I wasn't thrilled with the one-layer tags I posted for the OLW challenge on Wednesday.  Since that post, I've been playing with mists, distress inks, and sprays in an effort to make a more interesting one layer tag.  I have two to show you. 

For the tag above, I misted the background with Silver Sugar Glimmer Mist.  To me, the color looks like a shimmery medium gray.  Very pretty!  The poinsettias are stamped with Papertrey Ink's Raspberry Fizz and the center of each flower has three little dots of Cotton Candy Stickles.  The "to and from" are stamped on the back of the tag.

 
The second tag was stamped with Barn Red Distress Ink on glossy card stock.  It has a nice marble effect to it, although you can't tell it by my photography skills.

The week's OLW post can be found here.  You still have time to play and just think,  you'll have a jump start on you Christmas tags.

One-Layer Wednesday ~ Christmas/Holiday Tags (OLW166)

Welcome to this week's One-Layer Wednesday challenge.  With the holidays right around the corner, let's make one-layer Christmas/Holiday Tags.

I have a few to share with you.

Santa's hat was colored with Prisma pencils and topped with a pom pom. 

For the tag above, I used a PSX stamp from 1999.  Believe it or not, I found this beauty at a garage sale last year.  I colored the image with Prisma pencils and added some bling.

If you look closely, you can see glitter on this tag.

I can't wait to see what your tags!


OLW166 Rulesl.  Create a one layer tag.  This is defined as a single layer of cardstock.  No other    
     layers allowed.

2.  Create a Christmas/Holiday tag.  Remember to keep  embellishments to a minimum and NO      ADDITIONAL layers of cardstock.
     
3.  Post your card online and link it to the InLinkz button at the bottom of this post.  If you link to 
     your blog, please link to the specific post and not your blogs main page.

4.  HAVE FUN!

OLW 164 - Play the Game

A quick post before the One-Layer Wednesday (OLW164) deadline!

This week's host is Ardyth.  Her challenge, Play the Game.  Create a one layer card inspired by a game or some form of play. 

Here's my take on Ardyth's challenge.  Playing music!

The treble clef stamp is a textured or distressed image, just in case you thought it was poor stamping.

The Details:

Stamps: Stampers Anonymous - Frame/Background Stamp, Stampabilities - Image & Sentiment -  A Muse (Retired) 

Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black & Palette Vintage Cream

Paper: Kraft

Accessories: Stamp-A-Ma-Jig & Twine



Packaging...

I can't believe it's already the first week of November!  Where did October go? 

Okay!  Moving on.  Let me ask you, how many of you give gift cards during the holidays, or throughout the year for that matter?  With my family scattered across the country, and teen/tween  nieces and nephews, I find gift cards are always well received, and much less expensive to send. Even my teenage daughters request gift cards. 

Please, don't think that I just send gift cards for the ease of gift giving! When my nephews were younger, I took great pains in finding the most awesome gifts.  Of course, I wanted to be the "coolest " Auntie ever"!  About six years ,when Lightsabers (a fictional weapon or laser sword, made famous by Star Wars) were so popular, I sent my nephews two for Christmas. Later, I found out my sister wouldn't let my nephews have them as she felt they were violent.  Really?  Needless to say, I never sent another gift again.  Gift cards only! 

With that said, I don't like to give a gift card without dressing it up in some way.  It's all about the packaging.  Gift card packaging!

This month, every Monday, I will feature gift card packaging ideas for you.  This week, I'm starting off with a simple gift card die from Papertrey Ink. 

I thought long and hard before purchasing this die.  It's an investment.  I actually calculated the cost of the die verses other packaging option and how often I thought I would use it.  End result, I love it.  I'm so glad I purchased it.  It's already paid for itself!  You can't ask for anything more, right?

Let me show you some examples.  After die cutting, this is what the Gift Card Greetings die looks like.

Here's an inside view.  As you can see, I did some stamping on the inside ("to and from" on the bottom flap and "sending holiday cheer" on the top flap).   Very simple.

Here's a view of the top flap.

Here, I've added some embellishments to the basic die.

And here, a fun interpretation of the Gift Card Greetings die.

Pin It

With this one Gift Card Greetings die there are so many possibilities.  Just let your creativity take over.

I hope you'll stop by next Monday for more Gift Card Packaging ideas.

Supplies:  Stamps: Papertrey Ink  Paper: Stampin' Up-Whisper White, Bazzil Black and Red, Unknow Silver, Memory Box-Red Dot  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Papertrey New Leaf and Pure Poppy  Accessories: Bow Maker, Papertrey Ink Gift Card Greetings die, Unlimited Ovals 1 3/4, Tiny Tags, Twine, Fiskers Square Punch 1 Inch and 1 1/4 Inch Punch, 1/4 Circle Punch.

