OWH VCMP: Labor Day 2013

Hi, everyone.

Before I get to my first card of the day, I'd like to share a quick story about hubby. He uses the computer a lot the first couple of days of each month for budget-related things. I shared with him the importance of me using the computer today and tomorrow. To try to put this cardmaking party in perspective, I told him it was OWH's Super Bowl!

So, when I put it to him that way, he reluctantly acquiesced his computer time. Guess my little analogy worked. :)

Now for today's first card.

Challenge 1: Make a Sketch-Based Winter/Christmas Card

Nancy definitely got this party started with a great challenge to make a winter-themed or Christmas card based on her terrific sketch. Thanks, Nancy, for a fun opening challenge.

For the card below, I went with snowflakes instead of squares. The base of the card is from one of my all-time favorite paper collections, and I let the sentiment at the bottom of the paper stand on its own. Glossy accents were added to each snowflake for a little shimmer against the dp.

dp: Bo Bunny snowfall; cardstock: Ac and Bazzill
EK snowflake punch; Zig 2 way glue
Updated with lighter blue, glossy-accented snowflakes

Challenge #2: Make an O-W-H Inspired Card

In another great challenge, Diane asks us to make a card inspired by O, W, and H. So, the card below features an oval with an ornament on white paper that is heat embossed in silver. 

dp: We R Memory Keepers Winter Frost
cardstock: Distress Ink core, Bazzill black
Stampin' Up! stamp and punch; Martha Stewart punch
OWH fundraiser ribbon; garage sale brad
Creative Memories oval cutting system

Challenge #3: Triple Die Technique

In this challenge, Seongsook challenges us to use a triple die technique. Two extra challenges for me are that I only have one set of Nestabilities (scalloped circles) and a garage-sale die-cutting machine that I still haven't quite figured out.

Regardless, the card below was definitely made in the spirit of the challenge. It's a little busier than my usual cards. And, even thought the dp is Winter Frost, this could easily be a spring card.

Despite my personal obstacles, I enjoyed learning a new technique. Thanks, Seongsook for a really interesting challenge and LOVELY sample cards.

We R Memory Keepers Winter Frost; Bazzill cardstock
OWH fundraising ribbon
sentiment heat embossed in Distress Ink walnut stain
Nestabilities dies; Marvy and Paper Studio punches

Challenge #4: A Love Card from Sketch #29

How appropriate that Annette used Sketch #29 to make a love card in honor of her and her hubby's 29th wedding anniversary. :)

Turns out my love card was made using those cardmaking supplies that I absolutely love:

• a CAS sketch 
• my couldn't-scrap-without-it ATG gun
• my wouldn't-want-to-scrap-without-it Stampin' Up! trimmer
• Distress Inks and core paper
• Paper Smooches stamps
• a Stampin' Up! goodie (embossing folder)
• garage-sale finds (brads, heat gun)

Happy 29th Annette! Wishing you at least 29 more. :)

Challenge #5: Masking Tape Block Stamping Technique

For this challenge, Donna is having us use a block stamping technique involving masking tape. It looks super easy. For some reason, it took me a while to figure this one out. But, I'm so glad I stuck with it. This card is so different from my typical cards... different in a really good way.  :)

Distress Ink watercolor paper, spritzed with Ranger mini mister
inkadinkado sentiment in StazOn black
Bazzill black, Distress Ink core, Paper Studio brads

I was originally going to put some kind of colorful ribbon on the left. Then I realized the watercolor paper needed black matting to pop the colors off the white background, and added the brads to give it a mounted painting kind of look.

Thanks, Donna, for introducing me to a totally new technique that seems to have a lot of potential.

Challenge #7: OWH Sketch #188

When I saw today's sketch, I was wondering if I could get three fabric strips to work for the three vertical banners. So, some ribbons and a vintage-feel embellishment are the stars of today's Any Hero card.

Authentique Pride dp; Distress Ink antique linen
Paper Smooches and Ribbon Boutique ribbons
K and Company epoxy sticker embellishement
Elmer's Craft Fabric and Paper Glue

Thanks, Marlene, for starting Day 2 off with a great CAS sketch!

Challenge #8: An OWH Sketch-Inspired Fall Card

I was thrilled when this challenge came up because I wanted a do-over on a previously posted fall card. On the card below, the leaves were colored by dabbing on the ink with cotton swamps.

