Flying High Birthday Card

It's spring, and I think of flying kites.  So when I saw this tutorial at splitcoaststampers, I knew I had to create a project with this kite-shaped explosion card.  As cute as the kite was by itself, I wanted to make a "scene" for it with clouds in the sky - but needed to create a 5X7 card to have enough room for everything!  I even added a tail from embroidery floss with ribbon ties on it.

You can see how the card opens up to reveal the message on the inside.  There is a small hook & loop dot at the bottom of both pieces to keep the kite closed. 

I'm entering this card in the Seize the Birthday Challenge this week.  It's an "anything goes" challenge with the option of using a water theme.  Instead, I'm using wind!  Pop over there and check out the other birthday greetings.

This is also the technique card for April's Stamp Club classes.  More information about the class will be posted soon!

Here's a list of materials I used - all are from CTMH unless noted:
Stamps:
Live, Laugh, Love (C1636) front frame - available until April 30
Sending Love (B1504) front sentiment
Floral Banners (D1663) inside sentiment
La Vie En Rose Workshop stamp set (G1100) flower & leaves
Windy Day (retired) clouds inside and out
Papers:
Blossom patterned paper (retired)
Glacier, white daisy, sorbet, and pear cardstock
Inks:
Black
Crystal Blue
Other:
Confetti embossing powder (Z3118)
Hook & Loop Dots (Z1805)
Cricut Artistry cartridge (Z3167) front sentiment shape
Brad from my stash
Embroidery floss and ribbon from my stash

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look at my work!

Gift Card Holder from a Paper Bag!

I love the nautical stamp set "My Anchor."  The fact that it has a coordinating set of thin dies makes it even better - no cutting required for this great look!  I used one of Close to My Heart's paper bags to create this little gift card holder - and with graduations and birthdays on the horizon, thought it could work for a variety of occasions.  The photo inspiration for the challenge over at the Just Us Girls blog this week was nautical, so decided to enter it into that challenge.

The tutorial for this gift bag holder came from Splitcoaststampers.com.  They used a plain kraft bag and had to add more detail to the band, but I used the patterned bag and was happy with the nautical scene created. 

You can see how the gift card has a band around it so you can easily pull it out, and the tag in the back gives you room to add your greeting.  When all of these are tucked into the holder, it actually fits into a standard A2 envelope!

This will be one of the projects we will make in my April Stamp Club classes.  Participants will be able to choose from four different colors of bags and four stamp sets/dies to create the gift card holder that fits their needs.

Here is the list of what I used to create the card -
all materials are from CTMH:
Stamps:
My Anchor (C1642)
Say it All (C1632) 
Papers:
White Daisy and Pacifica cardstock
Inks:
Ruby
Pacifica
Glacier
Canary
Other:
My Anchor Thin Cut Dies (Z3202)
Designer Creations Paper Bags - Ruby (Z2038)

Be sure to check out the other great nautical or cake creations over at Just Us Girls.

Thanks for stopping by!

Another "Clean" Card for Freshly Made Sketches #229

I loved the sketch for this week's challenge at Freshly Made Sketches.  I thought it had a lot of possibilities.  I decided to keep it really clean with white on white.  The pop of color from the new Regatta papers from CTMH was just enough!

I matted the diamond-shaped pieces with white, then stamped the sentiment and added the flowers directly to the shape.  The bright blues and reds really stand out.  The blue striped strip on the left is very subdued, but it keeps it from competing with the rest of the images, while still adding interest.

This card will be a part of my April Stamp Club classes.  Here is some more information about it!  All materials used are from CTMH

Stamps:
Flowers - Friend in Me (C1640) available only until the end of April!
Sentiment - Finding the Words (D1646)
Papers:
Regatta paper pack (X7206B) available only until the end of April!
White Daisy cardstock
Inks:
Black
Pomegranate
Sapphire
Other:
colored pencils to highlight the centers of the flowers

For class participants, you can see all of the options that "Finding the Words" provides for personalizing this card.

Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to stop over at the Freshly Made Sketches blog and see the great creations made with this sketch.

Clean and Simple Card for Paper Players Challenge #287

I love the elegance of cards created with the "clean and simple" look.  The clean and simple challenge at the Paper Players this week suggested celebrating spring.  The soft colors of new flowers is what I think of with spring - and that's what I tried to create with this card.

The image and sentiment are from the "Take Heart" stamp set (C1639), and they are stamped in Hollyhock ink.   I used Colonial White and Canary cardstock and the Floral embossing folder (Z1994).  All of these products are from Close to My Heart.

I used a circle slightly larger than my yellow "ring" to stamp the flower.  I then snipped the ends of the leaf so they would fall over the edge of the outer ring to give some added dimension, then trimmed the edge of the larger circle to match the ring.

The inside sentiment is shown on the left.

This card will be one of the projects for my April Stamp Club classes.  More information about the class will be posted soon.

Be sure to check out the other clean and simple cards over at The Paper Players Challenge Blog.

Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy a beautiful spring weekend.  Well - I guess that will depend on where you are, now won't it?!

March 2016 Stamp Club

The technique card for March is this fun "spinner" card using the March Stamp of the Month - "Sunshine Birdies".

You will select one of these two cards to create.

There are four versions of this card, but you will decide which one you will make.  You can mix and match the papers and critters based on what works for you.

Notice that each of the critters is mounted on a spring for some added fun!


In addition to the cards seen here, there will also be a tag project.



