Wishing You Weren't So Far Away

This is the third card I made for the Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge Design Team Call. I used this photo as inspiration...

This photo has one of my favorite colours and the cupcake icing reminds me of a flower die that I like to use.

I didn't have the right pattern paper, so I made my own using a circle stamp. I stamped circles all over the paper using Versa Mark ink and then embossed them with white embossing powder.

I sandwiched a piece of acetate between the card stock so I can place the die cut flower onto it.

I used the Hello I cut out for my first card and then added a stamped sentiment. I used a grey ink for a more subtle look. Before adhering the banner I coiled some grey baker's twine for some added embellishment.

Materials used:

- Memory Box Lovely Peony Outline Die

- My Favorite Things Heavyweight Card Stock

- Simon Says Stamps Card Exchanging Friends Stamp Set

- Simon Says Stamps Tilted Banner Sayings Stamp Set

- VersaMark Ink Pad

- Stampendous! White Opaque Embossing Powder

- The Twinery Solid Stone Twine

Thanks for visiting,

Cheryl ~

Thank You Birdy

This is another card I made for the Paper Smooches SPARKS Design Team Call. I picked this image as my inspiration...

I find the colours in this picture so cheerful and it inspired me to make this card...

Like the last card, this card also has many layers but the design is very clean and simple.

This card required a lot of fussy cutting. Luckily the colouring was simple.

I stamped an image of branches and leaves onto the grey card stock and then cut it out with my craft knife. I was left with the negative image of the branch and leaves. It looks quite neat in real life.

Materials used:

- Stacey Yacula's Sweet Offerings Stamp Set

- My Favorite Things Heavyweight Cardstock

- Neenah Solar White Cardstock

- Copic Markers

Thanks for visiting,

Cheryl ~

Hello Bee

I want to apply for the Paper Smooches SPARKS Design Team Call. We have to use the current or past SPARKS Challenge Photos as our inspiration. I picked this photo for my first card...

I love the colours and patterns in this picture!

Although this card has many layers I kept the design more clean and simple.

This bee from Paper Smooches makes me smile every time I see it. =D

I used the negative die cut of the word Hello for the sentiment. This allows the pattern paper from behind to show through.

Materials used:

- Paper Smooches Free Digital Stamp - Bee

- Fancy Pants Designs Park Bench 6X6 Paper Pad

- My Favorite Things Heavyweight Card Stock

- Copic Markers

Thanks for visiting,

Cheryl ~

Christmas Present Card

Yesterday, I was feeling super creative and came up with an idea to make a present-shaped card. The steps to making this card is complicated but the outcome is definitely worth the effort. I plan on submitting this card to the Paper Smooches Guest Designer Search for December.

This is the card when it is closed.

Open the first flap to reveal the card message. You can also start to see the cute image.

Open the second flap to reveal some more of the image.

Lift up the top flap to see the full image.

Not only is the card fun to open but it is a shaker card too. How awesome is that?!?!

I love the happy little snowmen from Paper Smooches!

Materials used:

- Paper Smooches Freezy Fellas Stamp Set

- Paper Smooches Fellas Dies

- Paper Smooches Giddy Gumdrops Stamp Set

- My Favorite Things Heavyweight Card Stock

- Neenah Desert Storm Card Stock

- Simon Says Mini Hearts Dies

- Neenah Solar White Card Stock

- Echo Park Winter Wishes 6x6 Paper Pad

- Ribbon and silver sequins from Michael's

- Copic Markers

- Wink of Stella Glitter Marker - Clear

- Tombow Fastener Tabs

Thanks for visiting,

Cheryl ~

HB2U

While I'm taking a break from my Christmas card making I worked on another card for my sister. This is a birthday card she is planning to give to a dear friend.

I used Birthday Anya, from the Greeting Farm, because she reminds me of my sister's friend. She is always happy and always smiling!!

I used pattern paper from the Simon Says November 2013 Card Kit. The grey polka-dot patter paper was originally just dark grey with light grey dots. But I thought it was too masculine so I used Copic R20 (marker) to colour some of the dots pink.

In this picture you can kind of see the vertical score lines I added to the card base.

