May 30, 2009

365 Cards Day 91 - Front and Center

Yeah! I completed the whole week of challenges at 365 Cards. For Day 91 - Front and Center: Today's challenge is to keep every element of the card in the center - leaving lots of white space around the edges. I went a little crazy with my layers, and my center ended up bigger than I planned. There's still some white space around the edges, though. :)

Thanks for looking!

May 29, 2009

365 Cards Days 87 & 90

I think I'm all caught up this week with my latest two cards (hopefully tomorrow's challenge isn't too tough!). For Day 87 - The "Eyes" Have It: Use the word "eye" somewhere on your card. I found a quote with the word "eye" in it:

I think this is my new favorite quote. I really like the simplicity of this card, but I'm not entirely happy with how the stitching and spacing turned out.


For Day 90 - I See Your "Two" Colors: Use only 2 colors on your card (images may be stamped in black and cardstock may be white). I whipped up this black and blue card in a matter of minutes:



I like sending out a little extra card with my orders, and this card is incredibly easy and a great way to use my scraps. I set up a word processing file today to quickly print the sentiment and my shop address. If I ever get organized I'll actually get some of these made in advance!

365 Cards Day 89 & Use It! Challenge 12

For 365 Cards Day 89 - Imagine This: Watermelon -- The Challenge: Watermelon is the inspiration - use the colors or an actual image of a watermelon on your card. I used the colors and "layout" of a slice of watermelon to make this card:

I combined this challenge with Use It! Challenge 12:

1) Use some old chipboard-Go ahead and feel free to mix & match manufacturers. (Chipboard is one supply I don't really use and don't have any in my stash. I substituted a black cardstock tag with a "happy birthday" rub on.)
2) Use buttons- one of my very favorite embellishments. (I only managed to use one button which is so unlike me!)
3) Tear some paper. Patterned paper or cardstock. (I tore a strip of white cardstock and accented it with some pink chalk.)
4) Optional: Stitch. Machine or hand stitch, it's up to you. (I machine zig zag stitched around my card.)
5) Have fun!! This is essential. (Always!!!)

365 Cards Day 88 & 2 Sketches 4 You

I combined the challenges for 365 Cards Day 88 - Quite a Pair and Kazan's Sketch 27 over at 2 Sketches 4 You. Here is Kazan's sketch:


The challenge for 365 Cards: "Design an Anniversary card OR an Engagement Congrats. Anything else goes - but NO wedding cards." My anniversary card:


The little people die cuts are Cuttlebug dies I purchased awhile back on clearance. I hadn't used them yet, but this was the perfect opportunity. The heart cutout is another Cuttlebug die, and the anniversary stamp is one of my favorites from the $1 bin at Michael's. I'll be back later today with more cards to post. Thanks for looking!

May 28, 2009

365 Cards Day 85 & 86

I think I'll be able to finish all the 365 Cards challenges this week since I have the next three days off--yeah! For Day 85 - Super Sketch Sunday, the challenge is to make a card based on this sketch:

My card doesn't have all the curves, but it is based on the sketch--


For Day 86 - This Will be GRAPE Fun, the challenge is to use purple as the primary color and incorporate at least 5 circles. I rarely use purple, so I was suprised to find out how much purple paper and embellishments I actually had. I used four die cut circles and two buttons to fulfill the circle requirement:


Thanks for looking!

May 22, 2009

365 Cards Day 80 & 2S4Y Laura's Sketch 26

I haven't participated in the 2 Sketches 4 You challenges for a couple weeks, but I was able to make a card this week and combined it with 365 Cards Day 80 - You're so Plaid. Here's Laura's sketch:


I used plaid patterned paper to make this card:


The frog is one of my favorite Sizzix die cuts. I cut it out of foam and added some wiggle eyes and a ribbon tongue. The sentiment is computer generated. Unfortunately, I work this weekend and on Memorial Day, so I probably won't get many cards made this weekend. Thanks for looking!

May 21, 2009

365 Cards Day 81 & Use It Challenge 10

I have just one card to share as I spent almost all of my free time today digging more junk out of the basement instead of crafting. :( My card is for 365 Cards Day 81 - It's Hip to be Square and Use It Challenge 10. For 365 Cards, the challenge was to use 5 squares on your card.


The requirements for the Use It challenge:
1. monochromatic scraps (scraps of coordinating pink patterned papers)
2. rub-ons or clear stickers (Making Memories "happy birthday" rub-on)
3. chipboard (rectangular piece I stitched all my squares to)
4. (optional) non-traditional ribbon (hemp cord)

Thanks for looking!

May 17, 2009

CardPatterns Sketch #15 & Caardvarks Quote Challenge

I made a card today for CardPatterns Sketch #15 and the Caardvarks Quote Challenge. The sketch:


And my card:

I thought with all the bright colors, a Dr. Seuss quote was a perfect fit. Thanks for looking!

May 16, 2009

365 Cards - Day 76

I had so many big plans to complete so many cards today, but I only managed to finish one! My son and I spent our day on a play date with my good friend and her son, cleaning more junk out of the basement, and going for a walk. Here's the card I did finish for 365 Cards Day 76 - Four Corners.