One-layer Wednesday (OLW 163), LIM & Addicted to CAS

This week, the ever so talented Karen is our One-Layer Wednesday host.  Her challenge, 'Orange' You Glad You Played Along.  How fun and easy is this? 

As luck would have it, the code word for Addicted to CAS is "One-Layer".  And, the Less is More challenge this week is "String or Twine".

I love mums.  In my opinion, the are the epitome of fall.  They are the quintessential flower of Fall.

  
Now I have to tell you, I don't think I've have ever wasted so much cardstock trying to put together a card in my life!  I tried several times to place the leaves along side the mum's with no luck.  They just didn't look right/good.  As a last resort, I masked the mums, and then I had some success.  Think about it, trying to cut a mask for these images.  Not an easy task. 

Supplies: Stamps: Papertrey  Ink: Papertrey  Paper: Papertrey  Accessories: Button, & Twine, and Post It Notes For masking.

October Papertrey Blog Hop

It's the 25th of the month and that means it's time for the Papertrey Blog Hop.  This month it's all about tags.



I used a combination of burlap and felt to add interest.  The doilies were misted with Old Lace Glimmer Mist.  It adds a beautiful shimmer to the tags.  Unfortunately you can't see it in the picture. 

I am also linking to CAS-UAL Fridays ~ Tags & Bags challenge.

Supplies: Stamps: Papertrey Ink  Paper: Lilybee, Making Memories and Papertrey Ink: Memento-Tuxedo Black Accessories: Papertrey Die Cuts, Felt, Burlap, Papertrey Buttons, Jingle Bells, Twine and Glimmer Mist

Mojo Monday #316

Hi!  Since it's Wednesday you may be here looking the One-Layer Wednesday (OLW) challenge.  Karen is our host this week.  You find her challenge here.

On to today's post. 

I'm trying to squeak out a few more Halloween cards, and this week's Mojo Monday challenge caught my eye.

I started out by misting a white doily with Tattered Angles Glimmer Mist, Lavender Fields.  Then on to my die cutting machine for the Spider web.  With a 6 x 6 pad of patterned paper, a few embellishments, and a great sketch a girl can make some cards! 

A girl can make some pretty awesome envelopes too, with the We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board!  In case you're wondering, I'm not a paid representative for We R Memory Keepers,
although I wish I were.....!  I love my envelope maker.

I'm also joining the 4 Crafty Chicks challenge (Layers).

Thanks for stopping by!

One-Layer Wednesday 162 ~ Leaves

This week, Heather is hosting our One-Layer Wednesday challenge (OLW 162).  Her challenge, leaves.  I have a feeling Heather was probably thinking fall leaves, right? 

In an ongoing effort to use stamps (that have never seen ink before), each week I pull a set or two and display them prominently on my worktable to use. This morning, as I was thinking about the OLW challenge, I saw leaves on my worktable!  Okay, so they were holly leave, but leaves all the same.

These leaves are from a Close to My Heart set (A Holiday A1115), my MIL gave me. 

I made three different OLW cards.  All very similar, but a bit different.  With the first card, I though the little pom-poms would make cute berries.

With my second card, I wanted to use sequins to bling it up a bit. A girl has to be trendy whenever possible, right?

And with my third card I just used stamps.  No bling, just some twine.

All three cards are 4 1/4 square with matching envelopes made with We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board. 

It's not often that I get really excited about a tool, but the Envelope Punch Board is awesome if you like to make matching envelopes, or just use up your scraps.

Supplies: Stamps: Close To My Heart - A Holiday  Ink: Papertrey - Pure Poppy, New Leaf, Simply Chartreuse and Memento - Tuxedo Black  Paper: Papertrey - White (Card Base), Envelopes - Paper Studios   Accessories: We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board & Twine.  

Freshly Made Sketches 108

I love the sketch at Freshly Made Sketches this week.  Lately, I find working with a sketch is helpful.  My cards seem to come together faster, and with less stress. Yes, I said stress!  Tell me you've all experienced that feeling?  You're trying to put together a card/project to post.  The dog is barking, the timer just went off on the dryer, your daughter is wanting you to look over her school project, the dishes are still sitting in the sink from dinner, then your other daughter (who's away at college) is blowing up your phone with text messages!  Secretly, you think "thank goodness my husband is working late tonight!  Yes, sometimes there's stress.

Now I know why I've been using more sketches lately!

Pin It

If you are looking for some sketches to try, Pinterest is a great source.  Also, in a previous post, I listed some of my favorite sketch sites.  You can find that post here.

