Butterflies and Bees!

Let me tell you 'bout the birds and the bees, or is that butterflies....well, maybe I'll just show you this card I made for the Penny Black Saturday challenge (theme was butterflies or bees) http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ , and also for the Caardvarks challenge (which was to use lace)  http://caardvarks.blogspot.com/ this week.
Of course, the stamps are all Penny Black. I used my favorite color, and the faux silk technique that I blogged about a couple of weeks ago (love, love, love that background technique). I dyed the white pearled lace purple by sponging purple ink on it from my purple ink pad.  The image is colored with colored pencil, and I used a stencil to sponge the sky.  If you'd like to see this closer, just click on the picture and it will enlarge...then you can see the faux silk detail in the image part.

And here's the card:

That's it for today.  Hope you can get out and enjoy the SUNSHINE!!!!  What an awesome day...so much to be grateful for.
Blessings and peace, and a very happy Easter!
lynda

Technique Tuesday - Easel Card

This week I want to share this easy card idea with you.  I first saw it on Split Coast Stampers, and fell in love with it.  I'd like to credit Beate Johns for coming up with the technique for the mechanics of the card.
I hadn't gotten around to making one until last week, and when I did, I fell in love with it. It is a card, which, as the name implies, has it's own build-in "easel" so that it stands up.  Well, see for yourself in these two cards I made:

 Cute, huh? Well, they are REALLY easy to make, and VERY addictive.  So, here's how (I'm also including a link to a picture step-by-step tutorial and video on this, as I know I like to actually see the construction process)  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/easelcard .  I recommend making a mock up first:
SUPPLIES:
* One 4 14" x 8 1/2" piece of cardstock (cs)
* One 4 1/4" square piece of cs
* Scoring tool (I love my Martha Stewart scoring tool as it has 1/8" increments, but Scor-Pal, or any other will do)
* Tape runner
* Additional cs for card inside and card front
* Stamps, Ink, Embellishments, Punches

DIRECTIONS:
1. Score the 4 1/4" x 8 1/2" piece of cs at 4 1/4" and 6 3/8".
2. Pre-fold all score lines by folding the card in half first, then folding the second score line (6 3/8") opposite from the 4 1/4" score line.
3. Place cs on table with the 4 1/4" side down. Add tape to the 2 1/8" x 4 1/4" section that is facing up.
4. Line the top of the square piece with the top of the section with the tape from step 3. This creates the easel base.
5. Decorate the card front and the inside.
Tips:  To make the easel card stand up by itself, add embellishments or an extra layer of cs to the inside of your card. In my cards, I added a punched strip to stop the card from sliding down.  Have your layer or embellishment at least 1/3 of the way into the card from the bottom up.

VARIATIONS:
Regular card size (4 1/4" x 5 1/2")
Vertical card - Start out with a 4 1/4" x 11" piece of cs and score at 5 1/2" and 8 1/4". Your card front will measure 4 1/4" x 5 1/2.
Horizontal card - Start out with a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" piece of cs and score at 4 1/4" and 6 3/8". Your card front will measure 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".
Other card sizes - Your easel base will measure two times the height of the card front x the height of the card front. You will score at 1/2 card front height and card front height.  For example - for a 3 x 6" card, start out with a 6" square for your easel base. Score at 3" (height of card) and 1 1/2" (1/2 of height of card).
Hope you'll try these...they are so fun to make, and fun to receive!

Now, dig out those capris...we're going to have a delightful and sunny, warm Easter weekend!  Wooo-hoo!  We're off to Buffalo to be with the kiddos.  Happy, safe, and blessed Easter to all!

Blessings and peace,
lynda

Couple of challenge entries

Just thought I'd share a couple of projects I did for challenges.  First, I did this layout for a challenge/contest over on Treasured Scrapbooking. http://www.treasuredscrapbooking.com/gallerypp/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=527 . It is part of a four week contest, and we had to post an entry each of the four weeks, following specific criteria. This is the final one:

This card is for a challenge over on Card Patterns (Sketch 57 challenge) http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/ .  I also entered it in a Simply Scrapping Crafts. http://simplyscrapping.ning.com/  challenge. I almost feel as though I "cheated," as I only used one itty bitty stamp (cherish)....the rest is paper!!  Sometimes ya just gotta do it...I loved the paper and just HAD to!

