A Short Cut to Thank You Notes

I cannot believe how fast this month is flying by!! This week is school vacation and I have been looking forward to this for the last month. After this there are only two months of school left. I cannot wait for summer!!!

I am going to make a confession. I am a card maker but I almost never make my own thank you notes. Usually it is because I have too many to make around holidays or my birthday and so I wind up going out and buying them. I was determined NOT to do this anymore and had to figure out a way to make my own cards but make it easy on myself. Here is what I came up with.

First I bought some plain notecards for $1.50 from Michaels. Yes, I could have just sent these but what is the fun of that? I am a HUGE fan of orange and knew that I could just doctor these cards to make them my own using supplies I already had on hand.

First I went through my patterned papers scraps and die cut a bunch of shapes using Paper Trey Ink's limitless layers 1 3/4" circle dies.

 I then went through my stamp pads and picked some colors that would match the die cuts I had created.

Next I chose some stamps, stamped the images and then die cut the stamps to make the focal point of my card. Here is a few of the finished cards:

The thing I liked about this project the most was that I really only spent $1.50 to create this cards because I used things I already had on hand. I love when that happens. I think that I am going to make some sets of these to give away as gifts.

I just wanted to post a close up of one of the cards too!!

This wasn't the only project that I had to make this month. My father was quite ill so I made a card and sent a care package to cheer him up.

I used a combination of Echo Park and My Mind's Eye products to create this. My daughter said it looked too much like a birthday card but who said get well cards can't be festive too?

That is all for today!! Happy Sunday!!

Nora

Paper Trey Ink Day #9

Paper Trey Ink has had challenge contests the last 8 days. I was able to join in again today. The challenge was to create something that contained both leaves and butterflies. I chose to make a card. Please excuse the lighting on this card as I took it with artificial light.

I used PTI Berry Sorbet and Spring Moss as my color palette. The stamp sets I used for this are PTI's Turning a New Leaf and Flower Fusion #1. I used Flower Fusion #1 die and Love Live's Here die for the butterfly. The flowers I used a pop dot to lift them off the page.

I love how this card came out and will be sending this to one of my friend's whom I haven't seen in over a year.

Thank you for looking!!

Nora

A Birthday and an Anniversary!

Happy Monday!! I wanted to start the week off right by posting a few things I made last week. I tend to take photos of my projects and then it sits on my camera. However, I pulled them off the camera yesterday to post my Paper Trey Ink's projects so I figured I would post them today.

The first card I created was an anniversary card for a teacher at work. I actually made two cards for him to choose from but only photographed this card. He and his wife were married on Valentine's Day so I wasn't sure if he would like the colors I used on this card or would want to veer away from the traditional red and pink. I should have trusted my gut because he chose this one!! This card was another CASE from someone else's card that I saw on the web. I do not have a link to the original and I apologize.

I used my Silhouette digital cutter to cut out all the hearts and then layered them over each other. I really like how this came out and will be making a similar design for Valentine's Day if I have a chance!! I will also post the inside of the card, though that is very simple.

I did not stamp directly on the inside of this card because I figured if the teacher didn't like it I would just pull the label off and put a Valentine sentiment inside. I am always thinking!!

The next project I created at 4:30 a.m.  Friday morning when I couldn't sleep. Work has had me stressed out as of late and I often wake up really early. I was actually awake at 3:00 a.m. but wouldn't let myself get up until 4:30 a.m. Imagine what I would have gotten done if I had?

I LOVE the colors on this card!! The patterned paper is a scrap of Sassafras Lass paper I had in my scrap drawer. I then used a Paper Trey Ink Mat Stack #3 to stamp and die cut to make the label. Out of all the Mat Stack's, this is my favorite. I keep hoping they will make some additions to the collection because I would buy it!! I then die cut and stamped an image from PTI's Cupcake Collection and layered it over a die cut piece of green cardstock. The bow was tied before I put the label on. I think this is my new favorite card and I just hated to give it away!!

To go with the card, I die cut a bag using my Silhouette digital cutter. I didn't have patterned paper the exact green color that I used above but the one I used was close enough.

I used PTI's Tag Its #10 set to make the little tag in the same colors as the card. I then further tied the two pieces together (and not literally!) with the same ribbon I used on the card.

Charlotte said the little girl loved the bag. It was big enough to fit a gift card and two nail polishes too!!

Thank you for looking. I hope this inspires you to create something yourself this week!!

