Sarai: Huggabugg Birthday

Here's a sweet yellow and pink card I made for 

my grand niece who recently turned 1. I used 

Stamping Bella's "cuppycake with a Huggabugg on top!"

I've been experimenting with various water colour techniques. 

(with limited success, LOL!!) I started with water coloured paper 

and used Hibiscus Burst and Harvest Gold inks to create a 'smooshed' background panel. 

I cut an oval from the center of the card front to use 

for the main focal panel. The remainder of the front was 

stamped with Birthday Style confetti using Hibiscus Burst 

and Harvest Gold over the smooshed background.

The oval piece was mounted onto a double mat of 

Harvest Gold and Hibicus Burst. 

Huggabug and cupcake images were stamped, 

coloured with copics and fussy cut so it could be 

attached to the main focal panel.  

The base of the cupcake was paper pierced using 

a striped paper from my scrap bin.

The sentiment (Stylish Sentiments: Birthday)  

was stamped with black ink.

Inside

Confetti and Swags:

Birthday Style

Sentiments

Big Birthday Wishes & Polka Dot Alphabet

Supplies (Papertrey Ink, unless noted)
Stamps - Stamping Bella's "cuppycake with a Huggabugg on top!"
Stylish Sentiments: Birthday,  
Birthday Style, Big Birthday Wishes, Polka Dot Alphabet
Inks - Hibiscus Burst, Harvest Gold, Spring Rain; Memento Tuxedo Black 
Papers - Stamper's Select White, Hibiscus Burst, Harvest Gold,
Watercolour paper; striped patterned paper
Dies - Nestabilities:Classic Ovals
Other - S
Thanks for visiting today.
Karen C.

Rosalyn's 2nd Birthday

 Here's a fun and colourful birthday card I made for my 2 year grand niece. I  used  "cuppycake with a HUGGABUG ON TOP"(Stamping Bella); stamps and die cuts from Make It Market Kit:Shakers & Sprinkles (Papertrey Ink).

Card stock and Inks: Hibiscus Burst, Limeade Ice & Hawaiian Shores

 I had seen some shaker cards made with an acetate pouch and thought I would try that technique. However, the confetti sprinkles didn't really 'shake' inside the pouch, so I decided to glue the multicolour circles onto the background card. (Stitched Rectangles) which I had prepared with ink blending and stamped sentiment.  The top acetate layer was stitched to the card with white embroidery floss.

The cupcake image was stamped, coloured with copic markers and then fussy cut before attaching to the front of the 'shaker' panel.The word die was cut from Hibiscus Burst card stock. The card front was stamped with the confetti from Birthday Style, before adhering the shaker panel.

I repeated the confetti stamping on the inside of the card and then added a Stitched Rectangle with the sentiment. (Big Birthday Wishes)

Here's the finished card, envelope and gift ready for the birthday girl!!

Envelope|: Polka Dot Parade Alphabet; Heart-2-Heart #2

Thanks for visiting today.
Karen C.

A Magical Birthday

My sweet grand niece, Polly, turned 3 this week 

so I made her a fun shaker card to celebrate! 

*  I started by stamping and heat embossing the sentiment with 

Versamark and black embossing powder onto white card stock. 

* The *star* (Framed Out #6) was stamped repeatedly onto the card front 

with Canyon Clay, Summer Sunrise, Harvest Gold, Limeade Ice, New Leaf Ink. 

* The Woodgrain Impression Plate was used to create texture. 

  The corners of the card front and card base (Summer Sunrise)

were rounded to give a softer look to the finished card.

* The Tag Sale #8 die was cut and stamped to match the background. 

* An acrylic "window" and small yellow seed beads were used to create 
the shaker element. This was adhered to the front with foam tape.

* Kenya Ketto (Stamping Bella) was stamped, coloured with copic 
markers and then fussy cut. I positioned her so that the wand  
(with a star accent) overlaps the window and points to the sentiment.  
This was also attached with foam dimensional tape.

* Inside: 

* White card stock was stamped with a border 

of *stars* and the sentiment (Polka Dot Parade #5). 

* The number '3' was die cut from patterned paper;

'rd' (Movers & Shakers) was stamped with New Leaf ink.

Card Details  (PTI, unless noted)
Stamps - Stamping Bella: Kenya Ketto; C.C.Designs: Magical Birthday; 
Framed Out #6, Polka Dot Parade #5, Movers and Shakers Sentiments,
Inks - Memento: Tuxedo Black; Versamark; 
Canyon Clay, Summer Sunrise, Harvest Gold, Limeade Ice, New Leaf
Paper - Summer Sunrise, Stamper's Select White; Recollections: Bold Brights Paper Pad.
Dies - PTI: Tag Sale #8 Die, By the Numbers
Other Supplies - Stampendous Detail Black Embossing Powder; copic markers; corner rounder;
Woodgrain Impression Plate;   acrylic sheet;  seed beads,  amber adhesive star; 3D Foam Tape.

