Adorable Elephants

 I have sooooo much patterned paper and am always looking for a good way to use it up.  (Can anyone relate??)  One-sheet wonders appeal to me so much because it is a way to use up an ENTIRE sheet of patterned paper.!!  No little scraps left over (other than really tiny ones that you don't feel bad about throwing away).  I did a batch for Christmas last year and then for Valentine's Day this year (here, here and here, and here).    Now, I decided to do a batch of feminine birthday cards so I could have some on hand for those times when birthdays sneak up on me.  Some of the sentiments I used could also go for other occasions, which could end up being a life-saver, too.  So far, when I've done a batch, I've used one stamp set (images) and maybe mixed in other sets for the sentiments.  This time I've used the "Adorable Elephants" from MFT.  They are just. so. cute!  Here is my first set of three completed:

For this batch I tried this template--a new one for me.  I don't use any other patterned papers on these, but I will use two colors of coordinating card stock, one spool of ribbon and maybe some similar embellishments on some of them.  So, on the first one, I did use an embossing folder to give the background some interest.

On the second card, I stamped a background stamp using a yellow ink, so it just barely shows up.

On the third card I really liked the look of the plain card stock base and decided to leave it that way.  It gives a really clean look.

I will be posting more in the coming days (hopefully) but wanted to get these up before the sketch challenges close.

Supplies:

CARD #1:

Stamps: MFT "Adorable Elephants" by Birdie Brown

Dies: Verve "Classy Labels"

Embossing Folder: Sizzix "Circles"

CARD #2:

Stamps: MFT "Adorable Elephants" by Birdie Brown; Simon Says Stamp circle background

Dies: Spellbinders "Classic Circles, large" and "Scalloped Circles, large" and "Say What?" speech bubble

CARD #3:

 Stamps: MFT "Adorable Elephants" by Birdie Brown 

Challenges:

CARD #1:

Stick-It-Down Challenge--sketch (I turned it to a horizontal orientation so my squares would fit)

{Pin}spirational Challenge #278--inspiration photo (I was inspired by the elephants)

Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends #160--anything goes

Word Art Wednesday #498--anything goes with uplifting sentiment

Crafty Sentiments--anything goes

CARD #2:

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2--sketch

Pink Gem Challenge--anything goes

Penny's Challenge #499--anything goes

Creative Moments #217--anything goes

CARD #3:

Try Stampin' on Tuesday #512--sketch

Sweet Stampin'--I spy something beginning with "B" (I used a balloon and a banner)

Double Trouble #87--It's Hip to Be Square (Thing #1: squares or circles, Thing #2: play along with Try Stampin' on Tuesday)

Creative Fingers #211--anything goes

Red, white and blue

  Happy Wednesday!!  It's time for another challenge from The House That Stamps.  This week is very fitting for this time of year: Red, White and Blue.

And here is the card I created:

This color combination is an obvious choice for Fourth of July cards/projects, but I used it for my  Father's Day card for my husband as it is also a great masculine color combo!  I was inspired by this card I found on Pinterest:

I started with the background, stamping the Compass Rose image all over in a random pattern.  Then, I stamped over it with the Postcard image using a light gray ink.  I liked the two-toned look of the inspiration card, so I blended on some lighter blue ink in the centers.  I used some distress oxide inks and some water to "water color" the water on the main panel.  I stamped and fussy cut the lighthouse image and adhered it using some foam tape and accenting it with a bit of gold embroidery cord.  I stamped my sentiment on red, to help carry through the color scheme and finished everything off with some blue and red nuvo drops.

Thanks for stopping by!  Make sure you head on over to The House blog to see what the rest of the Design Team has done with this challenge.  And if you "need" any of the stamps I used, check out my 10% off your entire order coupon code over in my lift sidebar.

