It's QKR Monday!

My project today is a recipe card that features the Relaxing Gnome (#17908) stamp from QKR Stampede. I featured this stamp on a card at the QKR Blog two weeks ago. If you missed that post, you can see it here. I have participated in cookbook swaps where each participant creates a 6" x 6" recipe card. Each recipe card had to be hand-stamped--the only part of the recipe card that could be mass produced (either by printing or photocopying) was the actual recipe.

I thought the Relaxing Gnome (#17908) would be the perfect accent for a recipe card featuring a mushroom dish. I love just about any kind of mushroom -- fresh, in salads, baked on a pizza, sauteed and served with chicken or a steak, grilled, stuffed -- you name it! This mushroom strudel is great as an appetizer or as the main course served with a salad. I use a blend of mushrooms when making it -- portabellas, regular snow cap mushrooms, crimini, shitake, and a wild mushroom mix.

I am also posting today at the QKR Stampede Blog. Here is a little peek at the project there that uses the Girlfriends (#8808) stamp.

Be sure to go check out this project in its entirety by going here. It is done in patriotic colors, in honor of Memorial Day. Please take a moment, today, to remember the brave men and women who served in our armed forces and gave the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of our country and our freedoms. Please take a moment, also, to think of the men and women who are currently serving in our armed forces. Thank you for stopping by today and having a look! Have a wonderful Memorial Day!!

Hats Off!

Today's card is for two different challenges--Card Patterns Sketch 66 and the "Hat's Off To You" challenge at I Did It Creations.

Here is the sketch:

The stamp images I used are from the Haute Couture stamp set by Stampin' Up! I have always loved this particular image--it's very nouveau chic and reminds me of fashion images seen from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s when women wore hats and gloves when they went out. I kept my color scheme to black, white, and red and included patterns that remind me of that era, especially the polka dots (I'm picturing dresses worn by Lucille Ball!). Thank you for stopping by and having a look! Have a wonderful day!!

Kind Thanks - FTL 92

This weekend I am playing along with the May VSN (Virtual Stamp Night) at Splitcoaststampers. The theme of the projects is all about flowers. I will be sharing some of those projects with  you next week. Right now, though, I wanted to share another "Fall-To Layout" (FTL) featured at the Clean & Simple Stamping blog. I am really liking these layout challenges. Not only is the layout design work already done, but the layouts force me to try something new and different. The layout for today's project can be found here. And here is my card for the challenge:

This is the layout:

My card was created using stamps from the Touch of Nature and Thank You Kindly stamp sets by Stampin' Up! The images were colored using Prisma watercolor pencils and blended with a blender pen. I think this would be a perfect Thank You card for any man or nature lover in your life. Thanks for stopping by today and having a look! Have a wonderful day!!

Summertime, Summertime . . .

Well, according to the calendar, it isn't quite Summer, but the weather we have been having certainly seems to indicate otherwise! Here is a card using the Classic Convertibles stamp set by Stampin' Up!

I love these fun, vintage images! The images in this stamp set are great for those "manly" cards -- Birthday, Father's Day, Thinking of You, etc. The image was stamped, colored in with Prisma watercolor pencils, and blended with a blender pen. A very simple, easy card to put together. Thanks for stopping by and having a look! Have a terrific day!

Desktop Paperweight

Today I am featuring a little gift idea that is great for a year-end teacher's gift, or even for a Father's Day gift--a desktop paperweight. The paperweight that I am using was purchased at Oriental Trading and is sold in quantities of 3 for $9.99.

The paperweights are 3" square (also available in 3" round) and have a foam pull-out base which allows you to create decorative pieces that can be slipped in, covered with the foam base, and displayed. The foam base stays securely in place and also protects desktop surfaces from scratches. The "empty" space that you decorate is 2-1/2" square and approximately 1/4" deep, so you can have some dimension in your little piece of artwork (you can see one of my inserts has buttons). If you keep your decorative inserts simple, without a lot of dimension, you can make several for different times of the year, etc., store them in the paperweight and change them for different holidays or seasons, etc. Just think of the possibilities . . . family pictures, children's pictures, mini works of art made by the children . . . all preserved under glass!! Thanks for stopping by and having a look! Have a GREAT day!!

