Because I didn't learn from years past...

... I am once again doing wedding-based invitations. This time, to a banquet after the actual event in Lake Tahoe. 5 years ago, I did my own invitations and literally burned right out on that; interlocking hearts cut out with Creative Memories punches, brads, vellum, silver ink, and I think I did about 110 of them with both events (Denmark wedding and Canada banquet) together.

Dad was talking about ordering these ol' fangled things off the interwebs. He wanted traditionalist Chinese, he said, but then he realized they cost an arm and a leg. Just like anything wedding related in North America. So, I volunteered. It was based off an old Chinese style wedding invitation from cousins married many years ago, and with some fiddling, came up with this.

The hardest part was being limited in the colors I could use, plus the audience I had to impress - namely, my old-fashioned Dad. Red of course goes without saying, but got permission to use silver in place of gold. You can't see it in the photo, but there are three shades of red here. The gears are a nod to my brother's career - he's an engineer.

I will find out what the inside looks like tomorrow with the wording my parents are going to provide, but this not only got a thumbs up - even the wedding couple was thrilled.

Other:
* Red cardstock
* Cuttlebug machine
* Cricut machine

CTMH:
* Damask Embossing Folder
* Artiste cartridge
* Corner Rounder
* Love Life stamp set
* Kanji Phrases set (retired)
* Silver embossing powder (retired)
* Bitty Adhesive Rhinestones

Now to make 34 more of these...

Halloween 2013...

I always love creating for my office!! This is an old photo that never got posted - I made up these little boxes and also decided I'd do something different than the chocolate and candy floating ALL over the place. So I made spiced nuts as well.

I started with a basic container, and then just fiddled until I got something I wanted.

I filled them by buying freezer bags, spooned some spiced nuts (an almond and walnut mix) into them and tied them off with some orange ribbon I had laying around. Tags were cut with Art Philosophy and I used scissors to cut out the little counts and ghosties.

Other:
* Patterned Cardstock
* Ribbon

CTMH:
* Art Philosophy CTMH Cartridge
* Artiste CTMH Cartridge
* Creepy Creatures
* Magic Potions
* White Daisy Ink
* Outdoor Ink

Still hoping for this snow to finally go away,

Working on the backlog...

this time I was working on Dad's birthday card only half a month late. I hate it when work gets in the way. I originally saw this while digging through PInterest, and it was only a matter of time before I decided it was worth doing.

I`m pretty tired these days so classy and simple is my favorite style lately. Today`s inspiration : http://www.mamamostamps.com/2013/08/case-study-3rd-anniversary-blog-hop.html by Maureen Merritt.

I just realized I forgot to add fancy borders on these photos... oh well, guess that is for next time. I went through my scrap heap and pulled out the funky little pigment cube sets to use on these stamps. I also brought back Enjoy Life`s clock and added a few embellishments.

And of course, I couldn`t resist using the bicycle once again teamed with some fancy yellow swirls and the same colors into the inside.

Other:
* Solid cardstock
* Orange patterned cardstock

CTMH:
* Enjoy Life (retired)
* Just A Number (retired)
* Saddle Pigment cube from Basic set
* Buttercup Pigment cube from Whimsy set
* Twilight Pigment cube from Whimsy set
* Avalon Level 2 Paper Pack (retired)
* Dreamin`Level 2 Paper Pack (retired)
* Mocha Adhesive Pearls (retired)
* Blue and Green Adhesive Rhinestones (retired)

What a crazy set of ridiculously cold days, hope you are staying warm!

I'm still backlogged...

... on cards!! Booting off to South Africa in the first week of December meant that I was behind in making Christmas cards, and my parents collect them. So I feel terrible that they didn't get one this year, and so I'm making it for them now, albeit a bit late.

I dusted off some old stamp sets that I hadn't used in some time and are retired, and had great fun with the alphabets.

Today's inspiration: My Paper Secret Friendship Card [Wonderful Words, Friends], by Christina

 

The biggest challenge was lining up the letters correctly for the sentiment on the red line of the cardstock. I used red, green and white for Xmas colors. Some years back, I fell in love with the Bohemian alphabet and bought it on a whim. I haven't used it much since, but it was appropriate for this card. On retrospect it could almost be a baby card, but it's a Christmas card. The reindeer was colored with Copic Markers.

