Lucky Stars

I am playing with emboss resist techniques. I am trying to learn the technique.  

Here I have used the chevron background stamp by Hero Arts and clear embossed it. I then used some distress ink to provide contrast and show the pattern.  Then I decided to stamp stars all over the extra bits of the piece I embossed. Instead of a fourth square, I stamped the sentiment (set also by Hero Arts.) 

This card is going to Hubs, he is on deadline the next two weeks, so I think it will get there before he reads the blog. Fingers crossed!

Have a great day. Thanks for stopping by.

 /\  /\

(=';'=)

(")_(")~~Cat

A Start on Gifts

I succumbed to the Stamp sale last Monday at Stampin Up. Today they arrived. Play time. I made this set of cards, which will find their way under a friend's Christmas Tree.

The set I used is a sentiment set called Word Play. I chose 6 of the 12 sentiments for the set.  I found some patterned paper, a bit of ribbon and some stamping, embossing, and sponging.  I liked appearance of white outlines/borders on the flowers on this patterned paper, and used spellbinder dies so that I could emulate the white border with the  sentiment pieces.

I decided a coordinating box would round things out well.  Without a pattern, I managed to pull it off using one 12x12 and one 8.5 x11 sheet.  I am a bit impatient, and rarely read instructions...unless its Ikea Furniture...but that is another story entirely!

Thanks for stopping by.

 /\  /\

(=';'=)

(")_(")~~Cat

Some Inking, coloring, and masking

I've been in contact with hubs all day, he is on the east coast and so is Frankenstorm.  I'd rather be with him cuddling through the storm, than sitting here in California's 80 degree heat.  

I am posting this several days after making it. I need to allow for mailing time, as hubs does troll through my blog every now and then.  I don't want the post to spoil the surprise of the card.

This card reminds me of something I once drew in kindergarten, and I kinda like the nostalgia of it. There is masking, inking, stamping, and a glitter tinged die cut.  Inside is a sweet message about home being where the heart is.

Thanks for stopping by.

 /\  /\

(=';'=)

(")_(")~~Cat

Tags...for organizing

When I have no ideas for cards I start to just move things around in my craft area.  Recently, I decided that I should organize some items that are just plain hard to see because they are stored away.

Tags on rings were the perfect answer.  My markers were colored onto tags, and separated by brand.  


 
My embossing folders were embossed and also separated by brand. I was so proud of myself to get these things done, because now its easier to plan a card. 






Then I read Melissa Shea's blog post, and she had inventoried her inks...hmmm...do I have enough to make it worthwhile?  Yes, definitely... I used another of the lovely leafy stamps from my recent purchase. 

I don't have my distress inks done yet. I am out of tags for the moment. I admit to buying them, I could punch them, but my arthritic thumbs would not be happy.  So for 50 cents for a bundle of 10, I can live with the cost and they are reinforced at the holes.

Thanks for stopping by.

 /\  /\

(=';'=)

(")_(")~~Cat

Ready for Red

I loved the Tuesday Trigger picture from Moxie Fab World this week I knew I had to try a card.  

 I used a couple of new Hero Arts products, a stamp, and a new mid-tone ink in Red Royal.

I started with grey cardstock, dry embossed it, then swiped a white pigment ink pad over it to get the white raised images.  (I did try using the folder and a grey ink in a mock letterpress techinque but the ink failed to cover well.) The image and sentiment was stamped on white card with the red royal ink, add a brown mat and here is my take on the trigger:

Thanks for stopping by.

 /\  /\

(=';'=)

(")_(")~~Cat

Shopping Our Stash Challenge 75: Flowers in 3D

I really went shopping in my stash for this challenge.  I have loads of quilling strips that a card-making friend had given me, and I have done little with them.  So out they came today. 

3-D flowers were twirled for this challenge.  I added some stickles to the yellow centers to give it a bit of sparkle. Thanks for stopping by, and give the challenge a try!

 /\  /\

(=';'=)

(")_(")~~Cat

Just For You

I have been organizing...and I found some inks I didn't realize I had.  I again scored a 50% off Hero Arts stamp set at my LSS, when I went scrapbooking with my scrappin pal Friday.  I picked up the stamp set because I liked the leaves...and the price was great. I had several ideas in mind for the set.

My second use, a fall-ish card that I will be sending to my In-Laws.  My MIL is always appreciative of cards, so I love sending them to her.

It is a simple card, one stamp, several inks and an attempt at some masking.  Thanks for stopping by.

 /\  /\

(=';'=)

(")_(")~~Cat

 

With Sympathy

Generally I don't make sympathy cards, I want my cards to be received for happy events not solemn occasions. I made this for a card-making friend of mine, a store bought card just wouldn't have done.  

I kept it very simple. I used Hero Arts stamp and shadow ink in Cup o' Joe, the sentiment is from Stampin' Up.

Thanks for stopping by.

 /\  /\

(=';'=)

(")_(")~~Cat

October Card Chain Challenge

I joined in on the fun of the October Card Chain Challenge the card prompts were to use at least one of those provided, which included: a color palette, a sketch, themes of Halloween - World Animal Day/Month - Friends.  I chose the color palette (or as close as I could get to Amethyst, Camel and Charcoal) as well as the sketch which I enjoyed.

My card below is on its way or has arrived in Oklahoma.

The charcoal is the very thin border behind the patterned paper. Items used were Hero Arts stamps, Copic Markers, Memento ink, Colorbox ink, Fiskars butterfly punch, and some liquid pearls.

Consider joining the next card chain challenge.  Make a card, send it, and get a card in the mail.  Details can be found here, the call goes out at the beginning of each month.  Next one up will be November.

Thanks for stopping by.

 /\  /\

(=';'=)

(")_(")~~Cat

Non-traditional Colors for a Hero Arts Scramble

I was so out of my element for this Hero Arts Flickr group scramble, but I pushed through. This scramble consists of 90 minutes to make your card based on the challenge instructions, photograph it, and upload to the scramble thread before time runs out.

The challenge was to use non-traditional colors for a Holiday / Winter card.  I ended up making two cards, both wildly outside my comfort zone of traditional colors. Both feature neon colors.  

The hostess is a big fan of purple, so of course I made one card featuring a shade of purple and neon orange.  

The second card was based on my favorite color yellow, with neon colored ornaments.

It was a good challenge and you can see all the cards in the scramble thread here.

I think I still prefer reds, greens, blues, whites and glitter for my holiday cards. Thanks for stopping by.

 /\  /\

(=';'=)

(")_(")~~Cat 

Both cards used Hero Arts Images with matching dies.  The sentiment is from Stampendous.