You Rock!

This is going to be a quick post.  I should be just under the deadline for the QKR Stampede Challenge - Paper Piecing .

This is QKR Stampede Image 9211, however I could not find it to link back to. Maybe it has been discontinued???

I find round cards difficult to make.  Lining everything up and getting it to set correctly can be challenging.  I used my Silhouette Cameo to do my paper piecing and cut the image.  The Silhouette was also used for the shape of the card, the rope trim and the star on the inside.  I needed the star to balance the card.  

I said this would be a quick post.  The end!

For the Love of Gingham

I actually made and photographed this card more than 2 weeks ago and would have posted, but sometimes your life gets pushed in a different direction.  I'm taking few minutes to get this posted so I can enter Power Poppy's power-spark-june-challenge-go-ahead-bug.  For their Junebug Challenge, all you need to do is use a 'bug' on you card and in my case the bug (butterfly) is the the card.

Surprise! I used my Silhouette Cameo for the shape of the card.  If you don't own one these amazing machines, you may not know that you can use it to edit a digi and set it against a digital background
like my new favorite, black gingham.  This butterfly easal card was purchased from The Silhouette Design Store.  The pretty sunflowers are from Power Poppy's Sunshine of My Life digital collection.
I colored the sunflowers on the front with Copics and chose not to color the inside.  On the front I accented the gingham with a black frame. The only other items used are pearls and a pretty black bow from Paper Studio.  The sentiment is My Sentiments Exactly! H162.

The card below follows the basic technique as the butterfly only this time the shape was taken from the digi itself.  Did I tell you this machine is amazing?

The Retro Telephone image  is from Buddly Crafts.  As I was linking back to the store, I noticed they have a bunch of new digi's I need to check out. Love there stuff.

I did post this at Splitcoast Stampers late last month.

Final thought. Have you said "I love you" lately?

Window and Roses

Well it finally warmed up didn't it. Now we can start complaining about the heat. They say we may break 100 deg. mark today.  So I will be enjoying the AC and looking out my window at all the pretty flowers my husband has planted.

I will be entering this in the Inkspirational Challenge136-designers-Choice-Widows.

When I buy a new digi, one of the first things I do is make into a cutting file. Some of them can be very challenging. Although this one may appear to be difficult, it was actually quite easy. The key is having no openings to the inner parts the digital image. The Silhouette  will cut those tiny branches, but they would be very week, so I used the offset tool to leave a little bit of a white edge.

I colored the image with Copics and placed in front of this pretty window, which was also cut with the Silhouette. I used Spellbinder's Exquisite Label's 10 for the card base.

One more thing before I go and I've been thinking about this awhile.  Don't you think it's proper blog etiquette to  leave a comment on at least one or two of the designers cards, when entering a contest?
Just saying...

Bloomin Boots

This is a card I made for Splitcoast Stampers Saturday Inspiration Challenge. Ya, that's right... it took me a whole day to complete.  I think I've mention that I have the concentration of a gnat. I've been working on a large paper project and several other cards.  I'll drop a project and pick up another if I turn my head.  I guess after years of deadlines and stress, I've gone completely bonkers. And if you are old enough 😊you don't care how you get there or even if you get there.

Here is the link to my inspiration piece:  John Flevog - Montaigne-Blue

I thought this would be good practice coloring black.  Need more practice!

This Just Inklined digital image was colored with Copics and cut with the Silhouette Cameo. The sentiment is Verve Stamps and the die is Wonky-Stitched Rectangles from MFT.

This post took an hour, because I got distracted a couple of times.

 

Folded Butterfly

Just when you're all comfy with your laziness and your mojo has taken a walk, someone comes along and starts poking at you.  A friend sent me an email suggesting that we should both promise to make a card this week.

Well, the poke was just what I needed, so thank you my friend. I can't wait to see yours.

I kind of copied this idea from an embellishment that I bought at Hobby Lobby.  I folded some light weight patterned paper and using scissors, snipped around the edges to shape the butterfly.  The body was cut using the Silhouette and some awesome Recollections glitter card stock. The center is brad from Making Memories.  I made an embossed frame with a Life Style die.

