A Yippee Skippee Day

 Do you know what this little banner means!? I get to be part of the Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge Design Team for the next few months. You might have already gathered that I love challenges and that is just what a "SPARK" is, a piece of inspiration that should spark a creative idea. 

 This is the newest Paper Smooches Spark challenge and of course, I wanted to play along. 

 I thought the way the little images were scattered on the page, it looked like leaves falling.  I used the newest FREE digital images at Paper Smooches.  One thing that is cool about a digital image is that you can print it out in pretty much any size.  All I did was open a Microsoft Word document and inserted the leaves, one by one.  I resized the leaf a few times and printed them on plain white cardstock and a piece of red patterned paper and a piece of  yellow patterned paper.  For the white cardstock I used the x-Press Copic Marker paper.  Not only does this paper would amazingly well with the Copic markers for coloring and blending but the computer prints wonderfully on it. 

 I printed the digital sentiment directly on the white cardstock.  The leaves were cut out and then placed on the white cardstock that I had sprayed a couple colors of the Smooch Spritz by Clearsnap.  The white leaves were colored with Copic markers. 

 Another reason for a happy post is that The Cat's Pajamas stamps was the sponsor this last week at Card Positioning Systems blog.  Is this guy the cutest?

After I colored the stamped image, I sprayed the entire piece with a Smooch Spritz in a shiny silver color. It really made a nice finish to the image. 

And for a couple photos...

We got a huge downpour of rain this last week and the sky the day after was nothing but big, fluffy clouds.  I had to take photos, of course.  I used my Hipstamatic app on my phone.

And, this beauty is in my garden. I so love fuchias.

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

Some Wheat and Some Sand

First off, I wanted to play with the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger.

Does this ever look amazing?

 I thought the wheat stamp reminded me of the tall glasses, I stamped them in white to go along with the whip cream and ice cream in the glasses. 

 After I stamped the wheat in the white ink and embossed it with white embossing powder, I sprayed the background with two colors of Smooch Spritz.  The white embossing acted as a resist.  One of the colors  is a golden yellow and that reminded me of the Trigger colors.

 The band across the card and the circle with the sentiment are both colored with more spray colors. 

 Next off, I wanted to show off what I did with the Unscripted sketch this last week. 

The sketches can be used for any craft project, I thought this one would work so great for a layout.  The zig zag circle was cut with my Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.  The papers and stickers are by Nikki Sivils. 

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

A NOTE OF THANKS card

Materials list:

Cardstock – Core’dinations

X-Press Blending Card – Copic Markers

Wheat, Writing and sentiment stamps – Hero Arts

Self adhesive pearls – Queen & Co.

White stamp pad – Joann craft store

White embossing powder - Stampendous

Black Versafine stamp pad

Spray colors – Smooth Spritz/Clearsnap

Circle punches - PaperShapers

Border punch – Martha Stewart

Foam tape – 3M

SKETCH 126 – SAND IN MY TOES layout

Materials list:

Cardstock – Core’dinations

Patterned papers and stickers – Nikki Sivils

Cricut cartridge

One little SPARK

Did someone say "challenge"?

                             

That is what Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge is about. It is something like a sketch, meant to give you a launching place for inspiration on creating a card or project. 

 

 Is this the cutest little photo ever? (details on what it is and where it is from are available at Paper Smooches)

 Here is my card using this "Spark" piece. 

The first thing that I noticed was the green, faded background so I created that by rubbing the edges of my white cardstock with a blending tool and a green stamp pad. 

I created a little "ruffle" edge with some stamped flowers.  I just stamped the flower a few times and colored the petals the same as my main flower and then cut them so that just the petals showed looking similar to a ruffle.

I also loved the little tag hanging from the string and the clothespin accent. I punched out a tag shape from patterned paper, stamped the sentiment on the tag and then let it hang on my card with some green embroidery floss and a tiny, green clothespin. 

I thought that this one little flower sitting all by itself on the side of my card looked a bit like that one cute little onesie.  The pinks helped me stay with the color combo and the little rhinestone made it even more girly!
Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

HUGS card
Materials list:
Cardstock – Core’dinations
X-Press Blending Card – Copic Markers
Patterned paper – Playground/Echo Park
Stamp set – Paper Smooches
Self adhesive rhinestones – Recollections
Copic markers
Black Versafine stamp pad
Green stamp pad - Clearsnap
Clear embossing powder – Stampendous
Tag punch – McGrill
Embroidery floss
Aleene’s Paper Glaze
Foam tape – 3M

World Card Making Day 2011

 When I first heard a few years ago, that there was a day set aside for card making, I couldn't believe it! A day just for all of us who enjoy playing with paper and other supplies to create cards.

