Birthday Card from Jasmine

It was my birthday last week.  I can't believe how old I'm getting.  Well, this was, officially, my last birthday.  I am not going to have anymore.  I still want all the presents and cards, but I don't want the actual turning older part of it.  I never thought I would be this "old".  When I was young, I thought that I would go on feeling great for the rest of my life.  I couldn't understand "old" people when they said they couldn't sleep because they had heartburn, or even more gross - gas!  I secretly thought they were stupid.  Why didn't they just take a tums or fart and be done with it.  Now I know.  While my ailments these days are a little more complicated than heartburn or gas, I wish there was a pill that I could take and just be done with it.  My eyesight is getting worse, I have the beginnings of arthritis in my wrists and hips, and now I think menopause is starting to creep up on me too.  For all you "young" people out there:  TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODIES!!! You'll need them.

Well, back to a more pleasant subject matter - my niece - and the absolutlely cute card she made for me for my birthday.  She's getting a lot of use of the supplies I sent her in the summer for her birthday.  I'm just about ready to do another sweep of my supplies.  The shelves in my cabinet let go because of the weight of all the paper last night.  It was like a pancake reaction.  The top shelf went, it hit the shelf below, and that one let go, and so on.  So I had to sort some of my stuff - more or less pick it all up off the floor!! What a royal pain.  Now all the stuff that was on those shelves is sitting out in my dining room.  I have to walk back and forth to get something and then put it away.  Hopefully, hubby will help me fix it tonight.

Anyway, I digress again.  Jasmine is getting to be quite good at making cards.  We haven't had a Skype craft date in a while.  I think I'll have to come up with a project so we can have a craft date soon.  Here's a picture of the card she sent me.  If you have a minute, please leave her a comment.  She's always thrilled to hear what people have to say about her work. :)

Talk to you later...

Cat

P.S.  Tomorrow is the start of my term on the I Brake for Digis DT.  I'll have a new card up to show you, so stop by again tomorrow to take a peek.

ADFD New Release Images

I have a couple new projects I want to show you.  ADFD has released some new images and I think they're just great.  I'm really liking these new images.  The image in this first card is called Bright Eyed.  I could just imagine a little kid sitting bolt upright in bed Christmas eve when she thinks she hears Santa downstairs and her eyes getting big with excitement.

Supplies:
Image:  Bright Eyes - A Day for Daisies digital stamps
Paper:  SU Elegant Eggplant, DCWV (patterned paper), Bazzill shimmer card stock (matting),  Wausau Exact Index 110# white (image, base, & sentiment)
Ribbon:  Offray
Tools & Embellishments:  MS Snowflake punch, Star corner punch (unknown), Crystal glitter (Glittertex), Artists chalks (Loew Cornell), Blender Pen (Whisper Strokes by Sugar Loaf), Juice ITC font (sentiment), Gold glen marker (unknown - edging around sentiment)

The picture's colours are a little off.  The background is the SU Elegant Eggplant card stock and it shows up here as a dark navy blue.  I tried colour correcting it in my graphics program, but then all the other colours would go off, so I decided to live with it.  The image itself is printed on the Wausau Exact Index 110# card stock and then coloured with artist chalks and a blender pen.  I wanted it to feel light and faded, kind of old fashioned looking.  It does look that way in real life, but because of all the post processing done to the photo, it looks really washed out.  I may try to take another photo of it in daylight.  I usually take my photos at night using my homemade light box, so that may be the problem too.

The next two projects are calendar pages.  Tammy is going to have blank calendars available for you to make your altered calendars.  These two are very simple:

Supplies:
Image:  Bird Blossom - A Day for Daisies digital stamps
Paper:  Wausau Exact Index 110# white
 Tools & Embellishments:  Koh-i-noor pencil crayons, oms, Studio G glitter glue, GiddyUp font

This was very simple to make.  I typed in the month off to the side, then once my Bird Blossom image was coloured, I edged it with a green copic, then I adhered it to the calendar with pop dots.  The little pink flowers have glitter glue on them.

