Winner of Spring Giveaway and an Announcement

Thank you to all of you who left such nice comments this month!  I really would love to send something to all of you, and in fact, you will see that I PLAN TO! ;)

But first, the official winner of this year's Spring Giveaway is...

#4 Kelly Massman!

http://kmassman-scrapbooks-cards.blogspot.com/

Kelly please email me so that I can send your prize to you!

So, what about that giveaway for everyone?  Well, since I can't send a package to each of you, I CAN make some digital sketches available to you for free!  Starting next week I'll be posting some of my digital sketches that you will be able to use for your own crafting and decorating!  So check back soon and in the meantime, have a really wonderful day! :)

--Kathryn

So Saffron / Concord Crush Wedding Thank You Sets

Great news!  I came upon it in a very *roundabout* way... but great news nonetheless! :)

I made the Color Dare Design Team for this Summer term, and I couldn't be more thrilled.

This week the challenge is to use the colors So Saffron, Concord Crush, and our choice of a Neutral.

I made QUITE a few cards with this color theme, as Wedding thank-yous...  38 in all. 

There are two different styles that I'm showing today.

With some detail:

And the second card design/set:

Here are the other challenges these cards play in:

ABC Challenge "V is for Violet"

Papertrey Paper Dolls #38 "Wedding or Anniversary Card" - Just found this new challenge and I'm LOVIN it!

Simply Create #44 "Special Day / Event"

Creative Belli Blog #118 "Tool Shed" - Remembering when heat embossing was so new...

Creative Card Crew "Anything Goes"

Crafty Cardmaker #46 "Embossing"

Anything Goes Tuesday #41 "Bingo Board" - I chose Ribbon, Embossing and Jewels

Materials Used on these Cards:

Cardstock {Papertrey Ink, Georgia Pacific}

Stamps {Papertrey Ink - Giga Guidelines Set}

Embossing Powders {Clear Tops}

Adhesive Rhinestones, Ribbon {Offray}

Yellow Paper Roses {Recollections}

Remember to enter for my Spring Giveaway using Inlinkz before you go (find it on the sidebar :)

Live well,

Wedding Couple Card for a Friend

I actually modified this image slightly to make it into a wedding couple card for one of my husband's coworkers.... DH said the wedding cards I had on hand were just a bit too flourish and flower-y for him to feel comfortable giving one of them to a male coworker.  So I put this one together and it got the the DH stamp of approval.  Hooray! :)

Here are the Challenges:

Cute Card Thursday #165 "Let's Get Krafty" - image stamped onto kraft

Color Throwdown #142 "Black, Lime and Gray"

Secret Crafter #135 "Anniversary"

The Shabby Tea Room #62 "Monochromatic"

Materials Used on this Card:

Cardstock {Papertrey Ink, DCWV}

Stamps {Clearly Wordsworth}

Deckled Edge Ruler (for clean edge-tearing)

Brads {Spare Parts}

Have a great day!

Handmade Vintage Paper Flower -- Elegant Monochromatic Card

I had an anniversary theme in mind when I made this card, but it would do just as well for a wedding or special birthday.  Sometimes I find it's nice not to lock myself into a specific sentiment.  I always enjoy making cards that can 'speak for themselves', becoming versatile for any occasion.

You can see more uses for these vintage book flowers on my last few posts this month.

I make the flowers by punching ten 1-1/4-inch circles with my EK Success punch.  I've also made smaller ones with the 1-inch punch.  Remember, though; when you're planning your layout, you should allow for double the width of the punch you're using, plus a little.  The flower you see pictured is the width of my four fingers; so, a very strong element in a compositional sense.

After you've punched the flowers, fold the edges over each other at an angle, so that they meet in a point on one side and have an open scallop shape at the top.  I fold five with the left edge on top, and five with the right edge on top, so that I can form double petals.

When all your pieces are folded, use a marker on the edges to give more definition, and then glue them to a scrap piece of sturdy cardstock for a base.

Here are the challenges:

Shabby Tea Room #62 "Monochromatic"

Truly Scrumptious #57 "Anything Goes" -- I am also applying for the DT but I forgot to mention that in my previous entry.... oops....

