Thank You!

I shared with you a while back that I've gotten accepted into Pharmacy School for the fall of 2012.  What I didn't share with you were the cards that I made for my interviewers.  The Admissions counselor encouraged us to send thank you notes following our interviews, and after one of my interviewers mentioned that she also enjoys cardmaking, I thought that I should definitely send handmade cards!

I interviewed back in January, and I made both of these cards at the end of January.  I photographed them before sending them, but I didn't have time to get them posted on my blog until now. 

The first one was for a man, so I thought Shannan's sketch would be perfect.  I wanted to stay somewhat CAS for his card.  This card was made in just a matter of minutes once I picked some coordinating papers.  He mentioned that he enjoyed golfing, so I thought that green would be a good color to use for his card.

Supplies
Stamps:  Verve "Celebration of Thanks"
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black
Papers:  white, dps from Basic Grey "Boxer"
Other:  Olive May Arts 1 1/4" silk ribbon, Bow Easy, Recollections mini rose
Card size:  A2

The second interviewer was a lady who was wearing a pink sweater, so I decided that pink should be the color for her thank you card.  Teresa's sketch was a great starting point since it had a little bit of layering, and I got a feminine feel from it, maybe from the heart?  At any rate, it got my creative wheels turning, and my second card was also pretty quickly made.

The papers I used were a peachy pink color that was hard to match, so I used a variegated pink and peach ribbon to try to tie the colors together.

Supplies
Stamps:  Verve "Celebration of Thanks"
Papers:  2 shades of ivory (a more yellowy ivory for the card base and a very subtle ivory for the mats), dps from Brenda Walton "Small Wonders Girl"
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black
Other:  Recollections pearl flourishes in pink, Recollections mini rose, variegated organdy ribbon from Michael's, Bow Easy, Nestabilities heart and scalloped heart dies
Card size:  A2

Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings,
Sarah

A Sweet Birthday Wish

I have not one but two cards to share with you today for Cute Card Thursday's I Want Candy Challenge (#211).  I opted to interpret the challenge as a "Sweet Treat."  I hope that isn't too far of a stretch for the challenge.  If you've visited my blog previously, you know that I love to create cards based on sketches.  My crafting time has been pretty limited since the beginning of 2012, and I had printed out these two layouts and couldn't decide which one to do, so in the end, I made both!  At least I'm making a dent in the stack of sketches I've accumulated!  :)

The first card uses Amber's fab Viva La Verve sketch from January for the layout. 

Here's the first card.  Someone from church asked me to make a card for her grandson's first birthday. 

Supplies
Stamps:  Verve "Carpe Cupcake"
Papers:  white, dps from DCWV "Nana's Nursery Baby Boy"
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
Other:  Nestabilities circle die, Copic markers, Stickles Crystal glitter

The second card uses Charmaine's fab Viva La Verve sketch from March for the layout.

Supplies
Stamps:  Verve "Carpe Cupcake" and sentiment from "Birthday Surprise"
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black (image) and Versafine Onyx Black (sent.)
Papers:  white, teal, dsp from K & Co. "Berry Sweet"
Other:  Copic markers, Nestabilities circle and petite scalloped circle dies

Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings,
Sarah

A Springtime Hello

Today I'm sharing a card that I made for Just Magnolia and Hanglar Stanglar's Anything Goes challenge.  It's cool but clear and sunny here today, so I decided to make a spring colored card.

Here's a closer look at the colored image.  I used shades of coral for her dress and the accent flowers to pick up the color of the polka dots in the dp. 

I used a Viva La Verve layout from January that I had not gotten around to using previously.  Here's Andrea's great sketch.

Supplies
Stamp:  Magnolia
Papers:  white, olive green, dps from K & Co. Brenda Walton "Small Wonders Girl"
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
Other:  EK Success "Abstract Flower" border punch, oval and scalloped oval Nestabilities, Recollections mini roses, large rose from Prima, Copic markers

Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings,
Sarah

Never Stop Going

I'm back with a card I created for two challenges.   First is the Shining the Light Challenge #102 at ODBD which was to use our favorite stamp set.  The second challenge is for Papertake Weekly's anything goes challenge. 

I had intened to play along last week with ODBD's SLC #101 silk challenge, but I just ran out of time.  I did want to try the faux silk technique, so I decided to incorporate it into my card.  Also from last week, I had printed out the Papertake Weekly sketch but that's as far as I got on that challenge entry!  So when I sat down to stamp, the first thing I saw was the sketch, so that became the basis of my challenge entry. 

Here's the sketch: 

I wanted to use a couple of the newer ODBD sets called "Grunge Cross" and "Never Give Up."  I was drawn to the never give up sentiment as I went through my ODBD stamps.  It was so hard to pick a favorite!  I really like the way the cross has all of these swirls and intricate details.  The image and sentiments are also fitting for either masculine or feminine cards. 

