Still using the Speedy Style...

Hello and welcome!  At the risk of boring you to death with more of the same, I'm sharing a few more cards I made using the Speedy approach.  It seems like I'm always needing birthday cards and I don't have a lot of thank you type cards either, so I quickly added a few cards to my stash using the 12x12 into 4x4 method.

I'm not going to go into detail again, but if you need the directions, they can be found here.  I used Well Worn DSP for a bit of a masculine touch, and Sunshine & Sprinkles worked perfectly for something a bit more girly!

Sentiment from Number of Years

Sentiment from Stampabilities (really old stamp!)

Sentiment from Apothecary Art

I love how these basic cards really showcase the fantastic prints of the papers and I've managed to eliminate a few pages from my paper supply (not that you could tell by looking...).

While I still absolutely LOVE Stampin' UP, I just couldn't justify attempting to keep my consultant status during everything I was juggling last year.  I am sure I will eventually go back because I love my Stamp Clubs and Classes and would love to do them again in the future.  Since I'm no longer pressured (yeah, that's the excuse word I'll use) into having all new product, I am making a resolution to make a massive dent in my paper stash this year.  Our church does a greeting card/note outreach program and I am planning on making several note cards to donate, and I'm considering doing something online to sell my cards and creations as well. 

During our move, I had an intervention type moment with my ribbon stash as well!  You really don't know how much you have in boxes and containers until you try to put everything in a new space... So I'm thinking there will be a lot of card making and scrapbooking that involves the use of ribbon as well!  Wish me luck!  Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a marvelous day!

Card Recipe: Paper-Well Worn, Sunshine & Sprinkles, crumb cake, river rock, daffodil delight, Ink-cajun craze, not quite navy, melon mambo, Stamp Sets-Number of Years, Apothecary Art

The last of the birthday cards

Yes, you read correctly, this should be the last of the birthday cards for a little while.  Now I need to focus on scrapbooking and Christmas cards! It's a never ending cycle, but someone's gotta do it... lol!

I needed several guy cards and the retired Well Worn dsp tends to be my 'go to' paper for this.  I'm not sure what I will do when it's all gone!

I found a similar card here and only slightly modified Paula's design.  I liked the simplicity of the design, yet there are a lot of layers on this.  The original actually had 7 layers, but I didn't want my cards to become too heavy. I hate paying extra postage!  I adjusted the design by making the dsp layer into split pieces.  This eliminated the need for another layer of the blue cardstock on top of the dsp.  My final layer count was 5 layers, which is still quite a bit for me!  I must have been channeling Kelly at Sandcastle Stamper!! She is the queen of many layers and her cards always look fabulous!!

We just got back home last evening from another successful Kids Camp.  My laundry hampers are overflowing and the grass looks like it could be cut and baled instead of mowed...  Probably not much crafting going on here for a few days, but I'll be back on Sunday with my DT post for Anything But a Card.  

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a marvelous week!!

Card Recipe: Paper-well worn dsp, early espresso, not quite navy, soft suede, cajun craze, river rock, Ink-crumb cake (distressing), early espresso, Stamp Set-Apothecary Art

Stamp Club- Super Simple birthday card!

Hello! I am so happy you stopped in to visit today!  I have a super simple birthday card to share with you today!  This also happens to be one of the cards that my stamp club is making.  While we don't always do really basic cards, I like to share this kind of design for quick cardmaking.  I found this fabulous layout here.

What makes this card super quick is using the circle framelits for the holes.  I randomly placed the framelits on the white cardstock piece and ran the whole thing through the big shot. All the holes in one run!  I think the hardest part may have been picking the paper scraps to place behind the holes... 

Since I was already prepping several cards for my club, I made some extras for my stash of birthday cards too.  

