Graphic 45 July Challenge card: Bohemian Bazaar

Hello Crafteteers!

This month Graphic 45 has a challenge: use their Bohemian Bazaar product on a project.  After some card crafting evolution, I finished this card for the challenge.  The papers are so happy and pretty that I had a difficult time cutting them.  I may have to buy another pad as a backup.  ;)

Here is a close up of the card center:

Wish me luck!  Would be great to win G45 product!

Product used:

• Graphic 45 Bohemian Bazaar paper
• Spellbinders dies 5x7 Enchanted Labels 28, Parisian Motifs
• Couture Creations: Alcyone Doily
• Stickles
• Cool ribbon (Lol...I cannot remember the supplier)
• Crafty love

Thanks for stopping by and leaving your sweet comments!  Have a great day.

Hugs,

Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following competitions:

DL Art Monthly Linky Party

613 Avenue, AG

MIM, AG

Party Time Tuesdays, AG

Die Cuttin Divas, AG

National Pride Card

Happy Saturday!

Ribbon Carousel has the monthly challenge "Celebrate your heritage" ending very soon.  I finally found time to finish the card for the challenge.  It was such a fun card to make and a great excuse to use the Spellbinders Star Circles die.  Luck would have it that it also fits into the Cuttlebug Mania challenge Shaped Card.  Two other challenge entries are AG for Sister Act Card Challenge and Eclectic Ellapu.

For those who are questioning the U.S.A theme although my bio location states Canada: I am an American married to a handsome Canadian.  :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

Materials used:

• Spellbinders dies Star Circles and Std Circles Small
• Burlap star sticker from Little Red Bicycle (a wonderful clearance find from Michaels!)
• Paper: Beach House by Bazzill
• We the People stamp
• Blue satin ribbon
• Blue and red bling
• Crafty love

Kraft Journal Feature Me Friday Designer

Happy Friday!

Finally the end of the work week.  What makes today even better is that The Kraft Journal has made me the Feature Me Friday designer this week.  It is truly an honor.  Thank you Kraft Journal!

I would like to share a card that will also be submitted to the Kraft Journal challenge this week- Tie it On.  In my current personal challenge to make some cards other than rectangular, I decided to make the card using Spellbinders die set Labels Twenty.  Listed below are the other materials and tools used.  Please note that I had to use my spool of twine to prop my card up.  LOL.  I am not used to taking photos of shaped cards so the twine serves as extra eye candy and support.  

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment, if you want.  Comments are always appreciated!

Have a great weekend!
Hugs.

Materials used:

• Spellbinders Labels Twenty, Timeless Rectangle
• Cuttlebug flowers embossing folder
• Martha Stewart butterfly punches
• Simple Stories Vintage Bliss, Webster's Pages "Joyride"
• Kraft paper
• Ribbon, twine, pearls, Recollections flower
• Crafty love  :)

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Kraft Journal, Tie it up
Cuttlebug Mania, Shaped Card
My Sheri's Crafts, Let's take a trip
Paper Playtime, Use patterned paper
3 Girl Jam, AG with Ribbon
HIMCR, AG
Paper Crafting Journey, Punches or Diecuts
My Creative Time, Summer
Crafty Ribbons Challenge, AG with Ribbon
Whimsical Designs, Pile It On
Paper Shelter, AG
Divas By Design, AG
Crafty Creations, Summer
TTCRD, AG
Kaboodle Doodle, AG

JustRite Merry Christmas card

Hello Crafty Elves!

