bonus sketch from clouds!

wow, i had a LOT of fun playing with Clouds lovely sketch this week over at 2sketches4you... i don't think i've been able to make a bonus sketch card in... like... forever! i love layered flowers, and the big circle/ square element on the card was too perfect for this white, pink and orange flower. i know flowers don't come like this in nature, but wouldn't it be fun if they did? i tied a bow beneath the orange flower with some brown satin ribbon, and added my orange flower, button, and twine onto the bow.


this card was fun to make... partly because of the flower, and the sentiment i chose... "go wild" :D hehe, i cut out the "wild" using the Simply Sweet cartridge with my Cricut. i added some orange bling to the letters, and used some lovely brown hounds tooth layered with kraft cardstock...

oooh, and don't you love Sassafras Lass paper? i bought a single sheet the other day, and i love this color combo. pink = one of my favs, and orange = second set of favs :D here's the finished card, in all its bright blingy glory!

i love the little border on the bottom of Sassafras paper... and this was no exception. too cute not to use! loved making this card, and will most definitely use the sketch again. so thanks for looking, and thank you Clouds for a LOVELY sketch! :D

hello! (another card for kazan's sketch #31)

i really liked Kazan's sketch over at 2sketches4you. i thought that i would have a hard time with the 4 elements, but i ended up having plenty of ideas, and this is actually my 2nd card :D

i recently got this sweet K&Co paper, the Carolyn Gavin collection (ultra funky, UBER me!), as well as these fun bauble bubbly gem things :D i used the heart bauble on one of the punched circles to add some interest/ dimension. the sentiment is embossed using VersaMark and a Heidi Swapp stamp set.

i decided to let the sentiment hang from a small safety pin and twine instead of fastening it to the card with dimensionals... i think it looks sweet :D

this cards was super simple to make--just punch out 1", 1 1/4", and 1 1/2" circles (the biggest one with a scallop punch) in alternating papers (these were double sided, so just flip 'em over) and adhere along with some side strips to the left (i only used one mat stack paper for the whole thing) and satin ribbon. i kept the circle with the bauble adhered directly to the card so it would be somewhat different than the rest.

anyway, thanks for looking :D i'm off to pack up for a week-long VBA outreach... i'm going to schedule some posts for when i'm gone, so don't forget to check back! have a lovely friday and fabulous weekend, XOXO.

more zombie goodness...

i made these zombie bookmarks on commission from my sister, Cecelia, who is holding a giveaway. strangely enough, you can win one of these AND a book if you head over to her blog, Adventures of Cecelia Bedelia. she talks about life, books, food, foibles, family *yay sisters!* and just posted a yummerlicious sounding recipe :D

check it out if you haven't already, and who knows? maybe you'll win a bookmark!

thanks for looking :D

kazan's sketch #31

here's my first card that i made for Kazan's sketch over at 2sketches4you. i made another one last night that i'll post later, but this one follows the sketch more because it has squares...

have you noticed lately that i've been using the ribbon tab on some of my cards? don't know how long it will take to phase out, but i like them :D

i used some paper from the Mod Retro stack by DCWV and that church "button" is from a bag of buttons i got at Michael's.

this isn't a color combination that i'd normally put together, but it's kind of 70's, and it's always fun to try something new :D

thanks for looking!

ahoy mate!

here's the card i made for the winner of the custom card contest that ended last Friday! i have to say, that i had a ton of fun reading all of the different comments on what kind of card you would like to have... so many different tastes!

