October 1 : World Cardmaking Day 2011

My contribution to World Cardmaking Day are two Christmas cards made with Penny Black stamps from clear sets.

Above is a simple card that could be used as a place card for your holiday dinner. The bottom of the card is a 4.25" x 5.5" piece of card stock folded in half , layer edge punched pieces with the Hero Arts "Let It Snow" saying across the top piece.

(This is where you could write in someones name.)

You can stamp the cat, color in and layer, with as many layers as you like. Tape to the folded card making sure it stays within the 5.5" height if you want to use it in an A2 envelope.

This simple card is layered red and green using a snowflake Cuttlebugged embossed folder for the white background. Stamp your porcupine and color in. Layer onto the top of the card. At the top of the two strips you can put on a red and green brad.

Enjoy your card making day and the up coming holidays!!!

Sanding again!!!

I was so excited last week to buy the Tim Holtz sanding grip, of course with a 50% off coupon, and sanding papers, with a 20% off on my Michael's reward card. It is so much easier to sand straight across the top of my paper.

The above card was made by running cardstock, white sided on one side and dark peach on the other, through my Cuttlebug with a folder by Darice. I then sanded lightly over the top leaving the cardstock in the folder.

BE CAREFUL you don't sand the folder!!!

I applied ribbon and a flower punched from the card stock.

The card below I ran through a Cuttlebug embossing folder and once again using my new tool I sanded lightly, leaving my cardstock in the folder. This time I stamped the saying on white linen cardstock and added to the front of the card with another punched Flower!

My Take on the 9/11 Anniversary

I spent 9/11 at my friend lynda's home stamping cards for my servicemen. If you've read my blog before you know how important, I feel , it is to support our men and women in the service.

lynda and I had recently spent a day at a stamp convention in our area and stopped at the 

Our Daily Bread booth. http://www.ourdailybreaddesigns.com

I purchase the servicemen set and she purchased the flag. Together they make the most beautiful cards.

Please visit lynda's blog for her use of the stamps.

http://paperartscafe.blogspot.com/

I went a different way with the same two stamps...

I started with a set of pre-made square cards I had purchased at one of the big box stores years ago. I used white linen card stock to stamp the images with Staz-on black ink. I then colored in with pencil, yes it's just that simple. lynda's card is more involved and just gorgeous but I usually do things a little simpler. I foam taped the soldier image onto the flag and that was it!

Please don't forget our servicemen and women who are still serving in places that threaten their lives every day. Say a prayer for them!

Pumpkins on the septic!!!

For those of you who don't follow me on Facebook you may not have seen my posting of the fact that this year we planted pumpkins on top of our septic. It seemed like a good idea as it's the first time we realized the septic was in full sun for most of the day. However...

my eldest knows I planted pie pumpkins and now refuses to eat pumpkin pie at my house. His loss!!!

The above card is one of my favorites to do. It looks very elegant but is actually quite simple. The stamp is from Peddler's Pack. They have a bunch of beautiful stamps like this. I have the apples, pumpkins and leaves (note the fall theme!!!)

You ink up the stamp with Versamark, stamp your image on cream paper. Using q-tips and chalks, color in the image. Make sure the chalk is scraped up and loose and that the q-tip is softened.

When you finish yo can spray with a fixative...or not.

Layer and you have a gorgeous card!