Miracle

Last week a miracle baby boy was born, but God decided He needed him more and took him home.  Matthew James touched many, many lives during his time in the womb and his short two day stay on Earth.  While in the hospital, his mommy and daddy were able to get some beautiful professional photographs with Matthew to treasure forever.  I wanted to be sure they had a special place for a special photograph, so I made them this layout and framed it for them.

And here is the card that went with the frame:

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Chocolate, Colonial White, Crystal Blue, Sweet Leaf cardstock; Miracle B&T
Ink: Chocolate
Stamps: Chocolate Alphabet Small (D1296), Miracle {exclusive to Miracle WOTG} (G1023), Playful Flourishes (retired)
Other: Chocolate embroidery floss (Z1096); crystal blue, sweet leaf buttons (retired); chocolate button (Z1358); Mocha Opaques (Z1333)

Hippity Hoppity...It's a Bunny Hop!

Heart 2 Heart is having a bunny hop this week! We're featuring projects with a Spring or Easter theme.

Here is a cute little card I made for one of my nieces for Easter (check back later for 2 more):

The card sketch was created by the FABULOUS Vicki W.

Thanks for "hopping" by! :o)

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Blush, Pear cardstock; Sophia B&T
Ink: Chocolate, Hollyhock, Pear
Stamps: A Hop (A1112), Say it in Style (retired)
Other: brown brads, white pom-poms (from stash)

Layered Flowers Blog Hop

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop!  This month there are 12 of us highlighting the “Layered Flowers” Technique as shown on page 7 in the Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book!  This blog hop is a great big circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork incorporating this technique.  If you would like to start from the beginning, please hop on over to Debi's Blog.  While there, you will also find a listing of all participants and their blog addresses if you should get lost or want to reference a blog along the way.  Let’s get started!

If you are coming from Amy's Blog, you are on the right track!  This technique is highlighted with the Sophia paper packet in the Idea Book but you will find variations for its’ use through this hop.  

Here is my card:

I used one of the flowers in the Dreams Come True stamp set.  I stamped the image once in Vineyard Berry ink and once in Creme Brulee ink.  I then cut out both images, omitting a few of the smaller petals on the Creme Brulee flower.  I placed the Creme Brulee flower on top of the Vineyard Berry flower and rotated it just a bit so that the Vineyard Berry petals peek through.  I then finished it off by stamping some leaves and attaching them to the flower.

If you would like to see details on the technique or my supply list, please continue reading below.  If not, please continue on to Melissa's Blog where you will find some additional artwork highlighting this technique!  Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you thought of my variation and happy hopping! :o)

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper: Black, Colonial White, Juniper cardstock; Wings B&T

Ink: Black, Creme Brulee, Sweet Leaf, Vineyard Berry

Stamps: Dreams Come True (D1470)

Other: Sweet Leaf ribbon (Z1125), Sweet Leaf brad (Z1364), Sweet Leaf corduroy brad (retired)

The steps to Layered Flowers are:

1. Stamp base image in one color and outline in another (if applicable to stamp selected).  Repeat on another piece of cardstock.
2. Trim first image around all outer images.  Trim second image, cutting out portions of the flower (to create the layered effect).
3. Curl ends of petals on second image and adhere on top of first image.  Layer mixtures of stamped accent and embellishments to finish.

Here is a visual demonstration of this technique:

Thanks for stopping by!  Continue on to Melissa's Blog to continue the hop!

A "Magnifique" Birthday

Next Friday is my mom's birthday and I'm so proud of myself that I have her card completed with a week to spare (which is good since I have to mail it to her)!  Normally I'm making the birthday card the night before, yup I'm a professional procrastinator! :o)

My mom loves blues and teals so I knew I had to use the beautiful Magnifique paper packet for her card.  The Piece of Cake stamp set is one of my favorites for girly birthday cards.  The cakes are just so cute and yummy looking!  I used a sketch from the Heart 2 Heart Challenges Blog.  The more I look at it, the more I think the background papers might be a little too busy, but oh well! I'm sure my momma will love it! 

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Colonial White, Pacifica cardstock; Magnifique B&T
Ink: Lagoon, Pacifica, Sky; Timber Brown StazOn
Stamps: Piece of Cake (D1407)
Other: Blending Pen (3174), Mocha Opaques Adhesive Gems (Z1333); seam binding ribbon (from stash)

Life is Good!

Whoa...two posts in one week?!? Go me!  Ok, I guess technically today is a new week, but I'm still counting it! :o)  

Like my title says, life is good!!  God is totally blessing my life, which I totally don't deserve, but that's the Awesome God I serve!! :o)  I found out last week that not only did I get accepted to one of my top two choices for nursing school, but that the military and the school are going to pay 100% of my tuition!!!  I am  so, so, so thankful to Jacksonville University for their willingness to help military families get an education.  I can't wait to get started in May.  By next fall I will be a Registered Nurse!!  Life is good!

Here's a fun little card that totally fits my "life is good" theme right now:

 

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper: Cocoa cardstock; Mayberry B&T

Ink: Cocoa

Stamps: Treetops (C1368)

Other: Autumn Craft Buttons (retired, but a good substitute is the Green Assortment Buttons Z1372), ribbon (from stash)

Criss-Cross Card Box

While stalking perusing the awesome Vicki W's blog, I came across her Criss-Cross Card Box tutorial.  Of course, I had to try it out! It's just too stinkin' cute!

Here's my box:

And here's the cute matchy card (I made four total for a nice set):

The flowers are fabric that I die-cut...something new I'm trying (but not new to the card-making world, I'm just a late bloomer...pun intended...hee/hee).  The fabric adds a fun touch of texture! I can't wait to use some of the other fabrics I've collected!  That's one of the many reasons I love papercrafting, there's always something new to get addicted to try! :o)

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Black, Kraft cardstock; For the Record patterned paper (Echo Park)
Ink: Black
Stamps: Treasure Life (D1306)
Other: Scallop border punch (Fiskars); Blossom Nestabilities (Spellbinders); juniper canvas, black satin (Joann's); button from stash

Inspired Again...Spectrum Stamping

I have a newfound love affair with Paper Crafts magazine (shhh, don't tell my hubby).  I just can't get enough of it!  Every issue is packed with beautiful artwork...and their special additions? Be still my beating heart!!  Several of my cards lately have been inspired by cards I've seen in the magazines.  This fun little card set was inspired (ok, almost CASEd) by Jennie Harper's card in the Stamp It! Techniques special issue.

The technique used is called "spectrum stamping."  I used three shades of blue ink for my spectrum, but this technique is also beautiful when different colors are used (think rainbow on your stamp).  To create my spectrum, I first inked my stamp in the lightest blue.  Then, without stamping, I inked the bottom half in the next darker shade.  Finally, again without stamping, I inked just the very bottom in the darkest shade and then I stamped on my cardstock.  Super easy and fun!

I hope I'm able to inspire you just as Jennie inspired me.  If you give this technique a try be sure to let me know!  I'd love to see your project! :o)

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Black, Colonial White, Sky cardstock
Ink: Black, Dutch Blue, Moonstruck, Sky
Stamps: Aspiration (C1340), Friendship (Feb. 2011 SOTM), Say it in Style (retired)
Other: Crystal Blue buttons (retired, but a better option would be the Sky buttons in Z1371); black satin ribbon and thread from stash