1 12 x12 = 4 + Cards

Hello! I am a little late in posting, but believe me, it is worth the wait! Let's get right to it and let me show you the 12 x 12 I used.


When I saw this 12 x 12 at the scrapbook store, I immediately saw opportunity for card creations! I have since picked up at least one other sheet that is similar from a different company. From a scrapbook company point of view, I am not sure if they thought you would use this as a whole sheet or if they expected one to cut it up. All I know is for cards, it is awesome! There are so many sketches out there right now this kind of quilted block look. In fact, all 4 cards I am showing you today, are from sketches that I have collected from various blogs, including one that is a current sketch challenge from Sweet Sunday. Let me repeat ... I have FOUR cards to share with you today!

Usually, cardmakers, like me, pick the main image and then the papers. Well, this time around, I had the papers, but needed an image. On the first card, I decided to go with a sentiment, a friend sentiment. So, on the next card, again, I was up against the same dilemma. I made it easy on me and used a different friend sentiment for all 4 cards. I have a lot of word images. I felt like it was time to use some! I figure any card with a friend sentiment on the front could easily be made into a birthday, thinking of you, etc. card. And all cards, as you will see, have my favorite embellishments, flowers and baubles! Yea! On to the cards ... enjoy!

And this is the sketch for the above card. I will link my card to their blog for the challenge.

Aren't they great? I love them! I even have a pic of what pieces I have left.
As you can see, I can make at least a couple of more cards!

Recipe - All Cards -

Paper - 12 x 12 by Little Yellow Bicycle Flower Patches, Cardstock White, Blue, Wine

Recipe Card #1

Stamp - Thank You by Designs Unlimited
Other - Flower Brad by Bazzill, Pearls by Hero Arts, Flower by Prima

Recipe Card #2

Stamp - Rarest of Blessings by Inkadinkado
Other - Flower Centers Dot Sparklers by Stampendous, Baubles by Stamping Bella, Flowers by Prima

Recipe Card #3

Stamp - Touching my Life by Stampin' Up

Other - Baubles by Stamping Bella, Flowers by Prima

Recipe Card #4
Stamp - True Friends by Verses
Other - Pearl Baubles by Stamping Bella, Flowers by Prima

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Two Cards and a New Technique!

Hello! Yes, you read right! I have two cards for you today! Over the weekend, I was going through blogs on my reader and I came across a blog with a technique I haven't ever done. Well, that is not totally true, part of it I think I have done before, but this person took it one step further. The technique is called Black Magic with a White Twist. Check out this post at
http://karenbarberstamps.blogspot.com/2009/05/happy-mothers-day-everyone-here-with-my.html She has a complete tutorial. But, don't worry I will give you the basic how-to here. My first photo is a close-up view of the technique. Then, the two completed cards will follow with all the details!

So, basically the technique is this ... stamp on a dark color with white ink. Then with a very light shade of your colored pencil, color the image, Now, pick up a contrast shade of colored pencil and add color over the lighter shade. She says that the more sharply contrasting the shades the more dramatic the colors will pop. Make sure to leave enough of your original color on there so that the contrast is evident. After coloring both the lighter and the contrasting color, add dots and highlights with a white gel pen. That is what makes the whole thing pop. I guess Karen is the one who came up with adding the white pen accents. She is so right, this added white, really does make the images come alive!

Now, that you know how I did the technique for the main image of the cards, let me talk a little about the cards themselves. On the first one, did you notice that even though I used buttons, I still couldn't resist adding some tiny white pearls, too? I just can't live without my embellishments! I made both of the technique images first and then found papers to match. The first card was easy to match. Since those are "my colors", I have plenty of papers to match! But the second, well, that was harder. I actually love the paper I picked. It doesn't match exactly but it definitely blends. I love both my cards and I do believe I will be doing this technique again!

I was thinking about how when I had my store and I did a technique out of a magazine, there was really no one to say thanks to. Now with the world of blogs, I can say thank you to Karen Barber (even though I don't know her)!

Recipe Card #1:

Paper - Floral by Best Creation, Pink Floral by Stampin'Up, Cardstock White, Lime Green, Black
Stamps - Flowers by Penny Black
Ink - Staz-On White, Prismacolor Pencils, Ranger White Gel Pen
Die Cuts/Punches - Nestiblities Classic Circle 2 sizes, Dahlia, Border Punch by Stampin'Up
Other - Ribbon by Creative Impressions, Buttons, Twine by The Cat's Pajamas, Pearls by Hero Arts

Recipe Card #2:

Paper - Plaid by We R Memory Keepers, Solid by Die Cuts with a View from Flower Shower Pad, Cardstock Green, White, Black
Stamps - Flowers by Hero Arts (Archivers exclusive clear set)
Ink - Staz-On White, Prismacolor Pencils, Ranger White Gel Pen
Die Cuts/Punches - Nestibilites Classic Circle Scallop 2 sizes
Other - Ribbon by Unknown, Flowers by Prima, Button, Twine by The Cat's Pajamas, Black Rhinestones by Hero Arts

Would love to hear from you! Happy Stamping!
Tina

For Mom!

