Colorful Cats Happy Birthday

My wonderful cousin has a birthday coming up and she has been so instrumental in my life that she is one person I make sure I send a card to. Last year she was here in Colorado visiting and you can see the card I made for her here.  This year she'll be spending Christmas with us and I am so excited! But, on with the card:

She is also a cat lover so I know she will adore the cute cats I made using the Newton Nook's Newton's Antics stamps and coordinating dies. I just cannot stop playing with these adorable kitties!

How I Made this Card:
Purple Square (5 1/4 x 5 1/4) Card Base
Newton's Nook Designs Newton's Antics Stamps & Die Set
Fabric that isn't really Fabric (see my explanation here)
Purple Glitter Paper
Derwent Inktense Water Color Pencils
Tombow Blender Pen from SU!
Silhouette Cameo 
Cut File
Various Shades of Purple & Pink Cardstock
Ranger Archival Jet Black Ink
Purple Ribbon
Distress Ink in Dusty Concord
Spellbinders Petite Labels One, S3-205

I found the "fabric". already dyed, in my stash.  I have no idea what I used to dye it with and it's very picky about the things it lets dye it.  So I cut it down to work with the purple square card, glued it on and set it under the floor tile I keep on my desk for embossing and holding things together.  While I let that sit, I stamped and die cut the cats from the Newton's Antics set and colored them in with the Derwent pencils & the blender pen.  Set them aside as well.  

I then decided I needed a bit of bling, so I cut out the Happy Birthday using my

Silhouette Cameo and glitter cardstock (ok, confession time - I scraped away the little dot for the i, so I improvised with some loose glitter and glue - shhhhhh) and the shadow out of regular card.  I glued the 2 pieces together.  I used a sentiment also included with the Newton's Antics set, stamped that in Dusty Concord and die cut it out, along with the next largest die, using Spellbinders Petite Labels One set.  

After playing around with the placement of things, I decided I needed a ribbon.

Now I don't typically play with ribbons - I have a hell of a time making my own bows and most of the time the ribbon does exactly what I don't want it to do. But, I threw caution to the wind and went for it.  I was pleasantly surprised at how well it came out! It was a keeper.  So now I had all my elements cut, made, colored and stamped so I put the card together.  You can't really tell that that "fabric" is on the card in the pictures, but, in real life you can.  The card is already in the envelope and ready to mail since I am leaving tomorrow afternoon for about a week.  I am a terrific procrastinator, so the fact that I got this card done AND in the envelope means I get some chocolate ice cream tonight.  Well, maybe after I start packing!

I hope you enjoyed my little tutorial.  Thank you so much for popping by & I hope to see you soon - fondly, Christi Also, if you'd be so find as to consider following me - I am about 15 followers shy from meeting my goal of 100 new followers in 2015 :)

I am SO thrilled that the Cat Blog Hop decided to remain open for the weekend - that way I get to link up my card! In addition, I would like to enter my Colorful Cats Birthday Card in the following challenges:
Her Peaceful Garden - Cat Blog Hop
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Sweet Stampin' - Use Dies and/or Punches
The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - K is for Kitties!
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Throwback (use a previous challenge, I used Stamp & Punch/Die Cut

Please come and check out TWOFERS!

We need some entries - you may just win the $20 Alleystamps Gift Certificate up for grabs every 2 weeks!

The current challenge at Twofers is a color challenge - all you need to do is use Blue, Green & Yellow, along with some rubber stamping and join via the linky!! You only have to make one project, you can link to as many challenges as you want to - read the rules here.

As it stands we have NO entries, so that practically makes your entry a winner!! We have beautiful badges as well as the $20 Gift Certificate to Alleystamps - perfect chance to actually get some of that Tim Holtz product you've been dying to get, or, click here and she what new goodies the store has for you (awesome selection of W+9 stamps and coordinating dies).

So, please, pass it on! And please consider supporting us at Twofers ~ you can't win if you don't play!
Hugs, Christi

If the Broom Fits. . .

