A Postcard for Mom

Hi, everyone.

Don't know about you, but I keep thinking these homebound, chilly days are prime card-making opportunities. But, the cold seems to be zapping most of my mojo.

Fortunately, mojo returned for a few hours yesterday. So, I managed to make a few Mother's Day cards to break in my new SU postcard background stamp. Think these little cards turned out pretty well.

Even though our marching orders are to make more general mom cards, I couldn't resist using this garage-sale find, retired SU sentiment  on a few postcard cards.  The next batches will be "Love You, Mom" cards -- I promise!  :)

Crate Paper Cottage Collection; Distress Ink core
Stampin' Up! postcard background and sentiment stamps
Paper Smooches Botanicals stamps
Distress Inks (victorian velvet, bundled sage, walnut stain)
Martha Stewart butterfly punch; Fiskars scissors; brown zig pen
Really Reasonable Ribbon lace; stash heart-shaped gems

A few card-making details:

• The sentiment is from a retired set (2000) and is heat embossed using clear powder.
• The various botanicals were stamped in first, second, third generations -- with the top layer being heat embossed.
• In addition, the "Place Stamp Here" rectangle was also stamped on a second paper, then cut-out and attached to the background stamp.
• Finally, the postcard is stamped on the reverse side of the cottage collection paper. Picked this up at Big Lots because the reverse side neutral was so nice. :)

Think that's it for this card. As always, thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

Fishing You a Happy Day! -- UPDATED

Hi, everyone!

February 3 Update: A special welcome if you are visiting from Elizabeth's Coloring Page Tuesdays. Elizabeth was so kind to permit me a little creative license to use her image for a kiddie Operation Write Home card. Imagine my surprise when she told me she was going to feature these little fish on her site. Please see below for details about our collaboration and the making of this little card. Thanks, Elizabeth, for your support and this unexpected recognition!

I'm really making a concerted effort to make more masculine and kiddie cards this year for Operation Write Home. So, I thought I'd look for some inspiration from one of Elizabeth O. Dulemba's coloring pages. And, after some serious fussy cutting and paper piecing, the card below was born.

Distress Ink core paper: Glossy Accents
computer-generated sentiment (Mistral)
AC paper trimmer (for wavy effect)
EK hole punch

Elizabeth is a huge fan and supporter of OWH, and I had used one of Elizabeth's images before for a couple of OWH birthday cards a few years ago.   All she asks in return is that her work be credited. Information can be found at her Angel Policy.

When I decided to make a card with her Storytime Fishes image, there were a few changes I wanted to make. So, I e-mailed Elizabeth, asking if I could: 1) delete the book and coral to make room for my sentiment and 2) move her copyright information a little to the right and up from its original location.

Thanks, Elizabeth, for being so supportive of my vision of this little card. I'm sure it will bring a smile to the face of one of our hero's little ones.  :)

As for card-making details...

• After playing around with the image, I printed it on five different sheets of Distress Ink core paper (blue, red, yellow, and two shades of brown).
• After some serious fussy cutting and paper piecing, the little fish really started taking shape.
• I really like the shine of the Glossy Accents -- kind of gives the fish a wet look.
• And, I love the way the two fish seem to be looking out at the recipient and down at the sentiment -- and how the one left fish even seems to be waving. 
• The only thing I'm not thrilled with are the three tiny circles in the top right corner. I really felt the card needed something to balance it out, but I did not want to put any tiny brads or gems on a card for a little one. So, three little brown/tan circles it was.

Think I'm these little guys need to swim right over to the OWH Midweek Throwdown challenge to make cards 4 kids.   :)

Parting Thoughts

Elizabeth is one talented lady. If you haven't visited her page before and you like coloring images for kid cards, I recommend that you pay her a visit at dulemba.com.   :)

As for visiting, thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

209... A Number Near and Dear to My Heart

Hi, everyone.

When I saw today's OWH Sketch was Sketch #209, a big smile came to my face. Room 209 was the room of my first teaching assignment... at the school where  I met hubby, where I made lifelong friends, and where I really learned how to teach. So, the number 209 will always hold a very, very special place in my heart.  :)

Now for today's Any Hero card.

