Black and Cream on Kraft

This card was so fun and easy, I made six. I felt like it could fit a variety of occasions. Sympathy, Get Well, Birthday, Thinking of You, etc.

Bright and Cheery

I purchased two paper pads that sat on my desk for a very long time. I still don't feel like I've used them to their maximum potential. But I loved the cheery colors and the designs on the paper. Since I didn't have a specific occassion in mind to make these cards for, I decided the "for you" greeting would work on the front and then I could make it fit the occasion when I use them and add my inside sentiment. It could be "for you...to cheer you", "for you...on your birthday", "for you...just because", "for you...to get well", etc. It was a also a win because it utilized the remaining titles I cut and didn't use from my friend's special card (see previous post). Oh, and by the way, I forgot to mention in that previous post that I actually cut two sets of paper for that card because I wasn't sure which direction I wanted to pursue. So, that's why the middle photo below looks oddly familiar (but notice I didn't handstitch on it...another test run using paper piercing which I didn't like nearly as much as stitching).

Back to this post...the cards with the tags below show a really neat way to use a short scrap of ribbon when there isn't quite enough to tie. And I like to bump the ribbon up to show depth, so I use a small glue dot to hold the ribbon in place.

A Very Special Card (for a very special friend)

This photo certainly doesn't do this card justice. But if you can overlook that for a minute I will tell you about this special card. A few times a year, I have a card that I make for a really special person. Special because they know a lot about me and love me anyway. Special because these few people not only appreciate me, they appreciate my fervor for crafting. Special because they will pay attention to all the little details that I took extra time putting into a masterpiece just for them...to let them know how much I think of them. For these few cards, I make sure the papers and colors are exactly what I want...even to the point of cutting out four sets of the "for you" sentiment to see how each color looks. On this card, I punched and traded three sets of the butterflies back and forth several times before I decided which one evoked the exact emotion and feel I was going for. All of this takes time that may seem senseless to most. But because I know that this card will most likely be tucked away in a night stand and then brought out and looked at again and again over the course of the year, I want everything to be as close to perfect as possible. Because the recipient of this card is my best friend.

Controlling the Scrap - Version 1.2

Last (for now) but not least is another card lift that I liked b/c it not only used scraps but it also had the ability to show off some of the busy papers that I tend not to use from my 6x6 pads. Their print is usually too busy or large to see the detail when I add all the other layers. With the large mat and no competing image or die cut, you can see it well in this sketch.

These took a little more planning for two reasons. #1 I don't have a variety of colored stamp pads-which would have made the sentiment less time consuming. Instead I pulled out my Spectrum Noir markers and used those to coordinate the sentiment. #2 I had to do a few trial and error cuts from my Cricut for the label. It probably doesn't help that I'm a bit picky and refuse to just go with the first one that fits =) Even then I put these five cards together fairly quickly.

Card dimensions: 4.5" x 6.25"

Mat: 5.5" x 2.5"

Bookmark style strips: 1.25" x 4" and 1.25" x 3.5"

Label (from Gypsy Wanderings): 3.2" x 1.4" (unlock ratio)

 You will notice a little extra detail on the floral patterned cards below. I felt that the sentiment I had stamped for the others was a little too mod so I went with a scripty sentiment on these. It looked a bit boring with the very white card base and brown ink, so I punched a scalloped border from the center almost to each edge. I then adhered a coordinating strip of cardstock underneath.

Thanks so much for joining me on my "lose the scrap" journey. My scrap pile feels a bit more under control now and my stash is ready for the next spur of the moment event we are invited to =)

Controlling the Scrap - Version 1.1

My next card was one that utilized narrow strips of three coordinating papers. I went a little less crazy with that one and only did four =) I LOVED how this one turned out and feel like the de-bossed white background added just the finishing touch I needed. My embossing folders had a little too much detail and were too small for the card size I was working with. So I ended up going for a simple quarter inch vertical stripe using my Martha Stewart scoring board. I was even able to use up some of my miscellaneous mini brads that I have had FOREVER! I adhered the strips by only one line of glue at the top so they would "hang" and add a bit of dimension at the bottom.

Card dimensions: 4.5" x 6.25"
Mat: 4.25" x 6"
Strips: .75" wide by 4", 3.75" and 3.5"
Sentiment strips: 4.25" x .75"

Controlling the Scrap - Version 1.0

My scrap pile from card making was getting wildly out of control. So when I came across a few samples on pinterest I loved that looked like they would put those scraps to good use, I set up a mass production system on my workspace.

My first card was one that used various sized squares and rectangles, including a background mat that could have detail in one corner.  I can always use a stash of "generic" cards. So I pre-stamped seven penants of each sentiment (get well, good luck, celebrate and thank you) to have on hand so I can grab them, adhere them, print a pertinent inside and run out the door =) I went a little crazy weeding out any scraps that coordinated and were in the right dimensions. I did TEN takes on that one!

Card dimensions: 4.5" x 6.25"
Mat: 4.25" x 6"
Top rectangle: 2" x 1.5"
Bottom left rectangle: 2" x 4"
Bottom right square: 2" x 2"
Other supplies: scrap ribbon, misc buttons

Flowers to Cheer You!

Card size: 4.5" x 6.25"

Image: Thanks! by Mo's Digital Pencil

Supplies:
markers, Spectrum Noir
paper, October Afternoon Woodland Park
doily (behind image), lace and cardstock, misc

Sweet Oklahoma

Card size: 4.5" x 6.25"

Image: Sweet Oklahoma by Saturated Canary

Supplies:
markers, Spectrum Noir
paper, gems, ribbon and cardstock, misc

Popping Up to Celebrate!

Card size: 4.5" x 6.25"

Image: I got this adorable image for free but cannot remember where...if you have info, please share!

Supplies:
markers, Spectrum Noir
paper, My Mind's Eye SixBySix Dwell
chipboard flower, Heidi Swapp kit
gems, brad and cardstock, misc

Challenges:
Seize the Birthday #19- sketch

Kaboodle Doodles Challenge #177 - Pastel Colors

Dare to be Sassy Thursday #182 - Clean and Simple

By Your Side

Card size: 4.5" x 6.25"

Image: misc coloring page found online

Supplies:
markers, Spectrum Noir
paper, American Crafts Color Crush
border punch, EK Success
twine and cardstock, misc


Challenges:
Feeling Sketchy Challenge #63

Digi Makeover Challenge #94 - All Tied Up

My Time to Craft Challenge #227 - Spots and Stripes

You Make Me Smile

Card size: 4” x 8” (photo card easel)

Cricut Cartridges:
teal monkey, Paisley page 30 cut at 3”
yellow monkey, Paisley page 32 cut at 3”

Supplies:
patterned paper, A Walk in the Park by Echo Park;
cardstock, Cricut Rainbow by Provocraft;
stamped sentiment, string and buttons, misc

Challenges entered:
Fantabulous Cricut
My Crafty Spot