Can you believe it is only 154 days until Christmas?  And to think I am not even halfway through with my shopping! At least I can say that I have another Christmas card completed.  :)

The card base was made using Spellbinders 5x7 Elegant Labels and red cardstock by Recollections.  I also stamped JustRite's Antique Damask Background Stamp on red cardstock and embossed it in Winter White embossing powder from Stampin' Up.  I ran the background through the Elegant Labels die, fussy cut around the edges and layered it on the card base.  Plain white cardstock was die cut using the smallest die from Elegant Labels and I double embossed it with silver embossing powder to give it a silver metal appearance (thanks for the tip, Deja!).  JR Antique Tags One die was used to cut red cardstock and JR stamp set Christmas Antique Labels One supplied the Merry Christmas sentiment.  Spellbinders Poinsettia dies were used to cut red cardstock and silver tulle.  A silver ribbon bow and pearl bling were added to the opposite side of the sentiment.  Silver pearls were applied to the perimeter of the die cut card base. SIlver Stickles were applied at will.  

So what do you think?

I would like to venture off for a second to discuss a very important topic that came from the Shopping Our Stash blog.  Their challenge this week was "Do I really need more of this?"  and use "this" on a project.  This is quite the deep, philosophical crafting question.  If you went into my craftroom you may think that I would have an overabundance of ribbon, paper, Cuttlebug embossing folders, JR stamps or any dies.  Sure, I really don't NEED any more of those items just like I don't NEED to have a handful of peanut butter M&Ms after I finish this entry.  But I am going to and they make me feel pretty darn happy...just like my crafty treasures!  So I now pass this question to you:  What do you have an over abundance of in your crafty room?  Feel free to just let your answer flow and get it off your chest!  Leave your answer in the comment section below and even share it on the Shopping Our Stash blog.  I bet it will make you smile...and then make you want to go on ebay to see if you can buy any more.  ;)

Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comments.  I really appreciate it.  Now where are those M&Ms?...

This card is entered into the following challenges:
JustRite Christmas in July
SOS, I Don't Really Need Any More of This
Marianne Design Divas, Layer It Up
Avenue 613, AG
HIMCR, AG
Sweet Stampin', Christmas in July
Sentimental Sundays, Christmas in July
Sister Act card Challenge, AG
Pollycraft Challenge, Ruby Red
Cuttlebug Mania, Shaped card
Make It Monday, AG
Creative Creations, AG
TTCRD, AG

Kraft Thank You Card

Happy Sunday, All!  I do hope you are having a great weekend. 

Yesterday was a fun day: Rebecca and I went to Carsand Mosher to pick up some crafting goodies.  It was a fun trip and we picked up some sweet new crafty items...one of which is Spellbinders Doodle Parts.  This die set was on the clearance rack for 50% off!  Woo-who!  I decided to use two of the die doodles on my Thank You card I am entering in the Kraft Journal and 3 Girl Jam challenges this week.

You may notice one different thing about my card: it is not square or rectangle.  I usually stick with rectangular shapes but I want to get out of that consistency and move on to new shapes.  So here it is...my first non-rectangle card!  (feel free to insert applause here for my daredevil crafting)


The Kraft card shape was die cut from QuicKutz Nesting Doily Ovals.  (This is the first time I have used QuicKutz and I am quite impressed.  It cut quick and easy.)  The pretty floral and dot papers are from the Prima Romantique mini pad.  The dot paper was die cut using Spellbinders Stately Circles.  JustRite stamp set Lace Medallion Labels provided the "Thank You" and was inked with Memento's Rich Cocoa.  The pearl flower embellishment on the bow is a Recollection's item.  Wee pearls and Stickles were added in the areas shown.

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving comments!  They are so appreciated.  

This card is entered in the following challenges:
Kraft Journal, Pretty Papers
3 Girl Jam, AG with Ribbon

Happy Zombie Birthday card

Happy Tuesday!  Happy birthday to my friend Carol!

Well, many of you are thinking I probably lost my marbles: a "Happy Zombie Birthday" card?  For those of you that do know me, you all know that I lost my marbles a long time ago.  :)

The card theme was actually a request from Carol's husband.  He told me he wanted something different and fun.  After a discussion, the zombie theme was approved.  It definitely is different but I honestly think the stamp is cute and the colors chosen emphasize the funny nature of the card.  The zombie stamp set will be creeping in (no pun intended) on future birthday cards.  This stamp set will be perfect for fans of the series the Walking Dead.