See you tomorrow with another Technique Tuesday technique!


Peace and blessings,
lynda

Spring Card

It's Palm Sunday, and in a week we will be celebrating Easter.  To us Christians, Easter is a time of hope, inspiration, and new life.  And spring, too, signifies these things.  As I gaze out my window on this dreary, rainy, and drab afternoon, I'm thankful for a warm, dry home and lots of cheerful, colorful accessories and home decor surrounding me.

My creations lately, also, have been lively in color and cheerful.  I couldn't resist these colors, and made this card for the Hero Arts Easter/Spring challenge on their blog. I love the message, the color, and the bling. Using fun elements and colors on my cards helps me feel energized and hopeful. Winning a challenge or contest is not the important thing, although it would be fun to win some blog candy and be recognized.  The more important thing, however, is the joy I get from the creating, and the joy the recipient will derive from the creations....therein lies the MOST important reason I create.
Blessings and peace (and hope) to you and yours this Easter/Spring season!
lynda

Technique Tuesday - Easter Cards

I thought I'd share a couple of Easter cards with you this week.  Both cards feature Penny Black stamps and water color.  I stamped several images in the background, inking the stamp, then stamping off on scrap paper first, so the images in the background would be light.  I love this technique, as it gives the paper some interest, without actually distracting from the main element.  I use this a lot on cards, and even on scrapbook pages. 

To color the chick, I used Berol Prismacolor markers, and a paint brush.  I simply rubbed some colors onto a palette and used them as watercolor.  I kept embellishments at a minimum, which is highly unusual for me....trying to stretch myself a little.  I did add some glitter to the hat and flowers...it doesn't show up well in the pictures, though.

That's it for this week's technique Tuesday.  I'll post later in the week....working on a couple of cards for my secret sister, and some challenges.  Stop back soon and check it out!

Blessings and peace,

lynda

Two challenges - one card

 Do you like challenges?  I LOVE to enter challenges and contests.  I have been having fun making cards and scrapbook pages for different challenges for groups I am in online.  There are many sites that host challenges.  Some are sketch challenges, where you follow a sketch; some are themes, colors, or other requirements.  I love the Card Patterns Sketch challenges, which I found recently, and the Cards Blog challenge, which I also just found.

I made this card for the Card Patterns Sketch 55 here http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/ .

As I checked for other challenges, I found the Cards Blog challenge here http://northridgemedia.net/blogs/cards/, which was to make a card with a bird or birds.  I used the peacock so I could also use it for that challenge.   I love when a single project can be used for two or more challenges!

The stamp is by The Stamping Bug.  I embossed it in gold, colored with markers and Dove Blending pen.  I put slits in tail with craft knife and inserted colored feathers in the tail, and along the plume on his head.

I really had a lot of fun with this card.  It has my favorite colors, and the peacock stamp is so pretty.

Hope you are enjoying this mild weather and longer days!!! Yay, more time for stamping and scrap booking!!

Blessings and peace,

lynda

Technique Tuesday - Faux Silk

 I'm really excited to share this week's technique with you.  It is called faux silk, because it looks as though you stamped your images on silk fabric. Here's how it's done;

Start with a piece of white tissue paper slightly larger than the panel of white card stock it will be mounted to. Stamp an image onto the tissue.  I colored this image with markers, then stamped it. You can also stamp an outline image and color in with pencils or markers.

Wad up the tissue paper into a tight ball. Then open it up carefully so you do not tear it, and flatten it out until it is crinkly (not totally smooth, so it still has some crinkles).

Use glue stick and apply glue onto white cardstock panel.  Adhere stamped tissue paper.

Turn piece over, and wrap edges of tissue to back.  Adhere to card and finish as desired.  In the card above, I used the piece as is.

