HEARTS & FLOWERS

Just Magnolia has another fun challenge this week.  With it being near Valentine's Day, their subject is hearts and flowers.  All of my Valentine's are finished, but hey, how could I pass up such a fun challenge.  Especially when the blog candy is SO divine!!   I can't find those tiny little roses here on the island, and I would LOVE to have some.  All the Tilda cards look so pretty with them.  I am going to the mainland next Tuesday and they are on my list of things to look for!  Used SCAL to cut the big heart, the flower border is from a Fiskars punch and then trimmed down.  I colored with Prisma's and also my Copics.  Then I added some Flower Soft to the roses in Tilda's bouquet. It's all been raised with pop dots.

"INCHIES" AND EMBOSSING

This was a fun challenge!  "Inchies" refers to a square, circle or shape that measures one inch.  Lots of possibilities with this one.  Check out the inspiration and join the challenge at Penny's Paper-Crafty Cahllenge Blog.  Also, I entered this over at Frosted Designs as it fit in with their embossing challenge.  It's the first time I've combined one card with two entries.  I know lots of you do that, but I never had!

I am back in my Asian theme because the clean, square lines were perfect for the idea I had.  I purchased the coins at the craft fair I went to last year in Tucson.  They have been sitting here staring at me, begging to be used!  So, at last I answered their call!  The paper is by Creative Imaginations, love the bamboo pattern.  I heat embossed the bamboo with gold.

BABY!

HOW FUN!!!  This is my FIRST ever baby card!  My best girlfriend's daughter is expecting their second child and we are all so excited!  She found out it's a girl, so I knew I wanted to do something sweet in pink.  I tied it in to challenge #43 at Stamp With Fun.  I used my CB for the plain pink paper and then put on the embellishments.  I added the pearls as an after thought, but really like the little bit of bling it added.

FRIENDS...

I have had this paper for quite some time and actually, I had forgotten about it!  Yesterday I was organizing and cleaning up my craft space and came across it.  I immediately knew why I had bought it - I loved the little flower print and the colors.  There is a tiny bit of sparkle on it too, very cute.  (It's called Posies Glitter Print, Petite Sunrise Posies by DCWV.)  So as soon as I finished my cleaning I got to crafting and did this card.  I used watercolor inks on the stamp to get the various colors.  I have to remember to do that more often, I like the result!

GEISHA & BAMBOO

It seems the longer I make my cards, I see my "style" emerging.  In my own personal life I have always leaned towards things that are more "tailored" and have simple clean lines.  I do cards that have a lot of fancy flowers, embellishments, etc., but I always seem to prefer the cards that are more simple.  This one is a perfect example.  It was inspired from a sweet blogger friend, Cheryl, whose cards I adore.  It was from a layout she did at Splitcoast Stampers.  As I have said before, I love the simplistic Asian designs, and I find myself returning to them again, and again.  Like they used to say in design class, "less is more", and for me it's so true!  I still like to go beyond my comfort zone and experiment, but here I am again back where I like to be.  

The background paper is from a beautiful stack called "Far East" by Premium Stacks.  I gold heat embossed the stamped areas that are from a set by All Night Media.  Also I inked the edges with Distress ink, "frayed burlap".  Simple, clean lines and no embellishments and I love it!  MAHALO Cheryl for the great inspiration!

THINKING OF YOU

I sure am having fun trying some new techniques!  Here is another one from over at StampTV.  It is done using Baby Wipes as an ink pad.  (Check out the video)  You put drops of ink - re-inkers that you refresh your ink pads with - on a baby wipe and use it as your stamp pad!  Clever!  The colors I used are Carmel by Adirondack, New Sprout and  Rich Cocoa by Memento, and Olive by Ranger.  The design down the left side is a rub-on, then I put it through my CB for some texture.  Added a little inking on the edges of the flower piece and the sentiment, then added piece of ribbon and there you have it!

FRIENDS (#42 Friendship)

We all like a little "bling", right!?  Well when I saw this challenge at "Stamptacular Sunday Challenge" I immediately thought BLING!  Your design had to be black, white and  silver.  What better way to sparkle it up!  Personally, I love black and white, it can be so dramatic.  I've had this paper for a while and knew it would be perfect for my idea.  The little hanging crystals are trim for around the bottom of a lampshade!  (Good ol' Dollar Store in Phx!)  I used my CB for the scalloped edge circle, a Fiskars edge punch for the bottom trim and then heat embossed the sentiment.  Simple but fancy-schmancy!

THANK YOU (C4C20)

I have been itching to try a technique they call "emboss resist".  Gina K. has a great video over on StampTV that shows this fun process.  She shows you all the supplies you will need, and simple step by step instructions.  When I saw the challenge over at "Crazy 4 Challenges" I knew that I had found the perfect layout to give this a shot.  So here is the design I did, and it sure was fun and very easy.  If you haven't ever done this technique, give it a try, I think you'll enjoy it!

