Life begins after...COFFEE!

Slightly warmer temps and longer days...can spring be far behind?

 

The  Coffee Loving Cardmakers don't think so...

They have organized another fun hop. The linky is open through this Friday, March 6th. There are lots of prizes from some wonderful sponsors, and tons of inspiration from the participants.

I broke out some caffeinated supplies from Verve Stamps: the Coffee Stamp set and coordinating word die.

I planted those coffee beans in some watercolour soil, "watered" them with some warm coffee (mug coloured with Copics), surrounded the panel with some sunshiny Bokey patterned paper, and watched those fresh plants sprout.  The sentiment says it all.

 

The card layout is based on Freshly Made Sketches #175.

I flipped the sketch, adding ribbon to the cursive "coffee." Snail courtesy of Paper Smooches "Green Thumb."

Go check out the Spring Coffee Lovers' Blog hop!

Supplies:

Watercolor paper: Tim Holtz

Bokeh paper: Close to My Heart

Cardstock and ribbon: the stash

Distress markers

Copic markers

Stamps: Verve and Paper Smooches

Die: Verve Stamps

Ewe Herd Me...

Hey there!

I'm sharing a lay-out I completed at the scrap-booking retreat I attended in January with my girlfriends in Wisconsin. It features photos from a sheepdog demonstration we saw in Prince Edward Island last summer.  

I HAD to include one of the cute lil' puppies from Paper Smooches "Woofers & Tweeters" stamp and die set as an accent on my page. It was the perfect finishing touch, and it works for this week's 

Which has the theme:

Here's a look a the complete page:

The shepherdess (?) trains her dogs to herd ducks before they graduate to herding sheep. The ducks were hilarious! Trying to run here, there and everywhere, but no match for the dog.

The companion page still needs some journaling, and some more paw prints, don't you think?

The Wednesday challenge theme over at Simon Says Stamp is also to use creatures, so I'll be linking this up over there, too.

Enjoy your week,

Caroline

P.S.: Credit for the awesome page title goes to my friend the caption queen, Cathy H.

Supplies:
Close to My Heart: all patterned paper, card stock and ink
Paper Smooches: Woofers and Tweeters stamps and dies
The Stamps of Life: arrow die 
Mama Elephant: alpha dies 

Guest...at Crafting by Designs!

Hey there, crafty friends!

Today I have the pleasure of being a Guest Designer over at Crafting by Designs.

 The challenge this week is to USE A RIBBON on a project. 

There is a sponsor and prizes for this challenge plus you might be recognized in the Saturday Spotlight. Hope you'll play along!

I don't know about you, but I am SOOOO tired of winter. We are apparently getting 5-10 more cm of that white stuff tomorrow. It's half-past March, for Pete's sake!

One of the first signs of spring around here is bulbs starting to poke through the soil. That was the inspiration for my card: tulips made with ribbon.

To create this bunch of flowers, I first sketched the design in pencil onto  cardstock. Then I poked holes for the ribbon stitches using a paper-piercer. One at each end of the leaves and stems, and four each for the flowers, as shown below.

To make the flower buds or tulips, thread a wide-eyed needle with your ribbon. Using the needle, bring the ribbon up at the lower hole, then in at the top centre hole. Repeat this for the other two petals, as shown. 

 By using wide, light-weight ribbon for the petals and stems, you can create a nice leafy shape. I used thinner ribbon for the flower stems and also twisted it a bit, to make the stems appear thinner. I used tape to hold the raw ends of ribbon to the back of the work, instead of trying to tie knots. The stitched panel was mounted to the card base with foam tape, to give some room for the extra bulk.

 Further supplies for this card are listed at the bottom of the post.

So, off you go to Crafting by Designs to see some more original ways to use ribbon. I'll be checking the site this week--can't wait to see what YOU create!

Happy crafting, 

Caroline

Supplies:

Cardstock: Kraft, Saddle, Colonial White (Close to My Heart)

Embossing folder: Close to My Heart lattice

Ink: Saddle (CTMH)

Ribbon: seam binding ribbon, Verve Stamps; green chevron ribbon, CTMH.