In this card, I used a Spellbinder's Nestabilities template to cut the image into a circle.  I also sponged some pink ink onto the white, to tone it down a bit and add some color.

I hope you will try this technique.  It's fun, easy, and the look is very elegant.  

Blessings and peace,

lynda

Penny Black Saturday Challenge

I had a wonderful day of stamping with a friend today.  It may have been gloomy outside, but we had lots of fun in the house.  Got some cards made, and a layout for another challenge.  I made this card for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge here http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ .  The PB challenges are fun, easy, and there are prizes. All you need to do is make a card or project, be sure to use at least one Penny Black stamp on it, and upload it through the linky thing in their blog. 

Stop back Tuesday for a tutorial on how I made this card....it's called faux silk.  I'll have the directions and pictures of each step in my Technique Tuesday post on Tuesday, along with another card made with the same technique.

Hope you have a great week.

Peace and blessings,

lynda

Me and My Friends

I created this layout for a challenge over on A Few Of My Favorite Things blog here http://whatisyourfavething.blogspot.com/   The challenge was to make a layout or card about a couple of your friends.  I like this idea, and plan to do layouts of all my friends.  It will be great to look at them and remember all the wonderful blessings in my life!!

Here's my entry:

Here's each page individually:

Happy Friday everybody!  Enjoy your weekend....even though we're getting liquid sunshine.  But at least it will melt the SNOW!!  Yay....spring is on the way!

Peace and blessings,
lynda

It's A Beautiful Day

I was craving spring this morning, and challenged myself to make a card using colors I don't normally use. I must say, I think I may use these colors again....I really like the way they work together.  I used my Tsukineko The Essential Glue Pad to stamp the image, then sprinkled on orange glitter.  I know.....me - orange?  Yep, it's mine, and I did use orange.  I feel like Mikey on the tv commercial....I like it!  Here it is:

And, yes, it was a GORGEOUS day here.  Hope you were able to get out and enjoy it.

Blessings and peace,
lynda

Easy Paper Effects

I found this great technique sheet on Splitcoaststampers.  It features tearing, folding, and weaving, and has samples of each along with the directions.  These ideas have been around, but sometimes it's great to refresh our memories.  Hope you'll try some of these ideas.

Here's a link to the directions:  http://www.stampersmall.com/artists_corner/Easy_Paper_Effects.as 

CARDS AND INSTRUCTIONS BY BECKY CHABOT

 

 

 

I've been busy entering challenges and contests.  Stop back in a couple of days and I'll post some of my new projects.
Hope you're having a great week.
Peace and blessings,
lynda

Technique Tuesday - Distressed Crumpled Paper

It's good to be home, for sure, but I did get a lot of pages made at the crop over the weekend. I returned exhausted, but happy to have had some time to do nothing but scrapbook and stamp for three nights and two full days! Haven't done much since I got home Sunday afternoon. Worked Monday, ran errands and cleaned and put away all my "stuff" from the crop today. Work tomorrow....maybe tomorrow night I'll get a chance to get back in my craft room.
Today's TT post is about crumpling and distressing paper.  The pink and green panel on this card started out as a piece of ivory card stock. 

Here's how it's done:

• Crumple cardstock, paper, or decorative paper into a tight ball. Open and crumple again.
• Smooth crumpled piece so that there are still some raised ridges.
• Rub stamp pad over this piece, getting color on the ridges. Don't press too hard, as you want the "valleys" to remain inkless.
• Crumple piece again. Open and smooth out piece. If you are happy with the look, you are finished. You can add more ink and repeat above steps if more color is needed.
• Optional: Repeat above steps with second color.
• Optional: After first inking, try spritzing with a fine mist of water before re-crumpling. This softens the ink and gives a more diffused look. That is what I did with the panel on the above card.
• Smooth until flat (can be pressed with an iron if desired). 

On these scrapbook pages, I used distress ink and decorative scrapbook paper. I like the distressed, rough look of the crumpled, distressed background papers after I did this technique on them. It adds to the playful feel of the page, with Keeley in her overall shorts.

