We Click- Paper Smooches

Sandy, President of Operation Write Home, put out a request for cardmakers to send in one kit of 6 cards for CHA.  She asked us to use current products from companies that partner with OWH and that was the biggest part of the challenge for me!  Most of what I buy is on clearance so I had very little current stuff in my stash.  I did win some Paper Smooches stamps recently, so I decided to use them with some plain cardstock to make my kit.  

Since this is a love card, I'll put in a little plug to remind you that Valentine's Day cards are due to OWH shippers by 12/31.  That being said, have a heart and ship them early so that these generous volunteers aren't swamped with work over the holidays!  Love cards are also the OWH Midweek Throwdown, so you can link up your cards on the OWH blog when you've made them.  :)

As I put together this post, I saw that Paper Smooches is having a Sparks challenge right now to use cameras on a card.  Is that a coincidence or what?  Yay!  

Stamps: Paper Smooches Perpetual Bliss
Cardstock: The Paper Company
Punches: EK Success binding edge, .75" square, and 1.75" circle
Dies: Spellbinders Circles
Inks: Versafine Onyx Black, Versamark, and SU Tempting Turquoise
Other: Glossy Accents, Dimensional Adhesive

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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 1284 blank and 218 AnyHero (as of 10/9)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

Angry Bird Card

This angry bird wants to be happy!

I CASEd this card from one that Sandy posted to the OWH Facebook page.   I changed a few of the punches based on what I had on hand.  I don't have many of the SU punches and those are so frequently used in punch art creations that I sometimes try to improvise. 
I punched out enough pieces for a dozen cards that I'll have my friends assemble at my OWH Birthday Bash party later this month.  :)

For anyone who wants a "recipe," here's what I used:

For the background:

• Inkadinkado sentiment and black Versafine
• 4.25 x 5.5" card front in orange
• 4 x 5.25" cloud paper
• 4 x 2" green paper
• 4 x 1" white paper punched with Martha Stewart Scary Fence punch

 For the bird:

• 3.25" red circle
• 2.5" tan circle
• .75" white circles (2)
• .5" black circles (2)
• .75" orange square
• Black "photo corner scalloped" from EK Success
• Red and black (one each) "round flower layering punch" from EK Success

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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 928 blank and 215 AnyHero (as of 6/26)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

Paper Smooches!

Hi everyone!  Did you have a good weekend?  I got to see some friends who I haven't seen since 2003, so it was an awesome weekend for me!

I made this card using free digis from Paper Smooches.  You should check out their adorable designs, most especially the "Circle of Honor" stamp set, because its proceeds benefit OWH.  How awesome is that?

Stamps: Digis by Paper Smooches
Twine: We R Memory Keepers
Papers: Stash
Embossing: Darice Stripes
Punches: EK Success border and Fiskars Circle
Coloring: Copics R24 and R29

There's also a special sketch posted this week on OWH's blog to pair with Paper Smooches stamps.  I turned the sketch on its side.  I think I might have done OK shading this, too.  Score! 

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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 928 blank and 215 AnyHero (as of 6/26)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

VCMP Cards - Labor Day 2012

OWH organized a virtual card making party this weekend and I was lucky enough to be one of the hostesses.  There were 10 challenges in all, split evenly over Saturday and Sunday.

Here are the cards I made for each of the challenges.  I had a house guest on Saturday and Sunday, so I fit these in this afternoon after she left. 

#1: ODBD- Use a scripture sentiment.  Please note that I sealed in the glitter using Glossy Accents so it won't pose a hazard to our heroes. 

Stamps: Studio G

Papers: DCWV cardstock

Nesties: Labels 5

Embossing: Darice Stripes

Brads: stash

#2: Cherie- Use a recipe of 1 image, 2 patterned papers, and 3 words.

Stamps: Studio G and Unity

Papers: DCWV printed cardstock

Punches: EK Success

Coloring: Copics

#3: Cindy- Use snowflakes but not on a Christmas card.

Stamps: Studio G

Papers: stash

Embellishment: JoAnn

Coloring: Copics

Embossing: Cuttlebug Snowflakes

Sketch: OWH 83

#4: Donna- "Triple Time" stamping

Stamps: Unity

Tutorial: Triple Time Stamping

Papers: stash

Ribbon: stash

Ink: SU Pink Passion, Pixie Pink, Gable Green, Only Orange

 #5: Sandy- Cowboy card

Stamps: Studio G

Papers: DCWV cardstock

Die: Cuttlebug

Punch: Fiskars

 #6: OWH/Linda - Follow the OWH Sketch #136 using a paper punch for the embellishments.

