Father's Day Cards

Father's Day is just around the corner and while my own father is no longer with us, I do have other men in my life who are fathers! So, here's a couple I whipped up!



This was fun and easy, peasy! I used the tag punches from Stampin Up! and that fun embossing folder. The letters are from Sizzix and I think the name of the set is "Yarn." This card is so simple--and versatile for any occasion--not just Father's Day!

This was totally cased from somewhere and I loved it. I think it's pretty elegant. The great argyle embossing folder on the black is just subtle enough to add that masculine flair! The sentiment is from PTI and is punched with the SU! Modern Label punch. A simple red bow and mounting on red paper and voila!

I need to keep practicing with bows! They look a bit sickly! LOL And, I need to keep at the masculine cards. I envy those who can put them together so well. Time to scope out more blogs!

Happy Inking! :)

Still Neglected Blog . . .

I can't believe it's been nearly a month since I've uploaded anything to my blog. Good thing not too many followers, huh?


Things have been a bit crazy in my world, but I've still managed to fit in some crafting! (Of course!)




A friend of mine is going through a little tough time in his life so I thought I'd ink up my new PTI Anniversary set. I picked these colors because I thought they were more masculine--although I guess the card is actually gender neutral! LOL I like how the white ink pops on the kraft cardstock.





This was just a fun little card I made using a scalloped circle punch. I think it's bright and cheery--perfect to thank someone and brighten his/her day! :)

I've made a couple Father's Day cards and will post them too!

Thanks for stopping by! :)

Masculine Motifs/Woodgrain Background

Well, I received my April PTI order! YIPPEE! It's like Christmas every month! This month the them was masculine cards. I don't know about you, but I sure do have trouble with those. Well, this set makes it much easier!

I totally cased a card . . . as usual . . . from the PTI gallery . . .


The Kraft cardstock is embossed with one of PTI's new embossing plates--Woodgrain. These are awesome. They give a subtle texture/embossed feel--more like just being impressed into the paper. I then used some Colorbox Chestnut Roan to sponge up the texture a bit. The Dark Chocolate paper is stamped with Versamark with the new Background Basics: Woodgrain stamp set. The two focal images are from the new set "Masculine Motifs" and are stamped with chalk ink on Kraft and then framed onto a color circle. The edges are sponged with white ink. The sentiment is also from the Motifs set onto a piece of kraft stamped with the Woodgrain stamp in Versamark. The ribbon and button are also from PTI.

I'm sending this card to my brother for his birthday. I've been anxiously waiting for the set to arrive so I can get the card in the mail. His birthday is Monday! Yikes.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by to look at my little creations! Happy inking!

Misc. Notepads

Well, here are some other notepad type items I made for the craft show. These, again, are very simple to make!

As you can tell, I love this Papertrey Ink set called "Take Note." It's PERFECT for these types of things. This is one of the junior legal pads from any office supply store, cut in half. If you purchase them at a store with a copy center, the copy center will cut them in half for you for a nominal charge. Just know that one half will have the red lines down the center--but not a huge big deal. This patterned paper is from PTI--one of their newer ones (Green Boutique) and I absolutely LOVE it. The cardstock is also from PTI and is their newest color, Hawaiian Shores. It's really yummy! Anyway this is just cardstock cut to size and scored to hold the pad so there is a spine. The front is decorated and, voila, a notepad! Oh, by the way, I did cover the top of the actual notepad--the part with the brand name--with one of the pieces of patterned paper. It gives it a very finished look.

Now, maybe you don't want to cut the junior legal pad in half. You can still make a notepad--just bigger! (DUH!)

Absolutely the same philosophy--and ease! On the inside cover, I put a diagonal pocket to hold misc. papers. And, I decorated the top of the notepad--the part with the brand name--with one of the two patterned papers used on the front. I then stuck the notepad in the holder with awesome Score Tape, another product I LOVE, and done!

Here's another one with the pretty PTI Hawaiian Shores paper and Green Boutique Patterned Paper:

If you have questions, just let me know! These again are very simple and fun to make!

It's also great how you can make a nice gift by pairing up a couple items. These were made with a mat stack from DCWV. I love the rich colors!



So, like I said, very simple--but a big hit at craft shows. THAT is a good thing. :) (Oooo . . . yuck . . . fuzzy pic. Sorry!)

Post-It Note Holders

Per request, I'm posting some pics and simple instructions (because everything I do is simple) for some of the items I made for my recent craft show.

