Miss You - Free Sentiment Digi

Hello! I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving. I count all my crafty online friends and fellow OWH card makers among the many things I am thankful for.

Well... my intention of trying to get back to making more regular posts hasn't been as successful as I'd hoped. I miss card making and blogging a lot and some days I feel like I've entered into an alternate reality after having reached a point where I'd been posting every day for months. My card share today uses a digital sentiment that I created to share with you. I thought this would be a good one for OWH cards, since Missing You sentiments always seem to be on the 'current needs' list. The script does make it a little fancy and formal but not so much so, I hope, that you can't use it for a guy card. You can't really perceive it in this photo but the little heart is covered in glossy accents and popped up with a tiny bit of foam tape and the background paper also has some glossy areas, the off-white pattern is actually shiny in person.

Patterned Paper  ~ J'Adore 6x6 pad from First Edition • Crepe Ribbon ~ Paperwishes

Here's the digital sentiment if you'd like to have it.

Just remember that you may use my freebies in any of your personal crafting projects but if you'd like to share it with others I ask that you post a link back to this post so that they can come and download it and see this usage policy. Please do not sell it in any form, repost it,  pin it or claim it as your own. If you want to pin my card, please do and then you will always be able to find your way back to the digi when you're ready to use it. Just click on it and then use the 'download linked file' or 'save as' command to save it to your computer. 


On a personal note, I've finished my first ever website design. I've done freelance design for quite a few years but didn't have a site until now and in 2013 having a website is an absolute must for any business no matter how small. When I was studying design at Parsons in 1987, computer technology in the graphic design arena was still in its infancy and now it seems that in addition to understanding traditional design most every job in the industry requires a whole heap of computer coding and web development skills. It's absolutely bewildering how fast things have evolved and I'd be lying if I didn't say I've had some moments lately where it's making me feel very old. LOL! While I don't have any interest in becoming a computer programmer I am interested in finding a way to expand my skills and make the leap into doing more web related work. If you're so inclined, stop on over (www.desmarsol.com) and let me know what you think.

Happy Crafting!

Winter Subway Art

I love typography and have for as long as I can remember. I think it probably started in the 7th grade, when Mrs. Resnick, my art teacher taught me calligraphy. It definitely continued when I had the good fortune to study typography for a couple of semesters under the guidance of Martin Solomon at Parson's School of Design. (He really knew type, and you know his work. The typographical logos he designed for Hyundai, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco, Fisher Price, and Volvo Automobiles are recognized worldwide).

A conversation taking place on the OWH Facebook Wall in the past couple of days got me thinking about Subway Art and led me to sit down and create this piece. Once it was complete making this card was a matter of printing the graphic and adding a layer and some shimmering ribbon. The embossing folder is called Snowflakes and is by Cuttlebug.

My work keeps me at the computer for most of the day but when I'm designing something for myself it's a totally different experience than when I'm working on a project for a client. I thoroughly enjoy the freedom that comes with not having to worry about pleasing a group of people with divergent tastes and not having to justify why something should be done one way and not another. That being said I you don't have to love type as much as I do,  but if you like Subway Art, here's the graphic for you to use and I do hope you like it. 

Just remember that you may use my freebies in any of your personal crafting projects but if you'd like to share it with others I ask that you post a link back to this post so that they can come and download it and see this usage policy. Please do not sell it in any form, repost it,  pin it or claim it as your own. If you want to pin my card, please do and then you will always be able to find your way back to the digi when you're ready to use it. Just click on it and then use the 'download linked file' or 'save as' command to save it to your computer. 

Happy Crafting!

