You Tug At My Heartstrings...

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I decided to make one more card for my local craft store Valentine's card contest...maybe thrid time will be the charm?
This was the most complicated, though I don't know if that is very apparent. I wanted to go for a more elegant look and I found some thin gold metal thread at the store and fashioned a tiny gold heart by twisting and tying knots into shape. I ran my cardstock and paper through my Big Shot to die-cut and emboss a window and hung the heart within it. Using the same thread, I tied a bow and strung it across the top of my window. Finally, I added my sentiment and additional thread -- I do love the sentiment, and I think it worked out well.
BEAN NOTES: Kate's Paperie Paper by the Pound; Spellbinders Labels One Nestabilities and Ribbon Tag Shapeabilities; Big Shot HAPPY BEANS: KP Gold Metal Thread

Thanks for checking out my contest entries. I hope you enjoyed them!

Love Big...

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Here is another of my cards I created for a local craft store contest. In case you missed the last post, the challenge here was to create a 5" x 7" card for Valentine's Day using only materials purchased at the store. I hope you enjoy...just one more to go!
The second card I created was fun. I used pieces from a sheet of gift wrap, which was a hodge-podge of newspaper print. I picked out two of the words, "Love" and "Big," and used some distress ink for a vintage feel. I punched out some big, red hearts to contrast with the black and newsprint, adding a very thing frame for some visual appeal. For the inside of my card, I left it sweet and simple, with another happy red heart and space to write some words of love.
BEAN NOTES: News Print Gift Wrap; Kate's Paperie Text Paper; KP Paper by the Pound; Stampin' Up Full Heart Punch; Computer & Printer
HAPPY BEANS: Ranger Vintage Photo Distress Ink

Will You Be Mine?

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I wanted to enter a card contest at a local store and thought I'd show one of the three cards I created on today's TSB. First place gets the winning card displayed in the store's front window! The theme is, of course, Valentine's Day but it was quite challenging for me for several reasons. First, the required card size was 5" x 7", which is not a size I use very often. The proportions are different, but I was game. Also, most of the materials used had to come from the store, which specializes in high-end papers, ribbons, and stationary -- alas, all my stamps had the day off and I really had to get creative with what I had to work with.

The first card I made is actually my favorite, and the most simple. The store carried some very charming and fancy gift wrap, and, as I couldn't use my stamps, this is where I headed. For this card, I carefully cut out these two sweet children (twice) from a sheet of gift wrap (removing the toys that they each pulled behind them), and popping them out over a giant, shimmery pink heart. All that remained was adding a scalloped heart and a computer-generated sentiment. I was quite pleased with how old-fashioned this turned out, which was what I had hoped for.

I actually made two versions of this card, one using a sketch from 2 Sketches 4 You, and one without one of the sketch elements. Which do you prefer? Please feel free to leave me a comment with your opinion, or just to say hi!
BEAN NOTES: Pull-Toy Gift Wrap; Kate's Paperie Paper by the Pound; Spellbinders Classic Hearts and Scalloped Hearts Nestabilities; Big Shot; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic) HAPPY BEANS: Computer & Printer

P.S. I'll be posting me other two entries for the contest in the next few days, so please come back and visit.

Rain or Shine...

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Moxie Fab is currently hosting a fun challenge, Start to Finish, which means a card with just a front is only half done! I've always admired cards that are decorated on the inside, but have myself been terribly lax in "completing" my cards. So, I thought I'd give it a whirl and see what I could come up with.
I live with my husband and our son, so I'm already out-numbered when it comes to girly and frilly. My little guy is well-versed in dinosaurs and trucks, but I figured I might have one last chance at sneaking in something cute for Valentine's Day. For his card, I used two very sweet little mouse stamps and created what I hope will bring a smile to his face.
The front of the card showcases a mouse in a basket being drawn by a balloon. I colored him in with some Copic markers and replaced the stamped string with some twine for some texture and dimension. The original image has the mouse tossing flowers over the side, but, for my purposes, I stamped tiny hearts in several shades. I printed out the first part of my sentiment using my computer and printer and decided to keep the front simple for more impact once the card was opened.
The inside of my card is a "pop-up," with these adorable hugging mice huddled under a daisy umbrella. I again colored with Copics and carefully cut the image out before adhering it. I continued my heart rain-shower and added a ton of punched out hearts around the loving pair. For more continuity, I used the same designer paper from the front of the card as background accents and finished off with the remainder of my printed sentiment. Come rain or shine, my little rugrat will always be my Valentine!
BEAN NOTES: Penny Black Shower of Flowers and Squeeze 'Til I Squeak Stamps and Papertrey Ink Simple Valentine Stamp; Stampin' Up Pink Pirouette and Melon Mambo Classic Dye Ink; Memento Richo Cocoa Ink; Copic Sketch Markers; SU Good Neighbors Designer Series Paper; SU Certainly Celery, Whisper White, and Pink Pirouette Cardstock; Spellbinders Long Ovals Nestabilities; Big Shot; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic); Computer & Printer HAPPY BEANS: SU Heart-to-Heart Punch

For My Special Someone...

