Challenge Card 8

This card started with a red harlequin that I trimmed around.

The red sent me to Valentine's Day.  I had a beautiful heart stamp (Ornate Heart) from Stampendous that I stamped in black ink in the center of the harlequin.  Then I used the same stamp to add background by randomly stamping on the base card.  The design needed some kind of border so I made one out of red holographic paper from a Dollar Tree gift bag.  The final touch was a pretty red ribbon tied in a bow.

Challenge Card 7

This card started with a light tan harlequin image.

The tan color reminded me of sand and since I am surrounded by desert I went with New Mexico as my theme.  The pueblo stamp is from Acey Deucy and the sun stamp is from Magenta.  The New Mexico license is a photo (we have several variations of our license and the newest one is turquoise).  The Native American stamp is from I Brake For Stamps.  I made the "welcome" message in Microsoft Word.

Challenge Card 6

Number 6 started with this stamped image.  Each color had an individual applicator.  They are made by Color Box (Petal Point Pinwheel).

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with this one so I outlined the diamonds with thin black lines and then stared at it for awhile.  Decided to put some beads on it but was still stuck for inspiration.  It reminded me of clowns but I don't like clowns so that was a bust.  While waiting for inspiration to hit me in the head I made the borders using the original inks.  I used a mask to achieve the multicolored border.  Lastly I glued the parts together.

What finally occurred to me was that the colors reminded me of a celebration.  With that notion I finally had a theme.  I just happened to have a sentiment stamp by Stampendous with a celebratory feel.  I stamped it on tissue paper, cut apart the words and attached as shown.  I used one of the beads to dot the "i" in "Yipee".

Some days my ideas flow like raging water...other days like molasses. 

Swap Fest 14

Today I received the most exquisite swap card from Lynda in Cyprus!

Lynda is famous for handpainting her backgrounds on her Iris Folding cards and I'm thrilled to be the owner of one of her masterpieces!

Challenge Card 5

This time I used an ink pad with three colors ("bouquet") from Color Box.  I inked the stamp with all three colors.

I used the darkest ink to stamp the dragonfly.  The stamp (Dragonfly Legend) is made by Stamper's Anonymous.  Then I used all three of the ink colors to stamp a margin around the edges.  To get a straight edge I made a mask from paper and stamped on top of it.

Challenge Card 4

Today's card began with a "sage" harlequin.

This time I cut around the diamonds on the outside and stamped the resulting image with a stamp from All Night Media.  I used "raspberry" ink.  I inked a separate card with the raspberry and the card base edges with sage.

After assembling the card parts I stamped the sentiment in raspberry on tissue paper and cut the word "friends" apart from the rest of the phrase.  I did this so I could place the words as shown.  The stamp I used was made by PrintWorks.

Challenge Card 3

Back to the challenge!  Here is the beginning stamp.

Sometimes the design inspires me but this time the color did the talking!  It reminded me of coffee, tea and hot chocolate.  I used a stamp from PrintWorks called "Tea Cups".  Perfect, I thought...and the recipient would think of their favorite beverage and I couldn't go wrong!

I stamped the image twice in brown ("Vintage Photo" Distress Ink...Tim Holtz) and used my various markers and all the browns that went with the ink.  I filled in areas and wrote "Break Time" and edged the paper with the ink pad.  Then I edged the card base leaving a margin of white and attached the stamped image.

Swap Fest 13

Today I received a lovely Spring swap from Connie in Denmark!

A very textural card with a dainty border and ribbon and  pyramid layered center flowers.

Challenge Card 2

After yesterday's black and white card I decided to go very light.  I started with the basic harlequin in "laurel leaf" green.

I used the same color ink to stamp three flowers with Stampabilities (Large Gerber Daisy).  After stamping I cut the flowers out with a scalloped punch.  Then I used a sharp blade to cut on the top sides of three of the diamond shapes.  I tucked the flowers under the points and secured with glue.

I glued "pearls" to the flower centers for an elegant touch.  I stamped the sentiment (Stampabilities) and punched it out with the same punch I used on the flowers.  It was too light to read so I added a black line down the middle of each letter.

