Saturday's Sketch Share!

Hello!  I am back today with another share between Debbie and I.  This week was my teaching week, which as you know, Mon. and Tues. are spent prepping, and Wed. teaching. This leaves Thurs. and Fri. to work on stuff or not.  This time was a "not".  I took a mini break and never even took my supplies out of the car, as I will need it for my second class today. This share is one of the ones where there is a choice between circle or square.  Debbie and I both went square ... but unlike it appears in the pics, mine is a 4 1/4" square and Debbie's is a 5 1/2" square.  Love them both ... let me show you!  Enjoy!

 

 

 

My Card

Debbie's Card

The Sketch

I think Debbie and I both really liked this sketch.  I really think it would work for an A2 size card as well ... good idea, I will try it out!  Soon! 

Before I go, I want to make sure you are seeing something I added last night.  Do you see that on every pic, there is a "pin it" button?  You have to "hover" your mouse over the left corner, to see it.  That means that anything can be pinned to your board in pinterest!  I am super excited about this!  I would love it if you see something you like that I do (or Debbie does), you would "pin it"! 

I have family coming to visit and they will be here until Wed.  Just giving you a heads up, as I know I won't be creating, therefore, no posts from me.  I will be back for the share on Saturday, for sure!  Have a great weekend!

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Saturday's Sketch Share!

Hello!  I am back today with the share between Debbie and I.  I think it is a rather unique sketch this week, 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
 

I really enjoyed the sketch this week.  The hardest part I thought was trying to make sure all the squares were lined up.  What do you think about it?

Next week, is my teaching week.   And all this week, when ever there was time, I have been working on my art project, so I don't have a lot of new cards made to show you.  We'll see how it goes this weekend.  But, for sure I will be back next Saturday for the share.  See you soon!

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Two More Looks at Sympathy Cards!

Hello!  I have two more sympathy cards to share with you.  The first one is definitely for a female, because it is pink, but the second one could be sent to a male or female.  Just like yesterday's post, I have the outsides and insides to show you.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

Yes, once again, the cards are both clean and simple designs.  I just think that is best for sympathy cards.  I didn't make note of the recipes, but I do who know who makes the stamps I used.  For both cards, the outside sentiments are from Verve and the inside sentiments are from Impression Obsession.  That was not planned, but just worked out that way.  The second card cross is a stamp from Stampendous.  I love how these came out.  I hope you do too.

I will see you tomorrow for the Saturday sketch share.
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Art Project - Idea to First Steps!

Hello!  I have a different type post for you today, as all of my posts show you the finished card or project.  But, this one will talk about my idea and show you my beginning steps toward the idea.  I thought it would be fun to share the process with you.  You see, I am participating in a collaboration book for an art group in Dallas that I was a member of about 10 years ago.  They are celebrating 20 years and have asked present and past members to participate.  So ... if you happen to be a member and also a follower of my blog, and don't want to see my page ahead of time, then this is your warning.  Otherwise, read on!  Warning number two ...long winded!

I want to tell you about the project first. We are each to make a page (5 1/2" x 8 1/2").  I was told it could be a page of "whatever", art, pictures, quotes, memories of your time in the group, anything that reflects you. And that it can be dimensional, have pockets, sew ons or whatever your imagination comes up with.  And then copy your page for the amount participating.  Well, the determined amount participating is 30!  And I hate color copies, so for me, each one will be an original.  The deadline is Sept. 7th and that is why I am working on them now, as I know without color copying, I need time to get them done!

Now, on to my "idea".  I kept thinking about the art group and that every month I was challenged to come up with an artsy idea for the swap.  So, one day I was talking to Debbie (who does the sketch challenges on Saturdays with me) and I was saying how I remembered the challenges being "out of my box" and she said she had a Sizzix die of a suitcase and the light bulb went on!  After much thinking, let's see if I can give you the jest of my idea. I decided I would create a background of ink on my base cardstock, stamp a couple of artsy stamps on top, create a thinner suitcase from Debbie's die and insert inside a small card with my style now ... cutesy!  So that the receiver will understand my page concept, I have printed out this message for my page:  "When I think of my time in the Banders group, I think of good times and good friends, and many artsy creations, some of which were a little "out of my box".  This page is a reflection of my creativity then and now.  Inside the case, you will find a little piece of my style now.  Thank you Banders for being a part of my artistic journey.  Happy 20th!"