A few details about the card that I enjoyed doing: the blood splatter on the background and the dripping gift (both techniques compliments of crafter extraordinaire, Deja) and the tattered washi tape banner.  I had good time doing the splatter.  I felt kinda like Dexter when he practices the splatters in the lab.  (Hmm...I think I have been watching too much TV lately...two TV references in one blog.)

Materials used:

• Art Gone Wild zombie stamp sets Zombie Birthday and sentiments
• Distress inks Barn Door, Black Soot, Tea Dye
• Copic markers
• Distress stickles, Barn Door
• Spellbinders Deckled Rectangles

Thanks for stopping by!

Retro Birthday Card

Hello All!

Happy Birthday Shanna!

She is turning the big 3-5 today and she is into the retro designs.  Guess what theme I went with for her card?

I adore retro papers and stamps.  There is a timeless beauty and good, heartwarming, back-to-basics, home style feel to it.  The colors and patterns and life just draws me in.  In the birthday card I tried to capture some of my favorite aspects of retro design.  I hope you like it!

Almost all of the paper is Crate Paper's Bridesmaids collection.  On the calendar I put tasks such as "Me Day", "Hair" and "Buy New Shoes" (Shanna loves shoes).  The stamped image was fussy cut and adhered to the embossed (Retro Kitchen) die cut.  I had to add a bow for a little elegance. 

The inside background was from a scrap piece of paper.  (The inside photo looks incorrect because the distressed edges were really not that dark.)  The stamped sentiment seemed to be made for this card.

Thanks for stopping by!  And thank you so much for taking the time to leave comments.  I really appreciate it.  :)

Materials used:

• Crate Paper Bridesmaids
• Cuttlebug embossing folder Retro Kitchen
• Spellbinders Classic Ovals LG, Classic Scalloped Ovals SM
• Clear Art Stamps, Coffee & Tea
• 7 Gypsies Stamp set IC0171 (inside sentiment)
• Copic markers 
• TH Distress inks Vintage Photo, Antique Linen

This card is entered into the following challenges:

613 Avenue Create, Birthday

Butterfly Birthday card

Hello Everyone!  Happy Birthday greetings to my friend Rebecca!

On Friday I gave Rebecca this birthday card.  Like every other card crafter I know, she loves butterflies.  So, I went with a sweet and simple butterfly birthday card.  This card went together in a flash- using MME mini pads makes card making easy.  The colors and patterns in the pad Dilly Dally are awesome.  If you don't have it, perhaps it should be added to your wish list.  :)

I made the inside simple and open so that colleagues at work had space to sign:

Materials used:

• MME Dilly Dally mini pad
• Spellbinders dies: Les Papillions Two, Curved Rectangles, Floral Doily motif
• Cuttlebug embossing folder
• TH edge distresser
• Pearl Pen, turquoise (butterfly body)
• JustRite stamp set, Forever Friends
• Vellum paper (butterfly)
• Red gems

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful Sunday!

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Little Tangles, Birthday
613 Avenue, Birthday

Bird Birthday Card

Happy Saturday!

It has been a few days since my last post.  In that time I have made four birthday cards and finishing up a fifth today.  A busy birthday card making week!

The first card made was for my friend Janice.  Her and I frequent crafty stores together so I decided to use paper we had both purchased on one of our shopping trips: sei Field Notes.  I also wanted to go with a bright, summery theme so the paper was a perfect fit. The bird image was taken from the paper and used as the main focus of the card front.  Yellow card stock paper was cut using Spellbinders Timeless Rectangle.  Vellum paper was embossed with a Cuttlebug folder.  I tied green twine around the front and added a Recollections flower embellishment.

