Happy Snowman // Throwback Thursday

Yet another CREATE November 2012 pub - this is a trend simply because it's easier to find my holiday cards drafts this way.

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Kristina Werner style here (I can't think of faux stitching, much less white faux stitching without thinking of her style ;))

A nice ol' grosgrain bow topped off with a button from my mom's button jar...

That's it for me today - enjoy your day and God bless!

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Cardstock: LSS
Patterned paper and sticker: SEI
Stamp: Hero Arts 'Merriest Christmas Wishes'
Ink: Staz-on
Other: button (stash), ribbon (Celebrate It!), gel pen

Tools: trimmer, adhesive, scissors

Quick Christmas // Throwback Thursday

I'm a winter baby, but I'll be honest with you - I despise winter. The only good thing about it (in my eyes) is Christmas.
So here's a Christmas card to cheer me up during this gloomy winter weather.

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A fast and easy Christmas card - patterned paper, stickers, pearls, stamped sentiment and bam! Christmas card.

Thanks for stopping in and have a lovely day!

SUPPLIES

Cardstock: LSS
Patterned paper: SEI "Field Notes"
Stamp: Hero Arts "Merriest Christmas Wishes"
Ink: Stazon
Other: glitter sticker (K&Company), border sticker (Crate Paper), pearls (Michaels), vellum (Hobby Lobby)

Glittered Die Cut // Throwback Thursday

I'm keeping with the girly theme of this month's Throwback Thursday's, and sharing a spring-y card to offset any dreary fall weather.

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A nice, light fluffy card to life your spirits. :)

This card took me forever to finish, just because I couldn't find the perfect sentiment. I was looking for a celebration sentiment, because I thought a super pretty card deserved a super nice occasion. Then I realized, aren't some of the best cards you get those fabulous ones you're just not expecting? Those one's are my fave, so I finally decided on this 'hello' sentiment - I can't wait to send it out. :)

Yum, I just love glittered silhouettes!

Did you know you can find quickly find all the cards I've made with a particular brand/company super easy? Yep - just look at the tagged cloud on the right sidebar, right underneath Blog Archive. I've tagged all my posts like this for your (and mine too!) convenience!

Thanks for stopping in today and God bless!

SUPPLIES

Cardstock: local craft store
Patterned paper: Dear Lizzy Neapolitan
Stamp: Papertrey Ink Mini Bloom
Ink: Tim Holtz
Other: wooden tag (Darice), ribbon and doily (stash), glitter (Martha Stewart)

Tools: Cuttlebug, Papertrey Ink Mat Stack 1 die, sewing machine

Motion Stamping // Throwback Thursday

Trying out a stamping motion technique while using a poorly neglected Hero Arts stamp set.

This card would work perfectly for guys or gals! And man, I really loved those little Martha Stewart gems. Michaels came out with their own brand awhile back, but not colors I particularly liked, and they weren't quite as...mellow. *sigh*

Supplies

Cardstock: LSS
Patterned paper: SEI "Field Notes"
Stamp: Hero Arts "Past Times"
Ink: Stazon, Tim Holtz
Other: gems (Martha Stewart), die cut (Basic Grey)

Fabric Spotlight // Papertrey Ink

Happy hump day!
I'm popping in with a card for the Wednesday Simon Says Stamp Dotty challenge, the Monday Simon Says Stamp Summer challenge, and the Word Art Wednesday Anything Goes challenge.

This card is made up of a few key old scraps that all get to shine, in one way or another.
For the background, I used a swatch of fabric from SEI - it was the perfect way to add a little interest to the card, and yet not too bright that it detracted from the bird.
The bird is an old K&Company die cut vellum piece - it was actually pretty thin and got lost among the dots, until I added two more layers of vellum (that I traced from the die cut) behind it.

I love how this sentiment can work with so many occasions - I can add a sentiment inside the card to tie it off, like "...you're expecting" or "you graduated!". Perfect for those quick calls. ;)
A cute little K&Company button finished everything off.

FYI: for a chance to win a $15 gift card to Simon Says Stamp, comment on THIS post.

Thanks so much for stopping in today and God bless!

