A Card for Dad...on Mom's Day

Happy Mother's Day 

to all the moms out there!

At Card A Day Blog, we work about a month ahead with our themes, so ironically, this week's Father's Day theme starts today!  I'm kicking things off with a fun and easy washi tape card for dad.

A Couple Details:

• This card can be made in a flash!  I just ran rows of alternating washi tapes the length of my card.  I left about 1/8 inch between each strip and tore the ends.  I love the transparency of the tape...seeing a bit of the base color come through really pulls it all together.
• Next, I stamped the fun greeting in black on soft stone stock.  I tattered the edges and added just a touch of color with Distress Markers.  I attached the square to the base with foam tape to give it dimension from the washi background.

Supplies:
Cardstock:	Papertrey Ink ‘Spring Moss’, ‘Soft Stone’
Stamps:	Inkadinkadoo ‘Happy Father’s Day’
Inks:	Archival ‘Jet Black’; Distress Markers
Embellishments:	Washi tape; Tim Holtz tissue tape ‘Symphony’
Tools:	TH paper distresser; Stamp-a-ma-jig; bone folder; 3M foam tape

Gentlemen, Let's Offer Our Congratulations...

That's what I think Tim's stately gents are saying on this card.  J

We're letting you choose your own theme this week at Card A Day Blog, so as today's featured designer, I'm sharing a card created for my nephew's high school graduation in June.  It needed to be masculine, yet celebratory, so I turned to a bold yellow, black and grey color scheme and a Tim Holtz stamp.  His school colors are gold and brown, so I thought this was a nice nod in that direction as well.

Some Details:

• The bright yellow base was toned down just a touch with my new favorite technique of swiping white acrylic paint along the edges.
• I love the combination of the modern graphic polka dot paper with the vintage gentlemen stamped in black on soft grey stock.  To give the grey a little pop and dimension, I dragged a black ink pad along the edges.  This gave it just the thinnest black edge.

• The bold banner diecut adds to add to that celebratory feel.  This was a straight border diecut that I gently curved and glued into place.  Some black and white baker's twine finishes  off the banner / bunting look.

Although I find I only make them when necessary, I really enjoy the challenge of creating masculine cards.  It's a great re-set to the creative juices!

Challenges:

Eclectic Ellapu: Anything Goes

Stamping Sensations: April Challenge - Special Occasions

Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Anything Goes

Supplies:
Cardstock:	Stampin’ Up! ‘Yo-Yo Yellow', ‘Sahara Sand’, ‘Confetti White’
Patterned Paper:	Authentique ‘Blissful’ 6x6
Stamps:	Tim Holtz ‘Curious Possibility’; SU! ‘Warmest Regards’
Inks:	Archival ‘Jet Black’; Adirondack paint dabber ‘Snow Cap’
Embellishments:	Bazzill Just the Edge cardstock strip ‘Beetle Black’; Darice baker’s twine ‘Black / White’
Tools:	Stamp-a-ma-jig; Memory Maker’s ribbon glue; decorative edge scissors

Plan B

Oh my, I can’t believe we’re just about halfway through April already!!  We’re getting a jump on those Mother’s Day cards at Card A Day Blog this week and will be bringing you lots of inspiration.

I’m kicking things off with this card that I made for my soon-to-be mother-in-law.  I’ve had these pieces and parts laying on my craft table for MONTHS…planned for a whole other project.  But I thought to myself:  obviously I’m not too captivated by said planned project, or I would have made it by now!  So I made this card instead.  As my fiancé recently told me “life is all about plan B”.  Now, granted, that was because he was throwing a wrench into some wedding stuff and he wanted me to adapt, but I digress!  J

The Details:

• Once I decided to repurpose the elements, this card went together in a snap!
• I distressed the edges of my kraft base with Snow Cap paint dabber, then layered on My Mind’s Eye patterned paper that had been unevenly torn along the bottom and distressed around the other edges
• Before gluing my patterned paper in place, I looped some ivory seam binding around the back and tied it in a big fluffy bow.
• The printed chipboard leaf sprig tucks in nicely behind the ribbon.  I gave the edges a few swipes of Snow Cap paint dabber, too.

• The finally touch was spelling out “MOM” with alpha stickers.   I had strategically cut my patterned paper so that the lovely frame area would be in just the right spot on my card.

Mom-in-law card done!  Tomorrow I’ll share the card I made for my own mom.

Supplies:
Cardstock:	Papertrey Ink ‘Kraft’
Patterned Paper:	My Mind’s Eye Lost & Found ‘Market Street’ 6x6
Inks:	Adirondack paint dabber ‘Snow Cap’
Embellishments:	Kaisercraft printed chipboard ‘Secret Bird Society’; Hug Snug seam binding ‘ivory’; Bo Bunny combo stickers ‘Welcome Home’
Tools:	Tim Holtz paper distresser; tweezers

Thinking of You

Happy Easter

He is Risen, He is Risen, Indeed!

