April 30, 2010

TGIF!  Today is my last day as Bugaboo's guest designer for the month of April.  It's been super fun, I had  a great time.  Thanks so much for having me!

It's Friday again and that means Freebie Friday over at Bugaboo Stamps.  The image I used on my card is one of today's freebies so be sure to head on over and download this week's freebies.

This card isn't as clean and simple as my cards usually are, but I really like the way it turned out.  I used the bandana technique to create my pattern paper.  To create bandana paper all you really need to do is to stamp your card stock using a coordinating color ink and then just sort of fill it in using a white gel pen.  The white gel pen is what makes the bandana look so realistic. 

There was a challenge using this technique awhile back on splitcoast stampers.  If you would like to check out some challenge cards, they can be found here.

I also used the paper piecing technique on my image, so I needed to print out my image twice on white card stock and then on my second image I stamped it using the SU Just Jeans background stamp.  Then I cut out all of the parts of my image that I wanted to look like 'jeans' and I glued them on top of my first image.  The bandana image was also paper pieced, I inked it up using red ink and then I added a few white dots so that it would match my pattern paper.  I did a bit of water coloring for the face, but the rest of my image was colored using my SU markers.

I decided to use some twine instead of ribbon thinking it would be better themed on my card and then I tied on my sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day! 

Stamps: Bugaboo Digi Image- Wee Ones Cowboy, SU Just Jeans, Polka Dots & Paisley, Priceless, Karen Foster Snap Together Stamp Set- for my sentiment
Card Stock: White, Brocade Blue, Real Red, Creamy Caramel
Ink: Creamy Caramel
Supplies: Twine, Scallop Border Punch, White Gel Pen, SU Markers, SU Blush Blossom Wonder Color Crayon, Blender Pen, Button, Glue Dots, Word Window Punch, Hole Punch, Scissors for paper piecing
Technique: Paper Piecing, Bandana, Water Coloring- for the face

April 29, 2010

My card for today is for Bugaboo's Oldie, But Goodie Thursday.  Thursday's are my favorite Bugaboo challenges, what a great idea to go through the images you have and find one to play with. 

As soon as I saw this image I thought it would make really cute baby and birthday cards.  I was going to put a sentiment on my card, but then I decided not to- I can always add one later.

I printed the image and colored it using my SU markers.  Although the black part of the puppy looks black, I actually used my grey marker to color it.  I do this a lot because sometimes I feel that the black marker can be a bit harsh. 

Once I was finished coloring my image I added some white dots on the balloon using my white gel pen (I love my white gel pen, can you tell...LOL?)  And just along the outside of my oval image I did a added a line/dot border using my creamy caramel marker.  I also have two rows of paper piercing along the very bottom of my card, but it's hard to see in my photo.

My background is embossed using my Cuttlebug and Swiss Dots embossing folder.  I cut out my scalloped oval using this technique that I posted last week.  I wanted to mention this because I did say that this technique works with ovals too and I wanted to show a scalloped oval that I made.

I have a neat little trick that I used with the ribbon on my card.  I knew I wanted to tie some smaller pieces of ribbon on my card, but I didn't have any caramel or blue ribbon, so I used white ribbon that I already had and then I colored it using my SU markers.  After doing this several times, I have learned that you need to color both sides of the ribbon and then it helps if you dry it with your heat gun, otherwise you will have to let the ribbon dry for awhile.  This works great and I do it all the time, bet you never would have guessed that I colored my ribbon to match my card?!

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to stop back tomorrow because I will be posting my card for Bugaboo's Freebie Friday and my card turned out really cute ;)

Stamps: Bugaboo Digi Image Critter Balloon- CB Dog
Card Stock: White, Bashful Blue, Creamy Caramel, SU DP
Ink: None
Supplies: Ribbon, Coluzzle, Corner Rounder Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, SU Markers, White Gel Pen, Brads, SU Mat Pack- to help me align my brads, Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots Embossing folder
Technique: Dry Embossing, Paper Piercing

April 28, 2010

Hi everyone! 

