a CAS(E)ing dash (CAS(E), 10min Craft Dash)

I knew this would be tough.  I 'm not even couting  the "idea" time-  which was basically the time between looking at Sketch #5 at CAS(E) this Sketch, taking a shower and then making the card.  And still... 14:40.  Geez.

I'm blaming it on the alpha die that I had to break apart to get my letters.  And putting drops of glue on those die cut letters.  May I say it again.  Geez.

Needed a congrats card for DD who just attended some weekend workshops to become a certified trainer's helper for little girls' gymnastics.  But ideas just weren't happening.  So actually, after my venting above, let me say that this was actually a great success.  14:40 rarely happens in my cardmaking world!

The colors from 10 minute Craft Dash- easy - Distress Inks and masking with post-it notes.  What to do with those three circles in the sketch.  How appropriate that  DD's name can be shortened to three letters.  Inlaid die cuts (a la JJ).  Forgot to pull out my sentiment stamp before starting and that actually caused a backup cuz I thought I would use a CHF rubber stamp but then panicked that I couldn't line it up properly so opted for a Stampendous clear stamp.

All in all, I'm happy.  Hope you're having a happy weekend too.

Supplies for congratulations:

Paper:CS Neenah, recycled packaging

Stamps: Stampendous

Ink : Distress Ink, Versafine

Tools: die Memory Box

Other: 

just keep swimming (TAWS, Retro, Moxie)

I love the sentiment "just keep swimming" - for multiple reasons.  For encouragement, for sickness.  And I'm a Great Lakes girl (although I must admit I'm not a big swimmer)!

Used a free digi stamp from The Alley Way Stamps to go with a maritime theme for their "Be Inspired #14" challenge:

And I used Retro Sketch #36.  Again.  Love this top heavy design.

What do I like about this card?  I recycled security envelopes - the blue/white stripe and the map.  punched the top of the kraft piece with a circle punch to create waves.  I handmade a life preserver with circle punches.  And I used my one-and-only square punch to create the flags for the bunting AND to put the notch in the bottom of the banners.  Like this:

Love that trick.  No die cutting or bending the paper to snip it with scissors!  And for that reason I'm parking over at Moxie Fab World's "Square Punch" challenge too.

Appreciate your visit.

Supplies forjust keep swimming:

Paper:CS Neenah,  PPOctober Afternoon, recycled envelopes

Stamps:digi Alley Way Stamps, numbers Glitzi

Ink : alcohol inks, StazOn

Tools: punches EKS, sewing machine

Other: ribbon Sew Sweet, colored pencil

just five little words (SCS, Lessology, ABNH)

Five little words that pack a really big punch, that is.  This card is for HYCCT#1203 - to make a card with five separate words on it.

Used recycled acetate and alcohol inks to create the die cut panel.  Stamped the sentiment with StazOn.  Added a couple die cut (the die cut hearts and the what-would-have-been-garbage-from-the-die-cut) border strips for interest.

Hooking up to:
Lessology - #20 Barely There
A Blog Named Hero #15 - Use punched or die cut elements

Thanks for looking.  And since Tim Holtz wasn't running, here's hoping the best man won...

Supplies for happy true love:

Paper: CS American Crafts,  PP Pink Petticoat, recycled acetate

Stamps: Kelly Panacci

Ink : alcohol inks, StazOn

Tools: border die PTI, Spellbinders

Other: 

let's lick this thing (SCS, PDCC)

That, friends, is a shot of my Master Tracking List for the Splitcoast Hope You Can Cling To month of challenges.  Whew.  I made it.  The last card of my HYCCT marathon was for #1225A - Let's lick this thing.  As in cancer.  And as in postage stamps.

Well two years ago in an oh-so-cool gallery of shops next to the Hard Rock Cafe in Paris, I found a shop selling old postcards and stamps.  Don't know if they were lost in the mail or cleaned out of someone's attic, but I love that there is so much personality/history to them, even if I don't know the story behind it.  I like that I can make the story live on, in a way, by using the piece.

I merely added some Glimmer Mist spritzing, a hodge podge of embellies, washi and a brad before adhering the postcard to my cardbase.

Playing with The Play Date Cafe's #156 spicy color challenge:

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great day.

Supplies for Journee:

Paper: cardbase Papermania,  vintage postcard, PP Cosmo Cricket, vellum

Stamps: Viva

Ink : Versamark

Tools: flowerand label die PTI

Other: washi Freckled Fawn, brad Eyelet Outlet, chipboard Cosmo Cricket

ruff homage to kasia (SCS, Retro)

Have you seen Kasia C.'s card over at Retro Sketches #36?  One of my faves.  Ever.  Maybe  when you find a card that you go gaga over, it helps you define the kind of cardmaker you want to be.  (I know Wida has been giving this subject a lot of thought lately...)

