Last 2S4Y Sketch/The Shabby Tea Room

Another one of my favorite sketch sites is saying farewell. 2 Sketches 4 You has been a source of wonderful inspiration in the past couple of years and they will be missed.

My card today is based on Kazan's last sketch. I'm also playing along with the Shabby Tea Room where this week's challenge is White and Bright, to use white or cream and only one other color.

The embossing folders are from Cuttlebug, punch out die cut tags are from Pink Paislee. I'm also playing along with Create: Blog where the challenge this week is to use butterflies on your card. The butterfly on my card is a die cut from Sizzlits.

**Woohooo...my card was featured on the Create: blog today.**

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Ivanka

'Tis the Season

Seems like winter had arrived in Southern Ontario, at least for today. It's cold and windy and there were a few snow flurries this morning. We've been lucky so far, it's been a beautiful fall.

But the cold weather is good for getting in the Christmas spirit. Josh Groban helps too!

My first card today is based on this week's sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You.

I used Cuttlebug's dots embossing folder and QuicKutz scallop border die. The felt tree is from Prima, ribbon is from Offray, brad is from One Heart, One Mind (yes, I've had it for a while!) and sentiment sticker is from SRM stickers.

Here I used Cuttlebug's snowflake embossing folder, Nestabilities Label One die cut and my two favorite sticker companies PSX (anther oldie!) and SRM stickers.

Now that I've spent most of the day creating, it's time to hustle and clean up...there's nothing like a deadline!

Happy Friday,

Ivanka

'Tis the Season

Last year during the holidays, we visited one of our local museums and happened upon a great post Christmas sale in their gift shop. I picked up a few sheets of Victorian scrap reliefs, I knew that they would be beautiful on cards. I don't think I've seen scrap reliefs before, if I had I hadn't taken any notice of them. Now I love them... Here is a bit more info on scrap reliefs.

I love this image of a Victorian Santa, it worked beautifully on today's card based on this weeks sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You.

My sheet of scrap reliefs are from Mamelok Press. The paper is unknown, from my Christmas papers. Die cut is Nestabilities Label 8, embossing folder is Polka Dots from Cuttlebug, ribbon is from Hobby Lobby, brad is from American Crafts and sentiment sticker is from SRM Press.

Thanks so much for dropping by today. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend.

Ivanka

Fall is in the air

We have an apple farm just a few minutes from our house. I made a quick stop in there last week to buy apples. We'll have to make sure we go back soon to actually pick some apples. I love visiting the farm, the colors of fall are just spectacular!

Now that Fall is here and the girls are back at school, I'm excited to have some time to craft. Fall colors are my all time favorite to work with. Have you seen the October issue of Crafts 'n things yet? Tons of great card and craft inspiration in there. I'm excited to have a card in this issue in their new Crafting for a Cause feature. My story is right there on page 91. Let me know if you've seen it.

Finally, I had some time today to make a card using my favorite colors. This is based on this week's 2S4Y sketch. Love this sketch, so easy to create with.

The paper is Lush from My Mind's Eye, the image is digital from Tuscan Rose sentiment rub on is from Making Memories and the ribbon is from Hobby Lobby. I also used foam squares and Glue Dots.

Thanks for stopping by...hope you have a wonderful Fall weekend.

Pink Paislee and 2S4U

It's another crazy week here, but I felt the need to grab a few minutes in my studio...you know...just to reconnect with all my stuff.

School starts in a week and this year we have a high school-er and a University student. Big changes at our house. So far I'm doing ok...ask me next week when Dana moves out to residence. It'll be an adjustment, but very exciting too. A new chapter for our family.

So on to my cards today. I bought this Pink Paislee (Queen Bee) paper in Edmonton last month. So glad to use it, love the natural, garen-y feel of this line. This card is for this weeks' sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You. I used VersaFine ink to stamp the Studio G image onto tissue paper and attached it to the label with a Making Memories brad. The sentiment sticker is from SRM Stickers and the ribbon was shared by Barb. She is a wonderful sharer.

This is the bonus sketch at 2S4Y this week. Loved the sketch, this came together really fast. I love it when I have time to make 2 cards from the same supplies.

That's all for me today. Hope you have a good week. I know mine will just fly by and we'll be dropping off at University in no time.

Golden...

For those of you following along at home, yes this is my second post of the day. Unheard of, I know...

