Less is More

During the recent "Clean and Simple Card Making" online class that I participated in, I ran across a link to the "Less is More" blog run by Chrissie and Mandi. They have some great ideas on their site and, much to my delight, I discovered that they have a weekly challenge! I just love taking part in card challenges. This week's challenge is "Cut it Out". The first thing that ran through my mind was that I used to say that a lot to my sister when we were kids. My next thought was that I am currently coming up with ideas for Valentine's Day cards and the first card I have completed fits perfectly into the clean and simple guidelines for the challenge. You can check out the card challenge at http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.com/ Here is my completed card:

After creasing and folding the card base, I trimmed a small portion of the bottom edge using my Purple Cows Freestyle Mouse. I used a 2 3/8" Stampin' Up scalloped circle punch to cut the opening in the card face. The heart that shows through was cut with the Die-namics "Hearts a Plenty" die. I layered 4 plain white hearts atop one another with tacky glue and finished the stack off with a heart cut from some small polka dot patterned paper. This creates a thick, chip-board like heart which adds lots of dimensional punch to the card. (A tip I picked up from participating in "Clean and Simple Card Making".) I added a 1/2" strip of the same small polka dot paper to accent the lower edge of the card. I punched 2 small butterflies from some white pearlized metallic cardstock using an EK Success punch and mounted them in the centre of the heart. I mounted the upper-most butterfly in a flexed position to convey the look of the flexed wings of a real butterfly. I applied a small Stampin' Up pearl as the butterfly's head. Some Martha Stewart baker's twine in red and white was wrapped around the card and tied to form a bow. I finished off the card with a cute sentiment from Inkadinkado. Until next time,

Mo Manning Challenge

I just love Mo Manning's drawings and I'm having so much fun using her digital stamps. Here is a Valentine's Day card that I created using one of Mo's adorable dogs. The image is coloured with Copic markers. I've added some faux stitching to add detail to the sentiment and the background paper. I also added a Making Memories "Hugs & Kisses" charm to add a finishing touch.

Until next time,

Use Domi's Sketch

Here I am back again with my contribution to this week's Simon Says Stamp Challenge. This week's challenge is to use Domi's Sketch. You can check out the challenge at http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/ I am gearing up for Valentine's Day and wanted to create a cute card to send to my husband's cousin in California. She is a great dog lover, so I chose to create the card using one of Mo Manning's Digital images. This one is entitled "Pug Love". Isn't he adorable? Oh how I love colouring with Copic markers!

Until next time, Carol

Plainly White

I'm feeling so sad that the "Clean and Simple Card Making" classes will end today. It has been great fun and the ladies who present the classes have provided us with so many fabulous ideas. Their videos are very easy to follow and wonderful visual aids. You can't help but be inspired when participating in one of these online classes. Here is my interpretation of a "Plainly White" card.

Watch for more cards inspired by these classes.

Clean and Simple

As I have mentioned before, I have been participating in an Online card class entitled "Clean and Simple Card Making". I am thoroughly enjoying the class and would highly recommend this class or any of the other online card classes available at http://www.onlinecardclasses.com/ Here are a few cards that I was inspired to make following Clean and Simple Card Making classes.

Until next time,

Spots and Stripes

This weeks' Simon Says Stamp Challenge is "Spots and Stripes". Here's my example of spots and stripes. I just love the look of the flowers and leaves, which I stamped with Versamark and embossed with Ranger's Queen's Gold embossing powder. I then applied Broken China Distress Ink directly to the paper for the flowers and Bundled Sage for the leaves. Next, I misted the flowers with a mixture of water and Perfect Pearls Pearl. When they were dry, I cut them out and mounted them with dimensional tape. If you haven't tried this technique yet, you really should give it a go. I'm certain that you will love the effect!

Until next time,

PanPastel Background

I've been experimenting with the use of PanPastel Artists' Pastels to create a quick and beautiful background on some of my cards. These artists' pastels are soft and very easy to use. Although I have some Sofft Art Sponges, I have found that a simple makeup sponge works quite well for application and is much less expensive. For the background of this card I used Phthalo Blue for the sky and Raw Umber for the ground. By passing over an area several times and applying medium pressure it is easy to deepen the colour. Conversely, by applying light pressure one can achieve a very pale and soft depth of colour. The texture of the chalk can easily be changed by the movement of your hand. I just love the effect! After applying the background, I stamped the image using a Hero Arts rubber stamp (Silhouette Grass)and Versamark Ink. I then applied and heat set the image using Ranger Embossing Antiquities in Rust. This is a really different type of embossing powder and gives a matte, rough texture to the embossed image. The picture really doesn't do this justice. I was very pleased with the result.

I am current taking another Online card making Class. This one is called "Clean and Simple Card Making" and involves Kristina Werner, Jennifer McGuire, Julie Ebersole and several of their friends. I highly recommend these classes and I'm thoroughly enjoying the fresh new ideas. I've been pretty busy and haven't had a chance to make many cards using the new ideas, but here's one that I whipped up after watching the initial class. I find that I anxiously await each day's new posting. Such fun!

Until next time,

Welcoming the New Year

2012 has finally arrived and with the new year many of us remember to count our blessings and look forward to whatever new adventures lie ahead. My family and I had a wonderful Christmas. We are still basking in the glow of love and warm comfort that grows out of the gathering of friends and family. Think positive thoughts about the things that 2012 will bring and then do your best to make them happen. Here's a little card I made with a wonderful stamp from Stamping Bella that was designed by one of my favourite artists, Mo Manning. This little boy's expression reminds me so much of the looks I sometimes encountered in my classroom and out on the playground while on yard duty. Mo has captured perfectly that slight glimmer of guilt that kids get on their faces when caught red handed doing something they know they are not supposed to be doing. I just love it! The image was coloured using Prismacolor Premier coloured pencils and blended with odourless mineral spirits using a paper stomp. This is one of my favourite ways of adding colour to my stamped images. I cut the image out and mounted it with dimensional tape on a designer paper illustrated with a winter scene. To accentuate the "Who Me?" look on the boy's face, I constructed a window on the front of the card using white cardstock as the window frame and clear acetate to give the impression of glass panes. A perfect card to celebrate a winter birthday!

Until next time,