You Are My Favorite Thought - Fusion #15 and a Free Chalkboard Digi Sentiment

It's time for another Fusion Card Challenge and when I first saw the inspiration photo I knew that I wanted to incorporate the chalkboard look. The chalkboard technique is a a very hot trend and you can find lots of tutorials on the web if you've haven't already given it a try. I have tried it several times and after a couple of attempts was happy with the results but I started thinking that there were probably a lot of people who liked the look but who might not have the supplies, the patience (heat embossing is almost always a 'hit or miss' proposition for me) or even the right stamps. One thing led to another and I decided I could create the look in a digi, which is what I ultimately used to make my card.

I printed this digi on bright white card stock on my very basic Epson inkjet printer and I am offering it here today for your personal use. I hope you enjoy it.

Just remember that you may use my freebies in any of your personal crafting projects but if you'd like to share it with others I ask that you post a link back to this post so that they can come and download it and see this usage policy. Please do not sell it in any form, pin it, repost it or claim it as your own. If you want to pin my card, please do and then you will always be able to find your way back to the digi when your ready to use it. Just click on it and then use the 'download linked file' or 'save as' command to save it to your computer. 

I ultimately decided to go with a Fusion of both the image and the sketch but you are allowed to use one or the other, or both in your design, so it's really three options rolled into one challenge. If you haven't played along yet in the Fusion Challenges I highly recommend checking them out. I think it's one of the very best challenge blogs around.

Happy Crafting!

SUPPLIES USED: 

STAMPS: Chalkboard Digi Sentiment, Watercolor Garden(Stampin Up - Retired)

INKS: Gumdrop Green,Grape Jelly (MFT), Chestnut Roan (Colorbox) - Distressing

PAPER: Recollections Solids (Michael's), World Traveler (Teresa Collins), Scraps

DIES: Fishtail Flag Stax (MFT)

OTHER: Woodgrain Embossing Folder (Paper Studio), Jute 

BASICS: Click HERE to check out my crafting tool bag.

Tuesday Trigger: Scene in Tangerine

Image Credit

As soon as I saw this great inspiration photo I knew I wanted in on this Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger - 'Scene in Tangerine' challenge. Photo inspiration challenges are always fun because they can spark so many varied approaches and I enjoy seeing them all.

The bright citrus colors automatically made me think of an old, but much loved Stampin' Up set in my collection called Citrus and Such. I also knew that I had created a sentiment with one of my all-time favorite sayings that would work for this so a big part of my design was decided in just the first few minutes of seeing the image and this is the card I ultimately created.

I used some of the smaller stamps in the set to create my background, a larger lemon slice and some die cut leaves to help draw some attention to my digitally printed sentiment and some bright yellow ribbon to finish it off. 

Here's the sentiment... just remember that you may use my freebies in any of your personal crafting projects but if you'd like to share it with others I ask that you post a link back to this post so that they can come and download it and see this usage policy. Please do not sell it in any form, pin it, repost it or claim it as your own. Just click on it and then use the 'download linked file' or 'save as' command to save it to your computer.

Happy Crafting!



SUPPLIES USED: 
STAMPS: Citrus & Such (Stampin Up), Sentiment Digi (mine - you can download it here)
PAPER: Accent Opaque Smooth 80# White, Recollections Solids (Michael's)
INKS: Lemon Drop, Orange Fizz & Sour Apple (My Favorite Things)
DIES: Labels Eighteen (Spellbinders), Royal Leaves (My Favorite Things)
OTHER: Grosgrain Ribbon (Michael's)
BASICS: BASICS: Click HERE to check out my crafting tool bag.

Gallery Idol 2013 - Round 2 - "Defining Dad"

Today marks the beginning of Round #2 of the 2013 Gallery Idol Contest. The theme for this round is 'Defining Dad'. Voting starts on Monday, June 3rd at noon and ends on Thursday June 6th. You can cast a vote over at the PaperCrafts Contest Page  or just click on the 'Vote For me' link in my blog sidebar and it will take you right to my card. You can use your Facebook account to sign-in or create a user login if you prefer. The 15 designers with the highest votes for their cards will move on to Round #3 next week.

