Enjoy Life with Crusin'

Recently I fall in love in making cards that say "Enjoy Life."  When I first saw the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches, I didn't think of making something like this but then I thought the Crusin' paper serves this purpose perfectly well:  A car going into the map, enjoying every single mile of the life.

The sketch looks like this:

My card looks like this:

I used some 3-D Foam Tape to stick the car to the card so it gives some depth to the card.  "Enjoy Life" comes from the stamp set Enjoy Life, except that I used the masking technique to stamp just these two words instead of the entire stamp image.

Materials used:
1  Crusin' Workshop on the Go
2.  Enjoy Life stamp set
3.  Juniper Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
4.  Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
5.  Brad Assortment - Metal Assortment

Hi!

I saw the cute little "My Princess" card at Paper Crafter's Library and would like to participate in the challenge.  I kept everything simple and used the retired Mayberry paper.  Similar to the card I posted yesterday, I added a little liquid glass to each of the flowers, then some Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel on the "Hi!"

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Photo Inspiration Challenge

When I first the bathroom in this picture, all I thought was "Oh My Goodness!"  How can it be so cute!  The bright and vibrant colors really struck me.  I never thought a such a color combination - pink and orange.  The white just gives it enough balance to gives our eyes a break.  Did you see the chandelier above the bath tub?  This bathroom is so classy!

The colors linger in my head so I created this card, using the Dotty for You paper packet and the stamp set from Pemberley Workshop on the Go.  It is a real Dotty for You because I have used Liquid Glass to accentuate every dot on the paper.  I have always wanted to do this but thought I would mess up the dots even with the best ruler.  The Dotty for You paper gives me the perfect opportunity to try it out!  To my surprise it was much easier and faster than I thought to give each dot has a little pop. 

Materials used:
1.  Dotty for You paper packet
2.  White Daisy cardstock
3.  Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon
4.  Workshops on the Go - Pemberley
5.  Tag the Occasion stamp set
6.  Blush Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
7.  Sunset Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
8.  Smoothie Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Converting Girly cards/layouts to Musculine ones

Have you ever encountered situations that you think some stamps, papers or embellishments were designed for girls and you never use them in Musculine cards or layouts?  Check out what Close to My Heart says to interchange the "gender" of your craft supplies!

A Sketch from Originals

Originals, the card confidence program by Close to My Heart was sold out and has become retired.  Nevertheless, I like to slip its pages to be inspired.  I saw a sketch for a 3.5" x 8" card that I have never used and would love to give it a try.  It's Dotty for You paper packet again!

The flowers and their layers were cut by Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.  It was really easy to cut them different sizes.  Sometimes I am really amazed by how much this cartridge can do for us!

Thanks with Dotty for You paper

I have been playing with the Dotty for You paper and after cutting out different shapes I am left with some scraps.  What am I going to do with those?  I put them through the Cricut machine and cut out the letters for me to create this card:

Materials used:
1.  White Daisy cardstock
2.  Grey Wool cardstock
3.  Lagoon cardstock
4.  Dotty for You paper packet

Happy Happy Birthday to You

Now that I get my Mother's Day cards done, I can turn to the birthday card for my dear darling friend.  She love bright colors and I wanted to make her a card with Stella paper packet, but instead, Dotty for You found its way to convince me to use it.  The sketch comes from Clean and Simple blog:

Five circles.  How can I make it pretty?  I've turned them into five cute flowers and I think they look awesome:

What's better than flowers with a rhinestone?  Layers of flowers with a rhinestone!  Because I wanted to follow the sketch where the circles come in different sizes, I used both the Just Blooms Paper Shapes - Paradise Paper Flowers and the retired paper flowers.  The retired ones came in Colonial White, so I sponged them into the colors I wanted using sponge daubers and ink pads.  The two kinds of flowers blend in pretty well.  Don't you think?