I would call this week " a slow to create" week. I have spent a lot of time in my stamp shack but when I'm there I am either thinking of what to create or trying to make my creation work. So, therefore, this is only my third card creation for this week. Oh well, there is always next week! I did finally get my creating mojo going for my mom's card and that is what I want to share with you today. It is very pink, but then again that is her favorite color. Yes, I like pink too, but I am more of a hot pink kinda girl! I went with another sketch challenge to help to get my "mojo" going! This is one is from Jen delMuro's Sketch For You To Try. Here is my card...


It is rather pretty, don't ya think? Can you see the very faint flowers stamped pink on pink? It is kinda hard to see. But in person, I think it gives it an an added touch.

My mom is 94 and because she is sometimes child like, she likes to take my cards apart or put scotch tape all over them. At least this one with be very pretty until that happens!

Recipe:

Paper - By Daisy D, Cardstock Pink and White
Stamps- Flower by There She Goes Clear Stamps, Mom by Northwoods, Flower in pink by Little Yellow Bicycle
Ink - Versafine Black, Ranger Distress Ink Spun Sugar, Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol
Die Cuts/Punches - Nestiblities Blossom 2 (under flower), Labels 4
Other - Quicky Glue Pen, Art Institute Glitter, Flower Jewels by Heidi Swapp, Foam Tape

Happy Mom's Day to all Moms and to all who know a Mom!
Happy Stamping!
Tina

You Are My Sunshine!

I had time to go to my stamp shack today but then when I got there, I had a bit of a hard time deciding what to make. When I get like this, I always think it is time to tackle a sketch challenge. Every week, I print off various ones from the blogs I frequent, and if time allows in a given week, or in this case, one is needed to jump start my creativity, I have the sketch there in hand ready to go. This one is from Just Us Girls Challenge, which is one that I have done in the past. Last weekend, at the scrapbook store, I purchased a new punch. And, it is not a border punch! It has been quite some time since I have purchased a punch that wasn't a border punch! I can't seem to get enough of those! First, I will show you my card and then I will show you the sketch.

The name of my new punch is Journal Plate & Flourish so I believe they intended it to have a sentiment inside not an image. But, there are no rules! And when I saw on the sketch the circle, I immediately thought of using my new punch. This card is a little different so I would love to hear your feedback!

Recipe:

Paper - We R Memories 72 & Sunny Line, Cardstock Red, Black, Yellow, White
Stamps - Leaves by Making Memories Flutter Clear Set, Sunshine Sentiment by Studio G $1 Clear Set
Ink- Marvy Matchables Green, Tombow Markers, Versafine Black
Punches/Die Cuts - EK Success Journal Plate & Flourish, Nestiblities Classic Circle 2 sizes, Stampin'Up Word Punch
Other - Stampin' Up Butterfly Embossit Die, Green Rhinestones by Bazzill, Clear Rhinestones by Hero Arts

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Butterfly Flutter with My Tip of the Day!

Hello! Yes, I know, I am late posting this week. I do have an excuse! At our house, we had new flooring put in and so the house was in total disarray, keeping me from the computer. I did, however, get to my stamp room to work on today's project. Over the weekend, I made invitations to send out. The main focus on the card was the glittered 50! And that is what I want to talk about today! My friend, Eileen, shared with me a tip she saw somewhere, and it worked so well, I knew I had to pass it on to you! First, let me show you my glittered 50 ...

In my case, I cut numbers using the Cricuit (borrowed). For today's demo, I will be using some chipboard shapes from Maya Road. Are you ready for the great glitter tip?

On a piece of cardstock, lay down a strip of adhesive from some kind of double sided removable tape and place your cut-out on the adhesive strip. One note, I used cardstock instead of text weight so that I would have more stability when tapping off the excess glitter.

Following how I did the "50", I put Glossy Accents (by Ranger. Other comparable products also work. Like Diamond Glaze by JudiKins) on the chipboard.

And then I added glitter, tapping off excess into a tidy tray.