Bonnie, our winner, asked for a bday card for her son who is really into old coins, books, etc. i thought that actually using a bookplate and pages from an old book would totally go with this super sweet antique world map paper. kraft was the perfect base for this card, which i also used to back up the letters in "ahoy" (made by cutting with the Schoolbook Font Cartridge from my Cricut).

i kept the color scheme neutral because of the tones in the patterned paper, and added this vintage brown button and twine from my stash. i love the contrast between the satin ribbon and the distressed edges (ran my scissors along the edges, and also inked up some of the papers with brown).

the inside is super simple, but still reminiscent of an older time... that swirly "B" totally reminds me of how people used to add flourishes to their signatures.

and here's the overall effect... simple, but still stunning, if i do say so :D here's to hoping Bonnie and her son like it!

thanks for looking, and stop by for more later!

stamp + cricut cards :D

here's a similar card to one i posted a while back in THIS POST. i love that damask stamp, and the little scalloped circle is fast becoming my favorite cut with my Cricut :D and dude! who doesn't like that butterfly? it's great! it adds just the right touch, and that paper piercing trail is so cute :D this first picture is good, but this second one got totally messed up, so my apologies.

here again, i used a simple cut from my Cricut--the label accent, and i used my super sweet flower stamp from Paulina (via Impress Rubber Stamps... great store!) with some stickles :D

here i have one with an elegant look instead of funky style... black, white, and pink, one of my fav "go-to" colors. very sweet stuff, all of it.

so far this weekend has been a mess of lots of things, and i'll try to catch you up later. it consisted of pranking offices, crashing on a bike (no broken bones, but lots and lots of pain meds), decorating for a bridal shower, a meeting for an upcoming trip to Ecuador, and let's face it--crying. i've been super overwhelmed, and i'm surprised i didn't break down sooner. so yeah, i'll just share the good (or mostly good) stuff later :D thanks for looking, and don't forget--i LOVE reading your comments!

green birds? yup :D

yay birdies :D i used a masking technique here to make this card. i started with some Cricut flower shapes placed over some scalloped borders, and then i stamped over it all with a green ink pad. i layered my flower with a green birdie on top (who sees *green* birdies? i do, haha!)

i had to add some glitter to the bird feathers on top and on the wing... it's almost fluffy looking, don't you think?

i'm kind of in a rush, but i'll be back with more later :D

thanks for looking!

{FREEBIE FRIDAY WINNER!}

and the winner of FREEBIE FRIDAY (generated by RANDOM.ORG's true random number generator) is...

Number 10!
Bonnie said...
I love creative handmade cards! I would like a card for my son's upcoming 11th birthday and he loves coins (collector) and old books so anything with a vintage look would be awesome! He would love a special and unique card created just for him. Thanks!!

congratulations Bonnie! you'll be getting your custom-made card in the mail soon :D thanks to all who participated, and left lovely comments... but don't go away, i'll be having another contest soon (*hint hint*)

don't forget to be checking back every so often for more cards and creations... and maybe even an Etsy shop soon!?

rain or shine! & butterflies...

happy thursday! i can't believe how fast this summer is going... it's already the middle of July! i have one more day of storytelling at my church's VBA, and i know the kids will be sad to see it end... we had our largest number of children EVER today--270! and to think that i get to share stories with them, it makes me smile :D

okay, so here are some clean and simple cards i made--the first has some wonderful paper from K&CO... it's so whimsical and fun. i love the rainbows and rain clouds--the contrast makes me laugh to see them together. i used my corner rounder and made sure to pop out one of the rainbows for some dimension... those awesome buttons come from my awesome friend Paulina, who bought them from PTI :D super sweet, huh?

this card also features K&Co paper... the Amy Butler line. it's so sweet and girly, i thought the butterfly punch from Martha Stewart worked perfectly, along with a sweet scalloped border punch (MS) and of course some bling :D i needed some texture on this card, so i added that top tab of velvet ribbon, which is fast becoming one of my favorites!

thanks for looking, and check back this weekend for the winner of the giveaway! if you haven't entered, you still have time :D also, don't forget that i'll be posting some bigger blog candy later on (*hint hint*) thanks for looking, and have a wonderful friday!

many thanks.

here's a simple card in summer colors :D i love madras print & plaid (don't own much in relation to clothing, but still enjoy it), especially when it's fun paper like this! i kept this card really simple... and i like how easy it was to make, but next time i think i'll add a bit more, or change the focal point.

