Fusion #8 (sketch only)

(note: this is my second post of the day, for the CAS-ual Fridays post please click here or scroll down)

 Oh my word, did you see the FUSION Challenge gallery from last week?!? All the entries were just stunning! I'm so glad everyone votes to pick a winner, definitely takes the pressure off a little : )

 

The sketch challenge this week had me stumped a bit. I just really couldn't think of anything interesting to make. Then, at the 11th hour, I though of something, and scrambled to make it happen. So pleased with how it turned out. It's one of those cards where I go check on it before going to bed, just because I'm so excited. 

[please don't think I'm weird, please don't think I'm weird, please don't think I'm weird]

 I've been hoarding this paper for a few years, and built the card around that. Then, all my accidents took over and made me fall in love with it:

1) Complete accident how the small flowers on the left and the big one on the right point to the clock focal point. 

2) To get more of a bigger circle look, I tilted the glitter polka-dot paper after I cut my too-small circle. So, complete accident how the dots are on a diagonal instead of the straight way I'd normally use them. 

3) The polka-dot paper scrap fell over and I saw the beautiful raspberry color. Perfect for behind the trellis die.

4) I used some aqua washi tape (a solid one I never use on projects) to hold the super thin and flimsy dot stamp on the curve before I put my acrylic block on it. Loved the look of the aqua on the card. Never intended on using it. So I tried thinking of a way to incorporate the aqua. Banner, nah. Sentiment background, nope. Enamel dot ... YES! Where? The center of the clock with no hands! YAY!! My favorite part.

 

The center of the clock is made from layers of the Memory Box trellis die. It's actually only one length of the die, cut in thirds. I wouldn't have thought to cut the middle of the clock out and back it with a pattern were it not for the sketch detail. 

Sure hope to see more amazing cards this week in the gallery! Also check out the sketch, photo, and fusion inspired samples from the fab design team!

Thanks for looking!

-Kelly

CAS-ual Fridays #102: Red, White and Blue

This week our sponsor for the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge is Simon Says Stamp, where the winner will receive a $25 gift certificate. Whoo-hoo!!

I am totally not being patriotic for this post [hangs head in shame] but I've honestly never sent a patriotic card. Maybe I should! But for now, my red white and blue creation is, instead, a message of hope and rebirth.

A cardinal sitting on her nest, waiting for her chicks to hatch. The best is definitely just about to come!

The bird is cut from my son's holey pajama top. On the non-holey part (yes, I save EVERY thing!) Her nest is made from a strand of wrapped burlap, which ended up being the most difficult part of this card. It's inspired from the Easter egg bird nests I made this year. The white branch divides the card base. Finally, the sentiment is from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps' first card set, Truth Is.

Sure hope to see you in the gallery! And don't forget to check out the other red, white, and blue lovelies from the fantastic design team, if you haven't already!

Thanks so much for looking!

-Kelly

Fusion Challenge #7

(note: this is my second post of the day, for the CAS-ual Friday's challenge click here or scroll down)

Yet another FUSION winner from the last challenge (what a great card, you really have to check it out if you haven't already!) I have a feeling this week might provide a non-FUSION winner ... let's see!

My challenge, as always, is based on the sketch only. This is a 10-year-old birthday card for our dear friend and neighbor who's in love with orange and glitter. Gathering crepe paper layers along a long running stitch makes the boarder. Then to break up the white embossed sentiment, the first row of text is colored with green alcohol markers.

Head on over to the Fusion Challenge to check out the inspirational Design Team, and also the gallery, which I'm sure will be amazing.

Thanks for looking!
-Kelly

CFC #101: Stamp on Patterned Paper

Wow, what a hoppin' 100th challenge party we had the last two weeks, with 227 entries! Some serious inspiration in the gallery, if you haven't gotten a chance to check it out yet. This week the challenge is to stamp on Designer Paper.

I started out with the floral stamp from CAS-ual Fridays Loving Thoughts embossed in red glitter on a subtle, damask-like paper. At first I was going to thread this really funky red fiber through the centers of several of these and make a garland. I was annoyed getting them to hang evenly, so laid it down on the blue paper and it kind of looked like a funky necklace. A tweak here and there, and I ended up with a jewelry box card. 

