Pattern Play Class - Day One

It is actually day three of class, but I am just getting to post my homework for day one. Jennifer showed us four ways to combine several patterned papers without too much conflict and using dies. I found I liked one way the best (I tried them all), and I modified the technique slightly.

I used my Lifestyle Craft Nesting Star dies to make some cards for the stars of our local theater group. I found that my dies are much closer in size than the ones Jennifer used, so I had to adjust.

I made 4.25" square cards using papers from a 6" x 6" Lawn Fawn pad called the Bright Side Collection - love it! My favorite one is here on the right.

I used a silver Sharpie Pen to separate the patterns and to color in the center star. The sentiment is a cut from a cool SSS die which I highlighted with glitter pen. I added some gemstone stars, too.

This is sooooo not my style, but I do like it and will probably use this technique again.

Thanks for the peek - hope you're having a great week!

Sending Smiles

I am in the third week of the online Studio Calico class, "You've Got Mail". Loving it. For the second week Lisa asked us to make some all-occasion cards and gave us lots to think about.

This card was inspired by the lesson and card prepared by Maile Belles. She is so amazing! If you don't know her, you need to!

Since this card is late (I've been out enjoying our weather!), I'm keeping this short. I Stamped my plain acrylic block onto water color paper with Distress Ink and used Hero Arts CL490. Since I am also taking the "Paper Play" class, I dug out some funky coordinating paper (Basic Grey's Infuse) which I hexagon-textured with an embossing folder.

Here are those vintage sequins again!

Thanks for the look-see and have a great day.

Pre-Play

I have signed up for Jennifer and Kristina's online class "Pattern Play" - it starts tomorrow. I'm not sure how I am going to balance 2 classes (I'm still in the amazing "You've Got Mail" Studio Calico class which runs all month) with my normally hectic (yet happy) life. I see take-out in our future.

I'm excited about "Pattern Play" to get some new ideas for using patterned paper - I have way too much and I hardly ever use it, usually reaching instead for background stamps.

While thinking about all of this I pulled out a sheet of paper that I have been hoarding for months. You all know how I love retro stuff. This looks just like a party that I attended in the 1950's. Do you recognize me in the group? After cake we just might play "Pin the Tail on the Donkey"!


This paper is called "Cake Walk" from October Afternoon. I matted the main image onto a background to give it some extra punch and coupled it with a sentiment using Hero Arts CL588 and DI008. Added some Stickles and we are party ready.

Just gotta grab my Pee-Chee (remember those?) and my book bag and I'll be ready for classes to start tomorrow.

I'm heading out to water yoga class and to enjoy some beautiful weather here in the SF Bay Area. We are so blessed!

Thanks for the weekend visit and I'll see you next week. Unless, of course, I have to stay after class.

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Long Hugs!

My giraffe-loving pal is under the weather, so I decided to make her a card. I used the sketch from the current Paper Smooches SPARKS Designer Draft Challenge, but it kind of got "massaged" along the way. You know how that goes!

 I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder with Distress Ink for a faux letterpress texture. I think it goes great with the long-necked guy.

Not much more to say. Hope this brings some smiles.

Take care and thanks for the peek.  Have a glorious weekend!

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.

What's Cookin', Good Lookin'?

That is something my Dad always said - it makes me smile!

I just have time to share with you this card that I made for the Paper Smooches SPARKS Trend Watch challenge.  What a great photo, eh? Makes me grin!

Some of you know that I love & collect vintage cookbooks (but hate to cook!). The first card that I ever posted, before I even had a blog, used one from my collection. How time flies!

This photo reminded me of a page in this cookbook that was written for 4-H kids in the early 1060's. It is hilarious - it even gives instructions on how to scrape and wash the dishes. Seriously!

Anyway, I had fun with one of my very favorite paper Smooches sets and some vintage-kitchen patterned papers.I decided not to embellish (a tough choice) to keep the design simple, like the graphic from the cookbook.

With all the green going on in this kitchen, I am also submitting this to the current challenge over at Simon Says Stamp for "A Bit O' Green".

Thanks for stopping in and wishing you a great week! I love Daylight Savings Time and it is finally here!

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!

Cutting Edge

In cardmaking (like everything else) there are trends. Recent trends include chevrons, burlap, hexagons, cameras, arrows and chalkboards.

I had to laugh out loud when my blogging buddy Robin said that she wanted to try the chalkboard technique before it goes out of fashion. I typically buy all the supplies for all of the current trends, but end up not using them - ever!

So, with homage and appreciation to Robin, I decided to try the chalkboard technique myself. What a better inspiration than the current Paper Smooches SPARKS Picture Perfect Challenge. You must check out the photo there - it's way too cute!

Here we go with the technique. I used lots of my Paper Smooches stamp sets, some fun patterned  paper and some free-hand doodles. I even added an arrow - super-trendy, eh?

The "chalkboard" I used is a little reflective, so I apologize for the glare in the photo.

I am also entering this into the current Simon Says Stamp challenge, "Anything Goes".

Wishing you all a super-delux weekend, wherever you are.

Remember, if you don't behave, you may have to stay after and clean the chalkboards!

We are enjoying warmer-than-average temps here, so I am headed outside.

Thanks for the visit,