Dragonfly Dreams from Stampin' Up! and a New Camera!

Once again it's a blustery winter morning, and I'm bundled up under my favourite blanket, admiring the snow from my comfy couch.  I heard the snowplow go by earlier today, and my first thought regarding the end of the driveway was, shovel or drive over it.  Having peered out the window, drive over it wins...again.

Today I have for you a card I made for a card swap last weekend.  The pictures you'll see below are the first taken from my new camera.  These were taken at night, in my studio, using only my OttLight and ceiling light.  Eventually I'll get the lighting and camera figured out.

The card I designed features the Dragonfly Dreams Bundle from the new Occasions Catalogue.  I love this set.  Seriously, who doesn't love dragonflies - they are so cool.

I used a stamp from the Sheltering Tree set for the greenery.

My attempt at getting the background cards to be blurry in the background, while focusing on the card in front.  

Almost done!

Here's a handy tip.  When stamping the inside of the card, be sure you're not stamping in the wrong place.  Notice where I placed Happy Birthday - yup, that's where I stamped the inside sentiment.  No worries though, my little solution covered up the oops easily.

Dragonfly Dreams set from Stampin' Up!

Here are some ideas shown in the catalogue.

Not only is there a new Occasions Catalogue, it's also Sale-a-Bration!!

What is Sale-a-Bration?

Place an order and receive a free item of your choice from the Sale-a-bration Brochure with every $60 (before shipping and tax) you spend. That means you can get your hands on all the fabulous new products from the Occasions Catalogue AND get bonus freebies too!

You don't have a catalogue?  Leave comment and I'll send the Occasions and Sale-a-Bration cattys to you.   Canada only.

Thanks for stopping by!  Keep warm and happy crafting!

Sand

Mother's Day Cards

Yes, cards - plural.  While making my mom's card today, I discovered my son's friend didn't have a card for his mom as of yet, so I made one for him. 'What's your mom's favourite colour', I asked.  Reply - ummmm, red, orange, yellow.  'Pink it is', I said, with an idea already in my head.

First up is my mom's card.  Super quick and easy to make especially using dies.  How did I ever get along without them before!!??

Mom will love this card for sure!

Second card - similar, yes, but I decided to go with two colours.  I'm not sure why the card base colour looks so different from the card above - same colour - Melon Mambo from Stampin' Up! I really like the assorted flowers.  Can't go wrong with flowers!  Hint, hint, for anyone looking for the perfect Mother's Day gift for me. 

Pink must be the colour of the day.  When I was out shopping earlier today, I tried on three tops - all different shades of pink.  And yes, I bought one.  Yay pink!

Thanks for stopping by.  Feel free to leave a comment.

Happy Crafting - and Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful moms in the world.

Birthday Sparkle

A show of hands - who like sparkles??  I do, I do!!  I'm certain my mom does too, and this is her birthday card.  Just finished it, today, on her birthday.  Note to inspiration - we're cuttin' it a tad close, but it will be delivered on time later today to the party.

Truth be known, I really had planned on finishing the card earlier, but another trip to emergency for mom redirected my focus.  Lung infection caught early - whew!  Thankfully, I have a feisty mother who said,  'no way am I going to spend my birthday in the hospital' (numerous exclamation marks). My sister and I have a party planned - mmMMMmmm delicious homemade lasagnas and other yummy foods (desserts), plus presents for mom..

My original thought was to make a pink card with some embellishments, but it wasn't working for me.  I'm so relieved and overjoyed knowing the party is a go!  The sentiment expresses how I'm feeling.

I found this really sweet butterfly embossing folder to use on the layer, and using my silver sparkle paper and red glimmer paper I die cut the butterfly and happy.  The detail on the butterfly are cuts made from the Stampin' Up! die, but bad me....I didn't use SU paper and the little pieces in the butterfly wouldn't come out.  I'm okay with it, although I'm making a mental note to not use vinyl backed paper with detailed dies.

Lots to do before the party!  Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Crafting and Happy Birthday to Mom.

Watercolour Card #3

Catchy subject line, eh?  I wasn't quite so sure about the watercolours on this card.  Perhaps these aren't 'my' colours, but, dare I say, it is how the Bister powders reacted to the water.  Perhaps it's because the layers look wonky - like they crooked - they aren't though.  Hmmm.....can't put my finger on it.  What do you think?  Like, or not your fave?

I don't mean to sound negative....I like the card, just not lovin' it.  I do, however, love the font on the sentiment - so pretty, and the butterflies too!  And those are happy, spring-like colours.

There is a fourth, and maybe even a fifth watercolour - I'm patiently waiting for inspiration, then I'll finish those cards as well.

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Crafting!

Spot the Dog - Watercolour

Today, I have for you, the second in my 'mini-series' of watercolour cards,  What I find amazing about watercolours, specifically, the Bister powders, is you can't totally predict the outcome.  Here's what I find super cool - when I was deciding which way I would place the layer, I noticed a little spot of colour, kind of carmel brown, and thought, hmmm...it looks like a dog, to me.  Do you see him too?