 I pulled out my supplies to create a card just for the day.  The card base is cut with my Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. This is the cartridge that has a number of card base choices and this one also cuts out a window in the front. 

 The label shape with the leaf sprig is designed to fit inside of the hole that the cartridge cuts. I placed a piece of vellum behind the opening for a really  neat look.  I cut the label piece out three times. Once in the woodgrain pattern, once in a thin chipboard to help the leaf sprig stronger and again in the green pattern for the leaves.  Then I layered these together.  The little round tag is a die cut from PaperTrey, Inc.

 Another card that I want to share today is this one using lots of Bella Blvd. papers and some of their matching alphabet stickers. 

 I sanded the letters a little bit.  I like that the sanding makes them a little distressed.

 And the last one, using "text" prints as the accents. I did emboss the tan cardstock that is the card base and the black lacey piece is cut with my Cricut.

The label piece is actually Tim Holtz tape. I just filled a piece of white cardstock with strips of the tape and then cut this out with a Spellbinder Nestabilities.  It is also spritzed with some spray colors.  The flower is actually two layers of flowers that I cut from a piece of BasicGrey patterned paper. 

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

THANKS – Leaf sprig card

Materials list:
Cardstock – Core’dinations
Patterned paper – Bella Blvd.
X-Press Blending Card – Copic Markers
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge/CTMH – Card shape/, Shift, Card, 5 1/2” and opening frame/, Layer, 3 ¼”, (three times – once in the brown patterned paper, one with thin chipboard/multi cut and one with the green patterned paper)
Vellum - Walmart
Circle tag die cut and sentiment stamp – PaperTrey, Inc.
String – Karen Foster
Foam tape – 3M

THANKS FRIEND card

Materials list:
Cardstock – Core’dinations
Patterned paper and sticker letters – Bella Blvd.
Border punches – Martha Stewart
Self adhesive rhinestones – Recollections
Corner rounder punch – Fiskars

TEXT PRINT FLOWER card

Materials list:
Cardstock – Core’dinations
Patterned paper – Reprint/Out of Print collection/BasicGrey
Spellbinder Nestabilities Label shape
Tim Holtz tape
Cuttlebug embossing folder
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge/CTMH - , Font Layer, 1 ¼” Fit to Length
Buttons
Foam tape – 3M

Glitter and Buttons

 First off, I get to share my Card Positioning Systems card with you.

 Clearsnap is our sponsor this week and we all were able to play with their Design Adhesive supplies.  It is always fun to use something that takes you "out of your box" a bit and this was one of those.

 The flourish design is pressed onto the white cardstock, it is clear and covered with adhesive. Now you can either add glitter to that or foil.  Of course, the glitter only sticks where the adhesive is and the result is a gorgeous design. Easy as can be! The label shape is cut with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.

 I just had to give this great, Card Patterns sketch a try. I can see using this over and over and having each card look different.

 I decided to use buttons for the four circles you see in the sketch.  The sentiment is a rub-on by EAD Designs/Paper Smooches. I LOVE these things, I have all of them and use them constantly. 

The label shape is cut with the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. The front label has the leaves cut out of it and then I matted that with a shadow of the label cut just a bit larger. 

Stay tuned, I plan to have a couple cards up for World Card Making day on Oct 1st!  I can't even believe they would have a special day on the calendar just for us card makers!!!

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

SKETCH 237 – LOVE-JOY-HOPE card
Materials:
Design Adhesive and Glitter courtesy of Clearsnap
Cardstock – Core’dinations
Patterned paper – Reprint/Out of Print collection/BasicGrey
Art Philosophy CTMH Cricut cartridge
Brads - Unknown
Sticker letters - Sticko

MISSING YOU LIKE CRAZY card
Materials list:
Cardstock – Core’dinations
Patterned paper – Mineral Soak/Origins collection/BasicGrey
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge/CTMH – , 2 ¼” and Decorative layer, 2”
Rub-on sentiment – EAD Designs/Paper Smooches
Buttons – from my stash

Laugh and Luck

I have a couple fun cards to share with you today.

 First up, my Unscripted sketch card. I LOVE this sketch. I thought there were so many possiblities with this one.

 Notice the card shape!? Being able to cut card shapes was my main reason for purchasing the Close To My Heart Art Philosophy cartridge. There are sooooo many choices on this Cricut cartridge. This one cut the shaped, bottom edge.

These wonderful Bella Blvd papers were sitting on my desk. I had even cut out the circle frame using my Kreaxions circle cutter for another project and then didn't use it and it just fit in here perfectly.  The little layered sun is cut with my Cricut. 

