Step It Up Saturday

 Well it’s Saturday! For most people that means sleeping in, but oh no, not me. It’s right before the crack of dawn (4:30am) and as I roll over in bed, a thought comes in my head about this post. Now my brain is like a dog with a bone: it won’t let it go until I see it through.

Earlier this week, I posted a simple Beginner card that I cased from the SAB (Sale-A-Bration) brochure on my Facebook group, Diane’s Craft Space.

It came together quickly and used minimal products: stamp, ink, paper, scissors (to fussy cut the ladybug instead of the added cost of the punch) and adhesive. Beginners don’t have much of a card making stash but as shown here, they can still make a pretty awesome card. 

Once I finished this card, I thought, this can easily be stepped up for a Casual card maker.

On this card, instead of stamping my background, I added DSP (Designer Series Paper). I also added a matte for the sentiment, black dots and a small bow to the lady bug. These additions are quite inexpensive to purchase once you already own stamp, ink, paper, basic tools and adhesive.

Now comes the stepped up version for the Avid crafter. They have been card making for some time, they already own the basics and can now add the big guns to their collection of craft supplies.

Here we introduce the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss machine, a die and an embossing folder as well as the coordinating Ladybug Builder punch. Now I’m not saying a Beginner can’t use or afford the big guns. They can. If they have the budget and some tutelage, it can easily be done. It’s just most Beginners need to pace themselves into the art of card making supplies and knowledge. It’s also good for an Avid or Casual stamper to go back to basics sometimes. Sometimes less is more and more doesn’t mean better.

Here are my cards side by side to compare “skill” levels.

Supplies used Beginner:

• Hello Ladybug stamp set: 157693 (optional: Hello Ladybug Bundle: 157699)
• Brights card stock assortment: 146975 (optional: individual colours Bermuda Bay: 131197 and Coastal Cabana: 131297)
• Bermuda Bay ink pad: 147096
• Coastal Cabana ink pad: 147097
• Memento Jet Black ink pad: 132708
• Real Red ink pad: 147084
• Paper Snip Scissors: 103579
• Stampin’ Dimensionals: 104430

Add on supplies for Casual stamper:

• Matte Black Dots: 154284
• Linen Thread: 104199
• Sunshine & Rainbows 6x6 Designer Series Paper: 158126 (free from SAB brochure when you spend $60)

Add on for the Avid crafter:

• Stampin’ Cut & Emboss machine: 149653
• Greenery embossing folder: 152716
• Forever Flourishing dies: 152714
• Matte Black Dots: 154284
• Linen Thread: 104199

I hope you enjoyed seeing my stepped up versions of a very simple card. Here is the inspiration from the SAB brochure:

Have yourself a very merry Saturday! Make some time this weekend to get your craft on. I’m off for coffee number two and fingers crossed: a nap this afternoon.

Krafty Chicks Challenge #594: Christmas

Yeah, it's Thursday! Time for another great challenge from the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog. Let's put the spotlight on Christmas this week! Here's my card:

 

I had fun making this card. First time using the Gilded Leafing (I made two cards back in December). Tip: don't breathe near it! It's actually quite easy to use, just a few steps and everything is golden! For the sentiment though, I used gold embossing powder. I'll admit to trying the Gilded Leafing but that was a mess.

 

You can see the sentiment better in this close up. But I also wanted to show you the bow. This thread is retired now but I can never seem to get rid of ribbons and threads. I just did a few loops around my hand and then tied a smaller thread to the middle. I fiddled a bit, pulling some longer loops and creating smaller ones in the process and then frayed the ends.

