CPS 199

I made today's birthday card based on the above sketch from CPS. I changed the proportions around a bit, but kept the layout the same. For the butterfly, I first stamped it, then colored in the wings with metallic pens. Well, I'm off to a party in Boston, enjoy your Saturday!

Flashback Friday Blog!

My pal ~amy~ (can I refer to her as "pal" just 'cause I follow her blog???) took her Flashback Friday challenges, and gave it it's own blog! Check it out:

Flashback Friday Challenges

Masculine Christmas

I know...Christmas? I'm getting a (*huge*) headstart on Christmas 2011. A new challenge blog, Jingle Bells, is having weekly holiday themes all year. The goal is to have a bunch of cards done by December...I hope I follow through! The card I made incorporates the challenge of "something old/something new." For the old: colored paper strips were cut from scraps of cardstock I had in my ever-growing scrap boxes. For the new: I used a new white pen (my husband put gelly pens in my stocking this year! Woohoo!), and the thread is new too. I had just recently finished the last of my white thread before the holidays. Now- I have to be honest- I'm not in love with this card, and considered not posting it. It only made it to the blog since I don't often make masculine cards, and I wanted some variety.

OCC

Hello again! I recently found a new (to me) challenge blog, Our Creative Corner. I'm not quite sure how I stumbled upon it, but decided to participate in this week's challenge! I love when a challenge is specific, and this certainly was...the task is to make a thank you card using blue and cream, as well as vellum and metal.

I chose to use a dark navy to go with cream and white. I really like the stark contrast of those colors together. The vellum flower was made by cutting out 4-petaled flowers (very simple shape), and layering them in different sizes. I used the tutorial here as a jumping off point, and I'm jealous I don't have the punches she has! It would have made this a lot easier. I used a silver eyelet for the center of the flower and adhered it to a navy circle. Thanks for checking it out, and enjoy the rest of your day!

love of my life

This week's One Layer Wednesday challenge is to use only one image stamp, one sentiment stamp, only 2 colors, and no added embellishments. I knew immediately that I wanted to use my favorite damask stamp. I stamped it in blue a bunch of times to create the background, but masked the bottom with a strip of paper so I could add the sentiment.

Relax!

It feels good to be back in the swing of non-Christmas crafting. I went back to work today after having the week off, and it wasn't as hard as I expected. Well, except for the alarm going off...I hate that thing! My husband always says I can't complain since I get so many days off during the year...I guess he's right. I'm lucky to have such a great job!

I made this card for the challenge at CASE Study. I was really inspired by Nina's card, so much that I took many elements from hers and incorporated it into mine. The color scheme, layout, and subject matter are pretty much what she had.

I put the die cut chair on with foam adhesive, and used white embossing powder for the chandeliers. By the way, I made the most amazing discovery last night while assembling this card! I always get reaaaaaly frustrated with the small little flecks of embossing powder that get everywhere when I use the white. I used to never be able to get rid of them! I would try to gently brush them away, but that never worked great. I tried anti-static dryer sheets, but it

didn't work either. And while in the craft store, I could never find the little anti-static products made just for this purpose. So I pretty much avoided the white embossing powder, until I learned that cornstarch works to keep those stray powders away! I just put some on the paper, stamp and emboss as usual, then brush away the cornstarch. Works perfectly every time! Maybe you already knew that, or have a trick of your own, but I figured mine was worth sharing-especially if someone out there reading this suffered from the same problems as me!

So anyway....here's the card:

Happy New Year!

Happy 2010! I know I have been missing for awhile, but I have been so wrapped up with Christmas stuff! Making cards, making presents, etc....

I'm finally back, and was excited to squeeze in a card this morning after my husband and I got back from our friend's place. We're also getting ready to go hang out in Boston in a few minutes. It's really nice out, like 50 degrees!

This card is a 2fer. I'm totally loving the inspiration photos, above, from OTWC. In addition, my glittery chip board letters and rhinestones make this card perfect for the Moxie Fab World Challenge, "Glitter is Glam!"

I made the New Year's ball from a cardstock circle covered in aluminum foil, then I added the texture by stabbing it repeatedly with a knitting needle. Hey, whatever works, huh?

One last thing- I took these pics using my new light tent that I got for Christmas. I'm still playing around with it, and I'm not quite sure how to get the pics the way I like them. Please comment if you have any tips! I much prefer to take pics outside, but the cold weather and wind often prevents that in the wintertime...any help with indoor shots will be greatly appreciated! :)