FMS129 Masculine Birthday Card

Hello and Happy Sunday to you. I have been enjoying some warmer temps here for the past 2 days, as well as lots of gorgeous sunshine. In what appears to be our first true sign of Spring, my son is finally sporting a new smile. Since last August, he has been missing his two front teeth. Even the dentist thought they would come in by Christmas, but it wasn't to be. I was beginning to wonder if we'd be singing "All I want for Christmas...." again this year. LOL One stubborn tooth finally dropped down and we praised the Lord for it today at lunch. :)

Isn't he cute? 

Now, onto crafty news....

Yesterday, I had my first card workshop since November. It was so nice to visit with my crafty friends and just enjoy the day. Today, I couldn't resist creating another card. I have really been on a masculine card kick lately. I think it's that awesome chicken wire embossing folder. It makes these cards so easy.

Recipe:
Paper: Skylark, Black CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Perfect Fit - Birthday, Perfect Fit - Frames 2
Inks: Lagoon Pigment (CTMH), Black (VersaFine)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Gun (CTMH), Chicken Wire Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug)
Other: Black Brads (American Crafts)

I have been wanting to do one of these Tic-Tac-Toe Challenges for some time. Just like the game, you get to choose "3 boxes" down, across, or diagonally. I obviously chose diagonally (such a rebel, LOL) - Birthday, Patterned Paper, Any Shade of Blue.

So, I would like to enter this card into Freshly Made Sketches FMS129 Challenge, as well as The Paper Players PP189 Challenge.

I wish you all a wonderful day and I would like to leave you with something to ponder, since I had such a wonderful, inspired morning at church today. "Go in peace...." James 2:16

Your friend, 
Casandra

CMCC#12 Sympathy Card

Hello and good morning. I hope you are well on this Sunday. I spent the weekend preparing for my card workshop, but I managed to sneak a little creative time in just for me, too.

Sympathy cards are my least favorite theme to make; I'm sure that I am not alone in that. As I was putting the final touches on this card, it wasn't my first thought, but the soft, subtle tones inspired me. 

I used the current Atlantic Hearts Sketch and combined it with the Colour Me CMCC#12 Challenge.

Recipe:
Paper: Miracle (retired), Skylark, Heavenly Blue CS (retired), Lagoon CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Lovely As A Tree (SU!), Card Chatter-Sympathy (retired) (CTMH)
Inks: Lagoon Pigment, Lagoon, Garden Green (retired), Heavenly Blue (retired), VersaMark (CTMH)
Tools: White Embossing Powder, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Sponges, Paper-Piercer, Scallop Border Punch (CTMH)
Other: White Baker's Twine, Heavenly Blue Brads (both retired) (CTMH)

I must admit that I am loving the emboss resist effect. I wish I had more scenery stamps in my collection. Have a great week!

Casandra

CTS#69 Thinking of You Card

How are you today? I'm still trying to wrap my brain around it being Spring now when I still see piles of snow out my windows.

I created a quick card using CAS(E) this Sketch #69.

Recipe:
Paper: Paper Fundamentals, Twilight CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Soul Mates (retired), Lifting Spirits (CTMH)
Inks: Black, Twilight (CTMH)
Tools: Heat Gun, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH), Scallop Die (Spellbinders)
Other: Foam Tape, White Brads (retired) (CTMH)

I am in love with our new paper fundamentals paper. The embossed part of the paper has such a smooth, glossy feel, and it shines. You can see that shine in my photo. I kept this pretty simple and the card literally went together in under 20 minutes. As was the case yesterday, I used some scraps that were sitting out on my desk. Sometimes it pays off not filing papers away each time in a bin. :)

Casandra

MOJO337 Birthday Card

Last night, it was so quiet in my house. These moments can be few and far between at times, so I latched onto and sat down to create a birthday card. I decided not to over think it or try to combine too many challenges. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't. I grabbed a couple of scraps I thought to be about the right size and that complimented each other.

