runway inspired challenge #73

I recently picked up a bad habit, where I make a card for a challenge, forget to blog about it, and then remember right after the collection has closed.  Well, its time for me to break the habit.  Here's a card I made for the Runway Inspired Challenge.

The card was inspired by this dress.

The color palette reminded me so much of the 80s.  What a wonderful time.  I used the colors and striped pattern for my card, which was given to my aunt for her 67th birthday.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: Avery Elle Red and Goldie, Avery Elle Fabulous Florals
Dies: Avery Elle Fabulous Florals Elle-ments; MFT By the Numbers Die-Namics
Other: Patterned vellum

mama elephant december challenge: valentine's day cards

This is 1 of 2 posts for today.  For my Avery Elle challenge post, please click here.

Happy December!  I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday.  Its been a whirlwind of travel and family time for me, and I'm happy that I got to squeeze in some time at the craft table.  

Its time for another Mama Elephant and Me Challenge.  For this month, our theme is Valentine's Day cards.  

Here's what I made:

I used the Type It stamp set and coordinating die set to make this card.  I just love the dies that are in this set. For my card, I die cut lots and lots of xoxo's, and glued them on my card base to make a fun background.

Then I stamped and die cut the typewriter and typing paper.  I used a cute sheet of ombre pink patterned paper for the little sheet of typing paper.  I cut a slit in the typewriter and slipped the "love you." sheet right in.  Adhered everything together with some foam tape, and boom, one Valentine's Day card is done and we're just into December!

I hope you check out the Mama Elephant and Me challenge blog and see the stunning cards that our challenge team has made.  May it inspire you to join the fun and make some Valentine's Day cards.  

Here are the guidelines for playing along:

• Your entry must use at least one Mama Elephant stamp
• Your entry must be based on the challenge/inspiration source (Valentine's day)
• Your entry must link back to the Mama Elephant and Me post along with the graphic image
• Winner gets featured on the Mama Elephant and Me blog and receives a stamp set of their choice
• Deadline is December 28th
• Link up your entries using the Inlinkz on the bottom of the Mama Elephant and Me blog
• Have fun and stamp, stamp, stamp!!!

AEI♥U December Challenge: Inlaid Die Cuts

This is 2 of 2 posts for today.  For my Mama Elephant challenge post, please click here.

Its time for another challenge at the AEI♥U, and I think you're going to love this month's theme:

Yes, inlaid die cuts!  Its on trend, it fun, and the technique takes die cutting to a whole other level.  My non-crafty friends have seen some of my cards, and pretty much anything that involves inlaid die cutting results in the "how did you do that?!" reaction.  I just love it.  Here's what I made:

I used the Avery Elle Weather It clear stamp set along with its coordinating Weather It Elle-ments die set.  First I die cut the umbrellas on the card base two times, in the position that I wanted them to be on the card.  Then I stamped and watercolored the die cuts.  Added the little hearts where the umbrellas intersected for a cute touch.  I also heat embossed the sentiment on some scraps of black card stock and cut them into banners.

Then my favorite part.  Putting the die cuts back into the negative space on the card base.  I love this part because it reminds me of putting a puzzle together.  I know I sound like a total dork, but I find piecing everything back together incredibly rewarding:)

And there you have it!  I hope you check out the AEI♥U Challenge blog.  My fellow challenge team members have created some beautiful cards using the inlaid die cutting technique, and they are sure to inspire you.  And get this...TWO winners will be chosen to receive a $25 Avery Elle gift certificate.  Can't beat that!  

I hope you join the fun at AEI♥U.  Please make sure to check out the AEI♥U Challenge blog for all the rules and guidelines of this month's challenge.  Looking forward to seeing your creations!

mama elephant november challenge: holiday cards and tags

This is 2 of 2 posts for today.  For my Avery Elle challenge post, please click here.

We were simply blown away by the entries for October's Mama Elephant and Me challenge, and I have a feeling we're going to get a lot of amazing entries again this month.  November's theme is Holiday Cards and Tags.

I recently got the Instalove die set, which I instantly loved (heh heh!).  I thought the main die in this set -- the long and narrow picture frame -- would make a fun shaker...the teeniest, tiniest shaker in the land.  Here's what I made...