"Vintage" Birthday Greetings

This card is an attempt at creating a vintage look birthday greeting card. I love the look of vintage projects, but is a look with which I struggle. This project would probably look better if there was some lace or a lace-looking item to keep it feminine and vintage. There was no special technique for this--just sponging ink to give an aged look--and no particular sketch that was followed.

The stamp images used for creating this card are from the Best Blossoms, Canvas, French Script, and Tags (retired Punch Box) stamp sets by Stampin' Up! There you have it--nothing fancy, fairly plain and simple!! Thanks for stopping by today and having a look. Have a wonderful day!!

Unique

My card today is based on the Card Patterns Sketch 65, which is another clean and simple card layout with a lot of possibilities. I chose the word "Unique" and stamped flowers since flowers are unique -- no two being exactly the same. Here is my card:

And here is the sketch:

The background paper I used is a retired Designer Series Paper by Stampin' Up! called Maine Blueberry. I also used the Define Your Life, Defining Alphabet, and Heartfelt Thanks stamp sets by Stampin' Up! The flower from the Heartfelt Thanks stamp set was colored with Old Olive and Bashful Blue markers, then Night of Navy was added to the flower using the marker tapping technique. The stamp was then spritzed with a fine mist sprayer, allowing the water droplets to fall onto the stamp, then stamped twice. Thanks for stopping by today! Have a GREAT day!!

QKR Monday Meets Mojo Monday

The Mojo Monday sketch (MOJO140) came across my computer and I decided to play with that today, along with some of my QKR Stampede stamps since it is QKR Monday. This card uses the Train (#19207) and To My Dad (#11805) stamps and would make a great Father's Day, Birthday, or simple Thinking of You card for anyone's Dad.

Here is the sketch:

This card was fairly easy to put together . . . just had to figure out a few measurements and--voila--it's done!

One other piece of QKR Stampede news . . . the winner of the prize for the "It's A Boy Thing" Blog Hop is Kristie Maynard. Congratulations Kristie!!!! Be sure to go here for details on how to claim your prize. Thanks for stopping by today and having a look! Have a GREAT day!!

My Friend - FTL 91

The next Clean and Simple Stamping Fall To Layout (FTL 91) was posted and I decided to play along again. I had fun with the last layout and this one seemed like it would be just as much fun. The layout required an object that "busts off the card"--something I have never done (how would I get it into an envelope???). Well, since something had to bust off the card and it wasn't going to go into an envelope anyway, I decided to take it one step further and do one of the 3-D flowers that are popping up all over the place on blogs, video tutorials, cards and projects. Here is my project for the challenge:

Here is a close-up of the flower:

The sentiment is from the Blossoms Abound stamp set by Stampin' Up! Here is the layout sketch:

That's my project for today -- clean and simple and busting off the card!! Thanks for stopping by to have a look! Have a wonderful day!

A Note of Thanks

Happy Friday!! Today's card is a clean and simple thank you card using the Splitcoaststampers Sketch 238 (SC238). The stamped image is from Pocket Silhouettes and the sentiment is from the Thank You Kindly sets by Stampin' Up!

I didn't post yesterday because I spent the day looking for a no-kill animal shelter or foster system for a baby kitten that was orphaned at my house this past Sunday. I became his surrogate mom Monday and have been taking care of him all week; unfortunately, circumstances don't allow me to keep the little guy who, by the stage of his development, is about 3-4 weeks old. Yesterday evening I got a call from one of the shelters I contacted and they are going to take him in and put him in a foster home with a mother cat who has two kittens about the same age--hoping she will "adopt" him as one of her own. He has been a really sweet little guy. For not having been around people, he has loved being held, stroked, fed, snuggling, and playing. He just discovered his legs and has been wobbling around a bit here and there. He is going to be called "Mel", so here's wishing Mel a wonderful life going forward; he's already beaten some odds at a very young age!!

Thanks for stopping by today and having a look around! Have a wonderful Friday!!

Not Your Typical Graduation Card

The Clean & Simple Stamping blog has "Fall To Layouts" or FTLs, and "Fall To Colors" or FTCs. Today's card is an idea for a graduation card--but not your usual graduation card. Mind you, this card could be adapted to a general graduation merely by substituting school colors.

