Sweet Bunny Cards from Digital Images

I recently had 7 leftover card bases and matching envelopes from a Stampin' Up! kit. They were so beautiful that I didn't want to just get rid of them, but because of their colors they were a little hard to work with. I could picture them adorned with vintage bunnies, but I didn't have stamps that really worked. 

An ad for a company named The Hungry Jpeg appeared in my Facebook feed and I was intrigued. That's where I found these beautiful bunnies for only $5.00. I bought and downloaded them then had them professionally printed (which cost just .60 cents per sheet). I was able to put 4 on one sheet and 3 on the other, so printing them only cost $1.20.

The finished product is exactly what I had in mind for this project. I used some twine, rhinestones, lace, etc and embellished each one differently.

Some of them I fussy cut and embellished the edges with stickles. Others were just cut into squares and framed.

Digital stamps and images are perfect for those times when you want to make a specialty card but don't want to invest a lot of money. I especially use them for times when someone likes something a lot, for example, my brother is a bowler, but I wouldn't want to buy a set of bowling stamps because I wouldn't use them that much. They're also perfect if you're just starting out as a card maker.

I had a lot of fun making these because they're so different that the stamps and ink which I usually use.

The 7 on the right are going on the card rack that I take to church. I'm hoping that others will love receiving them as much as I loved making them!

Free Clifford Digital Card

In The Angel Card Project group on Facebook this week there's a little boy who loves Clifford the Big Red Dog-and he's not the only one. I love Clifford too! He's one of the few cartoon characters who are popular now as well as when my kids were little. We watched Clifford on PBS back in the day and read Clifford books too. When I saw this post I knew that I wanted to make a Clifford card.

I started by searching for Clifford clip art and had no trouble finding a couple of adorable freebies that I used as digital stamps.

For his doghouse click HERE.

For him click HERE. 

The images were printed on 60# white card stock from Michaels. It's the only kind that I can run through my printer without it jamming.

Next I colored the two images with Copics then fussy cut them out. I had to look online to see what color his dog house is, and I think I came pretty close.

For the sky I hand cut a piece of card stock to resemble clouds and blended Stampin' Up! Balmy Blue Ink directly onto Balmy Blue Paper.

Then I glued down the dog house, cut a bit of grass with a Lawn Fawn die. Then I adhered Clifford with a Wobble Spring so it looks like he's running when you touch it. He's leaving in a red envelope, because this little boy loves the color red.

Part of the fun of being a card maker is being able to customize your artwork for your audience. I'm so glad I was able to find such cute clip art for free for this project. I won't get to see the face on the little boy whose mom requested this card, but I'm pretty sure he'll be really happy!

NOTE: You do have to be careful when coloring images that you've printed. I have found that the ink can make the black image bleed. That happened a little on this project, but it's not really noticeable. In order to prevent that, I color around the image as best I can rather than coloring over items like the collar and his name.

Springtime Joy Easter Card

Quick post today! One of my favorite stamp sets for Easter is Stampin' Up!'s Springtime Joy. These little critters are just so adorable. My favorite part about them is the floral wreaths on their heads. 

The rest of the card is pretty simple. I used a sun that came with a Paper Pumpkin Mini Stamp Set.  The card stock is from Stampin' Up! too. The background paper is from Lawn Fawn.

This is one set that I plan on keeping for a long time!

Inlaid Crosses

Needing to refresh my Easter card making stash, I just picked up this new set from Simon Says Stamp and CZ Designs. It took me quite a while to get to these little crosses completed. I had to run 7 pastel colors of card stock through the die cutting machine to get the pieces, plus black for the outline and white/blue for the base of the cross. I'm pleased with the look, and I do have 7 crosses to show for all my effort, but it was a lot of work. I think I'll try the watercoloring technique I saw on these and just make one next time.

I started with Stampin' Up! Balmy Blue bases, then embossed SU! Daffodil Delight card stock using Sunny Studio's Sunburst embossing folder. I used Daffodil Delight ink to darken the center or each sun, then put yellow Stickles on the rays.

The dies are called Inlaid Crosses and the wors are called Clean Line Faith, both from Stimon Says Stamp and CZ Design. The grass is SU!'s Granny Apple Green card stock cut with Lawn Fawn's grass die.

Having 4 cards made and 3 crosses ready for my next project is nice!

I have so many more Easter cards that I'm eager to make, and I'm glad I invested the time in these. I really think they'll brighten up someone's Easter this year!

A Happy Spring Card

Today's card is made using one of my favorite oldie Stampin' Up! sets called Flourishing Phrases. It's funny because I really love this set but noticed today that I've never used the sentiments that go along with it, and truthfully, they're wonderful! 