Supplies:
Image: Dreaming of Her Wedding - A Day for Daisies digital stamps
Paper: Wausau Exact Index 110# white
 Tools & Embellishments: Copics, Glitter pens (HiJell), French Script font

Again, this was very easy to do.  I added a fake list onto the calendar to show how much room there is to keep track of your notes and appointments.  I only used copics for shading and the skin and used the glitter pens for the colouring.  I only outlined the dress with a silver glitter pen.  Here is a close up under better lighting to show you how glittery the image really is:

I though the image was perfect for this month, since June is the most popular month to get married.  I wanted the font on the calendar to be more formal and to look silver, so I only used the font in outline in a medium grey colour.  I love the French Script font - its one of my favourites.

I hope you enjoyed looking at my creations.  Get on over to the ADFD and check out her new releases. Plus, on Friday until noon, Tammy has her new release images marked down to $3.00!  Check it out, they're really pretty.

Talk to you later..

Cat

Bugaboo Round 2

Well, I got the news last night.  I didn't make it through for the Bugaboo DT.  Somewhat disappointing, but given that I hadn't really intended to apply and was a last minute whim to enter the DT contest, I'm ok with it. It just means that I'll have more time to put my energies into the DT's I'm already on.  Well, here is my losing card.

All the supplies I used were scraps, so I cant tell you who made the patterned paper, but the card stock is scraps of SU and I haven't a clue what shade of pink it is (I think it may be pink pirouette).  I think the darker pink is either DCWV or American Crafts card stock. I used my CraftRobo to cut everything.  The stamp image is 3 layers and each layer is coloured.  I don't think the picture does the card justice though.  I just couldn't get a decent picture of it.  It really is pretty and sparkly in person.

Well, on to the next adventure.  Just wanted to show you my card.

Talk to you later...

Cat

ADFD Challenge #6 - Attitude of Gratitude

With Thanksgiving coming up for our US friends, this week's challenge at ADFD is all about gratitude.  The catch to the challenge is that you must create your own sentiment for the challenge - and of course use an ADFD image. There are so many great images in the store that could be used for this challenge.  I'll admit I had to "force" myself to get into the Thanksgiving frame of mind again, since we have our Thanksgiving a month earlier here in Canada. But, with all the beautiful images Tammy has available, it wasn't that hard once I came up with my sentiment. Here is the card I created for this challenge.

Supplies:
Stamps: Roast Turkey & Flowers
Papers: Digital Paper (300dpi.com), SU Close to Cocoa cardstock, Recollections cardstock, Wausau Exact Index 110#, Staples brand matte finish brochure paper (used to print the digi paper)
Inks: Coffee Dye Ink (StampCraft), Walnut Stain distress ink (Ranger - Tim Holtz)
Tools & Embellishments: Ribbon (American Crafts), Copics, Brads (dollar store), Vivaldi font (sentiment), CraftRobo

This card is actually a half fold card so it measures 8.5" x 5.5".  I didn't want to lose any of the detail of the stamp on the different layers when the card was put together, so I decided to make it as large as I could (and still fit in the premade envelopes I have on hand).  You may not notice it in the picture, but the focal image is 3 layers.  I used the print & cut feature of my CraftRobo to cut the layers because of the intricate cuts around some of the flowers.  That is another reason I love digi stamps.  I don't have to hand cut them.  The paper printed out a little lighter than I had anticipated, so I used some distress ink & coffee coloured ink to go around the edges to darken it a little bit and to match the colour of the turkey.  I think I need to re-calibrate my monitor, because it looked like the perfect shade of golden/beige on my screen but printed too light.

Well, I hope you get on over to ADFD and get in on the challenge  (here's the link:  ADFD Challenge #6.) Tammy has provided a great free image to use if you don't already have some of her images.  Take a peek at the new releases too while you're there. They're fabulously retro kinda art nouveau - they remind of me of the starlets from the 1920's Hollywood.  You can see her new releases here in the store.

Talk to all later...

Cat

Good News!!!!

So, I have been waiting to post this announcement and then my computer decides to go haywire on me (that's a long story for another post) so I haven't really been able to do any posting for the last little while.
Well, my good news is I was accepted onto the I Brake for Digis design team.  YAY!  YIPPPEEE!  Doin' the happy dance!   

I'm really excited to be a part of this team.  So, check back here in the next couple days, cause I'm going to get to work on making up some new cards.

I will still be participating on the A Day for Daisies DT as well so, this new venture with I Brake for Digis will bring more variety to my cards here.  I am really excited about this.

