Sneaky sneaky...

... I didn't realize one of my team members had gotten married until I realized her last name on the door tag had changed! I was hesitant to ask, but nope, it was happy news - she got married! So I decided it was card time. I didn't have to, but I felt like it.

As well, Lest We Forget... I am forever grateful to those who have served, and those who are serving to keep our beautiful country safe and welcoming to live in.

Today's inspiration: http://scrappietoo.blogspot.ca/2014/09/case-study-challenge.html, from Case Study #207. I might have to dig around a bit more in her site - really liking her card style.

I embossed the flowers from an old SOTM onto the vellum, then used the "frosted glass" technique so the colors weren't too crazy. To do this, you stamp the one side of the vellum and emboss, then you color on the back side of it. The little flower I just bunched up a couple of squares of tissue paper from something I had before and attached all the layers together with Liquid Glass.

I used a totally different color technique with the inside - same flower, but this time I watercolored with pigment inks. I didn't want a strong color but I wanted to carry the image inside.

Other:
* Vellum adhesive
* Vellum
* Cream cardstock
* Blue cardstock
* Copic markers

CTMH:
* Jardin (retired)
* Big Hug
* It's The Little Things SOTM ** upcoming!!
* Happy Valentine's SOTM (retired)
* Brown Opaque Pearls (retired)
* White embossing powder
*  Liquid Glass
* Embossing Ink
* Twilight Ink
* Smokey Plum Ink
* Desert Sand Ink
* Cranberry Pigment Ink -- from pigment ink set Adventure
* New England Ivy Ink -- from pigment ink set Enchantment

Hope you are staying warm on this chilly day!

Sometimes it's just plain fun to fiddle.

It's time consuming, don't get me wrong, but I really loved the end result. This year is my MIL's big 60th birthday, but alas I had to go back to Calgary for work and so could not join her. Hubby, however is able to make a tiny detour so I'm glad for that, and I'm sending some cards with him.

It was a big set of cards to do in four days but I did it! There was no particular inspiration for this one but three hours of fiddling later...

I really love the silver frame on the black. It's downright gorgeous - and just that little extra sparkle here and there plus some foam tape and fussy cuts makes it really pretty. And ok, kudos to you if you can spot the distressing of three colors on the front!

The inside was the same butterfly - because you know, I absolutely adore this set which pairs perfectly with La Belle Vie Level 2 Paper Pack. I cried the day they retired it...

Other:
* Cream Cardstock
* Butterfly punch
* Lace edge punch

CTMH:
* La Belle Vie Level 2 Paper Pack
* Jardin Stamp Set - retired
* You Are My Happy Sentiments - retired
* Smokey Plum Ink
* Gypsy Ink
* Cotton Candy Ink
* Silver embossing powder - retired
* Detail embossing powder - retired

In the last three days, Old Man Winter decided to visit with a vengance and we had broken trees, power outs, dicey roads... I hope that it hasn't affected you too much and that you are warm, safe, and dry!

Blue and Feminine...

My best friend's birthday was back in April and her favorite color is blue, plus she enjoys travelling and the sea. So I finally cracked out the sea wood shapes that I'd bought some time ago from CTMH but had no idea what to do with them.

My inspiration was Mojo Monday and it popped up from viewing several designers: MOJO290

I went with clean lines and beachy, relaxed feel. I kept to a specific palette and wanted the sea shapes to pop right out as orange against blue.

I didn't go too fancy on the inside but I stamped the entire card with one color which I'd never done before. Usually I like to use a combination of colors and occasionally stamp sets. It worked out well contrasted with the other pieces and cardstock colors.

Other:
* White cardstock

CTMH: 
* Lucky Level 2 Paper Pack (retired)
* Jardin
* Card Chatter - Birthday
* Seaside Wood Shapes
* Blue Adhesive rhinestones
* Blue Designer Ribbon (retired)

Looks like we'll get a hint of summer at 25 tomorrow before it hits 11... if nothing else, the weather around here is never boring.

Happy Crafting!!

Two Year Work Anniversary

My boss made it to his two year anniversary on Thursday last week. My coworkers were talking about buying a card until they remembered the work that I do and I volunteered my card making skills.

Today's inspiration is from Case Study #117 : Maureen Merrit

I always find boy cards a challenge because a lot of the images I have are more female centered than male centered. However, by using boy-colors: blue and brown it helped to give it a more boy-type feel.

My favorite technique is to bring the colors and images to the inside of the card to tie it all together.

Other:
* Solid cardstock

CTMH:
* Dreamin' Level 2 Paper Pack
* Blue & Green Adhesive Rhinestones
* Silver embossing powder
* Hello Blooms
* Jardin
* Scrapbook Statements - Poets
* Card Word Puzzle
* Artiste Cricut Cartridge
* Cocoa Ink
* Outdoor Denim Ink

I can never turn down a contest...

When I made this card, I didn't have a recipient in mind this time, but most of my female family members' birthdays have come and gone. I'm considering making cards for sale, however.

I had a fantastic time in Vancouver and Seattle! We visited Summerhill and Quail's Gate winery, our friends in Vancouver, Granville Island, our friends in Seattle, Pike Place Market and even took a hammer to our dinner.

This is the view from our table at Quail's Gate Old Vines Restauraunt in Kelowna, overlooking the mountains, the lake, and their vineyard is to the right.

I can't resist a Mojo Monday contest, and last Monday's contest was no exception! I came home to my order waiting for me which included two stamp sets from the latest catalogue - Jardin and Magic Potions. I have grand plans for Magic Potions later!

Today's inspiration is Mojo Monday : MOJO257

I broke out my embossing gun which I haven't for some time now! The silver powder is from somewhere in Vancouver Island that my grandmother bought me years ago before she passed away. However, she's probably grinning from Heaven - like me, she absolutely adored crafting of all kinds. I decided to blend a few paper packs again; Florentine, Stella, and Avonlea. They match so beautifully.

As I didn't have an event to make this for, I decided to add some elements from the front and leave it blank. In case you're wondering where the butterfly is from - I stamped it out of Jardin and cut out the butterfly. I've got a serious weakness for beautiful butterflies.

Last but never least, it's a new month which means there's a new SOTM available! It's really cute to use for Fall, Thanksgiving, or even possibly Halloween cards and decor. It's called Fall Favorites and I know I will definitely have to get one for myself.  This set is only 5$ with a 50$ minimum purchase.

And of course don't forget... it's National Stamping Month! See this post - http://stamped-by-hand.blogspot.ca/2012/08/just-couldnt-resist.html for details. Spend $35 and get a double-sided set for only 5$ more. It's quite versatile!

Michaels, etc:

* Ribbon

* Solid cardstock

* Silver embossing powder

* Rhinestones

CTMH:

* Avonlea Level 2 Paper Pack

* Stella Level 2 Paper Pack (retired)

* Florentine Level 2 Paper Pack

* Jardin

* Smokey Plum

* Topiary

I'm out to enjoy the last weekend of summer!