CAS Colours & Sketches: Blessed

I have not done a slimline in ages and I actually enjoy doing them so when I saw the challenge at CAS Colours & Sketches, I knew I had to play along. 

The "good" reason for this card is that it will go out to the son who moved to Michigan and his girlfriend.  It's somewhat cute for her, but the rich fall colors keep it from being to feminine.  I also want to remind him that he's blessed - he has a good job, a nice apartment and this girlfriend seems sane!!  The very selfish reason for this card is that I have my Thanksgiving cards ready to go so my unused fall products are going back into a basket under my rolling cart and this tall slimline stamp set just doesn't fit!!  Selfish or not, I love that my two needs came together!! 

Doing this card, or actually photographing this card, reminded me why I hadn't done a slimline in a while. It's very hard to get a tall card in a square photo.  I compounded my problem by using gold embossing powder. In the photos I took with my normal set-up, the sentiment just looked like a dull brown - so I ended up directing a light at it to get a bit of shine. The struggle continued with the pinkish cast to the right (although you should have seen the picture before I used photo editing software and got rid of the pink cast that was over most of it).  But that's due to the glorious red maple - which is currently a blazing red color - that sits right outside my craft room window and I can only complain about the pink/red color so much because the tree is utterly gorgeous. Of course instead of whining, I could actually learn about photography - but I think I'd rather be making another card!!!

Thanks to the inspiration from CAS Colours & Sketches because this slimline ended up being exactly what I needed.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Trinity Stamps Slimline Woodsy background (and dies), The Greetery Blessed Blooms (the sentiment) and dies

Dies: Trinity Stamps Modern Embossed Rectangle Stack and Slimline Modern Embossed Frames

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Pecan Pie, Mango Melody

Poppystamps: Snowflake Joy

 I'm on the Poppystamps blog today with this card wishing you Double Diamond Snowflake Joy with the Double Joy dies and the Diamond Snowflake die!

This snowflake die is stunning. I love the layers - I left the edges unadhered to give them even more dimension. And the bold Joy with the glittery outline and the vellum centers works with the snowflakes without hiding them!

Of course the glitter paper is the perfect accent for all of it. And just in case there wasn't enough glitter already, I added jewels to accent the top and bottom of the Joy.

Be sure to pop over to the Poppystamps blog for more pictures and many more details.

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Poppystamps Diamond Snowflake and Double Joy

Paper: Memory Box Delicate Pastel Glitter (on the flakes) and Majestic Hues Glitter (the black letters)

Other: Clear Fairy Jewels

Freshly Made Sketches: Winter Wonderland

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Jen Timko and here’s what I did with it!

 

I used a stencil by Newton's Nook to brush on the white squares, then on top of that stencil I used the Taylored Expressions Confetti Toss stencil to brush on snowflakes.  My original plan was to add poinsettias and greeneries (since yet another poinsettia set just happened to show up in my mailbox(!) but those little snowy squares just called for Hello Bluebird Frosty Friends.  Here they are up close.

I stuck mostly with a trio of soft blues, greens and lavenders with just a few pops of extra colors.  Then each one has a hint of stickles. The snowman just has glitter on the berries and buttons, the reindeer on the tree and the bell.  Then the bear has glitter on his stocking.

The embossing folder is a regular 6x6. I did one end, then flipped it and the it "locked" in right over the already embossed piece so I could get the bottom half.

I apologize for the pinkish glow on my photos (for the last few weeks).  I have a stunning red maple outside my craft room window and that's what you are seeing.  I try to edit it out but it changes the colors of the card too much - so I'll just have a hint of pink of everything I do!

I hope to see you playing along with us at Freshly Made Sketches.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Hello Bluebird Frosty Friends, Typed Christmas

Dies: Hello Bluebird Frosty Friends, Pinkfresh Slim Stitched Rectangles

Ink: Taylored Expressions Sugar Cube, Confetti Cake, Lime Zest and Lavender Glaze, copics

Cardstock: Taylored Expressions Toffee

Other: Sunny Studio Buffalo Plaid Embossing Folder, Newton's Nook Slimline Masking Circles and Squares stencil, Taylored Expressions Confetti Toss stencil, Stickles

Freshly Made Sketches: Thankful

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Karren and here’s what I did with it!

 

I recently got a couple of oversize sentiments for slimlines - this "thankful" from Trinity Stamps being one of them. As I was looking at it, I was also thinking that the larger palette of a slimline would work well with one of my all-time favorite leaves - Honey Bee Stamps Lovely Layers Maple Leaf.  It has a separate background and detail die so can look wonderful with just a couple of die cuts.