Layout

TONS OF LOVE

This is another one of those cards that I saw a long time ago, and just fell in love with!  I did a few things different as I didn't have the correct lace edge punch that was used, but that's ok.  I used SCAL to do a border file that I had, Copic's to color, and CB to make the scalloped oval.  I LOVE the elephant, she is just too cute in her ballet shoes and tutu!  (Put some Stickles on them, but I wish I had used a more shiny glitter...) 

CHEERS! (Crazy Creations Challenge #51)

I'm a martini lover, and I love martini glasses!  I have a collection of them, all different styles and shapes.  So when I saw this adorable stamp I had to have it.  It originally has a piece of holly and a berry on the end of the swizzle stick, but I taped over it when I did the stamp.  I can use it for any holiday or theme that way.  For the Valentine theme I glued on a little red glitter heart.  It was colored with Copics.

I did this card for the challenge over on "Crazy Creations Challenges".  The theme is Valentine's or Love.  That made it real nice for this time of year!  I've been making so many Valentine's, and I decided to use this one just because I liked it!

HELP FOR HATI

We all know what has happened in Hati, but have you taken the time to HELP!    Reach out and do what you can.  Instead of buying that treat at Starbucks, give the $$ to your favorite organization to help save lives.  I have posted a link on the upper right of my blog that will take you to an accredited place to donate. It's an organization called Partners In Health .  PLEASE give what you can to them or to an organization of your choice.  You never know when it may be YOU that is in need!

PAPER CUTZ CHALLENGE #24

Since I am lucky enough to live in the land of almost "perpetual summer", I was delighted with this challenge!  It's over at Paper Cutz and the theme is SUMMER!  I decided to do a card that I did a long time ago because I like it!  The cuts are from the LAB cartridge.  I need to use it more often...

CRICUT CARDZ CHALLENGE #8

Aloha ladies (and gents!) and happy Thursday!  

One of the things we seem to struggle with in our card making is coming up with ideas for a man's card.  Personally, I like making them, but I do have to "think" on them for a while.  My guy is pretty easy - cars!  So of course that's what I did for this challenge , which was to make a male birthday card.  

I used SCAL for the great car that I found over at  "denises scrapbooking room . What a great selection of super art work she has done - and almost all of it is free!  The frame is from a set  called 4x6 Picture Frames over at SVGCUTS.com.  I raised the car and sentiment with pop dots, and put on the brads"...  I will be using this card with another sentiment that says, "You make my heart race!" for Valentine's Day.  (I just put this sentiment on for the challenge...  and on the inside you could say, "I'm still so happpy you're my guy!") 

PAPER PLEATING - Just Magnolia Monthly Challenge & C4C19 Challenge

Time for another new technique, this one is called "paper pleating".  And like my previous adventure into new territory, it is simple but a little time consuming.  Check out the technique over at Just Magnolia.  

This card is for two challenges, one at Crazy 4 Challenges, which was to be a birthday card,  and the monthly challenge at Just Magnolia using the paper pleating.  I have a dear cousin with a birthday coming up so that was perfect!.  I think it came out ok, but you can hardly see the paper pleating - it's used for the bottom of the cupcake - YES, that is a cupcake hiding in there under Tilda and all the flowers, LOL!  Oh well, Tilda is a flowery, sweet little thing and I think she looks pretty happy!

FLIP-FLOP CARD INSTRUCTIONS

WOW!  I can't believe the response to this card!  MAHALO ALL!  I will try to do my best on this, as I have never done a tutorial before.  Please have patience and send any questions you may have if I am not clear on the directions...  

As I said, I saw a picture of this card and DID NOT have written info on the dimensions.  Here is the BLURRY picture that I got it from:

I chose an envelope and made the card to it's size.  Scoring your fold lines will really make it easier.  Also, remember you can click on the picture to make it larger and easier to see.  So here we go!

Envelope measures 6 1/4" x 4 1/4 "

The card base is 11 1/4" x 6"

Score and fold the base card piece in half (5 1/8")

On both sides of the center fold make two more folds 3/4" apart

At first fold line, fold the paper upwards toward you.  At second fold, fold the paper away from you, third fold up, fourth fold away, and last one up creating the accordion in the middle!  YEAH, the hard part is over!

The little panels that flop up measure 2 1/4" x 1 3/4" and you will need to cut 6 of them.  Decorate them any way you like, the sky is the limit!


Attach the tabs as follows:  On left side of first accordion pleat glue one at top and one at bottom 1/8" in from edge:

Next, on the right side of the first accordion pleat glue one in the center of the pleat so they are centered evenly.

Repeat this process again on the second pleat!  Way to go, you've got it!


I sure hope this was not too confusing and that you are inspired to make a beautiful new kind of card!  They are lots of fun with so may different possibilities, go for it!!!

