joyeux anniversaire!

Oh my goodness, I'm in loooove with this Poppy Stamps Ooh La La stamp set, which I got from Butterfly Reflections Ink.  The penguin can wear a beret!  I mean, come on!!!

I made this card for the CASology challenge, where our cue word is sunshine.

I kept my card CAS by using just two images and leaving a lot of white space.  The sunshine was made by masking off the bottom portion of the card and blending in distress ink to look like the sun.  I then stamped the images, colored them with Copic markers, and die-cut them.  They're adhered with glue and foam tape.

Note: The heart that the penguin is holding is drawn in.  I wanted it to be smaller than the heart that was included in the stamp set.  Also, I don't have many stamp sentiments in French so I hand-wrote the sentiment.  The card is for my French-speaking friend for his birthday:)

Thanks for looking!
Supplies:
Stamps: Poppy Stamps Ooh La La
Dies: Poppy Stamps Ooh La La
Inks: Copic markers; Memento (tuxedo black); Tim Holtz distress ink (squeezed lemonade) 

casology: repeat

It's been a while since I've played along with the CASology challenge, but I'm pushing myself to get back into crafting and cardmaking swing of things.  Here's a clean and simple card I made using the cue word repeat.

I stamped and masked the cassette tape several times to create a repeated image.  Then, I made the ombre effect using Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolors.  There were some cassette tapes with ombre labels back in the day, right?

Thank you for stopping by.

Supplies:
Stamps: Mama Elephant (Many Thanks); Paper Smooches (Beboppin')
Inks: Kuretake Gansai Tambi water colors; Ranger Archival Ink (jet black); Versamark (onyx black)

CASology: Ombre, Take 2

I had so much fun with the CASology's ombre theme, that I had to make another card.  I'm submitting this to CASology's challenge.  Here we go:

I was inspired by the card made by Cristina Kowalczyk a while back, and it just stuck in my memory...oh dear, as happy as I am for Cristina's success and an author (her latest book is fantastic!), I really do miss her blog.

I colored some strips of vellum with Copic markers in the same color family, embossed one of the strips with the sentiment, adhered them on the card panel, and added a few sequins.

My two ombre cards, side by side, all ready to go for mama's day.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: Simon Says Stamp Best Mom Ever
Inks: Copic markers
Other: gold embossing powder, sequins

CASology: Ombre, Take 1

After learning my lesson from Christmas and Valentine's Day (that I should start making holiday cards waaay in advance, instead of procrastinating and rushing at the last minute), I decided to get a  start on Mother's Day cards well in advance.  Here's my first of what I'm sure will be many...

I'm entering this into CASology's challenge, where I cue word is Ombre.

It's a bit busier than I had wanted, mainly because I got some gluey blemishes on my card and had to cover them up with enamel accents and flowers.

And, here's a fun little glimpse of the madness before I finished up my card.  What a fun mess!

Thanks for looking!

Supplies:
Stamps: Mama Elephant Happy Everything
Dies: Mama Elephant Happy Script
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress (tumbled glass, peacock feathers)
Other: white embossing powder, flower sequins, enamel accents

casology week 113: grass

Today I completed the last of three thank you cards my co-worker asked me to make for her.  I'm submitting this card to CASology, where our cue card is grass.

I first stamped the tree, tufts of grass, little flowers, and snail.  Then I used a combo of colored pencils and distress ink to color everything for a water color look.  Though its hard to tell, I used a gold pen for some of the flower centers.  Once everything was dry, I stamped the sentiment.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Please leave some constructive feedback in the comment section.  I'm always striving to improve my cardmaking skills.

Supplies:
Stamps: Avery Elle (Red & Goldie); Mama Elephant (Tree Friends)
Inks: Derwent Inktense pencils; Tim Holtz Distress (festive berries; picked raspberry)
Other: gold pen

casology #112: three

I made this card for the CASology Week 112 challenge, where we are using the cue card "three".

My dad and I made this card.  He advised me on the colors and placement of the sentiment:)

I am blessed to belong to a loving family that takes care of each other.  My dad hasn't been feeling well, so I'm home to help him get better.  I'm not the only one.  The other day, his sisters-in-law came by with food and fresh fruit. They also brought plants for my dad to add to his garden.  My dad asked me to make thank you cards for them, as well as other friends and family who have been so kind and thoughtful.  This card...its just the beginning.

Thank you for coming by.

Stamps: Avery Elle - Modern Leaves; Mama Elephant + Simon Says Stamp  - Summer Garden

heartfelt thanks

I just completely reorganized my paper crafting supplies, and in doing so, found some things that I sorta forgot I had.  Like my Inktense pencils.  And my distress pens.  I dusted them off, reintroduced myself, and made this.

I also discovered that I can paint with gold ink, just like I can with distress inks.  Had no idea!  So the duck gets a shiny gold balloon because that's the way it should be.