This is a 50th Anniversary card for a friends' parents. I used this week's sketch at 2S4U. The Anniversary paper is from Stemma and the gold 50th brad is from Creative Imaginations.


So I decided to make another card with some of the paper left over. The only addition here is the transparency page from Hambly.

Thanks for dropping by. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Ivanka

Oldie Moldie Monday and 2S4Y

I'm a tad late with my OMM card, but better late than never, right? Hard to believe it's Monday again and time to dig through our collective stash and find some long forgotten paper and embellies.

Today, I found some older Bo Bunny paper. I'm sure I've had this for about 4 years, yet when I pulled it out, I still liked it. It's very pretty and feminine. This card is based on this week's sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You


The flower is from Imaginisce, brad is from K&Co., sentiment is from SRM stickers.

Thanks so much for dropping by. If you'd like to join Barb and I in our Oldie Moldie Monday challenge, just upload you card to our Flickr Gallery. You'll be using up your stash to make room for new stuff, you'll have a beautiful card created and we'll give your OMM card some extra love in our gallery. It's a win-win situation.

2S4Y sketch Birthday Card

A very special friend is having a birthday this Saturday. And I am running late with my card...but it is going out by super speedy mail today and it should arrive by tomorrow.

So this friend is a cardmaker. Don't you find it hard to create a card for someone who makes beautiful cards? I certainly do, maybe that's why I put it off till the last minute. I found that if I focused on what this friend likes, it was a little easier to come up with a card.

She loves Basic Grey, she loves cupcakes, and I'm pretty sure she doesn't mind a bit of ribbon and some scallops!!

This is based on this week's 2S4Y sketch. The paper is from Basic Grey, ribbon is from Offray, sentiment stamp is from Stampin' Up, colored with Tombow markers. Scallop circle die cut is from Nestabilities, border is from QuicKutz.

Thanks for dropping by. Off I go to mail it super fast...

Lots to share...

Happy Saturday. I hope you're having a wonderful day. I've been busy and have a few things to share today. Hope you have a few minutes to spend here...

First, here's my take on Moxie Fab's 'Three Cheers for Chairs Challenge'. I know, it's simple and quick, but it will be perfect to send to a friend who I haven't seen for a while. I amazingly have no chair stamps or images so I went to Microsoft's Word program, searched for chair clip art and found this cute image. This is also loosely based on the sketch at 2S4Y. I am always in awe of Laura, Kazan and the DT cards. They are always so beautiful. My simple card is a distant cousin to theirs.....

Next is a card for this weekend's sketch challenge at the SRM stickers blog. Stamp is from Serendipity stamps, sticker is from SRM stickers. Love using them on cards.

Next is a project I first saw on eighteen25. I loved it the minute I saw it and Julia decided that this was the perfect thank you gift to give to a Student Teacher. So coupons in hand, we hit Michaels.

We found most of these things in the $1.50 aisle and then threw in some extra goodies.

For the outside we bought 2 pkg. of coordinating file folders, also in the the $1.50 aisle. They are double sided, sturdy and worked perfectly to decorate the the outside of the box. The letters are Thickers from American Crafts. The ribbon is from Offray.


Miss V. loved her gift and the best part of all of this was that Julia and i had fun working on a project together.


After we were finished, I realized that the file folders would be perfect to use on cards. And pretty inexpensive too. Here's my card based on this week's sketch for CPS.

And since I shared 2 (or more!) projects, I'm entering this week's Die Cuts R Us challenge as well.

So why am I being so creative today? I wanted to let you know about a challenge that Barb and I are having starting Monday, May 3rd. It's our Oldie Moldie Monday challenge and we're joining Operation Write Home in hopes of getting lots of cards made that the troops can send home. And we're each offering a prize (See mine at the top of the sidebar).

Hope you come back on Monday, join us in using our much loved, but often ignored supplies and creating cards for a great cause.

Whew...did you make it all the way through this post??

Mom Card-2S4Y

It was a beautiful day out, one of those perfect spring days. Bright sunshine, light winds...perfect day for launching the boat. And someone is very happy...he'll be spending all of his free time at the marina...spitting and polishing!

Today's card is for the sketch challenge on 2S4Y. It's been a while since I've done one of the challenges there and this was fun. There is so much amazing inspiration over on their blog.