OWH Sketch #165, which I followed pretty literally  :)
paper: green and rust/orange: Distress Ink core; dark brown: Bazzill (or AC)
CraftSmart image, heat embossed and colored with Distress Inks
Fiskars border punch; OWH fundraiser ribbon

Thanks, Marilyn, for hosting such a timely challenge!

Challenge #9: A BEE-Inspired Card

I originally thought about skipping this challenge... counting my earlier Bee Mine card for two challenges. Then this sentiment popped in my head while taking a walk. Well, that was all the motivation I needed. And, I am really pleased with the way this turned out!  :)

Paper Smooches stamps (Bee Mine and Alphadots); original sentiment
Distress Ink core paper; watercolor paper
Stampin' Up! embossing folder
inks: Distress Ink Fired Brick and StazOn Jet Black
Glossy Accents on bees and heart; stash ribbon ???

Since I'm not a Copic girl, I simply smeared some Distress Ink Scattered Straw on watercolor paper and stamped the bees over the ink. The letters in the sentiment were larger than the ones shown here. So, I scanned the stamped sentiment and played with printed out several different percentages to get the size shown here.

UPDATED 9/05/2013: Think I'll post these little bees for this month's Paper Smooches Guest Designer Challenge.

Challenge #10: Using the Negative

The Christmas trees were punched out of the dp. Then a strip of green dp was heat embossed in clear powder and placed behind the trees.

I don't often stamp over dp. But, I think it works here because of the deep brown (embossed) ink.

Really like the CAS feel of this card. :)

Echo Park Christmas This & That; Bazzill brown
Emagination punch
Hero Arts sentiment, heat embossed in Distress Ink walnut stain
Stampin' Up! brads

Thanks, Donna, for reminding me of a technique I should use more often. :)

Parting Thoughts

Whew!  That was sure a lot of fun, a lot of work... and I'm looking at a lot of cards to send in my next box to Kris!

Thanks to Allison, the OWH blog team, and the hostesses.

And, thanks to everyone who played along with the Cards 4 Kids challenge. Your linked cards are adorable!

Finally, all weekend long, I found myself asking, "What would Paula do?" Hopefully, I made some good Paula-inspired decisions. :)

There Was a Little Princess...

Hi, everyone.

The wife of a colleague recently gave birth to their second daughter. He is due back to work on Tueday. Today he made a surprise visit with his little princess Lauren.

The card below will be waiting for Princess Lauren's daddy on Tuesday.  :)

dp: stash???; cardstock: AC or Bazzill
Really Reasonable Ribbon
computer-generated sentiment
Martha Stewart butterfly punches and gem
Creative Memories oval cutting system; Tombow foam adhesives

This card is a departure for me for two reasons. First, pink/green/brown palettes are unusual for me. Ironically enough,  I struggled with a color challenge using these very colors just a few weeks ago. Secondly, I don't often use patterned ribbons -- and I almost never pair a patterned ribbon with a patterned paper. But, I think this works okay.

Parting Thoughts

The OWH Labor Day VCMP is right around the corner!

Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

A Thank You Fit for a Man

Hi, everyone.

Today was Jan's last post as OWH's Midweek Throwdown Hostess. It's pretty appropriate that today's challenge is a thank you because that's what all of us want to say to Jan.

Since I missed out on the Facebook post about making a masculine friend card, I thought I'd make up for it making a masculine thank you card for today's challenge.

dp: Jillibean Fresh Vegetable Soup (mushroom)
cardstock: browns: AC and/or Bazzill; almond cream: Bazzill
sentiment heat embossed in Distress Ink walnut stain
recycled raffia from ??? that will pull right off

I'm working on an invitation to my father-in-law's 90th birthday party. (More on that in a future post!)  The materials for those invitations are still strewn all over our dining room table. So, I replicated the invitation fold (a 12" by 4.25" card that is scored and folded at 3.25" at either end), stamped the sentiment -- surprisingly getting a "good" stamped image on my first attempt, taped on the dp, and tied on a scrap ribbon. Voila! This had to be the quickest card I've made in a long time since all of the heavy lifting went into designing the party invitations.

Parting Thoughts

Looking forward to this weekend's VCMP.

