A Splash of Lime

This week's challenge at The Play Date Cafe (PDC146) is to use black/white with a splash of lime.  It was also the perfect time to play with some new SRM stickers that I just won on their FB page.  :)

The embossing folder is Seeing Spots from Cuttlebug.  Flower sticker is SRM Quick Cards-Thanks  and the sentiment is new Stickers by the Dozen-Birthday.  The patterned paper was a scrap, don't know the manufacturer.

Hope you have a great weekend.

Ivanka

Kraft Day

It didn't start out to be a kraft day here, but it sure ended up being one!  This week's challenge at A Blog Named Hero is to use kraft paper in the design...one of my favorite things to use.  Love kraft paper...so this challenge was easy!!

This first card uses Hero Art's With Sympathy set.  I love this set and have used it lots.  The sentiments are just so perfect for those occasions that are hard to create for.

This is also for this week's challenge (#81) at Less is More to use some tearing on your card.  I hadn't torn anything 'creatively' in many-a-moon, so this was fun!

My next card is for the challenge at The Ribbon Carousel to make a summer themed card and to use ribbon.  
Lady bugs always remind me of summer.

The sentiment sticker is from SRM (Quick Cards Hello) and the lady bug is SRM ( We've Got Your Sticker  Hello).  Rhinestones are from The Paper Studio and ribbon is from Offray.

And did you notice?  No patterned paper was injured during the creation of these cards!  :)

Thanks for dropping by...have a great evening.

Ivanka

Happy Birthday

I seem to be tackling all my hard challenge issues lately.  Yesterday it was one layer cards, today it's circles.  I have a really hard time using round elements on a card, forget about making a card in the shape of a circle!!  I see tons of ideas with round elements yet when I go to create, it just doesn't come together.

So here I am tackling this weeks' Skipping Stones Design Sketch challenge 141.  

Here is the sketch: (look at all those circles.........)

And here's what I came up with.

I really should have taken a picture to show you all my discarded ideas.  :(
But I finally ended up with a card that I quite like.  So maybe I've turned a corner and I can now be friends with round elements.  :)
The doily stamps are from Martha Stewart, ink is ColorBox (Frost White), I heat embossed the doilies with white embossing powder.  The sentiment is from Skipping Stones Design (Sentiment Frames), stamped onto vellum with black ink, heat embossed with clear emb. powder.  The metal embellishments are from Making Memories, scallop die cut is from QuicKutz.

Thanks for popping by today.  Hope you have a wonderful Saturday.
Ivanka

One Layer Card

I am so not a fan of the one layer card challenges.  I find it hard to stop myself from adding layers and embellishments.  But I decided to take on this weeks LIM week 80 one layer card challenge using things with fur or feathers. and see how it goes.

Keeping it very simple, here is my 3 1/2 x 4" one layer card.

This is also for this weeks CASual Friday challenge (CFC 66) to use something found by the ocean.  I painted the background with Twinkling H2O's (Ginger Peach).  The stamps are Studio G all from the same set, ink is VersaFine.

So...in the end, there wasn't too much pain involved with this one layer challenge. :)
And this will make a cute little card to give a friend in the future.

Thanks for dropping by,
Ivanka

CardSwaps Blog Hop

Good Morning and welcome to the blog hop!  You should have arrived from Laura's Blog.

I'm so excited to be part of the Blog Hop at CardSwaps!  There are challenges, games and lots of fun on the message board from Aug. 8-12th.  At the end of the Blog Hop, you'll be taken to the Treat Yourself Cardmaking Crop and I hope you'll join in on all the fun there!  Each blog on the hop will also have a letter you need to collect and unscramble the phrase to be entered into another fun prize.

The theme of this hop is 'Treat Yourself' and today I'm sharing projects that were inspired by Pinterest.  I don't think that there is anything nicer than spending a few minutes (ok...a lot of minutes!!) perusing projects and ideas and getting inspired on Pinterest. I really could spend hours there, clicking from one idea or recipe to another.

I've been doing a lot of pinning of ideas and decided that I needed to actually make some of the projects that I've been collecting.  All of my projects are little gifts that are going out to a few friends. 

This is a package of napkins that I ran through my Sizzix Big Kick using the Stampin' UP! Elegant lines embossing folder.  I love how it turned out.  I wrapped it with newsprint paper from Stampin' UP!, Offray Ribbon (I love a big satin bow!), SRM sticker and Bazzill button.

I love this earthy, little Sizzix pillow box with the stamping right on the gift box.  The jute is from Offray, stamp is from Stampin' UP! (For All You Do) and the ribbon flower is from Maya Road.  This is so perfect to hold a gift card.

I loved this idea for packaging ribbon.  I used dictionary pages, Martha Stewart twine and Stampin' UP! buttons.

Then I packaged up the ribbons in a vellum envelope. I thought this was just the cutest idea to use a doily wrapped with ribbon on the outside of a package.  The ribbon is from Chapter's, chipboard is from Recollections and the sticker is from SRM.  This is on it's way to a friend, I hope she likes it as much as I loved putting it together.   

