Black and White Birthday

Today I've got a clean and simple card to share with you, but the details make it special. I love the look of black and white cards. I just think they look so very elegant! Usually I add a pop of color somewhere to really make it shine, but today's card is pure black and white. But that surely doesn't mean it's boring. Here, let me show you....

Stamps: Fresh Vintage (SAB), and Perfectly Penned
Cardstock: Shimmery White and Basic Black
Ink: Basic Black ink and marker
Accessories: Big Shot with Labels Collection Framelits, Corner Rounder Punch, Basic Pearls, White Taffeta Ribbon, and Mini Glue Dots

After several unsuccessful tries to get the pictures to show the Shimmery White cardstock that was used, I'm giving up. You'll just have to believe me that this card is just simply gorgeous in person. Not a whole lot of stamping going on here, but just enough.

I liked the added fussy linework to frame the stamped floral image to make it stand out more. And the wonderful calligraphy look to the sentiment makes it look extra-special.

Now I need to find someone with a birthday to send this to that would appreciate the look. Know anyone? Let me know!! Well, that's it for today. Hope you liked the simplicity of this card and give it a try. You'll love it when it's done! Take my word for it. Thanks for stopping by today. Hope you had a very blessed Sunday and were able to spend some time with family and friends. What could be better? Hugs, Sharon

Mixed Bunch Square Card

I seem to be making quite a few square cards lately. For some reason I especially like the 4 1/4" square size. It's small, but kinda cute, don't you think? This little gem is really simple to make, but packs a punch (pun intended). Earlier this month, the stamping group at church made a stack of these to send on to our military personnel through 'From Our Hearts'. If you'd like information about this group, click on the button on the right. Hope the service men and women like the cards the ladies make for them. I know we sure have a great time getting together to make them!



Stamps: Mixed Bunch and Just Believe
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette and Whisper White with Subtles Collection DSP
Ink: Rose Red
Accessories: Blossom Punch, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, and Dimensionals

Like I said, it's really a simple card to make, very straightforward. Nothing special, but everyone thought it turned out really cute. Hope you like it too and it gives you an idea next time you need something quick.

Thanks for stopping in again. Come back soon. Hope you're enjoying wonderful weather where you are too. It's just been gorgeous around here and we're sure spending time outside when we can. Have a great day - Sharon

Happy Easter Bunny

I've mentioned that I've been working on my Easter cards lately as I'm sure most of you have too. I have another one that I'd like to share with you today. I'd seen this idea and then lost the link, so just went with whatever worked for me. Thought it was cute enough to share.

Stamps: Everybunny
Cardstock: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, Prety in Pink, and Pool Party cs with Subtles Paper Stacks
Ink: Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Crumb Cake, Pretty in Pink, and Baja Breeze inks with Baja Breeze marker
Accessories: Big Shot with Labels Collection Framelits Dies, Little Leaves Sizzlit Die, AquaPainter, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Set, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Modern Label Punch, Baja Breeze Pleated Satin Ribbon, Basic Pearls, Mini Glue Dots, and Dimensionals

Isn't this little card cute? Oh, actually it's not quite so little - it's a 5 1/4" square card. I don't usually go for the square cards 'cuz the Postal Service seems to require more postage on these. But this one needed the larger size to fit all the goodies on it.

Now have you figured out where I used the Lace Ribbon Border Punch? Hmmm? I'd saved a few of the teensy flowers that were scrap after punching some Pool Party for another card. Aren't they the perfect size to add a couple to the card here? (and my hubby wonders why I have to save everything!)

Anyway, hope you love the card as much as I do. Thanks for stopping by again. Let me know you're out there. grin - Sharon

Get Well Lacy Card

Just wanted to share today a get well card that my sister Connie sent to me. I thought you'd like to see it too. It uses the delicate Paper Doily Large Sizzlits Die that's in the Occasions Mini Catalog. I've used it a few times myself, and think it's wonderful. Here's what my sister made for me...


Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers
Cardstock: Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride, So Saffron, Naturals Ivory, and Very Vanilla
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Big Shot with Paper Doily Sizzlits Die, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, and Dimensionals

I need to put in a disclaimer here. I'm guessing on which colors she used. I think I've got them right, but you never know. But I'm right about how pretty the card is, right?