Today I thought I would share the card I made for this week's sketch on the Clean & Simple Stampin Blog found here.

Below I have posted a picture of the sketch and here is the direct link to this week's sketch challenge if anyone would like to play along. 

This is a great sketch and my card only too me a few minutes to make!

My polka dot background layer is actually stamped using the polka dots stamp.  I simply stamped it along my card stock using my stamp-a-ma-jig to guide me. 

My larger flower was just stamped and then cut out, but my smaller polka dot flower was stamped using the kissing technique.  (I haven't done this technique in a while).  For those of you who aren't familiar with this technique you can find more information about it here.

I inked up the same polka dot stamp that I used for my background.  Then I stamped my small flower stamp onto to polka dot stamp to ink it up and next I stamped my small flower stamp onto my white card stock and then cut it out.  I really like my results and that fact that now my flower matches the decorative paper I stamped. 

Thanks so much for stopping by and a great big thank you to you all for the lovely comments I have been receiving!  I really enjoy sharing my work with all of you!


Stamps: For All You Do
Card Stock: White, Black, Bravo Burgundy
Ink: Black Stazon, Bravo Burgundy
Supplies: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Scissors- for cutting flowers, Stamp-a-ma-jig,
Technique: Paper Piercing, Kissing

April 27, 2010

I had a request to make a Mother's Day card with a cow on it. 

This sure was a challenge, but I think I came up with a pretty okay card.




I followed the sketch from this week's Splitcoast sketch challenge.

First, I stamped my image and colored it using my SU markers and then I doodle all along the edges.  I thought it would be neat if I had some cow paper, but of course I didn't have any.  I'm always trying to make do with what I have, so I tried to think of how I could make some cow paper.

Then I remembered that I had used the SU Splat wheel once before as cow paper on my recipe page found here.  Be sure to check out my recipe page, there's an awesome milk shake recipe on that page. 

So my cow paper is wheeled using SU's Splat wheel and black stazon ink.  Along the bottom of  my card I added two rows of paper piercing.  I love the look that you can achieve from paper piercing without adding too much to a card.  I always feel it's a 'not so embellished' look.

My sentiment is computer generated and it reads:  Happy Moooother's Day

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a wonderful day!  It looks like my day here is starting to shape up now that the rain has stopped.

Stamps: On the Farm, Splat Wheel
Card Stock: White, Pretty in Pink, Black
Ink: Black Stazon
Supplies: Ribbon, SU Markers, Round Tab Punch, SU Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool
Technique: Paper Piercing

April 26, 2010

Here's a card that I made for today's clean & simple Splitcoast challenge. 

Today's challenge was to make a birthday card using the color orange. 

When I was thinking of the color orange I kept thinking of these flowers.  Even though my card doesn't have a lot of white space, I'm thinking it's still clean and simple, well I know it was simple...LOL 

I also made this card for today's try a new technique challenge.  This challenge was to take one of our cards and either make it a more clean and simple card or make it a 'more' card.  I chose this card from my splitcoast gallery and I made it a more clean and simple card.  In making it a more clean and simple card I decided to eliminated two layers, one flower, and the buckle; although I did add the sponging.

This is a super easy card that can be made in just minutes.  I simply colored the flower stamp and then stamped it onto my card stock. 

Next, I stamped some of the grass, but after I inked up my grass stamp I stamped it off onto scrap paper first and then I stamped it over my flower image.  I wanted the grass to appear a little lighter.

I was going to leave my background blank, but then I changed my mind and I ended up sponging my background.  My clouds were made using a punched scallop circle and I my sponge.  I didn't even do any masking with my sponging; I just sponged around my flowers, super quick and easy.

Stamps: Inspired By Nature
Card Stock: White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Bashful Blue
Supplies: Ribbon, SU Markers, Scallop Oval Punch
Technique: Sponging

April 24, 2010

Hi everyone!  April Showers as the theme for this weeks Bugaboo Challenge and below is the sketch that we were to follow.

