Wednesday, March 27, 2013

My Last Easter "Must Do" Card!

I think this will be my final card this year with an Easter theme.  I have made all the necessary ones and gotten those off in the mailed or sealed and ready for delivery on Easter Sunday.  I actually got a few extras done and sent to old friends just to touch base and say "Hi!"  And, I still have more ideas roaming around in my mind as I look over my stash.  But, I must move on to birthday cards needed that will be coming up in April.  Cardmaking is a great hobby, there's always another occasion and a need for one more card! 

I've really enjoyed making my Easter cards this year and still being able to stick to my goal to use everything I already had on-hand.  A good feeling indeed

Recipe:  Stampin' Up cardstock: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Gumball Green, Real Red Core'dinations.  Patterns:  Creative Imaginations Samantha Walker Eggs and Stripe. Stamps: Wacky Wishes. Ink: Memento Cottage Ivy. Papertrey die: Picket Fence. EK punch: 1" Scallop Circle and Standard hole punch.  Creatology Felt bunny and foam leaves (Michael's). Bazzill .75 Bachelor Flower. Jolee Yellow Verbena.  Karen Foster Scrapper's Floss. Ribbon from stash. Signature multi-hue thread/ teals to green (Joann's). 

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Easter Peeps!

More using up my stash!  The four little chicks on this cards were pretty plain as they came in the package.  I gave them each a cracked shells so just their heads were peeping up and out!  Then, I joined them up with the chick paper from my stash. . .added a little trim, a little ribbon and a sentiment and voila. . .not a bad looking card.  I think it turned out kind of cute.  I have somebody in mind for this one, hope they like it!

Recipe:  Cardstock: Stampin'Up Baja Breeze, Whisper White, JoAnn's Multi-pack blues. Pattern: Moxie Easter Doodle, DCWV Carte Postale pad (egg shells). Sentiment: Computer-generated.  Dies: Spellbinders Petite Scallop Ovals/ Petite Ovals, Grand Scallop Ovals (inside).  Punches: EK 1-1/4" square, Stampin'Up Scallop Square, EK 3/8" Ribbon Slot Edger, Stampin'Up Scallop Trim. Recollections chicks. JoAnn's 1/4" loop ribbon.

Easter Pastels

I've had this Easter paper in my stash for several years.  It is all aqua and white, metallic and glittery Easter eggs in a variety of designs, but the paper won't lay flat and curls...very strangely.  I had an idea of making a monochromatic card cutting out the eggs and filling a basket with them.  I ran across this card the other day on Pinterest by Heather Klump of a woven basket full of colored eggs...it was just what I'd been thinking of, but was struggling with how to make a basket large enough to hold my eggs.  I'd seen several other basket ideas, but this one fit my mind's eye to a tee.  I thank Heather and hope she doesn't mind that I cased her idea, and elaborated upon it.  Here is what I came up with.

Recipe: Cardstocks: White/blue Coredinations; Stampin' Up Whisper White, Baja Breeze. Pattern: Reiminisce Happy Easter Egg Art. Stamp: SU Delightful Dozen. Ink: SU Baja Breeze. Extras:  SU Clouds Emboss Folder. SU Modern Label punch.  Lt. safe burlap (JoAnns). Ribbon from stash. Becca's Bow Maker. Scotch 1/4" Tape Glider. Redline tape, mini Glue Dots. Scrapbook Scotch tape. 

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Easter Cards Are on the Home Stretch!

As I mentioned earlier, my goal is to design my Easter cards this year around using up stickers and dimensionals that have been hanging around in my stash for several years now.  This card is really all about that!  I used parts from several different packages and put them together in an Easter scene.  I loved the bunny painting the egg that is the main feature of the card.  I used my Copic markers to re-color several things.  Since this card is for my oldest son, Mr. Rabbit got a new color on his coat (previously pink) and darker buttons.  I wanted to bring in some brown, so I used that on his collar.  One of the grass-hidden eggs was light pink, so it became magenta, etc.  I think he will like his card.

Recipe:  Cardstock:  Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up); Pattern: Pinecone Press Plaid, Cloudy Sky (unknown/ Joann's). Stamp: Delightful Dozen (Stampin' Up). Ink: Memento Bamboo Leaves. Stampin' Up Pearls (colored with Copics. Stampin' Up Certainly Celery 5/8" satin ribbon, Brown grosgrain stitched ribbon (Michal's).  Jolee's stickers:  Picket Fence, Painting Rabbit, plus various others. Tools: Stampin' Up Clouds Embossing Folder. Dies: Die-namics Grass border. Stampin' Up Modern Label punch. SU Beautiful Wings Embosslit (Sizzilit). Scotch foam tape. Scotch 1/4" tape glider, mini Glue Dots.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Easter Cards. . .Reaching the Halfway Point!

