Classy Piano

This is a card design I did last year but never had the chance to post.  Simon Says Stamp's current challenge is Black & White with a splash of color, so I decided to redo the card, using coloured ribbon and rhinestones instead of black and clear.  There's an embossed top panel, separated from the white paper with velvet ribbon.  I added a few rhinestones into the swirls to make the stamp look even classier.

 Voila!  I did a green card too, but it ended up looking black in photos, so I'm only posting the red here.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections
Stamp: Prima cling stamps (Just a little note? - there was no name on the package)
Embossing Folder: Couture Creations Swiss Dots
Ink: memento black
Imaginesce (clear) / dollar store (red) rhinestones
velvet ribbon

Wishing You Well Card

I made this card following the sketch for JustRite's 88th card challenge.

And here's the card I came up with:

I used JustRite's Vintage Rose Medallions for all the stamping, including the smaller stamps on the backing paper and flag.  I used a purple Stampin' Up marker for the stamps, but included a second Crayola purple on the roses of the main tag.  The circles were cut with Spellbinders Standard Circles small and affixed using pop dots, and I cut the flag ends by hand.  I finished off the card with a piece of purple ribbon I bought from a fabric store.

Fluorescent Style

I made this card for Faber-Castell: Design Memory Craft's January challenge: 

CREATIVE RESOLUTIONS.*

Document your creative resolution(s) for 2013 in some form of art.

The first challenge I faced was finding something from Faber-Castell to do the challenge with (as it didn't seem right to not use one of their products. The first thing that came to mind were these:

Yes, those are fluorescent Color Lites pencil crayons.  My father bought them for me in West Germany back when I was a child (and there was a West Germany).  I loved them so much I tried not to use them, because once they were gone they'd be gone for good.

So, what are the resolutions I'm fulfilling with this card?  

1. use more (homemade) flowers on cards

2. use fancy paper for backgrounds (ok, post it notes aren't 'fancy', but it is an unusual choice for me)

3. push my boundaries and craft in ways I'm not entirely comfortable with (fluorescents fit that bill)

I used the pink to colour crepe paper (the rolls you hang from the ceiling for birthday parties) and punched out flowers.  A also used the pencil crayons (all but the orange) to colour my girl.  

I painted over dollar store rhinestones with glow in the dark fluorescent yellow nail polish for the centers of the flowers, so they'd match the theme, and used post it notes for the backing/framing (both yellow and pink).  And yes, I used a tape runner on them, knowing their own stickiness wouldn't hold up.  Finally I tied a very bright fluorescent green ribbon on the bottom.  Voila.

And here's a close-up of the flowers and her face.

I was a little afraid the fluorescents would burn your eyes when I came up with this idea, and if the colours were all as bright as that ribbon, it would.  But I'm really happy with how this card turned out.

I would love it if Faber-Castell brought these pencil crayons back (I'm assuming they're no longer available as I looked for them in Germany last year and couldn't find them).  I'd also like to get some of the new Faber-Castell Gelatos.  They look pretty cool. :)

Supplies:

Papers: Recollections cardstock, post-it notes, crepe paper

Stamp: There She Goes: Sparkly and Bright

Pencil crayons: Faber-Castell Color Lites, Berol Canadiana (for the black)

Tween Brands glow in the dark fluorescent yellow nail polish

thin wire (for holding the flowers together)

rhinestones

*Whoops, I forgot to add the link when I posted this.

Friends are angels without wings.

+ Less is More

ONE LAYER CARD

and this time the subject of your creations should feature

FUR or FEATHERS

I came across several posts about a new card challenge from Pretty Pink Posh: 10 Minute Craft Dash #1, free for all and so decided to combine that with this week's One Layer Less is More challenge: fur or feathers.  I'll admit I'm cheating a bit on the LIM challenge, using an angel, but I justify it by saying she's got wings and she's holding a bird. :)

I started by gathering my supplies, knowing I'd only have 10 minutes to put the card together.  Once I started the clock I cut my cardstock, lined up my stamps on my large acryllic block, inked and stamped them.  I then used chalk to give the angel's dress a bit of colour.  A little gold gel pen to the halo and voila!  Six minutes and 18 seconds.  After a few moments I decided it was a little TOO bare, so I added the ribbon.  Let's add another minute for that, so 7 minutes 18 seconds.  I must say, despite being a quick card and quite simple, I rather like this one.  And I LOVE the sentiment.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections
Stamps: Inkadinkado Angels, Kaiser Crafts Friendship Sentiments
Ink: Memento Black Tuxedo
Chalk: Inkadinkado Brights
pink ribbon
gold gel pen

Less Is More: One Layer Challenge 3

Everyone's favourite... the
One Layer Challenge 

and this week it's really simple

3

Three of anything that is, three colours, three images, three stamps, three words, the number three.... it's up to you, but don't forget the white space, a simple design and just one layer!

I didn't think I'd have time to do this week's Less is More challenge, but I had an idea that would fit this challenge perfectly, so I made the time for it.  Here is is:

I wanted to print "Time Flies" in the corner, but, well time constraints and all (note to self, get a stamp that says Time Flies).  Besides, the sentiment I used is pretty awesome.  I wanted the feeling of time passing and becoming more distinct and real (as you can no longer affect times past).  The close-up is to show the white stamp.  It's barely visible in real life, though you can catch glimpses of it if you tilt the card or look closely.  And yes, the clock numbers for that stamp are somewhat out of line (you try stamping white on white while matching a previous stamp).  The Key Moments set is great, allowing you to set your own time.  The only downside (when working with white is concerned) is that you have to do the clock face separately, which can be a challenge to line up (though this is my first time using the set and I think I did a pretty good job with the grey and black). 

Supplies:

Paper: Recollections white cardstock

Stamps: Close To My Heart, Key Moments

Inks: Versa Magic Cloud White, Memento London Fog and Tuxedo Black