I embellished the corners with Cuttlebug die cut corners, brads, buttons, and twine. I also folded up two of the corners to show the patterned paper underneath. The little "window" is a Cuttlebug die cut, and I stamped the sentiment on the yellow paper underneath. Thanks for looking!

May 14, 2009

365 Cards Day 74 & Card Patterns Sketch

I really like the sketch at Card Patterns this week:

My card based on the sketch:


I am still loving these American Crafts papers (which is good since I have a whole pack of them). I combined this challenge with 365 Cards Day 74 - DIY Handwritten Sentiment. I NEVER write on my cards, and the whole handwritten journaling thing is one reason I'm afraid to start scrapbooking. After many tries that ended up in the trash, I decided I could live with this handwritten "happy birthday" tag. Thanks for looking!

May 10, 2009

365 Cards Day 71 & Use It! Challenge No. 9

Since it's Mother's Day, I'm taking a little time to get a head start on this week's challenges. I've combined 365 Cards Day 71 - Super Sketchy Sunday and Use It! Challenge No. 9. First, the sketch:

The problem with having my computer upstairs and my workspace downstairs is that my card isn't exactly like the sketch:

The challenge for Use It!:

1. Color challenge: PINK, BLACK, WHITE

2. Accents: SCALLOPS, RIBBON, AND BLING, OH MY!

I'm not really a bling kind of girl, but I tried. I made the scallop with wavy scissors, used some vintage black twill tape (instead of ribbon), and added some little crystals to the center of the flower.

3. Pattern: POLKA DOTS, BABY!
I used hot pink and black polka dot papers and the Cuttlebug swiss dots embossing folder. The papers are so old--I didn't realize I still had them, but they are perfect for this challenge.,

4. D.I.Y.: aka 'do it yourself'. Create something to add to your card....
I made the flower from different size circles of taffeta fabric. I singed the edges with a lighter and only ended up with one small blister on the palm of my hand when my husband distracted me.

My card was a true stash card. I'm in the process of trying to clean and organize my current workspace in our unfinished basement. We are finally having our basement finished, and I will soon have a clean, organized, well-lit craft space. As I've been sorting and organizing, I've found so much stuff I didn't know I had. I wasn't sure about sorting all my patterned papers by color, but now I can find what I'm looking for and it has a home when I'm done with it. Amazing!

May 9, 2009

365 Cards Day 66, 67 & 68

A very quick post to share the three cards I finished up today. My card for Day 66 - A Certain Sentiment:


For Day 67 - Think Pink:

And for Day 68 - I Want Candy:


Thanks for looking!

May 8, 2009

365 Cards Days 58 & 64

I've got a few cards to share as I'm trying to catch up on some 365 Cards challenges. For Day 58 - Something's Fishy, I made this card for my husband for Father's Day:


I'm trying not to buy anything new since I have so many supplies, but I did buy this paper since I knew my husband would like it. I was going to combine this challenge with the Caardvarks quote challenge and tried to find a touching quote about fathers and fishing. Instead, I found this for the inside of the card:


He'll appreciate the humor! I also made a card for Day 64 - Super Sketch Sunday based on this sketch:

And my card:


The little "to you" tag was not part of the original plan, but I totally messed up when I was trying to apply the "happy birthday" rub on. I also managed to apply part of another rub on (maybe you're supposed to cut it apart first?) and had to cover it up. I've got a couple more cards for this week's challenges in the works, so I should be back tomorrow with another post. Thanks for looking!

CardPatterns Sketch #13

It had been awhile since I participated in a CardPatterns challenge, but I really liked the sketch this week. They are also having a design team call for 4 new designers, and I'm going to give it a try. The sketch:


My card:


I got the cute little turtle image from oneofakindkeepsakes over at Etsy. She was looking for examples of cards made from her tags. I also used green cardstock (Archivers) and textured blue cardstock embossed with the Cuttlebug birthday folder. The patterned papers are scraps, and I can't remember who makes them. The star is a Sizzix die cut with a Making Memories star brad. The printed "happy birthday to you!" strip is computer generated. Thanks for looking!

May 5, 2009

365 Cards Day 57 & Use It Challenges 8

I have not made a whole lot of cards lately. I finally finished up the horse show shirt I was making for my niece, so I have a little more time to get caught up on some card-making challenges. It is wonderful to be sewing again, though, and I hope to have pictures of her wearing her shirt soon.

I made a card combining 365 Cards Day 57 - Super Sketch Sunday (yes, last week's sketch!) and Use It Challenge 8. There are some recent changes to the Use It Challenges blog including more time to complete each challenge, so I'm hoping to participate more. The sketch:
And my card:


The Use It challenge:

Make a card to honor a special woman in your life (this is a Mother's Day card for my mother-in-law).

1. use flowers--I used a Sizzix daisy die cut and newspaper to make my flower. I've seen this a few times on some other blogs and have been wanting to try it. My flower doesn't looks as nice as others I've seen!
2. use fibers--I used thread for my stitching and stamped the sentiment on muslin.
3. use something 'metal'--I used eyelets. I was pleasantly surprised when I found red eyelets in my stash. I didn't know I even had them.
4. If you want to do more, try using a tool that you haven't used in awhile--I used a flower punch to make the small flowers at the top and bottom of the card.

Thanks for looking!