Materials used:
1.  Dotty for You paper packet
2.  Sweet Leaf cardstock
3.  Just Bloks Paper Shapes - Paradise Paper Flowers
4.  Card Chatter - Birthday stamp set
5.  Olive Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
6.  Sunset Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
7.  Lagoon Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
8.  Honey Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

For A Wonderful Mom

While we are approching the end of April, it means that the time to prepare Mother's Day card is becoming limited, especially I have to prepare a couple of them for my mom, my relatives and many of my friends.  I turned to my good friend Cricut, as I know she is my best friend when I have to clone greeting cards.  I've made a couple of Mother's Day cards using this sketch from

I have flipped the pattern upside down and made this card:

It is Dotty for You paper again.  The virtue of it is that I can make this card in bulk easily but the different color combination gives each card a different feel.  How nice!

Materials used:
1.  Dotty for You paper packet
2.  Colonial White cardstock
3.  Lagoon Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
4.  Sunset Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
5.  Seam binding ribbon
6.  Tulip reinker
7.  Buttons - pink assortment

Happy Birthday with Dotty for You

It is another project using the Dotty for You paper.  The inspiration and ideas keep flowing and I just can't stop playing with it.

The sketch at Freshly Made Sketches this week is really clean and simple:

I have been thinking whether I want to use a shape other than the circle, but I've decided to keep it this way except it is highly decorative:

Even though Dotty for You paper packet appears to be quite playful, the doily with the elegant font, big rhinestone on the ribbton suggest a graceful style.   The Dotty for You paper packet is just a lot of fun!

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Stitching

This week Heart 2 Heart Challenge asks us to incorporate stitching in our projects. It could be sewing, stitching by hand or faux stitching. I think I never really master the skill of faux stitching so I take this as an opportunity to practice.

I have made other projects by cutting out the butterflies and put rhinestones to cover the stitches.  This time I have decided to leave it as is, because the stitches on the butterflies could echo my faux stitching!

Materials used:
1.  Dotty for You paper packet
2.  White Daisy cardstock
3.  Smoothie cardstock
4.  Sweet Leaf cardstock
5.  Lagoon cardstock
6.  Smoothie Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Need some ideas for banners?

If you are looking for ways to create banners for parties, gifts or home decor, I have a great suggestion for you.  The Cricut Art Philosophy and the My Creations Mini Banner will help you create a banner at no time at all.  Watch the video below and learn more!

A note for you

A note for you.  What a cute phrase for card-making purpose.  That means, I don't have to decide what the card is designed for when I am making it.  I could stamp a sentiment when I am ready to give it out.

I've used another design in Wishes, the Card Confidence program to make this card.  The book will not be available for much longer.  Grab your copy before it is gone!

Materials used:
1.  Stella paper packet
2.  Just for You stamp set
3.  Sunset Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad 
4.  Cocoa Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
5.  Tulip Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
6.  Designer Buttons - Pewter Badge Buttons

4 My Friend with Dotty for You

Yes, it is Dotty for You again!
Today I used a sketch from Clean & Simple:

I naturally thought of the butterflies in the Dotty for You paper packet and made this card:

I am very honored to be chosen to be the Perfect Princess by the Designer Team at Freshly Made Sketches.  You can view my winning card here and Freshly Made Sketches challenge here.  I made that card using the Dotty for You paper and to celebrate the success, I've decided to use the paper again!  Starting today, I will wear one more badge on my blog!

Materials used:
1. White Daisy cardstock
2. Sweet Leaf cardstock
3.  Grey Wool cardstock
4. Dotty for You paper packet
5.  4 My Friendstamp set
6.  Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
6. Clear Sparkles

Mojo Monday - Dotty for You!

Dotty for You paper packet is finally open to public!  If you'd like to order a pack (or two) for yourself, click here to learn more.

To celebrate the National Scrapbooking Month, Close to My Heart is offering a good deal to purchase the Dotty for You paper packet which is only available from today through the end of May.  I am fortunate that I have the opportunity to play with it before it is available to the public and have been having a blast with it.  I just made a card using the Mojo Monday Challenge sketch that looks like this:

And my card looks like this:

Because of the coordinating colors and patterns, it is really easy to create any project you have in mind - scrapbooking, card making, home decor.  Learn more about the promotion and get a pack for yourself!

