Sketch #234 and Midweek Challenge

I combined two challenges on the Stars and Stamps Blog for this card. This week’s sketch has lots of layers. Lots. The midweek throw-down is a color challenge: use red, white, and blue to create a Hero Card.

Using this many layers on a card was a challenge for me!

Pink Paislee - Pen Pals 6x6 and 12x12 paper pads

Doodlebug Design - Patriotic Parade 6x6 paper pad

Simon Says Stamp - color card stock

Neenah - white card stock

Congratulations Chickadee

Operation Write Home card makers are having a virtual card making party (VCMP) this weekend. This card is for two of those challenges and the weekly sketch challenge.

• Stars & Stamps Sketch #159
• VCMP challenge #1: Zig Zag Your Cards
• VCMP challenge #4: Things with Wings

Dee's Distinctively - Chickadee Dimensional

Hero Arts - Zig Zag

Memory Box - Lorelai Leaf

Simon Says Stamp - Banner Sayings

Neenah - white and kraft card stock

Stampin' Up - colored card stock

Three in One

I combined 3 Operation Write Home/Stars and Stamps challenges.

1. The ABCs of Color (Basic Color Theory) OWH Design Bootcamp

2. Sketch Challenge #156

3. Midweek Throw Down: Show Us Your Green

I didn't realize how hard a monochromatic card would prove to be. I wanted to add another color, but I restrained myself.

Layering the print die onto 2 layers of the same die cut from card stock and adding Glossy Accents makes the flower pop on the card. To lift the top of the flower a bit more, I used "Power Tabs" from Tombow. They're clear! I use these tabs when the white of regular pop dots is easy to see.

Stampin' Up - Brights Collection, Old Olive

Glossy Accents

Hero Arts - Classic Messages, white embossing powder

Tombow - Power Tabs

Stars and Stamps Sketch #155

Here's the sketch from the Stars and Stamps Blog:

And here's my card:

Basic Grey - June Bug paper pad

Sandylion - Island Oasis sticker

Hero Arts - Birthday Messages

Sketch Challenge #153

Basic Grey - Aspen Frost 6x6 paper pad

Memory Box - Country Landscape die

Hero Arts - Birthday Messages, white embossing powder

Stampin' Up - Real Red card stock

Neenah - solar white card stock

Sketch #132

This week's sketch for Operation Write Home can be found on the Stars and Stamps Blog HERE. I thought a "Back to School" card would be appropriate.

Hero Arts/Studio Calico - Formula Fun background

Hero Arts - Anytime Messages, clear embossing powder

Memory Box - Index Card

Basic Grey - Oxford 6x6 paper pad

A Cut Above, Part Two, Day 7

Day 7!! Only one more lesson to complete! Actually, each lesson had multiple tricks, and I typically focused on one in each lesson. I'm glad I have lifetime access to the class!

This card was made using the print and cut feature of the Silhouette. Every element on the card was made using the Silhouette software, except the dashed lines around the edge. The star shape is the only element I used from my Silhouette library. 

I'm also entering this card for Operation Write Home's "Use a Die" challenge for NSD. It's not one of my better cards, but I'm pretty excited that I was able to use all the tricks for this lesson! I'm learning!!

I know it will make a terrific "Any Hero" card. I've not written as many as I should. Time to fix that!

Silhouette Studio software

Neenah card stock - white

SU card stock - basic gray (card base)

Signo white pigment ink pen

A Cut Above, Part Two, Day 6

"Designing with Text" was the challenge for day six. I used the Lobster font, one of my favorites.

This also goes with the OWH second challenge "Use something you've been hoarding." I hoard patterned paper. I'm determined to wipe out this pack this weekend!

I closer look. I layered three "Thanks" to give it a bit of bulk.

Echo Park "A Walk in the Park" 6x6 paper pad

Die shapes from Silhouette library

A Cut Above, Part Two, Day 5

I used my Silhouette to create a mask for this card. Our assignment was, "Jazz up your Silhouette die cuts," and this was one of the ideas in the lesson.

This card also fits into the paper piecing challenge on the Stars and Stamps blog. Operation Write Home is celebrating National Scrapbook Day by making cards. Rebels, indeed.

This sentiment should say, "When times are tough, your sister-in-law and nephew are your umbrella." This morning I discovered the power wasn't working in the basement. Long story short, 2 chest freezers had to be removed and cleaned and lots of water from the AC had to be mopped. Many thanks to my sister-in-law and my nephew for all the help!

Here's the template I made for the raindrops. I cut it on Inkadinkado masking paper.

My Favorite Things Die-namics "Umbrella&Stamp Set"

Echo Park "A Walk in the Park" 6x6 paper pad

SnapDragon Snippets, LLC (Silhouette) "Rainy Day Background"

Stars & Stamps Sketch #116

Here's my card for this week's sketch on the Stars and Stamps Blog.