I used the same pattern papers on the inside of the card to tie it all together. 

Hope my sister's friend will like this card. ^_^

Thanks for visiting,

Cheryl ~

Christmas Card & Tag Sets, Part 3

It's been a few days since I posted new cards. So brace yourself... I have a whole bunch to show you guys!! ^_^

Fourth card & tag set

It's difficult to see it in the picture but I used an acetate card base for this card.

My sister requested a money holder inside this card. So I made a little envelope.

Inside the envelope is another little card with an area to write a message and a slot to put money in.

This is the front of the gift tag... Which I realized afterward that I didn't need to make one because the "gift" is going to be money... But I made one so I might as well share it too. =P

You may notice that I also used acetate as the tag base, similar to the matching card.

And this is the back of the card. I handwrote the "To" and "From".

Fifth card & tag set

I love this adorable stamp image called O Christmas Tree that I purchased from Kraftin Kimmie. The elf is the cutest and I feel sorry for the little tree. =P

I used a kraft card base and stamped little snowflakes all over in white pigment ink. It's subtle... maybe a little more than I would like it to be. 

I had trouble colouring her and the tree. This was my second try, but it's still not as good as I had hoped.

Inside of the card.

The matching gift tag.

Sixth card & tag set

This is a classy card with a lot of bling.

Hard to see it in the picture but the snowflakes (in the background) were die cut out of Pow Glitter Paper and I added a lot of little diamonds to the snowflakes. The tiny snowflakes near the sentiment are wood veneers embossed with silver embossing powder. I plan on making a quicky tutorial to show you how I made those. Hopefully I can get that posted soon.  

Inside of the card. I couldn't add crystals to this snowflake but it's still sparkly from the Pow Glitter Paper.

Front of the gift tag. I gave it the same treatment as the card, bling and all. Hehe ^^;

This is the back of the gift tag. I also handwrote the "To" and "From" on this tag. I added a tiny embossed wood veneer snowflake as a finishing touch.

Seventh card & tag set. 

This is a new Paper Smooches stamp and die set called Giddy Gumdrops. The set comes with a pair of gingerbread couple but I just couldn't fit them onto the card. 

The background paper was made using a piece of Heidi Swapp Specialty Cardstock. The cardstock has a chevron pattern that resists ink and paint. I used some Festive Berries and Mowed Lawn Distress Inks to colour it and created this background.

I "pleated" (is that the right term???) the ribbon to give the card some dimension.

I decorated the inside of the card with the same ribbon. 

This is the matching gift tag, also using that ribbon. 

That's all the Christmas card & tag sets for now... I think I need a break from them, but Christmas is approaching fast so this won't be a very long break. =P

Thanks for visiting,

Cheryl ~

Stamp & Die Set Storage

Hello everyone! As you may have noticed, more and more stamp companies are coming out with coordinating stamp and die sets lately. So, today, I want to share how I store these coordinating sets.

Materials needed:

- Avery Elle - Stamp & Die Storage Pockets

- Tombow - Hook & Loop Tabs

- any label maker (I use the Brother P-touch 1880 label maker)

Step 1 - Fold the flap of the pocket down. There is already a crease line, which I find very helpful!

Step 2 - Peel the hook & loop tabs (keeping them together) off the backing sheet. Place both the hook & loop tabs on the flap of the pocket. *Tip - use a cutting mat or ruler to help find the center of the flap before placing the hook & loop tabs.

Step 3 - Peel the backing sheet off the hook & loop tabs and carefully fold the flap of the pocket down/close.

Now when you open the pocket flap again you will have a hook tab on one side and the loop tab on the other. Your pocket will now close securely and prevent your small dies from falling out.

Step 4 (optional) - Use your label maker to make a label for the stamp and die set. I like to include the number of dies in each set so I can keep count and lessen the chance of losing my dies.

Step 5 - Fill your pocket with the stamp and die set.

Step 6 - Close the flap and stick the label on. I like to put the label on the flap so I can see it easily. But of course you can put the label anywhere you like. =)

Hope you found this tutorial helpful and have fun organizing your stamp and die sets!!

Thanks for visiting,

Cheryl ~