Everyone is welcome play along.  Come have fun and join us!  There's also a chance to win some of Bugaboo's awesome digi images!

This is my card for today's challenge.  I used the Bugaboo digi image Rainy Day Bears- Side Rain.  I printed the image, heat set it using my heat gun, and then colored it using my SU markers.

Once I was finished coloring my image I added a few dots on the umbrella using my white gel pen.  It's hard to see in my picture, but I also applied some crystal effects all over the bear's rain coat, it looks really cute in person.  I also did some paper piercing all along the green card stock layer around my main image panel.
 
My background is embossed using my cuttlebug and Swiss Dots embossing folder.  In the upper left corner I placed one small punched flower and two small 1/4" circles.

I didn't have any get well sentiments that were just the correct size for this sketch so I decided to print them out on my computer.  I find myself doing this more often lately when I can't seem to find just the right sentiment.

Thanks so much for stopping by and again be sure to hop on over to Bugaboo's Catch the Bug challenge blog.

Stamps:  Bugaboo digi image Rainy Day Bears- Side Rain, My Sentiments are computer generated
Card Stock: White, Summer Sun, Green Galore, SU DP
Ink: None
Supplies: Ribbon, 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Flower Trio Punch, 1/4" Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Hole Punch, SU Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, SU Markers, Crystal Effects, 2 Way Glue Pen
Technique: Dry Embossing, Paper Piercing

April 23, 2010

Here's the baby boy card that I made for one of the mother's at my son's preschool.  She's expecting a baby boy within the next couple of months. 

This card is similar to the baby girl card I posted two days ago.  I wanted to use the same stamp set and the same film strip technique.

This was a pretty quick and easy card to make.  Basically, I stamped the images and punched them out using my square punch.  Then I punched my certainly celery layer using my spiral punch along both sides. 

The wavy border along the bottom of my really rust layer was punched using an EK Success punch.

Have a great weekend!  I'll be back tomorrow to post a card I made for a Bugaboo Sketch Challenge.

Stamps: Fox & Friends, Fun Phrases
Card Stock: White, Really Rust, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, SU DP
Ink: Black Stazon
Supplies: Ribbon, Wavy Border Punch, 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" Square Punches, Spiral Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig
Technique: Film Strip

April 22, 2010

Here's a card I made for Bugaboo Stamp's oldie but goodie Thursday.

I simply printed the cat image, heat set it with my heat gun and colored it using my SU markers and then I added some doodling all along my main image panel.

My sentiment is computer generated- just in case you can't see it clearly in my picture it reads- You're the cat's meow!  I thought this would be a great card for my sister who loves cats, so Pam if you are reading this....this card is for you :)

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a great day! 

Stamps: Bubaboo Digi Image- Garden Cats, Plant Pot
Card Stock: White, Close to Cocoa, Certainly Celery, SU DP
Ink: None
Supplies: Ribbon, SU Markers, Large & Small Oval Punches, Scallop Trim Border Punch

April 21, 2010

Last week I said that I would share some baby cards that I made. I know two ladies that are both expecting within the next few months and one is having a girl, so this is my baby girl card for her and the other is expecting a boy. I'll post the baby boy card that I made for her on Friday.

It's been a while since I've made a film strip card and I figured this super cute monkey would be just perfect. I stamped the monkey three times and punched him out so that he looks like he's moving along so to speak.

The monkey images are layered onto pink and then a chocolate chip layer which I have punched on both sides using my spiral punch. My ribbon treatment is just a piece of pink ribbon with piece of brown and white tied onto it- this is a great way to use up some of those ribbon scraps. Can you tell I save everything?

Stamps: Fox & Friends, Hugs & Wishes
Card Stock: White, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, SU DP
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Supplies: Ribbon, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" Square Punches, Spiral Punch, Scallop Border Punch
Technique: Film Strip

April 19, 2010

It's Monday again; doesn't the weekend go by so fast?!

