Congrats on 7!

Hello!  As promised, this post is my 11th in a row!  I am hoping to keep it going!  My card for today was actually made a few weeks ago for the store I teach at, The Crafty Scrapper, when they were celebrating their 7th anniversary of being in business.  I didn't remember to take a picture of it before I took it to them, so that is why I didn't show you before now.  When I was there this last weekend, I saw it on the counter and took a pic, so now I can show it to you.  Enjoy!

Do you see the panel with the black and white on the top and bottom and the flower on it?  That is actually just printed like that.  Sometimes, in the scrapbook paper lines there is a sheet of what they call journaling cards.  I usually don't buy them, but this one caught my eye and I got to thinking that maybe I could figure out how to incorporate one of the squares into a card.  Well, when I went to make this card, I thought how perfect!  The big 7 came from a clear stamp set from Hero Arts.  I just paper pieced it!  The card is simple and very "scrapbooky" (i know not really a word!), but I think it is perfect as it was made for a scrapbook store!  I wrote inside that she only had 7 more years to catch up with me!  And that, I am so thankful to be able to teach classes at such an awesome store!  So true!

Recipe:

Paper - Echo Park This and That Line: Red Floral, Journaling Cards, and backside of Border Strips (dots), Cardstock Natural White, Black
Stamps - Hero Arts: 7, Sentiment from Stampin' Up, "th" from Studio G $1 stamps
Ink- Memento Black
Tools - My Favorite Things Tab Die-Namics
Other - Ribbon by May Arts, Black Pearls

See you tomorrow!
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Thank You Clean & Simple!

Hello!  Today I want to share you with some thank you cards that I and a couple of friends made yesterday.  Remember last week I asked for prayers for my friend, Virgina that lost her husband?  Well, my other friend, Eileen, signed Virginia and herself up for my class yesterday in an attempt to keep her busy.  Virgina wanted to make some simple thank you cards that she could write notes in and send out, so the three of us met early to make some cards.  I have learned that the creative card process for me has to be done in my own space.  So, Friday night I created a couple of card ideas in case they wanted to use them.  Well, they liked them!  And so, between the three of us we made about 30 cards.  How awesome is that?  First, I want to show my two card ideas.  And then a couple of cards using different papers similar to my second idea and lastly, a pic of all the cards finished.  Enjoy!

Clean and Simple, but still very pretty!  And much more personal that sending a card provided by a funeral home! 

See you tomorrow!
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Saturday's Sketch Share!

 
Hello!  I am back today with three creations for the Saturday Sketch Share.  So, today I have my card, Donna's card, Debbie's card and the sketch we all three used to make our cards.  Let's get right to it!  Enjoy!

My Card

Donna's Card

Debbie's Care

Can you see the different interpretations of the same sketch?  Both Donna and I added that bow which seemed so out of place when I was making my card, but now that it is done, I rather like it!  Debbie wrote in her card that this was the first stamp she ever bought ... what a fun piece of info!  What is that saying?  "I had no clue that ONE tiny rubber stamp purchase would lead to this ..."!  SO TRUE!

See you tomorrow!  Do you like this roll I am on with daily posts ... maybe I could keep it going? 

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Praying for You!

Hello! I have a very pretty but simple card for you that I made for my friend that recently lost her husband. If I was smart, I would make up a bunch of these with the same sketch using different papers because the design and the praying for you sentiment could be perfect for several occasions, not just for sympathy. Let me show you my card. Enjoy!

I went with a sketch from Mojo Monday (#222) as my layout.  And of course, by using one 6 x 6 pad with coordinating patterns, it just came together perfectly!  I did add that small strip on the sentiment panel, as without it, it seemed kinda plain. It just helped the whole thing to pop!  What do you think?

Recipe:

Paper - My Minds Eye Miss Caroline Line: Howdy Doody 6 x 6 pad (where they got this name for such pretty papers, I don't know!), Cardstock Natural White
Stamps - Sentiment by Verve, Butterfly by Hero Arts from Stamp & Die set
Ink - Versafine Brown
Tools - Spellbinders Circle, Cuttlebug Musical Flourish embossing folder (this is a favorite of mine!)