One last shout out to Jan. Thanks, Jan! All the best in your new ventures.

P is for Patriot

Hi, everyone.

The weather's been gorgeous here all weekend. If the same is true in your neck of the woods, hope you've had a chance to get outside and enjoy.

Today's Any Hero card was inspired by OWH Sketch #187.

Authentique Pride; Bazzill admiral
Little Yellow Bicycle Naturals pennant sticker
computer-generated sentiment
Paper Smooches twine; garage sale brads

Took Jen's suggestions.
Thanks, Jen!

Because of the width of the Naturals pennant, I slightly increased the width of the top rectangle and thenslightly adjusted the positions of
both rectangles. I opted for the twine to be placed on the right side of the bottom rectangle to balance the texture of the pennant. And, I chose to use a shorter rectangle for the sentiment to feature the twine against the navy. This is the one decision I'm second guessing -- wondering if the sentiment would look better running the full length of the navy rectangle underneath it. Hmmm.... maybe I'll play with this part a little more...

Really like the pennant. It's a nice weight, and cut with minimal fraying. The sticker is from a sheet of stickers that was on clearance at Michael's. This was one of those purchases that I wondered if I would regret making.
But, as it turns out, I think I should've bought more than 2 sheets. 

Parting Thoughts

Really looking forward to next weekend's OWH Birthday VCMP!

It's sooo pretty here. Think I'm headed out to do a little reading on the front porch. :)

Have a great week! Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

An Old-Fashioned Christmas

Hi, everyone.

I was so excited when I saw this stamp and punch bundle in the Stampin' Up! catalog and am THRILLED with the way the card below turned out. Never mind that it only took four tries for me to achieve this look.

Previous attempts were too busy (patterns for top and bottom papers), too symmetrical of a layout, and too symmetrical of an arrangement of ornament and branches).  The second attempt was so bad I didn't even show it to hubby!  :)

dp: We R Memory Keepers Winter Frost; cardstock; Distress Ink core
Stampin' Up! ornament, heat embossed in Distress Ink, and punch
Martha Stewart branch punch; Cuttlebug embossing folder
Really Reasonable Ribbon lace; Queen & Co pearl
Creative Memories oval cutting system and pen

I really do LOVE this card. My only regret is that the scan doesn't begin to capture its beauty. And, I have no idea why the paper looks discolored around the ornament. It is a pretty white with soft, blue snowflakes.

Tips:  On the back of the card, I drew a vertical line down the center to help line up the oval template. Because of the size of the oval, I was able to trim a 6" by 6" paper to two pieces of 3" by 5.25" -- and get two cards from each of the patterned sheets.

Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

Hey L'il Monster

Hey, everyone.

For today's OWH Midweek Throwdown challenge to make cards 4 kids, I went bright, bold, and busy -- inside and out. Hope some little guy or gal will smile when they get this one.  :)

BTW  The tiny orange circles in the corners were inspired by a torn edge. The trimmer took a little bite out of the top right corner. So, I added a few circles to cover it up.

dp: Recollections Monsters; Creative Memories
cardstock: green and orange: AC; purple: Distress Ink core
Stampin' Up! Make a Monster image, heat embossed in Distress Ink black soot
conputer-generated sentiment
Creative Memories cutting system; Marvy, Paper Shaper and EK punches
Really Reasonable Ribbon ribbon-a-month club ribbon; Tombow foam adhesives
Dixie's awesome ribbon-tying technique

Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

My AHA Design Moment

Hi, everyone.

Please click here for card details.

I was working on a set of holiday cards similar to the one on the right (and the top card shown below) when I came upon an AHA moment.

I don't often go into mass-production mode. Most of my cards are one-time deals. But, when I made the card at the right, I thought it might make for a nice set of cards for OWH. So, I cut the papers on the top, stamped and embossed the sentiments, cut the papers on the bottom, and adhered the ribbons. Next up, punch out a bunch of black hexagons (for the base layer of hexagons) and arrange these on the page and... AHA!!!

It was amazing how different the card looked before the color hexagons were placed on top of the black ones. The lack of color made it so easy to decide where to place each hexagon. For whatever reason, this dark contrast really helped me focus on the layout. Planning on giving this a try on future projects.

top card: not finished, but one step further in the process
bottom card: base layers in black that helped me focus on the design

 Parting Thoughts

That's it for today.

