... Taylored Expressions Challenge #20

Hello again everybody,

I have made a card today for the Taylored Expressions Challenge #20. You can see the sketch and the requirements here. This is a great sketch to use to make a clean and simple card. The focal image will carry the whole card.

My card begins with a cream coloured card base over which I have layered a simple blue pattern paper. I have rounded the corners on both the card and the paper.

 I have used the Taylored Expressions stamp set Paw-some for my focal image and for the sentiment. Isn't he just a cutie? I am a sucker for a cute puppy since I have two of them myself.

I cut him out of the same cream coloured cardstock using the accompanying die. I used a stamp positioner to get him centered right on the die cut out. He is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

He is coloured up with Copics in the colours noted below. I also used a Silver Sharpie marker for his dog tag for the metallic quality. I have matted him on a piece of blue cardstock cut with Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Circles. Both the blue mat and the puppy are raised up on some pop dots. With a card this simple I think you need these extra little touches to add interest.

This was such a fun card to create, especially as it will be my dear hubby's birthday card.

I am also going to be entering this card in the Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday challenge which was to use something new. This stamp set is new to me so that is ok.  :)

Thanks so much for visiting today. I do hope that you will leave me your comments as it makes my day to read them. Cheers.

     ~Melanie ~

... ivory elegance

Hello everyone,

Occasionally I find a technique for a card that I absolutely fall in love with. Usually it is something simple and elegant.

I recently made a card for the Taylored Expressions challenge and I used an Anna Griffin embossing folder for the background of the card. Anna Griffin's supplies are always timeless and elegant. I own quite a few of her embossing folders because of that reason. I would love to have all of her amazing paper crafting products but... alas... I do not.  :(

I decided after I had made the previous card that I would get out a few more of her folders and some Spellbinders dies and a few stickers and die cuts to see what I could come up with.

Well, here are five cards that I made and all of them are simplicity itself.

All are the same but different.

All have an ivory card base. All have an ivory cardstock panel which I have embossed with an Anna Griffin folder. All have an ivory Spellbinders die cut. And all have a focal image which is a sticker or die cut. 

This is a fun and very quick way to make cards. I am a stamper through and through but sometimes you see some products like stickers or die cuts that you simply must have. Well... that is all very well and good but then we need to use them and I seldom do that. Not anymore! I am going to be busting my stash for a while yet but this sort of idea is a way of using it all up... in a beautiful way.

Thanks a lot for stopping by today and leaving me your comments. I really appreciate it. Cheers.

     ~ Melanie ~

... Taylored Expression Challenge #19

Hello everyone,

I have made a card today for the Taylored Expressions challenge #19. I finally own a stamp from this company and it is a beauty. I simply adore floral images so that is what I chose.

Here is the sketch and details of the challenge. I have followed the sketch and also chose to use the Tic-Tac-Toe. I used the line of hearts, glitter and embossing.

My card starts with a cream coloured base over which I have added a panel of cream run through an Anna Griffin embossing folder called Acanthus. That took care of the embossing part.

 Next is the heart and for that I used a Spellbinders die called Lace Hearts. Again I used the same cream card stock. It is popped up for some dimension.

For the detail up in the corner I decided upon a ribbon bow attached to ribbon that I crossed over the corner of the card.

Lastly and certainly by no means least, we have the focal image. This is a fantastic stamp from Taylored Expressions appropriately called Calla Lily Bouquet. I used the die that matches the stamp to cut out the image from the same cream cardstock and then stamped it in Memento Tuxedo Black ink.
I coloured it using Copics in the colours noted below. I actually got out a garden catalog for inspiration and found this stunning bloom all in peachy orange shades. Perfect!

The last bit of the tic-tac-toe was glitter and I wanted it to be very subtle so I used Wink of Stella just on the inner section of the blossom.

I used the same Memento Tuxedo Black ink to stamp the sentiment which is from the same stamp set.

A single peach coloured pearl completes the card.