Thanks for visiting today.
Karen C.

A Few of My Favourites: 2013

At the end of each year many bloggers share some of their 

favourite cards and projects. Here are 12 of my favs from 2013. 

You can click on the dates to view the original post.

January 2013: Papertrey Ink Blog Hop

This was my first attempt at the chalkboard effect.

Chalkboard Effect

Chalkboard Gift Card Holder

February 2013: Designer Inspiration

I love using the impression plate and (faux) stitching to create fabric texture. 

Aida Impression Plate & Sew Simple Borders

 March 2013: Waiting for Spring

Colouring with Copic Markers

April 2013: Rock On

The Cover Plate: Circles has become a favourite. 

I enjoy combining colours and designs to create a background.

I chose 2 cards for May - 

one has lots of details and techniques, 

the other uses simple stamping and an Impression Plate.

May 2013: Kitty for Parker

This card incorporates lots of my favourite things:
* layering of patterned paper and card stock,  
* paper piecing, * masking and * a 3D flower.

May 2013: Papertrey Ink Blog Hop

Simple Stamping for colour and design and an Impression 

Plate for texture. I usually add die cuts, ribbons and other 

embellishments, so this was a departure from my normal style.

Mini Blooms

June 2013: Clouds & Rainbows

The clouds and rainbow paper is a perfect match for the hot air 

balloons and the sentiment from Movers & Shakers Sentiments.

July 2013: Rev Up the Fun

Gold Embossing and a watercolour stamp create a colourful background 

 for the fussy cut motorcycle. The matching envelope takes it up a notch!! 

August 2013: SAF#3

A new technique (rolled dough design) and supplies were used 

during this Stamp-a-Faire activity. This card was also featured in 

the 'wrap-up' video for the day, so it had to be on my favourites list!!

 September 2013: Golden Wreath

An embossed golden wreath and dimension from the 
die-cut wreath, flowers and birds, and a little tag, make 

this a favourite. I love using the Wood grain Impression 

Plate to create an outdoorsy/natural atmosphere.

October 2013

I took a break from blogging this month, so I 

chose an 'extra' card during the month of May.

 November 2013: Rosie Posie Birthday

I finally purchased the Rosie Posie dies and stamps and this 

was my first card using all of these. I usually make A2 cards, but 

decided on a square card base. The gold embossed background 

and colourful grouping of flowers are favourites from this card.

 December 2013: Winter Hills

This card makes me feel the warmth and coziness of home at Christmas time. The Stitching Impression Plate has become a favourite of mine and adding blue ink to the raised texture as well as the main focal panel adds a lot of dimension 

to the card. I also like the colour scheme of red, light blue and chocolate.

* Hope you enjoyed a look back at my favourites from 2013. 
* It's fun to see some of the features and techniques that keep appearing in my projects - I definitely like using embossing folders and Impression Plates, and background stamping is also something that I often use. 
* I still find Clean and Simple cards are a challenge for me. I admire others that make this work, but I'm most happy when I can add layers to my projects!!.

Thanks for visiting today.
Happy New Year and Best Wishes for a Wonderful 2014!
Karen C.

A Cupcake for Emily!!

     One of my grand nieces turned one last week. Family and friends gathered on the week-end to celebrate sweet Emily's birthday with a fun garden party theme. This card was inspired by Leigh Penner's baby card, where she used a variety of patterned papers and lots of machine stitching. I struggle to combine different patterns, but by using My Mind's Eye: Tickled Pink paper pad all the guess work is removed!
  

I used five different patterned papers on the card: 
1: the card front and interior - a lined notebook paper; 
  
2: a square and border strip of cherry paper

3: a square of coloured horizontal "stripey" paper

4: large rectangle and small circle of chevron paper

5: polka dot paper - accent strip on the top
                              - two scalloped borders at the bottom

* The  cherry patterned paper was a perfect choice to accent the cherries on Stamping Bella's Cuppycake with a HUGGABUG ON TOP. I stamped this onto Bella cardstock and coloured with copic markers, before fussy cutting. It was then mounted onto the aqua chevron patterned paper. Some red Stickles were added to the tips of the antenna and Sparkle Dots to the cupcake. 

