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!