Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Stuck On U Sketches Umbrella Card

I have a confession to make to you regarding this next card. That little umbrella and duck come from a stamp set that I've owned for at least 2 or 3 years and have yet to ink up. Soooo when I saw this next challenge labelled UMBRELLA over at Stuck On U Sketches, I knew it was time to take it out and ink it up.
Recipe:
Paper: Sophia (retired), Sweet Leaf CS, Hollyhock CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Card Word Puzzle, Springtime (retired) (CTMH)
Inks: Vintage Sepia (Versa Fine), Hollyhock (CTMH)
Tools: Watercolor Pencils, Honey Alcohol Marker Set, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Micro-Tip Scissors, Paper-Piercer, Blending Pen (CTMH), Circle Stax Die (MFT), Scallop Circle Die (Spellbinders)
I think this card turned out super sweet. I used an old sketch I pinned from Try Stampin' On Tuesday. This was another card that actually went together pretty quick. I had die cut the circles earlier in the day for another card but decided to use smaller ones for that card, and luckily this sketch came to the rescue and I was able to combine these die cuts with the umbrella challenge.

Thanks for stopping by today. Hope you have a wonderful day.

Casandra

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Sketch-y Friday Fall Fever Layout

Good morning. If you follow my blog regularly, you know that I am a Close To My Heart crafter. So rarely do I ever find a kit by another company that I like as well as CTMH. But gosh, I couldn't resist this adorable Fall Fever kit by Echo Park. Like really?! Owls...woodgrain paper...need I say more?
Recipe:
Paper: Fall Fever (Echo Park), Sky CS, Sweet Leaf CS, Sorbet CS (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH)
Other: Colonial White Bitty Brads (retired), Chocolate Embroidery Floss (retired) (CTMH), Fall Fever Stickers (Echo Park)

Call me crazy, but I hand cut that blue scallop paper from a Magic template I had laying around. Sometimes, a little fussy cutting is just what the doctor ordered. I hand-stitched at the top to give it some extra dimension.

I found this sketch the other day at ScrapMuch? blog. My untouched Echo Park kit came immediately to mind. I love this woodgrain paper and wanted it to be the star of the show. The bones of this layout went together in under 15 minutes. I spent an hour with my hubby on the couch watching Building Wild on Saturday night as I stitched away. He thinks I'm crazy to stitch on paper. LOL

I plan to use a couple of cute pic's I got of the kids back in November sitting up on a trailer we haul wood with. I think it may have been the last day we stacked wood before snow came. My daughter got busy flexing her muscles and telling me that she was strong because she drinks lots of milk. :) Have a great day!

Casandra

Monday, February 24, 2014

TSOT#156 Lollydoodle Card

Hello. I am back again today with a card I just finished making. I didn't want to miss the Try Stampin' On Tuesday Challenge #156 deadline.
Recipe:
Paper: Lollydoodle, Slate CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Girls Rock, Greatest Love (CTMH)
Inks: Blush, Sorbet, Cotton Candy (CTMH), Black (Versa Fine)
Tools: Circle Stax Die (MFT), Scallop Circle Die (Spellbinders), Cricut Art Philosophy, Dots Embossing Folder, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH)
Other: Sorbet, Blush, Cotton Candy Brads (retired), Clear Sparkles (CTMH)

I would also like to enter this card into the Fantabulous Cricut FCCB Challenge #199. This week's challenge is All About You: Use Your Favorite Colors. Our new Lollydoodle paper pack is cheerful and makes me happy each time I use it. I don't think I would miss our brads as much, if we could get enamel dots in every color we carry. Until that happens, I guess I will be digging into my hoarded brad stash. 

This card makes me think of my Grandma. Whenever I think of her, I see her sitting at her kitchen table singing some of her favorite hymn's. Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art were 2 of her very favorites. She loved it when I cross-stitched and made friendship bracelets as a teenager. I think she would have loved that I am now a papercrafter. 

I'm going to enjoy the quiet until the kids come home. They were both home sick most of last week, so this is my first day in a week getting quiet time to myself. Have a great rest of your day!

