A banner birthday

Good morning, everyone!
This card was inspired by a Christmas card I saw in one of the card magazines I've been reading lately.  I *think* it may have been in either the Papercrafts Card Sketches or Papercrafts Card Style magazines.  I just finished flipping through those, but couldn't find it.  But, those are the two I've been flipping through the most lately for inspiration.  Wish I could locate it so I could give the person who inspired me due credit.  If I find it later, I'll edit this post. 

I have to laugh......I typically "read" all my card idea books and magazines in bed right before I drift off to sleep.  Of course, I NEVER remember what I "read".   So, I ALWAYS get to go back through EVERY book/magazine later and it is brand spankin' new inspiration!

Anyways....on to the card.
I found this BoBunny paper months ago somewhere and kept it out in plain sight so I wouldn't file it away and forget about it.  When I bought it, I knew I wanted to make a birthday card with it for one of my sisters-in-law.  Success!  I just love the softness of the color and the pattern.

I am batty for banners lately.  After looking at stamps that are banners and realizing I'd have to cut them all out (I am really cutting challenged), I finally remembered that I have an old diamond punch AND an old QuicKutz diamond diecut.  I used the slightly smaller diamond punch, scored them across the middle and folded them over the twine, using glue dots to secure them.  I used small clear letter stamps (Autumn Leaves Stampology wordplay) to stamp the 'happy', and masked everything but the 'birthday' from an Inkadinkadoo stamp.   Buttons, twine, pearls, ribbon and lace from my stash.

I really, really like this card!

Thanks for peeking!

OLW 21: Inspired by Nature

YES!
I did the challenge and got it posted only ONE day after Susan posted her Simplicity challenge  for this week!  Yeah!

So what's the challenge you ask?   It's a one layer card with extremely minimal embellishment, reflecting something from nature that is inspiring.   Well, given that I have 3 Iris cart drawers of stamps that are leaves, trees and grasses, surely I could find something!

And I did! 

It is this GREAT new stamp I bought from Impression Obsession at Stampaway last month.  It truly spoke to me.  I loooooovvve candy corn...wait all year for fall to arrive so that I can buy some (it and carmel apples are about the ONLY reasons I tolerate fall), and I really wouldn't mind if I could find a tree in real life on which candy corn grew.  I'd be sure to have it in my yard.  But, sigh, since it doesn't, this stamp is the next best thing.

The sentiment is also by Impression Obsession.  This card is going to be a Halloween card for someone (can't say!) along with a pair of black socks with a candy corn motif.

Thanks for peeking!

OLW 20 Three Plus One

Another Wednesday, another Simplicity challenge.
This past Wednesday, the challenge was all about making a one layer card with no embellishments, if possible, using three images (different or the same) and one sentiment.  Since I was out of town at the time the challenge was posted, my friend Colleen described it over the phone.  This dog stamp by Magenta was the first thing that popped into my mind and it never left.  So, I had to go with it.  Sentiment is by Penny Black.

Thanks for peeking!

OLW 19 Black & White w/ a spot of color

Simplicity's challenge yesterday was a hard one!  The challenge is to make a one layer card in black and white, adding just a hint of color to make it pop.  I really wish I had more time this week to dig into my stamps a bit to see what I could come up with, but the rest of this week and most of next is completely booked.  So, I chose my animal and dog stamp drawers and came up with these two cards.

First up is a really fun cat stamp by Rubber Soul.  The complementary sentiment is from Inky Antics.

This second card uses a lab stamp from Cornish Heritage Farms and the sentiment is by Cloud 9.  I stamped this image in sepia on cream cardstock the first time I used it a while back and colored the hat a denim-y color...turned out really nice....I think I like that one better than this one.   But, this one's not bad.

Thanks for peeking!

OLW 18: Trees

I am really late this week posting for last Wednesday's challenge over at Simplicity's blog.  Been busy working on a project.  But, after looking at all the thumbnails of those who have participated, (68!!), I noticed one type of trees obviously missing....Palm Trees!  Yes, I know it's September and many are thinking fall type trees, or beginning to think about Christmas trees/winter trees, but I want to extend summer as looooooooonnnnnnnnnnggggggggg as I possibly can.  And palm trees come to mind!  Someplace nice and sunny and warm, to remind me of summer.   So, here's my entry for the challenge of a one layer card showcasing a tree or trees.

Sand is by Sarasota stamps, and the palm tree/hammock and sentiment are by A Muse.  Lightly drew in a water line with one of my copics.   Enjoy!

Thanks for peeking!