 

 

This is a really fun technique. It can be very addictive, so set aside some time. You'll want to distress everything!
Enjoy!
Peace and blessings,
lynda

Productive Crop Last Weekend - Pics of my pages

It was a wonderful and very productive weekend for me. I attended a scrapbooking crop at Palmyra Inn with my friend Karen. We got to spend time with Bridget, Danielle, and Jackie and Jana, from the former Paper Garden.  A great time was had by all, and we got lots of cards and scrapbook pages made.  I thought I'd share my accomplishments.

  

Faith, Dan, and Keeley about three years ago

Two page layout of the cutest ever flower girl

 

  

Sweet, sweet granddaughter two page layout

 

  

Keeley helping in Nana's garden (two page layout)

 

 The then 3 year old Keeley eating bananas

 

 dd's high school graduation 

 

 Keeley's first Easter - 3 months old

 

I also made eight 8 x 8 pages for dd's friend's baby album, but haven't taken pics of them yet.  

So, that's it.  It was fun, and I feel like I got a lot done. Can't wait till the next one.  Hope you enjoy them.

Blessings and peace, 

lynda

Prima Marketing Big News Coming Soon

Check out the Prima Marketing blog for some exciting news coming soon!  I don't know what it is yet, but here's a link to their blog:  http://prima.typepad.com/prima/ .
They promise it's something BIG, so I will definitely be checking it out.  There are lots of great page layouts on this blog, so check it out soon for some great ideas.

Blessings and peace,
lynda

Technique Tuesday - Embossing on Ribbon

Last week, Hero Arts blog featured ribbon and all the wonderful things you can do with it on cards and scrapbook pages.  I especially liked the day they embossed on ribbon, so I thought I'd share it here with you.  Just click on this link  http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/2010/02/17/embossing-on-ribbonwith-a-video/   to read the article, see the samples, and even watch a how-to video with all the details on how you can emboss on your ribbons.
Here are a couple of the cards they highlighted on the blog:

Happy Birthday card by Kelly Rasmussin

 Glad you're in my life card by Jennifer McGuire

I'm sure you will agree, these cards are stunning!  I do hope you will check out the HA blog soon to find out how to do this, (be sure to watch the video) and try it for yourself.

I was packing last night and spaced it on the TT post for the blog!!  Got so involved in what I am going to bring to the weekend crop I'm going to with my friend Karen that the evening just got away from me. Yep, just dreaming of two full days and nights of non-stop (or stopping whenever I want and re-starting whenever I want) scrapbooking and stamping!  Woo-hoo!  We're leaving 7:30 AM Friday, and coming home Sunday.  Now hopefully the weather will cooperate!!

Hope you, too, have something fun planned for the weekend. At least carve out a little time for yourself to do some stamping, scrapping, or just playing!

Blessings and peace,

lynda

Custom Make Your Own Envelopes!

Have you ever made a card that wouldn't fit into any of the envelopes you have on hand?  How about a very special card that just needs a very special envelope? 

Well, it really is easy to make your own envelopes.  You can, of course, use an envelope template. There are many to choose from, in all shapes and sizes.  But, I think it's just as easy, if not easier, to make your own.  I've been doing it for years, and teaching it at the store.  No template, no pattern.  The beauty is that no matter what size your card is, you can make an envelope to fit it.

I found this tutorial on lkeener's blog, which is exactly how I have been making mine.  I am still a little techy-challenged, and lack the know-how to put together great tutorials, so I will link to her tutorial here on how to make an envelope of any size.  Here's the link:  http://scrapinator.blogspot.com/2009/03/easy-peasy-3-minute-envelope.html .

Use those odd pieces of paper that come in the paper packs, use maps, calendar pages, magazine pages, newspaper. patterned paper, stamped paper, even flower catalogs to make your envelopes.  Now your envelope can match your card!

Hope you're keeping cozy and warm! 

Blessings and peace,

lynda

Shamrock

My non-Irish eyes were smiling as I made this card for a swap I'm in through the Hero Arts Flickr group.  Just finished it and will be mailing it out today.  Hope you enjoy it, and get inspired to start thinking GREEN!!!