This is what I came up with:

Recipe:
Paper: Ivy Lane, Balloon Ride, White Daisy CS (CTMH), Kraft (MFT)
Stamps: Perfect Fit - Birthday, Perfect Fit - Frames 2, Chantilly Card WOTG (retired)
Inks: Sweet Leaf, Sorbet, Crystal Blue, Chocolate (CTMH)
Tools: Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Scallop Border Punch, Paper-Piercer (CTMH)
Other: Olive Mini-Medley (retired), White Baker's Twine (retired), White Embroidery Floss (retired) (CTMH)

I used the current Mojo Monday #337 sketch as my inspiration. I had some long scraps that I trimmed off and decided to use them in a unique way for the inside of my card.

So, I have been busy making cards (some of which you've seen over the past 3 weeks or so) for my upcoming card workshop next Saturday. To be perfectly candid, I have been having trouble getting customers to commit to attending any of my workshops. I am not sure what else to do. I think I have been making quite a nice variety of cards that would fit masculine or feminine themes. I am feeling discouraged today. For those of you that hold workshops, what works best for you? I would love your input. You may even private message me through email if you would prefer. 

On another note, if you see anything you like and would like to purchase either a pre-made card, or a kit to assemble, please contact me. I will give a special reduced rate to help offset the costs of shipping a kit to you. Thank you so much.

Casandra

Color Dare #86 Masculine Cards

I have exciting news to share with you. Color My Heart has asked me to be a Guest Designer this week. I am deeply honored and have the utmost respect for these weekly designers as they continue to inspire others. As you can see from the picture below, the colors that you must use are Ponderosa Pine, New England Ivy and Goldrush.

I decided to create 2 cards using this color combination because, quite frankly, they are not my typical go-to colors and it can be a struggle to come up with masculine card designs. But that's the beauty of this challenge; to challenge us to use color combinations we wouldn't typically think up on our own. You are welcome to incorporate neutral colors into your design.

Recipe: (All products by CTMH)
Paper: Timberline, Sarita, Flirty (retired), Bamboo CS, Chocolate CS, Colonial White CS 
Stamps: Chantilly Card WOTG (retired), Camper Crazy, Catch U Later, Card Chatter-Sympathy (retired)
Inks: New England Ivy, Chocolate, Goldrush
Tools: Blending Pen, Heat Gun, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Paper-Piercer, New England Ivy Marker, Whisper Alcohol Marker
Other: New England Ivy brads (retired), Bamboo brads (retired), Chocolate Embroidery Floss (retired)

I encourage you to participate in this challenge. Thank you for stopping by. Have a fun-filled, crafty weekend!

Casandra

CTS #68 Bee Happy Card

Good morning. My daughter informed me yesterday that the other Kindergarten class had traps set out for the Leprechaun, and when I asked her why, she said it was to get the Leprechaun's gold. Hmm....

This morning, my children were so cooperative and helpful in getting ready for school. I heard "You're the best Jack in the world!" followed by "You're the best Izzy in the world." Awe. :)

When I saw the current color challenge at Dynamic Duos, I thought of honey bees. I paired the color challenge with the current sketch over at CAS(E) this Sketch! Did you notice the black paper has a glossy embossed texture to it? It's from a new paper line we are carrying called "Paper Fundamentals". I'm hoping to see more of this in our next idea book that will be out this summer. Maybe some Christmas colors(?)....

Recipe:
Paper: Mayberry (retired), Paper Fundamentals, White Daisy CS, Black CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Happy Hive, Delicate Wings Petite Perks (retired) (CTMH)
Inks: Black (VersaFine)
Tools: Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Glue Pen, Prisma Glitter, Honey Alcohol Marker, Black Watercolor Pencil, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH), Oval Die and Scallop Oval Die (Spellbinders)

I would also like to enter this card into The Paper Players "Spring" Clean and Simple Challenge. Have a terrific Tuesday! Bee happy!

Casandra

FMS127 Birthday Card

I'm back this morning with a quick post because I have to get the kids off to school. 

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #127 inspired me with this next card.

Recipe:
Paper: Skylark, Ivy Lane, Lagoon CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Chantilly Cardmaking WOTG, You Are My Happy (retired) (CTMH)
Inks: Lagoon (CTMH), Black (VersaFine)
Tools: Heat Gun, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Sweet Leaf Alcohol Marker, Crystal Blue Alcohol Marker, Honey Alcohol Marker, Micro-Tip Scissors, Paper-Piercer (CTMH)
Other: Mocha Pearls (retired) (CTMH)

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I hope you have a wonderful Monday.

