Making Cards using Scraps

I know I type in many posts how I used scraps to create the card.  Truth is, I kinda thought I would have used up most of my scraps in a year.  The reality of course is that, as time goes, once in awhile I find I must cut into a brand new piece of cardstock or patterned paper.  Then?  You guessed it--more scraps.  :-)

Today is a mix of scraps and new.  And I pulled out a stamp set I hadn't used in awhile.  I have no idea if it is "retired" or not, but it does not matter to me.  I figure the clear stamps I purchase are of good quality and so they definitely should last for many, many years............long after they have been replaced in a current catalog.  In fact, before I purchase a stamp set, I typically weigh how often or how many different ways I might be able to use that stamp set.  Maybe there are others out there who do that to?  (Or maybe it is just the habit of a girl on a budget.  :-)

Anyway........here is the card I made today.  I used a scrap of patterned paper given to me by a friend.  (Thanks, friend.  You know who you are!  :-)  And I used White Cardstock and CTMH Key Lime Cardstock, too.

Have you ever started a card and ended up totally changing they way you originally set out to make it?  Well, this was originally going to be a girl's birthday card.  But then I set my eyes on CTMH's "A Sip" stamp set and thought, "Why not?"

The scrap of ribbon (which was the very last little bit of it that I had been hoarding) was from a trip a couple years ago to Hobby Lobby.  CTMH Gypsy and Grey Wool inks were also used on this card.  And MS Glitter Glue highlighted the "steam" which I originally triple-generation stamped--so looking at the real card in your hand closely would reveal a hint of the Gypsy color in the steam.

CTMH bling finished up the card.  The last two bits of that size were placed on the ribbon.  See.  I really am using up what I have.  So why is it sometimes sad to say goodbye to the last bit of a product?  Hmmmm.  Maybe you feel this way sometimes, too?  Especially when you cannot buy it anymore.


Thanks for stopping by to take a look!
Blessings,
Brenda

Forty Simple Welcome Cards for Preschool Students

I am blessed to teach three-year-olds.  Have I ever told you that?  Well, since it is summertime, I find myself getting ready for the coming school year.

Since most of my students have never been to school before, I am going to extra lengths to help their first experience be really great.  To begin, I am sending them each a welcome card with a personal message and picture inside.  That way, they will already have met me before we actually meet.

I intentionally kept these forty cards (two classes worth) void of embellishments that could present a choking hazard if they were to fall off.  The picky girl in me wants to add ribbon across the top and a little bling.........but......I......will.....resist............. :-)

 

The stamps are CTMH and the glitter glue is MS.  The papers are from a Michaels Christmas pack my neighbor gave me.

Anyway, it is a little simple and kind of drives me crazy because I want to do more........but I promised my mom I would post it..........................so.........................here it is.  :-)


Thanks for stopping by to take a look!
Blessings,
Brenda

A Focus on the Sentiment

I had ordered this stamp set a couple of months ago.  I noticed them this morning when straightening up my desk.  The set is called Scrapbook Statements - Poets

Everyday Life,  a Close To My Heart Set.  Upon a closer look I realized that they really are some very SPECIAL words.  I hope that you too will be touched by them,

                              and will truly understand their meaning.  Keep smiling Joanie

Never get tired of Butterflies

Sometimes I just like to sit and color.  I then find myself with an image with no clue how to use it.  Here is my latest try to use an image all colored up with no where to go.  You have realized by now that I do love flowers and butterflies.  I just need to work them up to get my fix for the week.

Thank you so much for checking out our work today,  Happy Stamping Joanie 

On the Corner of Awesome and Inspired

Last night my husband came inside and tossed a small package at me.  He had no idea what was inside.  It wasn't from Close To My Heart.......and I could tell by the look on his face he was curious.

Did I answer his look?  I don't remember.  Truthfully, I think I was a bit too caught up in the moment to do anything but give a little, "YES!  It's here!" and tear into the envelope.

I knew what was inside.  I had been patiently waiting for it to arrive for what seemed like eternity (though I'm sure it was only days).  :-)  It was two new stamp sets from a company I had never tried.