This card was created to fulfill the FTL90 challenge and, as you can see, was done in patriotic colors and could be used for a young man or woman who has completed boot camp; specifically, I was thinking of Army boot camp. From 1980 to 2001, the Army's recruiting slogan was Be All You Can Be. The sentiment on my card is The Best is Yet to Be. I am not, by this post, supporting war or the events that lead to war. Like it or not, though, these brave men and women have made their career choice--whether it be a lifelong military career or a starting point from which they will have access to other and better opportunities--and that I support. I have several family members and friends who have either served or are currently serving in a branch of the military, and I respect and admire their choice and their many sacrifices. I think it's important to keep this in mind as we near the Memorial Day holiday. Thanks for stopping by today and having a look! Have a GREAT day!!

Girlfriends - Mojo Monday

I have decided to try to incorporate more challenges in my card projects--be it sketch, technique, or color. It should--should--make it easier to assemble a card, because the basic design has already been done. Today's card is based on the Mojo Monday 139 sketch and uses the Girlfriends stamp by QKR Stampede. Aren't these little rag dolls the cutest??? If you haven't yet checked out the images at QKR Stampede, be sure to do so . . . there are many other rag doll images that are just as sweet! I chose the background paper and thought the squares in it would play off the quilt blocks rather well . . . that is, until I added my mat layer per the sketch. Here is the sketch:

And here is my card:

The stamped image was colored in with Prisma watercolor pencils and blended with a blender pen. Thanks for stopping by and having a look! Have a GREAT day!!

QKR Monday - Couch Potato

I posted last week that I was working on my QKR Monday project. Well, after many trials, tribulations and frustrations, I finally came up with a card that I "liked" enough to post. My biggest challenge with this card was the look I wanted to achieve and the scale of the card versus the scale of the stamp.

This card was created using the Couch Potato and  Early Retirement stamps by QKR Stampede. This was my first attempt at creating the look of a "room" using the Faux Painted Paneling technique in the October/November 2009 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. The Couch Potato image was stamped three times -- once on patterned paper (the couch), a second time on kraft card stock (the potato, which was subsequently colored with Prisma watercolor pencils to enhance the color) and a third time on white card stock for the pillow, tennis shoes, and glove. Here is a close-up of the Couch Potato:

Today is also my day to post on the QKR Stampede Blog. Be sure to go there, as well, to see another project using the Relaxing Gnome stamp. Here is a little peek:

Thanks for stopping by and having a look! Have a WONDERFUL day!!

Tree Silhouettes - CardPatterns Sketch 64

This sketch was posted at the CardPatterns Sketch blog and I decided to "play along".

I didn't have a distinct idea for this card and it wound up being not only a very clean and simple design, but monochromatic, as well. Funny how things turn out! I used the Gina K Designs stamp set entitled Tree Silhouettes. I have only a couple Gina K Designs stamp sets, but have quite a wish list! Not only does Gina K sell stamp sets, but card stock, inks, and embellishments that coordinate, and digital papers. Each month, Gina K Designs releases new stamp sets, card stock colors, and coordinating embellishments. I am always amazed at the designs her team comes up with! Be sure to check out the Gina K online store.

The base of my card is Kraft card stock, layered with Very Vanilla and Garden Green card stock by Stampin' Up! The scallop edge was created using a Fiskars scallop punch and was cut twice--once on Garden Green, and once on Very Vanilla card stock. The scallops were then layered over one another, their position staggered. The trees image was stamped with Memento Cottage Ivy ink and was cut out and embossed with a Spellbinders Labels Three die. I sponged around the edge of the paper while still in the die and it created a somewhat misty/foggy look to the image. An ivory taffeta ribbon was added. Thanks for stopping by today and having a look! Have a GREAT day!!

.... HELLO

If you are here today for the QKR Stampede Blog Hop, please go here. And just a quick mention about the Blog Hop: there is a $25 shopping spree (and FREE shipping) being rewarded to one lucky hopper who visits and posts a comment on each Design Team Members' blog, and the QKR Stampede Blog. Be sure to visit the QKR Stampede Blog for ways to get extra chances in the drawing.

Now for today's post, this card was inspired by, and is a CASE (copy and share everything) of, a card posted at Papertrey Ink; I really liked the simplicity of the card and thought this stamp set would be a good substitute. The stamp set I used is Giraffe Party, by Memory Box, and the sentiment is from the Fundamental Phrases set by Stampin' Up!

