Poppy Sympathy

Hello friends,
I'm back with another sympathy card for a friend who lost her dad.
Here it is:

I used MFT's Pretty Poppies stamp set & Dienamics (luuuuv this set!) The background is embossed using...wait for it... an Anna Griffin folder! Yes, probably my fav so far. It's called Poppies & it's a beauty! I embossed the white cs Fishtail Flag with T!m's Rays folder. I wanted it to look like rays pointing up to heaven. The colors used are Wild Wasabi & Baja Breeze. I luv that color- so I'm sad to see it on the retired list.

Here's a peek at the innies:

The sentiment is from PTI's Blooming Button Bits.

I hope my dear friend finds some comfort in this card & that I won't need to make another sympathy card for a long time.

I used the current sketch at Cardabilities:

Thanks so much for peeking today. Two more sleeps & the weekend will be here! Yay!

Tootles!

Less Frill, more Dude

Hi friends,
Does your mind wander while you're crafting? Mine... of course! Today's card is proof of that. I initially decided to make a masculine card, but that's not quite what I ended up with! Here was the end result:

 Masculine? Maybe not with that doily & lace- oh my! Did you see my feeble attempt to make it more masculine by adding twine. Ha! Nice try there ~  Ugh... :( Sometimes I get so lost in my paper crafting, I totally lose sight of the objective! I wanted to play with the Cuckoo Clock Spellbinders die I recently picked up. I guess it reminded me of the one Grammy has at her house which is why I got it.  So I guess I need to go back to the craft room & work on one a little less... frilly :)  IDK, what do you think? Masculine enough??? The pattern paper is Lost & Found Breeze by MME, the doily is a die from PTI.

I used the current sketch from my friends over at Cardabilities:

I'll also be playing along with the following challenges:
City Crafter Challenge: It's All Natural
Creative Card Crew: Masculine :) The intent was masculine, you decide though :)
Whimsy inspiration Challenge: Monochromatic

Thanks so much for peeking today!
Gotta go!

If you've got it, stamp it!

Hola friends,
It's been so great having a few extra days off. I've got to check some things off my to-do list that I've been wanting to do for a while, I've cleaned up the house (and since my two biggest mess-makers are up north) it's stayed clean! and of course I've got a bit of craft time in there :)

Here's a card I made with some new (to me) techniques:

 This week, the Make-it-Monday technique at PTI was Layered Backgrounds with Sentiment Stamps. Betsy Veldman is hosting the challenge this week. She makes some amazing, creative cards & after seeing her beautiful card, I was inspired to the try the technique. I think the trick is to stamp the background in a different color from the main image (which I didn't do).  I stamped both in black so there isn't as much contrast. Another technique I gave a go was the spotlight technique which is pretty neat. The stamp set is YOF: Sweet Peas from PTI (which is finally seeing some ink, me thinks) colored with Copics. The cs is Melon Berry & Kraft.
I used the current sketch from my friends at Cardabilities:

 

I'm also playing along at the following challenges:
Card Makin Mamas: Sentiments
Papercraft Star: Anything Goes

Ok, that's it for now. Hope you have some lovely crafternoons this weekend!
Gotta Go!

Cardabilities DT Reveal Sketch #34

Hi ya friends,
It's the end of June & the end of my time with Cardabilities :( Today is my last reveal as part of the DT. It's been awesome to work with all the talented designers over the past year & with Cardabilities sketches.
Here's Sketch #34

 Here's my card:

 This stamp is MFT Pure Innocence Pucker Up- isn't she adorable :) Although she looks like business is slow & she's got lemonade to sell! She's colored with Copics. Her lemonade got a bit of Yellow Stickles to give it some kick.
Here's a closer peek:

I also used the MFT banner die for the banner. Pretty simple card :)

I hope you can join us on Sketch #34 & if you do, you could be in the running for a generous prize pack from our Sponsor ---> Robyn's Fetish!

Be sure you Linky your card creation by the 14th!

Thanks so much for peeking
Gotta Go!

Cardabilities DT Reveal Sketch #33

Hi again friends,
We're midway through the month, which means we've got a new Cardabilities sketch coming your way!
Here's the sketch:

Here's my card:

 I used the MFT rolled roses on the seam binding held together with the stick pin. I sprayed the roses with Tattered Angels glimmer mist from YMH in 2 colors so that they would look similar to the roses on the seed packet :)
Here's a closer peek:

You've got till the 28th of the month to upload your card creation to the Cardabilities blog & while you're there check out what the DT has created with this sketch. You're not just playing for fun this week, as we're sponsored by Whimsie Doodles! Don't forget your card creation can be chosen & you can be our next guest designer  too! I also want to welcome the new DT members to Cardabilities. I won't be returning since I have come to the end of my term. sniff...sniff

Off to work on school stuff-
Gotta go!