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Cardstock: Bazzill

Stamp: Papertrey Ink "Tweet Talk"

Ink: Versamark

Other: die cut and button (K&Company), fabric (SEI), vellum

Tools: heat gun

Hero Arts // Etched Flowers

Popping in real quick with another card for Hero Arts Nature challenge...

Inspired by THIS pin - I masked off some areas with Post-It notes, and did some inking. I didn't measure the areas because I was too lazy. ;)

Thanks for stopping in and God bless!

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Cardstock: Canson, SEI
Stamps: Hero Arts "Etched Flowers" and "Everyday Sayings"
Ink: Versamark, Hero Arts, Tim Holtz
Other: gems (Darice), embossing powder (Hampton Arts)

Tools: heat gun

The Best

...in the West. I can't wait to get back to good ol' Pennsylvania!

I was inspired to use a pretty little fabric rectangle from SEI, and then put some scraps together to finish it up!

I dunno, I'm just a sucker for the chalkboard look - I love how stark white embossing on black cardstock looks.
Speaking of embossing, and cardstock, and cards, MAN! Do I miss cardmaking! It's a good thing I always have school or I'm traveling, because my fingers are positively tingling to make something! I've already taken some pictures to inspire future cards when I get back. ;)

But for now, here's one of the many pictures I took during a beautiful weekend in Switzerland...

Thanks for stopping in and God bless!

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Cardstock: Canson, Bazzill
Stamps: Hero Arts
Ink: Versamark
Other: fabric swatch (SEI), embossing powder, paperclip, vellum

Tools: embossing gun, Cuttlebug, Papertrey Ink Doily Details, sewing machine

Weaning off

...of cardmaking.
So, I've decided to post my Gallery Idol entries on my blog - I usually don't, because I usually forget and not posting also helps me forget that, once again, I lucked out. ;)
But between school, and adventuring with siblings, I just don't "stress" at all with cardmaking much lately. I'm going to go a whole semester without making cards, so I'm trying to wean off this addiction now so I don't go crazy without paper and adhesive in my hands, in the coming months. ;)

You can't tell in this photo, but the "congrats" is actually an embossed silver, which adds a nice subtle shimmer.

This card uses some pretty fab washi tape from Pinkfresh Studio - Aztec Love.
You may ask, do I love it like an Aztec? No.
But, you may also ask, do I love it like a fabulous roll of washi tape? Oh yes.

Wink of Stella. There's really no occasion not to use this fantastic stuff.

Actually, this card was an occasion to not use Wink of Stella - a little voice told me it wouldn't sit quite well with the slick washi tape.

So, none of my cards use washi tape in a remarkable or cool way, but it was fun to pull them out and put the darn things to use! I tell ya, before I had any washi tape, I was constantly coming up with cool ways to use it, and then as soon as I had a few rolls, poof! All the ideas - gone! The really crazy thing, is that when I see more pretty washi rolls online, I try convincing myself that THIS PARTICULAR roll really will get me going! It's nuts, I tell ya.

Anyways, I'm going bonkers from a whole bunch of traveling (from Madison and back again!) and work, plus, I have a project to work on (the joy of summer classes), so, thanks for stopping in and God bless!

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Card #1
Cardstock: Canson, DCWV
Stamps: Mama Elephant "Inline Letters", My Favorite Things "Best Friends"
Ink: Brilliance, Hero Arts
Other: washi tape (SEI, Stampin' Up!)

Tools: Cuttlebug, Mama Elephant Alphabet dies

Card #2
Cardstock: Canson, Bazzill
Other: washi tape (Pinkfresh Studio), thread, Wink of Stella, sequins (Michaels)

Tools: Cuttlebug, Paper Smooches Quote Tag die

Card #3
Cardstock: Canson
Stamps: Paper Smooches "Scripty Sayings", Hero Arts "Miss You So Much", Papertrey Ink "Tweet Talk"
Ink: Stazon
Other: washi tape (Stampin' Up)

Just popping in

...to share some fun news and a small card with you!

I'm designing for Pinkfresh Studio!! Yay! I'm so excited!
Here are the other wickedly talented girls I will be designing along side...

