Grunge Meets Halloween

Giving it a little thought, seems like Halloween and grunge would be a perfect match.  So that's what I set out to do.  I pulled out my grunge set first and then went searching for something that would compliment it.  I found a couple items that seemed made to go together, so I sat down to play.  Here's the results.  I think it worked out nicely.  What do you think?

Stamps:  Six-Sided Sampler, Gorgeous Grunge, and Perfectly You(hostess set)
Ink:  Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie, and Crumb Cake
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, and Very Vanilla
Accessories:  Hexagon Punch, Witches' Brew Washi Tape, Sponge Dauber, and Dimensionals

I  started out with the Pumpkin Pie and Early Espresso (off-stamped) stamped onto the folded Crumb Cake card.  I liked the hexagon pumpkin from the hostess set and wanted to use that as the focal point.  Seemed it was just too small by itself, so two of the hexagons from the Six-Sided Sampler set were added to it.  Still not enough weight there, so I added the strip of Early Espresso cardstock to anchor the hexagons - perfect. 

Now it needed something else - ribbon, brads, buttons - nope, not quite right.   Oh yes, the cool Witches' Brew Washi Tape would be just the thing.  I added a little strip of each of the tapes and there you have it.  A quick and cute Halloween card using bits of this and that.

I'm off to do a workshop tonight.  Looking forward to seeing everyone there.  We'll be having lots of fun and showing off some new goodies and samples.  So that means I'll have more to share with you later on in the week.  Hooray!  Happy stamping,      Sharon

Thankful for you

Yes, I am thankful for you!  I'm so glad you decided to stop in today and see what I've been up to down in my crafting corner.  It's been a crazy week and I can't believe I didn't get back to post quicker.  I've got a card today that I just love.  It's a little darker than I usually do, but some of these autumn cards are turning out that way lately.  I tried a new toy, I meant to say tool!  Yes, I tried a new tool this week that gave me a bit of a problem.  I checked on line to see what others had to say and got a terrific tip to help.  Love that everyone is willing to share their experiences so we can all benefit!  Anyway, here's the card...

Stamps:  Truly Grateful
Ink:  Stazon Jet Black, Crushed Curry, Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip
Paper:  Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, and Very Vanilla with Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper
Accessories:  Big Shot with Expressions Thinlits Dies,  2 1/2" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Aqua Painter, 1 1/4" Burlap Ribbon, Sponge, and Dimensionals

First off, let me just say how much I love these Thinlits Dies!!  They're so awesome!  That said, I thought I'd go crazy trying to get the lettering out the first time.  TIP:  Lay a sheet of waxed paper in between the Thinlit and the cardstock.  This helps the lettering to pop out easily.  I can't wait to use this one again now that I know what works.

Secondly, this burlap ribbon is perfect for all the autumn projects you might be doing.  Great texture!!  I thought it was too wide for this card, so I just cut it in half and taped it down.  How simple it is to cut by just following the threads. 

Lastly, I want to comment on the Sweater Weather DSP - love, love, love it!!  I've used it so much I only have scraps left and need to order another pack.  The color combos and prints are great.  Some are really bold and some are softer like this one.  It reminds me of a cozy flannel comforter that I'd like to cuddle up in when the weather is cooler.  Anyway, I think it's gorgeous with that hint of blue and the browns.  Perfect for this time of year.

That's it for today.  I've still got more fall ideas to share with you.  See you soon...        Sharon

Grateful Leaves

Okay, I'm back with another fall card.  I'm just lovin' all these leaves that we have to stamp with right now.  Each of the leaf stamp sets can give you a totally different look and feel.  It's hard to decide which one to grab when I want to stamp!  Today it's the Wonderfall stamp set and die that coordinates with it that caught my imagination.  Hope you like it...

