New Home

I made this card for the family who's home dedicated today with Habitat for Humanity. I was a team leader on the house, in which I won a star night light for perfect attendance for this build. Hard to believe since I had no voice two weeks ago and still went. lol. This card was made for the MAY11VSNMINI5 challenge - walk the plank (use wood grain, or wood) and bonus points if you secure it with some metal. I made the card to have significance. The house started with wood for framing and finished as a house.

For those of you who do not know, I am a 10-year volunteer with Habitat. I am a team leader so am assigned to a house and work on it from start to finish on Saturdays for at least 15 weeks. I love setting trusses and roofing the best, but also like framing and dry wall. The rest, is so important, hoever not my favorite part.

I added the "evil eye" on it since the family has them, wears them, and were refugees from Kosovo. For those of you who do not know, here is a link to describe what it is. I made the evil eye over look the little house stamp so it will ward off the evil looks. Before the dedication, I had as many people as I could sign the card so the family could have well wishes all the people who worked on the house.

They were able to get the house because of their 21 year old daughter who works to pay the interest-free mortgage. The one child, 9 years old, wrote on the walls back when we were framing (a Habitat tradition) Please hurry and fix this house for us. We hurried and they can move in soon.

They really liked the card. When Raza, the 21 year old daughter was reading it, she actually got teary eyed. Awww, how sweet. A simple card. Hmmm. Who knew it would mean so  much? Shw was impressed that I made the card, also. The other sister said, "oh look, it has the evil eye on it.

Supply list: Bazzill, Stack (wood-grain) paper, Recollections black, SU brilliant blue, SU Bashful Blue, Cricut (large circle), circle punches, orner rounder, brads, Katie and Co stamp. Paper pieced the roof. I left the house white and made a blue roof since that is what their house is.

Hugs and kisses

I made this for the fourth Verve (VLVApr2011) sketch on Splitcoast Stampers. It was a fun one. I haven't ever made a sunburst card before and winged it. It's not unusual that I winged it, but it is unusual that it worked the first time! I used my Cricut and my Elegant Borders cartridge. Man...I love that cartridge. I sewed around the edge in a striaght stitch and used a zig-zag stitch in between the paper triangles. The bling...I love by the way...is a ring I got in a pack at Walmart ($1) in the gift section for kids birthdays. I cut off the ring part so it would lay flat. How cute (and cheap) is that as an embellishment!!! In real life, the bling matches the blue in the paper.

Supply list: bazzill, su chocolate chip, su melon mambo, rob and bob stack, cricut, elegant edges cartridge for border and sentiment frme and base, ribbon, bling, Kollette Hall/Studio G ($1 Michaels)

Happy first birthday Semra

I made this card for Ceylan and Mark's little girl. She turns one. Her party is next Sunday and the card is done...now only if the scrapbook layout would make itself. lol.

Supply list: bazzill, DCWV, SU melon mambo, ribbon, SU scallop circle punch, Cricut shape, Stufio G stamp, paper piecing.

You go Girl and Your Day

I hope you had a happy Easter. I went to my girlfriend Helen's house. We both cooked so it was fun. She made grilled veggies, chicken, steak, and garlic bread all on the grill. I made my famous cheesy potatoes and apple salad with homemade pineapple topping. It was a good day and good food. No pictures of the food though.

I made these two cards for two challenges on Splitcoast Stampers. One was the TLC321 Same but Different Challenge, and the other was the CAS116 Artist's Rule of 3 Challenge. In the Same but different challenge, the cards had to have the same supplies, but there could be sutble differences. The same things were the papers, and basic layout, sentiment shape, black accessories and black ink. The differences are: The layout of the patterned paper, one had ribbon, the other didn't, one had no layers under the sentiment, the other did, one had flat-back black pearls, the other had flat-back black rhinestones.

Both were relatively simple cards. Doesn't mean it took me any less time. I've said it before...I struggle with CAS (clean and simple with a lot of empty or white space) cards. The shape for the sentiment is from the Cricut, but they were hand cut. I had a shape sitting there so used it on the cards.

The You go Girl card is for a coworker who is leaving the company to work at another place. The Your Day card is for our Admin for Admin's Day.

