Cards in Envy Twinkle Little Star

The new challenge on the Cards in Envy challenge blog is to show us your cards with stars.  You might want to show us patriotic stars for the upcoming 4th of July if your in the USA or any card theme with stars on it.  I opted for patriotic stars.

I just cut the Authentique paper on the diagonal and flipped one piece over.  Perfect way to get matching designs.  I had a "God Bless" stamp (Jillian Vance) but did not have a "the" so I hand lettered it.  

Hop on over the the Cards in Envy blog and check out the star-studded cards the Design team came u with.  Then link up your star themed cards with us.  

Happy Crafting!

Donna

Cards in Envy Blowin' in the Wind

The Fall Season is upon us!  The new challenge on the Cards in Envy blog is for Autumn cards with leaves on them.  This is my favorite The Aspen trees are turning gold in the mountains. The air is crisp and the skies are brilliant blue. Here's my Autumn card.

It's a little hard to see but the leaves are die cut from metallic gold cardstock.  Head on over to the Cards in Envy blog and check out what the rest of the design team came up with.  Then link up your Autumn cards with us.  

Happy Crafting!

Donna

Operation Write Home Memorial Day BlogHop

Welcome to the Operation Write Home Memorial day Bloghop. If you would like to start at the beginning of the hop, click on the picture above and it will take you to the links on the OWH Stars and Stamps blog.   I hope you are having fun hopping along and viewing some fabulous creations by our fellow OWHers!  Here is my card for the hop!

Our Theme for the Hop is Red, White and Blue made as Love Cards, Missing You Cards, Thank You Cards, Birthday Cards or Any Hero Cards with a written message inside.  As I was digging through my formidable paper stash (ahem!) I found this Authentique Glory Kit with the flowers made out of hearts.  I knew I just had to cut one out and use it. I used OWH Sketch 54.  The  kit even came with the cute word stickers to make the sentiment.  So -- not one stamp was used making this card.  Unusual for me!  Ribbon is Really Reasonable Ribbon.  Click on the picture at the top of the post to get back to the BlogHop Linkys!

Happy Crafting!

Donna

This One's For Mom

Good Morning!  The Challenge over at the House of Cards Challenge Blog for March is to "Add A Button." So this two weeks of the month is for Clean & Simple Cards (CAS) or Classic & Elegant cards with a button on them.  Hop on over and play along with us.  Here is my DT card for the challenge.

I got carried away with the button theme and went with a whole sewing theme on this one.  I have decided this will be my Mother's Day card to my Mom.  She loves to sew and quilt but with Macular Degeneration she can no longer do so.  I might have gone a little bit vintage on this card versus Classic & Elegant .

I love how I thought of having the scissors cut the edge of the paper.  Here's a close-up of that.

The DP is Authentique Original 6x6 pad.  The bodice stamp is Tim Holtz  Stamper's Anonymous Sew Exceptional.  Scissors, button and thread spool are from the Tim Holtz Sizzix Sewing Edge.  Scissors and button are cut from Ranger mirror foil.  I topped the scissors with dot of  silver Perfect Pearl  for the screw.  Sentiment stamp is from Great Impressions Stamps.  Inks used are Distressed Inks Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire and Vintage Photo.  Flower is made from the Tim Holtz Sizzix Tattered Floral Die.  Jute and lace are from my stash.    

Hope you come and play with us at the House of Cards Challenge Blog.

I am also entering this in the Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge #4 - Show Some Sparkle,Glitz, or Glam (what's more sparkly or shinier than that Ranger foil?)

Happy Crafting!
Donna

House of Cards Classic & Elegant Week!

This is my very first post as a Design Team Member for the House of Cards Classic & Elegant Team.  My DT card will post on the third Monday of each month.  If there is a 5th Monday in the month, I will post for the photo challenge too.

Here is how our challenge blog works--we will have a monthly color palette or sketch and then each week we'd like to see a different card making style using those parameters.  If there is a 5th Monday in the month, we will have a photo inspiration and you can create using any card making style you'd like!  

After much digging through my stash of stamps and paper to find the perfect colors and image I decided on this Carousel Horse.  It was fun finding and using all the stuff in my stash.  Here's the information on what I used.
Stamps:  Carousel Horse from Inkadinkado, Ticket Stamps from Stampin'Up, Wish big Stamp & Die from Jillian Vance
Embossing Folder:  Diamonds & Dots from Lifestyle Crafts
Cricut Elegant Edges Cartridge
Turquoise Ribbon:  Really Reasonable Ribbon
Ribbon Roses:  Paper Wishes
Designer Paper:  Authentique Celebrate 6x6 Bundle
Markers:  Stampin'Up Pool Party, Cherry Cobbler, Tempting Turquoise; Tim Holtz Distressed Markers Wild Honey and Mustard Seed
Washi Tape flags:  My Minds Eye
Brads & Bling from my stash.

