Reflections of a HappyCrafter

Happy New Years!

2011-12-31T14:24:00.000-08:00

Happy New Years!

The last few days I've been thinking about my crafting resolutions. My friend Christine brought it up, and so I've been mulling it over a few days, and it even spurred me to clean my craft room.
Resolution #1: My craft room will no longer be home to travel brochures, pizza menus and other assorted non-crafting crap.
Resolution #2: I will DECREASE the pile of scraps instead of making it bigger.
Resolution #3: I will make enough cards and projects to justify what I spend on craft supplies.

hmm...I'm sure I could think up a bunch more, but these should keep me busy.....oh yes, and better not forget, I told DH that this year I planned to make 400 cards! I'll let you know how it goes LOL!

Tell me, what are your crafting resolutions for 2012?

Enjoy the new Year!

Heartfelt Creations Alumni Blog Hop

2011-12-27T05:00:00.000-08:00

Today a few of us Alumni from the Heartfelt Creations design team are bringing to you a quick and festive blog hop. If you are following the blog hop, you will have arrived here from Carla's website, and the next stop along the way is at Tesa's. There are only 6 stops, and a chance for one of you leaving a comment on one of our blogs to win a $25 gift certificate to Heartfelt Creations. I hope you'll follow along :-)

I had a ton of fun making this tag, using a variety of images from Heartfelt Creations. I started by stamping the Shepherd Scene in the bottom of the card, using Black Soot Distress Ink. Then I masked it, and stamped the Town of Bethlehem music image overtop, using Vintage Sepia Versafine. Then I sprayed the whole thing with Tattered Angels glimmer mist in a Walnut Gold, and heat set. Next, I used my Stamping Up watercolour crayons to add a bit of colour to the Shepherd Scene. I followed that by stamping on the Elegant Holly Swirls, in Espresso Adirondak ink, and then colouring the leaves and berry's with copics, and adding glitter to the swirls with a Spica pen, and white centres to the berry's with a white gel pen. The sentiment Peace on Earth was from another HC set and stamped in Black Soot, and then overlaid with Spica glitter pen. Dazzling Diamonds Stickles was added to the star, and Galaxy Gold Brilliance and Gingerbread Versamagic as applied to the edges with a sponge.

Then I added some ribbon, a bell (recycled from a chocolate bunny's neck!) and some foliage and Berry's made out of Robins Nest Dew Drops.

Hopefully this gives you some ideas and inspiration of a fun holiday project, you could even start now to get ready for next year!

Back to the blog hop details, as a recap, below is a list of the blog hop participants. Visit each one and leave a comment to increase your chance to win the $25 gift certificate to Heartfelt Creations. Good luck!!

Olga - http://craftieodamae.blogspot.com

Selma - http://selmasstampingcorner.blogspot.com/

Carla - http://carlasstampingspot.blogspot.com

Kristina - you are here

Tesa - http://tesasscrap.blogspot.com

Linda - http://paynehollercards.blogspot.com

More Christmas tags

2011-12-26T21:40:00.000-08:00

I hope you are all recovering from big meals the last couple days! It seems the more extended your family gets, the more large dinners wind up getting crammed in to a few days :-)

Here are a couple of other tags I made. In the background, you may recognize the pattern....I recycled the wrapping paper from Purdy's Chocolates boxes to make the tags. Got to love finding a new use for something that would otherwise hit the landfill!

Both of these were super quick to make.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T20:00:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! I wish all of you a happy and joyous holiday season with lots of yummy food and happy times :-)

I've got some festive things to share with you today. My craftroom has been a hive of activity the last while (though you wouldn't know it looking at my lack of blog posts LOL!) and I've been having a lot of fun making.....tags! Who knew they would be so fun to play with?! I really enjoy the different shape and the challenge of the limited size and the ability to go 3-d. I've been very inspired by looking at the 12 tags of Christmas on the Tim Holz website, but haven't been so successful following the challenges....I always start out following it, and then I change this and modify that and suddenly my tag has taken a whole other direction.

Here is a pic of some of the lovely gifts under my tree, you can see how the tags dress it all up.

And here is a photo of one of the tags I made (attached to a gift of course).

There will be more tags to share over the coming days, I hope they inspire you as I've been inspired by all the tags I've been looking at myself online lately.

Vacation crafting

2011-12-13T06:04:00.000-08:00

Hi folks!
You have probably noticed my blog's been quiet for a couple of months, I have been taking a little break to get re-inspired and also to go on vacation. That doesn't mean I haven't been crafting though!
While we were vacationing in the sunny Caribbean I made a few cards--I had brought a craft kit, and it seemed we kept running in to people celebrating birthdays and other celebrations, so I was happy to be able to make up cards for them.

What better crafting environment could there be??

Happy Wednesday with Heartfelt Creations

2011-10-19T21:58:00.000-07:00

I always find Wednesday a busy day, right in the middle of the week, and it is such a treat each week on this busiest of days to take a break and check out the Heartfelt Creations blog and all the lovely card and project ideas there. This week there is a bunch of Christmas cards and projects and a few others there, which you too may enjoy. Here are a couple I contributed this week:

First of all, a sweet birthday card featuring a teddy bear---doesn't matter what time of year it is, there is always a need for birthday cards!

Second of all, a standard postage size and mailable Christmas card, that still has a lot of Wow power, especially "in real life" when you can get the effect of the gold highlights:

Instructions and list of products used for both of these cards can be found on this weeks Heartfelt Creations Blog post.

I hope you are all having a fabulous week!

My new Australian stamps

2011-10-16T10:53:00.000-07:00

I have a bit of a story about today's cards, feel free to jump ahead and just look at the cards if you'd like :-)

Once in a while, I get a bit burnt out from colouring. After months and months of doing lots of cards using lots of colouring, I finally reached that point where I needed a bit of a break. I noticed a card on SCS that I loved, and followed the link to Valita's blog to find out what the name of the stamp was. She didn't have it listed, so I emailed her, and she gave me some information about the stamp, but she had gotten it at a local craft store to where she lives, and she is way off in Australia--a whole different continent than I! This started a long internet hunt until finally I found that it seemed the item came from Grant Studios. Browsing through their website, though, I couldn't find it, and realized it may have been discontinued. Having spent all this time searching I was not ready to give up, so emailed them to inquire. I was lucky they got back to me and told me that yes, it had been discontinued, but they'd look about and check their cupboards for me to see if they could find one (I guess I sounded kind of desperate LOL!). They did have one and agreed to mail it all the way over to me in Canada. I thought I was in for a long wait, but it got here within a week! Amazing! Anyway, here are some of the first cards I have made with it:

On this one (above) I stamped the image, cut it out with a nestie, added some colour direct to paper with a topic marker using upward brushstrokes and feathering at the end. I bent up the edges and added metallic rub on paste, layered that over a doily, then layered the doily over a piece die cut with the Heartfelt Creations Decorative Lace Border Die.

On this one, I simply stamped the background using one of the stamps that came in the set with the silhouette, and added shading on the edges using versamagic black chalk ink. To the main image, I used the Copic Airbrush to add a shading to the bottom left corner.

For this one, I added dots around the edge of the image using Gold Liquid Pearls, added shading with the Copic Airbrush, and layered over a frame made using the Heartfelt Creations Decorative Window Scene Die.

Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium

2011-10-16T10:30:00.000-07:00

As you've probably noticed, when it comes to Christmas I really like quick and easy. I wanted to give a family member a set of 10 standard size, mailable cards, and decided to try making some cards using some Graphic 45 paper from the Christmas Emporium set. I managed to do up the set of cards in under 2 hours with very few materials needed, and they look fabulous! Here are a few of them:

The lace at the bottom I got at the local discount fabric store for 29 cents per yard, and all I did was cut out the images, layer them on the card, and add some lace. On some of them I added a sentiment, or curled the edges.

I hope this gives you some ideas of how you can "cheat" with preprinted DP to make cards quick and easy :-)

Heartfelt Classic Christmas Collection

2011-10-12T19:23:00.000-07:00

Today we've got a fabulous new release to enjoy from Heartfelt Creations. The design team has been madly preparing samples for you using these new stamps, and today I've got two of them to share here. Check out the HC Blog to see what the rest of the design team created.

First of all, I made this card, with the cute little book which I just LOVE!

Second of all, here is a coaster I made. It was surprisingly quick and easy once I figured out how to do it, and the tile used was from the hardware store and pretty inexpensive. I'm thinking a set of these would make a great Christmas gift.

Detailed instructions including supplies lists can be found on this week's HC Blog post.

The Classic Christmas Collection features 6 new precut stamp sets that coordinate with the Heirloom Ornaments 2011 and the Labels Seven Spellbinders dies. The classic images in this collection are perfect "not only" for your Christmas projects but very versatile and you will find yourself using them throughout the entire year! Leave a comment on the Heartfelt Creations blog by October 18 for a chance to win the entire release valued at $89.99.

Christmas card swap

2011-10-08T17:05:00.000-07:00

Happy Saturday! And to those of you in Canada, I hope you are enjoying your Thanksgiving weekend :-)

We have no big family dinners planned, but I am always happy to have an extra day off work....more time to craft!

Today I have a card front to share with you that I made for the swap (this was the first of 10!). This was a challenging swap as I was trying to use all SU products, and on top of that, all SU products that are current, and I am quite happy with what I came up with:

The image is stamped in chocolate chip on vanilla card stock and a panel cut out using the Top Note die. Then I added blue shading using the stamping pastels (I used a circle punch to mask the moon). The ribbon I started off with was vanilla, and then I realized they retired/discontinued that, so I switched to Kraft (which is now renamed something or other, but at least still current). The only real cheat was that I added a dab of red liquid pearls on the tip of the nose of the reindeer--oh well! For the others I used a softer shading of the brown craft ink on the edges, and didn't distress the edges, less work, and I think it actually looks better without the distressing....maybe tomorrow I'll take a photo of a later one, this was my first "prototype" (actually, second, since I discarded the first deciding I didn't like it, sigh!).

More quick Christmas Cards

2011-10-04T22:03:00.000-07:00

Well, today is Wednesday again, which means there is a lot of freshly posted inspiration to be found on the Heartfelt Creations Blog. This week there are a lot of Christmas projects, including a gorgeous sneak peak of the new Classic Christmas Collection being unveiled next week.

You may have noticed my big theme lately has not been for the really ornate and complicated, but the quick and easy. It seems everyone I talk to is looking for ideas that are quick and easy and mailable, so that's what I've been focusing on. Today I've got two great examples you may want to try out. Remember, if you don't have exactly the same products I'm using, most things are substitutable!

First of all, here is one featuring the new ornament set. If you wanted to make this a touch more "fancy" instead of stamping the ornament right on to the card, you could stamp it on a separate piece of card stock, cut it out, and layer it on the card with pop up dots.

Products Used on This Project

HCPC 3420 Holiday Dove PreCut Set
HCPC 3417 Poinsettia Ornament 2 PreCut Set
HCPC 3419 Holiday Poinsettia Candle PreCut Set

Other Products Used: Tsukineko white pearl ink, black memento ink, Gold spica pens, Red copic marker, gold Encore ink, gold liquid pearls, stickles

Card size is standard 4.25x5.5. Precut base layers. Main layer is kraft coloured card stock. Stamp swirls on the top right and bottom left corner of the main layer using white ink. In Black ink, then, stamp the ornament in the bottom right hand corner and the sentiment in the top left hand corner, as shown in the photo. Colour the poinsettia on the ornament using a red Copic marker. Use gold Spica (or other glitter pen) to colour in around the sentiment and to add accents to the ornament, and then add additional accents to the ornament with gold liquid pearls as well as stickles. Rub gold ink along the edges of the main panel. Allow to dry and then adhere layers as shown in the card.

Secondly, here is one featuring a traditional Christmas candle. I know this is one of hubby's favorites--that traditional Danish upbringing! Here you could make a few of these, and switch them up by using different background paper, and dress up by adding a swirl or two in the background.

Products Used on This Project

HCPC 3419 Holiday Poinsettia Candle PreCut Set
Other:Copics (Candle is mainly E40 and E41), gold liquid pearls, DP is retired SU Spellbinders lacey oval Spellbinders classic oval

Card size is standard 4.25 x 5.5 Pre cut base layers and lacey oval. Stamp main image twice. Cut one out with oval, which will wind up cutting off a large part of the spray of flowers and foliage. Colour. Stamp a second one and colour just the foliage and cut out just the foliage and flower. Cut along the lines of the flower petals and then pull up some of them and shape them. Adhere over top of the other one that was cut out with the oval, and adhere the remainder of the card.

