Adventure birthday card

Happy Monday!  How was your weekend?  I hope it was great and you were able to squeeze in some crafty time.  :)

Today I am sharing a card I made for my husband.  It was a "milestone" birthday and I wanted it to be different.  Milestone birthdays means entry into a new decade and some people take these birthdays not so well.  My husband, on the other hand, has approached it differently and is achieving a goal that he has had for a while...and I am so proud of him for it!  It seemed appropriate to make an enthusiastically aspiring card.  The background stamp by JustRite- Let the Adventure Begin- was perfect for him!

It was stamped using Memento's Rich Cocoa.  Tim Holtz Distress Stains were mixed with water and painted onto the image.  The watch had glossy accents applied for a 3D effect.  The key was colored and the new Stickles color Rose Gold was applied.  

It was an enjoyable card to make as I hardly every do any "painting" or coloring.  My hubby enjoyed the card, too!

Thanks for stopping by and have a good Monday!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday, AG
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday, AG
Sister Act, AG
TTCRD, AG
Brown Sugar, AG

The Magic Of Christmas Never Ends...

Happy Monday!

In Nova Scotia we are celebrating Natal Day and many of us have the day off from work (I just high fived myself).  In keeping with the Natal Day spirit, I decided to make a Christmas card.  :)


The card is using the negative space technique as per the JustRite challenge this fortnight.  Spellbinders 2010 Heirloom Ornament dies were used to create the negative space.  Also used were the following Spellbinders goodies: Grand Rectangles, Labels Seventeen, Labels Four and Imperial M-Bossabilities folder.  

The sentiment is from JustRite's stamp set Christmas Inner Thoughts.

The shimmery red and gold paper is Recollections and the burlap paper is DCWV.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
JustRite, Negative Space
Word Art Wednesday, AG
613 Avenue Create, AG
TTCRD, AG
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday, AG
Come and Get It, Dies
Crafty Hazelnut Extra, AG Christmas
Christmas Cards All Year Round, Sparkle and Shine

Christmas Card...'tis the Season :)

 

Hello Crafteteers!

Ah...July...such a gorgeous time of year: the sun is shining, flowers blooming, kids playing, mowers mowing and crafters making Christmas cards.  :)

Many blog sites are keeping us crafters in check and ensuring that we get a head start on our Christmas cards.  JustRite is one of those blogs and their challenge this time is Non-traditional Christmas colors.  I decided to make a card using white, purple (dusty concord) and kraft.  Purple is a color hardly used in any of my projects so this was an enjoyable change.  

The card front used "Merry and Bright" from JustRite's Christmas Inner Thoughts and the poinsettias (Hey!  I spelled that correctly without autocorrect!) are from JustRite's Festive Poinsettia.  I filled in the open areas of the poinsettias with my dusty concord Distress Marker.  Bling berries were applied.

The card base was made using Spellbinders Grand Decorative Labels One and also Scalloped Labels One.  I applied dusty concord along all of the edges and a wee bit of walnut stain, too.  Glitter mist was also sprayed on the card front.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Hope you all are having a fantastic week.
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
JustRite, Non-traditional Christmas Colors
Die Cuttin Divas, Christmas in July
Word Art Wednesday, AG
613 Avenue Create, AG
Craftin Desert Divas, Christmas
CRAFT Challenge, Christmas
Crafty Hazelnut Christmas, Layer it up
Hiding in my Craft Room, Christmas in July
My Sheri Crafts, Christmas in July
Craft Your Passions, Christmas in July
Crafty Hazelnut, July Extra
Christmas Sweet Stamp, Kraft
Christmas All Year Round, Non-Traditional

JustRite Sketch Challenge card- Blue and White card

Hello again!

JustRite posted a new challenge and I actually had time to participate...yay!  The challenge was to follow the sketch provided and use JustRite product.   

The background was stamped using Tufted Vintage Labels Seven Background Stamp in VersaFine's Majestic Blue and heat embossed.  Sprectrum Noir's CT2 marker was applied to each of the tufts as shown.  Next, Spectrum Noir's IB2 and the blender were used to add depth to each of the tufts.  Clear gloss gel was applied to the white areas.