Casandra

MOJO336 A Tree Card

I mixed a little Skylark together with Ivy Lane for this next card. I have really been enjoying coloring in cards with my alcohol markers. It provides quick, vivid color like nothing else I've ever used.

Recipe:
Paper: Skylark, Ivy Lane, Bamboo CS, Lagoon CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: A Tree, Card Word Puzzle (CTMH)
Inks: Lagoon, Sweet Leaf, Bamboo (CTMH), Vintage Sepia (VersaFine)
Tools: Heat Gun, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Sweet Leaf Alcohol Marker, Crystal Blue Alcohol Marker Set, Honey Alcohol Marker (CTMH), Butterfly Embosslit Die (SU!), Circle Stax Die (MFT)
Other: Olive Taffeta Ribbon (SU!), Clear Sparkles (CTMH)

I am trying to make more cards with a generic theme, so that they could be used for anything in a pinch. I would like to enter this card into the current Mojo Monday #336 Challenge. Thanks for stopping by.

Casandra

TSOT 158 Perfect Day Card

Hi! I hope your weekend has been great. We had two birthday parties to attend this weekend, and I don't think I can eat another piece of cake again for a while. LOL

I am very excited to share my next card with you. I tried out a technique that I've been wanting to do for some time now. I heat embossed my stamping with white embossing powder and then sponged first in Twilight ink on the top half and sponged Bamboo ink on the bottom half. It really makes the embossed areas pop. I love nature scenes and am so glad that I bought this stamp set before it retired a few years back.

Recipe:
Paper: Florentine (retired), White Daisy CS, Twilight CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Perfect Day (retired) (CTMH)
Inks: Twilight, Bamboo, VersaMark (CTMH)
Tools: Sponges, Heat Gun, White Embossing Powder (CTMH), Embossing Folder (SU!)
Other: Chocolate Embroidery Floss, Glue Dots (CTMH), White Buttons (MFT)

I would like to enter this card into the Try Stampin' On Tuesday Challenge #158. Have a great week, my crafty friends.

Casandra

PP186 Wedding Card

Good morning. I have been thinking about Spring and Summer lately, and this in turn, always makes me think of weddings. Funnily enough, the last couple of weddings we were invited to happened to be in the Fall. Is Fall the new Summer? I can hardly follow wedding trends anymore when it seems like we are always up to our eyeballs in homework. Seriously, who decided that kids should have home work in kindergarten and second grade? But I digress. I shall share my latest piece of artwork with you. 

Recipe:
Paper: Pemberley (retired), Indian Corn Blue CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Newlyweds (CTMH)
Inks: Black (VersaFine), Honey (CTMH)
Tools: Sponge, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Crystal Blue Alcohol Marker, Honey Alcohol Marker, Whisper Alcohol Marker Set, Micro-Tip Scissors, Cricut Artiste Cartridge (CTMH)
Other: Silver Shimmer Trim, Silver Glitz Glue (retired) (CTMH)

I was inspired by the colors in the photo from The Paper Players Color Challenge #186. I'm trying to build up my Wedding card stash, because I always seem to run out of them all at once. Does this happen to you, too?

Casandra

Color Dare #84 Thank You Card

Hello! Is it Wednesday already? I have really been enjoying card challenges lately, and the next is no exception. Color My Heart's challenge this week is to use Sky, Sweet Leaf and Topiary colors on your project. 

I dug through my paper for something Sweet Leaf and came across the Dotty For You paper. I wasn't sure if I had any scraps of Topiary on hand, so I improvised by grabbing a sponge that I keep in the corner of my work area, Topiary ink pad, and a scrap of white daisy cardstock and inked it up to create my own Topiary cardstock. 

Recipe:
Paper: Dotty For You (retired), Sky CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: A True Thank You (CTMH)
Ink: Topiary, Sweet Leaf, Sky (CTMH)
Tools: Sweet Leaf Alcohol Marker, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Scallop Border Punch (CTMH), Cloud Embossing Folder (Darice)
Other: Topiary Mini-Chevron Ribbon, Clear Sparkles (CTMH), Green Embroidery Floss (DMC)

You may have noticed that I inked up the embossing folder before I embossed my sky cardstock. I like how it adds depth to my card.

I would also like to enter this into H2H Triple Play Challenge.

Have a wonderful, crafty day!

