Dog Sympathy Card

Last night before I went to bed I checked my Facebook feed and was heartbroken to read one of the dogs from Animal Aid of Tulsa named Stella passed away. Her story is tragic as she was shot in the head and left to die. Animal Aid and veterinarians worked with her and ended up removing one of her eyes. It had been seven months since her rescue but she had night terrors from her abuse, phantom nerve pain and so much psychological damage that she was miserable. Her caregivers made the hard choice to free her of her suffering. She was a victim of abuse and abuse is what killed her. May she rest in peace!

This Dog Sympathy Card was made for Stella's caregivers. I know they put a lot of love, time and effort into her recovery and their hearts are broken. Their work is so important and I hope this card helps in some way. The layout for this card came from this weeks sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches. If you have animals give them an extra hug today. Thanks for stopping by!

Challenges entered:

• Crafty Animals: Anything with Animals
• Sunny Day Crafting: Anything with Animals
• Tuesday Morning Sketches: Sketch #471

Photo of Stella

Sketch

Star Celebrate Card

Happy 4th of July! This holiday is always low key for us. We usually stay home and make sure the cats don't get too scared from all the neighborhood fireworks. Our oldest cat is thirteen and she gets calming treats, the loud noises really bother her. The youngsters are a little more resilient, but they all hide until the quiet night returns. So, if you're out having some fun... have a little extra fun for me!

This Star Celebrate Card is pretty simple. The layout is cased from one of my cards from February 2014. It's easy to duplicate and I really like the star focal point. The star was cut with my Cricut machine using the George and Basic Shapes cartridge. All patterned paper is from the Patriotic Parade paper pad by Doodlebug Design Inc. A strip of silver glimmer paper was used for some sparkle and the celebrate sentiment is retired by Stampin' Up!. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day!

Challenges entered:

• Cards in Envy: Twinkle Little Stars
• Crafty Gals Corner: Red, White and Blue 
• Craftaholics R Us: Any Holiday Cards
• Simon Says Stamp: Red, White and Blue

Floral Frame Mom Card

This weekend is Mother's Day and this is the card I made my mom. The Floral Frame stamp and die set is by Taylored Expressions and the flowers were colored with Copic markers. The letters for MOM were cut with my Cricut machine. Picking the colors for this card was the hardest part but I think it turned out pretty. Thanks for stopping by and if you're a mother of a human or a fur baby... I wish you a happy Mother's Day this Sunday.

This Floral Frame Mom Card is entered into the following challenges: Crafting By Designs - Mother's Day, Crafty Creations - Anything Goes, Crafty Gals Corner - Add a Flower, Cute Card Thursday - Flowers and Pause Dream Enjoy - Anything Goes.

Cute Snowman Card

Hello crafty friends! There are still plenty of Christmas in July challenges online right now, so I decided to make another Christmas card. This Cute Snowman Card features a digital image by From the Heart Stamps called For the Birds. I just love the little birds perched on the snowman's arms. The image was colored with Copic markers and some Stickles added below the snowman. To accent the snowman's hat I used some white Tulip puffy paint. The layout if from this weeks sketch at Mojo Monday and all patterned papers are from the 25th and Pine paper stack by Basic Grey. To cut the snowflakes I used a Cricut machine with the Christmas Noel Cartridge. Behind the snowman image is a strip of silver glitter tape by Recollections and that sums it up. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

This Cute Snowman Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Mojo Monday: Sketch
• Tuesday Throwdown: Christmas in July
• 52 Christmas Card Throwdown: Snowman
• Cards in Envy: Christmas in July
• The Crafter's Cafe: Christmas in July

Happy 18th Birthday Card

My niece is turning eighteen this Friday and I decided to make her birthday card including the number eighteen to celebrate this significant occasion. I used the sketch at Mojo Monday for the card layout. The patterned papers are by Glitz Designs with a strip of black glitter tape by Recollections in the middle. For the sentiment I masked the word holiday from a happy happy happy holiday stamp and replaced it with birthday. I cut the number 18 using my Cricut machine and added some loose sugar cube glitter by Martha Stewart to the white numbers. The eighteen is accented by a bling circle by Recollections.  Now, I used the eight in the same way the Cricut machine cut it, but does it look upside down to you? I thought about turning it with the small end up but went with how it was cut. The accent cardstock colors are Pool Party and Lost Lagoon. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