I decided to try to do the faux silk technique by scrunching up some white tissue paper and then stamping the cross image to make my own patterned paper.  I don't have a Xyron sticker maker, so I elected to wrap the tissue paper around a piece of white cardstock and adhere the tissue paper to the back so the adhesive wouldn't show through on the front of the faux silk panel.  Here's what the panel looked like before I nearly entirely covered it up with the other layers!

Next, I just added the layers as illustrated in the sketch and then added just a bit of color with some flowers.  I made the large flower using a Sizzix die.

Here's a closer view of the image and sentiment. 

I took a side view photo so you can see the dimension on the flower a little better.  This card will definitely be placed in a little box to be delivered!

Supplies
Stamps:  Our Daily Bread Designs "Grunge Cross" and "Never Give Up"
Ink:  Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Papers:  brown for card base, white, dps from Basic Grey's "Little Black Dress" collection (including mat papers used for image and dps)
Other:  twine from stash, Martha Stewart punches (leaf and fern), Sizzix "Tattered Florals" Tim Holtz die, Recollections mini rose, Recollections pearl for center of big flower, foam tape
Technique:  faux silk

Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings,
Sarah

ODBD 4th Anniversary!

So I knew I hadn't posted on my blog in a while, but I didn't realize that I still hadn't posted for 2012 yet!  I've been crafting (just not posting stuff on my blog) and have spent a good deal of time trying to make a major career change.  After teaching science for over 10 years, I decided that I really did not want to do that any longer, so after a great deal of prayer, I decided to try to get accepted into pharmacy school.  I recently received the good news that I was accepted, so I will begin the four year process of obtaining my Pharm. D. in August.  Whoo hoo!  I'm so excited to be starting a new chapter in the job aspect of my life. 

My post today is another celebration, the Shining the Light Challenge #100 as Our Daily Bread Designs celebrates their 4th Anniversary!  Congratulations, Kelley on this milestone!  I love my ODBD stamps and find that I can interchange the sentiments, Bible verses, and images from so many sets to have lots of crafty options.  They are high quality stamps, and they ink up beautifully.

The challenge was to use the colors aqua or topaz (blue) with your favorite quote, sentiment, or scripture.  The scripture I chose is from "Scripture Collection 3."  I chose it because it has helped me to get through all of the changes and challenges that have arisen since last April whien my Mom died suddenly and unexpectedly.  At her funeral, my brother and I sang "You Are Mine" which is partly based on this scripture verse.  Later last summer, my great-uncle died at age 99, and I sang it as a solo for his funeral.  His funeral was the first time in 20 years that I sang publicly without being accompanied by either my husband or my Mom which was a shocking realization.  (Ryan couldn't take off work that day, but Karen accompanied me and she was so great to work with!  I have known her since childhood).

My card is kind of a CAS design.  I was going to add ribbbon, flowers, or something else, but in the end, I just left it with the scripture as the focal point since that is what really matters to me on this card.

The card is 6" x 6" and is based on the March Midnight Madness Sketch (#136).  I used the plain version of the sketch and changed the center square to a circle (sorry!).  That was the direction my mojo took me.  :)

In this last picture, you can see a bit more clearly how I stacked the doily dies and used foam tape to separate the layers and give it some depth.  I also added adhesive backed pearls to give it a little bit of a delicate feeling.  The edges of the doily dies are sponged along with the sentiment panel.

Supplies:
Stamps:  ODBD "Scripture Collection 3"
Ink:  SU!  "Night of Navy" and Vintage Photo Distress Ink (sponged)
Papers:  cream for base and mats, navy for scalloped die mat, dps from Basic Grey "Picadilly"
Other:  My Favorite Things Doily Dies (large and small), Recollections pearls (Michael's), Nestabilities circle and scalloped circle dies

Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings!
Sarah

With Love

I finally have another card to post on my much neglected blog!  I hadn't made a card for about 6 weeks, so it was a bit of a challenge to dust off the stamping cobwebs and create something.  I started with a great sketch by Dawny from Papertake Weekly.

I then set out to combine a few of my favorite challenges, since for Basic Grey Challenge 59, ODBDSLC90 and SNTODBD50, the current challenge is Anything Goes.  My Basic Grey papers are all from an older collection called "Lily Kate."  (Well, I think they are all from that collection - the binding on my little 6 x 6 pad has fallen apart since I've nearly used the entire pack, but these sheets were tucked in there, so I think that is the correct collection!)  Since I was playing along at Our Daily Bread Designs, it was the perfect chance to ink up this new clover image from "Simple Things."

