Card Captain, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Happy Tuesday! For card of the day 2 on the Enjoy Michael Strong Stamps Yahoo Group I'm using the heart stamp from  Mini Cloissone Shapes.

It's a kraft cardstock base with printed papers from  My Mind's Eye: The Sweetest Thing Lavender. The Mini Cloissone Heart is stamped with worn lipstick Distress ink on white cardstock, then embossed with clear embossing powder. I trimmed the heart with scissors. The sentiment is stamped with close to cocoa ink from Stampin' Up'. Used a thin piece of caramel twine for the tie. Used dimensional foam to adhere the heart and the sentiment layer.

Below, you can see the inside of the card. Stamped the heart with SU's rose romance.

Materials:
Kraft and white cardstock
Stamps: Michael Strong's Mini Cloissone Heart, Stampin' Up Thanks from the heart
Tim Holtz distress ink: worn lipstick; Stampin' Up' ink: close to cocoa, rose romance

Printed papers: My Mind's Eye The Sweetest Thing Lavender
America Crafts Caramel Twine

Card Captain-Monday April 29, 2013

This week I am "Card Captain" for the Enjoy Michael Strong Stamps Yahoo Group. Today's card is made with Mike's  Special Lily stamp set, which I think he named after his granddaughter, Lily.  Isn't she a doll!

For the card base I used a 5-1/2 x 8-1/2" piece of yellow bazzill cardstock, folded in half.
Stamped the large lily stamp on white cardstock with Distress pumice stone ink. Added color with my stash of color pencils. Then  trimmed the flower with scissors.
Embossed a 2" wide x 2-1/4"high strip of white cardstock with Cuttlbug's D'vine Swirls. Distressed that with scattered straw distress ink on the edges and on top of the swirls.
Cut a small strip of white cardstock, 1" wide x 5-1/2" long and distressed the edges with scattered straw. Adhered a strip of cotton lace underneath.
These elements were adhered to the card as shown. Foam squares were used  for the flower and a mini glue dot for the tiny bow.

Below is the inside of my card. Used scattered straw distress ink on the edges of the white paper and to stamp a portion the lily on the left.

Materials:
Yellow Bazzill cardstock, white card stock,  scrap cotton lace, narrow ribbon, colored pencils
Michael Strong's Special Lily Stamp set
Cuttlebug D'vine Swirls embossing folder
Tim Holtz Distress Inkpads: scattered straw, pumice stone

Pin-Spiration Challenge for April 2013

Lynette, Mary and I started a challenge amongst ourselves to share something we've made that was inspired by Pinterest each week. In addition, we decided to send a card that was Pinterest Inspired to the other two members. We also planned to work on our altered books each month. I have not accomplished that ...yet.

Here is my card, inspired by this Pin: http://pinterest.com/pin/194006696420361661/  I am tempted to use this card as one of my "cards of the week" for the Enjoy Michael Strong Stamps Yahoo Group. As the week progresses, I may use this card twice!

Below is the inside of card:

MATERIALS:
Papers: Stampin' Up' Certainly celery cardstock, Unknown brand of white cardstock with flecks, Old book printed paper

Stamps: Hero Arts, Michael Strong Stamps, Rubber Stampede, Stampers Anonymous

Distress inks: tea dye, spun sugar, worn lipstick

Stampin' Up' Ink: certainly celery

Picket Fence distress stain

Cuttlebug decorative swirly die

Below you can see Lynette's beautiful card:

I will add Mary's contribution when I receive it!

Variations on a Theme-Birthday Cards

I would like to give credit to my inspiration for these cards, but I cannot remember where I saw the idea. I love the distressed look, especially when using old book prints.

Materials Used: 

Spellbinders Shapeabilities Daisy Heads Flowers

Cuttlebug Victoria and Sizzix Flowers embossing folders

Hero Arts, Stampin' Up stamps

Ranger Distress and Stampin' Up inkpads

Large Brads, Sheer Organza Ribbon, Tulle cut into strips and used as ribbon, pages from old book