technique: grid scoring

Through Paper Wishes message board for the April 2011 card swap, we were challenged to use a grid-style scored/embossed section of cardstock. We could ink it, put embellishments on it, put a background and/or border around it, leave it plain, use either side, etc.

For each item I've made recently, I've chosen to ink. Several of the grids have 3 inks on them (light blue, light turquoise, and royal blue). I've mostly used the scored side, but at least one time I've used embossed.

Note: for the umbrella, I used a scalloped edge template to create the grid (baby shower card); look on anniversary card for 2 grids (scalloped border and heart behind the blue heart brad; look on the baby tag for heart behind the heart punch-out

3rd card-making topic for today: black on black theme

Confession: the card is not all black, but I tried to used a majority of my supplies from Paper Wishes/Hot Off the Press. My nephew's high school graduation is about 5 weeks away and I thought this would be the perfect occasion to use the challenge of black on black.

His school colors are green and gold with black and white as accent colors. PW/HOTP items are: Paper Pizazz card punch-outs of grad cap and balloons; black metallic paper (used for the 4 stars-one for each year of high school), both patterned papers shown behind the scrolled star, Tonic Studio vine scroll punch (used punch 2 times at each ray of the star on cover, 1 time each on the inside layout star), HOTP 1,000 card quote CD (for the wishes and dreams sentiment strip), black paper (triangle piece on inside), the argyle-looking border paper strip, the paper tab, and the foam square adhesives. The gold glitter cross was received from a fellow crafter from a March PW message board swap.

Other supplies used were: different black lettering stickers, metallic green colored staples, gold gel pen, graphic design borders (thin line and stars), NIV Scripture passage, and black ink pad.

For a card with lots of black, I'm thrilled with how this turned out! The texture differences help tremendously!

card-making: using a sketch

Papercrafts magazine March/April 2010 issue's sketch 1 on pages 20-21 was my inspiration for the Easter card featured for this post. To me, it is a very good springtime sketch because it reminds me of a sunrise.

card-making: with touches of sewing

I decided with 2 similarily-designed Easter cards to include touches of sewing. Because of the thick (recycled) cardstock used for the bunnies, it was difficult guiding the image around. But I didn't let it stop me!! Each card has sewing on inside and cover.

The bunny pattern was altered from a coloring book pattern. The original pattern was taller and slightly bigger.

scrapbooking and papercrafting: home keepsake for friends

During the past 2 weeks having to work around the schedule of carpet and linoleum layer-ers and other handyman hired by a friend whose updating his family farmhouse, my husband and I have been taking down the kitchen wallpaper. At the bottom of this layout is a small portion I saved in order to create a keepsake for this friend and his siblings.

So instead of a photo, I used the wallpaper.

card making topic= similar Easter cards

Trying to save some processing time, I selected mostly similar supplies and also used almost the same layout designs for 3 Easter cards.

Techniques used included: inking edges of papers and tags; using colored staples for a creative fastenings; using ribbons, tags, and foam stickers for embellishments; date stamping; decorative scissors edging on some paper or cardstock:

Hope all my blog readers have a blessed Easter!

card-making topic: more Easter theme

Whether traditional religious or non-traditional, I love putting together combinations of different supplies/mediums to create a look.

Some of what I'll show had their layouts inspired by sketches taken from recent crafting magazines.

helping deployed military and asking you to help

card-making= using brads for more than fastening

2nd posting for tonight: I've seen several flower inspired cards and scrapbook layouts lately and came up this multi-layered flower power creation for one of my nieces whose turning 9 physically and about 14 emotionally!

I used 3 different styles and sizes of brads with 9 total (same as her age). I've used 10 different patterned papers on the cover and another 4 on the inside!

And try to figure out all the flowers= (1) the 8-ribbon looped petals flower; (2) purply dotted sunburst shaped flower under the ribbon-flower; (3) hot pink doily shaped flower; (4) green foam shaped flower; (5) the 8 scalloped circle mini flowers going around the doily-flower; (6) the mini scalloped flower on the card's inside....

paper crafting= Easter theme wall art and scrapbk elements

Good evening! I want to finally get posted some items I made in past 2-3 weeks that have Easter themes. There's a variety of suppliers. Some have lots and lots of details. I seemed to be using lots of everything--brad fasterners, patterned papers, sticker embellishments, crystal embellishments, gold paint pen outlining, glitter, etc.