Thank you for sending me the card, Connie. I'm still fighting this sinus/cold thingy and it's not any fun. It's been over three weeks now. I think it's going away, then I get hit with a horrible day again. Ugh! So this card really brightened my day. Thank you, thank you dear sis! Sharon

Pool Party Birthday

Actually, the Pool Party part is the color of the cardstock used, not an actual pool party. Of course, if the weather stays as wonderful as it's been lately (like in the 70's!), maybe it will be pool party time soon. Wouldn't that be just lovely?

Anyway, I was having trouble settling down to get anything done today so I thought I'd check out some blogs I haven't looked at in months. The first one I checked is by Wendy Janson here, and she had a wonderful spring-inspired birthday card. Well, I fell right in love with the colors used, the layout, the whole kit and kaboodle. So what else is there to do but CASE it?! So that's exactly what I did. Here's my version of her card. There are a few changes to use the supplies I had on hand. But the look is all hers - thanks Wendy for the lovely inspiration!

Stamps: Happiest Birthday and Create A Cupcake

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pool Party, So Saffron

Ink: Pool Party ink and Pool Party, Certainly Celery, and So Saffron Markers

Accessories: Big Shot with Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Subtles Buttons, White Bakers Twine, So Saffron Striped Ribbon (ret), Mini Glue Dots, and Dimensionals

So simple, but so pretty and spring-like. And I needed a fun birthday card this week for my friend, so it was perfect. These colors all work together so nicely, the card almost makes itself! Give it a try and let me know what you did. I love to hear from you.

Sharon

Little Bunny Easter

I've been making cards for Easter lately and one of my favorite sets is Everybunny. The images are just so sweet that you gotta love 'em. So I thought I'd share one of them with you today. It's simple and sweet with a few twists to make it special. Hope you like it.

Stamps: Everybunny

Cardstock: So Saffron, Certainly Celery, and Whisper White with Subtles Paper Stack DSP

Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, and So Saffron

Accessories: Big Shot with Finial Press Embossing Folder, AquaPainter, Certainly Celery Satin Ribbon, and Dimensionals

Did you notice how the right edge of the card was cut an inch shorter and the striped DSP was layered on the inside? I thought that added a cute little touch to it. The satin, celery ribbon coordinates with the layer behind the main image. And the little egg shell was watercolored with the same color to tie it all together.

I had thought of coloring the bunny this time, but decided I liked a white bunny for this card. This way everything stayed very soft and pastel. The embossing on the front of the card keeps it from looking too plain. All in all, it's a very simple card to make, but altogether I think it's pretty darn cute.

Thanks for stopping by to see what I've been up to. As always, I appreciate your comments. Have a great weekend! Sharon

Motorcycle Mania

Who would have guessed that a card featuring motorcycles would be a hit at my classes? There were a couple of ladies that I knew would be happy with my choice of topic, but I wasn't too sure of the rest! I'd been putting off making a card with a masculine theme, but it was time to face the challenge. My sister, Connie, came to the rescue by loaning me a couple of her stamps that fit the bill. I finally got around to using the motorcycle stamp (unfortunately it's already retired!)for the card, and it got rave reviews. Here's what the ladies made in class with it...

Stamps: Motorcycle (ret), Happiest Birthday Wishes, It's Your Birthday (ret), and Making Tracks Wheel (ret)
Cardstock: Naturals White, Basic Gray, and Real Red
Ink: Basic Black and Real Red
Accessories: Handle, Neutrals (black) Brads, Mat Pack and Piercing Tool, AquaPainter, Cutter Kit, and Dimensionals

Isn't this fun? The ladies weren't sure about wheeling on the tire tracks, but once they got started, they were on a roll! grin There were tire tracks inside the card, the front of the envelope and the back too. One lady actually put the tracks all over the front and back of the card base! She was definitely 'making tracks'!

I loved the idea of using the Cutter Kit to distress the edges of cardstock too. It just makes it look more 'manly' with the roughed up cardstock, don't you think? And the bits of red makes it go from dull to 'zing'!


Thank you, Connie, for sending me this stamp to play with. It's wasn't the one that I had originally planned to use for class, but it worked out just perfectly. If you need the stamp back anytime soon, let me know. Otherwise I might be using this again a few more times. (And I haven't even gotten to the other stamps you sent me yet! Time to get stamping!)

