Masculine Birthday card

Hello Fellow Crafters!

Do you find that you tend to make cards that do not fit into envelopes well?  I do!  I decided to challenge myself and make a masculine birthday card that is "flat".  My husband picked out the paper and my challenge was set.  And yes, you read that correctly...I showed my husband possible choices for paper and he thought the globe paper from Bo Bunny's Weekend Market was "cool".

The paper was trimmed to size and mounted on kraft card stock.  Additional kraft paper was die cut using Spellbinders A2 Brackets Borders One.  "Happy Birthday" (Quietfire's Happy Birthday Plain & Simple) was stamped on ivory card stock and distressed in Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain.  Gold foil tape was adhered to the edge.  Green paper was die cut from Spellbinders Twisted Metal Tags and Accents and centered over the compass.  All edges were distressed in Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain.  Bling was applied as shown.

Easy card!  Hopefully it is "cool" for a masculine birthday card!  :)

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day.
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Kraft Journal, Sea and Sand
Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned paper, July
613 Avenue Create, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG

Gelatos Butterflies card

Hello!

Recently I started playing with Gelatos.  It is an interesting medium, quite versatile and the bold colors are very attractive.  I have made several different backgrounds and stamped images using Gelatos and the card today is showing the first image I made.  At first I thought I would just put this image aside and probably never use it on a card...but, as you can tell I changed my mind.  How can I not put butterflies on a card?  :)

The image (Recollections) was die cut using Spellbinders die set Labels Twenty Nine.  The elegant doilies behind the image are Memory Box's Quinn Flourish.  The double bow is seam bind ribbon stained using Tim Holtz' Scattered Straw and Spiced Marmalade.

Thanks for stopping by!  When I finish the other Gelatos projects, I will be sure to post them.  
Have a good weekend!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenge:
Word Art Wednesday, AG
Challenges 4 Everybody, AG
Sister Act Card Challenge, AG
TTCRD, AG
Crafting by Designs, AG in March

Happy Birthday tag

Hello All!

Just a little post to share a little project.  :)

My Mind's Eye "Be Amazing" polka dot paper was distress along the edges and Tim Holtz inks in Aged Mahogany and Victorian Velvet was applied.  The white doily is Spellbinders Stately Circles.  Inspired By Stamping stamps (Vintage Frames) was stamped in Memento's Rich Cocoa.  The flowers have been in my flower stash for so long...years.  Felt good to finally use them!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great Friday and an incredible weekend!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This tag is entered into the following challenges:
Inspired by Stamping, Tag and Customer Gallery
The Shabby Tea Room, polka dots
Simon Says Stamp, tag it
Craftin Desert Divas, Birthday
Word Art Wednesday, AG
613 Avenue, AG

Shabby Sweet Friend card

Hello All!

Went a little out of my usual style to make a pastel shabby chic type card.  It was fun to do...I may have to make another one soon!

The card layout is based on the sketch at Cardabilities.  Colors chosen to fit JustRite challenge Spring Cheer.  The card base is corrugated board (by Reflections) and I applied Tim Holtz Picket Fence stain along the edges for a soft white washed look.  The layered papers (My Mind's Eye, In Bloom...stashed for a little while now!) were all distressed with a nail file and Picket Fence applied at will.  :)

The sentiment "Sweet Friend" (JustRite's Grand Sentiments) was stamped in the corner and three pale yellow gems were added.  The lovely flourish under the flowers is the flourish from Spellbinders Venetian Motifs.

The inside is more shabbied In Bloom paper.  The sentiment and border (Grand Sentiments again) was die cut using Spellbinders Resplendent Rectangles.  Bling applied around the sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you all have a bright and happy week!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
JustRite, Spring Cheer
Cardabilities, sketch
Eureka Stamps, AG
Crafting by Design, Spring
Inspired by Stamping, Flowers
Card Making Mamas, Stack it
Love to Create, Recipe
My Sheri Crafts, Bling
Crafty Hazelnut, Patterned paper on base
Word Art Wednesday, AG
TTCRD, AG
613 Avenue Create, AG (used my In Bloom stashed paper)
Sister Act, AG

Valentine's Day Card- "I Love you"

Happy Monday!

Last week the Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge Blog announced their first challenge "What is your style?"  It is interesting to think about your own style.  I started with trying to determine what I use most frequently and it seems that I consistently use my Spellbinders dies.  My favorite cards to make use Spellbinders dies as the base.  That was the seed to my design and I made a card using some of my favorite Spellbinders dies.

For the base I die cut two pieces of ivory paper using Spellbinders 5x7 Elegant Labels 4.  

