Circle Valentine Card

Here's a little Valentine I put together.

I used my Silhouette to create a simple circle card.  It's 5 inches in diameter.  I cut a grey circle to cover the entire card front and hide the fold.  I sprayed that layer with some Marshmallow Glimmer Mist.

I cut a frame in some dark grey cardstock to give a nice clean edge to the card.

The heart was cut from plain white cardstock.  I sponged the Distress Ink colors Peacock Feathers, Seedless Preserves, and Picked Raspberry.  Then I ran the colored heart through my Cuttlebug folder Textile.  After the embossing I used a little Weathered Wood Distress Ink across the embossed parts to give a little more depth.  I added the heart to the card with a thin layer of foam tape.

The fun banner was also cut from my Silhoutte.  It's image id is #38321.  I stamped on the banner with a Martha Stewart Valentine's set using Versamark ink and then I embossed using some Stampin' Up embossing powder in silver.  I placed a thin layer of foam tape in the center of the banner, and some thick pop dots on the sides so the banner would sit a little higher than the heart.

Wah lah!  This card was actually pretty simple and went together really quickly, but I think it has a big impact.

Thanks so very much for visiting today :)

Amber

Mermaid Card

Here's something mystical and pretty, a mermaid!  I really wanted some gorgeous mermaid images and decided to get Under The Sea Mae by Some Odd Girl.

I colored her using some Copics.
Here's the color list:
Hair: RV09, RV06, RV02
Seashell: E35, E33
Skin:E33, E11 with RV02 on her cheeks
Eyes: BG32
Top:V09, V17
Main part of Tail: YG09, YG07, YG05
Side fin on Tail: BG18

After she was all colored I fussy cut her out.  I did my favorite trick afterwards.  I used a Copic Multi-liner around all the cut edges.  This covers up any white parts on the edges, and adds a little black anywhere you might have cut the line too narrow.  It really gives a great finish!!!

To finish her off I used Fruit Punch Stickles in her hair.  Crystal Effects on her eyes.  Glitz Stickles in the color Mermaid on her side fin and her tail.  I created all the scales and lines in the end of her tail myself, they were not part of the original image.

Then I moved on to the water.  Below is a close up shot so you can see a little bit of the detail.

I started with some white cardstock much larger than what I needed.

I began by dragging across the Distress Ink colors Peacock Feathers and Broken China.  I did this in waving motions to make sure I didn't get defined lines anywhere.

After these were applied I used a foam brush to drag some water across the surface.

Then I moved on to the next step with the cardstock still wet.  I started dragging Stamping Up inks in Marina Mist and Soft Sky across the paper.  Because it was still wet these only left little dots in random areas instead of any streaks or lines.  Giving a different texture and layering effect to the colors.

For the last bit of color I sprayed Glimmer Mist in Blue Skies.  You can't see the glimmer in the photo, but of course in person you can.

I cut this down to size 4 by 5 and 1/4 and embossed it with the paper still damp using the Darice embossing folder Beach Waves.

I let it dry and then adhered it to a card base made with Papertrey Ink's Smokey Slate.

For a finishing touch I added some My Craft Spot sequins.

Wa-lah!  Magical mermaid wonderland :)

Sorry for the long explanation, this card took a few hours and I wanted to explain all the steps.

Happy Friday!

Amber

Flower Themed Mother's Day Card

To start off for the background I used a white piece of cardstock the standard A2 size 4 and 1/4 by 5 and 1/2.  I used Tempting Turquiose and Green Galore Stampin' Up inks.  I took the ink pads directly to the paper and made sweeping motions.  After the whole base was covered with ink I sprayed it with Glimmer Mist in Blue Skies.

To create the flowers I used the Stampin' Up embossed folder Manhatten Flower.  I used an ink blending tool to add the Stampin' Up inks Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose.  Once the flowers were colored I cut them out.  Before attaching them to the back layer I sprayed them with Marshmallow Glimmer Mist.

