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'!