CASology Week 91: Note

It's time for another CASology challenge, and this week's cue word is NOTE.  Lots of different ways to go with this challenge.  Thank you note, love note, music note, how about a post it note?  I decided to make a little note card to send to a friend, and played off the concept of a musical note.

I've been having fun digging deep into my stamping past to come up with new cards using old sets, and this week is no exception.  I used the birds and branches from PTI Little Bitty Bird along with the musical notes and sentiment from Little Bitty Bird Additions.  I used a diagonal striped paper from Basic Grey Kneehighs at the bottom of my card, and die cut the birds using some tone on tone papers from that same pad.  I stamped a little song that the birds are singing to each other and filled in the leaves on the branches with just a bit of color using a Distress Ink marker--I was going for the 'less than perfectly colored/artistic look' on those leaves.  A bit of rustic jute twine, and my card is done.

Since CASology is a Clean And Simple challenge, I thought it would be helpful to review some things to keep in mind when creating a CAS design:

1.  One main image
2.  Lots of open space (uncluttered)
3.  Limited layers & embellishments
4.  Quick & easy to recreate

 

You can see that my card meets all 4 criteria above.

 

So, what do you think of when you see the word NOTE?

 

Check out the beautiful designs from the CASology Design Team members and see how they were inspired by NOTE.  Then, please play along and link your creation to the CASology blog by Monday 4/21 at noon (CST).  

Please note:  This is a scheduled post--I am writing it just before embarking on a week long trip with my oldest daughter to check out a few colleges on the east coast.  I am doing my best to keep both of us off-line, off the computer, and connected to each other.  So, I apologize in advance for not visiting any blogs to see what you have created.  I'll do my best to catch up when I return.  

Don't forget to keep your card Clean and Simple.

 

Ardyth Percy-Robb

Gillian Ross

Jen Wills

Joyce Mehrberg (that's me)

Judy Marino

Kimberly Wiener

Maureen Merritt

May Park

Meghan McMillan

Melissa Chipperfield

Tracey McNeely
 

And our guest designer this week, Dena.

Thanks for Visiting

Color Challenges and Some Gift Bags

This is my last post before departing tomorrow with my oldest daughter on a week long college tour.  She has always wanted to go to school on the east coast, so we will spend the week visiting colleges she thinks she might want to apply to.  I've got a few posts scheduled to go live while I am gone, but don't be suprised if you don't hear from me in a while.  I am not bringing a computer, and am really going to try to be as disconnected from the internet as possible.

My first card is for this week's Color Throwdown ctd287.  I wanted to try out some of my new Distress Inks and use them with water.  I picked three colors that looked closest to the CTD colors--Stormy Sky, Squeezed Lemonade and Bundled Sage.  I inked up an old wooden stamp I found in my closet that was sort of a block shape, stamped on watercolor paper, misted the entire thing and then dried with my heat gun.  After the colors were dry, I stamped the sentiment in Versifine.

I like the blurry sort of look that the water added.  The colors are also much more vibrant--I don't know if that is because of the water, or because the Distress Ink covers are so muted.  Anyway, I thought it made a nice simple card that would work well as a masculine card.

Next up is my second card this week using ColourQ #236.  I decided to make a little thank you set using the circles from Sketched Shapes and whatever color challenges come along that appeal to me.  My sentiment is from Avery Elle Modern Leaves.  

My finished card size is 3.5 x 5.  While trying to fix a stamping mistake, I made the happy discovery that if I double stamp the circles from Sketch Shapes and rotate the stamp 90 degrees for the second stamp, I get a cool sort of plaid pattern on the stamp.

This card uses the Colour Me Striking... combination from this week's Colour Me CMCC #14.  I used Bermuda Breeze, Crushed Curry (substitute for Daffodil Delight) and Smokey Slate as an added neutral.

I'm entering this one at Dynamic Duos DD#96, and I used PTI Winter Wisteria, Harvest Gold and added Memento London Fog as a neutral.

Here is my set so far.  I'll see what color challenges are posted when I get back from my trip and finish off the set.

I got a new toy this week, and spent way too much time trying to figure out how to use it.  The Gift Bag Punch Board was super easy to use, once I figured out the confusing directions.  I looked at a lot of tutorials, but found this one to be the most helpful.  Here are some little bags I made with some of the 12X12 scrapbook papers I had in my stash.

I made one modification and that was to adhere a strip of coordinating paper to the very top of the paper that I was using as my bag.  I also made a matching tag by gluing a small piece of patterned paper to a piece of white card stock and then cutting a tag using the smallest Reverse Confetti Tag Me die.  I stamped 'to' and 'from' on the tag using To You From Me.

That's it for me for a while.  I hope you all have a good Easter week.

Thanks for Visiting

Make it Monday and ColourQ

This week's Make it Monday #159:  No-Sew Quilted Cards is a really good one--super easy and the end results are very striking.  If you haven't tried it yet, I would encourage you to check it out.  I made two cards yesterday using the technique.  I am dangerous with a needle and thread, so the title piqued my interest right away.