Here's the fabulous site where I got most of my ideas.  The blog post even has a killer name '31 ways to wrap your crap'!  Love it!

I'd love to know if you have discovered Pinterest and have you made anything from the ideas you've found there?  I'm going try and make more things/ideas that I've pinned.  Maybe I'll start a new board 'stuff I've made from Pinterest'!

Back to the Blog Hop...your next stop is Marlene and here's the list of all the blogs on the hop today.

Don't forget to collect letters from each blog a follow the link to the message board at the end of the hop.

My Letter is T.

Brooke Smith -CardMaker blog 
Jane
Susan
Margaret
Trudy
Golda
Meredith
Jeanette
Colleen
Laura
Ivanka
Marlene
Anya 
Angelina
Ana
Ashley
Lora 

Thanks for taking a Pinterest trip with me today.  Hope you enjoy the rest of the hop and that you get a chance to join in all the fun of the crop over at CardSwaps.

Ivanka

Olympic Fever...

Hello, hope you're enjoying the summer so far.  The weather here has been beautiful...but we've spent a lot of time indoors this past week keeping up with all the Olympic activities!  It's been so much fun.  The gymnastics, swimming and diving are our favorites so far.  So proud of the Canadian women's gymnastics team who came in 5th in the all around competition.  We've never even been in the finals before.  :)

 Here is a great site to check out if you don't have time to watch The Olympics live.

Today, I'm playing along with CAS-ual Friday (CFC63) challenge to use lime, aqua and navy.  This is also for the this week's sketch challenge at Less is More (sketch 78).

I used Cuttlebug's Seeing Spots embossing folder, PTI's scalopped edge die, Offray ribbon, DCWV sticker and SU 'For All You Do' sentiment heat embossed in white.

This card is on it's way to a very special lady, Virginia Lu.  Earlier in the week, I messaged her to see if she could help me out with a couple of SRM stickers that I needed for a project.  Yesterday I find not only the stickers that I needed, but also several others all in one of Virginia's gorgeous cards.  I was really touched and so grateful.  Thanks again Virginia!

Thanks for dropping by today,
Ivanka

Thank You.

I've been taking Jennifer McGuire's and Kristina Werner's Online Stretch Your Stamps class and it's been such a great learning experience.  I've only watched a few of the videos, but the best part of these classes is that once you sign up, they are accessible to you forever.  

The class on day 11 was about using reverse stamps.  Well the choice for this was easy, I only own one!  But I love the class samples, so I know I will be on the lookout for more reverse stamps.

The challenge this week at CAS-ual Friday blog (CFC62) to make a card with a black base, perfect time to use what was taught in class.

The reverse and sentiment stamps are from Stampin' UP! (For All You Do).  I stamped black VersaMagic ink onto white paper.  It looks like I'll have to do a better job of ink coverage next time.  One of the tips from class was to use a brayer.  I colored the flowers with EK Success pencils.  I've had them for years so it was great to use them.  Gems are from Recollections.

Thanks for popping by today.
Ivanka

Happy Birthday

Hi...

Today I'm playing along with the new inspiration challenge (137) at Skipping Stones Design.

Here's the inspiration picture/colors:     

                                            

Here's my card:

Newsprint paper is from Stampin' UP!, all other paper is from Basic Grey.  Background vintage map stamp is from Stampabilities, sentiment stamp is from Skipping Stones Design, Woodrow Rosette die cut is from Memory Box, flower is from Prima.

Thanks for coming by today.  It's so hot and humid out out today, it feels like we're in the tropics!!  Hope you're keeping cool today.
Ivanka

Get Well Soon

Getting in just under the wire with this week's photo inspiration challenge (136) at Skipping Stones Design.  Here's the photo: 

Here's my card-I'm starting to really love the grey/yellow combo of colors.  Very fresh and soothing, perfect for a get well card.

The paper is from Echo Park, flower stamp is from Stampin' UP!, sentiment is from Skipping Stones Design from years ago, not sure if it's still in their store.

Thanks for dropping by,
Ivanka

Speedy Recovery

Hello again,

Today I'm sharing a really quick card made for my FIL who recently had knee surgery.  I wish I knew the mauf. for the gorgeous black paper, but it's been in my stash for years I have no recollection of where I got it.

The sentiment is computer generated, the scroll is a sticker from SRM and the Washi tape is from Queen and Co.


Thanks so much fro visiting,
Ivanka

Happy Birthday

I'm finding this summer so busy.  I keep thinking that time should slow down now that the girls are older, but it doesn't.  I keep wishing for time in my studio, but am just as happy to spend time enjoying the gorgeous weather, the pool and the family. 

Today, I snuck in some time to play along with  Stamp It! Cards Birthday Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.  It's a great challenge to get a card made for a friend.

Stamps are from Papertrey Ink,ink is from ColorBox, gems are from Recollections and the wood grain embossing folder is from The Paper Studio.

Thanks for dropping by.  I hope you're enjoying the summer so far.
Ivanka

25th Anniversary

Recently, our friends celebrated their 25th Anniversary...and we helped them celebrate :)

I made a card and decorated champagne glasses for the toast to the happy couple.