Supplies:

Stamps: Repeat Impressions "Cape Hatteras Light", "Postcard", "Compass" and "I'm so glad . . ." and "Sandcastle" for the little birds

Challenges:

Sheep Ski Designs #51--layer it up

Creative Craft Cottage #141--Eileen's anything goes challenge

Crafty Creations #422--anything goes

Cardz TV #143--anything goes

Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends #160--anything goes

Stay Crafty with Hero Arts #24--for the guys

Penny's Challenge #499--anything goes

Word Art Wednesday #498--anything goes with uplifting sentiment

Creative Moments #217--anything goes

Krafty Chicks #565--all occasions (Father's Day)

Creative Fingers #211--anything goes

Simon Says Stamp Monday--red, white and/or blue

It's your birthday

 It's Saturday!!  That means it's time for another challenge from Di's Digi Designs.

The challenge this time is: Summertime
And here is my card for your inspiration:

I live in southern New England (USA) so not much gold gets played during any time other than summer.  It's too cold!  But when summer rolls around, the golf courses are loaded!  I just love this little Ted; the image is perfect for lots of masculine cards.  I suppose you could color him up with more "girly" colors and use it for any women golfers you might know, too!  I used a stencil to add the clouds in the background, die cut the sun and the grassy knoll, and added a sentiment to the grass before adhering everything in place.

I hope you will get a chance to play along with us; I can't wait to see what you create.  And make sure you hop over to the Di's Digital Designs blog to see what the rest of the team has made for this challenge.

Supplies: 

Stamps: Di's Digi Stamps "Ted in the Rough" digi; MFT "Anything But Basic Birthday Wishes"

Dies: Lawn Fawn "Stitched Hillside Borders"; MFT "Blueprints 13" pinked circle and "Blueprints 12" circle

Taylored Expressions "Set the Scene: Clouds"

Challenges:

Double D--signs of summer

Cutie Pie Challenge #160--the bear essentials

2 Crafty Critter Crazies #51--anything goes

Kat Scrappiness--summer scenes

Alphabet Challenge--F is for Furry Friends

Sweet Stampin'--I spy something beginning with "B" (Bear, ball and bug)

A Gem of a Challenge--anything goes

Crafty Sentiments--anything goes

Stay Crafty with Hero Arts #24--for the guys

Fab n Funky #529--anything goes

Penny's Challenge #499--anything goes

Creative Moments #217--anything goes

Little Red Wagon #607--walking on sunshine

Crafty Catz #211--anything goes with the optional twist: summer

Creative Fingers Challenge #211--anything goes

Birthday Celebration

  Happy Wednesday!!  It's time for another challenge from The House That Stamps.  This week is a different one: Scenery.  So, create a card (or project) with scenery or by creating a scene.

And here is the card I created:

I was totally inspired by this card from Taylored Expressions:

I began by heat embossing my fireworks, one in gold, one in blue and one in a mix of red and holographic embossing powder.  If I did it again, I wouldn't use blue on dark blue cardstock; it just doesn't show up as well as I had hoped.  Then I stamped the stars over top with a white pigment ink so they would be a little softer.  I die cut my "town" and adhered little tiny strips of scrap yellow card stock behind the windows.  Then heat embossed the sentiment in gold and added the little firework "tails" with a white gel pen.  (Just a little side note: I have cut my "Happy Birthday" sentiment apart so I can use it stacked on top of itself--that's how it comes--or side by side as I did here.)  Relatively quick and easy, yeay!

Thanks for stopping by!  Make sure you head on over to The House blog to see what the rest of the Design Team has done with this challenge.  And if you "need" any of the stamps I used, check out my 10% off your entire order coupon code over in my lift sidebar.

Supplies:

Stamps: Repeat Impressions "Fireworks", "Birthday" and "Star Cluster"

Dies: MFT "My Town" border die

Challenges:

Die Cut Divas--birthdays

CRAFT Rockets #182--birthdays

Dare 2B Artzy--masculine

Kat Scrappiness--summer scenes

Crafty Creations #422--anything goes

Creative Fingers #210--anything goes

Sweet Stampers #57--birthday

Mod Squad--masculine

Double D--signs of summer

Aud Sentiments #277--anything goes

Cardz TV #143--anything goes

Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends #160--anything goes

Stay Crafty with Hero Arts #24--for the guys

A Father Is

 Today is my day to share my Pick of the Week with you on the House That Stamps Built blog.  I did a special request last time, so today I am back to my Pinterest Inspired series.  

Here is the card I was inspired by:

I love the simplicity of it!  It is a fantastic one-layer CAS card!  And I knew I had a "Cattails" stamp and flying birds (from the "Sandcastle" stamp) in my stash.

