Scrappin' the Garden

I realized recently that I have almost no scrapbooking examples on my blog. It was only recently that I focused so completely on cardmaking; for the longest time, I mostly made memory books. Of course, most of those got sent off to family, so I have few examples in my home either. So I decided to make a memory book of our garden this year. As inspiration I used the If It's Groovy Birds challenge.

I used a paisley for the birds, my new favorite trick. I also incorporated the info stakes that came with our plants.




Inspiration: If It's Groovy November challenge: Birds
Cutting files: Design Elements and A2 Cards for All Occasions from SVGCuts.com
Supplies: Recollections & Core'dinations cardstocks, ZipDry glue, Fiskars papercutter, Cricut personal cutter, SCAL2 software, HP printer & ink, Adobe InDesign & PhotoShop, Michaels brads & ribbon, Grumbacher pastels, Pebbles Inc. pom poms, Pergamano reverse-action tweezers, AquaNet hairspray, Xyron sticker machine (sticker machine!)

One stamp, 2 cards, 3 techniques

I had so much fun making, and received such a lovely response to, my black diamond card that I decided to make a few more. I concentrated on colors, as chosen by this week's Scrapmaster's Paradise and ColourQ challenges.

My mom just sent me a bunch of wooden stamps that she picked up at a crafters' yard sale. Three are large medallions of the sort I've been coveting but couldn't quite afford yet. After these two cards, I think Mom got her dollar's worth!

I have so much respect for people who do a lot of hand-cutting for their crafts, but I try not to do it too much because it makes my hand cramp something terrible, plus I would never have time to do anything else! That being said, I couldn't resist layering the medallion for this card. I embossed pink on red and burgundy, and red on pink.

Inspiration: SP Color Combo #74: bravo burgundy, real red, regal rose
Rubber stamp: Holly Berry House
Decorative paper: Pink Spattered by Paper Pizazz
Supplies: Recollections cardstock, ZipDry glue, Fiskars papercutter, Tim Holtz scissors, ColorBox pigment ink, heat embossing tool, Martha Stewart embossing powder, Elmer's & Sakura gel pens
I just had to try another clay medallion. There was still white ink on my stamp, so it embossed and colored the clay, which added a nice effect. I hand-colored it after baking. For the mustard-colored elements, I stamped the medallion with white ink and embossed it with clear powder.

Inspiration: colourQ challenge #59: pumpkin pie, more mustard, old olive, rich razzleberry + white
Rubber stamp: Holly Berry House
Supplies: ColorBox pigment ink, Sculpey polymer clay, Recollections & Core'dinations cardstocks, ZipDry glue, Fiskars papercutter, Tim Holtz scissors, heat embossing tool, MeltArt clear embossing powder, Elmer's & Sakura gel pens, Sharpie white paint pen

Such Classic Girls

Here's a little sneak-peek at the new digis from Paperfaces Designs. Don't forget to follow Therese's blog, as she'll be putting out a call for a design team and offering challenges soon.

Inspiration: Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #80
Digi stamp: Hats Trio by Therese Travis for paperfacesdesign
Supplies: Stemma by Masterpiece Studios paper, Recollections cardstock, brads & pop-dots, HP printer & ink, Adobe InDesign & PhotoShop, Elmer's, Marvy & Sakura pens, Offray ribbon, ZipDry glue, Tim Holtz scissors, Fiskars papercutter, AnAkronism typeface by Nick Curtis
Sentiment inspired by "Classic Girl", Jane's Addiction

Black Diamond

I love fancy folds for cards, so I loved the diamond fold challenge at Craft Your Passion. They have a fantastic tutorial to help you get started, plus incredible inspiration by the DT. I decided to try this week's Tellen's Place challenge as well, which is to use a black background.

For the card base I used Recollections gold paper. I used a texturing plate to emboss black Core'dinations cardstock (because its tough and can really take some punishment) and was pleased with the leathery result. For the medallion, I used a lovely new rubber stamp on translucent polymer clay. After baking it, I "aged" it with gold ink. Mom's been bugging me to try clay on cards for some time now, but it seemed like one thing too many. Now I think I'm hooked!

Inspiration: Craft Your Passion Challenge #32 Technique: Diamond fold
Tellen's Place Black Background Challenge

Supplies: Recollections & Core'dinations cardstocks, ZipDry glue, Fiskars papercutter & corner punch, embossing texture plate & texturing tool, ColorBox pigment ink, Sculpey polymer clay, Rubber stamp by Inkadinkado

Update 12/3/10: This card made the top 3 for Tellen's Place Black Background Challenge.

Homey

I was kinda excited try this week's Michaels' Craft Some Holiday Magic challenge, but one of the mystery items is Chargers. Come on, chargers? As in decorative plates you put under your normal plates? Hmm, sounds like a giant chainstore is trying to empty out its backrooms. Too fancy for me.

So I was very happy to see the fun challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers: card & matching gift. Oh boy, you should check out their DT projects. Incredible! But I just had to try my hand at the challenge.

I used a house box template I found months ago at Amy's SVGs and made a matching card by tracing it in SCAL. And of course I had to make windows and a doorway for the card. The "sentiment" is a stamp I've been saving for the holidays. I cut the lightbulbs on the box from the cardstock I used for the box and the card, and attached a bow to the top to make it easy to open.

I've been looking for a cute way to give friends and neighbors some marshmallows, and I think I found it!


Gift Box template: Amitup
Inspiration: Crafty Cardmaker's Challenge #34: card & matching gift
Supplies: DCWV and Core'dinations cardstock, Offray ribbon, Michaels variegated craft cord & needle, ZipDry glue, Cricut personal cutter, SCAL2 software, stamp from gStudio