Season's Greetings/Happy Holidays

Hello.

Here's today's card. 

All products are from my stash.  The background is a gorgeous vellum that I wish I could find again, it's just perfect for Christmas cards.  Sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.

As the season gets into high gear, the pretty packages are ready to mail.

These are on their way to two very special friends.   Inspiration came from Pinterest.
The embossed kraft bag is from SRM Stickers here.  Sentiment is also from SRM here.  The ribbon, label punch and stamp are from Stampin' UP!. I dug out the old chalks(which I haven't used for ages) to distress the doilies.
I'm entering this into Virginia's View Challenge # 10, the theme this month is distressing.

Thanks so much for dropping by today.
Ivanka

Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Magazine Special Thanks! Blog Hop



Hello and welcome to a special blog hop to say good bye and a great big THANK YOU! to Paper Crafts magazine. 

 

You should have come here from Melania's blog.

 

Here's my card.  CAS, with a bit of POP.  Lesson learned from the editors of PC magazine.  Their submission calls always encouraged us to make a card stand out...make it pop!  



 

 

Thought I'd share the first issue one of my cards was published-Card Creations Vol 2.

 



Here is that very first card.

 

 

My family remembers the day well.  I had submitted several times with no luck.

But I kept trying.  And trying.  When this email came through saying one of my cards was picked up for publications, I ran around the house chanting "Pa-Per Crafts, Pa-Per Crafts!!"  Even though my cards had been published in other magazines, it didn't feel like I had 'made it' until my card was published in Paper Crafts.  Amazingly, 20+ of my cards/projects made it into the pages of PC magazine.

 

Cut to the present...I broke the news to my family when I heard that they were ceasing publications and they all still remember my very first 'Paper Crafts' victory.  And they shared in my sadness.

 

So thank you Paper Crafts, for challenging me, inspiring me and accepting me into your family of published designers!  The card making world will not be the same without you.

 

Your next stop is Sweet Stamp Shop.

Thanks for dropping by.  Enjoy the hop and all of the creativity found.

Ivanka

Merry Christmas

Good Morning.  Here's today's card.

 

The paper is from Melissa Francis and Glitz design.  The frame and poinsettia are from The Paper Studio, sentiment stamp is from SU. 

Happy Saturday.

Ivanka

Happy Holidays





Hello.  Here's today's card.  I'm revisiting my Anna Griffin days.  I love the elegance of all of her products.  I just can't do all the gorgeous layering that are the cornerstone of any of her cards.

But I think I've captured the elegance at least.  

 

The paper and sentiment are from the Anna Griffin vault...(I tend to hoard them).  I used the cracked glass technique to give the sentiment some depth and texture.  The gold paper is from American Crafts, die cut is lacey squares from Spellbinders.

Thanks so much for dropping by today.

'Tis the Season!



Yes, it's time to start the Christmas cards for 2014.

 

I'm starting today by playing along with CASology challenge #121, where the cue word is Festive. 

 



 

Just looking at this card puts me in a festive mood.  Love these stocking stickers from Jolee's and the frame stickers from The Paper Studio.  The embossed Holiday Frame from Stampin' UP! makes the perfect background.  And a little Martha Stewart glitter does not hurt either.  :)

 

Here's a couple more...

 

 

 

Thanks for stopping in today.

Ivanka

Oldie Moldie Monday.



Hello,

 

Oldie Moldie Monday started several years ago in an effort to use up supplies on hand.  My friend Barb has been so very consistent in her posting of Olide Moldie Monday cards...me not so much. 

 

I recently took a few days to 'just create'...not worry about theme, supplies used, or anything stressful.  It was so much fun...just to go with the flow and use what I had on hand.  I made a whole bunch of cards that I am taking to sell at work, all the proceeds are going to Mission Services Hamilton in support of the Christmas Hamper program.

 

 

Sticker is from SRM, embossing folder is from Cuttlebug.

Thanks so much for dropping by.  Happy Monday.

Canvas

Hello...it's been a busy summer, not too much time for creativity.  The summer ended with our youngest starting university.  She is about an hour away, not too far thankfully.  She's doing great so far and she came home for a quick visit this weekend.  It was great to have her home.

Today I'm sharing a 8 x 10 canvas I made for her dorm room.  I painted it black and the gorgeous image is by Donna Estabrooks from DCWV.  The whole paper pack is full of images ready to be framed. The chipboard letters were painted white then lightly rubbed off while the paint was still wet, to reveal the original colors.



A girl in university gives me a whole new reason to create. :)

Thanks for stopping by,

Ivanka

Happy Graduation!

Along with everything else that I'm late with this summer, I am very late with a special graduation card for my girl...a high school graduate!

So I was very happy to come across the July challenge at SRM stickers, and right there was the sketch that inspired me.

I was equally as happy to see that Simon Says Stamps' Wednesday challenge is to emboss it!!

