Baseball Birthday

I saw this baseball on Betty's blog, and knew I needed to create one myself. Thanks Betty for your inspiration! Here's her card: http://booptique.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/have-faith/

My nephew loves baseball, so it fit perfectly with his birthday card.
Thanks for looking!

Stamp set - Perfectly Penned
Paper - Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy, Whisper White
Ink - Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy
Accessories - Circle Cutting System, Big Shot, Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Stripes Embossing Folder, Rounded Corner Punch

Cute as a Button -SQSC33

 






Just had to try out this sketch challenge on Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge (SQSC33). You can view all the cards created with this challenge here: http://gettincrafty.typepad.com/stampin_queens_sketch_cha/2012/04/sqsc-33.html

Thanks for looking!

Stamp set - Curly Cute
Paper - Real Red, Whisper White
Accessories - Designer buttons (brights), Taffeta Ribbon (Daffodil Delight), Glue Dots

Hybrid Touchdown - SCCSC113

 

It's always difficult for me to create a masculine cards.... most of my stamps (along with the direction of my thoughts tend to go feminine). Well, as I needed a masculine card for my brother-in-law.... no flowers would do. I created the football using My Digital Studio software....and colored it in with punches beneath the stamped image.
I used the Stampin' Connection Card Sketch Challenge (SCCSC113) for inspiration.
Thanks for looking!

Stamp sets - Just Believe, Touchdown (MDS)
Paper - Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
Ink - Early Espresso, in MDS - Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Whisper White
Accessories - Big Shot, Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Circle Cutting System, Large Star punch, Small Star punch, Dimensionals

Simply Spring- SCCSC112

I am back in my crafting area, and just had to try the sketch challenge on Stampin' Connection (SCCSC112).  This will be a birthday card for my sister-in-law. It's the first time I incorporated buttons on my card.... I think it turned out cute.
Thanks for looking!

Stamp sets - Simply Soft, Outlined Occasions
Paper - Spring Fever DSP, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz
Ink - Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, Basic Gray
Accessories - Designer Buttons (Daffodil Delight), Corner Round punch, Big Shot, Perfect Polk Dots Embossing Folder, Glue Dots, Gray Twine (non-SU)

MDS Hybrid Grad - SCCSC111

 

One of my Goddaughters will be graduating this May, and so I knew I would be needing a Graduation card soon. The sketch challenge on Stampin' Connection was perfect for this card (SCCSC111). I used My Digital Studio with the Go Graduate Plus Stamps, and printed them off to create this hybrid card.
Thanks for looking!

Stamp Brush Set - Go Graduate Plus (MDS in Night of Navy)
Text - Broach (Night of Navy)
Paper - Night of Navy, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Night of Navy DSP
Ink - Night of Navy, Daffodil Delight
Accessories - Taffeta Ribbon (Daffodil Delight), Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Corner Round punch, Blender Pen

Wadsworth Falls -SBSC300

Moving along on my 2009 scrapbook with our trip to Connecticut.  We spent a few hours at a state park that had a covered bridge and a waterfall.

I used the Scrap Book Sketch Challenge on Splitcoaststampers website here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2170005?&si=sbsc300

Paper - Autumn Traditions #1,#2 and #6

Photo mats - More Mustard

Text- Elephant (Soft Suede)

Embellishments - Grosgrain Ribbon (Ruby Red), Round Button (More Mustard), Baker's Twine Bow (Early Espresso)

Punches - Square (filled w/Autumn Traditions), Leaves #2 (filled w/Always Artichoke)

Happy for You - HSSCC112

I so wanted to play with this challenge, but I was away from my home. I decided to create this 6x6 card digitally with My Digital Studio software. You can view all the projects created with this challenge here: http://handstampedsentiments.blogspot.com/2012/04/hss-color-challenge-112.html

Thanks for looking!

Paper - Textured Cardstock (Pretty in Pink)

Embellishments - Basic Pearls, Striped Ribbon (Rich Razzleberry)

Punches - Labels Collection (Whisper White and Rich Razzleberry w/ Early Espresso mat)

Stamp Brush Sets - So Happy for You (Early Espresso), Twitterpated (flowers - Pretty in Pink with Rich Razzleberry underneath and slightly offset and background overlay in Whisper White) 

Dinosaur State Park -LCTS126

 

After a wonderful week visiting family, I am back to my 2009 scrapbook. I see the light at the end of this scrapbook....these pages reflect November. We visited the Dinosaur State Park in Hartford, CT. What an amazing place!

