SIMPLE SATURDAY#2

(Note: Timer shows how long it took and will appear in all Simple Saturday posts.)

BLOG CANDY ALERT!

Shelly is giving away some blog candy in celebration of her blogaversary. Check it out at Inky Hugz (link at right.)

EASEL CARD

This was a fun card to make, and soooo easy! (...but not so easy to explain...)

Using the standard card size of Soft Suede cardstock, I used my Scor-Pal to make the middle crease plus another fold in the middle of the card top to create the base for the easel.

Next, with a scrap of metallic brown cs, I gold embossed the leaf and cut two slits on each side for the striped dsp to pass through.

Then I cut a sheet of Baja Breeze to fit over the card front and mounted the coordinating dsp over it. After threading the striped paper through the leaf image, I mounted the pieces and added the embroidery floss bow. Using Scotch double-stick tape, I secured the finished front part onto the lower half of the card top.

For the easel "stop" I mounted the oval greeting with dimensionals so that it would hold the card front in place. Although you can't see it here, I also added a wider strip of striped paper behind where the image sits just to give it a finished look for when the card is first opened.

After I finished the card, I added a mini Post-It note inside so the recipient would know how to prop up the Easel. Then I tested the instructions on my DH, and he did it!


(For further ideas, go to SCS Gallery and type TLC242 in search box.)

SIMPLE SATURDAY #1

SIMPLE SATURDAY

Our visit with family in Prague was wonderful, as usual. Now that we're back, I'll be posting photos and video of the grandkids on our Fox Mtn. blog (link at right.) Just give me another day to recover from jet lag!

Meanwhile, since you may be wondering why it says "Saturday" on Friday, it's because I'm announcing my intent to post an easy-to-do card on Saturdays. Be sure to stop by each week for something elegant and simple that you can CASE in ten minutes or less!

OFF TO PRAGUE!

...where else? Can't wait to see Laura and family, especially Owen who is 4 and 11/12ths as he would say.

Meanwhile, Evelyn will be covering for me with the Mothers Class. They'll be making Halloween treat holders with the Sweet Treat cups in the mini catalog. If you haven't tried them yet, order a box and play with them. You don't need the stamp set that goes with it, although that's fun too. Of course, when it comes to stamping, "need" is a relative term!

Look for a new post when I get back--more Christmas card designs coming.........

AUTUMN SPLENDOR

This is how Joan and I celebrated World Card Making Day at the Tower!

I just love this set!

Using the Joseph's Coat technique, these cards were fun to do. Three were made with SU dsp, the other (far left) with colorful designer paper from my stash. Because of the busy-ness of the colorful leaves, it almost looks like a "find the hidden leaf" kind of card ;)

The baja breeze (blue) card came out like a leaf within a leaf, although I didn't notice it until I was done. Next time, I'll try to line it up intentionally. The little squiggle at the bottom is from the retired Fall Whimsy set, which coordinates well because of the similar curve.

The two kraft cards would serve well for masculine cards.

Which do you like best?

Backpack Encouragements

Now that kids are back in school, my daughter asked me to make little postcard encouragements for her to add to my grandson's backpack. I thought I'd post them as an encouragement to you moms who might like to try the same thing!

Each one is different and each has some kind of tactile embellishment for my grandson to enjoy. If you click on the picture, you can get a closer view of each one!

Let me know what you may come up with for YOUR little one...

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.