 I love color combo challenges and this is one I had to try out from Play Date Cafe. 

This color combo did not include brown but it just seemed like I needed to add it here, maybe it is like a neutral black.  And, again, I used my Art Philosophy cartridge to cut the card shape.

 Is this little owl the cutest? It is a stamp by Inky Antics and of course, I colored it with Copic markers.  I most often use the Copic X-Press white cardstock to go along with the Copic markers, they work amazingly well together.  The stamp came with the little branch that the owl was sitting on but I added to that a cut branch using the Cricut. I cut the branch with the leaves from green cardstock and then cut just the branch from brown cardstock and layered them.

And, I have to share a couple photos...

 Do you see that star shaped cloud? I was just exiting the freeway and looked over to see the cloud shape so I quickly found a place to stop and get a photo. We have farm land all around us so that is what you see in the foreground. Of course, I used my Hipstamatic camera on my phone for these. 

We had so many beautiful cloud formations on this day so I had to stop to capture this one too.  This strawberry field is about four blocks from our house. Our county grows strawberries everywhere!

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

SKETCH 125 – LAUGH card

Materials list:

Cardstock – Core’dinations

Patterned papers – Bella Blvd.

Kreaxions circle cutter

Self adhesive rhinestones – Queen & Co.

Card Shape – Art Philosophy cartridge/CTMH

Sun - Cricut Just Because cards

Sticker word – Doodlebug

Self adhesive pearls – Queen & Co.

LUCKY DAY card

Materials list:

Cardstock – Core’dinations

Owl stamp – Inky Antics

Black Versafine stamp pad

Clear embossing powder - Stampendous

Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge/CTMH – Card shape/, Card, 5 1/2”, scallop circle/, Decorative Layer, 3”, Leaf sprig, , Shift with green cardstock, 1 ¼” and Shift/Layer in brown cardstock, 1 ¼” and sentiment “Lucky Day”, Stamping cartridge

Copic Markers

Foam tape – 3M

Love Fall colors

 Summer is my favorite season, but I love the colors of FALL!  I could probably create everything in those colors. Sooo...first off, I want to share my Card Positioning Systems card with you. 

The sponsor for this week is EAD Designs.  They offer stickers and rub-ons.  I picked these adorable "fall" themed stickers.  I put each one on white cardstock and then cut out the shape.  For the way I wanted to use them, I wanted them to be a little more sturdy. 

I couldn't resist playing along with Colour Q this week and these colors are so NOT Fall, really, but I wanted to give them a try!

I turned to my trusty Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge by Close to My Heart for my design. 

I cut the same shape four times on four different colors of cardstock.  The little flower looking middle piece gets cut out so I just switched the colors around. 

And, I feel in LOVE with this Cardabilities sketch so I gave that a try. I think I could use this same sketch over and over since it is the perfect way to just pick up scraps from my table and create a card.

The leaf is from the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. Four simple strips of paper from Echo Park worked wonderfully.   

I cut an outline and then cut a full leaf and glued them together.  I filled in the open areas in the outline with Crackle accents by Ranger.  Once that was dry, I brushed over it with a brown stamp pad to help show up the crackle lines.  The black flourish and the golden scallop border are both cut with the Cricut cartridge.

And for a couple photos...

We are going to soccer games these days and so here are a couple photos from the other day.  The littlest one is not on a team but he loves kicking that ball around.  More pics from my Hipstamatic camera.

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

SKETCH 236 – FALL TREE card

Materials:
Stickers courtesy of EAD Designs
Cardstock – Core’dinations
Corrugated paper – Canvas Home Basics
Patterned paper – My Mind’s Eye
Spellbinder diamond shape Nestabilities die
Self adhesive rhinestones – Recollections
Corner rounder punch – Bind It All
Foam tape – 3M

THANKS WITH COLORS card

Materials list:

Cardstock – Core’dinations

Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge/CTMH - /shift, Decorative Layer 2 ½”

Spray color – Chalkboard/Glimmer Mist

Rub-on sentiment – EAD Designs/Paper Smooches

Brad and button – from my stash

Self adhesive rhinestones – Queen & Co.

GRACIAS card

Materials list:

Cardstock – Core’dinations

Patterned paper – For the Record/Echo Park

Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge/CTMH – Leaf/, Shift Layer, 2 ½” and Shadow/Leaf, Shift, Scallop border/, Font (fit to length) 5 ½”, Black Flourish/Shift, Font Layer 1 ¾”

Crackle accent – Distress/Ranger

Self adhesive rhinestones flourish – Recollections

Sticker letters – Sticko

Foam tape – 3M