Clean and Simple Heart...

Hello on this cold Sunday afternoon. Hope you're keeping warm...I'm not planning any expeditions out today so thought I'd play along with Clean and Simple Stamping FTL 124.

The heart is from Stampin' Up, stamped with Real Red Stampin' Up ink, then stamped with VersaMark and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. Die Cut label is Labels 1 from Nestabilities. Label stamp is from Papertrey Ink. Dry embossing folder is from Cuttlebug, boarder punch is from Fiskars, ribbon is from Michaels, Tiny Attacher is from Tim Holtz.

Thanks so much for stoppin' in today.
Ivanka

Saturday

It's another fun Play Date Cafe challenge. These have been so great to do as they are color combinations that I would never bring together, but I'm having a ball trying to get it accomplished.

Here's the challenge:

And here's my card...based on this weeks' Card Positioning Sketch #201

The background paper is from Webster's Pages and is more green than is showing up here. I had the hardest time with lighting today. It must be the reflection of all the snow we're having! The stamp is from Studio G, sentiment sticker is from SRM, ribbon is from WalMart, trim is from the $ store.

Thanks so much for dropping in today...hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Be Mine

Another day, another new challenge/sketch site.
I am really spreading my wings...and it feels good. Each new site has it's own energy and I'm definitely inspired by them...a very good thing in this cold month of January.

Today's card is based on Sketch 22 at Cardabilities. I love this sketch and this card came together really quickly.

The patterned paper is from K&Co. Punch out tag is from Pink Paislee, 3D stickers are from Martha Stewart, ribbon is from Offray.

I'm also entering this into Paper Crafts Blog January Challenge to make Valentine's Day cards, the Wee Memories blog challenge to use ribbon, and Really Reasonalbe Ribbon to use ribbon and hearts on your card. They also have a wonderful giveaway for their one year blogoversary....check it out.

Well, I guess I've put off shovelling long enough...Happy Friday.

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

Happy Monday

I am really enjoying playing along with Clean and Simple Stamping blog these last few weeks. It forces me to use a stamp or two...which is good, since I keep collecting them!

Today's card is for this week's sketch FTL 123 The paper is from Pink Paislee, Kraft Doilies are from Maya Road (thanks Barb!) and the stamp is from Papertrey Ink.

I'm am off to run some errands and go out for lunch with friends...hope you have a wonderful Monday.

Play Date Cafe

So today brings two new blog challenges for me...Play Date Cafe where the challenge this week is this color combo: And Wee Memories where the challenge is to use ribbon for a chance to win a May Arts ribbon prize!
And here's my take on both of these challenges using Card Patterns Sketch 98.
The paper is from Webster's Pages, sticker is from SRM, buttons are from Melissa Frances and ribbon is from Offray, die cuts are from Nestabilities.

And do you mind if I share a couple of cards my daughter made? She's home for the weekend and made 2 cards for her roommate's birthdays this week.

I may be a bit biased, but I think they're just beautiful! I'm always amazed and grateful that my girls will once in a while sit at my desk and create. I must have rubbed off on them somewhere along the way!

Thanks so much for dropping by today...Ivanka

Happy Day

Today I'm playing along with a new challenge blog, The Shabby Tea Room. Not sure why I haven't come across this site before, but I'm so glad I did today. So much wonderful inspiration. And while the name of the blog is shabby, the challenge cards don't need to be. This week is a sketch challenge. Here's the sketch:

And here is my take on it. Funny, but this is not the card I set out to make today. I had all kind of shabby, lacy visions, but it was not to be...

The background paper is from We R Memory Keepers, I embossed it with Swiss Dots embossing folder from Cuttlebug. The other patterned paper is from Melissa Frances, the recent Christmas line. The sticker letters are from Making Memories, ribbon is from Offray. The dress is cut out from a Crafty Secrets Girlfriend Journaling Notes. If you click on the home page at Crafty Secrets, there are a ton of free downloads for personal use. I love the 2011 calendar. The sticker letters are from Making Memories, ribbon is from Offray.

We've had a whole bunch of snow today...makes for not such a 'happy day'...

Hope you have a great evening.

Feb. 14th

It's funny how soon after Christmas is over, we get right into Valentine's Day, isn't it? I never used to make cards for Valentine's Day, but with so many wonderful products out that make it easy to create for the holiday, it's just a natural to get drawn in.

Today's card is for Get Sketchy #69 and since it's Monday, it's time for Oldie Moldie Monday where we get to dig into the old paper stash and give some love to long forgotten products.

The cardstock is unknown, I dry embossed it with Victoria embossing folder from Cuttlebug and then sanded a bit to distress. The die cut tags are from Pink Paislee, the 3D stickers are from Martha Stewart and the ribbon is from Making Memories.