I cut the background of the leaf out of the Vivid Craft Consortium Ink Drops pad and topped it with some champagne foil. The hint of soft blue in one leaf drove the background of the thankful; I like how the blue pops with all of the rich fall colors.

Fall cards are one of the few that I attempt to splatter. (I'm not a fan of the lack of control when splattering!)  It's a richly colored season but it's also a bit "messy" as the leaves are falling. Splatters just feel right to give it that feeling.  Then I realized I had a slimline die with wonky stitching. To me, that said breeze and blowing leaves.  I know - I'm overthinking this - but I like how it all came together!

I hope to see you playing along with us at Freshly Made Sketches.

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Honey Bee Stamps Lovely Layers Maple Leaf, Trinity Stamps Scripty Thanks and Wonky Stitched Wilderness Slimline Series

Paper: Craft Consortium Ink Drops - Vivid, Stampin' Up Rich Razzleberry, Seaside Spray, Crumb Cake and Champagne Foil

Other: Fun Stampers Journey Black Licorice Silk, Stampin' Up Champagne gems

Poppystamps: The Coolest Cone

 I'm on the Poppystamps blog today with Whittle Ice Cream Cones in a rainbow of colors with one sparkly little cone telling the recipient they are the coolest!

I love the detail on those cones.  There's so much interest with waffling on the cones and the stitched detail on the ice cream.  

There's much more detail and more pictures on the Poppystamps blog. Be sure to check it out!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Poppystamps Whittle Everyday

Dies: Poppystamps Whittle Ice Cream Cone

Paper: Memory Box Delicate Pastel Glitter Pad

Freshly Made Sketches: Slimline Birthday

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Jen Timko and here’s what I did with it!

  

 

I needed a birthday card for my boss.  She's a tough one to craft for - she's definitely a "boss" so I don't know her well.  I do know she likes her adult beverages but as my boss I just didn't feel like I could give her a card with drinks. So I decided to focus on colors.  She likes patterned clothing and the colors tend to be rich and almost autumn-like.  So I did stripes, then I added a subtle pattern in the background. I'm sure I overthought it all - but I do like the results!

I love that I have a slimline-sized embossing folder.  I didn't think my main picture showed all of its detail, so here' s a picture with some shadows on it.

I hope to see you playing along with us this week at Freshly Made Sketches!

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Hello Bluebird Happy Birthday Words, Honey Bee Stamps Slimline Thin Frame

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Mango Melody, Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive

Other: Spellbinders Slimline Floral Embossing Folder

You Are Amazing (and so much more)

I wanted to make a bright and cheerful card for my amazing niece who, at 16 years old, is heading off this summer on a mission trip to Costa Rica! I am SO impressed.  I have other cards planned as the trip gets closer - definitely cards to let her know God will watch over her - and that we are praying. But for today - I just wanted her to know she's amazing!

I got this stamp for just such an occasion and I'm thrilled to be using it. It fit on the the slimline with enough space on the side for some rainbow washi.  Then it needed a bit more decoration so I punched some simple flowers out of coordinating colors.

This was a quick and easy card - and it says exactly what I want it to say!!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Creative Expressions/Woodware Ode to You

Punch: Stampin' Up Small Bloom Punch

Other: Altenew Gradient Rainbow Washi Tape, Pretty Pink Posh Glossy Black gems

Freshly Made Sketches: Slimline Birthday

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Karren and here’s what I did with it! 

I do enjoy making slimlines.  It's a different thought process but its such a unique look when it's done. I settled pretty quickly on the sentiment die with a bright pattern behind it. The sentiment die is cut twice and the deep blue is offset slightly under the white to give it a shadow.

The rest of the card took me a bit longer. I tried for quite a while to add a second patterned paper for the bottom stripe. I gave up on that briefly while I figured out what to do to fill in the top part of the card.  I saw the balloons and the light bulb came on - they worked at the top and the bottom!

The kraft panel is cut with Trinity Stamps Slimline Modern Embossed Frame Panels.  That might be my most used slimline die and it's just a giant rectangle.  I love the finished edges.  I'm not sure a recipient would even notice but to me it's a clean and elegant finished look.  For some reason, I don't have the  same type of regular card-sized dies in my stash.  I'm going to have to go shopping!

I hope to see you playing along with us at Freshly Made Sketches. 