Spellbinders Gold Labels Four provided the elegant die cuts in red and ivory.  The ivory paper was embossed using an Anna Griffin Cuttlebug folder- poppy. The next layer was my hoarded item- my gold paper.  My mom purchased this paper for me quite some time ago...I am guessing it was about five years ago.   The gold paper is unlike the stiff gold card stock paper that you usually find in the craft store.  The surface finish is soft to touch and the paper is thin.  I actually keep it in a protective sheet cover in a binder.  So, yes, this uncut sheet of gold paper was definitely hoarded!  The hoarded gold paper was die cut using the larger lace heart from Spellbinders Lace Hearts.  Ivory paper was die cut using the smaller heart die from the same set.  "I love you" from JustRite's Just the Right Words was heat embossed as shown.

The inside is a fabulous sentiment stamp from Quietfire Design.  What a perfect sentiment for a Valentine's Day card!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you all have a wonderful week!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Craft Hoarders Anonymous, What is your style
Quietfire Design, Queen of Hearts
Cut it up challenge, Valentine's Day
Craftin Desert Divas, Red, white or pink
Cuttlebugmania, A touch of red
Red Carpet Studio, Love Actually
Addicted to Stamps, Hearts
My Sheri Crafts, Valentine
613 Avenue, AG
Crafting by Design, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
Sister Act, AG

Kraft Love card

Hello again!

This is my second post today.  I did not think I would post two cards today but I just finished a Valentine's Day card and I believe it fits the challenge ending soon at The Kraft Journal.

For the card background I stamped JustRite's Elegant Corners Labels Four onto Kraft card stock.  The corners were colored in with a pink copic marker.  Spellbinders Gold Labels Four die cut a scrap pink of paper that was distressed with TH Victorian Velvet and Walnut Stain.  Next was a white layer of card stock die cut with Spellbinders Labels Four.  Love was stamped using Memento's Rich Cocoa.  Seam binding was dyed using TH Distress Stain in Victorian Velvet.

This will be a card that I may make a few of and bring to work.  My department consists of all guys and me.  Valentine's Day is coming soon and I have a feeling they may be in search of a card on Friday.  Too bad I don't have roses and chocolates, too.  :)

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great evening!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenge:
The Kraft Journal, Here's my Heart
Craftin Desert Divas, Red, pink or white
Word Art Wednesday, AG

"Have a Lovely Day" Chalkboard card

Happy Sunday All!

Just a quick post to share my first chalkboard card.  :)

The My Mind's Eye Chalk Studio paper pads were on my wish list for a while and I finally picked all three of them up at Winner's recently!  What a great find!  The papers are so cute and are great for girl or guy cards.

The happy sentiment is from JustRite's Birthday Vintage Labels Four stamp set.  The chalkboard paper was cut using Spellbinders Labels Thirty One and under the label is a piece of vellum die cut from Spellbinders Floral Ovals.  The sweet doily is Cheery Lynn's French Pastry.  The pink banner was embossed using a Lifestyle Crafts embossing folder.

The card has the MME paper on all four sides and it looks great.  (I really need to get in the habit of applying paper, or die cuts or embellishments on on four sides).  The inside is another die cut from Spellbinders Thirty One and stamped swirls from the JR birthday set.  All background paper was die cut using Spellbinders A2 Matting Basics A.

Before I go, I would like to give a huge kudos to Spellbinders for their matting dies.  When I first saw the matting sets I wondered why I would buy a set of matting dies when I can just cut rectangular paper easily on a cutter.  Eventually, I ended up getting a set to try out and I am now using it all of the time.  My matting paper is always cut perfectly, no measuring, no mistakes and it cut down on my cutting time.  Fabulous idea, Spellbinders!  

Thanks so much for stopping by!  "Have a Lovely Day"!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
613 Avenue Create, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG

Crafting Musketeers February Challenge: Butterflies

Hello Crafteteers!

A new month and a fun new challenge at Crafting Musketeers: Butterflies!  I think this may be a tough challenge for everyone...do paper crafters like using butterflies?  ;)

Spellbinders die set Arched Windows One cut the lovely patterned paper from My Mind's Eye pad Follow Your Heart "Be Amazing".  Distress ink was applied and a gold leafing pen was used along the out and inside edges as shown.  Spellbinders die set Tapestry was embossed on plain white paper and Distress Inks were applied as shown.  Shimmer mist was also applied to the embossed paper. The Spellbinders butterflies dies Les Papillions Two provided the pretty butterflies.