The theme this week at Card A Day Blog is "Thinking of You", and while this theme can cover a lot of things, unfortunately lately for me, it means sympathy cards.

I wanted something simple with a soft, comforting palette...

A Couple Details:

• Kraft cardstock is so grounding...not too sweet, not too harsh.  Always the perfect base when you want to go simple.
• The Crafty Secrets frame did most of the work for me, stamping "thinking of you" in the center and distressing the edges is the only extra work it needed from me.

• A scalloped edge along the bottom edge of the patterned paper, a distressed strip of contrasting paper, and a butterfly sticker add detail, but not bulk.  This will go through the mail in great condition.
• And for that something extra, a simple row of Liquid Pearls dots along the bottom.

Supplies:
Cardstock:	Papertrey Ink ‘Kraft’
Patterned Paper:	My Mind’s Eye Lost & Found Two ‘Sunshine’ 6x6
Stamps:	K&Co. Amy Butler ‘Lotus Greeting’
Inks:	Memento ‘London Fog’; Distress Ink ‘Old Paper’
Embellishments:	Crafty Secrets Creative Scraps; K&Co. embossed stickers Elizabeth Brownd ‘Traditional Butterflies’; Liquid Pearls ‘Bisque’
Tools:	Tim Holtz paper distresser; foam ink blender; scallop scissors

Painted Easter

We're kicking off a week of Easter cards at Card A Day Blog and I've been playing with paint!

I admit, I love all things Tim, but with the wedding fast approaching, I'm really trying to rein in my craft spend.  So, while I keep seeing these wonderful blogland posts on the new Distress Paints, I just can't bring myself to purchase them when I have a whole rack of acrylic paints languishing in the studio!  And though I'm sure DPs are magical, I thought I'd see what I could do with those abandoned ordinary, non-Tim paints...

The Details:

• That's right, I'm starting with the details before even showing you the end result...I'm building drama!  LOL!  Plus, I actually remembered to get the camera out while in the process of creating, not just at the end.
• I've seen a lot of stamping and background work with DPs, so I decided that was a perfect way to start my paint experimentation.  I made my card base from spring moss stock, then added some "swoops" of yellow ochre using a make-up sponge (I love using make-up sponges for paint because they do a great job and are cheap enough that I just toss 'em when I'm done). 

• Next layer was a postcard background stamped in buttermilk.  I also lightly swiped the edges and corners with buttermilk.

• Paint gives the image such dimension and texture...I love it!

• Final paint layer was some rouge fly-speckling using a toothbrush.  The more water you add to your paint, the larger the speckles will be.  Always test on a scrap before flicking onto your project.

• Something I haven't seen DPs used for (yet) is coloring ribbon.  I didn't have the right shade of ribbon to match my card, so I decided to dye my own using yellow ochre acrylic paint and water.  It turned out lovely!    At first, it's really matte and heavy looking with the paint pigment.

• But then, when you squeeze it in a paper towel, the distressed look comes through and you get highs and lows of color.  It has a softer, more chalk-pastel finish than when using ink pigment.  Perfect for spring...reminds me of the finish on an eggshell.

• I had this perfect Easter image from K&Co. with a not-so Easter-y sentiment.  "You're invited"?  Seems like an odd choice on their part, but I can fix it!

• I punched a photo label from cream cardstock and stamped "Easter" in Crushed Olive DI.  After tattering the edges with a Tim Holtz paper distresser, I used the same make-up sponge to add color to the edges.  It's subtle because I didn't re-apply any paint to the sponge, I just used what was already on it.  I then mounted the finished label over the unwanted sentiment using foam tape for dimension.

Okay, I think I've taunted you enough!  Here's the finished card.  I used just a touch of patterned paper behind the bunny and flowers image.  I'm really pleased with the background and am sure I'll continue my paint experiments.

Challenges:
Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog: Easter Eggstravaganza
Crafty Ribbons Challenge: Anything Goes With Ribbon
The Order of the Opus Gluei: Challenge #152 - Spring has Sprung
Card Caravan Challenge: Fur or Feather
The Squirrel and the Fox: Challenge #39 - Autumn or Spring
Allsorts Challenges: Week #197 - Springtime
Crafty Calender: March Challenge - "Easter Egg-stravaganza!"
One Stop Challenge: #219 - Spring

Supplies:
Cardstock:	Papertrey Ink ‘Spring Moss’; Stampin’ Up! ‘Naturals Ivory’
Patterned Paper:	Authentique ‘Blissful’ 6x6
Stamps:	SU! ‘All Year Cheer’; Unity Ippity ‘Thoughts from the Past’
Inks:	Acrylic paint Americana ‘Yellow Ochre’, ‘Buttermilk’, Delta Ceramcoat ‘Rouge’; Distress Ink ‘Crushed Olive’
Embellishments:	K&Co diecut ‘SW Spring Blossom Seed’; Hug Snug seam binding ‘Ivory’
Tools:	Scallop edge scissors; Stamp-a-ma-jig; EK Success punch ‘Photo Labels’; 3M foam tape; mister; heat tool; Tim Holtz paper distresser; make-up sponge; toothbrush

Love

The theme this week at Card a Day Blog is "Weddings".  Seems my whole life is wedding-themed these days...LOL!

