Bright Pumpkins

One more Thanksgiving card to share today. This one uses bright colors, plus it pairs orange and coral-who would've thought that combination would look good? But the coral matches the stripe in the patterned paper and looks great in real life.

This card is based on CPS Sketch #143. This is a pretty literal interpretation of the sketch, but I dressed it up a little by folding the green paper over the pumpkin image to give it some dimension. The ribbon, button and twine really spice it up.

These pumpkins are from Studio G, and the "Heartfelt Thanks" sentiment is from Hero Arts. All papers are by My Mind's Eye.

Heartfelt Thanks Pumpkins

Here is my second Thanksgiving card of the week. This one is based on this sketch from Get Sketchy. I took quite a few "liberties" with this sketch because I wanted to use a round image and my scalloped circle punch. But I think that it works, don't you?

This is another retired stamp from Stampin' Up (pumpkins) and the sentiment is from Hero Arts. The orange patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye; all other papers are from Heidi Grace.

Thanks for looking!

Bountiful Thanksgiving Card

I have to admit-I've never made Thanksgiving cards before. Finding the time to make them is really tricky, with school, family, COOKING, etc.

My little guy is home sick today (I should point out that my "little guy" is now 1/2" taller than me!) and I only have to bring the pies for Thanksgiving dinner, so I actually had some time to play along with some online challenges and create some Thanksgiving cards. Some of you had asked for some Thanksgiving card ideas, so here are a few. (They will be in separate posts, however, because I'm still learning all the little details about blogging!) :)

This first card is my absolute favorite. I'm going to give it to my mom and dad. It is based on this sketch at the new challenge blog called Everything But the Kitchen Sink. The stamp is from a retired set by Stampin' Up and all of the patterned paper is by Heidi Grace. I cheated-it looks like it is all separate pieces quilted together, but really it is 1"X 4" strips of "strip" paper. I just alternated the patterns and zigzagged between. The stitching took a little while, but I really like the result. If you're in a pinch (or don't have a sewing machine) you could also use rub-on stitches or use a pen and a paper piercer to create faux-stitching.

I have a few more Thanksgiving cards to post, plus I will be sharing some more holiday cards this week.

Thanks for looking!

Elegant Butterfly Card

Some of you have already seen this card if you came to my Cricut Card class. This was a fun class where we learned how to make the most of our Cricut cartridges by using die cuts to make shaped cards. Usually I go for cutesy-style cards, but this was one of my favorites from that class.

The card base is a label shape folded in half. I then cut an additional label from smooth white cardstock, cut in half (so that it would cover just the card front) and embossed it with a Cuttlebug folder. I simply adhered it to the front of my card, giving an elegant embossed texture on the outside, but a nice smooth surface on the inside to write a personal note.

Thanks for looking!

Happy Holidays Swivel Card

I think I have enough scraps in my scraproom to last me (and every other papercrafter in Maine) for an entire lifetime. While I love to buy new patterned papers-they're my weakness-I also feel good about using up my scraps sometimes, too. This card was made using all scraps or salvaged items from projects that just didn't work.
This card is based on a sketch by Becky Novacek from the Fiskars website. I changed it a bit, but the general design is the same. Best of all, I used just scraps to make it. The card itself is actually two photo mats that I had leftover from a scrapbook layout. I trimmed them slightly so they were both 4" x 5.5", then rounded the corners. After embellishing the card front, I attached the two cardstock pieces together with a large brad, forming the card. As you can see, it opens by swiveling.
Cardstock by Bazzill (brown) and The Paper Company (white); patterned paper: red and green speckled (unknown-I've had it for about 10 years!), green swirl (American Traditionals), polka dots (Heidi Grace); stamps (Hero Arts); pompom trim (Offray); red stickles, wire, pop dots.
This is also my entry for the Hero Arts "trimmings" challenge on the Hero Arts blog. Be sure to check it out for lots of great ideas for using your "trimmings" (scraps).

Oh, and if you haven't checked it out yet, please go see my article at www.scrapbooking.com. I have a set of three cards for kids featured this month. The article will up until November 30th. Beginning Dec. 1, the site will be featuring a set of three of my holiday cards as well. Very exciting!

Card Patterns Sketch #41

This card is for my friend Michelle and her new daughter, Rylie. I made this using papers and flocked die-cuts from the new Playdate line from SEI. The papers and accents in this set are so cute! The animal prints are perfect for kids, and the line also includes florals, stripes, some geometric patterns and some cute little birdies. I love that some of the papers are pre-flocked, and so are the accents.
Patterned paper, cardstock, die-cuts, button from SEI; silk flower from Imaginisce; rub-on from QuicKutz. Based on CardPatterns Sketch #41.

A Simple Thanksgiving Decorating Idea

Hi, All-

I just wanted to share a link with you this morning for a really quick, but very sweet Thanksgiving idea-it would look great on a mantle or a buffet table. Check out THIS cute idea from the SEI blog. (The photo above is from the SEI blog-check out the site for instructions and some cute vintage Christmas ideas, too!)

Looking for a way to do this inexpensively? I found some yummy scentive votives at Reny's for 50 cents each. I believe the scent was Heritage Spice from Village Candle. I picked up a couple but they're gone already. I will definitely be picking up some more!

Another Card with CPS Sketch #141

Here is another card that I made using the same sketch and stamp sets as the Autumn Thank You card. The papers are also from My Mind's Eye. The result was totally different, though, by using different colors and ribbon instead of jute.

I actually sent this card out yesterday as a sympathy card to my cousin's husband and daughter. My cousin passed away last week after a long battle with cancer. Her husband, Jim, and daughter, Dorothy, live in El Paso, Texas. We're keeping them in our thoughts.

An Autumn Thank You

I have had this little leaf stamp for a few weeks now, but just recently had the chance to use it. It is from a fall Studio G set ($1) and I can say that it was a buck well spent. I made a few different cards using it, and here is the first.

This card is based on CPS Sketch # 141. I just love this polka-dot paper from My Mind's Eye. The colors and pattern have a fresh feel and are very versatile. I stamped the little leaf on a distressed white patterned paper, colored them with colored pencils and then stickled them with a coordinating color. The "Thanks" stamp is from Technique Tuesday. I added jute instead of ribbon to keep with the nature theme, and also because this card is going to my brother-in-law who just fixed my laptop for me. (Thanks, Mike-card and cookies coming your way tomorrow!)

Thanks for looking-and stay tuned for more new cards from sketches!