Cost to make all 4 projects is $20.  Pre-stamped kits are available for an extra $3 if you are unable to attend or are out of the area.  Shipping is extra.


Class meets on these dates:
Tuesday, March 1
Thursday, March 3
Saturday, March 5
Monday, March 7

Please email me to register at least 3 days before the class you want to attend.
Kits must be requested no later than March 4.
scrappingailaz@gmail.com

Paper Players Up, Up, and Away Challenge

Our oldest son celebrated his birthday today.  He is in graduate school in New Mexico now, but I just had to use this stamp for his card.  When he was a little guy, he would put on his grandfather's round goggles and say that he was "Pilot Jon."  I think that works for this week's Paper Players challenge of "Up, Up, and Away."

The little "Air-Boy" is a Penny Black stamp.  I used my Shin Han markers to color him.  Everything else I used on the card is retired product from my stash - CTMH and Stampendous stamps as well as My Mind's Eye background paper.

It was fun to decorate not only the inside of the card, but also the envelope!

Be sure to check out the other airborne greetings over at the Paper Players Challenge Blog. 

Thanks for stopping by - and enjoy your upcoming weekend.

FEBRUARY 2016 SCRAPBOOK WORKSHOP

We will be completing two layouts at our February scrapbook workshop.

The layout above uses the new Charlotte papers and Springtime Wishes stamps/die set.

The layout shown below uses the La Vie En Rose papers and several stamp sets with Cricut cuts.

You can adjust photo sizes as you wish, and there will be other options for titles for both layouts.

 You can see some of the details of the flower embellishments.

You will be provided with sequins (Charlotte layout) and gemstones (La Vie En Rose layout) to add to your project.

Workshop dates are:

Tuesday, February 23

Saturday, February 27

Workshops meet in the craft studio in my home in 

Prescott Valley, AZ

If you are unable to attend either of these dates, 

or are not in the area, kits can be purchased.

(Shipping will be added for those out of the area.)

Please register by emailing me at

scrappingailaz@gmail.com

at least 5 days before the class you want.

Kit requests must be received by February 25, 2016

"REJOICE" for Pals Paper Arts Challenge 286

Click on the photo for a clearer picture - the cross is faded out in the post, but looks better when you see the closeup.

This filigree cross is just beautiful, so I wanted to keep the card simple to focus on the image.  The sketch at Pals Paper Arts this week was perfect for that!  I love the split panel for the background of this card - adds interest without detracting from the main element.

All products I used are CTMH
Stamps:
Rejoice (A1184)
Papers:
Whisper, Thistle and White Daisy cardstock
Inks:
Whisper and Thistle

Other:
Silver shimmer trim (Z1799)
Floral embossing folder (Z1994)
Thin mounting foam (Z2060)
Clear sparkle assortment (Z1752)
(center colored gem from my stash)

Here is another version of the card.  I like the canary yellow cardstock, but was afraid that it was too bold for the card.  But, it may grow on me!  Just thought I would share it as well.

Be sure to check out the other creations with the sketch at the Pals Paper Arts blog.
Thanks for stopping by!

SPRING CRITTERS for Freshly Made Sketches

CTMH has come out with thin cut dies that coordinate with the stamp sets.  This is one of those sets - Spring Critters (C1638 stamps and Z3207 dies).  I love the variety of little critters that are in the set - and the variety of sentiments that coordinate with them.  And, in one instance, I was able to just write my own greeting in the banner space provided!  I used the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches for this card.

The background paper on all of the cards was in my stash - I remember buying it years ago when it was on clearance at one of the scrapbook stores, but had never made use of it.  The smaller print paper is from the new "Penelope" papers (X7207B) from CTMH, with cardstock that coordinates with the background piece.

This card will be part of my March Stamp Club groups.  It's nice that there are so many options that people can make a card that suits their needs.  It can be a friendly greeting like the little fox above, or a "Hoppy Birthday" wish as seen below.

Of course, March is also the month of Easter, so there are several options for that as well.

One other note - all of the critters are popped up with the thin spring, so they wobble!  Very fun.

"Hop" on over to the Freshly Made Sketches blog to see the other cards created with this sketch.

If you are interested in making these cards with me next month, send me an email at scrappingailaz@gmail.com or watch this blog for an update.

Thanks for stopping by!

Masculine Birthday Card for CAS(E) this Sketch and Seize the Birthday

I am designing number of Clean and Simple cards for February's Birthday Extravaganza class.  When I saw the design at CAS(E) this Sketch this week, I knew the perfect stamp set to go with it.  "Charming Cascades" has three different images that cascade down the page.  I used the dots and stars to create the background for this card, then added the sentiment from "Stamps of Approval."  The design worked so well to create a masculine card that is quick but looks great!  I'm also entering this card over at the Seize the Birthday Clean and Simple Challenge this week.

Here's a list of what I used.  All are from Close to My Heart

Stamps:
Charming Cascades (D1668) - dot and star background
Stamps of Approval (C1637) - sentiment
Papers:
Colonial White, Black and Flaxen cardstock
Inks:
Black and Flaxen  
Other:
Black enamel stars (retired)
Mounting Foam

This card will be a part of February's Stamp Club class.  If interested, watch this blog or email me at scrappingailaz@gmail.com for more information.

Be sure to check out the other great Clean and Simple cards at both CAS(E) this Sketch blog and Seize the Birthday blog.

Thanks for stopping by!