Amanda De Jong 

April Joy Hill 

Ashley Fawler 

Ashley Horton 

Els Brigé 

Jennifer Calma 

Margareta Carlsson

Magda

Taheerah Atchia

I haven't gotten my hands on any of the fun product from the Studio yet, but here's a card with some wood veneer to give you a taste of what's to come. ;)

One last thing - my brother wrote an excellent article on some Father Brown books by G.K.Chesterton, if you wanna check it out (shameless plug, I know, but it really is a great article!)

Thanks for stopping in and God bless!

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Cardstock: Canson

Patterned paper: Dear Lizzy "5th and Frolic"

Ink: SEI

Other: gem (Hero Arts), wood veneer (Studio Calico), embossing powder (Hampton Art)

Tools: heat gun

Precious Remembrance {Release Day}

It's release day at Precious Remembrance, revealing one of my favorite PR stamp sets yet!

Journey

I totally had Austria in mind when I made this card - my college has an amazing abroad program which I'll {fingers crossed} be partaking in come Fall '14.
While postcards would still be sent, sometimes you want to write a note that isn't meant for all eyes, and this card is flat enough to be mailed without much trouble.

I don't know if you can tell, but I used the sweet star ink splatter image, and clear embossed for a little more interest without a lot of bulk.

Glitter, sequins, embossing, white space - this card may be simple, but for all it's little details, I love it. :)

Would you like to win this set for yourself? Head on over to the Precious Remembrance blog to find out how! You'll also be able to see the amazing cards the rest of the design team has made!

Thanks for stopping in and God bless!

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Cardstock: LSS
Patterned paper: SEI "Field Notes"
Stamps: Precious Remembrance "Journey"
Ink: Distress Ink, Versamark
Other: embossing powder (Hampton Art), sequins (red: Michaels, blue: Avery Elle), glitter tape (American Crafts)

Tools: heat gun

Vintage Trio

I hadn't played along in a Tuesday Trigger for awhile, so I figured I would give the Vintage Vagabond a go, despite it being very out of my comfort zone (ETA: I just realized I missed the deadline - oops!)
Also for Word Art Wednesday (Anything Goes).

...and then THIS pin also helped me sketch-wise.

Used some little odds and ends I've been saving up; an old necklace pendant and a vintage metal button.

A little sparkle added using some glitter and a glue pad.

Thanks so much for stopping in and God bless!

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Cardstock: Canson
Patterned paper: My Minds Eye "Be Amazing", SEI "Field Notes"
Stamp: Hero Arts "Antique Flowers and Butterflies"
Ink: Essential Glue Pad
Other: gem (Darice), pearl brad (Michaels), button and pendant (stash)

Tools: Cuttlebug, Hero Arts "Antique Flowers and Butterflies" die

Finals

...are OVER! Freedom for three months! Or, semi-freedom - I have a job interview tomorrow, so hopefully that goes well. ;)

Popping in with a card made for the Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge (I actually don't have any nautical themed stamps, so I just kinda went with nautical colors), Simon Says Stamp Things with Wings (the bird) and the Runway Inspired (the stripes and colors)...

For the red stripes, I was inspired by my friend Virginia - I just cut the extra rubber surroundings from a Hero Arts stamp set, inked it up, and stamped! Not a perfect impression, but it works for me!
The pearls were originally white, but using THIS nifty little trick, I painted them gold!

Stuck some gold lace on to finish the card off, mainly because I couldn't think of anything else. ;)

Thanks for stopping in and God bless!

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Cardstock: LSS, Bazzill
Stamps: Paper Smooches "Sentiment Sampler", Hero Arts "Merriest Christmas Wishes"
Ink: Stazon, SEI
Other: gems, nail polish, lace

Tools: Memory Box die, Cuttlebug

Just Because

{DISCLAIMER - if you don't like feet, you may wanna skip this post!}

     I was going over the old blogaroo tonight after a failed search on Netflix (need to put off studying for finals as long. as. possible...ugh), and realized that it's kinda dusty. While I think the Technique Thursday posts have livened things up a wee bit, things are still looking pretty drab around here. Pretty much all of my posts within the last, oh, at least four months, have been for either design team work, or an occasional challenge.
     So I thought to myself, "Darn it, Clare! You should post something just because!"
     And so here I stand.
     Er, sit.