Please join us over at House of Cards for some fun!
Happy Crafting!
Donna

You're Sew Special

I am continuing on with  the Apron String blog Cookout Challenge.  Here is the recipe I drew in this round.
Beef Patty = Red Cardstock
Red Onions = Buttons
Blue cheese = Stitching
Mustard = Mini Brads
Specialty  Bun = Use a new technique

The new technique I used was from the Technique Time Tuesday blog "Blurred Vision Stamping."  The sentiment and the dressmaker's form are blurred.
Products used:
Authentique Glory Collection DP
Tim Holtz Sizzix Alterations Sewing Edge
Stamps:  Stampers Best Sewing Kit,  Cardmaking & Papercraft Sew Pretty (free gift with magazine), Stamper's Best Ornamental Grunge Tags.
Buttons and Brads from my stash.

This card will be an Anyhero card for Operation Write Home.  I'll write a special message to a hero inside thanking them for their service to our country.  I am adding this to the Operation Write Home Our Daily Bread Monthly Challenge "Stitching".

I am also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog Patriotic because after all it is an Anyhero card.  What's more patriotic than that? :-)

Happy Crafting
Donna.

OWH Sketch 178

I created this card for my brother's birthday using Operation Write Home Stars and Stamps Sketch 178.

The DP is Glory from Authentique.  Ribbon and sentiment are from Stampin'Up!  Brads are from my stash.  

Happy Crafting!

Donna

Operation Write Home Sketch Challenge 175

The Stars and Stamps Blog at Operation Write Home has posted Sketch Challenge 175.  The painting and remodeling in the house is almost done so I had time to work on a card this weekend.

I am still playing with the wonderful Authentique "Genuine" collection.  Love the blue jeans and bandanna look to the papers.  Sentiment is from TPC Studios.  

I am also entering this in the Inkspirational Blogs Challenge #22 "Anything Goes."  

Happy Crafting!

Donna

You can visit my Creative Memories Website HERE.

Operation Write Home Memorial Day Bloghop

Welcome to the Operation Write Home Memorial Blog Hop the biggest and best bloghop on the web.  If you started here and want to go to all the blogs in the hop, click on the photo above to go to the OWH Stars and Stamps page for the bloghop.

The theme of the bloghop is to make a "Thank You" card using one of the OWH sketches.  You can view all the OWH card sketches HERE if you would like to use them in the future.  My card uses OWH Sketch #161 (turned on its side).  I wanted to make a more masculine Thank You card.

Products Used:

DSP:  Authentique Genuine "Forever" and "Friendship" and 6x6 Bundle

Stamp Set: Dare2B Artzy "Thinking of You"

Ribbon:  American Crafts

Creative Memories Tag Punch (retired)

Sizzix Stars #2 Die

Ink:  Tim Holtz Distressed Ink Faded Jeans

Marvy Uchida Extra Fine Deco Color Liquid Gold Opaque Paint Marker (which somehow made a gold spot on my new jeans) (the things we put up with for our art!)

Hop on back to the OWH Bloghop Post to see all the other blog participants!  

Have a blessed Memorial Day weekend!

Donna

You can visit my Creative Memories website HERE.

Inskpirational Challenge #14 and OWH Midweek

The ladies over at Inkspirational blog have a color challenge this week.  I decided to get busy and get this one done quickly as I missed the linky for the last challenge because it closed early.  That is what I get for waiting until the last few hours.  The colors for this weeks challenge were Banana, Pink and Slate.

While I was at it I decided to combine challenges with the Operation Write Home Midweek Throwdown of Tags and Twine.  The round tag is a stamp from Inspired by Stamping Fancy Tags.  I stamped it with Momento Tuxedo Black ink  on banana yellow cardstock and then mounted it on a piece of slate cardstock.    The sentiment in the center is from the Stampin'Up Vintage Verses set.  The Pink DSP is from an Authentique Uncommon 6x6 pad.  The harlequin DSP is from a retired Stampin'Up Well Worn kit.  Border is Sizzix Dots and Scallops decorative strip.  I added dots of Ranger Distressed Stickles in Broken Chine on the tag and along the decorative border.  I twine I used is We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy Floss in Twilight (hard to see but it is sparkly!).

