Craftin' Granny's Card Shack: 3rd Bloggerversary Blog Candy

In the words of Craftin' Granny, "WOO-HOO!"  In honor of her third bloggerversary and 259 followers at the time of her post, she's offering blog candy.  It's my favorite type of candy:  all of the sweetness without the consequences.  LOL! 

Craftin' Granny (and I) are hoping you will share in her excitement by leaving her a comment on the 3rd Bloggerversary post, found via this link:  http://craftingranny.blogspot.com/p/3rd-anniversary-blog-candy.html

Over the last couple of years words cannot express how much happiness her blog has given me as well as the kindness that Carol has extended to me and many others.  I hope that you will take the time to visit her blog and find so much delight in her cards as I have; and, hopefully you'll take a moment to leave some comments for her as well.  I know that they mean a great deal to her and she deserves every single one of them.  You'll see what I mean when you get there.  After you review the 3rd Bloggerversary content, click at the top of her blog to go to her main page and scroll down to lots of what I call "eye candy."  So, either way, you're getting candy.  :) 

Mojo Monday #226: Valentine Colors Dreams du Jour Card

I'm in a Valentine colors type of mood, but the combination is actually being used for a birthday card for my aunt, whose birthday is in the first week of February.  This week's Mojo Monday Challenge #226 provided the sketch to satisfy my creative craving.  If you look carefully at the card, you'll see the shimmer from all of the gold Smooch Spritz--I love the stuff..its like "Good Fairy" dust.

Card Ingredients
Papers:  White CS (110#, Staples Brand), Regal Rose CS, Pink Pirouette,CS, Rich Razzleberry CS, Real Red CS.
Inks:  Regal Rose, Pink Pirouette, Rich Razzleberry, Clear Versamark, Red Emboss Powder (Brand Unknown), Gold Smooch Spritz, Real Red.

Stamp(s):  Dreams du Jour, Bella Toile.

Big Shot/Cuttlebug:  Dots Emboss Folder, Beautiful Wings Embosslits.
Punches:  Scallop Ribbon.
Embellishments:  Gold Cord (Brand Unknown), Gold Glitter Brad (Recollections Brand).

Tools/Other:  Sponging.

All Images Copyright of Stampin’ Up! Unless Otherwise Stated.

Mojo Monday #225: Valentine-themed Thank You Card

Well, its been quite a will since I've done any card making.  For some reason this week's Mojo Monday #225 got me back in to the craft of things.  This is my first time using the Hampton Arts stamp called "Paris Moments," a stamp that I wanted for several years before I finally got it.  In hindsight, it seems so silly to have put it off for so long, but it has proven itself worth the wait with its inchies that I incorporated into this card.  This piece is for my aunt and uncle, thanking them for their love and holiday gifts.  The Eiffel Tower has significance because a few months ago we spent some vacation time with them at The Paris Hotel in Las Vegas.  I cannot wait for them to get this card; it is the best one I've made in a long time...and perhaps the funnest one as well.

Card Ingredients

Papers:  White CS (Staples, 110-lb.), Real Red CS, Pink Pirouette CS, Rich Razzleberry CS.

Inks:  Pink Pirouette, Staz-on Jet Black, Rich Razzleberry, Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Smooch Spritz in Vanilla Shimmer.
Stamp(s):  Artistic Etchings, French Foliage, Vintage Vogue, Carte Postale, Tiny Tags, Paris Moments (by Hampton Art Stamps).
Punches:  Two-step Bird, Two-step Owl, Jewelry Tag, Bojo Blossoms.
Embellisments:  Pink Firestone Circle Rhinestone Brads, Pale Pink Satin Ribbon (Offray).

All Images Copyright of Stampin’ Up! Unless Otherwise Stated.

Sandi MacIver-Inspired: Eiffel Tower Medallion Card

Recently, Sandi MacIver, a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, sent me one of the most amazingly beautiful and layered cards I've ever seen.  She called it, "Notably Charming Fifth Avenue Floral."  I spent quite a bit of time trying to figure out how I could make something similar, given the tools, equipment and stamp sets I had.  The card below is my blue and silver version.  Please be sure to visit Sandi's blog to see her gorgeous card; I've provided a link to the "sister card" she sent to me. 