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Today is a holiday for my hard-working hubby, so it's been a bit of a challenge making him a card right under his nose! I wanted to create a masculine Valentine's Day card that wasn't overly "guy" and this week's Mojo Monday sketch (which is from the fabulous Mary Fish!) was a perfect jumping off point.
For this card, I chose to work with a blue and gray palette. I flipped two elements in the sketch so that I could use this wonderful sentiment, which captures just how I feel. I framed it with a fancy border and employed some embossing and navy blue designer paper for some visual interest. As a final touch, I stamped and carefully cut out this bow and arrow and pointed it in the right direction...toward my heart!
BEAN NOTES: Waltzing Mouse Sweet Heart and Vintage Labels No. 5 Stamps; Stampin' Up Night of Navy and Bordering Blue Classic Dye Ink; SU Patterns Pack III Designer Series Paper; SU Brocade Blue, Basic Gray, Night of Navy, and Whisper White Cardstock; Quickutz Diamonds and Dots Embossing Folder; Spellbinders Labels Five Nestabilities; Big Shot; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Hobby Blade

A Small Show of Appreciation...

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A very lovely young acquaintance of ours was kind enough to give our little rugrat a set of fun books, even though they've never had the pleasure of meeting one another. To show our thanks, I wanted to make a card that would reflect the refined elegance that she possesses -- something I think is quite rare in someone so young.
For this card, I used the background Medallion stamp (I am so in love with this stamp that I'm sure I'll be using it over and over) -- craft ink gave me a soft, subtle impression. Keeping things simple, I only distressed the edges of my cardstock a bit before attaching it, adding only a little loop border along the top. For just a little extra "something," I cut two slits next to my sentiment and threaded some pretty pink ribbon. It was a little tricky getting the ribbon threaded, but with a little patience, I was able to attach it and my stamped element all at the same time. Three little pearls finished off this card for our new sweet friend.
BEAN NOTES: (Unless otherwise noted, all materials are Stampin' Up) Medallion and Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamps; Certainly Celery Craft Ink; Old Olive Classic Dye Ink; Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi, Pink Pirouette, and Whisper White Cardstock; Pink Grosgrain Ribbon (generic); Kaiser Blush Pearls; Martha Stewart Loops Border Punch
HAPPY BEANS: Hobby Blade; Distress Tool (generic)

Let Your Love Shine...

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I sat down to make a quick card, and for some reason, it took me a couple hours. I knew I wanted to make another V-Day card, I knew I wanted to use plum as a base color, and I had a terrific sketch from Taylor. So, why did it take so long? I have no idea, though, by the end of my frenzied crafting, I was happy to have a finished card that I was (thankfully!) pleased with.
For this card, I stamped different sized hearts in various shades of Elegant Eggplant on white cardstock. I created my own designer paper by stamping a text background image on cardstock and made a frame for my hearts with a new corner punch. For my sentiment, I stamped in craft ink and embossed with clear powder. I replaced the word "light" with "love" from an old favorite set, something I love to do to suit my purposes. After adding some twill ribbon, I glittered up a nice big heart and attached some plum-colored buttons for a final touch.
BEAN NOTES: Verve Starstruck, Papertrey Ink Background Basics Text Style, and Waltzing Mouse Sweet Heart, and Stampin' Up Bursting with Joy Stamps; SU Elegant Eggplant Classic Dye and Craft Ink and Whisper White Craft Ink; SU Elegant Eggplant, Perfect Plum, and Whisper White Cardstock; Plum Glitter Cardstock (generic); Pale Plum Textured Cardstock (generic); PTI Plum Pudding Twill Ribbon; SU Heart to Heart and Scallop Trim Corner Punch; Plum Buttons (generic) HAPPY BEANS: SU Dazzling Diamons Glitter

Some Bits of Love & Wishes...

This week has been nuts, but with hubby working late nights, I've occupied myself with craft-making. There are some fun challenges going on this week, so I'm posting a few of my entries here. I hope you enjoy my creations!

