Week 26 - Happy Washi Birthday

Another Pinterest win! Here is the card I made for the boy's birthday about two weeks ago. I finally popped into Michael's and picked up some washi tape. The best part was how quick the card took. After making the candles I just used 3 different stamp pads to colour the sentiment. I love CAS cards! Quick and beautiful!

Week 25: Rainbow Birthday

Starting to get back into the groove of things. I was going to wait to post this card because I don't want to ruin the surprise for anyone but I just couldn't resist!

For this week's card, I was checking out the CAS(e) this Sketch blog for inspiration for a clean and simple card when I saw this designer's card. I just got new ribbon recently that was just perfect to do the same thing. I hate replicating other people's card but I just couldn't resist this week.

The new ribbon I bought for me at Winners but it is by American Crafts. The sentiment was gifted to me and the rhinestones are from Michaels.

Challenges:

• Crafty Catz - Birthday

Week 24: Hawaiian Happy Birthday

I just came in from sitting on my patio because I was getting too hot. Can you believe it?! Its end of September. This type of weather is my favourite: sunny during the day and cool at night. Perhaps that's why I'm getting married at this time next year?! Speaking of which, I haven't posted any cards recently because any spare time I have had to craft lately I have been using to fool around with Photoshop. I am hoping to make my wedding stationary using Photoshop so I have to be good at it first ;) Once I finalize the stationary and its sent out to the respective people I will post a sneak peek.

It's funny how sometimes you start off with one vision in your head but by the time you've finished your card you end up somewhere completely different. That is exactly what happened to me this week. However, I love the end product, which I didn't think I'd say! I was inspired by CAS(e) this Sketch #46, however I wasn't quick enough in posting it so the entry has now expired. C'est la vie!

If you like the sentiment font check out this free download for Duxbury Beach. This would be so cute to use overtop of photos for a scrapbook!

 Just to brag a little...

Challenges:
The Color Throwdown - color throwdown #261
Animal Friends - brown + green + yellow/blue
Fairies Challenges Blog - Birthday
Tok Bobok - Indian Summer

Week 22: Happy Cupcake Day

Do you ever feel like certain months or even certain weeks are particularly dense with birthdays? The last 2 weeks of May is definitely one of those times. I have to admit that I start to wonder what people were people were doing 9 months prior ... ewww *shakes head* 

Anyways, confession is that I was unable to keep up with all the birthdays. For those that I missed I apologize. I owe you one random card at a random time hehe. This card was for one of my girlfriends who loves tiffany blue. This can be slightly difficult to match exactly with paper so I settled for more of a robin's egg blue. The stamp is by Craft Smart at Michaels. I picked it up in an after Christmas sale across the border. This stamp takes a lot of ink so I thought using different colours rather than just black would be better. This means that it never comes out perfect but I do still love the affect. Its a totally different feel than using markers. 

It is a pretty simple design but I think that helps to offset the numerous colours. PS did you notice this card is the same colours as my blog? Can you tell what my favourite colours are?

Week 18: Have a Sassy Birthday...

This week I have been on placements for my program which means that I work somewhere for 5 weeks (without pay). As such I have very little homework to do in the evenings. I am able to fill my evenings with reading, swimming, and yes.... CRAFTING. This is my second card this week! Perhaps I'll make a third :)

A couple weeks ago I won a challenge for my Rainbows After the Showers card and received two digi stamps from Sassy Studio Designs. I used one of the digi stamps to make a sassy card for one of my good girl friends. Its her birthday coming up and I wanted a card to reflect how fun and vibrant she is.  The image is "Martini Pin-up Sassy" from Sassy Studio Designs. The accent paper is from Creative Memories and the ribbons I got from Michaels. The inspiration for the colours in this card from a picture from the Sparkle N' Sprinkle Challenge blog. The hammock and bright colours reminded me of an old trip to Ecuador.

I must say I had to colour this image twice. The first time I tried putting "highlights" in the girls hair and it just looked AWFUL. I only have a 12 basic colours pack of Copic markers so the highlights just looked too dark. I love how all the warm colours came together though.

• blonde hair = Y13 Lemon Yellow
• red dress/heels/olive centre = R08 Vermilion
• dress accent/earrings = YR04 Chrome Orange
• olive picks = E09 Burnt Sienna
• olives = YG03 Yellow Green

Question: What Copic markers would you recommend, based on the ones I have, to blend? What Copic markers are your essentials?

Challenges

• deconstructing jen - Deconstructing Sketch No.100
• Sparkle N Sprinkle - SNSSC19 (see colour swatch above)
• The Stamp Spot - simply feminine 
• Mad for Markers - One for the Girls

CAS... Cathy's Awesome Stamps??!