Large-eye embroidery needle: American Crafts

"Thanks" word die: Paper Smooches

A simple Thank-you

One of the peeps whose blogs I follow is the constantly creative Jen Schults. That girl can colour, crochet, card-make... Plus she has a new sketch to try every week.

One of her recent cards caught my eye, and I had to shamelessly CASE it:

That gorgeous background was hand-doodled {zentangled}. Isn't it fab?

I also liked the vellum sentiment flag and the triangular mat.

I made a quick-and-easy version using some black-and-white patterned paper, and just changed up the flower embellishment a bit.

Take #1

Made a bunch at once! just changing up the sentiment stamp.

Take #2

I think I prefer Take #1--the patterned paper looks more random.

These were whipped up to have some thank-you notes on hand, but I'd like to thank Jen Schults for all her inspiration.

Thank- you, Jen!

Happy Saturday,

Caroline

Supplies:

Cardstock: White Daisy, DP--Close to My Heart; vellum--Michael's; black textured--Wausau Paper.

Ink: Versamark

White Embossing Powder: superfine detail--Paper Wishes

Stamp set: Many Thanks Paper Smooches

Flower dies: Marianne Designs

Hairy twine: Michael's

Glitzy buttons: Close to My Heart

XOXO! Dynamic Duos #88

Good morning, crafty friends.

Well, the count-down to the next-busiest card-giving season of the year is ON!

And the Dynamic Duos challenge has a great colour combo to play with for Valentine's Day cards:

I used a retired red from Close to My Heart, Tulip, along with  Lagoon, and lots of white as an accent.

I've been working on Valentine's cards for the up-coming workshop I'll be running with the Recreations Therapists, for the patients at the Rehabilitation Centre where I work. I shamelessly CASEd a card by fellow DT member, Angel Johns,  HERE. Loved your card, Angel! The patients will have a great time making her design their own, too.

I love how she attached the doily with some washi tape, and that upgoing pattern of cupid's arrows.

I used several new Valentine's products from Paper Smooches, Lovestruck,  Sweet Hearts and the Heart Dies. I also used some papers available in the new Close To My Heart Idea Book.

Couldn't resist a shot of Smooch Spritz and some sparkly red bling. Plus accenting the little heart die-cuts with some Liquid Glass.

Finally, a big loopy bow of red jute and a dash of Wink of Stella glitter pen.

So! Time to check out the bright and cheery cards by my Dynamic team-mates:

Anne Marie Hile

Annette Elliott

Angel Johns

Cindy Brumbaugh

Holly Endress

JoAnn Burnham

Julie Gearinger

Michelle Bala

Sarah Fleming 

Tenia Nelson

Hope to see YOUR project at the Dynamic Duos this week!

Happy weekend and happy crafting,

Caroline

My Punny Valentine... Simon Says Stamp challenge

Still having fun coming up with cards for Kim Kesti's Big Picture Classes "Create and Share Card-making."

Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday challenge this week is to create something humourous, or with a play on words. They are featuring Paper Smooches stamps, which have some of the punniest sentiments around!

Here's an example:

 I used up some very old paper, softening the look by layering vellum over the DP. Also used a new stamp set with coordinating dies, Love-Struck. For the fuzzy heart I used some Mulberry paper my son brought back from South Korea, where he was visiting our exchange student and his family. Remember that stuff? Very fun to work with. Had to add a little pink to those cute arrows.

Lots of other fun Paper Smooches stamp sets on display at Simon Says Stamp. Check it out!

Happy crafting,

Caroline

More text-talk for Keep it simple! #31

Here's a peak at the birthday card I made for my nephew back in October.

I CASE'd it from one I found on Paper Smooches' Flickr site. (Sorry! Can't read the watermark to give full credit). The original card had a game-controller as the image in the central panel. Much more appropriate for a 16 year old! I made do with what I had--thought it looked pretty cool; he is an awesome drummer and loves jazz. But we had to tell him what a cassette tape was...

