QKR Monday Meets The Sweet Stop (SSS62)

This week's QKR project is posted a bit later in the week than usual. My project today is based on a sketch from The Sweet Stop -- my first time to play along with one of their sketches. I had this paper, Cruisin', by Creative Imaginations and thought it would lend well to this sketch.

Here is the sketch:

I used the Old Car (#20205) from QKR Stampede and made a standard A2 card, rather than a square card. The sketch showed a flower as the embellishment, but I didn't think that would go quite well with the car image, so I opted for a matching button. I think with the inserted white button it resembles a whitewall tire. Next Monday will feature another QKR project, as well as an announcement, so stay tuned! Thanks for stopping by today and visiting! Have a great day!!

Celebration - FTL96

TGIF!!! I was pondering what to do for a card for today's post when the Clean & Simple Fall-To Layout (FTL96) appeared in my inbox. Saved!!! This layout is super quick, super easy, fun and fantastic. You can use background/scrapbook paper you have on hand (which is what I chose to do), or you can create a sheet of your own. Here is my card:

And here is the layout sketch:

I chose to use a background/scrapbook paper I had on hand called Celebration by American Crafts. I liked the colors and the fun dotted circles. For my sentiment, I wanted to keep with the fun theme of the paper, so I simply added Happy For You from the Happy Everything set by Stampin' Up! (a set I don't use often enough!). No fancy embellishments (though I toyed with adding some ribbon . . . or something) and the card was done in a matter of minutes! Almost too easy!! Thanks for stopping by and visiting today. Have a wonderful Friday!!

Thinking of You - FTL95

Today's project is based on a sketch from the Clean & Simple blog; this is the Fall-To Layout 95 (FTL95). I really liked the simplicity of this layout and if you look at the samples that have been uploaded, you will see just how creative you can be with this layout. Here is my card:

And here is the layout:

As you can see, I kept my card simple with just three colors . . . white, a bright yellow, and olive card stock. The sentiment that I stamped is from the Essence of Love stamp set by Stampin' Up! I decided to add a corsage pin with strung pearls and a clear faceted bead with a little twist of white taffeta ribbon, threaded through a plaid ribbon. The flower is a generic paper flower with a generic clear rhinestone brad.

Lovely

I recently found a different and new (to me) challenge blog called Cards & Things Challenges. The challenges seem to alternate between sketch and color challenges and I decided--finally--to attempt the recent color challenge found here. So, with that in mind, here is my card:

And here is the color challenge:

As you can see, I have just a hint of Kraft, as well as a hint of the Pink Passion. My ribbon isn't exactly spot-on in color, but it added a little bit of color splash to the card. The stamped images are from the Garden Silhouettes stamp set by Stampin' Up! I'm not sure about the right-hand side of the card . . . too much black! I couldn't think of anything to put on that side of the card that wouldn't detract from the focal image. I tried running the ribbon under the focal image and having the knot and one ribbon tail cutting across the black, but that didn't look right . . . and it definitely looked too plain without any ribbon!!! So, as some would say, it is what it is. Thanks for stopping by today and paying a visit! Have a great day!!

For You

Today's card uses the Mojo Monday sketch (MOJO144) found here. For this card, I used the Close As A Memory and Happy Everything stamp sets by Stampin' Up! The floral image was colored with markers, lightly misted with water to create a watercolor effect and stamped onto the card stock.

Here is the sketch:

This was a quick, easy layout -- the most difficult part was the ruffled ribbon (more time consuming than difficult)!! Thanks for stopping by today! Have a great day!!

Road Trip

I've said this before . . . I love getting the sketch challenges for cards. The sketches not only have the hard work taken care of (someone has done all the thinking for the creative part of the card layout), but they often take me out of my comfort zone or give me an "a-ha" moment with regard to something new to try or something "old" to revisit. Since today is QKR Monday, I thought it would be fun to use the latest Card Patterns Sketch 69 with one of my QKR Stampede images.