Nora 

Paper Trey Ink Challenge

Paper Trey Ink kicked off their 5th anniversary celebration today. They issued a challenge to make a project that was inspired by one of their design team members favorite projects. I chose to use Dawn McVey's card. I LOVE almost anything she makes and am constantly stalking her blog for new ideas. Thank you Dawn for all the inspiration you have given me over the last year.

Below is the card by Dawn that inspired me.

One of the products that she listed as her "favorite" on her list was the Mat Stack #4 Die. I chose to use the colors on her card and the Mat Stack #4 die and stamp set on the two cards I created.

Card #1

The first card I made is just a simple Valentine. I used the Mat Stack #4 stamp set and the 2010 Love Tags to make this card. I then placed two heart glitter stickers over my stamped images to complete the card. Simple but effective!!

Card #2

The second card I created for the challenge I used almost all Paper Trey Ink products. The main image is a Mat Stack #4 stamp and die, and the overlaid frame is a Tag Its #10 Stamp. I embossed Raspberry Fizz paper with a Sizzix embossing folder and the butterfly I die cut from a 6" by 6" piece of Lily Bee paper. I really like how this card came out and it will go to a co-worker tomorrow. I am forever forgetting people's birthdays!! I should just make these type of cards in bulk!!

I just want to thank all of Paper Trey Ink's design team for all their hard work. Their designs are so inspiring and make me want to get all the products they use. That is a sign of good marketing!!

Thank you for looking and hope you are all having a fabulous time watching the Superbowl. I am choosing to create!!

Nora

A Challenge and a totally CASED Valentine Card!!

Thank goodness it it the weekend!! I live for the weekends, which I have to say is sad. It is the only time I have to get in my craft room and craft, unless I neglect my chores. Who needs to do those anyways?

For the first part of my post, I want to invite everyone to come to Scrapjazz.com and join me in the card challenge I posted. The challenge is to create a card using a holiday stamp (sentiment or otherwise) to create a Valentine card. The twist is to use an alternative color other then red/pink. I hope you come on over and play!!

The card I created for this challenge I used a penguin Christmas Eve Chowder by Unity Stamp as the focus of my card. I didn't have a sentiment that I liked so I printed one out using the computer. This is a great technique if you are ever in need of one and you don't own the right stamp!!

I chose Aqua as my alternate color choice but had to add the red hearts and the red twine for a splash of color.

My next two cards are a CASE. I loved this card by Maile Belles but didn't have the "exact" supplies she used so I improvised. I seem to be the queen of that lately!!

The first card I used a polka dot embossing folder by Quickutz for my background. I then placed a heart border that I cut using my Silhouette digital cutter. I used the Paper Trey Ink stamp Tag It's #10 to stamp the heart and sentiment and layered another Silhouette die cut of a key over it. This was SO EASY and I love the way it came out.

The second card I chose to follow the same basic design but I used patterned paper and a brighter pink for the stamped image. I also chose to mimic Maille's design a bit further by adding the buttons at the bottom of the stamped heart.

I am not sure which one I like better but both will be sent out to a special friend for Valentine's Day!!

I hope you have a fabulous Saturday full of FUN!!!

Nora

Getting ready for Valentine's Day

Over the past few weeks I have been making tons of Valentine's cards and attempting to design some Valentine treat bags that I can reproduce in a significant quantity. It took me a few tries but I think I have found what I am looking for!!

I die cut this bag out of Kraft card stock using my Silhouette Digital Craft Cutter. I then stamped the heart using a Studio G $1 stamp combined with the key from the Paper Trey Ink Tag It's #11 stamp set. It is an extremely simple design but I like the way it came out.

The second treat bag I made is not one i will be recreating in quantity. I received a Paper Trey Ink order in the mail and I had to try out the Favor It Box die #1 that I had bought. I stamped in pink using the Paper Trey Ink Mat Stack #1 stamp and die cut it for the front of the bag. The hearts I die cut using my Silhouette Digital Cutter. This is actually the back of the bag. The front of the bag is below.

The love tag is from Paper Trey Ink's 2010 Love Tags stamp set. I like how it came out except for the smudge. Sometimes that just happens!!

The two cards I created are very similar. I used a kraft card stock base and layered patterned paper elements over it. 

I have been attempting to use my die cut machines and my punches more often in my card making. On this card, I used a heart punch as well as a heart border punch and 2 different types of die cut machines to create the paper elements. 