I used the sketch found at Let's Capture These Sketches (LCTS126). You can see all the pages created with this sketch here: http://letscapturethesesketches.blogspot.com/2012/03/sketch-126-reveal.html

Thanks for looking!

Background paper - Crumb Cake

Photo Mat - Early Espresso

Text - Chalkdust (Early Espresso)

Embellishments - Twitterpated Buttons (Pear Pizzazz)

Punches - Square (filled w/Pumpkin Pie Patterns #1 and Pacific Point Playful Patterns #1), Circle (filled w/Early Espresso for the center of the flowers)

Stamp Brush Sets - Autumn Harvest (Pear Pizzazz w/Early Espresso underneath and slightly offset), Cheerful Treat (Whisper White), Vintage Overlays #11 (Early Espresso at 65% opacity)

8th Anniversary in Hawaii - LCTS124

 

Moving along on my 2009 scrapbook.... I'm working on October!  Mike and I went to Oahu, Hawaii to celebrate our 8th anniversary. My parents went with us on this fun-filled vacation week. We had a wonderful time staying at the JW Marriott Resort and Spa, going to the Polynesian Cultural Center and the Botanical Gardens. Back in 2009, I completed a scrapbook on this vacation, but wanted to include a two-page layout in our 2009 yearly scrapbook too!
I used the sketch on Let's Capture These Sketches (LCTS124)... the projects created with this challenge can be viewed here: http://letscapturethesesketches.blogspot.com/2012/03/sketch-124-reveal.html
Thanks for looking!

Paper - Textured Cardstock (Tangerine Tango), Woodland Walk DSP #4
Photo Mats - River Rock
Text - Gypsy (Basic Gray)
Embellishments - Simple Snapshots
Punches - Tasteful Trim #2 (Woodland Walk DSP)
Stamp Brush Sets - Simple Snapshots (Pink Pirouette, River Rock, Basic Gray), Vintage Overlays (River Rock)

Family Visiting 2009

Wow! I am amazed I got another double page layout complete today! I am on a roll! These are from our September Family/Work visit in Los Angeles back in 2009.
On the weekend, we went to visit Karen and Michael at their home and see all her animals. Then, had dinner with Dan and Linda and their kids that night.
Thanks for looking!

Paper - Good Morning Sunshine DSP #12, #9, Textured Cardstock (Chocolate Chip)
Photo Mats - Daffodil Delight
Text - Informal (Daffodil Delight)
Embellishments - Striped Grosgrain Knot (Daffodil Delight)
Punches - Square and Scallop Oval (filled w/ Good Morning Sunshine DSP)

Natural History Museum

 

I'm back working on my 2009 scrapbook.... with the month of September.  Mike had work in Los Angeles, so we were able to visit with his side of the family during that time. I went to the Natural History Museum with Linda and two of her kids. We had a fabulous time looking at the dinosaur bones.... and all the exhibits there.  Aidan and Miranda were a bit afraid of the butterflies though.
Thanks for looking!

Paper - My Sweet Pea DSP #13, #19, #22, #27
Photo Mats - Rose Red
Punch Mats - Chocolate Chip
Embellishments - My Sweet Pea
Punches - Square (filled w/Chocolate Chip for flag), Arrow (Filled w/same as background paper to complete the flag look), Square (filled w/Old Olive for stem of flowers), Decorative Label (filled w/ My Sweet Pea DSP), Butterfly (filled w/My Sweet Pea DSP), Oval and Square (filled with Chocolate Chip for body of butterfly and antennae)

Holy Communion Letter

My niece, Lauren, is making her First Holy Communion in May this year.  My brother asked me to write a letter to Lauren for her to open on her special day.
What an honor! I decided to create my letter in My Digital Studio so that I could add a cross to the letter, as you see here!
The cross was made pretty much the same way it was completed on my card that I will give to her....you can view the card here: 

