Miss Being With You...

Here's another card I made for display at my Annual Party in October...
I used the same stamp set as in yesterday's post.

Watercoloring is one of my most favorite cardmaking techniques. So I *reeeally* wanted the For The Birds stamp set. It just begs me to be colored! :)

This is a more Fall-ish (yup, I officially declare it a word) card than yesterday's...I wanted to use the Orchard Harvest designer paper from the Holiday catalog - LOVE that paper!

LOTS on this card!
Cardbase is Early Espresso. Next layer is Naturals Ivory - I find it a little more forgiving for watercoloring. :) At the bottom you see the Orchard Harvest dsp (as noted earlier), and between the two - a strip of More Mustard punched with the Scallop Trim Border punch. Topped with Crumb Cake taffeta ribbon and 1/8" Early Espresso ribbon, tied together with Linen Thread. The tag is cut with the Bitty Banners Framelits die.

WHEW! Oops - forgot one more thing...it's been awhile, but I'm pretty sure I colored this with our Aquapainter, and assorted SU ink pad lids. :)

Well, what do you think?

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Springtime Vintage Sympathy

Today's post is a quick one. Mostly because it's a quick and easy card to make!

Awhile back, I was asked to make some Sympathy, or Thinking of You type cards.
One of the very easiest ones I made is what I'm sharing with you today.

It uses 1 stamp, 2 colors of cardstock, 1 ink pad, a strip of designer paper, and some ribbon. Oh, and a panel of dry embossed (Big Shot) polka dots, and 3 punches. :)

Ha ha..now that I type it all out it looks like a lot, doesn't it?  Well, when you see the card you'll understand just how easy it really is. :)

I do need to give you one warning, however. The weather here is SUPER-gray and dark, so I just couldn't manage to get a good picture taken. Even after playing with it a bit, it still looks funny to me.

I love the soft muted colors of the designer paper...it's the new one in the Occasions Mini, called Springtime Vintage. I also like that this layout could be used for many occasions...in fact, I may just get started on making a bunch! lol

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers/ Ink: Pear Pizazz/ Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzazz/ Paper: Springtime Vintage DSP/ Accessories: Pear Pizzazz seam binding ribbon, Scalloped Oval punch, Lg Oval punch, Eyelet Border punch, Dimensionals, Polka Dots EF, Big Shot

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Thinking Tree

Happy Monday to ya!!

I was in the middle of making this "Thinking of You" card, and realized it looked vaguely familiar.  I looked it up out of curiosity, and sure enough, it had a vague resemblance - ha! :)

Since I was halfway through, I decided NOT to do exactly the same thing. I mean, I had already decided to keep it monochromatic, and had used a different vanilla, so at least it differed that way.  I had a piece of cardstock that didn't go all the way around the main image, and thought "that's ok!  I'll keep it that way!"  Since I had already punched the sentiment with the wide oval punch (same as old card), I decided to cut the sides off to make it a little different.

Well, here's today's card:

Sorry about the ribbon...it IS artichoke, the right color, but it shows up funny.

And here's the post I was talking about.  Look a little similar, don't they? lol  Deep down, I must think this is the perfect designer paper for this stamp or something! lol

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers
Cardstock: Always Artichoke, Confetti Ivory
Paper: To The Nines DP
Accessories: Wide oval punch, Always Artichoke gg ribbon, Dimensionals

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Get Well Soon

The CAS (clean & simple) challenge on SCS this week was to make a square card.  Since there's someone I've been wanting to make a card for, and knew exactly which stamp I wanted to use, I went for it! :)

I just want her to know we're thinking of her, praying for her, and though we know it'll be a long road of recovery from her fall, we hope she feels at least a *little* better, SOON! :)

Problem is, I can't decide which version of this 4x4 card I like better!

Will you help me out?

Here's the first one:

Isn't that sad face sooo cute?  I didn't draw it in...it's part of the stamp!

Here's the second one:

With this one, I just covered up the sad face with a punched little heart popped up on dimensional.

I popped up the whole main image (behind the black) with dimensionals.  Cause I love them, and it just gives a little something extra! :)

Well, what do you think?  Which one do YOU like better?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Wellness Wishes
Ink: Black Stazon, Creamy caramel
Cardstock: Whisper white, Basic black, Real red
Accesories: Heart to Heart punch, Dimensionals, Aquapainter

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Weathered Birdie

Here's another card made this week...