For the sentiment I cut out a vanilla colored layer with my Nestabilities.  The ink colores are Close to Cocoa, Regal Rose, and Tempting Turquoise.  I used 3 sets from SP & Company's Mix N Match collection: Occasions, Friends, & Holidays.  The bling was just from the $1 section of Michael's.

 The stitching lines on the vanilla piece is from the Gelly Roll pen Green Star.  The stitching lines around the rest of the card are from the Gelly Roll pen Pink Star.

In person this has lots of fun sparkle and shine.  I've given up on ever getting the perfect photo of that sort of thing.

I'm really pleased with the way this came out.  I don't think it looks like anything I've ever done before and it was lots of fun.  I really love this embossing folder and I have been wanting to do something special with it.

Thanks for visiting!

Amber

Follow Your Heart It Knows The Way

This card all started with the butterfly.  

She's from an Inkadinado cling set called Butterflies.  I stamped her in some Memento Tuxedo Black and colored her with my Copics.  Then I cut her out and spent a long time carefully covering most of her with Crystal Stickles, and then finishing off with Black Diamond Stickles around the edges and such.  That was very tricky to do without smearing everything, but the effect was totally worth it.  

I let her dry for about an hour, and then finished the drying process with my heat tool so I could move on, and also because i was hoping it would curl the paper - as luck would have it, the paper curled beautifully

The trail behind her is a stamp from The Paper Studio called Flourish.  Stamped in Versamark and then embossed with Stampendous embossing powder in the color Star Dust, it's clear powder with lots of silver glitter mixed in.

The sentiment is from Stampin' Up's set Whimsical Words and is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black.

The little mirrored gems are from Irock.

Thanks for visiting!

Amber

Shiny Robot Card

I just love this one!  Seriously I couldn't be happier with it and wouldn't change a thing if I did it over.  I feel like I'm on a kick with more fun boy ideas lately than usual.

So, the focal point is definitely the robot.  He is from an Oriental Trading set that's on clearance right now.  The stamps aren't the best quality ever, but I got a HUGE sheet for a reasonable price with lots of fun images. 

I started off by stamping him on some really good quality cardstock.  I went over the splotchy parts with my Copic Multiliners to make it look as though it stamped nice and crisp.

I colored him using a few red Copics and a couple grey Copics. 

I cut him out very carefully. Then I used my multiliner again to touch up any bits of white edges showing.  That helps make it look like the cutting was totally flawless.

The part that I really love is that I TOTALLY covered him in a thick layer of Glossy Accents and he is so shiny and thick.  He feels like an epoxy sticker.  He's up on pop dots.

The sentiment is from the same set just cut out, popped up, and lightly inked with red.

The embossing was done using the Cuttlebug folder called Clockworks.  I inked the edges with some black and left them really messy, sort of like spilled oil.  It brought out the embossing a bit and defined the edges nicely.  The edges are all rounded on a 1/2 inch setting.  The cute screw brads are from Michael's.

I hope you love it!  I know myself and many of my crafty friends always need more ideas for boy and/or masculine projects.

Have a very crafty day!

Amber

Sand Box Layout

This layout is simple and was very quick to put together.

One thing I'd like to mention right away is that the color in this photo is off.  The adorable fish paper has a much more rich aqua type color than the photo shows, but the details photographed well so I decided to leave well enough alone.

The fun paper is from the Doodlebug Boys Only collection and is called Skater Stripe (which describes the opposite side accurately.)

The photos are just 4 by 6's.

For the title I used my Cricut and my Gypsy.  I pulled up the Plantin Schoolbook font in my Gypsy and used the shadow just to make it a tad thicker, then I welded the letters in each word together.  When it was cut out I used my Fiskars texture plate called Waves to add a fun element of texture.  I went over the embossed areas in More Mustard ink from Stampin' Up.

The crab and sandcastle are both from the Create a Critter cartridge.  The crab is embossed with the D'vine Swirl folder and the sand castle is embossed with the Swiss Dots folder.  

This is my kind of scrapbooking!  It was quick and simple to put together, but I still feel like it looks personalized and the elements I added fit the photos.

Have a crafty day my friends!