I look forward to seeing all of the beautiful butterfly projects this month at Crafting Musketeers!  What a wonderful way for us to start to thinking of spring!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Crafting by Designs, Think Spring!
613 Avenue Create, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG

Product used:
Spellbinders (Les Papillions Two, Tapestry, Arched Windows One), My Mind's Eye (Be Amazing mini paper pad), Tim Holtz Ink (Broken China, Peeled Paint, Scattered Straw, Barn Door), Crafty love  :)

Guest Design Spot- Crafting By Designs challenge blog- "Think Warm Thoughts/Spring!"

Hello Crafteteers!

I am honored to say that I am the Guest Designer at Crafting By Designs!  The challenge is "Think Warm Thoughts/Spring".  Perfect idea for January...let's think spring!

One of my favorite flowers is the daffodil.  It is such a pleasure to see these magnificent beauties after all the snow has melted.  They are just so bright and cheerful.  What a great flower to start springtime!  

For my spring card I used Heartfelt Creations Daffy Daffodils stamp set.  The daffodil was heat embossed in gold on vellum paper.  Tim Holtz distress markers were used to color the image.  The vellum was adhered to ivory paper die cut using Spellbinders Opulent Ovals.  The card base is Spellbinders' Diamond Effects (don't you just love that die?!).

The inside of the card has Happy Birthday (sentiment from Inspired by Stamping's Vintage Frames).  

Thanks so much to the talented crafters at Crafting by Designs for allowing me to be a guest designer today!  

Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful day!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
613 Avenue Create, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
TTCRD, AG
Stamp n Doodle, AG

Product used: Heartfelt Creations (Daffy Daffodils stamp set), Inspired by Stamping (Vintage Frames), Spellbinders (Diamond Effects, Opulent Ovals, Twisted Metal Tags and Accents, A2 Matting Basics A), Tim Holtz (distress markers and ink pads in Mustard Seed, Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint), Stickles, Vellum, gold embossing powder, pearls, crafty spring thoughts.

Distressed card

Hello Crafteteers!

The weekend is just around the corner...yay!  I hope all of you are able to play in your crafty area this weekend.  

Last weekend I played around with some of my Tim Holtz inks and Spellbinders dies.  I also used some stamps that I purchased a while ago but never used until now.  One of the die cut images I decided to use on a card.  

The image also had glitter mist applied.  Doesn't not show up too well in the zoom but it is there...shimmery and pretty.  Don't you just enjoy using the shimmer mists?

The stamp "Give Flight to Your Dreams" is from JustRite's Botanical Butterflies.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a wonderful weekend and stay crafty!  :)
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
613 Avenue Create, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
Sister Act card Challenge, AG
2 Creative Chicks, AG

Supplies used: JustRite (Botanical Butterflies stamp set), Hands (unknown stamp set from Michaels $1.50 bin), Spellbinders dies (Ovals, Tags Trio, Floral Ovals), Tim Holtz ink and stains, unknown embossing folder, Kraft paper

Craftin Desert Divas Challenge- Shaped Card

Hello Crafteteers!

Today is the start of a new challenge at Craftin Desert Divas: Shaped cards.

For my card I went with a Valentine's Day theme and used some product that I recently purchased over or just before the holidays.  For example, the cupid is from Tim Holtz (Mini Love Struck Movers and Shapers die set)...and it was 50% off at Carsand Mosher!  Woot-woot!

Sure, I may have gone a little happy with the gold embossing but I think it adds some elegance to the card.  The double gold embossed lattice heart really accentuates the cupid.

The inside is simply made with no sentiment so that the giver can add whatever heartfelt sentiment they want.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Looking forward to seeing your shaped card at Craftin Desert Divas!
Have a great week.
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
613 Avenue Create, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
Really Reasonable Ribbon, Valentine's Day
Simply Create Too, Valentine's Day
3 Girl Jam, AG with Ribbon
2 Creative Chicks, AG
Card Mania, AG

Products used:
Tim Holtz (Mini Love Struck Dies, Distress Ink in Tattered Rose, Distress Stains in Tattered Rose and Victorian Velvet), Spellbinders (Lace Hearts, Labels Twenty), JustRite (Filigree Leaves background stamp, Antique Valentine Tag One stamp set, Vintage Laebl and Banner Dies), Stampendous (Shabby Green Embossing Enamel), Gold Embossing Powder, Crafty Love  :)

JustRite Color Challenge card

Hello Crafteteers!

Today I am sharing a card I made for the current JustRite color challenge.  I tried something new and did accordion folding.  I wanted something pretty and girlish so instead of a fan or pinwheel I thought I would try to make a dress.  It took some time to come up with this dress design...and hopefully the end result looks like one!

