Sweet Sunday Birthday

Finally got a chance to play around with more of Karen's sketches.  I decided to go with a masculine card to add to my stockpile.  I also took the opportunity to use the Mixed Messages (PTI) set that Maureen gave me because she uses her Mega Mixed Messages more often.  I tried ordering it in our last order but they didn't have it in stock so she was willing to part with hers.  Isn't she a sweetie? I used my new (to me) stamp set as a background stamp (see tutorial below).  I had a tough time coordinating paper and had to rework it a couple of times.  It's still not one of my favourites (don't like the stripes) and it's not my best work but I wanted to show you the mixed messages background.  I also like the Birthday wishes panel with the buttons.

Paper: Really Rust, Mellow Moss, MME dp, Very Vanilla, Soft Sky

Ink: Mellow Moss, Dusty Durango

Accessories:  Star punches, vanilla hodgepodge, corner rounder punch, circle scissors, buttons

Stamps:  Mixed Messages, Sincere Salutations (SU!)

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Mixed Messages Background Tutorial

It's really easy and most of you probably know how to do it already but for any of you who have this set and aren't sure what to do with such tiny sentiments or want a different way to apply it here's the secret:

1) Arrange multiple sentiments in a diamond/circle pattern on your clear block.  I chose something for a Graduate.  The key is the diamond shape arrangement.  Square would work as well but it doesn't end up as whimsical.

2) Stamp it on scrap first to make sure it's all straight and that the pattern will fit together. Adjust as needed.

3) Heres what you should be able to come up with after stamping your image multiple times.

Anyhow, I do how you found this helpful and inspiring, even if my card leaves something to be desired LOL!  Happy Crafting Friends!

Dare to Dream

While I was writing up my last post for the Embellish colour challenge I had an epiphany and thought up a rough sketch of this card.  I knew I wanted to stitch in and scores stripes/lines into the card and keep it one layer.  After the sketch I tried to think of a way to incorporate it in with my favourite Cinema Saturday challenge. 

I was kind of in a pickle for the Cinema challenge because I haven't actually seen the movie "Australia" and I haven't had time to sit down this week and watch the almost three hour film.  One of the themes is about dreams coming true so I knew which sentiment I would use but didn't know what image.  Here's the thought process.

"Lady Sarah Ashley takes control of her husband's cattle station but has to fight to keep it."

"Her land becomes her home...there's no place like home"

"No place like home...Wizard of Oz...Somewhere Over the Rainbow which Sarah Ashley sings to Nullah to comfort him during the loss of his mother."

"Hot air balloons!!!  Like the one meant to take Dorothy home!"

There you go. That's how my creative mind works. Nothing more rewarding than when the ideas just naturally flow together. The stitching is hand stitched with floss. First I penciled in lines and then pierced holes 3/16" apart.  There are also scored lines (space at 3/16" apart) at the top of the card for added effect.  You should be able to see them better if you click on the picture.

Hope you enjoyed viewing this card as much as I enjoyed making it.  Have a wonderful Wednesday afternoon.

Dare to Dream

Paper:  Kraft, Elegant Eggplant

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories:  cotton floss, score blade, linen thread, scallop boarder punch, plum pudding and scarlet jewel buttons (PTI), wisteria button (BG), glitter gel pen.

Stamps:  Everyday Button Bits (PTI)

Blessings

My second post of the day!  This is the card a came up with last night while inspired by the Mojo Monday sketch and the Embellish Colour challenge.  I really appreciate the fact that the ladies over at Mojo came up with two sketches: one for a circle card and one for a square card just in case you don't have the tools to create the circle card.

This is my first attempt at an Embellish challenge.  I've been putting it off because the other entries are from some very talented women.  My work pales in comparison to their amazing work!  This is an opportunity for me to learn and challenge myself even further. The colours are kraft, brown, and purple.  Unfortunately I used white but the emphasis is purple and brown so I think it still qualifies?  I happen to love purple but I don't seem to get the opportunity to use much of it.  

I chose to use a variety of purples and I think the eclectic choices worked.  That's also something different for me as I usually like matching everything!  I used mainly scrap pieces of paper for this 4x4  card including the chocolate chip lattice die that Maureen gave me. I've also got one more idea for the Embellish challenge that I can hopefully finish before the deadline.

Thanks so much for the visit.  Hope your week is going well and that you find time to count your blessings.  

Blessings

Paper:  Lavender Lace, Chocolate Chip, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper white, Stripe dp (K&Co.)

Ink: Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: Elegant eggplant grosgrain ribbon, lattice die cut, cotton floss, plum pudding and scarlet  jewel buttons, corner rounder punch, dimensionals

Stamps: Signature Greetings (PTI)

Key to My Heart ~ MTSC 57

It's been a while since my last post hasn't it!  I've been really good about keeping up with everyone else's posts but I've been lacking the inspiration to create things for my own posts.  I have had a nose buried in a book instead this week. (My other form of escape)

Anyhow here's my card I made with Mercy's Tuesday Sketch #57 from last week.  I know it's late!!  But I want to show Mercy that I do appreciate her sketches by showing her that I use them. LOL  This sketch gave me an opportunity to use the new Key to My Heart stamp set design by my blogging friend Courtney of Practicing Creativity.  My 6 year old daughter liked my card so much that she wanted to make her own.  So, like the proud mama that I am, I'm posting hers as well.

I let her pick any paper from my scrap bin and those are the papers she chose.  The only things I helped her with was the measurements (but she cut the paper herself), the boarder punch (her hands aren't strong enough yet) and tying the ribbon.  Everything else she did herself!  And she wanted to make the card for her dad.  Yeah she's a total daddy's girl.

Key to My Heart

Paper: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Sending love DSP, whisper white

Ink: Real Red, White Craft

Accessories:  Scallop trimmed boarder punch, White embossing powder, Whisper white ribbon

Stamp set:  Key to My Heart (Practicing Creativity)

Dear Father

Paper:  Whisper White, Summer Sunrise (PTI), Playtime dp (3Bugs)

Ink: Blue Bayou, Chocolate Chip, Purely Pomegranate

Accessories:  Scallop trimmed boarder punch, Certainly celery twill ribbon,

Stamps: Key to My Heart, Well Scripted (SU!)