This card is going to be going to my Dad as a thank you for Christmas.  He is a farmer, so the clover image is perfect for him.  I tried not to go too girly on it and just added touches of pink (coordinates with the tiny pink flowers in the dp) and just a tiny bit of ribbon.  :)  He knows I like ribbon!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Our Daily Bread Designs "Simple Things" clover image and "Poinsettia Tag" (I inked just the With Love off of the With Love From sentiment on the tag set)
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black (image), Vintage Photo Distress Ink (sponging), SU! Cameo Coral marker for sentiment
Other:  Copic markers, Bow Easy, satin ribbon from stash, MFT scallop border dienamics die, sponge

Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings,
Sarah

The Last of the HYCCT Cards!

The first card is for HYCCT1117.  We were challenged to use paint.  I'll be honest.  My first thought was PAINT?!  Then I remembered that I had some crackle paint, and I went to work in that direction.  I used Mojo Monday sketch 213 again for the layout.

Here's a closeup of the crackle paint on the heart.  You can see it slightly better when the card is flat on the table rather than upright.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Verve "One Person"
Ink:  SU! Basic Brown for sentiment, Vintage Photo Distress Ink sponged over crackle paint on heart
Papers:  brown, ivory, dps from K & Co. Tim Coffey "Fall Mat Pad"
Other:  Nestabilities heart, circle, and oval dies, Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint in Fired Brick, sponge, wooden heart button from Favorite Findings, twine
Size:  4 1/4" square

In HYCCT1128, we were challenged to make holiday cards using pink as a primary color in the color scheme.  I went for all pink with a splash of glitter!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Our Daily Bread Designs "Ornaments 2"
Ink:  SU! Melon Mambo for ornaments, Versafine Onyx Black for sentiment
Papers:  white, DCWV "The Christmas Glitter Stack"
Other:  Crystal Stickles glitter, black pen to draw ornament hangers and bows, gold glitter gel pen for larger ornament top
Size:  4" x 7" (fits into a leftover envelope from last year's photo Christmas card)

HYCCT1109 Look Up challenged us to use something that you would see when you look up into the sky.  I decided to use the sun so I could use this fun Verve set.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Verve "Let It Shine" (sun and sentiment)
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black and Memento Tuxedo Black
Papers:  white, gold, dp from K & Co. "Berry Sweet"
Other:  foam tape 
Size:  A2


I made a masculine thank you card for HYCCT1103.  We were challenged to make a masculine card that included pink.  I thought this card would work as a winter or holiday thank you note for a guy.  The layout is from Amber's VLV sketch for week 1 of October.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Verve "Better With You" coffee cup image & "Artful Elegance" for sentiment
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black, SU! Melon Mambo for heart
Papers:  white, brown, dps from DCWV "The Christmas Stack"
Other:  Nestabilities circle and petite scalloped circle dies, Copics, twine, foam tape, MFT Dienamics scalloped edge die
Size:  A2

HYCCT1101B challenged us to Bling the Cling and use bling in our projects.  I used Mojo Monday sketch 211 for my layout.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Verve "Believe"
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, SU! Rose Red (sponged)
Papers:  white, black, dp from DCWV "The Stack 5"
Other:  Cuttlebug embossing folder, black satin ribbon, Bow Easy, scrap of organdy ribbon used to make flower, MS leaf punch, pink rhinestones salvaged from ripped gift bag, scalloped edge scissors, SU! photo corner punch
Size:  A2

For HYCCT1131, the challenge was It's a Costume Party.  We were challenged to do something completely different from our usual style.  I attempted to make a CAS card.  It is pretty CAS for me, but I know others might consider this a bit too busy to be CAS.  So in defense of "my CAS style," I only have 2 layers on the white card base, a piece of dp and the cut out sun.  The sentiment is stamped directly on the dp.  I stamped, colored, cut out the sun, and adhered it with foam tape.  I did not use any flowers, ribbons, bows, border punches, dies, bling, fabric, twine, distressing (torn or sponging), embossing, or any other kind of technique. 

Supplies:
Stamps:  Verve "Let It Shine"
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black
Papers:  white, dp from K & Co. "Berry Sweet"
Other:  Copics, foam tape
Size:  4" x 7"

The last card is for HYCCT1106 Looking In On You.  We were challenged to make a window card.  I used my new Spellbinders window die cut from Our Daily Bread Designs to create my scene.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Our Daily Bread Designs "Ornaments 2" for the tree, ODBD "Sweet Christmas Wishes" for the sentiment, and ODBD "Gift of God" for the pinecones, SU! Woodgrain background stamp (stamped over window die cut)
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, SU! Basic Brown
Papers:  white, brown, dp from DCWV "The Christmas Stack"
Other:  Our Daily Bread Designs Spellbinders custom window die, MS punch to make pine trim above window, red buttons from stash, twine, SU! markers in Handsome Hunter, Yo Yo Yellow, and Chocolate Chip to stamp the tree and pinecone images, gingerbread boy from Favorite Findings
Size:  4" x 7"


Well, I am finally done with the HYCCT challenge cards.  I had a great time making all of these cards and pushing myself to try some new techniques and styles.  I hope you've enjoyed seeing my projects. 

Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings!
Sarah