Update: Ashley, the coworker who is leaving the company, the You go Girl card, LOVED it. She said, "Did someone make this card for me? It's so neat." She is crafty so she appreciated it. 

 Supply list: Bazzill, The Paper Studio, Recollections, G Studio stamps ($1 at Michaels), Cricut shape, Recollections flat-back pearls, Zaz flat-back rhinestones, Ribbon, SU Melon Mambo, SU Green Galore.

Hug a Tree...In honor of Earth Day!

I just LOVE this stamp! I think its funny for some reason but oh so perfect for Earth Day. I used the Verve VLVApr2011 sketch. I thought it worked perfectly for this card. I cut the paper the long at 4.25 instead of the normal at 5.5. I wanted something a little different. I also used a Kraft base, which is way out of my comfort zone, but it worked! I had to re-learn how to thread the bobbin in my sewing machine. Geeze. Glad I'm getting back in my groove. Don't expect any sewing prrojects...lol. Sewing on a card or scrapbook page is about all I can do! I popped the tree, main image box, and circles on pop dots.

Remember to be green as much as you can, especially conserving water.

Here is a link to the sketch

Supply list: Bazzill (white, green), Sonborn (Sam's Club - green and brown dp), SU Kraft, SU chocolate chip, cuttlebug, SI swiss dots embossing folder, Sewing machine, Cricut, Elegant Edges cartridge, Studio G stamp ($1 at Michaels), Circle pinches, paper piecing.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread...Yum!

I made this homemade banana bread with chocolate chips in it today. It smells so good. It's right out of the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook my dad gave me in 1990 for Christmas before I moved to Arizona. The only difference was my addition of the chocolate chips. It's good without them, but sooooooo much better with them. My bananas were almost too ripe so good thing I was home and could use them today. I'm fighting this sinus head cold or something so stayed home. This am, I could barely raise my head it hurt so bad. I must have slept it off so now, all is good. I just need to be healthy again. I'm NOT good at being sick. This may be just what the doctor orderd. lol. I would share it with my friend Helen who also isn't feeling well also, but she doesn't like banana bread.

All dogs go to heaven

I made this card for my boss. Her dog passed away last week. I hope she likes it. I added the heart on there as an after thought because there was a tiny spot of ink on my paper I couldn't remove. I think it adds to it. I followed the VLVApr2011 sketch on Splitcoast Stampers. I used my cricut, elegant edges for the shape in the middle. I added the blue ribbon and navy around the main image because of the All dogs go to heaven paper. I added "My Forever Pet" on an insert inside for her.

My Forever Pet

There’s something missing in my home,

I feel it day and night,

I know it will take time and strength

Before things feel quite right.

But just for now, I need to mourn,

My heart – it needs to mend,

Though some may say it’s “just a pet”

I know I’ve lost a friend.

You’ve brought such laughter to my home,

and richness to my days…

A constant friend through joy or loss,

With gentle, loving ways.

Companion, pal, and confidante,

A friend I won’t forget,

You’ll live for always in my heart,

My sweet, forever pet…

by Suzanne Taylor

Here is the link to the sketch

Supply list: Bazzill (white and grey), Recollections (red and black), SU (vanilla and night of navy), Around the Block (paw prints), Pet collections (dog houses), Carolees Creations (all dogs go to heaven), SU embossing folder, Cricut, Elegant Edges cartridge, Stamp is unknown (Dollar Tree), Making Memories brads, Ribbon from Michaels, Cuttlebug, Fiskars hole punch, Heart punch, Corner Rounder.

Baby Business for Trang

I made this card for Trang's baby shower in May. Wow...I'm early! lol. This card fits two challenges at Splitcoast Stampers: VLVAPR2011and TLC320. I wanted to try the punched circle edge technique. It's really not that hard. I used the cricut for the butterfly.

I could have used my new cartridge for my Cricut machine, but I really wanted to try this technique. It's pretty neat being able to use a straight punch for a round item. I will have to try this around a shape other than round to see if it works.

Thanks for looking!