I was thinking of my sister when I made this card.  I remember calling her a while back to tell her that I LOVED the entire Avery Elle release one month.  Next thing I know, she ordered them for me.  Completely unexpected, and wholeheartedly appreciated.

Many, many thanks to my sister.  She recently took a trip from California to visit me in New York, but because we were so busy (2 baking gigs, 3 musicals, trip from NYC to DC, eating lots and lots...), we actually had no time to do any crafty stuff.  Hoping she'll come back for another trip so we can make cards and have more sister time.  Here she is in NYC's fashion district, or rather sequins heaven!!! Usually my sis smiles for pictures, but she is seriously focused here.  We went to several trims & notions stores, found the discount baskets and came home with a ridiculous amount of shiny goodness.

I'm submitting this card to both the CASology challenge (cue card: float) and the AEI♥U Challenge (use gold).

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: Avery Elle Storybook, Red and Goldie (grass)
Dies: Avery Elle Storybook
Ink: Delicata (golden glitz); Derwent Inktense; Ranger Archival (jet black); Tim Holtz distress ink (antique linen) 

casology week 102 - float

I'm a new-ish subscriber to Studio Calico's monthly card kits.  It took me a long time to decide to subscribe to any kit because...well...I like to pick out stamps, paper, and embellishments on my own.  I guess I'm picky like that:)  But, when I saw Sugar Rush, and particularly JJ Bolton's cards using the kit, I was sold! Here's the card I made for the CASology challenge with the cue word being "float".

I made this card the other night when we had a crazy thunder storm.  Thunder and lightning really freak me out, and there was one point were the thunder was so loud that I felt everything shake...the floor below me, my entire body.  I thought that one of my housemates had dropped something upstairs.  So, I calmed my nerves by making this card.  Art therapy, for real!

Needless to say, making this card did the trick and I was able to relax.  The little girl with her kite has a look of pure contentment and peace, and the sentiment melts my heart.  Takes me back to childhood when me, my sibs, and our cousins would make our own kites out of barbecue skewers and tissue paper, and then fly them in the back yard...or at least, attempt to. Ahhh, those were the days.

Thanks for taking a look.  And, remember to enjoy the small moments:)

Supplies:
Stamps: Studio Calico Sugar Rush, Mama Elephant In My Heart (flower and snail), Avery Elle Storybook (grass)
Ink: Derwent Inktense pencils; Tim Holtz Distress (antique linen)
Other: patterned paper, Pilot Razor Point pen (kite string)  

coffee and donuts

I am thrilled to be the guest designer at CASology this week.  Wow, what an honor!

This week's cue word is "and", which of course gave me the opportunity to make one of those witty "we go together like..." cards.  I pulled out my stash of food stamps and came up with this:

Really though, who doesn't love coffee and donuts?  It's a bit dangerous that there are three Dunkin' Donuts shops within a 5 minute walk from my place.

***Edited to add: I miscounted.  There are actually four Dunkin' Donut shops within a 5 minute walk from my place.  Yikes!

I kept my card clean and simple by using a minimal color scheme and just a few embellishments.  Hope you like it, and hope it didn't make you too hungry:)

Come play along with us at CASology and have a fun time!!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Purple Onion Designs Coffee & Tea Set; WPlus9 Milk & Cookies
Inks: Copic markers, Memento (tuxedo black)
Dies: Mama Elephant Embellished Tag
Other: Wink of Stella glitter brush (clear)

you and me

Yes!  I'm finally pleased with a card I made!!! I'm entering this into the CASology challenge, where our cue card is contrast.

I took a look at the design team's examples and got a lot of inspiration.  Contrasting colors - I thought the dark brown of the lamps would contrast with all the white space.  Contrasting fonts - the sentiment fonts work so nicely together.  Contrasting textures - combining card stock and vellum results in a hard/soft effect.

This card is a special one...it was made for my friends who are celebrating five years together.  They are going to NYC's super fancy restaurant "One if by Land, Two if by Sea", hence the lanterns.  Happy anniversary!!!

Hope everyone is safe and warm!  Thanks for stopping by.

Supplies:
Stamps: Papertrey Ink Grand Ampersand
Dies: Memory Box Bright Lanters
Inks: Copic markers, Memento (tuxedo black); Tim Holtz Distress (walnut stain)

sparkle and shine

It's been a while since I've made any cards, the reason which I'll blog about another day.  All I know is that I have a bunch of thank you/you're amazing cards that I need to make to show my gratitude.  Happy to be back in the groove of things and to be participating in CASology's challenge where we have to incorporate the key word "bell" into a card.  Here's mine:

I used one of my favorite holiday stamp sets: Winter Wonderland by Mama Elephant.  The sentiments stamp out soooo clearly and sharply.  And, I didn't even think you could strike a balance between cute and classy, but Mama Elephant figured it out.

I *think* those are bells on deers antlers?  My roommate says they're ornaments, but I looked really closely and the bell images have the tiny little notches on the bottom...you know, the holes in the bells that let you hear them ring.  Bells or ornaments...I'm going with bells.