If you like swaps, consider joining us next time.  Just join the Hero Arts Flickr group and watch for Deborah Nolan's posts.  Here is her website if you would like to check it out.  She's witty, charming, creative, very, very talented, and just plain fun...hope you'll check out her site and play along next time http://dominodebi.typepad.com/sos/ .

Here's my card

OK, so now start THINKING GREEN!!

Hubby and I are off to Buffalo, where it's not so green right now....ever more snow than we have here in Rochester! Believe it or not!  Faith and Dan are off for their honeymoon on a cruise to Jamaica, while we get to watch Keeley until Monday, when I have to go back to work in the afternoon!  But she'll be in good hands with Dan's folks and lots of friends, too.  Hope we don't have to do too much shoveling!!  Just lots and lots of games, puzzles, hide and seek, coloring, stamping with Keeley, and fun!  Maybe she and I will even bake some cookies, cuz Keeley says that
"Nana makes the BEST cookies EVER!"

With that, I'll bid you adieu!

Blessings and peace,

lynda

Technique Tuesday - Scrunchy Flowers

Scrunchy Flowers Tutorial
I saw this flower as I was looking for flower tutorials online, and really like the way it is slightly scrunchy, and so pretty.  I found this tutorial on how to make them by Ilina Crouse on her blog here:  http://ilinacrouse.blogspot.com/2010/01/scrunchy-fancy-flower-tutorial.html 
It so pretty isn't it?  I will be making lots of these, and trying different papers.  Music sheets would be nice, or how about some pretty scrapbook papers, or your own hand-stamped papers.  A large crystal would also be pretty in the center. 
What a gorgeous embellishment for a card.  How about three or more of them on a scrapbook page?  Hmmm, with Valentine's Day coming right up, I'm thinking they would be pretty on a Valentine's card!


Try these, they're easy and fun to make, and I'm sure you find lots of uses for them!


Blessings and peace,
lynda
 

Sharing a challenge card

Thought I'd share a card I just finished up this afternoon for a challenge for Card Patterns weekly card sketch challenge here http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/ .  There are some fabulous card makers participating on this blog.  Hope you will stop by there to check it out.  Very inspirational.
This was the sketch....

 

And here is my "take" on the sketch, my finished card.....

 

I used Printworks stamps, and Basic Grey papers, and my new Fleur de lis die from  Spellbinders.  Check out the link above to see some of the awesome entries for this challenge, as well as their past challenges.  Maybe you'll try one yourself soon!

Blessings,

lynda

Technique Tuesday - Glitter and Sticker Paper

I just love this season of Valentines.  Hearts are everywhere....Valentine candy is plentiful....and sweethearts are planning their special Valentine's treats and activities.

As card makers, this is a really fun season to make cards and projects for.  We get to use our pretty papers, heart shaped punches and dies, reds, pinks, and stamps with cute little critters with hearts and flowers.  For me, making Valentine's cards means BLING!   Out comes my glitter and shimmery paints and pens, glitter glue, and crystals.  Valentines and glitter just GO together!!

I had so much fun making this card, using my heart punch, vellum, glitter, and sticker paper:

 

Here's how I did it:

• Trim vellum with scallop blade on paper trimmer.  Use glue pen to trace hearts, then sprinkle with glitter.  Add to card front when dry.
• Punch double hearts in center of red cardstock scrap.  Align smaller square scallop punch or die cut and punch out square with hearts in center.  Set aside.
• Adhere double-sticker paper to white cardstock scraps.  Punch out larger square with square scallop punch or die cut. 
• Peel protective paper from the white square, revealing sticky surface.  Adhere red punched square with hearts onto white square.  The heart openings and outside border will be sticky.
• Dip pieces into multi ultra-fine glitter.  The glitter will stick to the hearts and border where the sticky paper is!
• Assemble card.

Easy, isn't it!!  

Hope you're enjoying this season of love!

Blessings and peace,

lynda