First is a couple Post-It Note Holders that I made with my Bind-it-All. (I LOVE that tool and am happy I bit the bullet to actually use it! :) )

These are simple 3.5" coasters covered with patterned paper and then bound together on the top with the BIA (3/4 Owires). I then decorated the front with stamped images from Papertrey Ink and Gina K. Designs. A Post-It Note is simply glued to the bottom coaster so that when the top flips up--there's a pad of paper to use. I found the mini pens at Staples. These are SO easy!


Then another type is made using an inexpensive 3.5" x 5" acrylic frame that can be found anywhere--Walmart, Michaels, etc.




These are ULTRA simple! Just cut a piece of patterned paper the same size as the frame. Add a sentiment, in this case, "notes" to the paper before inserting into the frame. Some of them I added ribbon with a sentiment like "Just a Note" on the outside of the frame. The RSVP pen is filled with paper that matches the paper in the frame. I then added a Post-It Note pad to the top of the frame. The pen is tied to the frame with a piece of organza ribbon to keep them together at the craft show--and to keep little hands from fanning the paper!

If you have questions, please let me know. These are all ultra simple!!! If I can do it, ANYONE can do it! :)

Sympathy Card

Well, I had a request to make a sympathy card that was going to be sent to a man. The requester wanted something handmade and most of what I showed her was too girly. So, I set out to locate something and found a card on the Papertrey Ink forum made by Heather Nichols that caught my eye--so I cased it and the requester loved it! (Or at least she loved the pic and should receive the real thing today!)



All the products used are from Papertrey Ink. I heat embossed the avocado paper with clear embossing powder and did the same to the corner of the focal image kraft paper. All edges were inked with white to kind of soften the look. The stamp set used is "With Sympathy."

Sometimes sympathy cards are hard to make but I think this one turned out pretty well. I hope you like it too! Thanks for stopping by. (Oh yeah, I did manage to get the date corrected on my camera AND turned off! Heck I wasn't even making cards in 2005, was I?)

My Poor Neglected Blog

My poor neglected blog . . . haven't posted in a while--but that doesn't mean I've not been busy! I had a craft show in Kent last weekend and was busy getting ready for that. It was fun--although I didn't even sell ONE card! I sold several notepads and Post-it holders. I love doing those things but they can be a bit stressful!

Confirmation Card

Well, I got an invitation to attend a party for two of my nephews. One is making his first communion and the other is being confirmed. Immediately I thought about making cards for them . . . but, gosh . . . I didn't have any stamps for that!

DIDN'T is the key word! I went online to Our Daily Bread Designs (only to find out they are local to me!) and ordered what I "needed" for the project. (I do not recommend this way to make cards as it would have been WAY less expensive to just buy the cards--although, where's the fun in that?)

Anyway, I stamped the image, colored it with Copic markers, die cutted it and mounted it with Nestabilities. Added a layer of Basic Grey, a sentiment and a bit of bauble bling! Voila! I used two of the other stamps from the "Confirmation" set on the inside.

I hope it's not too girly for the 15 year old, Ryan. Now to use one of the other sets I got to make the First Communion card for Mitchell!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you are enjoying a beautiful Spring day! :)

Graduation Cards

Before we know it, graduations will be here! I made up two little gift card/money holders this weekend. They are easy peasy!

The first one holds a gift card. The belly band slides off and there is a little slot on the inside middle where the gift card is inserted.





And this one could hold cash or a check. Again, the belly band slides off and the top opens to reveal a message that reads "Congratulations Graduate" stamped in black in the center of a pocket to place a monetary gift, letter, etc. The card fits inside a #9 or #10 envelope so it is easily mailable! The cardstock is a shimmery gold from PTI and the designer paper is from Hobby Lobby. I got the stamps on clearance at a local stamping store and the manufacturer wasn't listed.




Fun! Fun! Fun!

Little Set of Daffodil Cards

I totally cased this set from Heather Pulverenti (http://heatherpulvirenti.blogspot.com/2010/03/grateful-for-you.html). Thank you, Heather for such a great idea!

These are little 3.75" square cards with the daffodil image from PTI's new set "Year of Flowers: Daffodils" embossed with white on the bottom three times and then colored with my Copic markers. I used a white gel pen to make the square up from the daffodils and the sentiments are from PTI's "Signature Greetings" and are embossed in white also.

I really like these! They were a bit time consuming, but I really like how they turned out! Hope you do too!

The Sisterhood of Crafters

Well, here I am posting my first ever challenge! Yikes!




