It's a Bird, It's a Plane, No... it's a Challenge!

This week I am trying to participate in two challenges. The first is CAS-ual Friday's CFC64 On Cloud 9. This week's challenge asked us to make a clean and simple card with the sky as our inspiration. I knew right away that I was going to use the hot air balloons in Stampin' Up's Up, Up and Away set. Was that too many ups?

The second challenge is Pals Paper Arts PPA 140 color challenge this week of Summer Starfruit, Real Red, and Marina Mist.

Although some of my color's don't look a vibrant in this picture, I think the color combo worked well. I stamped on the DSP for something extra and found an old Crumb Cake corduroy button for a little something sweet. I also got to experiment with the Finishing Touches framelits as well. It was a simple and fun layout that can be used time and time again.

Enjoy!

B is for Baby... Another Baby Shower Theme Gift

My dear friend Amy, who I've known since elementary school, had her baby shower a few days after Christmas. I absolutely love her and her family, but they are all crazy. Well...not really crazy, but you know what I mean. I don't get to see her enough though, since she lives in London.

Amy's mom is all about themes so she gave me the backdrop for my baby shower gift. The theme was B is for Baby Baldwin. I decided that all my gifts would begin with the letter B. I love me a good baby shower theme gift.

B is for Burp. I make my own burp cloths and wanted to share a few sets with her for all the spit ups. 

B is for Bite. I bought some teethers for when the baby starts cutting teeth. 

B is for Book. This book, although many might find inappropriate, is hilarious and is definately for parents and not for kinds. I love it and I thought Amy and Steve would get a kick out it. 

B is for Baby. Since Amy and Steve didn't find out what they were having, I had to shop neutral. That is much harder than one would expect. I found these cute onesies with ducks!

All the tags for each gift coordinated with the card. I used Fox and Friends, one of my all time favs, to create a baby neutral card.

Amy and Steve welcomed a baby boy, Tristin, to the world in April. I'm looking forward to meeting him. 

Big, Bold, and Bright

Today's card was inspired by the CAS-ual Friday CFC63 Challenge. This challenge asked us to use the colors Navy, Lime, and Aqua in a super simple card.

 

I actually found this super simple layout on an Archiver's advertisement. I like it so much that I think it might be a go-to layout for me in the future.

I used the very old, but still wonderful Holiday Bliz stamp set as well as the very new, and a new favorite of mine, Sweet Essentials. I am excited to use this layout for other types of cards. Perhaps using some glimmer paper for the holidays or a wedding card? I think so. Keep watching for new cards and projects!

Back in Black Challenge

I just got a box from Stampin' Up that included some preview items from the new Holiday Mini catalog. I was so pumped that I just needed to do something with my new stuff. While the babes was sleeping (I'm sure there is a better way I should be spending his nap time) I went to the craft room and whipped up a card for the CAS-ual Friday Challenge CFC62 Back in  Black which requires you to make a card with a black card base. Ohhh...dark!

Okay, so I'm kind of obsessed with the Framelits sets from Stampin' Up and I decided to use several sizes of the Decorative Label framelits to create this card. I used gray as a backdrop and the black adds a bit of drama. It may be hard to see but I also embossed the black piece with a stripes embossing folder. Last but not least was the message in the middle. I used the new Gumball Green to add a bit of fun and a pop of color.

I actually made this card with my dad in mind, since his birthday is coming up in October.
Sorry about the picture quality. I took in right before the rain started.

Enjoy!

Fun Folds Class

One of our monthly classes this year was devoted to different types of folds. Although I like traditional folded cards as much as the next person, it is fun to explore the possibilities of folding cards in different ways. Here are the three cards we made.

The first was called a Stair Step Fold. This type of card really required a scoring device like Scor-Pal or Simply Scoring. I used the You're My Type stamp set from the Occassions mini catalog. I love the look of the old typewriter.

The second card was a Joy Fold card. I used one of my favorite sets, Trendy Trees, to create the background. I was very sad when that set retired.



The third card was a Double Z-fold card which also required a scoring device. I think this is one of my favorite folds that we did. The only thing that is difficult it needing ribbon for it to stay colsed and secure. I used the Word Play stamp set here and a bit of DSP. I really like the look of this card and that it can be used for a man card.

I hope you enjoyed looking at our cards and it encourages you to try a different fold for your next card.

Happy Birthday Weekend

This past weekend we celebrated two of the most important people in my life, my sister and my husband. Their birthdays are only a day a part so we always end up celebrating them together. My mom made a big pan of lasagna and we enjoyed good food and good family. I made this card for both of them. I like it because it is bright, cheery, and could be used for either a male or female. It was also the first card I made since having the baby. Woo hoo for me!

I decided to participate in CAS-ual Fridays CFC161 Challenge which was all about using strips of paper. Click on the CAS-ual Friday button to take you to the blog to check out other fabulous projects.

 

 

This card utilizes the Labels Collection Framelits, Summer Smooches DSP, and the hostess stamp set Wacky Wishes all from Stampin' Up.

