Manly Mojo/ Mojo Monday #255

My new goal for classes is to have at least one "masculine" card for each one.  I've considered having an all masculine class, but I think I like the sprinkling idea even better. Then folks will always have at least one on hand (& I don't need to think of five masculine designs all at once!).  So, this week's Mojo Monday sketch needed to go manly for me.  I found inspiration in an unexpected place--- Floral District designer paper.  With so many blossoms, I didn't think I could find a design that work work for my manly theme.  However, one of the "B" sides worked just great.  All it needed was a little bit of soft suede sponged around the edges.  It's hard to believe I used to dislike this color.  Now I use it ALL the time!  I went with the distressed look on my stamped piece.  My distressing tool took care of the edges & my color spritzer added just enough to my repeated stamps.  I even think the accidental stamping of the edge of this stamp adds to the distressed look.   That's why I didn't redo it.  I am the Accidental Stamper after all.  My very favorite part of this card is the combo of the embossed scallops & the pierced ones along the side.  It was such a fun alternative to a punched piece of paper.  The card didn't really need another layer & this way I could include that element more subtly (and use even more toys!).

Floral District Mojo/ Mojo Monday #254

This is one of the first signs I may actually be getting back into gear: I completed my Mojo Monday card on MONDAY.  That hasn't happened in a long while. :)  Tomorrow is the start of a new school year for me and I hope to get off on the right foot.  Hence actually focusing on my Mojo Monday sketch.  I know my organization is bound to deteriorate as a new job begins, but I wanted to start with things as well off as possible.  That way, they have a lot further to go! :)  I've been eyeing this pattern from the Floral District designer paper ever since it arrived as part of my title benefit bundle.  Isn't it lovely?  I knew I wanted to create something elegant with it.  However, I was struggling a bit until I added Night of Navy to my color mix.  Originally, I had a Tangerine Tango pennant on the far right, but that just wasn't doing the trick.  I was inspired by some simple Night of Navy Grosgrain ribbon and decided to sponge my layers with Night of Navy as well.  The overall effect could work for any occasion from birthday to sympathy.  I like to keep things versatile because you never know what sort of card you'll need next.  Do you recognise the leaf stamped on the small rectangle?  It's from the Language of Friendship set & is designed to punch out using the XL Bird Punch.  I just inked that bit of the image with my markers so the leaf could fly solo on this card.  Perhaps I would punch some leaves to go with it next time around?  We'll see what folks decide to do at class this month.  I bet no two cards look alike.  That's one of my favorite parts of class!

Scallop Circle Flower Throwdown/ Color Throwdown #204

It's such fun to see a photo of something that makes you think "I want to try THAT" and then sitting down and doing just that!  In this month's Stampin' Success (the magazine just for SU demos...let me know if you want to join the team so you can get inspired each month too!) they pictured a flower made from lots of little scalloped circles and glued together using hot glue & the new Silicone Craft sheet.  Well, I just had to give it a try since my very own Silicone Craft Sheet arrived this week along with my new glue gun.  Such fun!  I went over to the folks at The Color Throwdown for color inspiration & found this week's pallet includes Poppy Parade, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Gray & Very Vanilla.  Since I really wanted to use pearls on this card, I replaced the Very Vanilla with Whisper White & then just went for it!  I've never used hot glue with paper crafting before.  Wow, was that easy!  And no hassle at all thanks to my Silicone Sheet.   I didn't even have to worry about burning myself because I could glue straight on to the sheet.  No need to hold anything and glue at the same time.  Excellent!  I was a little startled to find that I have four different sizes of scallop circle punch now.  How about that?  Oh, and there is also the scallop circle Big Shot Die.  Tee hee... I love creating layers!!  This card ended up as an easy show stopper!  I don't think it'll fit in an envelope though...

Fall Jar Project

Well, this was about the most fun crafting ever!  I decided I was going to attempt a project with my new Autumn Accents die & thought I would try the wreath pictured in Stampin' Success (the demo only magazine from SU).  So, I went off to buy a wreath form.  While shopping for one, I saw a display of canning jars and inspiration struck!  I went home to play with one of my jars & a bunch of leaves/acorns created via my Autumn Accents die.  Oh, and most importantly, with my first ever purchase of burlap.  (The kind lady at the fabric counter was very patient with me as a total novice at buying fabric by the yard.)  Running burlap through the Big Shot is hands down my favorite thing of the moment.  It cuts so cleanly and gives these great little accents.  Love them! I'm sure you'll see them featured in a card soon.  After fiddling a bit with crinkling leaves, spritzing with gold, and stuffing my jar I had an excellent little fall accent.  I can't wait to put it on my mantle!  I think it's a prime candidate for a September project class, what do you think?

It's Bigger on the Inside?

Some times you just need to meld the geek in your life with the crafty bit of your life.  That happened to me when I realized the ONLY card that would do for my friend's birthday was one that featured Dr. Who.  So, I decided to consult the crafty folks in the know and found a great tutorial at Crafty Cow Creations--- "how to make a Dr Who card" .  What could be more perfect?  Of course, I had to modify things just a bit AND I simply had to add a Tardis.  What is the Doctor with out his Tardis?  Now, I have new toys that would have made things even easier.  At long last, Stampin' Up has self adhesive googles!!  Yeahy!  I'm a huge fan of things with google eyes, so you know I ordered those little guys right away.  I also have a silver Stampin' Dazzle Marker which would have made the wording look ever so much better than the white crayon I used.  But that's ok.  Sometimes the Doctor just can't wait.

Good, Better, Best/ Color Throwdown #203

 I let my card for the Color Throwdown this week sort of evolve from good, to better, & finally to best by adding a bit of bling each time. I modified the colors just a bit this week and went with Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green, Tangerine Tango, Crumb Cake, & Marina Mist.  Boy do they ever look like summer to me! I've found a couple of new stampin' obsessions lately.  One is the Lacy Brocade folder from pg 6 of the new Holiday catalog.  It's my new very favorite as you can see from this card. I'm also super into the Vintage Faceted Buttons.  They add fun subtle bling that just makes the card pop.  We'll do the "better" version of this card in class at the end of the month, but you can always upgrade your card to "best" by ordering some of these great buttons.  I'm already almost through my first box!

Jerry's Core'dinations Birthday

Welcome to August and the start of the Holiday Mini Catalog season!  Today is also my father-in-law's birthday.  So, to kick off both events in style I created a birthday card for Jerry with some of my new toys from the Holiday Mini.  I started out with the super exciting Core'dinations cardstock. This cardstock comes in three colors (Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, & Gumball Green) and has a slightly lighter shade hidden in its core.  Hence the name.  The hidden layer comes out when you texturize &/or sand the paper.  I did both here to bring out the sort of Crumb Cake layer beneath.  For sanding I Used the new Stampin' Sanding System you can also find in the Holiday mini.  I also used a few new Big Shot toys on this card. The Wood grain embossing folder was simply a must as was the Lacy Brocade (used on the large leaf).  Speaking of the large leaf, that lovely maple leaf is part of the Autumn Accents Die you'll find on pg 33 of the mini catalog.  Never fear, there is a coordinating stamp set for that die.  Stampin' Up makes things so easy!  Visit my website to view the new holiday mini catalog or contact me today to get your own copy!