 * The Block Alphabet Number die was cut three times from Berry Sorbet cardstock, layered on top of a patterned paper circle and matted with Berry Sorbet card stock.  
* Baker's Twine, tied into a multi-loop bow picks up the colours of the chevron paper and accents one of the patterned squares. 
* Machine stitching around the larger panels creates a patchwork effect.
* Berry Sorbet ink was used to stamp the sentiment. (Close To My Heart)

 * I used another piece of the lined note paper on the inside of the card.

* The sentiment was made with a combination of stamps (Big Birthday Wishes, Wreath for All Seasons) and the number die. 
* Fruit Fusion: Cherries accents the corners of the card. I coloured the leaves with copic markers.
 
Card Details
Stamps - Stamping Bella: Cuppycake with a HUGGABUG ON TOP!! Close To My Heart: Say It In Style
PTI: Fruit Fusion: Cherry, Big Birthday Wishes, Wreath for All Seasons
Inks - PTI: Berry Sorbet; Aqua Mist;  Memento: Tuxedo Black & Rich Cocoa
Paper - PTI: Berry Sorbet;  Bella White; My Mind's Eye: fine & dandy Tickled Pink
Dies - PTI: Block Alphabet Numbers; Heart Border die;
Other - copic markers; circle punches; Stampendous: Sparkle Dots; Stickles; SU: Scalloped Border Punch; Baker's Twine; Sewing Machine

Thanks for visiting today.
Karen C.

Kitty Birthday for Parker

I've been busy in my craft room, but haven't taken the time to photograph, edit and blog until today!! I've actually been working on a photo album from our 2010 San Francisco - Alaska Cruise (for the last 4 months!!) I'm determined to get it finished this week-end, so I'm hoping for some crafty time tomorrow. In between scrapping and boring household chores, I've also been making cards, tags and gift packaging for family members. 

One of my little grand nieces celebrated her 2nd birthday at the end of April and here's the tag and card I made for her.

Gift Tag

I used a Stamping Bella image - "Bunny" - to make a tag for her birthday gift and added some sweet balloons from Heart-2-Heart #2.  
The bunny was stamped onto Bella card stock, coloured with copic markers and then fussy cut. I then hand drew the balloon strings before adding the balloons.

The wrapping paper gave me the inspiration for the colour scheme. 

I used pink Baker's Twine to tie around the package and then added 

a bow to the top of the tag.

Stamps - Stamping Bella Bunny; Heart-2-Heart #2, Tag-Its #1; 
Inks - Hawaiian Shores, Limeade Ice, Raspberry Fizz, Kraft;  Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper - Teresa Collins Designer Paper, Bella White
Die - Tag Sale #3;  Heart-2-Heart #2 balloon die
Other Supplies - copic markers; Baker's Twine

Card

I used another Stamping Bella image - "Mavis has a Daisy" for the birthday 
card. Papertrey Ink stamps and dies were also used to create a colourful 
spring scene!!

     I started by stamping the Kitty onto a piece of Bella White card stock and then colouring her with copic markers. The little dress was paper pieced with some blue floral printed paper. This same blue paper was used to mat the focal image and then another mat layer (Canyon Clay) was added. The number was die cut from Canyon Clay using Number Time Trio. 
I added the sentiment (Framed Out #1) to the left corner.

     The focal panel looked rather plain, so I decided to try and create a scene with some additional stamping. I seem to do things in a wonky order, but I really love how the final card turned out. I masked the kitty image so I was able to stamp the picket fence, the grass (Lovely Layers) and flowers (Garden Variety).

All of the patterned papers came from a set from Stampin' Up. 
I used one of the co-ordinating papers to make the flower (Bloom Builders #3).  
I also used one of the stitching stamps from Sew Simple Borders around the focal panel and the card front.

Stamps - Framed Out #1,  Lovely Layers, Garden Variety, Sew Simple Borders; Mavis has a Daisy (Stamping Bella); Picket Fence (Clear Dollar Stamps); 
Inks - Summer Sunrise, Canyon Clay, Simply Chartreuse, New Leaf; Cranberry (Close To My Heart); Bashful Blue (Stampin' Up); Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper - Spring Rain, Canyon Clay, Stamper's Select White; Stampin' Up Designer Paper;  
Die - Bloom Builder #3; Number Time Trio
Other Supplies - copic markers; adhesive pearl

 Card Interior

Stamps - Stylish Sentiments: Birthday

Inks - Cranberry (Close To My Heart)

Paper - Stampin' Up Designer Paper 

After finishing the card and tag, I decided to use the colour scheme 

from the wrapping paper ... this time to create a colourful envelope!!

 

 Stamps -  Postmarks, Mini Blooms, Tag-Its #1; Polka Dot Alphabet (Close To My Heart)

Inks - Hawaiian Shores, Limeade Ice, Raspberry Fizz, Summer Sunrise  

Thanks for visiting today. 