The dress pattern is JustRite's Filigree Leaves Background stamp in Tim Holtz' Broken China ink.  I colored the leaves with Copic markers.

The background stamp behind the dress is JustRite's Paris Background stamp- also in Broken China and colored with Copics again.  All the inking along the edges and inside the Spellbinders embossed areas are Tim Holtz inks in Festive Berries and Dried Marigold.  Dried Marigold was also used to color the ribbon and dress sash.  

It is difficult to see in the photo but under the dress are elongated cotton balls to add height/shape to the dress.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a great weekend!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
JustRite Challenge, Color
Cuttlebugmania, Distressed
613 Avenue, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
Sister Act Card Challenge, AG
TTCRD, AG
Love to Scrap, AG
2 Creative Chicks, AG
Simply Create Too, AG
3 Girl Jam, AG

Product Used: JustRite (Filigree Leaves Background Stamp, Paris Background Stamp, Black Eyed Susan stamp set), Spellbinders (Labels Four, 5x7 Elegant Labels, Opulent Ovals), Tim Holtz Distress Inks (Broken China, Dried Marigold, Festive Berries), Copics (Lipstick Red, Flesh Pink), Crafty fun  :)

Lace and Kraft Valentine's Day Card

Happy Thursday!

How is your New Year thus far?  I hope great! 

This week the Kraft Journal challenge is "Lace it up" and one of the sponsors at Word Art Wednesday is the Kraft Journal...woo-who!  For those of you that have followed my blog for a while, you probably have noticed that I enjoy working with Kraft paper.  Having two chances in one week to participate in a challenge for a gift card from Kraft Journal is a great week!  :)

Instead of using lace ribbon on my card I decided to use my new Cover A Card Rose Lace Stamp on Kraft paper.  (Thanks to my blogging buddy, Shona, for telling me about the Impression Obsession Cover A Card stamps!)  After heat embossing with clear ink and powder, I applied Tim Holtz Picket Fence white stain over the image.  The stain dried and I wiped the stain off of the embossed image with a moist cloth.  The heart with wings was highlighted with TH Barn Door marker and Stickles.

The inside is a stamped sentiment from JustRite (Samantha Walker's For All You Do stamp set). Isn't it just a heartwarming sentiment?

Thanks so much for stopping by! 
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
The Kraft Journal, Lace it up
Word Art Wednesday, AG
613 Avenue, AG
Totally Gorjuss, Ribbon
Shopping Our Stash, Use something new (background stamp)
Love to Scrap, AG with stamp
2 Creative Chicks, AG
Simply Create Too, AG
Sister Act, AG
3 Girl Jam, AG with Ribbon
Allsorts Challenge Blog, Free and Easy

Product used: Kraft paper, burgundy paper (Recollections), Cover A Card Rose Lace Stamp (Impression Obsession), Inside sentiment (JustRite For All You Do), Tim Holtz (Bard Door marker, Picket Fence Stain), VersaMark watermark pad, Brilliance Pearlescent Poppy, Stickles, Ribbon, crafty enjoyment

Craftin Desert Divas Challenge: Winter

Happy Monday!

It is a new challenge over at Craftin Desert Divas: Winter.

For my DT card I wanted to capture the beauty of winter.  Not just the snow flakes and the snow but the lovely trees that you notice in the winter.  It seems that deciduous trees grab all of the tree attention in spring, summer and fall.  In the winter, the deciduous trees are at rest and the lovely evergreens are again in view.  

Hero Arts' stamp Winter tree is the focal point of the winter card.  Mini snowflakes are gracefully falling around the tree.

The inside is a continuation of the outside with simply stated "Winter Wishes".

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Looking forward to seeing your winter cards at Craftin Desert Divas!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp, Blues
TTCRD, AG
Allsorts, Free and Easy
Crafting By Designs, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
613 Avenue Create, AG
Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas January, AG
Christmas Cards Challenges, AG with optional no coloring
Christmas cards all year, Christmas
Cards Galore Challenges, AG

Supplies used:
Spellbinders (Resplendent Rectangles, Stately Circles), Tim Holtz (Tumbled Glass ink pad and stain, Black Soot stain), Hero Arts (Winter Tree stamp), Inkadinkado (Winter Wonderland sentiment), Lifestyle Crafts (embossing folder used on black card stock), seam binding, Liquid Pearls (for the snowflakes), crafty love :)

Crafting Musketeers Challenge #9- Grunge

Happy 2014!