Stamps:  Wonderfall, Truly Grateful, and Gorgeous Grunge
Ink:  Pool Party, Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze, and Crumb Cake
Paper:  Crushed Curry and Very Vanilla
Accessories:   Big Shot with Autumn Accents Bigz Die, 1 1/4" Burlap Ribbon, and Dimensionals

What did I ever do before there was Gorgeous Grunge?  Seems like I'm using it on almost every card I make lately!  I love the little speckles and blotches in the set and they just add the right amount of filler on those open backgrounds. 

I added a smidgeon of Pool Party to this card to give it a pop of color.  The leaves were all stamped with at least two colors on the stamp.  The 2nd ink color is a little too heavy to be called rock 'n roll, so I'm not sure what to call it.  I really wanted to give an idea of the many colors on fall leaves, so I guess I had a heavy hand adding the extra layers of color.

The burlap ribbon was wider than I wanted on the card, so I just cut it in half.  Then I took off 2 strands of the burlap to give it a softer, slightly fringed edge.  Love it!!

Thanks for stopping in again today.  It's been a great week sharing with you and I've really been enjoying it!  Christmas ideas will be coming soon.  I promise!  Stay tuned...    Sharon

Magnificent Maple

I was checking around Pinterest earlier in the week when I had a little break.  Oh my, talk about sensory overload!  Whew!!  Tons of ideas and it got me thinking of different things I wanted to try out.  So yesterday I just sat and played with my stamps and papers.  What fun was that!!  I wish I had more time to play around and just try different ideas.  Usually I've got too many deadlines hanging over my head to just play around.  Not that I'm complaining about deadlines, you understand.  If I didn't have deadlines, that would mean I didn't have any business going on either - not fun.  Anyway, I've got a card to share today that's sort of a composite of several different ones.  A little of this, and a little of that.

Stamps:  Magnificent Maple, Gorgeous Grunge, and Sassy Salutations
Ink:  Soft Sky, Crumb Cake, Pumpkin Pie, and Chocolate Chip
Paper:  Very Vanilla and Soft Sky
Accessories:   Big Shot with Labels Collection Framelits, Linen 7/16" Trim, Sponge quarter, and Dimensionals

 This card has so much going on, it's hard to realize it's actually a one-layer card.  I don't usually have no layering on a card.  That's just a necessity when making a card, isn't it?  But this one is so special that it works.

Again, I added a little splash of blue to the fall colors.  It just makes the other colors almost glow.  I added the sponging around the outside of the card to give it a little more dimension.  And I love how the trim adds to the earthy look.

Here's the inside of the card.  I used the die-cut piece because I hated to throw it out.  Not sure if I'm happy with this as it is.  It might get something added later - if I can figure out what I'd like to add!

That's all for today folks.  I've got another one or two fall ideas I'd like to share with you yet before I move on to Christmas.  At least I think it's only one or two more.  We'll just have to wait and see what happens!  Come back soon!  Sharon

Thankful for times 2

Hi there!  What a fabulous weekend it's been so far!  I've been doing some creating today and that always makes me feel wonderful.  Today I have two versions of the same card.  The first was made during class week and I love it.  The second is a scaled down version that I designed for my friend who just had knee replacement surgery.  She wanted to make thank you cards for several of the hospital personnel that went above and beyond the call of duty.  But she wanted to make them herself but wasn't sure how much energy she had.  Hence the easier version.

Stamps:  Wonderfall, Gorgeous Grunge, and Truly Grateful
Ink:  Pool Party, Tangerine Tango, Crushed Curry, Sahara Sand, and Chocolate Chip
Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Pool Party, Very Vanilla cs, and Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper
Accessories:  Big Shot with Autumn Accents Bigz Die, Linen 7/16" Trim, Dimensionals and (ret)Neutrals Buttons, (ret)Black Hemp

I just love the Pool Party and these fall colors together.   They are such a wonderful compliment to each other.  This was a simple sketch that I have in my files.  The Sweater Weather DSP has such fun prints and it was heard to decide which ones to use.  Think these work well with the colors of the leaves.