I made a St. Patrick's Day waterfall card. I used some designer paper that I had in my scraps along with PTI New Leaf. The stamps used were just some little dollar things I had that worked! They are heat embossed and colored with markers. The gold has Stickles on it to make it glittery. Thanks for looking!

Yes . . . MORE Easter--Daffodils

I LOVE daffodils and am anxiously looking for them in my flower beds! They are just a couple inches high right now, but I can hardly wait for them to be in full bloom--a sure sign that Spring has finally found Northeastern Ohio! Woot!! :)

So, in the spirit of hoping for spring, I bring you a card . . .

This stamp is one of the new Stampin' Up sets "Abundant Hope." It's the first set that I have purchased with the new SU! clear mount and I really like it! :) I stamped the image with Black Momento on Papertrey Ink Stampers Select White and colored it with my Copic markers. I used a Spellbinders Nestabilities Label 4 to die cut the image and then embossed it. I mounted the focal image on a piece of PTI Lemon Tart cardstock which I embossed in my Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots embossing folder. I then mounted that onto a piece of kiwi green paper that I got for free at Archiver's. The ribbon is from PTI and it is the New Leaf Bitty Swiss Dot ribbon.

On the inside of the card, I used two more images from "Abundant Hope." The flourish above and below the sentiment is one image and the sentiment is separate. So, it did take three stampings and my Stamp-a-ma-jig to get it just how I wanted it. I then used more Labels 4 to die cut the sentiment and mount it onto another layer and adhered it to the inside of my card.

So, are you as hopeful for Spring as I am??? Have a great day . . . and get inky! You deserve to have some fun!

Sympathy Cards

Sometimes it's not fun having to make cards . . . when they are sympathy cards. All too often I tend to head to a classic black and white themed card, but decided to try something different.



Here I used all Papertrey Ink items. I heat embossed the sentiment and the flourishy floral image from "With Sympathy." I stamped the little flowers in black from the same set and then colored them in with my Copic markers--and also colored the leaves. I mounted the white paper onto a piece of Melon Berry and then put a simple Melon Berry Dotted Ribbon knot on the front. Just to add a bit more "something," I added some small rhinestones in the center of the larger flowers.

Simple, but refreshing, I think. Thanks for looking!

Easter Basket

Well, I went back to Easter cards this weekend!




This card is created with a stamp from the Gina K. Designs "Baskets of Happiness." It was stamped on Papertrey Ink (PTI) Stampers Select White with a Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Nine die and then mounted on a piece of PTI Lavendar Moon also cut with a Labels Nine die. The sentiment "Easter Blessings" is also from the same Gina K. Designs set. I colored the image with Copic markers--still learning! The ribbon is from PTI and it is the Lavendar Moon Grosgrain with a little knotted bow on the front. The background paper is PTI Plum Pudding and I scored it with my Scor Pal with a diagonal pattern that I learned on StampTV. (I think it's kinda cool looking and adds a bit of interest--although it's not as subtle in real life as it is in this picture. I really need to learn to improve my photography skills.) Then it is again mounted on another piece of Lavendar Moon.

Well, what to create next . . . LOL! Thanks for stopping by!

St. Patrick's Day TriShutter Card

After I made my first trishutter card for my Grandma, I decided to try another one--but this time for St. Patrick's day.





Not much to say about it! It was made from a bunch of leftover scraps from last year's St. Patrick's Day cards. And I added embellishments from my stash. Not sure how much I love this card, but it was kinda fun to make. But, wait, aren't they all fun to make? :) And, still with that pesky little date stamp of the wrong date! LOL

Have a great day! :)

Wedding/Anniversary

Well, I'm back! I've been playing around in my craft room and it sure does look like it! It's a HUGE mess. I need to spend some time cleaning it up--so I can mess it up again!



Anyway, I cased this card from somewhere . . . more than likely on SCS. I saw it and it made an impression on me and I ended up making one. Now I can't find the original to give credit. But, when I do, I will!

This card to me is simple and classic. I embossed the top focal image on Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink) with a Spellbinder Nestabilities die and stamped the sentiment from "Big & Bold Wishes" by Papertrey Ink. It is stamped in Versafine Onyx Black. I punched the top edge of some True Black cardstock with a Fiskars "Sunburst" border punch. I wrapped a piece of Stampin Up! White Tafeta ribbon around the card and tied it in a bow and then added a small pearl for interest.

I think this would make a very lovely wedding card or an anniversary card. And, wouldn't it be pretty in colors to match the wedding?