...reminded me of this little guy......he loves playing in the leaves.

I love this card.  Even though the sentiment is a bit crooked, and the ink on the tree could have been darker, the unexpected surprise makes it special.  Joy!

Just a short post today.  See you soon!

Happy Crafting!

Fun with Watercolours

I truly enjoy making cards, yet it's funny, or weird, or perhaps just the way I create - I 'work' or rather, play card maker when I'm inspired.   Earlier today I thought, I should make a few cards, but there I sat, moving papers around, getting frustrated, and we all know that's no fun.  I did what was best - I walked away.

Where do I find inspiration?  Here, there, and everywhere - anywhere.  It's never forced - it just happens.  Soooo, I was watchin' X-Files (with the lights on), and sketching, then - inspiration, and I headed back to my craft room.

Over the coming days, I'll be posting cards I completed today.  For each of my watercolour cards, I used Bister powders - experimenting - fun!

This card makes me smile - it's a happy Happy Birthday card.  At first I considered orange for the base but it kind of overpowered the pinks and oranges.  I was moved to pick up a white base and inspiration!  As for the butterflies - I had them in my stash of butterflies. They were also made using Bister powders, but I used photo paper rather than watercolour.  The pic doesn't show it, but they're super shiny.  Stamp on the sentiment and done!  Love!

Here's what I realized today.  When I make cards that bring me joy the card reflects exactly that - joy!
Stop by again soon - I'll be posting cards I completed today,

Happy Crafting!\


Whoa....wait - by the way - did you catch the song reference?

Spring Sighting?

Rumours are swirling around that spring may actually be coming soon for Southern Ontario - maybe by the end of the week - three cheers!!  

Drum roll please - today, I have a spring-like Birthday card to show you. using a colour combo a bit out of my comfy zone.   I love the airy look of the little die cut flowers. So pretty!  A little embossing on the grey and white layers add some dimension to the card.  And...your eyes do not deceive you - I made this Birthday Card.  Yes - I made the commitment and added a sentiment...lol.
 

I quite happy with this card - I kind of adds a spring in my step....spring...get it?  Oh yes, I do think I'm witty.  Tee hee.

Wherever you are, I hope spring is on it's way to you also.

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Crafting!

Flowers and Vines - Quilled Card

I hope you're enjoying your weekend.  We have gorgeous sunshine pouring in the house.  I could use sunglasses....no kidding.  Check out my clean and simple card for today.

With quilling there is such freedom of expression, which I love.  In creating a card like this, I let the flow of the paper guide me.  That sounds weird - or does it? Basically, when I run a strip of quilling paper between my fingernails it curves, and it's that shape that I follow when adding the fringed flowers, leaves and buds to the card.  You could use a quilling tool to get the same effect, however I like to feel the paper.

The cardstock I used is Elegant Eggplant, and Fancy Fan embossing folder I used for the card base are both from Stampin' Up!

All that's left is to decide on the sentiment.  If you know me by now - you know I wait for an occasion before adding the sentiment.

Such fun!  And not a difficult card to make.

Thanks for stopping by.  Happy Crafting!

Dragonflies & Butterfly Card

Another fabulous day - good and busy - just the way I like it!  Funny though, I do find my office job gets in the way of my craft fun.  What's a girl to do!!?? 

This card is a bit of a departure from my 'norm' - I did an overlay of colours and images which is somewhat new to me.  In my craft room, I found a roll of wide metallic ribbon with holes in it...perfect for laying over the paper and sponging on more colour.  At first I thought I ruined the layer because it looked like it had a partial footprint, but with an addition of another colour, voila, all fixed.  I'm good with a bit of trial and error - you just never know where it may lead!

After stamping the various images, I embossed the paper, yup, for a bit more depth. Unlike my card yesterday which had my hand cutting a dragonfly, I used my butterfly punch after I did a subtle two-tone colour on the butterfly. 

I'm really happy with the way this card turned out and will definitely be using the technique again! I may even venture into bolder colours! Gasp!

Here's an answer to a couple more questions:
I'm not a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, although I was a few years ago.
The majority of stamps, paper and ink I use are from Stampin' Up!  Great products!!

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Crafting.


Sand

Happy!

Happy Sunday and happy long weekend for Canadians!  I have the song Happy by Pharrell Williams in my head, and as I sit typing this post my feet are doing a little happy dance, so I was thinking how appropriate it would be to show you my Happy card today.

When I made this card, I originally thought it would be for a birthday, but it would also make a great wedding or anniversary card.  Or...as is - a happy card.  Needless to say, as usual, I haven't added a sentiment inside - keeping my options open for now. 

I love the embossed flower image; so pretty!  As you can see, I added a few 'pearls' and went with a subtle sparkle paper for 'Happy'.
 

Clearly I'm feeling pretty darned happy today!  I hope you're weekend is happy too!

Thanks for stopping by.  Happy Crafting!


Sand