Supplies:  Stamps: Hero Arts and My Favorite Things (Sentiment)  Paper: Carta Bella 6x6 paper Pad - So This Is Christmas  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black  Accessories: Snowflake and Label, and scallop border Die Cuts - My Favorite Things, Spellbinders, Copic Markers, Bling, Baker's Twine and Ribbon.

Packaging...

I love pretty packaging. I'm always on the lookout for pretty packaging ideas (Hello Pinterest)!  When I discovered a die cut for a pillow box, I did a little happy dance. Using up my supplies and pretty packaging all in one easy step.

Recently, I sent my daughter, her roommate and two other freshman (in my daughter's dorm) a Halloween care package.  Included were these pillow boxes filled with candy. 

 

Pin It

These were all made from the same die cut along with various embellishments and designer paper.  The die cut I used is from Papertrey Ink.  I know My Favorite Things also has a pillow die cut that's square, and a bit smaller.  I'm thinking I probably need both, right?  Now, I'm sure there are other pillow dies out there, however these are the two that I'm familiar with.

Okay, in an effort to provide full disclosure, I do not work for, or receive gifts from either company, however a girl can wish!

As I mentioned, these pillow boxes were filled with Halloween candy, but just think of the possibilities.  You can use these for any holiday, birthday or gift giving occasion, and aside from packaging for a small gift, they can be used as gift card holders too. 

I hope you don't mind if I share one other item in the Halloween care package.

The girls needed something "Halloween" in their dorm so I made these pillowcases.

I hope you'll visit again because I have a "gift card packaging" series planned for early November.
 

So Many Sketch Challenges, Oh My!

If you're here for the OLW challenge this week, please click here.
 
Okay, my card was inspired by this week's Mojo Monday sketch.  What a great sketch.  It's so versatile. I'm thinking Christmas, Birthday, Thank You.... I could go on.
 

Here's my card, A Spooky Halloween.

Have you noticed how many great sketch challenges there are?  Wow!  Recently, I decided to compile a list.  This is not a complete list by any means.  These are just a some challenge sites that I've found, and like.  If you have some favorites, please let me know and I will add them to the list and post them.

Sketch Challenge Blogs:

Case This Sketch:  http://casethissketch.blogspot.ca/

Freshly Made Sketches:  http://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com/

Retro Sketches:  http://retrosketches.blogspot.in/

Seize The Sketch:  http://seizethesketch.blogspot.com/

Unscripted Sketches:  http://unscriptedsketches.com/

Mojo Monday:  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/

The Sweet Stop:  http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/

A sketch is always a great way to jump start your card project!  Or, if you've lost your mojo (from time to time, we all do), start with a sketch and see where it takes you. 

I hope you find these sketch blogs helpful.


Supplies: Stamps: Image-Inkadinkado, Sentiment- Hero Arts  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black  Paper: Authentique, Card Base-Stampin' Up  Accessories:   Bling, Sequins, Buttons and Seam Binding

One-Layer Wednesday 161 ~ Show Me Your Colors

Welcome to another One-Layer Wednesday (OLW).  This week, Show Me Your Colors. Your fall colors.  You can choose any theme you wish.

OLW161 Rules:

 

l.  Create a one layer card.  This is defined as a single layer of cardstock folded in half.  No other layers allowed.

 

2.  Create a card using fall colors.  Add a link to your card.  Remember to keep embellishment to a 

 minimum and NO ADDITIONAL layers of cardstock.

 

3.  Post your card online and link it to the InLinkz button below.  If you link to your blog, please link 

 to the specific post and not your blogs main page.

 

4.  HAVE FUN!  I can't wait to see what you create.

 

 

Supplies: Stamps: Papertrey & Memory Box  Ink: Papertrey & Memento  Paper: Kraft  Accessories:  Stamp Positioner, Score Board, & Bling

 

 

An Update And Another Use For Washi Tape

Earlier this week I told you about a wonderful charity, Cards For Hospitalized Kids.  You can see my post here.

I'm happy to report I reached my goal.  I made twenty five Halloween cards with envelopes for Cards For Hospitalized Kids. I thought I would share a few of them with you.  They are all simple in design due to the number I wanted to make and time restraints.

I decorated the inside of each card with stamps and Washi Tape.  I don't know why I haven't thought of using my "collection" of  Washi Tape to embellish the inside of cards before.  I love using Washi Tape, instead of just collecting it!  I'm sure some of you can relate.

Here's a peek at the inside of two cards.

I hope you'll consider sending some of your cards to Cards For Hospitalized Kids too!

Have a wonderful week.

Seize The Sketch & Cards For Hospitalized Kids

Lack of creativity?  Pretty much.  For a good cause, absolutely! 

