Masculine Birthday Card

Hi friends,
Ahhh...Masculine cards... the Jar Jar Binks of cardmaking. Well, at least that's how I feel about them because I really struggle with them *Ü* It isn't because I don't enjoy creating something for the guys in my life, but you have to keep these cards pretty clean and simple- and that's my Kryptonite.

Here's my card:

I used the Chunky Herringbone Stencil (MFT) to create the background. I ink blended with Bashful Blue, Pacific Point, Wild Wasabi, Crushed Curry, and Tangerine Tango inks (Stampin' Up).  I turned the stencil and used the ink left on the stencil to create the shadows. I die-cut a circle from the vellum Fishtail Banner (MFT) and popped it up using the sentiment strip to hide the foam adhesive. I decided to turn the circle into a balloon so I added the balloon tail and string from vellum as well (Party Balloons -Lawn Fawn).

Here's the innie:

I ink blended the bottom with the same ink colors and stamped the sentiment which comes from the Happy Everyday stamp set (Simon Says Stamp).

I used this week's MFT sketch #287:

Even though this card is not dark colors typically associated with more masculine cards, I think he'll like how colorful it is.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Until next time...
Tootles,

Card times Four

Hi ya friends,
Just catching up on some cards I've made recently. I have four to share with ya today!

The first was for my friend who was celebrating a retirement & birthday party:

I made a fun shaker card using MFT's Congrats Shaker dies. I wanted to incorporate her favorite things: casinos & turtles. I didn't have ANY turtle stuff, so I opted for the color green. I made a few playing cards and tucked them behind the "A." The background is an old SU Wheel stamp I unmounted to make flat.
Here's another peek:

 and the innies:

This SU set (Congrats) was perfect for a retirement/birthday card as it had sentiments for both! *Ü* The bottom is embossed with a CB border embossing folder.
I used this week's MFT sketch: #255

Next, I created an encouragement card for a friend:

I used the MFT Sun Ray Stencil along with embossing paste & Distress Inks to create the background. I added a couple of stitched glittered clouds (La La Land Crafts), and scattered some sparkling clear sequins (Pretty Pink Posh). The "Thinking of You" word dies are from Impression Obsession.

Card #3:

This card went to another friend for her birthday. I had my eye on this Unforgettable stamp set from Wplus9 for ages. I broke down & finally bought it, & I'm so glad I did! It is ADORBS!!! It has great sentiments too. The little elephant is colored with Copics & the background was ink blended with Distress Inks.

My final card went to a student in one of my Spanish classes:

My poor student has had a hard time recuperating from an appendectomy she underwent. I thought I would send this card her way & hope she's back to good health speedy quick. I used a few sets from Lawn Fawn on this card: Get Well Soon, Into the Woods, Woodgrain Backdrops. It was colored with Copics & ink blended with Distress Inks.

Thanks for hanging in for all these cards! I know I should post more often so I don't have to bombard you with cards all at once, right?! *Ü*

Thanks so much for peeking today! Have a great day! *Ü*

Happy Retirement

Hi friends,
This card is going to my old previous principal who is retiring.
Here it is:

 I dusted off the brayer & brayered the background a la Zindorf. The image is from an exquisite set called Landscape Silhouettes from Sweet n' Sassy Stamps. It is a *perfect* set for brayering & the all the images are wonderful! I had so much fun brayering, I have to play with this set some more *Ü*

Here's a peek of the innies:

 That palm tree is a stamp I've had for ages from Anna Griffin. The sentiment on the front & inside of the card is called Congrats from SU.

I used this week's sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches (rotated):

I am a suuuper beginner when it comes to brayering since I think this is only the second time that I have brayered in my life! Once I watched Michelle's Zindorf's video, I felt more confident to give it a go and I luv it! I only wish I could have taken one of her classes in person :(

Thanks so much for peeking today!
Tootles!

 The 411 
Stamps: Landscape Silhouettes- Sweet n' Sassy Stamps, Congrats- SU, Palm Tree- AG, Inc
Ink: Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Cajun Craze- SU, Verafine Onyx Black
Paper: Black, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Whisper White, Very Vanilla- SU, glitter cs (colored with Copic marker #100)
Tools: Fishtail Flags Dienamics, Rays EF Tim Holtz
Other: pearls (colored with Copic marker #100)

Sweet Sketch Duo

Hello friends,
We're wrapping up the semester at school so I'm crazy busy right now, but I made a few cards with this Sweet Stop sketch:

 Here are my cards:

 There's one little problem... I forgot to post them in time to participate in the challenge :(

But, I'm on time for this week's sketch :)

Here's my card:

 I die cut a window on the front of the card to peek into the inside.

Here's a peek of that:

I'm off to grade projects. Thanks so much for peeking today!
Gotta Go!

ABC Challenge: X is for...

Xing (crossing) Ribbons!