I will be entering this in the Double "D" Challenge - Things That Fly.

Grandma's Table Cloth

I wanted to do something for the Double "D" Challenge which is Lavender and Lace  and I remembered these Gladiolas from Power Poppy.

I cut the image with the Silhouette Cameo and proceeded to color it with Copics. My (2) lavender Copics were pretty much dried out, so I went over the peddles with my Prisma pencils. 

The background is a Silhouette design fittingly called "Grandma's Tablecloth". When I placed the image on top of the lace background it was just too busy, so I due cut some vellum with Spellbinder's Floral Ovals and placed the gladiolas on top with some dimensionals. When I cut the vellum, the edges curled upwards, which I considered a plus. As a finishing touch, I added a little white bow from Paper Studio. 

Peek-a Boo-Kitten

I'm on a Valentine kick. And how could you not be with cute stamps like this one from High Hopes?

 I haven't used this stamp for quite a few years, so I decided to visit their online store. Oh my goodness, they have some really cute stamps.

I cut the image with the Silhouette Cameo and colored it with Copics.  I used my pencils for shading around him and behind the fence, mostly because I did not want anything to bleed through. The fence and XOXO were also cut with the Silhouette Cameo. I used dimensionals under the kitten and fence, then added a couple of heart stickers from Hobby Lobby just to balance everything out.

Black Patent Heart

I made this card for the Double "D" Challenge - black-and-white-and-party-continues.  I don't think I have ever made a black and white card.  But the Double "D"s Design Team has really inspired me. Plus the prizes are pretty awesome.

I started out with some pattern paper that I purchased from Hobby Lobby's open stock.

I scanned the patterned paper and brought the image into the Silhouette Studio, extracted one of the "Love", enlarged it then cut it with some glossy black paper.  I needed the design cut to stand out a little more so I traced it and used the offset tool then cut it on white.

This card shape is one of my favorites.  I layered the scalloped frames with dimensional foam dots. The beautiful black heart is the finishing touch.  In this case a "Black Heart" is a good thing. 

Recollection's gloss black from Boo Paper Pad

Paper Studion patterned paper

White Cardstock

Penny Black Heart Die

Spellbinders Label Dies (I don't know the correct name)

foam dimensionals

Silhouette Cameo

Double "D"  Black & White Only Challenge

HE WILL BRING YOU THROUGH IT

This is the first time I've used this QKR digi and I've had it for better than a year.  I just couldn't quite figure out how to use it until now.

I designed my card using the Silhouette Cameo.  I do this if even if I am not cutting anything. It makes arranging the layout very easy.  For this card I used QKR's  digi 17915 Flower Boarder.
I mirrored the image, then flipped it.  I inserted the sentiment from Silhouette's Design Studio between the flower boarders and used the alignment tool to center everything, then sent it to the printer.

So no cutting this time.  I colored the image with my Copics, and made some shadows to give it more dimension. I used a square Life Style die to emboss the edges. Then I used foam dimensionals to mount it onto the card.

I am entering this card in QKR Stampede's #226 CAS Challenge.

Let's Write a Letter

I am so excited to share with you this wonderful project from The Cutting Cafe.

Please excuse my photography.  I haven't figured out how to take a photo of something laying flat without all kinds of shadows.  take a look at what comes with this cutting file.

WOW!  The possabilites are endless.  This set comes formatted as MTC, PDF, SVG or WPC and is priced at only $4.25.

Watch Regina's video for more inspiration.

Click on the link to get your own "Let's Write a Letter" cutting file. 

Other Products used:
Power Poppy's digital stamp - flowering branches (stationery) 
Die-Versions Spring Pond die (cover die)
s-e-i Bright Blossom 12 x 12 paper pad
Orange organza ribbon
Score tape

Autumn Greetings

I think Autumn has some of the most spectacular colors that nature has to offer. I love the all the pretty colors of leaves turning, mums of every color and pumpkins of every size.  The Cutting Cafe has quite a few cutting and digital files for you to celebrate this wonderful season.  Here are a couple that I have used on this card.