Here is the sketch:

My card today uses the Old Car (#20205) stamp by QKR Stampede. This stamp is such a fun image and perfect for summer-themed cards or vacation/travel scrapbook page layouts!! The papers that I used for the background are by Creative Imaginations and a Travel paper pad by Making Memories. As you can see, rather than floral accents, I chose eyelets, a metal gear (which looks like a steering wheel) and a key. Today is also my day to post on the QKR Stampede Blog. Here is a sneak peek at the project I am featuring there:

This project uses the Rocket Dog stamp image. Be sure to pop over there and check it out!! Thank you for stopping by today and visiting. Have a great day!!

Happy Father's Day!!

No card or other project today . . . just wishes that everyone who has someone to celebrate Father's Day with has a wonderful day! Dads are pretty terrific and deserve to be celebrated!! I'll be back tomorrow with another QKR Monday project. Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your day!!

On to Summer

OK, enough of the masculine cards! Father's Day is tomorrow and, except for a few last-minute shoppers or crafters, their gifts and cards are already made, bought, wrapped, and ready for giving! Today's card is a simple floral card that uses the Bodacious Bouquet stamp set by Stampin' Up!

The floral images were simply randomly stamped in various colors, some paper piercing around the border for a bit of interest, and voila a card was born! Great for a summer birthday, quick note to a friend, a thank you, thinking of you . . . whatever you want it to be. And with the variety of options with punches, cutting dies, etc., this card can be personalized with a sentiment very quickly and effortlessly. Thanks for stopping by today and visiting with me! Have a GREAT day!!!

Celebrate!

It's Friday!!! Today's card is one for celebrating--Father's Day:

This card was stamped using stamp images from the following sets by Stampin' Up!: Canvas, Up In The Air, and Lexicon of Love. The Canvas background was stamped onto the blue paper, which was then overstamped with the Up In The Air images. A portion of the bottom of the blue piece was torn off, wrapped with white and navy twine, then layered onto the tan card base. The "pattern" along the bottom of the tan card base was created using the direct-to-paper technique with an ink pad. The focal image was stamped with a waterproof dye ink and colored with watercolor crayons and a blender pen, then adhered to the card with foam dots. The word "celebrate" was colored with a black marker and stamped onto the card base. Thanks, again, for stopping by today and having a visit! Have a wonderful day!!

Architectural Rainbow Strip Flip

Today's card was created using an older Technique Junkies technique called Rainbow Strip Flip. I used an older Stampin' Up! stamp set, Architectural Elements, to have a masculine theme for the card. There are other architectural-themed stamps used in this project, as well. The bold words that are seen are from a four-sided stamp entitled, "Building Slab" by Postmodern Design. The text on each side of the stamp is as follows: "Master", "not to scale", "Figure A", and "Architectural Rendering". I believe the focal image is one I picked up at a stamp convention from Stamp Francisco. It is an unmounted stamp and I did not note anywhere the manufacturer, but I do recall buying several images like this one from Stamp Francisco.

I brayered blue and grey inks on the background piece to imitate the look of blueprint paper and randomly stamped the many architectural details. The focal image was layered onto blue paper, and faux photo corners created. This card could be used for any masculine-themed celebration--birthday, Father's Day--and would also be perfect for use as a thank you to any contractor, designer, etc. Thanks for stopping by and visiting today. Have a great day!!

Happy Birthday, Old Dinosaur!

A friend had a 50th birthday party for her husband and "old dinosaur" was the theme of the party. This is the card that I made to help him celebrate:

The stamp images for this card were from the Toybox set by Stampin' Up! and Stampendous. A touch of ribbon was added beneath the stamped dinosaur for a bit of interest. This card was quick and simple . . . and the recipient loved it!

QKR Monday - Flag Day

Today is Flag Day; it is also my brother's birthday; and it is QKR Monday. If you were here for the Blog Hop this past weekend, you will recall the Waving Flag (#16112) stamp that I used to create a shaker card. Today, in honor of Flag Day, I have created another card featuring the Waving Flag stamp by QKR Stampede. As I mentioned in the Blog Hop, I put this stamp on my wish list the moment I saw it and couldn't wait to use it to make some cards.