one thing that's nice is that there's no ribbon, glitter, or bling, so this could actually work for a GUY card :D i have been trying to expand my abilities, and my brothers tell me that brads are the best part of the "guy cards" i make :D (not that i can totally rely on them for a sense of style... haha!)

this is quick because i have some storytelling to do tomorrow for VBA (it's been going great this week), and i weeded at church after our "day" was over--thus, i am wiped out.

have a great thursday, and don't forget to enter the giveaway if you haven't. and please come back tomorrow for another post (*crosses fingers*) TFL :D

hello baby! 2S4U Laura's #30

here's a card i made for Laura's sketch #30 over at 2sketches4you. i haven't gotten to play recently, but i'm always checking their blog for the new DT's cards as well as all the submissions... everyone has such eye candy!

as i said in yesterday's post, i made some cards for my cousin's wife, Marcella, who is expecting a baby in August. i wanted to give her some thank you cards to use for those sweet girly gifts she'll be getting soon (they're having a girl--SO excited :D haha). anyway, i wanted to include a cute card just for her, and i just love how easy Laura's sketch was, yet how perfect this card turned out :D

i love the scalloped edge (a Martha Stewart punch) and the layered flower... it's a combination of Cricut cuts, leather flower (from a specialty ribbon cut at Jo-Ann's), and a big pink Prima flower topped with a super cute Making Memories brad :D

oooooh, and that sentiment? it's a Studio G stamp from Michael's i got for $1! i love the font/ design/ clean-ness... i just know i'll be using it a ton! i added the heart to the "O" and then stamped the "baby!" in with my mini alpha stamps. that flower behind the "Hello" is an Impress stamp that i LOVE (from my friend Paulina, who just got featured on a blog--way to go girly!), and the heart is filled with DeNami Design glitter in one of my fav. colors--PINK :D

i always love playing with black, white, and another color, so the houndstooth paper was perfect for this project :D loving every bit of it, basically! (did you notice my cool new colored staples? Making Memories again... these were at the suggestion of my sister, Cecelia.)

well, thanks for looking, and leaving your comments :D i love reading them and they're so encouraging! don't forget to enter the card giveaway HERE if you haven't already (or just click on the link in the sidebar)... giveaway ends this Friday night. have a great Tuesday!

weekend tidbits!

wow, so much has happened this weekend, and i'm so ready to share some new cards with you, and tell you a little bit about how busy i've suddenly become!

first of all, thanks to everyone who's entered my giveaway :D it's so fun to read your comments on who you'd like to give a special card to--i know i'll have a ton of fun making the card for whoever wins! if you haven't already entered, all you have to do is leave a comment on THIS POST, or just click on the "giveaway" photo in the sidebar--feel free to share this with friends! the contest ends July 17th, so don't forget...

secondly, this weekend was filled with creating, but not exactly the card-making kind. i baked some cupcakes for a my friend Paulina's surprise bday party (she just got featured on a blog--check it out!), and i also set up decorations at my church for our Vacation Bible Adventure going on this week. i was in charge of decorating the foyer in a medieval theme because the whole week is called "King's Quest." i loved coming up with ideas for the space i got to work with--i made several different "areas:"

• a weapon's wall (brown butcher paper with a sweet flag on the wall and knives made by my brother Joey hanging REALLY high above the ground),


• a couple of castle windows opening up to outdoor scenes,


• an indoor eating area complete with a *REAL* deer's head, some sweet stained glass windows (melted crayon between 2 pieces of wax paper), candelabra, old books, etc.,


• an outdoor "camp" area with a maple sapling branch freshly cut and made to look like a full tree, plus a cool campfire with old metal pot, and even arrows stuck in the tree trunk :D,


• a tournament tent--you know the ones with the stripes that knights used to keep their armor and supplies in while they were jousting, etc? yeah--really cool!


