1.31.2014

Hugs & Kisses Quilt

Coming in just under the wire this month with my "A Lovely Year of Finishes" January quilt goal.

ALYoF2014
ALYOF
My goal this month was to finish my hugs and kisses quilt.  I've been debating back and forth on whether or not add another border.   There are 2 different borders I had planned to add.  Last night I dreamt that Melissa (of SewBitterSweetDesigns) told me it looked perfect the way it is, so I am calling it done.  I can always add an extra border later if I change my mind.


Looking at my son holding it up I think this just might be the perfect size for a lap quilt.   


Now I have to decide what my finish for February is going to be.  Right now I am leaning towards getting my son's quilt quilted.  It would be nice if he could sleep under it this weekend, but I must admit to being nervous about quilting a quilt that size.  See you tomorrow.

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Always & Forever

Do you ever just make something for the pure joy of creating?  That is what I did when I saw this challenge from the Monday Mood Board. In fact I was so inspired I want to make another card that is lighter in color with lots of lace.

Monday Mood Board Wplus9

Looking at the inspiration photo made me think of romance and femininity. You can see I had fun playing with some of my new goodies.  


I had to add some pearls and a pink flower to my romantic card. The card wasn't "pink" enough for me, so I stamped the Love Notes in pink and added a silver heart note die cut.


My layout came from a new-to-me sketch challenge called Tuesday Morning Sketches.  Isn't this a perfect pair of challenges?
TMS#234
When I saw this sketch I got excited because I knew I could use my new scallop square die from Reverse Confetti.


Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Card Supplies
Stamps: Hardwood (SU), Love Notes (CAS*ual Fridays), Lots to Say (Reverse Confetti
Paper: Smitten 6x6 (Authentique), Basic Black, Whisper White
Accessories: Black Satin Ribbon (SU), Basic Pearls (SU), Ribbon Flower (SU), Heart Note Die (CAS*ual Fridays), Love Note Die (Reverse Confetti)


1.30.2014

My Love

It's challenge day at StampNation.  Maureen picked a lovely photo for inspiration.   In fact, I was so inspired that I created 2 cards.  First a sneak peek of my Design Team card.


As you can see I was having fun with the Hardwood stamp.  The background was created by inking Whisper White craft ink onto Crumb Cake cardstock. The heart in the center was inked with 3 different markers.

My favorite thing about this card is how the stamping and inking of the Essentials Wooden elements.  I used brown Staz-On for the sentiment and the little hearts were inked with Copic markers.


As if the card didn't have enough texture and dimension, I added an embossed banner and Chevron ribbon.


Is it ok to say I love this card? Perhaps even more than my first card, although I love that card too.

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Don't forget that Sale-A-Bration is going on right now.  For every $50 you spend you can choose a free item from the SAB catalog.   Click the Shop 24/7 tab above to go to my Stampin' UP! website.

Stamps: You Are Loved (SU), Hardwood (SU)
Ink: Baked Brown Sugar, Soft Suede, Soft Sky, Real Red
Accessories: Essentials Wooden Elements, Naturals Chevron Ribbon, Square Lattice Embossing Folder
Essentials Wooden Elements
Essentials Wooden Elements

Natural 5/8" Chevron Ribbon
Naturals Chevron Ribbon


1.29.2014

Keep Swimming

When I saw this adorable little turtle stamp at Lil' Inker I just knew I had to buy him and color him.   Isn't this just the cutest?!  Now I need to buy more greens, yellow and brown so I can color him the way I really want to.


Obviously I am just a beginner with Copics and have a lot to learn, but I'm still having fun.  I accidently grabbed my darker green when coloring his little neck to blend out from the shadows and couldn't fix it.  How do you fix such a mistake? He looks a little funny, but I think the person I send this card to won't mind.


The little clear sequins from Pretty Pink Posh remind me of air bubbles and add just a touch of dimension to this card.   The sketch I used came from CAS(E) this Sketch.

CTS#61
Isn't it perfect for my colored image?   I thought about tying burlap ribbon or twine under the picture, but wanted to keep it "clean" for the CAS challenge.