 

Supplies I used:

• Christmas Season stamp set: 156293
  
• Merriest Moments stamp set: 156353 (carried over but not orderable until July 2022)
  
• Early Espresso ink pad: 147114
• Soft Suede ink pad: 147115
  
• VersaMark ink pad: 102283
  
• Thick Basic White card stock: 159229
• Evening Evergreen card stock: 155574
• Painted Christmas DSP:156292 (carried over but not orderable until July2022)
  
• Heat Tool: 129053
• Gold Embossing Powder: 155555
• Heat & Stick Powder: 156110
  
• Gilded Leafing: 154560
• Gold 3/8" Fine Art ribbon: 154561
• Forever Greenery Trim combo pack: retired
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss machine: 149653
• Seasonal Labels dies: 156299
  
• Stampin' Dimensionals: 104430

 

I like to keep the inside of the card and the envelope CAS. Here I added some pine cones, a strip of Evening Evergreen to the inside of the card and the DSP to the flap of the envelope to tie them all together.

Head on over to the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog for more details about the challenge and for more inspiration for Christmas week from the Design Team. There's even a place to upload your project at the end. I hope you play along with us and show us what's happening in your craft space.

Here's a direct link to our wonderful Design Team's personal blogs:

Leanne's Blog

Melanie's Blog

Lori's Blog

Darnell (Guest Designer) 

 

Krafty Chicks Challenge #591: All Occasions

  Happy Krafty Chicks Thursday to you!

Welcome to another great challenge week from the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog. All Occasions is the theme, so pretty much anything goes. Here's my card:

I made this card as a commission. Customer wanted Congratulation cards with a winter theme but not Christmas. Since it's winter, I thought snowflakes. I had card kits already pre-cut but not enough to make the whole order. Using the same design, I split the order in half and used different colour schemes.

I love both options but the red one stands out more. Before you say it, maybe I'm too late, while it looks like the sentiment on the blue card is crooked, I assure you, it's just my photography skills or lack thereof. It was adhered straight on the card.

Supplies I used:

• Snow is Glistening stamp set: retired
• Celebrate Sunflowers stamp set: 152517
• off brand for some snowflakes
• Real Red ink pad: 147084
  
• Flirty Flamingo ink pad: 147052
  
• Pear Pizzazz ink pad:147104
• Versamark ink pad: 102283
  
• Real Red card stock: 102482
  
• Basic White card stock: 159276
• Flirty Flamingo card stock:141416
• Heart Warming Hugs DSP: Sold Out
  
• Heat Tool: 129053
  
• White embossing powder: 155554
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine: 149653
  
• Snowfall thinlits: retired
• Painted Labels dies: 151605
  
• Stampin' Dimensionals: 104430
  

I like to keep the inside of the card and the envelope just as CAS, so just a snowflake in the corner.

Head on over to the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog for more details about the challenge and for more inspiration for All Occasions week from the Design Team. There's even a place to upload your project at the end. I hope you play along with us and show us what's happening in your craft space.

Here's a direct link to our wonderful Design Team's personal blogs:

Leanne's Blog

Melanie's Blog

Lori's Blog

Kylie (Guest Designer) 

 

Krafty Chicks Challenge #590: CAS Clean And Simple

 Happy Krafty Chicks Thursday to you!

Are you ready for this week's challenge? I'm the hostess and we are looking for CAS, as in Clean And Simple. Here's my card:

This card was created because my Scout Elf Willis was playing with the Gilded Leafing, made quite the mess actually. And since he had almost all the supplies needed out on my desk, I took it as a challenge to create a card with it. 

 I'm still in holiday mode, I'm not sick of making Christmas cards yet, so why not let that be the theme again this week. I love these stamp sets, they will definitely make it to the KEEP pile after they retire.

Supplies I used:

• Christmas Season stamp set: 156293
• Merriest Moments stamp set: 156353
  
• Soft Suede ink pad: 147115
• Evening Evergreen ink pad: 155576
• Versamark: 102283
• Thick Basic White card stock: 159229
• Evening Evergreen card stock: 155574
• Painted Christmas DSP: 156292
• Heat Tool: 129053
• Heat & Stick Powder: 156110
  
• Gilded Leafing: 154560
• Forever Greenery Gold Trim: retired
  
• Stampin' Dimensionals: 104430

 

I like to keep the inside of the card and the envelope just as CAS. I just stamped a bunch of pine branches randomly.