Cardabilities DT Reveal Sketch #32

Hello friends,
Happy Monday to ya! We've come to the end of the month & that means we've got a brand new sketch at Cardabilities!
Here's the sketch:

This is one of my all-time fav sketches- luuuv it! so many options for those circles!

Here's my card:

This was a really easy card to make. I shy away from pre-made embellies cuz they tend to collect dust. I like to make my own :) but I was drawn to these K&Co punch out layering flowers. They're really gorgeous & in seconds you get beautiful, dimensional flowers!

Here's a closer peek:

 This card is going to one of my student's parents for so kindly giving me a Starbucks gift card for Teacher Appreciation Day. So nice of them :) just need to add my sentiment.

We would love for you to join us for sketch #32 & possibly be our next guest designer! Be sure to upload your card creation to the Cardabilities/Sketchabilities Gallery & hop by the Cardabilities blog & check out the amazing creations by the rest of the DT.

Thanks so much for peeking today!
 Gotta Go!

Cardabilities DT Reveal Sketch #31

Hello friends,
So with Blogger & my life so wonky lately, I've been away from my craft room. But today, is the reveal of the latest & greatest Cardabilities sketch.
Here's the sketch:

 Here's my card:

As you can tell, I rotated the sketch. It's a graduation card for one of my students. I used our school colors of brilliant blue & real red. That is one color I wish SU hadn't retired cuz it's a perfect match to our school colors :( I did hoard of course, so I do have a bit of a stash ;) It's going to a male student so I didn't want to add to many froo-froo embellies. I used the For the Graduate stamp set from PTI & popped up the grad cap then I did a bit of faux stitching. 
You've got 2 weeks to upload your card creation to the Cardabilities Gallery & be sure to check out the amazing cards the rest of the DT created with this sketch.

If you are a fan & enjoy the Cardabilities sketches as much as I do how about joining the Design Team! That's right, there's a DT call going out right now. This is my last term since I've been part of the DT for a year :( so it's my time to retire (tear, tear) but now I'll be playing along from the other side of the fence & I'll be eligible for the fab sponsor prizes ---> heh heh heh :) So pop by the Cardabilities blog & check out THIS POST for all the deets.

Thanks so much for peeking today! Have a great week :)

Cardabilities DT Reveal Sketch #30

Hi there friends,
Here we are at the end of April, yikes! But that means it's time for a brand spankin' new Cardabilities sketch. Here's sketch #30:

I hope I look this good when I'm 30! ;)

Here's my card:

 I made this card for my grammy's birthday. The flower cluster is a stamp from Heartfelt Creations colored with Copics. It was stamped twice so the flowers were popped up.

Here's a closer peek at that:

The centers are little pearls (Viva Decor Pearl pen). I love that Stampin Up offers some of their stamp sets in Spanish, especially sentiments cuz they're hard to find. It reads "Something special for Someone special."

The papers are from the Sweet Nectar collection that's included in my Blog Candy giveaway along with 2 Heartfelt Creation stamps & Viva Decor Pens! Today is the last day to enter, so if you haven't, be sure you do!

Time to play with us! Upload your card creation to the Cardabilities Gallery in the members section & stop by the Cardabilities blog to peek at the beautiful cards created by the rest of the DT to sketchspire ya! But wait, there's more! You're not just playing for fun...nooooooo. Our sponsor this week is the fabulous Technique Junkie!!! Yay!!! and don't forget YOU could be our next guest designer too :)

Thanks for peeking today!
Gotta Go!

The 411

Stamps: Posy Bouquet- Heartfelt Creations, Todo lo Mejor- SU
Paper: Pretty in Pink cs-SU, Sweet Nectar- K&Company, Bazzill cs, Neenah cs
Tools: Floral Doily Motifs, Labels 4- Spellbinders, Scor-Pal
Other: Viva Decor Pearl Pen, butterfly accent

Cardabilities DT Reveal Sketch #29

Hi friends,
we're midway through the month which means it's time for a brand new & fabulous Cardabilities sketch coming your way! We have lots of fresh & fun things for ya, including the new designers making their Cardabilities debut and the launch of the Cardabilities gallery! Be sure to check it all out :)
Here's Sketch #29:

Here's my card:

 oooh, I luv this sketch! I was inspired by the upcoming royal wedding. ;) I decided to brake out some things I haven't used before like the paper & this spellbinders crown die.

Here's a closer peek of the crown details:

I added little pearls with my Viva Decor pearl pen. The banner is another Spellbinder's die. The ribbon banner reads "congratulations" in silver foil. This fabbie sketch allows for a mix of simplicity with a sprinkling of detail---> gotta love that.

We would love it if you played along with us- show us your card abilities! Upload your card creation by the 29th and maybe YOU will be a Cardabilities Guest Designer! 

Thanks for peeking today! Just have to make it through today & my Spring break begins!!! Woo Hoo!!!
Gotta Go!

