Hearts

Before Valentine's, I was into making Valentine's cards.  Today I have one that I did not give away, maybe next year.  I was just playing around with my stamps and old patterned paper from Stampin' Up!.  I've been challenging myself to use up of retired products.  

The starting point for this card was the piece of patterned Pixie Pink paper that's the middle layer.  You'll have to look really close.  From there, I had to find a color combo that was pleasing to work with.  I stuck with pinks but also used Basic Gray as a neutral for balance.   The complete color combo is Regal Rose, Pixie Pink, Pink Pirouette, and Basic Gray.  I also used a little bit of Very Vanilla.  

The layout was inspired by Clean and Simple FTL 175.  Of course its too late to enter into their challenge, but I still chose to play along.  I used the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set from Stampin' Up! for the card.  I stamped them in Regal Rose and then I covered the large heart with Crystal effects to give it a glossy look.  I really love how that turned out.  

I hope you enjoyed the card.

My Valentine's

Happy Valentine's Day!!

What a great day to get back into blogging.  I have been absent for some time now.  I apologize.  Christmas came and took over my life for sometime, and then I've been preparing for our new arrival.  

However, I have been playing in my craft room.  

Today I want to share with you the cards I made for my two Valentines.   

The first card is one I made for my darling husband.  He's been such a great blessing in my life.  And lately he's been helping lots around the house.  I'm unable to do a lot of things, but he's ready and willing to help.  I don't know what I would do without him.  I'm so glad he'll be around for the next nine months.

For the card, I used the Love letterpress plate from Stampin' Up!.  I've played around with it a few times, and I find it works best with watercolour paper.  You get a nicer impression.  I've made it the focal point of the card, as I wanted to let my husband know how much I love him.  I also wanted to make the card masculine, so I used Night of Navy, Ruby Red, and Bravo Burgundy.   I punched the sentiment out with the modern label and placed it on top of some old ribbon I had laying around.  Its colour is really close to Bravo Burgundy.

I sure hope he loves the card.

The second Valentine's in for my 1 year old son.  I was inspired by the train image from the Whoo's Your Valentine stamp set from Stampin' Up!.  The Frosted Window tutorial over at Splitcoaststampers inspired the design of the card.  For the window opening I used the negative of the Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 18 in Blush Blossom and Regal Rose.  The base of the card is Chocolate Chip.  I placed a layer of Close to Cocoa behind the Frosted Window.   I finished the card with some light pink ribbon that I had laying around and stamped to small hearts (from the stamp set I {Heart} Hearts from Stampin' Up!) in the corners.  It's a perfect card for a child.  

I hope you've enjoyed these cards and I have more to share over the next few weeks.  

Kristy 

Pierced Valentines

Valentine's Day is only a couple of weeks away.  So for Valentine's Day, I made a simple but elegant card. The layout is simple and plain, but what makes this card pop is the paper piercing around the circles. The large bow just finishes it off. 

I used the "I {Heart} Hearts" stamp set; the Mat Pack and a paper piercer; 1 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon (Pretty in Pink); Blushing Bride, Perfect Plum, and Sahara Sand card stock; valentine's rub-ons (I can't remember the name) from the Occasions mini;  and  Perfect Plum Classic Stampin' ink.

I found wonderful directions for piercing circles over at Splitcoaststampers.  Click here for the tutorial by Beate Johns, who does wonderful tutorials.

I hope you give paper piercing a shot, it really does add to your cards.

Have a wonderful month full of love

Kristy

Happy New Year

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

Its been a few weeks since I last posted, but its been a busy Christmas.  December was a month of relaxing and getting to know my new baby boy, Caius.  We spent our Christmas at home and took it as easy as we could  (a few sleepless nights).  I still haven't been able to get to craft room, but I'm hoping that I will be able to very soon.  However, I did have a few cards made up before my son arrived and I will share those with you.

Valentine's Day is the upcoming holiday, so I have a two love notes to show you.  Both cards were created using the Letterpress Plates from the Holiday mini.  They have carried over into the new Occasions Mini, so please check it out.  The letterpress plates require Craft Ink.  Previously you could purchase full size ink pads in all the colors, but now you can only purchase the Craft ink spots, Craft Ink refills, and a uninked craft pad.  I still have a few colors in the full size ink pads, so I used Real Red.  Before I explain any more things, I will show you the cards.

 I used the Twisted Pyramid technique on both cards.  I came across this technique on a fellow Stamper's blog, Lynn Pratt at Stamp n' Design.

She provides all the directions and a free template.  

I really enjoyed making these two cards.  I love the look of the twisted pyramid.  You can use any large stamp image, such as a background stamp or scenic stamp.  I used the letterpress plate,  Lots of Love.  

These 2 cards have lots of layers and textures.  The letterpress plates imprint the image onto card stock, therefore adding texture.  

On the first card, I used Very Vanilla satin ribbon,  and mini library clips.  The color combo is Real Red, Night of Navy, and Very Vanilla.

On this second card, I used brads from the Metallic collection and 1/8" Real Red taffeta ribbon.  The color combo s Real Red, Basic Black, and Very Vanilla.  This card is perfect to give to the Man in your life for any romantic occasion.

Since it is the new year, I have a New Year's Resolution.  My resolution is to post at least once a week, and to share a new technique each week.  I'm hoping I can keep to this promise, but with a little one around, I may get behind.  Please be patient.

All the best in 2011 and I hope you enjoy each day.


Kristy