didn't understand the "make a wish" birthday sentiment. Oh, well. At least I tried! Thanks for looking, and I wish you all a wonderful and safe Christmas.
December 16, 2008
2S4Y Weekly Sketch--Laura's Sketch 15
I used a green pre-made card (DCWV), a light orange card cut up to use for cardstock (Target clearance), patterned paper (Provo Craft Slab), flower stamp (Kolette Hall) with watercolor pencils, die cut tag (Sizzix) with "Happy Birthday" sentiment (Stampin' Up), eyelets (Making Memories), and ribbon from my stash. Thanks for looking!
December 11, 2008
2S4Y Kazan's Sketch 15 & Heidi's Bonus Sketch
And one for Heidi's bonus sketch--
I used blank cards I bought on clearance at Target. The car patterned paper is Sandylion, and the other patterned papers and cardstock are scraps from my stash--I can't remember who makes them. Kazan's card has a Stampin Up "Happy Birthday" sentiment and Making Memories eyelets. Heidi's card has embossed cardstock (Cuttlebug), Sizzix die cut letters, and a button my from stash. Thanks for looking!
December 3, 2008
My Christmas Cards
2S4Y Weekly Sketch--Laura's Sketch 14
I used textured blue cardstock (Archiver's clearance), brown cardstock with embossing highlighted with blue ink and border punch (Making Memories/Cuttlebug/Archival Brilliance Pearlescent Sky Blue/Martha Stewart punch), swirl patterned paper (Provo Craft slab?), "Congratulations" stamp in brown ink (Kolette Hall/StazOn Timber), and buttons and ribbon from my stash. Thanks for looking!
November 26, 2008
2S4Y Weekly Sketch--Kazan's Sketch 14 & Being Thankful
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- My home--It isn't fancy, and it's usually pretty cluttered. But it's warm, and it's ours.
- 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 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 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
November 5, 2008
2S4Y Weekly Sketch--Laura's Sketch 12
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 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 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!
October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween!
October 28, 2008
Caardvarks Initial Reaction Challenge
I used my Cricut machine to draw the "S" on cardboard using these neat little markers I purchased. You replace the blade with the marker and can draw the designs. I decided to do that so I didn't destroy my blade trying to cut cardboard. I cut the "S" out by hand and spraypainted it with regular old silver spraypaint then added some ribbons. The snowflakes are $1 Michael's stamps from last year and are stamped in white ink (although it looks kind of silver/gray on the black cardstock). The "Let is Snow" sentiment is Stampabilities. I have another idea for a monogrammed Christmas card I hope to complete, but I wanted to get this one posted before I lost track of time and missed the deadline. Thanks for looking!
October 26, 2008
My Little Scarecrow
I made this cute little hat to complete the outfit. He's not a huge fan of wearing hats, so I don't know that he'll actually keep it on.
I puchased a shirt at Target, but I didn't sew anything to it because I had to pay full price. And I never pay full price. He'll have it wear it after Halloween, too. I think he looks pretty cute, but I'm biased!
October 23, 2008
2S4Y Weekly Sketch--Laura's Sketch 11
Much like last week, my first attempt didn't work out so well. I don't know what I'll do with all these half-made cards lying around! Here's my second attempt which actually went together pretty quickly.
I used brown cardstock (Making Memories), patterned paper (Making Memories mat pack--clearance bargain at Target), ivory linen cardstock and ivory ribbon (leftovers from my wedding four years ago), and "Miss You" stamp (Rubber Stampede) and script stamp (Stampabilities) in brown ink. I inked the edges of everything but need some work on my inking--it's a little splotchy. Maybe a cotton ball isn't the best thing to use! If I made this card again, I'd make the square larger because it looks out of proportion with my sentiment tag. I really like the wired ribbon because it's easy to work with and actually stays where it's supposed to. I didn't even attempt to make a pop-up card. I'm lucky to get a regular card finished. Now to try and make a few more cards before the little one wakes up. Thanks for looking!October 19, 2008
An Enjoyable Weekend & a Fancy New Blog
October 16, 2008
2S4Y Weekly Sketch--Kazan's Sketch 11
I made three attempts and ended up using my first card. I'm still not thrilled with the end result, but it's done!
I used some leftover red cardstock, patterned paper (Provo Craft), and a "thank you" sentiment ($1 Michael's stamp) stamped in black. The stamped hearts are part of another $1 Michael's rubber stamp. I colored just the heart with black marker and stamped it. I used a Sizzix die to cut two hearts from red polka dot fabric then zig-zag stitched them together with some batting in between. Thanks for looking!October 14, 2008
Caardvarks Score! Challenge
October 8, 2008
2S4Y Weekly Sketch--Laura's Sketch 10
I used textured blue cardstock (Archiver's, maybe?), holiday patterned paper (Provo Craft), "happy holidays" sentiment (Katie & co $1 Michael's stamp), crimped die cut stars (Sizzix die and Fiskars crimper), ribbon from my stash, and zig zag stitching with my trusty Bernina.
On another note, my giveaway on the EtsyGreetings blog starts today! Just stop by the blog and leave a comment about my Etsy shop to be entered to win one of my handmade cards.
October 3, 2008
2S4Y Weekly Sketch--Kazan's Sketch 10
Parrot Hat
September 29, 2008
EtsyGreetings Blog Giveaway
Just leave a comment about my Etsy shop--your favorite item in my shop or any comment. I'm open to constructive criticism, too! Thanks for playing!