Want some more inspiration?? Go check out the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog to see what the Design Team have created. Hope you play along and upload your project so that we can see what's happening in your craft space.

Here's a direct link to our wonderful Design Team's personal blogs:

Leanne's Blog

Melanie's Blog

Lori's Blog

Kylie (Guest Designer) 

 

Krafty Chicks Challenge #590 Christmas

Yeah, it's Thursday! Time for another great challenge from the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog. Let's put the spotlight on Christmas this week! Pretty much these last few weeks have been all about Christmas cards, some for Crafty Inkettes United Card Club, some a commission, lots for seniors ( I had lots of help with these), some for this blog, and a few more for family and friends. I usually have these started in September and done by the end of October or beginning of November, definitely all done and mailed by December. December is dedicated to decorations, the tree, baking, making memories with the grand kids. I get to start all that this weekend!

Let's have a look at my cards:

I made these as my thank you cards for customers that ordered from me in November. All orders qualify, no matter how big or how small, online or through me, you will get a pretty and reusable thank you card. 

I'm all about using up some of my old stuff this season. I admit I am a paper curator (aka Hoarder)! The first step is to admit it right? Found this plaid designer series paper pack tucked away safely. It holds plaid for all seasons, all holidays, one for every occasion for sure. I took out the few sheets of what I consider Christmas plaid, and matched it with the coordinating base card stock. Hence the two different but similar cards.

In this picture I wanted to show you that you can use the Penguin Builder Punch for the penguins on the Penguin Playmates DSP (retired from the second SAB period). Saved me from all that fussy cutting. I did have to fussy cut the polar bear though.

Supplies I used:

• Penguin Place stamp set: 156410
  
• VersaMark ink pad: 102283
• White Embossing Powder: 155554
• Heat Tool: 129053
  
• Cherry Cobbler card stock:119685
• Shaded Spruce card stock: 146981
• Penguin Playmates DSP: retired
• Plaid Tidings DSP: retired
• Penguin Builder Punch: 156452
  
• Paper Snip Scissors: 103579
  
• Stampin' Dimensionals: 104430
  

I like to keep the inside of the card and the envelope as CAS. I punched an extra penguin for the front of the envelope but I could have used the stamp set. And a little more plaid for the flap of the envelope and the bottom of the inside card panel to use up the DSP faster.

I really LOVE the way this card turned out and some of my customers even "Wow!" me. I hope you enjoy it too.

Head on over to the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog for more details about the challenge and for more inspiration for Christmas week from the Design Team. There's even a place to upload your project at the end. I hope you play along with us and show us what's happening in your craft space.

Here's a direct link to our wonderful Design Team's personal blogs:

Leanne's Blog

Melanie's Blog

Lori's Blog

Kylie (Guest Designer) 

 

Krafty Chicks Challenge #588: Stamp Act

 Happy Krafty Chicks Thursday to you!

Welcome December and the Holiday season! Are you ready for the hustle and bustle that comes with it. I am thankful that almost all my gifts are bought. I only have to pick up two Christmas book (it's a tradition with pajamas), and event tickets to Galaxy Land and Water World at the West Edmonton Mall. I promised myself, NO MORE TOYS but to create memories together. I think they will be very happy with the tickets.

Onto my card for this week's Krafty Chicks Challenge : Stamp Act. As long as something is stamped, be it an image or a sentiment, it qualifies for the Stamp Act challenge.

There's those penguins again. They are too adorable, I have to keep playing with them. Every year, I create a card for my grandsons to give to family and friend which includes a recent pic of them. This is what I came up with. Created without thinking that there's 25 of them to make.

I didn't have enough Misty Moonlight card stock so I made some in Just Jade as well. 