So why did I bother trying this new company's stamps?  Two words.  Miriam Prantner.  Miriam--a woman I have never had the pleasure of meeting in person and yet whose blog I have followed for several years--created the two stamp sets I had purchased.

As you can imagine, my mind began to whirl with possibilities.  What was I going to create first?  Which stamps would I use?  Who would I give it to?  The two coordinating sets have endless options.

Here's the clean and simple card I made this morning:

The stamp sets are called "On the Corner" and "On the Corner Additions."  They are sold by a company called Neat and Tangled and I am pleased to report the clear stamps are made with high quality--clean stampability--photopolymer.  I am so happy with the way the stamps inked up that I will definitely be keeping this company in mind with future stamp purchases.

To see more of the stamps on these two stamp sets and view awesome inspiration from Miriam Prantner, I encourage you to visit her blog by clicking here.

I added a little black bird on the top of the sign from CTMH's "Sophia" stamp set.  And the Olive green cardstock was heat embossed with white wording--to look a bit like an actual street corner.

Sure, I could have done more--and on other cards I may--but this card seems finished exactly the way it is.  And, after all, sometimes the hardest thing about stamping is knowing when to stop and let a card be done.


Thanks for stopping by to take a look!
Blessings,
Brenda

PS  This card is for Miriam--who consistently inspires countless stampers with her awesome talent and fresh ideas.  Hugs! :-) -B

House Mouse "The Thinker"

 

 

This little House Mouse is called The Thinker.  How cute he is, too! 

 

The background paper is from My Mind's Eye.  A Nestability was also used for the frame around the image.  I added a little something extra to the inside. 

 

Here's a quick tip:  Leaving off the sentiment helps me in the future.  When it comes time to use the card, I add the sentiment I need to fit the occasion.  (This takes pressure off of making a card at a moment's notice.  Just keep a little stock pile of cards.)  :-)

 

 

I'm entering this card in The Cute Card Thursday card challenge #304.  This week, they want us to think of creating cards for the "warm it up" theme.  That can mean flowers, summer, etc.  If you haven't yet had the opportunity to visit their site, I encourage you to check them out by clicking the link above.  :-)

 

 

Have a great day,

Joanie

Let Your Light Shine

I received the CTMH stamp set, "Illuminate" for Christmas.  I wanted to play in my craft room but I didn't want to have to do a whole lot of thinking, so I used a sketch from the book "Wishes" for inspiration.  Here's the card I made:

Cocoa, Cashmere, Colonial White, and Creme Brulee colors were used to make this card.  I think this card is appropriate for a man or a woman.

To achieve this two-colored look, I first inked the sentiment in Creme Brulee before sponging around the edges with Cocoa.  It gave a little play on the word "shines."

For an extra touch, I hand-stitched with coordinating DMC thread.  The stitch is actually a template found on the CTMH stitching grid.  I simply punched the desired holes in the template using a paper piercing tool before sewing.


And if you look closely, you will see score lines in the card base from my new MS Score Board--also a Christmas present.


Thanks for stopping by to take a look.

I appreciate you!
Brenda

Highlighting Paper to Spotlight It's Beauty

Here is a card I made using some CTMH paper from last year.

I took a 2 1/2" circle punch and punched four circles to make the "flower.  Then I added a handmade pom pom to the center.

Some glitter glue made the patterned paper sparkle.  I had been wanting to use this paper but didn't want to cover up the images on it.  Have you ever had paper you liked so much you didn't want to cut it up and use it?  :-)


Thanks for stopping by to take a look.  :-)
Blessings,
Brenda

Try Using it Front AND Back

I haven't made much time for my craft room lately, so it was a real treat to get in there and make this card.

It kind of evolved as the minutes ticked by.

 

 

It's kind of a backwards gate fold or some sort of shutter fold-----------I don't really know.  Maybe you do?  It all started with a little inspiration from a friend in an email this morning.  She shared a Splitcoast Stampers card with me.

 

 

 

At first it looked like this.  But I knew it wasn't finished yet.  I happened to be on the phone with my mom, so I took this picture, sent it to her, and got her opinion.  "Leaves," was her answer.