Are you getting as spoiled as I am always having a punch, die, or Framelits to easily cut out the accent pieces for your cards and scrapbook pages?  It just makes it so easy to make multiples of whatever you need.

As you can see, this version only had 2 leaves instead of the original 3 on the first card.  I had almost run out of buttons and Anita wanted to make 20 cards so I needed to rethink the little accent.  I thought the little knot of retired Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon worked well.  She also didn't want the Linen Trim on the card, so we left that off too.

There you have it.  We spent several hours eating lunch, stamping, and laughing.  She needed to take a break in the middle of stamping, but that just gave us more time to visit and giggle.  It was a special afternoon that we shared together.  Glad I could be there to spend time with her and help her get her thank-yous made and ready to send out.  Thanks for visiting with me today.  Leave a comment if you like.  I always love to hear what you have to say.  Sharon

A Little Halloween Happiness

Even though I love autumn, I'm not too crazy about all the spooky stuff of Halloween.  If you've seen my Halloween cards over the years, you know that.  If it's cutesy, I think it works, but none of the ghoulish type stuff.   So today's card definitely fits in with that category of cutesy.  I'll probably send this one off to one of my sisters or a friend.  I think any of them would like this cute little card too.

 

Stamps:  Halloween Happiness
Ink:  Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Cajun Craze, Old Olive, and Chocolate Chip markers
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, and Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper
Accessories:   Big Shot with Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Ovals Collection Framelits, Magnetic Platform , Dimensionals, and a retired ribbon

These pumpkins are just too stinkin' cute!  I love all the different texture and patterns here and just followed through on enhancing that with different markers to color them.  To stick with the textured look, I chose the Polka Dot TIEF to give the background some texture too.

I love, love, love that Sweater Weather DSP and wanted to show it off a little.  The colors and prints are just so yummy! So I off-set the oval instead of plunking down in the middle as usual.  After trying several different ideas for an accent on the card, I raided my stash of retired ribbon and found just the right one.  It has the texture of the grosgrain ribbon in the chocolate chip color with the added stitching in white to make it stand out.  All in all, I love how the card turned out and can't wait to send it off.. 

Thanks for stopping in today.  Hope your day is fabulous and you find time for stamping!  Hugs,    Sharon

Gently Falling Leaves

I just love autumn with all the radiant colors of sky and leaves, crisp weather, and wonderful food associated with fall.  The card I have to share today reminds me of the many colors of the leaves.  This is another card the ladies made for our service personnel earlier in the month.  I tried to design something that was colorful, but still simple enough to make them quickly.  Now, if you ask the four ladies that were cutting out all these maple leaves, it wasn't quite as quick as it could have been!!  (We all really love our stamps that coordinate with punches or Framelits now and have gotten really, really spoiled!)  But anyway, on to the card...

Stamps:  Gently Falling, and Banner Greetings
Ink:  Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, and Soft Suede
Paper:  Very Vanilla and Cajun Craze and a retired DSP
Accessories:   Paper Snips and Dimensionals


Here's the card we made together.   Isn't it nice?  The layout is simple, but the colors and main leaf make it gorgeous.

All of us making these cards thought the colors on this card were fabulous - just as bright and glorious as the real thing!  If you  notice, the leaf that is cut and popped up has a little extra coloration to it.  I did a little rock & roll on each one with some Cajun Craze on one half and Soft Suede on the other half.  All of the extra leaves were stamped before we got together, so there was only lots of cutting and groaning to do.

Like I mentioned, there was a lot of cutting with needing 20 or these maple leaves - one for each card.  And then they cut out 20 of the little sentiment banner too.  Yikes!  There were a few sore hands after all that cutting.  But it was worth it for our soldiers!

That's it for today.  If you own this set, get it out and give it some love.  If you don't own it yet, why not?  It makes simple fabulous cards!  Happy stamping!            Sharon

Harvest of Thanks Times Two

In keeping with the cooler weather today, thought I'd slip into a thankful mode and share two card versions of the Harvest of Thanks stamp set that I did recently.  We made lots of Thanksgiving cards for our service men and women a week ago and I really got into the autumn colors and all on the cards.  Here are two of the cards we made this last time...