I spent quite a bit of time 'thinking' about this before I ultimately pulled out supplies and sat down to create what I was envisioning. I created rough sketches for 3 ideas and then walked away from them for a day. When I went back to them it was clear to me that this was the one I wanted to create and enter. 

My father was not a man who could really be defined by any of his hobbies or his occupation so as my mind started churning on this assignment I found myself brainstorming words but no real imagery. I've always been a big fan of typography in all forms and hence find myself attracted to both 'subway' and 'chalkboard' styles of art and that is what led to this design.

As is bit more obvious in this photo, the DAD letters and the star are dimensional.  The DAD letters were cut on my Silhouette Cameo and I fussy cut the red star from a red glitter card stock (Martha Stewart). Both the letters and star were layered a couple of times to get the dimension I was aiming for.

Now before any of my fellow OWHers get concerned this card does not meet OWH guidelines. I created it specifically for this contest and besides it's waaaay past the deadline for Father's Day cards as you all know! :)

I created the text panel for the card using 5 different font families (Helvetica Neue, Impact, Thornburi, Stencil Bold and Passing Notes) and I am sharing it with you here today in case you'd like to make a card with it. This graphic is missing the word DAD and the star so that you can personalize it in whatever way you like. You could use chipboard letters, stickers or even alphabet stamps, and the embellishment of your choice. You could even put a short first name in that space too... get creative, have some fun with it and be sure to let me know so I can come visit and see what you've done!

As always feel free to use my freebies in any of your crafting projects. Post a link back here if you'd like to share it but please do not sell it, repost it or claim it as your own. Just click on it and then use the 'download linked file' or 'save as' command to save it to your computer.

I hope you like this card and I am honored to be among such a group of talented designers in this contest. At the risk of sounding like a politician I would of course love your support and your vote but regardless of whether I am back for another challenge round I'm thrilled to have been chosen in the Top 20 and happy that you took the time to pay my blog a visit today!

Happy Crafting!

A One Print Card Kit & Blog Candy

I'm going to try to keep this post from getting incredibly long. There are 2 things I have to share today the first is a small gift from me to you for paying my blog a visit during the OWH Memorial Day Blog Hop and it's something I'm calling a 'One Print Card Kit'. Essentially it's a one page PDF that contains various elements that you can combine into a card design. Here are a few of the cards I made with it.

The sentiment in this is from the Stampers Best - OWH Fundraiser stamp set
called My Hero Sentiments

Most of the elements in all of these are part of the kit though I did use some twine, a couple of toothpicks, ribbon and a few solid papers too.

A few quick tips...

• I printed my sheets on card stock which I think makes it easier to cut.

• I 'thickened' my buttons by gluing together a few layers of card stock.

• The buttons are sized so you can use a 1" and 1.25" punch on them.

• Make sure your printer is set to print the PDF at 100% on  8 1/2 x 11 Paper

• Every printer is different so experiment with different papers and settings.

You can download the file HERE. The file will open in a new window and you can download it by clicking the arrow at the top left corner of the screen. I hope you enjoy using it in your crafting projects and simply ask that you post a link back here if you'd like to share it but please do not sell it, repost it or claim it as your own. You may reproduce this at a local copy shop in large quantities for use at card parties and personal use but not for resale, please.  I would LOVE to see what YOU make with it!

Now on to the BLOG CANDY! I am giving away to one randomly drawn winner the  crafting goodies pictured below along with some other surprises AND 2 stamp sets of your choice from my TAG SALE page. Simply include your email address in a comment on THIS post and I will know you want to be included.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Crafting!

VCMP Challenge #5 & A Free Digi Sentiment

Here is my entry for the last challenge yesterday. The challenge is  to use up a 12x12 sheet of paper to make 6 cards with sketch #63 . Though I have been making more one-of-a-kind designs so far this year, cutting a stack of 12x12 sheets down and storing them pre-cut is my typical mode of operation and I find making 6 identical cards is enough to make me productive without my getting bored of them.