Here is the card I created:

I kept the same look, but oriented the whole scene to the opposite side of the card.  I punched a circle for a mask for the moon, masked the edges of the panel with some washi tape and then blended on some blue inks for the sky.  Then, I stamped the various stamps and colored in the "Cattails" image with a black fine line pen to create a silhouette image.  And I wanted a little more interest (because I struggle with CAS one-layer cards!) so I die cut a dotted frame 4 times, adhered them together and glued them onto my panel.  My cattails seemed to be floating a little bit, so I grounded them with the "Calm Water" stamp and added the "A Father Is . . ." sentiment.  This will be my Father-in Law's Father's Day card.  So, when you are scrolling through Pinterest, be inspired and then see if you can recreate it with stamps you own.

Supplies:

Stamps: Repeat Impressions "Cattails", "Sandcastle" birds only, "Calm Waters", and "A Father Is . . ."

Dies: Spellbinders "A2 Matting Basics A" (outer edge of the frame); Elizabeth Craft Designs "Garden Notes Frame It Stitched Rectangles" (inner edge of frame)

Fiskars Circle Punch for the "moon"

Challenges:

Crafty Calendar--anything goes

Stinkin' Inkers--You're the Man

Creatalicious Challenge #213--anything goes with the optional twist: at/in the water

Creative Craft Cottage#141--Eileen's anything goes

Dare 2B Artzy--masculine

Kat Scrappiness--summer scenes

Crafty Gals Corner #200--one for the boys

Word Art Wednesday #496--anything goes with uplifting sentiment

Creative Fingers #210--anything goes

Mod Squad--masculine

Aud Sentiments #277--anything goes with a sentiment

Krafty Chicks #564--CAS

Cardz TV #143--anything goes

Father's Day

 I made this card for my father for Father's Day.  All the patterned papers are from the same paper pad.  I just love the polka dots, specially on the tie!!  It's so cute!

Now, I just have to get it sent!

Supplies:

Stamps: PaperTrey Ink "World's Greatest"

Challenges:

Craft's Galore #88--anything goes

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper--anything goes with patterned paper

Love To Craft Challenge Blog #59--anything goes

SheepSki Designs #51--layer it up

Stinkin' Inkers--You're the man

Dare 2B Artzy--masculine

Crafty Gals #220--one for the boys

Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends #159--anything goes

Incy Wincy Designs--for the men and/or kraft

Try Stampin on Tuesday #510--white on white and/or sketch (I used the sketch)

Penny's Challenge #498--anything goes

Creative Moments #216--anything goes

Mod Squad--masculine

Black and White Birthday

  Happy Wednesday!!  It's time for another challenge from The House That Stamps.  This week it might be a little bit of a challenge: Create a card using Black & White.

And here is the card I created:

I just happened to have the perfect pack of paper sitting on my desk after the last card I created!  It has a lot of bright colors, but it also has several sheets of these black and white patterns.  It seemed the perfect color combo for an elegant birthday card, and since there were "flowers" on the papers, I decided to pull out one of my all-time favorite stamps: Vase of Tulips.  At first I thought to leave it uncolored, but decided to at the tiniest bit of gray to the tulips and color the vase.  Then the leaves looked a little strange, so I colored them with a different shade of light gray, and man do I LOVE how it turned out!!  To finish it all off, I added some black gems.  They were actually the last six left on the sheet, so I ended up with a beautiful card AND used some of my stash!!  Except for the card base and the large background layer, all the papers, black mats and white card stock were cut from scraps!

Thanks for stopping by!  Make sure you head on over to The House blog to see what the rest of the Design Team has done with this challenge.  And if you "need" any of the stamps I used, check out my 10% off your entire order coupon code over in my lift sidebar.