I learned about a new style recently from my reading my sister's blog. CAS or Clean and Simple is about using limited embellishment allowing your focus image to stand more against your neutral background. I have automatically been exploring these cards lately, not just for the style, but because I love how quickly I can make one. You can check out more CAS cards on SplitCoastStampers if you need some inspiration. 

The end of October is a busy birthday month! There are three birthdays including the boy. While in the middle of studying for midterm exams, the boy asked me to make a card for his mother's birthday. Normally I may have some ready made but I ran out of those a couple months back. After reading about CAS it was the perfect opportunity to try it out. I use the phrase stamp that I had and some old die cuts I had made for Christmas cards originally. Probably took 10 minutes. Love it! 

TIP: Rounding the corners on any CAS card really finishes it off and gives it some character. You can get a rounded corner punch at Michaels or even Walmart.

Monkey Business

Hi Everyone!

Sorry for the lack of posts. I have been crafting but I have been bad about posting them because I'm training for a half marathon. Running is taking over my life. At least it is a healthy habit! Plus good news: I got an interview for physiotherapy school! Yeah!!! I just had it this past weekend so I'm trying to fill my time off with crafting and running to prevent myself from going crazy thinking about whether or not I will get in.

I recently went shopping with a friend of mine looking for clothes for an upcoming trip to Maui. I bought this fantastic crazy monkey tank top. Everything is about monkey business for me this week! So I have been utilizing some of old stamped images my sister gave me. Got to love Changito by Stampendous!

SCUBA = Super Creative Unexpected Birthday Acknowledgement

Stamp = Stampendous Changito Scuba Birthday

Markers= Crayola Super Tips 

Yellow Paper = Stampin' Up

Red Paper = DCWV Brights Cardstock Stack

Pattern Paper = My Mind's Eye: Quite Contrary . Jack and Jill (bought at Winners)

Rounded Corner = Fiskars Round Corner Punch (bought at Michaels)

I have been reading some blogs lately that use the round corner punch. I think it really finishes off the card . The particular punch that I bought has two round punch outs that I didn't realize till the first time I used it. I thought I might have to take it back but once I saw the results I really like the extra touch it gives. I may have to go buy another one that doesn't have the addition punch outs. Perhaps I will pick up the Paper Shapers Corner Adorner at Walmart as suggested by Christina of Making, Baking & Picture Taking.

Happy Carding!

A Very Cricut Christmas

Happy New Year Crafters!

I have been very bad about updating my blog but it is not due to late of projects. Just to keep you updated I did finish my 22 Christmas cards. Everyone seemed quite impressed! I was just excited because this was one of the first years that we started receiving our own Christmas cards. I was included in some of the Christmas cards addressed to the boy's family too.

Santa was very good to me this year and brought me..... a CRICUT. I know you are jealous but that is only normal. But seriously, the boy's mom gave it to me. I was so shocked! It turns out she almost gave it to me early in order to finish my Christmas cards.

Here are a couple of experiment's with my new cricut:

"Happy Birthday"

Cricut Cartridge: Paper Lace

"Birthday Blessings - Cupcake"

Cricut Cartridge: All Wrapped Up

"Just Married"

Cricut Cartridge: Sweethearts

It definitely took some getting used to. Trying to find the right pressure, speed and blade setting to cut through the paper but not tear it up too much was difficult. However, once you get use to it it becomes much easier. My card making has been taking up much less time! 

Here are a couple bits of Cricut advice:

1) The Sweetheart cartridge only cuts all layers at one time. You cannot choose which parts you would like to cut out of a particular colour or pattern. *To reduce paper waste make multiple images using all the scraps at one time. This is what I did with the "Just Married" card.

2) If you would find it annoying to have all the layers cut out at once then choose a cartridge like All Wrapped Up. This cartridge allows you to cut each layer separately rather than all at once.

3) I highly recommend you pick up a set of the Cricut tools. These tools allow you to peal the paper off the mat, make extra cuts in your image, poke out delicate cut outs, etc.

If you have any cricut advice please let me know.

Oh and check out this new blogger: Christina Mynen

You are my Boo!

Happy Halloween everyone and Happy Birthday to my boy!

That's right October 31st is not just Halloween for us but a very special person's birthday. Therefore this time of year always calls for a very special Halloween and birthday card.

Stamp: Free Digi Stamp from Spyder's Corner

Paper: Cardstock from Stampin' Up

Bat Stickers: Creative Memories

I love this digital stamp! It has a lot of detail which the free digital stamps do not normally have. What is a free digital stamp? A digital stamp is similar to a clip art image that can be printed out on cardstock. It is a great option for newbie scrapbookers and card makers. Most sites will have images for you to purchase and download. However, a few sites will give away free digital stamps usually about once a week. Join the Facebook group Free Digital Stamps for updates regarding free available digi stamps.

Oh and Halloween wouldn't be complete without some jack o'lanterns!