I just tried a new thing...

...SEWING on my cards! I've been inspired by StampTV's technique challenge this week. I have always admired cards with stitching, but I never thought I could do it. Well, I finally dusted my old sewing machine and after a few tries, I can now say I LOVE doing it. So, from now on you will see a lot of stitching on my projects. I'm just so excited! Here's my first post with this technique.


Besides butterfly, another favorite image of mine to stamp with is trees - in all forms and sizes. I have quite a selection of tree-themed stamps in my collection. For this card, I am using Get Sketchy #3 layout and HeroArts' Man Week challenge. The images were colored with Copics (E57, E55, E53, B41, YG91, YG95). I hand drew the clouds with Sharpies and cut them out, just perfect for the ShortCuts challenge this week to create clouds.

Stamps: Trees, Birds and Trees, Live Simply (HeroArts)
Paper: GinaK Green Apple, Pure Luxury white, DCWV spring stack, Bashful Blue
Ink: Memento Tux blk, Copics, Sharpie
Other: Buttons by PTI, sewing machine

ETA: If you like my tree stamps, you can purchase both sets through ABC Toys & Crafts. My friend, Justine, is in their DT and has a discount code on her blog. Check it out HERE.

Just pile it on card for my DH

I just discovered a new challenge blog that encourages you to pile on as many challenges in one card that you possibly can. It's my kind of challenge blog :-).

This card covers five: Passion for Papertrey #12 (CAS), Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #16 (orange-gold, chocolate, kraft and cream), Stampin' Sisters in Christ #2 (a card for your DH), A Spoon Full of Sugar (to use distressing), and Pile it On #13 (to use dots, circles).


The kraft CS was Cuttlebugged (is that a real word?) with Swiss dots and I swiped my Memento Rich Cocoa ink to highlight the dots and to give it a more rustic, distressed (translate: more manly) look. I am giving this to my DH just because. He's seriously the most patient man in the world. LOL! And he's so supportive of my fun hobby. I am truly a blessed wife!

Stamps: Damask Design (PTI)
Ink: Summer Sun, Memento Rich Cocoa
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Kraft and Ivory
Other: Summer Sunrise ribbon and Rustic button (PTI)

New beginnings Butterfly

I think by now you've noticed that I love butterflies. They are so fun to color. For this one, I used my favorite color combo to color. My favorite combo for cards in general are black/white and red/pink, but I like to add a splash of green in there sometimes to make some things pop. Because of this, I am entering this in the Copic Creations challenge right now to use your favorite color combo. The markers I used are RV17, RV14, RV13 and YG11.

The theme of the card follows the Cute Card Thursday challenge this week: new beginnings. The sentiment is just perfect for those undergoing changes (maybe even with hesitation) like retirement or moving away.

Stamps: Take Flight (GKD)
Ink: Memento Tux blk, Copics
Paper: Certainly Celery, Little Yellow Bicycle
Others: lace and silver pearls by Michael's

A favorite Christmas card

Here is my entry to Moxie Fab's Classy & Elegant Holiday Cards challenge.

More Christmas cards

Two more cards for the Moxie Fab challenges going on right now. And tomorrow, I will show you my favorite of the 5 I made for Cath's challenges.

The first card is for the Style with Stamping and the Fun & Cute Challenges. I had to stretch my coloring on this card. I love my copics, but sometimes I don't know what I'm doing :-). I do know that I need the GinaK Pure Luxury white or ivory cardstock to get the best results.

Stamps: Unity June KOTM, Jolly Christmas by Hero Arts
Paper: GKD white, Ripe Avocado by PTI and Pink Passion by SU
Ink: Memento Tux Blk, Pink Passion, Copic markers
Others; Lace apron punch by Fiskars, Ripe Avocado ribbon and Hibiscus Burst button by PTI

My second card is my humble attempt at Vintage shabby chic. This is one style I LOVE seeing others make because I love lace, pearls and ribbons, not to mention anything vintage. But I can't seem to make it work for me. I love everything straight, so I can't do collages very well. :-)


Stamps: Holiday Silhouettes by Inkadinkado, SU Cute and Curly
Paper: GKD Green Apple, DCWV La Creme, Foolala by Autumn Leaves
Ink: Old Olive, Bravo Burgundy
Others: Buttons by PTI and Buttons Galore, Ribbon by Michael's, lace