Harvest Friendship

Hello and happy Friday! This is my very first Ai "Try" Fold card. I LOVE trying new things! These are fun and challenging for my first time. All the Ai Try Fold stamps come with easy to understand instructions. I LOVE that! It makes it a breeze to cut the correct size cardstock, and how to score it once you have your cardstock cut to size. Then you hand cut the two front folds per the instructions. Very neat look! The Ai Try Fold stamp set I used is the Harvest TF, SKU# 4205. Such a pretty harvest scene, perfect since I live in farming country.
The first thing I colored in was the sky behind the barn and trees. I used my Prisma Color pencils and gamsol for the sky. Then I decided to use my copic markers to color the rest of the images. I am new to coloring with copic's/alcohol markers, and it was fun to use them because you get a "watercolor" look with them. The above image shows the card's front with the two folds closed.

Here is a picture with the first fold opened and you can see the cute pumpkin cart.

Here is the inside of the card with both folds opened. I stamped the inside with the beautiful sentiment "Sow kindness harvest friendship" that comes with the Harvest TF stamp set SKU# 4205 . Since I colored my images with copic markers, it's normal for the ink to bleed through the white cardstock. I didn't want that to show through, so I mounted the base of my card onto a two pieces of layered cardstock, cut slightly larger, and rounded the top corners. For the two hand-cut folds, I just traced around each panel on white cardstock; cut those out slightly smaller and glued them down so it covered the color bleed.  It makes it look a bit cleaner, and I wanted to give it a try. I hope you enjoyed this little creation today. Have a safe weekend and stay warm!

Challenge 86: "Use a Scary Texture!"

Hello there! It's Thursday, and that means it's Challenge 86 over at the Ai blog today! For this week's challenge, we are to use "A Scary Texture" in our card/project. I chose to use the cutest Halloween stamp ever from Art Impressions (Ai) called "Halloween Pumpkins", SKU# T3614. I LOVE this image, it's so cute and so fun to color! For the "Scary Texture", I found this neat spider web die and dangling spider die by Memory Box, at my local Scrapbook Store in Walnut Grove, MN (Fond Memories). I think it makes a neat background for any kind of Halloween card. The web is die cut from a silver metallic cardstock. The spider is cut from regular black cardstock. I added some black "Stickles" that has some glitter in it on the spider, but you really can't see the glitter in the photo. I popped the spider and the Ai colored pumpkins image up on foam tape to give it a little dimension.

Here is a close up so you can see how I colored that cute image in with Copic markers. The spider web die is very intricate, and I love the fancy label like edge that is all around the die cut. Makes it a little elegant as far as spider webs go!  (Grin)  Doesn't that spider look scary or what! You can see just a little of the glitter in the close up photo.

For the inside of my Halloween card, I stamped a simple "Happy Halloween!" sentiment SKU# G1116,  also from Ai stamps.
I think my card turned out cute. Although I must admit, it was outside of my comfort zone! Not used to making a "Scary Texture", so it was a great challenge for me! Please stop by the Ai Blog and see what the other fabulous design team members have created for this weeks "Scary Texture" challenge. We would LOVE it if you played along with us too!!! You even might win a $10.00 Ai coupon!
Thanks for stopping by!
Materials used: (All stamps by Ai) Halloween Pumpkins: SKU# T3614, Happy Halloween sentiment: SKU# G1116, Black ink: Memento; Tea Dye Distress ink: Tim Holtsz/Ranger; Black and orange cardstock: Stampin Up! white cardstock: Neenah Solar white; silver metallic cardstock: LSS; Copic markers; black Stickles: LSS; 3M foam tape; designer paper: Matilda Mini  deck 6"x6" paper pad by Cosmo Cricket; Spider Web Frame Die and Dangling Spider die: Memory Box (bought at LSS Fond Memories in Walnut Grove, MN).

In loving memory of my sister Judy

You have the best smile ever... and you were always smiling. We miss you so much it hurts.

Born to be wild!

