Friday, September 17, 2010

Four Ways Friday #22 - On The Green

Welcome to another Four Ways Friday!  Today I'm sharing four different ways to use the a la carte stamp, On the Green.
For this first project I decided to make a wine tag.  I stamped the image in Crumb Cake onto Crumb Cake card stock that I hand cut into a tag shape.  The image was then stamped in Versamark onto a piece of Soft Suede card stock and heat embossed with black embossing powder.  The greeting, from the Afterthoughts hostess set, was stamped in basic black ink onto Very Vanilla card stock.  Then I spritzed everything with some black ink and sponged the edges with black and early espresso ink.  The hemp twine and an extra large grommet finish the look!
I heat embossed again for this second project - this time using white embossing powder on designer paper - it's a great way to make the stamped image pop!  I then layered the designer paper onto Early Espresso card stock and a piece of Old Olive that I ran through the Big Shot with the square lattice embossing folder.  The chocolate chip button with a sliver of Old Olive paper in the holes completes the card!
Get out your stamp-a-ma-jig for this card!  Here, I repeatedly inked and stamped just the golfer image using Old Olive ink on Old Olive card stock.  I then sponged and spritzed with Old Olive ink as well.  I repeatedly stamped the image in Crumb Cake ink on the Soft Suede card stock to give the background some interest.  A few strips of designer paper (neutrals stack) were added for addition texture and color.  The greeting, from the Afterthoughts hostess set, was stamped in Early Espresso onto Very Vanilla card stock and the edges were sponged.  I am in love with these new antique brads - they really add a lot to your cards!
For this final card, I decided to get colorful :)  I used my markers to color the image (Wild Wasabi, Not Quite Navy and Elegant Eggplant).  This is such a fun way to create a knockout image!  I used a bit of glitter on the designer paper and made a golf ball using my 1/2" circle punch and running the punched out circle through the Big Shot with the square lattice embossing folder.  I hope you like it!  Thanks for stopping by for this week's Four Ways Friday!  I hope to see you next week! :)

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Because I Care - Sympathy Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Put Your Love Into It

My friend's mother passed away unexpectedly last week.  I sit here and wish I was next to her - able to reach over and give her a hug.  The best way I can think to do that from too far away, is to send her a card.  I had some sympathy cards, already made...yet I wanted to make a special one - one that I could put my love into for her.  One that would be made thinking of her - and her mom.  For some reason these colors came to mind.  I have never had the pleasure of meeting her mother - however, my friend is a light - fun, full of energy, an infectious smile.  Her mother must have been an amazingly bright light as well to have raised such an incredibly special daughter.  So bright and happy colors were required!  I hope my friend feels the love I poured into this card for her - I'll be surprised if this much love can fit into an envelope!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Cute By The Inch!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Sometimes You Need To Turn Down The RPM's!

I was thinking today about the old record player I used to have.  Sometimes I found it very funny to put on a 45 and either turn up the speed to make it sound like Alvin and the Chipmunks or turn down the speed to maaaaakkkkkkkkkeeeeeeee iiiiiiiittttttttttt ssssssssssooooooouuuuuuuuunnnnnnnnnddddddd lllllllliiiiiiikkkkkkkkeeeeeeeee ttttttttthhhhhhhhhhiiiiiiiissssssssss!  I have to say that today is definitely a day where I needed to turn down my RPM's!  As I listened to my body this morning, I realized it was telling me that the pace was just too quick and it was time to slow down.  So, I am staying in the house, turning down the RPM's and trying to act as snail-like as possible :)  I didn't have a lot of energy to put into this card, but hopefully it will inspire you in some way...when was the last time you paper pierced or used Crystal Effects?  How about coloring only a portion of a stamp and stamping it multiple times?  Maybe today would be a great day to turn down your RPM's and try something new in the craft room :)  Enjoy!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Amsterdam Inspiration

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Look Up!

It's easy to walk around with your head down - eyes glued to the floor or pavement.  I would never have seen this gorgeous site if I hadn't looked up!  I was in the Flower Market in Amsterdam and this was the roof of one of the flower shops!  How gorgeous is that!!!!  So, look up - you never know what might be waiting for you!

Today I leave you with this photo as inspiration :)  I hope that the colors or subject matter will inspire you to create something wonderful!  I decided not to share a card or paper project so that your mind would be clear - free of all suggestion....other than this photo.  Have fun!!!!  If you would like to leave a link to your creation in the comments section, I would love to see what you create!

Monday, September 13, 2010

DIY Designer Paper Halloween Card & Card Play Video!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Be Proud Of Your Achievements!

I am soooo excited!  I ran 18 miles this weekend!!!!!  I am really proud of my progress!!!!!  I have to admit those last couple of miles were rough...and, I made it!!!!!  I am still in awe at what you can do if you put your mind to it.  Still hard to believe that back on March 6th I hadn't even run a foot, let alone a mile...let alone 18 miles!  I have to admit that I find it difficult to shout my achievements - I find myself instead saying things like..."yeah, but I'm slow" or "it takes me a long time" - almost apologizing for my achievement.  But as I sit here now, I realize how proud I am and I'm not going to apologize!  I did it!!!! Yeah me!!!!! :)

Today's card was inspired by Kristina Werner's Finally Friday video last week.  The color palette of black and kraft/crumb cake, with a dash of white, is what inspired me (thanks Kristina!).  Here's a video to show you how to make some DIY designer paper and this adorable spooky card:!  I hope you like it!