Memorial Weekend Blog Hop with OWH

Is there a more fitting thing for an American cardmaker to do on her blog for Memorial Day weekend than to join with Operation Write Home for a blog hop?  I didn't think so.   That's why I'm joining others again this year for the OWH Memorial Day Bloghop.

I used OWH Sketch #225 to create this thank you card.

See how the stars are inlaid and then a couple of them are popped up?  Come back tomorrow to see a video on how I made this card, plus another card using the same sketch, but rotated and flipped.

Add your email to the follow me by email box to the right and you will get an email when my new post goes up. :)

Be sure to head over to the OWH blog to see what the others have created for this special event.  Clicky to go there now.


Supplies:
Paper: Aboard (Authentique), Basic Black, Very Vanilla
Stamps: Hip Notes (Stampin' UP!)
Misc: Banner Framelits (Stampin' UP!), Stitched Stars (Lil' Inker Designs), Versamark, White Embossing Powder


UPDATE:  I have added more pictures and video in the next post.  Clicky to go there now, or scroll up to see the new post.  

Banner Thanks

Yesterday I took some time to get back into challenges, just for the fun of doing them.  :)  I've been so busy with my work, kids and life, that there hasn't been time to just create for fun.  As I made this card I was reminded that I need to make the time for "creative fun". 

The challenge this month at Virginia's View Challenge blog is to create a project with stitching/sewing.  My sewing machine has been busy working on quilts, so it was ready to go when I saw the announcement for this challenge.  It was so fun, and super easy, to sew my banners and ribbon onto cardstock.  I really should sew on my cards more often.  The problem is my sewing machine is on the second floor of our house and my stamp room is out in the garage. 

The second challenge I am entering is the CASE this Sketch challenge.  Somehow I saw a sneak peek on somebody's blog and new instantly what I would be making.   All I needed was the time!  

CTS#75

Isn't this sketch awesome?  I already have a couple more ideas floating around for additional cards.  You can bet I am keeping this one.  The funny thing is the design is so simple.   Perhaps it is just that the sketch gives me permission to leave all that white space.

Before I go I want to tell you of an exciting announcement made today at StampNation.  My friend, and fellow design team member Maureen Merritt (Mama Mo Stamps), has just added videos to her clean and simple classroom!!! (CASC)   If you struggle with CAS like I do, I know you will benefit from her classroom at StampNation.

Supplies:
Stamps: Hearts A Flutter (SU- WSL), Lovely Little Labels (SU)
Ink/Paper: Coastal Cabana, Crumb Cake, Fresh Prints DSP Stack (SU)
Misc.:  Hearts A Flutter Framelits (SU), Little Labels Punch Pack (SU), Silver Star Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh), Chevron Ribbon (SU)

Special Spring Wishes

Spring is in full swing this week at the North household.  What does that mean?  Sunny days spent working in the yard, afternoons/evenings at the baseball field, windows open to let the fresh air in, quilt guild 1 year anniversary party and graduation invitations being mailed out.  Phew, what a week, and it's only Thursday morning!  I think I need some time in the hobby room for some card making therapy.  ;)

Springtime also means the flowers are blooming, the trees have leaves and there is green everywhere.  I love this time of year, and tried to capture it in my card!  Today on the StampNation website we have an extra special treat.  The design team from Penny Black is joining us for a very special challenge.

Just look at all that sunshine goodness!  Be sure to check out this week's challenge to see what the dream team and PB DT came up with.  Then join in the fun and post your own card for your chance to win 3 Penny Black stamp sets from their brand new release!!! 

Not yet a member?  Clicky to find out more and join in the fun.   See you in the forums.


Stamps: Special Wishes (Penny Black), Gathering Together (Penny Black)
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzaz, Soft Suede
Misc: Interlocking Die (Penny Black), Labels Framelit (SU), Punch Pack (SU), Leafy Branch Die (???)

February Thank Yous

I've been working on my thank you cards for everyone who ordered from me in the month of February.  :)  Here are the cards I came up with for you.

Does this card look a little familiar?  It's a stepped up version of this card from last month.  I was again inspired by the Basics & Beyond class to take that card up a notch.  If you are in the class look at the Beyond Design #3 to see how I was inspired. :)

Do you prefer the Coastal Cabana or Baked Brown Sugar?  Perhaps you would like it even better in Crisp Cantaloupe or Strawberry Slush????   I like to make a change or two with each card I make to keep it from getting boring.  :)

Today is the last to join the Basics & Beyond class and take advantage of the bonus.  The class will still be open to enroll, but the bonus offer is going away.

Clicky to  check out the class for yourself.
Clicky to join StampNation and get your 50% off coupon code.

If you are already a StampNation member you may want to check out the newest challenge posted yesterday.  Here is a peek at my card.  Any guesses on what this challenge might be?

Time for me to get back to writing my thank you notes.  Don't forget that Sale-A-Bration is still going on until the end of this month.  For ever $50 you spend with Stampin' UP! you get to choose one SAB item for free!  

