Coordinated Gift Set

It's my sister's birthday. I started by making a birthday card and envelope from the Wild Card Cricut cartridge. I used the same Sweet Talk by Monenta designer paper and made a book mark to accompany the book that I bought her. I made my own tassle and added it to the bookmark. I then made a small purse using the Bags, Tags, Boxes and More Cricut cartridge with the same designer paper. I added a satin ribbon for the purse handle and pink button to the front. Inside she found a necklace that I made. She loved it! She is not only my sister, but my very best friend. We try to talk several times a week, try to have coffee at least once a week and I love her company. I am lucky that she lives close to me. Friends of mine have told me how lucky I am that we have each other. I think so too.

Tiffany Doodles DT Call

It pays to be a member of crafting social networks such as Splitcoaststampers and Paper Craft Planet. Not only can you see fabulous projects of other members but you can also find out about Design Team opportunities. Tiffany Doodles needs several designers and the call is out until May 21st.

Tiffany Doodles creates fabulous digital images, some of which are offered as freebies. Check out the site yourself (http://tiffanydoodles.blogspot.com). I downloaded the image of two parrots which I colored using my Copic markers. Tiffany was kind enough to include a colored photograph to accurately capture the vibrant colors of the birds. Brown cardstock was curled around the barrel of a pen to create a 3D stand for the parrots. The background of tiny leaves was stamped on periwinkle colored cardstock using Versamark ink. The simple sentiment "I miss you" that complets the card.

I will submit this card and see if I can become a member of the Tiffany Doodles new design team. Wish me luck!

Flowers Card

I was looking at my acrylic stamps recently and came across a stamp that I have never used. Have you ever done that...purchased something with great intentions of using it but never gotten around to it? Well, this stamp appealed to me because each of the petals has a different pattern. I stamped the flowers onto different colored plain cardstock, cut them out and curled the petal. I took black cardstock and glued pieces of ercu embroidery floss for the flower stems. The three flowers were placed in an overlapping fashion to the top of the floss stems. Strips of designer paper containing similar colors as the flowers were added to the top and bottom of the card. A bumble bee dimensional appears in free-flight and looks like it's coming in for a landing to gather some nector. I added the general sentiment "thinking of you" so this card can be used for a multitude of occasions.

Here is my recipe:
Paper: Momenta, Specialty Collection - Sweet Talk
Stamps: Martha Stewart - Valentine collection,
Ink: Martha Stewart - Walnut, Versamark
Embossing Powder: Stampendous - Stampin Stuff
Embellishments: K&Company.

First Ever Blog Candy Offering

I invite you to check out the website of Elaine at "A Technophobes Blog" http://atechnophobesblog.blogspot.com and see her fabulous offering of Hanglar and Stanglar stamps and designer papers. There will be TWO lucky winners picked on Friday May 21st, 2010. Good luck to everyone!

A Little Birdie Told Me

Have you ever noticed that on the first day of really nice weather, you seem to notice that families take their new babies for walks in their new strollers or carriages? Were all these little ones purposely kept under wraps all winter waiting for their inaugural first journey in their brand new mobility paraphernalia? Don't get me wrong, I love babies. In fact, I'm a grandmother of one very large 17 year old high schooler who plays basketball, football and any other sport that involves playing with balls of various sizes.

One of my son's very good friends from high school and his wife just had their first baby last week so I thought I'd make a card for the occasion to go along with the small wooden toy box that I am giving them. I was inspired to make this card after watching the bird feeder in my back yard. The birds seem to come in pairs and while one feeds, the other one goes hunting around for nesting material. I found some embellishments from Martha Stewart - a collection of sparkling birds. That was my starting point. I cut freehand a tree branch and used my Copic markers to enhance the brown card stock to resemble bark. I then added a bird's nest from K & Company. Inside the card, I downloaded a digital "chick" from Digistamp Boutique, which I cut out and colored with Copic markers before adding glitter. I think the card turned out really well and I'm excited to give it to the new parents. I hope you enjoy it too.

I submitted this card to the All Sorts Week 50 Challenge "Animals".

Monochromatic Card with Stitching (4 Challenges)

I have wanted to make a bi-fold card for some time and here it is. I chose to enter this card in a few challenges that showcase both the monochromatic theme of this card and also challenges that called for the use of stitching, faux or real.

I started with a base cardstock in chocolate brown which I scored to create two folds. I applied a modern leafy designer paper from Me and My Big Ideas in beige and brown and applied it to the panels. I rounded the corners and turned up the bottom edges which are held in place with bronze brads. The same brads were used to attach the ribbon closure. I finished off the front by adding a brown cardstock heart hand stitched using a white gel pen. The embossed sentiment, A Gift for You completes the card. I loved the end result - a truly modern card that is a bit unusual.

This card was entered into the following challenges:
1. Penny Black, Week 97 - Monochromatic Brown;
2. Charisma Cardz - Monochromatic;
3. Allsorts, Challenge #48 - In Stitches; and
4. Sweet Stamping, Challenge #22 - Stitches.

Butterfly Wings

I found a lovely two sided designer paper from Basic Grey in a light turquoise with white dots in a regular argyle pattern. While some might find it boring, I love its simplicity. The color really works well with one of the butterflies that I found in the Grand Adhesions collection from K&Company which is truly the focal point of this card. The butterflies even come with copper wire antenna. I then added a simple "Happy Anniversary" sentiment that completes things. I really like the way it turned out and I hope you do too. This card was entered into the following challenges:

1. One Stop Craft, Challenge # 76 - Things with wings;
2. Our Creative Corner - Beautiful Butterflies; and
3. Creative Cottage, Challenge #6 - Things with wings.

Enjoy!