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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)

The Perfect Blend

When I saw this stamp set in the new catalog I knew I had to get it.  While I am not much of a coffee drinker, unless it is added to chocolate, many of my friends are.  So, I thought it would make cute cards to send to them.  At first I was disappointed that it didn't come with a Framelit, but it's super easy to cut out.

I stamped the main image onto Crumb Cake cardstock and then stamped it onto Whisper White cardstock.  Both times I used Baked Brown Sugar ink.  For the white piece I used Black Staz-On in to stamp the sentiment and Real Red to stamp the little heart from Lovely Little Labels stamp set.

Next I cut out the white pieces with super sharp paper snips.  If you know me, then you know I am not good at cutting, but the sharp pointy scissors really do help, as do the lines in the image.

For the background Crumb Cake piece I used the Deco Label Framelits and ran it through the Big Shot.  Then I glued the white band on, and used Stampin' Dimensionals to pop up the lid.  The label is glued onto an Early Espresso mat with a Real Red Ribbon, and the mat is popped up using more dimensionals.  (I love those things!)

In case you were wondering, my sketch inspiration came from this week's Mojo Monday challenge.  You still have lots of time to enter your own card into the challenge.

Now comes the hard part?  Which coffee loving friend will my first coffee cup card be sent to?  I better get to work making more!

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Supplies used (all Stampin' UP! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Perfect Blend, Lovely Little Labels
Colors: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Baked Brown Sugar, Whisper White
Paper: Mocha Morning DSP (retired)
Misc: Deco Labels Framelits, 1/8" Real Red Taffeta Ribbon





Perfect Blend




Lovely Little Labels



Deco Label Framelits



Forever With You

As I was cleaning up my picture files I came across this card that never got put up on my blog.  It was made for a StampNation challenge.  

The technique is called "inlaid die cutting".  It looks complicated, but it's actually pretty simple.  If you would like to see a video on this technique, let me know in the comment section below.  :)  My card uses the Windows Framelits, but almost all of the SU Framelits would work for this technique.

My favorite part of this card is the tiny tags hanging off of the safety pin.  Would someone please tell me why I like these tags so much?  Each time I add them to a card I am happy I did. 

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Stamps: Forever With You, Lovely Little Labels
Paper: Midnight Muse, Print Poetry DSP Stack
Ink: Midnight Muse, Crumb Cake
Misc: Jewelry Tag Punch, Crumb Cake Taffeta Ribbon, Window Frames Framelits,


Jewelry Tag Punch




Forever With You



Lovely Little Labels

 



Window Frames Framelits



Kimono Kard

Sorry for the late post.  I'm feeling about 80% better, but haven't been out to play in the craft room for a few days.  :(  Thankfully I still have several cards from World Card Making Day (WCMD) to share with you.   :)

Have I shared this card before?  I was inspired by a picture challenge from China on WCMD. 

Somebody from the challenge site asked me how I made this card, so filmed a video.   I still sound a bit nasally.  (Is that a word?)  Sorry about that, but it's too hard to type a description. 

I do hope you will give this unique look a try.  Check back in  tomorrow for another Scrapbook Sunday.

Creative Blessings,
Heather North



Twitterpated DSP




Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon




Vintage Faceted Buttons




Lovely Labels



Little Labels Pack



Thanks, Friend

My boys went to play with friends today, and I was able to spend an hour in the hobby room.  Here is what I came up with.  :)  I was even able to clean up the mess I made.  Always a plus.  My mojo is definitely coming back.

If you are wondering about the colors, I got them from the color challenge at CR84FN.  I like the combo a lot.  Though I had to use a non-SU purple.  It is an old piece of  CM cardstock.

The sketch is from this week's Retro Sketches. 



I took some liberty with the size.  It is a 4 1/4 square card.  I also left off the swirly bit.  I was going to add it but couldn't decide which color to use.  

Instead I added a little detail in the top corner. :) Isn't that teeny tiny brad cute?  I was going to add a rhinestone, but I was curious to see just how small my new brads are. 

 It feels good to be crafting again.  I have a stack of challenges printed out and a list of cards I need to make.  All I need are time, energy and an air conditioner in the garage.  :)

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Paper: Summer Smooches, Island Indigo CS, Whisper White CS, Wild Wasabi CS, CM Purple
Ink: Versamark, Wild Wasabi, Island Indigo, Black
Stamps: Everything Eleanor, Lovely Labels, Mixed Medley (Hostess)
Misc. Little Labels Punch Pack, Modern Label Punch, Paper Doily Die, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch

Everything Eleanor



Paper Doily Sizzlit

Lovely Little Labels

Mixed Medley (Hostess)

Happy 84th Donna ~ Mojo 246

 A very special lady will be celebrating her 84th birthday this weekend.  She deserves an extra special card for the occasion.  Here is what I came up with, thanks to some help from the current Mojo Monday sketch.

I flipped the sketch on its side and had to run the ribbon under my "tag" so you could read the sentiment, but I think you can still see how the sketch inspired me.



To be honest I really like the sketch just as it is, so I'm sure I will try it again.

Using the Apothecary Framelits made the tag super simple, but I fancied it up just a bit more.  The Very Vanilla was too stark for my card, so I sponged some Pink Pirouette all over it, then sponged the edges with Crumb Cake and very lightly, on the very edge I sponged Basic Gray.   Next I inked up the sentiment in Pink Pirouette (PP), stamped it, cleaned my stamp, inked it up again with Black Staz-On and stamped just slightly above the PP image.  This is hard to see, but it does give some depth to my card.

As you can see I had fun playing with even more of my new goodies.  ;)   My favorite thing is the teeny tiny stamp and matching punch set.  I'm in love with them.  I also used my favorite standby, Beautiful Wings Embosslit.

On a personal note, I've been enjoying the passing of time myself.  I find with my kids growing up time is passing a bit too fast for my taste, but this afternoon I took the time to look out on my balcony and see this tiny bird.  She/he was kind enough to let me take several pictures.

Can you spot it?  It's on top of that pole I'm using to train my Wisteria "tree".

I hope you can take some time to enjoy the passing of time.  Perhaps with a little creativity or bird watching. 

I think I am going to add some Basic Pearls to those butterflies and get this card in the mail for Donna.  Happy 84th birthday, sweet lady.


Creative Blessings,
Heather North

It might be easier to list what I didn't use on this card than what I did, but here goes.  :)  All items are Stampin' UP! unless otherwise noted.

Ink: Pink Pirrouette, Basic Gray, Crumb Cake, Island Indigo, Primrose Petals
Paper: Very Vannilla, Basic Gray, Crumb Cake, Fan Fair DSP
Stamps: From My Heart, Lovely Little Labels,
Misc.: Square Punches, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Little Labels Punch Pack, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Black Taffeta Ribbon

Fan Fair DSP

From My Heart

Lovely Little Labels

Little Labels Punch Pack

Apothecary Accents Framelits