Materials used:
1.  White Daisy cardstock
2.  Sweet Leaf cardstock
3.  Dotty for You paper packet
4.  Card Word Puzzle stamp set
5.  Grey Wool Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
6.  Clear Sparkles

Enjoy Life

It is officially spring and that means I have to start preparing a batch of summer cards.  I naturaly picked Footloose - the paper packet that features warm colors and carries the theme of beach and sunshine.  To seek inspiration, I turnd to my helpful friend Wishes for guidance and adopted one of the templates called "Down the Middle":

Close to My Heart recently announced that it is anticipating that Wishes will be sold out soon.  If you want ideas and inspiration, grab a copy before it is gone! 

Materials use:
1.  Footloose paper packet
2.  New England Ivy Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
3.  Lagoon Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
4.  Seaside Wooden Shapes

You are Truly Amazing!

The April Stamp of the Month is truly amazing!  It is awesome for musculine Thank You cards.

To participate in this week's Makeover Monday Challenge, which you can see the original post here, I've made this card:

What inspired me was the colors and the flowers.  I'm sure I could re-create the flowers with our helpful friend Art Philosophy cartridge.  However, I wanted to make a card to show appreciation.  Thus I adopted the sketch, used the Crusin paper pack and some other embellishments to make this one.

Materials used:
1.  White Daisy cardstock
2.  Crusin' Paper Packet
3.   Dimensional Elements - Stars
4.  Durable Studs - Square
5.  Cricut Art Philosophy Collection
6.  Juniper Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
7.  Black Juniper Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
8.  Honey Juniper Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - My dad

I am excited for this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge because it is a sketch challenge!  I have been excited since I saw the sketch:

I have also been thinking really hard of how to make use of this sketch.  That's why I have to wait until the weekend to sit down, grab a coffee, stare at the sketch and incubate ideas.

Eventually I've decided to make a Father's Day card using the retired Lucky paper:

Enjoy Life

We all have our ways to enjoy our lives.  One of the ways is, of course, crafting!

Kick Back, a stamp set from Close to My Heart, always reminds me of a vacation in Hawaii.  The sun, Hibiscus, waves......my mind has already gone to Hawaii.

I can't tell when my next vacation will be, but for now, participating in a challenge using the stamp set helps me relax!  The sketch from Card Patterns looks like this:

I used the Footloose paper packet and the Kick Back stamp set to create this card:

How I wish I could go in the pictue and sit under the sun and observe the waves!

Can you tell how many colors have I used on the sun?  The answer is three. 

The picture may not have picked it up well, but it involves two techniques to stamp the sun.  Because I wanted to give the sun a solid color, I first flipped over the stamp and use that as a stamp to create a yellow background.  Yes, I was using the side that generally sticks to the acrylic block as a stamp.  Then I flipped it back to normal and stamped the sun in Creme Brulee stamp pad, before it dried up I used the rock-and-roll technique to add some Goldrush to the edges of the sun.  I usually use the rock-and-roll technique on flowers or solid images, but my experiment today proves that it works on other images too.  Why don't you try it out?

Materials used:
1.  Footloose paper packet
2.  Kick Back stamp set
3.  Cocoa Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
4.  Sunny Yellow Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
5.  New England Ivy Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
6.  Lagoon Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
7.  Creme Brulee Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
8.  Goldrush Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Hi! from Dotty for You

A scrap-aholic cannot pass the opportunity to participate in challenges.  I came across a sketch suggested by Freshly Made Sketches, had a blast being inspired by fellow bloggers and decided to make a card.  The sketch is clean and simple:

I thought about using other shapes than the half circle, but I think the half circle gives a nice touch to the butterflies on the patterned paper:

Don't you think that the butterflies are adorable?  I just can't explain how much fun I am having with the Dotty for You paper packet.  The cute patterns and coordinating colors are giving me a lot of inspiration and ideas!  Want to own a pack for yourself?  Click here to learn more!