If you are looking for a card you can send to the boys, this one is it.  Nothing frilly and pink about it.  ;)   It's not "masculine" though so it can go either way.  What I love most about this card is that the sentiment fits when "Get Well Soon" just doesn't.

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Card Supplies

Stamps: Sea Turtle (Lil' Inker) 
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento), Daffodil Delight (SU), Tempting Turquoise (SU)
Copics: W1, B0000, B02, BV23, G28, G29, RV29, RV91, YG63, YG67
Paper: Glistening 6x6 pad (Authentique), Early Espresso (SU), Sahara Sand (SU)
Accesories: Sparkling Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)

1.28.2014

SAB Begins

Sale-A-Bration starts today!   If you don't know what SAB is, it's the biggest event of the year for Stampin' UP!  For every $50 in orders you get to chose a SAB item for FREE!


On my card today I have used two of the SAB items available, Banner Punch and Sweet Sorbet DSP.   I also paired it with the speech bubble from Essentials Wooden Elements.


My inspiration for today's card comes from the fabulous Seize the Sketch Challenge.
STS#12
What is your favorite SAB item? If you haven't seen the SAB catalog Clicky to check it out now.

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Card Recipe
Stamps: Love Deepens (Verve), A Dozen Thoughts (SU)
Paper: Sweet Sorbet (SAB), Pool Party, Whisper White
Accessories: Banner Punch (SAB), Baker's Twine (Pretty Pink Posh), Essentials Wooden Elements (SU)

1.25.2014

Play Day in the Hobby Room

Having some fun with some new goodies this weekend.  :)   I thought it might be fun to make a Clean & Simple (CAS) card and then step it up with a more embellished card using similar supplies.


It all started with the Leafy Branch die from Savvy Stamps.  Isn't it beautiful cut out of Brushed Bronze metal from Add A Little Dazzle?  I paired that with the Lots to Say stamp set, also from Reverse Confetti.  It was heat embossed with Early Espresso before being dry embossed with my dots embossing folder.




While my Big Shot was getting a workout I decided to try out my brand new Love Notes die from Reverse Confetti.   I was SUPER impressed with all the Confetti Cuts dies.  (Yes, I bought more than one. ;)  They cut smoothly through metal as well as glimmer paper and they released easily from the dies.


My stepped up card has just a few more details that are easy to see.  The seem binding ribbon was adhered with score tape in a scrunchy band across the card.


Each of the rhinestones was colored with Copic R29.  It was so easy to color these gems, just like everyone has been telling me.

I'm entering lots of challenges with these cards.  :)  It should be pretty easy to tell how I was inspired.


The Curtain Call challenge ended this morning, but it is what inspired the love message on the first card.  I had planned to make a thank you card before I saw this challenge last night.  When I saw it I got excited because I knew I could use my new goodies from Reverse Confetti.

Curtain Call
CAS isn't always easy for me, but I am learning with each challenge I do and each lesson Maureen Merritt gives us at StampNation.  CAS*ology has a refresher course on CAS design for their challenge.  Contrast was pretty easy to accomplish with all the white space and saturated colors of the first card.  It truly was a light bulb moment for me that contrast plays a big role in CAS design.

CAS*ology
My personal challenge to create a Christmas card a week led me back to Merry Monday challenge.  It was a color challenge, but one I found easy to accomplish.  :)  Usually I struggle with color challenges, but not this time.  I think this color combo is great for rustic Christmas cards.  You should check out the design team and other submissions for this challenge.  They are lovely.

MM#92


Last, but certainly not least is the challenge that started all this.  I ordered the die and knew I wanted to use it with Brushed Bronze metal sheets.  Lucky me that it was a perfect fit for the current Dazzling Divas challenge.  :)

Dazzling Diva Challenge #9
DD#9
Even though I don't have red nor white metal sheets, I think you can see how this picture inspired the colors on my cards.



Can you believe I was inspired by 4 different challenges and none of them are sketch challenges?  