Coffee Card

I'm not sure what I think of this one.  I don't really love it, I don't really hate it either.  It does have a LOT more sparkle in person.

So I started with some gray cardstock for the base.  I embossed it using the Cuttlebug Argyle folder.  It wasn't big enough to completely cover the card front, and that actually worked out nicely because it left me a flat area to do some faux stitching with my white gel pen.

The layered shapes are both Nestabilities.  Lacey circles, and then just regular circles.

The image is from the Hero Arts set Have a Donut.  I stamped it in Memento ink and then colored it using Stampin' Up markers.  For a finishing touch I used a bunch of Diamond Stickles on it.  I covered everywhere there was brown ink from stamping, so the entire area with coffee, the steam, the outline, and all the little lines in the cozy.

The ribbon along the bottom is from Stampin' Up and is Bashful Blue.  I just pleated it using generous amounts of ATG adhesive as needed.

I made this for a color challenge over at the Hero Arts blog.

Thanks for visiting!

Amber

Embossed Tree Card

Kraft colored card base.

Tree stamps from SP & Company's Ornamental Trees.  The trunk was stamped with Stampin' Up's Close to Cocoa. The green part was stamped with Versamark and then I added Stamp n' Stuff Embossing Powder in Green Tinsel, it's from Stampendous.

The sentiment is from SP & Company's Ultimate Sentiments 1 and it's stamped in Real Red by Stampin' Up.

The red ribbon was given to me by a friend :)  I put a notch in the top of the card so that the ribbon could slip through and I could tie it like a gift.

 

Tis The Season Card

I wanted something clean and simple.

I started off with the standard A2 size card base in Kraft and rounded all the corners on a 1/2 inch setting on my Corner Chomper.

I used a Hampton Art stamp.  I stamped this neat image with snowflakes and the saying "tis the season" using some Versamark ink.  Then I covered it with white embossing powder and heat set it.  

I accented the centers of the snowflakes with some light blue bling.

I added some white stitching lines with my Sakura Gelly Roll pen around the image and the edges of the card.  

I tied some pretty sheer lavender ribbon in a bow.

Seems all my cards lately have been the quick and simple kind!  *LOL* I'm just itching to have some time to play around and do something a bit more elaborate... if I ever catch up on my housework. ;)

Pretty Bat Card

Here's a simple, but very pretty card.

The paper is from DCWV from their Midnight Spell Stack.

The stamps are from Close to My Heart from their Beware Set.

I stamped in Versamark ink and used Stampendous Pearlustre embossing powder in Amethyst.  I think it is really stunning on black cardstock.

I just cut around the flourish of bats by hand.  For the circle I trimmed the tips of the bats wings and then grabbed a circle Nestabilities die.  To avoid cutting the wing tips I put them on top of the die, away from the cutting blade.  This is easy and it works great.  The only thing is that you have to cut deeper into the wings than the Nestability cuts, so you do end up with tiny cut marks on your finished piece.  Honestly, they aren't really noticeable.  If that doesn't make any sense you can watch this video from Paper Prairie & Ink that explains and demonstrates it very clearly.

Halloween is my favorite holiday and last year I barely got a chance to make anything for it.  So, this year I'm starting early :)

Thanks for visiting and have a crafty day!

Wishing You A Marvelous Mardi Gras

I had so much fun with this one!  Yay for sparkle and my favorite color... purple.

So, I wanted to have a cute little mask on my card, but I couldn't find the kind I was looking for on any of my Cricut cartridges.  I just found a simple line image online.  I printed it and used it as a template for cutting one by hand.  Since it's a simple shape it didn't take long.  I added some Lavender Stickles around the edges to give it a little more fun, and it is up on Pop Dots.

