This Little Card of Mine

A little birdie card!

Thanks to all of you who have left a comment on yesterday's post to win a Designing with Greetings book.  I will be drawing a winner tonight.  And I have several extras of these books so you never know -- you may see a list of winners later today!  :-)  If you haven't commented on yesterday's post, please do so I can include you in the drawing.

A couple of days ago Jennifer and I taught a mini-card class at Stamp Your Art Out in Cincinnati.  We had so much fun with everyone and I always love playing with Hero stamps!   We used mostly stamps from the Summer 2008 release.   All of the cards were smaller than the usual size --- this one is half the size.

I used this small bird background stamp that was just the perfect size for a mini-card.   I stamped it twice -- with white ink on kraft paper and kraft ink on white paper.  And I took the latter and cut it out and popped it off the card front.  So easy!

Supplies:  Hero Arts stamps, Chalk ink, Brilliance white ink, Memories black ink, Bazzill cardstock, string (Hobby Lobby)

Stay tuned over the next few days for more cards from class.

Happy July 4th! Let's celebrate with a giveaway!

I love this holiday.  To me it's about country, family, freedom and the many blessings that we as Americans enjoy.   I hope this holiday is filled with festivities and fun for you!

I would love to hear what you love about July 4th!  Or for you to share any fun plans that you have for this great holiday. (and if you aren't in the US just stop in and say hi!  :-)  )  I will randomly draw a winner from all of the posts on Saturday night and you will receive a copy of Autumn Leaves' Designing with Greetings card book.   SO many great ideas in it.  Good luck!  (And who knows... I may just give away several of these books!)

Happy Birthday Melissa!

Today is Melissa P's birthday and I thought I'd wish her a great one by making a card that is totally inspired by her!   OK, not nearly as good as her cards but it has some signature Melissa touches....  Beautiful patterned paper and a gorgeous ribbon bow with a button sewn on.   I know her cards when I see that element.  Gorgeous! And I've been wanting to try it.  Have a wonderful day Melissa!

Supplies:  October Afternoon patterned paper, Bo Bunny dots paper, Hero Arts stamps and pearls, May Arts ribbon, Tres Jolie button, Penny Black greeting stamp, Marvy Scallop circle punch, Prisma pencils, Diamond Stickles, Chalk Ink

Hi there Samuel

OK, at least I have ONE card done for Jennifer's card drive!  Better then nothing huh?  Have you seen the new lines from Autumn Leaves?  This is the boy collection and it has the cutest embellishments.  I'm anxious to play some more with it.

Supplies:  Bazzill cardstock, Autumn Leaves paper and stickers, Ribbon (NA)

It's a Girl!

I loved this Stampin Up set as soon as I saw it!   So fun! 

Supplies:  Bazzill cardstock, Stampin Up paper and stamp, MME Tres Jolie buttons,  Prisma pencils, Hero Arts gems

I was wondering ... does anyone else procrastinate on making cards sometimes?  I LOVE cardmaking and anything to do with this wonderful hobby.  But sometimes I put off going into my studio to create.  And I have no idea why!   I planned to make at least the 3 cards for Jennifer M's card drive this weekend.  Did I?  No... And I've officially run out of weekend.  Ridiculous I say... :-)

Photo card

I think it's fun to send a photo card with the recipient's picture on it -- or a picture of me with them if I have it.  Here is a fun technique --- print out the photo in black and white and in color.   Cut out the part of the photo that you want to highlight from the color photo and adhere to the black and white.  Makes that part that you want the eye to focus on pop out.  

Supplies:   Stampin Up paper, Michae's ribbon, SEI buttons

So do you design cards around buttons?

I do!  Found these adorable buttons on Etsy... click here to see them.   Could I do something similar on buttons.  Uh... probably.  But I knew I wouldn't!  So I bought a bunch from this Etsy seller and they are so fun.   You now also see that in addition to Bo Bunny dotted paper I collect Michaels' polka dot ribbons!   Seemed to go so well with the bright buttons. 

Card drive for kids

A few days ago I told you about a card drive that Jennifer M was planning to support her brother in law's family after the loss of his father.   She has posted the details here.  And in typical Jennifer fashion :-),  not only are we doing something nice for someone else, she is offering something nice in return - prizes!    Win, win, huh?  If you're interested in being a part of it, head on over to her blog.

And, yes, I do realize that this is the 2nd post in one day that sends you to Jennifer's blog.  Maybe I'll turn this into the Jennifer blog annex and just keep posting for you to go see what she's up to?  :-)  Always good stuff there -- but I'm sure most of you already know that!  :-)

If you want to smile today....

(and who doesn't),  head over to Jennifer McGuire or Lisa Russo's blog and watch the cool video they have both posted.   It is worth it -- promise!

I challenge you...

When Jennifer and I go to crops or scrapbook getaways we sometimes challenge each other to use weird product combinations or products that aren't usually our style.   Sometimes we're nice and sometimes we are just wicked!  :-)  Of course, I can throw the most ridiculous stuff at her and she makes something fabulous with it.  Not so much with me all the time... :-)   Here is a card from one of those challenges where she told me to use this patterned paper.  Not my style AT ALL -- hence the challenge!  But it was fun to play. (please forgive the bad scan job!)