Joyful Black Eyed Susans

I made this card today for a Card Sketch Challenge SC226. It's been a while since I've participated in a challenge, so this was really fun! The dandelions in the photo are a sampling from the massive bouquet I receive from my kids every day.

Stamps: Wonderful Watercolors
Inks: Chocolate Chip, Summer Sun, Mellow Moss, Close to Cocoa
Papers: Kraft, Summer Sun, Mellow Moss, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Circle Scallop Nestabilities Die, Bronze Brads, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder "Stylized Flowers", Brayer
Notes: I brayered one side of the inside of my embossing folder with chocolate chip ink before inserting the paper and pressing.

April Scrapbooking

This month's Scrapbooking Class featured lots of new papers. This first layout uses the wild and crazy Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper with Rose Red, Regal Rose and Kiwi Kiss elements. Double sided Kiwi Kiss/Vanilla Ribbon is used as an accent.

This gender-neutral layout uses patterned papers from the Hoppy Memories Simply Scrappin Kit (I love these kits!). I did some stamping with the Sale-A-Bration stamp set Polka Dot Punches in Old Olive ink on the background for this one with accents using my Scallop Circle punch and grosgrain ribbons. Colors for this include Certainly Celery, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, and Pumpkin Pie.

This Easter page uses paper from the Occasions Mini Catalog called Walk in the Park and my Doodle Charms Cricut Cartridge. Colors for this include Regal Rose, So Saffron, and Kiwi Kiss.

Happy Scrapping everyone!

Classy Cards: Textures and Watercoloring

This month we did some work with the crimper and cuttlebug to add some textures to our cards and we played with some watercoloring too.

This card was made using a cuttlebug embossing folder. Very Vanilla paper was embossed with the swirls and then I used a red ink pad to add red color to the swirls. I then added some tangerine and saffron colors with sponges to the swirls and background. The red frame around the swirled piece was embellished with the scallop edge punch. The Upsy Daisy stamp set was used for the flower embellishment and greeting. Extra paper piercing detail was added on the corners of the vanilla cardstock. Of course, no card is complete without a bit of ribbon...so I added a pumpkin grosgrain tied knot.

Here's a simple birthday card using "Crazy for Cupcakes".

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes
Inks: Basic Gray, Pretty in Pink, Ridinghood Red
Papers: Basic Gray, Pretty in Pink, Ridinghood Red, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Crimper, Pink Taffetta Ribbon

Stamps: Wonderful Watercolors
Inks: Chocolate Chip, Pixie Pink
Papers: Pixie Pink, Whisper White, Chocolate chip
Accessories: Crimper, Watercolor Wonder Crayons
Note: the white paper was crimped in 2 different directions after stamping and coloring was complete.

Easter Layout

In preparation for this holy week, here's a cute Easter layout to get you thinking about your Easter photos. I know, Iknow, I keep using this layout...it's just stuck in my head and works so well with patterned paper! The colors in this layout include Rose Romance, So Saffron, and Apricot Appeal. I used my "Doodle Charms" Cricut cartridge for the die cut images and the "Making the Grade" cartridge for the title. I added texture to the basket with my Aida Cloth background stamp, and color to the bunny wit my pastels. Grosgrain ribbons in cream and pink add some extra dimension.

Did you know?

In today's culture of eco-friendliness, it's nice to know that Stampin' Up! is doing their part. Though there are many things that Stampin' Up! is doing to be environmentally friendly, I thought I would share with you how their products like wood blocks, paper, and rubber have been actively used and created in responsible ways.

Rubber: Rather than dumping excess rubber in a landfill, Stampin' Up! donates it to Courage Reins, a nonprofit organization that provides horseback riding therapy for physically or mentally challenged children. They take SU!'s ground rubber and sell it to groups and individuals for use in playgrounds and horse stables. The money they receive from the sale of this rubber goes to fund their programs. You can find more information about Courage Reins at http://www.couragereins.org/.

Wood Blocks: SU!'s wood blocks are not only created from a renewable resource, SU! engages in a sustainable practice to get those wood blocks. They work with a tree farm in which the maple trees are grown specifically for the purpose of harvesting wood!

Cardstock and Paper: If you've had items shipped directly to you, you might be aware that the packing paper used for shipping is 100 percent recycled. But did you know that SU!'s card stock includes recycled material? It’s true! SU!'s card stock includes recycled paper that’s left over from other paper runs, which would otherwise end up in a landfill. The darker the color of card stock, the more recycled material is in the card stock. Basic Black is actually their "greenest" color! In addition, SU! works with a paper broker who ensures that the mills they use for their Designer Series paper and card stock engage in environmentally friendly practices. Their broker is certified through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and the Program for the Endorsement of Forestry Certification (PEFC). These certifications help them know that their paper comes from sustainably managed forests and mills that are taking steps to lessen their carbon footprint. One of their mills even generates its own power.

Crimper Card

I don't remember the last time I used my crimper! I made this card for a swap that I'm participating in for my local Moms Club.

Stamps: Close as a Memory
Inks: Almost Amethyst, Garden Green
Papers: Mellow Moss, Almost Amethyst, Garden Green, Natural White
Accessories: Crimper, Amethyst Grosgrain from Fairy Tale Collection
Notes: The focal image was run through the crimper twice in 2 different directions (90 degree rotation)