Happy Crafting!
Donna
You can visit my Creative Memories Website HERE.

Scrapbooking!

I play with cards so much that I don't scrapbook often.  I really need to change this because I have a lot of photos to scrapbook.  Most of the time I scrapbook using Storybook Creator 4.0 from Creative Memories because I like the results and goes fast.  When I do dig out the paper I enjoy the feel and fun of creating with my fingers versus a mouse.  My March kit "Smaller Than a Breadbox" from Apron Strings Design came in the other day and there was this GORGEOUS Spring Seasons paper from Authentique in it!  I recently found these old photos of my daughter that I think my Dad must have taken and a layout resulted!

Thanks Lori over at Apron Strings for helping me get some old photos displayed!  The scalloped punch I used on the right side is from the Creative Memories Border Maker System.  I am submitting this for the Apron Strings Blog March Madness Day 10.

Happy Crafting!

Donna

You can visit my Creative Memories website HERE.

OWH Sketch 162 and Inskpirational Challenge #10

I love it when I can combine two challenges into one.  The Inskpirational Blog Challenge this week is Shade of Green.  

I used Operation Write Home Sketch 162 as my starting point and came up with this card. I took a little artistic license with the sketch! 

I took a class in calligraphy and have been experimenting with frame-able Irish blessings.  While I was looking for ideas to decorate the calligraphy I found this and other wonderful stamps at Highlander Celtic Stamps.  Here is an example of my first take on this blessing.  It needs work (there are uneven strokes and spaces in the calligraphy) but I think when I get it right and use the stamps to decorate, it will be a nice piece to frame.

Products used:

Stamp Highlander Celtic Stamps

DSP:  Authentique Faith, Bazzill Holiday Style, unknown

Green Apple Cardstock (Creative Memories)

Ribbon from my stash

Ink Tim Holtz Old Olive Distressed Ink

Happy Crafting!

Donna

You can visit my Creative Memories Website HERE.

OWH Midweek Throwdown

Operation Write Home has a Recipe for their Midweek Throwdown.  1 Embossing Folder, 1 Border Punch or Die, 2 Patterned Papers and 1 Ribbon.  I actually ended up with a Border Punch and Die.  This is a CASE from page 44 Spring 2013 Paper Creations magazine.  Here is my card.

Products used:
Authentique Blissful Collection "Happiness" Paper (both sides)
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder "Picnic Check" (retired)
Stampin'Up Scallop Trim Border
Stampin'Up Mixed Bunch Stamp Set
Stampin'Up Blossom Punch
TPC Studio Birthday Sentiment
Grey Cardstock
Velvet ribbon from my stash

Happy Crafting!
Donna
You can visit my Creative Memories website HERE.

Operation Write Home Sketch Challenge #157

There is a new sketch challenge over at the Operation Write Home Stars and Stamps Blog.  Here is my card for the sketch.

Products Used:

Authentique Blissful Paper Felicity and Paradise

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pumice

Tim Holtz ATC Stamp Birdsong

Tim Holtz Visual Artistry Clear Stamps City Central

Ribbon from my stash

Grey and Black cardstock

I am also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes Challenge.

Happy Crafting!
Donna
You can visit my Creative Memories website HERE.

The Last Christmas Card

It has been a while since I posted.  Christmas preparations and my daughters's graduation from college on Saturday have kept me hopping.  I finished my last Christmas card last night and finally had time to post a card on my blog. This card is for our mailman (see the postage stamp).  I usually give my mailman a gift card for McD's.  He has his work cut out for him with all the online shopping I do!

Most of the ingredients came from the Apron Strings All Year Cheer Card Kit for November.  Apron Strings is a monthly kit club and I do love Lori's choices in her kits.  I added the postage stamp and the small circle in the left corner from an Authentique Festive icon sheet.  The Christmas Ad and plaid papers are from Echo Park's Seasons Greetings.  The red twine is from Maya Road.

I hope your Christmas preparations are going well.  Now I can get back to crafting Valentine Cards for Operation Write Home.  (Yes we are always months ahead on seasons because of the shipping time overseas).

Happy Crafting
Donna
You can visit my Creative Memories website HERE.

VCMP Challenge 5

Challenge 5 for the Virtual Card Making Party (VCMP) was to make a card with a Western theme (Cowboys or Horses).  Lucky for me I recently purchased this stamp at the Rubber Stamp Expo in Colorado Springs.  The three horses remind me of my friend Linda who has three beautiful but aging horses. I bought this stamp to make a birthday card for her.

