Autumn Grid

Here's my version of Dawn Griffith's Faux Grid technique--thanks Dawn! (May 29, 2009)

Following Dawn's video, I used white cardstock for my grid and mounted it on dark brown cs. Instead of her cute fishies, I used leaves and an acorn from an old retired SU stamp set (Fall Whimsy.) After coloring in the squares and images, I added the greeting. For the finishing touch, I used Ice Stickles for a little glitz.

We all enjoyed making these cards at Mothers Class, too!

(Check out Dawn's videos--link at right!)

Special Card for a Special Person

Using the same technique in the previous post, I made this card to send to our Pastor who had a stroke last week. His recovery so far is miraculous!

Technique Tuesday Remake

Here's a new card made with the technique we learned at Cyndy's Technique Tuesday class.

The tricky part of this technique is cutting the paper so that you get the stripes going in two different directions for the chevron look. After cutting strips in varying widths, they were attached to a piece of plain cardstock that was run through the Xyron machine.

For the "bow," I taped the ribbon around the cardstock. Using another small piece, I tied a knot and added it to the ribbon with a glue dot.

The image was popped up using dimensionals, with the finished piece mounted over coordinating textured cardstock attached to a white card.

I plan to make another card using Fall colors and a leaf image. This technique is fun!

BIRTHDAY BASH TODAY!

Today was my birthday, and it was wonderful! The weather couldn't have been better, the party was a lot of fun with all my good friends here, and Rick just took me out to dinner so I didn't have to cook. Old age does have its benefits;)

The dining room table was used to display all the Silver Stamper cards I received, along with a few others from friends and family. In the foreground are the little thankyou treat bags I made for each guest.

The cake was solid chocolate cake with whipped cream icing--yum! The only thing I wanted on it were the roses and the LXV candles I added.

Since I didn't want any gifts, everyone brought things for the Hope Food Pantry instead. Joyce had lots of items to bring down there afterward, so my party benefited others as well. You might want to consider doing the same thing in your neighborhood, even if you don't have a birthday coming up. Food pantries are being stretched to the limit in this economy.

I'm so grateful for such wonderful friends who have helped me celebrate all my special occasions over the years.

Thanksgiving Card

Choosing scraps of Fall colors, I used my MS square punch again for this card. With the squirrel brad, it will go to a friend who traps squirrels and releases them on the other side of the highway so they leave her bird feeders alone!

This format is so versatile--every card can be different depending on what scraps and embellishments are used.

(Sorry for the blurry look--it's because of the button and brad in the scanner.)

Christmas Card Design #2

Here's a simple card using only one color.

First, I stamped the trees on white cardstock with green ink and colored over the bird with a black marker. I carefully tore the paper to remove the green lines under the trees, repositioned it to look like snow and stamped the verse below in black.

After mounting the white pieces on sage green cs, I added Frosted Lace Stickles to the torn edge.

Done!

DOTTO FUN

Here's a fun way to decide how you want to arrange the pieces on a card--just use DOTTO to temporarily attach all the parts and move them around.

This card is another version of the previous post, shown two different ways. Since I had no brown ribbon left, I cut the white piece and mounted the halves apart to simulate a ribbon look. By using the DOTTO, I could then stand my card up to view it from a more distant perspective. Once I decide which way I want it, I'll use permanent tape to assemble it and mail it out.

I think it will be the second one with the oval placed slightly higher. Or maybe I'll make it vertical instead of horizontal...hmmm...or maybe...

Versatile Card

Here's a card that can be used any time of year, and sooooo easy!

First, with removable tape, I attached torn typing paper on the diagonal corners to mask the card. Then I stamped the flowers in black ink, sponged over them with the green and yellow inks, highlighting the centers with a white gel pen. After adding some dots with a black marker, I removed the masking pieces to finish the card.

The ribbon is mounted around the white cs and taped on the back. The bow was tied on separately so that it could be moved up and down to where it looks best. I then mounted the white cs to a green layer before attaching to the yellow cs. The oval punches were used for the greeting and popped out with a dimensional.

Imagine this same technique with fall colors and leaves OR blue and white with snow flakes! Maybe a Christmas card with red and green...

The possibilities are endless!

Thankyou Card

It was so sweet of Germaine Ferrao to include this little clear stamp in her letter to me recently. So, of course, I used it to make a thankyou note for her.

The flower was stamped once on white cardstock, stamped again on another piece of white and watercolored. The second image was cut and the petals applied to the bottom layer with tiny pieces of foam tape. I used a Martha Stewart punch for the ferns and mounted all to the card after adding a green gingham strip.