Anyway, I though it'd be perfect to link up with Keep It Simple!'s present challenge: TEXT.

A head-on view:

The words were fun to doodle on!

Make sure to check out Keep It Simple's challenge blog!

And don't forget to check out THIS POST for a chance at some blog candy!

Happy crafting,

Caroline

Supplies:

Cardstock in white daisy, pear--CTMH

Ink in black, pear--CTMH and Memento Tuxedo black

Paper Smooches' stamp sets: Digits, Slang Gang, Beboppin'

Copic Markers

Just a quickie... for Colour Me...! & Crafting by Design

Wanted to link this one up with Colour Me...!'s challenge this week:

Not sure if my colours are entirely right, but the gals at Colour Me...! can decide.

I'll come back later to fill in the deets on materials and inspiration. Off to bed right now!

Happy snoozing!

Caroline

P.S.: card created for Kim Kesti's Big Picture Classes: Create & Share Card-making.
P.S. 2: As this card features a great big blossom, I'm linking it to Crafting By Design's current challenge: FLOWERS.

Supplies:

Cardstock: CTMH. Champagne, Barn Red and Sorbet; Claire DP (retired)

Ink: CMTH chocolate and Sorbet

Stitched Ribbon: CTMH. Crème brulée

Martha Stewart border punch

Paper Smooches Hickory leaf die

Paper Smooches "We Connect" stamps and die set

Flowers from the stash

Thinking of you...in several different ways

More fun doing my "homework" for Kim Kesti's Create & Share Card-making class, over at Big Picture Classes. The lesson this week featured "thinking of you" cards and some ways to use that ever-growing washi tape collection.

Using up the stash of retired Close to My Heart papers and a Paper Smooches butterfly die. If I did this one over, I'd make sure to center the dots and daisies on the DP panels.

Warm washi! 

Die-cutting shapes from washi-covered card stock works so well!

This card features the stitched rectangle mat from Lil'Inker Designs (extended with some careful manipulation of the Big Shot) and a sentiment from Paper Smooches' First Aid Kit stamp set. Heart dies are from Lawn Fawn. Embossing folder from Sizzix. Tilted banner die from Simon Says Stamp.

 BTW, the colours in this one are perfect for this week's Color Throwdown challenge!
 

Warm hugs.

Just-for-fun pick-me-up card using another Paper Smooches stamp set, Think Fast. This time, I covered the edge of my focal panel with washi tape for an easy border.

Last (and least in appeal for me!), my attempt at an artful, collage-y card. I just don't have a feel for this style. The trendy feather stickers and sentiment are Paper Wishes Dazzles, as is the paper doily. Sequins are from Neat and Tangled. Ribbon from the stash.

Happy weekend, everyone! Hope you get outside to enjoy some winter activities (skating for me).

Caroline

Quilled It! -- Dynamic Duos Challenge #82

It's a new month, so Dynamic Duos has another Bold & Cheery colour combo for you!

 I saw a really cute card recently, with a tree made using quilling. I thought, if you can create a tree, why not a holly leaf? I dug out my supplies and got to work, but the answer is, because it's WAY TOO PUTZY. 

So, instead, I present a cute quilled wreath:

The leaf shape is called a Marquise (delicious word!).

I dyed my clear sparkles pink with a Copic marker-that is such a handy feature--and added the pink stitched ribbon bow at the last minute.

So! How does this Bright & Cheery combo grab you?

Head on over to the Dynamic Duos blog for some more inspiration:

Anne Marie Hile

Annette Elliott

Angel Johns

Cindy Brumbaugh

Holly Endress

JoAnn Burnham

Julie Gearinger

Michelle Bala

Sarah Fleming 

Tenia Nelson

 

Here's the deets on participation--we LOVE to see your work!