For the paper behind the mask I wanted to create my own glittery polka dotted paper.  I cut it down, and punched the bottom border using the Eyelet Lace border punch from Stampin' Up.  Then I got out Stampin' Up's Dot Dot Dot stamp and my Stamp-a-ma-jig.  I stamped the dots twice using Versa Mark, then I poured on my Stamp N Stuff Embossing Powder in Green Tinsel.  It's made by Stampendous and I buy mine at Michael's.  I LOVE the stuff :)  

For the sentiment along the bottom I used my wonderful SP & Company Mix & Match Sentiment sets.  You can spell SO many things with them.  It's a lot of fun to pick your words and create your own phrases.  The words "wishing you a" and also "Mardi Gras" are from Mix & Match: Occasions.  The word "marvelous" is from the set Mix & Match: Friends.

Of course I added little details like doodling and some fun ribbon from my stash too. Here are some sizes for you.  The big purple layer is 5 and 1/4 by 3 inches.  The green polka dot layer is 5 by 2 and 3/4 (remember this is AFTER punching it.)  The layer the sentiment is on is 5 and 1/4 by 1 inch.  

Have a fabulous, and very crafty day!  I really appreciate all of you that take the time to stop by my crafty little corner of the world :)

I'm With You Rain or Shine

This little square card is 4 and 1/4 inches.  I started with a Kraft colored base, and drew the white stitching lines with a Uni Ball Signo Gel Pen.    I cut the adorable little penguin from the Jolly Holidays Cricut Cartridge at 3.5 inches.  I added some tiny little googly eyes, and I pop dotted the top portion of the umbrella. 

I didn't attach him right away, but I did lay him on the card to help me determine where to do my stamping.  I used SP & Company's Rain Boots set.  I stamped in Versamark Ink and used a WONDERFUL Stampendous product called Stamp n Stuff embossing powder, this color is Blue Tinsel.  It is breathtakingly pretty, but very difficult to photograph well because of the sparkle.  

I stamped and embossed the sentiment first, and then moved onto the rain drops.  The stamp set comes with a set of 4 rain drops all in 1 stamp, but I didn't want my rain drops very close together.  So, I took some sharp scissors and cut the stamp.  As long as you don't cut through the portion that actually stamps the image you won't hurt your stamp.  You can cut apart sentiments to fit on your cards differently, and all sorts of things.  It made all the difference in this case to be able to use one little raindrop on it's own.  Masking that many times would have been possible - but not very convenient. I can still stamp all 4 rain drops in their original pattern, simply by sticking them to the block at the same time, and nestling the cut piece in where it was before.

This will likely be the only project you see from me this week!  I am SUPER busy prepping for a big party - and I've been very crafty, but I can't share what I've made because it will spoil the surprise for my guests.  My daughter is in a kids' blog hop on Sunday, and then I will be sharing a bunch of fun things next week :)

Fun & Girlie Set

I am so pleased with this little set. So girlie and fun, and also including plenty of PURPLE! Purple is my favorite color, and also the favorite color of my dear friend Jen over at Purple Scrapbooker. Today I had the special honor of being a guest designer on her blog – and that is what I designed this project for.
 

I know you want all the fabulous details, so be sure and check out this post on her blog.

Thanks Jen for asking me to do this, and for being a great gal! One of my favorite things about blogging is getting to know other crafty peeps.

You Are Fantabulous Mini Valentine

This was a fun little Valentine to make.  I actually made 8 of them, but I only show the one being made in the video.  I used all SP & Company stamps to create it.  I also used my FAVORITE embossing powder from Stampendous.  You can watch the short video below for all the details.

Happy Holidays Bird Card

I know this is one heck of a busy week for all of us.  I'll be sharing my last few holiday cards.  I'll be back next week to share my handmade gifts for this year.

I used the Stampin' Up set called Always for the bird and the branches.  I embossed with Stamp N Stuff Embossing Powder in Red Tinsel, and Green Tinsel.  I just can't get enough of those.  They have such a beautiful sparkle to them - perfect for holiday cards.  

The sentiment along the bottom is from SP & Company stamps the Ultimate Sentiments I.  I used Real Red ink from Stampin' Up.  The papers are by DCWV.  The stitching lines were done with a Real Red marker from Stampin up, and the ribbon is just from a local craft store.  I used a Stampin' Up scallop edge border punch as well.