Supply List:  (All items are Stampin' UP!)
Stamps: Happy Watercolor
Ink: Coastal Cabana, Crisp Cantaloupe, Strawberry Slush, Baked Brown Sugar, Chocolate Chip
Paper: Fresh Prints DSP Stack, Coastal Cabana, Baked Brown Sugar, Whisper White
Misc: Apothecary Accents Framelits

Watercolor Rainfall

I'm on a watercolor kick lately.  It's so much fun to take a blank piece of paper and wash it with a rainbow of colors.  Perhaps I am being influenced by all the rain we're having here in the Pacific Northwest.  It's turning everything green and colorful again.

I combined the two February challenges at Stampin' Celebration as inspiration for my card.

SC#75 Feb.

SC#75 Sketch

One little tip I can pass on to you is to use a QuickStik tool if you are going to be attaching all these little hearts.  It makes the task so much easier.

QuickStik Tool

If you've never seen one and want me to do a video on how to use it, let me know in the comments below.  :)

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

I'm also linking up with the new Wednesday Workout at Simon Says Stamp.  The challenge is to use new products so I used my new SSS die, new paper pack and brand new Seattle stamp.  <3   No wonder I love this card, it's fun playing with new toys.  :)

New

Supplies:
Stamps: Seattle (Impress), Gorgeous Grunge (SU)
Ink: Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Rich Razzleberry, Strawberry Slush, Tempting Turquoise

Paper: Cupid's Arrow (MME)

Misc: Cloudy Day Embossing Folder (SU), Apothecary Accents Framelits (SU), Heart Rainfall Die (SSS), Scallop Border Punch (SU)

Ghosts of Love

Today is challenge day at StampNation and we have a fun one for you, Ghost Stamping.  What is ghost stamping?  Catherine has an easy to follow video tutorial on the site, but basically it is stamping in white ink, then stamping over the top with your colored ink.

It's similar to Shadow Stamping like you see in the True Love banner.  Shadow stamping uses color, whereas ghost stamping uses white or vanilla.  Pretty cool huh?  It's hard to see, but the little hearts are ghost stamped.  The full card is on StampNation for members only.

The ghost stamping on the pink base didn't show up as well as I had hoped it would, so I tried using the same colors, but this time stamping on craft cardstock.  The white showed up MUCH better this time!

It's fun to experiment with different colors and see the effect they have.  My favorite combo that Catherine used was white and blue on craft.  I need to go watch her video again to see which shade of blue she used because it was stunning!

CTS #63

My card was inspired by the CAS(E) this sketch challenge.  Even though I used pattern paper it is still "clean" because that space is not cluttered with stamping and embellishments and layers.  My focal point remains at the top.

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Stamps: Language of Love, Itty Bitty Banners
Paper: Lost & Found Blush (My Mind's Eye), Crumb Cake, Raspberry Ripple
Ink: Craft White, Raspberry Ripple, Versamark
Accessories: Bitty Banner Framelits, Love Note Die (Reverse Confetti), White Embossing Powder, Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)

Romantic Christmas

Coming in just a little late for this week's Merry Monday challenge, and it's the card I have wanted to make since I saw the current Monday Mood Board challenge from Wplus9.  Could that be because I saw one right after the other?

If you saw Friday's post you saw the other card I made inspired by the mood board.  (clicky if you want to see it now)  That card did not give me the soft look I was going for so I decided to try again.  I've actually been thinking about this all week wondering how I could create the flowery whitewashed wooden background.

Monday Mood Board #26

Then it came to me.  I could use my hardwood stamp, ink it up in Smoky Slate, stamp off twice and then stamp on Whisper White cardstock.  It gave it that soft wood feel.  Then I pulled out my markers to ink up the trellis flowers and leaves.  It was time consuming to create this background but I think it was worth it.

 

One of my all time favorite backgrounds is a script font.  I've been looking for ways to use my Defining Words stamp from Wplus9 and decided it make make a pretty background for my embossed sentiment.  I really want to try to add this type of stamping to my cards more often.

MM#93

The Merry Monday challenge was to use an ornament on your card.  I've been wanting to make this kind of ornament since seeing Catherine's card here.  In fact I bought the Pucker Me Pink metal sheets from Monica at Add A Little Dazzle just so I could CASE Catherine's card, but as I put this card together I felt that the card wanted to be more "soft & romantic", so I pulled out my brushed copper metal sheet to see if that would work, and I think it did.

Monica showed us on StampNation how we could take finger nail polish remover and remove color from embossed areas of our metal sheets. Isn't that cool?  This week the Dazzling Diva's challenge is "Anything Goes".    I think  this card fits the romantic feel of the photo even though I don't have any hearts on my card.

DD#10

The funny thing is that the heart is my favorite shape.  I'll keep this photo on the wall in my stamp room for another week to see if it can inspire me some more.  If you are looking for a quick and easy card, this is not it, but it was fun to pull out tons of things and just play.  

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Supplies Used

Stamps: Defining Words (Wplus9), Forever With You (SU), Hardwood (SU), Seasonal Flourish (WaltzingMouseStamps)

Ink(SU): Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Smoky Slate, Versamark

Accessories: Brushed Copper Metal Sheets (Add A Little Dazzle), Gold Embossing Powder, Holiday Ornament Framelits (SU)Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder (SU), Misc. Crochet Lace trim from my stash, Basic Pearls

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.  :)

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)

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.

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

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.