PAPER PLAYERS #415--A CAS CHALLENGE

One of the advantages of CAS cards is that they can be made quickly, and this was no exception.  Once I found the stamps to use, it took about 10 minutes to put this card together.

For more CAS card examples, visit the Paper Players blog HERE.

HALLOWEEN POP-UP CARDS

 Just finished making two Halloween cards, one for each of our children's family.  These pop-ups are quick and easy to make, especially when you can make good use of some SU dsp.  I wrote "Have Fun!" on the inside after finishing them off. 

 Enjoy!

TIN CEILING ANYONE?

This paper and embossing folder remind me of a country kitchen, so the basket of wild flowers fits right in.

...and I loved pulling out my peg stamps again!

DOUBLE PLEATED HARVEST CARD

One of the birthday cards I received last month inspired me to revisit this technique. 

After watching Frenchie on YouTube, I was able to put this together.  (It's not as easy as it looks, for me anyway.)  When it comes to doing the pleats, it gets a little tricky--but it was fun!

BIRTHDAY CARD FOR A 90-YEAR-OLD

This was a fun card to make, in spite of the fact that it took over two hours to die cut, sponge and assemble.  It was well worth the effort, though!

Thankfully, the recipient has a great sense of humor!




TIP:  To make a greeting fit the way you want, stamp it on a piece of cardstock or dsp.  Then cut the paper instead of cutting the stamp.


PS> 10/15:  She loved it!

SIMPLE SATURDAY #54--Happy Harvest

GOOD STAMPING WEATHER!

Forget about raindrops on roses.  These were the kind that stick to the windows, obscuring the view (yesterday.)  I'm not complaining, though, while others down south are suffering severe losses from Florence and Michael.  It's wonderful to be able to retreat to a nice dry stamping tower!

This view is from the kitchen window over the sink.  Ordinarily, you can see across the valley from here.

This photo was taken from the sliders in the kitchenette.  What you can't see (besides the view) are the puddles that have formed from the drenching rain.



Today is a different story:  bright sunshine and strong, gusty winds--another good day for stamping.

The weather we've been having lately gives new meaning to "stamping up a storm!"

PAPER PLAYERS #413--Trees and Leaves

This was a fun and easy card to make using the SU Seasonal Wreath embossing folder.  The dynamic texture is what makes this ef so elegant.  Since there are no pine branches in the wreath, it can be used for any season or occasion.

To make this a Fall card, I applied two shades of green chalk for the leaves and copper Nuvo drops for the berries.

Check out more of the challenge entries HERE.


JUST A NOTE:  My last card was one of the ones chosen for recognition at the Papee Players last week.  YAY!

PAPER PLAYERS--Tic, Tac, Toe

I just love Autumn with its cool nights, low humidity and bright sunny afternoons!  So this card is my attempt to capture the beauty of the season, thanks to the Paper Players Challenge #412.  I chose the bottom row of die-cut, orange/rust and sequins/glitter for my top fold shaker card.

I plan to use this card (and a few similar cards) for Thanksgiving cards this year.

For more Paper Player cards, click HERE.

IT'S BEEN A MONTH!

...RIGHT TO THE DAY!

A lot has happened since my last post.  Sometime before the end of August I started feeling extremely tired.  I thought it was just a case of anemia, so I took iron pills; but other symptoms started up.  When I went to the doctor, she took a urine sample.  Since it was Labor Day weekend, it took a week to come back--I had a serious kidney infection.  The first round of antibiotics had to be repeated before it finally started to clear up.  It was actually quite scary, and it took 3 weeks to regain my strength; but I'm fine now.

Meanwhile, my elderly diabetic cat was also quite sick and losing weight.  After running numerous tests, the vet could not find any reason for her deteriorating condition, so we had to put her down.  It was very sad, especially since she was our last pet.

Yesterday was my first day back in the Stamping Tower, and I made 15 Christmas cards to give our pastor for his use.  Love that MISTI!  

TWO OF A KIND

These two cards were made as a result of pressing the leaves between 2 panels of cardstock or watercolor paper, placing both panels in a folded  piece of typing paper and running it through the die cut machine. I then cut each panel using a stitched die.

Next, I added the greeting and glued the panel to some fun foam to keep the warping to a minimum.  The only embellishments I used for this card were the three tiny pearls.