I've got a bunch of other projects in the works, especially some projects including ornaments and tiles that I can't wait till next Wednesday to share with you, and between now and then I'll be sure to share some more ideas for quick cards for this busy time of year.

I hope you have a crafty (and good!) rest of the week!

Playing with flowers

2011-10-01T16:44:00.000-07:00

Hi folks! I hope you are all enjoying a nice weekend!

I've been enjoying my three day weekend and doing lots of creating...there is a new Heartfelt Creations release coming up that I've been creating with, but I won't be sharing those with you unit the release....and I've also been working on some other cards using flowers as embellishments, which I'll share with you today.

To start with, I remembered a tutorial I'd seen online at Lisa's website to make fabulous looking prima type flowers using ordinary flower punches.

Here was my first attempt:

After that I played some more to try and get it right and managed to make some more used here, on this card featuring a free digi from TLC:

And then in a rush to finish off the third card (dinner plans tonight...) I grabbed a flower I'd snagged from a friend of mine that she had in her sewing kit (for costumes):

Tomorrow I think we have to do yard work, so probably no crafting, sigh, but I'll be back again on Wednesday with something else christmassy to share again :-) Happy crafting to you!

More Christmas Projects

2011-09-29T20:16:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday! It is the beginning of a 3 day weekend for me, yay! I plan to do lots of card making and also some fall maintenance in the yard and garden. Plus, I found a new recipe using Kale that I plan to torture my husband with LOL! I hope you too have interesting plans.

Here are a few cards I made recently that were featured on the Heartfelt Creations blog on Wednesday, along with some other fabulous items created by the rest of the design team--you may want to check them out for ideas, I know I'll be casing a couple of them...

First of all, one of my all time favourite cards--it really didn't photograph well, but in person it is really fabulous looking:

Products Used For This Project

HCPC 3424 Poinsettia Bells & Bows PreCut Set

Other: Snowflake edge punch, OMC exclusive Holiday Cuttlebug embossing folder, black memento ink, Versamark, SU Silver embossing powder, white SU craft ink, silver Encore Ink, pop up dots, Spica glitter pens, Platinum (71) and Frost White (72) all purpose ink by Tsukineko, Gold liquid pearls, Copics: C1, C3, C5, R24, R39, YG67

Card size is 5.75x5.75. Punch edge of white card stock with snowflake border and adhere to blue base. Cut out blue pane to fit within this and emboss with cuttlebug embossing folder. Stamp sentiment in the centre of the blue embossed piece of card stock using versa mark, and then sprinkle silver embossing powder on it and heat set. Rub white craft pad over all raised edges of the blue embossed panel and spreading it towards the centre but not over the sentiment. allow to dry, and then rub the silver encore ink pad over the edges, but not extending as far as the white. Allow to dry and then adhere to card base. Stamp bell image on white card stock with black ink and colour with copies, cut out by hand. Use Spica glitter pens to add accents, then use the liquid Tsukineko platinum ink to add some additional accents only to the "ribbon" part of the image, using a paint brush. use the liquid Tsukineko frost white ink to colour in the white flowers in the image, using a paint brush. Allow to dry, and then add gold liquid pearls to the centre of the flowers and allow that to dry, then adhere image to the card.

Next, another one I'm very happy with--in fact, I brought it to work and have left it on my desk for about a week now so I can look at it during the day.

Products Used For This Project

HCPC3415 Petite Poinsettia PreCut Set

HCPC3427 Herald Angels Background PreCut SetHCPC3421 Dove of Peace PreCut Set (sentiment) HCD712 Bella Rose Die Spellbinders Fancy Tags Shapeabilities Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia Shapeabilities

Other products used: Versafine Vintage Sepia, Versamagic chalk ink in Jumbo Java, sponge, gold Stickles, pop up dots.

Card size is standard 4.25x5.5. Precut the base card stock and layers. Stamp the background sentiment on the white panel as shown and add brown chalk ink over edges with sponge. Adhere this to the card. Cut the leaf swirl with the die cut, shape the leaves a bit and add a small amount of brown ink to it here and there with the sponge, and attach to the card. Stamp the sentiment, cut it out with the die cut, and add some light sponging of the same ink, and adhere it to the card with pop up dots. Stamp the poinsettias, cut out with coordinating die cut, shape (I simply used a wood skewer from the kitchen), put them together and attach randomly over the swirl, then add three dots in the centre of each of gold stickles.

Lastly, my first experiment with making a bookmark. I am thinking these might be nice to tuck in to christmas cards as a mini gift...

Products Used For This Project

HCPC3427 Herald Angels Background PreCut Set

HCPC3324 Holly Berry Filler PreCut Set HCPC3422 Poinsettia Cheer Bells PreCut Set

Other Products used: Ribbon and gold cord, red eyelet, gold stickles, liquid pearls, SU corner punch, SU edge punch , SU markers in green and brown, Copic markers in red, mauve and green, white gel pen.

Cut base of bookmark from brown card stock, using edge punch on the bottom and corner punch on the top left and right corners to get the shape as shown. Cut white layer to nest within the brown layer. Stamp background word image over white base, and then stamp over that randomly with images from the Holly Berry filler set -- berries and foliage etc. using a direct to stamp marker method (colour the stamp with the coloured SU (NOT Copic) marker, and then stamp that on the paper. Then stamp a bell image on a separate piece of card stock, colour with copies, cut out, and then cut an edge off it, so it is now in two parts, and then attach both parts as shown in the photo. Punch a whole in the top of the bookmark, add an eyelet, and run some ribbon through it. Use gold stickles and liquid pearls for extra embellishment, and add accents with white gel pen.

Quick xmas cards - 91 days till Christmas!

2011-09-24T13:13:00.000-07:00

Apparently there are only 91 days left till Christmas! Eek! I wanted to make up a set of cards for a friend and wanted to make sure they were thin enough to mail and a standard size. I wanted the gift set to be about 20 cards, but certainly didn't have 20 our more hours to spend, LOL! So I looked through my stuff and came up with a bunch of ideas for quick cards, and here are 5 of them, I'll show you the others another day, just to spread it out.

They are all featuring the latest stamps and dies from Heartfelt Creations. The backgrounds were either dry embossed or DP from my stash, most of which is retired SU. Colouring is with Copics and liberal amounts of glittery Stickles and liquid pearls to give glitz.

I hope you are well on your way to being prepared for the holidays, let the countdown continue!

Warming up to the Festive Season

2011-09-21T19:27:00.000-07:00

Hi folks,
I am really warming up to the Christmas season, and have another holiday card to share with you, as well as a summer card I made a few weeks ago and hadn't posted yet.

For the Christmas card, I wanted to show off a way to use the HC stamps for a quick and simple card. I have read comments here and there from people who say they want something that looks fabulous and can be done quickly and is mailable, so here is a sample of that

The image, from Heartfelt Creations, is stamped on an oval with a layered background, and just a tiny bit of colouring. There is a strip of inexpensive ribbon from a bin at Micheals, and I used a gold Encore pad to swipe over the green layer which was dry embossed. You could use pretty much any embossing folder to tie in--polka dots or swirls or snowflakes or whatever and any colouring medium on the angel. The sentiment was stamped above. I hope this gives you some ideas of quick and simple cards that will still have people oohing and ahing :-)

As for this summer card, I was thinking of my mom when I made it, who lives on the other side of the country from me. It too features a Heartfelt Creation image:

Christmas window

2011-09-17T20:27:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post tonight, had to share the cutest card that I made this evening. Instead of photographing it all fancy I'm sharing with you a bit of a peak at my "tidy" work area LOL!

I used a sweet Elizabeth Bell image I've had kicking about for a couple of years now. I made a window frame around the picture (the white window ledges) using a tutorial at Splitcoast Stampers for a simple frame, and then topped it with a frame die cut from Heartfelt Creations. The paper is from a new pad I picked up at the local craft store called Lost & Found Christmas by My Mind's Eye. All colouring is with copies.

I hope you have all been having a good weekend!

HC Christmas Cheer collection

2011-09-14T07:19:00.000-07:00

Today is the release of the new Heartfelt Creations Christmas Cheer collection. It is absolutely fabulous, I'll be making christmas cards with these images for weeks (and surely years) to come! I made many cards with it this past week, and today I'll share with you three of them. To see more ideas check out the HC Blog.

Here's a vintage one with a beautiful angel:

Products Used on This Project

HCPC 3425 Elegant Angels PreCut Set
HCPC 3427 Herald Angels Background PreCut Set
HCPC 3419 Holiday Poinsettia Candle PreCut Set
HCPC 3340 Holly Leaves PreCut Set

Other Products used: Cuttlebug embossing folder "Holly Ribbons", Gold Encore Ink, Spica pens, Glossy accents, Stickles, Ribbon, Versafine ink. Spellbinders Lacey Ovals Spellbinders Ovals

Card size is 5.75 x 5.75 Emboss brown background layer, then rub gold ink on it, tie ribbon around it, and attach to card base. Stamp background stamp on sahara sand rectangle layer, and then stamp swirly holly leaves over it (masking away the Holy Night sentiment), and then distress with scissors and ink, and then adhere to card. Cut out lacey oval, add dots of red stickler between each scallop and set aside to dry. Stamp angel on sahara sand card stock, use glitter pen to add accents, and then also add stickler. Adhere to lacey oval with pop up dots, and then attach that to the card using more pop up dots. Stamp the sentiment, cut out, colour the words with a red glitter pen, and then distress with ink and scissors. Adhere overlapping ribbon using glue dots.

Here's a silver and blue one with embossing featuring a christmas dove - one of my DH's favourites:

Products Used on This Project

HCPC 3420 Holiday Dove PreCut Set
HCPC 3421 Dove of Peace PreCut Set
HCPC 3426 Snowy Winter Background PreCut Set
HCD 715 Christmas Cheer Die

Other Products used: Versamark ink, Silver embossing powder, clear embossing powder with sparkles in it, White ribbon, clear dewdrops, Copics used: N1, B000, Y000, white craft ink, Versafine black ink.

Card size is standard 4.25 x 5.5. Stamp background stamp using versamark on dark blue card stock and emboss with silver embossing powder. Add white craft ink along edges. Tie white ribbon around with bow. Glue on dew drops using Zip Dry. Adhere this layer to a base. Stamp the nest in versamark on white card stock and emboss with silver embossing powder, cut out and adhere to card with pop up dots. Use grey Copic pen to add some shading. Stamp dove image on white card stock with black ink and cut out with coordinating die cut. Add accents with yellow and blue copies, then cover the whole dove with versamark, and then emboss with clear embossing powder that has sprinkles in it. Adhere this above the nest with another layer of pop up dots.

And finally a quick and fun one that I'm going to be making a bunch of for my annual christmas mail out:

Products Used on This Project

HCPC 3415 Petite Poinsettia PreCut Set
HCPC 3423 Scenic Christmas Bells PreCut Set
HCPC 3422 Poinsettia Cheer Bells PreCut Set
HCD 715 Christmas Cheer Die
Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia Die

Other products used: Ribbon, Cuttlebug embossing folder "Dots and Snowflakes", Stickles, Pop up dots Copics used: E33, E23, E25, YG63, Y00, YR12, B0000. R35, R37

Card size is standard 4.25x5.5. Emboss blue background layer, and rub white craft ink over it. Allow to dry, then adhere a strip of white ribbon about an ink from the top of it, as shown in photo, then glue blue background layer to the card base. Stamp images, colour, and then and cut out with coordinating die cuts. Attach the flower to the lower right hand corner overlapping edges, and cut off the excess edges with scissors. Attach the poinsettia leaf to the top left hand corner. Punch hole in the bells, and then tie bows through them, then use pop up dots to attach the bells to the card as shown in the photo. Finally, add some Stickles/Glitter to embellish.

Catered Crop Challenge

2011-09-11T08:42:00.000-07:00

Today I'm playing along with challenge FTR20 from Catered Crop. It is a fun challenge that let's you use a recipe loosely....which is somehow how I usually use food recipes at home---ok I have some of this, but not any of that, so I'll substitute this and maybe throw in some of that LOL! I thought it sounded quite fun :-) And the bonus is, if you play along you have a chance to win a prize this week from Heartfelt Creations--a $30 gift certificate to their store (wish I was eligible for that, sigh....always so many more things I want). Anyway, I hope you'll enjoy playing along too.