Happy Friday! Today I have a very fun and bright card for you. I just love this fun gal from the Ai people collection, she is from the Mad Rider set SKU# 4101. She looks like she is having a blast on her cute and fashionable orange scooter! Although I'm not sure I can say the same about her little companion in the basket.
I colored her in with copic markers. I'm somewhat new to alcohol markers. I bought them over a year ago, but haven't really used them much. I've been coloring with Prisma Color pencils for quite a long time, and I love my colored pencils! The copic's and Spectrum Noir markers sure are vibrant. I've kinda stayed away from Copic's because of the price (almost $6.00 a piece). So the other day when I was visiting Splitcoast Stampers, they had a review on Spectrum Noir alcohol markers. They  are a cheaper alternative to copic's. They had really good reviews, and they also offered 15% off until October 31, 2012 at Crafter's Companion online store. They have a ton of tutorials and tutorial u-tube videos. Very helpful demonstrations about the product and how to use them. So I broke down and bought a set of 72 for $115.79 plus free shipping. That's about $1.60 a piece! Pretty good buy I think.
I'll start using them and let you know what I think as time goes on.

Here is a close up of the colored image and that cute "Born to be wild" sentiment that comes in the set. I think this would make a great birthday card.

Here are the copic markers and two Spectrum Noir alcohol markers I colored my card with.

Hope you enjoy the card I created today. I hope you have a safe and wonderful weekend! Thanks for stopping by.
Materials used: Stamps: Mad Rider Set: SKU# 4101, Black ink: Memento; Tea Dye Distress ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger; Ric Rac die, kraft, orange, and dark orange cardstock: PaperTrey Ink; White cardstock: Neenah; designer paper: Lime twist 6"x6" paper pad by My Mind's Eye; Jumbo Fishtail die: My Favorite Thing's Stamps;light green crystals; sewing machine; white thread; Copic markers: G07, G14,YR68, YR16, W1,W3, W5, E57, E77,Y26, Y28, E00, E11, R11, Spectrum Noir: BT4, BT5.

For your little Princess

Happy Thursday! It's Challenge #85 at the Art Impressions Blog today. The theme for today's challenge is to "create a card using cash". For my card, I chose to use a really cute Ai stamp from the Card Keepers collection called Elephant Keeper SKU# UM4073. What I love about this card is that you can use it for a giving a gift card, or for giving CASH. You just stamp the elephant image onto your white cardstock, and then with a craft knife, carefully cut a slit around the top of the bow image, and at the bottom of the bow (leaving the sides un-cut). Then you cut a slit at the top of the box next to the elephant, and part of the elephants ear. Instructions on how to cut, come with this cute Elephant stamp, and all of the Card Keepers/Cash Keepers stamps. My light Apricot card base size is 5-1/2" x 5-1/2", layered with Groovy Guava CS, and tan striped designer paper. My card keeper elephant image is stamped on white cardstock, then I sewed all the layers to the cardstock base.

Here is a close-up of my card. I paper pieced the bow and the gift card holder box with designer paper. You can see the cut slit above the bow line, and below the bow line, so you can easily slide your cash or gift card in. I really love this concept! I stamped the elephant a second time on white cardstock, and colored  him in with copic markers, then I colored his peach colored tummy and peach color bow with Prisma Color pencils. (I colored his bow and tummy in with peach colored pencils because I wanted to best match the designer paper colors, and I didn't have peach copic colors. There is a reason to my madness.) I cut him out, then I outlined his image with a black marker to make him stand out a little better. Then I popped him up on foam tape. I die cut two nesting ovals in white and Groovy Guava (peach), and stamped the white oval with "For your little princess" with a coordinating stamp that comes with the Elephant Keeper SKU# UM4073 set. I added little white half pearls under the sentiment and one pearl on each corner.

For the inside of my card, I stamped a pretty script sentiment "Congratulations" SKU# G959, also from Art Impressions. I bought this stamp several years ago, I LOVE this versatile stamp!
I hope you have enjoyed my cash keepers card. Please stop by and visit the Art Impressions Blog to see what the other fabulous Ai team members have created. Please play along with us! You could  win a $10.00 gift certificate for entering your card.