The center stack is as follows: Cheery Lynn Doily with Squeezed Lemonade along the edge, For All You Do stamped in blue and die cut with Vintage Labels Three, "On Your Special Day" (Enjoy the Day Vintage Labels Four) die cut using Spellbinders Elegant Ovals and a butterfly die cut using Spellbinders Papillions Two.  Squeezed Lemonade was applied to the small details on the For All You Do stamp and also on the Butterfly.

This shot probably does not really show anything...I just thought the angle was neat.  :)

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

This card is entered into the following challenges:

JustRite, Sketch

Art Impressions - Use a doily

Aud Sentiments - Anything Goes

Brown Sugar #101 - Anything Goes
Cards Galore Encore - Use a Digi or Rubber stamp

Craft Your Passion - Ribbons

Crafting at the Weekend - Anything Goes

Crafting by Designs - Anything Goes

Crafting From the Heart #25 - Anything Goes

Crafty Girls #21 - Anything Goes

Crafty Ribbons #96 - Anything Goes with Ribbon

Crafty Sentiments - No Design Papers
DL Art - Anything Goes (1 per day)

Fan-tastic Tues - Anything Goes

Graph It - Anything Goes (with markers)

Just for Fun - Anything Goes
Loves Rubber Stamps - Anything Goes
Paper Creator - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Pause Dream Enjoy #13 - Many Layers

Sister Act #64 - Anything Goes

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Tuesday Throwdown #202 - Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday, AG613 Avenue Create #78 - Anything Goes

Challkboard Birthday card

Hello Crafters!

Just a quick post to share a card I made for the current challenge at JustRite: Chalkboard Birthday.

The base was made from chalkboard paper die cut using Spellbinders' Reflective Moment.  I think this may perhaps be my favorite new Spellbinders set...just can't get enough of that large die!  The background was made using JustRite's Diamond Filigree Background Stamp.  Next is white paper die cut with Spellbinders' Mystical Embrace.  Finally, the sentiment (from JustRite set Birthday Vintage Labels Four) was stamped on chalkboard paper die cut with Opulent Ovals.  Added black lace, ribbon, a bow, bling and a button then...voila!  The card is complete.

That was it.  Told you it was a quick post.  :)

Have a great day and thanks so much for stopping by!
Hugs!
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:


JustRite, Chalkboard Birthday
Word Art Wednesday, AG
613 Avenue Create, AG- using the optional twist: sentiment, shaped, embossing powder, bling, lace
Jo's Scrap Shack, Shaped Card
DL Art, AG

JustRite Challenge- Get Krafty birthday card

Hello Crafteteers!

Popping in to share a birthday card I made for the current JustRite challenge- Get Krafty!  It has been a while since I participated in a JustRite challenge- I think the last one was the CAS challenge.  It has been a busy spring so far and I was happy to find the time to make this quick Kraft card.  (It is great to have another birthday card for the stash!  Funny, I make a lot of cards but always seem to be short a card when I need it.)  

The card uses JustRite's "Have a Fabulous Birthday" sentiment from their Grateful Heart Vintage Labels Two set.  The dies are as follows from the bottom up: Kraft tent fold card stock cut from the largest Spellbinders Matting Basics die, The Romantic Garden paper (Meg's Garden line) die cut from the next Matting Basics size down, Ivory card stock from A2 Tranquil Moments, Kraft card stock from A2 Tranquil Moments, and finally ivory card stock from Gold Labels Four.

Has anyone picked up any of the new release Spellbinders?  Do you have a favorite?  I am trying figure out which one of the new Spellbinders dies I like most but that is difficult because the dies I have purchased are fabulous.  I have been playing with them every day.  Your should see my poor craft room...there are paper bits every where.  When I was about to take photos of this card, my husband walked into my craft room and saw the floor and die cuts strewn about the room.  His eyes were huge.  He was about to say something when I put my hand up and said "Just back out of the room."  He wisely did that very thing.  LOL

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

This card is entered into the following challenges:
JustRite, Get Krafty
613 Avenue Create, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
TTCRD, AG
Sister Act, AG

Easy to mail (yay!) Merry Christmas card

Merry Christmas!

Yes, this is my second holiday card post this month.  My tulips are in the yard working their way up out of the recently frozen earth and I am making Christmas cards.  Goodness.  But, I am sticking with that New Years resolution and getting Christmas cards done throughout the year.  Two this month...I am ahead of schedule!

