Where green grass grows there can't be wrong

Although most of my cards tend to be on the "sweet" side, in my personal life I tend to like art & music that is more on the edge. Like, dangling off the edge and screaming. For example, one of my favorite bands of all time is Jane's Addiction, in part because that's what I listened to with my best friend from college. We lived in Arizona, and would take long drives out in the desert or up through Oak Creek Canyon or into the winding roads to Jerome, listening to Perry Farrell's wailing and wondering what we wanted from life. We've remained friends all these years, and have shared the joys and sorrows that come from being strong-willed and naturally rebellious.

You may remember the "ballsy" card I made for him last year; I wanted to make him something special, so I decided to use a line from Jane's Addiction's "Ain't No Right"... 

I used two double-sided papers from BoBunny; I printed the lyrics in brown (set in three versions of Ablefont) directly onto the DP, and added a little dimension to the piece with Vintage Photo distress ink. The banners were cut with dies from a•muse studio's Cupcake Toppers set, and I used Creative Medium to give them a shine & make them pliable.

I added hand-stitching on the ribbon; it's really light, but worth it I think. Here's a close-up:

I feel like there's a sort of Medieval Festival vibe going on here... which I think Perry Farrell would appreciate. As he once said, "Don't blame me 'cause you got no honor in your life ... don't blame me 'cause you have no chivalry in your soul!"

Inspiration/Challenges:
Clean & Simple: Sketch #225
Dynamic Duos #37: Soft Suede and Crumb Cake
Glitter n Sparkle: Male Card

Thank you for visiting & rock on,

Doodlin' with Roy G Biv

I had so much fun using this week's Less Is More sketch for my leafy CAS card the other day, that I just had to try it again. This time, I was inspired by the "Use Markers" challenge at CAS-ual Fridays as well as the "Doodle a Frame" challenge at Speedy and Friends.

For the color band, I used the "texturing with Copic blender solution" technique that I learned from my mom via Copic Diva Jennifer Dove. My current favorite fabric to use is scrap Aida cloth from my cross-stitching projects. I used my Copics to make a color-block band, soaked a strip of fabric in Colorless Blender Solution, and simply pressed it on top of the colored band. Presto! 

Then I stamped the sentiment in black, and then again with SU! Craft White ink, and traced it with a black glaze pen.

I used an XS PITT Artist pen to doodle the frame; this is a doodle that I've been doing for years but it's the first time I've used it on a card. But it won't be the last!

Inspiration/Challenges:
CAS-ual Fridays: Use markers
Less Is More: Sketch (2nd entry)
Speedy and Friends # 144: Doodle a frame

Thank you for visiting,

Fun with New Goodies

As you may know, my mom is perhaps more of a crafter than I am, and thanks to her local craft shop, Scraps of Love, we get our hands on some incredible products. For example, this gorgeous Authentique paper, "Majesty," from their Splendid collection. I actually grabbed it for the striped side, but I realized that I could cut out the center of one of the florals to make a shaker card. Mom also hooked me up with two jars of Martha Stewart glass microbeads, so I tried my hand at gluing them onto a scalloped border. I need to perfect the technique, but I really like the effect. In the past, I've only used microbeads for shaker cards; which I did again (see photo on right).

The sentiment is from the Rosy Wishes set by Crafty Secrets/Clear Art Stamps, and reads, "May all that's good and true / Cheer you this joyous day, / And the rosy leaves of happiness / Be strewn upon your way." This is my first time using it, but I'm thinking I'll be using it often! I stamped it in Spanish Olive VersaMagic chalk ink. I cut some butterflies with Stampin Up's Beautiful Wings Embosslit, featuring the striped side of the paper.

I'm thinking I'll have to make more of this card!

Inspiration/Challenges:
Paper Shelter Challenge #96: Anything goes
Scrappy Frogs: Try Something New (This is my first time using microbeads as an embellishment. So fun!)
WordArt Wednesdays #64: Anything goes (2nd entry)

Thank you for visiting,

Simply Natural

If you follow this blog, you know that CAS isn't really my thing, but I like to try it every once in a while. I really love this week's color combo at The Play Date Cafe, so I paired it with the truly CAS sketch at Less Is More to make this:

 The sentiment is from the Wildflowers set by Crafty Secrets/Clear Art Stamps. I love this white leaf garland; I added color with Copics. I popped the band with foam tape, and that's it! I think I'll be making more of these... really like how it came out.
 

Inspiration/Challenges:
Card Makin' Mamas: Clean and simple Card
Less Is More: Sketch #8
The Play Date Cafe: Black & White + a Splash of Emerald Green
WordArt Wednesdays #64: anything goes

Thank you for visiting,

The Puzzle of Love

Time for another fun challenge at One Stitch at a Time - Use a Digi.
I chose Missing Piece by Reeces Scraps for myself & teamie Vicky (her card is so different from mine, and so fabulous!.

I printed the image out on Kraft, some pretty DP, and a white cardstock for the back message portion.

Inspiration/Challenges:

1. Artistic Inspirations: More than one fold
2. Brown Sugar: Valentines
3. C.R.A.F.T.: Valentines Day/Love
4. Crafty Ribbons: Love/Romance/Anniversary
5. DL.ART Thankful Thursday Challenge: Use Red or Pink
6. Melonheadz Friends Challenge: Use a Digi
7. Ruby's Rainbow: Valentines
8. Southern Girls: Get Krafty
9. Whimsical Designs: Love

Hope you'll join the "Use a digi" challenge at One Stitch at a Time this week (and be sure to check out my teamies' fabulous projects). For entries using a StitchyBear Store product (be sure to add a # after your name when entering), you'll be eligible for our sponsor prize. You're welcome to enter the challenge using different products, but instead you'll be entered into the draw to win a £3 coupon to StitchyBear Digi Stamps. Can't wait to see what you create! 

Thank you for visiting,