 

 

 

I took old CTMH markers in Autumn Terracotta, Goldrush, and Barn Red and drew colored leaves.  Wow did it make a difference!

 



 

 



On the back side, I added scraps of paper and left the middle pretty blank for a personalized message.

I added "Love You" from the same stamp set as the sentiment on the front (a Hero Arts poly clear set #CL351).  The leaves are from a mini stamp set from CTMH and the Fall tree is from CTMH's "Four Seasons" stamp set.

See how I added just a touch of extra color with more drawn leaves?

Also used on this card is CTMH cardstock in Cocoa, Cashmere, and Colonial white--along with current patterned paper from CTMH.


Thanks for stopping by to take a look!
Blessings,
Brenda

One image, many different looks.

I will need to explain as to why I have so many of this image on my cards this week.  Well in my excitement to try out my new copics I just kept coloring the image using different colors.  I was having so much fun that  I didn't even think about how I was going to use all these images.  I just colored away, adding more and more.  Then came the realization that I would be using all these in cards.  So now you know the rest of the story.  I will be posting these cards this week.  So hang in there with me as I share this image again & again & again & again.

Smiles coming your way, Joanie

Thinking of You

I colored in the tulips with some new copics.  I am having allot of fun with those new toys.  The sentiment is from the set Card Chatter - Sympathy, and the paper is called Chantilly, both are from CTMH.

Have a great day, Smiles ;-)  Joanie

Panel Background

 

 

The idea for this card came from Gina K. at stamp TV.  Using what stamps I thought would compliment the card. I created a couple different backgrounds for this design.  The stamp sets are from CTMH.  First you stamp your images and then cut equal panels for the background.  These cards were fun, and a great use of stamps that sometimes may not get used that much.

 

Have a good one, thanks for stopping by, Joanie

Blessings using Sorbet

Hi there, this card was another attempt at using copics.  The CTMH color Sorbet was a very close match, which made me very happy.  The background paper was also CTMH (retired).  I'm really enjoying using the copics. 

Thank you for visiting today, have a good day, smiles coming your way, Joanie

Paper Doll Hello Card

This "Paper Doll" stamp set from CTMH is always fun to work up.  I wanted to leave cheery first-day-of-school wishes for somebody special, and this is what I came up with:

 

 

Embracing my motto "use what you've got," I pulled out some Dutch Blue and Brown Bag cardstock to go with the new CTMH patterned paper.  Don't you just love the way the Creme Brulee pattern works with the other colors?  I do!  :-)

 

 

 

I took this "Hello" stamp from "For Every Occasion," and added a little artwork to tie it into the Paper Doll look.

 

 

 

I added liquid glass to the beverage in the girl's hand and the center of the flower on the letter "o."  To finish it off, I took a little Waxy Flax and wrapped it around the card.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by to take a look!  :-)

 

I hope I've inspired you to "use what you've got."  :-)

 

Blessings,

Brenda

A Quote Card

Do you have a quote or two as a stamp set, but don't know how to create a card around one?  Simply frame it up, add some patterned paper, include a little image to one side, and you're through.

Here's an example of an easy quote card:

I first saw this quote when I opened a Christmas gift one year.  My brother and sister-in-love gave us a pretty wall hanging with these words.

Notice I kept the card pretty embellishment free?  Intentionally, of course.  Sometimes the pizzazz can come with the simple use of a stamping technique.  Here on the heart, I first stamped it in Sunset and then sponged around the edges and in the center with Chocolate.  Easy as pie!  Love, love, love my sponge daubers.  :-)

What's your go-to crafting tool?  Sponge daubers rate in my top ten, for sure.  :-)


Thanks for stopping by to take a look!
Blessings,
B

Whenever I see a Butterfly...

I don't know about you, but whenever I see a butterfly, it makes me take pause, watch, and smile.  Butterflies are beautiful.

When I saw the Martha Stewart butterfly punch in my mom's punch container, I just knew it would work up nicely with some CTMH patterned paper.

