Congratulations Mom & Dad!

Hello again!

This next card I made for my parents' 25th Wedding Anniversary in September. They are celebrating on a cruise to Alaska - not sure why they didn't want to take me!! ;). So I gave them a card to open on their getaway. I was super happy with the embellishments I used for Lindsay's birthday card, so I decided to do something similar for this one. While I was brainstorming and flipping through materials, I was inspired by an acetate frame and used it to put a twist on this card.

First off, I thought the quote from the Ali Edwards designed Favorite Memories stamp set was perfect for a Silver Anniversary and a memorable vacation together. That and the french literature background modeled "cherish this story" wonderfully, while adding a romantic feel. Now... back to when I was inspired by the acetate frame... I spent a long time trying to figure out how I could incorporate it as the card face, while leaving it open to slide a photo in behind. And then I realized it was as simple as gluing down the left side and leaving the rest unmounted. My big idea is that my parents can slide a photo of themselves together on their 25th Anniversary on the Alaskan cruise into the card. Ahhh so romantic, right? A card turned picture frame! I don't want to brag, but this is definitely one of my best ideas to date. 

Here's an example of what it might look like:

My cousin Brenda and I on New Year's Eve this year.

I had to be sure this was done properly, without [many] design flaws, so I also chomped off the top right corner of the card to make it easier to separate the pages and insert a photo.

(It's funny cause this photo makes it look like I'm hiding naked. Haha! Oops!) 

Additionally, the Simon Says Stamp Challenge this week is "Anything Goes" so I figured I'd submit this and cross my fingers.

Hope everyone is enjoying their last bit of summer! We've been so lucky this year.

M.

Supplies:

MME Graceful "Sweet Chic" Frame

Technique Tuesday Ali Edwards FAVORITE MEMORIES Clear Stamp Set 

BoBunny Clear Acrylic Stamp - Serenade Collection 

VersaFine Onyx Black Ink Pad
Prima Flowers SONGBIRD Wooden Buttons 

Jute twine 

KaiserCraft Rhinestones ANTIQUE ROSE
Glue Runner Adhesive
EK Success HONEY BEE Non-Stick Scissors   

We R Memory Keepers Cropadile CORNER CHOMPER 

 

Happy Birthday Lindsay

Good afternoon!

Well... after a week of no crafts, I found a couple of excuses to make a new mess :). First, nobody can study 24/7, I'm going to need a break at some point... Second, it's my dear friend Lindsay's birthday today (Happy Birthday!), so I put together a card and a bookmark as a gift. 

I recently bought a BoBunny stamp set from the Serenade Collection. Initally, the dragonfly caught my eye (I have a thing for dragonflies), but I absolutely love every detail on this stamp set. The flowers are beautiful and made perfect embellishments just on their own. Needless to say, I was thrilled to give them a go.

A card just wasn't enough for Linds, nor did it satisfy my craving for crafting haha, so I made a bookmark too. I modeled this bookmark off one I did a while ago but tweaked it (improved it!), so that it matched the card too. I made the tassle from two baker's twine colors (Blossom and Pink Sorbet from the Twinery) so that it coordinated with the outer edge of the bookmark. The cardstock is all from MME's Indie Chic collection. Refer to my previous bookmark post for some of the other materials used.

Card Supplies:

MME Indie Chic - Ginger - 12x12 Cardstock
MME The Sweetest Thing TANGERINE 6x6 Paper Pad
BoBunny Clear Acrylic Stamp - Serenade Collection
VersaFine Onyx Black Ink Pad
Prima Flowers SONGBIRD Wooden Buttons 
Jute twine
KaiserCraft Rhinestones ANTIQUE ROSE
Glue Runner Adhesive
EK Success HONEY BEE Non-Stick Scissors 

Blogging Hiatus!

Hello everyone!

Unfortunately, I am going to have to put my crafts away for a little while. I have been crazy busy on summer vacations and working... and now it's time I get serious about studying for my big exam for Physio in September! I will likely go into craft withdrawal and need to make a card or two at some point, but until then I will be MIA. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your August!!! Stay tuned.

M.

Vintage Style Best Friend Card - SSS Bingo Challenge

Hello!

This week, the Simon Says Stamp Challenge is a Bingo Challenge.

You need to choose 3 items/techniques in a row and use them in your craft. I chose a diagonal line that gave me Punches, Free, and Buttons to work with. I decided to choose baker's twine as my free contribution because it definitely has it's own unique touch!

When I was selecting my materials, I had a bit of a "paper cut-out" theme going on too. And somehow the colors and styles just all fit together so I was quite pleased with the end product. The more I craft, the more familiar I become with my materials, and the more creative I get. I have to say, it's kind of addicting...