I am so sad that Halloween is over for another year, but, I take heart in knowing I can create Halloween stuff all year round!  Don't be surprised if you see a card or a project pop up here on occasion. So, here is my last hurrah for Halloween 2015:

How I Made this Card:
Square (5 1/4 x 5 1/4) Card Base
Tim Holtz Bird Crazy Stamps
Tim Holtz Sizzix Bird Crazy Dies, 660954
Tim Holtz Crazy Things Stamps
Graphic 45 Rare Oddities Paper
Carta Bella All Hallows Eve, 6 x 6 pad
DCWV Dark Romance Paper Stack (discontinued?)
Tim Holtz Idea-Ology Small Talk, Occasions
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Distress Markers
Purple Paper
Brown Paper (for the broom)
Pop Dots

This tutorial is going to be a bit different. Since this card is busier than my typical creation, I am going to move from the focal point, the bird, out.  So, I stamped the bird from Bird Crazy using Jet Black ink and colored it in using Distress Markers and a watercolor brush. Unfortunately, I made this bird so long ago, I can't remember which colors I used and I didn't make note of them. In fact, I didn't even like the way this bird came out and wasn't going to use it at all.  But, she hung around my desk and grew on me.  And once I added the witches hat and broom, well, I fell in love with image.  I made her when I first got the Bird Crazy die set, so I pop dotted the wings, since I could. I fussy cut the hat and the broom before the Crazy Things die set even came out, so that gives you a sense of how long ago I made the bird. And, note to Santa, I still need the Crazy Things Die Set - got my eyes peeled for a good bargain.

I cut the frame the bird rests on out of Rare Oddities Paper (the hat also was cut out of this paper) and then backed the frame with paper from All Hallows Eve from Carta Bella.  I had originally put the bird and the frame on a dark purple card, but the next day realized it was completely crooked - that's what I get for trying to create in the dark! So the purple card was turned into another layer.  I made my square card out of a paper from Dark Romance (which I could not find on DCWV's website, but it is available in ton's of places), and I edged the card using Ripe Permission Distress Marker 'cause the inside of the card is white and I hate those white edges!

Lastly, I used a Small Talk Sticker, from the Occasions set, as my sentiment.  I lightly colored the sticker with Shaded Lilac Distress Ink; smushed a bit on my

craft mat and watered it down to death, I didn't want the purple ink to overwhelm the saying. I almost had to use another sticker since this one got so wet, but I salvaged it, who doesn't like distressed a bit more distressed? Since it's difficult to read in most of the card pictures, here is a close up of the sentiment sticker.

I hope this tutorial was easy to understand. I couldn't think of a better way to write it up for you and I am under a time crunch as I will be away when this posts.  Please, feel free to ask me any questions by leaving a comment or using the contact me form on the side. Thanks for flying stopping by and I hope you have a frightfully fantastic All Hallow's Eve! Fondly, Christi

Another Look

I am entering my "If the Broom Fits" card in the following challenges:
Fussy & Fancy Challenge - (October) #150, Orange, Black and/or Purple
Morgan's Art World - #10, Halloween
Vintage Stamping (Flonzcraft) - #37, Use a Die/Dies
Fusion Card Challenge - All Hallow's Eve (used photo inspiration)

Deep Ocean Challenges - Halloween

Eureka Stamps - Halloween

Lawnscaping Challenge - Too Cute to Spook

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Monster Mash

Animal Friends Challenge - (October) Halloween - 2nd Entry

That's Crafty! - Haunted Halloween

The Safest Day. . .

This card was born out of one of those ideas you have right before you go to sleep but you are too tired to turn on the light and write it down, and there is NO WAY you are dragging your butt out of bed to actually do something about your idea - the major difference is I remembered this one! I bought the Tim Holtz Shattered stencil as soon as it came out because a good friend recommended it to me. She knows how much I love Halloween and thought I would love this stencil and she was right!

What I Used to Make this Card:
White Card Base
Halloween Saying from So Suzy Stamps, Safest Day, # H01715
Tim Holtz Stencil, Shatter, #THS014
Distress Ink in Black Soot
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Mini Blending Tool
Pop Dots
Spider Sticker from Dollar Store (Dollar Tree)

This was a fast and easy card.  First thing I did was use the stencil.  I carefully placed it on the center of my card, taped it down with removable tape (I have an old fashioned tape holder - like from school - on my craft table and I use that tape all the time!) and using the blending tool, colored it in with the black soot ink.