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Love You Card
Stamps: Lots to Say
Paper: Whisper White, Red Glimmer Paper
Accessories:  Brushed Bronze Metal Sheet (Add A Little Dazzle), Dots Embossing Folder, Early Espresso Embossing Powder, Leafy Branch #10092 (Savvy Stamps), Love Notes (Reverse Confetti)

Warm Wishes Card
Stamps: EnFrancais (SU), Seasonal Flourish (Waltzing Mouse Stamps)
Paper: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Basic Rhinestones, Brushed Bronze Metal Sheet (Add A Little Dazzle), Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Copic R29, Early Espresso Embossing Powder, Leafy Branch #10092 (Savvy Stamps)


1.24.2014

Get Comfy, Rest & Get Better

My neighbor recently had surgery on her broken wrist and I wanted to send a card to cheer her up while she recovers.  The little nurse owl Julz made for me was perfect for this type of card.

Isn't that the cutest?!  When I first opened the pack of "owls"  I thought they were cards, but she put each of the critters on a dimensional so I can use them on my own projects.  Isn't that sweet?

I used two challenges for my card.  First, as usual, a sketch.  This time from Unscripted Sketches.

Sketch240

The second was a color challenge. I had the perfect sketch for the nurse owl, but I wasn't sure what colors to pair her with.  I turned to the Color Throwdown.  I thought the yellow would make a great "moon" for my owl and the pop of red would be perfect for the panel in the sketch.  Plus the red goes with the heart and cross in the punch art.

ctd276
The owl wasn't made using Crumb Cake, so I pulled in some Crumb Cake taffeta ribbon to tie in the lighter shade of brown.  The silver baker's twine has a light tan color to it, so I added that in too. 


This card is a bit of a departure from my usual cards, especially in the color combo, but I like how it turned out.  Hopefully my neighbor and her little daughter will enjoy it too.

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Stamp: Unkown from LSS
Ink: Basic Grey
Paper: Basic Grey, Daffodil Delight, Twitterpated DSP, Whisper White
Punch Art: Courtesy of Julie Butler (aka Julz)
Misc: Circles Framelits, Crumb Cake Taffeta Ribbon, Silver Thread Baker's Twine

1.20.2014

I Found You ~ MOJO 329

Happy Martin Luther King day to my American friends.  Wouldn't Dr King be amazed today to see how far his dream has come?   One of the things I love about Dr King is that he worked to make his dreams come true.  He taught us by example to not only dream big, but to take the steps needed to make it happen.

I too dream of the day that there will be equality and justice for all.  I have dreams about there being a cure to cancer and the common cold.  I have dreams that my children will grow up to be godly men and make a difference in their world.  I have dreams that I will fit into my skinny jeans.  Who's with me?

I also have a dream that my creativity will inspire others and one day I will get paid for my creativity.  That is certainly a dream I can work towards.  :)



Sometimes I make a card and it makes me happy just looking at it.  This is one of those cards.  I used the new sketch up at Mojo Monday to design my card.  As soon as I saw it I knew I wanted to use to make my card.  I LOVE when that happens.

MM#329

I'm also linking up with the current Curtain Call Challenge to make a Love Letter.  <3  This fits, don't you think?

CCIC

Oooh la la, I'm in love. <3 Did you spot the trio of hearts with a tiny pearl on one of them?  I'm making so many love cards lately that I will soon have a box to ship to Operation Write Home.  :)




Now it is time for me to work on my Skinny Jeans dream and do my workout.  If only it was as easy as world peace.   LOL.   There are many things I have learned from Martin Luther King, but one of the big ones is that dreams don't just happen.  They take hard work, determination and often involve some sweat and tears. Dreams are worth pursuing though, because when they come true your heart will soar and you will know you have fulfilled your purpose.  What are your dreams?

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Supplies
Stamps: Defining Words (Wplus9), Follow My Heart (SU)
Paper: Fresh Prints DSP Stack (SU), Coastal Cabana, Real Red
Inl: Smoky Slate, Coastal Cabana, Real Red
Misc: Circle Framelits (SU), 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Heart Punch, Basic Pearls

FYI:  Today is the last day to take advantage of the StampNation special trial offer.  You can try out StampNation for 3 days for $1!  Why not give it a try and see if you are as inspired as I am by all the fabulous papercrafters, tutorials and videos on the site?