The giraffe image was stamped on scrapbook paper (retired from Stampin' Up!), cut out, and adhered to the card with pop dots. The leaves and "hillside" were colored with Prisma watercolor pencils and blended with the use of a blender pen. Memento Summer Sky ink was used to sponge the edges to represent the sky. As always, thanks for stopping by! Have a GREAT day!!

It's a Boy Thing!!

The May QKR Stampede "masculine" Blog Hop is finally here! You should have come here from the QKR Stampede Blog; if you didn't, go there now, be sure to leave a comment, then come back here. Now that you're in the right place, sit back and get ready for some fabulous masculine card ideas. You should get a lot of inspiration for cards and projects for the men in your life, and just in time for Father's Day! I know some people have told me they struggle with masculine cards--from the images to the embellishments. They often fret over whether ribbon can be used on a masculine card. As you will see on two of my cards, I did use ribbon--I just tied it in a square knot, rather than a pretty bow.

My first card was made using the Golfing Bear stamp by QKR Stampede. I grew up in a family whose members played golf, we watched golf tournaments on television, . . . the whole shebang. I picked up this scrapbook paper from my local craft store a few years ago--it was sold in a sealed package of 25 sheets for $2.50 (original price), but was in their deals section -- fill a large shopping bag with as much as you can from the deals section and whatever you get in the bag, you get for $5. This paper has been waiting for its debut, and what a perfect stamp image to pair it with.

This second card was made using the Train and Happy Birthday stamps. The colors for this card were inspired by a Dresden China plate:

I really loved the vintage look of this plate and used that as my basis for this card:

And finally, I made this card using the Old Car stamp image.

I added a bit of bling in the form of metal gears. After all, what guy wouldn't love seeing that on a card???

Thanks for stopping by for the Hop! Did you leave a comment? Be sure to leave a comment here and at each Design Team Members' Blog. If you leave a comment at each Blog (including the QKR Stampede Blog), your name will be included in a random drawing and you will be eligible to win a $25 shopping spree and FREE shipping! That's a pretty fantastic prize!!!  Your next stop on the Hop is:

CHRIS DICKINSON

Chris always has fabulous projects . . . I know you will be in for a real treat! Enjoy the rest of the Hop and have a GREAT day!!!

It's A Boy Thing - Sneak Peek

One more sneak peek before the QKR Stampede Blog Hop tomorrow. Make sure to start the Hop at the QKR Stampede Blog. The theme of the Blog Hop is "masculine", so get ready to be inspired and get ideas for the men in your life--and just in time for Father's Day! So, without further adieu, here is one more sneak peek before tomorrow's Hop:

I hope that my sneak peeks have left you intrigued and looking forward to the Hop. Be sure to stop by tomorrow and leave a comment. There will be one prize rewarded--a $25 shopping spree and FREE shipping. Those individuals who leave a comment at each Design Team Members' blog will be eligible to win the prize and will be entered into a random drawing. Thanks for stopping by! Looking forward to seeing you here tomorrow!! Have a GREAT day!!

Blog Hop Sneak Peek

Just a reminder that the QKR Stampede Blog Hop--It's A Boy Thing--will be this Friday, May 14, so be sure to mark your calendars! Be sure to start the Hop at the QKR Stampede Blog. From there, you will find links to each of the Design Team Members' blogs which will, in turn, direct you to the next blog in the Hop via a direct link. As with the last Hop, be sure to leave a comment at each blog you visit.

As promised, here is my first sneak peek for Friday's Blog Hop:

Isn't this guy just the cutest??? Perfect for a card for the golfer in your life! I can't wait for you to see the whole image!

QKR Monday and Blog Hop

Today's QKR Stampede project share will be a little bit later in the day . . . it's currently undergoing reconstruction (what seemed like a good idea, just didn't transfer onto paper very well). But I wanted to be sure to get the word out . . . be sure to mark your calendars for Friday, May 14, for the next QKR Stampede Blog Hop. QKR Stampede is going to have a monthly blog hop--isn't that exciting??? Last month's Blog Hop went really well and there was a fantastic prize offered. I am really looking forward to this month's Hop because the theme for the Hop is MASCULINE. Is that cheering and applause I hear? I know many people say they struggle with masculine-themed cards. So, just think, you will get inspiration for at least 12 different projects--and just in time for Father's Day. As the week progresses, I will give you sneak peeks into what I will be posting for the Hop, as well as a few reminders about the Hop. Now for me to get back to today's project . . . I think I need to walk away for a little while and approach with a cleared head! Stay tuned . . . 

