Butterfly "Thanks"

Hello Crafty Friends!

It is always nice to have some thank you cards handy to show appreciation for kindness.  This butterfly "Thanks" card came together quickly and is a perfect card for making several at once.

Here is a list of product used:

• Thanks die from Elizabeth Craft Designs (which is on sale right now!)
• Clear Double Sided Adhesive Tape
• Three in a Row dies by JustRite
• Butterfly punches by Martha Stewart
• Wildflower papers by We R Memory Keepers
• Opal Pearl Pen
• White card stock

Elizabeth Craft Designs' "Thanks" (which is on sale now!) die cut dark colored patterned paper.  (Tip: mount paper on double sided adhesive paper prior to die cutting.  Makes it so very easy to mount!)

Form 4.25 x 5.5 tent fold card from white card stock.  Die cut white frame using white card stock.  Punch flowers from patterned papers.  Mount ombre patterned paper to card base.  Mount all die cut and punched goodies to card base.  (Although I used the We R Memory Keepers papers, other 6x6 pads would work.)

Card is complete!  Isn't is just bright and happy?  The Thanks and butterflies look so great together.  The card makes me smile.  :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I really appreciate it.
Big Crafty Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG

Weekly Inspiration 4: "Happiness"

Hello Crafty Friends.

The New Year's Resolution continues!  Today I am sharing the altered playing card I made for last week and tomorrow I am sharing the card for this week.  (Being sick the weekend before threw my schedule off a little bit but I happily made two altered cards this week to catch up.)

The altered card for last week was inspired by Blue Monday- nicknamed as such because it is supposedly the "blue-ist" day of the year.  I decided to flip that frown upside down and create something cheerful.  

The playing card was covered with two layers of white gesso, dried and then Martha Stewart's Pearl Acrylic Paint (color: Aquarium) applied.  While it was drying I stamped Dina Wakley's Holiday Media Stamp and Stencil set on scrap papers and heat embossed in black.  The hat and bird were fussy cut and glossy accents applied to the eyes.

After the card was dried, I used Brett Weldele's star stencil (love this stencil!!) and Ranger's Texture paste to create the background.  Distress Glitter in Clear Rock Candy was sprinkled onto the paste.

A small amount of Ranger's Texture Paste was mixed with Dina Wakley's Heavy Body Acrylic Paint in Ruby.  It was used to create the "happiness" from the Holiday stencil.  It created a very cool texture and pops against the glittery blue background.

The scribbly bird was adhered to the card front and two large black pearls were the finishing touch.  Isn't that a happy bird?  The bird and altered card is definitely the antithesis of Blue Monday.  So sweet!

Thank you so much for stopping by!  I do hope that the altered card made you smile.  Tomorrow I will share this week's card...which was also a fun make.  (I am really enjoying this resolution!)

Have a happy crafty day!
Big Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
613 Avenue Create, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
Simon Says Wednesday, Have a Heart (heart hat)  

CAS Happy Birthday butterfly

Hello Crafty Friends!

Last month a friend of mine kindly gave me a pack of beautiful Martha Stewart butterflies for my birthday.  This week was her birthday so I used one of the butterflies on her birthday card.  :)    Also used was a stamp from Quietfire Designs' Happy Birthday Plain and Simple:

The tent fold card base was made from Kraft card stock. Next was blue card stock cut to size.  Ivory card stock was embossed using Couture's Trellis embossing folder.  

Happy Birthday was heat embossed in gold onto ivory card stock and mounted on blue card stock.  A sheer ivory and gold ribbon was applied and the butterfly was happily adhered.

Apologies for the poor quality photos- I realized right before I was leaving the house that I did not take photos so I quickly snapped some shots.  The card is brighter than what is shown in my bluish photos above!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a happy crafty weekend!
Big Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Seize the Birthday, CAS
Word Art Wednesday, AG

"Snowflakes are kisses from heaven"

Happy Friday, Crafty Friends!

The leaves may still be falling here but I am thinking of snowflakes.  I am not a huge fan of snow- mainly the shoveling of it- but I do think falling snow is very peaceful and beautiful.  I also like the fact that the snow hides any weeds that are in my lawn.  :)

Today's card is all about snowflakes.  It's focus is Quietfire's oh-so-sweet stamp, Snowflakes are kisses:

The goal of the card was to make it elegant yet simple.  This card is easy to mass produce.  

Here are the steps to make this card:

• Stamp sentiment onto white card stock. Die cut. Die cut decorative oval.
• Emboss white card stock with snowflake embossing folder.  Cut to size and add Stickles to snowflakes and border.

• Create tent fold white card base. Adhere black card stock and embossed card stock. Using foam tape adhere oval die cuts.
• Adhere sheer bow.

Quick and easy!