I was wandering around blogland this weekend and discovered Card For Hospitalized Kids.  This charity distributes cards to kids that are hospitalized and/or seriously ill. What could be better than to make a card for a sick child?

When my oldest daughter was born she was very ill, and was hospitalized for several weeks.  It was a devastating time for our family.  As you can imagine, this charity hit a nerve within me.  Fast forward to today; my daughter defied all odds!  She just started college and is happy and healthy.  To look at her you would never know she had such a difficult start in life.  

When I saw this Seize The Sketch this morning, I knew it was the perfect sketch to use for making multiple Halloween cards in a short amount of time.

Here's my card.  As you can see, I used the sketch exactly.  I will be able to duplicate this easily.  My goal is to make 25-30 cards and get them in the mail by Friday (for Cards For Hospitalized Kids).  I can do this! 

I made the coordinating envelope and added some designer paper to the inside for a little added excitement.

I hope you'll consider sending some of your cards to Cards For Hospitalized Kids.

Supplies:  Stamps: Tim Holtz Exclusive Halloween Kit for Archivers  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black  Paper:  Card Base Stampin' Up Whisper White, Teresa Collins 6x6 Pad Masquerade Party  Accessories: Twine and a Button

Shopping Our Stash #120 ~ Kids

I discovered a new to me challenge this week.  It's Shopping Our Stash or SOS.  It's a weekly challenge focusing on using the supplies you have on hand.  This challenge spoke volumes to me. 

This week's Shopping Our Stash challenge is to make a "kid themed" card.  I made this card with my 15 year old daughter in mind.  Kid, teenager, same thing right?  Well, Katelyn calls everyone "dude", including her father and me.  It drives me crazy...!  So when I came across this little Technique Tuesday set, of course I thought of my her.  That's why the dude is stamped in pink.  She's my girly-girl.

In an effort to shop my stash, I pulled out one of my treasured Martha Stewart die cut doilies.

I used this sketch from Susan Stringfellow.  I thought it was such a fun and playful sketch, perfect for this challenge.

Adding to Simon Say Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes.

Supplies:  Stamp: Technique Tuesday (Ali Edwards)  Ink: Papertrey  Paper: Card Base Stampin' Up Whisper White  Designer Paper: Echo Park 6x6 pad Hello Summer

Thanks for stopping by...

Crazy 4 Challenges ~ A Sketch

Lately, I’ve been pinning sketches to my card sketch board on Pinterest, for those times when I need a little extra inspiration.  I recently pinned this sketch from Crazy for Challenges.  I love this sketch!

Here's the end result.  I wanted happy and fun as this is for a little guy.  No scary stuff here.

Pin It

Thanks for stopping by.


Supplies: Stamp: Penny Black  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black  Paper: Cryogen White (great for Copics) Card Base Stampin' Up Whisper White  Designer Paper: Jillibean Soup and K & Company  Accessories: Twine, Sequins, Copic Markers, Button and Spellbinders Oval Die Cut

OLW 159 ~ Free For All

Karen is hosting this week's One-Layer Wednesday challenge.  Her challenge, Free For All.  You can choose any theme for your one-layer card.  Thanks Karen!

I need to send a sympathy card this week.  I don't like sympathy cards.  I don't make many sympathy cards.  In saying that, I am pleased with the way this turned out. Well, except for the shadow over the ribbon.  I may have to find a new photographer.

Pin It

I hope you'll pop over to Karen's blog and play along this week.

Supplies:  Stamps: Great Impressions & A Muse (Sentiment)  Ink: Memento Gray Flannel  Paper: Gina K. Designs: White  Accessories: Flat Pearls, Ribbon & Stamp Positioner

Autumn, Felt, Another CAS(E) This Sketch & a Tip

I'm not one to combine challenges but this week everything just fell in place, and I was able to combine three challenges. Yes!

This week the Less is More challenge is to use felt or fabric on your card.

The cue card  for CAS ology is Autumn.

And because I loved the CAS(E) This Sketch this week, I used it again.  You can also see it HERE in an earlier post this week.

Finally, let me share a burlap tip with you.  If you've ever tried to use burlap with your die cuts, you've probably discovered the burlap doesn't hold up very well.  It has no body.  What I've done to solve this is to coat my burlap with Mod Podge, and let it dry.  This will make the burlap semi stiff, and will hold up well with die cuts.  I prefer the hard coat Mod Podge for this technique. I hope this was helpful.

A Reminder: Karen is this week's One-Layer Wednesday host.


Supplies: Stamps: Both sentiments are Papertrey  Ink: Memento - Rich Cocoa  Paper: Gina K - Ivory Accessories:  Felt, Burlap, Buttons, Pearl Cotton, My Favorite Thing Layered Rose Die, and We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board