I'm really digging the color palette for this card.  Soft blush pink for romance...black and white for a modern edge.  A little velvet, a hint of sparkle, but mostly clean and simple.

A Detail:

• I stamped my central image on white cardstock using Jet Black StazOn.  I used a permanent ink so that I could add a touch of color to the heart with a Spun Sugar Distress Marker and water pen.  I also added a swipe of Spun Sugar Distress Stain along the distressed edges.  The little stamped square is mounted to the card with foam tape for dimension and I gave the heart a layer of Rock Candy Distress Stickles for that itty-bitty touch of sparkle that every wedding card should have.

Supplies:
Cardstock:	Papertrey Ink ‘Sweet Blush’; Stampin’ Up! ‘Confetti White’
Patterned Paper:	Fancy Pants ‘Love Story’ 6x6
Stamps:	SU! ‘Say It Simply’
Inks:	StazOn ‘Jet Black’; Distress Marker ‘Spun Sugar’; Distress Stain ‘Spun Sugar’
Embellishments:	Making Memories trim ‘Animal Crackers’; Distress Stickles ‘Rock Candy’
Tools:	Tim Holtz paper distresser; water pen; 3M foam tape

With Love

This week's challenge theme at Card a Day Blog is Valentine's Day.  As today's featured designer, I decided to share the Valentine version of an iris folding pattern I learned from my mom.  It's amazingly versatile!  Just change the colors and patterns and the whole look changes for the season.  Iris folding in general is also a great way to use up smaller scraps.  I was able to incorporate three different patterns of Valentine scraps and a solid on this card.

Just a Few Details:

• The pattern my mom taught me is from a book that she purchased, so I cannot share it here, however, there are TONS of free patterns out in internet-land.  
• I found a small heart stamp in my stash that fit perfectly in the iris.  I added some Xmas Red Stickles for that extra-special sparkly Valentine touch.
• A simple red and white baker's twine bow and stamped sentiment really pull things together.  I love the clean and simple look of this card.

Supplies:
Cardstock:	Stampin’ Up! ‘Ultrasmooth White’, ‘Real Red’
Patterned Paper:	Scraps
Stamps:	Hero Arts
Inks:	SU! craft ink ‘Real Red’
Embellishments:	Stickles ‘Xmas Red’; Papertrey Ink baker’s twine

The Best of Times

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way...

Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Wow, even 150 years later, Charles Dickens' words still hold a message.  Here's to 2013 falling into the "Best of Times" category...come on, a girl can hope!  J

We're ringing in the New Year a bit early at Card A Day Blog to give you lots of inspiration for those holiday cards. Whether you're just too busy to send Christmas cards or you have friends who don't celebrate Christmas, New Year's cards are a great solution.

Some Details:

• You know me, I can't resist a vintage postcard!  This one originally rang in 1911.  You can barely make out the embossed numbers.  To help disguise them even more, I stamped a clock face over the top.  Old Paper Distress Stickles accent the border.
• I wanted the card to be wintery, but not Christmas-y, so while I still used holly as an accent, I used a simple cream silk flower and fabric-covered brad as the main embellishment.
• To include our upcoming year, I wrote "2013" on a photo label punched from a scrap, added it to a Tim Holtz memo pin, and stuck in into the floral.  A tiny piece of foam tape keeps it from shifting.

• A musical border, some lovely Webster's Pages trim, and a little Rock Candy Distress Stickles on the holly and birds finishes things off nicely.



Stampin' Up! Not Quite Navy

• For some reason, my camera was not liking the color of the card base.  No matter how I attempt to correct it, it just will not come across true to life.  For those of you familiar with Stampin' Up! colors, it's Not Quite Navy...much more dusty teal than what I see on my screen.  

Challenges:

Alphabet Challenge Blog: V is for Vintage

Card Crafter's Circle: Challenge #52 - December Celebrations

Supplies:
Cardstock:	Stampin’ Up! ‘Not Quite Navy’
Patterned Paper:	My Mind’s Eye Lost & Found ‘Portobello Road’ 6x6
Image:	Catnip Studio ‘Winsch Birds Postcard’
Stamps:	Teresa Collins Fabrications ‘Canvas’; SU! ‘Crackle’
Inks:	Archival ‘Coffee’; VersaMark; Distress Ink ‘Old Paper’; Le Pen ‘Brown’
Embellishments:	K&Co border sticker ‘Flora & Fauna’, fabric brad ‘Wild Saffron’; Darice flower; holly pick; Webster’s Pages designer trim; Distress Stickles ‘Old Paper’, ‘Rock Candy’; Tim Holtz memo pin
Tools:	EK Success punch ‘Photo Labels’; 3M foam tape; TH paper distresser