Mother`s Day is starting early here.  

My husband is taking me out for an early Mother`s Day Dinner tonight.

 Have a great week-end and Happy Mother`s Day to all!!

Karen C.

Workshop Birthday Cards

Several relatives have birthdays in January, but after the holidays I found that I  had little energy for card making. It was a great time to `shop`my card stash and these two cards seemed perfect for my niece and her daughter. (They live in New Zealand, so bright colours  and flowers are good choices for their "summer" birthdays!!).  Both cards were made at a workshop I attended at my local scrap booking store. All I had to do was finish off the interior sentiments!!

This is the card I used for Polly`s birthday - she just turned 2 !! 

* Turquoise textured Bazzill cardstock was used for the 6"x 6" card base. 
* It incorporates several mats (green and pink) along with two patterned fabric pieces, pink dotted ribbon, narrow turquoise ribbon and clear buttons. 
* The focal image (Swiss Pixie Heidi Among the Flowers - C.C. Designs) was coloured with copic markers. The birthday sentiment is from Close To My Heart.

Card Interior

I stamped sentiments from PTI`s Movers & Shakers Sentiments. I also added her age at the bottom near the fence.(Swiss Pixie Butterfly Fence - C.C. Designs stamp)

Kristin`s Card:

* This 6" x 6" card uses a olive green card base and layers of patterned paper and chocolate brown card stock. 
* The focal image (Emma - Lulu Collection: Stamping Bella) is paper pieced and mounted onto a scalloped brown mat. 
* Flowers from my stash were added with a brown brad in the center.

 Card Interior:

* The inside of the card was decorated with vines and flowers that I  drew 
with green and red markers.  

* Two flowers were cut from patterned paper with a circle punch and mounted 
onto red card stock on top right corner.  
* Flowers (Flower Fusion #1 & #3) were stamped on either side of  the sentiments  (Flower Fusion #1 & #9)

Thanks for visiting today.
Karen C.

Tricycle Birthday Boy

My grand nephew is celebrating his 3rd birthday this week.
Bye, Bye Boy by Mo Manning (Stamping Bella) was perfect for a busy little boy!

* The edges of the striped designer paper were machine stitched with dark brown thread and attached to a Dark Chocolate card base. 

* The focal image was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and coloured with Copic markers. 

* The frame was created by cutting red paper with the Button Card die to make the 'opening'. I then measured and cut a thin frame and rounded the corners. The white image panel actually sits under the frame. The small yellow stars are the 'leftover' center stars from cutting the Star Borders die. You'll see that border in action on the inside of the card.

* The large layered star in the corner was made from various papers using the Seeing Stars die and the star from Tiny Tags die. The large blue star was hand cut to create a mat for the yellow star. The smallest blue star was made by layering several punched stars over a cardboard base to create a thicker star.

* The sentiment (It's a Jungle) was stamped with CTMH Chocolate ink.

* The inside of the card uses more of the designer paper on the bottom edge. 

* Star Border Dies were used along the edge of the patterned paper .... the die with the open star center was cut with the yellow paper and a second die was used to cut the red border; then they were layered ... yellow on top of red.   

* The 'faux' stitching was done with a brown marker.

* Another star was die cut with Seeing Stars die and the '3' was cut using the Block Numbers die. 

* The sentiment grouping was created using a variety of stamps: 

    hip hip HOORAY! (Fillable Frames #3);   YOU'RE (Star Prints);   today (Mat Stack 3 Collection)

Decorated Envelope:

I've been trying to embellish my envelopes lately, if I know the card will be hand delivered ... it gives me another reason to use my stamps and dies!!

* The name was cut using the Block Alphabet dies (lower case).

* A variety of stars were stamped with Star Prints.

* The Postmarks set was used to create the postal images at the top corner.

Card & Envelope Details  (PTI unless noted)

Stamps - Stamping Bella: Bye, Bye Boy; It's a Jungle, Star Prints, Postmarks, 
Mat Stack 3 Collection

Inks -  Memento Tuxedo Black; Close To My Heart: Chocolate, Moonstruck; 
Pure Poppy, Lemon Tart, Summer Sunrise

Papers - Dark Chocolate; Stamper's Select White; 
We R Memory Keepers: Explore/Rucksack; Fancy Pants: It's Your Day/Hoopla

Dies - Star Borders, Seeing Stars Collection, Button Card Die, Tiny Tags, Block Alphabet and Numbers Die Collection; small star punch

Other - Copic markers, sewing machine, Sakura clear Gelly Roll Pen; foam dimensionals.