Stamps: Studio G

Papers: stash

Punch: Marvy

Washi: Target paper tape (green, yellow, and blue packs)

Sketch: OWH #136

 #7: Sybrina- Make an AnyHero Christmas card and a Christmas card for kids.

Stamps: Studio G and SU

Papers: DCWV cardstock, K&Co, stash

Nesties: Circles

Coloring: Copics

Embossing: Snowflakes

Ribbons: Target, stash

#8: Cherie- Make a sports-themed card.

Sticker: Deja Views

Papers: stash

Embossing: Darice Stars (small) and Cuttlebug Stars (large)

#9: Shannon- Use a tool you haven't used in a long time. My unloved tool was a combo stamp/punch from EK Success.  It's a pain to use because you have to put the stamp into the punch, ink it, punch, and then take it apart if you want to make a second one.  I haven't used it very often (if at all) with the stamps that came with it. 

Stamps: Studio G and EK Success

Papers: Pebbles and stash

Punches: EK Success

#10: Me- Make a card that represents your state.  Scroll down to my last post to see my samples and post a card there to qualify for blog candy!

Thanks to Allison for organizing the party and to all of the hostesses for coming up with great challenges.  I wish we could do these every month- they always inspire me to make cards I might have otherwise not thought of!   

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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 928 blank and 215 AnyHero (as of 6/26)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

Grateful

Have you seen the newest OWH challenge?  This time around the theme is half Fall/Winter and half anytime.  I feel like they're doing a challenge a month now and that's too quick for me!  I like to fill up a large box because it's much more economical.  It only costs about 5 cents per card to mail a large box but the few times I've mailed a small package it costs as much as 20 cents per card.  I'd rather ship a large box because I could definitely put that extra 10 or 15 cents per card into some quality cardstock!  I might hit up the local printing shop later this month to see what they have on hand.  I want to use up my GP 110 before I go because I know I won't want to use it once I find something better.  I'm down to about 50 sheets, so we're nearing the end!  Anyway, I digressed from the challenge details.  Boxes are due at the end of the month to any shipper with half fall/winter and half anytime cards.

I made six of these cards using old DCWV paper from the 2009 Fall stack.  The circle was stamped with leaves from SU All Natural (still a favorite set of mine even though it's long retired) and a sentiment by Studio G (from Walmart last year).  The burgundy strip is punched with a Fiskars border punch and tied up with Offray ribbon.  

I'm grateful that today is my last day of Common Core training for this summer.  I had no idea how long of a commitment I got myself into last summer when I agreed to attend the training.  I'm also grateful that I get to see my parents and most of my extended family this weekend.  What are you grateful for today? 
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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 928 blank and 215 AnyHero (as of 6/26)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

The Mistake-Riddled Card

Let me tell you the story of a simple card whose creation was riddled with mistakes.  I started this card by choosing some scrap strips of cardstock in bright colors and punching them with my star border punch.  I attached them to the card base, trimmed a bit off the sides, and realized I needed to add something to the top.  Ribbon!  I checked my stash and nothing matched.  I chose the yellow since I thought it at least complimented the other colors.  Then I cut the ribbon too short.  Not a problem- I just covered the gap with a felt embellishment.  That embellishment was now off center and made the card look wonky.  I stamped a sentiment and punched it out with a scallop circle.  It was too round so I picked a different stamp.  The stamp came out crooked which reminded me that I need to remount the stamp straight. To remedy the crooked stamping, I decided to cut the sentiment into a wavy banner.  When I laid it on the card, I decided I needed to walk away lest I mess up anything else I'd need to fix! 

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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 620 blank and 200 AnyHero (as of 4/24)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695
Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

Flying Fruit Fantasy

The title of this post is the name of a smoothie shop I loved as a young kid.  The strawberry smoothie was wonderful.  I have no idea if they're still around, but I made a bunch of fruity cards today and had a smoothie for breakfast, so I thought it was a fitting title. 

I spotted these cheerful fruit stickers at Target this weekend.  My students are always begging for scratch and sniff stickers, so that was the original reason I picked them up.  Then, I decided they would be so cute on cards that my students could live without them!  We all have to make sacrifices for our heroes.  :)  There were 42 stickers on the sheet, and I've made cards for all but the lemons, pears, and a few of the strawberries. 

Featuring MS border punch and unknown checked paper from stash.  Sentiment computer generated.