Thank you so much for visiting today and leaving me your comments. I adore to read each and every one of them. Please consider following my blog so we can stay in touch. Cheers.

    ~Melanie~

... My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge # 264

Hello there everyone,

I am back again with my card for the My Favorite Things Wednesday Sketch Challenge # 264. Here is the sketch.

I do not usually do whimsical cards but something about this sketch made me instantly turn to the My Favorite Things The Whole Herd stamp set and I decided to make a whole field of cows!

I began with a cream card base and added a panel of blue cardstock. 

I cut two different green cardstocks with the My Favorite Things Scenic Safari dies. One I attached flat to the card and the other with pop dots.

I cut out five cows using the coordinating die set and then stamped out the cows using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I then coloured them up using Copics. I opted for easy and simple colouring ... pink noses, black and white cows.

They were then added to the card, again, some flat and some popped up.

For the circle in the top corner I have created a sun out of ribbon and a button. 

The sentiment, also stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink, is from the same stamp set.

I have just met a new work colleague who was born and raised on a dairy farm so this would be a perfect card for her.  :)

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving me your wonderful comments. It really makes my day. Cheers.

   ~ Melanie ~

...PapertreyInk Make It Monday #237

Hello everyone,

I am participating in the PapertreyInk Make it Monday Challenge #237 which was to create a Matchbook Valentine. This turned out to be a very fun project and I could see myself making lots of these little matchbooks for all sorts of reasons.

Mine begins with a package of candy. Now, at the store I went to, they did not have any small packages of Valentine Candy so I opted for a package of Easter Eggs. Who cares, right? It is all candy. :)

I began with a soft pink card stock which I cut to size after measuring the candy package. I opted for the flat top to my matchbook as I like the look. I stapled in the candy to hold it in place. 

l decided that I did not like the fact that you could see the staples at the back of the package. I decided to use a red stitched ribbon and I wrapped it all the way round using some Creative Tape. Love that stuff.

I cut a banner using Spellbinders Baby Buntings dies and then popped this into a Swiss Dot embossing folder.

My focal image is from PapertreyInk from the stamp set Tiny Treats: Valentine. I stamped the outline in Memento Rose Bud ink and then that sweet little bunny in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and added just a tiny touch of colour to his ears and the heart shaped tail with Copics. Cute!

The sentiment is also stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and it is from the same stamp set.

I added a red button tied up with some pink and white butchers twine at the top.

Thank you so much for visiting and leaving your comments. I will be back very shortly with another project. Have a great day! Cheers.

   ~Melanie~

... SSS Wednesday Challenge Create With Critters

Hello everyone,

I am finally back today making cards after getting a nasty cut to my hand that ended at the doctor's office and a tetanus shot! Ouch!!!

I have a card today that I made for the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and the theme is "Create with Critters" preferably featuring Lawn Fawn stamps.

I happen to own exactly one set of Lawn Fawn stamps and lucky for me, it does indeed contain a critter.  :)

Buff coloured card base over which I layered some pattern paper and then three banners, also in pattern paper. All of this came out of my scrap bucket.

A very simple picot ribbon tied in a knot and the main focal image popped up on top.

That cutie patootie of a teddy bear is from the Lawn Fawn stamp set Pa-Rum-Pa-Pum-Pum. I stamped him in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and then coloured him up in the Copic colours you see below. He was cut out with Spellbinders Standard Circles Large die and then matted on Spellbinders Scalloped Circles die.

The sentiment is from Taylored Expressions stamp set Paw-some, again stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

As requested, here is a shot of my critters, basking in the late afternoon sunshine on a cold winter day here in Ontario.

Thank you so much for stopping by AND for leaving me your comments which I absolutely love to read. Have a great day. Cheers.

     ~Melanie~

... Power Poppy Stretch Yourself Challenge

Hello there everybody,

I have a card for you tonight which I made for the Power Poppy Stretch Yourself Challenge as you see here. The idea was for us to make a tall card and also to use something that is new to us, which could basically be anything.