• lastly, a stand-alone CASTLE. it's a hexagon shape made out of a huge refrig. box. i cut out the windows and drawbridge, as well as the balcony window on Thursday, and made the stained glass that night at home. i painted the castle gray, and then added the stone/ brick detail with a sharpie and some shading later. isn't that a cool porticullis? i have a balcony with *curtains* even on the backside (replete with vines!), as well as little flags flying from the turret. this castle has about 20 windows, and just about all of them have some light pouring out from them because i positioned a floodlight in the middle of the castle pointing up so that the windows would catch light... you can tell in the picture below. oh, don't forget the moat! i also attached a drawbridge chain after the picture was taken, and made the bridge to look like it had planks...

whew, that took so much time, and i had a lot of help, but let me tell you--designing that castle and seeing it come to fruition was SO NEAT. i danced for joy when i saw what the light did for the windows... literally :D (speaking of VBA--i got to tell my first story of the week today, and it went so well! i got to tell the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, which you can find here :D i loved seeing the kids sitting with rapt attention listening to me make a fool of myself...)

next, i got nominated for a blog award! this comes from my sweet sister (so does it really count?) but it makes me smile and feel loved :D she's really a great blogger, and if you haven't checked out her hilarious (and random) ramblings about life (or the GIVEAWAYS!) then you really should... go HERE to do so. i'll pass on the award as soon as i get some more of my wits about me... thanks Cece!

lastly, let's get onto the card... this is one i made for my cousin's wife (so does that make her my cousin-in-law? tehee!) who is expecting in August. my sister and i are sending her a little gift package, and my end of the bargain was to make a set of thank you cards, of which this is one design:

i LOVE the velvet ribbon, and i am sooo glad i bought this swirl/ stiching stamp from Impress a while ago--it's gotten so much use :D i think that although this card is simple, it really does the trick, and i know Marcella will love it. i made a similar card using red velvet and red pearls but with the same design. ooh, and don't you LOVE that DeNami Design sentiment? they recently came out with a new line of stamps and *buttons*, and you really should check them out.

well, that's it for today! don't forget about the giveaway, and thanks so much for looking... i'd love to know what you think about the castle (it's my little creative baby... i might post more pictures later--BEWARE :D haha) or about the card...

have a wonderful Monday!

Freebie Friday! (FINALLY!)

hip hip hooray! it's Friday! and it's a FREEBIE Friday no less! (thus titled for the reasons below...)

as of late i've been slowly getting items together for some blog candy, and i'm super excited with what i have--i think you'll love it! as it is, i'm almost ready to post that blog entry, but i thought it would be fun to do some *pre-blog candy* to tease you :D

this is actually in honor of my sister, Cecelia, who inspires/ encourages me to no end... she asked me this week to make her a CUSTOM CARD for means nefarious, and of course, being a good sister, i obliged, and i think it's safe to say that she LOVED the results...

soo, i thought,"if my sister has specific card needs, then i'm betting all of YOU have some specific occasions you'd like something to give that was just a little bit specialer than normal." am i right?

sooooooooo here's the deal--i'm offering up a CUSTOM CRAFTED CARD based upon a theme, character, person, or occasion of YOUR choosing. that means you don't do the work, but still have something amazing to give away (or heck, you could keep it for yourself... *I* would!)

all you have to do to win this *pre blog candy prize* is...

• leave a comment at the end of this post answering this question: "What kind of card would you like me to make for you, and why?" (only one entry per person, please!)
  
• leave me a way to contact you (email/ blog address/ something) BEFORE next Friday, July 17th, 2009 @ Midnight PST
  

i'll pick a winner by Random Number Generator and announce it here on the blog on Saturday, July 18th & contact our winner :D i'd love it if you spread the word to your friends and let them know they could get a CUSTOM CRAFTED CARD made by moi! (note: anyone is welcome to enter--international shipping is cool :D) so have some fun with this, and get thinking! if you're stumped as to the answer to the above question, you can always check out some of my previous posts--sometimes looking at what someones already created gives you a better idea of what you'd like.