I started with some paper that came in a pack of papers from Costco. I loved it for the fresh, spring feel. Perfect for a Mother's Day card. The ribbon is from Offray, label die cut is from Nestibilities, Label 8. Cuttlebug script embossing folder, QuicKutz scallop die cut. Letters are from American Crafts.

Hope your weekend includes some time to create. Thanks for dropping by.

SRM Stickers...

My personal shopper Barb from Wisconsin, has come through once again. I just have to make a tiny little mention of something that I'd like, and next thing you know it's in my mailbox! With all the latest buzz over on the SRM blog about their stickers, I really wanted to try some. And yesterday they showed up in my mailbox courtesy of Ms. Barb! I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful personal shopper...and such a fabulous friend!

Here's my first card based on Laura's sketch at 2S4Y.

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Prism PapersPatterned Paper: K&Co.Sticker: SRM PressRibbon: OffrayRhinestones: Kaiser CraftBorder Punch: FiskarsI crumpled the circle and rubbled it with Craf-T metallic rub on.
Here's the same K& Co. paper on a card for Moxie Fab World's Doilies and lace challenge.

I'm loving the SRM stickers. They're so easy and fun to work with and are made especially for card makers. Gotta love that. Keep checking their blog, the daily inspiration from the design team in amazing.

Thank you Barb!

'Groovy' Friday

Groovy is one of those words that I (as mom) am not allowed to say out of the house. Close behind that are funky and cool. Goodness knows what would happen if one of the teenage friends heard those words uttered...gasp...so you know that I have to throw those words in just to torture the poor souls...

So on my little blog here, I'm safe in saying that today is totally groovy. Well that's what my card reminds me of anyway. The brown and yellow (we had appliances that color when I was little) and the lace, yes groovy and maybe even a little funky!

My card today is for this week's sketch on 2 Sketches 4 You. The paper is from Basic Grey {Nook and Pantry}, flower is from Prima, the funky cord brad is from Imaginisce, chipboard is from Maya Road, stamp is from Papertrey Ink. The textured paper is from an art store.

So there. Hope you have a very groovy, not to mention cool and funky weekend.

Ivanka
Ps...the men's skating final last night was amazing. So happy that Evan's artistry won over Evgeny's quad. Made for a great competition though.

2S4Y-Sisters

If you have a sister, it's probably not always been an easy relationship. Well at least with my sister it hasn't. We are 5 years apart and fought like cats and dogs when we were growing up. But as adults, I couldn't have asked for a better person to be in my corner. She's always ready to help and support me in whatever I may need. With her birthday coming up in March, this quote just seemed perfect.

This is for this weeks sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You. The papers are all My Mind's Eye. The rub ons are from Melissa Frances and My Mind's Eye.

We may still have a bit of that old sisterly rivalry at times, but my sister really is a forever friend.

Hope you have a great weekend.
Ivanka

2 Sketches 4 You

And the Valentine's Day cards just keep coming. I can't seem to stop! I'm having a ball though, so I guess it's all good.

Today's card is for 2 Sketches 4 You. The flocked paper is from Making Memories, the heart with roses is from Prima, argyle embossing folder and Martha Stewart ribbon.

And now for something scrumptious....


Doesn't this just look soooo good?? Good enough to share with someone special??
And all this yummyness is under 200 cal.
You can find the recipe here {Guilt Free} Strawberry Shortcake.

Thanks for dropping by today.
Ivanka

It's a New Year!

I've been a bit scarce around here, haven't I? We've had a wonderful Christmas season with both sides of the family coming to spend some time with us. My mom came for Christmas and Steve's parents came for New Years. I really do wish that we lived closer to our families, but it is such a nice treat when we have them with us for the holidays. With all the rush of Christmas and visitors, creating time has been non existent.

Hard to believe a new year has started. But with the kids back in school yesterday and the Christmas things all put away, I settled in my studio and just had fun.

The first card is for Kazan's sketch on 2 Sketches 4 You. It was fun to have some time to play this week.
The paper and label is from Basic Grey (Nook and Pantry), Flowers are from Prima (coral) and K & Co., pearls are from Prima, letter stickers are from My Little Shoe Box. Not sure who makes the ribbon.

The next batch of cards are just me having fun. Quick and easy and so much fun to make. I got a whole whack of paper for Christmas and it was fun to just pull out a page and go to it. Everything else is just using up old supplies.