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A Wee Treat


This week's Pals Paper Arts Challenge is based on this delectable inspiration photo. Yum! I thought I'd pair this challenge with one of Julee Tilman's to create a treat box for Valentine's Day. Though I was very tempted to focus on the bright red background of the photo, I love the colors of the truffle and its wrapper -- pink and brown. This little sweet treat made me want to make a wee box that would be just the perfect size for a truffle of my own to give.
For my box template, I actually used a salvaged treat box from a Christmas box of little cakes that my parents had given my husband. I simply took it apart, traced it, and created my own new box in Pink Pirouette. I stamped polka dots all around the sides before assembling the box, and used a cool free digi-stamp that Julee was nice enough to give away this week. Using a marker, I colored in selected areas of the image and attached a little pink heart for dimension. To glam it up, I added some tiny liquid pearls and finished off with a grosgrain ribbon.
BEAN NOTES: Verve Regal Heart Digi-Stamp and Papertrey Ink Polka Dot Basics II Stamp; Stampin' Up Soft Suede Classic Dye Ink; SU Stampin' Write Soft Suede Marker; SU Pink Pirouette Cardstock; SU Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon; Petal Pink Liquid Pearls HAPPY BEANS: Salvaged treat box!

Chipboard Mojo

I really wanted to make sure I made a card for Mojo Monday (and Julee's having some fun challenges this week, so I thought I'd use this week's sketch for the Chipboard Challenge!) I've never really used chipboard and so I was shocked to find some floating around in a drawer in my craft desk. For this card, I wanted to make another for V-Day, and I can't seem to get enough of A Happy Heart. I thought this flower chipboard piece looked amazingly like the adorable dandelion in my image and so I sponged some red craft ink all over and turned it into a "heart"-petaled blossom with some Liquid Pearls. The sketch was thankfully simple, and I just had to add a strip of ribbon, a button, and a bit of twine to finish off my happy card.
BEAN NOTES: Stampin' Up A Happy Heart Stamp; SU Riding Hood Red Classic Dye Ink; SU Real Red Craft Ink; Papertrey Ink Simple Valentine Designer Paper; SU Whisper White and Riding Hood Red Cardstock; PTI Pure Poppy Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon; Button (generic); SU Hemp Twine
HAPPY BEANS: Making Memories Chipboard; White Opal Liquid Pearls

Wishing You

So I'm taking a wee break from Valentine's cards with this one, to help replenish my birthday card stash. This was my take on the color challenge, which is black, turquoise, and gray. These aren't colors I would normally put together, but that's why it's called a challenge!
For this card, I didn't have a sketch to work from, but I knew I wanted my card to have a star in it. I thought it would be fun to try something different with the shape of the card, and I lopped off a large chunk of my black card base and replaced it with this die-cut label. After stamping my images and attaching a few well-placed mini-brads, I stamped my star in matching turquoise and popped it up for some dimension. Just a little paper-piercing and I had a new card for my stash.
BEAN NOTES: Verve Wishing You, Swirly Stars, and Grateful Elegance Stamps; Stampin' Up Tempting Turquoise and Basic Black Classic Dye Ink; SU Basic Black and Tempting Turquoise Cardstock; DCWV Gray Textured Cardstock; Spellbinders Labels Four Nestabilities; Big Shot; SU Large Star Punch; Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Paper Piercer; Black Mini Brads (generic)

From Winter's Garden (Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger!)...

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Well, after a successful Holiday Hop, I didn't think it could get much better, but I then found out that my project that I submitted for the Tuesday Trigger Challenge over at Moxie Fab World was selected as this week's Trigger! It's such an honor, and the comments about my little cabbage box are so sweet and kind. If you'd like to play along, head over to the site to check out the trigger...it's a surprising one!
With all the parties we're sure to attend in the New Year, I decided to create a little hostess box. To make my cabbage "blossom," I used Stampin' Up's Birds & Blooms and Blossom Party Sizzix dies, running through my Big Shot some faux suede cardstock I made to add a bit of texture. I water-colored just the tips for some depth. To frame it, I embossed the flattened box top and threaded through some twill ribbon. The box bottom is stamped with the Medallion background stamp and the little sentiment seemed a perfect fit.
BEAN NOTES: (Unless otherwise noted, all materials are Stampin' Up) Teeny Tiny Wishes and Medallion Stamps; Perfect Plum and Mellow Moss Classic Dye Ink; Certainly Celery, Whisper White, and Perfect Plum Cardstock; Sizzix Birds & Blooms and Blossom Party Dies; Big Shot; Martha Stewart Small Tag Punch; Spellbinders Labels One Nestabilities; Papertrey Ink Plum Pudding Twill Ribbon HAPPY BEANS: Martha Stewart Crown Border Punch

I Love You X's Two...(A Valentine's Hop!)...