This card is based on the Card Patterns Sketch 68:

For my card, the Waving Flag stamp image was colored with markers and stamped onto white card stock then cut out with an oval Nestabilities die, which was layered over a scallop oval that was also cut with a Nestabilities die. A piece of white taffeta ribbon was tied into a knot and a button adhered using a glue dot. The decorative papers are downloads from Gina K Designs. Be sure to stop by the QKR Stampede Blog to see another card made using the Waving Flag stamp and to learn a little about the history of Flag Day. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and visit. Have a terrific day!!

Summer Happy Birthday!

If you came here for the QKR Stampede June Blog Hop, from Jenn's Blog, please go here. Remember, you have until Wednesday, June 16, to complete the Hop and be eligible for a $25 shopping spree (with FREE shipping) at QKR Stampede. Go to the QKR Stampede Blog for details and to start the Hop.

Today's card is a quick and easy summer-themed birthday card.

The stamped image is Green Line (Frogs) by Penny Black. The image was colored using chalks and a blender pen and a touch of floral ribbon was added behind the stamped image. The sentiment on the inside says, "Ribbit . . . Ribbit . . . Ribbit . . . aka Happy Birthday!" Thanks for stopping by today and having a look. Have a great day!!

A Note of Thanks - FTL 94

If you came here for the QKR Stampede June Blog Hop, please go here. If you've already completed the Blog Hop, I hope you really enjoyed all the fantastic projects. Just a reminder, there is a $25 shopping spree (free shipping) being offered to one lucky hopper. For full details and to start the Hop at the beginning, please go here.

Today's card is for the Clean & Simple Fall-To Layout 94. This is a great layout that lends itself to many possibilities.

Here is a copy of the sketch:

The stamps used for this card are from the Pocket Silhouettes and Thank You Kindly stamp sets by Stampin' Up! I think these sets pair together very nicely. The circle is from a 1-3/4" Fiskars punch and the scallop border was cut using my Nestabilities Scallop Circle die. The patterned paper I used is Demeure Stripes by Pixie Press (and was a bargain at only $0.10 per sheet!). I have been wanting to play with the ruffled ribbon technique and thought this was the perfect opportunity to soften the line between the patterned paper and the card stock base. The stamped image was then adhered using foam squares. Thanks for stopping by and visiting. Have a wonderful day!!

Summer, Picnics, and Patriotism

Welcome to the next stop on the QKR Stampede June Blog Hop. As you know, the theme is Summer, Picnics and Patriotism. You should have arrived here from JENN'S blog--wasn't Jenn's card fantastic?!?! If you didn't get here from JENN'S blog, go there right now and see her wonderful project, then come back here! Go ahead, I'll wait! Now that you're in the right place, I have a few projects to share with you. But before I do that, here is a little reminder of the Blog Hop prize that you will be eligible to win: a $25 shopping spree at the QKR Stampede website and no shipping charges! All you have to do is visit each Design Team Member's blog, leave a comment and when you have visited and commented at the last blog on the Hop, go back to the beginning of the Hop and leave a comment there, as well. Want to increase your chances of winning the shopping spree? There are three ways you can increase your chances of winning the prize: (1) become a Follower of the QKR Stampede Blog; (2) become a Fan on Facebook; and (3) spread the word about the QKR blog hop by posting about it on your personal blog. You have until Wednesday, June 16, at Midnight, EST to complete the Hop and increase your chances of winning. A winner will be announced Thursday, June 17. Good luck!!

Now, for my projects for this month's Hop. My first project was featured a couple days ago as a sneak peek and features the Happy Tummy (#1901) and Bon Appetit (#11507) stamps from QKR Stampede.

