Thinking of you Sunflowers

I know that these colors are a little out of season but they are some of my favorites!  I love muted yellows and oranges with chocolate brown.

This card uses two different Hero Arts stamps, the text for the background (watermarked image with VersaMark) and the Sunflowers on the main image.  I had to experiment with the ink on the sunflowers to make sure that the two different colors did not bleed into each other.  I used the corners of Tim Holtz distress inks in the end.

Hope you are having a good week?

Stamps : Hero Arts (sunflowers and text background)
Paper : PTI Chocolate and Smooth White, SU! So Saffron (retired?)
Ink : Tim Holtz Distress inks (Wild Honey and Walnut Stain)
Accessories : American Crafts ribbon, EK Success small butterfly punch, TCP Studios gems

Thankful Poppies - Final Teacher Appreciation

This week has been a lot of teacher appreciation!  But they deserve it - I'm not sure I could teach a class of 20 elementary students every day.  I volunteered for 30 minutes in the lunch room last week and that was quite overwhelming!!!!

My card today uses a new Hero Arts stamp that I bought with my Christmas money from my sweet husband.  I had seen a card online using this Poppy stamp and I loved it so much I had to go and find it!  Fortunately my local stamping store has a great Hero Arts section so I was able to find it easily.  It is a solid block image which I stamped using blue chalk ink and then colored in with Prismacolor pencils.  My red background was created using a Stampin'Up! swirl stamp (from a set I forget the name of!) using Versamark for a watermark effect.

The only other detail I added was a couple of green gems either side of the sentiment - otherwise it is quite simple so your attention is drawn to the poppies.

I promise I'm done with teacher appreciation cards now!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Stamps: Hero Arts (poppies), SU! (sentiment)
Paper : PTI Smooth White, SU! Brilliant Blue and Ruby Red
Ink : Versacolor chalk ink (sky blue), SU! Night of Navy
Accessories : TCP Green gems, SU! Oval punch

Teacher Appreciation

It's that time of year again.... the end of school!  This the first year all three of my boys have been in school and I have been so grateful to have a little bit of freedom during the day!  I am so grateful to all 6 teachers (Thomas is in 5th and has 4 teachers for different subjects) and I have made a card for each of them to express my thanks for all their hard work this year.  This is the first design I came up with and I created a set of 4 similar cards in slightly different colors :

I will be posting the remaining two cards later this week, so keep checking back to see the other designs!

Stamps : Hero Arts (Spring Meadow and Thanks text background), SU! (Sentiment)
Paper : PTI Smooth White and Spring Moss
Ink : Versamark, Versacolor Bamboo, Versamagic Chalk ink and VersaColor
Accessories : EKSuccess small butterfly punch, Cricut Lacy Labels cartridge, Clear embossing powder

Get Well Flowers

A couple of weeks ago I got some new Hero Arts stamps and I've been enjoying playing with them on different cards.  This card uses two sets (Speedy Recovery and Antique Engravings).  I love using lots of flowers and butterflies and this card was no exception.

Unfortunately I still have not found the right kind of lighting for my cards in this new house, so please bear with me as I try different windows and different times of day.  I would love some designated lighting to photograph my cards but I spend all my money on stamps and supplies.....!!  :)

Thanks for stopping by!




Stamps : Hero Arts (Speedy Recovery and Antique Engravings)
Paper : SU! Garden Green, PTI Smooth White and Basic Grey DP
Ink : Memento Tuxedo Black, Versacolor Green Tea and Burgundy
Accessories : Prismacolor pencils, EK Success small butterfly punch

Marigold Butterfly

At the weekend I finally got to go to the only Stamping Store here in Birmingham, Sir-Stamps-a-Lot.  It was great to finally see new stamps sets in real life rather than looking at everything online.  I was inspired by a lot of Hero Arts sets and also their layering papers.  I had some Christmas money that my sweet husband said I could spend on supplies so I took a long time in the store making up my mind exactly what I wanted to purchase.  After more than an hour I had finally made up my mind.  I could probably have stayed longer!  That night I ended up creating five different cards inspired by my purchases and all the samples that I saw on the Hero Arts website.  This is a CASE of a card that I saw and thought that I could create something similar.  I had so much fun that I created three more cards the next day.  Wow!  That's eight cards in under 24 hours.  I must have found my Mojo again!  Thank goodness......

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps : Hero Arts (butterfly and sunflower)

Paper : Hero Arts layering papers in Beige

Ink : Tim Holtz Wild Honey and Walnut Stain distress inks

Accessories : American Crafts dotted brown ribbon, SU! Organdy cream ribbon, SU! scallop border punch, Prismacolor pencils

Snowy Cottage

My card today was created using a Hero Arts set called - 'Sending Holiday Cheer'.  I has this set last year and tried multiple times to create 'snow' on the roof of the cottage but I was unsuccessful.  I tried glitter, white embossing powder and a pen that was supposed to look like snow when it was heated, but nothing seemed to give the right effect.  Last week I decided to try again with Martha Stewart's flocking powder in Swan.  This time the result was a little more successful but still not exactly the way I think 'snow' should look!  To create even more texture I added Flower Soft in 'Vintage Christmas' to the trees on either side.