I used some SU paper and a sentiment from Sentiment Signs stamped on a Tag Sale die. I decided to line the envelope, and used Super Stripes in colors that matched the card.  This card is already in the mail to a friend's mom--signed by the members of our book club.

I did a super zoom in to show the Stitching Impression Plate.

I decided to see if I could make a version that would be suitable for a masculine card.  I started with some patterns from the Bead Paper pad, used the Burlap Impression Plate, a different Tag Sale die (I always think those scallops are cute but kind of 'girly'), switched out the embroidery floss for some rustic twine, but kept the sentiment the same.

What do you think?  I would send this to a guy.  The card base and envelope are kraft, and I started with a piece of Ripe Avocado rather than White card stock.

I just love the color scheme for this week's ColourQ cQc #236 and used it to make a mother's day card.  I used The Sweet Life stamps, a sentiment from Verve and the Center Stage Cover Plate.

If I have time, I'll be back with something else in these colors.  Did I mention that I love this color scheme?  Oh, I said that already?  I seem to say that almost every week with the ColourQ challenge.

Well, that's it for me today.  

Thanks for Visiting

CASology Week 90: Wet

It's time for another CASology challenge, and our cue word this week is WET.  If you live in California like me, you are probably worried about this terrible drought we have been having--well, here is your chance to get all WET without wasting one single drop of precious water.  Have some fun with this cue word, and then please link up your creation on the CASology blog by Monday 4/14 at noon (CST).

I created a little mini scene that has not been seen around my house in ages--rain boots and an umbrella set off in the corner to dry.  I pulled out some oldies for this card--the rain boot is from PTI Green Thumb and the Umbrella is from PTI Scattered Showers.  A few sequins are filling in as rain, and I used the sentiment from Green Thumb that sold me on the set in the first place.  If you are a shoe-lovin' gal, you probably can relate to this sentiment.

I did a bit of masking to create my scene--and that is my CAS tip for today--to use masking to create a sense of depth and layers.  I started by stamping the top portion of the umbrella using SU Cherry Cobbler.  Then I created a mask for that umbrella top, and stamped the boot, so it would look like it was behind the umbrella.  I made a mask of the boot and stamped the handle of the umbrella, so it would look like it was behind the boot.  Easy peasy, and the masks were not too hard to make either.  I used small post it notes.

Since CASology is a Clean And Simple challenge, I thought it would be helpful to review some things to keep in mind when creating a CAS design:

1.  One main image
2.  Lots of open space (uncluttered)
3.  Limited layers & embellishments
4.  Quick & easy to recreate

 

You can see that my card meets all 4 criteria above.

 

So, what do you think of when you see the word WET?

 

Check out the beautiful designs from the CASology Design Team members and see how they were inspired by wet.  Then, please play along and link your creation to the CASology blog by Monday 4/14 at noon (CST).  

Don't forget to keep your card Clean and Simple.

 

Ardyth Percy-Robb

Gillian Ross

Jen Wills

Joyce Mehrberg (that's me)

Judy Marino

Kimberly Wiener

Maureen Merritt

May Park

Meghan McMillan

Melissa Chipperfield

Tracey McNeely (on blogcation)

And our guest designer this week, Michele.

 

Thanks for Visiting

Muse #61, etc...

Jacquie's Muse Card

I have been so behind in looking at my favorite challenges that I almost missed seeing that my friend and (almost) neighbor Jacquie is the Muse for Muse #61.  I knew I had to drop everything and play along.

I just loved the card she made and was inspired by the color scheme and all the die cuts.  I noticed that Jacquie did not use any stamps on her card--I tried that too, but had to use just one stamp.  Last time I saw Jacquie use those cool ribbon die cuts, I had to rush off and buy that die.  Since that die was still sitting unused, I knew I would use it on my card today.

I took my front panel and die cut two rows using the Memory Box Ribbon Candy Border die.  I also die cut Ribbon Candy Borders out of New Leaf, Hawaiian Shores, Limeade Ice and Aqua Mist card stock.  I used the inlaid die cut technique to fill in the negative space on my card front, mixing strips from each of the four colors.

The card just did not look right with any die cut version of 'happy' that I tried, so I did have to resort to using a stamp to complete my sentiment.  A few sequins, and I was done.

I am also linking this card up to the following additional challenges:

Simon Says Monday:  Anything Goes
Simon Says Wednesday:  Happy Birthday
Seize the Birthday:  Where the optional topping is bling and I used sequins as my bling

Thanks for Visiting

Thanks and Birthday Cards

Good morning and happy Saturday.  I am so glad it is the weekend.  I made another card for this week's Make it Monday #158: Stamping with Watercolor Mediums.  

