Try A Sketch on Tuesday & NBUS Challenges!

Well, I really tried here, but I must say that I'm not 100% thrilled with my first completed card, but since I made it for Try A Sketch on Tuesday, I'm submitting it. And since this is a NBUS stamp set, I'm entering it over there too. Just in time for the end of the month there!

I used Stampin' Up!'s Celebrate You stamp set. It's an older one that I picked up at a garage sale. I love the set, but because it's a single image stamp, I'm somewhat challenged as to how to make the best of them. For my first card, which is the one I made for TSOT, I stamped it then colored it in a little. 

The colors were supposed to coordinate with the patterned paper. I think it's all pretty good except the purple candle on the cake. 

It also seemed a little busy with my paper choices, so I moved the components around a little, however you can still see the similarity to the sketch.

Next time I think I'll use one busy paper and one less busy. Still, I'm hoping someone will like getting this for their birthday sometime soon!

Since the stamp set was still on my desk, I thought I'd give it another try. Using a stamping platform I stamped the image, then stamped over it with Versa Mark and added clear embossing powder, giving it a red embossed look. I mounted it on some old patterned paper for the background, making sure it wasn't too busy this time. I like this second on better, and will keep trying with this set.

For the first card, here's my complete supply list:

• 
  SU! Celebrate You Stamp Set
• SU! Marina Mist Ink
• Unity Stamps Birthday Party Patterned Papers
• Copics R83, Y14 & V04
• SU! Rose Red Paper
• SU! Dots
• Verve Sentiment

Well that's it for these two. One thing I love about papercrafting is making mistakes and learning from them and doing better the next time.

Thanks so much to both NBUS and Try A Sketch on Tuesday for helping me be a little more creative this week! And thanks for stopping by today!

The Too Busy Card

Well I made this card for a challenge, but after creating it, I thought it was too busy to enter. Perhaps I should have. But even the cards that don't turn out like we had hoped still have value. I like this one from Stampin' Up! and think that it will be really nice for someone to receive it. However next time I think I will create one that's less busy in the middle and try to balance out the patterns more.

I wanted to include it on my blog here because it's still a nice card and I want to keep track of all my creations.

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a blessed day!

Retro Rubber Challenge #229

This time Retro Rubber's Challenge #229 (rrcb229) is a Tic-Tac-Toe board! I love it when there are so many choices. My first plan was to choose the diagonal from left to right. The mist or spray category really intrigued me. I had it in my head what my card was going to incorporate. All went well until I realized that I couldn't locate the tiny mister that I thought I had. Sometimes I don't use things often and then get rid of them only to regret it later. Such was the case today.

So I switched the plan and went with the top row. Die Cuts, Sequins & Gems and Spring are all a part of my card this time.

Here's my complete supply list:

• Stampin' Up! Berry Paper (reverse side)
• Dark Green Card Stock
• SU! Crushed Curry Card Stock
• 
  SU! Amazing You Stamp Set (from 2017)
• SU! Celebrate You Dies
• Glitter Enamel Dots (SU! ?)
• Gold Washi tape
• Yellow Twine (Michaels)
• Prismacolor Pencils

This was a really fun challenge, but next time I'm going to gather all my supplies before I start so I'll be sure to have everything I need. Still, I like how the card turned out. 

Be sure to check out Retro Rubber's Challenges. Every two weeks they provide great inspiration to get creating!

A Quck Thank You!

Once again, a wonderful woman at church gave me a bunch of craft supplies. In the selection, there was a 6 x 6 paper pack from My Mind’s Eye. I love their patterned papers. The way the colors coordinate makes making cards so easy. And that’s just what I used for the base of this card. There are three different patterns and I simply cut three different sheets of paper from that pack. She also gave me some recollections glittery letters. I wanted to send her a thank you card, but unfortunately it couldn’t spell out the word “thanks“ so I did the French version, merci.

The card size for this one is 6 x 6. And since I’m hand-delivering it this Sunday. I won’t have to worry about additional postage. I’m so grateful when people gift me things like this. It keeps cost down and keeps the creative juices flowing

A close sup view of the sparkly chipboard letters!

A Pokemon "Card"

Over at The Angel Card Project there are frequent requests for cards for kids that love Pokemon.

This series is near and dear to my heart, because my kids loved Pokemon when they were little. We had all the Pokemon games for their Nintendo DS's and they also had quite a few of their trading cards too. I wish I still had some to send inside cards I send. I think kids today would love that.

Anyway, after seeing a request today, I went online to see if I could find a freebie and I came across this cutie. I'm not 100% sure he's totally accurate design-wise, but he's definitely recognizable to someone who loves Pokemon. I chose this design because I thought I could do a lot with the flat bottom. 

I made a Pages page with 4 different designs in different sizes and had it professionally printed for less than $1.00 over at FedEx. They do a great job and it saves my ink at home. I wish now that I had included a couple of mini ones too. I would have put one on the front of the black envelope that I'm sending it in. Oh well. Next time!

This isn't my design, but if you want to print some of your own, this is where I got the image HERE. It's for personal use only.

A Pokemon fan in your life will be delighted!

12 Easy Peasy Cards (from a Scrapbook Sheet)

These 12 cards were made using a single 12 x 12 scrapbook sheet of paper. It's called the Color of Memories by American Crafts and I picked it up at Joann's a while back. It's so easy to make 12 cards from a sheet like this, especially when you follow a standard formula for most of them.

To keep it quick and simple I framed them in the same color card stock as the card base, then used a coordinating patterned paper in the middle. I even used the same embossing folder on all of them too.

I also picked up much of that cardstock right at the store when I bought the single sheet of paper. That way matching the colors was easy. 