I set the card aside and stamped my sentiment from So Suzy Stamps. I just ordered this stamp - and a few others - and I couldn't wait to use it. I think it is so funny and fits my humor perfectly! I stamped the sentiment using Archival Jet Black ink, trimmed it, edged it with the blending tool and black soot ink. Once the edging was dry, I pop dotted it on the card base, placing it in the middle of the area where I stenciled.  You can't really see that the sentiment was pop dotted, but trust me, I wouldn't lie to you.  

The last touch is the glitter spider.  He came from a sheet of Halloween stickers I got from the Dollar Tree. I've got a few different images and they come n orange, purple and black glitter.  Pretty good deal I'd say!  Now, I have to confess this card wasn't easy for me to make.  I am absolutely terrified of spiders. I've gotten better - I used to literally run out of the house if I saw one inside.  Now I try to "save" them by putting them outside, but, if they refuse to cooperate (like staying on the paper towel, calmly) and make a move toward me, they have to go.  I actually feel a teeny bit guilty about it, but I'm not going to their house and freaking them out.  This picture explains exactly how I feel about them, so it was a big step for me to put the spider on my card. Who knows at this rate maybe next year I can make 2 cards with spiders on them!

Thank you so much for stopping by and reading my tutorial.  I have been on a creative kick lately and I think it's because I'm going away the 22nd and I won't be back until November 1st - gotta get the Halloween craftiness out of my system.  I am trying to get 100 followers in the year 2015 and I am only about 20 shy. Please consider becoming a follower and I will dazzle you with my card making skills, awesome sense of humor, with a few projects thrown in, as well as follow you back. Regardless, I appreciate you taking the time to come by ~ Fondly, Christi 

Another Look

I would like to enter my The Safest Day card in the following challenges:
So Suzy Stamps (October) - Halloween (used my NEW Safest Day stamp) 
Artistic Inspirations (October) - #142, Halloween/Anything Goes
The Paper Girls - #90, Get Ready for Halloween
Haunted Design House - Holy Hell, it's Halloween
Glitter 'n Sparkle - #159, Halloween (spooky or cute)
AAA Cards - #50, CAS Halloween
Fantasy Stampers - #47, Fright Night (entry #2)
QKR Stampede - #161, Make Your Own Background
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards - #102, Halloween
Dragon's Lair Designs (October) - Halloween

Looking for some challenges to enter?? Take a peek at Challenges for Days - the blog list is super easy to follow, no complicated codes and we add new challenges as much as we can.  But, before you leave here, don't forget to follow me, either on Google or Bloglovin', thanks!!

Challenge #6 ~ TWOFERS ~ Blue, Green & Yellow

Hi all you fabulous people! For Challenge #6, Zoe has chosen a color challenge and you can see the specifics at the Twofers Blog. A fun chance to get away from all the holiday projects and stretch yourself a bit. I needed to make a birthday card anyway, so it was the perfect opportunity to use the colors in the challenge.  Here is my blue, green & yellow birthday card:

How I Made my Card:
White Card Base
White Cardstock
Darice "Clouds Background" Embossing Folder
Paper Smooches Streamers Die Set, #KFBD-13-029
Quietfire Designs, Ten Tiny Tag Sentiments, #6382
Silhouette Cameo
Airplane & Sun Cut files
Core'dinations Cardstock in Pastels; Blue, Green and Yellow
Pebbles Chalks in Basic Brights
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Pop Dots

Let me tell you, buying the Ten Tiny Tag Sentiments from Quietfire Design has been one of the BEST purchases I have made - I use these little sayings so much!  I started the card with the concept of a sky scene, with a plane dragging a banner (I had just gotten the Paper Smooches Die set and was dying to use it - get it? LOL) with Happy Birthday on it, luckily the Ten Tiny Tag Sentiments fit on my banner perfectly! But I am getting ahead of myself. . .

I first dry embossed white cardstock with the Darice Clouds embossing folder. Funny as this was one of those purchases that caught my eye and I bought on impulse and this is the folder I seem to use most. Once my clouds were embossed, I chalked around the clouds and filled in the sky. like I did while making this Summer Fun card.  Once I was done with the chalking, I trimmed the panel down to fit on the card base, glued it and set it aside to dry.