I am sending a box of cards home to my mom and in doing so have realized that a lot of my cards are not mail friendly- cards with big bows or big flowers or big bows with big flowers in the middle.  (Standard envelopes need not apply for my cards.)  So, I challenged myself to make an easy to mail card and I am happy with the results...although I really do think it could use a big bow on it.  

The card base is Recollections navy blue speckled card stock from Michaels.  Ivory card stock was dry embossed using Anna Griffin's embossing folder Poppy (I just love that folder!!).  Cheery Lynn's doily die, Lilith, die cut the blue card stock.  Spellbinders Splendid Circles die cut ivory paper and JustRite's Christmas Vintage Labels One stamp was applied as shown.  Two small sheer ribbons were the final touch.

The card came together quite quickly and will be a mass produced card!  Hope you like it, Mom.  You will be getting a stack before November!  :)

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful Easter Weekend.
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Crafty Hazelnut Christmas card challenge extra, April
613 Avenue Create, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
Sister Act, AG
TTCRD, AG

From Paris with Love

Happy Sunday All!

Just wanted to share a shabby card I made for the current challenges at the Kraft Journal (Paris or France) and at Craft Hoarders (use that non-used stamp).  

Paris definitely holds a special place in my heart: it was on the Eiffel Tower that my husband proposed.  I said "Yes" in case you are wondering.  :)  It was an amazing time.  We spent 10 incredible days in Paris.  Every morning we would wake up early, grab a baguette from the local baker, hop on the metro and see as much of the city until late in the evening.  Three days were spent at the Louvre alone, one day at the Rodin museum and Impressionist museum, and countless hours just exploring.  It was beautiful, surreal, awe-inspiring...absolutely perfect.  It is impossible to think about any of that trip and not smile.  

Sorry!  I digressed...on to the card...

Obviously I have happy thoughts about Paris so I wanted to go with happy colors on the card and to also include a heart.  A nicety about the card: excluding one of the papers, all of the paper used was from my scrap bin.  (I need to dive into that bin more often!)  The card base was made from Kraft card stock.  The ivory heart was die cut using Spellbinders Lace Hearts die set and the Eiffel Tower is Kraft card stock die cut using the Die-namics Eiffel Tower die.  The stamp is from JustRite's stamp set Greetings From Paris.  I have had this set for a long while and never used it.  It fits the card well and the font is so pretty.

I am off to give my hubby a huge hug and show him the card.  
Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you all have a great Sunday!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is also entered into the following challenges:
Kraft Journal (Paris or France) 
Craft Hoarders (use that non-used stamp).  
Craftin Desert Divas, AG
Word Art Wednesday, 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

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

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.

JustRite Challenge- Botanical Bliss

Hello Crafteteers!

The current challenge at JustRite is Botanical Bliss.  We can use flowers or butterflies or both on the JustRite project.  

I decided to go with both and make a card that reminds me of summer.  The height of flower time in my gardens is when the beautiful black eyed Susans are in bloom.  They have spread in one of my gardens to create a glorious tribute to summer.  Surrounding the Susans are the other summer beauties: daisies, lamb's ear, bee balm and various types of cone flowers.  I so love coming home after work to see this garden!  When I tend the garden, bees are buzzing from flower to flower, butterflies flutter by and hummingbirds whiz by my head.  The garden is glorious and full of life!  I will have to take photos this year to share with you.  :)

Thinking of that garden drew me to the JustRite stamp set Black Eyed Susan.  The main cluster of Susans were colored with Spectrum Noir markers then covered with Ranger's glossy accents.  Stickles in Lime Green was applied to the leaves and stems.  Light blue chalk was applied to the background.  Next I colored and fussy cut the butterfly and bee from the set.

I die cut the flower cluster using Spellbinders Opulent Ovals.  Gold paper was also die cut from the same set.  I next cut a small sliver of plastic from a Spellbinders packaging tab and attached the butterfly.  It was adhered to the back of the die cut ovals to make it look like it was flying near the cluster.

The card was die cut using Filigree Delight.  The card base has the sentiment "Find true joy and share it with others" (same stamp set) on a die cut circle (Spellbinders) and foam taped to a Spellbinders Parisian Accents die cut.

I considered adding a bow or a banner across the flower cluster but I did not want to take away from the flowers.  It truly is a lovely stamped image.

Thanks for stopping by!  
Have a great week and think happy thoughts...spring will arrive soon!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

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