First steps happened on Sunday when I created the base by using three color of Distress Paints.  (Broken China, Mustard Seed, and Vintage Photo)  Thanks to my friend, Teresa, who gave me her idea for the easiest way to create a colorful base that looks a little artsy.  It was so easy, and so reminded me of finger painting, even though I didn't use my fingers directly, just swiped the cardstock thru the paints after they were spritzed with water.  Here is a pic of this step on my pages.
 

You can see that there is a lot of green ... blue and yellow made green!  Elementary level color wheel!  But, truthfully, I was a little surprised but like the result.  I will be stamping a couple of artsy stamps on this base, like the Tim Holtz wings.  See in this next pic ...

 

 
You can also see that the printed sentiment about my page is added with some clipolas. 













For the suitcase, I saw in pinterest someone used some Coordinations paper that had a Kraft core on the inside and I thought that would be a nice paper for a suitcase.  I went to the internet to find some of it by the sheet and found something that is similar but I would thought would be even better.  It is called Kraft Core Shattered so you can actually see the Kraft color without sanding.  It was a little hard to determine what color paper I should order, but I just did my best and I think what I got will work fine.  I had to order more than one color because they didn't have enough in stock of just one.  Debbie was kind enough to die cut my pieces for me.  Here is a pic of the cardstock and the all the cut pieces. 

 



 

 

Next time, I will show you the suitcase put together and the inside card.  Thanks for allowing me to share this art project with you ... in pieces!

Happy Stamping!
Tina

 

   

Two Looks at Sympathy Cards!

Hello!  A friend at church asked me to make her a couple of sympathy cards.  I came up with four designs for her to pick from.  She bought all four!  I will show you the first two today, and the second two tomorrow.  One thing about sympathy cards is that I think they should be very clean and simple designs.  Which as you know, is not my usual type of cards and the kind I prefer for every day occasions.  Here they are ... enjoy!  (Yes, enjoy the cards, even though they may be for a sad occasion). I will be showing you both outsides and insides. 

 

The first one would probably work best for a female, and the second for a male, however, both could be for either.  I love how they came out.  Don't you?  I forgot to write down the recipe ingredients.  Here is what I know ... the floral stamp on the first card is from Penny Black and the Deepest Sympathy sentiment is from Impression Obsession and the Praying for you is Verve.  The second card outside sentiment is Verve and the inside sentiment is Impression Obsession.  The cross is Spellbinders. 

See you tomorrow for the second set.  I also have a post about an art project I am working on.

Happy Stamping!
Tina

U R Fabulous!

Hello!  Today I have a birthday card I made for a friend.  The stamp I used is one that I had been wanting for a while, and so I finally got The Crafty Scrapper to order it for me.  I love the stamp.  Let me show you ... enjoy!

 

 

It is one of the a la modes from My Favorite Things.  I liked how I used the birthday paper as the background piece, even though it doesn't show fully, you can still see it.  I thought the blue scallop needed something else, so I added that friend sentiment.  I love how it turned out, how about you?

Recipe:
Paper - My Mines Eye Hootenanny 6 x 6 pad, Cardstock White, Blue
Stamps - My Favorite Things Got UR Back, Blessed sentiment unknown - from my stash, clear stamp
Ink - Memento Black, Copics
Tools - My Favorite Things Scallop border, Spellbinders Labels 4 (for sentiment)
Other - Pearls

I made some sympathy cards as a request for a lady at church, so tomorrow I will have a couple of those to show you.

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Birthday Smiles!

