Branching Out Birthday Card

Each Thursday at 7:30 PM, I go live on my Inky Scrapper Facebook page, and this is the card I made last Thursday.  My customers and team members get written instructions to create my live projects.

I use the new Branching Out bundle, 3-D Birch embossing folder, Crumb Cake, Pecan Pie, Shaded Spruce, and Very Vanilla card stock plus the coordinating inks. 

Join me live tonight at 7:30 (or on replay)!

Another Thinking of You Triple-Layer Bridge Card

Here's another triple-layer bridge card, this time featuring the Beautiful Gallery suite paired with my With You in Mind stamp set. 

I love how this paper matches the stamp set so well!

I had fun layer dies to create this pretty card quickly.

All of the supplies to make this card can be found in the annual catalog (and my website) if you'd like to make something similar.

So Thankful Butterfly Cards

These two cards came together, literally from scraps from my messy desk! I ended up cutting the Beautiful Butterflies hybrid 3-D embossing folder panel into four three-quarter inch strips that I mounted on Beautiful Bokeh DSP.  I had fun with the Beautiful Butterflies bundle (stamps and die cuts) for both cards.  I added some Itty Bitty Bokeh Mix to the card front.

The cards use Berry Burst or Daffodil Delight cardstock for the card bases.

Which card do you prefer?

Twisted Ribbon Technique Card (Times Two)

The twisted ribbon technique creates a pretty card!  It's not hard at all to make but is a little time consuming.  You need over 12" each of two different 0.5" strips.   For both cards, I used the April stamp of the month, Little Hedgehogs, and the Honey Butter collection.

On both card bases, I used a blending brush to add Sage "grass" and Glacier "sky."  I colored both hedgehogs with varying shades of grey markers.  I think my first card is pretty in pink with two of the zip strips from the paper suite, the cute littlest hedgehog, and the pink flower.

The second card uses the Glacier butterflies and Honey Butter polka dots, the medium hedgehog, and a "daisy."

Which card do you prefer?

Fractured Card

This card design is all the rage so I couldn't resist making a fractured card at my recent, final Close To My Heart card class. 

I used the Honey Bunny collection with the April stamp of the month, Little Hedgehogs, minus any hedgehogs, to say hello.

Although it doesn't show well, after coloring the flower with pink and yellow markers, I added highlights with Flamingo and Honey Butter shimmer brush.

Laugh Together Layout

One of the mamy benefits of participating in Stacy Julian's Live Your Story membership group is her emphasis on storytelling as memory keeping.  Now that the girls are older, it’s so much easier to tell stories over time, like this one.

I had originally planned to use three of these pictures with my birthday from 2021, since that’s when they were taken, but I remembered a moment in time that I scrapbooked of the girls absolutely cracking up at a restaurant.  It turns out that was way back in the fall of 2015.  Fast forward to this weekend: three of the four of us saw a sight we wish we hadn’t, but that absolutely cracked us up.  And, well, crack was part of the hilarity.  (I won't say anymore out of respect for delicate sensibilities!)  I decided that I needed to combine all of these pictures together to show how much fun we have together. 

On a more technical note, I used the current Honey Bunny collection, the April stamp of the month, Little Hedgehogs, and a sketch from the Creative Design Team's 12"x12" sketchbook.

Maybe I should print this blog post and tuck it behind the layout, because I really didn’t journal that much on it. Thoughts? I always appreciate feedback! Thanks so much for being part of my Inky Scrapper community!

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Spring Rocking Card: Little Hedgehog Edition

Hopefully you aren’t sick of seeing the rocking cards yet!  Here is the April stamp of the month, Little Hedgehogs, edition with the Honey Bunny collection

I used my two gold yellow markers to color the various shades of the little hedgies. I just made a lot of little dashes instead of actually coloring in the images.

Rather than color the flower, I stamped it on the right side of a piece of Honey Butter card stock and then fussy cut it out.  I used the same gold yellow marker for the center, and then added Honey Butter shimmer brush accents.

Can you see how I added Black Diamonds Stickles to the hedgehogs' eyes and noses?  It gives a little fun dimension to their adorable faces.

If you love these cutie pies, be sure to grab your April stamp of the month, with or without Thin Cuts, on my website before the end of the month.