Here's the recipe:

Colors – Soft pastels
Stamps and Stickers – Butterflies, flowers, sentiment
Color Mediums – crayolas, stamping ink,
Embellishments – ribbon, glitter, lace, rosettes, tag, rhinestones/gems, pearls, ribbon
Techniques – use your own handwriting, embossing, stitching, make a bookmarker
Tools –Die cuts, digital stamps
Themes –Shabby Chic

I used some pastels, and flowers, ribbon, glitter, faux stitching, die cuts, and used a shabby chic theme, so not too bad!

I used my new grand nestability for the first time, and really like the shaped card. Will have to get more of these...eventually! The stamps and dies used are all available from Heartfelt Creations.

Here's a list of the products I used making the card:

Inks: Versafine Vintage sepia for the shadow of the bird, Memento Tuxedo black for the bird, Versafine Onyx black for the sentiment and Tim Holz Distress Ink Black Soot for the swirly flowers, and Versamagic Jumbo Java and Gingerbread for the sponging. Used Spica pens and Stickles for sparkle. Crinkle ribbon is Buttercup from Sugar Creek Hollow. Stamps are HCPC3399 Wedding Dove PreCut Set and HCPC3304 Posy Patch Swirls. Copics used are E70, Y00, Y23, YR21, RV95, RV11, G12, G24, YG63. Used a stamping up fine tip brown marker and a white gel pen for the faux stitching. Spellbinders Grand Nestabilities Labels One and Shapeabilities Ribbon Tag Trio Three.

Happy sunny days...

2011-09-07T10:46:00.000-07:00

Well, many of you are back to school or have kids back at school...where I live back to school started yesterday so I've been hearing all about it from my friends with little ones. I hope you and your families are enjoying the adventure of a fresh new year :-).

This past weekend I made a bunch of Christmas cards, and have more planned for the coming weekend too. Next week, you'll be excited to know, will be the grand release of a Christmas collection from Heartfelt Creations that is absolutely fabulous! Not only are there gorgeous images, but a bunch that can be done with minimal colouring, perfect for those of us who need something quick and easy to make that still looks fancy.

Anyway, enough talking, I'm sure you want to see the cards I have for today more than read my ramblings LOL!

First of all, here is another card using the basket die. I'm currently brainstorming how to combine this with some Christmas images, maybe some ornaments or poinsettias---just you wait and see next week! For now, it's a summer basket.

Products Used on This Project HCPC 3411 Woven Basket PreCut Set
HCPC 3407 Botanical Floral 2 PreCut Set
HCD 714 Decorative Layered Basket Die
Rose Creations Shapeabilities

Other products used: Sizzix Damask embossing folder, Basic Grey Rhinstones, cards stock that has been previously painted, pop up dots, Staz-On ink

Emboss and sand main background, and adhere to frame and base as shown in photo. Use textured card stock (in this case the card stock had previously been painted using the Faux Barn Board technique) upon which to stamp basket with, and then cut out using coordinating die. Adhere to card using pop up dots. Stamp flowers and leaves on coloured paper, cut out with coordinating die cuts, shape using fingers, and then layer over and around the basket as shown in photo. Embellish with rhinestones.

Also, here is a card using one of my favorite images--my hubby really likes this one, will have to find a way to work it in to his birthday card, despite that being in the middle of winter....hmmmm....

Products Used on This Project
1166G Beary Relaxed
HCPC 3319 Simple Filler Stems PreCut Set
Other Products used: Corner punch, SU black marker, Adirondack espresso ink, white card stock is Neenah Copics: E43, E44, E49, E25, E21, E31, E33, Y38, G24, B0000, B26, B23, B21, B02, RV02
Card size is standard 4.25x5.5 Stamp image in centre of white card stock and colour. Use marker to colour the words wanted and stamp in the top and bottom corners as shown. Crop base card stock border layer, and punch corners in border layer, then adhere the layers of the card.

Enjoy your week, and the fresh start of September :-)

Christmas is in the air!

2011-08-31T06:37:00.000-07:00

In the past few months I've watched so many of my fellow bloggers get a head start on Christmas preparations, and finally I have gotten on the bandwagon. Here is a fun Christmas card I used combining a number of different elements:

I used a fern stamp and die cut as tree branches, and then decorated them with liquid pearls and stickles and some ornaments. All stamps are from Heartfelt Creations. I had a lot of fun with this one, I hope you like it!

This weekend I have plans to spend Saturday making Christmas cards with a group of gals, I'm so looking forward to it!

Have a great Wednesday.

Products Used on This Project

HCPC3408 Woodland Fern PreCut Set
HCPC3337 Fancy Ornament PreCut Set
1026K Christmas Story
1287B Holiday Script Greeting
HCD705 Holly Ornament Die
Foliage Shapeabilities
Lacey Circles Nestabilities

Other Products Used:Stickles, liquid pearls, Versafine Vintage Sepia, pop up dots Copics: Y28, YG67, Y15, R46, G21

Card size is standard 4.25x5.5 Stamp background stamp on card stock, then add ink along edges using sponges, and stamp fern image on top left hand corner a few times. Cut out lacey circle and stamp sentiment, then cut bottom part off as shown in photo. Stamp fern 3 times on green card stock and then cut out with coordinating die cut. Stamp ornaments, colour with copies. Adhere all items as shown in photo.

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Happy Friday!

2011-08-26T12:43:00.000-07:00

It's finally Friday! Yay!! I am super happy the weekend is here, but have plans to spend most of the weekend finishing a big school project that is due next week (insert big sigh here!). And after that I'll have no schoolwork for a while (even bigger YAY!).

I thought I'd share a card I made a while back but never posted, down below. I worked hard on my Copic shading on this one, and like how it came out. I'm looking at taking the Copic intermediate course, and am wondering if any of you have taken it and what your feedback is??? ie. did you find it worthwhile? I'd love to read your comments if you have taken it....since of course(!) I'm wondering if I want to spend $200 on another course, or buying more markers LOL!

Anyway, another thing I wanted to do today was give a huge shout out thank you to Laurie (Doodle Pantry) for the fabulous watermarks she's made me in the past and now made for my mom, she is just so nice and does such great stuff...totally recommend her if you need a custom made graphic for labels or a watermark.

Oh yes, and instructions for the card--all stamps from Heartfelt Creations:

HCPC 3393 Tea With Bella PreCut Set
Fancy Tags 3 Shapeabilities
Labels 1
Other: Copics: Y02, Y06, Y08, E70, W1, YG63, G85, B000, B32, B45 Basic Grey Pearls, White paper is Staples 110lb, Coloured paper is SU
Card size is standard 5.5x4.25 Stamp image on white cardstock and then cut out using label die cut. Use airgun to add colour in background, then colour image. Cut out swirly tag using die cut, then using scissors cut in half. Adhere over base layers as shown. Embellish with pearls. Adhere main image over top using pop up dots.

Fleeting summer days

2011-08-24T06:33:00.000-07:00

Well, it seems that before it even really began, summer is almost done! I hope you are all enjoying these last few weeks before back to school and autumn tasks pay a visit. I've got a big school deadline to meet by September 1st (eek, not too many more days) but then after that I'll have more free time, so I'm hoping the sunshine will stick around for a while after that. I'm looking forward to catching up with some of you then. In the meanwhile, I have managed to put together some cards using the images I coloured while listening to my online lectures....got to love multi tasking!

Here are two cheery flowery ones, both featuring images from Heartfelt Creations.

Products Used on This Project

HCPC 3410 Decorative Basket PreCut Set
HCD 714 Decorative Layered Basket Die

Other products used: Spica glitter pens, liquid pearls, Stickles, organza ribbon Copics used: E43, E41, E40, V14, V17

Fold card in half, and stamp the basket image so that it overlaps the fold -- that is, goes off the edge. The goal is to create a crease that is uncut. Use coordinating die cut to cut the image out--so you are cutting through both the top and the bottom layer, and the crease is on the inside of the die cut. The result is a card with a crease at the top and the whole card, front and back, is shaped like the die cut. Then colour the basket, use Spica glitter pens over the scroll design, and add liquid pearls over the circle dots in the image. Colour the flowers. Stamp the image a second time on another piece of paepr and cut out the flowers, colour and add glitter to edges. Adhere over the flowers on the card. Tie ribbon in a bow over the edge as shown.

Products Used on This Project

HCPC3409 Tropical Floral Swirls PreCut Set
Spellbinder Fleur de lis doily motifs

Other Products used: Copics (G40,YG63, V09, V15, V17, Y06, Y08), brads

Cut base card stock and add brads in each of the four corners. Cut out doily with die cut and adhere to centre of card. Stamp image on white card stock, colour and then and cut out with circle die cut, ensuring to avoid cutting edges of leaves (accomplish this by precuting edges of leaves and pulling them "out" of the die cut before running through die cut machine). Adhere to centre of card.

Decorative Basket collection

2011-08-20T08:17:00.000-07:00

I've got another card to share with you today using a stamp from the new Decorative Basket collection that Heartfelt Creations recently released, plus two other cards for you (I'm enjoying a bit more time back in my craft room!)

Here's my favourite one I've done lately:

Products Used on This Project

HCPC3414 Botanical Floral Basket PreCut set
Labels 4 Grand Nestabilities

Other products used: Gold stickles, pop up dots, red ribbon from my stash, SU fine tip black marker, floral DP Copics used: Y08, R35, R37, G85, G24, V15, V17, E43, E41, E40

Card size is 6.5x4.78 To create tiles cut out squares of DP, and then slightly larger squares of cardstock, adhere together, then glue to the base card stock leaving space in between. Stamp main image, cut out with die cut, use die cut as stencil and use fine tip marker to add faux stitching along edge. Colour image and then adhere to card using pop up dots. Make a bow with ribbon, add a flower pearl centre to it, then adhere that to the card with a pop up dot as shown in the photo.

Next, is one I made featuring a wishing well stamp, I think this could be used for so many different things:

Products Used on This Project

787G Wishing Well
HCPC3407 Botanical Floral 2 PreCut Set
HCPC3411 Woven Basket PreCut Set (sentiment)
Rose Creations Shapeabilities
Fancy Tags Nestabilities
Labels 17 Nest abilities
Other products used: Liquid pearls, red DP, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder, lace from fabric store, Antique Linen Distress Ink, Adirondak Espresso Ink, SU dark green marker, SU real red marker. Copics used: C1, C3, C5, E43, R44, G24, G85, G20, G21, Y26, R35, R37
Card size is 4.25x5.5 Cut cardstock, then emboss background panel. Adhere lace to card base and middle layer. Stamp image, cut out with die cut and colour. Then use sponge to apply distress ink along edges. Adhere to card using pop up dots. Stamp sentiment, using SU marker to colour just the words of the sentiment wanted. Cut out with die cut, and then use die cut as stencil to add faux stitching using a fine tip marker. Adhere to card. Stamp flowers on coloured dp using coordinating ink, cut out with coordinating die cut, and then adhere to card. add centres to flowers using liquid pearls.

Finally, here is a wedding one...this is the time of year for them!

Products Used on This Project

HCPC 3400 Bella Rosebuds PreCut Set
HCPC 3401 Bella Rose Scroll PreCut Set (sentiment)
Spellbinders Fancy Tags 3

Other products used: Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink, Copics (B34, B63, YG63, Y02), pop up dots.

Card size is 5.5x4.25 Stamp flower image twice, on the main panel, as shown in the photo. Add colour to background (Copic airgun used here, but you could use sponging). Colour images, and then add distress ink along the edges with a sponge. Stamp sentiment, and cut out with oval punch or die cut. Cut out fancy label using die cut. Adhere layers as shown in photo.

Summer Birthday card

2011-08-12T22:22:00.000-07:00

I've got a cheery birthday card for you today, with bees and flowers and happy birthday wishes :-) I hope you are all having a good week!