Casandra

JAI Sunburst Card

I'm starting to feel more like myself again today, I think. On the way to school this morning to drop my kids off, my 5-year-old was upset with her big brother for something, and she shrieked at him "Jack, stop it! You made me lose my mind!" I don't know where she comes up with this stuff sometimes, but it sure made me laugh. I then cranked up the radio so we could listen to my new Eric Church CD and the kids got busy headbanging like pro's in the back seat. 

Well, enough of that chatter, I have a quick card I'd like to share with you today. I created it for the Just Add Ink Sunburst Challenge.

Recipe:
Paper: Daydream (retired), Blush CS, Bamboo CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Card Chatter-Sympathy (retired) (CTMH)
Ink: Hollyhock (CTMH), Black (VersaFine)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Gun (CTMH)
Other: Purple Glitter Gems, Winter Cozy Sassy Strands (retired) (CTMH)

I'm not sure if I did this sunburst right. It seems simple enough, in theory. Most likely, I am over-thinking it. 

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have a sunshine-filled day.

Casandra

FMS126 Cards

Hello Monday. I confess to not being quite myself these past few days. I live in a small farming community where everyone is either related or very good friends. Last Thursday, as I drove home from work, it felt like my world turned upside down. A distant relative on my husband's side passed away and his death is being ruled as suspicious. He was a very kind man, with children that went to school with mine. I feel like our sense of security has been shattered, and I know it will take time to get it back, though surely my faith in God will aid me in that pursuit. Just truly a devastating thing to overcome. 

So, on Saturday, I determined to pick up where I left on and create a couple of cards for my next workshop. It has always been my crafty therapy. Here they are:

First Card:

Paper: Pemberley (retired), White Daisy CS (CTMH)

Stamp: Art Philosophy (CTMH)

Inks: Creme Brulee, Outdoor Denim (CS)

Tools: Scallop Circle Punch, Micro-Tip Scissors, Paper-Piercer (CTMH), Honeycomb Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug)

Other: Foam Tape, Bitty Pearls (CTMH), Yellow Ribbon

Second Card:

Paper: Sophia (retired), Sweet Leaf CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)

Stamp: Art Philosophy (CTMH)

Inks: Pear, Hollyhock (CTMH)

Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, (CTMH)

Other: Flamingo Dots (CTMH), Pink Embroidery Floss (DMC)

I am entering these cards into the Freshly Made Sketch Challenge #126. I would also like to enter the pink card into The Friday Mashup FM150 Seeing Stitches Challenge. Thank you for stopping by today. God bless.

Casandra

CTS#66 Skylark Thank You

Good morning to you. I think we are all doing well enough here today so the kids will be heading off to school and I guess I have to go to my day job. LOL

I made another card yesterday and played with it a bit, left it for several hours and came back to it. You ever have a project where you just feel like something is missing? That's how this card was for me, but I'm hoping I didn't take it too far the other way and make it too fussy.

Recipe:
Paper: Skylark, Skylark PML, Sweet Leaf CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Lifting Spirits, Casual Expressions (CTMH)
Ink: Lagoon, Sweet Leaf (CTMH), Vintage Sepia (Versa Fine)
Tools: Hexagon Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Heat Gun, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Sweet Leaf Alcohol Marker, Crystal Blue Alcohol Marker, Honey Alcohol Marker (CTMH)
Other: White Daisy Brads (retired), Stardust Glitz Glue (retired), Foam Tape (CTMH)

I tried out a technique one of my sister consultants, Karen Pedersen, posted on her blog where you swipe your ink pad to the inside of your embossing folder on the negative side. Then you run your paper through the embossing machine. What you are left with is a subtle shading of tone on tone ink in the negative spaces of your embossed paper. It may be a bit hard to notice from my photo. 

I liked the way the PML card had a blank space that was perfect for stamping my sentiment in. From there, I saw the chevron zip strip from my Skylark paper pack and knew I'd use that for the bottom border. After looking at the lacy part of the PML paper, I decided that it resembled clouds and that's when I made the decision to stamp the plane. Like I said, I hope I didn't overdo it by adding the clouds. It just felt too flat. 