Other - Teal Pearls

Tomorrow I will be back with another Saturday sketch share.  See you then!
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Bluebonnets For You!

Hello! Oh my, I just realized I didn't write my post today. I taught my class yesterday and I was thinking I had written a couple of posts on Tuesday to go live for yesterday and today. It seems I only wrote one for yesterday. Too much on my brain! Yesterday, on my way home from Waxahachie I did the little bluebonnet trail loop one more time to see the bluebonnets. They are starting to not be as big and full as they were, but are still pretty. I also realized I had never printed the bluebonnet pictures I took the first time I did the loop. So, today I have a very simple photo card to show you and several of my bluebonnet pics! Enjoy!

 
Can you believe the amount of bluebonnets in one field?  Just FYI, that field is off of FM 85 near Ennis, TX.  The card I made is very simple, I know, but it does show a cool way to show off a special pic like this one, right?  The sentiment is from Deadbeat Designs, of course, as his designs are our fix when we want to do any kind of Texas cards! 

See you tomorrow!
Happy Stamping!
Tina

You Make Me Smile!

Hello!  Today I have a third look for you using the MS Garden Trellis Punch.  If you missed the last two days, be sure to scroll down to check out my first two cards I created using this punch.  The last two cards, as you know, have been square cards, but I got to thinking about that I punch it out twice to create each side of the frame, what if I punched it out only once?  What would that do?  Yes, you are right ... it makes a small square, perfect for an accent piece for an A-2 size card!  Let me show you.  Enjoy!

What do you think?  It works, dosen't it?  I went back thru my sketch book (pages of sketches out there that I have either done before or still want to try) and found this sketch from Nov. '09 (Mojo111) that made it all come together.  Do you see the small decorative circle behind the butterfly?  That's a new die set from My Favorite Things ... is is a set of 4 different decorative circles ... love!  And that butterfly is from the Hero Arts die set, that allows you to die cut the butterfly perfectly!   I have a couple more ideas using this same punch in different ways than making a frame, so sometime I will get to those!  But I love the frame idea, for sure! 

Recipe:

Paper - Bo Bunny Alora Line: Alora Wish and Alora Leaves, Cardstock base is a odd color: kinda of a mustardy yellow, and the other is kinda an orangey red (??), White
Stamps  - Hero Arts (sentiment is a wood mount and butterfly is cling and die set)
Ink - Memento Black, Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol
Tools - Spellbinders Classic Oval, Martha Stewart Garden Trellis Punch, My Favorite Things Mini Doilly Circles Die-namics
Other - Black Pearls, Gelly Roll Glitter Pen

I will be back tomorrow with another card creation!
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Flowers Just For You!

Hello!  I am back today with the second of three looks using the MS Garden Trellis punch.  If you missed yesterday's post, be sure to scroll down and check it out.  This time I punched designer paper to give a totally different look than yesterday's card.  Here is today's card.  Enjoy!

Remember I told you yesterday that I got a friend to go hunt down this punch for me, well this card was sent to her.  She likes blue!  Anyway, I love how this one turned out, don't you? 

Recipe:

Paper - My Minds Eye Follow Your Heart: Be Amazing 6 x6 pad, Cardstock White, Blue
Stamps - Hedgehog by Penny Black, Sentiment by Woodware USA clear set
Ink - Memento Black, Prismacolor Pencils Gamsol, Copics

Tools - Spellbinders Labels 1, Petite Oval, Martha Stewart Garden Trellis Punch
Other - Ribbon from Creative Impressions (I want more of this ribbon ... they sent me this as a freebie, but I really like it.  I think it is called crepe ribbon ... check it out here)!, White flower is a metal flower I found in my stash, my guess is it was originally from Making Memories, Fancy Button, Linen Thread from The Cat's Pajamas, Blue sparkler dots from Starform Stickers (Holland), Quicky Glue Pen, Art Institute Crystal Glitter (I didn't like my coloring on the hedgehog, so I added some glitter to fix it and I love the look ... and that is what I call a "happy mistake"!)