When I first saw this stamp image, I just loved this little guy's expression of being "full" after eating that apple! I kept this card clean and simple and thought it would be great fun to use for an invitation to a family picnic or outdoor barbecue. Wouldn't it be fun as an invitation to an apple-picking venture in the Fall? I colored the image using my Prisma watercolor pencils and a blender pen. The skin of the apple was inked in red, stamped, then cut out and pieced onto the stamped image. My next project:

This card was also a sneak peek and uses the Picnic (#14207) stamp from QKR Stampede. I thought this little koala bear was just darling with his little knapsack--imagine all the goodies he has brought to share at the picnic! Again, I colored this image using my Prisma watercolor pencils and a blender pen. In order to get the right color for his fur, I first colored the image with the Non-Photo Blue pencil, then colored over the image with the Cool Grey pencil. The paper behind the stamped image is a double-sided paper from Reminisce and is entitled Camping Cook Out. And now for my final project:

This is a shaker card that uses the Waving Flag (#16112) stamp as the focal image. Here is a close-up view of the Waving Flag image:

The first time I perused through the QKR Stampede website, I immediately put this stamp on my wish list and couldn't wait to get it! The stamp was colored with markers and stamped onto white card stock. The star confetti was found at my local craft store. This would be a fun card to send to someone whose birthday is on Flag Day or Independence Day. It would also be a great card to send to a veteran to thank that person for his/her dedication and service to our country.

I hope you enjoyed seeing these projects as much as I did making them! Your next stop on the Blog Hop is:

BARB GMITRO-BEST

But before you go, please be sure to leave a comment here. Not only do I read and appreciate all comments, but by leaving a comment at each Design Team Member's blog and at the QKR STAMPEDE Blog, you have a chance to win a $25 shopping spree at QKR Stampede, which includes FREE shipping. Have you left your comment? Thank you!!!

Now, hop over to Barb's place and enjoy your visit with Barb; I know she has some adorable projects in store for you!! And remember, if one of the links fails to work along the Hop, go to the beginning at QKR STAMPEDE and follow the links listed there. And don't forget, once you have visited and commented at each Design Team Members' blog, go to QKR STAMPEDE and leave a comment that you completed the hop.

QKR June Blog Hop--Sneak Peek #2

Only one more day to the QKR Stampede Blog Hop and, as promised, here is a sneak peek at another project I have put together for the Hop. Today's sneak peek project features the Picnic stamp (#14207) and is perfect for this month's Summer/Picnic Blog Hop theme! This stamp image can be seen in its entirety at QKR Stampede. 

If you are interested in QKR Stampede stamps but have moved away from traditional rubber stamps, and have a preference for digital images, that's all the more reason to check out the QKR Stampede website and peruse through the now available digital stamp images, which are offered at a discounted price. Thanks for stopping by today! Be sure to come back tomorrow at 8:00 AM for the official start of the June Blog Hop. I know you are in for a real treat with all the projects by the design team members. Have a terrific day!!

QKR Sneak Peek Wednesday

I have to say, I have been enjoying being on the QKR Stampede Design Team. I enjoy working with the many stamp images that QKR has to offer--sweet, cute, and quirky. There simply is something for everyone! As I mentioned Monday, the next scheduled QKR Stampede Blog Hop is this Friday, June 11. The theme of this month's Blog Hop is Summer/Picnic and Patriotic. I can assure you that there will be some fantastic projects on display at the Hop--there are so many talented ladies whose work I admire. My sneak peek for today uses the Happy Tummy (#1901) and Bon Appetit (#11507) stamps from QKR Stampede. Be sure to check out the stamps at the company's website if you would like to see the full images prior to the Hop. And now for today's sneak peek:

Looking forward to seeing you at the Hop! Thanks for stopping by today. Have a GREAT day!!

A Father's Day Card Idea

With Father's Day just around the corner, I thought I would share another masculine/Father's Day card idea.

The car is from the Antique Autos stamp set by Stampin' Up, and was stamped in VersaMark ink and embossed with a copper embossing powder onto a piece of polished stone card stock. The polished stone background piece was then layered onto a piece of card stock and the bottom edge torn. Three copper head brads were added, then the piece was wrapped with a copper cord and layered onto the card stock base which had been stamped with a license plate background stamp along one edge of the card. Simple, but attractive. And what man wouldn't enjoy getting this card?! Thanks for stopping by today and visiting! Have a wonderful day!