I didn't have any colored paper that went with the ink color so I edged the base card with the same ink I used to stamp with and it turned out much better than expected! 

My Challenge

I decided that I needed to challenge myself (not that I don't have anything to do, lol) to use my stamps more and in different ways.  My first thought was to do more with my background stamps.  So, since I usually "overdo", I chose one stamp (Stampabilities "Harlequin" background stamp) and decided to see how many different cards I could come up with using that stamp as the base.

I stamped on white cardstock with black ink and then darkened the diamonds with a black marker.  I edged the cardstock with a black margin and attached to a card base.

I found a female harlequin image and attached it with foam dots to give it some dimension.  The flowers were attached with a black brad.  I used Microsoft Word to design the sentiment and I printed it out on brochure paper.  I added a black insert on the inside and glued to to the inside front to cover the brad "wings".

Sympathy

A close neighbor of mine lost her husband from cancer this month.  I wanted to make her a special card.

I made the background by pricking a circular design.  The center design is a stamped image I received from a friend.  I colored it with my Copic markers and attached it to the background.  All of this was glued to the base card.  The final touch was the "With Sympathy" sticker.

Chicken Fever

An Australian member of one of my card groups has been ill with Ross River Fever.  I decided to cheer him up with a Get Well card.

The stamp I used (Get Well Chicken) is from Whipper Snapper Designs.  I colored the design with Copic markers.  The message was made with Microsoft Word and matted and punched out with an oval punch.  I used the same "basketweave" patterned paper for the insert.

Hogs and Kisses

Here is a cute stamp from Whipper Snapper Designs.  It is called "Piggy Back" but I used it in a different context.

I used pink cardstock for the base and cut strips of black paper and glued to the front in the form of stripes.  I backed the pig picture that I had colored and attached to the front.  In Microsoft Word I typed out the caption and then glued that on.

I found a picture of a "lipstick kiss" and used that on the inside.

Happy Happy Birthday Baby

Comments by ZingerBug.com

On the Road Again

I've done a lot of traveling in my youth...Europe, Israel and of course the US and Canada and over the Mexican border.  I've not, however, had the opportunity to travel with my sister until we got older and I can tell you it was much better than the times we spent in the back of the station wagon fighting all the way to Chicago to see our aunt and uncle! "Grin"

A few years ago we took several mini trips around New England when I was visiting her and then on to a much longer trip when she and I flew to Oregon to visit my nephew.  In many ways I enjoyed that time with her more than the trip itself and the trip itself was fantastic!!!

I long to do another trip with her but time and circumstances make it difficult.  This card is a little reminder for her and a happy thought to hold and savor!

We both have the same sense of humor so this card is right up her alley!  I hope she gets a kick out of it.  The image (Thelma and Louise) is from I Brake For Stamps.  I colored with Copic markers and colored pencils.  The other images I got from the web and the words I did on Microsoft Office.

 I think the inside sums it up nicely!

Swap Fest 12

Here is my third Spring swap card.  It comes from across the pond from Jude in the UK!

Isn't it pretty!  And...quite clever too!  Check out the next view.

After you turn the brads you find a surprise as the pictures open outwards!

Baa Baa Baa

This stamp from Whipper Snapper Designs gave me a giggle and I just had to make a card from its inspiration!

I used Copic markers to "gussy up" the image and Microsoft Office to make the title.  I had some purple Aster Daisy patterned paper that I used for a mat on the outside and an insert on the inside.

I punched the edges of the insert with an EKSuccess border punch (Daisy Chain).  I also punched out a daisy for the "bud".

Swap Fest 11

Chris from Arizona is new to making cards.  She sent me this adorable card for a Spring swap!

Keep up the good work Chris!!!

Swap Fest 10

One of my Spring swaps arrived today from Linda in Michigan!

A bunny frolicking in the flowers...what fun!

Will The Real Spring Stand Up

Well, Spring has finally arrived!  How do I know for sure?  The robins are busy looking for worms, the dust storms are churning and the lilacs are blooming.  I just love the scent of lilacs...brings back great childhood memories!  Dust storms...not so much!!!