Talk to you later....

Cat

I Brake For Stamps Design Team Call

I put my name in for yet another design team.  I'm trying out for the I Brake For Stamps design team.  I only have 3 of their images and really like them.  I made 3 cards using each stamp, so here are some pictures of them.

I absolutely love this image on this card.  It can be a challenge to colour because the bears are suppose to be white.

Supplies
Stamps:  I Brake For Stamps
Paper:  patterned paper (unknown), coloured card stock (Bazzill & Recollections), Wausau Exact Index 80# (image), Office Depot 110# card stock (base)
Ink:  Momento Tuxedo Black
Tools & embellishments:  Copic markers, iridescent glitter glue (Studio G), crystal glitter (Glitterex - snowflake), EK Success corner adorner punch - Venetian, star & rounded corner punch (Dollar Store), glitter organza ribbon (Michaels), brad (Dollar Store)

The next stamp image is one I bought to make my mother's birthday card.  Unfortunately, I haven't sent it yet - her birthday was last week (I know, I'm a lousy daughter).

Supplies
Stamps:  I Brake For Stamps
Paper:  patterned paper (K&Company - Amy Butler - Belle paper stack), coloured card stock (Bazzill & Recollections), Wausau Exact Index 80# (image), Domtar 130# coated card stock (base)
Ink:  Momento Tuxedo Black
Tools & embellishments:  Copic markers, stickles (Waterfall), dimensional pearl fabric paint (flower centres - Dollar Store), Martha Stewart Hydrangea & Hydrangea Trio punches, crotchet lace ribbon (Dollar Store), texture plate (feather pattern - Fiskars), Martha Stewart floral lace edge punch

The last card I made is with a very cute snowman stamp.  I think about 75% of my Christmas stamps are snowmen.

Supplies
Stamps:  I Brake For Stamps
Paper:  patterned paper (My Minds Eye - Countdown to Christmas paper stack), shimmer card stock (red background card stock - Recollections), coloured card stock (Recollections). Wausau Exact Index 80# (image), Domtar 130# coated card stock (base)
Ink:  Momento Tuxedo Black
Tools & embellishments:  Copic markers, stickles (frosted lace, stardust, gold, silver, red), Martha Stewart  double loop edge punch, satin ribbon (Michaels)

Well, thanks for looking at my cards.  I have to start getting a few more Christmas cards done for the craft shows I have at the end of this month and the beginning of December.  After these ones, that's all I'm going to do.  They're a lot of work and a lot of fun, but I don't think that they're worth it for the money you make on them.  So far I've more or less have broken even on the stuff that I've sold, but I will probably have a couple hundred cards left over and a bunch of altered items that I'll never be able to use.  I guess everyone in my family will get a nice big set of cards for Christmas if I don't sell them.  I'll send some to the Canadian troops too.

Well, its late, so good night.  Talk to you later...

Cat

Bugaboo DT Call

I decided to put these cards together at the last minute.  I had the ideas in my head and the images already coloured so I decided I would throw my name into the hat for the Bugaboo DT call.  Here's the first card using the "Santa Called" image.   I thought it was too funny.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Santa Called & sentiment - Bugaboo Digital Stamps
Paper:  Bazill card stock (red), SU card stock (Kiwi Kiss), Wausau Exact Index 80# white, Base 130# Domtar coated card stock,  Provo Craft paper stack (patterned paper)
Tools & embellishments:  Copic markers, twill ribbon (Michaels), organza ribbon (dollar store), silver & gold stickles, Fleur de Lis edge punch (EK Success), Craft Robo (frame)

The next card is done with the Bride Sunbonnet image.  I did alter the image and removed the veil part since I wasn't making this as a wedding card.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Bride Sunbonnet - Bugaboo Digital stamps, sentiment (Inkadinkado)
Paper:  Mother's Flowers Digital papers - Delicious Scraps (printed on HP glossy presentation paper), Wausau Exact Index 80#
Ink:  Studio G 
Tools & embellishements:  Copic markers, yellow glitter glue (Michaels), ribbon (Dollar store), buttons (unknown), Lacy Doily edge punch (Martha Stewart)

The next card is fairly plain. I wanted the image and the sentiment to be the focus on this card.  The sentiment is probably meant to be for a baby card, but I think its also appropriate for the Christmas season.