A masculine "Thinking of You" card without actually saying so. ;-)
Something I really like about this card is that it could be used for many occasions!

Oh, and I love that I was able to use some of my new stuff! ;-)

Well, most of it new to me, anyways.
The BG stamp is Stampin' Up's "Woodgrain", the bird is from Stampin' Up's "Friends 24-7". 

The 5/8" satin ribbon IS new...it's in the Occasions Mini catalog.  Have you checked it out yet?  Oh my....it's WONDERFUL!!  So many fun things in there! Go ahead, go to the RH sidebar & click on the pic! :)

Anyways....here's a bit of what I did:

• I lightly colored the main image with my watercolor crayons and aquapainter...didn't want too much color to overwhelm the project.  Popped the main image up on dimensionals.
• I sponged the edges, into the BG, and around the main image with Close to Cocoa ink, added a punched out piece of "Thoroughly Modern" DSP behind the clear button, tying the linen thread for the finish! 

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up!)
Stamps: Friends 24-7, Woodgrain BG
Ink: Close to Cocoa
Cardstock/Paper: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Naturals Ivory, Thoroughly Modern DSP
Accessories: Sponges, Watercolor crayons, Aquapainter, Clear button, Linen Thread, Pop-up glue dot, Dimensionals

Well, what do you think?

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Saying Goodbye...

...to loved ones is one of the hardest things in a person's life.

You know, I've often said masculine cards are the hardest to make.

I've changed my mind.

Today, many people will be saying "goodbye" to a local man who died tragically last week in a farming accident.  He was only 30 years old, and it has rocked our small community to the core.

A sympathy card for such an occasion is difficult to make.  Especially when you know the people personally...related multiple ways, grow up with them, go to church with them, your children go to school together...

Crying many tears, my heart aches at the devastation that his sweet young wife, three precious daughters, father, mother, sisters, brother, in-laws, family, friends, and collegues must be feeling.  Though he was a Christian and is now with his Heavenly Father, I have struggled with this situation. I am not questioning God...I do trust that this happened for a reason.  But my aching heart is having trouble grasping the whys, and hurting for those who love him most.

I *finally* came up with a card that I'm okay with.  It has been a struggle, though I know that this card doesn't matter much in the scope of things.  But it is my way of saying "I'm sorry" and I want it to be perfect for that.  Does that make sense?

((Deep breath))

Sorry this is so long....I wanted to not only give the background to explain the card, but to reach out there and ask YOU to pray for these families, too.  Please do.

Here's what I came up with:
...a Praying for You card (with a masculine touch)

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers
Paper/Cardstock: To The Nines DSP, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Ink: Soft Suede
Accessories: Soft Suede & Always Artichoke markers, Soft suede ribbon, Large oval punch, Dimensionals

Remember to leave a comment to win blog candy (click) HERE by 10am PST today.


Thank you for stopping by, have a blessed day...and hug the ones you love.
Crystal

Another Autumn Tree

Sorry for the blogging hiatus...

We were out of town for a few days last week, so I wasn't able to get my daily computer dose in. ;-)

I'm back now, with (hopefully) a treat for you every day this week! :)  The first, is a card I made with one of my GO-TO sets:  "Lovely As A Tree".

I'll bet you're wondering how I made those tree leaves sooo beautiful, am I right? ;-)

By using a technique called "thumping."  SERIOUSLY.
Using my Stampin' Up markers.
Let me know if you'd like a tutorial.

A little sponging here & there, and voila!  You have your card!
Complete with top note die cut from SU's Sizzix die!
I love how it could really be a card for most any occasion! :)

Tomorrow, I'll show you a toned-down, simplified version.  I know...how could it get any more simplified?!!  lol...you'll see. :)

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Lovely As A Tree, Sincere Salutations, Linen BG
Cardstock: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Ink: Basic Brown
Accessories: SU markers, Aquapainter, Sponges, Sizzix, Top Note Die, Chocolate chip ribbon
Technique: Thumping, Sponging

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Simply, Thinking of You

This is one of my most favorite creations of late.

Using one of my favorite Stampin' Up sets, Inspired by Nature....it's VERY simple to make. I find myself drawn more & more to more of a "simple" look (whether or not it's simple to make isn't always the case). I love that this card gives you a peaceful feeling, and I love that it's useful for many occasions, just by changing the sentiment!

The small print
All supplies used are Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Kind & Caring Thoughts
Cardstock: Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla
Ink: Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Mellow Moss taffeta ribbon


Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day! :)
Crystal