OK this video thing is getting addicting! I have 2 cards here, both for Mother’s Day. One of them is for a friend’s gift exchange, another is for my own mom’s gift package, who lives out of town.

Card #1

For this card, I clear embossed the rose across the background and white embossed a single rose with a few branches. Then I sponge colored the single rose and leaves with distress inks and blended the colors together. I am really liking this way of coloring my stamped images. I can see how addicting distress inks can be!

A close-up of the flower:

Supplies:

Card #2

This second card I also used distress inks, but I watercolored instead.

Close-up of the watercolored flower:

Supplies:

Another video! It was a lot of different stamping techniques, but well worth it!
By the way, I can’t take credit for the idea/layout of this card – I saw someone make this on pinterest, and I just had to make my own version of it. I previously made one here, with a blue ice cream instead.

And here is the video of how I made it, from start to finish!

Supplies:

This is my first card making video (making a card from start to finish) so don’t laugh! Please be kind! =)

The card is Kristina Werner’s window card; she provides free templates for it too.

Supplies I used:

A couple thank you cards! Because you can never have enough on hand. I’m experimenting with how I like to color my stamped images, and figuring out what my preferences are, and how to do all that blending stuff. I’m doing my best to avoid all the copic stuff (budget reasons), and instead, using waterbased markers, watercolor pencils, and the like. I also have a very small stash of distress inks, and distress inks are always fun. 

So anyways, here’s the first card!

Flower close-up (I used Memento Ink and my American Crafts stamp markers and paper pieced it):

The sentiment with the scalloped border patterned paper:

Supplies (sentiment not listed):

Here is the second card. I heat embossed a background stamp in clear for the background; I then white embossed a flower with a couple leaves and colored it with distress inks and a dabber. That was super fun.

I am really loving the this background stamp and how subtle it is!

Supplies (Lawn Fawn sentiment not listed):

It’s been a crazy week… both kids sick, one of them also with pink eye AND an ear infection, the other is waking up a bazillion times at night because of a stuffy nose, I now have thrush, which is quite painful… the only one not on medication is my husband. At least he’s good for writing Rx’s for us. Anyways, this card took nearly a week to make, because I would steal 10 minutes here and there just to escape. I’m really liking it. Simple, feminine, cute. Loving the sentiment and the lightness that the font brings to the card.

Click on any of the photos for a close-up shot:

A close up of the flowers:

A close up of the subtle clear embossing on the side. It’s a little hard to see, you can only see it when the light reflects off of it. But I like the subtle part of it, and the vertical line it creates to break up the card a bit.

Forever Flower Card
Paper:  Cardstock from my stash
Stamp: Paper Smooches Pretty Phrases; Recollections Freedom Flowers
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark Watermark Clear
Accessories:  Martha Stewart Embossing Powder, clear; Staedtler Ergosoft Watercolor Pencils, EK BrusH2O Pen Medium Tip; Martha Stewart Lilac Dimensional Pearl Stickers; Martha Stewart Pastel Mini-Pearl Stickers; Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents

One thing I have to say about this new card making thing I’m doing — it is a craft that requires a billion different tools and equipment just to make 1 little thing. The start up cost has been a lot more than I expected/anticipated. I suppose this also applies to scrapbooking. There are a billion different things you can do on your paper layout, and a billion different ways to do just 1 thing. My newbie brain is still trying to figure it all out. This is drastically different and vastly more complicated than a craft like knitting. Where you only need three simple things: 1) a pair of needles, 2) the pattern, 3) your yarn. All the rest is not really necessary.

In anycase, I am having a BLAST!! I have a few showers coming up, so here are a couple cards I made:

Showering Hearts Card
Paper: Lawn Fawn Bright Side 6×6 papers; Hero Arts layering paper, Carnation
Stamp: Simon Says Stamp Sunnier Days; Lawn Fawn Plus One
Ink: Versamark Ink; Hero Arts Shadow Ink in Stonewash & Bubblegum
Punch: American Crafts Knock Outs Border Punches, Basic Scallop
Other: Martha Stewart Embossing Powder, Dove

Bun In Oven Card
Paper: Lawn Fawn Bright Side 6×6 papers; Hero Arts layering paper, Lilac
Stamp: Lawn Fawn Plus One
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Distress Ink Pumice Stone
Other: Staedtler Ergosoft Aquarell Watercolor Pencils; EK BrusH20 Pen Medium Tip

A lot of my materials were from Simon Says Stamp’s April 2012 Card Kit. There is so much fun stuff in this kit. The Showering Hearts Card was pretty much a direct replica of Kristina Werner’s card. The only thing I wish this kit had, was a sentiment in the stamp set that had something to do with shower parties. It was mostly about showers in regards to encouragement on a rainy/bad day. Other than that, papers are super cute and fun. I have plans for the chevron acetate in there, the green plaid ribbon, the flowers, the purple washi tape… the list goes on…

Another batch, here we go! (Click on any photo for a close-up)

Sky Flags Card
Paper: Light blue cardstock; white cardstock; KI Enchanting Paper Pad
Stamp: Hero Arts Cling Dots
Ink: Versamark Ink; Recollections embossing powder, clear; Gelly Roll pen, white
Punch: American Crafts Knock Outs Border Punches, Basic Scallop

Diagonal Rays Card
Paper: Kraft cardstock; KI Enchanting Paper Pad
Ink: Colorbox Ink, Black; Gelly Roll pen, white
Stamp: Clear Hero Arts, Everyday Sayings