A Little Hedgehog Hello

No foolin' it's April 1!  Say hello to the adorable April stamp of the month, Little Hedgehogs!  Hopefully you love these cute hedgehogs as much as I do!  This card came together very quickly thanks to the coordinating Thin Cuts with the April stamp of the month, the photo frame Thin Cut, and the Honey Bunny collection.

I used a very quick coloring technique on the hedgehog where I just made little dashes or scratches rather than trying to color in the entire image.  I also outlined some of the stamped images to add a little color and dimension.  Rather than color in the flower, I used my Honey Butter shimmer brush to color the center to make it a daisy.

Can you see the shimmer at this angle?  I also used Black Stickles to highlight the hedgehog's eyes and nose.  You can find everything I used on my Close To My Heart website, while supplies last, through the end of the month.

Happy Easter Slimline Card

 Wishing you and yours a blessed Easter!

I used both the Honey Bunny Scrapbooking stamp set and Thin Cuts and the March stamp of the month, Just Chicken In, and the Honey Bunny paper pack to create this slimeline card. 

After stamping the sentiment, I used blending brushes to add Sage and Glacier ink for a bit of grass and sky.

I loved not having to color very much of the bunny because I cut it out of Acorn card stock.  Can you see the Honey Butter shimmer brush I added to the daffodils?

Again, I wish you the very best on this most holy Christian holiday.

Happy Easter Daffodil Card

 Using a sketch with more than one stamp set to make different cards is so much fun!

It's hard to see, but I added Honey Butter shimmer brush to the flowers.

Wherever you are, whatever your faith, I hope that you have a blessed weekend!

Hoppin’ Down the Bunny Trail Card

Who doesn't love a fast & easy sketch?  It took me longer to color the cute bunny than anything else (and it was totally worth it)!

I hope you hop into a great weekend!

Spring Rocking Cards: Chick Edition

These adorable rocking (half circle) cards are the current rage, and I couldn't resist making a few myself (using the March stamp of the month, Just Chicken In)!

For the first one, I cut a 5.5" Cricut circle and then added half of a 5" Honey Bunny patterned paper circle.  (Next time, I would cut it at 4.75" to have a white border at the top too.)  I cut the chicks from the light side of Honey Butter, stamped the chicks in black, and then added orange colored pencil and a little Honey Butter shimmer brush for definition.  (Can you see the Seabrook shimmer trim "base" the chicks are standing on?)  I also added Black Diamond Stickles to each chick's eye for more definition.

My second card is similar to the first but takes it to the next level with a scalloped circle base and paper piecing for each of the four chicks.

Give these rocking cards a try!  They are really fun to stand up on your desk and give them a tap to let them rock back and forth.

Easter Chick Card

All week I am featuring projects I've made with the sweet Honey Bunny collection.  This card is no exception!  I used the March stamp of the month, Just Chicken In, stamp set and Thin Cuts to make this sweet spring card.

Can you see how I used a blending brush to add Glacier ink to the card base behind the patterned paper oval? 

I think this would make a lovely Easter card, but the nice thing is that I can add any sentiment that I'd like to finish off this sweet card.

 

Honey Bunny Happy Easter Layout

Honey Bunny has been so fun to create with this month!  Here is the layout I've made from our Easter 2022 photos (the only Easter I was missing).

I had fun using a pattern from Make It From Your Heart, Vol. 5, paired with the Honey Bunny paper pack, Scrapbooking stamp set & Thin Cuts, and the March stamp of the month, Just Chicken In.  I used a few Honey Bunny dots as embellishments also.

Currently the Honey Bunny paper pack, paper pack with sticker sheet, and coordinating cardstock are in stock (available).  My fingers are crossed that we will receive more shipments of the rest of the Honey Bunny collection, so keep stalking your email and the CTMH Official Facebook page!

{Layouts 12/52}

March Stamp of the Month Just Chicken In Cards

The March stamp of the month, Just Chicken In (with and without Thin Cuts) is absolutely adorable!  Here are two cards I’ve made with it:  

For the first card, I used Sage pattern paper from the recently retired Sweet Memories collection. I love the dimension of the chick Thin Cuts layered in the circle cut out.

Although it doesn’t show well in the picture, I used my Honey Butter shimmer brush to add some depth and sparkle to the little chicks.

To save time on the second card, I die cut the chicks from the light side of Honey Butter cardstock so that I only had to color the beak and feet with colored pencil.  (I added Honey Butter shimmer brush accents too).   

