Die Cut Divas is doing a WRAP!

You all know I like to recycle and Paula, one of the Die Cut Divas divas, gave me the perfect challenge offering for June.  WRAPPING PAPER!   I have the not so hot and the SO HOT examples for you to think of how to use wrapping paper in your cards

DO YOU HAVE WRAPPING PAPER???  I thought this was a NO BRAINER, until I went to find some.  Since we have yet to unpack some of the items from the move, like our wrapping paper, which is mostly Christmas, I COULD NOT find any on the first try.  I found one scrap of wrapping paper on the next search and HIT PAY DIRT on the third.

First up is the "folk heart" paper - that's what I call it - not sure I really like the card, but, its basic background is wrapping paper.  I mounted a cut out heart on the Lacy Circle die-cut and added some buttons from some button ribbon, then some twine in red and white, blue and white, and pink and white.  I remembered the Hero Arts clear set "Just a Note" (CL404) with its scissors and push pin, mainly because the push pin was still on my desk.   It's a rather rowdy card, but all I could think to do (hadn't found the gold yet).


Now to finer flights of fancy.    I found this gorgeous gold wrapping paper left over from some Christmas paper.  It has a wonderful material-like back to it and was crumpled up in the bottom of my homemade paper stand, just like the paper for the folk hearts above.  BUT this was a dream.  I glued it to the back of a regular manila file folder, smoothing out most spots, but leaving that crinkled feel and texture to it.  It is difficult to ink up, but I like the results.  After I got my sun stamped (really the Hero Arts Cling Starburst Background, - 330056) I thought buildings needed to sit in the early rays of the morning or evening, as you prefer.  I stamped and white-embossed the buildings on black paper (Hero Arts Newspaper Skyline - S5573), cut them out and attached them individually to the gold panel with glue dots.  I don't have a cloud die-cut or stamp, BUT, I had just purchased a Hero Arts clear stamp set "Heyday Thoughts" (330054) and found my cloud (really a thought bubble) and a great hot air balloon.  OH JOY!  I used the clear "Hello" stamp from the Hero Arts clear set "Everyday Sayings" (CL342) to give a little hello.  I just couldn't put the panel on until I wrapped the black and white twine and tied a bow.  I am VERY HAPPY with this card.  I don't want to give it up.... sigh


If you can't find the die-cut on this card, it's the sun peeking behind the tallest building.

Time to visit small t creations

Here tonight to tell you about blog candy - yes, the best candy ever!!!! AND totally FAT FREE!   Just clink on the link for small t creations, right here and see how little creations make it big!  I love her "Warm Wishes" card set.  Simple and they make you feel warm inside.

Dust em' off # 2

I am one to never throw away something I've stamped unless I've tried and tried to bring it to life and it still, let's face it, sucks! I think I have redeemed an image stamped in Egyptian Gold, which faded into the background.  I wondered if I made a die-cut if it would be any better - NOT!  Come to save the day! - Superman, posing as Clark Kent, well-mannered ... -  no... STICKLES!  

I thought it couldn't do any worse if I put Gold Stickles all over the silhouette.  It's growing on me.  I added a Hero Arts ribbon with a few pearls and Voila!

I'm entering this into the Dust em Off challenge at A Blog Named Hero and the fabulous Die Cut Divas flickr group.

Recipe:  

Hero Arts Getting Ready CG265

Hero Arts Ribbon

Small Pearls

Cuttlebug

Nestabilities Lacy Circle

Nestabilities Circle

Egyptian Gold embossing powder - about 10 or so years old

Gold Stickles

Dust em' off # 1

What am I dusting off?  Stamps, what else?  Heaven forbid, the tables...  I haven't used the the Hero Arts stamp "Getting Ready" in quite a long time.  So, following the new blog, A Blog Named Hero, I decided to make two cards for their challenge since I had the stamp out.  I had a 6" X 6" pad of paper that I've lost the top to, so have no idea what company it's from or where I got it 4 years ago.  The paper I chose has ROCK and some other things printed on it and is a brown, orange kind of color - doesn't sound good, does it?  (You can see the word "ROCK" at the gal's feet).

I chose Egyptian Gold embossing powder first - didn't like it and will tell you what I did with it on my next post today.  I went for the White Embossing powder next.  What a contrast!  I then tied beige string/twine (I picked the string up at a local garden supply shop) around the panel and matted it to a dark reddish brown card stock.  The cream colored  note card is 5" X 7", which I distressed with Vintage Photo and stamped with the different stamps in the Hero Arts clear set "Paris", which I really like.  It's the newest stamp set I have.  The sentiment is perfect for a fun greeting for the "Getting Ready" image. On the note card,  I stamped the "Envelope Pattern" in Frayed Burlap and Antique Linen Distress Inks, then randomly stamped the Eiffel Tower, Fleur de Lis, chocolate box, and crown in Vintage Photo and loved the background, especially when I put the panel on top.  I then added a button die-cut  distressed with Vintage Photo Distress Ink (no idea what brand) with a real button on top under the twine.

After finishing the card, I realized I had an entry for the Die Cut Divas challenge for this month too.  If you use die-cuts or embossing folders, no matter what machine, come visit this group for fun, inspiration, and challenges!  And last, but not least, you can't leave flickr without visiting the flickr Hero Arts group.  Talk about fun and inspiration and challenges...

Not Rainy any more, BUT....

I had to use my Mimi in the Rain stamp again.  She's just adorable and works just as well on a small canvas, such as an ATC - Artist Trading Card..  I love the depth Glossy Accents adds to the umbrella.  Of course, you'd have to have rain-proof articles of clothing.   I'm entering this in Lily Pad Cards' Rainy Day challenge here.   This lady is going to be my Xmas card gal too.  It does rain in Northern California.... hehehe

A Blog Named Hero

I made this card for Hero Arts flickr group, A Blog Named Hero and Die Cut Divas flickr group challenges.  I made the kite all by myself, thank you.  hehe   This reminds me of a soft summer day - bicycles, kites and butterflies under a warm sun.

It's just a fun little card.  Hope you like it.

it's Raining Pearls - at least one!

The challenge at Lily Pad Cards: Make a card that’s got some rain or rain-related images/thoughts/product, etc.   There are no product restrictions.  I think this pretty rain booted gal is perfect for this challenge.  You can see the Eifel Tower on the kraft background which is distressed with Ranger inks Frayed Burlap and Worn Lipstick.  The umbrella is stamped on patterned paper and attached by glue dots.  I thought she should capture one of the pearls that rain down.  Hope you like her. :)

What a fantastic challenge - visit Lily Pad Cards!

The prize. A $25 Gift Certificate from Simon Says Stamp!

When I went to a Stamp Convention in town about three weeks ago, I had to get this stamp by Denami.  I like the sketchy design of this wonderful image.  True, she's dressed for the rain, but as soon as I saw her, I thought of Christmas colors and the first card I made was a Xmas card.   The line across from the trees is not on the card, nor did I find it on anything else, but I'm not going to re-capture this image right now.  Doesn't she look fantastic in traditional colors of red, white, and green?  Her clothes and umbrella are dazzling with Clear Glossy Accents and fine glitter lightly dusted over the Glossy Accents while wet.