Casandra

DS139 Greatest Love Card

I waited patiently on Saturday for the Dynamic Duos color challenge to be posted. They didn't disappoint. I paired it with the latest sketch from Deconstructed Sketch. Check out this next card:
Recipe:
Paper: Splendor (retired), Claire (retired), White Daisy CS, Hollyhock CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Greatest Love (CTMH)
Ink: Sunset Pigment Ink (CTMH), Black (Versa Fine)
Tools: Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Corner Rounder (CTMH), Circle Stax Dies (MFT)
Other: Sunset Brads (retired), Green Sassy Strands (retired) (CTMH)
I tried out a technique I saw recently on a Youtube video from Close To My Heart. I took a Sunset (Orange) mini pigment ink pad and swiped it back and forth until I got the desired depth of color. I wasn't sure if I liked it at first, but once it dried, I'm actually loving the bold color combo of this card. It's fresh and vibrant.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have a great week!

Casandra

Saturday, February 22, 2014

FMS124 Ariana Card

Good afternoon. I spent a couple of hours today in my craft room. The first card I created uses this week's sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.
Recipe:
Paper: Ariana, Outdoor Denim CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: TLC (retired) (CTMH)
Ink: Outdoor Denim (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer (CTMH)

Other: Outdoor Denim and Sky Brads (retired) (CTMH)
Sitting right on the top of my scraps pile was this patterned paper from Ariana, and it paired perfectly with this week's Color Throwndown Challenge. I can never have too many thinking of you cards. Have a wonderful day. 

Casandra

Friday, February 21, 2014

MFTWSC164 Bee Happy Card

I am back with my second post today; this time, it's a crafty one. :)

I made this card last night and used My Favorite Things MFTWSC164 sketch as my inspiration.
Recipe:
Paper: Ariana, Creme Brulee CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Happy Hive (CTMH)
Ink: Vintage Sepia (Versa Fine)
Tools: Honey Alcohol Marker Set, Blush Alcohol Marker, Chocolate Marker (retired), Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Sanding Kit, Dots Embossing Folder (CTMH), Oval Die & Scallop Oval Die (Spellbinders)
Other: Smoothie, Olive and White Daisy Brads (retired), Foam Tape (CTMH)

Thank you kindly for stopping by my blog today. I wish you a wonderful day.

Casandra

Live a Life Inspired

Happy Friday to you. I hope you are staying warm today. I had to venture outside a little while ago to rescue my mail from the box. The wind is blowing fiercely right now, making the fresh snow that is coming down appear like white out conditions. We had freezing rain last night and the power was out from 8pm to 11pm. I am grateful to the electric company for working in those terrible conditions to restore our power. I'm just as thankful for my son who, along with his little sister, is scared of the dark. I was in one bedroom putting clean sheets back on the bed when it flickered a couple of times and went out. Jack quickly assessed the situation and began talking in a soothing voice to Izzy. I had managed to get to the doorway as the light flickered out that last time and talked to them until daddy came to the rescue with a flash light.

This brings me to my next story for you. A couple of weeks ago, at church, the Pastor talked about how our actions should speak louder than words. As his sermon continued, a couple of friends and family members popped into my head. I quickly grabbed a piece of paper and a pen out of my purse and jotted down names and what I wanted to do for them. A couple of days later, I carved out an hour from my work morning and began writing out thank you, thinking of you, and sympathy cards. Since that day, I have tried to make an out of the blue phone call to someone, sent more cards out, even wrote a lengthy childhood memory post to one of my cousins who suffers from Bell's Palsy syndrome, but has made it his mission in the past year to leave a kind post every morning on Facebook for his friends and family, wishing them a good day. I look forward to those posts the most, as they are guaranteed to bring a smile to my face. 

As I lay in bed last night, I thought about how maybe God was giving me a mission to inspire others. I cried a little as I thought about the personal losses I've suffered in the past 3 years. But then this phrase popped into my head..."Live A Life Inspired". The tears stopped, and I began to think about what good deeds I could do for others. 

Maybe this gift I have been given to create cards and scrapbook layouts can be put to better use. I want to challenge you, if you've taken the time to read this, to "Live a Life Inspired", too. If you are a papercrafter, like me, what can you do for others? I believe this idea transcends being a good Christian, whether that is your religion or not. It doesn't have to be a card, but maybe calling someone up out of the blue, maybe you can be the difference in someone else's life. You never know until you try.

Before I end this post, I want to share one of my favorite quotes.

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” - Gandhi

Have a great day!