Here the list of products used:
Quietfire stamp (Snowflakes are kisses)
Martha Stewart embossing folder (Snowflake Design)
Ranger Ink (Stardust Stickles and Jet Black Archival Ink)
Spellbinders dies (Ovals, Oval Bliss)
Sheer ribbon, white and black card stock, foam tape

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a happy crafty weekend!
Big Hugs,
Kathy Jo

"Sometimes" said Pooh...MOJO Monday Graphic 45 card

Hello Crafters!

It may appear that I have been avoiding the blogosphere and that is partially correct.  Life is quite busy at this end and the crafting projects created are for future dates.  However, today I was able to complete a project to post...yay!  The card is based off the sketch for this week's MOJO Monday:

It used my new Graphic 45 paper (Gilded Life) and Quietfire's stamp "Sometimes, said Pooh":

Such a sweet stamp!

I used Cuttlebug's embossing folder to add texture, a strip of lace, two hearts (die punched with Martha Stewart punches) and an antique button.  The ink used for the sentiment and along all the edges is Stampin' Up's Baked Brown Sugar.  (Great color!) Spellbinders squares dies were used for the sentiment and frame.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Hope you all are having a wonderful summer!
Big Crafty Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
MOJO Monday, Sketch
613 Avenue Create, AG
Simon Says Stamp Monday, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
TTCRD, AG
Sister Act, AG
Crafting from the Heart, AG
Crafting by Design, July AG

A Smile is the Best Christmas Decoration of All

Hello All!  Today is my day to share a project at Quietfire.  Above is a sneak peak of the card using Quietfire stamp A Smile is the Best Christmas Decoration.

Feel free to hop over to Quietfire for step by step instructions on how to make the festive card.

OH!!! And don't forget to check out Quietfire's Super Amazing Awesome sale!!!  U.S. shoppers will love the dollar conversion.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Hugs, Kathy Jo

Crafting Musketeers November Challenge: Use Pastels

Hello Crafting Musketeers!

It is a new monthly challenge at Crafting Musketeers: use pastels.  The prize this month is from Little Claire Cardmaking.  What a great store and I love their stamps!  You will want to submit your best pastel card to get a chance to win from Little Claire!

Usually I do not make pastel cards unless a challenge calls for it or I am using Graphic 45's Secret Garden paper.  I already posted a pastel card this week using Secret Garden so I decided to challenge myself and make a pastel card not using Secret Garden.  Several iterations, paper, stamped images and die cuts later resulted in this card.  This must have been the fourth or fifth card I made.  Goodness...talk about creative block!  But, I think this was the best one and I am happy with it.

The shiny paper is my much loved and never cut (gasp!) pink metal paper.  It was "measure thrice and cut once" for this paper!  White card stock was die cut using Spellbinder Filigree Delight.  More shiny metal paper was die cut using Spellbinders Opulent Ovals.  JustRite sentiment from Good Friends Labels Twenty Nine was heat embossed and die cut using Opulent Ovals.  TH Spun Sugar was applied along the edges before it was removed from the die. The butterflies were punched with a Martha Stewart butterfly punch.  White liquid pearl was used on the butterflies.

The sentiment on the card rings true for me this week. "Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave and impossible to forget."  On my recent vacation I returned home to see family and friends.  My best friend since we were both in strollers is my cousin, Kim.  I think of her every day and cherish our short time together every year.  This year we took a day and went to Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry.  Time just flew by that day!  We tried  taking photos together throughout the day but it is so tricky: arms and shoulders get in the way, someone is out of frame, or eyes are closed or something.  This is the least worst one.  She looks fabulous (she is the dark haired beauty on the left) and I look like I need a hair cut (I so need my bangs again) and a chin tuck.  LOL.  Next year I will hit the salon before we go...and try not to get my shoulder and arm so far into the photo frame.  Self photos are not my forte!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!  
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

PS- Miss you, Kim!

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

Krafty Group Portrait Card

Hello!

In some posts earlier this year I talked about my crafty group.  The four of us crafters meet every month or so to make cards, have desserts and enjoy an afternoon together.  It is always a fun time and I am so lucky to have such wonderful and crafty friends.  Well, as soon as I saw this stamp I said "This is our crafty group!".  From left to right you see Valerie, me, Rebecca and Janice.  Yep. It is totally us.  For example, the one for Janice suits her: she is wee in size but has a huge heart. 

I decided to use this stamp of us on the current Stampotique challenge (Anything Goes).  The layout is from the Sweet Sunday Sketch #185.  Kraft paper was used as the card base and the ribbon edging so the card also fits into this week's Kraft Journal challenge.  Foam tape was used to elevate the image (Pause Dream Enjoy Challenge).  Ribbon and twine was used as shown (Craftin' Desert Divas Challenge).