Materials used:
1.  Dotty for You paper packet
2.  Lagoon cardstock
3.  Sweet Leaf cardstock
4.  Cocoa Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
5.  Smoothie Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
6.  A Tree stamp set
7.  Sparkles - clear

Mojo Monday 236 - 4 My Friend

I'm participating in this week's Mojo Monday.  The sketch looks quite challenging:

I'd really like to use the new Dotty for You paper so I created this card:

Polka dots, polka dots and polka dots!  Dotty for You!

Materials used:
1.  Dotty for You paper packet
2.  White Daisy cardstock
3.  Smoothie cardstock
4.  Smoothie Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
5.  2" Scallop Circle Punch
6.  Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge
7.  4 My Friend stamp set
8.  Designer ribbon - Pink collection

A Note for You

My note for you is Thank you! 

Thank you for visiting my blog. 

I am happy to tell you that my blog is celebrating its 100th day birthday today, and I am celebrating it with my 100th post on my blog.  I want to use my favorite paper packet to be the theme of my post.  However, when it comes to picking my favorite, my head goes three ways - Pemberley, Florentine and Stella.  And the winner is.........Stella.  Stella is my favorite, for today.  How am I supposed to pick a favorite when all the paper packets are so beautiful?

My sketch comes from a site called Freshly Made Sketches:

Here is my card for today's post:

Materials used:
1.  Stella paper packet
2.  Just for You stamp set
3.  Chocolate Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
4.  Sunset Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
5.  Designer Buttons - Pewter Badge Buttons

You are Truly Amazing

Yesterday my blog post title was You are Fantastic and today the title is You are Truly Amazing.  Are there so many amazing people around me?  Absolutely.  If you look around you, you will find the same. 

To show my appreciation for my friend who did a huge favor for me this past weekend, I have made this card for him:

Materials used:
1.  Victory paper packet
2.  Kraft cardstock
3.  Bamboo cardstock
4.  Chocolate cardstock
5.  You are (April 2012 Stamp of the Month)
6.  Dimensional Elements - Stars
7.  Bamboo Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
8.  Outdoor Denim Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

You are Fantastic!

This week's Mojo Monday Challenge is a huge challenge for me.  I have been staring at the sketch for almost a week and being reluctant to even give it a try.  I am approaching the deadline to submit my card and surprisingly, once I take the step to overcome the fear, the card came together in a short time.

The difficult sketch looks like this:

I spent a lot of time thinking about how I am going to make the horizontal banner pretty.  Then when I saw my Superhero workshop on the go, I came to realize that I could substitute the banner with another shape.  Thus, my card looks like this:

The workshop on the go has everything I need to create this card.  Yay!

Materials used:
1. Workshops on the Go - Superhero
2.  Card Word Puzzle stamp set
3.  Moonstruck Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
4.  Cranberry Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
5.  Sunny Yellow Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

A Little Somethin for You

Don't you want to see Dotty for You more? Today I have used the pattern paper to create yet another card. I just cut the patterns out, stamp the sentiment and put some flowers on it. As simple as that.

This simple card will become A Little Somethin for Someone!

Materials used (All Close to My Heart products):
1.  White Daisy cardstock
2.  Dotty for You paper packet
3.  Card Word Puzzle stamp set
4.  Just Blooks Paper Shaptes (Paradise Paper Flowers)
5.  Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Dotty for You

I've showcased the Dotty for You paper packet a number of times on my blog.  Aren't you excited and can't wait to buy one (or more) for yourself?

There are three ways to get this paper packet:
1.  Become a consultant between April 1 and May 31, 2012;
2.  When you place an order of $35 or more from the current idea book, you could add the Dotty for You paper packet for just $5;
3.  Host a gathering where the sales total $400 or more.

Want to see some more artwork made with Dotty for You?  Watch the video below and learn more about it.

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Spring is here!