 

Stamps:  Harvest of Thanks
Ink:  Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze, and Early Espresso markers, and Early Espresso pad
Paper:  Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, and Very Vanilla
Accessories:  Big Shot and Deco Labels Collection Framelits, Woodgrain TIEF, Sponge Daubers, Paper Snips, and Dimensionals

It was fun coloring the turkey on this stamp with markers.  What made it really interesting is that I really don't know what color a turkey actually is.  Hmmmm.  Does anyone really care?  I figured as long as I stuck with autumn colors it would be ok.  So that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

 

This version is a little different in layout and color.  I used a retired DSP but I don't remember the name - sorry.  Wish I had more of it though, because the colors and prints are so pretty. 
The little flag of DSP on the side of the image is from the current Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper.  Just love the prints and color combo on this paper - it's so perfect for fall!

I die-cut a layer of Chocolate Chip cardstock to frame the main image.  It seemed a little plain so I added a some dots & dashes with a gold marker from last year's holiday catalog and I liked the look.   The gold added a subtle sheen of glitz to the card.   The sentiment was stamped with Basic Black ink using the Thankful For... stamp set from last year.

That's it for my offerings today.  Hope you like the layouts and try using them for some of your cards soon.  Happy stamping.    Sharon

August Paper Pumpkin Bicycle

Here it is September and it's time to start thinking of fall and all that goes with it.  But today is sort of a last hurray for summer.  This card was inspired by my grandson and his love of riding any and all of his riding toys be they tricycles, hot cycles (is that what they're called?), or bicycle.  His favorite pastime is going really fast!  So while the weather is getting cooler, we still have lots of time to play outside.  Here's my take on the Paper Pumpkin kit for August.  I seem to get stuck in needing to follow the idea that comes in the package.  Now, how silly is that?!  Today I've stepped out of the box and created something totally different.  Hope you let me know what you think...

Stamps:  Pedal Praise (Aug Paper Pumpkin), Gorgeous Grunge, and Pennant Parade
Ink:  Pool Party, Calypso Coral, and Real Red
Paper:  Pool Party, Calypso Coral, and Whisper White
Accessories:  Petite Pennants Builder Punch, Calypso Coral Baker's Twine, Subtles Candy Dots, and Dimensionals

If you've seen the Paper Pumpkin kit for August, you know this looks absolutely nothing like the suggested card to make.  That's what is so very much fun about these kits.  You can go simple and follow the idea, or go crazy and do whatever you want.

When I first saw the Gorgeous Grunge set in the catalog, I wasn't too sure about getting it.  Now that I have the set, I seem to use it all the time.  It has some great background filler stamps that work great for so many different things.  I used 2 of them on this card to signify clouds in the sky.  And the skinny lines make a great roadway to ride a bike on.  You just need to use your imagination a little bit.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Hope you've had a relaxing weekend and you're ready to get back to it tomorrow!  How come the weekend always flies by so fast?  I can never get everything done that I think I should.  Oh well, do the best you can and wing the rest!!  Have a great week...   Sharon

Fabric Accent for Thanksgiving

Today I have another card to share that was made last night with a fabulous group of ladies.  One of the ladies loves sewing and quilting, so every once in awhile she gives me some little quilted blocks for our cards, or as on today's card, just bits of gorgeous fabric to play with.  So this is a card I came up with using some lovely pumpkin fabric touched with gold.  Oh, I guess I should warn you up front that just about everything used on today's card is already retired.  So sorry!!!   But if you're still interested in looking, I think you might like the idea.  Ok, here we go...

