Step it Up

Today I want to show you a card that I based on one I showed you last week.  I needed thank you cards to send to the ladies who participated in my recent swap so I took the basic design of this card and stepped it up a little.

Fall Thank You card featuring the Friendship Preserves and Wonderfall stamp sets

Doesn't the change in the colour of the card base just take this to a whole new level??  I also love the added texture of the stamped leaves in the background.  This card is the perfect example of what happens when you play with your designs.  Don't be afraid to experiment with colour and texture...you may surprise yourself with the result!

Today I'll be heading home from the cottage and coming to grips with the reality that summer is nearly over.  *sigh*  The good news is that I've taken some stamping supplies with me and should have some fun projects to show you this week...stay tuned!

Freshly Made Fall

Happy Saturday everyone!  I recently discovered another sketch challenge blog to add to my reading list.  I know Freshly Made Sketches has been around for a while but I just discovered them!  Here is this week's sketch followed by my take on it:

Thank you card for FMS47 featuring the Friendship Preserves stamp set and Orchard Harvest DSP.

I really like this sketch...it is so versatile!  I've already used it to create another thank you card design for a swap I am hosting.  I can't post that one until I've sent out the swaps, but suffice to say this sketch made it easy!  I took the liberty of adding the button element to my design, even though it isn't part of the sketch...you know how I feel about embellies!  To stamp the focal image I inked up my stamp with More Mustard ink and then used a sponge dauber to add Cajun Craze around the edges.  I love the way those two colours blend.  Not sure it shows in the photo, but I used my new piercing template to add a pierced border on the Early Espresso mat behind the stamped image.  A really easy way to add interest to any design.  The background piece of DSP is embossed using the new Wood Grain TIEF...that one is fast-becoming a go-to design element for me. If you haven't purchased this one yet you NEED it!

On another note, there is just one more day left to enter my draw for a free month's subscription to Craft Project Central.  Just leave a comment on any post dated August 5th -12th to enter.  I will announce the winner on Monday.  In the meantime, have a great weekend!!

Perfect Fall Project and a Give-away!

Today I have another project for you from one of my fellow designers at Craft Project Central.  This adorable little project is brought to you by Regina Andari.  Check this out:

Friendship Preserves Basket and Note Cards designed by Regina Andari.

I simply adore this project!  What a great little basket to present the note cards or even to hold a little gift.  I love the use of the Core'dinations card stock...it adds so much interest to the basket.  To access the tutorial for this project simply subscribe to August over at Craft Project Central.  Be sure to also stop by Regina's blog to let her know how much you love her project!

Now, as happens every month I design a project for CPC, I get to give away a free month's subscription to all the creative goodness!  So, beginning today until next Sunday, August 12th each comment left on any post dated from the 5th to the 12th will be entered into the drawing for the free subscription.  I will announce the winner here on Monday, August 13th.  Good luck!

Let's not get ahead of ourselves...

While it has been great fun previewing all of the Christmas crafting options  in the Holiday catty with you during my Twelve Days of Christmas (in July!) series, I want to make sure  we don't get too far ahead of ourselves and forget about my favourite season of all:  FALL!  While Fall means back to school (and back to work for me!) it also means colourful leaves, crisp air and fresh apples.  I love fall colours and actually got married in the fall just so I could take advantage of the beautiful backdrop Nature provides.  Today I have a project that features some of the wonderful new Fall-themed products from the Holiday Catty...check it out:

Simple Fall thank you card featuring the Friendship Preserves stamp set and Orchard Harvest DSP

This is a card I literally whipped up in 10 minutes.  It took no time at all, thanks to the wonderful new products I used.  The leaves were die-cut using the new Autumn Accents die, the background was embossed using the new Woodgrain TIEF and Early Espresso Core'dinations CS, and the focal image was stamped and die-cut using the Friendship Preserves bundle.  Talk about quick and easy!  All of these fantastic new products are now available in the Holiday Catalogue...some are even discounted when you purchase as a bundle!  The Friendship Preserves bundle includes the stamp set and the new Window Frames Collection Framelits at 15% off the individual price!  Gotta love that!  If you still don't have a copy of the Holiday Catalogue, send me a quick email and I'll get one out to you absolutely free!