Products Used on This Project feature Heartfelt Creations

HCPC 3392 Bella Rose House PreCut Set

HCPC 3407 Botanical Floral 2 PreCut Set
HCPC 3413 Basketweave Background PreCut Set
HCPC 3414 Belated Birthday Wishes PreCut Set
Lacey Oval Nestabilities
Rose Creations Shapeabilities
Fanciful Flights Shapeabilities

Other: Distress Ink Scattered Straw, Versafine Ink Black, Spica Glitter Pens, Sewing machine Copics used: Y06, Y17, RV10, R85

Card size is 4.25 x 5.5 Cut background size to layer over base out of tan cardstock. Stamp with Basketweave background stamp, then crumple up and distress using light coloured distress ink. Use sewing machine to add stitching along the edges, then adhere to base. Stamp sentiment and then cut out with oval die cut, adhere to centre of card. Stamp bee images, cut out with coordinating die cut and colour and then bend up wings. Use glitter pen on wings. Adhere body of the bees to the card leaving the wings uplifted. Stamp the flowers, cut out with coordinating die cut, colour and adhere as shown.

Wednesdays with Heartfelt Creations

2011-08-03T09:46:00.000-07:00

Wow, I can't believe it's been so long since I've been online--life has been kind of crazy the last few weeks with work being especially busy, taking a university course, and all kinds of other stuff. So I have to apologize to those of you who've missed my posts here and my visits to your sites.

I have taken a couple of days here and there to play in my craft room---while listening to course lectures online LOL! So I do have some artwork to share with you, I just haven't had time to do the postings.

Here is a card that was featured today at Heartfelt Creations. It was really hard to photograph, so you can't see, but it comes out looking 3-d in person since there is pop up dots in the centre of the bell.

Products Used on This Project

HCPC 3398 Bella Rose Wedding PreCut Set

Other: Copics: White cardstock base is Staples 110lb, White cardstock used for main image is Neenah, Coloured cardstock is SU, Organza ribbon (brand unknown)

Card Size is standard 4.25x5.5

Stamp image of bell on lower portion of cardstock that is cut to 4x5.25. Then stamp it twice on other white cardstock. Colour the bell and flowers on the main cardstock. Then cut out the bell portion from one of the other ones (only the top part, not the back part), and the 3 flowers from the third one. Colour these too. Then adhere the bell over the main image using high pop up dots on the lower edge, to give it a 3d effect. Add the flowers over top. Attach the ribbon and adhere all layers together.

I am hoping to have time to make a couple more cards this week using the new release that we'll be showcasing next week--it is really beautiful and you can see a sneak peak at the HC site. I've got a bunch of images coloured since that's easy to do when listening, but need some quiet time to turn them in to cards. So stay tuned!

Shopping our stash - challenge 1

2011-05-24T07:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Tuesday!

I hope those of you who celebrated Victoria Day as a stat this past weekend enjoyed the extra day off :-) We were super productive--painting the fence and the deck and doing all kinds of yard and home maintenance--finally I pleaded exhaustion and told hubby I HAD to go take care of a craft deadline (thank goodness!) LOL!

Anyway, this is the first challenge at SOS, and it is to use ribbon--but there is a twist, we want you to use ribbon in a way you don't usually use it, or use the colour you have the most of. For myself, I scrunched and did a ribbon flower using that twisting technique--first time I've done it and so easy, I'll be doing them often now!

The stamps are all SU ones that have been gathering dust for years, as is the ribbon I used, so I think this totally qualifies for shopping my stash!

I'm late, I'm late...

2011-05-18T07:36:00.000-07:00

Isn't that the beginning of a winnie the poo story or something?

Anyway, it's been a super hectic few days--friends popping by to visit unexpectedly (which is a good thing), planning a vacation (another good thing), planning what to do with some out of town family arriving next week (another good thing), getting my mom set up with a new phone (this took a lot longer than you would expect LOL!) and somehow I forgot all about blogging and craft stuff for a few days (?!?). Anyway, I'm late for work now, but still taking the time to post about two items.

First of all, at Shopping our Stash this week we are continuing the challenge to get you to show us your work space and/or stash, so get your camera out and post some pics. Mine are below. Play along with us, I love seeing everyone else's space!

Also, I've got another fabulous card for you using Heartfelt Creations stamps, and the HC blog today is featuring an absolute garden of creativity, to get you in a summer mood (and hopefully a crafty one too!).

Have a great day!!

My stash photo's:

My ribbon storage, which hubby built for me with products from the hardware store. On the top are bars that the rolls go on, and then there is a line of cord that I use clothes pins to hold packages of ribbon. Below you can see my drawer organizers that are a bit larger than 12 x 12 and about 2 inches deep--I use these to store my 12x12 paper as well as my wood mounted stamps. The boxes hold my loose ribbon and lace. You can also see the TV cable running across everything....one day soon hopefully hubby will use some hooks or something to run it along the ceiling. I like to have nature shows playing on the TV while I craft.

My paper storage for lettersize card stock, using a paper organizer from Home Depot. The blue sheet acts as a curtain so the edges of the paper doesn't get discoloured by the light (which happens when you hoard card stock for a long time without moving it enough LOL!).

And here is something crafty I made in my (messy) craft room using the new Bella Rose stamps from Heartfelt Creations:

Products Used on This Card

HCPC 3397 Bella Rose Vintage Background PreCut Set
HCPC 3363 Inspire Me Sentiments PreCut Set

Other: Oval punch, scallop oval punch, distress ink, pearl edging from fabric store, white gel pen Copics: B97, B95, B23, B21, YR14, V15, V17, E29, R35, R46, R59, G21, YG63, G99, Y26, E44
Card size is standard 5.5 by 4.25. Stamp background image and crop to fit card. Colour in with copics, and add accents with white gel pen. Add colour to background using Copic airbrush. Add ink along edges of image. Adhere to mat/border cardstock and then adhere that to base. Add pearl edging and sentiment as shown.

Bella Rose Release

2011-05-10T21:36:00.000-07:00

Happy Wednesday! And this is the second Wednesday of the months, so that means....(insert drum role here)....that it's a new release at Heartfelt Creations!

And this one has to be my favorite yet, with roses and garden trellis and a bird house, butterflies and bees...it makes me think of my garden :-) (hopefully I'll get a sunny day to take pics of that for you soon!)

Here are two cards I made using the new release.

The first one uses two of the new images--the swirly and the rose. For the rose image, it's hard to tell in the photo, but I used the cracked glass technique for it.

Products Used on This Project

HCPC 3390 Bella Rose Leaves Precut set

HCPC 3394 Classic Bella Rose Precut set

HCPC 3320 Vintage Word Background Precut set

Spellbinders Fancy Tags

Spellbinders Labels 9

Other: Copics used: R46, R59, G21, YG63, G99 Basic Grey Rhinestones, Spica Gliter Pen, distress ink, clear embossing powder, versamark, metallic rub onpaste

Card size is 5x5. Stamp swirl image and colour in leaves. Stamp over top of it with the background word stamp. Use glitter pen along swirls. Distress edges, use sewing machine around edges, then add rhinestones to end of swirls as shown, and adhere to base. Cut out fancy tag using die cut and then rub metallic rub onpaste over it. adhere to card base. Stamp image of flower, colour in, cut out with die cut, and then use cracked glass technique (cover entire piece with versamark, coat with clear embossing powder, heat, allow to cool, repeat this 3 or 4 times till a thick layer is there, then cool, then bend to get cracks in it, then rub distress ink over it so it gets in to cracks). Then adhere this centred over the fancy tag.

The second card I embellished a bit more than I usually do, and I went for a really cheery look with the yellow roses. Don't you love that lace on the edge???? I just got a bunch of new lace from Linda (The Funkie Junkie). And a big thank you to Linda B from HC who sent me some gorgeous papers to work with, some is on here too :-)

Products Used on This Project

HCPC 3395 Bella Rose Vase Precut Set
HCPC 3392 Bella Rose House Precut Set
HCPC 3397 Bella Rose Vintage Background Precut Set
HCD 712 Bella Rose Die

Other: Copics used: Y000, Y02, Y15, YR14, E97, E99, G21, YG63, G99, B34, B0000, B000 Spica glitter pens, Stickles, DP Pinkpaislee Butterfly Collection, Pearls, Lace, Doily, Antique Linen Distress Ink

Card size is 6x5 Cut base card stock and DP layers, and add Distress ink on edges. Adhere to card with Doily, as shown in photo. Add lace along edge, add punched corner, adhere pearls as shown to both punched corner and along the top edge of the DP. Colour images, cut out, and adhere. Add stickles to butterfly. Cut out sentiment, use distress ink on edges, highlight around words with glitter pen, and adhere.

Check out the HC Blog, there are tons of other samples from the Design Team. Also, a chance to win some blog candy.

The Bella Rose Collection features 8 new PreCut Sets. The Bella Rose Collection features 8 new PreCut Stamp Sets that coordinate with a new exclusive Heartfelt Creations die, manufactured by Spellbinders. Leave a comment on my blog or the Heartfelt Creations blog by May 17 and one lucky person will win the entire release valued at $149.99. The winner will be announced on the HC blog on May 18.

Full directions on how to make these cards can be found at the HC Blog.

Kick-off challenge - Shopping Our Stash

2011-05-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Kick-Off Challenge for the new Shopping Our Stash Challenge Blog! We thought the best way to start the ball rolling is to host a virtual "open house" where we share a look at our crafty spaces and stashes! It's always fun to see behind the scenes where we spend so much of our time and money!

So here is a sneak peak of my craft desk--on the edge you can see that I use those plastic kid toy containers to store my copics, as well as a couple of shoe boxes in the background filled with scraps (that I fully intend to use...soon...LOL!) In the background there are my storage drawers from Costco that I love. They hold my 12x12 card stock and DP as well as wood mounted stamps.

Next Wednesday I'll have a couple more photos for you of how I store the bulk of my card stock as well as ribbon.

During the next two weeks, from May 10 to May 23, we are asking you to join in our open house by posting a pic or two or ten of your craft table, space, maybe just a peek at your stamps, whatever you wish and link your post back to the SOS blog, the link up thru the Blue Froggy! A random winner will be drawn to receive their choice of a crinkled seam binding ribbon bundle from Prairie Bird Boutique! plus all entries will be entered into a drawing for the May prize as well.

Be sure to stop by the SOS Crew blogs...we have some pretty amazing stashes of supplies amongst our design team!

My first scrapbook page!

2011-05-04T23:59:00.000-07:00

After years of card making I decided to use my stamps and die cuts to make some scrapbook pages. Here is one of the ones I made up in the last couple of weeks.

This one uses die cuts from Heartfelt Creations, as well as an edge punch, and apart from that is very simple and straightforward.

The picture is my hubby and his two sisters when they were little--he doesn't have many childhood photos, and each of them is precious, and this one in particular is one of my favorites.

Products Used on This Project

   HCD 701 Posy Patch Die
   HCD 711 Decorative Dutch Iris Die
   424415 Daisy Fan Martha Stewart Deep Edge Border Punch

Instructions:
   Crop photo, mat, and centre on piece of 12x12 cardstock. Cut white strips of cardstock to go on edge, and punch edges, then add to top and bottom of page. Cut out flowers using die cut, layer and adhere to page. Cut out swirls using die cut and adhere to page, use scissors to trim bits that go over edge of page. Add Dewdrops to decorate as shown.

The last couple of days I've been working with some absolutely gorgeous flowers that will be released next week, part of the Bella Rose collection from Heartfelt Creations. I'll have a card or two for you (or maybe even another layout!) next Wednesday. There is a sneak peak available now at the HC Blog if you'd like a preview :-)

Happy crafting!!

Mother's day challenge at Sentimental Sundays

2011-05-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Mothers day is approaching quickly, so we have a fun challenge for you this week at Sentimental Sundays. For those of you like me, with no little ones, the challenge is to make a Mother's day card or card for a woman, (with a sentiment). To make it interesting, though, for those of you with little ones, there is an additional challenge to have your kids make a card, and post it. I can't wait to see the cards this week!

Here is a Mothers Day card I put together this morning using the Mojo Monday Sketch.

The image is from Deedee's Digi, and I've paired it up with some DP and a sentiment from SU. All colouring is with Copics. And thank you to Linda for the crinkle ribbon, I love it!!

New Challenge Blog - Use your stash!

2011-04-30T12:06:00.000-07:00

Well, anyone who has seen my craft room knows that I have a little (??) problem with hoarding, and my stash of craft supplies has grown and grown over the years. I am sure I could keep making cards at my present rate for the next 10 years without needing to buy coloured card stock again LOL!

