Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Hi Everyone! 

Getting ready for our Spring Craft Fair this weekend in Shoreline, Washington, USA.  I've been working the past couple weeks (between babysitting the nephew, paying bills, doing taxes, etc.) on greeting cards to sell at the show. I only completed 19 thus far to add to the stock, but they are cute.  All my greeting cards are 5 X 6 -1/2 inches, and blank inside. (The shine / sheen on the cards are due to them already being packaged in clear plastic sleeves, ready for sale, when I took the photos.)  We will see many of these completed cards here today. Enjoy!



This is "Amanda" House Mouse from Stampabilities.  Love those big truffles!  I used Copic markers on her. Yes, I need to get additional colors. I've only been collecting these markers for a few short months, so have a long way to go before I have all of them.


I love Peafowl!  This new "Papercut Peacock" rubber stamp by Inkadinkado is one our local scrapbooking store, Urban Scrapbooker, just got in.  Isn't he pretty?  I used Metallic Gel Ink pens to enhance his feathers. Notice the pink paper behind -- using my Cuttlebug, I embossed with the new "Animal Prints", Peacock design, by Provo Craft. The saying, "Friendship adds Beauty to our Lives..." is from the Proud Peacock set by Stampendous.


This "Peacock Tiles" I picked up months ago; it's by Impression Obsession.  Urban Scrapbooker still has a few in stock.   I used Metallic Gel Ink pens on the bird and Copic Markers on the tree branches and flowers. This is stamped on plain white paper that had been inked with Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Vintage Photo color. I love the effect -- I will have to pick up additional colors!  The purple background paper has been embossed using the new "Courtship" folder by Couture Creations.



A very simple, basic Thank You card using dry emboss method on a brass template, inking over to get the image.  That's Stampin' Up's Big Shot "Top Note" behind the Thank You.  I used stock floral paper for the background and a green swirl paper Flower by Prima. It adds a very nice touch.



After dry embossing this cute little fairy, I used pastel chalk over the brass template.   Two small roses in the lower left were added.




I dry embossed the seashell and small sea creatures and shells on the bottom using a brass template and pastel chalk for coloring. Adding the blue Splash ribbon is a nice touch. Notice the burgandy Top Note behind the main seashell adds just a touch of class to any greeting card theme. The small "blings" add just a touch of sparkle.



A yummy cornucopia done in pastel chalks over brass template is ready for this year's Thanksgiving.  It is not possible to dry embossed on most colored paper; they are often too heavy. Light colored paper or white works best for dry embossing.  My pastel chalks are from The Stencil Collection.  Keep using these chalks, and I will have to get a new set soon.




We cannot forget the men in our lives.  For the fisherman and duck hunter in your family, these two cards are ready for birthdays or Father's Day. They are both dry embossed with pastel chalk using brass templates. The background papers are just regular stock, but with a natural theme to them (the fishing card paper looks like a fish basket).



For Mother's Day, give Mom this Rose greeting card. It is dry embossed and pastel chalk using brass template.  I found this paper in my stash; the hummingbird in top right is a part of the paper and a nice touch to the card.  A fibrous string is added for a final touch.


The babies are a'coming! I've been to one baby shower this month; baby is due in late May.  This is a great card for the baby girl coming in your life! After dry embossing the buggy and images above using a brass template, I colored the buggy with regular markers, but the trinkets above are colored using "Glazed Dimensions" by The Stencil Company (link above with Thankgiving card).  This technique gives the design a Stained Glass Window effect.  This technique does not work with every design, but it works here. I will also be using the Glazed Dimensions on a floral card I am working on; will show that on the blog later this week when I finish it.


Not only are Peafowl big with my customers, but Asian themes as well, like this Crane. He is dry embossed and then colored using the pastel chalks. A pretty blue ribbon adds a nice touch.  Working with the Pastel Chalks is messy and difficult.  The chalk likes to go everywhere, so a good eraser designed specifically for the chalk helps keep the artwork as clean as possible. Finished product usually ends up with a soft "haze", and that's okay.



A simple Dove with Branches dry embossing and pastel chalk for a cute little Happy Birthday card. This is a smaller size card.



When I dry embossed and pastel chalk colored this card, I knew I wanted the flowers in a frame of some sort.  I could not find one in my stash -- didn't have a cutter/punch big enough.  What was I going to do?  Ah -- Cricut!  My younger sister gave me her first Cricut since I have never owned one and she had a much more current one; she didn't use her first one much anymore. Due to unexpected events last summer since we got the Cricut, I have not had a chance to use it. So I dug it out, looked at the Cricut cartridges I borrowed from my sister, and.....Nothing!  Oh wait, I bought a cartridge a few months ago.  Pulling it out, I looked at the images and remembered why I bought this cartridge -- I just love the designs!  The two-tone green frame around the roses in vase above was created using the "Reminisce Accents" Cricut cartridge by Creative Memories. I added the three green jewels for added bling. The butterfly background paper is from "the Mariposa stack" by DCWV.  Now that I have the Cricut machine set up, I plan on using it for future greeting cards.  If you are interested, my sister's greeting card blog is http://tweetybugshouse.wordpress.com/. She is a designer for several companies.  Enjoy her work!



Last, this stylish Peacock is from the "Circle of Love" set by Close to My Heart. I picked this up at the CKC convention two years ago. It was on my "Must Get" list.  He is colored in Metallic Ink Pens with a couple added bling.  The purple background paper has been embossed with my Cuttlebug using the Animal Prints (Peacock) folder.


I have three gorgeous floral cards on my work table that I am waiting to dry before I put them together.  I have another floral card and several owl cards to hopefully complete before the craft show.  My husband will have his etched glassware and homemade chocolates available as well.  Hope to see some of you there!

See you next time!

8 comments:

  1. great collection of cards sister dear love all the peacocks. Thanks for the shout out for my blog. Hope you have a wonderful day crafting. I have some new stamps waiting to be inked on my craft table is it friday yet?

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  2. Wow, you have been busy! Your house mouse card is so cute, no problem selling this beauty. Coloring is wonderful. Thanks for sharing it with us at the House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge. Great take on the So Sweet theme. Good luck at your Craft Fair.

    Hugs
    Sue

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  3. blimey you have been busy and such a cute House Mousie creation too, thank you so much for sharing your lovely work with us at the House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge
    Hugs Kate xx

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  4. Wowsers! You've been busy!
    You did a great job with 'Amanda'!
    She's 'So Sweet'!
    Good Luck at House Mouse & Friends!

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  5. Goodness Gracious...you have been a craftin' fool girl...lots of fun creations...esp love your meece creation! Thanks for sharing with us at House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge!

    Sue K

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  6. Great cards...I really like the sentiment you used on the House Mouse card!

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  7. Wonderful cards!! ALL of them. And you Amanda House Mouse truly fits the theme: SO SWEET! Your coloring is absolutely wonderful and I just love the layout of this card. You've really added wonderful detail. Thank you for sharing your artwork with us at House Mouse and Friends Monday challenge blog and we hope to see you back with us again very soon!

    Cheers!
    Jennifer

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  8. Gorgeous cute house mouse creation this little guy looks fit to bust..lol

    Thanks for sharing at HM & Friends chall this time..hope to see you soon.

    smiles Christine x

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