Due to time constraints I never seem to be able to participate in fun sketches, but did for October Afternoon's 9 to 5 one.
Using the above sketch (created by Roree Rumph) I came up with today's project - a much-needed thank you card.
The celery chevron paper circle in the upper right corner was pieced from the 8x8 stripe in the paper pack. Hero Arts sentiment; mini-paper clips. Memory Box Jack o'Lantern cardstock base. Happy Wednesday!
An old copy of The Pony Express was used for the text - the owl is from a set of three from Hero Arts, and the card concept was adapted from this previous post.
There's something about tearing up an old book that makes me feel naughty. I think it's all those years of not being able to write in books in school, and caring for them - covering them with paper grocery bags, combined with my admiration, love and respect of all things vintage. Or maybe it's just the delightful ripping sound - who knows.
Cards were created assembly-line style - sentiment was computer generated...I'm finding I am doing this more and more. The laser text doesn't smear and has a quality sheen to it.
Card bases/envelopes are from an Italian company, Arturo (Dick Blick), in Gray.
The presentation - in a clear-lidded box (nashvillewraps.com - #SB738)...
...and with the lids, decorated. Papers are BasicGrey Origins, dies are Spellbinders with Want2Scrap bling. Gift sentiment is A Muse. I need to try their new cling stamps - all I have are their ones from years ago.
Hope you are having a great week, and many thanks for your kind words, advice and private emails regarding yesterday. Today is better, and I have learned much!
Playing along on Moxie Fab with their Shaped Sketch Challenge. You gonna play too? It's a fabulous sketch:
Sketch #66 by Nina Bracket.
What I used: Hero Arts sentiment from their Just Saying Hi set, combined with October Afternoon 5&Dime papers, tin pins and chipboard pieces. The half circles are on the left edge of the chip 'n stick:
Memory Box Thistle and Parsley cardstocks used.
Everything used to create this card was made in the USA.
Finished card size: 5-1/4" square. Thanks for stopping by today!
One of Paper Crafts' recent publications (350 Cards and Gifts) inspired today's project. You can read more about the Little Gifts Challenge here. A gift box (nashvillewraps.com #SB738) houses six identical cards and envelopes.
May Arts 1" teal organdy bow makes for easy access to the box contents. The card bases are a retired color from Memory Box.
Spellbinders die was airbrushed (with the die in place) using a light Copic marker; sewing machine image from Hero Arts' Sew Artsy set was stamped using October Afternoon's 8x8 Thrift Shop pad then carefully cut out and adhered with foam tape. Lace is Prima and the strip of patterned paper above the lace is a strip of 12x12 Collectors Item.
White Opal Liquid Pearls accent the sewing machine dials.
Interior - stitch line is from the Hero Arts set, leftover 8x8 Thrift Shop paper was punched with a Martha lace punch, and the sentiment was created on my computer. Faux button was created using the smallest Spellbinders circle die, airbrushing the circle with the die in place (heavy color application) then with the die removed (light color application). Button holes were created using a 1.0 Copic Multiliner.
I believe I am going to make another set for....me! 
The white May Arts lace on today's thank you card project was quickly dipped into a bath of regular strength coffee, blotted with paper towels then allowed to air dry.
Part of the sentiment (you're) was omitted and just 'sew nice' was used. This is a Hero Arts set called Sew Artsy. Spellbinders die forms a mat for the sewing machine embellishment and Zva pearls decorate the dials nicely. Lovely linen thread forms the wrap and bow. The dyed lace was machine stitched to the card front.
The interior is a typeset sentiment (MS word document here), printed onto Papertrey Ink white cardstock, then die cut with a Spellbinders rectangle die. The button was made using a lightweight coaster and the smallest Spellbinders circle die, followed by airbrushing with Copic BG18 with (heavy color application) and without (light color application) the die in place. This technique provided depth to the faux button; a 1.0 Copic Multiliner was used to add the faux button holes. Envelope and interior sentiment were embellished with stitched images from the Hero Arts set. Thanks for stopping by today!
I am a huge fan of Shari Carroll and her distinctive look - I brought my copy of her Layers book to a CHA a while back and asked her to sign it.
Shari's Layered Stamped Backgrounds technique heartily captured my attention, and this link will guide you to a video with excellent directions.