You can do this with any green leaf that is still moist.  The chlorophyll in the leaf acts as a natural ink that is transferred to the paper "sandwich" giving you two prints at a time.   Try it--it's fun!

TWO OUT OF THREE

Jennifer McGuire inspired me to try "having fun" with water coloring, so I used the three roses from the SSS "Beautiful Flowers" stamp set.  I clear embossed them, coated them with water, and added Fossilized Amber and Spiced Marmalade, then fussy cut them and mounted them over some green leaves.

It was sort of fun, but I still don't have it down when it comes to using water colors.  To "pep" this card up a bit, I added the dsp strip on the side, the copper thread and the tiny tag.  After I took the picture, I also added a few sequins.

For card #2 I used the third rose, the leftover leaves and a few gold sequins.  Both cards will make good summer notes since I already have quite a few birthday cards made.  I'll be moving on to Christmas cards soon!

FEMININE WINDOW CARD

This was sooo easy to make!  It's hard to see the depth of the window here, but it's mounted over the embossed piece with dimensionals.

The flowers are punched and the centers brushed with white WOS.  (Did you know it comes in white?)  The pearls were added to the centers, and the flowers are mounted with one on the top, one attached to the back of the green cs, and the 3rd one attached to the white cs beneath; so they're on three different levels.

The butterfly is sponged lightly with Marmalade Distress Ink and mounted with glue dots.

I like the scalloped edges peeking out from beneath the green cs.  That die should get used more often!

PAPER ROSES

I CASEd this from a few cards on Pinterest that used the SU die set.  I'm not sure I really like the open-ness of the flowers.  I finally settled on this arrangement.

For embellishment, I used the leaf sprig from the same die set and added matching pearls.  They matched the pearlised cardstock perfectly.

This will make a handy note card for someone who needs a lift.  It's good to have these on hand.

PAPER PLAYERS--Humor

This was an easy card to make with the Sizzix die set.  However, it was tough getting it through the machine having two layers plus the die to cut.  I was a little nervous that it might break the machine, so I don't think I'll use this set again.  Thankfully, it was borrowed; and I'm glad I got to try it.

The die set includes one for the sprinkles, but I chose to use the stick-on dots from my stash--much easier thank cutting, coloring and gluing paper ones. 

This cupcake/food group stamp is just one of many humorous ones in my stash.  I love to make cards that will make someone laugh.


Paper Players are HERE.

FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY BIRTHDAY

Today is the first day I've used this tag die (using scraps, of course.)  I started by cutting the whole die in white.  Next, I cut the top part from green cs, and again the light blue; then I glued the leaves and birds on top of the white.

After stamping the verse and sponging the edges with the same Distress Oxide ink, I tied the silver cord around the tag and mounted it on the card front.

This is one of those cards that looks better IRL!

SIMPLE SATURDAY #53

NOTE TO A FRIEND

It's that crazy chick stamp again!

This note will be going to Joan.  She quit stamping (horrors!) about a year ago and gave all her supplies to her daughter-in-law.  I thought it was time to send her a personal invitation to the Stamping Tower, just to see what's new here and throughout the stamping world.

No, I'm not going to pressure her to stamp again.  Her mind is made up for sure.  She quit to pursue other things, and I respect that.  I simply would like to have her company again.

The card is fashioned from scraps on my table (what else??) and is self-explanatory.

Shadow Box Card, NOT!

Somehow, every time I try to make a shadow box card, I get turned around and can't put it together.  I WILL get it eventually, but this card had to be cut apart and reassembled as a window card.  Maybe it's the heat and humidity...

I'M BACK!

We're home from our week at the beach house on the Outer Banks.  I know you're supposed to get wet at the beach, but not from rain!  After 4 days, one day with the road closed due to flooding, the weather improved enough to use the pool.  The beach was closed the whole week because of the undertow.  We heard 8 people had to be rescued.  At least I got some much-needed rest.

We came home Sunday exhausted from the 9 1/2 hour ride.  All I did was unpack the car, cook dinner and go to bed.  Monday I picked up our cat the the vet and caught up on the laundry; then yesterday I went to our Bible study meeting and met a friend for lunch.  Today I'm in the Stamping Tower--finally!

 Check back later for today's post!