The Autumn Greetings frame  was printed on my laser printer.  I laid some gold foil over the printed image, placed a sheet of copy paper over the foil and ran it through my laminate machine.  I just love the results.  The Huge Pumpkin is printable from The Cutting Cafe also.  I loaded my image into the Silhouette Cameo and cut it with some glitter cardstock and added some jewels.  Look at what you get for a fabulous price.

Only $1.99 

and

Huge Pumpkin for $.99

Check out The Cutting Cafe for more ideas.  Now go forth and create something wonderful!

Back to School

School starts here next Tuesday.  Regina, The Cutting Cafe owner, gave her design team some fabulous cutting files to work with that are perfect for the start of a new school year. I chose the Apple Treat Card.

I was a little intimidated when I first saw her sample card.  Watch her tutorial video below and see, it's easy peasy!

 

As with all my Cutting Cafe post, I am reminding you that you do not have to own a cutting machine. The Cutting Cafe files come in various formats, so you can print and hand cut to make any of her designs. And wow are they ever affordable. This one is just $2.25.  

Check out the other back to school projects at The Cutting Cafe.

Christmas in August

Regina, the owner of The Cutting Cafe, asked her team members to do a Christmas in August project. And I'm thinking "why not?".  And should we not just do Christmas all year?

I chose to do this awesome Noel shaped card. It is so easy with The Cutting Cafe Noel-Word-Shaped-Card-Template-Cuttng-File.  

This file comes in various file formats, so even if you don't have a cutting machine such as the Silhouette, you can still print and cut by hand. And you can either print in color or use some pretty pattern paper. If you are printing on patterned paper, you will want to print on the back side and reverse the image. As you can see it even comes with additional images which I have not used in this project. And this entire set is only $.99!!

If you want a tutorial on how to convert files for the Silhouette Cameo, here is a really good one: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTYWfOmo8r8

Products:

Noel-Word-Shaped-Card-Template

White & Black Card Stock 

Gold Wrapping Paper

Cheery Lynn Holly Corner (B-184)

Paper Studio Gems

Silhouette Cameo 

QKR Stampede Challenge #201 Up and Away

This little Pigtail Angel is so sweet. You have probably noticed that I have a thing for QKR Stampede's rag dolls.  Every time I color one up I remember making a rag doll for my daughter for her first birthday. She would be very unhappy with me if I were to tell you how many years ago that was. I recently found her doll packed away in the attic. She needed a little scrubbing, but she is just as sweet and now the grandchildren play with her when they visit.

I picked QKR Stampede #13103 Pigtail Angel for this challenge.  Then I ran across this pretty flocked kraft paper from DCWV and cut a piece with my new Wonky Stitch die from Die-namics.
(For some reason this paper warps when used with dies.)  Next I printed (2) digis on plain kraft paper and cut (2) with the Silhouette Cameo.  I started to use a bleach technique to lighten the face and hands. Apparently I did not give it time and moved on to the second one with my pencils. I finished coloring her and looked over at the bleached image and it had lightened up perfectly. Lesson learned.

Stop over at the QKR Stampede blog and check out the rest of the design teams fabulous cards.

Products:  #13103 Pigtail Angel
                Paper Trey Ink (Sentiment)
                Die-namics exclusive from MFT Wonky Stitch Rectangles
                DCWV Playtime Stack designer paper
                Prisma Color pencils
                Pearls
                Raspberry Stickles (halo, wand & wings)

Happy Friday!

QKR Challenge #200-By the Sea

Friday already?  Before I retired I would say "Monday already".  But since it is Friday, QKR Stampede has another challenge - #200 By the Sea!

I chose digi #21705 Ship.  Really all I did was add just a little pencil to give the ship color and some Stickles for the waves.  The striped paper came from Hobby Lobby and the frame which includes the anchor was cut with the Silhouette Cameo.  I used Impression Obsession shell dies and popped them for the easel stop. The sentiment is from a first generation Cornish Heritage stamp set. The die framing the shells and sentiment is from Joy Crafts. The card shape was made using Spellbinder Grand Caliber die Labels One.

Come join us at QKR Stampede for this weeks challenge.