Today's project uses this very fun technique; stamped images are from Stampers Anonymous (compass), Hero Arts (script) and Rosebud (crackle). Distress inks used: Old Paper (not pictured) just like Shari used in the video, Wild Honey, Crushed Olive and Tumbled Glass.
These are masculine-themed thank you cards; interior sentiment is from Papertrey Ink. I used Ranger's Sepia Archival Ink to stamp the compass on the envelope.
Center pearls are from Basic Grey Opaline series. The watercolor paper is from Schleicher & Schuell; watercolor sheets were trimmed and matted onto white cardstock. Card bases and coordinating envelopes are Eggshell from Memory Box. Thanks for stopping by today - will have photos of the remodeled studio in the next post.
edited to add: the flower how-to is from Betsy Veldman and her post regarding this is here.
Ever get into a creative rut or stuck in a creative pattern? This happens to me every so often, and when it does I go simple and streamlined for a while.
Strano Designs 5/8" Margot striped ribbon was used along with a folded flower design I learned from Betsy Veldman's blog.
I used Papertrey's Polka Dot Basics II Impression Plate, Memory Box Endive and Bayou cardstocks, and an Imaginisce i-top tool. Sentiment is from Alli Miles' Take Three Summer set. Patterned papers are from October Afternoon's Thrift Shop line.
Classic Flourish on the Bayou envelope is from Hero Arts, and sentiment is from Papertrey Ink (Ranger Archival Black and Distress Broken China). Thank you for stopping by today!
Today's card uses Red Pepper card base with matching envelope, and Hero Arts Swirl Frame.
At Ranger U, Tim showed the class how to use Ranger's Alcohol Inks and a can of air - he called it his Alcohol Ink Splatter technique. Simply use glossy paper, alcohol inks and a can of compressed air. Rhinestone accents are from Hero Arts.
I used Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black, just like Tim does in his video.
Leftover trimmed strip was used on the card interior. Card front and interior sentiment are Hero Arts Birthday Messages. Thank you for stopping by today!
Inchie Arts versatile and fun artboard squares will easily upgrade your simple cards into the 'hey that's wow!' realm.
This birthday card using Hero Arts Birthday Messages set features a white Inchie+ Square on an Inchie Note (yellow/green pack). Copic V0000 was used for shading.
Tim's tiny stapler is used to anchor the ribbon in place. Basic Grey Green at Heart papers used.
Card interior - strip of Green at Heart along with a sentiment from the Hero Arts set.
Inchie Notes are acid free, lignin free and archival. The colors are printed with soy-based inks on paper from a certified sustainable forest program. Thank you for stopping by today!
When I need to send a note to one of my kids' teachers, I love to use a cute notecard that I've made. Today's project uses the adorable Hero Arts Owl Trio set.
Eight notecards & envelopes (above) were packaged as a gift, but I made a few extra for me to have on hand. My friend Mish is the inspiration behind these cards and the altered clothes pin that holds the postage.
These are a slim design card - they do not exceed 1/4" in height when in their envelopes so (if you're in the USA) there is no additional postage needed for this design.
Using Basic Grey Origins 6x6 papers, I stamped two of the owl images several times each onto the patterned paper. Using a black Glaze pen I dotted various parts of the owls' bodies. If you've never used a Glaze pen this is a good photo to see what it does - the nib is pressure sensitive, so when you press down on the nib, the ink pools right where you want it. When dry there is a neat embossed effect that you can see and feel.
With the little dots to fill in around these owl bodies I just press and lift with the Glaze pen, and repeat; this went quickly.
The owls were also stamped onto the scalloped circles for alignment.
Here's a 'before' he was blinged and after he was 'blinged'...
Eyes are black gems (Hero Arts).
I added a sticker from Origins Pops to the lid of the professional gift presentation box (from Nashville Wraps #SB738). Sentiment is from A Muse.
Card bases are yummy Arturo Stone Grey notecards with envelopes. Excellent quality card base with a delicious look and feel to them.
The tatted doily under the cards: I made this for my grandparents about 20 years ago; I've been tatting about 25 years and was taught by a lady named Connie Barone when I lived in Florida. It's a fun thing to do in the car for super long trips.