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Concord & 9th Perfect Pairings Birthday Dies, Tiny Type Tagalong dies (the balloon), Trinity Stamps Slimline Modern Embossed Frame Panels

Paper: Stampin' Up Artistry in Bloom, Crumb Cake, Night of Navy, Granny Apple Green, Coastal Cabana

Other: Miscellaneous Enamel dots

Slimline Embossing: Happy Birthday

I have seen other cardmakers do fabulous things with regular sized embossing folders on slimline cards. I've even seen them line them up and manage to cleanly cover the entire front of the slimline.  For me - it's always an epic failure.  I can't line things up straight and then there's the fact that the edges of the folder squish the already embossing portions making them look flatter.  I have no idea how others are doing it.

So imagine my excitement when I saw someone come out with a slimline embossing folder.  There have probably been others but it's the first that I've seen - Spellbinders Slimline Flora.

This is for a workmate's birthday today. I don't know her well so while we were both in the office on Wednesday and we were discussing budgeting, I was covertly studying her office.  None of us accounting types have many decorations - just bland, square offices maybe with a few personal photos - but she did have a cover on the back of her chair.  It was Southwestern but in subtle colors.  So I stood there discussing budgets but my mind was ticking through the colors....terracotta, saffron, peacock....!!!

I didn't want to cover the embossing - so went with a simple "happy" and a sprinkling of flower sequins to keep it cheerful.  I LOVE these flower sequins but they are seriously cupped so I assume they wouldn't mail well.  Since I was handing this to her personally, it seemed the perfect time to bring them out.

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: CZ Design (Simon Says) Chunky Happy Wafer Die, Mama Elephant Slim Card Basics (the scalloped edge), Taylored Expressions On Repeat die (the mini banner)

Paper: Stampin' Up Terracotta Tile, Petal Pink, So Saffron, Pretty Peacock, Pool Party

Other: Spellbinders Slimline Flora Embossing Folder, Honey Bee Pocket Full of Posies and Black Gem stickers, Altenew washi

Tic Tac Toe Challenge: He is Risen

 I'm a bit behind on Easter cards.  I hadn't look at the date and I just realized it's only a few weeks away.  When I saw the current challenge at Tic Tac Toe challenge and realized that "Easter" was in the grid, I knew I would be playing along. I had a new slimline sunshine die from scrapbook.com that I wanted to use on an Easter card so going down the grid for gold and yellow was just what I needed

I kept this very simple.  I did play with a variety of yellows and had some very bright combinations on my desk.  I settled on Pineapple from Taylored Expressions. It's a soft yellow without being pale.  I wanted to highlight the sun at the bottom so I cute a second one out of the gold foil and offset it slightly then popped them both.

It's a simple card, but I like that the focus is all on the meaning.

Thanks to the Tic Tac Toe Challenge for the inspiration.

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Scrapbook.com Slim Sunshine, Memory Box Happy Easter Posh Script

Paper: Taylored Expressions Pineapple, scrap of patterned yellow, Concord & 9th Neutrals Foils pack

Other: Studio Katia Gold Foil Pearls, Simon Says Stamp Reverse Easter

Christmas Kickstart: Slimline Cards

 The challenge at Christmas Kickstart is to create a slimline card. When I started adding to my slimline stash I was planning to keep it to general dies and stencils but I couldn't resist this Christmas stamp.  Then I never got around to using it at Christmas! So here it is!

The image panel is cut with Trinity Stamps Modern Embossed Frame Panels.  These types of dies are some of the most boring dies to buy but, for me, they are the most used.  They are just rectangles, but I love finished edges especially when I am doing nothing but putting it on background paper. 

I added glitter to the star and it's on the top edge of the "ground" also which I added just as a balance to the star.  A few sparkly sequins as starlight - and this card is done.  I actually played around with it for quite awhile trying different colors of different embellishments but I love the stamp and thought it worked well on its own.

Thanks to Christmas Kickstart for giving me the inspiration to use this stamp!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Woodware Peaceful Night

Dies: Trinity Stamps Modern Embossed Frame Panels, Simon Says Stamp Holy Star

The Card Concept: Sketched Trees

 I love the current graphic at The Card Concept. It's such a classic Christmas look!  I thought about pulling out a chair die and using the inspiration quite literally by creating that charming scene, but I have so many unused Christmas stamps and dies so I went in a different direction.

I was inspired by the plaid in the photo and the fresh white and green.  I also saw my layout in their photo with the plaid at the bottom and the white/green at the top. 

The stamp is a new stamp in Impression Obsession's slimline series.  The stamp covers an entire slimlime and has a wonderful curved and graceful look which you can't see well on mine with the big sentiment. The die is from Trinity Stamps; I love the font and how it pops with the backer die. 

After I stamped the trees, I stamped again with the tops of the trees colored with a Versamark pen. Then I embossed some heat and stick powder and added glitter.  I had some snowflakes that matched perfectly then added red tree topper gems to a few of the trees. 