Challenge #5 - Sketch #63
Hosted by Leslie at The Crooked Stamper

Paper is by K&Co. (Boy Scout Stack) • Sentiment is my own design (see below)

I've been recently playing around with designing some sentiments that use type and type embellishments. I've actually had some red rubber stamps made from designs I've done in the past and once I have enough to fill a 4x6 sheet of rubber I plan to do the same with this set. I thought I'd share one here as a digi with you today. 

As always feel free to use my freebies in any of your crafting projects. Post a link back here if you'd like to share it but please do not sell it, repost it or claim it as your own. Just click on it and then use the 'save as' command to save it to your computer.

I hope you're enjoying the VCMP as much as I am... now on to today's challenges.

Happy Crafting!

Any Hero Mail

Every so often I will use a crafting session to make cards to use for Any Hero Mail. I love patriotic themes and red, white and blue so I enjoy making them. When it comes to writing notes of thanks though a handmade card is not required and since Any Hero Mail is particularly short during the summer months for my last shipment I included a larger than normal stack, written on some pre-printed cards and postcards.

I saw an advertisement last week that inspired this graphic that I sized to be perfect for an A2 card and thought I'd share it with everyone here today. You can position it 2 per page so all you need to do is cut it and fold to make a quick card or even 4 per page to make it  a postcard, but I think I will be matting and layering mine to make it just a bit nicer.

As always feel free to use my freebies in any of your crafting projects. Post a link back here if you'd like to share it but please do not sell it, repost it or claim it as your own. Just click on it and then use the 'save as' command to save it to your computer.

Happy Crafting Everyone!

Sunny Day Free Digi Set

The big Spring & Summer OWH holiday deadlines have passed which means it's time to make some nice everyday cards for our heroes to use this summer. I thought it was about time I made some cards with this digi set I created a while back.

Below is the set in both an uncolored and pre-colored version. As always feel free to use my freebies in any of your crafting projects. Post a link back here if you'd like to share it but please do not sell it, repost it or claim it as your own. Just click on it and then use the 'save as' command to save it to your computer.

Happy Crafting Everyone!

Sketch Challenge #113

Sunday is sketch day at the OWH Stars & Stamps blog and I actually managed to play along for the first time in quite a few weeks. Here's what I came up with.

I created the sentiment in this card from a famous quote and I'm including it as a digi here in case you would like it. While I don't think this is one I'd use for a lot of OWH cards it could probably be used for several different occasions so I'll probably make 3-4 for my next box.

As always feel free to use my freebies in any of your crafting projects. Post a link back here if you'd like to share it but please do not sell it, repost it or claim it as your own. Just click on it and then use the 'save as' command to save it to your computer.

Happy Crafting Everyone!

Love You Mom Free Digi

I'm working on a box of cards for the OWH Mother's Day Half & Half Challenge and created a digi that I'd like to share. It's based on a common design concept of replacing a character with an object. Here are some of the ideas I came up with.

Now here is the digi for you to have some fun with. As always feel free to use my freebies in any of your crafting projects. Post a link back here if you'd like to share it but please do not sell it, repost it or claim it as your own. Just click on it and then use the 'save as' command to save it to your computer.

Happy Crafting Everyone!

Back in the Saddle & A Free Thank You Sentiment

Getting started again after the holidays has not been easy this year but I finally did manage to make 6 thank you cards this weekend. Each card used the same clip art image and sentiment but the designs were all a bit different from one another. Here are two of them.

The sentiment is one I created myself quite some time ago. I like creating sentiments like this one that work easily with standard punches. Here it is if you'd like it...

As always feel free to use my freebies in any of your crafting projects. Post a link back here if you'd like to share it but please do not sell it, repost it or claim it as your own. Just click on it and then use the 'save as' command to save it to your computer.

Happy Crafting Everyone!