Simply classic

I used the hard-mounted rubber Raspberry Vine Bookmark stamp by Magenta to make this CAS card:

I dry-embossed the flowery branches with a Cuttlebug border texture folder. The sentiment is from a Lili of the Valley stamp, and is cut out with a Spellbinders die.

This is my first time using my long-desired orange/Carnelian PEARLustre Embossing Powder from Stampendous ... I colored in the stamp with various markers I have ... I can't use my Copics with colored embossing. It was difficult getting a good photo of this, so here's a scan of the heat-embossed piece:

ColourQ

Less is More

Inspiration/Challenges:

ColourQ Challenge #148: Green, Orange, Rose, Pink, White (right)

Less is More Week 78: Sketch (right)

Thank you for visiting,

Sweet Birthday Wishes from Card Cupids & Fresh Brewed Designs

Can you believe it's already August! I know, I say that every month! Today begins a new two-week challenge at Card Cupids, sponsored by Fresh Brewed Designs. We're looking for Birthday cards for Kids or Shades of Blue.

My card sorta uses both themes, and features FBD's "Daydreaming" digi stamp:

For the image border, I used a modified version of the Ribbon Frame Technique and one of my favorite ribbons.

The Candy Jar & Birthday Sentiment stamps are from the Sweet Treat collection by Beth Gunnell for Quick Cards Made Easy Magazine, as are the papers. The "100% Sweet" sentiment stamped inside the thought-bubble is from a Hampton Art set.

Inspiration/Challenges:

Crafts 4 Eternity Recipe Challenge: Brilliant Birthdays

Critter Sketch: Anything Goes

Fashionista Challenge: Birthday (or Baby)

Kaboodle Doodles: Birthday or Any Special Day

Party Time Tuesdays #79: Anything Goes

Stamp Man: Anything Goes / Celebrations

The Stamping Boutique: Anything Goes

Twisted Tuesday: Free For All / Anything Goes

Hope you'll join in with us for this challenge, and be a Card Cupid! The only requirement for our challenges, other than the theme, is to send in at least card to Card Cupids (the simple instructions are here). 

Best,

My very own Shabby Hermès Jigé Clasp

I love printable papercrafts, and although I seldom get around to actually making them I've been trying to save them to my Must Make board on Pinterest for easy access. Almost two months ago I ran across Coquette's post on this free DIY paper Hermès Jigé Clasp. It's available in several designs, including a "decorate your own" white with black stitching version. I used the latter, but scaled down the files to fit onto on U.S. Letter-size sheet.

The Shabby Tea Room

My design was inspired by the current Photo Inspiration (right) challenge at The Shabby Tea Room.

I printed the template onto a DP by Graphic 45, but the detail didn't come out so well, so I added machine stitching to the bigger pieces and faux hand-stitching to the logo & strap. I can't believe I was able to keep such a tight border on my machine, especially on the little side pieces (left), but it all came together really easily.

The design of this is really fabulous... the strap actually goes through a slit behind the "H".

I bought pink tissue paper flowers on our last trip to Mexico, and wrapped them in some lace seam binding Mom sent me. The little hydrangea flowers were cut from vellum using a Sizzix die. I colored the flowers with three colors of Memento chalk inks, and added a Liquid Pearls center.

For the inside, I printed the purse again on a very thin white cardstock, and colored it with Tea Dye & Vintage Photo TH distress inks (I also distressed the edges of the whole purse), and stamped a pattern with a hydrangea stamp from an SU! set.

Inspiration/Challenges:

The Shabby Tea Room Week #125: 'Sweet Summertime' Photo Inspiration (above right)
Come and Get It Challenges: Anything BUT a Card

Poodles Parlour: Anything Goes

This was so much fun to make! If you want to try it for yourself, you can download the files at Coquette's blog; she also has a link to a DIY paper Hermès Kelly bag that I'm gonna have to try! Thank you for visiting,

Digitally Funky with OSAAT

This week's challenge at One Stitch at a Time is a favorite -- Use a Digi! I used Funky Floral VI by Floppy Latte Designs to make this 3D card:

I love fine papercutting, but I get terrible hand camps if I do too much repetitive, fine work, so I don't get to do this kind of card very often ... which is too bad, because I just love the result! 

Hope you'll join us at One Stitch at a Time for our "Use a Digi" challenge. For entries using a StitchyBear Store product (be sure to add a # after your name when entering), you could win a this month's SBDS Artist Collab set (right). You're welcome to enter the challenge using different products, but will instead be entered into the draw to win a $3 coupon to StitchyBear. Can't wait to see your projects!

I'm entering this into the following fab challenges:

ATCs & Cards With Attitude: Anything Goes

Card Crafter's Circle Challenge #33: CAS

Crafts and Me Challenge #94: Anything goes

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #196: Bright and Cheerful

Stamp n Plus Challenge #2: Anything Goes

Update: I gave this to our yard man and his wife in May 2013. I knew I wanted to give it to someone really special, and by the fact that he's mentioned it to me and my husband I think they like it! Isn't that what crafting is all about; I'd rather have the honor of being on their mantle than a big prize win any day! 

Thank you for visiting,

Babies and Butterflies

I won this adorable Babies and Butterflies digi by Redonkulous Designs from Charisma Cardz's Recycle Challenge, and I just had to use it immediately with Mom's Circle Flip-its Sizzix Movers & Shapers L Die. 

What did I do before my BigShot die cutting machine?! For this card, I also used Spellbinders frame dies, Stampin' Up!'s Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, and the Butterfly & Dragonfly die from Sizzix. I also "debossed" the ribbon with a Cuttlebug border texture folder. I added some detail with copper Liquid Accents.

Inspiration/Challenges:

Just Us Girls #146: Color Challenge (oops, missed the deadline!)

Platypus Creek Digitals Challenge 11: Things With Wings

Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes

Hope this gives you a smile! Thank you for visiting,