Wishful Thinking

I made this card for the CASE Study Challenge #71, it is also my first card for Valentine's Day 2012. I did not deviate much from Amy Sheffer's card which was the inspiration for this week's challenge.

The patterned papers used in my card are from Fancy Pants' "Wishful Thinking" pack. I love the soft colours and aged look of this paper pack. My card base is red and measures 4.25"x5.5"

I lightly sanded the patterned paper for a worn-out feel. Then I ran it through my Bigshot with the Craft Too "Love Heart" embossing folder. I inked the edges with Tim Holtz's "Tattered Rose" Distress Ink and lightly sponged the surface with the same ink to bring out the embossed pattern.  

I cut out the hearts using Nellie Snellen's Multi Frame Die "Heart" MFD022. The sentiment is by Papermania and I stamped it using Memento Rich Cocoa.  I adhered flat-back pearls all around the larger heart. There's also a baby pink mulberry rose and a lilac bow to the right.

I also stuck on a strip of paper from the same pack. The ribbon used to make the ruffles is actually white with black hearts. I sponged it with Tim Holtz's "Antique Linen" and "Tattered Rose" Distress Ink, made the ruffles with the help of some red-liner tape and gave it a clean finish with some lilac satin ribbon.  

All lovey-dovey on the inside. The bold greeting is from Papermania's Typography Clear Stamp series. I stamped it using Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured it with Promarkers by Letraset. 

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Well done, Rebecca!

We just received some wonderful news. Our dear friend, Pete called to say that he and Rebecca are expecting their first baby! Yay!!! The little nipper (or nippette) is scheduled to arrive some time in July next year. I made them this card to send all the way to a warm and sunny place in Brisbane, Australia. (As if I needed an excuse to make a card!)

The sketch is from Skipping Stones Design Sketch Challenge #108 and the patterned papers are from Dovecraft and WRMK. I don't make a habit of mixing papers but I wanted something bright and sunny and happy and summery....well, you get the picture. Since we don't know (yet) if it's a boy or girl, there's a little bit of pink and blue to keep everybody happy.

The focal image is a silhouette from the Cricut "New Arrival" cartridge. Love the way she's skipping off ... for a spot of retail therapy, I bet! Anywho, here's my card:

The yellow plaid background paper is from WRMK's "Travel Light" pack. The pink and blue panels are from Dovecraft's "Sugar & Spice" collection. I hand-stitched all the panels. There are no bulky embellishments because this card has to travel light (!) by airmail all the way to sunny Brisbane.

I ran a piece of vanilla cardstock through my Bigshot using Spellbinder's Nestabilities Fleur-de-Lis Rectangles die, inked the edges with Tim Holtz's "Antique Linen" and a spot of "Vintage Photo" on the four corners.  The little lady measures 3" tall and I stuck her onto the decorative panel using some pop dots. 

On the inside, I adhered a strip of border paper from the "Sugar & Spice" collection.     

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New Wheels

Recently, a couple of close friends bought a new set of wheels. Why? They've (finally) decided it was time to start a family. First on their to-do list was to get a more appropriate vehicle: a family car.

To commemorate this momentous occasion, I made them a card. The "Travel Light" collection by We R Memory Keepers fit the bill. The card is based on a sketch from the Dec 2010 MojoMonday challenge. I tweaked it a little to keep the lines straight and simple.

I picked 2 papers from the "Travel Light" collection: the green background paper is called "Punch Card" and the yellow panel on the left is called "Traffic Jam". In keeping with the retro theme, I inked the edges with Tim Holtz's "Antique Linen" Distress Ink.  

That cute focal image is the border on the "Traffic Jam" paper. I just love the retro look of this paper collection.

The greeting is from Dovecraft Clear Sentiments and I stamped it directly onto the patterned paper with Memento Tuxedo Black.

I hand-stitched the layers, added the red gingham ribbon for a pop of colour and threw in some black brad by Woodware because they look like tyres... at least to me they do!

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Thanks!

Another thank you card - my second for the day. This card is based on this week's MojoMonday sketch. I decided to do the round version.

As before, I found myself drawn to bright colours; these long dark days are not agreeing with me. Here is my offering for this week's challenge:

The patterned papers are from Dovecraft's "Sugar & Spice" collection. I used Spellbinders Classic Circle and Eyelet Circle dies. For the inner circle, I used Nellie Snellen's Flower die.  I inked the edges with Tim Holtz's Distress Ink "Vintage Photo".

The greeting is from Personal Impressions Circle Tags stamp set with Memento Rich Cocoa. Then I used a green mini brad to attach it to all the layers.  There's also a powder pink mulberry carnation to pick up on the floral theme and a green gemstone in the middle....for some bling, naturally! 

I popped every layer on some foam tape. The card is kinda poofy, probably best hand-delivered!

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Thank You, Ladybug

Now that Christmas is over, we've got to get down to making those thank you cards. Here's my first, which I've also managed to sneak into the Makeover Monday Challenge over at Papercrafter's Library. 

Having had my fill of all things wintery, I simply cannot wait for spring. To get into the mood, I picked these pretty floral designs by Doodlebug and didn't fiddle about too much with the embellishments.

The tag is from Spellbinders Grommet die set. I heat embossed the greeting with Stampendous' Fine White embossing powder. 