I will be back tomorrow with one more look using this same punch!  See you then!
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Be Still and Know!

Hello!  As you know, I am such a visual person, you show me something and I want to do it!  A while back, I saw a pinterest item where they showed a youtube video from Amazing Paper Grace of how she created a mitered frame with the MS Garden Trellis punch.  So, I got a friend to pick one up at a chain store in the metroplex with her handy dandy coupon.  (Remember I live at least an hour from a chain store, so I have to rely on friends to help me out when needed)!  So, I got it and I made three cards with it that you will see on the next three days!  Let's get right to today's card.  Enjoy!

Yes, I know I even wanted to try it even though I knew it was going to be a square card!  But, to me this allows all that "space" of a square card to be taken up by the beautiful trellis and now I only have a small "space" to do my creating, just how I like it!  On this one, I went with the frame in white, so you can see the detail.  Making the frame was super simple.  Two punches of the punch in a row on a strip, and two cuts on each end at a mitered angle, make three more like this and then all four  together so it completes a square frame.  However, I do have to admit that I had to overlap the corners on this one to make it lay flat.  But, I think this was a "Tina" thing, as the other cards, which you will see in the next two days, didn't have this problem.  But, even with the overlap, it came out so pretty.  I have used this stamp before, but I saw it recently on facebook and so I had it in my brain!  I had not planned to use the pattern paper behind my frame, but when I put it behind and I liked it, I went with it!  Simple but pretty?

Recipe:

Paper - Echo Park This and That Line: Red Floral, Cardstock White, Pink, Olive
Stamps - Verve Stamps
Ink - Versafine Black (I have decided that for sentiments only this ink is darker and more detailed than the Memento black ink)
Tools - MS Garden Trellis Punch, Spellbinders Labels 16, My Favorite Things Prima Donna Petals & Fancy Flourish Die-namics
Other - Ribbon from Creative Impressions, Pearls

See you tomorrow!
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Hare Today!

Hello Sunday!  I say that because you rarely see me on a Sunday, but this last week I got ahead and so I have promised you creations every day until the end of the month, even on Sundays!  Today's card is for the Sketch For You To Try challenge.  As you know, it is a monthly challenge but to get in on the grand prize you have to do the sketches for all the months in the year.  I do not want to miss out on this chance.  So, today I have my card for April.  Let's get to it!  Enjoy ...

And the sketch ...

As you can see this sketch, in my opinion, is a very simple, clean design.  I did it as it was made, but can't you see it flipped on it's side?  I may have to do one like that sometime.  I did add the sentiment panel, because as you know, I rarely make a card without some kind of sentiment on the front.  It just finishes the card for me, kinda gives it purpose.  The stamp set I used is not a new one, but I thought it would be nice to have a male card around in case I need it or I could also try selling it in the gift shop I am selling my cards in.  (Not sure how many I have sold, last weekend, I think they said 4 or 5).  Anyway, I love how it turned out, don't you?

Recipe:

Paper - Stripe from My My Minds Eye Follow Your Heart: Be Amazing 6 x6 pad, Background Dots and Dots panel from My Minds Eye Miss Caroline: Dolled Up 6 x 6 pad (Yes, I combined papers from two different pads, but they matched perfectly!), Cardstock White, Brown
Stamps- My Favorite Things Flopsey Fishing
Ink - Memento Black, Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol
Tools - Spellbinders Circle  (did out of the box technique)
Other - Brown Pearls

See you tomorrow. 
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Saturday's Sketch Share!

Happy Saturday! Welcome to another sketch share between Debbie and I . I think this one came out pretty cute. Let's get right to it! I will show you my card, Debbie's card, and the sketch we both used. Enjoy!

My Card

Debbie's Card



I think Debbie interpreted the card as most would, that the two smaller circles would be accents of the main image.  But, did you notice that I went a different route?  I put the main images in the two smaller circles and a sentiment in the large one.  This just shows you two totally different looks!  Love them both!

