Sunday, August 28, 2011

Distressed Golfer

I admit I'm not a golfer and Mr. Gears is along the lines of once every other year or so. But, I do have several golfing friends so I thought this would make a nice masculine card for my stash.

Sketch Inspiration ~ Midnight Madness Sketch #118
One of these times Priscilla's going to boot me out for being too liberal with my interpretations of her awesome sketches. I tend to look at sketches as basic layouts and don't always get matchy matchy with the shapes. This was one of those I futzed a bit with but I hope you can still see how the sketches inspired me.
 










Inspiration
My Creation
Tip: To add texture to your card, run your punched/die cut elements through an embossing folder. It almost creates a version of designer paper but uses up scraps from the bin. For an added element, run your ink pad over the embossing folder first. The ink will transfer to the cardstock creating subtle shadows. It my card, I inked the embossing folder with brown ink before running the burgandy circle through. If you look closely, you can see the added depth in the debossed areas. Great for masculine or vintage cards.
Ins and Outs ~ Distressed Golfer
Stamps: SU On the Green
Paper: SU CS (Whisper White, Wild Wasabi, Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler)
Ink: SU (Wild Wasabi, Early Espresso)
Accessories: SU (Embossing Folders – Perfect Polka Dots, Square Lattice; Punches), White Gel Pen, Golf Tee
Techniques: Embossing, Distressing

Monday, August 22, 2011

Bright and Bold at OSCC

This week we're going BOLD and BRIGHT at One Stop Crafts Challenge. We have one of our regular sponsors, Sassy Studio Designs, on board and would love to see you stop by and play. I went with a super girlie, bright and bold butterfly creation for my cousin's birthday card. Her smile always reminds me of cheery sunshine so the color choices was pretty simple. I used inspiration from some wonderful challenge blogs to help me along as well.

Inspiration
Flutter By Wednesday #167 ~ Die Cuts or Punches
365 Cards Day 88 ~ Friday Prompt: Breezy
I can just see a sky filled with butterflies floating on the breeze.
Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge #43 ~ Use a Lot
Use 3 or more of favorite embellishment. I love sparkle and bling!
365 Cards Day 145 ~ Dress It Up
My image is the butterfly and I dressed it up with embossing, rhinestones and a stickles border.
365 Cards Day 162 ~ At Odds
9 elements (3 rhinestones, 1 ribbon, 2 butterflies, 1 embossed panel, 1 stickled border, 1 DP base)
Scrappy Frogs Challenge ~ Time for Bling
Speedy the Cat’s Friends Challenge #69 ~ Emboss It
The Corrosive Challenge #130 ~ Girlie

My Creation

Image Detail
Inside

Ins and Outs ~ Bright Embossed Butterfly
Stamps: None
Paper: SU, DCWV
Ink: None
Accessories: SU Embossing Folders, Ribbon, Dies, Stickles

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Farewell to Lily

I'm very close to my aunt and uncle in Florida and have countless treasured memories. Last Christmas Mr. Gears and I were able to celebrate Christmas with them and my grandmother. One of the joys of visiting their home is spending time playing with their sweet fur child, Lily. Sadly, Lily became quite ill and journeyed to the Rainbow Bridge recently. Lily was much more than a pet to all of us and will be missed greatly. I wanted to send a card, but realized I didn't have any appropriate dog images. Instead, I went with a subdued general creation. Here's a pic of Lily and her parents from Christmas.
Do You Stack Up Challenge #32 ~ Emboss It
Creative Stamp Friends Challenge #31 ~ Handmade Background Instead of using DP for the background, I used an embossing plate and then sanded it for more texture.
Papertake Weekly Challenge ~ Grow Your Own Flowers
I created a 3D flower with stamps, a scissor, a brad and scraps for leaves.
Sentimental Sundays Challenge #67 ~ Flowers
365 Cards Day 37 ~ Pure Contentment
This color palette always gives me peace and contentment and thoughts of Lily do as well.
365 Cards Day 57 ~ Say it With Subtlety
365 Cards Day 156 ~ When Life Hands You Lemons Create a card to cheer someone.
Charisma Cardz Challenge #32 ~ Distressing
My Creation
Flower Detail
Inside
Ins and Outs ~ Distressed Life 
Stamps: SU Vintage Vogue
Paper: SU CS (Very Vanilla, Elegant Eggplant)
Ink: SU (Soft Suede, Elegant Eggplant)
Accessories: SU Brad, SU Die, SU Embossing Plate, Sandpaper
Techniques: Distressing, Embossing

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

SU Wise Men

Chalk up another Christmas card for the stash. I love using non-traditional holiday colors for a holiday card. I think the wise men look stylish in their regal robes. Last week’s Midnight Madness sketch made me think of a Z fold card.

My Creation
Image Detail

Inside

Ins and Outs ~ SU Wise Men
Stamps: SU Season of Simple Grace
Paper: All SU
Ink: All SU
Accessories: SU Top Note Die

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Blue Christmas

Another Christmas card to share today. Even if I can get one done a month, I'll be further ahead than usual come December!

Sketch Inspiration ~ Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #110
Color Inspiration ~ Alphabet Challenge ~ N for Navy Blue Plus One
I think white is a freebie so my plus one is baby blue.
Inspiration
My Creation


Image Detail
Ins and Outs ~ Blue Christmas
Stamps: SU Seasonal Whimsy, Season of Joy
Paper: All SU
Ink: All SU
Accessories: Stickles, Ribbon

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Getting Sentimental as the OSCC

I've had a FABULOUS few days with my sister and her kids. She's in the process of moving from 30 minutes away to 6 hours. {{SAD FACE}} So, I have to jump at the chance to hang with her when she's nearby. That being said, I'm a tish late getting my One Stop Crafts Challenge card posted. This week Shelley's challenging us to create a card/project with the sentiment as the focus. I played around with several card ideas but they didn't quite pan out. Instead I went with a cute and simple treat container; perfect for party favors.

Sketch Inspiration ~ Midnight Madness Sketch #114
Inspiration
My Creation
Image Detail
Ins and Outs ~ Sour Cream Treat Container
Stamps: SU Oval All and Four Frames
Paper: SU (Whisper White, Patterned DSP)
Ink: SU (So Saffron, Poppy Parade)
Accessories: SU Large Oval and Decorative Label Punch; SU Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon; Crimper