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!

GETTING MOJO BACK WITH A CARD SKETCH (Paper Craft Crew Challenge PCC410)

I've been feeling a little blue and uncreative these past couple of weeks. I decided I needed to play Stella and get my groove back. What better way than with a great sketch for inspiration! So today, I am playing along with the Paper Craft Crew Card Sketch Challenge PCC410. I found some great paper in a buried stash, grabbed the sketch, and went to town.

Here is the sketch:

I frequently use card sketches to boost my creativity. They always seem to do the trick. I dug deep into some old stashes of papers and stickers that I recently came across and they just seem to fit with the sketch. The sentiment is from the Hero Arts set "CL342 Everyday Sayings". The card turned out just like I envisioned!

To create this card, I trimmed down the beautiful beach patterned cardstock and attached it to an A2 kraft card base. I die cut/embossed a circle from vellum. I also trimmed down a piece of the leftover vellum for a card accent. I found some corrugated paper and trimmed a piece down and attached that and the vellum scrap to the front of the card. I placed some glue under the vellum circle where I knew it wouldn't show, then added that a couple of shell stickers to the card. I stamped the sentiment on brown card stock and embossed it in white. I trimmed down the sides to create a banner, then attached that using foam tape.

I was so inspired by sketches being inspiring, that I decided I'm going to try and create a few sketches for myself! I have already sketched one out I think you'll like and will be back with a couple cards I create from it. So stay tuned!

Leave me a comment below and tell me your thoughts on this card! I love to read them!

Til next time,

Keepin' it inky!

The Best Thing About Winter

 I'm going to admit, this is not one of my favorite cards. There! I said it! However, I do like it's bones, so that is why I'm sharing it with you today. I used one of the new stamps released by Technique Junkies called Inside Out: I Love Snow. This stamp set has several sentiments for both the outside AND the inside of your cards. There are several sets like this over at TJ, perfect for those who struggle with adding something to their card "guts". Here are pics of both the outside and the opened card:

I'm not sure what I was thinking with this color scheme, but I guess the drab colors do reflect my mood about winter. So maybe that's why the dull greens.

I used Small Snowflake Trio from Technique Junkies for the snow. For the outside panels, I white embossed them and added Distress Oxide Inks over the top in a blend from Mowed Lawn to Forest Moss to Black Soot. On the inside panel, I stamped more snowflakes in the greens on the inside and added a die cut wreath, along with the inside sentiment.

Like I said, not my favorite card. But I do like the swing cards and I love the sentiments. Next time, though, I will use some different colors.

Hope I at least gave you a few ideas. By the way, you can save 10% on your Technique Junkies purchases by adding my code below:

Til next time,

Keepin' it inky!