Tags of 2013- July

Hi friends,
Well, the good life is over. It's time to trade in the bikini for the books- back to school time for me!
Yes, already! I can't complain because I had a great summer & I feel like the batteries are recharged.

I'm just in the nick of time for July's tag.
Here's T!m's:

 Here's mine:

To be honest, I wasn't moved by this month's technique (which is why I waited so long). But I have done all of the other tags this year so I felt like I was letting myself down by not completing it. I did the technique of brayering in the background & the distress crackle paint with stain technique. I really don't know why, at this point it time, I doubt the creative genius that is Tim. Seriously, he has never disappointed and he didn't disappoint with this month's technique. If only I got a good pic of the leaves! They look absolutely amazing!!! I only wish more of the reds & greens would have shown through :(  Sorry, for doubting you once again Tim! Bad Karli :(

Well, it will be a bit quiet around the blog home until I'm settled in to my new school year. I am teaching my favorite class again- Spanish 1 *Ü* yay! and my not so favorite class- AP prep :( ah well, I hope this is a great year nonetheless. I do look forward to a new batch of nearly 200 kiddos!

Thanks for stopping by today!
Until the next time crafty friends!

More Homework

Hi friends,
Today I have a bit of homework to catch up on from Card Camp. I needed some thank you cards so that's what I have to share.

Day 5 Assignment: Choose one of the color combos & make a card with it.
I chose this color combo:

 and Sketch # 3 to create this card:

I took inspiration from the cross stitch design on the pattern paper to create the elements on the card.

Card #2 is homework for Week 2 Day 1.
New color combo & sketches.
Here's my card for sketch #2:

 I went for a masculine card this time. I found 3 different "Thank" stamps & heat embossed them in white. I die cut the letters in "you"& popped them on to the pattern paper circles.

Card #3: Week 2 Day 2: Assignment: Multi-color embossing ombré

I used a blue, light green, & med green embossing powders to emboss the feather & the sentiment to create an ombré effect. The end result is beautiful, but it was time consuming & a bit tedious to sprinkle the different colors of embossing powder on both. I used sketch #3 (loosely) for this card.

That's it for homework today.
Thanks so much for popping in!
Tootles!

10 Minute Card Homework video

Hi friends,
Today I have a card that's the homework for Day 4 at Card Camp. The assignment is to create a 10 minute card which I have become smitten to pieces to do! This is the definition of a card challenge, but it's loads of fun too!
Here's my card:

 I used 4 required colors: pink, orange, green, gray.
I have been having fun making videos lately because once school starts, I know I won't have time for it :(

Did I make the 10 minute challenge???

You betcha!

Here's the video proof:

Or watch it on You Tube---> HERE

I created the butterfly pattern on my Gypsy in 4 different sizes. I have shared the file before but here it is just in case you'd like it.

Download GYPSY file---> HERE.
Download PDF file---> HERE.

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by & take a peek at my cooky videos!
Tootles!

Enveloboxes & a Tute!

Hi ya friends,
This week's challenge at PTI's Make it Monday is to dress up an envelope. One of the questions I get asked most is how I make my enveloboxes for dimensional cards. So I thought I would combine the challenge at MIM & create a video tute to show you how I make them. What is an envelobox? It's an envelope & a box in one!---> an envelobox! I have used the Crafter's Companion board to make them for a long time, but once I got the Martha Stewart Score board, I started using that instead. So this tute is for creating enveloboxes in 2 sizes- A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") and 6" x 6" on the MS score board.
Here's the envelope & the card that matches it:

Here's the envelobox:

 I used the same stamp that's on the card, but didn't color it in.

Here's a couple peeks of how I embellish them:

I used a border punch to adhere a border of pansies along the edge. You can also punch directly on the edge of the envelope.

The video shows measurements for 1/2" depth. I also make enveloboxes up to 1 inch in depth for those everything-but-the-kitchen-sink cards I like to make. *Ü*

QUESTION: Can you mail these?
Yes, but you can't add layers to the envelope & it can't interfere with postal imprints. You'll be paying more to ship it too, so I reserve these for hand-delivering. If I want to mail a dimensional card, I put it in a mailer box or padded envelope.

Here's the video: Hope you enjoy!

You can watch it on You Tube---> HERE

Thanks for peeking!
I'm off to see T!m Holtz at the stamp show this weekend.  *Ü* Maybe he'll sign my last tag????
Have a great weekend!

Summer Camp Homework Cont.

Hi friends,
I have my homework for both Day 2 & 3 to share today.