While waiting, I went to my trusty Silhouette Cameo, found some free vectors which I turned into cut files and cut out my sun and my airplane.  It's so easy to use the Cameo machine and I honestly don't think there is anything it can't do, as long as you can find a picture, vector, saying or shape, you can convert it and cut it out!  So I cut out my airplane and my sun to use on the card and set them aside.

I chose a banner that I wanted to use, used my Big Shot to die cut it out of the green paper.  I stamped Happy Birthday, kind of on an angle, using the Jet

Black ink and started to assemble the card.  You can't really see it in the pictures, but I chalked the edges of the plane and the banner before I pop dotted them onto the cloud background. I also pop dotted the inside circle of the sun.  Lastly, I used a black sharpie and drew the rope that attaches the banner to the plane.  I hope my friend likes her birthday card :)

I am thrilled that you stopped by to check out my card - now you have two whole weeks to put together your own Blue, Green & Yellow card (or project) and enter it in our Twofers challenge. You might win a $20 gift certificate to Alleystamps and be able to get yourself some real goodies! So come and join Zoe, Jane and myself, you just might win! Have a fabulous day ~ Christi

Another look 

I'd like to enter my Flying High Birthday Card in the following challenges:

Chalk N Stock (October) Anything Goes

Silhouette Challenges (October) Anything Goes

Not Just Cards - Anything Goes

Creative Ladybird's Creations Challenge (October) - Anything Goes

The Sisterhood of Crafters Die-lirious & Punchy

Scrapy Land - #27, Must Use a Brand of Die Sold in Store (Paper Smooches)

Sweet Stamps (October) - Anything Goes

Southern Girls Challenge - Let's Celebrate

Polkadoodles - #42, Use a Die Cut
Paper Smooches - (week 3) Anything Goes

My Take on Tim's October 2015 Tag

As some of my followers know Halloween is my FAVORITE time of year and I am bummed that October is almost over - yeah, we still have 2 weeks or so left, but it feels like the month is flying by. This month, Tim used a newly released die by Sizzix and shows how the die creates dimension on his tag:

The only thing I had that was used this month is the paper pad Regions Beyond (which I bought as quick as I could since it is so perfect for Halloween), so I decided to wing it once again (like last month) and make a card.

What I Used to Make my Card:
Square White Base, 5 1/4" x 5 1/4"
Tim Holtz Regions Beyond Mini Paper Stash, #TH93226
Sizzix Framelits Skull Blueprint, #659375
Black Soot Distress Ink
Mini Blending Tool
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
White Cardstock
Black Cardstock
Pop Dots
Embossing Ink & Custom Blend Black & Silver Embossing Powder
Silver Brads

The very first thing I did was I stamped the skull 3 times on white card, using the Jet Black ink and cut it out using the dies in the set.  I added some googly eyes to the fellow so perhaps he isn't so scary and then I popped out the main skull and the jaw using pop dots (truthfully I used some waste from some already used pop dots).

I set the skull aside and cut out the designer paper from the Regions Beyond pad and edged it using the Mini Blending Tool - funny, I resisted buying this for SO long and I use it SO much. Once the ink from the edging dried, I glued it onto my square card. 

I set about figuring out how I was going to make the band (like the word band on Tim's tag) and I decided to use the Trick or Treat stamp included in the set. I stamped the saying on white card in embossing ink, then heat embossed it with a blend of embossing powder I had already made - it's just some black powder with a hint of silver-  then I  used the frame die to cut it out.  The final step was cutting a band of black cardstock and attaching the Trick or Treat cut out to it - I used both glue and 2 silver brads to mimic the Word Band on Tim's tag.

Another look

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial and my interpretation of Tim's October 2015 Tag.  I have to say how proud I am of myself that I have actually made a project for every month in 2015, so far anyway.  I actually intend on continuing to join the 12 Tags of 2016 as well. Participating has definitely stretched my imagination and I love trying the new techniques every month.  Thank you for stopping by & I hope to see you again soon ~ Christi

I would like to enter my card in the following challenges:
Tim's 12 Tags of 2015 - October
Eileen Hull Art With Heart (October) - Hauntings & Holidays
Try it on Tuesday - It's Frightening/Halloween 
Retro Rubber - #25, Get Your Spook On (I have had the Framelits set for over a year)
Vintage Stamping by Flonzcraft (October) - #37, Use a Die/Dies
The Corrosive Challenge Blog - #234, The Dark Side
Fantasy Stampers - #47, Fright Night
Crafty Catz - #296, Embossing
Wags 'n Whiskers - #163, Use a Die Cut
DRS Designs - Spooky or Cutesy (I went with spooky)
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Work it Wednesday, Use a Stamp