Has anyone else tried to create snow on a stamped image?  Were you successful?  What product did you use and where did you buy it from?  Let me know what you think!

Stamps : Hero Arts (Sending Holiday Cheer)

Paper : SU! Basic Black, Bo Bunny DP, PTI White

Ink : Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories : Copic Markers, FlowerSoft (Vintage Christmas), Martha Stewart Flocking Powder in Swan, Cricut Lacy Labels Cartridge, Gold ribbon from Michaels

Christmas Peace

Today I am posting the first of my Christmas Card designs.  I have had this ornament stamp in my collection for quite a few years now and I have always wanted to be more creative in my use of it, but on this card I just went ahead and stamped it in Memento Tuxedo Black ink, colored it using Copic Markers and added some gold leafing to the top.  I also used a Spica Glitter marker to try and add some sparkle to the stars and along the green edges, but it does not show up too well in the photo.

I have lots more Christmas Cards to show you this week, so please check back each day!

Stamps : Hero Arts (ornament), Stampendous (greeting)

Paper : PTI Vintage Cream CS, Kaisercraft DP

Ink : Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories : Hero Arts Metallic Decor (red 'nail heads'), Copic Markers, Gold Leafing pen, Spica Glitter marker, Fiskars mini scallop border punch

Giving Thanks

After nearly 5 months I have started making cards again.  We moved house over the summer and it took a long while before I felt settled enough to be creative.  My mojo must have been packed in a box somewhere. But it's back!

My card today is a direct CASE from a beautiful design I saw on Jen Shults blog : deconstructingjen.  She has been a real inspiration to me over these last few weeks.  Her cards are true eye candy and I recommend you go to her blog to check out her beautiful creativity.

Here is a close up shot of the inside :

This card is made from multiple layers and is more like a mini album than a card.  The original idea for this type of card comes from www.splitcoaststampers.com (although it's in the 'tutorial' section somewhere, I don't remember the exact name).  I have been enjoying all the Fall colors here in Alabama (yes, we do have Fall here!) and I wanted to make a card that reflected all the beauty I have seen this week.

Thanks for stopping by - please don't give up on me - I've got lots of other posts planned for this week.





Stamps : Verve (front panel text), Hero Arts (togetherness and greeting text) and Stampin'Up! ('thanks' definition)
Paper : Papertrey Ink Chocolate and Vintage Cream CS, SU! More Mustard and Really Rust CS (retired now I think), Patterned paper from BoBunny
Ink : Memento Rich Cocoa, Tim Holtz Wild Honey Distress Ink
Accessories : Cricut Lacy Labels Cartridge, QuicKutz squeeze leaf die, Copic Markers (on pumpkin), SU! cream organdy ribbon

Embossed Butterfly Thank you

Well girls (and guys??) I've finally gotten around to posting another card for you....!!!!!!! Where have I been, you wonder? Last year my schedule was just getting insane and it was getting very difficult to fit everything in as well as make and post a card every single day. In the end I was just pumping out cards because I was trying to keep up with some crazy idea that I absolutely HAD to make a card every day and it became more of a chore than a joy..... so... I took a few months break. My creative 'mojo' had definitely left me for a good long time and it has only recently started to return.

During Christmas we received some delightful gifts from members at our church and I needed some very special thank you notes to send in return. Thus, a card design started to take shape in my head and was inspired by a card that Julee Tilman from Verve made a couple of weeks ago on her blog Poetic Artistry. Check it out and then see how I've changed the design and made it different.

Hope y'all had a wonderful Christmas and are starting the New Year off in a positive way!

Sarah

Stamps : Hero Arts (Butterfly), Stampin'Up! (Sentiment)
Paper : PTI White and Pink, My Minds Eye Sophie DP
Ink : Tuxedo Memento Black
Accessories : Kaisercraft Pearls, Sizzix Embossing Folder, Ribbon from ACMoore, Copic Markers, Distressing tool

Fall Butterfly

Goodness gracious, it's been nearly a whole month since I made a card and posted here on my blog....!!! In September I was beginning to feel a slave to my blog and keeping it updated. I felt like I was just making cards to post here rather than creating because I enjoyed it - so I took a break. As a family we went to Toronto for two weeks and I set a couple of automatic posts while I was there, but apart from that I have not done anything even vaguely related to cards/stamping or crafts. Oh, apart from visiting Stamping Bella in Toronto - but who can resist visiting such a treasure trove!!!