Papertake Weekly "Bloom and Grow"

Ooh La La Challenge #80 "Fancy Folds"

ABC Challenge "U is for Unusual Folds"

Crafty Creations #119 "May Flowers"

Fab N' Funky #73 "Make Your Own Blooms"

CCEE #1120 "May Flowers"
Double Dutch #68 "Vintage"
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #135 "Anniversary"

Materials Used on this Card:

Cardstock {Papertrey Ink}

Papers {Vintage Book pages}

Punches {EK Success (circles, corner rounder), Martha Stewart (arches)}

BIC Markit Marker -for edges

Paper rose {Recollections}

Gold superfine embossing powder {Ranger}

ZIG Glue pen

Vintage lace {Spare Parts}

And before you go, friends, don't forget to enter for my Spring Giveaway!

Have a wonderful week ahead,

Layered Camellia Flowers Card

I've told you all before how much I love gardens and gardening. Certain flowers remind me of many wonderful memories and family stories, and camellias happen to be one of these. 

My grandfather raised them... I am told that his were some of the best in the lowcountry.

It is so good to be back home in time to see all the different stages of spring in the South.  There is really nothing like coming home after a long time away, and I find I am most inspired this year by the flowers I know; the flowers of my home, my history and my childhood.

Here are the challenges:

Papertake Weekly "Bloom and Grow"

The Color Dare #101 "Old Olive, Regal Rose, Early Espresso" -- I couldn't find any really suitable rose shades on hand, so did the best I could...

Fan N' Funky #73 "Make your Own Blooms"

Flutterby Wednesday #155 "Open"

Truly  Scrumptious #57 "Anything Goes" - DT - Glad this challenge won't be retiring after all!

The Crazy Challenge #67 "Green and Pink" - Yes, muted tones... but still...

Crazy 4 Challenges #87 "Inspired By Chocolate" - I love the richness of this brown background CS!
CCEE #1120 "April Showers Bring May Flowers"
Paper Sundaes #70 "Pop it Up" - layered camellias

But there's a bonus card to go with it!  A smaller 3x3-inch card with a single camellia bloom:

So, particularly for smaller card:
Creative Belli Blog #117 "The Letter S" - Small card, stamping

Materials Used on these Cards:

Cardstock {American Crafts, DCWV, Papertrey Ink}

Stamps {Martha Stewart (camellia), Anna Griffin (leaf)}

Copic Colors {E00, E11, E13, E15}

BIC Markers

Pearls {Recollections}

Butterfly {K&Co.}

This-to-that Pop Dots {American Crafts}

Thank you for visiting, and don't forget to enter for my Spring Giveaway using Inlinkz before you go! You will find the picture and link on my sidebar... good luck! :)

Shabby Chic - Vintage Book Paper Flowers - Wedding or Anniversary Card

Here are the challenges:

Pals Paper Arts Photo Inspiration/Wedding theme

Sentimental Sundays #54 Anything Goes - I have also applied for the DT - Fingers Crossed! :)

The Shabby Tea Room #61 Ruffled Up

Papertake Weekly Fancy a Punch?

Stamp Something Anything Goes
Crafty Creations #118 Anything Goes -DT
My Time to Craft - #140 Scallops
Double Dutch #68 "Vintage"

In general, I don't consider shabby chic to be my particular forte, but I did really enjoy piling on the embellishments and girly details for this card.  I think I might experiment with the style some more... it's at least a good way to use all that stash!  :)  And where's the fun if every card starts looking the same after awhile, anyway?

I also tried a new technique with this card.  I punched lots of paper circles from the vintage book paper, and then folded them over each other at an angle.  I used a peach-colored marker on the edges and then glued them to a circular cardstock base.  You'll see a number of flowers done this way on my projects for awhile... I went a little hogwild :)

A couple of weeks ago I went out on a limb with my Aqua Coral Birthday Card and used glass pebbles for an embellishment.  I liked the effect so I used a couple on this card as well.

I also like using snowflakes on my flowers.  You might call it a trademark style... I think they look like the flower stamens.

