Monthly Archives: March 2013

Lemon Wishes

Posted on March 21, 2013 | 4 comments

It’s officially spring although it certainly doesn’t look like it here in Ontario. I’m looking forward to warmer temperatures, melting snow and my favourite Spring flower popping up from the earth. I adore daffodils. So sunny and fresh looking. If I had to pick a colour to represent Spring it definitely would be yellow!

A little bit of this and that makes a fun study in lemon. Once again I’m using up my bits and pieces to make a fun card. It’s a fun way to clean the stamp room and it’s also a great way to ease back into creating.

Wishing you some sunny spring weather!

Supplies:

4 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, Maya Road

XO…simply saturday

Posted on March 16, 2013 | Leave a comment

Simple designs are among my very favourites.

Here’s a love themed card that’s a little more masculine in flavour…even if I couldn’t resist adding the beautiful bright red poppies.

This design has a few older products on it. I had fun using those bits and pieces up.

Have a simply wonderful day!

Supplies: Black cardstock by Bazzill, retired products: Prima Voila Felt Strip and Jenni Bowlin Doily Flowers

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Posted in Card Designs

Windows and Birdcages

Posted on March 15, 2013 | 1 comment

Easter and spring are almost upon us and I’ve been drawing inspiration from them for my card making projects.

I’m really excited about my latest card. It has a sweet window frame design with some stunning Graphic 45 Secret Garden papers.

Because a picture is worth a thousand words, today I’m in the CLASSroom sharing a tutorial with lots of step outs. I hope you’ll join me!

Wishing you a lovely and creative weekend!

1 Comment

Posted in Card Designs, Ellen Hutson LLC projects, Tutorials & Techniques

inspiration everywhere

Posted on March 13, 2013 | 10 comments

Art and inspiration are all around you. From the clothes you wear, to fabrics in your home, to the ceramics in your kitchen. Everything that has been manufactured has design to it. Assuming that you purchased an item because there was something you loved about it, you can probably find some inspiration in it to use in your own designs.

Today’s card design is inspired by a beautiful teacup I found at Home Sense. There was only one and one doesn’t usually buy just one teacup but it was so pretty that I just couldn’t resist. My favorite colors and it reminds me of the Bahamas.  I pictured myself enjoying it’s beauty with a nice cup of tea or cappuccino after the kids get on the school bus each morning. And I was right. It IS a great way to start the day!

This design uses the Bazzill Card Shoppe Robin’s Egg cardstock again. I’ve stamped the image panel in Versamark Ink and then embossed it with white embossing powder. It gives the same effect as the glazing on the teacup. It love coloring in embossed designs as the raised edges make it so easy to stay within the lines and keep color from bleeding out. Dye based markers work best for coloring in. You want the color to bead off the embossing so that it doesn’t stain it. I used Tim Holtz Distress Markers in Broken China and Crushed Olive and then blotted the excess ink up with a tissue.

Just to add a little more to my teacup story… I did manage to find another matching cup a couple months later. I wasn’t long in snatching it up! Now I can have tea for two with a tropical flair.

Have an inspiring day!

Supplies:

10 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, Hero Arts

Ombre Fringe

Posted on March 12, 2013 | 9 comments

Ombre is a beautiful tone on tone color trend. You can create it in so many different ways. With inks, mists, paint, etc. it’s all about the saturation of color.

From Merriam-Webster…

om·bré
adjective \ˈäm-ˌbrā\ 

Definition of OMBRÉ

: having colors or tones that shade into each other —used especially of fabrics in which the color is graduated from light to dark
— ombré noun

Origin of OMBRÉ

French, past participle of ombrer to shade, from Italian ombrare, from ombra shade, from Latin umbra

First Known Use: 1893

Today I’ve tried out an ombre idea I’ve had tucked away in the back of my mind for awhile. There’s nothing like a good challenge to get ideas out of your head and onto a project.

Cath @ Moxie Fab World is currently hosting a week of great challenges inspired by the latest Card Creations special issue. If you’re looking for some creative inspiration, be sure to check it out as the challenges are all based on some of the best and latest trends.

Of course this card is for the ombre challenge and I’ve created an ombre textural embellishment with the simplest of materials…graduated cardstock. Bazzill makes the most gorgeous heavy cardstock that is specifically designed for cardmaking. It stands up to pretty much any technique or heavy embellishment you throw at it.

{LOVE}

Colors used here are Robin’s Egg, Candy Necklace & Jawbreaker. Robin’s Egg is the top one and is my absolute favorite hue. Each of the cardstock layers was cut with a set of Fringe Scissors. You can cut them by hand but I love how perfect these scissors make the cuts and how quickly they trim up.

Final Notes:

  • sentiment is a rub-on from an old Melissa Frances? rub-on sheet
  • misting the flower gives gives it a very subtle ombre effect as well

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

9 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, Challenges

Springtime in Paris

Posted on March 8, 2013 | 13 comments

I’ve been searching for a little inspiration lately. I needed a bit of a break so I took it, but for some reason, this time it’s been really hard to get back to designing again.

So…..

What to do?

Well, I turned to some of the things I’ve done in the past.

  • took some more time away
  • took some time for myself…I’ve started going back to the gym
  • bought some new crafting goodies
  • cleaned up by craft space (well, mostly!)
  • found a challenge that inspired me

It wasn’t any one of these things on their own but probably a combination of all of them. And so finally, I’m back in my craft room making things. I hope it lasts!

Part of what got me designing again was a challenge. I love the CASE Study Challenge Blog and it’s been awhile since I’ve participated so it was one of the first places I went for inspiration. What clinched it was the muse for March is my good friend Julie Ebersole. Julie has been inspiring me for YEARS and I just had to play along with this challenge. This weeks inspiration piece is just stunning so please, check out the card and the challenge here.

I was inspired by the beautiful white embossing on Kraft cardstock and her stunning use of the pop of warm vibrant color. The simple layout is basically the same too.

To change it up, I’ve created my card in my own shabby, embellishment cluster style. I couldn’t resist a new Hero Arts stamp I just ordered that arrived in the mail. I just adore that Eiffel tower and this card design is going to find it’s way to my sweet daughter. She loves mail and all things Paris so I know she’ll enjoy it.

The embellishments are an eclectic combo of many different colors, manufacturers and items. I always find it so fun to play around with seeing what will mix and match together.

Happy creating!

Supplies:

 

13 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, Challenges, Maya Road

Just Around the Corner

Posted on March 4, 2013 | 2 comments

Spring is just around the corner. While last week was pretty wintery, this week we’re headed for a big thaw. I’m getting a little excited thinking of nature coming to life again. What a beautiful time of year…full of hope and promise.

Lately I’ve been inspired by the thought of Spring and created this stamped card design featuring stamping and Liquid Applique Blossoms.

I’ve created a tutorial with step outs to share in the CLASSroom so please feel free to join me here for all the details.

Have a beautiful day!

2 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, Hero Arts, Tutorials & Techniques