Clean and Simple Fall Card

Fall is my favorite season - it's finally cool enough to sleep at night but warm enough you can leave the windows open, it was a beautiful 75 degree day here in my part of Colorado. And I love the colors of this time of year.  I was inspired to make this card while rummaging through my inks and I came across this Kaleidacolor ink pad that I have had since I was a Stampin' Up! demonstrator (at least 15 years ago!) - it's amazing to me that the pad is still juicy! Anyway, here is my most recent card creation:

How I Made my Card:

Brown Card Base 
Glossy Cardstock

Kaleidacolor SU! Ink Pad - Pumpkin Spice (discontinued)

Wendy Vecchi "Art Comforts", # SCS110

Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black

Brayer

I found the Kaleidacolor ink pad when I was looking for the ink pad to make this Thank You card for my hair stylist - I had forgotten I even owned this pad! Anyway, when I saw it I knew I wanted to make a fall themed card - the colors are so rich!

I love how the color pops off the glossy cardstock when using the Kaleidacolor ink pads. I thought these particular colors would look fabulous used as a background, so I loaded up my brayer and inked the glossy panel by going over and over with the brayer until I achieved the coverage I wanted.  It really only takes about 4 or 5 "brayerings" for the color to be saturated.  

I then stamped my glossy panel with the stamp from Wendy Vecchi's Art Comforts set using Jet Black Archival ink.  Trimmed the panel and adhered to my card base.  I wish I could master photographing glossy cardstock because you really can't see how beautiful these inks are; you'll just have to try the technique yourself!

I hope my little card will inspire you to create some fall projects! Today is football day and I have got to go and get ready to watch my Broncos play - GO PAYTON! Have a wonderful day! Christi

Another look at the card

I would like to enter my CAS Fall card in the following challenges: 

Less is More - #245, One Layer Autumn Cards
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Autumn is in the Air

Fashionable Stamping Challenges - #104, Changing Seasons
Penny Black & More (October) - Warm Autumn Colors
Stamping Sensations (October) - Colors of Autumn

Thanks. . .

I hadn't been to a salon since I moved here to Colorado and my hair was getting so long and heavy it was making me insane.  I needed to get it styled very badly so I went to Google and looked up some hair salons.  Luckily, I found a GREAT one and I had such a great time, I decided to make my stylist a thank you card.

What I Used to Make My Card:
Glossy Cardstock
Kaleidacolor Ink Pad in Spectrum
IndigoBlu Stamp - Juliet, #J1
Core'dinations Dark Cardstock in Purple Grandeur
Mrs. Grossman Alphabet Stickers
Brayer

I've rediscovered my Kaleidacolor Ink Pads and I've been having a blast using them.  For this card, I inked up my brayer and brayered the ink directly on the rubber stamp and stamped it on glossy paper.  In my opinion, using these inks on glossy paper really makes the colors pop. But, you MUST be sure you use actual glossy cardstock, photo paper just doesn't work the same way or look as vibrant.  You can use them on regular cardstock, but, again, the vibrancy just isn't going to be there.  Once I stamped the image and trimmed it down I found a cardstock color that I felt complimented the colors in the image and made that my card base.

I didn't want to put my sentiment anywhere that would obscure the image and I fretted about that issue for a while.  I could make the whole card out of glossy cardstock, but I really wanted to use a colored card base, to frame the image, so that wouldn't work.  I didn't want to use another piece of cardstock for a stamped sentiment, so that was out.  I even debated using vellum but it is such a pain to adhere. . .then I remembered that I have a HUGE 12" x 12" plastic tote filled with alphabets, stickers and words. I must have every type of alphabet sticker ever made! So I dived into my stash and found this cute little alphabet. I liked that the letters were black but the sticker itself was clear. Again, I didn't want to detract from the image.  So I lined up the letters - which took me the absolute LONGEST time (and I wasted a few letters in the process) and stuck them down.  I adhered the white glossy panel to my purple card base and I was done!  And, since the alphabet stickers are a stash item (honestly, I have no idea how long I have had them) I gave myself extra points.

