Ice Cold Summer Card

I love summer. I feel like I am finally enjoying it, rather than hiding away from the heat. Lemonade is my little girl's favorite drink. She can drink lemonade year-round. So I made this card with Izzy in mind.

Recipe:
Paper: Stella (Retired), Confetti Wishes, Canary Paper Fundamentals, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Card Chatter - Sympathy (Retired), Ice-Cold Summer (CTMH)
Inks: Canary, Pixie, Thistle, Glacier, Black (CTMH)
Tools: Sponge, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Glue Pen, LePen Journal Pen (CTMH)
Other: Oceanside Sequins (CTMH)

Cheers!

Casandra

Cards for Grandma

We're trying something new around here, these days. Now that the kids are 8 and 6, they are getting old enough to be trusted with some of my scrapbooking tools and papers. 

Since Grandma sends a couple of gift packages a month from Florida, we thought it would be nice to send her a little love, too. Here are the cards that the kids helped create.

Izzy's card for Grandma

Jack's card for Grandma

Recipe:
Paper: Twitterpated (retired), Sweetheart (retired), Garden Green CS (retired), Sorbet CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Cityscape (retired), Card Chatter - Sympathy (retired), You Mean The World To Me (CTMH)
Inks: Garden Green (retired), Hollyhock, Slate, Black (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Chevron Border Punch, Journaling Pen (CTMH)
Other: Assorted Brads (Jo-Ann Fabrics)

Jack made his own border with the journal pen. It took me a lot longer to brave that technique. 

We had fun creating cards together, and it was a bonus to start using up sold old scraps of paper.

Enjoy your day.

Casandra

Deepest Sympathy Card

Hello. I hope you are all staying warm today. We have had a strange mix of weather here. Bitter cold temperatures of up to -30 degrees one day, and then 10 degrees the next with lots of snow. After two days off from school, the kids returned today. This allowed me to catch up on some things I've been meaning to get to.

A dear friend of the family passed away a couple of weeks ago, and I wanted to send out a sympathy card to his wife. She was actually the first person I knew that stamped, so I think she will appreciate a handmade card. 

Recipe:

Paper: Miracle (retired), Garden Green CS (retired), Chocolate CS, Colonial White CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)

Stamp: Card Chatter - Sympathy (retired) (CTMH)

Ink: Chocolate (CTMH)

Tools: Chevron Border Punch, Paper-Piercer (CTMH)

Other: Clear Sparkles (CTMH)

I actually used some washi tape to mask the sentiment to create a better symmetry. It was easy peasy. I chose to keep this card fairly simple, but stamped and paper-pieced a vase with flowers to the inside. 

Today, I am sharing one of my favorite bible verses with you.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

Have a blessed day.

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

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

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

MOJO334 Timberline Card

I've been missing in action for a few days. Illness has been a revolving door in our home for a couple of weeks, and I thought I might escape it unscathed this year. No such luck. But today, my energy started coming back and I was able to play in my craft room again.

When I saw this next sketch from Mojo Monday, I knew I wanted to use Timberline. I'm having a hard time working with other paper packs right now when I love Timberline and Lollydoodle so much.

Recipe:
Paper: Timberline, White Daisy CS, Twilight CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Card Chatter - Sympathy (retired), Camper Cozy (CTMH)
Inks: Topiary Pigment, Lagoon Pigment (CTMH), Black (Versa Fine)
Tools: Scallop Circle Die (Spellbinders), Circle Stax Die (MFT), Chicken Wire Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Paper-Piercer, Crystal Blue Alcohol Marker Set, Honey Alcohol Marker Set, Whisper Alcohol Marker Set, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH)
Other: Lagoon Brads (retired) (CTMH)

I made this 8.5 x 4 size to fit the tall and skinny challenge, but also so it would fit nicely in a #10 business envelope, which as a bookkeeper, I have a few hanging around. LOL

I did some paper-piecing with the little camper. I wish I could use this adorable stamp set all the time; it's that cute.

Stay healthy and warm, and especially crafty, my friends.

Casandra

Dakota Cards and a Free Give-away

Today, is my birthday. I don't really get excited about them anymore. LOL But my kids think it's awesome and always ask me when my party is going to be. 