Supplies

Stamps:  Mary & Joseph - Bugaboo Digital stamps, sentiment (Inky Antics)

Paper:  patterned paper (unknown), cardstock - Recollections & DCWV, Wausau Exact Index 80#
Ink:  Versa Mark embossing ink, walnut stain distress ink (Tim Holtz)
Tools & embellishments:  gold detail embossing powder (Stampendous), button (unknown), rafia

I really like the way these cards came out.  I have so many Bugaboo images, but I haven't used them very much.  I hope you like them too.

Talk to you later...

Cat

A Few More Cards...

I finally got my room cleaned up to the point that I felt I could make something again.  Unfortunately, I'll have to clean it again.  I don't know what it is about me, but every time I do something in my craft room, it looks like a tornado went through the room.  Well, I'm hoping its a sign of a creative person because if I try to keep it tidy, then I can't seem to create anything at all and it all just falls apart.  So anyway, I couldn't sleep again last night, and I had this image from ADFD called Can't Sleep, so I though why not try to use it to get my creative thought process going again.  This is such a cute image.  Here's a picture of the card I made with this image:

Supplies:
Stamp:   A Day For Daisies - Can't Sleep, Inky Antics (sentiment)
Papers:  SU Tempting Turqoise, DCWV paper stack, Glitter paper (unknown), Wausau Exact Index 80#
Ribbon:  Dollar store
Ink:   Studio G
Tools & Other:  MS Swirling Lace border punch, MS Hydrangea Trio punch, Frosted White Liquid Pearls
Copic Markers:  Y02, Y17, G00, BG15, RV02,E00, E33, E37, C5, C0

The next image is such a beautiful image and I hope I did it justice.   I had originally intended to use this image on the current challenge at ADFD (check out my side bar for the link).  It was a real toss up between this image and the Leaf Girl image, but I ended up using Leaf Girl for the challenge.  So, I had to use this image, just because it is so pretty.  The image is called Wind in my Hair.  Here's a picture of the card I created with it:

Supplies:
Stamp: A Day For Daisies - Wind in my Hair
Papers: Recollections cardstock, patterned paper (unknown), Wausau Exact Index 80#
Tools & Other:  SU Scallop Trim border punch, Waterfall stickles
Copic Markers:  BV00, E33, E35, E37, C0, 0
Bic Mark It markers:  pastel purple
Sharpie Markers:  medium purple, dark purple, medium red brown, dark red brown 

I made the card very plain because I really wanted the image to be the focal point.  Since I didn't have any pale shades of the Bics & Sharpies, I used the Copic colourless blender to remove some of the ink to create highlights on her dress and her hair.

TIP:  Did you know that the Ranger alcohol blending solution will work in your Copic colourless blender?  The solution is virtually identical in composition.  I've been using it and it works beautifully in my blender pen.  I think its a little more expensive than the blender refill, but its what I had on hand.

The last card I made last night is a little late in coming.  I had the Spooky Fall Tree image and just couldn't think of what I wanted to do with it.  And, some of the cards I've seen done with this image left me thinking that I probably couldn't do anything that hadn't already been done - and done well.  So I was finally getting tired around 2:00 this morning and for some reason, that's when ideas come to me.  Not that this card is all that unique in the layout, but its a design that I thought would look good so I went with it.  Here's how it turned out:

Supplies:
Stamp: A Day For Daisies - Spooky Fall Tree
Papers: SU Kiwi Kiss, Black cardstock, patterned paper (unknown), Wausau Exact Index 80#
Tools & Other:  MS Arch Lattice border punch, Green, Orange, & Black stickles, Olive Green Studio G glitter glue, EZ Cutter circle templates & swivel knife
Copic Markers:  E43, E47, E49, YR02, YR04, YR07, C5, C3, C0, 0
Sharpie Markers:  medium green, olive green, black fine tip
Ribbon:  Michaels 

I wanted the scene to come out darker, so I used the C5 Copic as my first line of shading around the image, then I widened out with C3, then C0, and then finally the blender to fade to white.  The sentiment is hand written with a black fine point sharpie marker.

Well, I hope you like my cards.  I also hope you'll be able to use my little tip about the alcohol blending solution.  Its come in handy for me.

