Chalk Board Card

I love the chalkboard papers and embellishments that are so popular right now. I have purchased several of them, but they have sat on my shelf for a while. Well I was inspired to use some of the My Mind's Eye Chalk Studio paper to cut out one of the boards and placed it front and center of a center step card. I used white pens, ink, and a chalk pencil to decorate it. (the bird and flourish came on the patterned paper) The name is in chalk so I spritzed it with hairspray to fix it and keep it from smearing.

I took a cue from the Prima chalk line and added some pops of color. The banner was cut from some older Echo Park paper, Hello Summer. The flowers were cut from my cut files and inked with Worn Lipstick and Squeezed Lemonade.

I stamped more decorations on the inside.

A Cheerful Hello

As crafters we know how it is when we spend time, money, and our coveted craft supplies to make a handmade card or gift for someone and realize the recipient does not appreciate all the effort that you put into the project. We have all been there. I secretly start thinking about taking it back and keep it myself. LOL

Well, those times are completely eclipsed when we happen to give a handmade treasure to some one who really appreciates it. All the effort is instantly considered worth it to us. For example, my sister in law saves all my cards and displays them. My past Christmas cards are even a part of her decorations every year. My sister frames them. Totally worth all the time and work.

I gave a card to someone last year, and recently talked to several of her family members who told me how she just went on and on about that card. She even told my hubby that she does not remember anyone ever giving her such a special card. ...Well, of course, I melted. Not only did I feel appreciated, I was yearning to make her another card. LOL

So here is the card I made. :)  

I know she will appreciate it.

Black and White with Open Flowers

Another black and white step card with splashes of red. 
This time I used some paper from a black and white K & Co stack and made Open Flowers (instead of Open Roses) This is an easy flower that gives a lot of punch. You can see the video tutorial for this flower here. 

Open Flower Tutorial

I added some Recollections bling and a Diamond Edge border with colored seam binding.

Sympathy Card with Open Rose

As many of you know. my dad passed away last month. His sister is the only sibling from his family that is still living. She had another loss this past week. Her husband passed away. I wanted to make her a special card. 

I used some patterned paper that is flocked. Red mats were added and lots of red bling. I made an Open Rose and added one of my Diamond edged border with dyed seam binding woven through it. 

The step card files and instructions can be found on this page.
The Open Rose and Diamond Edged Decorations can be found on my Etsy shop.

Colorful Step Card

I made another step card as a thank you. I wanted it to be extra special. Taking a cue from my glittery Mariposa patterned paper, I used some cheerful colors for the rose and "pretty" flowers. 

I added lots of pearls and made some butterflies. The butterflies were stamped and colored. They needed something a little extra. They got covered in glue and dry Stickles stardust glitter.

So pretty!

Burlap and Paper Leaves

I made a ton of Fall leaves last year that I never even used. I cut white cardstock with one of my cut files then used several shades of yellow, orange, red, and brown distress inks to color them. It took forever but was worth it.

I had more burlap and leaves already made so I covered this votive candle holder by simply wrapping the glass with burlap, adding leaves, and tieing up with some cording. Really cool result with very little effort.

FALLing Leaves

I have been in the mood to work on some Fall cards. I just love this time of year.

I used an older stamp to put gold glitter embossing powder on watercolor paper. Then I used Twinkling H2O's to add some color to the background. You can not see the shimmer in the picture but trust me it looks so cool. :)

Here is the same stamp and some different colors of ink to make another Fall card.

It is on a craft cardbase with mats in orange and white card stock.

Hope you have fun playing with Fall colors too.

Pretty Pumpkin

I decorated a foam pumpkin to use as Fall decor.

I used a couple of coats of white craft paint and sprinkled Rock Candy dry glitter over the entire thing. Then I used a Crafter's Workshop stencil to trace flourishes. Then I just followed the pencil lines with Stickles glitter in orange.

It turned out really pretty but I managed to get glitter EVERYWHERE! LOL