For Day 2, I used the technique Jennifer McGuire shared of Multi-Inking with Masking to create this card:

 I used the colors for this week in both the pattern paper & the stamping.  It was a bit time consuming to do this technique but I did like the end result. The paper is Hope Chest from Anna Griffin. I also used the instaframe dienamics from MFT embossed with the woodgrain impression plate. The image is from my fave set Birthday Sentiments (MFT) stamped in Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores, Simply Chartruese, and Orange Soda. The flower is the Mini-Hybrid Heirloom Rose (MFT) and the flourish is from Cheery Lynn.

Here's another peek at it:

My card for Day 3 focuses on one of the sketches (Sketch #1) & the color combo together.
Here's the card:

 I wanted to make a really CAS card (more simple than clean.) I took a piece of pattern paper, cut the banner, adhered the happy die cut, stamped the sentiment, added a stitched line, and a flossy bow. Easy peasy. The color combo happened to be the perfect color palette for the challenge *Ü*

I used this week's MFT sketch for card #1

Thanks so much for peeking!
Tootles!

The 411 
Card #1: Best Year Ever 
Stamps: birthday sentiments-MFT
Paper: Hope Chest- Anna Griffin, Hawaain Shores, Simply Charteuse, Raspberry Fizz, Neenah White cs, vellum cs
Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores, Simply Chartruese, and Orange Soda 
Accessories: Instaframe, Mini-hybrid heirloon Rose Dienamics- MFT, Woodgrain Impressions plate, Fanciful Flourish- Cheery Lynn

Card #2: Happy for You
Stamps: Happy- Simon Says Stamp
Paper: Hope Chest-Anna Griffin, Neenah White 
Ink: charcoal 
Accessories: floss, happy die- SSS

Summer Camp Day 1

Hi friends,

 I decided that since it's going to be a staycation this summer, I'd treat myself to the deluxe accommodations at Online Card Classes *Ü* I really enjoyed the previous classes I took from Kristina Werner & Jennifer McGuire, so this will be the last of my play days before I'm back to school.

So, here's my homework for Day 1: Sketches & Color challenge

Since we can't post class content, I can't show you the sketches, but you know I'm pretty literal when it comes to sketches, so I'm sure you can picture the sketch by looking at my cards. *Ü*

Here's my card for sketch #1

I love the color combo of yellow, gray, & white so that's what I used on this card. I used the Ikat stamp set by Avery Elle to create the background on the banner. I used my Copic marker Y35 to color in the centers. The paper bow is from the Dainty Bows Dienamics from MFT. The bitty sentiment "Happy Day" comes from the Notched Tag stamp set- MFT. Faux stitching around the edges completes this card for the first sketch.

Card from Sketch #2:

I used my Inktense pencil in Fuchsia to do a gradient watercolor wash over the sentiment. I divided each of the "never" into separate bands per the sketch. The sentiment is from the Words of Inspiration stamp set by Inspired by Stamping & it's heat embossed in white. The butterflies are from Cheery Lynn called Exotic Butterflies. Do you see the little pink ribbon that makes up the body?
Here's another peek at them:

 The sentiment reads,"Never, never, never, never give up" which I think anyone who's had to go up against breast cancer knows all too well...

 Card from Sketch #3:

 For this card, I wanted to make something fun! I haven't used this stamp set in ages so I dusted it off & played with it. I stamped the bike so that it looked like it was popping a wheelie! *Ü* I had these cute buttons in my stash that ended up looking so whimsy on the bike. I colored the outside of the buttons with my black Copic marker for the tire tread. The bike is from the Everyday Button Bits stamp set from PTI. I colored it with metallic silver Prisma pencil & the seat in blue.

That's it for day 1's homework! I didn't have to use all 3 sketches, but you know I luuuv sketches & I like 3... 3 is a good number *Ü*

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Tootles!