Stamps:  Thankful For(retired)
Ink:  Basic Black
Paper:  Dusty Durango(retired), Basic Black, and a retired autumn print from SU! that I don't remember the name of
Accessories:   Big Shot with Deco Labels Framelits, and Dimenisonals

Isn't this fabric Diane gave me to play with absolutely gorgeous?  To give it some stability, I adhered it to Basic Black cardstock and then die cut it.  I framed it with the next size larger die with more of the Dusty Durango cardstock.  Of course, this idea could work equally well with current cardstock, but these colors really enhanced the colors of the pumpkins in the fabric.   And since they're just sitting around gathering dust, why not use them?

Just a different take on our usual cards.  Hope it inspires you to look around and see what's available to use on your next project.   Sharon

Too Kind Thank You

It just drives me crazy when I see a gorgeous card and it sticks in my head until I sit down and do something about it.  Unfortunately, most of the time I don't save the link or pay attention to where I'm seeing this card.  So I've just spent half an hour trying to find the original that I CASEd.  Well, at least I think I followed what I saw.  If you know who is responsible for the original idea, please let me know so I can give credit where credit is due.  Now, all that said, let's look at the card...

Stamps:  Too Kind and Another Thank You
Ink:  Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant, and Old Olive
Paper:  Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant, and Whisper White
Accessories:   Big Shot with Fancy Fan TIEF, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Smoky Slate Chevron Ribbon, Pearls Basic Jewels, Sponge Dauber, and Dimensionals

First of all, I remembered the embossed layer of white behind the die-cut layer of white on the original card.  Usually I love white-on-white cards.  But after looking at my card pieces for awhile, I decided I'd like a touch of color sponged onto the main layer.  There's just a bit of Wisteria Wonder sponged around the edge to make it stand out a little more.

I don't remember what sentiment the original card had, but I thought this tiny thanks from my new Photopolymer set called Another Thank You fit perfectly.  If you haven't tried any of these new sets from Stampin' Up!, you really should.  They're so easy to use and cling to our blocks like crazy.  Plus you can see exactly where you're placing the stamped image which is an awesome help!!

The other thing I think I added to the CASEd card is the butterfly and pearls.  I really don't remember seeing them.  But I could be wrong on that, don't quote me!  I just thought the added color and dimension of the butterfly was a great accent.

Thanks for coming over again today.  Leave a message - I'd love to hear your comments!   Sharon

Autumn Accents

Wow!  Can you believe it's September already?  We're getting our oldest grandson ready for preschool starting on Thursday.  Oh my, I'm not sure I'm ready for that!  Didn't think this would be a problem with grandkids, since I'd already done all this before with my own kids.  But it's funny how this is dredging up those memories and I feel I'm reliving them all over again.  Those grandkids are sure growing up fast!  But I guess that's what it's all about.  And since it's autumn time again, I've been focusing on Thanksgiving for the cards the ladies will be making tomorrow night for our soldiers.  Since Thanksgiving is one of my very favorite holidays, it hasn't been a problem coming up with ideas.  Thought I'd share with you...

Stamps:  Tags for You
Ink:  Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, and Gold Encore
Paper:  Really Rust(retired), Always Artichoke, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Cobbler, and Very Vanilla
Accessories:  Big Shot with Autumn Accents Bigz Die, Holiday Frame TIEF(retired), Label Bracket Punch, Corrugator(retired), Champagne Shimmer Mist Paint(retired), Sponges, Copper Cording(retired), and Dimensionals

Did I ever mention how much fun it is to design these cards because I can use all kinds of current and retired materials together.  Just play around with whatever looks good together and not worry about whether it's current or not.  It's good to get out the retired items that I couldn't bear to part with and give them a new chance to be special again.

On this card, I love the leaf accents that are corrugated and then sponged to bring out the texture.  And with this card, it seems to be all about texture with the embossed layer, the leaves, and the punched sentiment with a tiny bow embellishment. 

Hope you enjoyed this look at some current items and a little blast from the past.  Thanks for stopping in today.  Come back soon.  There's more I'd love to share with you.  Sharon