Bo Bunny Anthem; stash cardstock
Fiskars and Paper Studio star punches
??? corner punch for the itty, bitty stars
Stampin' Up! large oval punch
garage sale brads; Tombow foam adhesives

Loved Ann's sample card although I initially struggled with the sketch. It wasn't until I switched paper pads that I created something not half bad. Bo Bunny to the rescue... of course!

Parting Thoughts

Thinking warm thoughts and wishing for spring. Wow, this weather just won't quit. Stay warm!

Oh, and the second W2SB challenge goes live on February 1. Bobbi has a rather "colourful" challenge in store for us this month. And the designer of our banner and badge -- the uber-talented Peggy -- is our Guest I-teamer!  Thanks to all for their support of our debut challenge. :)

Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

Missing You

Hi, everyone.

The card below was inspired by this week's Midweek Throwdown color challenge to make a card featuring pastels.

light blue: Cardstock Warehouse Paper Co; darker blue and mauve: Distress Ink core
SU wildflower meadow and coordinating Sizzix embossing folder
AC stamp markers: TPC Studio sentiment, heat embossed in Distress Ink tattered rose
Paper Studio brads; Creative Memories corner rounder; Recollections foam adhesives

I've been trying to make more kiddie and masculine cards this year. But, a pastel palette screamed feminine.

Toyed with the ideas of a ribbon for the sentiment -- and with various placements for the sentiment. So, I asked myself, what would Paula do... and decided to place the sentiment here, let the stamped image stand on its own, and called it a day. Not sure if that's actually what Paula would have done, but it worked for me today.  :)

Parting Thoughts

I was really liking this color combo... and then I realized why. These are the colors in our sofa that we bought nearly 30 years ago. Seems like I'm channeling the 80's.  :)

Time to crawl under an afghan. Brrr...

Take care, stay warm. Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

Bloom Where You Are Planted

Hi, everyone!

The card below was inspired by CAS-ual Friday's color block challenge. A fellow OWHer just mailed me a cute little branch and leaf stamp set. So, I think this stamp set was on my brain when I read this week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge. Terra cotta pots immediately popped into my head when I thought about blocks of color.

stamps: a gift  :), but maker unknown  :(
Distress Ink (vintage photo) and Distress Ink core paper (tea die)
Creative Memories square punch, SU word window punch
DCWV vellum "Quote Stacks"
sequins, adhered with Glossy Accents and/or glue dots; Paper Studio brad

I used the square punch to form the pots and hand cut the tapered sides. Then I used the word window punch for the tops of the pots, again cutting off the curved ends.

And, why use stamped buds or leaves when a little bling will do?

Finally, I chose not do anything with the vellum quote, other than using a clear sequin to cover the glue dot. I tried a variety of options before choosing to leave it as because all the options seemed to take away the focus on the color blocks. The picture linked to CAS-ual Fridays had only a clear sequin in the top left corner. As you can see, I've since added a green sequin and teeny, tiny brad to the center of the original sequin.

All in all, I'm pretty pleased with the way this turned out. Not sure if it will go to OWH, or stay with me to give to a friend at just the right time.

Parting Thoughts

I am partnering with a card-making friend to host a new card-making challenge blog. The deadline to submit an entry for our debut challenge is Tuesday, if you're interested in checking it out. Our prize for this month is a stamp set of your choice from Paper Smooches!

Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

Thank You for Your Service

Hi, everyone.

Today's Any Hero card was inspired by Operation Write Home Sketch #208.

Bo Bunny Liberty
cardstock: Bazzill admiral and watermelon; Distress Ink antique linen
Paper Studio and Martha Stewart star punches
Marvy and Paper Shaper circle punches
Creative Memories circle cutting system
computer-generated sentiment (mistral)
Recollection foam adhesives

I originally wasn't sure about the sketch. Don't get me wrong -- I loved Heather's sample card, but I wasn't quite sure where this one would take me.

I ended up going with a pretty basic card -- no burlap, no embossing, no distressing. Used one of my favorite packs of designer paper and some rich cardstock. This card is also unusual because of the sentiment treatment. I often mat -- even double or triple mat -- sentiments to bring more attention to them. But, somehow, a plain white banner felt right for this card. Nothing fancy, just right.  :)

Parting Thoughts

One last reminder that the final day to submit cards for the very first W2SB challenge is Tuesday. Thanks to everyone for your support of this new monthly challenge blog.

Hope all the NFL fans out there enjoy today's games. My team's been back to 0-0 since the end of the regular season. But, these games sound like two great match-ups.