Background paper is Pow from American Crafts...I just love the shimmer of it.  Sentiment is computer generated, numbers are from SRM.

For the champagne glasses, the tag diecut is from Sizzix, number stickers are from SRM,  round stickers are from the $ store.  It's amazing what you can find at the $ store these days!

I'm playing along with Simon Says Stamp, for their anything but a card challenge.

You Did It

Hi there...quick card today for a friend who just finished up her degree in human resources.  I know how hard it was for her, so putting this card in the mail to let her know how much she inspires me.

Stamp is from Penny Black (Allegro).  I painted the background with Twinkling H2O paints, then stamped with VersaMark and heat embossed with white embossing powder.  Sentiment is a rub on from Karen Foster.  Woodgrain embossing folder is from The Paper Studio.

Ivanka

Happy Happy Birthday

I've had a crush on all things Papertrey Ink for quite a while.  Love the stamps and the accessories and all the beautiful cards the DT posts.  I'm excited to play along with their  Make it Monday# 71 Bordered Sentiments...my first time.  Don't know why I've waited this long, but I'm glad I finally made time to watch the video and participate.

I masked the sentiment box, stamped the dotted background (Stampabilities) with VersaMark ink and heat embossed with white embossing powder.  Then I painted the background using Twinkling H2O's.  The sentiment is PTI Fillable Frames # 1 Mini Stamp Set, border stickers are from SRM.  The background paper is old Basic Grey, dry embossed with SU Elegant Lines folder.

Thanks so much for visiting today.  Hope you're having a wonderful Sunday.

Ivanka

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.  

Hope you get to enjoy spending some time today with the special men in your life.

Ivanka

Thank You card

One of the best things about the cardmaking/stamping community is that they love to share ideas and techniques. Splitcoaststampers is an amazing resource with the message board/gallery, and a You Tube Channel with over 200 videos just waiting to teach us something new.  This may not be news to many of you, and I probably knew it at some point in the past, but I was so happy to have found the You Tube channel today.  

This card started as a one layer card for this week's challenge on Less is More blog...it really did.  But as I kept going, I found myself adding things and now I'm sure the ladies over at LIM will not be pleased...but I really did try.  At least I used a flourish... :)

I was also inspired this week by the CAS challenge over at the Splitcoaststampers message board, where the challenge is white on white...yup, failed that one too!!  I started out innocently enough being inspired to try sponging by this card.  I fell in love with the card and wanted to learn how...so that's how I found this video on sponging....and I sponged the heck out of my white card...well...it was fun...and therapeutic...I got quite into the sponging...

The stamps are from SU, Elisabeth and sentiment is from 'For All You Do', ink is SU Old Olive.  I stamped with VersaMark then heat embossed with white, then sponged.

Ribbon is from Offray.  I'm also entering this in CAS-ual Friday Blog where the challenge this week is polka dots.  I think I got that one right at least.  :)

Thanks for dropping by,
Ivanka

Hi

I've found a lovely CAS challenge group over on Splitcoaststampers, .  More CAS and more stamping, it's a win/win!  The theme this week is to use alphabet letters.

This is based on this week's Retro Sketch Challenge and I'm also playing along with CAS-ual Friday Blog to use bling.

I painted the background with Twinkling H2O's...yes...I'm going to need a 12 step program to get me move away from my glittering little pots....
The dragonflies are from Recollections, letters are from American Crafts.

Thanks for dropping by today,
Ivanka

Birthday Cards x2

Quick post today as I'm heading out to run errands and do some yard work while the sun is shining.

I found these sailing images recently while doing a big 'clean' of my studio.  Someone sent them to me, I just wish I could remember who it was.  But I love them and the images are perfect for my Father in Law's card for an upcoming birthday.  The second one will probably be for next year...ahead of the game, I know...it doesn't seem possible.  lol

As I have been lately, I'm keeping it very simple.  Maybe this simpleness is in direct correlation to the craziness of life these days.  Sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.

Hope you're enjoying sunshine where you are.
Ivanka

Happy Birthday Card

Skipping Stones Design has a color challenge this week.  Here's the inspiration:

And here's my card.

I started by dry embossing the background with a Stampin' Up Elegant Lines embossing folder.  The painted strips were painted with Twinkling H2O's onto watercolor paper.  The heart punch is from EK Success, the sentiment is from Skipping Stones Design, heat embossed in white.  The bling is from Recollections.

This is also for this weeks challenge at CAS-ual Friday blog to put a bling on it!

Thanks for dropping by,
Ivanka

Dad Card

Moxie Fab has been celebrating their latest release, Card Creations 10.  I have a card in this issue (yay!)...see this post here.

One of the challenges for the celebration is the postage challenge.

Here's my card for the challenge:

The postage stamp punch is from Magill, and it's old!  I really don't have any idea how long I've had it, but it's been fun to dig it up and use it again.  The tag letters are old too...Rebecca Sower for Sticko...yes, that was a long time ago.  And if you remember Rebecca, check her blog here.  She still inspires me!
The stamp is from Stampabilities, stamped with Maya Road metallic ink.

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