This card's sentiment says, "God wanted to brighten up the world... so he made you." I just love that because it can be anything from a birthday card, thank you card or just an appreciation card.

My trick for getting a great stamped image with this solid stamp is to use a platform. It's actually been stamped about 5 or 6 times to get this great solid look.

My complete supply list for this project is:

• White Card Stock
• SU! Flourishing Phrases Stamp Set
• SU! Pumpkin Pie Card Stock
• Memento Cottage Ivy Ink
• Memento Tangelo Ink
• Copics YR07, YG13 Y13

I'm ready for some spring and summer weather, flowers in the yard and lots more sunshine. This card reminds me of days like that!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Retro Rubber Challenge 200

First of all, wow, this is Retro Rubber's 200th Challenge! Congrats to Jane all everyone over there! I really enjoy their challenges and appreciate all their hard work.

This challenge is a sketch challenge. When I first looked at it I saw a road, and I thought, I have just the perfect stamp for that road. It's been a while since I used this set and I'm glad to have put it to good use once again.

Looking at the card now, there are two things I wished I had done differently. First is to make the grass one continuous piece rather than cutting it at the bottom. Second, I should have stamped the sentiment a little higher. But all things considered, it's a cute card.

Here's my compete supply list:

• Taylored Expressions Big Delivery (2015)
  
• Unknown Blue Dotted Paper
• Black Card Stock
• Stampin' Up! Cucumber Crush Card Stock
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Copics R29, R35, Y11, C31, R85, R81

I'm so glad to have made this cute card because I think it will be perfect for a guy, even though it's a little on the bright side. Guy cards are the hardest for me to make. So thanks again to everyone over at Retro Rubber for another great challenge!

10 MINUTE LATER UPDATE:

Well after making this post up to this point, I had the idea to fix the two things that I didn't like about the card by simply adding a piece of black twine. That way the divide in the grass doesn't show and it looks like I was supposed to put the sentiment that far down. Now I'm a lot happier with the card. I used twine instead of ribbon because it has more of a masculine look.

I just love how card making is a process. Usually when I sit at my craft desk I have no idea what the final outcome will look like. And the changes that come along the way are what make crafting so interesting!

Birthday Berries In A Bowl

Today over at Shopping Our Stash they have a really fun challenge to make a card theme that starts with the letter B. My project, made especially for this challenge, is called Birthday Berries in a Bowl.

It took quite a while to fussy cut all these little guys as I don't have the coordinating dies, but it was a lot of fun.

Here's my complete supply list:

• 
  White 110# Card Stock 
• Stampin' Up! Sweet Strawberry Stamp Set
• SU! Berry Blessing Stamp Set
• SU! Real Red Ink
• SU! Poppy Parade Ink
• SU! Garden Green Ink
• SU! Marina Mist Ink
• SU! Night of Navy Ink
• SU! So Saffron Ink
• SU! Delightful Dijon Ink
• Copic YG63 Marker
  
• Circle Die

I fell in love with these sets when I first saw them, but truthfully they can be a little intimidating to use for me. I really don't know why, but maybe I just need to use them more. So I'm grateful for the Shopping Our Stash Challenge that encouraged me to get these sets out and put them to good use.  Also, Happy 490th Challenge to everyone over there too! Wow, that's a lot! Way to go!

Bunny’s Egg Hunt

A little more detail on the grass.

Well it's Valentine's Day, but my mind is definitely on Easter right now. For crafters, that's usual I guess. I'm cross stitching something for Easter and placing an order for a few new Easter stamps and dies to refresh my collection.

Today's card features three chocolate bunnies on an egg hunt. I think it's a really fun idea that someone in our church may want to send to a grandchild. (I'm still waiting for mine, and according to my kids, I'm not supposed to hold my breath!) Anyway, I'm hoping some youngster will love this.

The only thing I wish I had done differently now is to either make the grass two different colors of green, or a lighter color and to shade it with a darker color so it wouldn't be so monotone. I'll remember that for next time.

Anyway, my complete supply list is:

• Stampin Up! Chocolate Bunny
• SU! Arrange AWreath (eggs)
• SU! Early Espresso Ink
• SU! Mango Medley Ink
• SU! Balmy Blue Ink
• SU! Pineapple Punch Ink
• SU! Highland Heather Ink
• SU! Cucumber Crush Card Stock
• Papertrey Hibiscus Burst Ink
• Lawn Fawn Grass Die

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today, and if you're here on February 14, a very Happy Valentines Day to you!

A Favorite Easter Stamp

With only one more Valentines Day card to make (for my hubby, which is why I can wait til the last minute) I'm starting on some Easter cards. I know that people at my church will want plenty of them, and I hope to send some out to through The Angel Card Project as well.

Today's card is a pretty simple, but it's the design that I really love. I've had it for several years and each year it's a delight to stamp and color.