Here's the front. The mat stack die is used as an impression on the top of the box. The sentiment is embossed in silver from Only You. Simple, just like a presentation jewelry box.

Then upon opening the "box" you see the necklace on its lining. A hold punch is used to notch out holders on the top to dangle the necklace on. 

Since I wanted to get a ton of dimension for the box, I mounted the panel on two layers of cardboard. The spine is scored 1/8" thick, so it accommodates this dimension when folded shut.

I was still a little unsure how to finish this card (just what is its purpose?) and was going to leave it blank for now. Then I came across the Moxie Fab gift card holder challenge. That's it!

I cut out a panel to mount on the top-inside of the box for a gift card. Then got excited thinking how cute this would be for a teen girl birthday present! Stick a Charming Charlie's gift card inside, especially since this is the type of costume jewelry they sell, and you're all set.

Don't forget to head on over to the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge to see the rest of the design team inspiration, and play along in the fun!

Our sponsor this week is CAS-ual Fridays Stamps : )

Thanks so much for looking!

-Kelly

CAS-ual Fridays Release: Houndstooth and Zigs & Zags

I am so in love with all the sets from the May CAS-ual Fridays Stamps release, it's a little sad being the last sneak day. But on the other hand, I'm super anxious to share these cards!!

I totally lost it when I first saw the houndstooth. Seriously. I sent a note to Michele right away, so thankful that I'd really get to work with these. This set has large, medium and small houndstooth patterns. So, which to use, which to use? Totally can't decide ...

Alright, we're using all of them. At once! Anyone remember those Magic Eye posters that you stare at and a 3D image is supposed to pop out after several minutes?

Image credit

 
Those never worked for me (and, FYI, the link above is to an article that explains how to do it). Still can't see those darn 3D images! But I do like the idea of having a lot of patterns that make one big pattern. Back to the card above, do you see a yellow-outlined diamond pattern? Kinda cool!

I had to try another version in different colors. Solid, orange diamonds stand out to me on this one. 

 There's also a fabulous Zigs & Zags set, where this last card comes from ... 

It's a border stamp, but you can certainly stamp it repeatedly as a background. I made a mask to sponge the pink on, and then freehanded the yellow above so there were no hard lines on top and it would blend out more. Sewing, silver embossing, enamel dots, and yes, a single quatrefoil from my bag of scraps round out the card.

If you haven't already, head on over to CAS-ual Fridays Stamps to see what the other super-talented designers did with these sets. So much inspiration! And, check back on Friday for the full reveal of all five must-have sets!

Thanks so much for looking!
-Kelly

Winner! Winner!

We have a winner of the free copy of 350 Cards and Gifts!

 

Miriam, it's you!! Please send me your address and the lovely folks at Paper Crafts will be sending a copy right to you. 

Thanks so much to everyone for your incredibly kind comments.  I've said this so many times, but it's so true, we have the best on-line community ever!

CAS-ual Fridays Release: Tech Talk

Ahh, the power of these keys! Invaluable to us for blogging, now they can be on our cards too! These are from the Tech Talk set to be released on Friday at CAS-ual Fridays Stamps.

This one is a little out there ... but it looks exactly how I felt a couple months ago when I completely stuck my foot in my mouth when chatting with friends. My head started spinning as I replayed exactly what just happened (the hand cut circles), and my head was screaming "Delete! Delete! Delete, delete, delete!!!!"

The keys are embossed and fussy-cut. So many fun uses for these!

Hopefully it's not a card I'll need again, but if I do at least I'll be ready so I can give it in a timely manner. I never seem to find the words in person, but giving an "I'm Sorry" card is so much easier.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for the debut of two more sets. On Friday each set will be revealed and available on CAS-ual Fridays Stamps.

Thanks for looking!

-Kelly

ETA: Thanks to Ardyth for reminding me that this fits the Tuesday Trigger! Hope you get a chance to play too, so many possibilities with this one!