     While looking for the perfect random card to post, I found this...

     I dare you to find a more random, customized handmade card online that looks as sweet as this (in my personal opinion). Dare you.

Backstory:
     Here at my college, Franciscan University of Stuebenville, we have THE best athletic trainer and S.M.A.'s (Sport Medicine Assistants). Seriously. The best. This trainer lady is always in a good mood, treats even opposing players like they're V.I.P's (which is how it ought to be), and keeps me and the rest of the student-athletes laughing. Not to mention, she (and the S.M.A.'s) are pretty darn good at their work.
     Anyways, this awesome trainer lady and the S.M.A.'s taped up my pathetically pathetic ankles up for every practice and every game this past volleyball season, and they did a bangin' job.
     So this was my thank you card (which was accompanied by some sweet treats) for the S.M.A.'s. It's only appropriate. ;)
    The trainer lady thank you card (which is also pretty darn awesome) will be posted soon.

     And yes, I did print out an outline of a foot, and wrap it with thin computer paper. ;)

     Thus concludes my just because card post. ;)
     Thanks for putting up with my today, and God bless!

Spring cleaning

...my life. ;)
It's crazy how much stuff I need to clean and work on right now, and one of those things I need to get done is get the winner for the Throwback Tuesday posts! And that winner is...

Congrats Terry! Please e-mail me within two weeks for deets on the goodies! :)

Today, I'll be working up on scheduling lots of Throwback Tuesday posts so I don't get behind, like this past time. ;)
Also, a card I made for this months Hero Arts contest...

People, there is NO patterned paper on this card! Can you believe it, coming from this patterned paper loving girl?!
The feather design was super fun (though a little time consuming) to make - I stamped the feather (it's a single image) once on the watercolor cardstock with Versamark, then covered it with some embossing powder, then repeated about a bazillion times. The reason for stopping after each stamping to cover with powder was because I couldn't see my last impression without the powder, and I didn't want any overlapping.
Topped off with an embossed sentiment (I was in a little bit of an embossing craze ;)) and some pearls.

The card is much prettier in real life, where you can see the colors better.

Anywho, that's it for today!
Thanks so much for stopping in today, and God bless!

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Cardstock: Strathamore
Stamps: Hero Arts
Ink: Versamark, Twinkling H2O's, Tattered Angels, Tim Holtz
Other: embossing powder (Martha Stewart), pearls (Michaels)

Special tools: heat gun

Precious Remembrance New Release!

...an adorable Thanks stamp set!

So sweet! Love the handwritten fonts! And my card....

A pretty little butterfly using up some fabric scraps - this handmade embellishment turned out very well for me. :)

The lovely sentiment from the new set....

Some yummy pearls, a dyed doily, and the border stamp...

I made a video for this card, so I'll try and get that up soon. :)

Check the Precious Remembrance blog for more projects using the new stamp set! 

God bless!

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Cardstock: LSS

Patterned paper: SEI, Basic Grey

Stamps: Precious Remembrance, My Favorite Things

Ink: Tim Holtz, Staz-on

Other: pearls and brad (Michaels), ribbon and doily (stash), fabric (K&Company), paperclip (Tim Holtz)

Tools: Cuttlebug, MFT butterfly and frame dies

Project Thursday {waxy tag}

I started this tag out by stamping the fun borders from Precious Remembrance's Christmas stamp set in some non-traditional Christmas colors, then stamped the merry&bright image on some kraft paper.

I decided to do something fun to make the '&' part of the sentiment stand out. Basically, I rubbed some scrap kraft paper against my Versamark pad, embossed, and repeated those two steps a couple times until I had about four nice layers of embossing powder, and then I quickly impressed the stamp into the warm layers. Makes a nice little 'waxy' looking label! Snuck a little banner underneath it to give it a little more emphasis, and I was donsies!

Tied the tag off with ribbon, and then I stuck a little piece of magnetic tape to the tag so it could also be used as a decoration! You could opt out of the magnetic tape and just write a little message. ;)

Thanks so much for stopping in with me today!