This tag used Polar Pals stamps and dies, as well as the partial die cutting technique, and yes, I had to channel my inner Pamela Ho in order to make this.  The process was like a crafty GRE question...from the analytical section to be exact.  I had to figure out where to set my die cutting plates so that I could cut some pieces and not others.  After several attempts, I finally got it right.

I had an extra glittery Tags a Lot tag that from Mama Elephants 2nd anniversary party (read all about it here), so I used it for the back.  Initially, I had thought of having a solid background for the shaker element, but I really liked the way the glitter tag sparkled, so I opted instead to make this a clear shaker.

  

  front                                                                  back 

I don't really like to toot my own horn, but this is honestly one of my most fave things I've ever made:)  Its so tiny and cute.  It has a bell and so it jingles.  Its clear, so its kind of cool to see the glittery background...and when you shake it, it appears that the sequins are dancing around magically.  Oh well...toot toot!

The Mama Elephant and Me challenge team has created some amazing holiday cards and tags that are sure to inspire you.  Make sure to check out their projects and join the fun.

Some guidelines for playing along:

• Your entry must use at least one Mama Elephant stamp
• Your entry must be based on the challenge/inspiration source provided
• Your entry must link back to Mama Elephant and Me blog post along with the graphic image
• Winner gets featured here and a stamp set of choice
• Deadline is November 28th
• Link up using the Inlinkz on the bottom of Mama Elephant and Me challenge post
• Have fun, stamp, stamp, stamp!!!

Hope to see your creations!  And, thanks for stopping by.

Supplies:
Stamps: Polar Pals
Dies: Instalove, Polar Pals, Tags a Lot

AEI♥U November Challenge: Holiday

This is 1 of 2 posts for today.  For my Mama Elephant challenge post, please click here .

Its the first of the month, which means its time for a new AEI♥U Challenge.  For the month of November, our theme is holiday.  

I hope you've already seen all the new holiday stamp and die sets that Avery Elle released in September.  There are a lot of cute and festive images that will help you to make some fantastic wintery and holiday cards.  I worked with the Noel set and made this...

The set has a couple large sentiments, which I cut apart (gasp!).  I like having the flexibility to build and change the layouts of sentiments so that they take center stage, and this stamp set allowed me to do just that. 

I embossed the sentiment in white, stamped and colored the birds and their accessories, and with a bit of masking, blended distress inks to make the gradient sky.

I added some glossy accents, which can take a card from simple to sophisticated.  Here's a close-up...

I hope you find some time to join us fun ladies over at the the AEI♥U Challenge.  Please check out the the AEI♥U Challenge blog to get some inspiration from our design team, see the rules for playing, and link up your projects.

Avery Elle Supplies:
Stamps: Noel
Paper: Birch Woodgrain Heavy Card Stock

cas(e) this sketch #97: seasons greetings

I've been paying more attention lately to bloggers who take really good pictures, hoping to pick up some tips here and there.  In my effort to improve my own pictures, I have been trying to snap some shots in the morning before heading off to work.  This is my project from this morning...

I am playing along at CAS(E) this Sketch using this sketch as our inspiration...

I was so happy with the pictures and their natural light!  I edited them on the train this morning -- a bit of cropping here and there, aligning it just right, adding my watermark -- and I noticed that I totally goofed.

Forgot to dot the "i" and add the apostrophe in Season's, as in Season's Greetings.  Whoops!

But, I liked the photos so much that I'm posting them anyway.  I'll just make sure to add the little missing pieces before I send this card off for the holidays.

Thanks for excusing my sloppiness and grammatical error:)  And, thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps: Mama Elephant (Arctic Penguins, Jolly and Merry)

Dies: Simon Says Stamp (Season's Greetings)

Inks: Copic Markers; Tim Holtz Distress (peacock feathers, tumbled glass)

Stencil: Simon Says (Falling Snow)

Other: Dreamweaver Embossing Paste (white)

ric #70: sparkle and shine

Just like a lot of other crafters out there, I was blown away by Julie Ebersole's new stamps that were released at the beginning of the month.  The new Essentials by Ellen stamps and dies have the quirkiness and humor that I really enjoy working with.  Here's the first of what I'm sure will be many projects using the EBE products.

The deer is from Essential by Ellen's Prize Stag.  I die cut it three times -- twice on scrap pieces of card stock and once on some glittery black card stock.  Stacked and glued them to each other for a sparkly embellishment.

