Unity Sketch Challenge 3/31 thru 4/7

 Unity Stamp Co. hosts a new challenge every week on their facebook page.  This was my entry for the Unity Sketch Challenge 3/31 through 4/7.   For this card I used both Elephant Behind Set and Big Summer Bouquet. 

 

I stamped all my images in black Memento Ink and embossed using clear embossing powder.   I stamped the flowers on book sheets and colored them using water colors.   Once dry I adhered the book paper to black card stock and pierced the paper to make holes for stitching.  I stitch using a x pattern and used black embordary thread.   I then attached the piece to a purple card stock base.   I stamped the Elephant on a grey pattern paper and fussy cut him out.   I attached the Elephant using a foam dots.   The butterfly is punched using left over card stock from the base.  I used my i-rock to bling the butterfly.  This was a fun sketch to follow.

Elf Double Slider Card

      In December I participated in a card exchange with a Music Theme.  Since Christmas was only a couple weeks to go and I had just watched Elf this stamp was perfect to keep me in the spirit. I wanted to make something fun and interactive so I choose to use a Double Slider Card base. 

       I used the Elf Christmas Set from Unity.  I stamped and colored it with markers, then fussy cut it.  I searched for a Christmas music sheet and found jingle bells, I printed it out the size I needed.  I used picmonkey.com to create the wreath image with my favorite quote from the Elf movie. I used the print and cut feature on my Silhouette to create the cut.   That has to be my favorite feature! 

       A couple tips in case you try this card, most tutorials tell you to use a shopping bag which would be more eco friendly, however I've noticed that didn't have a smooth glide to it an was getting stuck. Also use a sturdy cardstock as it can bend under pressure for the movement. 

Christmas Cards Class

       In November a craft friends asked my Mom and I to do her Senior Center monthly class.  Mom and I searched for ideas on pinterest and came up with the two below.  These were so fun and simple.  The cards were well received and the styles can be used for anything. 

 

Just a little fortune for you.

 

Bunco Night

       I was recently added to the permanent Bunco List of a local group.  This means I host one bunco night a year in my home.   There is a bag that rotates to each host every month that includes all the bunco necessities such as dice, bell, crown, and pencils.  The bag was looking a little torn up and I was feeling crafty, so I decorated a bag to replace it. I also decorated one to use as a prize for best dressed.

 

       Have I mentioned my husband is AMAZING.  For Christmas in 2014 he gave me a Silhouette Portrait and for my birthday gave me a Silhouette Cameo.  One for home and one for travel.  I love them both.  The did however replace my Cricut.  I'm sad to see it go but it's time. 

 

       Okay back to the projects.  I found some awesome cut files to use and cut them using heat vinyl.  My amazing husband added the vinyl using a heat press.  I added bling with my I-rock.  The bags are 10" x 10".

 

      I added something special to the prize.  I found dice beads and made a bracelet. necklace, and earrings.  

Flora and Fawna

        A local group does a Dine & Swap night where once a month we all go to dinner together and swap cards.  Every month is a different theme.  February was Easter/Spring.  March was Flora & Fauna.

 

       Hobby Lobby carries a few of the House Mouse Stamps and I have been really wanting one for a while and this gave me a reason to give in.  This stamp is called "She Loves me." Plus it was a crop day at Hobby Lobby which means SHOPPING!  I had my basic tools with me but I purchased the stamp, papers and mini dollie back there and began my project. 

 

       I stamped the image with Memento Black Ink on watercolor paper and used clear embossing powder.  I then water colored my image.  I used a two piece gate fold tutorial to make my card base. Once I pieced my card together I felt like it need a bit more to the image and my dear crop friends suggested and one let me use Stickles to add to the card. 

 

       I love the look of stickles but I hate waiting for it to dry.  I'm not good at being patient. Lucky there were shelves hanging up high so I placed the image there to dry while I worked on something else.  This Double Dutch Card is cute and fun. 

 

       During our dine & swap everyone created one card with the theme and put it in a pile.  Everyone randomly gets a card as we go around the table.  Lucky Momma got my card this month!  

Odd bird

       During March I signed up for a Ribbon Themed Card Swap.  I had a hard time thinking of what I wanted until Unity Stamp Co. posted a weekly sketch challenge.  I turned the sketch and used different ribbons to make the strip of pattern paper.  For the image and sentiment I used the November Kit of the Month called Best Year Yet. 

 

       I stamped in black Memento Ink on water color paper and heat embossed using clear embossing powder.  Once I water colored and let the image dry I applied masking fluid over the stamped image and let it dry.  Drying time often takes about an hour.   I used my aqua pens to wet the paper and added purple, yellow, and teal to the background.  I did the same for a scrap piece of paper and used it for the sentiment.  I used glossy accents over the sentiment to make it pop.  This was a fun and quirky stamp to work with.   

 

 

Easter Fun

 The girls are growing so fast and are at such a fun stage right now.  Easter this year was at Nana & Papa's house and we enjoyed the company of both Nana & Papa, Nana Kay & Papa Bruce.  These little ones are so loved and received wonderful gifts from both sets of nana& papas as well as Grandpa & Grandma Lamb who helped us with items for the Easter Baskets.  Here are a few  highlights from our Easter.

O- With her new Lambie from Nana & Papa

A- With her new Lambie from Nana & Papa

The Easter Hunt begins.

A - going through her very full Easter basket.

O - With her basket.

Photos with Nana & Papa.

St. Patrick's Day T-shirts

       My Mom and I purchased St Patrick's Day items about a month before the big day and yet I forgot to get it all ready before the day.   It's a fun holiday but I very rarely make a big deal of it minus outfits.   You need to wear green! 

 

       So on St Patrick's Day Morning the girls and I got their t-shirts ready. I made vinyl stencils using my Silhoutte Cameo and files from the Silhoutte Design Store. I attached them to the shirts and gave the girls brushes and paint and let them create.  They love paint, so this was perfect.  While they were busy painting, I worked on making them Korker bows in green and white.  I added little buttons to the centers.

 

       The girls were so proud of their new outfits and even got to show them off during dinner out. 

 

O - T-shirt says "Too Cute to Pinch"

A - T-shirt says "Pinch Proof"

Lil' Bunny Peeps

Spring is in the air and bunnies are everywhere.

In another post I mentioned  the girls and I made seed bombs for family and friends.

We put them in little strawberry cartons wrapped in clear bags. There bout 20 - 25 in each carton and we made 3 large cartons.  We have plenty more little seed balls to and filled about 10 mini favor boxes to had out to visitors and teachers.  I made tags using Lil' Bunny Peeps stamp from  Unity Stamp CO.   I stamped on pattern paper using Memento Ink and heat embossed using clear powder.   I fussy cut each pair of bunnies and put them on simple tags. 

 

On the back instructions were included that read :

 

"Please enjoy these compostable wildflower seed balls.   Planting them is such a cinch.

 

Just throw them into soil and watch them grow. For best results choose a location that receives consistent sun and rain. " 

 

       I wanted to make a few spring time cards to have on hand and used the Lil Bunny Peeps Stamp again.  I stamped on vellum paper using Memento ink and heat embossed with clear powder.   I used a foam mat under my images and used a stylus to rub on the outlines of the stamp to add more deapth and interest. Once done I made bases using the Dutch Fold Card method.   This video is easy to follow.

 

       I used pattern paper and denim paper for my layers.  I measured the inside of my mat on the top flap and cut and tore my bunnies to fit.   I then hand stitched my vellum to my top mat and adhered it to a mini doilie on the flap and back ground mat. Butterflies and flowers in scrap paper were added to give it more detail.