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I've always liked The Card Concept's style definition of Clean and Layered. I never felt I was a Clean and Simple creator mostly because I don't find any card "simple"!  But I definitely like clean so since I first saw their definition I have called my style "clean and layered".

Thanks so much to The Card Concept for the inspiration.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Impression Obsession Sketched Trees

Dies: Trinity Stamps Scripty Christmas

Paper: Moda Scrap Sudtirol Origins 12x12

Ink: Stampin' Up Just Jade

Other: Pretty Pink Posh Holiday Mix gems, Stampin' Up Adhesive-Backed Snowflakes

Pinkfresh World Cardmaking Day Challenge #5: Slimlines

I skipped challenge number #4 because it's already the end of the day and I'm losing light for photos - and I definitely wanted to get to Challenge #5 by Pinkfresh since it's a slimline card challenge.

I used the Slim Edgers by Pink Fresh to give this card some interesting detail. Then I cut three of the beautiful Floral Circles.  I started with a floral patterned paper - that's where I got the colors - but I just felt like it was competing with the diecuts so I switched to some tone on tone paper.  The "Hello" is a Pinkfresh die but it is an exclusive at scrapbook.com. I love the style of it.

Pinkfresh just keeps coming out with challenges - as I type this, they have posted ten challenges.  I haven't finished with the Pinkfresh products I pulled out onto my desk, so fingers crossed I can go one more day without cleaning, cooking, showering, etc. and get a few more cards made tomorrow!!

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Pinkfresh Slim Edgers, Floral Circles, Mini Hello Word Die (exclusive at scrapbook.com)

Tic Tac Toe, Color Throwdown: Blessings

 I'm playing along with two challenges today.  I'm under the wire at the Tic Tac Toe Challenge.  The first column requires a slimline card, alphabet dies and dry embossing.  Since I purchased tall alphabet dies just for slimline cards, I couldn't miss it.  Then when I figured out my layout, I knew I needed fairly bold colors and I have been loving all the cards being created using the colors at the Color Throwdown. Here's how I used these challenges.

The alphabet are Concord & 9th's Tall Type Alphabet.  I had originally planned on leaves in the background but given I had my Concord & 9th stash in front of me, I saw these beautiful flowers from Hello Lovely and thought they would be a nice detailed backdrop to the side of the front.  I wanted to highlight the colors beyond the letters so I added the smallest of the Intricate Cut Butterflies from Poppystamps.  I sprinkled on some sparkly sequins - my favorite part of fall is the cooler weather and the frost that covers the brilliant colors each morning - so I love some sparkle on my cards.

For the dry embossing, I made sure I used an embossing folder with a regular pattern.  I embossed one side of the panel (cut with Pinkfresh Slim Stitched Rectangles), then flipped the folder to the other side and lined it up with the first pattern.  It's easy with this regular pattern because the embossing folder literally clicked into place with the plaid that I had already embossed.

Thanks to these two challenges for the inspiration!

 SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Concord & 9th Hello Lovely

Dies: Concord & 9th Tall Type Alphabet, Pinkfresh Slim Stitched Rectangles, Poppystamps Intricate Cut Butterflies

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Poppy Parade, Pumpkin Pie, Marvelous Magenta (retired)

Other: Fun Stampers Journey Pretty Plaid Embossing Folder

Cupcake Inspiration 500th Challenge

This is my second post today. 

The Cupcake Inspiration challenge is celebrating its 500th challenge. That is definitely something to celebrate and I celebrated big!!

I got that "Big Birthday Wishes" die when I was first discovering the fun of slimline cards. (NOTE: the white panel is exactly 3 1/2 x 8 1/2 and the die just fits. When I got the card done, I decided it needed just a bit of a frame around the white so it's now slightly bigger. It won't fit in an A9 envelope, but it does fit in the bigger A10.)  

Of course, I had to use a cupcake.  This is the biggest cupcake I have, but sadly when I pulled out the set, the candle die that comes with is missing but I found a substitute.  The bow isn't in the cupcake set but it's one of my favorites and I loved the look with this cheerful card.  Some stripes of paper and a sprinkling of coordinating sequins and it's definitely a big and bright birthday card.

Congratulations to Cupcake Inspirations!!

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Honey Bee Stamps Cupcake Builder (not the candle), My Favorite Thing Big Birthday Wishes, Taylored Expressions Little Bits - Bows

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Flirty Flamingo, Mango Melody, and Daffodil Delight (and old dsp); Taylored Expressions Cupcake and Pink Champagne

Other: Pretty Pink Posh Valentine Mix and Marigold gems, Little Things Tangerine Mix

Slimine: Sending Prayers

In my new passion for slimline cards, I recently purchased some basics from Pinkfresh - the stitched rectangles and the slim edgers.  And what do you know - while I was shopping, the beautiful flower just jumped right into my cart!