Have a great week. If your lucky enough to have tomorrow off, enjoy! And, thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

Some Bunny Loves Me

Hi, everyone.

The card below was inspired by this  week's Midweek Throwdown to make an Easter card. Since I'm aiming for a Mother/Mother's Day box, I went with the general bunny theme.  That said, I have no bunny stamps. So, an internet search gave me the idea to make a paper-pieced bunny using circles and ovals.  :)

Crate Paper and (garage sale) Stampin' Up! dp; Distress Ink core
SU oval punches; EK hole punch; Marvy circle punch; Creative Memories cutting system
sponging in Distress Ink antique linen and tattered rose; Zig chocolate pen

Still need to finish the inside. Although I don't usually put sentiments on the inside -- leaving as much room as possible for handwritten notes, this is going to be an exception to that rule. Think this little card is crying out for a punny little greeting.  :)

Have a great rest of the week. And, as always, thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

A Non-Sketch Sketch Card -- UPDATED

Hi, everyone.

Before I get to today's card, a few quick words about Words 2 Scrap By.

• First of all, our sincerest thanks to all of you who have offered your support as we start this new venture.
• The deadline to link a card for our first challenge (a card inspired by the song My Favorite Things) is January 21.
• The prize package is receiving a stamp set of your choice from Paper Smooches, being a guest I-Teamer for a future challenge, and displaying a challenge winner badge on your blog. 
• A challenge winner will be chosen based on "The Rules of the Road", which include following W2SB.

Update

Okay, I felt so bad about yesterday's card, I started a second card for this sketch last night. Think the card below is a little closer to the sketch.  :)
 



Authentique Pride; Distress Ink core antique linen; Bazzill watermelon
Darice and Sizzix embossing folders
computer-generated sentiments (Mistral)
Fiskars and Paper Studio star punch; SU brads
sponging with various Distress Ink wild honey
Tombow foam adhesives

Now for Today's Non-Sketch Sketch Card

I really feel like I owe Marlene and Jen an apology for this card. I truly had the best of intentions... and started with the sketch in mind. Then, the card below took on a life of its own.

Sorry about that, ladies. But, I guess it's still an okay Any Hero card. Our hero won't know that it really doesn't look like Sketch #207.  :)

Authentique Pride; Distress Ink core; Recollections canvas
Fiskars and Paper Studio star punches; EK hole punch; garage sale brads
sponging with various Distress Inks 

Parting Thoughts

Have a great week! Certainly hope the weather's less severe than it was last week. The sun's actually shining right now!

Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

Chalk Talk

Hi, everyone.

Paper Smooches is having a Guest Designer call. So, it sounded like the perfect opportunity to play with a few PS stamp sets that were just calling to be inked up -- including a Botanicals set from their January CHA release.  :)

paper: Recollection black
Paper Smooches stamps: Group Hugs, Botanicals 2, Bee Mine
sentiments and images heat embossed in Stampin' Up! white ep
The Stencil Collection non-smear pastels

There are a couple of things that I really like about this card.

• I am pleased with combining several stamp sets to create the overall look. This is not something that comes easily for me.
• I was also pleased with the embossing itself. All the sentiments came out crisply. As the title of this blog indicates, this is not always the case.  :)
• This was only my second chalkboard card... attempting my first one for yesterday's Operation Write Home challenge. The first one was okay... think this one is better. There was a tutorial on the OWH site with a few really helpful tips, including the suggestion to use a paint brush to brush away random specks of powder.
• Finally, I LOVE the fact that this is a one-layer card! Yep, may be my first ever one-layer card!

That's about it for today. Thanks for stoppin' and happy scrapping!

Today's Special

Hi, everyone.

Hope everybody is thawing out a bit after our deep freeze. Brrr!!!

Today's card is inspired by the Midweek Throwdown challenge to make a chalkboard card. I took the time to check out the tutorial, and was really glad I did... otherwise I wouldn't have ever thought of using baby wipes to accentuate the chalkboard effect.