So I'm pretty excited about the new challenge blog that my online blogging buddy, Carla, has started. To celebrate, she's also offering some blog candy right now, so I suggest you check it out. The new challenge blog is called "Shopping Our Stash".

For myself, I dug in to my stash today and whipped this lovely creation together:

The lovely butterflies I'd stamped using a friends stamps (Marks Finest Papers) and they were part of 4 boxes of prestamped images waiting to be used. The sentiment may or may not have ever have been used. The grass stamp is one that I got from SU a few years ago, but I'd say that I've used it less than 10 times ever, and the punches I used for the corners and the swirly square behind the sentiment, both were covered in actual DUST! (let's not discuss my devotion (or lack thereof) to housekeeping)

Anyway, I hope you like this card, and it inspires you to shop your own stash :-)

Happy Saturday!

Cheery card for you

2011-04-28T19:14:00.000-07:00

I've been in the mood for spring and happy cards lately, and so I'm loving the new cherry sets in the latest release from Heartfelt Creations. Here's one of the cards I've made lately.

Products Used on This Project
HCPC 3386 Cheery Cardinal PreCut Set
HCPC 3387 Luscious Cherry Swirls PreCut Set
HCPC 3303 Posy Patch Flowers PreCut Set
HCD 701 Posy Patch Die
Espresso Adirondak ink, Vintage Sepia Versafine, Memento Rich Cocoa, SU pastels, SU ribbon,
Copics used:R32, R35, R37, R05, R29, R59, RV11, G12, G21, BG96, Y02, YG63, YR23, Y23, E25

Card size is 5.5x5.5
Stamp cherries on page out of dictionary, add colour using pastels and airgun. Stamp main image on white cardstock and cut out with die cut, using technique to avoid cutting the tail off the bird, then colour, using airbrush for the background. Stamp and cut flowers with die cut out of velum, and layer over main image. Stamp sentiment and cut with punch. Adhere all items as in photo and embellish as shown.

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T08:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!

I've got a cute bunny card to share with you today, using Peek-a-Bunny by Rachelle Ann Miller:

I made this card for our challenge this week at Sentimental Sunday's which is to make a card using 3 or more punches. I love punches and have over 30 of them, so I figured this wouldn't be that tough of a challenge. I hope you'll play along with us. Remember that you need to use a sentiment on any card submitted to the Sentimental Sunday's challenge.

The sentiment is one from Raindrop Echo Designs that I really like as it can be used for pretty much anything.

Have a happy day, whether it is an egg hunt with your kids, a lazy day around the house, or your Easter services at your Church, whatever you do, enjoy!

Birthday Jay

2011-04-20T06:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Wednesday!

I'm very excited to let you know that Marilyn (Newfiecrafter) who so a regularly visits my blog and cheerily leaves happy comments all the time, was selected for the random blog commenter to win the latest release from Heartfelt Creations - Congratulations Marilyn!

Today I've got another card featuring the new release to share with you, a quick and easy one that I dressed up with some glitter, flowersoft and velum:

I can't wait to see what Marilyn does with this new release--she's been showcasing all kinds of Tim Holtz techniques for vintage and distressed and grunge styles and I've been so wanting to get that Compendium of Curiosities she is always referencing--it will be neat to see how she combines that style with these images.

Products Used on This Project

HCPC 3388 Spring Cardinals PreCut Set
HCPC 3303 Posy Patch Flowers PreCut Set
HCD 701 Posy Patch Die

Other:Black memento, Black Versafine, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder, Stickles, Basic Grey Rhinestones, Yellow Flowersoft, White gel pen, SU velum Copics used: C1, C3, B05, B24, B37, B02, B0000, R11, R20, R22, Y02, B21, E37, YR23, G21, YG63

Card size is standard 4.25x5.5

Stamp main image and sentiment on white cardstock and cut out, then colour. Stamp flowers on velum, cut out with coordinating die, adhere to the main image, add flowersoft to centres and stickles to edges. Emboss background cardstock. Adhere all items as in photo and embellish as shown.

Easter or Spring challenge at Sentimental Sundays

2011-04-17T08:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Sunday! After our little snow storm earlier this week, Mother Nature has turned around and brought Spring back with sunshine and warmer weather...the poor plants and outdoor life must all be in shock LOL!

Today at Sentimental Sundays we have a challenge to make a card (with a sentiment of course) focused on Easter or Spring. Here's what I came up with.

The sentiment is from Raindrop Echo Designs, available at the Whimsy store. The flowers and ribbon are from my stash (the foliage came wrapped around a gift bag--talk about recycling) and the butterfly is from an SU die.

This month we are celebrating Earth Day, I hope you will find time to plant something, maybe a tree!

Another peak at the new Springtime Cardinal Collection

2011-04-14T20:32:00.000-07:00

Hiya folks!

Well, here in the moderate climate of the Pacific Northwest I have to advise that we had SNOW today! We only get snow here a handful of times a year and we kind of expect it between December and February, not in the middle of April! Anyway, I guess it's wishful thinking, but here is a spring themed birthday card.

The image is meant to be a cardinal, but I am very partial to Jays - we get them around here, mainly Stellars Jays, and they come in my yard and I feed them all through the spring and summer. They are very social and love to collect food from us and then go and hide it somewhere.

It's almost the weekend, and I'd planned to work in my garden and plant some herbs and flowers, but now I'm thinking that may have to wait till next weekend--guess that means more play time in my craft room! I hope you all have fun plans to look forward to for the weekend.

Products Used on This Project - All stamps are from Heartfelt Creations

HCPC 3388 Spring Cardinals PreCut Set
Nestabilities labels 4
Nestabilities fancy labels

Other: Black memento, Black Versafine, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder, white gel pen Copics used: C1, C3, B05, B24, B37, B02, B0000, R11, R20, R22, Y02, B21, E37, YR23, G21, YG63

Card size is standard 4.25x5.5

Stamp main image on white cardstock and cut out with die cut, then colour, using airbrush for the background. Emboss background cardstock. Stamp sentiment and cut with die cut. Adhere all items as in photo and embellish as shown.

Springtime Cardinal Collection - new HC release!

2011-04-12T22:49:00.000-07:00

Yay! It's the 2nd Wednesday of the month and that means another fabulous new release from Heartfelt Creations :-) (how do you make that an extra big smilly by the way??). At the bottom of my post I've included a blurb from HC about the new release including how YOU can get a chance to win the new release. And may I also say that if you'd like to see all the cards the design team (including our new members!) made so far to showcase the new release check out this weeks HC Blog post.

My favorite set out of the new collection is a cherry set designed to provide sentiments and accents, and can be used to create your own background and also can be used for the main image....love all the versatility! Here's what I made using it.

Products Used on This Project

HCPC 3386 Cheery Cardinal PreCut Set
HCPC 3387 Luscious Cherry Swirls PreCut Set
Nestabilities fancy tags

Other:Espresso Adirondak ink, Black Versafine, Memento Rich Cocoa, SU pastels, Basic Grey Pearls, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder, Copics used:R32, R35, R37, R59, G12, G21, BG96, YG63, YR23, Y23, E25

Card size is 5.25x5.5 Stamp cherries on page out of dictionary, add colour using pastels and airgun. Stamp main image on white cardstock and cut out with die cut, then colour, using airbrush for the background. Emboss background cardstock and sand. Stamp sentiment and cut with die cut. Adhere all items as in photo and embellish as shown.

The Springtime Cardinal Collection features 8 new PreCut Sets. These new sets coordinate with existing exclusive Heartfelt Creations dies manufactured by Spellbinders.The images in this collection are very classic and elegant, perfect for your copic markers, and you will love the fact that they coordinate with some of the existing Heartfelt Creation dies, so this is an added value for some of the dies you might already own. Leave a comment on my blog or the Heartfelt Creations blog by April 19 and one lucky person will win the entire release valued at $119.92. The winner will be announced on the HC blog on April 20.

Help for Japan Blog Hop

2011-04-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to a very special blog hop today! You may have been on the first hop that Whimsy put on for this special cause. Well, there were so many who volunteered to join in that we had to do a second one! The illustrators of Whimsy Stamps have come together to draw a special set of digi images for the purpose of raising money for the relief effort in Japan. All proceeds from the sale of these images will be donated to that cause. Kenny K, Raindrop Echo Designs, Meljens Designs, and Crissy Armstrong all contributed art work.

For the whole month of April, you can purchase the images as a set or individually (your choice) by visiting this page on the Whimsy store site. Please consider helping this special cause by purchasing one or all of the digital images we are offering.

If you have landed here from Cheryl's blog, you are right on track. If you have come here randomly and would like to start hopping from the beginning, please go to Ann's blog. She has the blog rotation order posted if you need to refer to it.

The amazing ladies of two design teams have come together to host this blog hop for you! The team from Sentimental Sundays and the Kenny K Krafty Girlz have joined forces to design some amazing jaw dropping creations for you. You have seven days to hop through all the blogs and enjoy all the lovely creations from these talented people.

The hop runs from now through til Sunday April 17 at noon. There will be several opportunities to win blog candy! Four random commenters will get a chance to receive one of the three individual images or Ann's sentiment set. So be sure to leave comments all along the way for your chance at a free digi! Also, if you post the "Help for Japan" button on your blog's sidebar, you can enter into the draw for the grand prize! The grand prize will consist of the entire digital set made just for this cause as well as a gift certificate donated by Ann of Raindrop Echo Designs worth $10 to use at the Whimsy Stamps store! To enter, you must help us advertise for this cause by posting the "Help for Japan" button on your blog's side bar (just grab it from my side bar or from the top of this post) and then get your name on the Inlinkz option on Ann's post so we can be sure to find the winner.

Now on to my project:

I have used a special sentiment in my project today, created by Ann to lend support to this cause.

Next you'll want to visit Chris's blog to continue hopping. Thank you so much for stopping by, and for your support of this very worthy cause.

Treasured memories with Sentimental Sundays

2011-04-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Today we have a challenge at Sentimental Sundays to create a card on the theme Treasured Memories.

Here's my take on this. You'll see I'm featuring a Cornish Heritage farms image that I knew I had to have as soon as I saw it as it reminded me of many special days of my childhood at the beach with my family. I've paired it up with a sentiment created by Raindrop Echo Designs.

Wednesdays with Heartfelt Creations

2011-04-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

Happy news to share with you today, I get to stay on the HC design team for another 6 months, yay!!

Today at Heartfelt Creations we are wishing a fond farewell to 9 of the current design team members: Clare Curcio, Debbie Seyer, Peggy Cain, Selma Stevenson, Gini Cagle, Linda Payne, Dee Jackson, Rosemary Dennis, and Anita Hovey. We wish you a double blessing on all of your future creative endeavors. Visit their blogs and please thank each one of them for all the creative projects they have shared featuring Heartfelt Creations projects.

Ten of the current Heartfelt Creations design team members will continue for another 6 month term: Lisa Gregory,Angelica Turner, Kristina King, Olga Jewell, Lisa Somerville, Cheryl Walker, Giovana Smith, Loretta Lock, Olena Levchenko, and Kerry Urbatch. We are excited for another creative term with these ladies.

We would also like to extend a warm welcome to 10 new design team finalists that will be joining the Heartfelt Creations design team for the next 6 months: Glenda Brooks, Therese Broman, Carla Suto, Lori Leng, Jan Hennings, Heidi Erickson, Lisa Lynne Wright, Marsha Sanderlin, Sue Walsh, and Joelle Hancox. Congrats Ladies! We look forward to working with you and taking the paper-crafting industry to new heights of inspiration.

I've got a card to share with you that I made recently, it totally fits my Spring mood as I've been watching the flowers start and the birds come back.

Products used:

Bluebird With Flowers Precut Set HCPC 641

Amazing Grace 1198G

Nestabilities Labels 9

Posy Patch Flowers PreCut Set HCPC 3303

Posy Patch Die HCD 701

Distressed Leaves PreCut Set HCPC 3376

Instructions:

Stamp music background on white card stock using light coloured ink diagonally on the base card stock. Then create a mask with another piece of paper by cutting out the centre with the nestie die cut. Use this mask to add orange colour to the centre of the card as shown. This can be done with sponges, however in this case I used E97 and Y000 with the Copic airgun, concentrating on the outside edges of the circle. Then I
stamped the image of the bird in the centre using black memento, and coloured with Copics. After that I used the sewing machine to add stitching to the edges, distressed the edges too, then assembled over layers as shown in photo.