The inside also contains the embossed vellum.  The sentiments "Friends fill you heart with joy, your soul with sunshine, and your heart with love" (TPC Studio set Card Crafting Hello) and "Birthday Wishes" (JustRite).

Thanks for stopping by and have a great Saturday!

This card is entered in the following challenges:
Allsorts, Feathers
Seize the Birthday, AG
TTCRD, AG
Shopping our Stash, Anything Summer

Happy Birthday to My Friend, Graphic 45 and JustRite

Hello Crafteteers!

It has been a glorious Saturday here in Nova Scotia.  We took our saint, Ella, for a Jeep ride with the top down and then for a long dip in the lake.  She stayed in the water for a while for a long cool soak.  She is definitely a lake lover in this heat!

Today I am sharing a birthday card using my favorite paper: Graphic 45's Bird Song.  I sparingly use the paper and I keep all the little scraps from my paper pad- which I ended up using as the banners on my card. JustRite's birthday sentiment from Winged Vintage Labels Two and Three (just came in the mail yesterday!!) was stamped onto a die cut from Spellbinders' Stately Circles.  Tim Holtz's antique linen ink supplied the aged look.  Under the die cut, I stacked three scraps of banners.  Two small doilies were assembled as were two roses with leaves.  The embroidered lace trim is a Recollections item.  Colored gems added some highlights on the die cut and the opposite corner of the card.  The card used my favorite things: a JustRite stamp, Bird Song paper, gems, Spellbinders and flowers.  

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!

This card is entered into the following challenges:

JustRite, Doily
Allsorts, Favorite Things
Creative Moments, AG
Pink Gem Challenge, Stack
Bearly Mine Challenges, AG
Inky Chicks, AG
Papertake Weeky, AG
Loves Rubber Stamps, AG
TTCRD, AG

JustRite Holiday Cheer Christmas Card

Hello Crafteteers!

There are only 175 days until Christmas!  You probably groaned at that statement or said "We are not even halfway through summer yet!"  Well, I was just trying to get you all in the spirit to read about my card.  :)

You may wonder why I did a Christmas card for the JustRite challenge.  Several reasons: (1) I have been making Christmas cards for a little while now and this one was next on my sketch list to make into a card, (2)   JustRite just released their July stamps and they are all Christmas...woo-who! and (3) JustRite started a new challenge to use a doily and this card has it.  It just all seemed to work out.  

The background is JR Fragrant Garden stamped in VersaMark and heat embossed in gold.  It was distress inked in TH antique linen and peeled paint.  The red card stock under the background stamp was distressed in TH fired brick.  The ivory card base was distressed in antique linen, vintage photo and walnut stain.  The doily die cut (from Couture Creations Alcyone Doily) was also distressed in antique linen, vintage photo and walnut stain.   JR stamp set Holiday Cheer Ornaments (CL-03925) and Spellbinders 2010 Heirloom Ornaments (S4-283) were used to make the ornament.  Decorative Labels Twenty Two was die cut and the JR sentiment "Holiday Cheer" was applied.  A white ribbon was distressed in red, a gold brad was applied as were the gold tinsel branches.

Thank you so much for stopping by!


This card is entered into the following challenges:
JustRite, Use a Doily
TTCRD, AG
Stampin Dragon Design, AG
Challenges for everybody, AG
Paper Take Weekly, AG
Sister Act Challenges, AG
QKR Stampede, AG
Loves Rubber Stamps, AG
Sunday Funday, Linky Party
Two Creative Chicks, 3D
SimonS ays Stamp and Show, AG
Crafting Musketeers, Ribbons and Pearls


PS- To my sweet and wonderful and handsome and loving and giving husband: if you ever want to surprise me with a gift for just being the best wife ever, feel free to surprise me with this set and/or this other set.  No need for wrapping paper or a card.  Just use this cute card with with "embellishments" which can be ordered with the other items. Thank you!  Love you, Honey!