Punch - Scallop Trim Border, Scallop Trim Corner  (Pink Pirouette)
Embellishment - Cheerful Treat
Text - Cordial (Black)

Greenhouse Motifs - LCTS15

I saw Linda Keal's 'ink layering' technique, and wanted to try it.  You can see how she did it here: http://olivestamps.blogspot.com/2011/02/what-inspires-you-to-stamp.html
And I incorporated the "Let's Capture These Sketches" Card Challenge (LCTS15). You can view all the cards created with this challenge here:http://letscapturethesesketches.blogspot.com/2012/03/card-sketch-15.html
Here's a close up of the embossed flower:

Stamp sets - Greenhouse Garden, Baroque Motifs, Curly Cute

Paper - Lucky Limeade, Basic Black, Whisper White, Sahara Sand

Ink - Lucky Limeade, Whisper White (Craft), Black Staz-on, Versamark

Ribbon - Black Satin

Accessories - Heat Gun, Embossing Buddy, Clear Embossing Powder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Labels Collection Framelits

Confirmation Cross

My niece will be making her Confirmation this Sunday! May the Holy Spirit remain in her! The 'Crosses of Hope' Stamp set was excellent for this. I did, however, want a dove in the center of the cross. When I saw the 'Easter Dove' in the Occasions Mini.... I thought it was a great fit.
Thanks for looking!

Stamp Sets - Crosses of Hope, Easter Dove
Paper - Poppy Parade, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink - Black Staz-on, Poppy Parade
Accessories - Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Flourish Texture Plate, Blender Pen, scissors, dimensionals

My Brother's Engaged! - LCTS123

 
My little brother recently got engaged!!!! Well, he's not really little anymore since he is so much taller than me, but he will always remain my baby brother (he is 14 years younger than me!). I wanted to capture his engagement and the date within a scrapbook, but now think that I may have it framed and given as a gift to them.
I was inspired by the sketch on Let's Capture These Sketches (LCTS123). The sketch and the pages created with this sketch can be viewed here: http://letscapturethesesketches.blogspot.com/2012/03/sketch-123-reveal.html
Thanks for looking!

Paper - Twitterpated  DSP #14, #7, #6, #9
Text - Majestic (Riding Hood Red)
Embellishments - Twitterpated Pleated Ribbon & Buttons
Punches - Square (filled w/Twitterpated DSP, Pleated Ribbon), Basic Pearls
Stamp set - Twitterpated (Blushing Bride, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze)

Delightful Father - SCCSC110

 

I know it's kinds early to start designing for Father's Day, but I was in the mood to create something masculine. AND.... with the Stampin' Connection Card Sketch Challenge (SCCSC110)... this card just came together. It's a hybrid project using My Digital Studio.

Thanks for looking!

Stamp set - Delightful Dozen (MDS)

Paper - Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Very Vanilla

Ink - Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist

Accessories - Grosgrain Ribbon (Early Espresso), Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Stripes Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Dimensionals, Blender Pen

Butterfly Rainbow - HSSTC109

Saw this Challenge online at Hand Stamped Sentiments and had to give it a try. You can see the challenge and all the projects created with it here: http://handstampedsentiments.blogspot.com/2012/03/hss-theme-challenge-109-rainbows.html

Rainbows are so cheerful....especially when it's raining outside! This will be for my niece's birthday... she'll be 11 this year. Beautiful and Cheerful!
Thanks for looking!

Stamp set - Perfectly Penned
Paper - Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Real Red, Rose Red, Peach Parfait, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Garden Green, Pacific Point, Pool Party, Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder
Ink - Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green, Pacific Point, Concord Crush
Accessories - Glue Dots, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Beautiful Wings Embosslits, Big Shot

Wonderful Thoughts

My Wonderful Aunt sent a huge package of crafting supplies to me last week. The box contained many scissors, punches, corner punches and cutting tools. She no longer had use for them, and knew that I had a passion for card making and scrap booking! Such an awesome present.... I was like a kid at Christmastime. I couldn't wait to try out several punches today. Here is a card that I created using one of the many punches she gave me.

Thanks for looking!

