Quietfire and Graphic 45 card...and a GIVEAWAY! :)

 

Hello Crafteteers!

Today a blizzard is busting through Nova Scotia.   Perfect day to stay in and craft!  Hopefully this bright card will bring some sunshine and thoughts of warmer days to the crafters still dealing with winter.

The card made today is for the current challenge at Craft Hoarders Anonymous: Show some sparkle, glitz or glam.  There are several hoarded items on this card.  First, the Graphic 45 Birdsong paper is from my "backup" 8x8 pad that I had not opened until last night.  I never wanted to open it because Birdsong is my favorite line of theirs and I wanted this to stay pristine.  (Weird how crafters think sometimes!)  I cut the papers as shown and applied Tim Holtz ink Vintage Photo along all of the edges.  The die cuts were made from Spellbinders sets Majestic Labels Twenty Five and Labels Twenty Five.  The flowers have been in my stash for a while...finally used!  The bling on the bow was purchased in 2012 as were the bling swirls in the opposite corner.

The beautiful sentiment is from Quietfire Designs- Life is a Pure Flame.  Here is a closeup of the middle front of the card.  Not sure if you can tell, but I spritzed glimmer mist on the sentiment and flowers.

Don't you just love that sentiment?  It makes you pause and think about life.  I really like this stamp...and I hope you like it, too!  I have two of the stamps and I am giving one away!  All you have to do is be a follower of my blog and leave a comment on this post by 11pm ET Tuesday, April 1.  I will announce the winner on Wednesday. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day and good luck on the draw!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Craft Hoarders Anonymous, Show some sparkle , glitz or glam
Simon Says Stamp, Work it Wednesday
Sweet Stamps, Swirls
Creative Moments, AG
613 Avenue, AG
TTCRD, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
Party Time Tuesdays, AG
DL ART, March Linky AG

CAS Maple Leaves card

Today is a very special day for a friend of mine, Adan.  Today he will officially become Canadian!  I am so happy for him!  Canada is lucky (and smart!) to make him an official citizen.  :)

Here is a closeup of the card front.  It was tricky to catch the wood grain embossing (embossing folder is from the Paper Studio) so hopefully you can see it.

The supplies used: Paper Studio (wood grain embossing folder), Spellbinders (Little Leaf Sets, A2 Matting Basics), JustRite (Antique Tags One die set, Buntings and Banners stamps set for the sentiment), gold leafing marker

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Congrats Adan!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

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

Graphic 45 and JustRite Rose Postcard

Happy Sunday All!

Last night I played with a new JustRite background stamp- Rose Postcard.  I stamped the background using Memento's Rich Cocoa ink.  The roses and butterfly were colored using TH distress markers.  The background was painted using watered down TH Tumbled Glass stain.  Antique Linen was applied to the entire image and was die cut using Spellbinders A2 Matting Basics.  Glossy Accents was applied to the roses.  The butterfly was stamped and colored again on another sheet of paper, fussy cut, then applied to the image.  Stickles applied for fun.  :)

Graphic 45 paper (Sweet Sentiments) was cut using Spellbinders 5x7 Detailed Scallops.  Ivory paper was also cut using the smallest die from the set and "Cherish" from JR set Botanical Medallions and Banners was stamped in Rich Cocoa.  TH ink Tattered Rose was applied.  TH distress ink Vintage Photo was applied at will.  The lovely corners?  Spellbinders Gold Corner Sets One with Tattered Rose applied.  The middle of the bow is an antique button my mom gave me a while ago...just had to be used on this card.  (Thanks, Mom!)

The inside is more Graphic 45 cut to size and another ivory die cut from Detailed Scallops.  The sentiment is also from JR set Botanical Medallions and Banners.

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Die Cut Divas, Emboss It
Craftin Desert Divas, Ribbon and button
Shabby Tea Room, AG
Shopping Our Stash, Button and Bow
Fussy and Fancy, Shabby Chic
Cut It Up, AG
Crafting by Design, March AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
613 Avenue, AG
Sister Act, AG

Quietfire Thinking of You card

Hello Crafters!