This Happy 18th Birthday Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Mojo Monday: Sketch
• Crafting From The Heart: Anything Goes
• Fan-Tastic Tuesday: Anything Goes w/ Bling Twist
• Glitter n Sparkle: Anything Goes

Star Thanks Card

Hello! I hope you are having a wonderful day! This afternoon I spent some time making this Star Thanks Card for The Paper Players color challenge. The colors are: Real Red, Whisper White and Night of Navy. To create my center panel I used watercolor paper, Night of Navy stampin' pad and my large Aqua Painter. Once the panel was dry I layered it to a slightly larger piece of Night of Navy cardstock. I cut the stars using my Cricut machine and then layered them with silver star stickers. To break up the panel I used silver ribbon that I recycled from holiday packaging. The thanks stamp is from the new Another Thank You stamp set by Stampin' Up! After stamping the sentiment with Real Red ink I used oval punches and layered them together. That about sums it up. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Casual Congrats! Card

Happy Monday afternoon! I hope you're having a wonderful day. It's been nice and sunny here in Oklahoma today. I would like to say that I stayed outside and enjoyed it, but no. I had a dentist appointment this morning and then went to work for two hours and then stayed in my craft room. The card I made is for one of my clients. I recently wrote a contract for her to buy her first home. I'm really excited for her and I hope she will like this Casual Congrats! Card.

The inspiration for this card came from "The Magic of Kits" article in the new Stampin' Success magazine. Stampin' Up! has a new kit available called Happenings Simply Created Card Kit (133329). It includes pieces for making 15 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" cards. My card wasn't made with the supplies from the kit but I did base the layout from one of the featured designs. I used patterned paper from the Sweet Sorbet sale-a-bration collection. It's free until March 31st with a fifty dollar purchase. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

My Casual Congrats! Card is entered into the following challenges:

• The Paper Players: Clean and Simple with Star(s)
• Make It Monday: Anything Goes

Handmade New Year's Card

Hello! I hope you're having a wonderful weekend! My crafting buddy was sunning himself in my craft room, so I couldn't resist hanging out with him and making a card. This Handmade New Year's Card was inspired by the photo challenge at Just Us Girls. I kept the design casual to play along with CAS-ual Fridays Happy New Year challenge.  I went with a monochrome brown color scheme. You can't really tell from the picture but the light tan is a glitter card stock by DCWV, which adds some sparkle. The clock patterned paper is by Karen Foster and the text print paper is from Stampin' Up!. The New Year sentiment is from a clear mini stamp set by KaiserCraft (CS926). There are only a couple of days left in 2013 and I hope you enjoy them. Thanks for stopping by!

My Handmade New Year's Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Just Us Girls: Photo Inspiration
• CAS-ual Fridays: Happy New Year
• Chocolate, Coffee & Cards: New Beginnings
• C.R.A.F.T.: New Year, New Beginnings, New Baby
• Speedy Fox and Friends: Happy New Year

Holland Lop Thanks Card

Some of my favorite cards are made with a specific purpose/reason. This Holland Lop Thanks Card was made for a very cute reason. On Monday I came home a little earlier than usual and I checked my back porch as I always do. I feed my backyard cottontails, squirrels, and birds some seed on my back porch. I'm always looking back there to see what is eating and on Monday I saw a furry little body that wasn't a cottontail. I got closer and noticed it was a juvenile Holland Lop rabbit. Well as luck would have it I had some rabbit food that I recently bought so, I took some outside and watched this little rabbit eat like it was starving. I decided to call my dad because I wasn't sure if I should catch it or leave it. He told me to catch it and I did. The poor little thing was really skinny and pretty weak. I knew I couldn't keep it but I wanted it to have a good home so once again I call my parents. They live in the country and have a rabbit hutch and they agreed to keep it. I kept it overnight and then met my parents the next evening. Now the rabbit, which I named Snickers, has a good home and I can see it when I visit my parents. It's funny because I'm pretty sure my mom thought after I moved out of the house I would stop bringing home stray animals to their house, but so far that hasn't stopped me.


Snickers

To make this card I searched several different digital stamp websites until I found this Holland Lop wabbit image from Doodle Pantry.  It's so cute and fit the theme of my card perfectly. I added some dark area shading with my Copic markers to better resemble Snickers coloring. The Thanks So Much sentiment and scalloped circle was cut using my Cricut machine, the leaves are a die cut and the pansy flower is a punch both by Stampin' Up!. Well, thanks for stopping by and have a terrific day!