My goal yesterday was to finish my mother's Easter card, because it is my last card that needs to be mailed, and I did it!  Yah!  Now, I have four left!  I actually finished four cards in three days, except for the inside verse and embellishments, though the two I had to mail are totally done and off in the mail!  But the most time-consuming part is done.


My fourth card, I made with my son and his wife in mind. I had an idea in my head that I wanted to do a card using a chocolate Easter bunny, but I didn't have one.  If you know me at all, you know that won't stop me. . .so looking in my embellishment stash. . .  I found glittery foam bunnies in different sitting configurations, but they were all bright turquoise, dark lavender, or hot pink.  Of course, that wouldn't do, but an idea sprang to mind.  What if. . .I colored the lavender one, which was sitting in a chocolate Easter bunny stance, making him dark brown.  First I tried my Early Expresso stamp pad, daubing him, but it didn't cover sufficiently.  Next, with fear in my heart, I tried a dark brown Copic marker, using the broad tip, which I never use to color.  The brown that match Early Expresso was really too dark, so he turned out darker than I envisioned, but he was no longer purple! ( I'm actually not sure anything lighter would have covered the purple.)  The bunnies were originally glittery, and he remained that way, but for some reason now the glitter had a greenish cast to it.  I found some paper that went very well with his new color, and here is their card.  I hope they likes it. . .it's kind of dark for traditional Easter colors, but I think they are very rich.  From a purple rabbit to this. . .I'm very satisfied!



Recipe:  Cardstock: So Saffron,  Basic Black (Stampin' Up); Fern (Cordeinations). Patterns: Origins (Basic Grey). Extras: Ribbon: 5/8" satin + 3/8" green/gold metallic (Michaels), Chestnut Road Cat Eye,  Glitter Foam Rabbits ($ Store), Prima roses, Glue Dots, 3-D Foam tape, Redline tape, Scotch tape glider.  Tools:  Spellbinders Grand Labels One, Labels LG, Labels SM. Leaves: Bird punch (Stampin' Up).

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Mom's Easter Card is Hatched!

I finished my Mom's card, and I must say, I really liked making this card.  I started with wanting to use up my little furry chick from my stash.  The idea of the chick hatching came from a card I saw on Stampin' Connections last year by Carolyn Beam.  I borrowed the idea, and embellished from there.  Thank you Carolyn.

I used lots of "gotta' make it work ideas" that I had never done before, though I'm sure cardmakers with many years of experience probably have and know a better way to do it.  Following is a list of some of new things tried.

I don't have an egg-shaped die, so I tried using ovals, and though more symmetrical than some eggs, I think it worked.   I used two embossing folders on the same paper: one for the sky and one at the bottom so it wouldn't be so plain.  Finally, the ribbon wasn't the way I wanted it, so I colored in the white parts with Copic markers to match the Midnight Muse cardstock on the trim.  After all that, following is my Mom's card!


Recipe:  Cardstock:  Pool Party, Whisper White, Midnight Muse (Stampin' Up); Patterns: Prima Madeline Collection, Webster's Pages Your Life, My Mind's Eye Stella & Rose Hazel, Kaisercraft Bonjour Collection.  Stamp: Delightful Dozen (Stampin' Up).  Ink: Stampin' Up Baja Breeze, Pool Party .  Recollection aqua petite pearls.  Stampin' Up Midnight Muse Satin Stitched ribbon.  Chestnut Roan Cat Eye.  Tools: Spellbinders Ovals SM; Lifestyles Pinked Squares.  Stampin' Up Embossing Folders: Clouds, Perfect Polka Dots.  EK Double Crochet Lace punch.  Stampin' Up Modern Label punch.  SU Beautiful Butterflies Embosslit (Sizzilit).  Scotch foam tape. Scotch 1/4" tape glider, mini Glue Dots.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Easter's Coming!

It's well past time to begin my Easter cards!  I've been telling myself that I'm getting my creative juices flowing organizing my Pinterest board. . .LOL!  That can certainly be an addiction.  At least, I did try to focus on Easter, so I have to pat myself on my back for at least squashing my desire to do other things that I wanted to do on Pinterest. 