For the second card, I used an embossing folder and a heart border punch behind the tag. I love the glitter heart because it already had adhesive on the back.

I think that is enough Valentine's Day ideas for one day. Come back tomorrow for a few more!! Have a great day!!

Nora

Simple Valentine

I love forced snow days!! Today I created a card that I wanted to share. I based it on a card by Danielle Flanders. I didn't have the die nor the stamp she used so instead I cut heart borders out with my Silhouette die cut machine and used a $1 stamp from Michael's to recreate her card. I also added red Stickles Glitter Glue to the heart to make it pop a bit. I like Danielle's better but for me not having any of the same supplies and making due, I think mine came out pretty nice!!

Thanks for looking today!!

Nora

Has it really been that long?

It is a new year and I am afraid I have neglected this blog immensely. I started it for personal motivation purposes and that soon fizzled out. I am now going to attempt to try this again and see if it works.

I think I will start with some of the things I made in December. The month was insane because I had to get all my Christmas shopping done and presents wrapped, my baking done and all my cards sent out before I had surgery on December 22nd. I think I was off my rocker to book that date but everything worked out for the best.

One of the first things I made was this snowman card. The stamp is by Unity Stamp Company and I had fun coloring it in with my Copic markers. I used diamond stickles glitter glue to give it some sparkle. I have to admit that I was surprised that it came out so well. Using Copic markers in tiny areas is not my specialty!!

The next three cards I made were hand stamped using Paper Trey Ink stamps. I love this company so much. The design team is amazing and I they have dies that match a lot of their images so you get a perfect cut.

I think my favorite is this reindeer card. I love the fun accents on the antlers!!

The next few cards I created for Scrapbook.com and Scrapjazz.com. I used the Christmas Eve Chowder stamps to create these adorable penguin cards and embellished with Basic Grey's Nordic Holiday patterned paper. I even think I might use these stamps again for Valentine cards but I will post more about that later!!

The last card is stamped with a Kaisercraft acrylic stamp and colored in with Copic Markers. I will definitely be making some tags with this stamp for next year. The image was a lot of fun to color in!!

I hope you enjoyed looking at all my Christmas cards. I know it is January but it might inspire you to make some cards ahead for next year. Have a great night!!

Nora

Hero Arts Silhouette Stamp Projects

     For Christmas I received some new Hero Arts rubber stamps and I had a lot of fun with them on these cards. The Silhouette Stamps come in a set of three but I only used two out of the three images for these projects. 
  The pony tail silhouette stamp reminds me of Barbie and I couldn't resist using it to make a card. I also experimented in dying seam binding. I used a Luminarte Radiant Rain Spray Mist as the dye. I like how it came out but it was messier then other sprays I have used and probably would use a different brand for the future. 

Supplies:Silhouettes Trio, Happy Wishes and Bling Blossoms by Hero Arts, Lace Background and blue background ink by Stampin Up!, Paper: Red-Sassafras Lass, Blue Paper-October Afternoon, Kahuna Kiwi by American Crafts, Seam Binding-Wrights, Luminarte Radiant Rain Mist, Imaginisce Flower, Prima Flower Center, Giga Scalloped Punch, Mega Circle Punch, Walnut Ink, White Cardstock-Paper Trey Ink and Versamark Chalk Ink.


     The second card I created is more sophisticated. I chose to use a black and white color scheme with pop of red. The flower background is another Hero Arts stamp. I also used a small piece of ribbon and a gem as a cameo for around the neck.

Supplies:Silhouette Trios and Daisy Outline by Hero Arts, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, Color box charcoal chalk ink, White Cardstock by Paper Trey Ink, Wrights Seam Binding, Offray Ribbon, Imaginisce Flower, Prima Flower Center, Giga Scalloped Circle, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Hero Arts Blossom Gems, Heidi Swapp Rhinestones.


     I have to admit that I wasn't sure about these stamps when I first opened them up but have fallen in love with each as I used them to stamp with. In order to get a crisp image, I would suggest using chalk ink. I tried using dye ink but it would not apply evenly on the stamps even after erasing and lightly sanding the stamps to "cure" them. I think that pigment ink would work as well but I didn't feel like waiting for it to dry to give it try. All in all, I had a lot of fun creating these cards. It takes a little trial and error to get it right but the end result is worth it. Have a great Thursday night!!

Nora