 

I had a lot of fun making this card! The Bingo Challenge was a great source of inspiration. I think I will refer to the table again one day when I'm looking for fresh ideas or a unique combo of embellishments and techniques.

Supplies:

MME The Sweetest Thing TANGERINE 6x6 Paper Pad
Glitz HAPPY TRAVELS Cardstock 
THIS & THAT Cardstock by Lori Whitlock
Prima Flowers SONGBIRD Wooden Buttons
The Twinery Charcoal Baker's Twine
Mini Clothes Pins
MME Miss Caroline FAVORITE Clear Stamp Set
VersaFine Onyx Black Ink Pad
Martha Stewart Punch - Doily Lace
Dimensional/Foam Adhesive 
Glue Runner Adhesive
EK Success HONEY BEE Non-Stick Scissors 
We R Memory Keepers Cropadile CORNER CHOMPER

A Blog Named Hero: Challenge #9 FREESTYLE

Hello everyone!

Today I'm sharing with you a bookmark I made recently as a gift. I wanted to enter it into this "freestyle" challenge since it's different from my usual cards. I've made a few bookmarks in the past, but I have to say this is certainly one of my favourite creations.

For the bookmark, I used My Mind's Eye cardstock, and a couple of my favourite stamp sets - sorry, no Hero Arts :(. Before putting everything together... I stamped the bicycle first using Momento's Lulu Lavender ink pad, positioning it slightly over the edge of the paper. Next, I stamped the quote using Momento's Grape Jelly ink pad. I made the embellishments using a Martha Stewart punch plus a couple of brads. After layering and gluing the paper in place, I finalized the bookmark with a loop of ribbon and eyelet. Ta da!

Supplies:

MME Miss Caroline - Fiddlesticks 6x6 Paper Pad
Technique Tuesday Ali Edwards - Bring on the Sun
Prima Flowers Clear Stamps - Sun Kiss
Martha Stewart 3 in 1 Hydrangea Punch 
We R Memory Keepers CROP-A-DILE Eyelet and Snap Punch

Docerela Creations - #18 Sketch Challenge

Hello everyone!

While surfing the net for new challenges to inspire me, I came across this "sketch" challenge. The idea is to design a card based on this template sketch, created by their design team.


My boyfriend Ryley is coming home from Yellowknife in just over a week. He's been away working since May!!! Needless to say, I am looking forward to his return (even though it will be just a quick visit) and was incidentally trying to think of a layout for a "Welcome Home" card. This one immediately inspired me and worked perfectly for what I wanted to achieve. Enjoy!
 

 

For this card, I wanted to try something new and different. Instead of using my Martha Stewart butterfly punches, I decided to use my beautiful Hero Arts butterfly stamps, and then cut them out individually. With the woodgrain patterned paper, I think it gave it a natural feel... but still playful with the owl! 

Supplies:
Momento Rich Cocoa Dye Ink Pad
Stampin' Up - Fabulous Phrases
Alphabet Stamp Set
Hero Arts Clear Stamps - Antique Engravings Butterflies
Darcie's Clear Stamps - Owl You Do
Authentique - Carefree 6x6 Paper Pad
MME Stella and Rose - Hazel Papers 6x6 Paper Pad
EK Success 2" Scallop Circle Punch
EK Success Honey Bee Non-Stick Scissors
Staedtler Triplus Fineliners

Simon Says Stamp Challenge

I was inspired to make this card for this week's Simon Says Stamp Challenge. I loved the black and white theme - not something I would have thought to do myself so it was refreshing!

Here's what I came up with...

I made these embelishments myself by cutting out shapes from My Mind's Eye (So Sophie) cardstock, layering them, and then held them together with a brad. I also tried to curl the petals a bit to give it some dimension.  

I was also able to submit this card to a Hero Arts challenge (Flickr group), as I handmade my embellishments. Because you can enter as many times as you like... I'm thinking of making another card more specific to that challenge. Stay tuned!

Happy Birthday Papa!

It was my dad's birthday on July 22, so I made this card for him :).

Time for an update.

Well, it has been a whole month since I've updated my blog!!!! It's been such a busy summer, and when I'm not busy I'd rather be outside, needless to say, my crafting hours have been sparse.


I'm officially all moved out of Edmonton as I finished my coursework at U of A - woo hoo! As soon as I got back to Calgary, I started serving again so that's been keeping me extra busy, but feels good to have an income again. I was semi-housesitting Gus for a week (Ryley's family's bulldog). My cousin Brenda came to town for a visit last week. And of course I've been visiting and catching up with friends that I haven't seen for a while, or that are home for the summer. I guess that about sums it up!