 

Christmas Card

I wanted to create something special this year for our Christmas card. I used the Seasons of Friendship tree and white craft ink on Crumb Cake cardstock for our winter tree. I used Indigo Island as my background color. A new favorite for sure. I added a small strip of silver glimmer paper for a touch of glitz and boom our cards were done. I really love them.

November Card Class

In my mind for this month's class I was thinking about doing home decor for the upcoming holidays, but changed my mind when thinking about time we would actually have create these beauties. I decided instead to create holiday cards with a bit of sparkle. Each card we created had a bit of shimmer, sparkle, or shine to it. As you may already know, I love the look of glitter, but hate when it gets all over everything. I used a few other tricks and techniques to get the bling without the mess.

First, I decided to use the silver glimmer cardstock...which is so easy to use and has a pinch of glamour to it.

The next card used silver shimmer paint for a bit of shine. We sponged on the silver paint before stamping the ornaments. I think this touch gave the card a little something special.

The last card we created used Vanilla Shimmer Smooch spray to add a touch of glimmer to the White cardstock. It almost appears as though it is lightly snowing on the trees.

Boy Oh Boy...Masculine Cards are Difficult

My dad's birthday was yesterday. We ended up celebrating on Sunday when we could all get together. I love my dad more than anything. I have heard almost all my life how similar my dad and I are...personality, looks, attitude...and as I get older I realize how right people have been. My dad is a very special person to me and I cherish the time I've been able to spend with him. One of the best times I've ever had was spending almost 3 weeks in Europe with my last a few summer's ago. He was the best travel buddy. There's no one I would have rather spent the time with. That's why it is always really important to me to make a nice birthday card for him.

I am terrible at masculine cards though. I got a little of inspiration from Mary Fish though and broke out my Well Worn DSP. This card was very simple, but very nice indeed. I hope my dad had a great birthday!

October Card Class

For our October class, I decided to take the opportunity to try a OSW or One Sheet Wonder. I think OSW cards are a great way to maximize your designer paper, which lets face it is expensive, as well as make a bunch of cards. I used the Spice Cake DSP from Stampin' Up and Crumb Cake cardstock, my go-to color.

At this class we scaled back from a 12 x 12 OSW class to a 6 x 6 OSW class which allowed us to make 4 cards out of one 6 x 6 sheet of designer paper. I decided to make them all thank you cards so that we could give them as a card set for a gift.

Pumpkin Time

My new guilty pleasure...the Jack of all Trades stamp set from Stampin' Up. Not only is this set adorable, but a perfect pumpkin and fall set, which just happens to be my favorite season. I am looking forward to pumpkin picking soon.

I used a wild color combo provided by Paper Pal Arts and their PPA Challenge #114.

I also played along with Karen Giron, at The Sweetest Thing blog, who always has the most fabulous sketches. This week's Sweet Sunday Sketch # 138 was just amazing.

So here's what I came up with. I used the Lucky Limeade and Rich Razzleberry in the background, which I embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper folder, and used the Pumpkin Pie in the foreground with my spectacular pumpkins.

Happy Fall everyone!

Birthday Card for a Special Student

David was my student a few years back and we got along so well. He helped me out in my room after school and he was always very sweet and polite. He started high school this year and it's been a little weird to not see him around the halls anymore. He still invites me to his sporting events. One of his football games just happened to be on his birthday. I made him a special birthday card and gave him a small box of Skittles as they were our favorite after school snack.

I used paper piecing for the balloons. I wanted this card to be fun, yet appropriate for a high school boy. I love the Curly Cute stamp set. It's pretty much got a sentiment for everything occassion. I also busted out my new In Colors...Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, and Island Indigo.



Clean and Simple Birthday Card

I love a good clean and simple card and layout, but often times I find myself over-doing a card. You know what I mean...adding too many layers, too many embellishments, or too many colors. Sometimes it is best to follow the clean and simple method. This is difficult for people because it requires you to feel okay about leaving LOTS of white space.

This is a card I made using Design Seeds color selection (well a couple of them) and my new favorite stamp set...Delicate Doilies.

This is a birthday card for one of my teaching team members whose birthday is the day after mine. It was quick, simple, and beautiful. Well at least I think so.

Gently Falling Thank You Card

Today was our all staff meeting for the school district. It is electrifying to see and hear hundreds of teachers buzzing about the upcoming year. This day is humbling and exciting. It is amazing to me to see lots of people in the same place, with the same passion, and the same excitement for learning and children. I always cry (if only a few tears) at something that is said or presented. Today a quote popped up that made me shed a few tears... Some people only have five or six people in their life that truly remember them, but teachers have thousands who remember them and what they have done. It makes me feel so small in the big scheme of things.

I have some great teaching partners and they have been through thick and thin with me. One team member in particular has been through a lot with me and I wanted to show my appreciation for the shoulder to cry on, belly laughs, and talks that require a glass of wine. She is an inspiration and she keeps pushing me to do great things and be a great teacher every single day.

I made this card for her which features the new Gently Falling stamp set from the Holiday mini catalog. I am excited about this set because I love fall and leaves. Perfect-o! I also used Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Challenge 132 and the Color Throwdown 156.