An Apple For Teacher

Even though my children are long since back in school, I know that most of the country is still out school shopping and making plans for Labor Day. I decided that maybe a few of the extra teacher cards would be a nice addition to my Etsy shop as well as an applicable post for here. Today's card is another one of my entries for the Anni-Verve-Sary Sketch Challenge on the Verve forum a few weeks ago. I think it is the only one I haven't already posted here too. I used these for my kids' teachers after the first week of school. Take a look...

That cute little back to school puppy image is a relatively new digi-image from All That Scraps and the sketch is #AVS202. I printed the sentiment on my computer so it would fit just right in a small circle at the top of the oval. When I was designing this card, I tried a plain red cardstock panel behind the image but it needed a little something so I made my own designer paper by stamping abc's in versamark ink all over the red cardstock. I like the effect. I almost never use that very common technique and I can't imagine why because I love it here. Another point to mention is the blue background. Notice the polka dot texture? Like it? It is one of the new QuicKutz embossing folders. I am very happy with the few I have so far because they are full A2 size instead of the slightly smaller original Cuttlebug folders.

Well, I think I'll go for now. Groceries need to be purchased and beds need changing so it is time to get the new week started. Have a great Monday for yourself!

Papers- Autumn Leaves Paper Charming; Gina K pure luxury 80# CS; SU Kraft CS. Stamps- ATS digi image "school puppy"; ScrapTrends alphabet soup lowercase. Inks- versamark. Tools- QuicKutz Polka Dots emb folder; coluzzle ovals; corner rounder; EK circ punches. Embellishments- favorite findings mini natural buttons; DMC #823 embr cotton. Pens- Copic (Y28, R59, R37, W1, B97, G94, RV11, E57, 0. Zig (root beer float). Font- 16pt Parade. Sketch- Verve AVS202.

Bloom Where You're Planted

Happy Friday everyone! Long week, huh? It was for me. Busy, busy I tell ya. I am ready for a little bit of a weekend. I have a card for you today. I know I still have not caught up the supply list from 2 days ago but I promise I will get to it if you are waiting for it. So, on to today's card...

This one uses one of the Verve sketches from Anni-Verve-Sary week. It is AVS205. I love the sketch but I can't say I love my own choice of materials. As a matter of fact, I am not sure why I am even blogging about it. LOL! I have gone back and forth between hating this card and just sorta liking it. I think it is a little busy and does little to accent the lovely Verve image. What I do love are the paper coordinates and those darling buttons. The papers are Basic Grey June Bug and the buttons were a great find in the fabric store.

I tried something a little different when I colored the stamp image. I stamped it in a colored ink (versus black) and then filled it in with Tim Holtz distress inks and an aqua pen. I can't wait to try this again! I love that lovely ink and it was perfect for use with an aqua pen. Also different for me, I stitched on the buttons with some fibers instead of my typical hemp or embroidery floss. I chose a nubby, homespun type of fiber and I like the fuzzy look. It is a little more prominent IRL. The gemstones in the flowers are hand colored with Copics. I didn't have just the right shade and I wanted a dark rich center so I used the 2 colors of Copic pen listed below to shade them myself. It is amazing how well non-porous substances take that ink and hold on to it. You would expect smudging but I have had no trouble.

Well, I think I'm off for now. I hope everyone has a great weekend. My supply list is below and I will soon list this card in my Etsy shop. If you need it sooner, please contact me. I am still really busy with my little lunch notes but I would be glad to list this or other cards just for you.

Papers- Basic Grey June Bug Daydream, Admiral; Bo Bunny Coral Dot. Stamps- Verve Floral Symphony. Inks- Tim Holtz distress inks (fired brick, peeled paint); Memento London Fog, SU vintage violet. Tools- Paper Studio 2 5/16in circ punch; marvy 2.5in circ punch; MM sanding block; Heidi Swapp edge distresser;CB swirls emb folder. Pens- copic B99 & 110 on rhinestone gems.

Older Sketches are OK, Right?