My creation today is especially for a friend of mine who is currently suffering with back problems and is in a lot of pain. I wanted to create something light, airy and cheerful but still with some autumnal colors blended in. This Hero Arts butterfly stamp is one of my favorites and fit my requirements perfectly. Here is a close up of the main image :



The yellow spots are actually highlighted with a Spica Glitter marker, but unfortunately it does not show up on my camera. It's a beautiful, subtle effect that shimmers more than sparkles!

Hopefully my break from card making will produce many wonderful new creations in the coming weeks!

Thanks for coming back to visit!



Stamps : Hero Arts (Butterfly), Stampin'Up! (sentiment)
Paper : PTI White, SU! Designer Paper
Ink : VersaFine Onyx Black, VersaMagic Chalk ink in Pumpkin Spice
Accessories : PrismaColor pencils, American Crafts ribbon, Martha Stewart Lace border punch, Cricut Lacy Labels cartridge, TPC Studios fall gems

Mojo Thanksgiving

This card is based on a Mojo Monday sketch from a couple of weeks ago that I did not get around to posting until now. I was using mostly new products - a Hero Arts Thanksgiving set from Archivers, American crafts fall ribbon and new Basic Grey patterned paper.

Again, it's a short and sweet post today!
Hope you are having a great week?



Stamps : Hero Arts
Paper : PTI Smokey Shadow and White, Basic Grey DP
Ink : VersaMagic Chalk ink (Paprika and Gingerbread)
Accessories : SU! Scallop border punch, American Crafts ribbon, TPC Studios fall gems

Happy Birthday Lois!

Today is my sister-in-law's birthday. Happy Birthday Lois - this card is just for you! As usual I forgot the date and I never seem to send my cards on time.... hope you'll forgive me? I put the real thing in the mail on Friday.

I had fun using these new purple papers from My Mind's Eye but it took a while to come up with the design for the card. I was first of all trying to work from a different sketch and a totally different color scheme but in the end I just had to set it all to one side and work with the papers that were catching my eye.

When I was adding extra detail I was trying not to make it too busy because of the striped paper so I just added some little buttons and a photo corner. The other 'extra' details were sponged ink around the pale purple mat, using a small scallop punch and some cream organdy ribbon to soften the center strip behind the circle.

Thanks for stopping by!



Stamps : Hero Arts (Sentiment and Leaves)
Paper : PTI Plum Pudding and Vintage Cream, My Minds Eye Perfect Posies DP
Ink : VersaColor Aloe Vera and Hydrangea, VersaFine Onyx Black
Accessories : Marvy Large and Medium Circle Punches, Small scallop border punch, SU! Cream Organdy Ribbon, Photo corner die cut using Quickutz Squeeze, Basic Grey Buttons, EKSuccess Small butterfly punch

Friends and Coffee

Andrea Ewen inspired my card today - check out her beautiful creation on her blog, Ewen Style. I rotated her design 90 degrees and changed all the colors. I had to play with the main image because I didn't have a die similar that I could use.

The papers are from the Basic Grey 'Max and Whiskers' collection. I love the colors in this set but I was having trouble finding a ribbon to match until I came across some EKSuccess 'Adornments' fibers that were at least 6 years old from when I started papercrafting - and right there in the middle was the perfect ribbon that matched the color scheme in every way.... it's amazing what I find in my stash if I just look hard enough!

Thanks for stopping by!



Stamps : Hero Arts (What's Perking?)
Paper : PTI White, SU! Chocolate Chip, Basic Grey Max and Whiskers DP
Ink : VersaMagic Chalk ink Jumbo Java, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories : PrismaColor Pencils, Making Memories Antique Brads, EKSuccess Adornments Fibers (ribbon), Fiskars Border punch

Shells and Lace

As you can tell I am loving my new sunburst border punch! I only got it last weekend and I think I've used it on almost every card this week. Check back through my other posts this week and you'll see what I mean!

This card is for the Vive La Verve June contest week 2. I wanted to use the shell from a Hero Arts set that my husband gave me and it blended perfectly with the Bo Bunny paper with a seaside theme that I bought a couple of weeks ago.

I embossed the shell and it looks 'wet' in real life. Here is close up :




I'll try to make a card without the border punch tomorrow - but I can't promise......

Thanks for stopping by!



Stamps : Hero Arts (shell), SU! (Sentiment from Thoughts and Prayers)
Paper : PTI White, Bo Bunny DP
Ink : VersaColor Paprika Pigment Ink, SU! Night of Navy
Accessories : Fiskars Sunburst Border punch, Spellbinders Label Die, SU! Really Rust Marker, Marvy Medium Circle Punch, White ribbon from Michaels

What's Perking?