This card easily came together with a small piece of patterned paper I made using Basic Grey's Tiny Triangles, a scrap piece of black card stock, a pinch of sequins, enamel accents, and a sentiment using Mama Elephant's Winter Wonderland stamp set.  I'm thinking it'll be a great card to mass produce for the holidays...plus it'll help me to cut down on my paper scraps (and make room for more in 2015!!!).

A close-up of the sparkly deer.  Oh, how I love him so:)

I'm entering this card into the Runway Inspired Challenge, where we used this pic as inspiration.

Pics like this make me miss having TV...Project Runway was one of my fave shows, especially the last part before the runway when the designers would bring their models down to the hair and makeup artists, who would often completely transform the look.  Pretty amazing, if you ask me.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: Mama Elephant Winter Wonderland, Basic Grey Tiny Triangles
Dies: Essentials by Ellen Prize Stag
Other: sequins, enamel accents (black)

cas(e) this sketch #96

I'm using a new stamp from Avery Elle, and I just LOVE it!!!  The Fabulous Florals stamps, along with its accompanying dies, include the size of florals that I've been looking for...not too small, not too big, but just right.

      

Here's a card I made using just the leaf outline and solid images.

I think it's called the rock n' roll technique to combine use two ink colors?

And a close up.

So fitting to make this card as autumn is in full swing.  Multiply those leaves on my card by 100 and that's what I have to sweep up in front of the house pretty much everyday.

I'm entering this card into the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge, where we are using this sketch.

Thank you for coming by!

Supplies:
Stamps: Avery Elle Fabulous Florals
Dies: Aver Elle-ments Fabulous Florals

mama elephant - party recap and release in review

Hi all!  I'm guest posting for Mama Elephant's blog today, sharing some wonderful memories of the party we had last weekend to celebrate Mama Elephant's 2nd anniversary as well as some cards I made using Mama Elephant's newest products.

The anniversary party took place at the Westbeth Artist Housing and Center for the Arts in the NYC, and folks braved the rain to be part of such a special event.  We had one "make and take" table, which was full of crafters before the party even officially started, and by one hour in, we had spilled over to 4 full tables.

We had a chance to play around with Mama Elephant's newest products.  It was lovely to see everyone's creations, from sparkly tags and holiday cards to neon backgrounds using Mama Elephants new ink pads.

In the house that day: cardmakers, scrapbookers, parents, children, folks who had traveled great distances, people new to crafting.  It didn't matter how long you had been crafting, the atmosphere was warm and friendly, and we all just had a great time together.

My friend, Gary, came to join the fun.  This was the first card he ever made.  I'm so proud of him:)

Some were even lucky and won raffle prizes: gift certificates to spend in the pop-up store that the Mama Elephant staff set up for us.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the mamas behind Mama Elephant are pretty incredible.  They are so thoughtful with their product design and are committed to making quality products for their growing fan base (Mama Ele-fans?).  Stamp sets are compatible with each other and can be stretched for so many occasions, their aesthetic is cute, classy, and consistent, and there's just so much joy in their products.  More than that, Kryssi and Angela are two of the most fun, down to earth, talented, smart, and humble people I know.  When there are so many places where we can spend money, I choose to support a business where they people behind it respect and appreciate their customers and are just good people.

Congratulations to the mamas, Kryssi and Angela!  Happy 2nd Anniversary from your Mama Ele-fans!!!

We had a fantastic 3-day Stampede last week that showcased all of the new products in the most recent release.  But, you know we can never get enough of Mama Elephant goodness, right?!?  So, I put together some cards and would love to share with you.

Using Arctic Penguins, Season's Greetings, Jolly and Merry, and Boutique Borders.

Using Alpine Carolers (stamps and creative cuts) and Season's Greetings.

Using Block Party and Peace on Earth

Using Borderlines Trio and Thanks Script 

And, the last set of cards feature the "Happy Everything" stamp set and creative cut, free with purchase of over $100 (to get stamp set) or $150 (to get stamp set and creative cut).  

That's it for me!  Thank you for checking out this long blog of loads o' photos.  I hope you can see just how excited many of us are about Mama Elephant's anniversary and new release.  Congrats again, Kryssi and Angela.  To many more years of Mama Elephant goodness!