For the month of April I signed up to do three "Spring" card swaps.  I used the same stamp but different colors.  Here is the first one.

The stamp I used is called "Tulip Window" by Stamps Happen, Inc.  I stamped it on white cardstock and then colored with various things, Copic markers, watercolor pencils and paint pens.  

I chose colored cardstock to go with the coloring in the picture and cut a 5" x 6.75" piece and used Martha Stewart's continuous edge punches (Double Loop) to edge the piece.  Since you can only do certain sizes I had to finagle the measurements by cutting it in half left to right and sliding it together and matching the loops to make it shorter.  Lastly I glued the picture to the looped background.

I measured contrasting cardstock for the card base and attached the picture to the folded card.  On the inside I added a piece of cardstock the same color as the loops and corner punched the corners with the "double loop".  Then I stamped it with a Hero Arts stamp called "Spring Memories".

 Here is variation two...

 Here is variation 3...

Happy Birthday Sis

My sister's birthday is coming up soon (April 17th) and I made her this card today!

This is a front view.  The card style is called "stair step" and is decorated with Sizzix die cuts.  The letters (Girls are Weird) are cut from stripped patterned paper.  The cake (Birthday Cake w/ Candles) I cut out several times using different papers.  Then I cut the cake pieces apart and reassembled using different colors.  The sun, glasses (Champagne Glass) and swirls (Multi Swirls) are also Sizzix dies.

This view is taken from above to show the "insides" of the card.  I used the same patterned paper and punched the border with EKSuccess border punch (Xmas lights).  I figured the lights were festive!

This view shows the card folded flat!

Here is some information on "stair steps"
...Split Coast Stampers
...The Stamping Studio Blog
...Crafting the Web
...Project Tuesday
...Get Your Stamps Out

Swap Fest 9

Here is a dainty stitched card I received from J'lu in Pennsylvania! 

Lilies of the Valley are a favorite of mine from childhood!  J'lu sent me this card for my birthday.  It is considered a RAK (random act of kindness).

Lacing Up

This is another color challenge card I did last summer.

The base of the card is the blue.  The fuchsia panels had the outside corners rounded with a corner punch.  I added the silver eyelets and laced them up with silver cord.  I stamped the leaf and then stamped again without re-inking.  The sentiment (Stampabilities) is also stamped and the edges of the white are dabbed with the same blue ink.

Teabag Wings

Last summer I needed a thank you card and decided to make the following.

 

This is my version of a card I found on Card Inspirations.  The butterfly is teabag folding or origami and the flowers are both punched with Paper Studio punches and attached with a brad.

Swap Fest 8

Here is the tunnel card my partner sent me for our swap.

As you can see, there is an old Chevy parked beneath the trees.  Isn't it cool!!!

Easter

Comments by ZingerBug.com

Spring is in the Air

I liked the way yesterday's card turned out so I decided to make another version.

Again I chose the ribbons and brads to match the daisy paper.  This time I printed the words on vellum and punched them out in a tag shape.  I also punched out another tag from the card base cardstock and put the two together before attaching to the card.

On the inside I used a leftover piece of the daisy paper and punched the corners with Martha Stewart's corner punch (Double Loop ).  I punched another vellum tag and stamped the sentiment (Stampabilities) on it.  Lastly I glued all together.

Sketchy April

Card Crafts is having a sketch swap for April.  This is the an example of the sketch that we are to use.

I chose to use the same patterned paper as I did with a previous card but without the embossing.  After choosing the paper I picked out two ribbons and three brads that coordinated with the paper.

I used an Emagination tag punch, a Paper Studio round scallop punch and a Paper Studio daisy punch to make the tag portion of the card.  The basic tag was made out of the same color cardstock as the card base.  The scallop was made from glittery cardstock.  The daisy was made from the patterned paper.  I cut two, turned one slightly and glued everything together.

On the inside I attached a blue paper that I corner punched with Martha Stewart's corner punch (Double Loop).  I stamped a sentiment from Stampabilities.