Thanks for stopping by today for the latest card installment. Sorry so much of it is retired, but it was fun playing with some oldies. Now I wish I had ordered this stamp. Oh well, no matter how much I'd like to have it all, I just can't!! Thanks for sharing any comments you might have. I'd love to hear from you. Sharon

Butterflies Three

I really like the Kindness Matters stamp set and was thrilled to be able to get it free because of Sale-a-bration. (only 19 days left to get yours free too!) Now that I have the set, I was drawing a blank on what I wanted to make with it. I was hoping to come up with a sketch for using the set on the Stamping 411, but instead found a card to CASE from Patti Chesney here I made a few subtle changes, just minor tweaks, but not many 'cuz I loved the card just the way it was! Thanks for the lovely card idea Patti!!

Stamps: Kindness Matters
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Peach Parfait, Pool Party, Basic Black, and Very Vanilla with Twitterpated Designer Series Paper
Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Crumb Cake, Peach Parfait, So Saffron, Pool Party
Accessories: Big Shot with Square Lattice Embossing Folder, AquaPainter, Peach Parfait Poly Stitched Ribbon, Sponge Dauber, and Dimensionals


This card looks fairly straightforward when you first look at it, but it sure has a lot going on when you investigate further. The strip of Twitterpated DSP was adhered to the cardstock before it was embossed with the Big Shot. Then I inked it with the direct-to-paper technique. This gives it a whole lot more interest very quickly. The Pool Party layer was scrunched and distressed to add interest also.

The butterflies were watercolored with ink to get the lovely, soft colors. The whole card is a mixture of soft with lots of texture. Hope you like this idea. It's really a wonderful card and again, thanks Patti for the lovely idea. Sharon

Pastel Friendship Card

Happy Saturday to you! Hey, can you believe I'm posting 3 days in a row now!! Wow! Maybe I can stay on track for a little while again. At least, that's the plan (grin). Ok, on to the card idea...
I've been having so much fun working with the stamps and papers in the Occasions Mini lately. The colors and images just fit me to a T and I just can't get enough of them. For the card today, I used watercoloring with the Calypso Coral ink to get a wonderfully soft look to the flowers. Even though the ink is bright, using just a little bit with an AquaPainter gives it a delicate, porcelain look. See what I mean?

Stamps: Bordering on Romance and Friendly Phrases
Cardstock: Bashful Blue,Calypso Coral, and Whisper White
Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Bashful Blue, Calypso Coral, and Wild Wasabi
Accessories: AquaPainter, Big Shot with Labels Collection Dies, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Dazzling Details, Everyday Enchantment Ribbons and Brads Set, Mini Glue Dots, and Dimensionals

Don't know if you can really see it much in the photo, but the daisy border from the set is stamped along the bottom portion of the card with Bashful Blue ink. It's a subtle accent to the card. Love using those skinny organdy ribbons from the Sale-A-Bration catalog. They just add a pretty touch to the card. Lastly, adding the Dazzling Details to the centers of the flowers adds just a teensy bit of glitz to the card. Everything about this card is soft and understated. Hope you like the idea. See you soon, Sharon

Double Butterfly Beauty

Well, at least I think it's a beauty! This is one of the most feminine cards I've made in awhile. And when I look at it and realize there's no lace or pearls or other frou-frou, it begs the question - what makes it so feminine?
It's the lovely Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper! The vintage-looking prints and mixture of colors on the different prints just makes it so pretty. Here, see what I mean...



Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers
Cardstock: Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, and Very Vanilla with Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper
Ink: Calypso Coral, Sahara Sand
Accessories: Big Shot with Top Note Die, Beautiful Butterflies Die, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Regals Buttons, Pear Pizzazz Stitched Poly Ribbon, Linen Thread, Sponge Dauber, Mini Glue Dots and Dimensionals


Isn't it pretty? Can you see all the lovely prints on the card? Add the two layers of butterflies, ribbon, button accent with the Linen Thread making up the antennae, the punched edges. Oh my, it almost makes me swoon! (Or maybe that might be from the sinus infection still, grin) Anyway, I hope you like this one as much as I do. It was worth all the layering and sponging, etc.
Have yourself a fabulous day today. Looking forward to having more energy tomorrow. See you then. Sharon