I tried like MAD to get this picture straight but I just could not get it to cooperate. I apologize for it being wonky!

I hope she likes the card. I'll be going back in about 6 or 8 weeks for lowlights (apparently, these lowlights help blend the grey but don't commit you to having to dye your hair when the roots begin to show - they are more subtle - we will see) and hopefully she will let me know if she likes the card. I only need 20 or so more followers to meet my goal of 100 new followers in 2015 so please consider giving me a hand and becoming a follower.  I would appreciate it SO much! Thanks for popping by! Christi

I am entering my Thanks card in the following challenges:
The Craft Barn - People
Alphabet Challenge Blog - Q for Quick & Simple
Craft Stamper - October Challenge - Take a Technique (I used Ink)
Creative Knockouts - #110, Thankful Thoughts
Through the Craft Room Door - October 6 - 12, 2015 - Anything Goes
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge - #248, Anything Goes
Glitter 'n Sparkle - #157, Anything Goes
Incy Wincy Designs Challenge - Thankful for You

Halloween Kitty

I was going to visit a good friend and since the cat stamp was a gift from them, I wanted to make a Halloween card (even though it was early) to give and show my appreciation.  

I love the sassy look of the cat and I suspect you'll be seeing her (yes, it's a she) being used in many projects to come.

How I Made my Card
White Card Base
Black Cardstock
White Cardstock
Purring Stamp by JudiKins, #3395
Halloween Brad from Teresa Collins' Masquerade Party (I am not sure if this kit is still active, but you can find the entire kit, as well as bits and pieces all over the web)
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Scraps of Black & Orange Paper
Black Sharpie

I started by choosing the element I wanted next to the cat.  I riffled through my enormous stash of Halloween goodies and came across the Masquerade Kit (if you are a Halloween aficionado like I am, you MUST get the kit from Teresa Collins - it is FULL of awesome goodies! I have been seeing it on a few of the

The Kit

daily sale sites and it is well worth the price in my opinion) and chose the Halloween brad.  I like that it uses all the traditional Halloween colors and almost looks as if the cat won a contest!

Once the brad was chosen, I stamped the cat using Jet Black ink and positioned the brad to even out the card. then I had the bright idea to edge the white card with a black Sharpie.  Sometimes the Sharpies bleed a little, and that is exactly what you see on the sides of the panel.  Oh well, it was too late to start over and I know you probably would never even noticed if I didn't tell you, right? Anyway, I found the fabulous orange and black scraps, which kinda remind me of paw prints and I glued them onto the card after I glued the white panel to the black panel.  Once all that was dry (or as dry as I had time for) I attached the whole shebang to the white card base.

 

It didn't take me long to put the card together and the recipient loved it! Thank you SO much for stopping by and I'd love it if you'd become a follower. I am trying to get 100 new followers for the year and I am only about 25 shy - and if you leave a comment, please put your blog address in it so I can visit you back! Fondly, Christi

I would like to enter my Halloween Kitty in the following challenges:
Animal Friends Challenge (October) - #31, Halloween
Card & Scrap - #104, Use Stamps
Creatalicious Challenges - #79, Halloween
Make My Monday - Cats!
Artistic Inspiration - #141, Anything Goes w/ a Twist of Black
The Paper Players - #265, Halloween
Creative Corner Challenges - BOO!
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards - #101, Animals

1950's Housewife ~ Vintage/Retro Challenge #5 at Twofers!

This challenge gave me a chance to use some never before used stamps that I bought when Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers went out of business (the good news is ALL the stamps I used from RBBB are still available at StampFrancisco) and that was ages ago.  I love it when I can finally use a stamp - one I have been saving for ages for just the right challenge and TWOFERS challenge #5, Vintage/Retro certainly fit the bill! Here is my 1950's housewife, with a twist:

How I Made my Card:
White Square Card Base (5 1/4" x 5 1/4")
Vanilla Cardstock
Weekly Checklist stamp, StampFrancisco #106-1176
Time Schedule, StampFrancisco #106-1175
Hand on Head Woman, Large, StampFrancisco #106-1716
Sentiment from Stampers Anonymous, Wendy Vecchi, #G4-1857
Collage Papers, Green Cardstock, Buttons & Gem from my stash
Distress Markers in Weathered Wood, Wilted Violet, Ground Espresso & Shaded Lilac
Die from Sizzix Framelits Tree Blueprint from Tim Holtz, #659379
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Ranger Mini Blending Tool 

I knew I wanted to use both the woman and the sentiment stamp for this card, but I wasn't exactly positive how I wanted to incorporate them. I went ahead and stamped the woman, colored her with some Distress Markers and fussy cut

her out.  I am X-Acto knife challenged, so I was quite proud that I cut the little spaces where her arm crooks successfully (truthfully, most people don't allow me to be around sharp objects for a number of reasons).  I added the buttons and gem and set her aside.