Casandra

Thursday, February 20, 2014

CMCC#8 Easter Card

Well, good news here. My Izzy is finally feeling better and eating again after her tummy bug for the past few days. Jack is still sick with the croup; I must remember that it seems to peak at about day 5, but gosh it is worrisome to hear that horrible cough and last night I listened to him talk to himself in his sleep in between coughing. 

On another note, my husband is home early today and he and my father-in-law are out cleaning up snow and pushing back snow banks to prepare for the rain/sleet/snow mix we're supposed to get beginning this afternoon. I laughed this morning when I heard the radio DJ stating that it was supposed to get down to 29 degrees overnight. What planet has she been living on? That's a daytime high for February in Northern Michigan, so during the night(?)...yeah, I'll take it! But I'm sure you didn't come here to read the latest happenings in the Bennett household. 

I found a new challenge blog a few weeks ago and have been waiting for a color challenge that would fit with colors I have from Close To My Heart. This week's Colour Me! CMCC#8 Challenge was just what I was waiting for.
Recipe:
Paper: Miracle (retired), White Daisy CS, Sweet Leaf CS (CTMH), Kraft CS (MFT)
Stamp: Some Bunny (Hostess Exclusive) (CTMH)
Ink: Vintage Sepia (Versa Fine)
Tools: Heat Gun, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Watercolor Pencils, Blending Pen, Crystal Blue & Sweet Leaf Alcohol Marker Sets, Paper-Piercer, Scallop Border Punch (CTMH)
Other: Chocolate Bitty Brads (retired) (CTMH)

I couldn't help myself; this stamped image was begging for a little yellow. Have a happy, crafty day! And if you get a chance, play along with this wonderful new challenge. You have until Monday, February 24th at 12pm EST. 

Casandra

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

FM147 Unicorn Card

I simply couldn't resist making one more card for the Friday Mashup FM147 Spritzy Challenge. Monday night, after a full day of working, grocery shopping (Have I ever mentioned I don't like this part? It eats into my crafty budget. LOL), making dinner, tucking kids into bed, I finally managed to get into the craft room to create this fun card.
Recipe:
Paper: Ivy Lane, Hollyhock CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Unicorn Dreams (Hostess Exclusive) (CTMH)
Inks: Hollyhock, Smokey Plum (CTMH)
Tools: Oval Die & Oval Scallop Die (Spellbinders), Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Spray Pen, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH)
Other: Purple Sparkle Gems (CTMH)

My little girl loves unicorns, and that sentiment is something I swear I've heard her say before. 

I don't know if you can tell from the picture, but I heat embossed the unicorn and then spritzed over it with purple ink. I didn't want the spray to make my unicorn (ink) bleed. Something for you to think about, should you decide to give this technique a try. A pigment ink, once set, would probably not bleed, but I haven't tried that version yet. Have a great day. Thanks for stopping by.

Casandra

FMS121 Laughing Lola Card

Sadly, I missed the Freshly Made Sketches deadline for this next card. But I decided to share it with you anyway.
Recipe:
Paper: Laughing Lola, Black CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Ivy Lane WOTG (CTMH)
Inks: Crystal Blue, Hollyhock (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Clear Detail Embossing Powder (retired), Heat Gun (retired) (CTMH), Circle Stax Dies (MFT)
Other: White Daisy Embroidery Floss (retired), Laughing Lola Gems (retired), Foam Tape (CTMH)

It's probably not noticeable in the photo, but I heat embossed the sentiment label. This paper makes really awesome cards every single time. Have a great day!

Casandra

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

DS134 Surf's Up Card

Today, I want to share a card I created for the Deconstructed Sketch 134 Challenge.
Recipe:
Paper: Surf's Up (retired), White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Under The Sea (retired) (CTMH)
Ink: Chocolate (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Sweet Leaf, Blush, Honey, Crystal Blue Alcohol Marker Sets (CTMH), Circle Stax Die (MFT)
Other: Clear Sparkles (CTMH)

My customers are always asking me how I know what paper and stamp set to use, so here's a little insight as to how I come up with paper and stamp pairings. I started out thinking that I would make this card with flowers, but as I sat staring at my scrap pile, Surf's Up really stood out to me. From there, I saw the blue bubble paper and just knew I had to pair it with my sweet little fishies. 