So I analyzed why I love Kasia's card so much.  First, white space.  I am a total sucker for white space.  Next, the amazing bright and cheery colors.  Get me every time.  Then the element of unexpected - the piece of kraft up top and the washi and twine combo.  And finish it off with a killer sentiment - meaningful and a good font.

So why aren't all my cards like this?  Hmmm....  Maybe that's a subject for another sitting.   I have figured out that less is more - a small touch of PP can be better than covering an entire card in it.  IMO.  However, that doesn't put much of a dent in my stash.  Yikes.  It's a never-ending battle...

My card:

Not going to bore you with the details.  Except one... See the black strip at the top?  DD and friends had mutilated some pieces of PP while decorating school notebooks - punched circles and flowers pretty much all over the PP piece.  I was going to cut it apart to get my strip for the top when I thought, "Why cut it away?"  Use it.  Was it the "go for the unexpected" or my thriftiness at work?!?!?  Unfortunately I ended up covering up the cool spot where a flower had been punched with the vertical strip when I decided to put the "day" of the sentiment on the right edge.

Entering these challenges:
Papertrey MIM #90 - Sentiment Focal Point with dies and stamps
A Blog Named Hero #15 - Use a punched or die cut element
Retro Sketches - #36

This was my last creation for HYCCT.  (#1226 - Who let the dogs out).  Now to pack up 30-some cards and ship them off to TX.  Have a great day.

Supplies for ruff day:

Paper: cardbase Papermania,  PP KI memories

Stamps: Inkadinkado

Ink : Versacolor, Versafine

Tools: alpha die PTI, Spellbinders

Other: washi

vellum {heart} stitching (SCS+)

Two more cards for HYCCT - I can see the finish line now...

The first is a shaped card for HYCCT#1210.  What shape would I pick?  A heart of course.  Which reminded me of the Valentine candies.  Which reminded me of the word "hugs".  Which led to this.

Die cut the card shape, letting the very top of the heart die hang over the edge of the folded CS to preserve the fold.  Die cut the vellum heart and letters in one pass.  Masked and inked the colored stripes.  What better way to attach the vellum than with stitching.  And I opted to do two passes - one with purple twine, one with green for a bit of variety.  A touch of bling and voila.  A "clearly" handmade card.

Also linking this up to:
Simon Says Stamp - Get in Shape
Moxie Fab World - Stitching and Sewing
The Creative Paper Trade - Week 4

Second card is for HYCCT#1208, cleverly called "HYCCT".  Use something that starts with an "H", "Y", etc.  Stumped me for awhile.

Took the Skipping Stones Design sketch and went from there.

H = heat embossing, Hero Arts flower stamp
Y = yellow (original, eh?)
C = cardboard
C = cyan blue for the flower
T = tag, TCM sentiment

Whew.  Three more HYCCT cards to go if my tally is right.  "Five Words" , "Ruff" and "Lick this Thing."  Thanks for stopping by.

Supplies for #1:

Paper: cardbase Papermania,  vellum

Stamps: none - wow

Ink : Adirondack

Tools: heart die Sizzix, alpha die PTI, needle

Other: baker's twine, bling

Supplies for #2:

Paper: cardbase Papermania,  PP K&Co

Stamps: flower Hero Arts, sentiment TCM

Ink : Versamark, Versacolor, Adirondack for swipe

Tools: die MFT, circle punch, sewing machine

Other: lace scrap

look who's here (WMS, SCS)

Cute baby card coming at you.  I love making them, especially with this cool stamp from Rubbernecker.  Add some watercoloring with Distress Inks and I'm good to go.

I combined  Kittie C.'s HYCCT#1227 (a window + pink) with Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #122.

Took some liberties with the sketch, but I thought of the window and curtains when I saw it.  I actually stamped the French lace border from WMS in the middle of the cardbase before adding the PP to mimic the vertical lines in the sketch.  Then I stretched the bow into curtains!

Nice of you to stop by.  Have a good week.

Supplies for Look who's here:

Paper: cardbase Papermania,  PP My Mind's Eye

Stamps: Rubbernecker, WMS, sentiment Stampendous

Ink : Memento + Distress Inks as watercolors, Amuse Studio, Versafine

Tools: die Cottage Cutz, decorative edge scissors, sewing machine, heart punch The Paper Studio

Other: crepe paper, twine