Cardabilities DT Reveal Sketch #28

Hi ya friends,
We've come to the end of yet another month (sheesh, is this year flying by or is it just me???), but that means it's time for a brand spankin' new fab Cardabilities Sketch! It is also a bittersweet reveal since many of our wonderful DT members are at the end of their term :( and this will be their last sketch reveal with Cardabilities. 
Here's Karan's sketch for ya:

Here's my card:

Oh, how I had to restrain myself from using gears! But I love the clean, openness of the sketch. I call this my "Frankenstein" card cuz I used left over bits & pieces of paper from other cards to give this one "life." I made rolled roses which are super easy-peasy to make, (if you've never made them before.) No dies, just cutting of a circle. The swirl along the edge are Sizzix dies which I added little drops of pearls with my Viva Decor Paper pen ;) The border is a MS punch. It's hard to tell, but the sentiment is tucked below the roses.
Here's a closer peek:

So... are you ready to show us your cardabilities??? Be sure to Linky your card creation to the Cardabilities blog by the 14th of April. Please be sure to check out the awesome cards our talented DT girlz have created to sketchspire ya! We would love it if you could also show our retiring DT members some luuuv by leaving some kind words for them :) Thank you!

Thank you so much for peeking, my friends! I'm so tickled you chose to spend a bit of your day taking a looksie at what I've got to share. I really appreciate you :)
Hope you have a great crafternoon today!
Hugs~





ETA: You can find a tut on making the Rolled Flowers on SCS---> Here.

Cardabilities DT Reveal Sketch #27

Hi friends,
'Tis the Ides of March, but that's good news cuz that means it's time for another brand spankin' new Cardabilities sketch reveal!
Here's sketch #27 by the sketch master Karan Gerber:

Here's my card: (two ways :)

I went for a vintage meets romantic a la shabby chic feel. The first card is the one at the Cardabilities blog, but I decided to make my own flower & make it even more romantic by adding pearls instead of bling.
Here's a closer peek:

,

These ribbon flowers are way easy, dimensional, & are quite pretty IRL.
Here's a side peek:

I luuuuv the stitch detail on the sketch, but I so don't sew, just faux :( Why you may ask??? well, ok, I'll admit it. I'm kinda afraid I'll sew my fingers together or something----> eeek! Yes, I'll pass up the sewing machines in the store & I'll hear the theme song to "Jaws" in my head as the needle goes up & down---> slowly at first, then at full speed coming after my fingers!!!
Maybe if I had this awesomely amazing sewing machine I would get over my fear, right!?

Ahhhhh!!! Cuteness :)  It's not a toy, by the way, it's a regular sewing machine. Sadly, I can't find this particular version anywhere :(

I hope you get a chance to play along with this sketch so I can envy your stitch work! Be sure to Linky your card to the Cardabilities blog by the 29th & while you're there, treat yourself to the amazing work the rest of the DT has created for ya.

There's a tut on SCS on a stitched ribbon flower. They use lace trim, (I used satin ribbon) but the steps are the same. You can find that tut----> here.

Thanks so much for peeking today!
Gotta Go!

The 411

Paper: Lost & Found- My Mind's Eye, Cameo Coral, Blush Blossom-SU
Ink: Chestnut Roan, Creamy Brown- Colorbox
Tools: Nesties Butterflies Two, square punches
Other: Cream Viva Decor Pearl pen, Flower- Bo Bunny, Ribbon, Pearls, bling

Cardabilities DT Reveal SKetch #26

Hello crafty friends,
Say Adios February... and Hola new Cardabilities sketch! Woo Hoo!
Here's sketch #26 by the sketch master Karan Gerber:

 Here's my card:

Here's a new Mini-Me (Tilda) I had to ink up --- oh, how I luuuv the Maggies! This is Congratulations Tilda. She's sooo cute, don't ya think?

There's loads of paper piecing on this card (Her dress, party hat, & gift). I added a dash of Copics to the DP so it would blend together & add a bit if depth. Her shoes got a coat of Glossy Accents to give them that patent leather look. Her dress ruffles got a bit of Stickles for shimmer. The balloons are a MS punch. I used my Copics to color the foam Thickers to match my paper.

I get asked if the no mouth thing on the Magnolia stamps bother me, well umm, let me see...

                                                           that would be no  :) Hee! Hee!

So you think you can craft? Show us your card abilities by creating a card with this sketch. Linky it to the Cardabilities blog by March 14th and YOU could be the winner of the prize pack from The Paper Make-Up , our fab sponsor for sketch #26.

Please stop by & check out the fabulous creations the rest of the DT has to sketchspire ya!

Thanks so much for peeking!
Gotta Go!

The 411:

Stamps: Congratulation Tilda- Magnolia Stamps, Big Birthday Wishes- PTI
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Chestnut Roan- Colorbox
Paper: It's Your Day- Fancy Pants, Vintage Cream cs- PTI, Blue- Bazzil
Tools: Nesties, Balloon Punch- MS, Scallop Border punch- SU
Other: Thickers AC, Stickles, Glossy Accents, Copics, White gel pen- Signo, craft floss