Supplies I used:

• Penguin Place stamp set: 156789
  
• Memento ink pad: 132708
• Soft Sea Foam ink pad: 147102
• Shaded Spruce ink pad: 147088
• Just Jade ink pad: 153115
• Pumpkin Pie ink pad: 147086
  
• Soft Sea Foam card stock:146988
• Purple Posy card stock: retired 
• Wisteria Wonder card stock: retired
• Misty Moonlight card stock: 153081
• Just Jade card stock: 153079
• Penguin Playmates Designer Series Paper: retired
• Penguin Builder Punch: 156452
• Wonderful Snowflakes: 156340
• Paper Snip Scissors: 103579
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine: 149653
• Picture This Dies: 155559
  
• Stampin' Dimensionals: 104430
  

Since there was lots of fuss on the front of the card and the card base was a light colour, I simply added a strip of DSP to the inside of the card. For the envelope, a few snowflakes on the flap and a couple more penguins to tie it all in.

Need more inspiration for the Stamp Act challenge, hop on over to the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog to get the details. And upload your project so that we can see what's happening in your craft space.

Here's a direct link to our wonderful Design Team's personal blogs:

Leanne's Blog

Melanie's Blog

Lori's Blog

Kylie (Guest Designer) 

 

Krafty Chicks Challenge #585: Christmas

Yeah, it's Thursday! Time for another great challenge from the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog. Let's put the spotlight on Christmas this week! I can't believe how time flies. This happens every November and I am never ready for it. Now we are down to 6 weeks before Christmas and my To-Do Holiday list is as long as my arm. Thank goodness for this Challenge Blog! At least I have most of my personal Christmas cards done and ready to address and mail off.

Let's move onto my card:

This is one of the panels I created last week while playing around with the snowflake decorative mask.

I used VersaMark and silver embossing powder to get a shiny effect. I pondered for a while about adding a ribbon but in the end, went without.

 

Supplies I used:

• Snow Is Glistening stamp set: retired
  
• VersaMark ink pad: 102283
• Delicata Silver Shimmer ink pad: retired
  
• Thick Basic White card stock: 159229
• Polished Pink card stock: 155710
  
• Silver Foil Sheet: retired
• Adorning Designs Decorative Masks: 156328
• Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder: 155555
• Heat Tool: 129053
  
• Stampin' Pierce Mat: 126199
  

I like to keep the inside of the card and the envelope just as CAS. So I just stamped randomly some snowflakes with the silver ink pad, added a pink strip to the inside of  the card to add a bit of colour.

Head on over to the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog for more details about the challenge and for more inspiration for Christmas week from the Design Team. There's even a place to upload your project at the end. I hope you play along with us and show us what's happening in your craft space.

Here's a direct link to our wonderful Design Team's personal blogs:

Leanne's Blog

Melanie's Blog

Lori's Blog

Donna (Guest Designer) 

 

Krafty Chicks #584 : Stamp Act

 Happy Krafty Chicks Thursday to you!

Welcome November! Let's hope for more fall weather days, even though our nights are freezing! With Halloween out of the way, one can open their mind to the Christmas Spirit. I absolutely LOVE creating Christmas card. How about you?

Onto my card for this week's Krafty Chicks Challenge : Stamp Act. As long as something is stamped, be it an image or a sentiment, it qualifies for the Stamp Act challenge.

I really wanted to play with our new masks (aka Stencils), the snowflakes one in particular. So I set out to demonstrate how to use different mediums with them. What a messy process but loads of fun! Here's some sample panels that I played with:

 

 Here I used some VersaMark and Heat and Stick Powder to adhere the Gilded Leafing. This is the first time I have used that product and it's been sitting on my shelf for almost a year waiting for me. 

Tip: watch your breathing. The leafing is so light, it blows away easily.

 

For this sample, I used some VersaMark again but Silver Embossing Powder and set it with the Heat Tool.