Anyways, I wanted to share some recipes for my Dakota cards (as seen earlier this week).

Recipe:
Paper: Dakota, Black CS, Colonial White CS (CTMH); Stamps: Card Chatter-Sympathy (CTMH); Inks: Pacifica, Black (CTMH); Tools: Paper Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH); Other: Wrangler Assortment, Neutral Embroidery Floss, Black & White Striped Ribbon (CTMH)

Recipe:
Paper: Dakota, Black CS (CTMH); Inks: Black (CTMH); Tools: Paper Piercer, Make It From Your Heart: Volume I (CTMH); Other: Wrangler Assortment (CTMH)

I wanted to show you a close-up of the items that come in the Wrangler Assortment (see below).

Z1780 Wrangler Assortment

Isn't this assortment wonderful? All items are adhesive-backed for easy application. How's that for "faster, simpler and easier"?! The pearl buttons made me think of the snap buttons that I found on my dad's old shirts hanging in a closet when I was a little girl. 

If you'd like to purchase any of the items you've seen here, click here and it will take you to my website.

Now, if you've taken the time to read all that, I have a special give-away (see image below) today in honor of my birthday. Please leave me a comment below and I will pick one lucky random winner on Wednesday, August 15th. 

A1132 Family Stamp

Have a blessed day!

Casandra

MFTWSC79 Sympathy Card

I seem to be on a kick with birds when it comes to sympathy cards. Floral is the only other option I can think of. 


Today's card was made for two different challenges:
1) My Favorite Things Blog Challenge
2) CAS-ual Fridays #60 Challenge

Recipe:
Paper: Kissing Booth-Green (Basic Grey), Grandma's Attic Collectibles-Blue (TPC Studio), Butterfly Kisses-Pink (Three Bugs In A Rug), White Daisy CS (CTMH); Stamps: Find Your Style, Card Chatter-Sympathy (CTMH); Inks: Chocolate, Hollyhock (CTMH); Tools: Micro-Tip Scissors, Paper-Piercer (CTMH); Other: Fabric Brad (K&Company), White Embroidery Floss (CTMH), Foam Tape


Thanks for stopping by. Have a happy Sunday!


Casandra

MFT Sketch Florentine Sympathy Card

Good morning! It's a beautiful, sunny day in Northern Michigan. Pretty humid, but there is a nice breeze gently blowing through the windows. 


I found this cute sketch from My Favorite Things blog, the other day. Unfortunately, I missed the cut-off for entry, but I like this sketch so much, I think I will use it for my next card workshop sometime in September.


Anyways, here is the beauty of a card I made using this fabulous sketch.

Here is the sketch that I created the above card from:

So as I explained last night, my husband was busy knocking down some weeds with a weed whip. I wanted to show you the "after" picture. Use your imagination for the "before". LOL

I hardly recognize the place. After letting it get away from me a few years ago while I was busy raising babies, I could no longer keep up with it. Amazing that Jeremiah uncovered a few plants I forgot we even had. LOL Yeah, it was that bad. Did I mention that I have a strong aversion to pulling weeds? I'd much rather be creating cards for y'all. :)

Have a wonderful day!

Casandra

Mayberry Sympathy Card

I made this card for PaperCrafts Magazine as part of the Go-To-Sketches for the November/December 2011 issue. Unfortunately, it was not accepted. But I think it's some of my best work, so after an initial feeling of disappointment, I will look at the bright side. I can share it on my blog for you to see.

• Mayberry Level 2 Paper
• Sorbet and White Daisy Cardstock
• Fill In The Blank Stamp Set
• Card Chatter-Sympathy Stamp Set
• Cocoa Ribbon
• Cocoa Ink
• Mocha Opaque
• Chocolate Embroidery Floss
• Paper Piercing Kit
• Martha Stewart Doily Lace Border Punch
• Stampin' Up Ticket Punch

I hope you like my card as much as my family does. My daughter saw it and said "Beautiful! Great job, Mommy!" She just turned 3...her opinion is one that matters the most. :) God bless, and hope you have a wonderful weekend!

We'll be headed out soon to go camping....