Another Stamp Club Card-With Sympathy

Hello! So glad you stopped in today! As you are reading this, I am doing my happy dance! Yesterday was the last ballgame of the season! I really do enjoy watching my girls play softball, but the further into summer the games go, the hotter and more humid it gets... and for some reason, the league board rejected my idea of icy cold tubs to soak in, instead of the hot and often sticky bleachers that currently serve as seating. Complete lack of vision if you ask me! ;)  So now I only have to go out in the nasty sticky air if it's something really urgent!  But enough of that, you came here to see something crafty!

This is the second card I created for my stamp club meeting.  I try to change things up a bit and allow for personal interest when I can.  For example, my card is a sympathy card because I often need one when I don't have time or mojo to create.  But by using the Loving Thoughts stamp set, the ladies can turn this into a birthday, anniversary, thank you, or thinking of you card, simply by changing the sentiment.  This is why I LOVE coordinating stamp sets! No guessing whether the font will fit in the space or if it will match the style of the stamped image...

I'm also enjoying the versatility of the DSP.  I picked Gingham Garden because I love the bright cheery country patterns, but as you can see, they can easily be converted to a different style with the right stamp! I am also so happy that pear pizzazz and island indigo have made a comeback into the new catalog! Love these colors!!

Well, that's it for me!  Thanks so much for stopping by and happy crafting!

Card Recipe: Paper-Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Gingham Garden DSP, Ink-basic gray, island indigo, pear pizzazz, daffodil delight, Stamp Sets-Apothecary Art, Loving Thoughts, Accessories-Labels framelits, Big Shot

Color Me Beautiful-An unlikely card...

Well hello! It's Friday again and that means a new color challenge at Color Me Beautiful .  We have some beautiful, soft colors to work with this week!  I really liked the inspiration photo and was doing some serious thinking about a soft, pretty, floral card using Reason To Smile.  I ended up doing something completely different and then had to laugh when another team member used this set for her card. Great minds!!  There are some wonderful creations made by the design team to get your wheels turning and we would LOVE it if you linked up and joined our party!!

So here is the wonderfully springlike inspiration photo...

and the corresponding SU colors...

After a little thought, I took these colors in a totally different direction.  I already have a lot of flowery, girly cards in my stash, and while I send out quite a few, I didn't really need another.  What I will be needing is Christmas cards.  Hmm...  I tend to play it safe with colors for Christmas, lots of reds and greens, with the occasional browns added for a more vintage feel.  But today I threw caution to the wind and made a Christmas card using these colors and GASP! a non-traditional stamp as well!!  Quite the 'wild child' today (insert eye roll here!)!! Somebody stop me!!

Quite simple and quite non-traditional... After inking the wreath image from Apothecary Art, I pulled out my pastels to add some color. I actually fussy cut the image and then used the framelit to cut the basic gray layer.  I added some sharpie colored rhinestones to balance the card. This is a pretty flat card, so it will mail nicely to someone on my list.  I need to check my stash of Christmas cards and see how many more I need to make.  It will be here before I know it...  My sister actually has a Christmas countdown going on her facebook page.  I lovingly remind her how much I hate it about twice a week!!  Let me know when it's less than 10 days!  Then I'll be interested, and panicked!!

Today I am spending the afternoon with DD#1 and her bestie to hunt for Halloween outfits.  They have an idea in their head and need to find the clothes to make it work, so we will be hitting all of the thrift stores.  I just might have to take a peek in housewares and see what I can find to alter or dress up.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend and that no one tells you how many days til Christmas!  Happy crafting!!

Card Recipe:  Cardstock-always artichoke, basic gray, whisper white, regal rose and pink pirouette DSP from the color family stacks, Ink-basic gray, certainly celery, Stamp Sets-Apothecary Art, Curly Cute, Accessories-pastels, rhinestones, Labels framelits

Scrapbook Monday-Best Friends

So, are you tired of the birthday album yet? Well, if the answer is yes, you may want to come back another day! Tee! Hee!  I am slowly, but steadily getting this baby completed!  Plus, I just got a new orange envelope from Shutterfly, so I have some new inspiration to work with!  I promise next week will feature something different!!