Materials used: Elephant stamp set: Elephant Keeper SKU# UM4073, Congratulations: SKU# G959; Apricot cardstock, Groovy Guava cardstock: Stampin Up!; white cardstock: Neenah; designer paper: Follow Your Heart, "Be Happy" collection by My Minds Eye, 6"x6" paper pad; Black ink: Memento; Tea Dye Distress Ink by Tim Holtz/Ranger; Groovy Guava ink: SU! oval dies: Spellbinders; corner punch: Marvy/Utchita; border punch: Martha Stewart Crafts; Peach Prisma Color Pencils; Gamsol, paper stumps, grey Copic Markers: W-1, W-3, W-5; sewing machine, white thread.

Strut your stuff!

 

Hello and Happy Friday! Today I wanted to share this fun and cool character with you. His name is "Scratch" SKU# T1833, and they don't come any cooler than him as far as rooster's go! I started out with a 6" x 5-1/2" kraft cardstock base, then added a layer of dark yellow cardstock, to bring out Scratch's golden glow. I picked out a fall/autumn themed 6"x6" paper pad. I liked so many of the designer papers, I decided to use five of them!

Here is a close up of the coloring on "Scratch". (Please click on the image to see an enlarged image). I stamped Scratch with black ink, and colored him in with my Prisma Color pencils, using gamsol and paper stumps to blend the colors. I drew in some grass around his feet. I did a little paper piercing around the edges for some added detail. I really love the look of distressing my edges with Tim Holtz's distress inks. Just adds a little something. I stitched around the edges with my sewing machine, and added a couple of stick pins in coordinating colors, along with two buttons.

 

For the inside of my card I stamped the fun sentiment "Strut Your Stuff" SKU# F1861.
I hope you enjoyed my card. Thanks for stopping by.

Materials used: Stamps: Scratch SKU# T1833; Strut Your Stuff SKU# F1861; Kraft (PTI), dark yellow (More Mustard by SU), white cardstock (Neenah); black ink (Memento); Tea Dye Distress ink; designer paper: Apple Cider by Imaginisce 6"x 6" paper pad; green and yellow buttons; stick bins: "Harvest" by Fancy Pants, apron border punch: Fiskar's; Prisma Color pencils, Gamsol, paper stumps; sewing machine; foam dots by American Crafts.

A Child's Birthday Card - Challenge 84

Happy Thursday! It's challenge #84 over at the Art Impressions Blog, and this week's challenge is to make a "Child's Birthday Card". I really LOVED making this one! It was tons of fun to make and color. I started out with a 5-1/2" x 5-1/2" kraft cardstock base. Next, I layered on some Cherry Cobbler red, and then layered on some fun birthday designer paper. I distressed the edges with Tea dye ink, and sewed the layers onto the kraft cardstock base. I stamped my birthday cake SKU# K3126 on white cardstock using black ink, and colored it in with my Prisma Color pencils, gamsol and paper stumps. I layered it on top of a long scalloped rectangle die cut. For the balloons, I cut them with my Cricut machine, using "Birthday Bash" cartridge (using real size dial at 1-3/4"). I tied the balloon ends with twine. I stamped the candles SKU# J2847 with yellow, green, red, and light blue ink. Then I went over the colors with diamond stickles, to give it some glitter goodness. Once dry I cut the candles out. I popped up the cake, balloons, and candles all on 3D foam tape. Here is a close up of my card:

The inside of my card is stamped with a cute and simple Happy Birthday script greeting SKU# G963

Well that's it for me today. I hope you enjoyed the card I created. Please stop by the Art Impressions Blog and see what the other fabulous Ai design team members have come up with, and play along with us won't you! Thanks for stopping by.
Materials used:
(All stamps by Art Impressions)
Birthday Cake: SKU# K3126 
Candles: SKU# J2847
Happy Birthday Script: SKU #G963
Kraft (PTI), Cherry Cobbler, Green and yellow (SU!), White (Neenah) cardstock; Designer paper: Simple Stories "Happy Day" 6"x6" paper pad; Black ink: Memento; Tea Dye Distress Ink (Tim Holtz/Ranger); Twine: MFT; Diamond Stickles; sewing machine and white thread.