The flowers and leaves on the edges were stamped on coloured card stock and cut out using die cuts. Then, I used my scissors to quickly cut off the edges of the flowers so that they had straight edges rather than rounded edges, to coordinate better with the flowers in the bird image, and added rhinestones to the centres. The flowers and leaves were adhered with various heights of dimensionals/pop up dots.

Cute and Cuddly with Sentimental Sundays

2011-03-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

Today's challenge at Sentimental Sundays is to make a Cute and Cuddly themed card, with (of course!) a sentiment. As soon as I saw the challenge I knew I had to dig out one of my House Mouse stamps, and this one here is one of my all time favorites! I decided I could stretch the Lucky theme from St. Patty's a bit longer, and use this for a March birthday.

The sentiment is one from the Lucky Sentiments sets by Raindrop Echo Designs, available at Whimsy Store.

Here is the link where I found the free digi for the shamrock: http://rubberstamping.about.com/od/digitalstamps/ss/Four-leaf-clover-Free-Digital-Stamp.htm

Spring is on the way!

2011-03-23T12:47:00.000-07:00

Happy Wednesday!

Here on the West Coast Spring is definitely making an appearance. The crocuses in my front lawn are blooming, and the birds at our feeders are multiplying every day, swooping around in the air and singing so clearly that we can hear them inside even with the windows closed.

To celebrate that I have a daffodil card for you, in hopes that a few of those bulbs in my garden will have survived the winter an make an appearance soon :-)

Products Used on This Project

HCPC 3307 Jean Pocket/Ball Can PreCut Set

HCPC 3319 Simple Filler Stems PreCut Set

HCPC 3359 Daffy Daffodil PreCut Set

HCPC 3373 Dutch Iris Medley PreCut Set

HCD 709 Springtime Medley Die

HCD 710 Decorative Oval Window Die

Card stock is SU
Acetate sheet is from Staples (the cheapest inkjet acetate sheets available)
Black ink is Memento except on the Acetate which is Staz-on
Coloured ink is SU
Straw ribbon stuff is recycled from a bundle of flowers I got a while back

Card size is 5 x 5

Cut and prepare base and background sheet, layering the card stock and machine stitching.

Cut the decorative frame from blue card stock using the die cut, and using the stencil marks add accents. Adhere to base using pop up dots.

Stamp image of jar on acetate sheet using Staz-on ink, allow to dry, then cut out.

Stamp image of jar on white card stock, stamp stem and foliage over top of it and colour then cut out, then adhere the acetate layer over top, tie ribbon around the bell jar then adhere to the base using pop up dots.

Stamp flower in orange ink on yellow card stock and cut out with coordinating die cut, then layer over the jar as shown and adhere with pop up dots.

Focus on the Sentiment with Sentimental Sundays

2011-03-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Sunday folks!

Today at Sentimental Sundays we have a challenge to make a card focused on the sentiment. I like this challenge since it means a bit of a break from colouring :-) With St.Patricks day having passed by so quickly this week I wanted to (belatedly!) celebrate!

The sentiment is one from the Lucky Sentiments sets by Raindrop Echo Designs, available at Whimsy Store.

Here is the link where I found the free digi for the shamrock: http://rubberstamping.about.com/od/digitalstamps/ss/Four-leaf-clover-Free-Digital-Stamp.htm

CAS and almost CAS with Heartfelt Creations

2011-03-16T06:25:00.000-07:00

Morning ladies!

Recently I promised to show you a CAS (Clean and Simple) card at least once a week....and I haven't posted in a week...aak! This isn't because I haven't been creating, since I have been busy making cards, just have been so busy with work that every spare moment has been in my craft room making pretty things instead of blogging....

Ok, so here is a CAS card that was posted last week on the Heartfelt Creations Blog. It was floating in my head one night and first thing in the morning even before breakfast I jumped in my craft room and whipped it up in less than 15 minutes.

Products Used on This Project

HCPC 3377 Sympathy Sentiment PreCut Set
HCPC 3373 Dutch Iris Medley PreCut Set
HCD 711 Decorative Dutch Iris Die

Card size is standard 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 Stamp Iris image twice using brown ink, once on lower left hand edge of main panel, and once on other (scrap) cardstock. Colour both the same (Copics used here YG03, G21, G99, BV00, BV02, E04, V93). Use the die cut to cut out the one on the scrap cardstock, and then layer it over the other one on the main panel using pop up dots. Stamp sentiment using black ink in centre of card. Assemble layers of cardstock and adhere and then add a few Rhinestones on the top right hand edge for embellishment.

And here is an almost CAS card that was posted this week on the Heartfelt Creations Blog. This one took about 30 minutes (at the most), and was super easy, just took a bit of time for the colouring of the background.

Products Used on This Project
HCPC 3372 Dutch Iris Frame PreCut Set
HCPC 3373 Dutch Iris Medley PreCut Set
HCD711 Decorative Dutch Iris Die
Oval Nestabilities
Scalloped oval Nestabilities

Instructions:
Stamp background image in brown ink on to white card stock and colour - Copics used here V15 and Y08.
Cut oval out of white card stock and stamp iris image on it in brown in and colour (same colours as above) and add blue in the background for the sky (can use airgun or sponges).
Stamp iris image on coloured cardstock using matching purple ink and cut out using coordinating die cut. Add extra colour on edges in purple ink and use Yellow Glitter Pen (Spica used here) in the centre, then add some yellow flower soft. Adhere all layers together as shown in photo.

There are lots of gorgeous creations to be found this week on the HC blog, if you are looking for ideas.

I'd better get ready for work now, just dropping in at the crack of dawn to say hi to you all, but I'll have another creation for you later in the week. Have a great day!

New Dutch Iris Release!

2011-03-09T07:53:00.000-08:00

Spring is in the air, and there is a new gorgeous collection released today by Heartfelt Creations featuring some beautiful spring foliage and flowers. There are a 45 examples posted on the Heartfelt Creations blog of what the Design Team has created with this new release, it's very inspiring, so check it out!

What I liked best about this collection when I started playing with it is that the images are easy and quick to colour and work with, and are multi purpose--thank you, birthday, sympathy--it's all gonna work. I've got three cards I'll be sharing with you in the next few days (hint, if you want to see all 3 of them now check out the HC blog), and 2 of them took less than 20 minutes each to make! Today's card was a bit more "fancy" (got to try and impress you when there is a new release!) and yet it was also surprisingly easy and quick.

So for today's creation I used the flap card tutorial from Splitcoast Stampers.

Here is what the card looks like closed:

And here is when it is being opened:

And here is the inside when it is fully open:

Products Used on This Project
HCPC 3373 Dutch Iris Medley PreCut Set
HCPC 3377 Sympathy Sentiment PreCut Set
HCPC 3367 Vintage Life Background PreCut Set
HCD 711 Decorative Dutch Iris Die

Finished card is 5 x 4. Cut base card stock to be 12 x 4. Layer the die cut near the end of the card stock with the goal to cut the edge. Use your embossing mat between the die and the card stock from the mid point of the die down, so that it acts as a mask and only the top part cuts. The effect is to give you a fancy edge. You could alternatively cut with edged scissors. Score at 5 and at 10 and then fold. brush the fancy edge with white craft ink. Your base is now ready Stamp background image on to white paper with green ink. Add light brown ink to edges. Adhere to base as shown in photo.Stamp image of iris on white card stock using brown ink, cut out with circle die cut. Add colour to background (Copic airgun used here) Colour the Iris (BV00, BV02, Y17). Adhere lace around edge of circle. Adhere magnet behind circle on the lower half, and adhere upper part of circle to flap using pop up dots. Adhere other matching magnet on to the inside of the card, and cover that with a decorated piece of paper. Add sentiment to top of card to finish off.

Blog Hop with ScrapMart

2011-03-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome!

Today is day two of the ScrapMart Bloghop featuring Heartfelt Creations products.

You should have come here from Lisa's site, and if you want to check out the details of this weeks bloghop, check out the ScrapMart page here.

I toiled away at a fabulous creation, and then realized I'd almost posted a preview for you of this weeks new releases--oops! At least I caught it before posting went live...you'll have to wait a couple more days. So stay tuned for Tuesday March 8th at 12:00 Midnight Eastern to see to fabulous new Dutch Iris collection!!

Until then, I put together a lovely little Easter card, that is super sweet and was also super quick to make! So many of us are busy that I've decided to weekly showcase at least one quick and easy idea, so here you go:

The image is stamped on white card stock using Brown Memento ink, and then cut out using the Bigz Top Note die. The card base is cut out with the same die, and after colouring the image it's simply adhered with pop up dots to the top of the base. Add a bit of ribbon, and voila, it's ready to go!

I wanted to dress it up a little bit more, and I thought with the easter egg hunt image on the front it would be fun to put an egg "hidden" on the inside, so here's what the inside looks like:

Products used:

Heartfelt Creations stamps Egg-citing day PreCut set

Sentiment is from the HC Wrought Iron Cross PreCut set

White card stock is Staples 110 lb

Blue card stock is SU

Colouring is with copics

Ink is Memento

Ribbon is SU

Pearls and Lace at Sentimental Sundays

2011-03-05T22:52:00.000-08:00

Happy Sunday!

Today at Sentimental Sundays we have a nice and easy challenge for you--Pearls and Lace (plus a sentiment). I hope you will play along with us :-)

For my card I used both Tule and gathered lace, both which I picked up at the local discount fabric store, and then I added some Basic Grey pearls to the centre of the flowers.

The sentiment is one that I really like, from Heartfelt Creations, which I think is perfect for an encouragement card.

The flowers are layered using pop up dots between the layers. There is a layer of Tule overlaying the whole card above the sentiment and below the flowers/hummingbird, kind of like I might have used velum, but instead used the Tule. Here's a shot from another angle:

I do hope you will join us with this weeks challenge, it will be fun to see all the girly lace and pearl cards that get created :-)

Blog Hop with Heartfelt Creations

2011-03-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Saturday all!

Today the Design Team of Heartfelt Creations decided we wanted to take a chance to say thank you to the folks over there at HC and demonstrate that with a little blog hop and showcase some fabulous creations made using their products. Here's the closed up view of the card I created:

I felt a lot of pressure coming up to today's blog hop, since my design team sisters are fabulous designers and over the top creative and I know they have all been working to showcase their best work, so I wanted to make something worthy and interesting.....oh goodness, and my head is still back in vacation mode on palm trees and fruity drinks, sigh...finally, with no ideas coming to mind I checked the resources section at Splitcoast and found a tutorial for a 3 tier pull out card that I hadn't seen before..... yay! Above you saw what it looked like closed, and here is what it looks like when it's partially opened up:

Don't you love that hummingbird? It is really easy to colour and cut out using the die cuts and one of my very favorite items I've gotten from HC, so I wanted to make sure I used it on this Thank You project for them. It has been such an amazing experience these past months being on a design team with such kind and real people to spur us on and share with us such wonderful artwork that it makes designing easy to do.

And finally, the completed photo when it's fully pulled out:

Here is the list of the blog hop participants, the next stop is Lisa

And in case you want it, here is the full list:

Linda http://www.paynehollercards.blogspot.com

Lisa www.lisasomerville.com

Gini www.ginicagle.blogspot.com

Kerry www.thestampingbug.blogspot.com

Angelica www.bellisimavida.blogspot.com

Olga http://craftieodamae.blogspot.com

Debbie http://www.debbieseyer.com/my_weblog/

Giovana http://giovana-believe.blogspot.com/

Clare http://queenteacuppapertreasures.blogspot.com

Anita www.hoveyhut.blogspot.com

Rosemary http://heythererosigrl.blogspot.com/

Kristina ******YOU ARE HERE******

Lisa http://what-a-beautiful-mess.blogspot.com/<--- Your next stop

Dee www.stampincuziluv2.com

Loretta http://lovetocreate.blogspot.com/

Cheryl http://sweeetdesignsbycheryl.blogspot.com/

Products used:
Angel Trumpet Flower PreCut Set

Springtime Medley Die

Decorative Oval Window Die

Wrought Iron Cross PreCut Set

Stained glass card

2011-03-02T20:23:00.000-08:00

Hi folks!

Well, it's been almost two weeks since I've been home from holidays and still getting my head around being back to normal life...sure wish there was someone to make my bed and feed me all the time LOL! I'm sure it would be boring to stay at an all-inclusive resort too long, but hey, how long would that be??? I think I'd be able to last quite a while before boredom struck! Unfortunately, we have to work to pay for these treats, so it's been busy at work since we've been home with lots of overtime catching up, and my poor craft room has barely seen me.