I have really been enjoying using my new alcohol markers, so I'm sad that I must share the news that they are being discontinued as inventory sells out. I just know CTMH will bring out something even better this summer, so I will console myself with the sets I do have until then. Have a great day!

Casandra


Monday, February 17, 2014

FM147 Roar Card

Happy Monday to you! I am back today with a card I created for The Friday Mashup! FM147 Challenge.
Recipe:
Paper: Later Sk8r (retired), Outdoor Denim CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Roar (retired)
Inks: Outdoor Denim, Pear (CTMH)
Tools: Oval Die (Spellbinders), Scallop Oval Die (Spellbinders), Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH)
Other: Foam Tape, Clear Sparkles (CTMH)

I love quick cards, and this card sketch was just that. I really needed some extra little boy cards for my card stash. Yay for dinosaurs. :) Have a great day!

Casandra

Sunday, February 16, 2014

VLVFEB2014 Lollydoodle Card

I am so, so excited to share this next card with you. This is my favorite new card. 
Recipe:
Paper: Lollydoodle, White Daisy CS, Slate CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Love You Forever (retired), TLC (retired) (CTMH)
Inks: Black (Tsuniko), Juniper, Sunset, Slate (CTMH)
Tools: Doily Lace Die (Spellbinders), Circle Stax Die (MFT), Clear-Detail Embossing Powder (retired), Heat Gun (retired), Micro-Tip Scissors, Paper-Piercer, Blending Pen, Blush Alcohol Marker Set (CTMH)
Other: White Daisy Bitty Brads (retired), White Daisy Embroidery Floss (retired), Blush Button (retired)
I would like to enter my card into the following challenge:

1) Viva La Verve VLVFEB2014 Challenge

I am not going to enter into the Color My Heart challenge, because I mistakenly read Sunset instead of Sorbet. Oops. Isn't this card cute, though? I did some heat embossing, coloring with our blending pen and ink pads, and used some die cuts. 

Casandra

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Muse #54 Clementine Card

Good evening. I hope you are all enjoying your weekend. I have been lucky enough to spend the past two days in my craft room. 
Recipe:
Paper: Clementine (retired), Ivy Lane, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Love Blooms (retired), Words of Comfort (CTMH)
Inks: Chocolate, Sorbet, Garden Green (retired) (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Watercolor Pencils, Corner Rounder (CTMH)
Other: New England Ivy Bitty Brads (retired) (CTMH)
I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

1) Muse Challenge #54
2) My Favorite Things MFTWSC163 Challenge

When I saw the Muse card for this week, I knew exactly what stamp set I wanted to use. I won this stamp set almost 2 years ago and have never inked it up. This provided the perfect opportunity. That Clementine paper is still one of my all-time favorites. I will be sad when it's gone. 

Have a great night!

Casandra

Friday, February 14, 2014

RS#101 Valentine Card

I am lucky enough to be spending the day with my three Valentines, since there is no school today, and even hubby has the day off from work.

I found a sketch yesterday at Retro Sketches that I really liked and I had an instant idea in mind for. Love when that happens.
Recipe:
Paper: Buzz and Bumble (retired), White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Happy Hive, Bee Mine Petite Perks (retired) (CTMH)
Ink: Chocolate (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Glue Pen, Honey Alcohol Marker Set, Blush Alcohol Marker, Chocolate Marker (CTMH)
Other: Cocoa Bitty Brads (retired), White Daisy Embroidery Floss (retired), Foam Tape (CTMH)

When I saw the Happy Hive stamp set, I just couldn't resist it. Close To My Heart is celebrating their 30th Anniversary this year, and as part of the celebration, Jeanette Lynton  is releasing some favorite stamp sets from archives, that were previously only available in rubber mount. I did some paper-piecing to achieve this layered effect. Hope you like.

Casandra

Thursday, February 13, 2014

DS138 Valentine Card

Tonight, while kids were busy playing and daddy was getting in some tv time, I snuck off to my craft room. 
Recipe:
Paper: For Always (retired), White Daisy CS, Black CS, Crystal Blue CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Whooo's Your Valentine (retired), Words of Comfort (CTMH)
Inks: Crystal Blue, Black (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors
Other: Clear Sparkles, Sparkle Flourish, Foam Tape (CTMH)

I love that this isn't your typical Valentine's Day card; in fact, it could really be used for any day. I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

1) Deconstructed Sketch #138 Challenge
2) Inspired By #107 Challenge

One of my high school friends is a military wife. Her husband is currently serving in Korea and she won't see him again until this Summer. I saw her Facebook post today and it made me sad to think that she can't spend tomorrow with her sweetheart. I am choosing to be grateful just to have my family all together tomorrow, whether we do anything special or not. God bless our military and their families. 