Today has been such a great day!  First thing this morning was the start of the baseball season.  (Ohhh...I just love baseball!  I am a huge Chicago Cubs fan and I look forward to seeing my boys play again!)   After the game was done, my friend Janice and I went shopping- which is always a good time.  The weather was in our favor with beautiful sunshine, too.  Now, I am listening to my Cubbies play Cincinatti in an exhibition game.  Feeling spring in the air, I decided to take photos of my card outside.

The gorgeous sentiment is Quietfire's Thinking of You stamp.  The background paper was an awesome find at a store in Crown Point, Indiana called Cafe Crop.  They had loose sheets of Authentique 6x6 paper available!  I have never seen that available in a craft store and I just had to have this sheet from the Free Bird Series.

Dies used: Spellbinders Stately Circles, Standard Circles and Stately Circles Grand.  The metal flower with gem is from Recollections.  Tim Holtz stain in Shabby Shutters was applied on the edge of the smaller Stately Circles die cut and on the pearls.

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

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Die Cut Divas, Emboss It
Crafting by Design, March AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
613 Avenue, AG
TTCRD, AG
Sister Act, AG

Just Rite Challenge #116, CAS card

Hello All!

It has been a while since my last post.  I am in the midst of changing craft rooms from the super tiny craft room I currently have to a larger room we use for a spare bedroom.  A lot of work going through collected items in both rooms!  Also, I am making a storage unit for my inks which has also taken up quite a bit of time.  Both projects are well worth it and I cannot wait to move into the bigger space and start really crafting again!  My current room is in total disarray.  Thank goodness none of you can see it!

On Sunday my crafty group met for our monthly card making session.  As always it was such a fun time.  I am so fortunate to have such sweet and talented friends!  The cards I designed for the crafty session served double duty: cards for the group to make and cards to enter the current Just Rite Challenge, CAS.  (Another crafty friend in the group is Rebecca and she made two awesome CAS cards for the challenge!)

I could not decide which flower bunch to use on the CAS card: the bunch from Poppies Labels Twenty Nine or the bunch from Black Eyed Susan Vintage Labels Five.  To escape the decision I made one of each.  :)

I colored the poppies with Spectrum Noir markers, the stems with Tim Holtz distress markers then added gold Stickles to the inside of the poppies.  The red SN marker was applied along the edge of the image (cut using Spellbinders Matting Basics), red twine was tied on and the entire mat was foam adhered to the card base.

The card above was colored entirely using SN markers.  Stickles in Crystal was applied on all the petals.  Yellow SN marker was used on the edge.

The card above used Tim Holtz distress markers and a single bow adhered as shown.  Gold was applied to the mat edges.  (a few small changes from the card above)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week!  Will post photos of my new craft room and my new storage unit when all is ready.  :)

Hugs,

Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:

Just Rite, CAS

613 Avenue, AG

Word Art Wednesday, AG

Sister Act Card Challenge, AG

TTCRD, AG

Quietfire Gentle Thoughts Chickadee Kraft card

Happy Sunday!

How is your weekend going?  I hope great!

Today I am sharing a card using a stamp set  from Quietfire Design: Gentle Thoughts.  Not only did the sentiments draw me to the set but the also birds...especially the super cute chickadee.  Isn't it just the sweetest?

The card steps: Kraft paper was embossed using Cuttlebug folder (Wicker Weave) and Tim Holtz' Picket Fence stain was applied.  Next was a sheet of distressed green paper from Tim Holtz' paper pad "Seasonal" die cut using Spellbinders Gold Majesty circles.  TH ink (Walnut Stain) was applied to the edge and Stickles Lime Green applied in the areas shown. Music sheets paper (same Seasonal pad) was die cut using Spellbinders Exquisite Circles and Walnut Stain applied.  White paper die cut using Gold Majesty Circles with TH Antique Linen and Walnut Stain applied.  Spellbinders die set Cherry Blossoms was used to cut Kraft paper for branches.  Scrap green paper (TH paper with Walnut Stain and Scattered Straw) was die cut using Spellbinders Little Leaf Set and glaze applied to each leaf.  All of the above was mounted on Kraft paper die cut using Spellbinders Grand Decorative Labels One and more Walnut Stain used along the edges.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a wonderful Sunday!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Kraft Journal, Birds
Diva's That Cut Paper, Emboss it
613 Avenue, 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

Kraft Journal Sketch Challenge card

Hello!