Be sure to stop back by tomorrow for another creation.  Yes, on Sunday, as I am on a roll now!

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Life is One Grand Sweet Song!

Hello!  I have  been out in my shack doing some fun creating this week.  The only problem is that I haven't stopped each day to show you each card.  So, now it is Friday, the week is almost over, and I am just now sitting down to do the first post for you.  But, on a good note, I have enough creations completed that you will get one post every day until the end of the month!  That will be 11 posts in a row!  That is, if I can write that many!  Let's talk about the first one, today's card.  A friend of mine that I have known since 9th grade (oh about 37 years or so!) saw some of the ideas on Pinterest where they created a Piano card.  She asked me if I could make her one for a friend's birthday.  I said sure, I bet I could come up with something.  And this is the result!  I love how it came out.  I hope she loves it too!   Before I show you my card, let me give you the couple of Pinterest links so you can see my inspiration and where my pattern came from.  First, I printed off the template of the card base from this blog here.  I enlarged on my computer the template for the base only.  All the other pieces she used to make her piano 3-D and I knew I just wanted mine to be a card instead.  O.k. then I also got some inspiration from this blog post here.  The first one is from Norway and the second one?  The whole post is in another language, but it doesn't matter because I am all about the visual!  Now, let me show you my creation ... enjoy!

And the inside look when it is open:

I want to talk about the making of the piano keys ... I saw another idea on pinterest here where they used the Stampin' Up Word punch to make the keys.  I followed their lead but  I cut each one straight instead of leaving them rounded as they did, so that it would look more realistic.  This area is definitely not perfect, but then again, it is handmade, right?  I looked on the computer to try to find some kind of "piano sentiment" for the card.  The "Life is One Grand Sweet Song" is a quote from Ronald Reagan and I thought it would be perfect for the card, so I printed it out!  I added a white cardstock  panel on the left inside so that my friend can add her message.  My friend told me she would be giving the card and not sending it, so I knew I could jazz up the front with some 3-D flowers.  I think it came out pretty good, and I am pretty darn proud of it!  Thoughts?  I would so love for you to comment!

Recipe:

Paper - Music paper by Bo Bunny Et Cetera line, Flower, leaves and swirl by My Minds Eye Lost & Found 2: 6 x 6 pad called Blush, Cardstock Black, White, Pink
Tools - My Favorite Things Prima Donna Petals, Mini Rolled Roses, & Fancy Flourish Die-namics, Spellbinders Classic Circles, Lacey Circles, Stampin' Up Word Punch
Other - Pearls

See you tomorrow for the Saturday sketch share.
Happy Stamping!
Tina

P.S.  On another note, will you please send prayers to my good friend Virginia?  Her husband passed away yesterday from complications of prostate cancer.  She and Bill had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.  A love like theirs is rare to find and she and her family need prayers from wherever they may come.  I am sending a card today that is on my list to show you next week.  Thanks!

Saturday's Sketch Share!

Hello! As promised, I am back today with the sketch share. Wait until you see how cute all three of them came out, as this is the week that Donna is participating! Woo Hoo! Let's do it! I will show you my card, Donna's card, Debbie's card and the sketch we all used. Enjoy!



My Card

Donna's Card

Debbie's Card

The Sketch

A couple of quick notes about the cards:  First, I got that bird stamp at the Grapevine convention in January and I have been waiting for the perfect springtime opportunity to ink it up.  I was at Donna's house when she gave me this week's card and she showed me the set of stamps that the monkey came from and one of the sentiments in the set I got her to stamp out and put inside my card.  It reads "You Rocket"!  I love those puny sentiments!  And what a great Texas themed card Debbie created this week!  This really is a good go to sketch for the times when you have a smaller image and you worry about it getting it lost on a big card.  Will have to remember this one! 

Well, I am off to the Cornbread Festival.  And that is one of the advantages of living out in the country, as all the small towns have these fun festivals.  In this one there is a 5K (which I missed ... on purpose), a Tomahawk throwing competition, a hat contest, a pet contest, cornbread cook-off,  a corn-eating contest, a corn relay, and some vendors.

