Birthday and Thank You

I made these two yesterday. The first is really, really simple, but I like the colors.

Stamps: Butterfly Dreams (sentiment)

Ink: SU Chocolate Chip

Paper: Kraft, Pretty Pastels, In Bloom

Other: oval scallop punch (Marvy), oval punch (Marvy)

Finished Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

The second card is more my style. Red, black, kraft, buttons. I'm loving Polka Dot Basics II. Seriously.

Stamps: Daily Designs (sentiment), Take Note (circle), Polka Dot Basics II

Ink: Fresh Snow

Paper: Pure Poppy, Kraft, Black and White Basics

Other: circle scallop punch (EK Success), circle punch (EK Success), pure poppy buttons, MM floss

Finished Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

CASE'ING to Get the Mojo Moving

I totally cased Dawn's card from Jan/Feb 2010 PaperCrafts (pg. 42). I thought the way she used Pure Poppy with Berry Sorbet was eye-popping. Plus...I'm kind of enamored with Damask Designs right now. When I created the card, I didn't have Polka Dot Basics, so I subbed Text Style. I also didn't have Fancy Flourishes, so I used a flourish from a Hero Arts set. And...because I'm STILL trying to figure out my card for the upcoming swap, I made it a "thank you."

The second card was a little more experimentation. And while I was making the first card, the post man came and dropped off Polka Dot Basics (no kidding), so I got to ink it up right away. Because I liked the chocolate chip ink on aqua mist, I thought I'd try it with lavender moon and see if it made me as happy. It didn't, but it didn't turn out hideous, so I kept it. I also didn't have the right color button, so I subbed plum pudding.

Art in Our Family

I've been scrapbooking ever since the kids can remember. We always do art projects, together and separately. The office is chock full of art supplies for them. It's no wonder they love art. Kawai's thing recently has been making me stamp images for her to color. Now, if it were up to her, she'd be all up in my Copics. Not happening. She's been told to stay out of the Copics and use the Marvy LePlumes, which are...like 8 years old. Lol. Yesterday, when she walked into the office, she saw my Love card. She asked me to stamp her an Ian and Anya, and because I didn't want to have to pull everything out again, I stamped her a whole page of the images she wanted.

And she was off. She kept asking me what color I used for this and what color I used for that...so I ended up putting the card right in front of her. She's been grumbling for a while about not having "skin colors." I keep telling her to use the crayons or color pencils, and she keeps resisting. This time though, when I plopped the twistables (with peach) in front of her, she used it. She said, "Mommy, I want my Ian and Anya to look like yours." Wow, she's only 5 and she's already CASE"ing". I'm a proud mommy. 

Interestingly enough, Kahia had to write an essay today about what his favorite subject is. He wrote about art, saying "It calms me down in tough situations." I love that art is an outlet for both of them. 

After the little princess was done with her coloring, I got a chance to make some cards without interruptions. Here's what I made, and as Sara has noticed, I am kinda getting into the Smokey Shadow.

 

I cased Mish's sketch found here. 

Stamps: Butterfly Dreams

Ink: Fresh Snow, Smokey Shadow, Black(Versafine)

Paper: Kraft, Vintage Cream, Pretty Pastels

Other: Lace Ribbon, Fiskars Treading Water Border Punch

Finished Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

The second card I made was after checking out PTI's gallery and deciding that I really need to practice using my background stamps. I saw Niki Este's card and knew I needed to try Damask Designs again...with SU's chocolate chip ink on Aqua mist cardstock. I wasted some cardstock, but I did get a big enough piece to use.

 

Stamps: Damask Designs

Ink: SU Chocolate Chip

Paper: Dark Chocolate, Aqua Mist, Kraft

Other: Chiffon ribbon

Finished Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

 I was also able to take some better pictures using my cardstock back drop and new flower frogs. The light was semi-decent today, but I know that if I'm going to continue this blog, I need to figure out something a little more permanent for taking card and layout pictures. 

Thanks for visiting today.

Dot Spot and Fillable Frames

 

Notice something new in this picture? 

I used Dot Spot and Fillable Frames. I did use Nichole Heady's trick with the post it notes to make sure I stamped straight on the frame. I also used contrasting colored ink...pure poppy and smokey shadow. It was Mrs. Enabler's idea to use two colors, and I love it.

Mojo Monday and PTI Spring Color Challenge Entry #2

Here's my kill-two-birds-with-one-stone card. I used the Mojo Monday sketch (128) AND I used Heather Nichols' spring colors.

All supplies PTI unless otherwise specified

Stamps: Daily Designs and Daily Designs Sentiments

Ink: Smokey Shadow

Paper: Spring Moss, Lemon Tart, Pretty Pastels

Other: American Crafts Ribbon

Finished Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

PTI'S Spring Color Challenge

Used Lisa Johnson's spring colors to create this card. I actually colored Ian and Anya last night and couldn't figure out what to use them for. Then, when I saw Nichole's post, I knew they'd be perfect. Spring...time for love.

Stamps: The Greeting Farm Dressy Anya, My Guy Ian, Tiny Treats: Valentine, and Background Basics: Text Style II

Ink: Sweet Blush, SU Chocolate Chip

Paper: Kraft, Dark Chocolate, Vintage Cream

Other: Copics

Finished Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Embellie Kick

I've been on sort of an embellie creating kick since seeing Dawn and Mish's posts about them. I can't show you the ones I really want to show because I'm using them as thank you's for a swap...and some of those people read the blog.

These are some simple flowers I created after making this layout. The color on the layout is closer to the real color than the color above. Boy, shows you how much I need to work on figuring out how to photograph my layouts and cards and such.

My crafting partner in crime, the wonderful Mrs. Enabler has just started up her blog... She is one of the most creative people I know! Although we started with Copics together, she's way out of my league when it comes to coloring. She's not afraid to try new things, and her color combinations are fantastic. If you get a chance, go give her some bloggy love.