Howdy!

I love this card I designed.  Is that bragging?  It is really rare that I create something that knocks my own socks off.  I have been on a kick with small cards attached to larger ones, and this uses that same idea.  The whole card is just different.  I think it could work for a male or female as well. Okay, take a peek and then I'll give you some specifics.



edited to add suplly list since a few have asked! :-)

Stamp set: Bronc Buster, Afterthoughts (hostess from this catalog)

Inks: Stazon black, chocolate chip

Markers: Crumb cake, really rust, chocolate chip
Punches: Ticket corner, word window, star, 1 1/4 circle
Paper: Really rust, chocolate chip, natural ivory
DSP: Bella Rose, Simply scrappin kit Round up
Ribbon: 5/8" grossgrain chocolate chip, 1/4" grossgrain chocolate chip
Accessories: sponge, silver brads, aged copper hodgepodge hardware, basic rhinestones, dimensionals

This card is for a swap I do with other ladies using whatever SU supplies we have.  It is so much fun to get the swaps in the mail.  I am swapping with some talented ladies, and the fact that the items do not need to be current really opens up the surprises.  The set I used here is a retired set called Bronco Buster.  I really like western stuff.  The main card stock is Really Rust. Complementary colors are Chocolate Chip and Natural Ivory.  The details behind the star are colored with a Crumb Cake Marker, Chocolate Chip Marker and Really Rust Marker.  It is hard to see in the picture, but there is also some Chocolate chip sponging around all of the card stock edges.  A few Basic Rhinestones and the card just sparkles! See the tab at the top of the square?  It has the ribbon pull.  This is what is pulled out from behind the mini card.

Cute little place to write a note!  If a person wrote enough nice stuff on the tag, the recipient may end up using it as a book mark!  And finally the inside of the little card (which measures 5 1/2 x 4 1/4).

I used some retired Hodgepodge with the buckle and the spiral on the tag.  I just love the buckle on the inside!  The main piece of 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 Really Rust card stock does not open.  See!  A very different card!

Okay, now I need to find those socks I knocked off myself. :-)

Have a great day.  Thanks for sharing some of your time.  

Kristine 

On the softer side

Happy Tuesday morning to you!  Today I am in a funk.  Ever have those days?  Just cannot get the rear in gear! Fortunately, I am ready to post some more cards for you!

The first uses the watercolor roses technique shown to me by my friend, Lynnette.  She's a talented lady! (Shame, shame shame she does not have a blog we can all oogle. Sigh)  Using an aqua painter and some reinker, you float the color on top of glossy or shimmer paper and let it dry.  I used So Saffron and Peach Parfait reinkers because, as Donkey says in Shrek, "Everybody like Parfait!." I used that wonderful flourish from the set Baroque Motifs (may it never retire) and the rose image from Fifth Avenue Floral.  The leaves of the rose are punched from the wing of the Two step bird punch! 

 "Ahhh!" you say, "What a versatile punch!"

  "Yes," I answer wisely, nodding my head, "It is not just for the birds!"  hahahahaha 

 Okay, add ramie to that funky thing I got goin'.  With a Polka Dot dry emboss on the Peach Parfait panel (again, because "Everybody like Parfait!")  and a vanilla Top Note, the card has a Victorian feel.  Yes?

 

"But, Kristine...how did you make those bird wings look like such realistic leaves?" 

I blush, smile and say, "It's easy!  Punch out the wing from Pear Pizzazz card stock.  Then crumple it 'til it's tiny, tiny.  Then uncrumple it and press it against a Pear Pizzazz classic ink pad.  The ink fills in the crumples and makes it look great!" 

You smile at me and we are both happy to know how to make leaves from bird wings.  I only wish I could press myself up against a classic ink pad and make my "crumples" look great. {sigh}  Basic pearls in the swirls of the flourish, some Victoria Crochet ribbon and a pretty font in the sentiment from Fabulous Phrases finish off the card.  Okay, you now get to look!

Next up is a direct CAS card from Mary Fish.  She is becoming my idol.  Love her stuff!  This card uses the Rub-ons from the Occasions Mini called Love Impressions.  An aside: Have you ever stopped to think that there is someone,( maybe multiple someones!) whose job it is to name the stuff in the catalog!  Hmmm, guess that would take a talent for alliteration or maybe just a need to control the world and name things?  Anyway, moving on....The card is framed with the pretty Tulip Embossing folder.  Simple black, red and white with a touch of pink keep it simple.  Not an ounce of ink is used on this card!  I suppose this isn't a stamped card, technically.  It's a rubbed card!  No inky fingers.

And the final card.  Thank you for reading this far.  My... you're a saint. 

This card uses Lap of Luxury DSP and the Square Lattice Embossing folder.  To get the look of a quilt, first layer all pieces and then run the whole thing through the Big Shot with the embossing folder.  It squishes (a very technical stamping term) all the layers together and it looks very "quilty."  The sentiment is from the Occasions set You're a Gem.  And really...YOU'RE a gem if you read my whole post today.  Gracias!

A time for friendship and gratitude

Happy thanksgiving All!

I have two things to share today. Many of you have met my wonderful, furry companion, Simon. He is my Standard Poodle who shares my days, my walks and (if he had it his way) my food! He is my constant reminder to live in the present moment. Dogs have a way of exuding joy. He's always ready to play, but just as ready to take a nap in the sun. Today he reminds me that we don't need much to be happy, and I have so much for which to be grateful. Simon loves his friends! In the picture is Simon with his favorite friend, Ada, the boxer. Simon and Ada have weekly play dates. Aren't their faces just the best reminder that friendship is THE BEST!

I also have a beautiful card made by my very talented friend, Lynnette Parker. Her cards always inspire me. This card was made with a stamp called Wandering Words from the SU Holiday Mini catalog. Dangnabit, because of her talents, I do believe I must purchase that stamp set as well!