My complete supply list is:

• Speckletone True White Card Stock
• Memento Rich Cocoa Ink
• Stampin' Up! So Saffron Card Stock
• Michaels Purple Card Stock
• "He Is Risen" Stamp Set by Jane's Doodles
• Copics YR09, Y21, V04, E35 and YG13
• Generic Raffia

TIP: I double stamped this with a platform, leaving the sentiment area blank. Then I colored with Copics and then went back and double stamped the sentiment. I think it looks a little sharper that way.

NBUS Challenge #47

Well I'm getting back in the swing of stamping regularly now that the holidays and visits from the kids are over. I love the challenges that they have over at NBUS (Never Before Used Schtuff) Challenge #17. I frequently feel like I don't have a lot that I have never used, but I surprise myself when I start looking. And with this challenge I found 3 NBUS items. They are:

1. The Stamp: Never Alone by Trinity Stamps
2. The Ribbon: Unknown Brand, gifted to me
3. The Enamel Dots (Hobby Lobby)

In addition to those, I also used:

• White Card Stock
• Memento Black Ink
  
• Copics BG11, RV55, R81, YG17 & R29
• Patterned Paper (Unknown Brand, gifted to me)

In addition to a great challenge, this week Annie Serner from the Facebook group Stamp Junkies shared how important it is to release clear stamps from their plastic sheets at least once before storing them-that way they won't rip if it's years later that you use them. I've had that happen to me, so it's a good idea to do that. Thankfully today's stamp didn't rip, even though I've had it for several years.

Thanks so everyone over at NBUS for another great challenge. I loved digging through my stuff and finding things that I didn't even know I had! And thanks for stopping by my blog today!

My Biggest "Card" Ever!

Me with my big card!

When you make a lot of cards and take them to church, you're known as the card lady. People associate me with paper, scissors and glue, and it's an honor.

Because of that, this week I was asked if I could make a special “card.” Our pastor has been on a sabbatical for the past 6 weeks, and he'll be home soon. One of our church leaders asked if I would make a poster board for everyone to sign welcoming him home. I patterned the design on a regular sized card that I would usually make. This is what I came up with.

Making a giant card is kind of a challenge because most stamps would just get lost on the board. I relied on Stampin' Up!'s Masculine DSP and their Large Letters Dies. The colors are mainly Night of Navy and Shaded Spruce. 

Lastly, I added stars in the areas where the people will sign. I thought it would break up the white space and make the card look more complete. I think it turned out really well and I'm excited to see it put to use!

Valentines Day for Mom

Perhaps we were all card makers back in elementary school. Remember creating those adorable homemade Valentines with scraps of construction paper and doilies? Those were such carefree times! And while life’s much more complicated these days, letting loose and making a frilly Valentine is a wonderful destresser. 

That’s where this card comes in. I wanted to make something really special for my mom this year. With my Dad having passed, she needs some extra love. 

In addition to Stampin’Up!’s Heart Happiness, which is one of my favorite sets, my supply list also includes:

• SU! Real Red card Stock and Ink
• SU! Poppy Parade Ink
• SU! Melon Mamba Ink
• White Card Stock
• Dotted Ribbon
• Papertrey Ink Hibiscus Burst Card Stock and Ink
• Glitzy Paper with Silver Dots
• Punched Paper Lace
• Self-Adhesive Rhinestones

Lastly, I added a cheap foam sticker from the dollar store as a sentiment. I normally would use something more classy, but this just jumped out at me and I though it looked cute.

I had so much fun making this and she was so surprised when she opened her mailbox a week before Valentine's Day. I think it's good to send cards a little early that way the recipient gets to enjoy them a little longer! 🐌 

Get Well Wishes

This is a stamp from one of my absolute favorite sets from Close To My Heart called Promise of Spring. 

I started with Stampin’Up!’s Old Olive card stock as a base and then added a smaller piece which I embossed on the front. Then I stamped and fussy-cut the flowers and leaves.

The colors I Used are Calypso Coral, Old Olive and Pineapple Punch (one of my favorite In Colors)!

The sentiment is from Papertrey.

I’m hoping that whoever gets this card will be cheered up and well soon! Thanks for stopping by today!

Forever Fern Spring Card

Stampin’! Up!’s Forever Fern was one of those sets that I just fell in love with the first time I saw it. And once I bought it, it didn’t disappoint. I believe it is one of those sets that’s called distinktive I just love how the ink pools lighter in some spots than others. Leaves and vines are some of my favorite designs to work with too. 

I used a variety of Memento green inks along with their Cantaloupe. SU!’s Granny Apple Green and Pumpkin Pie card stock played nicely with those inks.