I did make up a card though this week, and I have to say I quite like it! The card is made from acetate and the light streams through it, it looks super cool in real life. Here is a pic for you to see:

Products Used on This Card - all stamps are from Heartfelt Creations

HCPC 3365 Decorative Vintage Cross Precut Set

HCPC 3364 Stained Glass Background PreCut Set

Card is standard 4 1/4 by 5 1/2. Card base is clear acetate sheet. Fold acetate sheet in half and stamp stained glass image on front using Staz-on or other permanent ink. Set aside to dry. Stamp image of cross on white card stock using black ink, cut out, and accent with grey (Copics C1 and C3 used here). Colour flower in red (Copic R46 used here ). Stamp duplicate and cut out flower, colour with same red, and layer on top of the main flower using a pop up dot. Curl edges up of leaves and petals. Go back to acetate sheet and colour in the stained glass image on the reverse side of where you stamped it, using permanent markers (Sharpies used here). Allow to dry and the layer on the cross over top of the stained glass background.

Easter hunt

2011-02-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a fun easter card I made this week for Heartfelt Creations.

Products used:

HCPC 3368 Egg-Citing Day PreCut Set

HCD 710 Decorative Oval Window Die

Standard Oval Nestability

Instructions:

Card size is standard 5 1/2 by 4 1/4

Cut out frame using die cut. Accent raised edges using white craft ink. Allow to dry. Stamp image of bears in black ink on white card stock and cut out using oval nestability die cut. Colour in. Layer the oval in to the frame pulling the swirls overtop. Use a piece of tape on the back to adhere in place, then assemble card as shown in the photo. Use rhinestones to embellish. (Copics used here--E43 and E44 were used for bear, B34 for the sky, B93 and B95 for the coveralls, G12, G24 and G94 used for the grass and foliage, and assorted other colours for flowers and easter eggs).

Photo inspiration

2011-02-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

Today at Sentimental Sundays we have a photo inspiration for you. Check out the site for the image--it is a fabulous photo of a lighthouse with waves crashing all around it.

For me, this made me think of the beach, and how amazing it is that the piers and the shore and the sea life and beach animals can survive the storms...don't we all wish we were that resilient?!

With that in mind, here is the card I made using this inspiration.

All stamps used are from Heartfelt Creations.

Products used:

Seagull Roost Product ID: 698E

Uplifting Scriptures PreCut Set Product ID: HCPC 3312

Labels 12 Product ID: 430808

Standard circle nestabilities

Instructions:

Card size is standard 5 1/5 by 4 1/4

Emboss background layers, distress and adhere to base as shown in photo.

Stamp image of seagulls on white card stock and colour (Copics used here). Cut out using label die cut and adhere as shown using pop up dots. Stamp sentiment, add colour in background using Copic Airgun or sponges. Cut out with die cut and adhere to top. Embellish with pearls.

Holiday pics

2011-02-19T08:34:00.000-08:00

Hi all!

Thank you all for your patience the last few weeks with my short posts and my lack of commenting. We had a fabulous vacation, despite (because of? LOL!) the intermittent internet access. After three weeks away we are now home and settling in. I've been sorting through my +1300 photo's and thought I'd share a few with you today :-)

The first morning we got there we got up early and took some beautiful shots of the beach:

We had great plans to get up early every day, but it only happened twice on our trip LOL!

This is the beach area where we spent most of our time. They had a bar, grill and ice cream parlour all located right there on the beach.

Here's a pic of the bar area. Everyone there was super friendly--we made a bunch of new friends chatting up the other guests. The bartenders, Marcello and Oswaldo, were very patient with my complicated drink orders, and always quick to make sure we didn't go thirsty.

Our room for the first week of our stay was very close to the beach with a fabulous view.

I spent a lot of time on that deck looking at the view, people watching, and reading. Hubby got me a Kindle for Christmas, and I spent a lot of time reading it. I think it paid for itself in weight allowance!

We moved to a Villa for the last two weeks since we had friends joining us. We wound up staying in two different ones while we were there, since we had to move from one to the other after a couple of days, but luckily we have got the moving rooms thing down pat so it wasn't too interuptive. Here's a pic of one of the Villas -- they really are over the top fabulous!!!

Once a week there was a beach party at night, with lots of Champagne flowing, and we made sure to enjoy each of them....even the one the week of the Super Bowl (yes, they did actually play the football game on the big screen on the beach!). There was great music and dancing and it was a highlight for me since I love loud music and dancing :-)

We left the resort for a day trip to a little sandbar in the middle of the ocean,

Now we are home, but I'm sure we'll spend many happy hours looking at our pics in the months to come. For today though, I think I have some crafting to do!

2011-02-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

Wednesday is here again and I'm happy to share with you another card featuring the new collection from Heartfelt Creations. Don't you love that new die cut frame?!

Products used:

HCPC 3365 Decorative Vintage Cross PreCut Set

HCD 710 Decorative Oval Window Die

HCPC 3370 Easter Lilies PreCut Set

HCPC 3367 Vintage Life Background PreCut Set

Instructions:

Card size is 5 1/2 by 6

Cut base and green layer adhere as shown in photo. Stamp flower image in lower right hand corner of white cardstock using black ink. After allowing to dry, use light brown ink to stamp background stamp in the centre of the card stock. Then colour in the flowers (Copics used here). Adhere to base. Cut out the frame using the die cuts and rub metalic paste over top to accent the raised edges. Adhere to card using pop up dots. Stamp sentiment in black ink on white card stock and cut out using die cut or punch. Rub green ink or metalic paste along edge of the sentiment piece, then adhere lace on the back side so it is ruffled around the edges. Adhere this to the centre of the frame using pop up dots.

Valentines day is almost here!

2011-02-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is Valentines day, and to celebrate that, we have a pink, red and white colour theme for you this week at Sentimental Sundays. I hope you will play along with us!

I hope you and your lovey dovey partners take some time to celebrate each other on Valentines day!

Here is a sweet card I made using a teddy bear image from Heartfelt Creations:

Items used:

For You Mother Product ID: 662D

Inspire Me Sentiments PreCut Set Product ID: HCPC 3363

Fancy Tags Nestabilities Product ID: 415217

Labels 12 Product ID: 430808

Instructions:

Stamp image in brown ink on white card stock and cut out using die cut. Colour image (Copics used here). Emboss background card stock, rub white craft ink over the raised portions, and adhere to base. Cut out next layer using die cut and adhere with pop up dots. Add stamped and coloured image over top of this. Stamp sentiment on white card stock using black ink, cut out with label die cut, and adhere over top using pop up dots. Embellish with pearls.

Another sample of the New Life Collection

2011-02-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

This week there have been some fabulous cards and projects showcased by the Heartfelt Creations design team, showing off the New Life Collection. Here is one super quick card I put together using one of the cute bear images.

If you haven't already, I recommend hopping by the Heartfelt Creations Blog to see what the rest of the design team has made.

Products used:

HCPC 3368 Egg-Citing Day PreCut Set

HCPC 3366 Wrought Iron Cross PreCut Set

Labels 9 Product ID: 415222

Instructions

Card size is 4 1/4 by 4 1/4

Emboss mauve purple card stock using embossing folder then swipe white craft ink pad over the raised areas and edges for dimension, then adhere to base. Stamp sentiment using black ink on to right hand edge of patterned paper and then attach that on to the card. Stamp image of bears in brown ink on white card stock, cut out with die cut and colour in. Adhere to card using pop up dots. Stamp eggs on to white card stock using brown ink, colour in, and hand cut, then attach to card using pop up dots.

Copics used: E00, E21, E33, E35, E25, E43, T2, BV000, BV00, Y06, YG41, G12, B34, B32, B23, RV13, V06

Welcome to the New Life Collection!

2011-02-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

Today there is a fabulous new collection being released by Heartfelt Creations, just in time for us to start work on our Easter projects. Here are a couple of my creations, I hope you'll check out the Heartfelt Creations Blog and see what the rest of the design team has made.

Here is the candle. For both this and the Spring Up card below I used tutorials found in the resources section at Splitcoast Stampers.

Instruction for Candle:

Stamp 3 images of cross on tissue paper using black StazOn ink. Allow to dry, then use gold coloured glitter pen to accent. Cut around each one and lightly adhere the tissue paper to the candle. Wrap ribbon around bottom. Wrap wax paper all around the outside of the candle on top of the items adhered to it, then use heat gun all around until the tissue paper has been soaked in. Remove wax paper.

Instructions for card:

Prepare Spring Up Card base using tutorial from Splitcoast Stampers. Stamp image of cross on white cardstock that has been precut to fit on to face of Spring Up Card. Use VersaMark ink and gold embossing powder and heat set. Distress edges and add light amounts of ink using sponge around the edges. Adhere to base card.

Stamp small coordinating posy stamp on velum cardstock several times using VersaMark ink and heat emboss with gold embossing powder. Cut out using coordinating die. Add one in the centre of the cross overtop of the flower there, using a pop up dot, and add a pearl over top. Stamp sentiment on white card stock using black ink and cut out, then adhere with pop up dots on base as shown in photo. Use the extra die cut velum flowers to decorate as shown in photo.

I think this pair would make a great Easter gift!

Products used:

HCPC3303 Posy Patch Flowers PreCut Set

HCD701 Posy Patch Diecuts

HCPC3366 Wrought Iron Cross PreCut Set

Masculine card

2011-02-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

I have another masculine card to share with you this week, also made at my hubby's request.

This one features a stag/male deer image from Heartfelt Creations.

Products used:

Watchful Whitetail Product ID: 976E

Open Falling Leaves PreCut Set Product ID: HCPC 3334

Falling Leaves Die Product ID: HCD 707

Labels 2 Product ID: 376183

Instructions:

Card size is standard 5 1/2 by 4 1/4.

Use letterpress technique to emboss background sheet. Adhere to card base which is 5 1/2 by 3 1/2. Stamp image of Stag on white card stock and cut out with die cut. Colour (Copics used here) and adhere to the base sticking up over the top. I used the Copic airgun to add dark brown along the edges of the image though sponges could be used. Stamp leaves on green card stock using green ink, and cut out with coordinating die cut. Adhere to edge of card as shown in photo using pop up dots.

Summer lighthouse

2011-02-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

My hubby always complains about how many girly cards I made so I made up a bunch of masculine cards recently, and this one here is my favorite. It features a beautiful image from Heartfelt Creations.

Products used:

Lighthouse Shore Product ID: 542G

Instructions:

Card is standard 4 1/4 by 5 1/2. All colouring is done with Copics.

Stamp image on white card stock using black ink. Colour image and add ink to edges for depth. Cut blue background card stock, emboss and sand. Layer using other card stock as shown in photo, adding ribbon beneath main image.

Spring is in the air

2011-02-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

Spring is in the air....or so I wish LOL!

Today I've got a happy card to share with you using an image from the Heartfelt Creations Springtime Medley Collection.

Products Used:

Butterfly Joys Product ID: 1136D
Semper Augustus Tulips PreCut Set Product ID: HCPC 3361
Pumpkin/Autumn Vines PreCut Set Product ID: HCPC 3329
Springtime Medley Die Product ID: HCD 709
Nestabilities Oval

Instructions:

Card size is standard 4 1/4 by 5 1/2

Stamp image of girl on white card stock using black ink. Colour (Copics used here). Cut patterned paper to fit as background, then cut oval out of centre using die cut. Stamp tulip image on to the patterned paper overlapping the cut out circle. Stamp swirly leave foliage images around base as well, as per photo. Colour in (Copics used here). Adhere the image of the girl behind the window of the patterned paper, and adhere to base. Stamp tulip image on to purple coloured card stock and cut out using coordinating die cut. Add sparkles to edges (Stickles used here). Layer over top of the tulip on the card using pop up dots. Add a photo corner and rhinestones as additional embellishments.

Birthday kitty

2011-01-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

Every time I see a card with a kitty cat on it I think of one of my favourite relatives--my great aunt whom I spent many a summer day with. She loves cats and has had many over the years. This card was made with her in mind, using a darling image from Heartfelt Creations.