Hello!  For my facebook followers, you might have seen this card pop on your feed yesterday.  It did but there was no post attached because I hit the wrong button: publish instead of save.  You see, my computer is having a bit of an issue.  Internet Explorer is my preference but for some reason, which  I am not computer savvy enough to understand, it will not allow me to upload my pics to blogger.  But, if I use Moxilla Firefox, I can.  So, what I usually do is to upload pics in Firefox and then go to Internet Explorer to write my post.  Yesterday, I was adding pics for several upcoming posts in Firefox, knowing that I probably wouldn't be taking the time to write the post until today, which I am now doing.  So, you are seeing this card a second time.  On a good note, it is the perfect card to see twice, because it is so darn cute!  Here it is again ...enjoy!

 

 

I really do think this is just about one of my all time favorite stamps.  It does make me smile.  I sent it to my niece, maybe it made her smile too! 

Recipe:
Paper - American Crafts Hip Hip Hooray 6 x 6 pad (side note: I found this paper pad at Target), Cardstock White
Stamps - The Cat's Pajamas Smile Bunny, It's Your Birthday sentiment by Hero Arts
Ink - Memento Black, Copics
Tools - Ric Rac die by Sizzix
Other - Twine by The Twinery, Pearls

I will see you tomorrow with another birthday card I made a couple of weeks ago.
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Saturday's Sketch Share!

Hello!  I am back with my second post today!  So, if you missed the first one, be sure to check it out too.  I have the Saturday sketch share for you in this post.  Let's get to it, as they are pretty darn cute this week!  I will show you my card, Debbie's card, and the sketch we both used.  Enjoy!

 

My Card

Debbie's Card

The Sketch

Debbie's card follows the sketch better than mine, as my circles are really too big.  But, I picked the stamp and the papers, stamped and colored the birds, and then realize that the circles were not going to fit.  Thought about changing stamps and decided, no, I am going to just go with it!  When doing a sketch, I tend to want it to closely match the sketch, but in truth, there are no rules about that, as I have seen people flip the sketch, change the shapes, and more.  Debbie told me that those cars on her card are a die cut ... how cute is that?  I think the sketch this week is a keeper!  You will see it again from me!

Have a great weekend!
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Celebrate ... Today and Everyday!

Hello!  I know you expected the Saturday sketch share post ... it is coming, but I am sneaking this one in first!  I want to participate in a sketch challenge that is due tomorrow at noon.  Remember how last year and the year before, I did all the monthly Sketch For You To Try challenges?  Well, Jen delMuro, now has her own stamp company and so she has brought back the challenges too!  She had her second stamp release this week, and one set "just called my name"!  So versatile and fun.  I inked it up last night just in time to get in on her challenge.  I will show you my card and the sketch I used.  Enjoy!

 

Go here to check out the set.  While your there, you might as well, check out her other sets too!  As you can see, I used the little triangle element as a banner piece, but it could also be the bottom for an ice cream cone.  I saw the banner thing on a blog somewhere, and thought ...oh, how cute is that!  I love that the "Celebrate" and "Cake" in the set is open letters, perfect to add a little color to.  I love how this came out.  I hope you do too!

Recipe:
Paper - American Crafts 6 x 6 pad, Cardstock White, Hot Pink
Stamps - Reverse Confetti Celebrate Cake
Ink - Memento Black, Copics, Marvy Matchables, Versamark (*see tip below)
Tools - Spellbinders Classic Circle
Other - Twine by The Twinery, Rhinestones

Tina Tip:  Can't take credit for this, as a friend told me about it, but I will take credit for sharing this tip with you ... if you have a solid clear image and you want to use die ink, stamp first with Versamark and then the die ink, so that it is a good stamped image, no beading up of the ink on the surface. 
I am on my way to a ladies meeting at the church, so look for my sketch share post after lunch.

Happy Stamping!
Tina

July Class Share!

Hello!  We had family here until Tuesday.  So, since then, I have been busy working on my next class samples.   I love how they came out.  You know I love to challenge myself (and the class takers!) to make cards with folds, pop ups, sliders, shaped cards, easels, etc.  Well, one of my favorites is one we did last year called a surprise pop-up card.  I remember it being pretty easy to make, but didn't remember how it was done.  Thought a refresher was a good idea.  And then trying to decide what I wanted to do for the other two cards, I found ideas for two type of slider cards and went with it.  You know me, I rarely make a card that does not have a sentiment on the front, but ... for this class, all three cards won't have the front sentiments, but instead, will have double sentiments hidden and when tabs are pulled they will be revealed.  So, the class title is ..."It's All About the Hidden Messages"!  Let me show you all three cards.  I have several pics of each so you can see them in "action"!  Enjoy!