Spring is here.  Have you seen the small leave buds coming out from empty branches and flowers blossoming?  Do you feel like changing your wardrobe?

Spring has arrived and Easter is around the corner.  Heart 2 Heart Challenge asks us to create a project with the theme Easter or Spring.  How can a scrap-aholic not participate in the challenge?  I am entering the challenge using the retired Stamp of the Month from last year to satisfy my cravings for colorings.

Materials used (All Close to My Heart products):
1.  Lucy paper packet
2.  A Typeface stamp set
3.  Sensational Season stamp set (retired)
4.  Grey Wool Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
5.  Chocolate Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
6.  Watercolor pencils.

A note for you

The Dotty for You paper is addicting!  I've made another card using the sketch from Clean & Simple:

When I saw this sketch I knew I was going to use the Dotty for You paper using the polka dots - colors and patterns are coordinating!

Materials used:
1.  White Daisy cardstock
2.  Dotty for You paper packet
3.  Creme Brulee cardstock
4.  Grey Wool cardstock
5.  Just for You stamp set
6.  Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge
7.  Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Thanks!

Participating in challenges is addicting - a confession of a scrap-aholic.

I found a sketch in the Freshly Made Sketches blog and can't help but making a card with the sketch. If it is not addicting, what is it?

The sketch lookes like this:

Instead of using three small rectangles on the left, I used the Paradise Paper Flowers with a bling in the middle.  The color flowers are just irresistible!  I further modified the sketch with a bracket rather than a square.  I came to realize that even though Art Philosophy cartridge has 700 shapes, I have only tried less than 70 shapes and I feel that I must catch up.  Needless to say, I seized the opportunity to use the cartridge to cut out the birdie.  So glad that I've tried two new shapes!

Materials used (All Close to My Heart products):
1.  Stella Workshop on the Go
2.  Creme Brulee cardstock
3.  Cricut Art Philosophy collection
4.  Sunset Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
5.  Lagoon Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
6.  Sparkles - Clear
7.  Brad Assortment - Metal Assortment
8. Paradise Paper Flowers

Hi!

I've made a clean and simple card using only one stamp set and some cardstocks - no patterned paper involved.  The sketch involve an incomplete scalloped circle, a butterfly and a sentiment:

I followed the sketch strictly:

I am afraid I did not do a good job in taking a picture of the card.  The card measures 7" x 5" while the circle was cut at 4".  The scalloped circle measures 3/4" larger.  I cut the butterfly at 1" and again for the layer in a different color.  The tree was stamped first on the circle, then on a piece of Sweet Leaf cardstock.  The crown of the tree was cut and stuck to the white circle.  The leaves are fully green!  Finally I added the sentiment from the same stamp set.  This makes a cute Spring card!

Materials used:
1.  White Daisy cardstock
2.  Sweet Leaf cardstock
3.  Tulip cardstock
4.  Lagoon cardstock
5.  Creme Brulee cardstock
6.  Olive Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
7.  Tulip Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
8.  Chocolate Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Mojo Monday 234 with Dotty for You

April is National Scrapbooking Month.  Close to My Heart has prepared an exclusive Dotty for You paper packet for you to celebrate!  The paper packet includes 24 specially designed, coordinating B&T Duos® sheets (2 each of 12 patterns) and an artwork idea insert to get your creative juices flowing.

It is not available to customers yet but I'd like to show you the vibrant colors of the paper packet using the sketch of Mojo Monday this week:

I've selected the Square card to prepare my entry:

The major colors of Dotty for You paper include Creme Brulee, Grey Wool, Lagoon, Smoothie, Sunset and Sweet Leaf.  Aren't they vibrant and bright?

Stay tuned to learn how to get the packet!

Materials used:
1.  White Daisy cardstock
2.  Dotty for You paper packet
3.  Creme Brulee cardstock
4.  Grey Wool cardstock
5.  Lagoon cardstock
6.  Cricut Art Philosophy collection
7.  4 My Friend stamp set