Lawn Fawn - "Bon Voyage" and "Flying By"

Memory Box "Puffy Clouds" die

Spellbinders - scalloped circle die

Copic markers

Stampin' Up - patterned paper

We R Memory Keepers - baker's twine

Sketch #114

This card is for the Stars and Stamps Blog sketch challenge as well as the masculine card challenge. It's also part of my homework for the Creative Chemistry 101. I used distress stain and ink on the square of Kraft Resist paper before stamping the bird.

Since we're making Fathers' Day cards for Operation Write Home, I thought I'd include one of my dad's mini bales of cotton in the picture. That's a 5 ounce replica of a 500 pound cotton bale. He loved making them and giving them away. He ginned the cotton by hand and put it in a press he crafted. He was a clever man.

Idea-ology- "Paper Stash Kraft Resist" and "Paper Stack Lost and Found"

Ranger- Distress Inks, Distress Stains, Archival Ink (Jet Black)

Paper Inspirations "Happy Father's Day" sentiment

VCMP Challenge #6: Sand and Sea

I'm learning to use my Silhouette Cameo, so you're going to have to see some more of my efforts. HA!  This is very simple card. I'm learning about text, centering, grouping, copying, blah, blah, blah.

A BIG thank you to Sherry H. who sent me the awesome ribbon! The ribbon saves the card from being a total loss.

This card also follows the S&S Sketch Challenge #107 as well as Sandy's blog challenge for Hero Cards.

Sketch #106

Here's my card for the sketch challenge on the Stars & Stamps Blog. Wow, this was a tough sketch for me!

Unity Stamp "Now and Always" (flower)

Savvy Stamps "Large Dot Border"

Hero Arts "Year Round Sentiments"

SU "French Script" and card stock

Spellbinders Nestabilities scalloped circle

MS circle cutter

Sketch Challenge #105

It's Sunday, so that means another sketch challenge over at the Stars & Stamps Blog. I got the idea for the envelope and hearts from Julie Ebersole, one of the teachers for the Clean and Simple Online Class. Her blog, Paper Trufflez, is delightful.

Hero Arts "Friend Definition" "Anytime Messages"

HA/Basic Grey "Dash Pattern"

Fiskars edge punch

3 heart punches- stash

Bazzil red card stock

SU card stock

A place to play...

The Tuesday Tutorial on the Stars & Stamps Blog this week? Organize your space. It's a constant struggle for new crafters as well as those of us who have been collecting junk, I mean supplies, for over 25 years.

I converted my dining room into my crafty area. Who needs a dining room table for eight? Not me. My mother is probably looking down from heaven, shaking her head. Never fear Mom, your dining room table and chairs are stored in the basement.

Welcome to my happy place!

My most important piece of furniture is my work table. I bought this piece of kitchen furniture at Ikea. It has cabinet storage on the opposite side from where I sit. Lots of room for me, and there's enough overhang for others to join me. I wanted a tall piece for my work surface, because I stand a lot to craft.

I keep several things on my table top: Pampered Chef spinner for my "must have at arm's reach" tools, a metal letter organizer holding bits of white and kraft leftovers, ATG, Fiscars paper trimmer, cutting mat, baby wipes, set-up for photos, and computer.

And on the floor near my place at the table? The little cart holds hanging files with scrap paper. This is my "go to first" place when making cards. I use it a lot! There's a trash can at the ready, and not seen here, a paper bag for recyclables.

The bookshelf across from my desk holds lots of stuff. I'm a "if I don't see it, I won't use it" person. Woodblock stamps are stored here (on the "step" spice racks) as well as recently made cards. I like to look at them. (I rotate some of the stamps according to the season.) Buttons, dies, and embossing folders are on the bottom shelf.

This is my favorite piece in the room! I found these two card catalogs at a flea market years ago. They're awesome! Lots of drawers for things! It sits behind me within arm's reach. I like that I can label each drawer, and I can rearrange the drawers easily. These card catalogs are sitting on a coffee table my parents bought when I was a child, it's sturdy! (Glad I "retrieved" the table from my brother's house.)

The stamp storage on top is a Christmas gift from my brother. He took one of my stamp pads and made me a terrific wooden holder. Grab and go! Love this!

Here's another flea market find. It's an old, doctor's cabinet and has 4 skinny drawers, one deep drawer, and cabinet storage in the bottom. That big jar on top? It hold miniscule pencils I retrieved from middle school students, and it makes me laugh. There are hundreds of stubs in there!

Here's a peek inside two of the drawers. Left side holds neglected calligraphy supplies and the right, tape and glue!

Here's my paper and "stuff" closet. I keep all my 12x12 card stock and patterned paper in here. This is always a work in progress. I'm happy I can close the door.