I have used an older Mojo Monday sketch that I really like and it already has the "tall" part covered.  :) I love Julee's sketches as half the battle is already won when you have such great designs to work with.

My card begins with a white base over which I have layered some pattern paper I found in an old Colorbok punch out pack. Gosh this paper has to be well over 10 years old (I never throw out paper) and it fit in perfectly with the look that I was going for which was something soft and feminine. I am sorry for the picture quality but I took these shots at night and the light was not the best. 

Over this I have used the Spellbinders Romantic Rectangles Two die (one of my very favourites) in white. I used a pink gingham ribbon along the edge.

Now we come to the meat and potatoes of this challenge which is to use something new. Well, I have actually owned the Power Poppy Happy Crabapple stamp set for a while now but never used it. So I think that qualifies.  :)

I cut out circles using the Spellbinders Standard Circles die set and then stamped bits of the Crabapple stamps on them using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. These I then coloured using the Copic shown below. I matted them on a deep rose shade of card stock which I cut using the Spellbinders Lacey Circles die.

The sentiment which is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink is from the Power Poppy stamp set Farmers Market. I think it is very appropriate. There is something very sweet indeed about the scent of apple blossom.

I popped up the little nuggets of crabapples with pop dots and then added a few soft pink pearls just for fun.

So there you have it. Tall and new. 

Thank you so much for visiting with me tonight and leaving me your comments which I tell you, they just make my day, or night as the case may be. :)
Cheers.

     Melanie

... Taylored Expressions Share Joy Challenge #17

Hello there everyone,

I have a card tonight for you that I made for the Taylored Expressions Share Joy Challenge #17. Here is the sketch.

Now at the moment I do not own any of Taylor's beautiful stamps so I have played along using other stamps. I also do not own her own stamp pad colours so I came as close as I could using Memento inks.

I stared with a white card base, rounded the bottom corner and then added a strip of cardstock along the top and pattern paper along the bottom. I chose to use the "Poppy Seed" colour for my paper. To clean up the line between the two papers I have added a piece of lace. Any card looks good with lace, don't you think?

I cut out two tags using a My Favorite Things die (sorry I cannot remember the name of the die) and then a wee little die over that using a Whimsy die. These I tied up with some black and white twine. Here is where I really tried to keep to the colours as noted above. 

The focal images are from PapertreyInk Heart-2-Heart #10 stamp set and I cut them out using the coordinating dies. The ink used is from Memento in Angel Pink and Rose Bud.

I have popped them up or a bit of added dimension.

I have chosen to place my sentiment at the top of the card in order not to detract from the butterflies (I do love butterflies). The sentiment is from Power Poppy and stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

There you have it. This one really was a challenge for me as this colour scheme is outside my usual comfort zone. I guess that is why they are called challenges, no?

Thanks a lot for stopping by and leaving me your comments. Please consider following my blog if you would like so we can keep in touch. Have a great evening. Cheers.

     Melanie

... My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge #262

Hello there everyone,

I have a fun card for you today that I made for the My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge #262. Here is the sketch.

As soon as I saw it I knew exactly what I was going to do. :)

My card starts with a cream base over which I have layered a piece of pattern paper from my overflowing stash. 

 I then took a scrap piece of rust card stock and ran it through a Darice Woodgrain embossing folder. Over the raised up embossed details I sponged on some Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Walnut Stain. I then cut this up into five strips.

The kitties are from one of my favourite stamp sets from My Favorite Things called I Knead You. I used the coordinating dies to cut them out, stamp the little cuties with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and then coloured them with Copics in the colours shown below.

I arranged the kitties on the "shelves" with one of them hanging on for dear life. Too cute!  :)

The shelves are popped up on some foam tape as are the kitties.

Thanks so very much for stopping by and especially for leaving me your comments. Have a wonderful day. Cheers.