I used Dots and Clockworks Cuttlebug embossing folders, Making Memories glittered stars, and SRM Graduation Stickers by the Dozen.  I brushed the cardstock with Platinum Planet Brilliance ink pad for some added shimmer.

Thanks for dropping by today.  There's still time to join in on the SRM challenge (there are prizes!), go check it out.

Ivanka

You Are My Sunshine

Well, hello there.  Its been a while, hasn't it?  Hard to believe it's nearing the end of July.  We've had a busy but wonderful summer so far. 

 

It's been a while since I've had studio time.  So happy to receive this week's Papertry Ink video on Monday.  I loved the technique shared and had fun trying this out.  So here is my entry for this week's challenge PTI Make It Monday #173, no outline watercolor.

 



 

The flower stamp is from Scrappy Cat, I used SU Daffodil Delight and Pumpkin Pie with the aqua painter.  The sentiment is PTI Fillable Frames # 3.  I used watercolor paper and lightly painted the background as well. 

Thanks for stopping by today.
Ivanka
(This made me realize I need more PTI stamps.  Love the large flower image Heather used.)

Happy Mom Day

Hi.

Adventures in cardmaking here today.  This started out as a sketch and color challenge for one of the blogs this week...and it ended up like this...nothing at all like the sketch or color challenge.  What can I say?  Sometimes I go rogue like that!!!

The flower is from Petaloo, leaf die is from SU, sentiment is from Studio G.  I flicked some Twinkling H2O's on the background and it has a nice shimmery effect...which of course here looks like bile.
Sorry for the visual.

Thanks for visiting.
Ivanka

Mother's Day Cards.

Hello.

Finally got some cards made.  My mojo has caught up with me, just in time for Mother's Day.

Here the patterned paper is from We R Memory Keepers, dry embossed with Anna Griffin Ogee Damask folder.  Vellum is from Bazzill Basics Paper, Sentiment is from Anna Griffin and flower is from Petaloo.

Next is a set of cards using lovely PSX orchid stickers.  These are out of production, but once in a while I am still able to find them at scrapbooking stores.  And when I do...I hoard them!

Sentiment here is from Studio G.

 Another Anna Griffen embossing folder.

The paper here is from Webster's Pages.

It feels great to get some cards made.  The sun was shining today, my daffodils are blooming...can't get better than that.

Thanks for dropping by,
Ivanka

Birthday Card

Hello.

Where the heck does the time go?  It's inconceivable how fast it goes.

There has been very little creativity in the studio lately.  Today seems different.  The sun is shining, the daffodils are blooming and my mojo seems to have made a reappearance!!  

Today, I'm playing along with Poppy Sketches #2.  Love the sketch and absolutely lot the pop of colors they've chosen.

Here's my card.

The fabulous stamp is Hello Gorgeous by Penny Black.  I stamped in black and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  I colored the stamp with LuminArte's Twinkling H2O's (Poppy Red and Autumn Skies).  The sticker is from SRM-Calendar Companion.  The background paper is Antique Script from Bazzill Basics.

Speaking of SRM, I'm entering this into their very first challenge on their new SRM Challenge Blog.  Have you checked it out?  There is a fabulous prize up for grabs and 9 days left in the challenge.

Thanks for dropping by,
Ivanka

Mr. & Mrs.

Hello.

I'm joining in the current challenge at Cardabilities this week.  Love this sketch.

  

There's a lot of silver going on today.  It's pretty but hard to photograph.  

I didn't have a silver doilie so I used Heidi Swapp's color shine in Tinslel to make it silver.  It worked great and added a nice shimmer to the card.  Silver paper is from Die Cuts With a View.  Flowers and leaves are from Prima.  Sticker is from SRM We've got your Sticker/Forever.

Thanks so much for dropping by.

Ivanka

Happy Life.

Hello.

If you haven't checked out Virginia's View Challenge blog, you have to head over there now...run!!  Virginia from Yes, Virginia just started this challenge blog in March.  The first challenge is water coloring and it has taken off like no tomorrow!!  Oh my.  The entries for the challenge are really so fabulous and so inspirational that I know I'm going to spend a lot of time going from link to link enjoying all the glorious creations.

So I had to join in.

The stamp is from American Crafts colored  with Twinkling H2O's from LuminArte.  Sticker is Sticker Sentiments (Life is Good) from SRM.  Embossing folder is from Stampin' Up!

So go check it out, the cards and the inspiration are just gorgeous.  Thanks Virginia, can't wait for the next challenge you come up with!

Thanks for dropping by,
Ivanka

...and to my husband...if he ever checks the blog...I meant to color outside the lines!! :)

Happy Birthday.

Hello.

It's been a while, hasn't it?  No real explanation.  Perhaps it's winter hibernation...