Spool ribbon is in a grab and dig basket. This isn't working for me. The boxes behind the door hold embroidery floss, quilling stuff, and who knows what.

Here's another Ikea purchase. This piece sits just behind me on the right of my work space. The bottom 2 drawers hold my most used punches. Top 4 drawers hold tools, embellishments, and grab it quick stuff. Oh, and one drawer holds my stuff for OWH: cards, card bases, envelopes, packing slips, Sunday comics, and my OWH stamp.

Here's a peek inside 2 of the drawers. These are the neatest ones. I'm a sloppy crafter, and you can't see what's in the other ones!

Loose ribbon hangs on the back of a door. I keep this door pushed back so I don't have to look at it. Plus it hides what's left of my plastic storage.

Here's what my ribbon door hides. I need to go through these plastic drawers and purge some stuff! The red drawer piece is another Ikea purchase, and it holds more punches.

I'm so happy with this cart! I got it at an office supply store. Since my LSS closed (the one VERY close to my house), I've started using SU card stock, and this is an awesome way to store it.

Steel dies are always a big problem. I think I've finally settled on this container. I bought some heavy display sheets (thicker than chipboard) at the office supply store, and I took them to Griffin Middle School to use their mega paper cutter. The next step was to attach the peel and stick magnets to the boards and woohoo!! I can flip through these quickly. It would probably help if I put label tabs on them.

I picked up these boxes at Hobby Lobby, and I keep my clear stamps in one and clings in the other. I like being able to flip through them quickly.

I keep my "sentiment heavy" clear stamps in this little tin.

Thanks for sticking with me to the end of this post. One thing led to another. I'll be quiet now.

S&S Sketch 104

Here's my entry for the Stars & Stamps Blog sketch this week. I used a technique shown by Jennifer McGuire in the Clean and Simple Online Class. I embossed the posies on watercolor paper with white powder. To color each square, I used a foam applicator loaded with distress ink and Perfect Pearls. 

Hero Arts Peeking Posies

Ranger Perfect Pearls and Distress Inks - Broken China, Shabby Shutters, Seedless Preserves

Strathmore Watercolor paper

Versamark ink

White embossing powder

Celebrate It ribbon

SU card stock

Sketch Challenge #103

The sketch this week on the Stars & Stamps Blog nearly stumped me. This one was hard, but I finally got it done!

Memory Box "Minuet" 6x6 paper collection

Hero Arts "Find Joy" clear stamps and Silver Metallic Decor

Carl flower punch

EK leaf punch

Bazzill card stock

ODBD January Challenge

Kristina Werner posted a terrific pennant card on her blog last week, and I knew I had to give it a try. You can find her post here. Her "Friday Focus" series will be focusing on Valentine's Day cards for the next few weeks.

This is my second attempt. The first one was a mess because the string I have is stiff, and it made a gluey mess when I tried to adhere it to the card. I solved that problem by folding the pennants over the string and adhering the string behind the card front. Each pennant piece is adhered with a pop dot.

My Mind's Eye "Lime Twist" 6x6 paper pad
Hero Arts "Right at Home" (sentiment)
SU! Crump Cake card stock

This card is my entry for the ODBD Challenge on the Stars & Stamps Blog for January. You can read more about that here.

Sketch Challenge #102

OWH's sketch coordinator, Julie, asked if I'd do some sample cards for a sketch. She knew I had some time on my hands. ;) This week's sketch can be found on the Stars & Stamps Blog.

This first card follows the sketch exactly. I even used a heart!

Hero Arts: CL129 Anytime Messages (sentiment)

EK: leaf punch

Spellbinders: Nestabilities heart dies

SU!: card stock, flower punches

The second card follows the sketch closely too. I colored the light in the windows of the house, and then I realized I couldn't use white clouds if the lights are on! These are dark, night clouds. Ha!

Hero Arts: CL583 Right at Home

Fiscars: cloud punch

Copics: Y28, Y19

SU: card stock

My last card strays from the sketch. The three 1/4 inch strips are replaced with the fence posts. The posts are 1/4 inch though!

Hero Arts/Sizzix: Joy Snowman

Hero Arts: CL 438 Let’s Chill (sentiment)

Die-namics: fence die

Bazzill: card stock

Stash: snow paper

 Thanks for visiting! I can't wait to see what other people do with this sketch!

Chevron "Thanks"

Jennifer McGuire posted a video demonstrating a chevron border, and I just had to give it a try. It's fun to do! This week's challenge on the Stars & Stamps Blog was to make a "Thank You" card, so I've killed two birds with one stone...a new technique and a "thank you" card.

Hero Arts sentiment "Anytime Messages"
Cosmo Cricket"Material Girl" Mini Deck
SU Crumb Cake card stock