P.S. Yeah . . . about that date on the picture! The battery in my camera died and I never reset the date--and didn't realize it was printed on the card until I was uploading it! Oops! :)

Just a Note . . . Notepad with Index Cards

I saw the cutest little notepad made with index cards and the Bind-it-All and just had to try it. I mean, I've had my BIA for months and have not even used it once! So, last night I changed that! I got the inspiration and tutorial from Paper Crafts by Candace (http://www.scrapadoodledee.blogspot.com/). Here's my version!



The base is Papertrey Ink's Scarlet Jewel paper with a layer of some fun music designer paper I had in my stash. I used Papertrey Ink's new felt and new Medium Scallop Die to make the little black border across the cover. (I adhered this with Scor-Tape) I stamped the images from "Take Note" (also from Papertrey Ink) with Versafine Onyx Black and punched it out and mounted it on a True Black scallop circle punch and then mounted that onto the cover with Dimensionals. There are 50 lined index cards inside and I bound the booklet with my BIA and a 1/2" O-wire. (I think I'd use a bigger O-wire or fewer pages in the next ones as it doesn't quite open and close as easily as I'd like.) Then, as a finishing touch, I tied Scarlet Jewel and True Black twill ribbons on the binding.

I love how it turned out . . . and so does my staff here at work. I actually gave it to one of my students who just couldn't stop gushing over it!

Have a great day! Happy crafting! Looks like the weather may be cooperating for me to have a great crafting weekend!

Thinking of You . . . and Hoping for Spring!

I made this cheery Thinking of You card this weekend from inspiration (casing) on SCS. I thought it was cute and clever . . . and can be adapted for many occasions.




The base of the card is Papertrey Ink's Lemon Tart with a background from Background Basics: Tin Type stamped on it in Summer Sunrise ink. The main focal part of the card is all embossed with Cuttlebug folders and scored with my Score Pal. I added a piece of yellow ribbon across the front and added three Lemon Tart buttons from Papertrey Ink. I layered the focal portion of the card on black and then again on Summer Sunrise. I added a piece of white which I punched with a Martha Stewart lace punch to the bottom of the image layers and then adhered this to the center of the card. The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's Take Three Spring and is stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

So, that's all I have to share today! Let's hope that Spring IS on its way!!! Have a great day and happy stamping! :)

Happy Birthday, Madeline!

My niece has a birthday on March 3 and I made her card this weekend too. (I spent a lot of time in my craft room! YEAH!)




I totally cased this card from a Copic 101 class I took at Toyrifix last month. I'm still not good at using my Copics, but I'm trying to learn! The base of the card is Papertrey Ink's Lavendar Moon. I put a layer of pattered paper from the pack Pretty Pastels on top of the base. The strip across the front was made by stamping a print from Papertrey Ink's Background Basics: Tin Types in Versamark Dazzle.

The image is from Stamping Bella and is called Gracie Lollipop. She's a cute little girl, isn't she? I stamped her on Gina K. Design's Pure Luxury White cardstock and cut her out with a Labels 8 Nestability die. She was colored with Copic markers. The sentiment is from my stash and is stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.

Thank goodness there is a Copic 102 class coming up. I sure do need the practice and tips!

Have a great day, and thanks for looking! :)

Pet Sympathy

Unfortunately a very close friend of mine recently lost his beloved kitty. He was simply heartbroken. I made him this card to express my condolences.



The base is Papertrey Ink's Kraft and is layered with an Ivory piece and a piece of the Bitty Dots Basics patterned paper. I die cut the bottom of the front of the card with one of Papertrey Ink's new scallop border dies--Medium Scalloped Border. (LOVE THEM). The sentiment is also from Papertrey Ink and is the With Sympathy: Loss of a Pet set and is stamped in Versafine Sepia. The ribbon is some brown organdy ribbon I had and the paw brad is from my stash. The inside has another sentiment from this set stamped in it and reads, "With heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your beloved companion."

It's sad that we need cards like this but I hope it helps him feel better. Thanks for looking.

Happy Birthday, Grandma -- More Butterflies!

Well, it's no secret that I have this weird passion for butterflies lately! I have no idea why, but I'm just going to go with it!




Now, no one be shocked . . . but I already have my Grandma's birthday card done . . . and her birthday isn't until March 12!! And, since she NEVER gets on a computer, I can even post it!

