Tone it Down with Vellum

 I've been playing in my craft room again. I'm trying to use up some of the massive quantities of paper I've collected over the years. I love this delightfully sunny paper pack I used today, but one of the patterns was just a little too bold. So I toned it down with vellum.

You see those blue roses? They were just a bit too busy. But the colors were perfect. To tone it down, I cut a piece of vellum the same width but lightly longer than the patterned paper panel. I scored fold lines at the top and bottom, wrapped the vellum to the back and secured it with tape. That way there is no glue or tape spots showing through the vellum.

I followed one of my favorite card sketches for the inspiration for this card. Here are all the supplies I used:

This card was made for a very dear friend. So I needed something a little snarky on the inside. The sentiments from this Technique Tuesday set are awesome!

(BTW, she loved the card)

I'll be back later with another set of cards I created with a new stamp set I just got. But for now,

Til next time,

Keepin' it inky!

Birthday Cards from Card Sketches

Hi, again, stamping friends! I have a couple more cards to share with you today. I've been playing around with card sketches and, since I always need birthday cards, I decided to make a couple more from the two sketches I selected.

The first one I am kind of in love with. It's nearly monochromatic and it just pops. 

I used Sketch 51 from Jules Always With A Heart. While this is a square card sketch, I reimagined into an A2 card. I. used papers from the Recollections Fashionably Chic paper pad. The outside sentiment is from Hampton Art SC0730.

For the inside of the card I used my favorite birthday sentiment (so far) from a set that remains unknown to me.

Even though there is a floral paper on the front, I think this card could be used for either a guy or a gal. And I will definitely be using this sketch again!

My second card uses the same paper pack but tones of brown. This sketch is from Try Stamping on Tuesday (TSOT 489).

This card is also gender-neutral and can even be fitted with a gift card for some yummy coffee!

For the inside of the card, I kept it simple with just "Happy Birthday".

I found a few more sketches that I am excited to try. I am just waiting for a couple of new stamp sets I ordered to arrive (hurry up!!!!). So stay tuned for my next post!

Til next time,

Keepin' it inky!

I'm Baaaaack - Creating Again

Did you miss me? Well, I missed me...the creative me, the crafty me, the card-making me. I needed a hiatus. Life throws curve-balls sometimes and one needs to get out the catcher's mitt. But I've caught all the balls and can start tossing some back now. 

It's been over 6 months since I stepped into my craft room. I stepped out back in late January. It's August. Yikes. I finally got a twinge of my mojo back and started cleaning out my craft room, purging things that weighed me down. I still have more to get rid of, but at least it's back in working order now, freshly organized and clean, and I actually spent some creative time in there yesterday.

I needed to make a birthday card for a co-worker (got a new job the end of March) so I used that to urge myself on. And I felt so much better afterward.

I wasn't exactly sure how to start back up again (left a DT because of political drama). So I went to my go-to trick....card templates. I have tons of them. A while back I printed off a bunch and keep them with my card blanks in case I need a jumping off point. I grabbed one from Try Stamping On Tuesday (TSOT Design #485) and found some coordinating papers. This is the result:

I cut all my pieces from the Fashionably Chic paper pad (Recollections) and assembled the base of the card. On a white layer of cardstock, I stamped the floral image from the Simply Soft set (Stampin' Up!) using Gina K Amalgam Black Ink. I used Distress Oxide Ink in Worn Lipstick to add the filler stamp. I matted that piece and added it to the card base. The sentiment is from a Hampton Art set (SC0730) that I had picked up at a Dollar Tree a while back. Then I whipped up the inside of the card:

I used the same paper as on the front and added a sentiment (stamp set unknown). I've had this set forever and have used this particular stamp from it a multitude of times. I just like it.

Once my card was finished, I used a scrap of leftover paper and lined the envelope, stamped the same floral image on the front of the envelope, signed and sent my card on it's merry way (happy birthday, Deb).

I can't tell you how good it feels to be creating again! I hope you enjoyed this and found a little inspiration of your own!

Til next time,

Keepin' it inky!