Here is the link to the sketch:

Supply list: Bazzill (white, pinks), NRN Designs vellum, DCWV, SU Taggers Dozen heart stamp, Studio G ($1 Michaels), Cricut, Elegant Edges cartridge, Quick Cuts embossing folder, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Recollections bling, cell phone bling, Offray ribbon.

Wishes for you...AJ

I needed a card for a guy who is leaving the company after many years. I made this for the CAS113 challenge at Splitcoast Stampers. I was determined to make a clean and simple card with a lot of white space...this card took me forever to make. I'm not sure why this clean and simple design is soooooooo hard for me. I kept wanting to add and add stuff and had to keep telling myself that it wasn't clean and simple with all that extra stuff. The challenge was to use soft aqua, soft yellow, and white and you could add a splash of color if you wanted. I wanted! I used my Cricut and the Martha Stewart seasonal cartridge for the stars. The border was from PaperTrey Ink. The sentiment and the stars are popped up for dimension.

Supply list: Bazzill, DCWV stack, Rob and Bob stack, PaperTrey Ink border, Cricut, MS seasonal cartridge, G Studio stamp ($1 at Michaels), Cuttlebug, black ink.

Bluebird of happiness...

That's really not what I named this, but that is what Belinda said when she saw it. lol. I made this last night for two challenges on Splitcoast Stampers, but realized this am when I woke up that it really only fits one. The CAS challenge is supposed to be clean and simple, a lot of white space, and easily duplicated. This week, the challenge was to use soft aqua, soft yellow, and white. It dawned on me that it has a lot of layers so probably doesn't qualify for the CAS113 challenge. Oh well, it turned out cute. The one challenge it does work for is the Verve Sketch challenge. There will be four Verve sketches for the month of April. I will post this on Splitcoast Stampers tonight under the VLVApr2011 challenge. I paper pieced the beak and wing. I used my Cricut and Paper Lace cartridge for the flower frame behind the main image. This card would be perfect for a baby or Spring, or just because.

 Here is a link to the sketch:

Supply list: Bazzill (white and blue), SU barely banana (yellow), DCWV stack (yellow) and Rob and Bob stack(blue), Craftsmart stamp ($1 from Michaels), Cricut, Paper Lace cartridge, Cuttlebug, Embossing folder, Recollections half pearls (eye and pearls on sides), Non SU black ink, Nestabilities.

Vintage/Victorian Swap cards

Hi. Finally, here is my card for a Vintage/Victorian swap I am in. The deadline is April 22nd, but I'm mailing them from AZ to WI tomorrow. I have spent a lot of time on these...I want them off my desk. I won't post on SplitCoast Stampers until Dani the hostess posts that she received them. I like how my card turned out. Originally, I was going to use black, white, and pink. I found the papers that looked like my idea in my head and then couldn't get the idea to work so I went with black and ivory. I must have known something was going to happen because when I bought the pink material, I also bought the ivory. I used my Cricut my mom gave me and the heritage cartridge for the cameo. Laurel had the suggestion for me to use the vanilla behind the cameo to make it pop more. At first, I didn't want to do that (didn't want to have to cut more stuff by hand), but am glad I did. I used a stamp my mom found for less than $2 for the entire set. She is quite the bargain shopper!! Must be where I get it : ). I popped the stamped image and the cameo up with foam mounting squares from the DollarTree. I always use these squares. I love them and have turned quite a few people on to them. The flower and the hat pins were hand made by me. The material was ripped and threads removed to achieve the frayed look for the flower and the strip. The ribbon was ruffled. The flower started out as a strip of material with frayed edges and I pleated it then attached the pleated netting, hat pin and button.

Supply list: SU vanilla card base, stamped image, and behind cameo, black on first layer is Recollections, DCWV black/vanilla stripe (All Dressed Up), The Paper Studio (Black and Cream Damask), Cricut and heritage cartridge for cameo, Button by LaMode, Lace from Hobby Lobby, Material from Hobby Lobby for flower and strip, black ribbon is Offray, stamped image is Rubber Stampede - Wedded Bliss set. The edges of the Black and Cream Damask papers were distressed using the Heidi Swapp paper distresser.