Tip: use an embossing buddy or anti-static tool before stamping.

Got a little messier this time with some Embossing Paste. Use a palette knife to spread it around evenly. Lift the mask off and quickly wash it off, along with the knife. There will be a little residue left on the mask, that's normal. I don't like it though.

Tip: add a few drops of your favourite colour ink refill and mix into the paste to coordinate with the colours you've chosen or leave it Matte Finish or Shimmery White.

 

 

 

 

Another way to use the mask is with Shimmery Crystal Effect. I squeezed a bit out and spread it with the Palette Knife. The final look is similar to Clear Embossing Powder and some glitter.

 

 

 

And the first way I used it is also the easiest, less messy if you use a scratch paper underneath your card panel. Pick your ink colour and use a Blending Brush to spread the colour around. I used heavy pressure on the center of the snow flakes and lightened the pressure for the edges. This gives it great definition and shading.

Supplies I used:

• Merry Christmas To All stamp set: retired
  
• Coastal Cabana ink pad: 147097
• Memento ink pad: 132708
  
• Coastal Cabana card stock: 131297
• Basic Black card stock: 121045
• Basic White card stock: 159276
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss machine: 149653
• Merry Christmas Dies: retired
• Adorning Designs Decorative Masks: 156328
• Blending Brushes: 153611
  
• Multipurpose Liquid Glue: 110755
  

I kept the inside of the card and the envelope very simple: just a little more masking/stencilling to tie it all together.

Need more inspiration for the Stamp Act challenge, hop on over to the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog to get the details. And upload your project so that we can see what's happening in your craft space.

Here's a direct link to our wonderful Design Team's personal blogs:

Leanne's Blog

Melanie's Blog

Lori's Blog

Donna (Guest Designer) 

 

Krafty Chicks Challenge #581: Christmas

Yeah, it's Thursday! Time for another great challenge from the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog. Let's put the spotlight on Christmas this week! Feels odd thinking about Christmas just a few days after Thanksgiving! I had the grandkids over and they gathered all my leaves, it’s our family tradition (and that time of year). They love jumping in them and getting buried alive. We have a row of tall trees in our back alley, when the wind blows, ALL the leaves make it into my yard. They gathered 5 industrial size garbage bags, the next day I gathered 2 more bags, and Tuesday was so windy, I probably have another bag or so more to gather. Who needs a gym this time of year? Lol.

Let’s move onto my card:

Another fun card made on World Card Making Day. I followed the Freshly Made Sketch #505 that was current that week.

As soon as I saw this layout, I knew I wanted pine cones from the Christmas Season stamp set as the focal images. The longest part of constructing this card was the placement of the greenery. And then I reached out to my Facebook group (Diane's Craft Space) friends for advice. TO BOW OR NOT TO BOW? The answer is obvious.

Supplies I used:

• Christmas Season stamp set: 156293
  
• Winter Woods Paper Pumpkin October 2019 stamp set: retired
  
• Soft Suede ink pad: 147115
• Shaded Spruce ink pad: 147088
• VersaMark ink pad: 102283
  
• Crumb Cake card stock: 120953
• Basic White card stock: 159276
• Basic Black card stock: 121045
• Heat Tool: 129053
  
• Stampin' White Emboss powder: 155554
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss machine: 149653
• Seasonal Labels dies: 156299
• Real Red grosgrain ribbon: retired
  
• Stampin' Dimensionals: 104430
  

Still keeping the inside of the card and the envelope clean and simple. Here a pine cone, there a pine cone and a few pine needles too.

Head on over to the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog for more details about the challenge and for more inspiration for Christmas week from the Design Team. There's even a place to upload your project at the end. I hope you play along with us and show us what's happening in your craft space.

Here's a direct link to our wonderful Design Team's personal blogs:

Leanne's Blog

Melanie's Blog

Lori's Blog

Laurel (Guest Designer)