There are so many gorgeous flowers out there and I have too many already, but this one just had to be in my stash.  It's so easy to use with so much detail - yet still so fresh and clean!  It's actually a collaboration between Pinkfresh and Altenew. Then when the flowers and the slimline dies were in my cart, I threw caution (and my bank balance) to the wind and splurged on the Pinkfresh Phrase Builder which has been on my wishlist forever.  Must...stop...shopping!  Having said that, every item on this card will be heavily used.  Good sentiments never go to waste.  An easy flower looks great on a quick card. And as long as I'm enjoying slimlines, the stitched rectangle and edgers are must-haves!

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Altenew/Pinkfresh collaboration: Celebrate Us
Dies: Pinkfresh Phrase Builder: Sending, Slim Stitched Rectangles, Slim Edgers
Cardstock: My Favorite Things Pineapple, Stampin' Up Old Olive
Ink: My Favorite Things Pineapple, Stampin' Up So Saffron, Pear Pizazz, Cinnamon Cider, and the old Subtles dsp
Other: Pretty Pink Posh Buttercream Gems

Slimline: Tic Tac Toe Mountain Scene

This might be a bit of a stretch for the Tic Tac Toe Challenge.  I am using the line for Mountain, Sunshine and Adventure.  On the surface I really didn't nail the "adventure" part.  But the challenge really helped me finish this card so I wanted to give a shout-out. When I saw the challenge, I had the mountain scene created but it was lacking something.  The "sunshine" in the Tic Tac Toe grid inspired me to focus on the sun even though my husband (whose birthday this is for) will make sarcastic comments about the sun spots (or sequins!)  The sun really filled in the space - and it "warmed" up the card.  I had been regretting doing it on white because it was so stark - but the sun and a few sequins sun spots made all the difference.

The fabulous products on this card are from Trinity Stamps (except for the fish, and I did freehand the ground and the water).  Although I have way too much of everything, I actually try to invest in multi-use products, so the rest of the slimline products that I have are basic frames, scalloped edges, etc.  This set does come with the wonky stitching (so I'm going to justify it as basic) but also the mountains and trees and clouds and so much more.  For a Colorado family that spends significant time in the Colorado Rockies, this was a must-have.  The Happy Birthday is also Trinity Stamps and is sized to fit across the slimline card but I couldn't cover my mountain scene!

So speaking of mountains and sunshine and adventure.  I know there isn't a specific adventure component on this card, but when you have to drive over this....(elevation 12,005)...

Look closely for the road to the left

To do this...

It's an adventure!!!  And there was even wildlife!

I must have done something right on this card because my husband has it displayed on his dresser. Most cards get opened and forgotten.

Thank you to the Tic Tac Toe Challenge for the inspiration to finish this card.

SUPPLY LIST
Dies: Trinity Stamps Wonky Stitched Wilderness (all except fish) and Scripty Birthday Greetings
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Just Jade, Shaded Spruce, Balmy Blue, Crushed Curry, Gray Granite, Cinnamon Cider

Other: Wink of Stella Yellow (on the fish)

Slimline: Freshly Made Sketches A Lovely Day

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Linda. She decided we were going to do slimline cards.  Funny story.  I've really liked the slimline cards I've been seeing so I invested in a variety of products specifically made for slimline cards.  Did I use a single one of my new products on today's card? Nope!  However, I have made a number of other cards with them, so I've decided it's "slimline week" on my blog. Check back for more!  (And I have played around in the past with my products. Here's a slimline happy birthday and a slimline Christmas.)

I started out regularly sending cards to my two nieces as they were stuck at home.  But then they found out that the entire family had had COVID over Christmas so, while they were still cautious, they did venture out of their homes and were no longer stir-crazy so I haven't sent cards in months. But as I was thinking through the idea of a row of thought bubbles (new from The Stamp Market), I saw that I had other stamps/dies from The Stamp Market that would make a very fun card for my tween niece. This little guy in black and white, surrounded by the yummy colors makes me smile - I hope it makes her smile too!

Have fun working on a slimline card! (Of course now you need new envelopes!!  #9 envelopes are just the right size - I got mine on Amazon. #10 envelopes are regular business size so just a bit bigger but some slimlines are a bit bigger so these would do double-duty.)

I hope to see you playing along with us at Freshly Made Sketches.

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: The Stamp Market Lovely Little Notes, Bear Hugs Stamp Bundle
Dies: The Stamp Market Thought Bubbles, Small Blooms