Reason to Smile

Today is the last day for you to pick up your Reason to Smile stamp set.    The stamp set is exclusive this month, so once it's gone, it is GONE. 




Here's a sweet card I made earlier this month using the Reason to Smile stamp set.  If you want to see that post Click Here. 

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Need for Speed ~ Part 4

Welcome to another Masculine Monday and the 4th card in my Need for Speed series.   It's hard to believe this wasn't my first card, since I bought the stamp set just to make this card.  Both my boys love planes, and my oldest wants to be a Naval Aviator someday.    (too much Top Gun) 

This card took a little bit of time, but it wasn't too bad.  If you would like me to show you how, leave me a comment telling me you'd like me to film a video on it.  :)

Sorry for the blurry picture, but I wanted you to see some of the detail.   I masked off the plane before sponging the clouds, then I used a blender pen to add some Basic Grey.

Even though the sentiment I used would be great for a graduation card, I thought it would also be PERFECT for a masculine sweet 16 birthday.  His future is just on the horizon, but he is still young enough to dream and believe anything is possible.  

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Need for Speed

Word Play

Swap 'til We Drop

Swapping was loads of fun.  Here is what I learned...

1) Working in multiples is a smart idea to complete each step for ALL your cards before moving on to the next step.  First I cut all my Card Bases, then I scored all my card bases, I cut all my white cardstock, then I stamped all the scrolling pieces, etc. 

Another example, I tied all my bows, then stuck them onto my glue dot roll, I stamped all my labels, then punched them all out.

2) Make sure you have plenty of space for all those swap cards.  Dinner out instead of using the kitchen table sounds good to me.   :)
3) Start early, so you have plenty of time.  Life gets in the way sometimes and other times you may need to order something you run out of.  (Yes, I had to order more Melon Mambo and Basic Black cardstock)

4) Make an extra card, if you can.  It's always good to keep a copy for yourself, send one to a friend who isn't in the swap or have on hand when you mess up one of your other ones. 

5) The last thing I learned, JUST DO IT!  It is so much fun to see all your cards ready to give out, and it's even MORE FUN to receive all those cards back!!!!  I know, mom always said "it's better to give than receive", but I have to say, receiving all these cards back was a blast.

I've already signed up for the next swap.   :)  Thank you ladies for going over the top on your cards!  You challenge me to do better.



Hello, Lovely ~CTD202

Want to start your weekend off right?  Why not make a card or scrapbook layout?  :)  That's what I did this morning.   My husband was at work, my kids and animals were asleep, so I kept quiet by heading out to the hobby room.

I created my own background using Lacy & Lovely stamp set and the Color Throwdown challenge colors. 

My favorite part of this card is the label, and the ribbon behind it.  I think I'll be making more cards with this detail.

Check out the simple decoration for the inside. :)

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Lacy & Lovely

Apothecary Accents Framelits

Pool Party Ruffled

1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

Need for Speed ~ Part 3 (MOJO251)

My son has a friend's birthday coming up, and this stamp from the Need for Speed stamp set is PERFECT for him.   He loves riding his quad.  With all the rain we get here is western Washington, making some mud for his quad to run on was a must!  If you look closely you'll see mud on the tires and various other places as well. 

To make this card I used the Mojo Monday sketch for inspiration.  I pulled my colors from the Well Worn DSP (retired).  First I stamped my image onto Confetti White cardstock with Black Staz-On ink.  Next I used markers to color in my image.  (Not Quite Navy, Cajun Craze, River Rock- for the lights, and Pool Party- Window)   The requisite mud was created using Soft Suede ink and my aqua painter.  Soft Suede is also what I used to sponge all the edges of cardstock and DSP.

At first I was very excited to make the center design.  You see, I finally got the largest circle punch and scalloped circle punch that Stampin' UP sells.  I punched out my image that I had just colored with the 2 1/2" circle punch, then I grabbed the large scallop punch and as soon as I punched out my scallop I realized that it was nowhere near big enough to go behind my circle.  Ooops!  I had to put on my creative thinking cap, and dug into my box of new toys.  :)

What I found was even BETTER for this masculine card that the scallop circles would have been!  It's a new set of Framelits that will be available August 1st.  :)  Don't you love how it looks with the circle in the middle and brads in the corners?  I do!  As an added touch I used the smallest Framelit in that set to cut out my label for the back.  :)



I was going to do one more card in this Need for Speed series, but I have ideas for 3 more.  :)  Looks like you will see one card a week for awhile.  If you were on the fence about getting this set because you weren't sure how to use it, I hope I have inspired you to give it a try.