Hi again friends,
We've got a brand new challenge for ya at ABC Challenges. This week we want to see you cross ribbons.  That could be quite simple or a little more complicated. Guess which one I chose???  ;)
Here's my card:

 I crossed ribbons to create the look of a garden trellis. That wasn't hard to do at all. I just added adhesive to the back edges of my cardstock, cut strips of ribbon, lay them across the cs, & secured them in the back. I used one of my all-time fav stamp sets (now retired) called Wild Rose (SU) along with the matching DP. These are way old, but I still luuuv them :) The GORGEOUS die cut of the leaves with flourishes is a Heartfelt Creation die from the Bella Rose collection. (I am in love with this die!) The sentiment is stamped on a Spellbinder's Ribbon Banners Die.
Here's a closer peek:

The rose centers got a bit of Stickles & a pearl. Of course, I added my obligatory Viva pen work all over it :) (Thanks, Sankari- you've created a monster ;)  Hee!

Head over to the ABC Blog to check out the creative ways my teamies have crossed ribbons and be sure to Linky your crafty creations by Monday night. Oh, the letter X is brought to you by our friends at One Stop Card Crafts and they're offering this fabbie gift voucher to our lucky winner!

For my card, I used this week's sketch at The Sweetest Thing- SSSC123.

Thanks so much for peeking!
Gotta Go!

Cardabilities Sketch 11 DT Reveal

Hi there friends,
Today, I'm helping to reveal Sketch #11 for Cardabilities. :) yay!
Here's the sketch:

Here's my take:

I decided to really step out of my normal style & DISTRESS!!! --->Since "distressed" seems to be my life right now, LOL! I used old stuff from my stash that I've neglected to use.
The Deets:
The jean pocket is a retired SU stamp (Pocket Fun) I stamped on Denim paper & cut it out. The flowers come from a set from Heartfelt Creations called Posy Patch Garden Delights. They're actually part of another image (flowers in a watering can) but I just wanted the flowers so I cut them out & popped them onto the pocket. They're colored with Copics, I added 3D Crystal lacquer to them, & finished the middles with my Viva Decor Pearl pen in gold. The sentiment is hard to see, but it reads, "Fill this Day with Joy."- from a PTI set called YOF: Sweet Peas.

Be sure to stop by the Cardabilities blog to see the amazing work the rest of the DT has created to sketchspire ya! We have some new DT members, and I'm sure they would be glad to get some luv ;) Don't forget you have until the 30th to link your creations. You bring the cards & we'll bring the luv!

I'll be starting with my HS kiddos today so I hope my first day goes well :) Wish me luck, won't ya! Oh, & guess what? Remember my whiteboard magnets I was so excited to use? Well, the white board at the HS is not magnetic :( so I won't be using them anytime soon-  tear, tear :(
Thanks so much for peeking today!
Gotta go!

I'm Krafty for Swapping

Hello there friends,
I cannot tell you how totally busy I've been these past few days & I'm supposed to be on vacation! :) But I'm happy to be busy. This weekend, I'll be heading to CKC (Creating Keepsakes Convention) & taking 3 classes. One of them is one I took last year- Papercrafts Card Swap. I'll be swapping cards with other crafters. Last year, because I had never swapped before, I didn't know what kind of card to make so I went with my regular style---> lots of layers & embellishments. What did I get??? Very simple cards! OK, I learned my lesson... or so I thought :( Here is the card I'm bringing to swap:

I really had every intention of keeping it simple (like one layer), but my maniac side took over :(
The deets:
I ran the card base through PTI's Woodgrain Embossing Plate (which took me forever to find the right sandwich to make it work, grrrrrr :(  I stamped the main image with one of my all time fav stamp sets Lovely as a Tree- SU! inked the edges, matted it with black CS, punched a notch on either end & wrapped twine around it, threaded a button, and stamped the greeting. Not exactly keeping it simple, but it looks simple, right??? And since I had to crank out 25 of these guys, I was working on it most of the day.
Wanna see what 25 looks like???

Trust me it's a big pile! I decided to make Father's Day Cards because I thought it would force me to keep it simple---> no flowers, no bling, no pretty ribbon, no nothing fancy! But, no. Question: Did you know that twine is not the most cooperative of fibers? & when you have to wrap 25 cards with it, you develop carpal tunnel fingers- ouchy! Ah well, I hope the ladies I swap with like them & can use them.

Thanks so much for peeking today! I'm off to ice my poor little fingers :(
Gotta Go!

Gum Ball Fun- Card Angel Program

Hi friends,
I have a card to share with you today I had so much fun playing with. Well, I had fun with the image :)
Here's my card: (2 pics 'cause I didn't know which was better :(

 It was the first inking of this cute stamp set by SU! called Something Sweet. Such a fun & versatile little set. For the gum balls, I decided to use dew drops. I stamped the sentiment directly on the ribbon & tied the ends so it looked like a candy wrapper itself. (Don't know why it's so blurry- not like that IRL???) I added a little highlight with Copic BG10, & added Crystal lacquer to the gum ball stand.