 

This past Thursday was finally the day!  I pulled out my stash of Easter papers and embellishments and opened the Art Bin box.  After looking them over, I decided I really needed to use the stickers and dimensionals I've been collecting for several years rather than work with my stamps or digital images.  I actually finished my first card Thursday, and I'm putting it in the mail today!  It will be traveling across the United States to my daughter in West Virginia.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up  Cardstock: Whisper White, Marine Mist, Summer Starfruit. Michaels: Stripe.  SU stamp: Delightful Dozen.  Ink: Memento Coca Brown.  Recollection pearls, SU Gumball Green Stitched Satin ribbon, Recollections Puffy Chicks, Chestnut Road Cat Eye.  Tools: Lace Circles, Lace Rectangles (Lifestyles). Scallop Trim Border punch (SU). 


My second card was made with my second daughter in mind.  She is very appreciative of my cards, and has purchased two shadow-box picture frames that she uses to change-out the cards to match the holiday or season we are currently in.  The only catch is: I must make the cards 5-1/2" x 5-1/2" to fit the matting in the box.  With that in mind, here is the card I made for Jackie!

Recipe:  Stamp: Everybunny (Stampin' Up) colored w-Copic markers.  Papers: Echo Park Style Essentials Dk. Teal Flourish, Recollections Aqua Dot.  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black.  Recollection pearls, BoBunny Dot ribbon.  Tools: EK Lattice Chain LG punch. Lifestyles Lace Rectangles die (used inside).


I think I'm on a roll now!  I have a total of five more "must make" cards, therefore, I have to keep my nose to the grindstone everyday!  My next card will be for my Mom since it also has to be mailed, but at least not across the country!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

More Get Well Wishes!!!

My long-time friend, Marlene, is still fighting her battle with her back and recovery from numerous surgeries.  I wanted to send her a fresh batch of get well wishes, so out came my stash of kits to complete the card below.  As most of you know by now, I always love my sister's cards and wonderful creative ideas (Heidi Gonzales - www.mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com).  This kit was one I got from her over two years ago.  My only change to the original design was to enlarge it a bit and change the sentiment to fit a get well card.  And, I, of course, composed and poem and decorated the inside. 

 Get well soon, Marlene!




Sunday, March 10, 2013

A Good Friends Birthday!

It is a long-time friend and past co-workers birthday today.  I completed the card below several months ago from a kit furnished by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (www.mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com).  My only addition to the card was the. . . Just a Note banner and the inside greeting and decorations.  I absolutely LOVE the vintagey look of this card with its quill pen.  I'm hoping Carla will like it as well!


Thursday, March 7, 2013

Get Well to a Long-Time Friend

Just a few years ago, we re-located some old friends from our early twenties that had been missing from our lives for over 40 years while we were busy being transferred many times by my husband's employer, only to find that they have been having some fairly serious health problems.  To cheer up Marlene, who is having some severe back problems with surgeries, infections, and the list goes on, I remodeled a card from a stash of kits I had on hand.  The original card was designed by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (www.lilscrapcorner.blogspot.com).  I thank her for the inspiration and the original kit.


I composed a little verse and decorated the inside of the card before sending it on its way.  I hope Marlene enjoys the card!

We are certainly hoping her pain and infections diminish and for further good news on her recovery!



Wednesday, March 6, 2013

A Masculine Birthday

Today is my oldest son's birthday.  He has always been a computer gamester, so I went in search of an idea that would fit that theme and came up with My Favorite Things Masculine Graphic Tee die & stamp set combo.  As it turned out, I did not use the stamps.  Instead, I used a sticker from the paper line that I modified to fit the front of the T-shirt to become its logo.  Here is the t-shirt I made just for David's birthday!


Next, I needed to add a little sentiment to the inside, and this is what I came up with as time got away from me and dinner reservations were looming...(doesn't it always, LOL)!


Recipe: 
Paper:  Bazzill cardstock (black card base, sage t-shirt, smoke blue star); Patterns:  DCWV - The Generation Tech Stack.  Sentiment: computer-generated w/Word - Algerian 18 font/ charcoal printer ink.  Edge sponging: Cat Eye Charcoal.  Dies:  Spellbinders - Pinking Circles LG, Lacy Pennants (flags), Stars Five; My Favorite Things: Masculine Graphic Tee.  Stampin' Up button. Extras: black twine, pinking shears, back fine marker (faux stitching), Scotch 1/4" tape gun and foam tape.