The paper is from a new pad I picked up: My Mind's Eye "Happy Day".  They named this pad correctly- it is so happy!  That is why I picked the paper for this card because it describes our little crafty get togethers perfectly.  Spellbinders Reverse Wonky Rectangles was used to cut our portrait.  Both papers were dry embossed with a Cuttlebug folder (the pattern matched the paper on the left side of the card) and the Martha Stewart bubbles edge punch was used to make the Kraft paper edging.  The hearts were punched out of scrap Happy Day paper and a gem matching each of us was placed a heart.

Thanks for stopping by and taking time to see my crafty friends.  Also, if you like to see more happy cards made from MME paper, you should really check out Kristi's blog ( http://kristispapercreations.blogspot.ca/ ).  She has been making awesome cards from the MME pad "Up and Away".  Well worth the trip!

Have a good one!
Hugs.

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Kraft Journal, Use a Sketch: http://thekraftjournal.blogspot.ca/2013/05/make-it-monday-with-kraft-outlet-use.html
Sweet Sunday Sketch #185: http://kgiron.blogspot.ca/2013/05/sweet-sunday-sketch-challenge-185.html
Stampotique, AG: http://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.ca/2013/05/sdc100-anything-goes.html
Pause Dream Enjoy, Foam Tape: http://pausedreamenjoychallenges.blogspot.ca/2013/05/ch-11-use-foam-tape.html
Craftin' Desert Divas, Ribbon or Twine: http://www.craftindesertdivas.com/2013/05/craft-it-up-link-it-up-party-7.html
Paper Playtime, AG with 2 or more ribbons, twine, etc: http://paperplaytime.blogspot.ca/2013/05/ch-11-2-or-more-ribbons.html 
Through The Craftroom Door, AG: http://www.craftdoormagazine.com/2013/05/throught-craft-room-door-challenge-may.html
Sister Act Card Challenge #8: http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/2013/05/challenge-8.html

Celebrate Spring!

 

Hi Crafteteers!

A card to share...a card that almost did not exist.  There is a pad of paper hanging on my peg board: Graphic 45 A Ladies Diary.  It has only been opened to look at and I never wanted to use the pretty paper since it is the only pad of it that I own.  Well, there are several challenges this week that just called out for the Ladies Diary paper and then Use It Tuesday said the challenge was "You Can't Touch This".  The challenge is to use something that you had not used and liked so much that you avoided using.  You all should have seen me when I pulled out the first sheet.  I laughed and said "Nah, I will use a different pad" but then I realized that I cannot keep doing this to pretty paper!  I have to use it.  It felt good to do so!

 

The layout came from Retro Sketches Challenge #64.  The color scheme/bunny was picked by the Ribbon Reel blog: green, yellow, white/ivory and a bunny.  The Ribbon Carousel and Kraft Journal provided the theme: Celebrations. 

The goods: The card was made from Kraft paper. Kraft paper was also punched with Martha Stewart's Deco edges and added on the green striped Ladies Diary paper as shown.  The bunny stamp was hand made from local crafter extraordinaire, Brianna Corr Scott. (http://brianacorrscott.com/stamp-shop/ ) A bit of ivory twine was added around the bunny's neck.  The stamp Happy Day was a Michaels bin purchase.  Light green gems were added along the Kraft edging and on the banner.  The flower bundle is from an unknown supplier and I wrapped it in yellow ribbon.

Thank you so much for stopping by!  I hope the Happy Day bunny card put you in the spirit to celebrate spring!


This card is entered into the following challenges:
The Ribbon Carousel Challenge, Celebrations: http://blog.ribboncarousel.com/2013/05/rcc81-celebrations.html
Simon Says Stamp, Flower Power: http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.ca/2013/05/simon-saysflower-power.html
Ribbon Reel, Spring is here: http://theribbonreelchallenge.blogspot.ca/2013/05/challenge-53-spring-is-here.html
My Sheri Crafts, Flower Power: http://myshericrafts.blogspot.ca/2013/05/my-sheri-crafts-challenge-110-flower_11.html
My Crafty Spot, Ribbon and Twine: http://craftspotbykimberly.blogspot.ca/2013/05/my-craft-spot-monday-challenge-98.html
Retro Sketches, #64: http://retrosketches.blogspot.ca/2013/05/retrosketches-64.html
One Crazy Stamper, May Flowers: http://onecrazystampercom.blogspot.ca/2013/05/may-flowers-challenge.html
Use It Tuesday, You Can't Touch This: http://useittuesday.blogspot.ca/2013/05/challenge-55-you-cant-touch-this.html
Kraft Journal, Celebrations: http://thekraftjournal.blogspot.ca/2013/05/make-it-monday-with-kraft-outlet.html