I used the retired postage frames Thin Cuts for the frame.  I also used the cloud background Thin Cuts as a stencil with a blending brush and Glacier ink to make the sky. I use the same blending brush technique to create the Sage ground.  Finally, I added a little Black Diamond Stickles to each chicks' eye for added dimension.

Be sure to grab your March stamp of the month to send some love to all the chicks you need to check on!

March at CTMH

If you haven't already heard the news, Close To My Heart announced earlier this week that they are closing their doors.  Having been with them for over 25 years (24 as a Maker), I am deeply saddened by this news.  On the bright side, business will go on as usual for March and April.  After April, I will no longer be affiliated with CTMH, and they will officially close their doors at the end of June.

While I don't have firm plans yet, I do know that I plan to continue to share my love of papercrafting with you in whatever new endeavor I choose.  I would like to finish out my last two months with CTMH in the best possible way!  Thank you for being part of this amazing chapter of my life!

Let the March madness begin!  Grab all the cardstock you need to stock up on during Cardstock Carnival, with savings on cardstock packs, bundles, and exclusive die cut borders!  (Read all about it HERE.)

Isn't the March stamp of the month, Just Chicken In, adorable?!?  You can get it with or without Thin Cuts.  I can't wait to create and share with you!

The final installment of CTMH's amazing idea books is HERE!  Place an order of any size and receive your free copy of this beauty.

If you've read this far, then I would appreciate a comment of support.  If you don't have a current CTMH Maker, then it would mean a lot if you made a purchase from me between now and April 30.  Again, times are changing, but I will still be here papercrafting!  Thanks for your support!

Say It with Flowers & Sweet Memories Cards

Before the month ends, here is another pair of cards that we made at my recent card class. This set uses the Sweet Memories collection with the February stamp of the month, Say It with Flowers.  Both cards use sketches from Make It From Your Heart, Vol. 6.

This slimline card uses Mist ink on the Periwinkle circles.  I added a few Stickles dots to the flower centers.

For the second card, I used the "hello" sentiment from another (retired) set.  I used markers to lightly color the flowers and leaves and then used (retired) Sugar Plum shimmer brush for flower center accents.  (Sugar Plum and Mulberry are definitely in the same color family.)

Be sure to get your February stamp of the month- with or without Thin Cuts- before the month's end!

Birthday Layout with Say It with Flowers & Sweet Memories

Since yesterday was my Dad's birthday, I thought I would share my birthday layout from last year (that just got made recently). 

I used the Sweet Memories collection and a sketch from Make It From the Heart, Vol. 5.  I love starting my projects with a sketch!

If you look closely, you can see how I used the bricks from Stencil Pack 1 and blended both Mulberry and a little Mist to make some bricks on the background.

I enjoyed embellishing the layout with the February stamp of the month, Say It with Flowers, hearts that I Thin Cut, and the Sweet Memories die cut embellishments.  I also used strips of Mulberry glitter paper.

It's hard to believe I'll have another birthday in about a month's time!

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Say It with Flowers Thinking of You Cards

At today's card class, we made one of these thinking of you cards with the February stamp of the month, Say It with Flowers.  I used Jade and Royal inks and colored pencils for both of them.

I love the look of nested rectangles for a quick, easy, and pretty card.  For the first one, I stamped the corners of the card with the flower cluster and the small single flower.  A few green dots finished off the card.

For the second card, I stamped the flower bunch and then colored it in with more color than the first card.

I added gold Stickles to the flower centers and a few gold glitter gems.

New Beginnings Layout

New Beginnings is definitely an apt title for this layout!  In October, we purchased a new sofa and loveseat to replace the set that has lovingly worn out.  They were delivered earlier this month, and we simultaneously began emptying my late mother-in-law's house as her housemate has sold it.

We are working to make room for some of her treasures into an already full home.  I am really pleased with how our living space is turning out as we blend the old (but new to us) with the new.  It is nice to have reminders of those who have gone before us.

I used the January stamp of the month, Looking Forward, with a combination of Evergreen and Silver Bells (plus a touch of Pine patterned paper from a collection from last year) and Evergreen die cuts.   I used Mocha ink and TriBlend markers.  I think that it is so fun to mix & match collections (and I love how Close To My Heart designs collections to mix together).

How much do you love the little notebook paper journaling spots?  I will be using them often!  Grab them before they retire in just a few short days!

P.S.  This is layout 2 of 52 for 2024!

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