Square Envelope

Inspired by watching a tutorial on converting a standard invitation size envelope into a square, I made this square card and its matching envelope. There's also an embossed butterfly just below the flap to coordinate with the saying in the card.

The leaf was clear embossed and sponged with autumn colors to make it "pop." After attaching the embroidery floss and faux tag (held on with a glue dot at the top) I used SU dimensionals and mounted it on the card at an angle.

For the inside, I typed in Fall colors: "Falling leaves are Autumn's butterflies... Happy Autumn Birthday."

This is the last of autumn cards for me. On to Christmas now...


NOTE: This envelope cost an extra 20 cents in postage, so it wasn't postage friendly after all!

Mothers Class Christmas Card #2

For Mothers Class tomorrow, we'll be making the embossing resist cards shown in the previous post. Meanwhile, I've started working on Christmas designs.

Next week for Mothers Class, we'll be starting our collection of two Christmas cards per week. This one fit the bill for being attractive, easy to do and easy for me to prepare ahead of time.

Using just the leaf from the SU "Sketch It" set, I stamped first in red for the blossom and again in green for the two leaves. After cutting them out and sponging them lightly, I set them aside for assembly.

Next I punched the border of the white strip with the Martha Stewart punch and ran it through the Cuttlebug in the Swiss Dots folder. I attached it to the card front, leaving just enough space for the narrow foil trim.

Then I added the poinsettia and leaves, using SU dimensionals for the flower. I stamped the greeting, punched out the scalloped oval and added it to the card with dimensionals. Gold glitter was used for the flower center.

We have a new saying for Mothers Class: "If it's raining, it must be Wed." Not exactly original, but all too appropriate. Rain is forecast for tomorrow again!

FALLING LEAVES

Inspired by a pad of K & Company 12 x 12 designer paper, I mounted some leaves over them for some simple cards. All four leaves were stamped in Versamark ink and embossed with clear embossing powder.

Next, they were sponged with gold and brown inks to make them "pop" as the embossing resisted the ink. Each image was then mounted as shown, using a minimal amount of embellishment.

I plan to use these for November birthdays and note cards. Meanwhile, I'm posting them under "Simple Saturday" even thought I didn't set the timer. Stamping and assembling in assembly line fashion really is quick!

SCRAP DRAWER #11

It's been quite awhile since I've done a card using the scraps accumulating in the drawer. This one makes use of some Fall colors and a Martha Stewart punch.





Since it is not postage friendly, I'll be using it as a thank-you note that I can hand deliver.

AUTUMN CARD

After stamping the oak leaves from the French Foliage set and cutting them out, I sponged the edges with Tea Dye Distress Ink to give them some definition. I then attached them on the left side, one with a glue dot, the other with a dimensional. The greeting was stamped with dark brown ink and the embroidery floss was added. The corners were rounded to accent the scallops on the designer papers.

Although the card looked "okay" at that point, I felt it needed a little more interest. While I don't usually use a lot of gems on one card, this time it was just what the card needed...and it's still postage friendly!

DE-CLUTTER CHALLENGE

I just cleaned out my desk drawer and roll top, so I thought it would be a good idea to challenge ourselves to clean out some drawers this week. How 'bout one a day???

In approaching my desk this morning, I brought a garbage bag with me and started to sort out one area at a time. First, I emptied the drawer onto the dining room table. Using a plastic tray for the items I would keep (like pens, pencils, paper clips, etc.)I decided piece by piece whether to keep or toss. Surprisingly, more than half was tossed--like "dead" rubber bands (they dry out after a few years!) and old receipts, paper bits, etc. You know...

Now that I'm done, I have much more space--not to fill, but to keep open so I can see what I do have!

Remember this "rule": store like items with like. Shallow plastic containers work well for pens and pencils, sandwich containers for coins, paper clips, or other small items, zip-loc bags for other odds and ends.

And here's a word of encouragement--I found an old envelope with $30 CASH in it!!!! Shhhh...don't tell Rick!

Taking It To the Top--Vellum Flower

After posting this card for the Less Is More challenge, I decided to step it up a little.



First, I stamped another Large Flower on vellum with Versamark and embossed it with white. I cut it out, attached it to the card and made a new flower center with a scrap piece of dsp.




Next, I added the rest of the matching dsp to the inside right edge and cut away part of the front with deckle-edged scissors. The final touch was to add silver cording on the inside edge, a little different placement than usual.



I liked it either way, but I think the vellum added some style!

DE-CLUTTER DE HOUSE

Now that the summer heat and humidity have subsided, clutter is calling again! It's time to start another de-cluttering series--are you up for it?

I've already started the Great Autumn Purge with the upstairs TV room that also doubles as a guest room. After investing in a set of coasters designed for moving heavy furniture, I was able to easily slide furniture around to make it more roomy, vacuuming the carpet as I rearranged the room. Soon it will be time to move the winter clothes back to the bedroom closet in exchange for the summer clothes there.

If you leave your comments citing your most challenging clutter spots, I'll try to come up with some creative solutions. After all, stampers ARE creative, right? Then, as we de-clutter together, you can also leave some of YOUR creative ideas and solutions! ARE YOU READY?

LESS IS MORE--Eye Color

This Less Is More challenge is to make a card that is your eye color, although the exact shade isn't necessary. I was going to post a photo of the card held up to my face, but my eyes are way too red with allergies. (Maybe I should have made a red card!)

First I stamped the background with Versamark using the "Filigre" stamp from Stampin'Up. Next, I stamped the Hero Arts "Large Flower" with black ink. Using a green Spica pen, I filled in the center outline. Then, using a glue pen, I added Daffodil Yellow glitter in the center (although it looks white in the photo.)

With a GellyRoll glaze pen, I filled in the double lines on each petal of the flower for a subtle effect.

Finally, I stamped the greeting on the bottom right. Done!

SIMPLE SATURDAY #23