Rifling through my stash I came upon some old collage papers I have had since the beginning of time and chose a few I thought would work as a background.  I then stamped the checklist and schedule stamps on vanilla cardstock and edged them with the ground espresso marker - I scribbled it on my craft sheet, spritzed some water and used the Ink Blender tool to edge the stamped images and then, after I cut and ripped my collage papers to my liking, swiped a bit of it onto the collage papers as well.  Helped them dry with my heat gun.

Once all the papers were set, I placed them onto my square card and glued

them down.  Then I set about looking for a die that would fit the sentiment as I wanted that to stand out and not get lost in the background.  The die from the tree blueprint (you will be seeing holiday cards made with this set - it's too cute not to use!) fit perfectly, so I stamped and then die cut the saying, then layered it on a small scrap of green card to further enhance it.  Lastly, I placed my woman and the sentiment on the card and I was done.  

I just love using my stash stuff! Not only does it justify me keeping all this stuff but then I don't feel so guilty when I buy more stuff. It's a win win! Thank you so much for stopping by and I encourage you to check out TWOFERS, as some rules have changed and we now have a sponsor! Yup, you could win a $20 gift certificate to Alleystamp! So get creating! Fondly, Christi

Another Look :)

I am entering my 50's Housewife Card into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes (entry 2)
The House That Stamps Built  - Anything Goes
Creative Knockouts - Anything Goes (I did not use the optional sketch)
That's Crafty! - Girls will be Girls
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - (October) Anything Goes
Sisters of Craft - (October) Anything Goes

You're Purr-fect! The September Card Chain Challenge Reveal!

Happy October (can you beleive it??) - I know. . .time is FLYING by.  Welcome to September's Card Chain Challenge Reveal.  This month I got daring and went with the color palette:

Yes, the cobalt & Ivory are not on the correct colors, but I figured it out!

 And here is the card I sent Monica in Illinois:

If you follow my blog, you know I love my kitties (and am the proud mom of the Fabulous Feline Five) and I just got this new set from Penny Black so I HAD to break it in.  Before I get to the directions on how I made my card, this is the lovely card I received from Marga, all the way from Spain: (sorry it's a tad crooked - that's MY fault) 

OK, back to my card.  As I said, I used the color palette this month, and to ease myself into that I used one of my favorite subjects, cats.  Interested in duplicating my card? Well, here you go:

How I made my Card

Vanilla Card Base

Penny Black "Nine Lives" set, 30-050

Cobalt, Olive & Vanilla Cardstock

Die-Namics MFT Stitched Oval Stax #MFT-521

Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black

Large Cat Punch

I stamped the cat & sentiment, using Ranger ink in Jet Black onto Vanilla card

and cut it out, as well as the layer using cobalt and olive, using the dies from the Stitched Oval Stax. Then I glued them together as shown in the picture.  I felt that the card needed a little bit more of something, so I dragged out my large cat punch (manufacturer unknown) and punched two cats out of the cobalt and two from the olive cardstock.  I placed them as if they were running around the center ovals.  

Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you will consider joining us at the Card Chain Challenge (here is the link to the FAQ's).  All you need to do is make a card, following the very easy options, and send it off!  Not only do you get to brighten someone's day, you'll also receive a card and get your day brighter as well! It's a win-win if you ask me ~ Fondly, Christi

I would like to enter my "You're Purr-fect" card into the following challenges:
Addicted to Stamps - #146, Clean and Simple
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Scrappy Land - Use an Image & And Any Die Brand They Sell (Die-Namics)
Fan-Tastic Tuesday - #105, Anything Goes w/ a Twist of Pets
TTCRD - Anything Goes, Sept 29 - Oct 5