My Holland Lop Thanks Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Doodle Pantry: Use a Doodle Pantry Image
• The Sisterhood of Crafters: Use a Digital Stamp
• Flutter By Wednesday: Open, use a butterfly or fairy
• Happy Campers: Show us Your Flowers
• 365 Cards: In the Garden

When I'm with You Card

Good morning! It was an early morning for me. My Crafting Buddy (aka My Cat) is not feeling well and he woke us up every hour from 3am-6am. So, I figured I might as well get up and call the vet to schedule an appointment. Then I made my hubby Applesauce Chobani Pancakes for breakfast and did a load of laundry. Now... I'm ready for a nap.

I made this When I'm with You Card using the sketch from Sunday Stamps. I have to be honest and tell you.... this was the first time I made a banner for one of my cards. To create the banner I used the Pretty Pennants Cartridge and my Cricut machine. The image panel features a stamp from the For the Birds stamp set by Stampin' Up!. I sponged on the clouds and grass and colored the rest with a blender pen and my stampin' ink pads. The final touch was a small amount of dazzling details added to the water drops. Thanks for stopping by and have a terrific day!

My When I'm with You Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Sunday Stamps: Sketch
• Craftin Desert Diva's: Summer
• Incy Wincy Designs: Things with Wings
• Make It Monday: Anything Goes
• Oldie but A Goodie: In the Garden (For the Birds stamp set)

When I'm with You Card Supplies*:

• Paper: Whisper White, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight and Coastal Cabana card stock and Coastal Cabana patterned paper from the Eastern Elegance Designer Series Paper collection.
• Stamps: For the Birds
• Inks: StazOn Jet Black and Classic stampin' pads in Bashful Blue (retired), Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Smoky Slate, Coastal Cabana, Tangerine Tango, Rich Razzleberry, and Melon Mambo.
• Other Stuff: Blender Pen, Large Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, white twine, dazzling details, Cricut machine, Pretty Pennants Cartridge and stampin' dimensionals.

*All supplies by Stampin' Up! unless noted.
 

Caring is Everything Card

The first Monday of July and a big milestone at the Mojo Monday challenge blog. They are celebrating their 300th challenge. That's awesome! To participate you have to make a card using their sketch, post it to the Internet and link it to their challenge. So come on...make a card a play along!

This Caring is Everything Card is full of bright colors that have a nice summery feel. The patterned paper from the Party Collection by Pebbles made it easy to select the right accent colors for this card.  When I started this card I was going to keep it simple and minimize the layering...but, as I was working with the paper and colors I decided it would look better with the real red card stock accenting the layers. It took a little bit longer to make but I really like the way it turned out. Thanks for stopping by and have a fantastic day!

My Caring is Everything Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Mojo Monday: Sketch
• 'ABC' Challenges: Anything Goes
• Make It Monday: Anything Goes

Caring is Everything Card Supplies:

• Paper: Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Real Red card stock by Stampin' Up! Aqua card stock from The Paper Studio and glitter green card stock is from DCWV.
• Stamps: Flower Shop stamp set and Papillon Potpourri stamp set both by Stampin' Up! and sentiment stamp by Print Works.
• Inks: Classic stampin' pads in Real Red, Daffodil Delight and Pumpkin Pie.
• Other Stuff: Sewing machine, thread, Big Shot, Polka Dot embossing folder, Cricut machine, Storybook Cricut cartridge, George and Basic Shapes Cricut cartridge, Pansy Punch, Bitty Butterfly punch and Itty Bitty Shapes punch all by Stampin' Up!, rhinestone basic jewels, and stampin' dimensionals.

Star-Spangled Celebrate Card

It's been a long time since I've sang the Star-Spangled Banner. We used to sing it in grade school, a very long time ago.  Do you remember the lyrics???

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Click here to read the rest of the lyrics

 

We are approaching the Fourth of July here in the United States and the inspiration for my card today was our flag. This Star-Spangled Celebrate Card has some broad stripes and bright silver stars to ignite your patriotic spirit. The stars were cut with the Cricut machine and I added some stitching for detail. The colors are Pacific Point and Whisper White from Stampin' Up! and the red stripe paper is by Recollections. The celebrate sentiment is from the TPC Studios greetings stamp set and I punched it out using my oval punches from Stampin' Up!. The final touch was a few rhinestones for some bling around the sentiment. Thanks for stopping by and have a terrific day! 