Anyway, it's good to be back and today I'm joining in with CAS-ual Fridays blog for their Shades of Gray challenge.

Here's my card.

The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye (Chalk Studio),  The stamp is from PTI, everything else is from my stash.  I heat embossed the frame and the flower with Zing Embossing Powder (Powder shade), I painted the medallion with DecoArt white acrylic paint then wiped some off while paint was still wet, then heat set it.  I added some shimmery white chalk to the card stock.

Thanks for dropping by...

Ivanka

Thank You.

Hello.

Guess what?  It's snowing again.  This is the winter that never ends....it just goes on and on, my friends...

Oh well, not much that we can do about it...so we must create.

Today I'm joining in with this week's sketch challenge at Freshly Made Sketches. 

Here's my card.

The paper is from My Mind's Eye Chalk Studio.  Sticker is from SRM stickers.  Flower is from Petaloo, die cut flourish is from QuicKutz. 

Thanks for dropping by.

Ivanka

Happy Hello

Hello, 

The challenge this week on the Simon Says Stamp Wed. Challenge blog is 'lets have a laugh'...

I don't really have any 'punny' stamps but did manage to dig out this totally cute Magenta stamp that is part of my 'piggy' collection.  The sentiment stamp is from Jilly Bean Soup and Unity.  I'm pretty sure both of these are courtesy of my wonderful friend Barb.

I colored the background kraft paper with LuminArte's Twinkling H2O's (Pink Azalea and Key Lime)

I'm also playing along with  Addicted to Stamps and More where the challenge is CAS cards.
The design is based on this week's CAS(E) This Sketch.

Thanks for dropping by,
Ivanka

Me + You.

Hello,

Today, I'm joining in on a few challenges.  

First is the Sending Hugs Monthly challenge over at the Penny Black Blog where the challenge is to make a love or friendship theme card/project.

Next I'm playing along with challenge # 25 at CAS on Sunday where the theme is Lovey Dovey.

Lastly, I'm joining in with this week's sketch challenge at Less is More.

The stamp is Together Always from Penny Black  Love it, it's such a great image and perfect sentiment.  Hearts were die cut from felt using Lawn Fawn's Heart Dies.

I think this will make a great 'guy' card for Valentine's Day.  It's always hard to make those.

Thanks for dropping by,

Ivanka

CAS(E) This Sketch, take 2!

Hello...here's 4 days of posts in a row....unheard of in these parts!!

I needed a sympathy card for a friend whose father recently passed away so I went back to this great sketch from CAS(E) this sketch.

This is a fabulous sketch for a sympathy card where clean, simple and serene is needed.  

The paper is from My Mind's Eye Chalk Studio, embossing folder is from Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations, sticker is from SRM.

Thanks for dropping by today.

Ivanka

Happy Anniversary

Hello...

Hmmm, 3 days in a row...you know I can't keep this pace up.  :) 

But it's been fun.  Glad to have some creativity back.

Today's card is for the Simon Says Stamp Monday blog challenge to make a project that is inspired by the letter A.  Here's my Anniversary card.

The patterned paper is from Kaisercraft (Sixpence), sentiment sticker is from Creative Imaginations, not sure who the heart stamp is from, I stamped it with VersaMark and heat embossed with white, then cut it out.  All the hearts and love charm are from my stash.  Ribbon is from Offray.  Background embossing folder is another new one from Anna Griffin that I recently got from Simon Says Stamp.  I dry brushed the embossed panel and the edges with DecoArt's Light Antique White acrylic paint.

Thanks for dropping by today,
Ivanka

Dry Embossing Happy Birthday

Good Morning!  Wow, 2 posts in a row...not sure I can keep this up.  :)

As the creative mojo slowly returns, I'm glad to have found this dry embossing challenge on Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge blog.  I love using embossing folders to add texture to cards.



I actually just recently purchased this Wildflower Gate by Anna Griffin embossing folder from Simon Says Stamp and it's my first time using it.  I love the beautiful texture.

 

 

Patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye Lost and Found 3 paper pack, flower is from Petaloo, Washi tape is from Stampin' Up!, die cut is from Sizzix and sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.

 

Thanks for dropping by.

 

Ivanka

 



Just a Note

Hello...

After many weeks of searching for my lost mojo, it has returned, albeit slowly.  

Thank goodness for this weeks' CAS(E) this Sketch sketch # 60, it's what finally got me going.  

Thank goodness also for the new pad of patterned paper I got from My Mind's Eye (Lost and Found 3) on sale at Winner's.  I love this wonderful bright pattern that is so perfect for a dull January day.

The sentiment sticker is from an old sheet of stickers that I've had for ages, manufacturer unknown.  Seemed to fit perfectly here.

Thanks for dropping by.  Hoping to visit here more often myself!  :)

Ivanka

Happy 2014!

May it be a good one!

Ivanka.