I continued the three stripe colors inside the card and stamped the sentiment inside with Cranberry Ink. The fun thing about doing Xmas cards that isn't for a workshop is that I can revisit with all my stamp sets whether or not they're retired. I colored the little raccoon again with Copic markers.

Other:
* Solid Cardstock
* Copic Markers

CTMH:
* Bundled Buddies, retired
* Snow Flurries, retired
* Classmate Alphabet
* Bohemian Alphabet, retired
* White Daisy Ink
* Cranberry Ink
* Grey Flannel Ink, retired

It's been pretty chilly here the last few days, hope you are all staying warm!

Layering in all it's beauty

I honestly do not know what to do with myself if I didn't have foam adhesive. Seriously. I use it on all my projects, and it feels like it gives that extra bit of dimension to the card. This one was no exception. Especially since I wanted the middle tree to stand out. So, with two layers of adhesive and some scissor work, I was good to go!

Today's Inspiration: Case Study #167 - Tasnim Ahmed

As you can see I had to use one of the newest embellishments that has come out of the Autumn/Winter 2013/2014 catalogue, which shows up also with the jewellery line. The silver accent with the word 'Love' is just perfect for a card like this. As for the background, it's an old CTMH paper pack that even I don't remember what the name was! As for the funky coloring on the trees, that is the rock-n-roll technique.

On the inside I used the present stamp with the ribbon swirls to decorate the bottom and the matching sentiment in Olive Ink.

Other:
* Solid Cardstock

CTMH:
* A Timber
* Card Chatter - Christmas
* Olive Ink
* Ponderosa Pine Ink
* Base and Bling Word Accents

It's gearing up to be a balmy week this week - but that's one thing about the weather here, it always changes just as you think it will never end!!

Happy New Year!!

Wow I can't believe it has been a month since I updated my blog, but for a lot of good reasons which include family, Christmas, sunshine and wine. I was at the family summer home in Hermanus, South Africa for most of Dec. And boy, was it hard to leave but all good things come to an end.

This is overlooking the ocean from Hermanus - in the right season you can see Southern Right Whales which this town is known for. The blue umbrellas is from Bientang's Cove, a resturaunt that I have yet to try.

Happy 2014!! I'm hoping to post more pictures of cards and be more frequent with the blogging but that is goal #4 of 4 I have for this year. Also hoping for a quieter year with many successes.

The first thing I want to tell you about is that it is National Papercrafting Month!!

With an order of $35CAD or more, you can get this fantastic kit for only 15$. It includes everything you need to make 10 cute cards for all sorts of occasions.

And last but not least the stamp of the month: Cross Stitch Wishes.

As always, get this beautiful stamp with an order of $50 or more for only 5$! This would be neat to dress up Valentine's cards and scrapbook layouts.

Do you have any New Year's resolutions?

Christmas Ornaments...

... what I love about making cards for the family that isn't part of my annual workshop, is that I can use any stamp set which is Christmas based to make them. I have a few favorites that were part of catalogues past.

This one was no exception. I whipped out a mix of snowflakes and cute ornaments, my silver emboss powder and just went to town.

Today's inspiration: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2320958

On the front I combined old and new stamps. Swirls Around provided the main swirly and the old snowflakes from the Winter 2011/2012 catalog was the perfect background. The best pop is the Cranberry Baker's Twine.

I brought a swirl from the same set up the right hand side of the cardstock inside the card and used the sentiment from the same set as the ornaments.

Last but not least is the November Stamp of the Month: Illuminate!!

Other:
Solid cardstock (kraft & white)

CTMH:
Swirls Around
Snowflakes
Holiday Cheer
Ponderosa Pine Ink
Topiary Ink
Olive Ink
Cranberry Ink
Cranberry Baker's Twine
Silver embossing powder
Opaque Pearls - Black/Grey
Adhesive Rhinestones - Blue/Green
Itty Bitty Rhinestones

The first of many Xmas cards to come!!