The patterned paper is from SU! as well. I had to add a flower from another set because it seemed like all of the ends of the branches were bunched together, and they looked a little odd by themselves. Next time I think I’ll use a larger sentiment and place it there instead. 

I looked on Pinterest to get some ideas as to help better use this set and it seemed like a lot of other people had the same trouble too. Covering the area where the stems come together seems to be the best idea although I did see some other cute ways to use this set, too I hope to do that in the near future!

All things considered I really like this card. It seems perfect for spring and has an Easter sentiment on the inside. I’m hoping it will make someone happy this spring.

Valentine's Day Cross Stitch Freebie

I just completed this cross stitch piece just in time for Valentines Day next week. It's a free pattern that's been on my Pinterest board for years.

The Tiny Modernist posted it on their Facebook page in 2015. Here's a link to their post: CLICK HERE FOR THE PATTERN. (NOTE: IF THE LINK DOESN'T TAKE YOU DIRECTLY TO THE CHART, TRY IT ON A LAPTOP OR DESKTOP. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM!) I didn't see it on their website, but they have a lot of really cute freebies as well as adorable patterns to buy.

I made this especially because I was able to find some FRAMES ON AMAZON that fit the size and color as well.

This could easily be sewn into a thin hanging piece and be easily mailed as well.

If you'd like to watch the short video showing both of them, please click the YouTube link below.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today!

Spring Butterfly Birthday

Today's card comes from one of my favorite Stampin' Up! sets called Beautiful Day. Generally coloring isn't one of my favorite things to do in card making, but for some reason I love coloring this set. Its big and bold edges are really fun to work with.

My complete supply list is:

• SU! Beautiful Day Stamp Set
• SU! basic Gray Ink
• Papertrey Hibiscus Burst Ink
• Pink Paper from Joann's
• Bo Bunny Patterned Paper
• Copics V04, RV52, RV14 and R43

It was fun making this bigger, 5 x 7 card. I'll most likely give it away at the card rack that I keep at church. I'm hopeful that someone will enjoy getting this butterfly for their birthday!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Easter Flowers

Even though it’s almost 2 weeks until Valentine’s Day, and I love making frilly red and pink cards, my thoughts are moving towards Easter too.

Today’s card is made using a really old (2010) stamp called “Because I Care” from Stampin’ Up! It’s one that I still love because it’s easy to use and doesn’t require any coloring. 

Memento inks are just the right size to stamp two colors on one image. I did this twice using a stamping platform. 

Cutting was old school too. This set was made way before dies were really a thing, and we had to fussy cut things by hand. I used small bee scissors to do this and it’s so relaxing for me. 

Lastly, I wanted to match the purple ink (Memento's Lilac Posies) to some patterned paper, but that was impossible. This color is so unusual that I had literally nothing in that range that would remotely match it, even though I have quite a bit of paper. I decided to compliment it with yellow, and I'm really pleased with how the whole card looks.

It's nice, on a rainy February day, to think about spring, Easter and sunnier days.

On the right is the view from my backyard this morning. We're grateful for the rain; as you can see the grass really needs it. But in Florida these cozy days are rare and I love them. It's a perfect excuse to stay home and make a few more cards!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Visiting a Century-Old Swimming Pool

The waterfall at the pool.

We all have bucket lists, and mine isn't really too long. In fact, there's nothing on it right now, but for a long time, visiting the Venetian Pool just outside of Miami was tops on mine. What's so special about this pool? The fact that it's over 100 years old! I love vintage things, swimming pools included. But from the first time I saw a picture of this pool, I knew I just had to go someday.

The pool is actually in Coral Gables, just next to Miami. Now even though I live in Florida, Miami is nowhere near close to me. It took a birthday weekend and two nights in a motel to pull this off, but I'm so glad I did. 

The picture above was one of my favorite spots in the pool. It's a waterfall that you can actually swim over to and let the water splash on your head. And below are a few more pictures to give you a feel for the place.

Upper left, me in the pool. Upper right: stairs to the lifeguard station. Upper center: There are many old photos like this showing the pool when it first opened, and throughout the decades.

The Spanish architecture was a favorite of mine. You actually walk through this room to get from the front desk to the pool area.

A couple of other nice things are that the pool is quite large so there's room for everyone and there are some shady spots around the water's edge to get out of the sun.

If you get the chance to go, you'll love it! It's owned by the city of Coral Gables and you'll want to get reservations to insure you'll be able to get in. The water was cold to me, even in August in Miami, but it was doable, at least for me-hubby stayed in the chair. They also have a little sandy area to relax on, and a place to get snacks. It's a little pricey, $21.00 for adults and $16.00 for kids, but I only wanted to go once, so it wasn't too bad. It was wonderful being able to step back in history and get a feel for this historic place, both in the past and today.