It's time for another Holiday Hop, and today we're showcasing Valentine's Day! Get ready to be inspired as a group of talented card-makers show off their paper-crafting skills with fabulous ideas for Valentine's Day using Stampin' Up products!

If you've hopped over from the fabulous Cards by Gina, I'm stop #9. Be sure to read to the end of this post for the full line-up of blogs on our hop!


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For today's project, I thought I'd see what I could come up with for a special V-Day treat combining two of my absolute favorite card-crafting tools: my Big Shot and my punches. I have two projects that are meant to go together, which is a perfect theme for the year's best love day, yes?

I haven't used Melon Mambo since before the holidays, and what better color is there for a fun valentine? I used Stampin' Up's wonderful XL Matchbox die to create this sweet little box. To make it extra special, I punched a heart in the top and adhered some clear acetate for a peek at what goodies are inside. This box will definitely be filled with a sweet treat, but for now I've left it empty so that the surprise message at the bottom of the box is revealed. To finish off, I simply added a bright bow and a few punched-out hearts. (Bean Tip: Use a sponge dauber to sweep ink against the edge of paper elements to add visual interest.) Now on to my matching card!

For this card, I wanted to really see what I could do with SU's Movers & Shapers dies. I chose to combine the Heart and Modern Label shapes, running the card through twice to get the desired position. I then covered the inside of my card with coordinating Melon Mambo DSP for a bit of contrast. The cute images from A Happy Heart were exactly what I was looking for, and I loved being able to pop out my punched shapes. To finish off the card, I tied on the ribbon and added the same hearts that adorn the matchbox. Voila! A bit of a treat for someone sweet!
BEAN NOTES: (Unless otherwise noted, all materials are Stampin' Up)**
Treat Box: A Happy Heart Stamp; Melon Mambo and Basic Black Classic Dye Ink; Melon Mambo Designer Series Paper; Melon Mambo and Whisper White Cardstock; Melon Mambo Grosgrain Ribbon; Heart to Heart and Full Heart Punches; White Opal Liquid Pearls; Sponge Dauber (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Clear acetate (generic)
Card: A Happy Heart Stamps; Melon Mambo and Basic Black Classic Dye Ink; Melon Mambo Designer Series Paper; Melon Mambo and Whisper White Cardstock; Melon Mambo Grosgrain Ribbon; Heart to Heart, Modern Label, and Full Heart Punches; White Opal Liquid Pearls; Sponge Dauber (generic); Mini Brads (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Movers & Shapers Die; Magnetic Heart and Modern Label Movers and Shapers; Big Shot
**To order these or any other current Stampin' Up products, please email me HERE.

Now, hop on over to our next blog, Lourdes Torres and her Cozy Crafty Corner for more Valentine's goodness. Please feel free to leave comments and suggestions along the way. Thanks for hopping by!

If you missed any of the blogs on our Holiday Hop, please feel free to drop by and check out any of creative crafters below:

1. Kalshelia Lloyd -- www.stampinfabulousity.com Stampin' Fabulousity

2. Ann Schach -- www.stampinchic.com The Stampin' Schach

3. Margaret Moody -- www.margaretmoody.typepad.com Margaret Moody

4. Debbie Pierce -- www.stampinsunshine.com Stampin' Sunshine

5. Carla Bazhenow -- www.carlas-scraps.com Carla's Scraps

6. Mary Fish -- www.stampinpretty.com Stampin' Pretty

7. Kim Lampone -- www.kjskorner.blogspot.com Stamp, scrap, get kreative

8. Gina Shaw -- www.cardsbyginashaw.com Cards by Gina

9. Regina Mangum -- www.thestampinbean.blogspot.com The Stampin' Bean

10. Lourdes Torres -- www.cozycraftycorner.blogspot.com Cozy Crafty Corner

11. Kris Kilcoyne -- www.kweenbee.typepad.com Kween Bee Kreations

12. Liz Hughes -- www.diypapercreations.com DIY Paper Creations

13. Melanie Collins -- www.oopsadaisy.typepad.com Oops a Daisy

14. Mike Funke -- www.stampin-style.com Stampin-Style

15. Anne Beale Yancey -- www.mukibug.com Mukibug

16. Martha Stewart -- www.SeasonsOfStamping.com Seasons of Stamping

17. Jason Casper -- www.stampindad.blogspot.com Jason's Stampin' Pad

A Valentine Pear...

