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!

mama elephant anniversary stampede

It's the final day of the Mama Elephant Stampede, and I'm happy to join and share the love!  

Happy 2nd Anniversary Mama Elephant!  

You should have arrived here from the lovely Lisa Spangler.

I made this card, using Boutique Borders to make the plaid background, Arctic Penguins for the cute little family, and the sentiment comes from Alpine Carolers.  The banner die cut is made from the Bold Banner creative cut.

Some pics of the plaid-making.  First, and most importantly, I made pencil marks at the midpoints for all 4 sides of the card to guide me and keep things straight.  Then I embossed the striped borders using white and black embossing powder.  Finally, I blended on a few shades of pinks and reds.

Mama Elephant's new release is packed with wonderful images, perfect for the holidays and all year round.  

And, because I just couldn't stop playing with the Boutique Border set, I made another to share:)  The penguins are again from Arctic Penguins, and the hearts that they made as they skate towards each other are from its companion set Jolly and Merry.  The "happy" script die cut and the words from the penguins' flags are from the "Happy Everything" set, a bonus that Mama Elephant is offering.  Please see banner at the top for the details.

Its like the penguin couple is protesting, or demonstrating rather...demonstrating their love for one another!  Ha!

There's a great sale and awesome prizes to be won, so make sure to check out the rest of the stampede and leave some comments for a chance to win some goodies!

SALE
* There will be a 10% discount code active for the 3 day blog hop (HAPPY2ME)
* Purchases over $100 will receive the HAPPY EVERYTHING stamp set free.
* Purchases over $150 will receive the HAPPY EVERYTHING stamp set and HAPPY SCRIPT die free.


GIVEAWAYS
* We are giving away THREE $25 gift certificates each day of the Stampede, 9 winners total.  Winners will be chosen randomly based on comments left on the designer's blogs, so make sure to leave lots of love for everyone along the stampede.   
* Exclusive prize giveaways on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, 3 winners total.

* Winners will be chosen and announced by us Monday, October 20th on the ME blog. 

And, now off to the amazing Iwona Palamountain. 

Thanks for stopping by!!!  And, congratulations to Kryssi and Angela, the Mamas behind Mama Elephant.  You two are amazing! The love that you put into your products gets passed on to us when we use them.  And then that love is shared to the people who get the cards we make.  Ummm...cheesy, but true!

happy world card making day!

Its almost the end of the day, of World Card Making Day that is, and I'm just squeezing in some crafty time to be part of the festivities.  Here's a card that I made.  It reflects exactly how I'm feeling today.

 I will be entering this card to the Moxie Fab World Challenge, where we used this photo as inspiration...I was inspired by the colors and the layout.  I liked especially how rainbow colors were part of the clock, yet the colors didn't necessarily follow ROYGBIV order.  I tried to incorporate that into my card.

Today, while many of my crafty colleagues spent the day making beautiful creations, I had to work.  I'm not complaining -- I really love my job -- but, I do wish that I got to spend time getting crafty.  During my lunch break, I checked out my blog and instagram feeds and had to pick up my jaw from the floor several times.  The #WCMD posts, new releases, and cards that I saw were just so amazing!  I'm getting so excited to make cards for the holidays.

So, this card goes to the wonderful friends that I have made in this warm and supporting cardmaking community.  Thank you for teaching me, inspiring me, and encouraging me to create.  Happy World Card Making Day:)

Supplies:
Stamps/Dies: Lawn Fawn Blissful Botanicals
Inks: Copic markers, Memento (tuxedo black)
Other: Wink of Stella glitter brush (clear)

AEI♥U Challenge - tags!

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

I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Avery Elle challenge, aka the AEI♥U Challenge, as part of the amazing design team.  This month's challenge theme is...

This theme comes just at the right time.  I'm sure many of us will be making tags for Halloween goodie bags later this month.  Then once the winter months come along, we're sure to make tags for gift packaging, cards, and more.  Here's my tag...



I absolute fell in love with Avery Elle's new patterned paper pad, The Everyday Collection.  The colors and designs are so scrumptious and they work very well with AE stamp sets.  I picked the pages with sun rays and a starry night sky and paired them with the Look Up stamp set.

The balloons and clouds from Look Up were paper pieced with even more of the yummy patterned paper.  And, the wonderful sentiment "Remember it's better to look up"...seriously, those are words to live by.  

Embarrassing fact about me: I had worked by Grand Central Station for a total of four years before I found out that the Chrysler Building was the building right in front of me as I got out of the subway stairs each morning.  So, for four years I would come of the stairs and with tunnel vision, head straight to work...never looking up!  Thus, missing the magnificent building that is such an iconic part of NYC's famous skyline.  So, let this tag serve as a reminder to look 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.

Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies:

The Everyday Collection Paper Pad

Look Up

mama elephant and me october challenge: anything goes!

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

Happy fall ya'll!  How did October sneak up on me like that?!

October will be an exciting month for Mama Elephant.  ME will be celebrating its two-year anniversary this month and releasing a bunch of holiday goodness that you'll want to get your hands on.  To kick off the fun, this month's Mama Elephant and ME Challenge will take on the them "Anything Goes"!  That's right, go wild and make whatever card you want.

Here's my card...

I used the Sweet Havana stamp set with its coordinating creative cuts to make this fall inspired card.  The leaves and flowers are perfect, perfect, perfect for autumn hues.  I know I'll be making a bunch of these to send out for Thanksgiving.

The "To you with" sentiment comes from Bloomsies and "Love" comes from one of my favorite creative cuts by ME, Type It.  There are several stand alone dies in Type It (e.g., Love, XOXO, hey) that use this elegant font.  I die cut mine 4 times, stacked and glued them on top of each other, and made this light green embellishment. The sentiment was then  placed on a Bold Banner die cut, which I use very often.  So many ME sentiments are compatible with this banner die.   

And, there you have it!  Now its your turn to play along, and with the theme "Anything Goes", you can really do just about anything.  Here are the guidelines:

• Your entry must use at least one Mama Elephant stamp
• Your entry must link back to this blog 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 October 28th
• Link up using the Inlinkz on the bottom of the Mama Elephant and ME challenge post
• Have fun and stamp, stamp, stamp!!!

Supplies:

Stamps: Mama Elephant Bloomsies, Sweet Havana

Dies (Creative Cuts): Mama Elephant Bold Banner, Sweet Havana, Type It