This is my first attempt at a Tri-Shutter Card. I used Papertrey Ink paper and their new Butterfly die along with Butterfly Dreams stamp set. In addition, I used some of the butterfly punches from Martha Stewart along with the 5-Petal Flower punch from Stampin' Up! Little pearls were added to the embellishments to add some texture and interest. The sentiment is from a stamp in my stash and is stamped on a Nestabilitie cut and embossed label in Versafine Onyx Black.

This was a fun card to make. I hope Grandma likes it.

More Easter . . . with Butterflies!

What a simple and fun card I made this weekend! I actually made four of them in four different colors . . . pink, lavendar, yellow and green!



The paper is from Gina K. Designs (Innocent Pink) and all the stamps (except the sentiment) are from Papertrey Ink (Butterfly Dreams). The sentiment is from Stampin' Up! (Well Scripted). (I'm an equal opportunity shopper! Ha!)

I stamped the background using Versamark Dazzle and one of the Butterfly Dreams background images. I love how subtle and shiny this is! I cut 4 squares with my Nesabilities--two pink and two white. I then cut two butterflies using Papertrey Ink's new Butterfly die. (LOVE IT!) And then I stamped, with Versamark Dazzle, one of the coordinating images from Butterfly Dreams. (I adore how these images can be stamped directly on the die cut paper to add interest!) I put two pearls in the center of each butterfly for texture and then adhered everything to the card base.

The image is stamped in Versafine Onyx Black with the "Happy Easter" Sentiment from Stampin Up!

This is simple, easy and fun! Thanks for looking! :)

St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day . . . not sure why I'm not feeling particularly creative with this holiday, but I did make a card. It's not my favorite, but I thought I'd post my efforts anyway!

The card base is stamped in Versamark Dazzle with a single shamrock stamp I have in my stash. I used a Nestabilities Labels 8 die to cut the ivory background for the shamrock and ran it through my Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder and used June's "pods" to add some color to the label. The leaves of the shamrock are made with a two step Cuttlebug heart die and the stem is just cut from scraps. I added a little green "bling" in the center of the shamrock where the leaves and stem came togehter. I knotted a piece of ribbon and attached it around the bottom. Voila! A card. LOL

Thanks for looking!

Easter Cards

Okay, so I've skipped right over making St. Patrick's Day cards and went right into Easter. Why? Because my Gina K. Design order arrived and I had to get all inky and play!




I totally cased these cards from the Gina K website. I colored the images with my limited supply of Copic markers. I may just learn to use these yet! All of the paper and images are Gina K and then of course I had to use Cuttlebug folders and Nestabilities. The ribbon and bling (pearls) are also from Gina K.





Maybe tonight I'll try a couple St. Patrick's Day cards! :)

Thanks for stopping by and get inky and have fun!

Let it Snow?? No, MAKE IT STOP! LOL :)

I pulled this image from one of my favorite stamping store newsletters. If you've never been to The Stamp Pad in Zoar, Ohio, you certainly need to take the trip there! Plan to spend quite a bit a time as there is LOADS to see and June has so much creativeness (is that even a word?) to share.




Also, check out my stamping friend, Darlene Pavlick's, blog http://www.darscraftycreations.blogspot.com/. She's offering blog candy as she has hit 50,000 hits! Wow! Here I am just starting and she is up to 50,000! Better settle down with a cup of coffee, tea, Diet Coke, whatever as you stroll through and drool over her creations! Talk about talent . . .

Happy Valentine's Day

Well, I am taking the plunge and trying my "hand" at blogging! Let's see how this goes!

I'm going to post a card I made for a swap that I ended up using for Valentine's Day.




This card is made with Papertrey Ink cardstock--Raspberry Fizz for the base and Hibiscus Burst layered on top of it. The layered paper is punched on the side with a Martha Stewart heart border punch and dry embossed in my Cuttlebug with one of the exclusive HSN "Romance" folders. The heart is made with squares of Papertrey Ink's patterned paper "Simple Valentine." I adhered the squares to a piece of scrap cardstock and then cut it out with one of my heart Nestabilities. I again used the same embossing folder to give some texture to the "quilted" heart. I stamped the sentiment "hugs and kisses" from Papertrey Ink's "Simple Valentine" set in Fresh Snow pigment ink (LOVE IT!) and then cut out with one of the Nestabilities tags and attached with some misc. pink heart brads.

It's a very bright card--and great for Valentine's Day, simply to say "I love you," for Sweetest Day or for an anniversary. I really like how it turned out and am happy to share it as my first blog post!

Thanks for stopping by to look!