First Day

Well, in just a few short days, my baby will be starting Kindergarten.  I can't believe this day has come...I have thought about it many times since he was born and now, here he is, heading off into the big bad world.  To say this coming Tuesday will  be difficult for me is an understatement.  As  a teacher I know all too well the kinds of things he is going to be exposed to at school and it scares the bejesus out of me!  I am just hoping I can keep it together long enough to drop him off at school and then come home and have a  good cry!  I created this card to tuck in his back pack on the first day.  I was inspired by two challenges:  the sketch at Nacho Average Challenges and the Back-to-school theme at Stampin' Royalty.  Firstly, here is the sketch:

And here is my card:

First Day of School card for NAC9 and SR139 featuring the Greeting Card Kids stamp set and sentiment from First Day (retired)

Inside view with sentiments from Bring on the Cake and Perfect Words (retired)

This card is a real blend of old and new.  I love the images in the Greeting Card Kids set and this particular one really speaks to me as the little boy looks just like my little guy (spiky blond hair and all!).  I chose to use the Storytime DSP for this card, but opted out of the school-theme patterns so that the focal image would really stand out.  I coloured the image using a blender pen and watercolor crayons...if you haven't tried these yet you absolutely don't know what you're missing!  The sentiment on the front of the card is from a long-retired set called First Day.  It is one of the few retired sets I just couldn't part with and I have to say I use it an awful lot.  On the inside of the card I used two different sentiment sets.  The Wishing you a wonderful day comes from the Bring on the Cake set and the Big Hug is from the Perfect Words hostess set from last year's catalogue.  The little apple is from the brand new Perfectly Preserved set and I die cut it out with my Cannery Framelits set.
I know my boy will appreciate this card.   He so loves any card I make.  He is my best marketer...any time I make a card for one of his friends or teachers he is right there saying "My Mommy made this card.  She's really good at making cards.  She can teach you to make cards too"!!  Gotta love free advertising!

Vintage Ornaments

Today's project is one I created just for the fun of it.  How often do I get to do that???  It's pretty rare these days!  I based the layout on this week's sketch challenge over at The Paper Players.  Here's the sketch:

And here is my just-for-fun card:

Vintage Christmas Card for PP110 featuring the Ornament Keepsakes stamp set with sentiment from More Merry Messages.

Inside View

Pretty, huh?  I have to say I haven't played with the Candlelight Christmas DSP much, but I really like the way it works on this card.  I also simply adore the Core'dinations card stock...where has it been all my life?!?  It adds such lovely, subtle texture to any project I use it on.  To stamp the ornaments, I first inked the stamp with the base colour (Real Red for the large ornament and Lucky Limeade for the smaller ones) and then added Early Espresso around the edges with a sponge dauber.  The result is dimension and the look of a soft, aged patina on each ornament.  I popped up the large ornament with dimensionals and then doublde up the dimensionals for the two smaller ornaments.  This really was a simple card to put together but I just love the result!

August Bonus

Today I get to show you this month's bonus project over at Craft Project Central.  It is a cu-ute portfolio designed by Kristine McIntosh. 

Card Portfolio designed by Kristine McIntosh

This is so pretty and would make a lovely gift for just about anyone.  I love that Kris used many different patterns from the Twitterpated DSP pack...they're all so fantastic!  To access the tutorial for this project visit Craft Project Central to learn how you can earn the bonus project.  Then stop by Kris' wonderful blog to check out her other fabulous creations.  I'll be back tomorrow with some Holiday inspiration for you...have a great day!

An Apple for the Mojo

Time for something new...I know...it's about time!  Yesterday I sat down to stamp and pulled up some of my favourite sketch challenges on my iPad.  This week's Mojo Monday sketch jump-started my creativity...have a look:

 

First day of School card and coordinating envelope for MOJO256 featuring the Perfectly Preserved stamp set and Orchard Harvest DSP

I finally caved and ordered the  Cannery Framelits.  I really thought I could just fussy-cut the images in my Perfectly Preserved stamp set, but who am I kidding?!?  The Framelits are SO much faster and perfect every time!  Anyhow, I put them to good use cutting out the apple and stem on this card.  I designed it to give to my teaching partner, along with a little gift, on the first day of school next week.  We work so well together and I always like to give her a little something to get the year off to a good start.  I really like the way the different patterns in the Orchard Harvest DSP work so well together.  It makes it so easy to mix patterns.  The best part about this card is that I'm actually posting it in time to enter the challenge!  I've been a wee bit off in my timing so far this summer!  Why not try your hand at this sketch?  I'd love to see what you come up with!

Regionals Make-n-Take

I know I promised you something new from me yesterday and I do have some new projects to show you, but first I wanted to show you one of the fantastic Make-n-Takes we did last weekend at Regionals.  I so love this project...so simple, but so great!  Check it out:

Envelope pouch made from Vellum card stock.  It holds 4 note cards and envelopes...so quick and easy to make!

These are the cards and envelopes that are inside the pouch.  We used the Clock Works and Sweet Essentials stamp sets.

Isn't that a great little gift ensemble??  I absolutely LOVE the colour combo we used:  Pool Party, Gumball Green, More Mustard, Calypso Coral and Basic Gray.  I would never have put those colours together myself, but I so love them!  These cards we SO easy to create...just stamp away!  No embellies or embossing to fuss with.  Just ink, paper and stamps.  Gotta love it!  I actually challenged those from my team who were with me at Regionals to create their own version of this ensemble, using different stamps and inks.  They're going to bring them to share at our next meeting which means I need to get busy on my own design! 

I'm Back!

Well, I've returned from my week away and I have to say I'm happy to be home.  There's something about sleeping in one's own bed that just makes home the best place there is!  My son and I had a great week with Grammy and Grampy...he got spoiled rotten and I got some time to myself.  Good thing, because I came down with yet another summer cold and spent the week recuperating...just in time to go back to work next week!!  I was feeling so crummy I did almost no stamping while I was away...just slept, read and generally vegged out.  Never fear, though!  I have a terrific project to show you today from Kim Score over at Craft Project Central.  Check this out:

Fancy Gift Box and Card designed by Kim Score.

Isn't that the coolest box?!?  It is sure to impress!  The box is big enough to hold lots of little treats or small gifts.  Change up the papers for any occasion or add a handle to the sides to make a special basket!  The accompanying card coordinates purrrrfectly!!  To access the tutorial for this project and NINE others simply head over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to August...it's only $10!  Then stop by Kim's blog and tell her what a genius she is!  
Today I have some quality stamping time set aside, so I'll have something new for you tomorrow...in the meantime, have a wonderful Sunday!

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!