 

My Star-Spangled Celebrate Card is entered into the following challenges:

• 'ABC' Challenges: Red, White & Blue
• Paper Playtime: Red, White & Blue
• Sisterhood of Crafters: Stars and Stripes
• Simply Create Too: Colors in Your Country's Flag
• My Time to Craft: Spots and Stripes
• Lexi's Creations: Summer Holidays
• Creative Craft: A Stitch in Time

Man of Steel Card

Oh boy, The Man of Steel Superman movie is in theaters and my hubby is ready to go see it. He's been talking about it for months and now it's time to see if it lives up to all the hype. That's the one bad thing about an iconic super hero movie, you either love them or you're disappointed. I'm always entertained but I don't care if the movie follows a "story line", but my hubby has a different opinion on this issue.

I made this Man of Steel Card for my husband. The chain focal image was made using the Superman Cricut cartridge. I cut the layers in various colors and layered them to get the finished project. I embossed one end of the white card stock with the Tim Holtz Riveted Metal embossing folder. The Superman patterned paper has been in my stash for a very long time just waiting for me to use it. I kept thinking I might make a scrapbook page but that could be years away... so I used it. Now, I have a special card to give to my Superman. Thanks for stopping by and have a SUPER day!!!

My Man of Steel Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Use it Tuesday: Masculine
• Crafting By Designs: Father's Day/Men/Male
• The Sisterhood of Crafters: It's All About the Boys!
• Crafting for all Seasons: One for the Guys
• DL.ART: Father's Day/A card for a Man

Masculine Congrats Card

Good afternoon! I have a quick post to share a card I made for my brother. He got a new job and I wanted to help celebrate by making him this Masculine Congrats Card. To create this card I used this weeks Freshly Made Sketch. I kept the design clean and simple. The star was cut using my Cricut machine and the basic gray neutral series dsp and chevron embossing folder are by Stampin' Up!. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Circles Happy Birthday Card

Hello! This afternoon I've been playing with the scraps on my craft table and I ended up having fun with circles. This Circles Happy Birthday Card is a casual design with a contemporary feel. I used punches and my Cricut machine to make the various sizes of circles. The Pacific Point polka dot strip was a discarded idea from earlier this week. I masked and sponged the Pacific Point and then heat embossed the polka dots using the Distressed Dots stamp by Stampin' Up! (the Distressed Dots stamp is on the retiring list, so get it while you can). Overall this was a pretty simple card. Thanks for stopping by and have a fantastic day!

My Circles Happy Birthday Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Charisma Cardz: Polka Dots
• Rudy's Rainbow: Round & Round
• CAS-ual Fridays: Birthday Bash
• AUD Sentiments: Happy Birthday
• Penny's Paper-Crafty: Anything Goes

Circles Happy Birthday Card Supplies: Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, and Gumball Green card stock by Stampin' Up!, 1" circle punch, 1-3/8" circle punch, Cricut machine, George and Basic Shapes Cartridge, classic stampin' pad in Pacific Point, StazOn Jet Black stamp pad, VersaMark watermark stamp pad, Zing! white embossing powder, Distressed Dots stamp by Stampin' Up!, Happy Birthday stamp by TPC Studio, heat tool, Big Shot, polka dot embossing folder, clear rhinestones, and stampin' dimensionals.

Cricut Silhouette Card

Hello all you night owls! I've been hiding in my craft room this evening and I created this Cricut Silhouette Card for this weeks Tuesday Morning Sketches challenge. My Cricut machine was the very first tool purchased for scrapbooking and card making. My hubby bought it for me many years ago for Christmas. In the beginning I used it all the time but as my tool selections expanded I used it less and less. So, tonight I made a point to use it. I cut the focal silhouette image using the Cindy Loo cartridge and used the shadow function on the pool party accent color. The background patterned paper comes from SEI, the vanilla sunshine collection. The butterfly and corner accent patterned paper is from the Sycamore Street dsp by Stampin' Up! The pool party buttons and twine are also from Stampin' Up! I didn't use a sentiment on the front of the card because I didn't want to limit it's use to a specific occasion. Sometimes it's best to leave your options open. Well, it's getting late. Thanks for stopping by!!!