The card below came together very easily.  By cutting the patterned paper into 1 3/8" widths, I had three nicely spaced panels for the card front.

 

 

One of my favorite flourishes of all time comes from the CTMH stamp set, "Love Life."  I added a couple of eyelets that matched the Vineyard Berry and some Martha Stewart "Sugar Cube" glitter glue--'cause my daughter is always pushing me to add some pizzazz.  :-)

The butterfly was punched out three times (once each on the three pieces of paper) and layered.

The sentiment, also from "Love Life," balances the card, don't you think?  :-)


Blessings on your day,
Brenda

PS  Thanks for stopping by to take a look!  :-)

Which One to Pick, Honey? (or A Tale of Two Cards...)

At Color My Heart Color Dare, I was asked to create a card as a guest designer this week using Close To My Heart's Honey-colored ink.

I ended up making TWO cards.  I'm going to show the second card I made first.

Safe.  This is my "safe" entry.  It's neat and tidy and uses Honey, White, and Slate.  It also uses a stamp from CTMH's "Scrapbook Statements--Women."  And I can't forget to mention the "D'vine Swirl" Cuttlebug folder.

See how I used sandpaper to reveal the white inner core of CTMH's cardstock?



But I don't always play it safe when it comes to card making.  To me, cards are my own personal artistic expression. 

Here's the card I made first.

This first card, my "Risk" card, shows one leaf set apart in "Honey" from the other "Cocoa" ones.  The curves of the sentiment banner remind me of Marilyn's curves.

 

 

After dry embossing the "Leafy Branch" Cuttlebug image, I used brayers to ink the leaves.

 

 

Inking tip: When using the brayer to ink dry embossed images, consider the space between the raised portions.  If it is toooooo much space, ink will find it's way onto parts of the paper you don't want it.  That's why I used some sticky notes in certain places--to ensure a clean paper.

(Well, some people will like the safe choice better and some people with like the risky one.  Which one do YOU like better?)


Special thanks to the ladies at Color My Heart for asking me to participate in this special way.  And thank you, too, for taking the time to stop by this post.  I appreciate YOU!


Blessings,
Brenda

Live in Sunshine

I like the message of this little stamp from CTMH's "Dream Big" stamp set.  So much so that I used it, plus a few other stamps from "Dream Big" and "TLC" to create this card.

 

 

Buttercup-colored and White cardstocks work with CTMH's "Clementine" patterned papers to complete the look.

 

I cut the card base down to just 4" x 5 1/2" and extended the zigzag pattern so the card still measures the standard 4 1/4" by 5 1/2" finished.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by to take a look!

Blessings,

Brenda

Operation U.U.S. with Mini Cards and Tags

Operation U.U.S. continues--Use Up Scraps!  :-)  Use those scraps on mini cards and gift tags.

This card was made using all paper scraps (Kraft, MME, and CTMH).

 

 

Mini-sized stamps make a bigger impact on mini cards.  This "Take Note" stamp, from CTMH's "Live Your Story" stamp set, was inked in Cocoa and highlighted with MS Glitter Glue.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by to look!

Blessings,

Brenda

Tropical Sunset

The inspiration for this card came from Connie Stewart.  She had made a winter scene that was very pretty.  Not having all the same elements as hers I did have this palm tree and thought well we will just take it from winter to a tropical island.  The colors used to create this sunset are (CTMH),  Outdoor Denim, Heavenly Blue, Sunny Yellow, Sunflower, and Crème Brulee.  I first stamped the image and then masked off the sun with a 1 1/4 circle.  Starting on the outer edges with Outdoor Denim I sponged on that color, then I added the heavenly blue working lower on the horizon.  Then with the Sunny Yellow I added this from under the sun to the edge of the card.  Removing the masked sun I used the negative circle from the 1 1/4 inch circle.  I then inked the sun with Sunflower and then again with Crème Brulee in just part of the circle.  I also added a little Crème Brulee to the lower edge of the card over the Sunny Yellow.  A Cuddlebug folder was used for a border.

Again thank you for visiting us today, Happy Memorial Day, Joanie