Little Black Dress Sympathy

You may not think that a paper collection called Little Black Dress would have the types of designs suitable for a masculine-looking sympathy card, but it most definitely does.  That's just one reason Basic Grey is one of my favorite paper companies.  Not only are their papers beautiful, but they're extremely versatile--just like a little black dress!

I kept the design simple and since I was cutting into new 12x12 cardstock and papers, I was able to make a duplicate.  It's always good to have an extra card like this in my stash, ready to mail at a moment's notice.

Have a fantastic day!

Supplies:
Black and green cardstock by Bazzill; patterned papers by Basic Grey; very vanilla cardstock from Stampin' Up; sentiment by River City Rubber Works; Memento tuxedo black ink; old paper distress ink; rectangle and scalloped rectangle Nestabilities; Martha Stewart border punch; pop-dots.

Home Run Hitter Birthday Card

My parents are lucky enough to be snowbirds, which is a term in the U.S. for retirees who head south when winter comes.  They now spend almost a full six months in Arizona where they live like a couple of teenagers:  they go to the pool with their friends, they go out to eat with their friends, they have parties with their friends.  You get the idea.  My dad also plays on a slo-pitch softball team.  I got to see him play when I visited them, and even though my dad is one of the oldest guys on the team and blind in one eye, he's still a pretty good ball player.  He even had a home run in one game!

So I know he'll get a kick out of his birthday card, which features some vintage-themed baseball images from Artistic Outpost.  The color theme is based on their team uniforms, which are blue and burgundy.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Artistic Outpost Cracker Jack set); alphabet stamps by Hero Arts; blue and burgundy cardstocks by Bazzill; whisper white cardstock from Stampin' Up; Stazon black ink; faded jeans and pumice stone distress ink; Prismacolor Premier pencils; odorless mineral spirits; corner rounder punch; pop-dots.

Cutie Pie Valentine

I had to switch gears a little to make a Valentine for my buddy Ron, as he probably wouldn't appreciate a card that was overly frilly.  But I think he'll go for vintage cute.

I colored the main image from Artistic Outpost with Prismacolor Premier pencils.  I stamped just the top portion a second time with Versamark ink and heat embossed in gold, then cut out just the hearts to adhere to the colored image. 

I lightly rubbed both ivory backgrounds with antique linen distress ink to give them an aged look and to make the conversation hearts more visible.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps from Artistic Outpost; red and blue cardstocks by Bazzill; very vanilla cardstock from Stampin' Up; black Stazon ink; Versamark ink; Prismacolor Premier pencils; odorless mineral spirits; antique linen and chipped sapphire distress ink; clear embossing powder; gold embossing powder; oval and scalloped oval Nestabilities by Spellbinders; oval and scalloped oval punches from Stampin' Up; Cuttlebug conversation hearts embossing folder; ticket corner punch; Glossy Accents (on her buttons and on the puppy's collar); pop-dots.

Be Mine Valentine

I am in love with this card, which is appropriate since it's a Valentine.  I'm especially pleased with it because it's hard for me to create a "sweet" card; I think like most projects, it's a matter of having the right materials. 

I started with a lovely stamp found at Michaels in the dollar bin (can't beat that!).  I heat-embossed the image in silver for added elegance and embellished the card with sheer silver ribbon, paper roses, and two heart-shaped trinket pins.  Sweet, sweet, sweet!

Here is a second version of the card, using a darker charcoal gray cardstock.  With both cards I am sending small plastic cylinders that I decorated with the same papers and filled with Hershey's Kisses.

This pink and gray color scheme conjures up several fond memories for me:  a 1950s photo of my parents when they were dating, wearing matching pink and gray outfits; a 1960s picture of me in one of my favorite outfits: a pink and gray poncho with matching skirt, made by my mom; and several 1980s weddings, when light gray and pink were popular colors for the bridal party.  If I find the time soon, I'll try to dig out some photos to share.

I hope you're having a fantastic weekend.  Thanks for popping in!

Supplies:
Gray and pink cardstocks by Bazzill; very vanilla cardstock from Stampin' Up; decorative papers by Authentique; rubber stamp by Craft Smart (Michaels Store); Versamark ink; Ranger super fine detail embossing powder in silver; spun sugar and pumice stone distress ink; plain circle, lacy circle and scalloped circle Nestabilities by Spellbinders; paper roses by Recollections; sheer silver ribbon from Michaels; Maya Road heart trinket pins; Martha Stewart border punch; corner rounder punch; pop-dots.  The small plastic cylinders are about 4-3/4 inches tall and were purchased at Scrapbook Barn in Mesa, Arizona.

Love Valentine Card

Here's another Valentine's Day card I made while on vacation.  Because it didn't involve any rubber stamping, it was a quick and easy card.

I used a Cuttlebug folder to emboss the background paper by Crate Paper (Paper Heart collection).  The letters and chipboard flower are from the same collection.

Have a great day!




Supplies:
Blue and red cardstock unknown; decorative paper, chipboard flower, and letters by Crate Paper; Cuttlebug embossing folder; pop-dots.

Be My Love Valentine

I was so excited to go on vacation last week; not only because I was heading south to sunny days and warmer temperatures, but because part of the week I visited a friend who is a fellow stamper.  We had a fabulous time and created some Valentine's Day cards while I was there.

I painted this image by Unity Stamps using watercolor crayons and backed it with some beautiful papers by Crate Paper.  The sentiment is a coordinating Crate Paper sticker.

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Supplies:
Flower image by Unity Stamp Company; pink cardstocks unknown; whisper white cardstock from Stampin' Up; Stazon black ink; Staedtler watercolor crayons; small paint brush; patterned papers and sentiment sticker by Crate Paper; Glossy Accents; pop-dots; rhinestone brad.