Recollections dp and black cardstock; other cardstock: AC or Bazzill
(no Distress Ink core -- can you believe it?!)
Paper Smooches tag die and Group Hugs stamp set
images heat embossed with SU white embossing powder
tag colored with Stencil Collection pastels
dp embossed with Sizzix folder
EK punch; Really Reasonable Ribbon ribbon
Paper Studio brads; Recollection foam adhesives

I didn't have any of those fabulous pencils Jenn used in her tutorial. So, I used some pastels -- that I wiped with baby wipes to prevent them from smearing on other cards. Again, Paula's Bootcamps influenced the card. I was really struggling with a light pink/hot pink/black combo when I heard Paula telling me to add a third color. A touch of blue was just what this card needed. Thanks, Paula!

Not much else to add. So, thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!



Seems Like It's Been Forever...

Hi, everyone.

Before I get to today's card, I want to thank OWHers for their support of Bobbi and my new challenge blog. Thank you so much for your well wishes and linked cards. Since challenge winners are going to be invited to be guest card makers for future challenges, we are asking that challenge winners be blog followers.

Again, thanks so much for your encouragement as we embark on this new venture. The OWH family is such a wonderful group of card makers.  :)

Today's Any Hero Card

Seems like it's been forever since I've made a traditional Any Hero card. The card below was inspired by OWH Sketch #206.

Bo Bunny Liberty 12 x 12; Bazzill admiral and watermelon
Distress Ink core antique linen, embossed and lightly sanded
Recollections jute; Little Yellow Bicycle Naturals stickers
Paper Studio and Martha Stewart star punches; Recollections brad
Darice embossing folder
various Distress Inks sponged on dp
Creative Memories circle cutting system

The sample card was fabulous. But, truth be told, this sketch was not as CAS-like as I typically like. Neverthelesss, I think this card turned out okay. Layering neutral texture on texture for the side strip helped me simplify things a little.  :)

Parting Thoughts

Stay warm. Stay safe. And, have a good week.

As always, thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

Thanks Fit for a Lady or a Gent

Hi, everyone!

Hope you all are staying nice and warm. Boy is it cold here... and only forecast to get colder.

Two Quick Notes

Before I get to today's card, I wanted to take a moment for two other things.

• First of all, a huge thanks to OWHers for your words of encouragement, blog posts, and linked cards for Words 2 Scrap By. Bobbi and I truly appreciate the support of our OWH family. For those who have linked cards, we are asking that challenge winners be followers. The main reason for this is that challenge winners are going to be invited to be Guest I-Teamers. Again, we are really grateful for so many kind words and messages of support.
• The second happening worth noting is a conversation I had today with hubby. We came back from morning errands and hubby went down to get the mail. When he came in, I asked, "Is that all we got?" -- hoping to receive packages from Paper Smooches and Really Reasonable Ribbon. His response was that I sounded just like a little kid. And, I had to admit he was absolutely right! It was a real-life LOL moment. Nobody can cut to the chase faster than hubby... and I somehow still love him... or maybe I love him for that very reason.  :) 

January's ODBD Card

Carta Bella dp; Paper Smooches tag die and twine
TPC Studio sentiment; Hampton Art stamp
Marvy punch; SU brads

This month's ODBD challenge is to make a card involving stripes. I made the card at the right as a thank you for a friend earlier this week. And, I so loved the design, I decided to choose papers for a masculine (and/or gender-neutral) version of the card.

So, for the second card, I went with some dp from a Momenta travel pack that had rich, jewel-toned stripes on a tan background and used complimentary cardstock to pop the tag. And, speaking of hubby, he really liked this second version. (Since he was gone to a basketball game the other night, he was spared having to look at the original version. LOL!)

Momenta DP; Bazzill or AC cardstock
TPC sentiment, heat embossed in Distress Ink walnut stain
Paper Smooches tag die
Really Reasonable Ribbon; EK hole punch
Recollections foam adhesive squares

 Parting Thoughts

Looking forward to tomorrow's Sunday sketch.

Thanks for stopping by at this new blog and happy scrappin'! Glad I have a place to squirrel away and be creative when the weather is this extreme.  :)

Metamorphosis

Hi, everyone... and Happy New Year!

The card below was inspired by the first CAS-ual Fridays challenge of this new year.

Recollections paper; Distress Ink core; aluminum foil
Martha Stewart punches; stash gems
computer-generated sentiment (papyrus)

Metamorphosis just felt right for 2014.

A friend of mine and I debuted a new monthly challenge blog on January 1. Words 2 Scrap By marks the metamorphosis from card maker/card blogger/blog challenge participant to card-making challenge blog co-owner.