The 411
Card #1 Happy Day
Stamps: Ikat- Avery Elle. Notched Tags_ MFT
Ink: Soft Granite- Hero Arts
Paper: Basic Gray, So Saffron- SU, Neenah White
Accs: Dainty Bows Dienamics- MFT, Back to Basics Tags- Spellbinders, twine, Viva Decor Pen, white gel pen, Design Ruler- TH

Card #2 Never Give Up
Stamps: Words of inspiration- IBS, 
Ink: Versamark- heat embossed in detail white
Paper: Pink Pirouette- SU, Strathmore watercolor paper, Think pink- Making Memories
Accs: Inktense Pencils, Exotic butterflies- Cheery Lynn, Stickles, Viva Decor pen, white gel pen, Design Ruler- TH
pink ribbon stick pin

Card #3 Enjoy the Ride
Stamps: Everyday Button Bits- PTI
Ink: Gray Flannel-Memento, Bashful Blue-SU
Paper: Blue cs, green cs- Bazzill, Clouds, white shimmer, Basic Gray-SU
Accs: Fishtail flag, Snow Drifts dienamics, Prisma pencils, gold signo pen, cloud die- PTI, buttons-Joleen's, Plaid EF- CB

Craft Dash for a Cause

Hi friends,
Today I have a card I created for: the 10 Minute Craft Dash at Pretty Pink Posh

  and for the JULY Cards for a Cause at SCS.
The challenge at PPP is to use stars on your card & add a sun for the cards for a cause.
Here's the finished card:

It took me this long to complete the card:

I learned a few things since the last time I filmed so I think this video is a bit better than the last one. This time around:
1) I had a clear card concept so i took out the supplies i was most likely to use & "KISSed"- Keep It Simple Sweetie!
2) I figured out how to better record myself *Ü*
3) I did a voice over so I could focus on just creating the card during the video & not on what I was going to say too. I really think that was a time saver & it freed up some brain cells too *Ü*

So, was everything perfect? Umm, no. It wouldn't be me if it was all perfect! Hee Hee! I goofed a couple of times, but it was fun! I really appreciate everyone who also take the time to create a video of the process because I enjoy watching other people stress out too! *Ü* ...and I say that with love ;)
If you have any tips, tricks, suggestions for videos, I'd love to hear them! I'm not a tech person & honestly, I just play around with stuff until I get lucky figure it out. And if I get really stuck I look on You Tube for help! I think because I'm on a mac & using imovie, it helps a lot ---> user-friendly.

As I mentioned in the video, I created the sun rays card front on my SCAL 2 and if you'd like it, you can find it---> HERE.
SVG file format---> HERE
PDF file format ---> HERE
I based it on a free cut file from CKS- by Laina Lamb--->HERE.

July's cards for the Cards for a Cause are going to the Sunshine Mail Foundation. Here's a description: 
"They are a 501c3 nonprofit, provides children in need comfort, support and joy through free Sunshine Mail Care Packages. Sunshine Mail is filled with handmade cards, care essentials and other age appropriate items and delivered to children in hospitals, homeless shelters and in foster care."
You can find all the info ---> HERE. Once I finish all of the cards,  I'll be sure to post them. Here are the finished cards: 1 dozen ready to ship!

Here's the video:

or watch it on you Tube---> HERE 

EDITED TO ADD: Regarding the cut file... It will work if you have the Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) software program (or something that will cut svg files like a Silhouette, or e-clips) unfortunately because Provo Craft (the makers of Cricut) sued the makers of SCAL, the current version of SCAL (SCAL 3) will NOT work with your Cricut.  :(  Those of us who were fortunate enough to purchase SCAL 2 BEFORE the lawsuit are able to use the software to cut on the Cricut. I'm sorry if this disappoints those who are Cricut owners who wanted to use the cut file, but don't have SCAL 2.  I know I would be disappointed too.  I will make a PDF of the file available to you. Sorry if there was any confusion.
 Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks for peeking!
Tootles!

Vintage Birthday Girls

Hi ya friends,
I have a couple of friends who are having birthdays so I am sharing the cards I made for them today.
Here's the first card:

 Ok, so here's my same song: I have had this stamp & dienamics for a long time & never inked it up until now :( It's called Just my Type from MFT. I knew it would be *perfect* for my friend. We always take little pokes at how old we are, but no matter what she says about me, she's always going to be 20 years older than me! *Ü* I've been on a CAS kick lately, but getting back to a card with loads of layers is like putting on those fave pair of jeans you just love. Oh layers...how I love thee *Ü*

Here's a peek of the innies:

 The sentiment is from Pretty Poppies- MFT.

I used this week's 300th sketch celebration at Mojo Monday: Congrats!

The next card is for my bestie, who lives all the way in San Francisco.

 I HAVE used this stamp & die set before (so I'm not completely hopeless *Ü*.) I used strips of pink and green vellum so it wouldn't totally hide the beautiful Anna Griffin paper underneath. I think this is one of those cards that looks much prettier IRL. I used First Class Friend from MFT. 

Here's a peek of the innies.