Not a lot to explain on this page. I used the labels framelit, which I love!  I also added a cricut cut title and some taffeta ribbon. Pretty simple!

Page Recipe: whisper white and basic black cardstock, Apothecary Art stamp set, black stazon and markers, whisper white taffeta ribbon, Framelits Labels Collection, dp from stash

Scrapbook Monday with the Triple T

Well, so far so good on the resolution to post a layout once a week! It helps that some of my blogging buddies have been checking in to see if I remembered : )

Today's layout used a sketch from Top Tip Tuesday designed by the ever talented, Lisa.  There are two sketches to choose from  and I used the CAS sketch earlier to make a Valentines card, but this one struck me as a scrapbook layout.  TIP TIME:  I have to admit that the angled piece threw me at first, then the logical half of my brain (the part that usually doesn't kick in until I've goofed up) said "Cut the piece to the width you want, then angle it on the page and use a ruler to draw your angles. DUH!!!" (my logic section is not very polite to the rest of my brain) So, if you are struggling with parallelograms or trapezoids, this is my suggestion!  Now to switch off the logic and let the creative and fun part take over lest everyone think they are back in math class. YIKES!!

The banner came from the Apothecary Art stamp set and only took a little fussy cutting to make it. I really like that! My flower was made using multiple layers of the boho blossom punch and the pretty pink rhinestones were colored with a pink sharpie. I LOVE this money saving technique and there's almost no limit to the colors I can create!

Even with the layers and circles, the page remains uncluttered and the photo is still the main element. Now all I need to do is add a little journaling to the page and it's finished.  I still have a stack of Christmas pictures taunting me and they keep getting put back in the photo box.  Maybe next week they will finally make it onto a page and into a book!

I also want to take a minute and thank everyone who visits, follows, and comments on my blog! Whether your comment is encouraging, witty, or advising, I really appreciate the feedback! Especially since my DH (bless his little heart!) says such wonderful things like "Looks OK to me." or "What do you mean, does it need anything else?".  He is incredibly supportive when it comes to a messy table, late dinners, and a ton of supplies that he doesn't understand exactly what they do, only that I need them! So I guess I can't complain too much!!  Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you come back soon!

Page Recipe:  Cardstock-Sending Love DSP (ret), very vanilla, real red, pretty in pink, and the base is from my stash, Ink-soft suede, chocolate chip, Stamp Set- Apothecary Art, Accessories-1 3/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches, Boho blossom punch, houndstooth folder, chocolate chip corduroy button (ret), real red brad

A Sneak Peek!

I've been playing with some NEW goodies from Stampin' UP!  Most of them will be available on January 4th with the release of the Occasions Mini.  The fabulous paper I used will be available during Sale-a-bration which begins January 24th.
As soon as I saw the labels framelits and coordinating stamp set, I knew these would be two of my first purchases!!  Then I realized there was a sentiment stamp set that would also work with these... Needless to say, it was just like Christmas morning when that box arrived on my doorstep.  I really love vintage and if it also happens to be a little shabby, all the better!  Both of the cards I made are going to be mailed, so I took it easy on the embellishments, but I am thinking of making another card adding the crochet trim and some pearls.

 Isn't the DSP gorgeous? It's called Everyday Enchantment and could be yours for FREE with a $50 order placed on or after the 24th!

Well, today I head back to work. I love my job, but it has been so nice being able to stay up late and sleep in every day since Christmas!  It will be nice to get the kids back into a routine again.  They have forgotten how to do their chores since Christmas break...

Card Recipe: Cardstock- pool party, soft suede, very vanilla, everyday enchantment DSP, Ink-soft suede, pool party marker, Stamp Sets-Apothecary Art, Loving Thoughts, Accessories-pastels, scallop trim border punch, square lattice embossing folder, labels collection framelits