Even better, I hit a big sale that day and although I added some of my own papers when I got home, I only spend $5.00 on most of this.

These will be going to a nursing home so the residents can send them to family and friends. I think they'll like them as much as I do!

Thanks so much for stopping by my little blog and have a wonderful day!

2 Corinthians 4:16 Card

This Bible verse 2nd Corinthians says "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."

If you're young, you may not feel the "wasting away" part too much, but as I get older, I sure do! But inwardly I'm growing. And that's what this scripture reminded me of, that as Christians we are constantly growing and being renewed each day.

The flowers and garden tools on this card are designed to go with the scripture. I hope it encourages you and those that you'll share it with. It would be an especially perfect card for a gardener too.

My card is an A2 size, but you can download this image and make it any size you want. 

Here's the free digi. As always:

1. Snag it to your desktop or photos.
2. Put it in a Word or Pages Document.
3. Resize it to the size card you want to make.
4. Print it out, either at home or at a copy center. 

I hope you enjoy the freebie! Thanks for stopping by my blog today and have a wonderful day!

And if you want the King James Version, here it is:

Hello There Elvis!

This is a really fun custom-made card that was sent to someone who likes Elvis. I was delighted to make it, because I too am a fan. I missed being a true fan when he was in his heyday because I was too young, but his classic songs, faith and nostalgic vibe is something that I still appreciate to this day.

I even had the opportunity to go to Graceland with my mom a few years back. We totally loved it. Even if you're not a fan of his music, being able to tour the house and learn about that era of the 1950's is really nice.

It's my hope that the recipient likes this card as much as I do!

If you have an Elvis-loving person in your life, feel free to snag this freebie!

Here's the free digi. As always:

1. Snag it to your desktop or photos.
2. Put it in a Word or Page Document.
3. Resize it to the size card you want to make.
4. Print it out, either at home or at a copy center. 

I hope you enjoy the freebie! Thanks for stopping by my blog today and have a wonderful day!

Kite Delight Painted Background Cards

Kite Delight is one of my favorite stamp sets from Stampin' Up! It's kind of a quiet set. It doesn't have any coordinating dies, and it's a little on the plain side. But nothing screams summer day more than some kites flying in the air.

I used this set to demonstrate painting a sky background on a YouTube Video. I actually made 3 cards that were similar.

For these cards my supply list is simple:

• Stampin' Up! Kite Delight
• SU! Pineapple Punch Card Stock
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• #110 Card Stock (Michaels)
• Copics Y2, Y15, YG06 YR07
• Various Blue SU! Inks to "paint" the sky.

These cards are A7 size to accommodate all 3 kites plus the sun and sentiment. And just a side note, the sun is perfect for other cards as well.

Well that's it for my simple card today. Thanks so much for stopping by and check out my YouTube video if you like! :)

 

Retro Rubber Challenge #227

This challenge over at Retro Rubber (rrcb227) was so much fun. Perhaps it's because I really like how this card turned out. It's a slimline card and the stamp set really seemed to fit it well.

The challenge is called Nature, Naturally and it called for the colors of black, white, blue and brown.

Working with brown and blue was a lot of fun. Blue isn't my normal go-to color. I love pinks and greens, but that's why I love challenges. If I didn't participate I think all my cards would look very similar!

Here's my complete supply list for this one:

• Speckletone True White Card Stock
  
• Stampin' Up! Falling Flowers (2016)
• SU! May Flowers Dies
• SU! Blueberry Bushel Card Ink & Card Stock
• SU! Baked Brown Sugar Ink & Card Stock
• Copics B00, B52, B95, YR23 & YG91
• Sentiment from Verve Stamps

I had to Google the release date for the Falling Flowers Stamp Set and was so surprised that it was way back in 2016. It's amazing how quickly time flies!

Anyway, thanks to everyone over at Retro Rubber for another fun challenge, and thanks for stopping by today!

John 6:29 Phone Wallpaper

I almost feel a little sacrilegious talking about this scripture. The only work God wants us to do us believe. Really?! Jesus said that? It seems to good to be true. In my legalistic mind, I must add my good works; correct thinking.

Yes, all those latter things are good and desirable, but the only work God wants us to do is believe. At least according to Jesus. Hmmmm….

Okay. I’m going with that. 

I do think however that God is pleased when we add things to our faith. But they are by-products of our faith. Not the other way around. 

As an American and a somewhat-evangelical, I’m still struggling with this. We say that salvation is by faith alone, but somehow the messages from our pulpits still makes me feel that I must measure up. 

This phone wallpaper is a perfect reminder of the total and complete work that Jesus did for us on the cross. Thank you Lord! 

The top of this is intentionally left blank to allow for your phone to display the time.
You may have to adjust the image a bit as you place it on your phone. Enjoy! 

Upcycled Calendar Card - Straw Hat

Spring cleaning has hit me, and while my craft area is in fairly decent shape, I had a few stragglers lying around. A Lang calendar was one of them. I made a Christmas card with one of the pages late last year. It was fun and it's a good feeling to be able to create something that someone else can enjoy while giving something old some new life too.

Today I used another page from that calendar to create a birthday card. What really jumped out at me this time was the adorable straw hat. I fussy-cut it out and then cut some flowers out into a rectangle. Stampin' Up!'s Soft Suede card stock and ink and Blushing Bride card stock pulled it all together.

The card seemed to need a bold sentiment to balance it out. That came from a set that Michaels sold a while back.

It can be a little tricky upcycling calendars because the images are often so large, I'm really pleased with how this one turned out. 

I hope this will inspire you to use some of your old calendars to make a card or two. Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful day!