I used Frilly Flowers and three colors of Distress Inks--Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick and Peeled Paint.  First I inked up the stamp, then I spritzed it with water, then I stamped the paper.  I used normal white card stock and did not get any warping.  When my panel was dry, I stamped a sentiment from Wet Paint in Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black--that black is really amazing.

When everything was dry, I impressed with the canvas/linen IP, added a thin strip of True Black and then nestled the front panel all the way to the bottom right of the card base and rounded just that edge.--just felt like doing something a big different for the front.

Since my Distress Inks were already out, I used them to create a sponged background using Color Throwdown ctd286 colors--Tumbled Glass, Mustard Seed, and Peeled Paint.  I was inspired by this card from Donna at Mama Elephant.  I just love this Make a Wish set.  It is so quick and easy to make a big statement.  The stars are coated with Glossy Accents.

And, finally--I took another pass at the birthday card for my sister--which you can see here.  I was still bugged by my daughter's comment about the placement of the 5 and the 0, even though most of my blogging friends said it was not a problem.  I used numbers die cut from Calypso Coral paper using By the Numbers dies, and coated them with a few layers of UTEE. 

I think I like this one better.  What do you think?  Either way, I've got to get something in the mail today or the card will be late.

I'll be entering this new version at Seize the Birthday, where the toppings allow for any sort of bling--I am counting my glossy embossed numbers as bling.

I am also entering all three cards at Simon Says Monday where anything goes, and the birthday cards at Simon Says Wednesday Happy Birthday.

Thanks for Visiting

Make it Monday and ColourQ

I have a card for this week's Make it Monday #158:  Stamping with Water Color Mediums.  I just got a couple of new Distress Ink colors (Mowed Lawn and Picked Raspberry), so I inked up Reasons to Smile and then spritzed with water before stamping.  I like this technique, and want to try it again if I have time.

I fnished the flowers off with Pure Poppy and Black without any water, impressed with the Aida IP and then coated the flower centers with Wink of Stella.  Gosh, how I love that Wink of Stella.  I just ordered a second one, just in case mine runs out.  I would not want to get caught without my Wink.

I was inspired by the color blocking on this card of Christina's, and decided to use this week's ColourQ cQc #235 colors with Wet Paint stamps and my new Zing Copper Embossing powder.  

And one more card that I made the other day but did not get to post--my sister is turning 50 next week.  (yes, she is my YOUNGER sister)...I had this idea to use a Technique Tuesday stamp that has a collage of numbers all together, and to highlight the '50'.  I stamped once in Baja Breeze on a white piece cut with the Lil Inker Stitched Rectangle.  Then, I stamped again in Calypso Coral on a scrap, cut out the 0 and the 5, coated them in a few layers of UTEE, and stuck them on top of the 0 and the 5. 

When my daughter saw the card, she asked why it said 05?  What do you think?  I hope my sister gets it. I am thinking I may try another version where I just use a die cut 5 and 0.

That's it for me today.  

Thanks for Visiting

CASology Week #89: Joke

Ha Ha, LOL, Hardy-har-har.....Are you laughing yet?  Well, I hope you will be laughing soon.  It's time for another CASology challenge, and our cue word this week is JOKE.  No foolin'  What a great cue word for an April Fools Day challenge.  Put on your jokester cap and make a card inspired by the word JOKE.  Have some fun with this cue word, and then please link up your creation on the CASology blog by Monday 4/7 at noon (CST).

I am terrible at telling jokes--I can never remember the punch line.  I just kept thinking of Knock Knock jokes when I was thinking of what to make for this cue word, so I made a knock knock card.  I put the punchline inside.  And, that is my CAS tip for you today--keep your card front CAS by moving some of your images to the inside.

I used some speech bubble dies from Lawn Fawn and Heidi Swapp and created my dialog using some Paper Smooches alphabet stamps. Now, open the card and see the rest of the joke:

I used the Hero Arts Lil Hoot Operation Write Home owls and paper pieced them to complete the punch line of my joke.  The Owlways love you is from There She Goes You're a Hoot.

Laughing yet?  OK, I will settle for a chuckle and little smile.

Since CASology is a Clean And Simple challenge, I thought it would be helpful to review some things to keep in mind when creating a CAS design:

1.  One main image
2.  Lots of open space (uncluttered)
3.  Limited layers & embellishments
4.  Quick & easy to recreate

You can see that my card meets all 4 criteria above.

 So, what do you think of when you see the word JOKE?  

Check out the beautiful designs from the CASology Design Team members and see how they were inspired by JOKE.  Then, please play along and link your creation to the CASology blog by Monday 4/7 at noon (CST).  

Don't forget to keep your card Clean and Simple.

Ardyth Percy-Robb

Gillian Ross

Jen Wills

Joyce Mehrberg (that's me)

Judy Marino

Kimberly Wiener

Maureen Merritt

May Park

Meghan McMillan

Melissa Chipperfield

Tracey McNeely

And our guest designer this week, Gay.

Thanks for Visiting