Materials Used:
Authentique Genuine Paper and sticker
Judy Duke Rubber Stamps (Horses, Brush Background, Pebbles)
Stampin'Up River Rock and Chocolate Chip Ink
Tim Holtz Distressed Inks Chipped Sapphire and Vintage Photo

I tried scanning the card instead of photographing it because I was tired of my camera distorting the squareness of my card.  The pop-dotted image makes the background paper fuzzy so that doesn't seem to be the answer either.  Any ides on how to get my camera to behave?

Happy Crafting!
Donna
You can visit my Creative Memories website HERE.

Operation Write Home Sketch 134

I used last week's sketch to make this Hall-NO-ween card for Operation Write Home.

I used OWH Sketch 134 as my starting point.

The DP is Authentique Halloween's line from last year.  It is my absolute favorite!  Authentique has these word sheets that you can use as sentiments or titles.  I had aready used the "you" on another card so I had to substitue "u" instead.  The words show up a little better in real life.  I used glossy accents on them to highlight them.  

Happy Crafting!  

Donna

You can view my Creative Memories Website HERE.  

Boo Peeps!

Yes two posts in one day --amazing!  I actually am getting some cards made for Operation Write Home.  The Halloween themed cards are due to the shippers by August 31.  I made these two cards with some very cute 'Peep" stamps that I found at the Stamp and Scrap Expo in Colorado Springs in July.

The stamps are by Elaine Madrid and her website is www.carmensverandarubberstamps.com.  She didn't have a picture of them on her website.  The sheet of Rubber stamps included a Bunny Peep and Christmas Peeps of Gingerbread man and women, Christmas tree, Snowman and Christmas Cookie.  I look forward to making some cute Peep Christmas Cards very soon    I made the sentiment on my computer using BlackKnight font and cut it out with Stampin'Up! Itty Bitty Banners dies.  The large banner is Tim Holtz Sizzix Alterations (trimmed down to fit the card). I inked all edges with Tim Holtz Distressed Ink in either Black Soot or Rusty Hinge.  The Designer Paper is Authentique and it is gorgeous!  That's it for today, I have to get back to work and fill up my card box to mail off to Operation Write Home this week.

Happy Crafting!
Donna
You can visit my Creative Memories Website HERE.
CM is having their end of summer sale with most items 40% off!

My Brother's Birthday Card

Both my husband and my brother love Chevy Chevelle.  My brother is in the process of restoring one now.  So when I found this Chevelle stamp and the Gears stamp at Stampers Best I snapped them up!  My inspiration for this card was from Ellen over at In a World of Craft.  She created a cool card for her son with all kinds of gears that you can see HERE. Here is my take on Ellen's card.

 The background paper is October Afternoon "Kick the Can."  I used Athentique "Blissful" in both 12x12 and the 6x6 pad for the different layers.  The gears are Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations "Steampunk."  The birthday sentiment is from TPC Studios.  Ink is Tim Holtz Distressed ink in Vintage Photo and Black Soot.
So here's wishing my brother a Happy Birthday today!  Thanks for looking.


Happy Crafting!
Donna
You can visit my Creative Memories website HERE.   

OWH Midweek Throwdown Challenge Anniversary

Operation Write Home Midweek Throwdown Challenge is an Anniversary Card.  I came up with one and a possible second one that could be used for an Anniversary.

My first card also qualifies for the MOJO Monday 248 challenge. The background paper is from Raspberry Road Designs Luxury Paper Collection that I received as a gift from Cardmaking & Papercraft Magazine.  The next layer is from the Authentique Splendid 6x6 collection.  The Love sentiment is from SU Butterfly Prints and the frame around is from Four Frames without the bird.  The Happy Anniversary is from SU Teeny Tiny Wishes.  All punches are from Stampin'Up.  Ribbon is from my stash.  The golden butterfly is from Paper Wishes Gold Butterfly Dazzles.  Cardstock is Very Vanilla and some blue from my scrap pile.

The second card is one that I will take to Westbrook Stamp Club this month for my friends to make.  I CASEd this card from Penny Allen on Splitcoast Stampers. The large flower is Stampin'Up! Mixed Bunch stamped in Calypso Coral, punched out and rolled for dimension.  The flourish is from SU Elements of Style.  The sentiment is from SU Loving Thoughts and the butterflys are SU Beautiful Wings Sizzlet.  Cardstock is SU Very Vanilla and Crumb Cake.  This also qualifies for the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge for July 4th.

Happy Crafting!

Donna

You can view my Creative Memories website HERE.