Supplies:

Stamps: Repeat Impressions "Vase of Tulips" and "Happy Birthday"

Dies: Verve "Mini Classy Labels"

Challenges:

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper--anything goes with patterned paper

Die Cut Divas--birthdays

Love To Craft Challenge Blog #59--anything goes

Cheerful Sketches--sketch

Sheepski Designs #51--layer it up

We Love Chocolate Baroque--handcolored or paper pieced image

CRAFT Rocket #182--birthday

Cardz TV #142--anything goes

STAMPlorations Theme and Photo Prompt--stamps +two colors (I used black and white)

Penny's Challenge #298--anything goes

Creative Moments #216--anything goes

Sweet Stampers #57--birthday

Simon Says Stamp Monday--beautiful blooms

Happy Birthday, Little Guy

 It's Saturday!!  That means it's time for another challenge from Di's Digi Designs.

The challenge this time is: For a Child
And here is my card for your inspiration:

Last challenge, I used the adorable "Jungle Shelf" image.  When I was thinking about creating a card for a child, I really wanted to use just the giraffe from the same image.  He's so cute, and I thought it would be perfect for a cute little boy card.  So, I printed the image really large, colored him and fussy cut him out of the center of the image.  I stenciled the background with  a cloud stencil and die cut some grass from patterned paper to create a little scene.  A little bit of green glitter paper and two little sentiment tags finished it off.  The green, turquoise, and red paper all come from the same pack as the green pattern.  Yeay for using some scraps!

I hope you will get a chance to play along with us; I can't wait to see what you create.  And make sure you hop over to the Di's Digital Designs blog to see what the rest of the team has made for this challenge.

Supplies: 

Stamps: Di's Digi Stamps "Jungle Shelf" digi; PaperTrey Ink "World's Greatest" top sentiment and "Kid Kudos" bottom sentiment

Dies: Sweet n' Sassy Stamps grass border

Taylored Expressions "Set the Scene: Clouds" stencil

Challenges:

Aud Sentiments #206--anything goes

Unicorn Challenge #66--for a baby/child

Crafts Galore #88--anything goes

Die Cut Divas--birthdays

Crafty Calendar--anything goes

We Love Chocolate Baroque--hand colored or paper pieced image

Creatalicious #212--anything goes with the optional twist: for a boy

2 Crafty Critter Crazies #51--anything goes

CRAFT Rocket #182--birthday

Paper Funday #30--anything goes with the optional twist: sparkle and/or shine (green glitter paper)

Dare 2B Artzy--masculine

Crafty Gals #220--one for the boys

Sweet Stampin'--masculine makes

Pink Gem Challenge--anything goes

Incy Wincy Designs--for the men and/or kraft

Fab n Funky #527--for the boys

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--create a scene

Crafty Catz #555--anything goes with the optional twist: create a scene

Vintage Elegance

  Happy Wednesday!!  It's time for another challenge from The House That Stamps.  This week the challenge is: Fun Fold!

And here is the card I created:

This card turned out quite differently from what I "thought" I was going to make.  I have a beautiful pad of paper that I have recently started to work on using up.  It has a lot of pinks and purples and some gold foil thrown in on different sheets.  But when I started looking at the pieces that were large enough to use, these brown patterns really caught my eye (it helps that they had the larger pieces to work with as well!).  I ending up cutting the smaller label shape from 3 different pieces of paper trying to find one that worked.  One was too brown--it didn't show up well against the other patterns, one was too pink--it stood out too much, and this script pattern was just right!  I used the "too brown" piece to paper piece the dress on the dress form.  I've actually had this dress image for 2 years and this is the first time I have used it!  I added a few pearls, this beautiful handmade flower from Petal Lu, and the metal corner piece that I discovered while putting a jar of sequins back in it's place.  A happy discovery for sure!

This card uses a fun variation of the Joy Fold.  It's super easy and can be done with any die cuts and made in any size (as long as you have large enough dies).  You start with a panel the size you want your card to be.  In this case, I used an A2 size: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.  Die cut your larger panel, score it along the left edge and adhere the scored flap to the left side of the panel.  Then, die cut a smaller piece, score the right side and adhere the scored flap to the right side of the panel.  Add a piece of patterned paper, slightly smaller than the base panel to cover up the scored flaps and your ready to decorate!

My flower is hot glued to a button to give it a little bit of lift and it acts as the closure for the right hand flap.  You do need some kind of embellishment there to keep the card closed.  My patterned paper is double sided, so the recipient has a surprise of a bright pop of color when they open the card.