QKR Challenge 199 Transportation

Okay, maybe my "transportation" card is a bit of a stretch.  But she is sooo darn cute!

I am ashamed to admit it, but I usually don't finish the inside of a card until, I have a place to send it. Maybe this is the new me. (Nah, I'm lazy).

Not only did I finish the inside, I made an envelope too.  I ran out of  the cardstock that I used for the card, but I found some Bazzill that was a perfect color match. Every time I thought I had that envelope glued it came right back up.  I used a tape runner, double sided tape and score tape.  I finally used some Aleene's clear gel tacky glue and let it set overnight between two embossing plates. I picked at it and I think it's going to hold.

Stamp - QKR Stampede digital 9211 lil' Cowgirl
Paper - Authentique
Dies - Memory Box Stitched Scalloped Circles, Paper Trey Ink Rick-Rack, Paper Smooches "Hi"
Color Medium - Copics
Accessories - Gems, Twine, Dimensional dots, Silhouette Cameo

Stop by The QKR Challenge Blog and join us for this weeks QKR Stampede Challenge #199 Transportation.

Cutting Cafe's You Color My World

This is my first official post as one of The Cutting Cafe's designers.  The owner, Regina Easter, gave her design team this fabulous file for our first assignment. Wow!

Included in this download are the colored panels which I've used on my card

The triple accordion card was cut with my Silhouette Cameo.  Don't the colored panels and sentiment look pretty with this design? I finished it with some ribbon, gems and Martha Stewart punches. So easy!

Stop over to The Cutting Cafe and check out more of her fabulous files.  

Don't forget to check out the VIDEOS, many of them have a few tips in working with the cutting files...Also remember if you don't have a cutting machine, all of the cutting files also come in pdf for handing cutting...See tips down below for tips on handcutting the PDF CUTTING FILES.

QKR Christmas in July

   Yeah! Christmas in July. I love to make Christmas cards and I love Snowmen!  I chose 23801 Snowman Christmas Tree.  I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut the snowman and didn't use the tree. Maybe next time.

The hat, mittens and scarf were cut separately, colored with Copics and embossed with a Stampin Up embossing folder.  I am little disappointed with how the green photoed.  For his body I did just a little shading with Copic C3.  I used an old paint bush to stippled Copic White Opaque for some added texture. The black and white paper is from The Paper Studio and the die is Memory Box. I used some gold wrapping paper to frame it all out.

Stop over at QKR Stampede blog and check out the other designer cards. You'll be inspired to join in on the #198 Christmas in July Challenge!

QKR Stampede Challenge #197 Paper Piecing

Has anyone else done this.  Spend an hour or more on a card. It's perfectly centered and glued to the card base. You go to stamp a sentiment on the inside and..... you discover you've used a piece of card stock with something already printed on it.  The only good part is that I took the picture before I tried to pull it off.  I'm embarrassed to say this is not my first time doing this.

She still makes me smile.

I used QKR digital image #13713-This Much.  I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut her pretty little dress and pinafore. The fence and the sun were also cut with the Silhouette. The floral die is from Spellbinders and the sentiment is Stampendous.  

Come join us over at QKR Stampede for this weeks challenge.  While your there, check out what fabulous cards the other designers have made. 

Snaughling

I always have a hard time starting a post.  I can never think of something clever or interesting to say. All I sometimes come up with is "here's my card".  So today I'm starting with a Minion.

Snort! Love those guys. Here's my card. 

I started by cutting a wreath with my Silhouette Cameo, but I've pretty much covered it up with the strawberries and flowers.  I also cut the digital strawberries with my Silhouette Cameo.  I can cut an entire page at one time. 

This digital stamp set is from Doodle Pantry is one of my first digital stamps. I colored it up with Copics and added some pretty little flowers from Paper Studio.  The card was cut with a Spellbinder's label die. The gingham paper was my big find at Walmart. The 12 X 12 pack was $5! There were only three and I snatched them up. One for me and the other two go to my Saturday stamping buddies. 

I will be entering this in:

AIMPDC18  ANTS IN MY PANTRY DIGITAL CHALLENGE 18