Fly Me To The Moon

Be sure to read to the end of today's post for a QKR Stampede announcement! Today's card was created using stamp images from QKR Stampede -- Rocket Dog (#12404) and To The Moon (#11801).

The technique for this card is a bleaching technique. First, stamp your image with VersaMark (or other embossing ink) and heat emboss on card stock (any card stock, but dark card stock provides the most stunning effects). I embossed with a detail black embossing powder. After the embossed image has cooled, apply bleach to the image, being careful not to go outside the embossed lines. I use an inexpensive aqua painter watercolor brush that I got at my local craft store that is used only for bleach. Allow the bleached piece to dry (the drying process can be sped up with a heat gun). I usually allow the piece to dry completely, then bleach a second time to make sure the pigment is removed from the card stock. After the image has dried, color as you desire. I colored this image with Prisma watercolor pencils and a blender pen, but you can use chalks, markers, inks . . . whatever you desire. Flowers and butterflies are especially fabulous when done using this technique.

Here is a close-up of Rocket Dog:

ANNOUNCEMENT: Mark your calendars for the June QKR Stampede Blog Hop this Friday, June 11. This month's Blog Hop theme covers a variety of topics--Summer, Picnics, Patriotic. Wow!!! Imagine the variety of stamp images you will see, as well as the variety of project ideas. If you haven't already, go to QKR Stampede, peruse through the many images, make note of some of your favorites and look for them on the Blog Hop. As I have done before, I will have sneak peeks of my projects this Wednesday and Thursday. As always, thanks for stopping by today and having a look! Have a GREAT day!!

Thinking of You

Today's card is one on which the focal image was made using punches. There are some amazingly talented individuals who create phenomenal pieces of artwork using only punches. I haven't the talent to figure out such wonderful creations. As you can see, my card is fairly basic, but I like how it turned out.

The flower on this card was made using an oval punch. The pink petals were sponged on the edges in order to offset the petals from one another and to add a little depth to the image. The green panel was also sponged and pierced around the border. The sentiment is from the Sincere Salutations stamp set by Stampin' Up! Thanks for stopping by today. Be sure to stop by tomorrow as it is QKR Monday and there will be an announcement you won't want to miss. Have a GREAT day!!

With Heartfelt Sympathy

Today's post is another Sympathy card . . . not that I am wallowing in self-pity . . . just that I had some of these cards already made and since my week has been anything but productive in the stamping sense. The stamps used for this card come for the Lovely As A Tree and Close As A Memory stamp sets by Stampin' Up!

This is a very simple, monochromatic Sympathy card that was dressed up with a couple of silver brads and a small piece of twill ribbon. This would be a perfect Sympathy card for any nature lover or for that special man in your life. As always, thank you for stopping by and visiting today! Have a wonderful day!!

Quick Little Update

I have been MIA this week for a couple of reasons . . . (1) my 91-year-old grandmother passed away, and (2) my modem died and I could not access the internet until I got a replacement . . . all in the last 6 days. I have many family members coming from out of state for the memorial services and have been helping my Uncle put together a collection of photographs for memory/story boards about my grandmother's life. Just a brief little tidbit--my grandparents and their two oldest children (one of whom is my Dad) had to flee Czechoslovakia after WWII and were political refugees. They were in an American-sponsored work camp in Germany for three years until they were sponsored to the United States (immigration then was very different than now). Looking through my grandmother's collection of photographs has been very interesting, and was something she often did not share because of the painful memories it conjured up. Overall, my grandmother would say she had a good life, and she was happy to be here. She lived to watch four children grow up and lead successful lives, had 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. This evening, in light of recent events, I will share with you a Sympathy card.

This card was created using the Close As A Memory stamp set by Stampin' Up! The oval was sponged using an acetate template that I made. The flowers in the image were colored with watercolor crayons direct to rubber, spritzed with water, and stamped over the sponged oval. The sentiment was stamped using the good old-fashioned method of inking a stamp and stamping! Thank you for stopping by and visiting! Have a GREAT day!!