Hope you've had a wonderful holiday and wishing you all the best in the coming year.

Here's an oldie for you...

Happy New Year by ABBA

Take care,

Ivanka

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

I've been having a lot of fun making Christmas cards in the past few weeks. Thought I'd play along with a couple of the sketch sites too. They are always a great way to get some inspiration.

My first card is for 2 Sketches 4 You. The cards and ideas over there are out of this world. Every week Kazan, Laura and the design team come up with amazing ideas for the sketches. This week Kazan has created a simply stunning card for this sketch. Mine is like a distant cousin to hers!!


This gorgeous paper is from K&Co. Brenda Walton's Evergreen paper pack. I got it a few weeks ago with an M's coupon and I have to say it's the best pack of paper I've bought in a long time. I'm systematically going through it, I think I'm up to 30 cards so far and have barely made a dent in the pack. You'll be seeing more of this paper soon. The poinsettia and leaves are from Prima.

This card is for Mojo Monday. I do a lot of envious lurking over there! The cards that they make are just so gorgeous. As I'm not much of a stamper, I hope they don't mind that I've created a card without a stitch of stamping on it. The image here is from the K&Co. Evergreen paper pack, the snowflake paper is from Sei and the music paper is form Cosmo Cricket.

The rest of the cards are made using a pack of 3 D sticker ornaments from K & Co. that I've had for a few years. They finally came together with the new pack of K&Co. paper and I just love the

result.

I looked at these stickers in my stash often, but somehow never found a way to use them. Sometimes it's worth hanging on to things for a while...don't you think?

Thanks for dropping by...Ivanka

2 Sketches 4 You

Well, World Card Making Day was a lot of fun. I did a lot of blog surfing, but didn't get a chance to do anything creative. Hope you did.

Oh and my movie star daughters? They had a lot of fun but at the end of a long and rainy night, they were tired and glad to be home. They got to see the Jonas Brothers but not meet them as they had been dreaming. I don't think that I have to worry that the bright lights of Tinsel Town will lure them away anytime soon!

Yesterday I got to play along with Laura's sketch 36 on 2S4Y. Another fun sketch.

I used K & Co. Wild Saffron Mat Pad and Die Cut Tags, QuicKutz label die cut, ribbon from Waste Not Paper, Basic Gray and Michaels. Rub on is from Melissa Frances.

Thanks for stopping by...have a great evening. Ivanka

Oh What Fun...

Ok, so this really was fun! I got to play along with 2 Sketches 4 You again this week. Love the inspiration I get from the sketches and the design team, so much fun wrapped up in one little blog!

This is for Kazan’s sketch # 36. I used Cosmo Cricket’s Jolly by Golly line, Tiny Bubbles Cuttlebug folder, trim was sent to me by my friend Barb, stick pin and metal sign are from Making Memories, ribbon is from Waste Not Paper.

Thanks so much for dropping in…Ivanka

Another 2S4Y card...

I'm sneaking in this quick post before I head off to bed. I used this weeks 2S4Y sketch to make this card. This was one of the cards we made in a card day I had at my house on Friday. More on that and pictures tomorrow...

Sorry for the indoor picture. It was dull and rainy today and then I just ran out of time. I used sei's Winter Song line for the patterned paper and die cut shape. The sentiment is Hero Arts heat embossed, QuicKutz label one die cut as well as the Fiskars treading water punch.

Hope you're having a great weekend, more tomorrow...Ivanka

It's Monday...time to get back into it!

Well, I think it's about time I got back into making some cards! It's been a wonderful and busy summer. And I don't know about where you live, but our September has been just gorgeous so far. Except today...it's raining and that's ok...because I got to spend some time in my craft room...crafting!
Since it's been so long since I've done anything productive, I wanted to start off slowly with this week's 2 Sketches 4 You by Laura.

I made this card for a coworker who is leaving us. The paper, journaling square, and sticker are from the Poppy line from sei. The rub ons are from One Heart, One Mind, flower is from The paper Studio and the gems are from Prima.

Thought I'd share this little gem my daughter made recently. She's 17 and she dabbles at making cards when the mood (or need) strikes! Usually it's a last minute card for a friend so I don't get to photograph it. I nabbed this one before it went out the door this weekend! The paper is from Fancy Pants Delight line and the rub on is Melissa Frances.

Thanks for stopping by today...Ivanka