And as usual it's time for another CAS (clean & simple) splitcoast challenge.

This week's CAS challenge is a sketch challenge based on Alanna's card shown here.

I also made this card for today's Try a New Technique challenge on splitcoast. Today's challenge was to find ways to use pierce our card. The piercing on my card is on my background. I made a few score lines using my scor-pal and in-between a few of the lines I did some paper piercing.

I colored my flower stamp using my SU markers and then I stamped it onto my card stock. Next I punched out the images and layered them onto my punched Certainly Celery layer. I made a card similar to this a few weeks ago and I had this card in mind when I made my card today.

I'm sorry that my picture isn't very good; I had a hard time getting a nice photo this morning. Have a great rest of the day! Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes, Warmest Regards
Card Stock: White, Certainly Celery
Ink: Black Stazon
Supplies: Ribbon, SU Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Scor-pal, SU Markers, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Dimensionals
Technique: Paper Piercing

April 18, 2010

Hi everyone!  Today I thought I would share a tutorial with you.  I have received several emails asking how I make my scalloped circles and ovals using a corner rounder punch.  If  you are like me and you don't have nesties you can still make these beautiful scallop shapes like we see the the online card galleries.  I didn't create this technique, I read about it online.

The first thing you will need to do is to cut out a circle.  Here I used my Coluzzle circle template and Coluzzle knife, but you can use any tool you have that will allow you to cut a circle such as:  circle scissors plus, large circle punch, Cricut, etc.

The next thing you will need is a pair of paper snips (or other sharp scissors), and a corner rounder punch.  This is my favorite corner rounder punch for this technique.  SU does have a larger one and it will work, but your scallops will be larger.

You will want to start punching using your punch all along the outside edges of your cut out circle.  Punch your punch once and then move it along and just next to the edge of your punched notch you will want to punch it again.

Keep doing this all the way around the edge.  It takes a little bit to learn how much you will need to move your punch over to punch again.  You should be able to see your scalloped edge through your punch.  I tend to punch again just when I can see the edge of my previous scallop through the back side of my corner rounder punch.

Here is a photo of what your scallop circle will look like once you have finished punching all the way around the edges. 

You will want to carefully remove the outside edging from your scalloped circle.  Sometimes you may need to cut it away from your circle and this is where your paper snips come in handy.  Just carefully snip off the cardstock that wasn't cut all the way through with your corner rounder punch.

 And this is what you will have once you have removed the outer punched piece of card stock. Now sometimes my scallops don't always come out so evenly once I reach the end of my circle.  Once you are close to the end of your circle you have to judge to see how many more punches you can get before reaching where you started. 

And that's about it, now you can proceed with completing your card or project.  Like I said above, this technique can done with ovals too.  I really like this method of making my scallop shapes because I can make them any size I need.  And using my Coluzzle template is just perfect because then all I  need to do is to cut out my stamped image using the next smaller size on my template and it's a perfect size layer.

And in case anyone is interested the photo below is of the card I was making with these scallop circles.  I have posted this card on my blog before, but I needed to make more of these cards so I thought I might as well take a moment to share with everyone how I make my scallop circles.   

If anyone would like some more information about the card I have pictured above you can find it here.

  

Like always, if anyone has any questions for me, feel free to send me an email.  If you look under my profile and click on 'View my complete profile' you will then see a section titled 'contact'.  Just click on the email link under the contact section and you will be able to send me a message.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

April 17, 2010- Bugaboo Stamps Blog Hop Winner

It's been really fun this week during Bugaboo Stamp's blog hop and challenge. Congratulations to all of the winners!

One winner was also chosen from each of the Bugaboo Design Team members blog's for leaving a comment. The winner from my blog as chosen by random.org is April.

April said...
Love it!
Was a great hop - as always with Bugaboo....

Congratulations, April! You have won an image of your choice from Bugaboo Stamps. I will send you an email in just a few minutes :)

Thank you to everyone who played along and thanks so much for leaving a comment!  I hope you are all enjoying your weekend!