Love is in the air...Hope you have a wonderful Monday.

Clean and Simple Thanks

I seem to be having a love affair with Webster's Pages paper lately. I bought a 6 x 6 pack of Seaside Retreat, Nature's Storybook and Garden Gala and I absolutely love it. Can't wait to see their newest release, Spring Market.

Today's card is based on FTL 122 on the Clean and Simple Stamping blog. Love this sketch, so versatile and so easy to create with. This card is also for the January challenge on Inspire Me by Webster's Pages to make a thank you card to thank their DT.

I dry embossed the kraft cardstock with the Victoria folder from Cuttlebug. The Many Thanks stamp is from Stampin' UP, ribbon is from Offray, pearls are from Kaisercraft, scallop border die is from QuicKutz.

Thanks so much for stopping in.
Ivanka

Hello Sunshine

Hello Sunshine...it is cold, but the sun is out. It makes everything seem so much nicer and brighter when the sun is shining.

Today's card is for the challenge at Moxie Fab World's 'Grey is the New Black' and also for Cards Blog: Create to use felt on a card.

This was a challenge for me as I rarely use yellow, but here paired with the grey, I like it a ton. The felt shape is from Fancy Pants Designs, ribbon is from Offray, dry embossing folder is Victoria from Cuttlebug, sentiment sticker is from SRM Press.

Hope there is a bit of sunshine where you are.

Ivanka

My Mind's Eye

Happy New Year! It's hard to believe that it's the beginning of another year, it all goes so fast.

We've had a wonderful Christmas season, very relaxing. We didn't have any family visiting this year so it was quiet. But that was ok as it gave us lots of time to watch our old home movies which I had transferred to DVD. It was so much fun revisiting all the fun times when the girls were little.

So onto today's card. My Mind's Eye is having a challenge on their blog till January 20th. I love MME and had to play along with this challenge. Here's the sketch:



And here's my take on it using MME Lush paper and chipboard letter stickers.

Die cut label is from QuicKutz and was dry embossed with Cuttlebug's script folder. Ribbon is from Offray.

Thanks so much for stopping in today. I hope your year has started off in a good way.
Ivanka

Strictly Stripes

My wonderful friend Barb, spoiled me rotten this Christmas. In my Christmas parcel , she included some simply gorgeous Christmas papers from Pink Paislee and Melissa Frances. I couldn't wait to use them.

With Moxie Fab's latest Tuesday Trigger challenging us to use stripes, that's just what I did. Here's the Trigger:

And here is my card...

The striped paper is from Pink Paislee, the others are from Melissa Frances. Punched label is from Stampin' Up, bird sticker is from Martha Stewart and the sentiment sticker is from SRM.

These are my 'Hello...I didn't get my Christmas cards out in time' cards. Now that the rush is over, I still wanted to send a card to a few friends that I didn't get a chance to before Christmas. I think these will be perfect and hopefully I'll be forgiven!

Hope you have a wonderful evening...Ivanka

One More Thank You...

It seems like I'm in 'Thank You' card mode this week. This one is based on Sketch #96 at Card Patterns and also on FLLC98 at the Flourishes blog to add pearls to your card.


The cardstock is from Jillybean Soup, patterned paper is from Webster's Pages, Many Thanks background stamp is from Stampin' Up, sentiment is from SRM, pearls and butterfly are from Prima and the twine was part of my Christmas gift from my wonderful friend Barb.

Thanks for dropping by today...Ivanka

Clean and Simple Thank You

Today's card is based on the FTL 121 sketch at Clean and Simple Stamping. The only trouble is...there is no stamping on my card. (I hope they are able to forgive me) I had the Prima flowers and Imaginisce brads out from yesterday's card, liked them so much that I used them again. I also made a horizontal card, making the white space smaller.

The papers are from My Mind's Eye (red polka dot) and K&Co (red striped). The black polka dot is a sticker border from Colorbok. Sentiment is from SRM stickers.

I'm quite enjoying these relaxed post Christmas days. I hope you are as well.

Post Christmas...

Hello...Are you happy to be on the other side of Christmas? I kind of am, it's been hectic, but it's also been a wonderful time of family and friends and fun gifts and lots of good food. I'm totally enjoying today...relaxing, watching old videos and making a card. A pretty perfect day, I think.

Today's card is based on sketch 197 at CPS. This week they are doing the year in review where you can choose any sketch from the past year. It's also based on the daily challenge at 365 Cards Plentiful Patterns - Use at least 3 of the following patterns on your card - plaid, paisley, gingham, hounds tooth, toile. I chose argyle, gingham and toile. The flower is from Prima, brad is from Making Memories and the sticker is from SRM stickers. It's also Oldie Moldie Monday where I dig into my forgotten papers and give them a new purpose in life. The argyle paper is from Dream Street and the toile is from Adorn It, Carloee's Creations.