Good Evening everyone! I guess you were all wondering where I'd gone after posting three times yesterday and then nothing all day today....!!!! There is a very good reason though... My husband and I were building floor to ceiling shelveing to hold all my rubber stamps! It took us a few hours this afternoon but now they are complete and look fantastic. As I was organizing all my stamps I kept saying to myself 'oh, I had forgotten about this one'.... and 'hey, I thought I'd lost that one'!! I had a lot of fun 'finding' my stamps again.

My card this evening is for two challenges. Firstly for Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge (MTSC76), which I turned 90 degrees to better suit my image and sentiment. Here is the sketch :



And secondly for The Cat's Pajamas Color Challenge #112 :



I colored the coffee pot using a combination of Copic Markers and PrismaColor pencils because I only have a few markers and a larger range of pencils. I wasn't sure if I could combine both coloring techniques on one image, but I think it turned out respectably!

Well I must sign off now and go organize the rest of my craft space, as you know how that goes - you reorganize one area and the rest of the room needs tidying/reorganizing.....



Stamps : Hero Arts (What's perking)
Paper : Chocolate Chip, Cream, Deja View Plum
Ink : Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories : Small scallop border punch, Copic Markers, PrismaColor pencils, Cream Organdy ribbon from ACMoore

Cuckoo Smiles

This is stamp is from a Hero Arts set that my wonderful husband gave me for Mother's Day. It is such a sweet set. It was in my wish list ever since I saw a card on Amy Sheffer's blog, Pickled Paper Designs, using the same image. Make sure to visit her blog - it's amazing!

My patterned paper (from Deja Views) inspired the colors I used for the clock and I thought a Spellbinders Label Die was perfect for this layout.

I did try and finish my Mojo Monday card last night, but after trying for 3 days I have not yet been successful.... maybe later today??!!

Have a good Thursday!



Stamps : Hero Arts
Paper : PTI (Charcoal and White), Deja Views Plum DP
Ink : VersaFine Onyx Black, SU! Basic Black
Accessories : Spellbinders Label Die, American Crafts Brads, PrismaColor pencils

Mojo134 Butterfly Note

My card today is based on the Mojo Monday sketch #134, created by Teresa Kline. She is so creative and imaginative with her sketches! Great work, Teresa! If you had not noticed, I seem to have a thing with butterflies at the moment, to me they just shout "Spring is here!"

Yesterday I received some new cardstock from PaperTrey Ink and wanted to incorporate it into my card. I chose Ocean Tides, Summer Sunshine & Cream and combined them with SU! Not Quite Navy and My Minds Eye 'At Home' DP. The Butterfly is on loan to me from my good stamping buddy, Liz - I really should buy my own set of butterflies and return this one!

Here is Teresa's Sketch :



Thanks for dropping in!
Sarah

Stamps : Hero Arts (Butterfly), Stampin'Up! (Sentiment)
Paper : PaperTrey Ink (Ocean Tides, Summer Sunshine, Cream) SU! (Not Quite Navy) and MME At Home DP
Ink : Staz-On Black
Accessories : PrismaColor Pencils, Ribbon from Jo-Ann, Fiskars Border Punch

Pink and Chocolate Thoughts of You

This card was based on the papers and colors that I used last week on my Mojo Monday card. I have fallen in love with this butterfly stamp and can't seem to stop using it. The satin ribbon is a really beautiful muted pink but I'm not sure the true color comes through in the photo. I have been experimenting with different settings on my camera to take better shots of my cards - it's a work in progress and I guess if you follow this blog for long enough you should (hopefully!) start to see some improvement as I learn how to use my camera in a more detailed way.

Stamps : Hero Arts (Butterfly), Inkadinkado (Border and sentiment)
Paper : KaiserKraft (patterns), SU! Chocolate Chip and Whisper White
Ink : Memento Chalk ink, Staz-on Black
Accessories : PrismaColor Pencils, Scallop border punches, Circle punch, Scallop circle punch, ribbon from A C Moore.

Mojo Butterflies

Here is my contribution for the Mojo Monday sketch # 131. I know it's Wednesday, but it took me two days to figure this one out! It's large card - half of an 8.5 x 11 sheet. Edward (my 3 year old) 'helped' me choose the cardstock for this one (you can imagine how that went!) I thought about the design for a while before I attempted it and for the longest time I just could not get the colors right. The inspiration finally came at about 9.30pm last night and I finally finished it at 11pm. Problem is, once my brain has been on an intense creative streak, I have trouble sleeping afterwards.....

Stamps : Hero Arts (Butterfly), Inkadinkado (Round border and sentiment)
Paper : Not quite navy, Close to cocoa, Cream, KaiserKraft and My Minds Eye patterned papers
Ink : Staz-On black, Metallic blue (not sure of the company), Jumbo Java Memento Chalk ink
Accessories : Pearls (KaiserKraft), Scallop border punch, small circle scallop punch, medium circle punch