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
1) CAS(E) this Sketch CTS #66 Challenge
2) Color My Heart Color Dare #83 Challenge
3) Moxie Fab Happy For Hexagons Challenge

So what do you think? Too fussy, or just right? Wait, where's Goldilocks? :)

Casandra

FMS125 Just Married Card

I am always on the look out for great wedding stamps. I couldn't resist this one, especially since it's just $2.95! What a steal!

Recipe:
Paper: Babycakes, Outdoor Denim CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Newlyweds (CTMH)
Ink: Black (Versa Fine), Outdoor Denim (CTMH)
Tools: Heat Gun, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Crystal Blue Alcohol Marker, Honey Alcohol Marker, Whisper Alcohol Marker, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Sponge, Dots Embossing Folder (CTMH), Circle Stax Die (MFT)
Other: Outdoor Denim Brads (retired), Outdoor Denim Chevron Ribbon, Irresistables Persnickety Journaling Spots (CTMH)

Freshly Made Sketches has a sketch this week that pairs perfectly with the Newlyweds stamp. If you would like to order your very own Newlyweds stamp set, please visit my website here. The paper I used was from a paper packet called Babycakes, but as you can see, it's very versatile.

I went with a slightly different take on The Friday Mashup's current challenge "Feeling Spring Flowers". The only floral to this card is peeking out from behind the car. But I love how these colors go together. It's a classic look.

Thank you for stopping by today. Have a wonderful week!

Casandra

CMCC#9 Camper Crazy Card

Teehee. I love this next card. Camper Cozy makes me feel happy. I love using our alcohol markers to color it in. I really like this color combo from Colour Me.

Recipe:
Paper: Timberline, White Daisy CS, Black CS, Cranberry CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Card Chatter-Sympathy (retired), Camper Crazy (CTMH)
Ink: Black (VersaFine)
Tools: Chicken Wire Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Clear-Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Crystal Blue Alcohol Marker Set, Whisper Alcohol Marker Set, Cranberry Marker (retired) (CTMH)
Other: Bitty Sparkles, Teal Shimmer Ribbon (CTMH)

I used an old sketch from The Paper Players, but thought it was perfect for this card. The shimmer ribbon looks like astro-turf (sp?) and the grey woodgrain paper looks like it could be a dirt road. Such fun!

I'm so ready for summer....

Casandra

Atlantic Hearts #44 Lollydoodle Card

Here's another card I created yesterday using a sketch from Atlantic Hearts Challenge blog.

Recipe:

Paper: Lollydoodle, White Daisy CS, Sweet Leaf (CS), Caboodle (retired) (CTMH)

Stamp: My Peeps (retired) (CTMH)

Inks: Hollyhock (CTMH), Vintage Sepia (VersaFine)

Tools: Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Blush Alcohol Marker Set, Sweet Leaf Alcohol Marker Set, Crystal Blue Alcohol Marker Set, Prisma Glitter, Glue Pen, Scallop Border Punch, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH)

Other: Bitty Sparkles (CTMH)

I would also like to enter this card into the Paper Sweeties Inspiration #17 Challenge. The polka dots, colors and eggs made this card so easy to create. 

I have a little tip for you (haha, confession time). I got bumped by my son when I was coloring in the blue on one of the eggs. If you knew me, you'd know that since I was very little, I have always prided myself on staying in the lines. I even won a blue ribbon on my first day of first grade for my coloring skills. So, because I had this little blemish on my card, I decided to break out the prisma glitter and glue pen and add sparkle to it. Covers up the boo-boo quite nicely.

Have a great day!

Casandra

JAI#204 Wild About Love Card

I was looking through my bag of scraps I keep on my desk for designing cards. When I came across this scrap of retired Wings paper, I knew exactly what challenge it would work for. 

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
1) My Favorite Things MFTWSC165 Challenge
2) Just Add Ink JAI#204 Challenge

Recipe:
Paper: Wings (retired), Bamboo CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Wild About Love, Card Chatter-Sympathy (retired) (CTMH)
Inks: VersaMark (CTMH), Vintage Sepia (VersaFine)
Tools: Heat Gun, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Gold Embossing Powder, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Corner Rounder (CTMH), Circle Stax Die (MFT)
Other: Mocha Pearls (retired), Rosette Ribbon (retired), Foam Tape (CTMH)

I can honestly say I would never have thought to pair these colors together. I love how soft this card looks; each detail pops. Thank you for your comments. I love reading them. 

Casandra