I have several cards I want to make so hopefully, I will get out to my shack and create something so that I can show you some cards next week!  Have a great weekend!

Happy Stamping!
Tina

A Story about Nice People!

Hello again!  On the post I just did about my class share, I forgot to tell you a story about the brads I used on the double twisted easel card.  I took the copper brads from my stash but, unfortunately, I knew I would not have enough for all the class kits.  I knew that when I had my store, we ordered all our brads from Creative Impressions.  So, off I went to see if I could do a retail order with them online.  Yes!  Hooray!  They are still in business.  I did my order (also including ribbon they sell, that I love, but don't need!) and in the comments section I did a blurb about who I was, what store I had, etc. Well, this afternoon, I get a call from them!  They liked that I told them who I was and, of course, remembered me.  We talked about the relationships that are formed when you are in business.  And that is so true, just like I am friends on Facebook with several stamp store owners and lots of ex-customers.  Somewhere in the conversation, she informed me that they would be sending out my order for free.  And that is so nice, that I wanted to share this story with you.  We all need to be reminded that there are STILL nice people in this world.  And they are the ones we should do business with.  So, go check out their site and see if they have something you might just need!   Here is the link to Creative Impressions.

Happy Stamping!
Tina

April Class Share!

Hello! I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend. This week, I have been out in my stamp shack working on my class samples for my next class. My class is only two weeks away and so I am a little behind getting the samples done, but I think it will be o.k. and will surely get sign ups anyway. My classes challenge me to find different types of cards that I can teach and this month is no exception. I am doing another of the honeypop cards from Inky Antics this time with an adorable little duck, perfect for a springtime card. You know I live in Texas, and springtime is a very short time! The second card is the challenge one and it is called a Double Twisted Easel card. I wanted to use both the cowboy and cowgirl stamps from My Favorite Things, so I went to looking for ideas on how I could incorporate both of the images into one card, and this is what I came up with. I love it! It is definitely going to be a hit! After I did the first two cards, each with two images that would have to be colored, I knew that the third card had better be simple. So, I went with simple and made a similar version to something I showed you on this blog post here. O.k. enough talking, let me show you my cards. Enjoy!

First up is the Honeycomb Pop-up card ...

I have taught several of these honeycomb pop-up cards, but they are enjoyed so much, I just can't resist!

Next ...

Isn't it great? This is how it stands when it is open. I changed the measurements that I found because I wanted to make sure it would fit in an envelope without having to find or make a special sized one. It fits perfectly into a #10 business size. The only disadvantage is that if you were sending it in the mail, the recipient would have to figure out how to make it stand up. It is probably a better idea to hand deliver. I have some close-ups for you next. And, a pic showing how it would fit in the envy.

Yes, a little paper piecing was added just for fun! I originally thought about paper piecing her skirt but I decided to keep it simple and just do her vest and headband so it would match the cowboy.

And, here is the third one ...



Here are the class details, just in case you are local and are interested.  If so, call the store to sign up.  972-923-3151.

Pop, Twist, and Cut - Wed. April 25th 11:00 a.m. and Sat. April 28th 2:30 p.m. $25

Come make three unique and creative cards. You will be making a honeycomb pop-up card with a spring theme, including a refresher course on the out of the box technique, a double twisted easel card featuring both the cowboy and cowgirl stamps from My Favorite Things, and lastly, a pretty Mother's day card with the die cut butterfly and stamp set from Hero Arts. Please bring adhesive, small pop-up dots, an X by Xyron (if you have one), a glue stick, detailed scissors, and your preferred coloring medium (Copics, colored pencils, etc.) All other supplies provided.

That is it for me.  In the middle of getting these cards done, I also got the Saturday sketch share card done, so I know I will be back on Saturday for that.  I know my blog has suffered with all the classes but I still love to stamp and I am so glad you stick by me and let me show you what I do create!  I am hoping this weekend to have time to do some stamping just for fun, but we'll see how it goes.  See you Saturday!

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Saturday's Sketch Share!

