colourQ Challenge #17

I really enjoyed this color combination from colourQ. For this card I strung beads onto thread to incorporate the blue and teal colors. As for the black and white paper, it's been in my stash for over a year, just waiting to be used. I'm glad I could finally showcase it!

Missing You

My layout for this card comes from 2 Sketches 4 You:



I didn't want to cover up the pretty paper with the stamped center square, so instead I put the sentiment onto white vellum framed out in black.

Hello Stripes

So this one was tricky....and I mean really tricky. I was taken out of my comfort zone- this card below was my 3rd attempt to make this color combo work for me. Embellish Magazine's latest challenge was to use brown, kraft, and purple -I used 2 different shades- as well as incorporate stripes.


(not sure why the color came out funny in that 2nd picture...)


I questioned whether or not to add more (I had coordinating rhinestones, ribbons and buttons on the table ready to go!)... but in the end I liked the simplicity of the card without all of those embellishments.

So dark!

So I think the only way to get a good photo is with natural light- which I don't have at 10:30pm. Oh well- here is my card for Get Sketchy #22:




If you check my last post, you'll see I've got a crocheting thing going on now. I made the larger flower with yarn, and the smaller with embroidery floss. I also added a nice green bead to the center. On the lower half of the card, I crimped vellum to lay over the printed paper.

Circles Galore!

So...over at Mojo Monday the challenge was to make a card based on this sketch:


Just a few days ago I found some of my mother's old crochet hooks, so I have been experimenting. I've been making flowers, chains, and circles (that's all I have figured out how to do so far!). Here is my card based on the sketch, complete with a crocheted circle embellishment!

This was also my first circle card...boy did that take a while!

Squares Card

Hey all...here's my newest card. The layout was actually inspired by a pattern in my living room carpet!

Red Hearts

Until now, I don't think I have ever made a Valentine's Day card, or even a "love" themed one (I always tend to ignore the "I love you" stamp when I get a new set of sentiments). For the Caardvarks challenge of using red and hearts, I made this simple card:


I embroidered the heart in the center to give it more dimension and texture. For some reason, when I look at this card, it looks kind of medical- or sterile. Maybe I'll give it to my mother in law (she's a nurse).

hmm...

Not sure what to call blog posts...I'm not one for many words.

Below is a card I made for a Get Sketchy challenge, and did not photograph it in time. Oh well!


I really like the colors (that green is one of my favorites) and it was fun to incorporate both fabric and beading.

More Challenges!

I really love that by doing these challenges I am building my collection of cards. I have always made cards as I have needed them, but I'm so happy that I now have a growing stash for last minute events! I have 2 cards posted below that use the same layout and color combos, but I wanted them to feel totally different. Both cards are for the colourQ Challenge #16


This first card is for the Moxie Fab World's Start to Finish Challenge, which showcases both the outside and the inside of the card:



This next card is a little more serious... (sorry- no cool inside)

"I Feel Pretty in Turquoise and Gold"

Last night I made a new card to submit to the Moxie Fab World's Tuesday Trigger. I used some gold wood grain paper for the background, and decided to keep the rest simple to match the tranquility in the picture.

Old Cards 'n Crafts

Here are some of my favorite cards I've made over the past year or so (just to catch y'all up):

.....and here are some misc. other crafts:

painting based on a sketch by Dalí





Acrylic and Embroidery Floss



Legend of Zelda Cake for my husband's bday
(if you know the game well, you should appreciate all the details)




Cut paper poster for my string quartet



Cut paper collage
Brooklyn Bridge



Cut paper collage
Boston Skyline

First Post

Please bear with me as I figure out how to photograph my work...I'm new to this sort of stuff. If anyone has tips, please let me know!

Now onto business....

My first ever challenge is a two-fer. I created a card based on a layout at Sketchy Thursdays (view my card sideways to see the design inspiration).


as well as Cards Blog's Challenge of using trees.



I started by painting the tree with watercolor. I put a blob of very watery black paint where I wanted to trunk to be, then blew it with a straw so it would fan out naturally. It did require some coaxing, to prevent it from running off the page! This was also my first attempt at sewing on ribbon- I used a cute polka-dotted sheer purple ribbon.