Don't forget to get in on the ADFD challenge going on right now.  Its a lot of fun, there's a cute free image for you to use, and some other great rewards up for one lucky person. :)

Talk to you later...
Cat

ADFD Challenge #5 - Please Pass the Traditions

A new challenge has started on the A Day For Daisies site.  This one was a real treat to work on.  I got to brush up on some of my digital graphics design skills.  The challenge is to create a project with, of course, one of the ADFD images, and your favourite recipe.  I saw a couple of Tammy's images that just invoked this sort of remembrance of my heritage.  It was a real toss up as to which image I was going to use for this challenge, but in the end "Leaf Girl" won out.  I love the look on her face and the leafs in her hair reminded me of feathers a young indian princess would wear.  I was quite involved in the Aboriginal community for a long time.  Unfortunately, I haven't been in about the last 10 years.  I really enjoyed my work with the non-profit organization I use to be involved with.  The organization was called CASTS - Canadian Aboriginal Science & Technology Society - and I sat on the Board of Directors as Chairperson for a few years.  The goal of the organization is to promote education in the Aboriginal communities, and in particular, in the science fields.  Sadly, I have lost contact with the people I worked with on the board and involved with the organization, which I must admit is my doing and had nothing to do with the fine and hardworking people involved in CASTS.

But I digress, back to what this post is about  - ADFD challenge #5.  I started this whole paper crafting thing when I started on digital scrapbooking.  I still love using digital elements in my crafting.  One thing I really love doing is making my own patterned papers.  For this challenge I needed something that was more uniquely "Canadian Aboriginal" than southwestern or "US Native American", so I had to design it myself.  I created a design that reminded me of a dream catcher.  Then I had to choose colours that are prevalent in the aboriginal arts - a deep red, almost blood colour, tan, and turquise.  Once I coloured the digital image, and put my design together, I realized I needed another element, so what better than to create an actual dream catcher for the project.  So, it finally all came together and this is the results - a digital scrapbook page with my recipe:

Supplies:
Stamp Image:  A Day For Daisies - Leaf Girl
Font on recipe card:  Bradley Hand 
Leaf image on recipe card from Ask a Biologist website
All other elements created by CatScrapFever Designs (background paper, dream catcher, recipe card)

This recipe is the one my mother taught me.  Bannock was a real treat when I was younger, especially with hamburger soup.  When I was little, I loved it with butter and jam when it was still hot and the butter and jam would melt and make my fingers and face all sticky.  Once in a while, my Mom would fry the bannock, and then when it was still hot, roll it in sugar, or sugar and cinnamon.  Kind of like Indian donuts. :)  This bread is very very easy and quick.  I often will make a bannock if I'm out of bread and too lazy to go to the store.  I hope you try it.  Its really good.

And, of course, I hope you enter into the ADFD challenge.  It is running from today, November 5th through to November 18th.  You can find the links on the right hand side in my side bar. Show us your favourite recipes.
I'm hungry!

Before I sign off, I just want to say:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!  Wish I could be with you to celebrate!

Talk to you later...

Cat

Cards from Jasmine

I received a very pleasant package in the mail the other day. My niece sent me a couple cards she made with the loot I sent her for her birthday this summer.  The first card is really cute and I think she is on to a new trend. Where about 99% of the cards we create and see in the on line galleries have most of the decoration on the outside of the card, Jasmine decided to decorate and put the surprise on the inside of the card.  Very clever little girl!  Here's a couple pictures of it for you to see:
The front:

and the inside:

I'd like to point out the little ghosts in the corners.  She drew them herself. :)

The next card is very a simple, and clean card.  She used an image that I drew last year at Christmas for the focal point.

I think she's well on her way to becoming a fabulous card maker.  What do you think?  Please leave her a comment.  I know she would absolutely love to read your comments.

Thanks for looking.  Talk to you later...

Cat

Paper Romance DT Call

If you haven't heard, Paper Romance currently has a DT call running.  Its a great opportunity, so if you're in the market for showcasing your talents as well as the excellent products that Paper Romance carries, check out this post on their blog:  Paper Romance DT Call.  Check out their challenges as well (here).  It looks like its a lot of fun.

Take care & talk to you later...

Cat