Mother's Day Bookmarks

This is a double pocket card that holds two bookmarks. The double pocket card was made from a two-sided piece of patterned paper, Bella Rose, by Stampin' Up!

The bookmarks were measured and cut then stamped with stamps from the Wild Rose stamp set by Stampin' Up! There is enough white space on the bookmark to allow for a special message to Mom. Wishing all the Moms out there a wonderful Mother's Day! Thanks for stopping by today! Have a GREAT day!!

Roses for Mom

Here is another Mother's Day card idea that uses the Stampin' Up! two-step stamping technique. This card was made using the Wild Rose and All Year Cheer II stamp sets by Stampin' Up! This is a very simple, quick, and easy card to put together. You could also dress it up a bit by adding ribbon or other embellishments.

The "white space" of the card front was minimized by using a "scrungie-plungie" (that's really what it was called!) that was purchased years ago at my local stamp store. Basically, it is a piece of a plastic kitchen pot scrubber that was mounted onto a wood handle (at a quick glance it looks like a miniature plunger). You tap the plastic mesh end onto your ink pad, then transfer the ink to your card front by pouncing. This effect can also be accomplished by using an artist spritzing tool with markers. Thanks for stopping by today!  Have a GREAT day!!

On My Mind

Today's card is what I consider a clean and simple card that uses a slight variation of the "Rock-N-Roll" technique.

To make this card, I used Riding Hood Red card stock for the base. White card stock (generic ultra smooth white) was embossed with the Swiss Dots embossing folder and layered over the card base. I used the Top Note die by Sizzix (exclusive Stampin' Up! design) and cut out the image twice--once on white card stock, a second time on Riding Hood Red card stock. There is a dashed border, which I cut off the white piece, then layered the white piece onto the Riding Hood Red piece of card stock to create the look of a different colored border. A variation of the Rock-N-Roll technique was used on the floral stamp--the edges of the flower petals were tapped/colored with a marker. The stamps used for this card are from the Upsy Daisy stamp set by Stampin' Up! Thanks for stopping by today! Have a GREAT day!!

Dresden China Ship

I considered various techniques that could be used with the Large Ship stamp image by QKR Stampede. One of the first ideas that came to mind was the look of Dresden china. I chose to mimic the blue and white Dresden china and used the cracked glass technique because, with my luck, I would have dropped a vintage piece of china!

The Large Ship was stamped with blue ink onto white card stock, cut out with a Spellbinders Nestability Classic Oval die, and embossed three times with clear ultra thick embossing powder. Once cooled, the embossed image was cracked then rubbed with Rich Cocoa ink to give it an aged appearance. The piece was then layered onto a piece of card stock cut with a Spellbinders Nestability Scallop Oval die. Decorative paper is from the Citrus Matstack by DCWV. Thanks, again, for stopping by! Have a GREAT day!

Mother's Day Card

This card is one I created several years ago for a swap group in which I participated. We had 20 members, and each month we gathered at one person's home and swapped, which meant each person had to make 20 copies of their particular card. Today, I cringe at having to make multiples for swaps; when I participate in a swap, the exchange has to be a low number -- I much prefer one-for-one swaps!

This was created by tearing off a portion of the folded card stock and adhering another piece of card stock in its place. The mat layer was then cut from the torn off piece of card stock and layered with the stamped image. A bit of glitter was added to the stamped image, and pink ribbon tied on to make it really girly! The stamps used for this card were from the Stampin' Up! Cottage Rose and Victorian Lace sets, both of which have long been retired. Thanks for stopping by today! Have a GREAT day!

It's QKR Monday!

It's time for another project using stamp images from QKR Stampede. I didn't post over the weekend, spending the time, instead, to work on some project ideas. Unfortunately, my MOJO--if I ever had any--seemed to have taken the weekend off. I muddled through, though, and created this card using the Old Car and Early Retirement stamps.

For this card, having the Old Car and Early Retirement stamps in mind, I found this travel/beach-themed scrapbook paper and built from there. If I were retired, I would want to drive to the beach every day!! The car and the sentiment were both stamped and embossed with a metallic copper embossing powder.

As always, thanks for stopping by today! Have a GREAT day!!