And, if things go according to plan, 2014 is going to bring about a few other changes in my life.

So, here's to a year of metamorphosis!

Top 13 of 2013

Happy 2014!

It's become a tradition for OWHers to post their 10 favorite cards of the year. In honor of 2013, we are posting our top 13 cards.

 

Before I get to my Top 13, I have two quick announcements.

• Bobbi (of Bobbi's Treasure) and I are debuting a new card-making challenge blog today. We'd love for you to check it out at Words 2 Scrap By.
• As you may have noticed, this is my first post at this new blog. From now on, I will be chronicling future card-making endeavors here at There's Always the Other Side. (Yep, that sums up my stamping abilities in 5 short words!)

Now for the main attractions of today's post.  :)

http://operationwritehome.org/starsandstamps

There have been several major influences on my card making this year.

• First, and foremost, have been Paula's Design Bootcamp lessons. Paula. I so appreciate everything you've taught us. Hopefully, you'll see many of your lessons in the cards below.
• A second big influence has been coming in to my own in terms of a card-making style. I realize I'm not a Copic girl. As much as I love Sandy's amazing creations, I know that's not who I am as a card maker -- and I'm okay with that. Instead, my style has evolved into a CAS-like, paper-embellished, layered approach to making cards.   :)

 

Cards Inspired by Design Bootcamp Lessons

 Always
The Law of Thirds determined the placement of the hearts.
On this card, I knowingly went with an even number of hearts,
with the idea that the sentiment was my third element.

 

Your Hive or Mine?
Again, another example of using the Law of third to determine
the placement of the bees and ribboned sentiment.
Repetition led to the choice of ribbon.
Used a little Glossy Accents for the bees and heart.

Dear Santa
Purposely used three colors, and thought about the percentages for those colors,
when choosing this green, red, and black palette.
Also went with a balanced, asymmetrical layout.
Most importantly, this was my first pop-up card!

Feeling Blue?
Used contrasting colors, and was very deliberate in the placement of the elements.
May have been my first use of acrylics on a card -- and loved the effect!

 

Cards Inspired by CAS-ual Friday Challenges

8 Packages Tied Up with a Bow
Went with this yummy paper and a simple ribbon in a neutral color for this masculine birthday card.
Loved the whimsical look achieved with these little packages!

The Sky's the Limit
Used bubble wrap to create this background.
Really liked the palette and overall design.
Was thrilled when Nancy featured the technique on a Tuesday Tutorial!

You've Got Mail :)
Inspired by a challenge to use the three-color palette of orange, aqua, and green.
Like the effect of cutting out these Paper Smooches images.
Background paper was spattered in orange, aqua, and green acrylics.
Used first, second, third stamped images for arrows.
Also used Paula's Rule of Thirds when determining placement of elements.

An All-American Classic
Almost passed on this CAS-ual Fridays challenge to use a non-paper material.
Glad I decided give it a try and sponged negative images on some fabric.

A Special Card Inspired by a Special Event

An Invitation 90 Years in the Making
Followed all of hubby's "requests", including "none of those brads!",
to make invitations for my father-in-law's 90th birthday celebration.

My Absolute Favorite Cards of 2013



SuperDAD
I can't even begin to describe how many decisions went into what appears to be a really simple design.
What I truly loved was collaborating with hubby for the inside sentiment for this card --
as well as for an earlier SuperMom version.  :)



An Old-Fashioned Christmas
It took about 4 tries, but I finally achieved exactly the look I wanted
when ordering this SU stamp and punch set.
This was my most repined card of the year!

Your Thoughtfulness Meant the World to Me
I have played with lots of versions of a card with this sentiment for several years  --
never quite being completely satisfied.
But, it wasn't until this SU background stamp that I finally achieved the look I wanted. 

Have a BEARy Merry Christmas!
Maybe my favorite card of all time!  Love, love, love this little polar cub waiting for Santa Paws!
Was made for a tic-tac-toe challenge featured as stop on Labor Day's Birthday Blog Skip.
Thanks to everyone who made this little guy the most viewed post of all time.

 

Parting Thoughts

Thanks to all OWH and CAS-ual Fridays fellow card makers and friends who have provided tons of inspiration and never-ending support. Again, special thanks to Paula.

Thanks for stopping and best wishes for a year filled with happy scrappin'!