MWT Challenge - Fall

Yes the calendar on the wall says it's Independence Day weekend... but the OWH calendar says it's time to start digging out fall stamps and papers. Here is a Fall themed card that I included in my shipment yesterday. Choosing a general sentiment means it can be used for just about any occasion.

From the front view this card appears to fold at the top but as you can see in the side view it really opens on it's side. I like the look of vertical layouts but practically it's just easier when it comes time to tuck the cards into envelopes if they open on their side, so this is my happy compromise.

Happy Crafting Everyone!

Summer Fun

A quick card share from my just about completely full box of cards. These will likely be the last of the summery cards as we start to move towards Fall themes. Both of these images are older StampinUp.

 

Happy Crafting Everyone!

 

I Love You

I often have difficulty making love cards that aren't super feminine. Which probably isn't all that unusual but when I first bought this stamp I knew it would become my 'go to stamp' for creating love cards that were a bit more on the masculine side or gender neutral at the very least.

Stamp -  Inkadinkado • Embossing Folder - Tim Holtz "Collage"

Happy Crafting Everyone!

Almost Done

I have been working on filling a nice big box of cards to send off to Dixie and these are a couple of masculine designs that will be included.

I do have some masculine images in my stamp collection like the old train shown here but I most often find the easiest way to create masculine cards is to rely on nice papers and a simple sentiment. This "Just For You" sentiment by Stampin Up is among my current favorites.

I enjoy loading up a card with frills and embellishments as much as anyone but creating clean and simple cards can be just as rewarding so long as you take your time and give it as much consideration as you would any card.

Happy Crafting Everyone!

Back To School

I'm not sure if this is technically a "Back To School" card but I think it's in the general theme and since it could be used at anytime I won't have to worry about getting it mailed in time for any specific deadline.

The yellow paper is from a legal pad but then glued to cardstock to give it some body. The background paper is from an older DCWV stack and the stamps are a combination of an old Stampin Up set and Hero Arts (I think) for the Hello sentiment.

Happy Crafting Everyone!

Sketch Challenge #73

Here's my interpretation of this week's OWH Sketch. I particularly like "angled" cut this sketch calls for and I didn't fret too much about exact measurements. It has definitely inspired me to using more angled pieces in my cards.

Happy Crafting Everyone!

Thanksgivng Already?

Making cards for OWH is a lot like working in retail because you need to prepare well in advance you are perpetually thinking about Easter in December, Christmas in July and Thanksgiving in June. 

I'm not yet into "Fall Mode" but I wanted to participate in the MWT so I went to one of my stand-by, favorite images. This Turkey Chef from Elizabeth O. Dulemba,  If you are not already familiar with her work be sure to check out her site and join her weekly email list, she is a super talented illustrator. I find my desire to "color" comes and goes in waves but this image is just so much fun it's worth the effort.

On another note this is the first photo I've taken in  my new "light tent cube". I had created my own "light box" pictured here from a cardboard box.

 

It's easy to do and you can find detailed directions on many sites online. Basically, I just cut open 3 sides of the box and then covered the openings by taping a sheet of white tissue over them to diffuse the lighting and then I taped white cardboard to the inside to provide a bright background. The cardboard box style works well and is an virtually free option.

The new light tent cube has one major benefit to me in that my crafting & storage space is extremely limited and much like those 'pop up' laundry totes it open and closes in moments and stores in a very small space. I found mine on Ebay for about $25 (it came with a red, blue, black & white back drop that attaches quickly with the built-in velcro tabs) but an internet search will yield many results.

Happy Crafting Everyone!

Purple & Green MWT Color Challenge

This week's MWT Challenge is a Color Challenge to use green & purple.  Though I made these over the weekend I am just now getting them posted and making the MWT just under the wire as a new one will be posted tomorrow.

There are several blogs that host color challenges on a regular basis (one of the best I've seen is The Play Date Café) and even though I don't enter many I always enjoy checking them out for inspiration. 


Happy Crafting Everyone!

Sketch Challenge #72 Recipe

I was delighted to provide a sample card for this week's OWH Sketch Challenge #72. For those of you interested in some of the details here they are:

Papers: DCWV ~ Sentiment: Stampendous Acrylic 

Punches: Stampin Up - Word Window and Modern Label

Flower Punch : Martha Stewart Chrysanthemum

If you need some creative inspiration you can find a new sketch posted every Sunday at the OWH Stars & Stamps blog or you can find the complete collection here.

Happy Crafting Everyone!

Working on The Second Million

Here are a couple more cards for my next shipment to Dixie. I know that card donations drop-off a bit in Summer and it's my goal to try to not let mine fall by the wayside.

I've actually started to make up kits for my own use. Kits mean I can take a really small amount of stuff with me and yet make cards just about anywhere... the patio, a friends house or even a picnic table in the park.

Happy Crafting Everyone!