Sleeping on the Job?

Hello and Happy Friday!
I don't know about you, but I certainly have felt like this lady on my card today! Isn't she FUN! She is from the Ai People line SKU# 4160 Asleep on the Job Set.
For my card I started out with a 5-1/2" x 5-1/2" gray card base. On the front of my card I cut a strip off (about 1-1/12"), so you can see part of the inside of the pretty matching designer paper. I layered the front of my card with orange cardstock, and some pretty designer paper from My Minds Eye. I then sewed the layers onto the base of my card. I added some fun velvet orange ribbon, and die cut two circles to layer on the front. I stamped my fun image on the white cardstock circle, colored her in with Prisma Color pencils, and blended with gamsol and paper stumps. Layered her on my orange cardstock die cut. I cut a piece of some pretty lace, and glued it on the inside, just so it peeked out enough to see for a nice accent.

For the inside I used matching designer paper. I sewed around the edges for a nice touch. Then I cut a small panel of white cardstock,  (cut down so when you close the card you won't see it, you only see the designer paper). I stamped the inside with the FUN sentiment that comes with Asleep on the Job Set. For the final touches I added three rhinestones. Here is a close up of the colored image.

Materials used: Stamps: SKU# 4160 Asleep on the Job Set; gray, orange and white cardstock, designer paper: My Minds Eye, Indie Chic "Saffron", 6"x6" paper pad; orange velvet ribbon: American  Crafts; lace trim: Joann's Fabric; circle dies: Spellbinders; corner rounder; orange and white rhinestones: Hero Arts; Sewing machine; white thread; black ink: Memento; Tea Dye Ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger; Prisma Color Pencils; Gamsol; paper stumps.
Hope you have enjoyed my creation made with fabulous Ai stamps. Thanks for stopping by!

Ai Challenge #83: Pink for National Breast Cancer Awareness

Hello, and happy Thursday! It's Challenge #83 over at the Ai blog today.
Today's challenge is to use the color "Pink" for National Breast Cancer Awareness. For my card I used a fabulous girlfriends stamp set  SKU# 3576. Isn't it a FUN image or what? I love it, and so fun to color! I started my card with a 5-1/2" x 5-1/2" cream base, distressed the edges with Tea Dye Distress ink (I distressed all my edges with Tea Dye ink). Then cut a slightly smaller piece of designer paper (that is pink of course) and layered that over the cream base. I stitched the edges around the designer paper with my sewing machine with white thread. Then added a strip of kraft cardstock, matching designer paper, and die cut a pink scallop border, and  sewed those layers together. I used three more dies for the main stamped image. For the finishing touches I stamped and colored my fun girlfriends image in with my Prisma Color pencils, blended the colors with gamsol and paper stumps. I popped up each die cut separately on foam dots (I use 3M foam mounting tape), and adhered the stamped banner image. (I think it takes me about 2-3 hours to complete each card, sometimes longer depending on each card).

Here is a close up of my card. (Please click on the picture to get a larger image)
Materials used: Stamps: Ai Girlfriends "Out to Lunch" SKU# 3576; Cream and kraft cardstock: PTI; pink and dark pink cardstock: SU!; Designer paper: My Minds Eye: "Lavender - the sweetest thing" 6"x6" paper pad; Black Memento ink; Tea Dye Distress Ink; scallop border die: PTI; circle and circle lace dies: Spellbinders; banner die: (Fishtail Flag Stax) My Favorite Things Stamps; cream pearls: Hobby Lobby; sewing machine: Kenmore; white thread; Prisma Color Pencils; Gamsol; paper stumps.

Please visit the Ai blog to see what the other fabulous Ai design team members have created for this weeks card challenge. Play along with us, and you might win a $10.00 Ai coupon!
Thanks for stopping by.