Happy Monday!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

I was up early and read about the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge which is all about "the middle". Check it out and play along - you have all week!

Well, it got me to thinking (AFTER I had my coffee) about how we are in the middle of a terrible drought here in California. And, we have a friend who has been told by her doctor that she needs to drink more water, preferably in the middle of the day. So, I got the idea to put a jar of water in the middle of a bunch of other jars. Silly? Maybe, but I like it!

I used Hero Arts CL673 "Love Jar" and matching die and the perfect paper from Studio Calico's "South of Market" 6x6 pad.I added a sheet of vellum (I'm trying not to be so afraid of that stuff - it scares me!) to soften the background paper. I embossed the lemon slice and popped it up. A simple card.

Drink up and thanks for the visit.

2 fer 2

I am usually not around on weekends, but I'm simultaneously taking two amazing online card classes - Lisa's Studio Calico "You've Got Mail" and Jennifer and Kristina's "Pattern Play". For these two cards I used lessons and techniques from BOTH classes.

I used Shari Carroll's lesson and inspiration (You've Got Mail) to incorporate banners and letter tiles in different layers and Jennifer's (Day 4, Pattern Play) tips on altering patterned paper for these two cards. I was having so much fun that I couldn't stop at only one. For more details, you'll need to take the classes - both are fantastic!

I tried to keep the softness of the colors in the papers (My Mind's Eye, The Sweetest Thing) by toning things (including the bright pink plastic letters) down with my Copic pens. The layered banner on the first card is Spellbinders Basics Banners Three.

 

For this birthday card for my elephant-loving niece I used some enamel dots that coordinate with the patterned paper - I am struggling with random placement of these things! "Random" is not consistent with my need to control!

I also used Hero Arts CL382, Die-Manics Mini-Pennant dies, October Afternoon (Mini-Market Cream & Red) letter stickers and a Viva Pearl Pen.

I hope you are having a glorious weekend! Now that I am almost caught up on my homework I may get to go out and play in the sunshine! I also have an "in person" card class this weekend - eeek!

Thanks for checking in!

You've got Birthdays!

Hello and happy Spring! It is happening, isn't it? The weather is so nice here that I've been out enjoying it and not in my craft studio.

I will get to your lovely blogs later today - promise! I don't want to miss any new inspiration.

One last birthday card for my class by Lisa Spangler, "You've Got Mail". This week will we will be focusing on everyday cards.

This is outside of my comfort zone......dripping color on the card - not something I've ever done. I like more control!!! But this is fun.

I love the font on the "happy" (Studio Calico/Hero Arts), which I highlighted with a silver colored pencil.

Thanks to my blogger buddy, Lisa, I am also going to link this up for the Fun Friday Birthday Challenge.  Thanks, Lisa!

Have a great day and get outside, if you can! Thanks for the visit.

Take the Cake!

On more card this week for the Studio Calico "You've Got Mail" online class taught by the amazing Lisa Spangler. This week is birthday cards - always good to have on hand. The lesson is full of great tips from several wonderful designers.

Here is a take on some of what we've learned. I used the stamp set and the printables from the class and, since I don't have an electronic cutter (& don't want one!), I improvised with some Spellbinders and Die-Namics dies.

I love the ribbon stamps - so versatile! I have learned that this great Studio Calico/Hero Arts set is an exclusive, available only to the class members - so sorry because it rocks!

Sequins are a new cardmaking trend; funny, I've been crafting with them for decades. These are probably over 25 years old!

Have a great weekend! We are headed to our wonderful Calistoga, in the Napa Valley.

Round About

Another card from Lisa Spangler's Studio Calico online class. The weekend challenge included making a round card. Without an electronic cutter, I used my nifty ek success circle cutter (love!).

I made background paper with the arrow stamp included in the Studio Calico/Hero Arts class stamp set. The labels are from the class printables and I stamped with Momento inks. The arrow die is Hero Arts. Candi dots and a Basic Grey wooden button.

This is such a different style for me. That makes it extra fun.

Thanks for the visit!

You've Got Mail

I am taking the "You've Got Mail" Studio Calico online class. It is taught by the super-amazing Lisa Spangler. It has just started, but so far I'm loving it. The class registration includes a fantastic Studio Calico/Hero Arts stamp set and some great printables (also some cutting files, but I don't have an electronic cutter).

Let's face it, Lisa always has something fun and crafty-wonderful up her sleeve. The first lesson included lots of great instruction and tips. I made this card for the weekend challenge, using the class printables. The little star is part of the stamp set and the wood heart is from my stash.

Lisa shared how she uses wood CD boxes for stamp storage, so I decided to share the vintage wood cheese boxes that I use for some of my craft storage. They are so full of history and such a perfect size for many things.

Have a wonderful week and thanks for the peek!