Hey L'il Monster

Hi everyone,

Hope the weekend's going well.

I have three cards to share with you today. :)

Card #1: Hey L'il Monster!

This first card was inspired by 3 things:

• This week's OWH Tuesday Tutorial on Fussy Cutting,
• Adorable monster paper on clearance at Michael's, and
• the sentiment "Hey L'il Monster" from Lesiure Arts' card- making sketch book.

Paper: Recollections Monster and All Over Monster, AC Cardstock
Sentiment: computer-generated in Andy style
Techniques: heat embossing with clear powder, punching

Tools: Creative Memories cutting system, circle punches, border punch

Seriously, what was I thinking?

This card initially had a gem in place of the eyeball. It was late last night -- okay late's a relative thing since it was 10:30 on a Friday night (lol) --  and I felt like it needed something over on that side. Why not a cute little lime gem? And, then sanity returned this morning when I asked myself what I was thinking putting a swallow-able object on a child's card! Then the idea of an eyeball popped into my brain -- and I'm so glad it did. I really like the way this l'il guy turned out. :)

One thing I really like about this card is its strong focal point. What I know about graphic design could probably fit in a thimble. But, I think the fact that the eyeball connects to the sentiment and the sentiment connects to the monster is making for a great focal point.

I LOVE how the heat embossing turned out on the monster. On thinner paper, the result is usually bumpy, which is perfect for this little guy. He is shiny and bumpy -- and popping off the page. :)

The eyeball has about 4 layers of circles underneath to give it a little pop off the page. And, there are strips of cardstock under the arms and leg to reinforce them just a bit. Finally, there's a tiny little monster looking out from inside the card. :)

The best news is I have 2 more monsters I can fussy cut for 2 more cards!

Card #2: A World of Thanks

This card was inspired by this week's Midweek Throwdown Challenge to make a thank you card.

Paper: DCWV Travel Stack, miscellaneous cardstock;
Sentiments: ? stamped in Distress Ink Black Soot, computer-generated in Abadi MT Condensed Extra Bold
Techniques: heat embossing, border punching, inking

 This card was a bit of a challenge.

• I wanted to make something that could go masculine. [Check]
• I wanted to use the DCWV Travel Stack to use the international stamp
  and computer sentiment [Check] but....
• I'd already used all of my favorite papers from the stack. Hmmm....

All in all, this is a good little card. It definitely has a nice physical weight to it. It's just not as shiny and attention-grabbing as the L'il Monster -- but then what could be? :)

Card 3: Snowflakes of Sympathy

This last card is for a girl at work whose mom died quite suddenly about a week ago.  It'll be 25 years next month that I lost my mom. I still remember a card received from friends the following Christmas. Actually, I have no idea what the front of the card looked like -- nor do I remember the manufacturer's stamped sentiment. But the handwritten note... well, that's another matter.

May your most treasured gift this holiday season be
your memories of Christmases past.

This is a sentiment that I have written on more cards than I care to remember throughout the years -- and the sentiment that will be shared with my colleague. I hope the design of the card below conveys the peace and comfort that Kevin and Denise's message brought to me all those years ago. Think I'll post this for CAS-ual Fridays' Winter Blues challenge.

Paper: Recollections embossed with Hero Arts snowflake stamp, AC cardstock, stash cardstock
Embellishments: white sheer ribbon, gem
Tools: Creative Memories square punches, snowflake punch

Parting Thoughts

Not quite sure I'll get to the Sunday sketch tomorrow since Craft Fair prep time is waning.

Picked up some wonderful pads of paper for next year's OWH Christmas cards. I especially love We R Memory Keepers' Winter's Frost Collection. Those papers are sure to make some beautiful cards. 

If I don't post anything else this week, have a blessed and joyous Thanksgiving celebration with family, friends, and loved ones.

OWH VCMP: Day 2 -- UPDATED

Hi everyone,

I have so loved this year's challenges. They've inspired me to get out papers and tools that have been sitting around for awhile. :)

Challenge 6: Sunday Sketch and Use a Punch Combo Challenge

This challenge was a great excuse to use more of that yummy Moxxie paper!

Moxxie and stash cardstock; snowflake punch; Stickles; ribbon

Challenge 8: A Sports-Related Card

Hubby used to coach high school basketball. And, I had high hopes of making a wonderful scrapbook of his seasons. A decade later, those papers and die-cuts still sit idle in the closet. Sounds like its time to put them to another good use -- especially that amazing basketball leather-like "paper".   :)

BTW  Hubby suggested the sentiment at the bottom of the card.

The Paper Company, ???, stash carsdstock; Creative Letters (Chunky); border punch; computer-generated font

Challenge 9: Putting a Neglected Tool to Use

In this case, the snowman punch was purchased at a garage sale. A set of oval punches were ordered from a Stampin' Up! rep. Neither the snowman or oval had yet to be used. So glad that this challenge changed that!

Still not completely satisfied with the card below. I feel like it needs something else. Just not sure what that it is... And, I might need to go back and "fix" the little hats...

Jillibean Christmas Eve Chowder; AC Christmas; border, oval, and snowman punches; ric-rac; hand-drawn embellishments

Added a few gems since the first publishing the post. What do you think?  Better, or does it still need something?

Challenge 10: A Card Representing Your State

What an interesting idea!  I'm a born-and-raised a Buckeye. I've lived in Central Ohio my entire life. 

So, what does Ohio mean to me? At first, two thoughts came to mind:

• OH-IO: It is football season, after all!  But, I've never been a full-time OSU student.
• "Hi" and "Hello": Say what you will about our great state, it is one friendly place to live. But, this wouldn't be unique to just Ohio.

Then an old advertising slogan/campaign to me: "Ohio: The Heart of It All". Naturally, I had to go with scarlet and gray colors, non-OSU grad or not. :)

Reminisce Be Mine, shiny gray stash cardstock from ???, Cardstock Warehouse Paper black cardstock (a Tuesday Morning bargain); ek punch; Queen & Co rhinestones; computer-generated font; crimping tool

Ohio is definitely the heart of my world: hubby, home, family, friends. Yet, this would make for a wonderful love note from a hero to the heart of his/her world back home. :)

Parting Thoughts

Thanks to Allison for organizing this wonderful party. Thanks to our hostesses for some great challenges that really got those creative juices flowing.

And, thanks to everyone who played along with the Christmas is for Kids challenge. I'll announce the winner of my blog candy next Sunday.

As always, thanks for stopping by and happy scrappin'!