My blog "sister from another Mr." Kathy, shared about being a chemo card angel in this post --->here. I thought it was a brilliant idea & something I definitely wanted to be a part of so I signed up. The goal of the chemo card angel program is to brighten the lives of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy with a weekly card of encouragement.

I was paired up with a young boy, so my mission is to make more boy cards for him. So far I've sent these cards:

I had the first 2 in my small stash of cards, so it wasn't hard to get started. I hope he likes them & that they bring a smile to his face :) If you'd like to join us as a chemo card angel, you can find more info---> here.
Thanks for peeking!

The 411:

Stamps: Something Sweet- SU!
Paper: Quite Contrary- My Mind's Eye, Garden Green CS, Very Vanilla CS- SU!
Ink: Riding Hood Red- SU!, Rich Cocoa- Memento, Creamy Brown Chalk- ColorBox
Accessories: Nesties Labels 8- Spellbinders, Dew Drops, Ribbon, twine, 3D Crystal Lacquer, Copic BG10

Earthquakes & Easter Cards

Howdy friends,
We had a 7.2 earthquake here in southern Cali & it totally rattled me! Earthquakes are my biggest fear--- that & clowns. But my BIGGEST fear would be being in a room full of clowns during an earthquake! :{  It was a rolling quake, but thankfully everyone's Ok & there was no damage. My boys were up north so they didn't feel it.

Today, I have a couple more Easter cards to share with you. I know Easter is gone but change the sentiment & they can be any occasion cards, I think :)
This one I made for my grandma:

 I stamped the flowers on Shimmer White Cardstock & watercolored the middles. I used my Copic marker C1 to create subtle shadows.

This one I made for my uncle:

Masculine cards are so hard! So I tried to keep it simple. I watercolored this image as well using a blender pen & SU! watercolor crayons on Shimmer White Cardstock.

I am SO glad SU! is offering clear mount stamps now!!! I love that I don't have to trim them, the packaging is awesome, & they're at a lower price. Woo HOO! Doin' a happy dance :)

Thanks so much for peeking today! I better go clean up my mess before the boys get home. Nah... I'll do it later & blame it on the earthquake ;)
Gotta Go!

Christmas Card Display Cards & Thank you's

Dear friends,
Thank you soooo much for your kind words over the passing of our sweet Fluff. I really appreciate your words of encouragement & sympathy. I'm so very touched :) I'm still very sad but I guess time will make it easier to deal with.

Today, I thought I'd share some of the cards I posted on my Tabletop Display---> here. They're made with retired SU! papers (that I hoarded of course ;) Anyhoo, since a few people asked to see the cards, I'm happy to oblige.

All cards are made with SU! products. (No, I'm not a demo, but I luuuv SU! products :) The other nice thing is that all three cards use the same stamp set, but they all look very different. So for those of you that are just getting started & you're sad because you haven't collected a billion sets, not to worry. You can create different looks with just one set.

This card was made with Real Red CS/ink, Garden Green CS/ink, Whisper White, Season of Joy Stamp Set & other acc's.

This card uses Retired DP & in colors :( Soft Sky & Blue Bayou as well as Whisper White. Stamp sets used: Season of Joy & Many Merry Messages

This one is probably one of my favorite cards. It's a standard A4 card with double front pockets. The tags can be pulled out & used as bookmarks.

This card uses Real Red CS/ink, Old Olive CS/ink, Very Vanilla & retired DP & season of Joy Stamp set.

Thanks so much for peekin' today :) Can you believe I haven't started my Christmas shopping yet? The past few days have been sad for me, but I need to get out of the house & get going for my boys. I'm going to try & spend the day shopping tomorrow & catch up while they're gone.
Gotta Go!

She's a Winner!

Hi friends,
I created this card for my friend, Crystal, who has a certain little passion. Can you tell what it is??? Yup it's knitting! (just kidding :) She luuuuvs going to the casinos so I thought this card would be great for her. There's lots of dimensional elements on this card.
Here's a peek of the inside:

Shhhh, I've got a secret. Come closer. closer. I actually made this card a while back for a challenge, but never actually did anything with it. I just changed a few elements & it was game time! Is that bad? Tacky? Smart :) This is the original card:

Thanks so much for peekin' in today. I'm busy with school stuff so.... Gotta Go!




The 411
Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, So Safron, Black, Vanilla- SU!
Paper: Jackpot DSP- SU!
Ink: Black
Stamps: Game Night, Card Games, Birthdays Count- SU!
Tools: EK Sucess border punch, Square Nesties, Corner Punch- SU!
Other: black twine, white signo pen