On Jen delMuro's blog, I saw where after the glitter was dry, she added another layer of Glossy Accents. I did try that, but I didn't think it added that much. I guess this would be an idea if you didn't want any glitter to fall off but really, the adhesive seems to hold the glitter really good. Or maybe you just like the solid glazed look. You will have to try it and see which way you like it the best. (One note, do wait until glitter is set up, before adding this extra layer of glaze. I tried one while the glitter was still wet, and it gooed (is that a word? LOL!) all over the place!) Also, I want to note, that I tried coloring one of the shapes with white staz-on first, thinking that it would change the look of the transparent glitter. I did not seem to. I thought that was interesting. In the pic below, the two top butterflies has the Crystal Effects on top of the glitter. The one on the right is an opaque glitter giving the butterfly a different look.

To sum up, my tip of the day is every time, you want to add glitter or a messy product to a shape, first adhere it to cardstock with a strip of removable tape! You will be glad you did!

Did you think that was all I have for you today? Well, I had to use the glittered butterflies, too pretty not to! Here is my completed card. Enjoy!

Recipe:

Paper - Provo Craft Juicy Squares & Juicy Stripes, Cardstock White, Lime, Pink, Wine
Stamps - Butterfly Flutter by Stamp Camp
Ink - Versafine Black
Punches/Dies - Nestiblities Classic Scallop Circles and Classic Circles, Cuttlebug Folder (leaves)
Other -Chipboard Butterflies by Maya Road, Glossy Accents by Ranger, Transparent Glitter by The Art Institute, Flower by Prima, Button, Twine by The Cat's Pajamas

Happy Stamping!
Tina

In A Pickle?

Today's card was made for a friend who had surgery on both of her knees. It was sent to her a couple of days ago. I am taking the chance that she has received in the mail by now. I hope so, otherwise she might see this post on facebook. In a perfect world, I would have another card made so that I could wait a day to show you this one. But, as you know, it is not a perfect world. Here is the card ...

I purchased these stamps a while back out of a clearance bin at a scrapbook store. I don't do many get well cards but I am glad I bought them because having both knees worked on definitely puts one "in a pickle"! Love the layout I did for this one. Yea, I know, using buttons again! Well, I love my new twine, so I have to! LOL! Hope to get a chance to make you one more card this week. We'll see how it goes. Four cards is not bad though!

Recipe:

Paper - Jillibean Soup Chicken Noodle Line (one sheet, opposite sides), Green paper that was punched by Cosmo Cricket, Cardstock Yellow
Stamps - By Inky Antics
Ink - Versafine Black, Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol
Punches/Die Cuts - Nestibilites Classic Oval Scallop and Oval, Labels 4, Stampin'Up Border Punch
Other - Ribbon by Creative Impressions, Button, Twine by The Cat's Pajamas, Baubles by Stamping Bella

Happy Stamping!
Tina

April Showers bring May Flowers!

Hello! Wait until you see my card for today. Sooo Cute! The title April showers bring May flowers goes with it perfectly. The layout of the focal image was cased from one blog and the layout was cased from another. Unfortunately, I didn't write down who's blogs they were from. I promised a while back I would try to do better so that I could give credit where credit is due. Obviously, I still need to work on it! Let me show you my card and then I will talk about the details.

The day I purchased these dot papers, I could see my little Pure Innocence girl with a paper pieced dotted umbrella! This is the first time I have stamped her and I love her. You will definitely see her again. I believe the card I cased used a similar color green paper for the grass, however they used the Martha Stewart grass border punch, which I do not own. No worries, I just cut it to look like grass. I think it came out just fine! The added flowers were Jolee's stickers that I have had forever! Last but not least, did you see the button I used? It is dotted too!

Would love to hear from you - do you like this card as much as I do?

Recipe:

Paper - Dotted by Jillibean Soup Pink Sugar and Yellow Sugar, Green pattern by Imaginisce Lucy Bird line (reverse side), Blue Sky by Stampin'Up, Cardstock White
Stamps - My Favorite Things Pure Innocence Line My Umbrella
Ink - Versafine Black, Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol
Punches/Die Cuts - Nestiblilites Classic Circle and Circle Scallop
Other - Tear shaped rhinestones by Hero Arts, Flowers by Jolee's Boutique, Baubles by Stamping Bella, Ribbon by Creative Impressions, Twine by The Cats Pajamas, Dotted Button by OScrap

Happy Stamping!
Tina

P.S. Oh, one more thing ... guess what I found out? There is a small scrapbook store near here that I did not know about! I checked it out today. It is owned by a mom and daughter and located in a small building on the mom's property. Out in the country. In an area, kinda like where I live. Now I will know where I can go. that is not too far away, when I need to be around creative people! Woo Hoo!