I used this week's Sweet Stop sketch:

I'm off to get everything ready for our BBQ today!
Thanks for stopping by & hope you have a great day!
Tootles!

The 411 
Vintage Birthday Card:

Stamps: Just my Type-MFT
Paper: Lost & Found Sunshine-MME, Very Vanilla
Ink: versafine onyx black, Chestnut Roan
Accessories: just my type, fishtail flags dienamics-MFT, heart punch, Glossy Accents

Sending You Hugs: 

Stamps: First Class Friend, Pretty Poppies-MFT

Paper: Carolina- Anna Griffin, Certainly Celery, Vintage Cream, pink & green vellum

Ink: Blushing Bride, regal rose, creamy brown

Accessories: first class friend dienamics, heart border dienamics- MFT, Anna Griffin folder

Striiiiiike!

Hi friends,
Before I get to today's card, a couple of housekeeping items a few of you have asked for:
1) I've added a bloglovin' & Feedly button to my blog's sidebar.
2) I've added the "Pin to Pinterest" button to make it easier to pin the pics on my posts. I'm not sure how I feel about this one... but you ask & I give *Ü* but if it annoys more of you than not, I can remove it. It's a hover button so just meander your cursor away from the pic & the button will disappear.

Ok, so it's hubby's birthday and I have his card to share with ya.
Here it is:

 Hubby loves to bowl and is pretty good according to him. *Ü* The card comes from The Green Room SVG file from svgcuts.com. I customized it for his bowling shirt colors (black & red).  I coated the bowling ball with Glossy Accents to give it that high polish look. I luuuuv this file! It has lots of cool guy cards & boxes. I made the pool table box for him last year and I kept it for myself (cuz I luuuv it so much *Ü*). 

Here's another peek:

 It was really fun to make! My blog pal, Patti Lee, also made one of these cards recently so you can take a peek at her awesome creation---> HERE.

I think hubby's game would improve if he played with this bowling ball:

But for some reason he just doesn't think so :(

There are still cards from this kit I haven't made so it will take care of his cards for some time to come! Yaaay!

I'll be playing along with the Peeps at:
Cards for Men: Let's Get Sporty
Cupcake Crafts: Anything but a Square
Make it Monday: Anything Goes

Happy 4th of July, USA!

Thanks so much for peeking!
Tootles!

1 Stamp 3 Ways

Hello crafty friends,
Today I have not 1, not 2, but 3 cards to share with you using the same stamp. I've been really challenging myself to craft in uncharted territories more and this would be one of those territories. (Using a stamp in multiple ways.) So, I used the Dogwood stamp from Hero Arts to make cards at slightly different levels.

Here they are:

Here's a closer peek at each card:

 This is my Clean & Simple card. I stamped it along the side a couple of times, stamped the sentiment, & adhered the die cut word. Dunzo!

The second card:

 I followed the same basic format as the first card, but I heat embossed the image in white on vellum cardstock. Then I colored over the vellum so it would match the cardstock, fussy cut them out & popped them up along the edge.  I stamped the sentiment, adhered the die cut word, and added some pearls & glittered dots to the centers of the flowers.

The Third Card:

 I stamped the image on opposite corners in Old Olive ink. I stamped the image on white cs with Scarlet Jewel ink & did a quick water coloring with that ink. I fussy cut them out & popped them up on the card base. I painted the middles with Goldenrod Stickles. I stamped the sentiment & adhered the die cut word. There's a faux stitching detail along the edges as well.

This is such a pretty stamp that I have faithfully ignored as I do too many things in my stash :( I'm not even going to tell you how long I've had it & that it hadn't even seen ink until now... sigh... :( bad Karli  :(

I used this week's sketch at CAS Colours & Sketches: (Do I luuuuv it!)

I'll also be playing along with:
ABC Challenges: Anything Goes
Make it Monday: Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp and Show: Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create: Anything Goes
That Craft Place: Flowers
Crafty Catz: Say it with Flowers
Daring Cardmakers: Forgotten Treasures
Stampin' for the Weekend: Anything Goes

Thanks so much for peeking today.
Have a goodie!
Tootles!
 
The 411 
Stamps: Dogwood- Hero Arts, Wonderful Words Additions- PTI
Ink: Desert Sand- Memento, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive- SU, Scarlet Jewel-PTI, Versafine Onyx Black
Paper: Rustic White, Raspberry Fizz, Scarlet Jewel- PTI, Kraft, White, Silver, More Mustard
Accs: Wonderful Words Dies- PTI, white gel pen, Stickles, pearls, glittered dots