Happy Valentine's Day.

Casandra

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

H2H Hearts Galore Challenge

This week's "Hearts Galore Challenge" over at H2H pairs perfectly with my next project.
I had all of these lovely scraps left over from my Ivy Lane packet, and noticed that the Reflections Main Frame - Quilt Blocks pattern used 1 3/4 x 1 3/4 size squares, which was the exact same size square from the new Inspiration Flourishes stamp set. A perfect fit. 

It's confession time: I didn't really care for that Ivy Lane Green cardstock until I did this layout. It pops beautifully against the bamboo of the base. 

Recipe:
Paper: Ivy Lane, Ivy Lane Green CS, Bamboo CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Inspiration Flourishes, Whooo's Your Valentine (retired), It's Your Day (retired) (CTMH)
Inks: Smokey Plum, Hollyhock, Sweet Leaf, Black (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH)
Other: Purple Glitter Gems, White Embroidery Floss (CTMH)

I wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day.

Casandra

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Ivy Lane Workshop

I have been so busy with work this week, that crafty time has been relegated to the back burner. When this happens, work is more of a drag than normal. Hehe. Do you feel this way, too?

So, I'm back today with the rest of my Ivy Lane layouts. Close To My Heart's artists are top notch in my book, and I have to say they really outdid themselves with the Level 2 layouts. I would never have thought to add all the extra pennants to the base layouts. 

I decided to skip the washi tape and resin flowers, and then made a photo a little bigger on the 2nd layout since there was a little wiggle room. The best part about these layouts is the photo mats. They don't look like they are just floating on the pages. And they help take the guess work out of photo placement once you get home. 

And folks, can you believe I sanded those papers? My fingernails are evidence in case it's not noticeable on the layouts. LOL But I have to ask a favor of you: Don't tell my Father-In-Law that I was busy sanding on paper this week, okay? He kept asking me to help sand drywall at his house, and I kept telling him how busy I was. Haha.

I adapted this next layout from a Studio J template.
I love the feminine feel that these papers have. They are so much more than just Valentine's and love theme. As you can see from my examples, I used them for back to school photos, and summertime photos. I'm so glad I don't scrapbook in sequence. It was fun to pull out photos from 2010. 

Thanks for stopping by. If you would like to order any of the Ivy Lane products you see here, please visit my website. You can have items shipped directly to you. We have a wonderful promotion going on right now, too, called Embossing is Boss.
Have a wonderful day! Stay crafty, my friends.

Casandra

Friday, February 7, 2014

Something Sweet Layout

For the past week, I have been working on my Ivy Lane Workshop layouts, and finally finished them up last night. I even have photos and journaling on them, which is rare for me. But I have made it my mission for 2014 to scrapbook with a purpose.

Today, in my meanderings of the blog world, I found another new scrapbook sketch site (well, new to me). It is called Stuck On U Sketches. (How cute is that?!) Their challenge this week is to create a project with "Something Sweet". 



Recipe: 
Paper: Ivy Lane, Cocoa CS, Olive CS, White Daisy CS, Hollyhock CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Fanfare (retired), Sophia (retired), It's Your Day (retired), Ivy Lane WOTG (CTMH)
Inks: Smokey Plum, Cocoa, Olive, Hollyhock (CTMH)
Tools: Cricut Art Philosophy, Micro-Tip Scissors, Paper-Piercer, Scallop Border Punch, Sanding Kit (CTMH)
Other: Cocoa Bitty Brads (retired), Foam Tape, Purple Sparkle Gems (CTMH)

Tip of the day: A quick way to add lines to your journaling spot is to simply lay your paper out on your trimmer, and if it comes with a scoring blade, add scored lines to it every 1/4" or 1/2" as shown here. Super quick; no stamping required.

Have a wonderful day. I will be back tomorrow with more Ivy Lane artwork, so please stay tuned.

Casandra