I made a set of Luminaria's for a friend this Christmas. I found a fabulous video tutorial here.

These were so easy and so much fun to make. And using a battery operated votive makes these safe to use with paper and safe to have in my studio.

I used a Martha Stewart snowflake punch and Prism metallic paper. The metallic paper was perfect for this project because it is a heavier weight than card stock and the metallic shine is so pretty with the light reflecting off of it.

Thanks for stopping by today. Hope you're having a great Monday.

4 Days...

Hard to believe that Christmas is almost here. I've been shopping for months now...hopefully I have everything I need, because I'm not going out there again! I think it's wrapping time tonight. Then if I really need something else, I'll make a mad dash for it in the morning.

How are you doing with all of your preparations?

Here's today's card based on this week's sketch at Card Patterns. This is going to Julia's piano teacher.


The green paper is from Kaiser Kraft, background paper is from Basic Grey and script paper is old 7 gypsies. The stamp is from Serendipity Stamps, stamped with Chianti ColorBox ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.

Here's one of the small gifts I made for a couple of friends this year. I first saw this bookmark on The Stampin Pretty blog and she has a fabulous tutorial on how to make this bookmark here.

I used Webster's Pages paper and stickers. The stamp is from Studio G.

Here's the inside of the little card. Love this quote on reading from Dr. Seuss. Papers are Webster's Pages again.

It's quick and easy and a great gift for a friend who loves to read.

ps...I made a couple of these for me while I was at it!

Thanks for stopping by today.

Ivanka

Thanks card

So...all that rain yesterday has turned into snow. And now I have to go out to shovel. I think I preferred the rain...never happy am I?

I made today's card with the paper that was leftover from yesterday's cards. Love using up scraps.

This is for the Monochromatic challenge at Caardvarks. Sadly, this it their last challenge. It has been such a wonderful site for inspiration over the years, they will be missed. This is also for Card Creations: Favorite Occasions Week Thank You Challenge in the Moxie Fab World. It's the last day to enter that challenge.

Cardstock is from Bazzill, patterned paper is from Webster's Pages, ribbon is from May Arts, rhinestones are from Kaiser Kraft and the stamp is from Stampin Up.

Off I go to shovel...Ivanka

Happy Birthday.

Two posts in one day?? It must be the rainy, damp day. I'm hiding out in my studio, no motivation to do anything Christmas related. Soon enough, I know I'll be complaining about the snow, so might as well enjoy the rain and the green grass while it's here.

This card is based on sketch #94 at Card Patterns and is also for Card Creations: Favorite Occasions Week Birthday Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.

The embossing folder is from Cuttlebug, stickers are from SRM (We've got your sticker), ribbon is from Offray and the scallop die cut is from Nestabilities.

Bye for now...
Ivanka

Rainy Sunday...

All around us here in Southern Ontario, there is snow. Tons of snow. We seem to be in the middle of a snow free bubble right now...not that I'm complaining. But rain?? Doesn't really put you in the Chrismtas spirit, does it?

Onto today's cards, also not very Christmassy. :) The first one is for this week's sketch #197 at CPS and the Card Creations: Favorite Occasions Week All Occasion Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.


The paper is from Webster's Pages, image is from Crafty Secrets, ribbon is from Offray and the butterfly is from Prima.

This card is for the FTL 120 at Clean and Simple Stamping and Card Creations: Favorite Occasions Week Thank You Challenge in the Moxie Fab World The cardstock is from Jillybean Soup, patterned paper is from Webster's Pages again (love it!!), stamp is from Stampin' Up.

Thanks for dropping by today. Hope you've had a wonderful weekend.

Ivanka

Thanks a Bunch

I'm taking a little break from Christmas cards today. Much as I love making them and love the whole season, it was nice to pull out some different paper to play with. And since it's Oldie Moldie Monday, it's time to pull out some long neglected paper and give it some love.

Today's card is based on this week's sketch 93 at Card Patterns. All of the paper is from a large stash of My Mind's Eye paper. It's a few years old, it coordinates beautifully and I still love it. This card is also for the Card Creations Favorite Occasions Week-The Thank You Challenge on Moxie Fab World which runs until next Monday.

The image is from Craft Secrets, the sentiment sticker is from SRM Stickers, twill tape is from Martha Stewart and the twine is from May Arts.

'Thanks a Bunch' for stopping by today. I'm off to run a few errands then try and finish up the Christmas cards.

Happy Monday.