Live With An Open Heart

I have another masculine card for you today.  Actually, I think anyone would love this one.  I enjoy using the nature type stamps a lot and, for this one, I've used a stamped banner cut from a framelit as my focal piece.

I've used some shading techniques in stamping the leafy piece on the card and the envelope.  I added even more texture with sponging the edges of the 'banner' piece.  

The bird is embossed and hand cut and then attached with dimensionals.

I think you could use this same card design and change to blues or greens for a striking new version of my card.

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world.

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

A Moon Lake Card

As soon as I saw our new Moon Lake stamp set, I knew it had my name on it.  I love it.  However, I just recently got around to using it.  Does that ever happen to you?  It's a matter of the 'so many stamps / so little time' syndrome.  Sigh.  

Anyway, when I did get around to using it, I loved it even more.  I went with my favorite way of coloring... using a puddle of ink in the lid of my ink pad and coloring with my Aqua Painter.  This has always been my absolute way of coloring.  It's easy and you can get some nice shading with it. 

Did you notice that I have a smooth layer of CS under the embossed layer?  Having all these layers on the front of the card and all in the same color, keeps it from being too 'busy' with other distracting colors and it ends up being more elegant because of this.  The framelits cut pieces are attached with dimensionals.  I stamped on the inside of the card and the envelope, of course:)

I did not stamp my image onto watercolor paper, so I had to keep it from being too wet.  I think that when people say they don't like using the Aqua Painter, it's generally because they're squeezing it too much and getting everything into a wet, muddy mess.  With an Aqua Painter, less really is more.

This would make a great masculine card, but I think anyone would love it.  I hope I've inspired you to go do some stamping today.

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world.

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

You Make Me Happy

I have a quick post today and then I'm off to finish prepping for my catalog Preview Party this afternoon.
Today, I have a cute little card made with a Hostess stamp set coming out in our new catalog.  The set is called Hello Love and, like it's name, it's just cute.

The larger white layer is dry embossed.  The smaller white layer features 2 rounded corners, stamped gold highlights (with Gorgeous Grunge) and then, once all the pieces were in place, I spritzed it with gold shimmer.  I was kind of playing with the elegant gold accents against the more rustic look of the embossed layer.  I like the pop of blue with the little bird.

I've decorated the inside of the card and the envelope flap, so everything coordinates nicely.  I left plenty of room on the inside to write a nice note.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

More About the Sweater Weather Cards

Today, I want to share more about my Sweater Weather cards.  We'll be making one of these at Kelly's party at the Wildflour this Saturday.  Your toughest job will be deciding which design of paper you want to use on your card.

It's officially a chilly day and I love the cool, crisp air, but I'm sad that my flowers have all had it.  I will miss them.  This has been such a great year for my container garden.  It will inspire me to do even more next year.  My husband has the first cold/fever/ickiness of Fall and I may be close behind.  I'm trying to rest and avoid getting it.  We kiss by tapping elbows at times like this, like in the movie Young Doctor Frankenstein.

So... back to the cards:

I made up 4 cards --- all the same except for the design of the papers.  Which one do you like the best?  Let's take a closer look:

 ... and here they all are again:

Thanks for stopping by.  Stay warm, stay healthy, and be happy... and go create something beautiful today.

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

First Day of School

Today, I find myself filled with a multitude of memories and emotions.  Today is the first day of school for my sweet little boys -- Kindergarten and third grade.  Where has time gone?  I find myself thinking about getting more done with them in school and yet being so glad that they only have a half day today so I can spend all afternoon with them.  I can't wait to hear about their day!  I am also remembering when my own children started school.  Mine didn't ride a bus, so today was different in that way.  Anyway, I feel the need to post a Fall card because school starting makes you realize that Fall is just around the corner. 

 

This card uses our new Core'dinations Card Stock.  It has a slightly lighter core, so you can emboss or tear it to see the lighter color.  When you use our new sanding block, you can sand it lightly and really bring out the texture of the embossing.  I love it!  I used the stamp set Wonderfall and then cut the leaves with the new Autumn Accents Bigz Die.  I cut some of the leaves with our champagne glimmer paper.  I absolutely love its shimmer!!!  The other leaves are stamped and cut from soft suede and cajun craze.  

Have a great day and I hope you'll get to stamp something fun today!  Be sure to check out my schedule for my next classes.  The Fun Friday Project Classes are really going to be great!!!