Also, Paper Pal Arts is turning 100 (100 challenges that is)!  In honor of it, this card is being submitted to the PPA #100 Challenge.  Then, I'll work on a batch the cards without the glitter brad (because glitter causes safety issues to the soldiers under night vision) to send to Operation Write Home. 

NOTE:  A few days after posting this card, and sending a message to Sandi to share with her how she inspired me, I received an incredible surprise:  Sandi featured me as a guest artist!

Links

Sandi's Original Card:  http://stampingwithsandi.com/notably-charming-fifth-avenue-flor-and-the-retired-list/
Sandi's Featured Guest Artist Post:  http://stampingwithsandi.com/a-beautiful-card-to-share-with-you-today/
Paper Pal Arts #100:  http://www.palspaperarts.com/2011/06/ppa100-whats-your-technique-oh-and-the-ppa-is-100.html
Operation Write Home:  http://www.operationwritehome.org/

Card Ingredients

Papers:  White CS (Staples, 110#), Baja Breeze, Silver CS (Recollections).

Inks:  Baja Breeze, Tinted Emboss Ink (Tint Boss), Not Quite Navy, Silver Emboss Powder (Stampin' Affair), Frost White Shimmer Paint, Glossy Accents (Ranger).
Stamp(s):  Elements of Style, Baroque Motifs, Artistic Etchings, French Script.

Big Shot/Cuttlebug:  Vintage Wallpaper Emboss Folder.

Cricut:  Sweet Treats (for circle and scallop medallion).

Punches:  Two-step Bird Punch.

Embellishments:  Blue Ribbon (Offray Brand), Silver Eyelets (Brand Unknown), Bling/Jewel (Jewelry Essentials), Glitter Brad (Recollections), Glitter Brads (Recollections).

All Images Copyright of Stampin’ Up! Unless Otherwise Stated.

Blog Candy, PPA #94A and Lily Pad Cards: Daisies And Dots

I've won blog candy!  First I sat in shock, then I started saying "Oh my gosh!" repeatedly to my laptop.  The blog candy was a Cuttlebug and two punches (one a snowflake and one that could be a daisy or the spokes of a wheel, or whatever I imagine it to be as I have it fit into part of a card).  I'm loving the Cuttlebug and have been curious about it for easily as long as I can remember in my crafting history. 

I love that when I have to get off of my feet I can sit with my feet up, resting my back on a heating pad and still have the pleasure of occasionally being able to emboss and die cut with the Cuttlebug.  How did I live all of these years without one?!!  This generous set of gifts came from a lady by the name of Carol (a/k/a:  "Craftin' Granny")  of Craftin' Granny's Card Shack, in celebration of her "Bloggerversary."  The cards she makes are unparallelled in both their array of layers and embellishments but their color combinations.  Every time I look at one of her cards I know I have to go back and take another look, because I take notice of something that I did not see during a previous blog visit.  It's like a "Where's Waldo?" type of scenario where you keep looking because you don't want to miss a Waldo, and you won't want to miss any facet of her lovely cards.  Please be sure to visit her blog and leave a comment for her.  You'll leave her blog feeling like you've visited a special place on the web.  You may even want to become one of her followers, like I have done. 

Now...onto the card!  Tonight I used my new Cuttlebug for the first time to do all of the embossing on this card "Daisies and Dots," created two challenges this week's Paper Pal Arts Sketch Challenge #94A and then this month's Lily Pad Cards Embossing Challenge (which I found via complimenting someone else's card submission to PPA# 94A. 

The components for this embossed card have been cut and prepared for making at least 10 more units for Operation Write Home, which just met its 1,000,000 card goal--YAY! 


Card Ingredients

Papers:  Ivory CS (Staples, 110#), More Mustard CS, More Mustard DSP.

Punches:  Eyelet Border.

Big Shot/Cuttlebug:  Daisy Die (Ellison), Dot Emboss Folder, Petals-A-Plenty Emboss Folder.

All Images Copyright of Stampin’ Up! Unless Otherwise Stated.