Materials Used on this Card:

Card base, patterned paper {My Mind's Eye}

Cardstock {Papertrey Ink}

Apron Lace edge punch, snowflake, circle punches {Fiskars, Martha Stewart, EK Success}

Large fabric blossoms {Bella Blvd}

White hydrangea blooms {Hobby Lobby stem}

Paper rose, pearls (Recollections}

Vintage lace {Spare Parts}

Vintage book paper

Glass pebbles

Peach Parfait marker {BIC Mark-it}

Jumbo pebble brads {Making Memories

Butcher's twine

Sentiment stamp {Papertrey Ink}

Brown pigment ink {Stampendous}

Have a beautiful day, and before you leave don't forget to enter for my Spring Giveaway!

Vintage Book Flower - Wedding Theme Card

Here are the challenges:

Pals Paper Arts "Here Comes the Bride" - I just love this inspiration photo... so much gorgeous detail!

I honed in on the colors, roses, lace and pearls.

Creative Card Crew May Flowers

My Time to Craft #140 Scallops

Fab N' Funky #72 Buttons and Bows

The Crazy Challenge #66 Anything Goes!
Sketchy Colors #70
Stamp Something Anything Goes
Double Dutch #68 Vintage - vintage lace and book paper, folded into flowers

Papertake Weekly Fancy a Punch?

Secret Crafter Saturday #133 Use some Old Stash
The Shabby Tea Room #61 "Ruffled Up" - the paper flower reminds me of frills and ruffled petals

 Materials Used on this Card:

Card base, paper {My Mind's Eye}

Ocean Tides Cardstock {Papertrey Ink}

Vintage book pages

Circle punches, Apron Lace edge punch, snowflake {EK Success, Fiskars, Martha Stewart}

Peach parfait Marker {BIC Mark-it}

Vintage lace {Spare Parts}

Fabric Hydrangea flower

Jumbo Pebble Brad {Making Memories}

Pearls {Recollections}

Butcher's twine

Gold superfine embossing powder {Ranger}

Live well, have a wonderful day, and don't forget to enter for my Spring Giveaway Candy before you go! :)

Colorful Layered Flowers

Good afternoon friends... All I can say is I'm glad Blogger is back up online again and that our content is returning.  I was so nervous for awhile! ;{

I have a few cards to share with you today, and here's the first of the lot.  We'll see how many I can get to before the babies wake up.... And we'll just forget for awhile that I really SHOULD be doing laundry...  ;)

Here are the challenges... 9 total I think...  Most are Flower themes though;

I think we must all have garden fever.

Stamp Something "Anything Goes"
Crafty Creations #118 "Anything Goes" - DT Application
The Crazy Challenge #66 "Anything Goes"
Creative Belli Blog #117 "The Letter S" - sparkle, spring/summer, and some serious stash cleanout :)
The Color Dare #100 "Rose Red, Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand" - OK, OK, plus green...
Paper Play Week 19 "Celebrating Summer" - with wonderful summer garden flowers!
Creative Card Crew "May Flowers"

Crazy 4 Challenges #86 "LOTS of Flowers!"
Everybody Art #141 Flowers!
Secret Crafter #113 "Use up some Old Stash"

I do apologize for the lighting as it's been a bit gray here of late.  It is so irritating for photography.

I have, in fact, been focusing hard in my crafting on using up what I have.  I have so many partial packages that it's not EVEN funny.  The alphabets are the worst though.  This card uses up some old chipboard flowers I had found on clearance, some glitter glue and paper flowers, as well as jumbo pebble brads.  I love the look of pebble brads but it takes a particular kind of card to pull them off, I think.  At least for me.  What do you think?

And the inside:

:

Materials Used on this Card:

Cardstock {Papertrey Ink}

Patterned cardstock {Bella Blvd}

Paper blossoms {Spare Parts}

Chipboard flowers (Craft Supply}

Glitter glue - {Studio G} - lime green and magenta

Snowflake punch {Martha Stewart}

Jumbo pebble brads {Making Memories} - Fresh Anthology collection

Green gingham ribbon {Craft Supply} - actually I took apart a Relief Society handout from Church...... anyone else do that? ;)........

Sentiment stamp {Hero Arts) - Sky's the Limit set

Ink {Ranger Archival Black}

 Icons {Heidi Grace} - (inside)

Live well, laugh and DO get outside into the beautiful weather this weekend! :)

PS-- Before you go, don't forget to enter for my spring giveaway-- you can find a picture and link on my sidebar!  Good luck! :)