A few Dew Drops and a sentiment, and the card was done. Thanks again, Germaine!

STAIR STEP CARD

WOW! I really like using natural lighting on the dining room table for photographing my creations. This one, especially, was a challenge because of the "stairs" of the folds.

It was fun filling this one up with cutouts and images for each "step" while avoiding the temptation to overdo it. There were lots of ideas in the gallery at Split Coast--check them out!

Treat Holder Thank-you

After watching Dawn Griffith's video for her treat holder using the Movers and Shapers die, I wanted to try my own version with my Cuttlebug. At first, I was going to use the butterfly shape as my window; but the antennae wouldn't release. Then I decided to leave it that way with the treats just peaking out the sides. Adding the dsp butterfly on top and bending the wings really made it unique.

Dawn used velcro for her closure on top, but I found that removable glue dots worked just as well and were easier for me to apply. After all, with chocolate in the cello bag, these holders would only be opened once!

You can check out Dawn's videos by clicking on her link at right.

WIPER CARD

Here's my first wiper card, shown opened. I tested it out on my DH, but he couldn't figure out how to open it. I guess I'll have to be sure and send it to someone who would know what it is!

The heat wave has broken here this week, bringing fresh crisp air from up north. It won't be long before the pumpkins hit the local farm stands and cards with fall leaves and pumpkins hit the blogs.

Thanks, Beate, for your wonderful tutorial on Split Coast/You Tube.

CYNDY'S RETIRED SALE

Don't you just love a bargain? This set has been one of my favorites and now it's part of my collection. Thanks to Cyndy, I was able to purchase it gently used for only $5! Is that cool, or what???

MOSAIC CARD

Dawn Griffith always has such good video tutorials, which is what inspired this card. Another great way to use up some scraps!

The mosaic pieces were attached to a sticky sheet that I found in the back of a drawer here in the "tower" from ages ago. Don't you just love it when something you need for a project is right there in your stash???

The side panel was applied directly on the card front. For the greeting, however, I mounted it on a piece of white cs to give it some weight before punching it out with the scalloped oval punch. Then I attached it to the card with dimensionals.

Enjoy!

Finished the Card We Started at Cyndy's

Here's my finished version of the Flower Pot Card we started last night for Technique Tuesday. The flowers were a little unbalanced to the left, so I added the butterfly. Kind of whimsical, don't you think?






Thanks Cyndy--you always have such fun projects for us!

ANOTHER TART AND TANGY

What I love about these apples is that you can make them red, green or golden. Since I had a scrap of green gingham left over, I inked up the apples to match. I also had some dew drops and ribbon in the same green. Handy, huh?

The Scor-bug lines also help fill in some of the blank space to make it work...

AND THE WINNER IS...

Here is the card that won First Place at the NJ State Fair. After retrieving my card and blue ribbon tonight, Rick took me to Applebee's for dinner. What a nice way to end the week!

(Don't forget to click on the image for a closer look at the details.)

Back to the Tower!

Now that VBS is done (and I've recovered) it was great to be back stamping again. This time I played with some new "toys": a new Martha Stewart punch, the Scor-Pal and Scor-Bug and some dew drops that arrived in the mail yesterday.

The punched squares were inspired by Kristina Werner, except that I added a grid with my Scor-Pal. The grid on the upper right card was done with the Score-Pal tool, the one on the lower left with the Scor-Bug. The green card has no grid, but features a square displayed on the diagonal. The tan card has Scor-Bug lines on the bottom of the front and also on the inside. (Click on photo for a closer look.)

These were fun to put together and easy to vary...also a great way to use up some scraps!

NOTE: Leave a comment naming your fave of these 4!

Vacation Bible School

For a few details of my week at VBS, see my family blog. Just click on Fox Mtn. on list at right...

Citrus Slices

Somehow, the scanner doesn't do justice to this card which looks better IRL. For one thing, the dots on the side are raised with clear ep, and the entire image is attached with dimensionals to give the whole card more of a finished look than captured here.

This design was inspired by Kristina Werner's tutorials where she often rounds one corner of her card. She's also unafraid of bright colors and patterns--thanks Kristina!

The card will be mailed out right away for Evelyn's birthday. She gave me the dots stamp and the Fiskar's rope edge punch, so I included them in my design. Inside is a birthday greeting with another orange slice. I also wrote "Don't worry--you're not ready for Medic-"ade" yet!"

I'm glad that all my good friends have a sense of humor...