    Melanie

... Mojo Monday #429

Hello there everyone,

I have a card for you today that I made for the Mojo Monday Challenge #429.

Here is the sketch.

I decided to use one of my favourite stamps sets from Power Poppy for the focal image. It is called Daffodils. I love both the images from this set but chose to use the larger one for this project.

 

I began with a white card base over which I added a piece of pattern paper cut with Spellbinders 5x7 Matting Basics B in the largest size.

Over this I added the Spellbinders Romantic Rectangles Two in white. I actually needed to cut off the bottom as I did not want it to poke out past the ribbon. Over this I added the yellow and white polka dot ribbon.

I stamped my focal image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and coloured it with Copics in the colours shown below. Then, for some reason madness struck me and I decided to fussy cut out the entire image! Now, I am really happy that I did!

I cut a circle from white card stock using the Spellbinders Stately Circles die and then popped this up over the ribbon with the focal image popped up on the circle. All that time and effort doing the fussy cutting really pays off, at least I think so. :)

Lastly I added two wee pearls to the "pins" holding the bouquet together and three more at the top. 

The sentiment is from Power Poppy stamp set Lavender and I really like it as I think it is so useful for so many different types of cards.

Thank you so much for visiting with me today and leaving me your comments as I always smile when I read them. Have a wonderful day. Cheers.

     Melanie

... PapertreyInk Make It Monday Challenge #236

Good evening everybody,

This is the last post for the day from me. I have a card for the PapertreyInk Make It Monday Challenge #236 which was to chose a challenge from throughout the past year that had not been participated in. 

I chose #209 White on White die cuts with a pop of colour.

I am using an all white card over which I have layered another panel of white that I scored around the edges.

On this I have arrayed a number of butterflies, also in white, cut from PapertreyInk Heart-2-Heart #10 dies. Some are lying flat, some are popped up.

Lastly I stamped two butterflies from the PapertreyInk stamp set Heart-2-Heart #10 in Memento Tangelo, Rhubarb Stalk and Angel Pink inks. These I also popped up.

The sentiment is from PapertreyInk stamp set Think Big Favorites #10, stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink. 

The sentiment inside the card is from the same stamp set. I added a wee butterfly inside also.

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit. I really appreciate you leaving me your comments. Have a great day. Cheers.

     Melanie

... Pink and Main Challenge #5 - Sparkle

Hello there everybody,

I am back with a card for the Pink & Main Challenge #5, the theme of which is "Sparkle".

I chose to use the Pink & Main stamp Birthday Boy. I really like the cute little faces Michelle's characters have.

I started with a card base from Crafters Companion and I used a Spellbinders die along the bottom edge. 

I stamped up the little guy in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and then coloured him in with watercolour pencils. I have not used them for a while and I cannot imagine why not as they are terrific to work with.

Now the theme being "Sparkle" and all, I needed to add the requisite amount of sparkle and I chose to use a combination of Martha Stewart Glitter Glue and Stickles from Ranger in Crystal. I cut out the wee man with a die cut from Sizzix and then added some ribbon, simply tied, at the bottom and a sentiment, also from the same stamp set with a button tied up with bakers twine.

Cute yet simple ... a good card for a young lad, I hope.

Thanks so much for visiting with me today. Thank you for leaving me your comments... they are a highlight of my day. Cheers.

    Melanie

... stamps for sale

Greetings everyone,

I have been cleaning out my craft room and have decided to part with some of my stamps. These stamps really are not getting the attention that they deserve so they need to go to a new home.

All of the above are $3.00 each. I think most have never been used.

The Gina K stamps sets are $12.00 each. I think only one has been used.

The four sets from Sheena Douglass are $12.00 each. Most have not been used or maybe just once.

Please let me know if you are interested and give me your info and I will send you a Paypal invoice. You will pay just for the price of the stamps, a protected bubble mailer and the actual postage.

Thanks so much for having a look. Have a great day. Cheers.

     Melanie