Hope everyone is doing well.  Thank you for stopping by.

Supplies:
Stamps: Mama Elephant Winter Wonderland, No Peeking
Inks: Mama Elephant (ocean, winter); Versamark (onyx black)
Other: Wink of Stella glitter brush (clear)

congratulations danny!

This card is a special one.  It's for my friend, Danny, and his business partner, Mike, who just opened up a new spot called Juke Bar in NYC's East Village.  I met Danny in the same way I met many of my NYC friends -- on the dance floor.  He's an actor, comedian, firefighter, DJ, and overall cool guy.  Even with all his jobs, for years he's dreamed of opening up his own bar, and finally -- with all his hard work and the support of his friends and family -- his dream has become a reality.  Congratulations!

When I was unemployed over the summer, I volunteered at Juke Bar a bit.  On my first day, I cleaned the kitchen and packed a bunch of glasses the previous owner had left behind.  I also pulled out screws and nails in preparation for a new ceiling to be put in.

The following times, I sanded, painted, and made trips to the hardware store.  And closer to opening night I framed photos and washed those same glasses that I had packed away a few months prior.

I recently attended Juke Bar's grand opening and I had a great time.  The music was fantastic, the crowd was in good spirits, and of course I found my home on the dance floor.  But, more than that, the Juke Bar has heart. I experienced this each time I came by to volunteer before the grand opening...friends that Danny has known for years (some from his childhood) were always around to lend a hand -- from working on the plumbing or painting the logo to providing consultation on the bar and kitchen menu.  It was like all these folks who Danny had helped out before came around to return the favor, and all these folks who wanted to support Danny's dream came through and chipped in.  That same energy was present at the grand opening.  It was a true celebration.

Congratulations Danny and Mike!  I'm thinking of making Juke Bar my new happy hour spot, and that's a big deal for me...for one, I don't really drink and secondly, I'm a Brooklyn snob and try not to leave my borough unless I absolutely have to.  Ha!

This card will be entered into  the CAS(E) this Sketch challenge and CASology (cue card is "crisp").  I thought about crisp air, apple crisp, crispy bacon...and, then I thought of a nice crisp and refreshing glass of sparkling wine.  So fitting for a "congrats on the opening of your new bar" card;)

                         

Supplies:
Stamps: Mama Elephant Midnight Letters; drink stamps (manufacturer unknown)
Inks: Memento (tuxedo black); Copic markers
Other: Wink of Stella glitter brush (clear), glossy accents

thank you.

I'm catching up some thank you cards that I've been meaning to create and send out.  This one is for my good friend and former boss, Supriya.  She's brilliant and beautiful, and has one of the biggest hearts on the planet.

Supriya helped me to get my new job (which I love, love, love!).  She has always been supportive in helping me achieve my professional and personal goals. And, over the past couple of years, she has really helped me to think about transitioning my creative and culinary interests into something that's more than a hobby.  To really dedicate my time and heart to what I'm most passionate about.

Thank you, Supriya, for always keeping it real and for helping me to do the same.  I'm truly thankful and blessed to have you in my life.

This card will be entered into the CASology challenge; this week the key word is harvest.

Supplies:
Stamps: WPlus9 Fresh Cut Florals; Lawn Fawn So Thankful; Mama Elephant Type It
Inks: Memento (tuxedo black); Tim Holtz Distress Ink (antique linen, frayed burlap, tea dye, vintage photo, walnut stain); Copic markers
Dies: Lawn Fawn So Thankful
Paper: Lawn Fawn Into the Woods
Other: Wink of Stella glitter brush (clear)

feeling good and so very thankful

It's been a fantastic week... I'm feeling so very thankful.  Finished my first week at my new job, and its been great.  Wonderful people, fun work neighborhood, free coffee and snacks (!!!!), and it just feels so good to be back in the swing of things.

This card, which is being entered to CAS-ual Fridays and CASology, reflects exactly how I feel.

I was inspired by this yummy card by Pamela Ho.  Flawless.  Her sepia tones reminded me of the camera I had in college.  You could take a regular picture, or make it black & white, or sepia.  So when I wanted my photos to have a sophisticated look, I made them sepia.  And yes, by doing so, I thought I was all that. Ha!

This card was enjoyable to make...I finally got to dust off and use all these brown distress inks that I won on eBay several months back.  And, I got to use this super lovely wood grain paper that came in my goodie bag from Damask Love Live.  Yay!

Let's keep this good feeling going.  Thank you for taking a look!

Supplies:
Stamps: WPlus9 Fresh Cut Florals
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (antique linen, fired brick, frayed burlap, spiced marmalade, tea dye, vintage photo, walnut stain, wild honey); Memento Luxe (dandelion, espresso truffle)
Dies: Lawn Fawn Stitched Journaling Card
Paper: Lawn Fawn Into the Woods; LCI Paper Wood Grain