The July issue of SheetLoad goes "live" tomorrow. My cards won't appear in the issue but I did create a bunch of cards using the awesome sketch and the fabulous vendor images. You'll see them throughout the month.
SheetLoad Sneak Peeks from Me!
The July issue of SheetLoad goes "live" tomorrow. My cards won't appear in the issue but I did create a bunch of cards using the awesome sketch and the fabulous vendor images. You'll see them throughout the month.
Win a Bow-Easy from Craft Critique
Check out Suzy's review of the Bow-Easy (I was drooling over it the other day- a must have for ribbon lovers) and leave a comment for a chance to win a Bow-Easy!
BOW-EASY REVIEW
BOW-EASY REVIEW
Manic Monday
I have scads of stuff to share so I'll stuff it all into this post!First- The July issue of SheetLoad will be available on 7/1. Want to see some sneak peeks of what is inside? Just click on the cover photo. I have seen the issue and it is fantastic! Dontcha just love the sketch? I have made 3 cards with it and have the makings of 2 more on my stamp table. You'll see them soon ;)
gg designs' rubber stamps has a really neat tutorial posted on their Gazette called "Slice & Dice". It will work with any medium or large stamp. They also have a challenge posted.
Speaking of challenges (and sales)- Clear Artistic Stamps is having a 4th of July sale here. I have been drooling over their shimmer papers and my favorite set is on sale. I love that Midsummer Mist collection- so totally "my colors". They are also having a challenge (Rumble 10) and the prize is shimmer paper. How cool is that? They are also having a design team call and the details are HERE.
Have you see the Bow Easy tool? I saw it on Sharon Johnson's blog HERE and then I watched the video tutorial. I must buy one. It looks like the coolest gadget ever!
Craft Critique is going on a mini vacation for the 4th of July. Instead of regular reviews, members of the team (NOT me though) will be posting mini-tutorials for a very special project for a special cause. More details later this week on Craft Critique.
And lastly- if you have ever used Fiskars Texture plates in a Wizard, Cuttlebug, Sizzix of the like- please leave me a comment- I would like to ask you a few questions for an upcoming Craft Critique review.
Clear Artistic Stamps Rumble 10 + SFYTT
I combined Jen del Muro's weekly SFYTT with a color challenge from Clear Artistic Stamps. Clear Artistic Stamps posts a challenge every other week called a rumble. This week's Cottage Rumble #10 was to use pastels (yellow, blue and pink) on a card.When I think of those colors I immediately think "baby card" but I didn't need to make one of those so I opted for my old standby- a thank you card. I never seem to have one ready when I need one.
I started with a scrap of HOTP DP that just happened to have the right colors. I added some ribbon and layers of fabric flowers. The thank you image is from their "I'm Just Saying" set which is a favorite because it is mostly words without a lot of frou frou. that way I can add my own frou frou based on my card. I added a few strategically placed elements from a stamp from the "Shadows of Memories" set. I only wanted to stamp a few bits of the stamp so I masked the rest of the CS with a Post-It note. Really high tech!
I wasn't feeling 100% yesterday and I blurfed (read blogs and surfed links). My friend Leslie posted a pretty card that she made using a technique she learned from a Jennifer McGuire Thinking Inking video class. Jennifer teamed with Tim Holtz, Ranger and Hero Arts to produce a series of 9 minute video classes on various topics like embossing, Distress Inks and Perfect Pearls. Some of the techiques I have seen before but what the classes were quick, packed with ideas. Since I am part of the minority who prefers to create their backgrounds, it did my heart joy to see someone promoting background techniques (and getting her hands dirty!)
SheetLoad a last look at June...
This is one of my June samples for SheetLoad. If you still haven't looked at the issue (in spite of my 1,000,000 reminders) you can download it by clicking on the photo of my card. The DP and stamps on the card are from The Angel Company.This week has been one of my busiest ever. My daughter attended Japanese culture class at the local library. It was FANTASTIC- they did origami and got to try on kimonos and learned all sorts of interesting info. Did you know that the Japanese nickname their flag "the red meatball?" My daughter also attended VBS in the evenings and I helped each night with crafts. My father in law arrived yesterday afternoon so I was cleaning my house in my spare time.
This afternoon my daughter went to a friend's birthday party and she opted to make a card (with my help). She was a tough customer. I don't let her rape and pilage my supplies so I had to pull out a bunch of cardstock and DP's for her approval. She chose ribbon and stickers out of her own stash and I let her use my Micron pen to draw some embellishments on the sticker balloons. She did a good job and I'm so proud that she can just sit down and create. Plus my daughter ENJOYED herself. Kids have a wonderful creative abaility to just do it- they can sit down and create. They don't worry and agonize about every little detail like some adults.