The eyelets are from Woodware's Brights set.

The card is flat - perfect for travelling by mail!

I decided to frame the inside with some bits of of the same paper, with plenty of room for a message of gratitude.

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Beijinhos!

BRAG UPDATE: Speechless. My first pick. Thank you PCL. Please visit their blog to see more fabby creations. 

Festive Gift Card Holders

'Tis 2 days before Christmas and I'm still cutting, stamping and inking?!!! That's right! Despite my efforts to have a smooth sailing panic free eve of Christmas eve, I'm here racing to finish off these projects. When I say efforts, I refer to my relentless nagging to get my husband to organise his Christmas presents so that I have time to wrap and tag them for him. And does he do it? NOOOO! Just like every year before, his last-minute festive inspiration materialises as gift-cards. I'm not one to get creative under pressure, but I managed to churn out these 4 gift-card holders. Not terribly exciting: same basic design with decorative variations, but not too bad for an eleventh hour effort...maybe...
(Note to self: I've got to get that man better organised next year...)

The patterned papers are from Papermania's Signature Collection "A Christmas Carol". These are linen papers with a vintage / Victorian feel. I really love this collection. The stamps are from WMS "Vintage Ornaments" and "Compliments of the Season" sets. I heat embossed all the ornaments with either Sticky Fingers Metallic Gold fine embossing powder or Stampandous' Fine White embossing powder. For the greetings I used Memento Tuxedo Black and Rich Cocoa. For the inking the edges I used Tim Holtz's Distress Inks in "Vintage Photo", "Walnut Stain" and "Tumbled Glass".

Allow me to introduce the family: I made this one for my mother in law. She likes rich dark colours and all things vintage.

Here's the front all tied up in ribbon. (Got to trim the edges - its fraying!)

Here's the inside. The base is made from Cafe au Lait cardstock. I matted the inside, with some space for a personal message.

The gift card slot into the middle pocket. 

 I matted the front and back so as to hide the seam at the spine. 

 This next card will make its way to my older sister in law. The same basic structure but I went for what she is most passionate about: all things chocolate.

This is a close up of the ornament. I stamped it in Versamark, applied gold embossing powder and heat set the lot. The cardstock  is a shimmery dark chocolate - and it looks good enough to eat! 

This card here is for my younger sister in law. She likes fresh, clean colours...I think...I hope... Anyways, I wanted to stick to the vintage Victorian theme I had going but with more vibrant Christmas colours. I threw in the Lime Green matt to perk things up!

I embossed the ornament with white embossing powder

This last gift card holder is for my niece. She's 19 and I think her definition of "in" does not include stuff that her grandmother, mother or aunt find "cool". So for her, I pulled out my Doodlebug papers and went for a non-traditional Christmas look. Still wintery but a lot lighter than the rest.

 Finally, here is a group shot!

Merry Christmas everybody. Here's to a happier, healthier and brighter New Year.

God Bless!

Robotz

For my nephew's 3rd birthday I made him a card which I thought little boys of his age would appreciate. And so, from the Cricut "Robotz" cartridge, I picked "Frankie" to take centre stage on the card. As it turns out, this little man is crazy about airplanes and doesn't give two hoots about robots! Oh well, better luck next time...

The card measures 5x5. I used papers from Doodlebug Paper Plus Boys Kit. The robot is from the Cricut Robotz cartridge. I also ran some dark blue cardstock through the Big Shot with Nellie Snellen's Square Stitching die MFD033 and used 4 green mini brads to attach to the card base. The greeting is from Personal Impressions "All Year Round" stamp set.

I aso did some hand stitching to the layers. For his age, I applied the number 3 peel-off to the robot's badge.

I used some foam take to adhere the robot and the greeting to the card.

For the inside, I played safe and opted for the stuff all toddlers can relate to: paper tearing and balloons! The greeting is from Papermania's Typography Clear Stamp collection.

"Let there be room for Him"

This is my final set of Christmas cards this year, also my last Christmas themed MojoMonday card. Here is the sketch:

I used Stamp TV's free digi stamp as my focal image. Nothing fancy here, just an honest message of Christmas. I made the cards from some close friends who I know will appreciate the sentiment and also for our parish priest for this tireless service for the community.

The patterned papers are from Kars X-mas Collection. I did some hand stitching with gold and red embroidery floss, and applied some gold ribbon. 

I matted StampTV's digi sentiment on Spellbinders Circle Eyelet die cut for a lacy effect and blinged it up with some clear, red and green rhinestones.

I gave the sentiment a lift using foam pads for dimensional interest.

On the inside, I stamped a greeting using my favourite seasonal stamp - WMS Compliments of the Season stamp set with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. A strip of patterned paper on the left gave it some colour.

I also went to town with the digi! Here are 3 other 4x4 variations using the same:

Supplies: StampTV digi stamp; patterned papers by HOTP "Forever Christmas"; Spellbinder's Eyelet Circle die; Nellie Snellen's Circle die MFD011; X-Cut Leafy Border Punch; red polka-dot ribbon; red rhinestone; Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust pen; foam pads

Supplies: patterned paper "Snowed In" by MME, green rhinestone and the rest - same as above.

Supplies: patterned paper "Deck the Halls" by Papermania