"FLIP-FLOP" FOLD CARD

This sure was a fun project!  I was looking through some card making books on Amazon.com and came across this fold which I had not seen before.  It looked fun, so I dove in!  I love the way the little cards inside flip one direction then the other - hence, the flip-flop name!  It is an accordion fold down the middle that gives it its unique look.  I used SCAL for the circle on the front.  It's part of a great group of freebies over at SVG (click here to download it if you have the SCAL program!)    

In all the card was a bit labor intensive, but only because I wanted both sides of the smaller inside panels to be "finished off" on both sides.   It was fun putting on all the different little sentiments on each one...

 

 

I also discovered a great video today over at StampTV  that shows a gadget called the "Bow Easy" used to make perfect bows.  It's really a neat gadget:

I was impressed, so I decided to track one down.  I found one on e-bay for $6 but decided I wasn't THAT impressed, so, I made one of my own out of card board and it works great!  Neccesity Is The Mother Of Invention!!!

ADORE - POLKA DOTS! (C4C18)

Up late tonight, can't sleep and feel like crafting!  Thank goodness I don't have to be up early in the morning.

Another challenge, this one over at "Crazy 4 Challenges".  You had to do something with polka dots and that sounded really fun.  I just got this background paper when I was in Phx. for the holidays and immediately thought of it.  I wanted to stay in the Valentine theme because I have so many to make, so here's the simple little ditty I came up with.  I love my SCAL program!  I needed a long stem and had nothing that matched.  Sooooo, I drew it out in my paint program, imported it into SCAL, used the "trace feature, and voila!  Too fun!  The flower is raised with pop dots, but that is hard to see.

A LITTLE BIT OF CHEER (Double Dutch Challenge)

My cousin's grand-daughter is very ill and in the hospital.  I've never met her, but have seen lots of pictures of her and hear she is a very sweet and talented young lady.  I wanted to let her know that even though we have never met I was thinking of her and wanted to send a little bit of cheer.  I used the current sketch layout from "Double Dutch" and entered it in their challenge - nothing wrong with killing two birds with one stone!  I got to use a "drop" of my new "Flower Soft" (on the flower Tilda is holding) that I had ordered, and I can't wait to use it more, it's so neat!  Tilda was colored using my Copic's, then added a few little pearls for some bling.  I hope she brings a little smile.....

LAYOUT SKETCH

1st CHALLENGE OF 2010!

I was so in the mood to do something different so I decided to do my 1st  challenge for 2010 over at "Just Magnolia".  I LOVE TILDA!  She is so sweet and never fails to make me smile.  While I was at it, I thought I might as well make a card that I could  use for Valentine's Day.  

The layout is a great one, and I had no trouble getting inspired right away!  I had fun with the flowers - I bought them on my trip to the mainland and was itching to do something with them.  Note the cute little heart brads in their centers!  Another fun item I picked up.  Hope you like this one as much as I do!

LAYOUT:

 

HAPPY 2010 EVERYONE!

WOW!  Where does the time go!?!  It seems the older I get, the faster it flies by!  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season.  I don't know about you, but I am ready to move on to new card designs that are not about Christmas, they wore me out!

Here is my first card of the new year.  It's for a dear friend that I had not sent a Christmas card to (I didn't have the correct address, duh on my part!).  It was a fun and easy one, but I really like the results.  I also just entered it in a challenge over at Frosted Designs. So onward card makers, into the new year with creativity and enthusiasm!

MELE KALIKIMAKA & HAU'OLI MAKAHIKI HOU!!!!!

That's "MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!"  being sent to all!  

We are off to Phoenix, AZ to spend the holidays with my Dad.  We are looking forward to the change of climate - temperatures down into the 30's at night and mid 60's during the day!  I'll be able to wear jeans, sweaters, sweat shirts and jackets!  That may not sound too great to many of you, but for me it's a FUN change!   

I hope that you are all blessed with a wonderful holiday season, and I send lots of good wishes for a wonderful and Happy New Year!   See you all next year!

Aloha nui loa, a hui hou!  HUGS!

GIFT CARD HOLDER

I wanted to make a gift card holder like one I saw on the Cricut message board.  Problem was, I didn't have the cartridge that had the Christmas stocking on it.  So, I drew one free hand and cut it out.  Also hand cut the glitter paper parts which I put through the CB.  The pretty pine greens are real - I clipped them off of my Christmas wreath I made.  (I want a MS pine leaf punch!)  If you pull the present upward a piece attached comes out holding the gift card!  I think it's such a cute idea!

WARMTH!

I entered this card for a challenge over at 2 Red Bananas.  It had to reflect warmth, and I think hot chocolate fits that just fine!

LAST CHRISTMAS CARD!

Finished at last!!!  This was my last design for my holiday cards, so glad they are all done and in the mail!!!

 

Mele Kalikimaka

Here is one more simple card done in different colors.  More stamped heat embossing and a touch of ribbon and a little bling.