Stamp Set - Loving Thoughts

Paper - Very Vanilla, Marina Mist

Ink - Marina Mist

Accessories - Taffeta Ribbon (Very Vanilla), Fiskars Border Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Outlined Expressions - SCCSC109

 
I used the Stampin' Connection Card Sketch Challenge (SCCSC109) as inspiration for my card for my nephew's birthday card.
Thanks for looking!

Stamp sets - Outlined Occasions, Sprinkled Expressions
Paper - Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Piece of Cake DSP (from MDS)
Ink - Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade

Wedding Invitations

When my little brother and his fiance got engaged, they asked me to design their wedding invitations. I was a little apprehensive at first....Can I create an invitation that they would love? Would it look professional enough? Do I have time to make them?

Then I thought.... I have My Digital Studio....of course I can create an invitation that they would love! They definitely will look professional! AND.... I can design one.... and have them printed professionally by Stampin' Up! Wonderful!

I started designing the very night they asked me.  Within a few days, I had around 20 different invitations for them to choose from. All of them were designed with the color scheme of Black/Vanilla or Black/White.... this way, they could choose the design first, and we can work on colors later.
Here are the three designs they liked the best:

With the designs that they chose, I was able to step it up with adding color and more detail. Here is what I designed:

They were very pleased with all of these invitation designs, and it was difficult for them to choose which one they liked the best. They decided on the Winter Post Navy/White since their wedding will be in December.

I wanted the happy couple to view and make any necessary changes to the wedding invitation, so I printed one on my home computer.

After printing the invitation, I added rhinestones to the middle of each snowflake. The reception, hotel and gift registry information was printed on the inside of the invitation card.  I, then, designed an RSVP card to go along with the invitation. I completed the sample wedding invitation with the White Organza Ribbon and white envelopes.

Here is the final project:

My brother and his fiance were thrilled with the final printed project, and couldn't wait to show it to friends and family.

Winter Post Invitations:

Cardstock - Whisper White

Ink - Night of Navy

Stamp Sets - Winter Post, Together Forever

Text - Majestic and Cordial

Accessories - Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Rhinestones, Glue, Envelopes

Autumn Days Invitations:

Cardstock - Very Vanilla

Ink - Always Artichoke

Stamp Sets - Autumn Days, Together Forever

Text - Majestic and Cordial

Green Tea Invitations:

Cardstock - Very Vanilla

Ink - Soft Suede

Stamp Sets - Green Tea, Together Forever

Text - Majestic and Cordial

Dream Away -LCTS14

 


I am amazed at the talent that is out there.... it is all so inspiring. I've incorporated two talented artists on this one card.... along with the card challenge from Let's Capture These Sketches (LCTS14). All cards created with this sketch can be viewed here: http://letscapturethesesketches.blogspot.com/2012/03/card-sketch-14.html

I used My Digital Studio to create the sunset, using Julie Leblanc's 'MDS Brayering and More' tutorial. Her tutorial can be viewed here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HV5meCHUlxc
And.... I used Paper Pursuits - Barbara Ander's tutorial on making a Sailor's Knot. Her tutorial can be viewed here: http://barspaperpursuits.blogspot.com.au/2010/02/thank-you-sailors-knot-tutorial.html

Stamp sets - Loving Thoughts, Sail Away (MDS)
Paper - Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink - Basic Black, Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Cobbler
Punches - All in MDS...circle, square, tasteful trim#2 using the Brayering Technique
Accessories - Big Shot, Stripes Embossing Folder, Baker's Twine (Cherry Cobbler), Circle Cutting System

Banner Birthday - SQSC29

I feel it difficult sometimes to create birthday cards for men. In my opinion, there are more stamp sets out there for women than men. So, in trying to create a card for our brother-in-law was challenging.
I saw this challenge online on the Stampin' Queen's Sketch Challenge (SQSC29). To view all the cards created with this sketch, go here: http://gettincrafty.typepad.com/stampin_queens_sketch_cha/2012/03/sqsc-29-contest.html
Thanks for looking!

Stamp Sets: Piece of Cake (My Digital Studio)
Paper: Baja Breeze, Early Espresso, Whisper White
Ink: Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso