Sunday, August 2, 2009

A Slow Start ...

Have I told you lately that I'm not loving Blogger. I had this post half done, and all of a sudden the whole darned thing disappeared - photos, text, all of it. I shouldn't bitch (oops ... complain) about a service that's free. However...

With that out of my system, my first card would most definitely qualify for a "Simple Saturday" offering. The focal point image was cut from patterned paper, conveniently from the same Studio 45 paper I used for the background. Pretty, isn't it? The Stamp Simply challenge this week on the No Time to Stamp? blog is "Lovely Lace." I mounted the paper image on a piece of chipboard and attached it to my card with foam tape to accommodate the bulk of the ribbon and crocheted lace. With hopes of coordinating the paper I used for the sentiment with the patterned paper, I distressed it with Desert Sand and Brown Bag ink. I could have added a brad or two but instead, asked the Why? question and left it as it.

Materials & Tools: Vanilla Cream and Desert Sand cardstock; Studio 45 Botanicals Collection Antiquity paper; Cocoa, Desert Sand, and Brown Bag ink pads; Stampendous Flexible Friendship Wishes stamp set; Crocheted lace from Wal-Mart; Cocoa grosgrain ribbon; Chipboard; Sponge daubers; Stampin' Up Word Window punch; 3M foam mounting tape.

My next card is my take on Weekend Sketch Challenge #91, hosted this week on the Fresh & Fun blog. Again, I used paper from Studio 45's Botanicals Collection. I will have to admit that the finished product is not what I originally had in mind. Once I stamped the sentiment, I found the larger stamped butterfly I had planned wasn't going to work. Lucky for me, I came across a paper flower that I'd colored with my Creme Brule marker I while back (that obviously didn't work for whatever I intended it for). The little butterfly in its center was cute from the patterned paper. One more thing. The texture on the Autumn Terracotta cardstock (if you can see it) was created using the Saran Wrap technique. That's wadding up a piece of plastic wrap and using it like a stamp. It's a favorite of mine, especially when I want to make my paper look like suede or denim. I like it when cards that evolve turn out as well as this one did.

Materials & Tools: Colonial White and Autumn Terracotta cardstock; Studio 45 Botanicals Collection Ode to a Butterfly paper; Black, Bamboo, and Autumn Terracotta ink pads; Creme Brule marker; CTMH Butterfly Kiss stamp set; Big Pinks paper flower; Antiqued Copper mini brads; Stampin' Up Photo Corner punch; Piercing tool: Stampin' Up Piercing Guide and Mat; Sponge dauber; Sanding block; 3M foam mounting tape.

For this last card, I weaned myself away from the Studio 45 paper, and reached for Basic Grey's Lime Rickey. Man, there's some wild paper in that pad! This card meets the criteria of two challenges. The sketch is this week's A Sketch for You to Try on the i{heart}2stamp blog. And, the current Challenge #9 on the Pile it on! blog is to use at least three flowers on one's card and combine that challenge with another. I have to say this card satisfies my blue/green color combination yen, even though the Outdoor Denim cardstock and ribbon look black in the photo. Speaking of, I think my poor camera had a bit of a time with this card cuz' I took several shots and didn't get a single one that was clearly in focus. Too much goin' on, I suppose! We wouldn't want to blame it on the photographer or anything. LOL.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy, Citrus Leaf, and Outdoor Denim cardstock; Basic Grey Lime Rickey 6x6-inch paper pad; Black and Outdoor Denim ink pads; Penny Black Toadilly and Papertrey Ink Mixed Messages stamp sets; Outdoor Denim grosgrain ribbon; Just Blooms White Daisy and Summer Posies paper flowers; White Daisy Bigger Brads; Mini brads from my stash; Prismacolor colored pencils; Gamsol odorless mineral spirits; Blending stumps; McGill Multi-tag punch; Cuttlebug w/Nestabilities Classic Circles set; 3M foam mounting tape.

With all these cards and so much text, I won't bore you with too many details of my ordinary life. Besides, between stamping last night and then going to bed, there isn't much to say since my last "report."

Oh, one thing... So ya think I'm brave to shop for clothes on the Internet, huh? I've been lucky, I guess. I always check out a site's return policy before spending too much $$. The company from which I ordered my "wedding suit" guarantees satisfaction and provides a return service label with the order. Shipping it here was $14.95. If I need to return it, the postage will be $6.95. Thus, should it not work out, I will be "out" $21.90. Were I to physically "shop," I would have to travel 55, if not 120, miles to a town that has real stores. In my neck of the woods, gas isn't cheap. And so, for those of us who live in the boondocks, the Internet is a godsend. I'll let you know how my new duds work out. So long as I don't try it on while eating a slice of pizza, I should be OK. LOL.

Hope your day is a good one! Thanks for stopping by! Later...

17 comments:

Gamma said...

OMGoodness...I love these cards. Where do you find your creativity? I want to go there and get some for myself. I love this first card...simply beautiful!! LOVE IT!!

I left you something on my blog.
www.scrappingamma.blogspot.com

Sparkplug17 said...

What pretty cards! I love the butterfly one!

Sharli Schaitberger said...

Wowie! You've lifted my spirits!
These cards are all fantastic and so different! I LOVE them all! The first one is so elegant and rich. The lace is just the right touch there. The middle one is my favorite colors and I really MUST try the saran wrap technique - because I love how your paper looks so textured. The butterflies are so pretty . . . this card has a lot of interesting details! I like evolving cards, too (I'd better, all of mine are either copied from you, or evolving). LOL

The lime ricky paper is wild!! But your card is very fun! Thanks for the smiles!

Reynna said...

Gorgeous cards Kathi. All 3 are simply wonderful.

Maricar said...

Although that butterfly card is beautiful, I really like the funky green one. So so playful!

And, I save money by shopping online. :) If I just need a few things, it's so much easier just to order online (if I know the sizes) than to go to the store where I will inevitable find more things I didn't know I needed! I hope your online shopping is successful!

Sarah said...

WOW Kathi...awesome cards...!
All so beautiful and so you! You are right, the paper in that last one is funky but so fun.
;-)

Laurel said...

Holy smokes! Fantabulous! I love them!

Carolyn V said...

Wow! Great cards, all three of them... I'm so inspired... I gotta go make something! LOL Thanks!

Jeanne said...

Oh man, Kathi! You've done it again(!)...Wowed me with the awesomeness of your cards. I am really taken with that first one, it's so elegant and beautiful. On the second, you absolutely cannot go wrong with a butterfly ( *Ü* ) and that third opens up your wild and wacky side in such a good way!

Thanks for sharing about the internet shopping. I figured that was pretty much the scenario. I'm spoiled in that our house sits almost smack in the middle of some easy to get to stores, so I don't even think about internet shopping too much. Plus my body shape is hard to fit, I wouldn't be nearly as lucky as you are in finding stuff to fit. (broad shoulders, "busty" and no waist to speak of). Plus I'm short!

Hope you have a wonderful start to the week.

PS...try Windows Live Writer again. I think mine is working now, except for the whole font thing, but it seems to stay open while I'm typing again.

Maureen said...

All gorgeous cards!! Thanks for playing with us at Pile It On!

Carolyn said...

Beautiful Cards!! I love the daisy card! I hope the suite works out for you. Sounds like that was the best route to take. Pretty sooooon. :)

by. Amy Schultz said...

Love all of your cards, esp your butterfly card, so fab!

Amy -- Pile It On DT

Jean Franks Beck said...

Wow, all of these cards are lovely!! TFS!

craftypagan said...

What beautiful creations! I love that frog-he's so happy! I love your use of the bg papers, some of that pack are quite hard to use i find. Thanks for playing with us at Pile it On-Rowena dt member xxx

Vickilyn said...

Love all the cards - the card is the cutest!!

Thanks for playing with us at Pile It On!!

~Vicki
Owner

raindropecho said...

Love these creations! Glad that Blogger let you share them with us. Thanks for joining us this week :D
- Ann @ Pile It On!

Liane said...

I am soooo far behind on reading my blogs that I follow! I am just far behind in life right now. But, I wanted to tell you how much I love these cards and ALL of your work. YOu have the best eye. Every time I see your goodies I am inspired. Thank you!