A sympathy card

A quick post here to share a sympathy card.  It is not my favorite kind of card to make but for some reason it is often the kind of card that you think you have it in your stash but you don't.

The sketch of the card is based on the one at Retro Sketches:

and I was also inspired by the colors at Inspired By.  So I've used Gray and Buttercup cardstock and inkpads to make this card:

The flowers are very light in color because I've used second generation stamping, while the sentiment was stamped in full strength of ink.

Thanks for stopping by!

Second interpretation of a sketch

I like Seize the Birthday's idea to use one sketch to interpret it for a feminine card and a masculine card.  It's like giving a sketch two lives!  In fact, a nice sketch can be used for so many things so why stop at the card we just finished?

This week, we are challenged to use this sketch to make a masculine card:

I have turned the sketch counterclockwise:

My use of this sketch for a feminine card can be found here.

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CAS Christmas card

I'm very lucky to have won My Mind's Eye's Red & Turquoise Decorative Tape Sets!  I have never used Washi Tape before and am glad that I got this gift to try it out.

The colors remind me of Christmas, of course.  So I've made some banners for my CAS Christmas card:

After that, I've stamped the stitches in Archival Black Ink, the sentiment in Lagoon and put on some rhinestones.  Finally I've layered the Lagoon cardstock on the Cranberry card base.  It's done!

The sketch is provided by CAS(E) this sketch and my card is entering its challenge:

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Cupcake celebration

I'm sharing a card featuring pleated paper today.  It is my first time doing it and I love it!  It is simple to do but adds a lot of texture and interest to a card. 

My card is a simple birthday card:

and this card is entering the challenge at Black Tie Friday - texture:

Materials used:
1.  Chantilly paper packet
2.  Chocolate cardstock
3.  Slate cardstock
4.  Card chatter- birthday stamp set
5.  Versamark ink
6.  White embossing powder
7.  Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge
8.  Glitz glitter gel - stardust

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm sharing a V-day card, of course.  It is a card that I'm proud of because I've tried a new technique on it called Plaid Stamping!  It was done on the hearts:

I first did Plaid Stamping on a piece of white cardstock using Cranberry and Blush ink, then I used Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge to cut out the hearts and put them on the dimensional elements.  In retrospect I think I might be able to stamp directly on the dimensional elements (hearts) but I do think it is worth the extra effort to first stamp it on cardstock then cut it out because the cardstock provides a better surface for the ink.

Plaid stamping is a technique that's quite involving and time-consuming for an impatient person like me.  But it is indeed very rewarding when I see the result and I think I'm going to try it with other colors!

This card is entering the following challenges:
1.  Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Love is in the Air
2.  Bitten by the Bug 2 - Heart or Cupid challenge
3.  Color My Heart Color Dare #29 - Cranberry and Blush
4.  The Sweet Stop sketch challenge:

5.  Addicted to Stamps and More! - Bingo Challenge:

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One more Chantilly birthday card

I have been having a lot of fun with the Chantilly paper packet and hope you have not been bored by this series of birthday cards.

Today I'm using the sketch from Retro Sketches to make a birthday card:

My card made use of the stamp from Chantilly cardmaking workshop on the go:

Making this card is a lot of fun.  First is that I have an opportunity to color the cake.  Coloring is therapeutic!  Then I had fun "coloring" the frosting with the Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel.  The picture is not doing its justice but in real life the frosting is glittering!  Finally, I realize that I could easily transform this into a manly card.  In fact when I first started I thought about that, that's why I've used Twilight to be the liner for the cake.  I've eventually used Creme Brulee for the banner to neutralize it to become a girly card.  Had I chosen a darker color, it would become a masculine card.  I like that it could be used both ways!

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A Chantilly birthday card

When I saw the sketch at Seize the Birthday and I knew that there was a reason I left my craft area in an organized messy manner.   Sometimes, I am inspired by the "mess" on my craft desk,  mainly because there are scraps of paper, embellishments and stamp sets that have been used and I knew that the combo created a pleasing product.

I've used the Chantilly paper and butterfly die cut here and I'm going to use it again for the sketch at Seize the Birthday:

My card uses the sketch upside down:

I have a feeling that these elements will result in another card..........

Thanks for stopping by!