A quick post showing a card for the current challenge at the Kraft Journal- a sketch.

The base was made using Kraft card stock, die cut with Spellbinders Timeless Rectangles.  Paper from The Romantic Garden mini pad (Meg's Garden) was applied to the base.  Three strips of sheer ribbon was assembled.  Spellbinders D-Lites Medallion One die was used to cut white card stock.  JustRite's Vintage Label and Banner Dies was used to cut the mini Kraft card stock banner with the white embossed sentiment "Thanks" from JR's Grateful Heart Vintage Labels Two stamp set.

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

This card is entered into the Kraft Journal Sketch challenge and Word Art Wednesday, AG.

Blue Butterflies

Happy Sunday, All!

I am so enjoying seeing the happy spring cards that are popping up in the blogosphere.   The spring challenges are starting to bloom. :)

The card I am sharing today should help continue those thoughts of spring and summer.  The butterfly background is a new purchase from a Canadian company called Chapel Road Artstamps, a division of Class Act Inc.  A local crafty store, Carsand Mosher, is starting to carry them and I am loving their stamps!  To spread the word of this new company, I thought I would make a card to enter into several challenges.

The background was stamped and heat embossed using Versafine's Majestic Blue.  The background was assembled to a card base made from Spellbinders Romantic Rectangles.  Spellbinders Decorative labels Twenty Eight was assembled next.  White card stock was embossed using Crafts-Too embossing folder Vintage Flowers.  Stickles was applied to the raised areas as shown.  I fussy cut a flower from the Chapel Road Butterfly Background stamp, applied stickles and adhered.  Next was Colleen's Double Bow.  On top of the bow is a hoarded flower.  This flower came from a bag of flowers a friend gave to me in 2006!  She gave the flowers to me before she moved and I very rarely use any of the flowers.  (Miss you Andria!)

Hope the card made you think of spring!
Thanks so much for stopping by!  
Have a great week.
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Craft Boarders Anonymous, Blues
Class Act Inc, Spring
Craftin Desert Divas, Glitter
Inspired by Stamping, Flowers
Die Cut Divas, Emboss
613 Avenue, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
Sister Act, AG
Challenges 4 Everybody, AG
Card Concept, Floral: classy and elegant

Crafting Musketeers Challenge #11- Art Deco

Hello Crafteteers!

A new month means a new challenge at Crafting Musketeers: Art Deco!  I bet there will be many glamorous, lavish, gorgeous and architectural designed projects submitted this month.  What a glorious age and style- Art Deco!

Before I get onto the card details I just want to note that it has been a week (gasp!) since my last post.  During this week I have tried three new techniques or tools.  My card today is using one of them- my Cricut.  I have had this machine for two years and used it to cut out the word ("Thanks") to give to my husband.  Six months later I took a class and was unimpressed.  I think it was the card that was made or the cartridge used was not my style or perhaps I just was not ready for the Cricut.  My friend Rebecca tried showing me the advantages of it but I was still not interested.  Lately I have been considering selling it.  That thought changed on Monday when I went to Michaels and saw the Cricut "Art Deco" cartridge.  The shapes drew me in, loved the style and I saw a lot of uses for the cartridge.  Hmm...maybe it deserved another try.  That night my friend, Janice, taught me (again) how to use the machine and then "Voila!" a card was started...

Of course, I had to use Graphic 45's Couture collection for the card.  I fussy cut around the two classy ladies, the postage stamps and the beautiful block.  The black deco background was from the Cricut Art Deco file.  The feathers were a treasure found at Hobby Lobby.  Behind the ladies is black fringe tassel ribbon.

The inside is more G45 Couture paper.  The quote is from the G45 Couture stamp set 3 set on a Spellbinders Fancy Tags die.

Thanks for trudging through this long post!  Looking forward to seeing your Art Deco project this month at Crafting Musketeers!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday, AG
613 Avenue, AG
Sister Act Card Challenge, AG
Cuttlebugmania, Feel it (die- Spellbinders tag die, feel it- feathers and tassles)