As I have mentioned before, I worked on several cards while I was away from blogging. Since I am in a hurry today, I decided to show you one of those "away" cards. It uses the sketch from the OCCC Sketch Challenge on 7-25-09. Take a look!

Even though we don't want to think about needing sympathy cards, I always like to keep a few on hand. The last thing you feel like doing when you are sad is to make a new card.

I like this sketch. It works well with a taller focal point image. It also works well with coordinate papers. I'll have to drop in later and tell you more about my materials. I have to run for now. Have a great day!

Happy Harvest

Even though we still have months of hot weather ahead of us, I am ready for fall colors in my paper crafting. Who am I kidding? I am ready for fall everything! I love cooler weather and the fun that the later months of the year bring. It is my favorite time of year. I guess that explains why I pulled out some fall stuff for my card today.

Last week, when I played along with the Christmas in August Challenge at Our Creative Corner, I noticed a card posted by an OCC design team member, Jenny Gropp. I loved her arrangement so I decided to CASE her sketch for today's card. You'll see why in a minute. It just works!


I had a lot of fun making this card. For one, I have always loved the apple bucket image from SU's Give Thanks. Second, the patterned paper is one that I have saved for years because I love it so much. It is an old Cosmo Cricket called Lil Susie in the Jitterbug collection. I am really trying lately to use up some of my "oldie but goodie" papers. Let's just say storage has become a problem. ;) And last, I just received a new order of Copic markers from Merri Artist and I couldn't wait to color with a few new colors. And while we are on the subject of new Copics, I need to mention that the new colors are fantastic. One that I got is W00. I used it along with W5 and W7 and it was perfect for blending. A blender would have done basically the same thing but I found that having just a little of the color versus plain blending solution gave a really nice finish to the area.

Well, I'm off. I have a busy day planned and I need to get on my horse if I want to finish my to-do list I guess. Have a great Monday!


Papers- Cosmo Cricket Jitterbug Lil Susie; misc CS from stash. Stamps- Give Thanks, Loads of Love Accessories, Thoroughly Thankful- SU. Inks- Memento Tuxedo Black; SU Chocolate Chip. Tools- EK circ punch; marvy yellow scalloped circ punch; EK dotted scallop edger. Embellishments- American Crafts ribbon; MM dk red hand dyed buttons; DMC #823 embroidery cotton. Pens- Copic (W5, W7, W00, R57, R39, R37, G28, BG78, O) Zig chocolate. Sketch- Jenny Gropp/ onekraftykat.blogspot.com. (8-15-09).

As Promised...New Lunch Notes!

Hello! Happy Sunday! I hope everyone's weekend is just wonderful. All of a sudden, we are getting a break on weather here in Atlanta. It is a little cooler and our humidity has dropped a lot. It will be so much easier when the hubby and I cut the grass this afternoon. I still wish I could sit in my scrap room and play though.

So, I promised to show you my latest series of lunch box love notes so that is what we'll do today. You may remember an earlier post where I talked about the first 3 sets I have made. I decided a 4th series was in order. I have already listed this newest set in my Etsy shop, just in time for the new school year and they have been VERY successful so far. I am just thrilled. I never would have dreamed that these little notes would be so popular but they are so I just keep making more. Take a look...
Here are a few close-up shots of the individual cards...



Every time I think I can't come up with any more unique messages, I get a few new stamps and round up another set of 12. The best part of these has been the sweet emails I get from customers that tell me how much their children enjoy getting these in their lunchbox every day. Yay! That was the point! My kids are getting older and since they have made a big deal out of how "grown up" they are this year, I assumed that they weren't interested in any notes this year. I was wrong! They both said they would still love a note in the old lunchbox and even mentioned which of the new ones they like the best. I am so glad they are still my babies after all. ;)

I have continued to print the sentiments for the images that don't come with their own appropriate message. Some come with the perfect little positive note. It gets a little tedious half way through a batch of 48 dozen but it is so worth it when they are finished! As you might imagine, there are just too many sources to list for each set of notes so if you are interested in the origin of an image, drop me a note and I will be glad to tell you where it came from. If you aren't a stamper, and you want to purchase a set of lunch notes for yourself, please visit my Etsy shop for more details. Have a great rest of the weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Well, the Weather Outside is Frightful...

but not in the way you might think! It is hotter than blue blazes where I live but it sure felt good to make a card about Christmas and winter. This week, Our Creative Corner hosted a Christmas in August Challenge. I decided to go a little non-traditional with something other than red & green for my card. Have a look-see!

and here is the inside of the card...