 

Little Gardner Surprise Pop-Up Closed

Little Gardener Surprise Pop-Up Card Opened



Little Gardener Surprise Pop-Up Card Side View



Little Gardener Surprise Pop-Up Card Inside

Farmer Girl Slider Card Closed



Farmer Girl Slider Card Opened

Farmer Girl Slider Card Backside



Traveler Girl Double Slider Card Closed



Traveler Girl Double Slider Card Opened

Traveler Girl Double Slider Card Backside

What do you think?  The last three months I have done cards for special occasions, so it was fun to not have a specific theme, and get to stamp up some new Pure Innocence stamps!  Here are the class details, in case you are interested.  The Crafty Scrapper's number is 972-923-3151.

"It's all About the Hidden Messages"  Wed. July 24th 11:00 a.m. and Sat. July 27th 2:30 p.m. $25 In this class, you will create three creative and unique cards that reveal double hidden messages when tabs are pulled.  First, is a surprise pop-up card (a favorite from 2012), next is a slider card, and lastly, a double slider card, made totally different than the slider card.  For all the cards, we will be using My Favorite Things Pure Innocence girls.  Always fun to color and paper piece!  Please bring adhesive to include an X by Xyron, glue dots, scor-tape (1/8" , 1/4"), pop-ups, (all of these are if you have them), detailed scissors, your preferred coloring medium.  All other supplies provided.  (copic colors I used: card 1: E00, YR20, YR31, R22, G43, E35, card 2: E00, E35, Y15/Y26, Y11, YR31, R24, R11, C3, YG25, YG67, card 3: E00, E35, C3, BG11, BG23, YR14, Y21 ...these are listed only for the convenience of those you have asked me to share the colors I used).

See you tomorrow for the sketch share.

Happy Stamping!
Tina



Saturday Sketch Share!

Hello!  The last three days I have shown you patriotic cards, so I figured I should keep it up and give you two more!  Truthfully, I had not done my card when I received Debbie's in the mail, but when I saw hers, I thought I should follow the leader and do one more patriotic card for the week.  What is fun about this is it shows you how the same sketch can still look so different by using different papers, and stamps, even within the same theme.  I will show you my card, Debbie's card, and the sketch we both used.  Enjoy!

 

 

My Card

Debbie's Card

The Sketch

I like this sketch!  I think you will see this one from me again!  I hope you enjoyed all the patriotic cards I had for you this week.  And, I hope you are enjoying the 4th of July weekend.  I am as I have gotten to see lots of fireworks, which is one of my favorite things in life!  So true! 

Have a great weekend!
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Patriotic Card #3!

Hello!  Check out the last two day's posts of patriotic cards.  I have another one for you today.  Let me show you ... enjoy!

 

I made the card with the "pledge of allegiance" sentiment between the two layers, but it needed something else, so with Donna's help we decided on this flag stamp.  It is a Stampin' Up stamp.  It's good, but I really would love to have an open design flag.  I guess that is something I will need to look for!  Love how this one came out.  Actually, love all three cards I showed you this week.  Don't you?

See you tomorrow for the share.
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Patriotic Card #2

Hello!  Check out yesterday's post about the cards that Donna and I are making to see to support our troops.  Today, is card number two!  So cute ... let me show you ... enjoy!

 

 

How perfect for 4th of July!  I am writing all this week's posts on Wednesday, as we have family coming for the holiday and I know we will be busy.  But, I so wanted to share these patriotic cards with you during this patriotic week!

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Patriotic Card #1!