I also got a very interesting e-mail earlier this week. I'll share more about that on July 1.
Hope you enjoy it
This is another of my cards from the June issue of SheetLoad. The images and papers are from The Angel Company. If you want to download a free PDF of the issue click on the photo of my card.
Hope you enjoy it!
ShareaCard.org
If you are like me, you create more cards than you can ever use. If you are looking for a good way to share them, please consider ShareaCard.org I saw a link to it today on the blog of my SheetLoad of Cards teammate, KellyLanders.
Why not share your cards and brighten the day of a terminally ill or someone undergoing treatment. The details and requirements are on their site.
Why not share your cards and brighten the day of a terminally ill or someone undergoing treatment. The details and requirements are on their site.
Simple, Special, Stunning
Today marks the launch of a new feature on the SheetLoad of Cards blog. Each month a member of the SheetLoad design team will take a simple card and carry it from special to stunning. Our founder, Alicia, presents the first "Simple, Special, Stunning" feature today HERE.And if that isn't enough, if you have ever wanted to try ShortCuts Clear Card Blanks-- this is the time-- there is a discount code for 15% off your order!
So just humor me and click and GO SEE THE CARDS AND ORDER SOME STUFF!
CLICK HERE
Oddly Ending
This is one of those cards... I started it a week before I left to visit my parents but I never finished it until last night. It features the SheetLoad of Cards sketch for June. If you want to read the issue, click on my card to download it for free.I used lots of scraps on this card: DP scraps from some ancient Miss Elizabeth paper, some cardstock and a small strip with some stars (Red Castle) stamped on it. I punched some circles and punched them off-center to mimic the DP. The digital image was a freebie from Sweet n Sassie Tami Mayberry.
Wondering why I called this post "oddly ending"? Well after 30+ years coloring with watercolor markers, I have decided I prefer the smoother look of alcohol based markers. H2O markers are great for techniques: coloring on stamps, watercolor effects, etc. But for day to day coloring, alcohol based markers are so much better! I colored the letters, bow and border with a Copic and the gift with watercolor markers. No comparison!
Remind me I said that when I have to pay for the Copic refills ;)
Happy Father's Day
Happy Father's Day (a few hours early!)
I made this card today for my Dad. I won't be able to see him tomorrow but I'm definitely thinking of him.
Thanks Dad for:
- Paying for my college education
- Helping me with my math homework (even if you ended up yelling and I ended up crying most of the time)
- Making the best lasagna and chicken soup on the planet
- Being such a wonderful grandfather- your granddaughter adores you (and your boat)
- Setting a good example for me financially, morally, educationally and teaching me the importance of a strong work ethic
- Always being there for me when I need you
- And so many other things I can't possibly list them here
Happy Father's Day
Stamps: Clear Artistic Stamps (I'm Just Saying)
Ink: ColorBox Chalk (Iris)
Paper: American Crafts (Sixth Avenue Jersey Collection)
Kim's Card Tag #5 Reveal
Recently, Kim hosted another round of card tag HERE.
Card tag is always fun and I love the progression of cards through the chain!
Card tag is always fun and I love the progression of cards through the chain!
Kim started with one of her Christmas card designs from 2008.
This is Angie's card
Then came Chris:
Followed by Alicia – (she used a Shortcuts Transparency Card Base?)
Here's mine! I copied Alicia with the same Sheetload Shortcuts Transparency Card Base:
Terria was next:
Then came Heidi:
Amy was next:
And Liz rounds up the project!
As always a great round!
Many thanks to Kim for hostessing!
SheetLoad of Cards and the Cutting Cafe
For the past 2 weeks SheetLoad has had a collaboration with Bitten By The Bug and The Cutting Cafe. The SheetLoad DT was asked to use the June sketch and some digital images (Bug) and printable cutting files (Cafe) to make stuff! I used the cupcake card template and grape day digital image to make my cards. The digital images and cutting files are available for purchase HERE.
I wasn't sure what to do with my grapes after I colored them and scrounged and found this wine label in my stash. It all came together with some Stickles and a few photo diecuts of buttons.
Sharpie Marker Review
I reviewed Sharpie Stainless Steel, Poster Paint and Oil Based Markers at Craft Critique. You can read my review HERE.
Monday, Monday and Sharpies!
To the left is a snippet of the card I made for Kim's latest round of card tag. Several of us have played in several rounds and every time Kim hosts a new round we jump at the opportunity! I think the last person is working on her card so I'll be able to show you all the cards soon.Obviously, I can't discuss my card in detail yet but a shout out to my Mom (Hey Mom- I used something you bought me at Hobby Lobby on this card!) Thanks Mom!