Hello! I am back today with another share and since both Debbie and I made Easter cards, and tomorrow is Easter, this is our wish for all of you ... Happy Easter! So, let's get right to it! I will show you my card, Debbie's card, and the sketch we both used. Enjoy!

My Card

Debbie's Card

The Sketch

And a close -up of my little bunny.  I love the added whiskers using linen thread from The Cat's Pajamas, and I also added a little white fluff from Stampendous on her tail.  I don't usually give you extra pics on the share days, but this bunny was so special, I just had to!  I am sad to say that I didn't get a bunch of Easter cards made to send, so I hope you enjoy this one ... virtual style!  I hope everyone has a blessed Easter! 

Happy Stamping!
Tina

A Card & Some Pics!

Hello!  It is already the 6th of April and I am just now popping in with my first April post.  And that is what happens when life gets in the way of me making cards, and me doing blog posts!  Last week, was so crazy between all the class kit preps and the make it take it event that I participated in last Saturday at The Crafty Scrapper.  But, I do have a couple of pics from that day to share with you later in this post.  Also, I am sharing a pic of a "space" that I am renting in a gift shop/coffee shop to try to sell some of my handmade cards.  I spent some time early this week, pricing the cards to get them ready to sell.  I have priced them at $3, $4, and $5.  I have no idea if any will sell, but the "space" I rented is only costing me $15 a month to find out!  Just had to do it.  Now, before I show you that pic, let me talk about the card I have to show you.  A couple of weeks ago, a woman from my church asked me if I could make her a card to be given to a gentlemen that would be turning 90.  I said of course, not realizing that I would need to make it before last Sunday's service, in the mist of my crazy last week.  When I got home Saturday evening from the all day make it take it event, I just couldn't do it.  But, on Sunday morning, with an hour before church, I did it!  Boy, I think I must have some help from above, as I never come up with an idea, and finish any card within an hour!  Especially a man's card, but I did it!  I think I need to made more of these to have on hand, as I love how it came out!  Let me show you... enjoy!

What do you think?  A great masculine card?  To me, they are the hardest to make.  Now, for my hubby, I can get away with cute animals or whatever, but for a general masculine type card, they are hard to come up with ideas.  On pinterest, I have seen several cards with these strips of pattern paper and so I decided to just get that part going and see where the creativity took me.  I love the added cake and stars.  You?  Oh, on the inside, which I didn't take a pic of, I added a stamp that says "Celebrate, You deserve it"!  I originally thought I would find a birthday for a 90 year old sentiment on the computer and print it onto cardstock, but with an hour, well, I just had to find a stamp that would work!

Recipe:
Paper - My Minds Eye Stella & Rose Hattie 6 x 6 pad, Cardstock Dark Brown, Cream
Stamps - Cake by Verve Birthday set, Sentiment by Hero Arts
Ink - Memento Black, Prismacolor Pencils
Tools - Spellbinders Stars Circle (first time to use!), My Favorite Things Stacking Stars Die-namics
Other - Pearls

Now, on to the pics I have to show you.  First, are the ones taken at The Crafty Scrapper last Saturday.

During my MITI ... me with my mouth open ... Typical!!

My table I set up by my MITI to showcase my classes

Not my MITI, but I thought it was a good one to show the store.

Next, is the pic of the space I am renting to try to sell my cards ...

So, just in case, they do sell, I need to get on the ball and make some cards!  For sure, I need ones that are specifically for birthday, mother's day, etc.  The great thing about this, is for every card I make to try to sell, you get the benefit of seeing it first, here on my blog!  Woo Hoo!  I also wanted to have time this week, to make my Easter cards.  Well, that just didn't happen because between this little time taker, a funeral on Monday, and, cleaning house for Easter, I just didn't get them done.  I am a little disappointed about it, but I am trying not to fret about it either.  After all, do I get Easter cards in the mail from anyone else?  No.  It is just that I have always done them, and it's hard for me to break old habits.  But, for you ... I will have one!  Make sure you tune in tomorrow for Saturday's Sketch share to see an Easter card from me!

See you tomorrow!
Happy Stamping!
Tina