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Part 1: http://heatherscreativeblessings.blogspot.com/2012/07/need-for-speed-part-1.html
Part 2: http://heatherscreativeblessings.blogspot.com/2012/07/need-for-speed-part-2.html

Need for Speed

Nuetrals Brads



Need for Speed

Sweet Swap Revealed ~ Video

I was recently involved in my first ever online card swap.  I've done many scrapbooking swaps before, but this was only my second card swap.  Thankfully my first card swap was with ladies who loved me, because my cards were awful!  That was many years ago, before I really learned how to make cards by watching videos made by some great instructors.  Coincidentally that is why I make and share videos.  I hope to inspire you like I have been inspired.

I decided to tweak my videotaped card a bit, but I still give instructions for those of you who want to CASE the original.

Swap 'Til We Drop Card

Can you spot the differences in the stepped up card?

Sweet Baby Stepped Up Card

Check out the video below to see how I created these cards.  ***If you are viewing in your email you may need to head over to my website to watch the video. ***



  You can see the detail in this close-up shot.  This card was not simple, but it wasn't all that difficult either.  There are a lot of steps, but I hope you will give this card a try.  I think next time I'll use the largest Labels Framelit Die instead of the Top Note Die and emboss the black layer instead of the Melon Mambo.  What do you think?

Come back on Sunday to get more tips on participating in swaps and see the FABULOUS cards I got back in the swap.  I think they'll blow you away too.  :) 

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Great Sport

Top Note Die

Itty Bitty Banners

Bitty Banners Framelits Die

Labels Framelits Die

Blue Ribbon

Forever ~ TSOT#76

Can you believe I am actually making the current Try Stamping on Tuesday card ON Tuesday?  :)  This may be a first.   I love stamping on Tuesdays, but I often don't get my cards posted the same day that I make them.

After seeing my card it will be easy to see I was completely inspired by the sketch.  The only thing I didn't notice until now are the staples on the banners. I really like them, so I may go back and add them in... or not...

Clean and simple (CAS) does not come easy to me.  When I first saw the sketch my thought was, "I can't do that, there's too much white space, and my cards never turn out well when they are CAS!"  My next thought was that I need to at least give it a try, because if I can master CAS then I can make & send even more cards.  :)  Since I love using banners, I decided to give it a try.  I even used my least favorite SU color on this card, and it's not so bad.  LOL

Do you think I need to add those staples?  I only used one stamp on this paper, and to get the variations in color I used my markers. The colors for this card came from the Fan Fair DSP pack.

Head on over to TSOT and see what you can create using their sketch.  You have plenty of time.  If you do, please let me know in the comment section of this post and I will be sure to visit your blog to see what you make. 


Creative Blessings,
Heather North

P.S.  I had an hour today with no kids and no hubby at home where I was able to make a video about my swap cards!  I'll be editing it and hopefully have it up on my blog in the next few days.  :)

Forever with You

Fan Fair DSP

Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch

Need for Speed ~ Part 2

Welcome to my Masculine Monday card and Part 2 of my "Need for Speed" series. 

Today's card is great for wishing someone a speedy recovery.  It's nice to have masculine "get well" cards on hand.  Have you ever tried to find one at the store?  Most get well cards are covered in flowers and very feminine looking.  This one is NOT.  Plus it's super easy to put together. 



The video will show you how I was able to stamp this image on one layer and get the "splash" behind the boat.  Very simple to do, I promise! 
***If you are reading this blog post in email, you may need to visit my blog to see the video.***

 

I hope you will give this card a try.   Come back next Monday for another Masculine Monday card in my Need for Speed series. 

Creative Blessings,

Heather North

All supplies used were Stampin' UP! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps: Need for Speed, Clockworks, Word Play

Ink: Pool Party, Black Staz-On

Cardstock: Pool Party, Basic Black Whisper White

Need for Speed

Clockworks

Word Play