Pickles + Ice Cream Card
Paper: Kraft cardstock, white cardstock, vellum
Stamp: Friendship Jar Stamp Set, Congrats All Ways Stamp Set, Little Labels Stamp Set, Sweet As Can Be Stamp Set, Friendship Jar Fillers Stamp Set, Friendship Jar Summer Fillers Stamp Set, Staedtler Ergosoft Watercolor Pencils, American Crafts Stamp Markers, Artist’s Loft Colored Pencil Blender
Ink: Colorbox Black, Aquamarine, Bronze

Kraft Hearts Card
Paper: Kraft cardstock; KI Enchanting Paper Pad
Ink: Ranger Inkssentials Embossing Pen, clear; Martha Stewart embossing powder, dove; Gelly Roll pen, white
Punch: McGill Mini Punch, Heart; American Crafts Knock Outs Border Punches, Basic Scallop
Accessories: Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents

Cream Hearts Card
Paper: Cream cardstock; KI Enchanting Paper Pad
Ink: Colorbox Expresso; Gelly Roll pen, white
Punch: McGill Mini Punch, Heart; American Crafts Knock Outs Border Punches, Basic Scallop
Accessories: Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents

Tomato Card
Stamp: Paper Smooches Vegtastic
Emboss: QuicKutz A2 Embossing Folder, Polka Dots
Ink: Colorbox Black

Carrots Card
Stamp: Paper Smooches Vegtastic, Staedtler Ergosoft Watercolor Pencils, EK BrusH2O Pen Medium Tip
Emboss: QuicKutz A2 Embossing Folder, Polka Dots
Ink: Colorbox Black
Punches: American Crafts Knock Outs Border Punches, Basic Scallop

Yes it’s been awhile! I’ll tell you what I’ve been up to:

This -

And this -

I have not knitted or crocheted or made jewelry in what seems like ages. But I did pick me up a little something-something and unexpectedly got sucked into the world of cardmaking. Here are a couple of them so far (mind you, I am still a total newbie as I just started this literally 2 months ago, so be kind). Click on a thumbnail to see in full detail:

A few Valentine’s Day Cards:

P.S. I need to work on learning how to take decent pics of these cards! Blech!

P.S. OK – I FINALLY fixed the comments. For real this time!!! (fingers crossed)

*****

I finally finished the scrapbook! Well, to tell you the truth, it’s not really a scrapbook, but a compilation of advice and bits and pieces from friends for an upcoming bride (with no pictures). Well, OK that was another half-lie. She’s no longer an “upcoming” bride. She’s been married nearly a year and a half. But hey, better late than never, right? The book itself was given to me by a friend, and it was just too cute to pass up, so I used it for this project. Here are a couple shots of the very late Bridal Guidebook:

Cover + Ribbon:

Recipes page layout:

Words of wisdom page layout:

I think this scrapbook/guidebook project has shown me that I am NOT a scrapbooker. I admire my friends who do it, but I just can’t get into it. And that’s OK. I have plenty of other crafts I’m trying to juggle anyways. =)

*****

In other news, Hubby and I spent a weekend out-of-town to celebrate our 7th anniversary. I can’t believe it’s been 7 years! I am incredibly happy with where we are at, and can’t imagine spending my life with anyone else. We had great weather on our weekend excursion, and I even got to squeeze in some relaxing knitting in the beautiful scenery!

So I’m knitting a green basil blanket (is it a coincidence that my blanket color looks identical to my handbags’ shade of green?). I’ve done a bunch of basil blankets for friends, not to mention lots of baby items for everyone else, but nothing for myself. Is that strange? It was hard to find inspiration. For some reason it’s easier to find inspiration for gifts for others, rather than for myself. I felt a little guilty (after all, shouldn’t I not deprive my own child of lovely homemade things as well?), and plus I needed a mindless (but not terribly boring) knit to pass the time in doctor’s offices and other places. I figured the Basil Blanket was perfect – it’s a mindless lace, but not boring stockinette/garter stitch that would make me want to shoot myself. And plus, it’s practical – I can definitely use it.

The only catch – and I openly admit that I am terrible with colors – I can’t seem to figure out what color the edging ought to be. Here are the three options presented to me:

Blue - I really like this shade of blue. Not sure if I like it enough against the green, but by itself, it is such a pretty shade.

Orange - My husband’s vote. (He thinks orange is underrated.) A friend mentioned that if the orange was a bit darker and more “burnt”, it could work. But this orange is a bit on the sherbert type… not really my style… =P

Brown - The safest choice. Something dark and neutral, and it “grounds” the blanket look a bit.

And I couldn’t find a darker green fitting enough to go well with the current green I’m using, so that’s out.

What do you think?

Wow where did April go?? Time is going scary fast right now. And yes, I’ve been busy with a couple things as of late ~

In the kitchen:
Apple squares! (Recipe here) They are sort of a cross between apple cake but denser… sort of like brownies, but instead of chocolate, apples + walnuts instead. They tasted GREAT straight from the oven, hot and moist and soft and dense!

* * * * *

On the needles:

Yes, getting my butt in gear to finish up my Owls Sweater. All I have left is to seam the armholes, block it, and contemplate whether or not to put the “eyes” buttons or not.

I don’t know if I’ll fit into this sweater, as I am already 6 months along with a tummy to match, but even if I don’t, that’s OK. Maybe I’ll fit into it in the fall, when things (hopefully) shrink back..? We’ll see.

* * * * *

An attempt at a new craft:
OK so this project I’m a little embarrassed about. This is a scrapbook that I attempted almost 2 years ago, and it was intended for a friend as a bridal shower gift. Well, this friend is now married a year a half already. Yes, embarrassing. But better late than never, right?

But I do have to admit, from this experience, I learned that I am NOT a scrapbooker. This craft is not my style. It’s too open-ended for me. An empty page scares me a bit. I’m more comfortable with crafts that give me guidance and instruction, rather than just an open canvas.