A little birdie told me...Bargello

I made this card for the weekly Bargello tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers. The instructions said to use a dark color to make the pattern stand out. Not sure I picked the right dark. I didn't follow the directions for the first piece I created. Not sure if it's even right. I think I will try this technique again with pinks, yellows and blues.

Supply list: Bazzill, Recollections, Designer Papers: Sonborn yellow and green (from Sam's Club), Making Memories (black and white polka dot), Stack pink, and Rob and Bob stack flower. Cricut, Lacy Lables cartridge, G Studio Stamp ($1 Michaels), homemade hat pin, ribbon from flowers, Bazzill flower, Prima flower, brad from Oriental Trading.  

Enjoy Today!

I made a card with no one in mind for it! I wanted to craft and didn't want to make a card for a specific reason.

The main image was a free download from Paper Trey Ink: http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/file...g-download.pdf. I colored the image with my aqua pen and ink. I kept going over the flowers after each layer dried to get it so saturated.

I used the ruffled ribbon technique.

Supply List: Bazzill, Recollections, SonBorn (Sam's Club), Bashful Blue, Satin Ribbon, Recollections pearls, Paper Trey Ink tag, button, Hampton Arts stamp.



Goodbye Bob and Elaine

On Saturday, Helen and I are going to a going away party for some friends, Bob and Elaine. This card is what I made for them. I wanted to mix some papers I wouldn't mix normally and also didn't want it to look overly girly. I think this card is a good mix for both genders. lol. I really like the combo in the designer papers.

This card goes for two challenges on Splitcoast Stampers.
- WT315 - No black or brown ink. Eeee gad! I love my black ink pad.
- Ruffled Ribbon Border.

The hat pins are homemade by me. The felt hearts were in a pack from JoAnns for $1. I thought they added just the right touch for the embellishment.

And please notice the cleaned off desktop in the background. : )

Supply List: Bazzill (white), Recollections (black), SU (green galore - I miss this color!), Rob and Bob stack, The Paper Studio (polka-dot...yes, you will see a lot of this...I love it), SU tempting turquoise ink, homemade hat pins, felt hearts, Ribbons from Hobby Lobby, and the stamp is Hampton Art/Katie & Co ($1 at Michaels). Techniques: ruffled ribbon border.

A whole lot of paper piecing going on!

I made this card and scrapbook layout for my friend Kim's first grand daughter. I saw the bedding Courtney had chosen and couldn't help but think how cute that would be as a card. I don't normally look at a card as a piece of art, but in this case, I couldn't help it. The card turned out so cute I had to include it as part of the layout. Well...originally, I was going to make two animals of each and after realizing how much time I had invested, I decided to search for a sketch I could use that would allow me to incorporate the card. I found a perfect sketch and used the card where the larger picture would go. I think I should clean my desk off next time I choose to take a picture of something after I've made it. lol. Courtney and Kim both loved it. The first picture is the card, the second is a picture of the bedding from Target and the third is with the card incorporated into the scrapbook layout. I have asked Kim to take a picture of the layout for me so you can see it better.

I used the sketchabilities sketch located here:

http://sketchabilities.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-03-28T00%3A41%3A00-04%3A00&max-results=2

Supply List:  Bazzil (pink and white), Chatterbox (orange), SU melon mambo and another pink and chocolate chip, My Minds Eye (pink and white polka dot), Rob and Bob stack (green), cuttlebug, swiss dot embossing folder, brads, the animals were made from $1 stamps from Michaels (elephant and monkey and palm tree - but I created the tree trunk myself to make it longer), flower punch for larger flower, circle punch, i stamped an SU flower for the smaller flower and cut it out, I added a white dot of acrylic paint in the middle of the flower brad to make it match, the giraffe, turtle, and lion all were from http://www.coloring.ws/ where I sized the images to what I needed. I ran the colored paper through the printer for the various colors. For the layout, I used a Prima bling accessory that I cut in half to put around the silk flower. The hearts are cut from a wood heart shape I have. In the bigger flowers, the pink is a Prima flower. The white flower in the elephant is a silk flower from Michaels. Baby is bazzill chipboard lettering. I also framed this in a scrapbook frame from Michaels.

Thanks for looking!