This paper choice could not be any more different for me if I tried. When I think holiday card, teal and bright green don't typically come to mind, huh? I loved the paper as soon as it came out though. Then, my polar bear stamp arrived in the mail and it was a no brainer to put these 2 together. I always like to keep a few winter/snow themed cards around at the holidays because there are always a few people on your card list that either don't celebrate Christmas or you just don't know much about their traditions during the holiday season. Snow and winter images are perfect for these types of cards. I know I will be able to use every one that I made of this card. Not to mention that I think the polar bear is way too cute not to give it to someone this holiday season!

My card arrangement came from Mercy Kerin's Tuesday Sketch Challenge (MTSC35). I love her sketches! Even when I don't have time to play along, I file away the sketch for later use.

I know I promised to show my new lunch note set. I need to get a good photo so all the details will be easy to see. Unfortunately, it has been a little cloudy every time I try to get a good shot. I should be able to get a good one so that I can show you tomorrow. They are really cute (if I do say so myself) so I can't wait to post them. Don't miss it! Have a great weekend. I hope you have nice weather in your neck of the woods. Ciao!

Papers- Cosmo Cricket Breezy Freezy; ATS ivory copic quality CS. Stamps- Imaginisce Polar Bear Snag Em; SU Just Celebrate; Snadylion Clear Stamp Borders. Inks- Tim Holtz Distress (broken china, old paper, antique linen); Memento Tuxedo Black; SU Very Vanilla. Tools- MS loop edge punch; MS snowflake punch; Nestie scalooped squares; coluzzle ovals; EK circle punches. Embellishments- Cancun Green 3/8in satin by ribbonfx; Favorite Findings buttons; Mark Richards #1941 green stones; 5mm rd lt turq stones by The Beadery; MM pewter snowflake eyelets. Pens- copic (RV11, 0, YG17, BG18, W1). Sketch- MTSC35.

Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much

Today will be another quick post. I pulled out a card that I made during my *hiatus*...doesn't that sound important? :-D I was really happy with it so I wanted to show it off. It is one of those "no stamped image" kinda cards so no coloring which doesn't happen often at my desk. The sentiment is the only stamping. I thought it would make a nice little hello card. I always seem to need a generic notecard or 2 hanging around. Those little notes to a teacher or neighbor that doesn't prefer email. So, take a look and I'll fill in the details.

It is blank inside except for a little decoration with my scraps. Why waste em? I loved working with this DP. It is a double sided October Afternoon from the Hometown collection (called Woolworth's). I love that whole series! I may need to order a few more sheets before it disappears forever. I was short a few Primas in this particular color of blue so on a few of the 8 duplicate cards I made, I hand dyed the flowers using Copics. OMG! What are those markers not good for??? I have found that when dying Primas with Copic ink, if I sponge a little MM pearl specialty glaze over the whole flower surface, it leaves a gorgeous finishing sheen which is nice because saturating with ink makes them a little "processed" looking if you know what I mean.

I'm outta here quickly today. My complete supply list is below. I have a new set of Lunch Box Love Notes to show you sometime this weekend so poke back in if you can. Have a great weekend!

Papers- Oct Afternoon Woolworth's; Paper Co Navy Blue Brushed Cotton CS; DCWV aqua CS; bone ivory CS by Paper Studio. Stamps- Stampabilities Live, Laugh, Love. Inks- tim Holtz distress peeled paint; SU blue bayou. Tools- MS cornice edge punch; MS frond punch; Nestie oval & scal classic oval; EK sm flwr punch. Embell- Bo Bunny trims (blue); Amer Crafts ivory ribbon; Fav findings buttons; Primas; MM pearl specialty glaze.