thanks for looking, and have a fabulous FREEBIE Friday! :D

pretty in pink!

okay, so to balance my earlier post of my zombie card HERE, i am posting a recent project of the pink dimension, having nothing to do with zombies. (although i know it was quite a hit, i'm not sure i'm ready to alter all of my DoodleFactory stamp creatures so they have fangs and bloodshot eyes... hehe, that'd be interesting.)

i used two different colors of tulle--bright pink + white, my color scheme of choice in this project. i just cut two strips and gathered them in the knot before i tied the ribbon.

see those sweet little letters? it's from the Simply Sweet font cartridge for my Cricut Expression! w00t! i LOVE this cartridge because the lettering is so simple and perfect, and just darn CUTE :D

because this is a "notebook," i needed a closure option to keep the pages from flopping around if i needed to carry this baby someplace. i used a sweet pink checked brad and some pink twine fastened to the back of the scalloped cover as my "secure closure." goes well, doesn't it?

and final photo of my project! i filled the notebook with computer paper cut to fit, and stapled them into the cover carefully :D i added some bling to the letters, and a SUPER sweet button from my friend Paulina (who, by the way, has a birthday on Monday!) oh, and don't you love that dotted paper and ribbon? it's fabulously pink and perfect!

thanks for looking, and if you haven't already seen the zombie sensation, check it out! have a wonderful friday!

zombie card!

i LOVE DoodleFactory creatures!

and my sister, Cecelia does too! she asked me to make a zombie card (for a contest she'll be holding over at her blog i think?) i had to alter this stamp to make it work--i masked off the little guy's tongue, and then added some fangs with a sharpie. i then popped out his eyes and made them bloodshot with a red pen, and covered them with crystal lacquer :D

the inside will say, "you're a great friend, but if the zombies chase us, i'm tripping you."

quirky, but cute, right? :D

thanks for looking!

CPS #123 & "dear friend"

CPS has another sketch up! this time i made two cards, the first one doesn't follow the sketch as much, but the 2nd one does... i used almost exactly the same materials for both.

i love the little cake image--it's from Stamps by Judith, and it's perfect for coloring, even on colored cardstock. i did a little shading and then added some glitter from DeNami Design. the alphas are from Making Memories, as are the orange brads. i think the "official listing" stamp is from Little Yellow Bicycle, but i'm not positive... i threw the packaging away :(

i'm loving ORANGE lately... you'll probably see more of it--brace yourselves :D hehe.

anyway, i'm also including another card i made the other night. it's very similar to THIS ONE, but it's got a really sweet chipboard "deer" image from Colorbok. i <3>

speaking of jokes, i'm in need of some funny, clean, kid jokes to include in a skit i'm in at church (Vacation Bible Adventure [VBA] starts next week!) i am going to be performing in front of middle schoolers, so it has to be comprehensible to them (but probably a step up from "knock, knock" jokes). i'd love to hear your suggestions, if any!

TELL ME YOUR JOKES :D
(it's much appreciated.)

anyway, think that's it, i'm off to bake some banana bread (my sister featured a new recipe on her BLOG, and we've got a TON of bananas waiting for the same delicious fate, so off i go!) thanks so much for stopping by! i'd love to hear what you think about the cards, and any of your jokes :D

day 128 - card recipe!

here's the recipe that we needed to follow over at 365 cards... not easy, i'll tell you!

1 5x5 Card - white base w/ rounded corners

1 Rub-on image - "make a wish" worked for this... i don't have "images" to rub on, mostly just sentiments.

2 Buttons - yellow! (yellow hemp added)

1 Piece of patterned paper - pretty loud stuff, eh? it's We R Memory Keepers - Rainbow pack

1 Piece of ribbon - NO BOW - yay for gathered/ stapled ribbon

1 Sentiment inside the card - mine said "Happy Birthday" on the inside

well, what do you think? it's simple, but cute, right? :D i think so... anyway, i'll try to come back with some more creations later--thanks for stopping by!