If you love it, it's just $9 a month.  If you don't, it's easy to cancel by sending Catherine an email.  Clicky to start your 3 day membership now.

Want to learn more about StampNation before giving it a try?  Clicky here for more information.


1.19.2014

Sew Sunday

Over the past week and a half I've only spent about 2 hours in my sewing room. Most of that time was spent cutting, but I did make a little progress on my hugs & kisses quilt.  From this point on it should go fairly quickly.  I'm still hoping to get the top done before the end of the month for my A Lovely Year of Finishes goal.  Thankfully the Design Team at StampNation has the next week off so I should get to spend more time in my sewing room.


The colors in the picture are way off.  Sorry about that.  I decided to trim the block in a light aqua and add an extra row of X's & O's.   It will make the lap quilt a better size for me to snuggle under when I write up my blog posts.  


As I snowballed each corner of my 5" squares I sewed an additional line to the outside so that when I cut the excess triangles off I would get a small block.  My plan is to take all of these small blocks and use them in the border.


There are a lot of them!

Now for  some exciting news if you are a local follower in the Pacific Northwest.  The South Sound Modern Quilt Guild (SSMQG) is sponsoring an exciting class on color theory by the famous Katie Pederson of Sew Katie Did!!!  The best news is registration is now open to the public, so you can join us even if you aren't a member of the Guild!

Date: February 9th
Time: 11am  (Potluck style lunch)
Place: Annie's Quilt Shoppe  2505 Olympic Highway North  Suite 220, Shelton, Washington 98584 Shelton, WA

Clicky to view the PDF of the class supply list.

Clicky to go the SSMQG  Registration page.

Are you going to this class with me?  If you decide to join us, please let me know.  I've already signed up and I'm looking forward to it.  I think this class will be helpful not only for my quilting, but cardmaking & scrapbooking as well.

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

1.18.2014

Knotty Birthday ~ Envelope Punch Board

If you are looking for my Sew Saturday post be sure to come back tomorrow.  ;)  I am running a day behind on my blog as I have been celebrating StampNation's birthday all week long.   In fact today's post was supposed to go up yesterday, but I ran into some technical difficulties.


My card for the last Birthday Bash challenge has to be one of my all time favorite masculine cards.   I wish I could show you the card, but it is one I made for the design team and is now a StampNation exclusive.  It is a CASE of Susan Powell.


Since I can't show you my Design Team card unless you are a member of StampNation, I decided to make a stepped down version of the card using some of my favorite elements from both Susan's and my own card.



***Note: If you are reading this outside of my blog you may need to go to this post to see the video above.  Click on the post title "Knotty Birthday" to go there now.


Avery Elle
Catherine Pooler Cupcake Card.
As you saw in the video today's giveaway, on Catherine Pooler's YouTube channel, is sponsored by Avery Elle.  They are giving away the cutest little cupcake stamp and matching die.  Clicky to see it.  As I said in the video, I am not eligible to win, but I would LOVE for one of my followers to win it!  All you have to do is go to CLICKY and COMMENT on Catherine's YouTube video.  Good luck!



In addition to all this fun, I found a great new challenge that I am VERY excited about.  Why?  Because I need so many masculine cards and this challenge is just for masculine cards.  It's a perfect fit.   :)

Cardz 4 Guyz Logo
Make A Masculine Birthday Card
If you want to see more Masculine birthday cards, check out the ones I posted on Sunday.  Three more masculine cards for a total of 4 this week and my February birthday cards are taken care of.

birthday


One last note.  Catherine is offering a special right now.  You can get a 3 day StampNation membership for $1. Give it a try and see why I love this site so much.  Clicky

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Supplies:
Stamps: Knotty (Avery Elle), The Open Sea (SU), Postage Collection - Hostess (SU)
Ink: Black Staz-On, River Rock (retired)
Paper: Epic Day This & That DSP (SU), River Rock (retired SU)
Misc: Island Indigo Baker's Twine, Linen Thread,  Essentials Wooden Elements, Envelope Punch Board

Essentials Wooden Elements
Essentials Wooden Elements