Happiest of Birthdays to You - Pink Flower

The flowers and leaves in this are from the Simon Says kit "Look for the Rainbows." The sentiments in the stamp kit didn't fit the space I was aiming for, so I used one from SSS "Sketched Flowers." I was working with Mojo Monday Sketch 521. I also was inspired by Addicted to CAS theme Pink and Purple. I wanted to add more purple to the sentiment, like purple ink or purple paper, but I was afraid it would overpower the flower which I really wanted to be the focal point.

Bee-spotted Hello

It's been five years since I've used my blog. I keep taking photos of my cards, but never posting them. Time to try again!

This layout is from CASE(E) This Sketch #328. Stamps are from Simon Says: Bee Yourself and Flip Flop Season.

I like this one because it was fast, simple, and the Bee set from the July kit works really well with the layout. Bees are not really my thing, but with the minimal color, I think I like it!

Classes and Challenges

I'm supposed to be taking Stretch Your Stamps 2, but I'm having a hard time playing along with everything I've got going on. Too busy to think straight, basically.

Anyway... here's three cards, two for class that are direct copies, solely for technique, and the third for the Always Playing with Paper Challenge #12, because I liked the color combo and thought it would go well with the Simon Says kit that I hadn't played with yet.

A Note: Glossy Accents is the devil. You will get it everywhere. It will bubble. You will put your thumb in it. It will fall on its face before it dries. You will hate yourself. Cards with glossy accents are like the hot buttered toast of the craft world -- you will drop it on the floor and it will be a disgusting wreck.

Another Note: Wink of Stella will re-activate your watercolor. Stella and this technique do not mix. <sigh>

Lastly, for the challenge. Love how I somehow wrecked the sentiment -- it was perfect -- before I got a photo of it. I blame the above watercolor cards. I was spraying a bit of water around. I know it's my fault, but it's still sucky.

ETA: This card was one of three runner-ups for the Challenge! I'm so totally honored!

Sending Lots of Love, Belatedly

I missed someone's birthday, so I am having to play catch-up with this card. I have been hyper-busy with extra work, extra volunteering, and oh yeah I tried to go on a week-long vacation. What ever was I thinking?

Anyway, this card is made from the July Simon Says kit. First time I got to touch it, actually! It's a super-cute kit and I really like it. Rather than put all of the navy paper in the back, I cut two small strips of it for the edges. I used a light patterned paper on for the mail panel. I don't often stamp on patterned so I thought it would be a neat thing to do. I cut out a bunch of envelopes and attached them on different layers. I kinda wish I clear embossed the sentiment for some shine and texture, but alas, I did not.

Boy Birthdays Everywhere

I made some cards for my friends who are twins on their birthday. We are all big fans of sushi and video games, so I thought these were appropriate. I also made a mini-album for another nerdy friend's baby boy birthday shower.

Colors and Sunshine

I've been behind in playing along with some of the kits I've been given. I went back to the Sunshine kit from March, and made a few cards. I hope you enjoy them.

This first one is for Freshly Made Sketches 138.

This is for Deconstructed Sketch 153. I used watercolor pencils on the crayons.

Sunday, Funday

I didn't do anything for National Scrapbooking Day. I think I made one card yesterday and one today. Spent most of the day sleeping. That's fun, right? Sleep is important. Anyway, on to the projects!

This is for the Fusion Card Challenge. Banner stamps from a Technique Tuesday set I've been meaning to use. I kinda wonder if I should have used the Chevron one for all three colors? I drew the string in Copic pen. I flipped the sketch on it's side, and I think it works pretty well. Yea for one-layer cards!!

This sketch is from Freshly Made Sketches. This is a stash buster for me. I have had that blue doily print for I don't know how long. The blue pearls, flower, and white lace aren't as old, but they aren't new new. The woven brown ribbon is from a Simon Says kit. It's really a neat rustic thing, and I might acquire some more.

Friday Night Fun

As soon as I got home, I got to work on some cards. I had one I submitted to the Paper Crafts open call that was not accepted that I can post now. And a few others. Here goes...

This is for Retro Sketches 112. I've never stamped on to patterned paper and then fussy cut. It turned out well. Most of the supplies were from the February SSS kit.

This was for the Art Deco Paper Crafts call. I guess they didn't like it.

I missed the deadline for Freshly Made 133 with this one. But I like it an awful lot. The stamp is from Unity, which I ordered during one of the sales.

Shopping My Stash

The two cards I've made this weekend feature some of the oldest things from my stash. I've managed to use some of the $1 bin glitter chipboard flowers and some other things I've not even seen in awhile. And I also went back to a SSS kit I hardly used for stamps and papers for both these cards. Awesomesauce.

First for Mojo Monday 342.

Second, for the Runway Inspired Challenge / CASE This Sketch combo. 

Hope you enjoy!

Bright Spot of Cards

I think I have finally finished my Easter cards. And I managed to get another card done too. Pretty productive day!

This sketch is from Mojo Monday 340. Papers and stamps as before... Doodlebug and Lawn Fawn. 

This is my first use of the stuff in the most recent Simon Says kit. I really like how this one came out! It occurred to me I could layer the sentiment if I stamped the lightbulb as light as possible. I think it really works. And no matter how nice your glitter paper is, glitter still gets everywhere. Sketch from Retro Sketches 109.

Colors and Kits

I've been wanting to play with negative space, and Retro Sketches 107 is perfect for it! I have a embarrassingly large collection of washi tape, so I layered several different colors. The sentiment is from last month's Simon Says kit.

I've never copied a card before, item for item, but I spotted this piece and loved it. I got the huge Pebbles 'From Me to You' kit off of Crafty Steals. It's got so much stuff in it, I could copy dozens of cards, and still make a scrapbook or two! Anyway, here's the card.