Have a great week. Thanks for visiting and happy scrappin'!

A Patriotic Gratitude

Hi, everyone.

Today's Any Hero card was inspired by OWH Sketch #186.

Authentique Pride, Bazzill admiral, Distress Ink core fired brick
Hero Arts sentiment heat embossed in Distress Ink black walnut
Recollections burlap/jute, Stampin' Up! brads, 3D Zots glue dots

 Loving these CAS sketches.  :)

Still loving the burlap against navy. :)

Still making Any Hero cards in all those traditional colors.  Maybe one of the paper companies could give me a hand and make a collection of patriotic papers in nontraditional colors.

Parting Thoughts

Enjoy your Sunday.

Hubby and his dad have been on a weekend trip visiting family. Looking forward to their arrival home. But, have made the most of some alone time to do some serious crafting!

Thanks for visiting and happy scrappin'!

You've Got Mail :)

Hi, everyone.

Tonight's card was inspired by the CAS-ual Fridays challenge to make a card featuring green, aqua, and orange.

watercolor paper, Distress Ink core paper
Paper Smooches Teen Scene images
StazOn jet black ink, watered down acrylics
Darice jewelry hemp cord, miscellaneous gems

The card is a stripped down version of a card that I made earlier in the week for an OWH friend challenge. While I switched from cardstock to watercolor paper, many of the same techniques -- including the first generation/second generation/third generation stamping and the layering of papers (one layer/two layers/three layers) used for the arrows. (I really am thrilled with these little arrows!)

I found a sheet of designer paper with an aqua, green, orange, and pink palette that I really liked. The colors used to paint this card's images were created by blending various acrylics with light ivory and/or light black. The background was created by spattering the blended acrylics with a toothbrush. I chose an orange cardstock base to pop the orange in the envelope and arrows.

UPDATE: Still tweaking...
Kinda of liking v2.1.
Which do you prefer?

While I love the way the laptop, computer, and arrows turned out, I'm still not quite sure about the finishing touches.

• The first decision was to let the images speak for themselves and not include a sentiment. 
• Then, I went back and forth between lots of different ribbons and twines, before deciding on the black hemp cord to ground the card and bring out the black stamping. 
• I also went back and forth between various gems and sequins, before deciding on the green gems shown here. (Black rhinestones seemed like too much, pearls seemed too formal, and the sequins didn't feel quite right. These little green gems have actually been in my stash for quite a while. So, it was nice to get to use them.)

Still trying to decide whether this little card is going to Operation Write Home or to a friend. Tough decision... But, since I originally got this stamp set to make cards for teens for OWH, think OWH is going to win. :)

UPDATED 09/05/2013: Think I'll post these little devices to this month's Paper Smooches Guest Designer Challenge.

Parting Thoughts

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

friend 2 friend

Hi, everyone.

This week's OWH Midweek Throwdown challenge is to make a friend-themed card. I decided to go all girlie, girlie for this one!  :)

Stampin' Up! garage-sale-find dp; AC cardstock
Paper Smooches stamps: Teen Scene and Alphadot, in Staz On jet black
Glossy Accents; Fiskars border punch; Marvy circle punch

I'm thrilled with the way this turned out...but it sure was a long and winding road. And, the arduous journey really surprised me because I knew early on that I wanted to use some fun Stampin' Up! paper and these adorable Paper Smooches Teen Scene stamps. But, choosing the right cardstock to complement the paper, the exact combination of stamps, and getting the stamping to look halfway decent... Well, all of that took quite a while.  : )

Tip for the Day: I taped along the edges of the screens and envelope before applying Glossy Accents.

Moments of Inspiration: Inspiration hit when I realized I should use a first generation/second generation/third generation stamping technique on the arrows. Inspiration hit again when I decided to make the middle arrow 2-ply thick, and the right arrow 3-ply thick.

Think I'll post this at Paper Smooches.

Parting Thoughts

UPDATE: Just learned there was a Facebook part of the challenge to make a masculine card. Since hubby and I are probably the only people on the planet that doesn't do FB, I messed up that part of the challenge. Sorry about that!

Not much else to say. Pretty tired after a taxing day at work.

Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!