I was so thrilled to get the news that my advent calendar won a spot as a December Guest Star Stamper that I thought I'd go ahead and submit a card for January (something a bit simpler, but just as fun.) It seemed like a fine opportunity to make a Valentine's Day card for my lovely in-laws. Pears are my mom-in-law's "signature fruit," and she and her husband are still as adorable a couple as they were when they got married.
For this card, I wanted to take some advice out of Nichole Heady's newsletter on adding texture. First, I stamped my pears (overstamping some Blush Blossom Classic Dye Ink over Certainly Celery Craft Ink for some natural shading) and added a teeny, tiny heart between them. I selectively embossed the kraft cardstock with my Big Shot and stamped a border image to frame my twill ribbon. For more texture, I hand-stitched over the little hearts in the border with embroidery thread. The sentiment was created using two stamp sets, a little trick I love to employ to get just what I need. Now I have a perfect pair of pears for a perfect pair!
BEAN NOTES: Papertrey Ink Fruitful, Simple Alphabet, and Simple Valentine Stamps; Stampin' Up Blush Blossom, Mellow Moss, and Regal Rose Classic Dye Ink; SU Certainly Celery, Really Rust, and Mellow Moss Craft Ink; PTI Kraft and Sweet Blush Cardstock; SU Whisper White and Certainly Celery Cardstock; SU Certainly Celery Twill Ribbon; Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder; Big Shot HAPPY BEANS: Light Pink Embroidery Thread (generic); Sewing Needle

Mark Your Calendars!...

Hey there! It's time for another Holiday Hop, this time celebrating one of my very favorite holidays -- Valentine's Day. Get ready to be inspired as a group of talented card-makers show off their paper-crafting skills with fabulous ideas for Valentine's Day using Stampin' Up products!

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, January 12, 2010 for another wonderful hop. Hop on by and see what Stampin' Up has to offer...it's sure to be a lovefest!

Happy Berry Baby...

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There is a delightful mother at my son's pre-nursery school who just had a baby less than a week ago. She had a little girl, and I thought I'd make her a card to celebrate her new bundle of joy. I thought this week's Mojo Monday sketch was a good jumping off point -- it's not a simple sketch, but it was more fun for the challenge!
For this baby card, I was inspired by the seeds on the little strawberry images and thought I'd play those up by embossing dots, adding some liquid pearls around the scalloped frame, and, for a fun touch, using Crystal Effects on each tiny seed. The photo doesn't really capture the effect, but a finger run over each berry certainly does! For my ribbon treatment, I used a threader border punch and moved it over very slightly to create the thin lines of paper holding down my bright white ribbon. A pair of flower-shaped eyelets completes my card for a very sweet lady and her new baby berry!
BEAN NOTES: Papertrey Ink Fruitful Stamps and Stampin' Up Greetings Galore Stamp; SU Rose Red and Kiwi Kiss Classic Dye Ink; SU Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper; SU Rose Red, Whisper White, Mellow Moss, and Kiwi Kiss Cardstock; PTI Kraft Cardstock; Spellbinders Classic Circle and Classic Scallop Circle Nestabilities; Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder; Big Shot; Raspberry Pink Liquid Pearls; Fiskars Diamond Border Punch; Making Memories Flower Eyelets; Crop-A-Dile; White Grosgrain Ribbon (generic); Foam Dimensional Squares (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: SU Crystal Effects

Birthday Celebrations...

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The holidays seriously depleted my store of occasion cards (which was a good thing because they made wonderful gifts that many people appreciated!) So, I'm using this week's terrifically simple sketch from the Pals Paper Arts team to restock.
For this birthday card, I pulled out some old beloved favorites: Bleu Bayou and Baja Breeze. I still love the Upsy Daisy stamp set and used it here by stamping in Whisper White Craft directly onto my designer paper and embossing with powder. I decided to keep things very clean and simple, only adding a few brads and two easy lines from my Signo Gel Pen. This card took less than 15 minutes. Eazy-peezy, just the way I like it!
BEAN NOTES: (All materials are Stampin' Up, unless otherwise noted.) Upsy Daisy Stamps; Whisper White Craft Ink; Bleu Bayou Classic Dye Ink; Bleu Bayou Designer Series Paper; Baja Breeze and Whisper White Cardstock; White Embossing Powder (generic); Foam Dimensional Squares (generic); Pewter Brads (generic) HAPPY BEANS: Signo White Gel Pen