Repurposing Stamps -- CAS-ual Friday Challenge

I needed to make a card to congratulate my nephew and his family on their new home but I didn't have any stamps for the occasion. So, what's a stamper to do you might ask? Repurpose the stamps you do have. Since this week's CAS-ual Fridays Challenge was to create a project that features a tree, I looked through my Christmas stamps and found the perfect image. Here's my card: 

I covered the front of an A2 card with pattern paper. I cut the blue pattern paper slightly smaller and stamped the Hero Arts branch. I created the birdhouse by covering a Maya Road chipboard house with wood-grain paper. For the opening in the birdhouse, I used a wood veneer heart covered in Stickles. I dab of Glossy Accents held the twine in place. After stamping the sentiment, I used a white gel pen to draw an outline around the image.

I don't think anyone would guess that this was a Christmas stamp. And, the best thing about finding holiday stamps that can pull double duty is that you can usually find holiday stamps on clearance. Wink ;) Wink ;)

Supplies:
Cardstock (not shown): Bazzill Card Shoppe (Marshmallow); 
Pattern Paper: Crate Paper (DIY Shop); blue is from my scrap basket;
Stamps: Hero Arts (K5242 Big Pine Bough);
Ink: Stampin' UP!;
Misc.: Maya Road Chipboard, Studio Calico Wood Veneer; Signo White Gel Pen; Stickles.

You're So Tweet: A Card for the CAS-ual Fridays, SSS and ColourQ Challenges

Today's card is for three  challenges -- The CAS-ual Fridays Create with 8 challenge ...

...the Colour Q challenge....

... and the Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes challenge. 

Using the Simon Says Stamp October card kit and keeping the design simple made this card come together quickly. And quick was just what I needed since I was hosting Thanksgiving dinner! The only things I added were Versamark ink and brown embossing powder. Here's my card:

If you are wondering what the "8" is for the CAS-ual Fridays challenge, just count the visual elements on the card. I used four strips of pattern paper, one sentiment, one piece of twine and two sequins.

I kept this card flat since it was being mailed to my niece who was not home for Thanksgiving this year. I hope it brightened her day!

Supplies:
Simon Says Stamp October 2013 Card Kit plus VersaMark ink; Zing embossing powder (Chestnut); and We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper

SPARKS Challenge

Today, I made a card for the SPARKS Design Team call. Using this picture as inspiration.....

 ...I made this card:

To create this card, I scored and folded my cardstock to a standard A2 size. Next, I took a piece of Tim Holtz Watercolor paper and eyeballed where I wanted to stamp the sentiment. Placing the die over this spot, I ran the paper through my die cutting machine so that the sentiment could be stamped in the negative space. I then stamped the trail of butterflies across the paper and colored them with Tim Holtz Distress markers. I used a damp paintbrush to to create the water color affect. Before adding foam adhesive on the water color paper, I placed it on top of my card so I could mark where to stamp the sentiment. After I stamped it, I adhered the stamped image to the card. Here's a closer look:

 I kept the inside pretty simple, stamping and coloring a coordinating butterfly next to the sentiment.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill; Tim Holtz Watercolor Paper;
Stamps: Paper Smooches (Flap Happy; Birthday Sampler);
Die: Paper Smooches (Butterflies 2);
Ink: StazOn (Black); Tim Holtz Distress Markers (Spun Sugar; Picked Raspberry);

Moxie Fab Trick or Treat!

When I saw this Moxie Fab image that Cath Edvalson posted, I knew what I had to do.

I pulled out this Prima doll stamp which I had bought only last month...

and made this card for my niece:

.
Thanks for the inspiration Cath! Happy Halloweeen!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Spectrum Noir (white); Papertery Ink (black);
Patterned Paper: October Afternoon (Witch Hazel);
Stamp: Prima (Julie Nutting); Making Memories (sentiment);
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black); Tim Holtz Distress (Weathered Wood); Spectrum Noir Markers (FS3; CT4; CR10; True Black); Wink of Stella (Clear);
Misc.: Recollections (cat embellishment).

Too Cute to Spook

Last year, I was lucky enough to win the All Hallow's Eve collection from Carta Bella. These papers were unlike any in my Halloween bin since there were no bright oranges, purples or greens. Just rich browns and spooky blacks.  To make my pictures fit the mood of the papers, I took to Photo Shop and played around with some actions from Pioneer Woman. I was lucky enough to be able to tone down my pictures without losing the color.  Here's my layout:  

With just a few exceptions, all of the products are Carta Bella. The journaling card, titled "This Year's Costumes," made me think of these pictures from a few years ago. The journaling reads: What a coincidence! You and Sara had picked out your costumes long before making plans to trick-or-treat together. Imagine, 2 cute vampirettes! 

In addition to the new Carta Bella papers and stickers, I dug out the bat felt fusion from Queen & Co. I think I bought it the first year I was scrapbooking. In the past, I always had difficulty adhering it. Now, I use washi tape to get it down straight. I adhere the felt fusion with the back still on right side down to a piece of washi tape. I take off the backing, put it into place and then peel back the washi tape. This trick works for intricate gem designs too!

Supplies:

Cardstock: American Crafts (black);

Patterned Paper/Stickers: Carta Bella All Hallow'd Eve Collection;

Punches: Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page (Spiderweb); EK Success (Extra Large Bat);

Misc.: Feckled Fawn washi (Telephone Wire); Queen & Co. Felt Fusion (bats); Making Memories brads; Glossy Accents

Paper Smooches and Simon Says Say It With Stamps Challenge

I have a quick card to share with you tonight for the Simon Says Stamp Say It With Stamps Challenge. This challenge focuses on the words. I wanted to use the Tim Holtz Distress Water Color Cardstock that I recently acquired. One of the last covers of Papercrafts Magazine (insert frowny face!) served as my inspiration. Here's my card:

To create this card, I lined my sentiments up on my work mat, using the lines to make sure that they were straight. (I got the idea for stamp placement from Jennifer McGuire but I can't for the life of me find her card to link to.) Anyway, I used a Fiskars stamp press to pick them up in the same position. I stamped using Versamark ink and then heat set with clear embossing powder. (Note, it is essential that your stamps are clean when using clear embossing powder. Don't ask me how I know!) Next, I scribbled distress markers onto my craft mat, spritzed some water and painted my sentiment block. I always love watching the magic of stamp resist.  I stamped the die-cut butterfly and used the same technique to color it and adhered it to my card with a foam dot.

Supplies:
Paper: Bazzill Cardshop Cardstock (Marshmallow); Tim Holtz Distress Water Color Carstock; Authentique Pattern Paper (Lively);
Stamps: Paper Smooches (Flap Happy; Birthday Sampler);
Die: Paper Smooches (Butterfly 3);
Inks: VersaMark; StazOn (Brown); Tim Holtz Distress Markers (Picked Raspberry, Shabby Shutters)
Misc.: Clear Embossing Powder

Welcome to Paris

So my sister, who loves all things having to do with France, celebrated another birthday.  Here is the card I made her:

I let the Prima paper take the center stage for this one and only added a stamped sentiment to the die cut tag. I also added a row of machine stitching above and below the Eiffel Towers.  To top off the tag, I added red seam binding, a Prima flower and a fabric brad. (Got to use up my stash!) Finally, I used my Wink of Stella pen to add a little bit of shimmer to the iconic image on the tag.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink;
Patterned Paper: Prima (Welcome to Paris);
Stamp: Papertrey Ink
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black); Wink of Stella Pen
Tools: Papertrey Ink die (Tag Sale #1)
Embellishments: Ribbon (Technique Tuesday); Flower (Prima); Brad from my stash; machine stitching