I think this will probably end up as a birthday card, but since I wasn't quite sure, I didn't add anything to the inside yet.

Thanks for stopping by!  Make sure you head on over to The House blog to see what the rest of the Design Team has done with this photo.  And if you "need" any of the stamps I used, check out my 10% off your entire order coupon code over in my lift sidebar.

Supplies:

Stamps: Repeat Impressions "Dress Form"

Dies: Spellbinders "Labels 37" and "Labels 4"

Challenges:

Cute Card Thursday #689--anything goes

Krafty Chicks #566--Stamp Act

Scor-Pal #82--Father's Day or Anything Goes

Crafts Galore #88--Anything Goes

Love To Craft Challenge Blog #59--anything goes

Crafty Calendar--anything goes

Dies R Us #170--anything goes (using die brands the DRU carries--spellbinders)

We Love Chocolate Baroque--hand colored or paper pieced image

Creative Craft Cottage #141--Eileen's anything goes challenge

Crafty Creations #422--anything goes

613 Avenue Create #6--anything goes with the optional twist: paper piecing

Cut It Up #227--shaped card or fun fold

Cardz TV #142--anything goes

Creative Creases #8--any fun fold

Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends #159--anything goes

Motorcycle birthday

  Happy Wednesday!!  It's time for another challenge from The House That Stamps.  This week it is: All About the Boys!! So, show us your best masculine cards.

Here is the card I created:

The shiny, silver panel was made with some chimney tape (my father cleans and relines chimneys and he gave me a couple rolls of this tape--it is perfect for making metal embellishments!).  I adhered it to a piece of scrap card stock and ran it through my die cutting machine with an embossing folder.  It has such great texture and shine!  The patterned papers were left over scraps and the turquoise star was left from some baby shower favors I made a while ago.  I still have several more to use up, but I'm getting there.

Thanks for stopping by!  Make sure you head on over to The House blog to see what the rest of the Design Team has done with this photo.  And if you "need" any of the stamps I used, check out my 10% off your entire order coupon code over in my left sidebar.

Supplies:

Stamps: Repeat Impressions "Harley" and "Birthday"

Dies: Spellbinders "A2 Matting Basics A" rectangle

Cuttlebug embossing folder

Challenges:

Creative Moments #215--anything goes

ART Impressions--birthday

Cardz TV #141--anything goes

A Gem of a Challenge--anything goes

Retro Rubber #159--anything goes (I got the motorcycle image in 2018 and the sentiment in 2015)

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #423--sketch

Pixie's Crafty Workshop #404--anything goes with snippets

Creative Knockouts #403--for the boys

Birthday Elephant

A new month has arrived and that means a new challenge from the Love To Scrap Challenge Blog.  This month's challenge is: No Rulz.  That means you can create absolutely anything you want.

And here is the card I created:

Oh, my goodness, I just love the little elephants from MFT's "BB Adorable Elephants" set.  I've had the set on my desk for a couple of weeks because I've wanted to make several cards with it.  This is the first, it won't be the last!  All the papers are from the same paper pack and I love this combination, I have to say!  I pulled out one of my long-time favorite flower sets to create the flower embellishments, then I added some soft gold nuvo drops to the centers.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Head on over to the LTSCB blog to see what the rest of the team has created and to get the full details of the challenge.  Then get inky and play along with us; I can't wait to see what you create.

Supplies:

Stamps: MFT "Birdie Brown Adorable Elephant"; Verve "Joyful Blooms"

Dies: Spellbinders "A2 Matting Basics A" used on the top floral panel

Challenges: 

Crafty Gals #219--for the ladies

Incy Wincy Designs--for a baby and/or balloons or sweets (I used a balloon)

Creative Moments #215--anything goes

As You Like It--favorite coloring medium (I love using my Spectrum Noir markers; I love how they blend and the bold colors)

ART Impressions--birthday

Cardz TV #141--anything goes

A Gem of a Challenge--anything goes

Make My Monday #149--floral birthday

Crafty Sentiments--anything goes

Penny's Challenges #497--anything goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--anything goes

Cute Card Thursday #688--anything goes with the optional twist: critters

Krafty Chicks #561--all occasions

Creative Fingers #209--anything goes