It is the first Crafting Musketeers challenge for 2014: Grunge!  I so enjoy doing the grunge style.  Ripping paper edges and playing with my Tim Holtz distress goodies is a blast.  My hands are always covered in ink afterwards. (Ink covered hands- what I think should be the international symbol for Tim Holtz.)  

For the grunge card I decided to go a little inspirational with every one starting their New Year's resolutions. To make it look like a weathered poster, I flicked water on it.  

The tab off to the side states "the journey is the destination".

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope to see your grunge project at Crafting Musketeers!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
613 Avenue, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
TTCRD, AG

Products used: 
Impression Obsession cover-a-card stamps (distressed brick, small paisley), Tim Holtz clear stamps (Phrases 1, Here and There, City Central), Tim Holtz ink pads (Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo, Fired Brick), TH Distress Stains (Antique Linen, Faded Jeans, Barn Door), TH Distress Powder (Fired Brick*), TH Distress Markers (Barn Door, Faded Jeans), Stickles, Crafty Love  :)
  * Note that when using the Fired Brick Distress powder: tape will not stick to it.  I used Weldbond glue to mount the papers to the background.

Thank you card

Hello Crafteteers!

Just sharing a card I made for a friend at work.  Her furry family member, Dexter, was recently at the vet for a week with a serious health issue.  After a week of tests, blood transfusions and a whole lot of love, Dexter made it back home and is doing so well!  She asked if I could make a thank you card from Dexter to the vets.

Dexter is a dog full of sweetness and sass so I wanted to make sure that his card had happy patterns and colors.  The cute puppy image on the outside is Imaginisce's Scooter's Vacation stamp.  Basic Grey's Max and Whiskers provided the patterned paper.  The white paper was dry embossed in a dog paw and bone pattern.

The inside used my new stamp set from Inspired by Stamping (thank you, Joanna!) called Small Fancy Labels 18.  (One versatile little set!  I received it this week and it definitely came in at a perfect time.  There are four sentiments with the set that will make this set a "go to set" for many cards!)  

Also used: Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Circles and Standard Circles large, Tim Holtz Barn Door Distress Stain applied to seam binding, black gems and one metal dog brad for the bow.  The dog prints stamp set and dog print/bones embossing folder are from unknown suppliers.

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a great Saturday!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo 

Butterfly Box

Hello Crafteteers!

A quick blog entry for a gift box I finished today.  Thank goodness I am entering contests for crafty packaging and not for "Who has the tidiest craft room?" because if there were 500 entrants showing pics of their craft room and I was one of them, I believe I would place 500th.  It is a disaster in my crafty area!  Tsk tsk!

On to the gift box...

It is a busy time of year so in lieu of listing my steps, I think I will just list products used:

• Just Rite- Filigree Leaves Background Stamp, Lace Medallion Labels, Samantha Walker Lace Hearts Dies, Enjoy The Day Vintage Labels Four
• Kraft Journal- Kraft paper
• Graphic 45- Birdsong paper, butterflies
• Tim Holtz- Distress Stain in Antique Linen, Broken China Distress Marker
• Gold Pearl pen, black card stock, ribbon, Stickles, yellow mini pearls

So there you have it!  My first decorated gift box.  Hope you liked it.  :)

Have a great evening!
Hugs,

Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:

JustRite, It's in the Bag!

Kraft Journal, Holiday Gift

Craft room designer, Worst Organized Craft Room (just kidding)

Kraft Journal Ladies: if there is not enough Kraft paper on the box for the challenge, just tell me and I will delete it from the challenge.  :)

Craftin' Desert Divas Challenge...Christmas!

Happy Monday!

It is a festive challenge the next two weeks at Craftin Desert Divas: Christmas!  The sponsors this challenge are KaDoodle Bug Designs and Cardz TV!

For the DT Christmas card I used the new paper from Graphic 45: 12 Days of Christmas.  Gorgeous papers in that collection!  I really loved the roses on the Christmas Rose sheet so I used it as my background and I also fussy cut around the roses and added them with foam tape on the bottom left corner.  Spellbinders 5x7 Elegant Labels Four provided the die cut frame (ivory card stock stained with Tim Holtz Victorian Velvet).  The stunning green doily was die cut from Cheery Lynn's Lilith Doily.  The bow was stained using Tim Holtz's Barn Door.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I look forward to seeing all the amazing creations at Craftin' Desert Divas!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Cheery Lynn, Red and Green
Word Art Wednesday, AG
613 Avenue, AG
TTCRD, AG
Crafty Hazelnut Challenge, AG Christmas