In my mad rush to complete the last of my cards I didn't get the sizing details written down.  I believe the square is 3 by 3.  I think the piece on the right is about 1 and 1/2 inches wide.  I don't remember at all about the layers the bird is on.  Sorry about that!  Of course I really did cut that layer to fit the image anyways, so it would likely change if you used a different stamp.

Have a crafty day!

Cup of Cocoa Christmas Card

Here's a little holiday card I made.  I used the Peppermint Forest stack which was available at Jo-ann's last holiday season.  I start by cutting out a standard sized card base.  I embossed simple snowflakes all over the card front using Stamp n Stuff Embossing Powder in Kaleidoscope by Stampendous.  It's basically clear with glitter.  The effect is subtle, especially over patterned paper, but it's elegant and I liked it.  

Then I cut out a piece of a patterned sheet that included a sentiment.  I tied a piece of old scrap ribbon I had laying around onto it and then mounted it to a red piece of cardstock.  I added some stitching lines with my white gel pen.

I hand cut out the gingerbread and teacup - which cut together as one piece.  Then I added Diamond Stickles around the outline, & to the details of the cup & gingerbread.  I mounted this piece on with Pop Dots.

Summer Time Tag

I made this project for two different challenges.  The first is at The Cuttlebug Spot.  They have a challenge to do an embossed tag.

The second is at The Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog.  They are having a Summer Time at the Beach Challenge.

I used Very Merry Tags to make the base.  I welded two of them together with a little square from Planin Schoolbook.  I could also use this as a tiny card if I wanted to.  Sand is cut from Plantin Schoolbook.  The sun is from Create a Critter & the sunglasses are from Forever Young.

I used the embossing folders Spots and Dots (which my husband informed me makes my sun look as though it has chicken pox! *LOL*) Swiss Dots, & D'vine Swirl.

If you would like the cut file to duplicate this project quickly you can download it here.

Sometimes... simple is the only way to go!

This is the super simple birthday card I just made for my aunt. 

I wanted to do so much more.  I have been agonizing over making this card for weeks, and I just couldn't seem to get an idea I liked.  I considered stamping, Cricut, you name it.  Ideas whirled and whirled through my head and I could come to no decision on what I wanted to do.  What colors would I chose, what techniques would I use?  I mean, really, crazy obsessing.  

My Aunt's birthday is tomorrow, and there was no more time to obsess.  The truth is, I just didn't have a good idea this time around.  No amount of looking at sketches or twirling ideas in my head did anything for me, so this is what I did.

This is a patterned paper from the Die Cuts With a View Stack called Nanas Kids.  I cut it to make a very large card, that measures 6 by 8.  The larger size alone adds to the special feel of it.  On the front I used my Versa Marker to write "For Auntie" and I embossed it with Kaleidoscope embossing powder by Stampendous.  It's transparent, with glitter.  It didn't photograph well, but is lovely in person and REALLY matches perfectly with the glitter and embossing on the paper, it looks like part of it.  Kind of a different effect, and I really like it.

On the inside I used a couple strips from that same piece of paper and stamped 2 images from the Close to My Heart stamp set called A Piece of Cake, which was a stamp of the month.  I used Stampin Up Inks Pretty in Pink and Pale Plum.  Then I wrote Happy Birthday and signed it.

Done!  Pretty!  Why am I still feeling guilty this card was so easy?  Do any of you obsess over things like this?  Isn't it silly, this is the only handmade card she'll get for her birthday,and it's done on time, so what is there to feel guilty about?

Penguin Family Card

Supply List:

Stampin Up Whisper White Card Stock

Stampin Up Basic Black Craft Ink

Stampin Up Stampn' Write Markers
Stampin Up Stamp-a-ma-jig

Stampendous Cozy Penguin Trio Stamp

Stamp N Stuff Embossing Powder in Midnight Black

Embossing Heat Gun

Patterned Paper - This one is from a K & Company Holiday Stack

Cuttlebug - and Cuttlebug folder called Ice Crystals
Adhesive - I used the Glue Glider Pro w/ the Perma Tac