Later this week my review of some new Sharpie Markers will be published on Craft Critique.
I have been coloring up a storm with my new Copic and Bic markers. I have lots of images colored and you'll start seeing them in 2 weeks when the July SheetLoad sketch is available for the world! I had lots of fun and I love coloring without the marker smearing like watercolor markers. For years I have struggled with skin tones, but I am amazed at how much easier it is with flesh colored Copic markers. I won't say I have it mastered, but I will say my skin looks much better!
This card (that I made) appears in the June issue of SheetLoad. If you haven't read the June issue, click on my card to download it for free.
Love the card, Love the concept!
This afternoon I saw a blog post by my friend, Maria Bell. Maria's cards are always fabulous- her attention to detail and card craft inspires me to try harder on my own work. Anyway, today Maria posted about a no layers challenge sponsored by The Greeting Farm. I really like their Anya images so I am trying to design a wow card. The prize for the winning card is your choice of 3 stamp sets!
Show Us Your SheetLoad (+ new card by me!)
It is time once again to show us what you have created with the latest issue of SheetLoad of Cards; June 2009.All you have to do is create one card and enter it here for a chance to win gift certificates from...
The card to the left was one I created using the SheetLoad sketch for June. Haven't see the issue yet? Check it out HERE
Bitten by the Bug/ Cutting Cafe Challenge
SheetLoad, ShortCuts, Cutting Cafe and Bitten By the Bug have a collaborative challenge for the design teams and a contest for everyone else until June 22, 2009---> details HERE. I made these 2 cards using images from Cutting Cafe with the the June sketch from SheetLoad. I created both at my parents' house- I am visiting and left half of the stuff I was supposed to bring. Have no fear- it is sleeping happily on my dining room table!The watermelon card features papers from Kaleidoscope and a few faux jewels from Darice. I used Stickles (Platinum) to highlight the seeds. I kept it simple.
For the strawberry card, I used 2 patterned papers from DaisyD (one of my favorite companies.) I used Stickles again to highlight the seeds (easier than coloring!) and to highlight a few letters of the cute sentiment. The fresh fruit just screamed "summer" to me.
Whimsie Doodles- This Bud's for You!
Earlier this week I mentioned that one of the designers from the ShortCuts team, Melyssa Connolly, has started her own business, called Whimsie Doodles which sells digital stamp and cutting files. Melyssa generously offered this cute images and sentiment for free (see the site for details.)For my card, I used SC231 sketch challenge from Splitcoaststampers. I colored the image with Bic MarkIt Markers and Copic Markers. Yes, I who said she would NEVER buy Copics, succumbed. I was immediately hooked because they are so easy to use and I was so happy with my results.
Alicia's Card Tag Round 2 Results
Alicia, founder of SheetLoad, hosted another round of card tag. I had so much fun playing the first time, I played this round too.
This is Alicia's card:
Here is mine- I stuck with the clothing background because I had no printed baby paper!
Denise took inspiration from Katie's sentiment block for her card...
And lastly (but certainly not least), Nikki used the colors from above to create this barbeque card.
Busy Eyes June SheetLoad Sketch Card
Remember when I disappeared last week? This was one of the cards I created using SheetLoad's June sketch! Haven't read the issuse yet? Go check it out HERE.Also it is time for Shout Out to SheetLoad. Win a chance for $10 gift certificate from The Angel Company from our June issue sponsor, Shawna Renville.
Busy Eyes
Stamps: Starving Artistamps
Ink: Verifine- Sepia
Paper: CTMH, Colorbok
Punches: McGill, EK Success + other
Other: Stickles
Cute Card Thursday- Nip and a Punch
This is my first week participating in Cute Card Thursday- Nip and a Punch Challenge. Shortcuts is sponsoring this week's challenge so some of from the SheetLoad design team decided to play too! I have 2 cards because I finished the first one (a remake of a card tag card) and realized when it was finished that it wasn't cute! So I decided to take "Pick Up Chicks at the Beach while Eating a Popsicle Penguin" a chance to strut his stuff! By design I made his bathing trunks clash with the background because I have seen some truely heinous swim trunks at the beach!
Kim's Card Tag #4 Reveal!
Kim (my fellow SheetLoad teammate) hosted a round of card tag last week and here are the final cards. It is amazing how each artist created their card! Kim's blog is also amazing!
Kim's card:
This is mine!
Then came Angie:
Followed by Heidi, and her cute Magnolia stamp:
Barbara put her spin on it with Anya:
Then it was Lisa’s turn:
On to Terria:
T
hen Deanne took a go at it!
Aussie Liz was next:
AND….last, but absolutely NOT least, here’s Chris’ card:
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