My Cricut Silhouette Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Tuesday Morning Sketches: Sketch
• Simply Create Too: Animals (little deer and squirrel in image)
• Hiding in My Craft Room: Freestyle! Anything Goes

White on Kraft For You Card

Hello! Earlier this week I found a challenge for White on Kraft creations at The Kraft Journal. At that time it didn't match what I was looking for, but the challenge stuck in my mind. The last two mornings I woke up thinking about white on kraft cards. So, I accepted the challenge and created this White on Kraft For You Card.

White on Kraft For You Card Supplies*:

• Paper: Kraft folded card by The Paper Studio, Whisper White card stock by Stampin' Up!, and corrugated kraft card stock (source unknown).
• Stamps: Itty Bitty Banners stamp set and Language of Friendship stamp set.
• Inks: Classic stampin' pad in Soft Suede.
• Other Stuff: Big Shot, Fancy Fan embossing folder, Finishing Touches Edgelit, Bitty Banners Framelits, Blossom punch, Boho Blossom punch, Cricut machine, Straight from the Nest cartridge (leaves), Celebrate It lace ribbon by Michaels, antique gold brad (source unknown), and stampin' dimensionals.

*All supplies by Stampin' Up! unless noted.

My White on Kraft Card is entered into the following challenges:

1. The Kraft Journal: White on Kraft
2. Paper Crafting Journey: Bingo! (Lace, Embossing, Flowers)
3. Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge: Anything Goes

Happy 40th Birthday Card

Hello and Happy Valentine's Day! My hubby and sweetheart is turning 40 today! I wanted this birthday to be memorable and not just because it's a milestone birthday but because it was filled with things he enjoys. He likes Captain America, so I did a theme for his birthday with this iconic Marvel hero. I made this Happy 40th Birthday Card with basic white, blue, and red card stock. I embossed the blue panel and made the shield with circle punches and circles cut with the Cricut machine. I used the Cricut to cut the 40 and shadow layered the numbers. Stamped Happy Birthday with royal blue ink and added a strip of red glitter stars by Recollections for some sparkle. It's a simple layout and one that is versatile for many occasions.


This Happy 40th Birthday Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Shopping Our Stash: They Say it's Your Birthday!
• Tuesday Throwdown: Anything Goes
• Crafting When We Can: Cards for Boys
• Cards Galore: One for the Men

I also made him a cake. When I decorated it I had a migraine, so it's not my best work. I'm thinking he will be impressed that I didn't just go to the store and buy something. It was made with love and in the end that's all that matters.

 

Just a Note of Love

This morning when I read the theme challenge at CAS-ual Fridays was LOVE SONG, there were many songs that popped into my head. There was no way I could pick just one, so I settled on using sheet music. Growing up I took piano lessons and although I don't play often, I love sheet music. Especially vintage sheet music. So, think instrumental classical music, Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 or Chopin's Prelude in E-Minor. The notes are all that matter with no lyrics getting in the way. To start this creative process  I started digging through my stash and realized I needed to make a trip to the craft store, or at least that's the "excuse" I used. Anyway, I found some washi tape with sheet music by Recollections and it was perfect for the card I wanted to create. Now there is no song that feels left out, because they can all be represented with this Just a Note Love Card. Thanks for stopping by my blog!


Just a Note Love Card Supplies:

• Paper: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, and Basic Black card stock by Stampin' Up!
• Other Stuff: Big Shot, Sizzix label die, Cricut machine, George and Basic Shapes cartridge (oval) and Home Accents cartridge (love script), silver heart brads from my stash, washi tape by Recollections, and dimensionals.

 

You Drive Me Bananas Card

Good afternoon! We have reached the middle of the week, hooray! This afternoon I've been playing around with my stash and trying to come up with a Valentine card for a boy. In the end I created this You Drive Me Bananas Card. The monkey paper is from The Paper Studio topped with a 3" heart I cut with my Cricut machine and the sentiment was made using the computer. I know it's nothing fancy but it's simple, cute, and it has a monkey sticking it's tongue out which makes me chuckle. Thanks for stopping by!

This You Drive Me Bananas Card is entered into the following challenges:

• The Sisterhood of Crafters: Hearts
• City Crafter: Forever Mine, use Hearts
• Our Daily Bread Designs: For a Child