Donna and I are working on making patriotic cards for the president of our chapter of Bluebonnet Mothers to try to sell at their national convention this summer.  The money made will go toward mailing more care packages to our troops.  We are making four cards of each design and we have three designs so far. (12 cards ready!) I thought with the 4th of July tomorrow, this week, would be the perfect time to share the cards.  So, I have one for you today, tomorrow, and Friday.  Then on Saturday, the share is patriotic too!  Let's do the first one... enjoy!

 

 

I picked up this unmounted tree stamp at one of the conventions.  I tried stamping it in black but that didn't work, it made the flag black, so blue it is.  It is a pretty big stamp, and so the layout for the card had to be simple.  I don't know who makes the stamp, nor do I have details on the designer paper, as it was just a scrap from our stash. 

See you tomorrow for card number 2.
Happy Stamping!
Tina

I Flip For You!

Hello!  One of the cards I taught in the May class was a Graduation card.  The way the card is folded it so resembles a grad hat.  Today, I am using that same construction but changing it to just a fun, any occasion card.  Let me show you ... enjoy!

The front.  It is held closed by a magnet.

The open view.  With card in pocket.

And to remind you of the grad card from class...

Isn't it fun how you can change the colors, the papers, the theme .... and it becomes such a different card?  I do want to share the pattern of how this card works.  It is super simple.  The base card is 4 1/4" x 9 3/4".  Below is a picture of it showing where to score and where to cut.  Once you do that, just hold it from the back and push the sides in to form the card.  I used a magnet to hold it shut.  And on both cards, I created a pocket to hold either a gift card, money or in the case of the flip, flop card, a sentiment card.  I hadn't plan on adding the pocket for the flip, flop card until I realized that if I didn't, you would see my inside writing.  And I just don't like it when that happens. 

 

Recipe:
Paper - Ta Da Creative Studios (picked this up in a scrapbook store somewhere?, Cardstock White, Orange, Purple
Stamps - Unity Stamp Co.  Watermelon Gazpacho Soup
Ink - Memento Black, Copics
Tools - Spellbinders Circle, Lacey Circle, Petite Scallop Oval, Petite Oval
Other - Rhinestones, Magnets by Basic Grey

I have one more card to show you.  I actually sent the card above after receiving an adorable flip, flop card in the mail from a friend.  Betty takes my classes so that is why I thought it would be fun to change the grad card into a flip, flop card.  And I got to use my flip, flop paper that has been in my stash for months!  Here is her card.  Notice the glitter and the tiny flowers on the flip, flops and of course, the sentiment!  Enjoy!

That is it for me today.  I will have patriotic cards to show you the rest of the week.  See you tomorrow.

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Two for Poppies!



Hello!  I have been promising to show you two cards for two weeks.  Well, today is the day and I am showing you both cards in this one post!  Both cards use the same set of papers, appropriately called "Poppies".  One card is using the second die in the Spellbinders set that I used a couple of weeks ago and the second card is the set from Rubbernecker which I have used before.  I love these poppy cards, and I hope you will too!  Let me show you ... enjoy!

 



I do want to comment on the first one, which uses the die.  I have gotten a couple of questions about this set of dies.  Here is a picture of the set, so you know what to look for.  Both cards used sentiments from the Rubbernecker poppies sets.  The stamped poppies on the second card were already stamped in a stash of miscellaneous pieces on my desk.  When I got the Poppies set of papers, I pulled this one out.  Loved out it matched so well with the papers.  Which one is your favorite?

Recipe:
Paper - Little Yellow Bicycle 6 x 6, Cardstock 2 Oranges, White
Stamps - Rubbernecker - Card #1 Sketch Poppies set, Cards #2 Poppy Field set
Ink - Memento Black, (card #2 since stamped image is from my stash, I am not positive, but I think I used Tombow Pens directly on the rubber and then spritzed with water before stamping)
Tools - Spellbinders Asters & Poppies D-lites, Spellbinders Ovals, The Stamps of Life scallop border on card #2
Other - Ribbon by May Arts, Pearls by Queen & Co.

Tomorrow I will be back to show you two more cards.  One is made by me, and one is made by a friend, with the theme flip flops.  Great summer theme.  See you then!

Happy Stamping!
Tina