1. Any project is welcome...paper crafts, scrapbooking, digital, or crafts...
2. Please ONLY use the two colours listed for your project. Neutrals are welcome.
3. Combine us with as many other challenges as you would like, except other colour challenges.
4. Please add our graphic to your blog with a link back to us.
5. Any offensive or inappropriate posts will be deleted respectively

 Happy crafting,

Caroline

 

Card Recipe:

Card stock in CTMH Colonial White, Hollyhock, and green from Michael's

Embossing folder: Provocraft

Stitched rectangle die: Lil'Inker Designs

Stamped sentiment: Paper Smooches' "All Yule Need"

Quilling supplies: rolling tool, cork board, quick-dry Aleen's glue.   

Holiday Cards--Installment #3

More holiday card-making.

Today, I took my box of 128 cards and sent it to the "Caring Hearts Drive" address for Canada.

This is one of the cards we sent:

Adapted from this card by www.StampwithBrian.com , which I found on Pinterest:

I didn't have a cute little Christmas tree icon, but the images from Paper Smooches' "Warm Hearts" fit the bill (don't you LOVE the Poke-ball ornament?). I tried one version of the card on kraft paper, but it was too blah, so switched it out for a green background. Can you tell I bought a "Wink of Stella" pen? I'm using it everywhere! Should have bought a box of 'em!

The Caring Hearts Drive 2013 runs through the end of this month. Use the link to visit Jennifer McGuire or Vera Yates for details.

Happy crafting!

Caroline

Supplies:

Cardstock CTMH: Kraft, Cranberry, Olive, White Daisy, Pear&Partridge DP

Ink in Cranberry, Memento Rich Cocoa

Copic Markers

Wink of Stella gel pen

Nestabilities cutting dies (scalloped circles); CTMH circle punch

Cranberry Baker's twine.

Stamp sets: Paper Smooches' "Warm Hearts" and "Christmas Sampler"

Happy Bowf-day, Anne Marie!

{Chorus of canine welcoming!}

Today I am posting to join in the fun, wishing Anne Marie Hile a most happy birthday!
Lesley Croghan has set up a Linky Party HERE; feel free to add your card1.

I have known Anne Marie only a short while; she is the gracious blog manager of the fabulous Dynamic Duos color challenge, of which I am a grateful member. One of the things I have learned about her is that she fosters dogs and cats, until a permanent "forever home" can be found for them. A big heart, eh?

Also, that she LOVES pink.

Here's my card to wish her a happy day:

I used the Woofer and Tweeters stamps and dies from Paper Smooches to create a little scene of dogs behaving badly...

The sentiment and cake image are from There She Goes Clear stamps. 

Embossing folder I bought this summer--can't recall the company!

Inside, more Paper Smooches stamps. The border was made with The Stamps of Life border dies.

Know you are MOST appreciated, Anne Marie! Hope you get some spoiling and some canine kisses today.

Happy Birthday!

Caroline

xoxo 

Other supplies:

Cardstock in White Daisy, Champagne, Blush, Saddle, Slate & Black (CTMH)

Ink: Hollyhock, Saddle, Black & Slate (CTMH)

Washi tape in Slate (CTMH)

Copic markers

Signo White gel pen

Zig Millennium black pen (05)

Quick "Holiday Card Workshop" Post

"It's the most wonderful time...of the year!"

Yup, time for another edition of Online Card Classes Holiday Card Workshop. It's my third year attending. Last year my sister and I had fun, setting up a Skype crafting session, to do our "homework" together (she lives in Amsterdam, so we had to time it carefully!). I read that one participant has taken the whole week off work so she can stay home and create! Lucky!

Anyway, the idea is to try the techniques and projects demonstrated and share them.

Here's my take on a Z-fold card by Jennifer McGuire:

The banner is cut to appear as one piece when the card is closed.

But when its opened, the message is continued on the inside:

I liked the look of the white pigment ink on coloured card stock. I embossed my tree and used some star-shaped sequins; the original was embellished with a cute die-cut of Xmas lights. Stamps are a mixture of Paper Smooches (sentiment) and Close to My Heart (background stamp).

That's it for tonight--watch for some more cards later this week.

Happy Crafting!

Caroline