Products Used on This Project

774F Kitty Can
HCPC 3363 Inspire Me Sentiments PreCut Set
376182 Labels 1 Nestie

Card size is standard 5 1/2 by 4 1/4

Background is created by running cardstock with a light core (Co-ordinations used here) through an embossing folder and then sanding. That is adhered to a white base, and then ruffled lace added on the bottom. The image of the kitty cat is stamped on white card stock, and everything including background except for cat was coloured in, so the kitty cat stands out. Copics were used for all colouring, the greys for the watering can used were in the C range (C1, 3, 5 and 7). Metalic rub on paste was used on the edges of the sentiment to accent it and both the main image and the sentiment are popped up using different height layers of pop up dots.

My first coasters!

2011-01-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

I've been experimenting with some different projects lately, and one of my favourite discoveries has been how easy it is to make coasters!

Here are some I made using floral images from the new Springtime Medley Collection by Heartfelt Creations.

Products Used on This Project
HCPC 3320 Vintage Word Background PreCut Set
HCPC 3360 Exotic Fuchsia PreCut Set
HCPC 3361 Semper Augustus Tulips PreCut Set
HCPC 3362 Angel Trumpet Flower PreCut Set
Obtain glazed 4x4 white tiles from hardware store. The ones I used here were about 25 cents each at Home Depot.
Stamp images on tissue paper that has been cut to slightly larger size than tiles. Use black Staz-On ink. Colour on reverse side using Copics. Spread Mod Podge over tile using sponge brush. Carefully layer tissue paper overtop and pat out the bubbles with your fingers. Allow to dry and then add another layer of Mod Podge. Allow this to dry and add another layer of Mod Podge. Do this a few times leaving several hours between layers. At the end spray with Krylon sealant. Add foam dots to the bottom so the tiles don't scratch surfaces.

Colour challenge at Sentimental Sundays

2011-01-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

This week at Sentimental Sundays we've got a fabulous Spring themed colour challenge for you. I hope you will play along with us!

Here is my card--I had to use some substitutes, but got as close as I could colourwise...

Products Used on This Project - all images are from Heartfelt Creations

HCPC 3363 Inspire Me Sentiments PreCut Set
HCPC 3359 Daffy Daffodil PreCut Set
Nestabilities Labels 9
Nestabilities Fancy Tags

Stamp Daffodil on white card stock using black and and colour with Copics. Add colour to background using Copic airgun (sponging could be used). Stamp swirly daffodils on background green card stock using light brown ink so that it creates a patterned paper. Stamp sentiment on white card stock using black ink and cut out using die cut. Adhere all pieces as shown in photo, using pop up dots to layers, and add pearls to top right hand corner.

Card Size is 5x5

Copics used: YG63, G28, E99, Y08, Y17, Y38

More Hoorahs to the Springtime Medley Collection

2011-01-13T12:23:00.000-08:00

Here's another sweet card I made using a new image from Heartfelt Creations Springtime Medley Collection.

I love these cheery flowers and they have coordinating die cuts that work so easily and make it so quick and easy to make a stand out card!

Products Used on This Project, stamps and die from Heartfelt Creations:

HCPC 3361 Semper Augustus Tulips PreCut Set
HCD 709 Springtime Medley Die

Instructions:
Stamp Tulip image on patterned paper using black ink, then colour (Copics used here). Stamp tulip on coloured card stock then cut out with die cut and adhere on top of image using pop up dots. Stamp and cut with die cut 1 extra tulip and cut the petals off with scissors, and adhere these as a third layer on the middle tulip. Punch edges and layer with other card stock as shown, and add pearls on corners.

Hoorah to the Springtime Medley Collection!

2011-01-12T01:01:00.000-08:00

A new release from Heartfelt Creation this week, yay! For those of you gettting tired of snow and ready to celebrate the coming of spring, you will LOVE these new images.

Here is the first cards I made using it:

Products Used on This Project, all Heartfelt Creations stamps

HCPC 3329 Pumpkin/Autumn Vines PreCut Set
694D Cry Of The Northland
HCPC 3359 Daffy Daffodils PreCut Set
HCD 709 Springtime Medley Die

Instructions:

Stamp duck image on white card stock with brown ink and colour (Copics used here). Cut blue background sheet and emboss using embossing folder. Stamp swirls and flowers on velum sheet and allow to dry, then colour on the reverse side (Copics used here). After allowing that to dry add some white Staz on ink using a sponge. When fully dry layer all sheets as shown.

Happy Sunday!

2011-01-08T22:08:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 2011 Everyone!

I've been taking a bit of a break from crafting for family an the holiday, and it feels great now to be back to crafting! I'll be coming round to visit all your blogs and see what all you've been creating the last little while, and thank those of you who've left sweet comments here this past two weeks.

This Sunday at Sentimental Sundays the challenge is to make a card using something with WINGS - a bird, an airplane, you name it! Oh yes, and not to forget, a sentiment on it too. I hope you will join us!

Here is the card I made for this challenge:

The image is one I got in a swap quite a while back, and is coloured using Copics.

2010-12-30T05:19:00.000-08:00

Post edited to add:
Eek!! The problem with prescheduled posts when you aren't paying attention LOL! This post was set to go off some time early last week, before Christmas and now I see it posted during the night just in time for New Years. Hope it gives you some ideas for next year. Now I'm off to investigate what other posts are gathering dust waiting to spring on me unexpectedly :-).

Unedited portion of post:
Recently my sister in law came over to visit and make Christmas cards with me. She wanted some ideas of what to make that would be quick and easy, be mailable, and wouldn't need a lot of expensive embellishments. We decided that we should use images that wouldn't need colouring, since that takes so much time, so off to my stash I went in search of the perfect quick card solution.

This was a fun challenge for me, and here are four cards that each took under 10 minutes to make which I put together for her as samples.

This first one was made using two stamps, one from an older SU set, and another from CHF. It was the most time consuming of them all.

This one uses the SU Dasher image, and DP. Dasher is stamped using versafine ink and there are stickles spread over the antlers.

This one is a Thomas Kinkaid image stamped in Sepia Versafine on old photo paper I found in my cupboard. The edges are inked with Creamy Caramel ink using a sponge.

This last one is my favorite, and the easiest and quickest of the bunch. The Thomas Kinkaid image is stamped using Black Staz-On on to old glossy photo paper. It's matted and then I added the sentiment tag (popped up) and rhinestones.

In case you are running behind getting ready for your Christmas cards, or just don't have a lot of time to spend, I hope these give you some ideas of simple cards that can be made.

Top 10 of 2010 - Blog Hop

2010-12-27T23:30:00.000-08:00

Hi folks!
Today we've got a blog hop to follow, to celebrate the best of 2010. It's a bit different than other blog hops since today we are each showcasing for you our favorite 10 cards that we made during the past year.
This was a tough call, but here you go, the cards I'm proudest of from the past year, and which I plan to top (somehow!) in 2011.

Here's one using a velum overlay featuring a digi from Tiffany Doodles:

A special baby card using a wonderful image from Mo's and a heartwarming sentiment from Raindrop Echo Designs:

A country flavoured card featuring an image from Bildmalarna:

The card I made after the copic certification course, experimenting with new techniques--the image was from Cornish Heritage Farms by artist Sara England.

The first Thomas Kinkaid image I fully coloured in - The image is stamped on Velum and I coloured the underside.

I sure was sad this year when they shut down Cornish Heritage Farms, though it wound up forcing me to fill my wish list and my craft room cupboards sure have a lot of beautiful pieces of rubber now to lure me in there.

Experimenting with a new technique--the background is faux barn board (tutorial at SCS). and the images and die cuts used here are from Heartfelt Creations.

Another card using Heartfelt Creations dies and images. I think this was one of my hubby's favorite cards this year.

And another sample using a Thomas Kinkaid image from Cornish Heritage Farms, as well as stamps and die cuts from Heartfelt Creations to accessorize.

Inspired by my friend Alica's Tri-fold cards I finally gave in and tried it...this was my first one ever and I just love how it came out! This was a special card too, as it was my submission card for the Heartfelt Creations Design team competition which I am so thankful to have been a part of these past few months.

And finally, to finish off, here is one where I decided to dig out my heat gun and go hog wild with the heat embossing and created this glittery masterpiece (also featuring images from Heartfelt Creations):

Check out the list of other folks participating in this blog hop and join in too if you'd like, at this link: http://mrsweyremaster.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-top-10-cards-of-2010-blog-hop.html

This was an exciting year for me, I had the opportunity to work on some fabulous design teams with some super talented artists and other designers and it has been a wonderful pleasure. I've started following a lot of your blogs regularly, and also appreciated how many folks have taken the time to visit mine with kind and encouraging words. At this time of the year as we look back at the year past and give thanks for the things we appreciate from the year I'd like to give thanks to all my fellow crafters who've inspired me with their cards when I visited their blogs, who left comments for me on my cards, and also to the artists who's work I've had the pleasure to showcase. Best of wishes to you all for the year ahead!

Glitzy Tri-Fold

2010-12-22T00:06:00.000-08:00

Today at the Heartfelt Creations blog there are a bunch of gorgeous Christmas and Winter creations to inspire you and celebrate this season, I hope you'll go take a look!

Here is one of the cards I made that is posted there this week. I decided to make a tri-fold card, they really aren't too much work and are so impressive for folks to receive, what with moving pieces and all.

I didn't use any DP on here, everything is created using stamps. There is a full set of instructions on the Heartfelt Creations blog today, and if there are any questions you have about technique or supplies, please leave a comment and I'll get back to you.

Products used:

998X Holly Background
HCPC 2291 Regal Poinsettia 2 PreCut Set
HCPC 3348 Cardinal Pine Cone Border PreCut Set
HCPC 3352 Snowy Cardinal PreCut Set
Versamark and SU gold embossing powder
Memento Ink and Copics
Basic Grey Rhinestones

Challenges:
Allsorts challenge - anything goes
Creative inspirations challenge - anything goes Christmas
I did it creations - anything goes
Totally Gorjuss - for someone special
Craft your passion - Christmas
Paper Playtime - Christmas
The crafty pad - anything goes
Paper Take Weekly - anything goes
Sweet Stampin Challenge - Celebrations
Stamps R Us challenge - Anything goes
Stamping with dragon - Make it sparkle

Vintage style Cardinal

2010-12-21T09:31:00.000-08:00

The countdown to Christmas continues, Christmas eve will be Friday and Christmas on Saturday, how did the time come so fast?!

Today I've got a vintagy style card for you that was actually super quick and easy to make. It was my first time experimenting with this ribbon technique---which most of you have been doing for months LOL!--and I really like how it worked with this ribbon which has some wire in it on the sides.

All stamps used on this card are from Heartfelt Creations, and full instructions will be posted on their blog tomorrow, so I'll give you a link to them then. Until then, if there is a question you have about technique or how it was done please let me know in the comment section!

Products used:
Snowy Cardinal PreCut Set Product ID: HCPC 3352
Holly Background Product ID: 998X
Ribbon is the type to decorate the tree, bought at Costco
Memento Ink and Copics

Challenges:
2 Sisters - Christmas

Dutch Dare Challenge - Winter

Sew Many Challenges - Winter

Fresh Brewed - Merry Christmas

Stampin for the Weekend - Christmas
Really Reasonable Ribbon - Photo inspiration (the vintagy glitzy feeling of the photo I think is captured in my Stickled snowy area on the branches of the tree)
Copic Creations - Sparkle
Gingerloft Challenge - Distressing
Allsorts challenge - anything goes
Creative inspirations challenge - anything goes Christmas

I did it creations - anything goes

Craft your passion - Christmas

The crafty pad - anything goes
Everybody Art - First Snow

Last minute Christmas cards

2010-12-20T10:20:00.000-08:00

Christmas is just a few days away and I bet some of you, like me, are making up some last minute cards. Here's a quick and easy one I made up last night using a freebie from Marker Guru.

The image was super quick and easy to colour. I matted it and used the airgun to add some colour to the background, though that could have been done with sponges. The snow flakes in the background were added with liquid pearls, and the ring of trees was covered with holly green stickles.

Good luck as you do your last minute Christmas preparations!!

Challenges:
2 Sisters - Christmas
Stamptacular Sunday - Tree
Dutch Dare Challenge - Winter
Sew Many Challenges - Winter
Fresh Brewed - Merry Christmas

Stampin for the Weekend - Christmas
Wags N Whiskers - Snowflakes
Moving along with the times - Let it snow
Copic Creations - Sparkle