Apple features Fiskars border punch, Making Memories brads, checked paper and sentiment computer generated.

Orange with computer generated sentiment, ribbons by SU and Offray, and Cuttlebug embossing

Cherries featuring Studio G sentiment stamp and unknown checked paper. 

The cherries are my favorite.  :)  Now I want to make another smoothie to combat the hot weather we're having this weekend! 

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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 620 blank and 200 AnyHero (as of 4/24)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695
Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

OWH Sketch #118

Sketch #118 looks so cute with its scalloped borders.  At first, I tried to make big scallops using my circle punch, but the effect wasn't what I was going for.  I switched to the border punch instead and was much happier with the overall design.

Stamp by Recollections (Michaels), border punch by Fiskars, coloring with Copics, papers by American Crafts and Making Memories

Are you ready to ship out your box for the Muscle Card challenge?  I have 223 cards to send- not enough for a large FRB but too many for a medium FRB.  I will hold some general cards back for my next shipment and send a medium FRB tomorrow. 

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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 302 blank and 200 AnyHero (as of 3/4)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

More love for Mom

Thanks to another great digi from Paula, I created another set of Mom cards for my OWH box.  Just four more Mom cards and my box will be evened up with 151 Mom/Mother's Day and 151 year-round sentiments.  I'll be mailing it early this week if all goes to plan.  

The first card uses papers by Pebbles, Inc, a flower by K&Co from the ancient archives of my stash, and miscellaneous ribbon.  The sentiment digi from Paula was recolored in MS Word.  (Click on the digi image in Word.  On the formatting toolbar, choose "picture" then "recolor."  You can choose any custom color.  This doesn't work if you want to only recolor part of the image, however.  I think you need other software for that.)

The second card turned out masculine.  How I managed that, I cannot tell you, since I usually struggle to make a masculine card.  I'll send them anyway because I know there are some moms out there who aren't into girly pinks and purples, so they'll appreciate a modern looking card.  This card uses papers from Making Memories 5th Avenue line and from the Paper Co as well as Paula's digi.

If you're trying to make some more Mother's Day cards for the half and half challenge (see sidebar), consider digis.  They're quick, free or inexpensive, and a practical way to increase the number of images you can use.  Thanks Paula, for sharing your digis! 

Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: none thus far, but my box is filling up nicely! I'll finally have a number to put here this week-hooray!
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

ODBD December Challenge

Our Daily Bread Designs is sponsoring its second monthly challenge over on the S&S blog. We are asked to make the sentiment on the front of the card shine. They offer prizes for crafters AND will sponsor shipping costs for up to two boxes. To get the two boxes, we need to get 50 cards (one per person, please) uploaded to the Inlinkz in the link above. Please play along, too!

Here's what I came up with. Please note that while the card is square, the overall dimensions (4.25" square) still fit in an A2 envelope because that is the size that OWH prefers.


The sentiment is one of my favorite Studio G clear stamps from Valentine's Day. The red border is done with a MS punch around the page set. The card includes my first real stitching, done with variegated red/pink DMC embroidery floss from my elementary school stash. I used to be so obsessed with making friendship bracelet!

This will be one of my last Valentine's Day-looking love cards. I plan to mail my box on Monday so Caro gets it before the 10th, which is the deadline for the Archway cookies challenge.

Cards shipped to OWH (as of 10/20/11): 1642

OWH MWT- Masculine Cards

OWH is always in need of masculine cards for all occasions. I, like many crafters, have a harder time making such cards than in making girly, frilly cards. As luck would have it, my order from EK Success came today and it contained a masculine border punch! (Remember back in the summer when I kept posting asking for votes for my card? Well, I won 6th place and a $50 gift certificate for their website. I'll be matching that $50 for OWH.)

I got right to work with that border punch. I'd seen someone use it like a filmstrip long ago, and I wanted to do that myself. I'm sorry I can't give credit to the person from whom I got the idea, but I've long since forgotten who posted the card I have in mind.

I colored the set of SU Wonderful Woodcut stamps, punched them with a square punch, and layered them on the film strip. The senitment from Hampton Arts is layered on two punches, and the card has a vellum background overlaying a bold patterned paper from American Crafts.



For those of you who love Tim Holtz and Core'dinations papers, take a minute to enter this contest. You could win a signed stack of the paper from Tim. http://pages.exacttarget.com/coredinationsraf/?eKey=Blue1j4Xmc0Eg4ucdtElF0XSgE

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Cards shipped to OWH (as of 9/12/11): 1325