Setting Sail with a Stamp and Beautiful Nautical Ribbon

I've been in the beach-ocean-lighthouse-sailboat-seashell- mode lately

and thought that I'd create a card with a stamp that I've had for a while

(but haven't used yet)

and some really nice nautical ribbon that I recently got from DecoFun Bow Maker. 

(You can check out DecoFun's beautiful ribbon...HERE

This is a card that called for having the ribbon in my hand...

and knowing immediately which stamp I wanted to use.

I've had Stampendous' Wind in Sails stamp for quite a while

and knew right away that it would be a good match for this nautical ribbon.

I added a little big of color to the stamped image with Copic (Alcohol) Markers

I embossed the base mat layer with We R Memory Keepers WAVE embossing folder.

and kept the card very CAS.

I'm so glad that I got out this stamp and inked it up.

I love the image...

and..

It's the perfect size for an A2 card...

I love it's simplicity...and the notion of movement that's reflected in the water...sails...

and the clouds and their wind lines.

I lean way over to the VERY CAS side of CAS card making...

and generally...I'm not a big embellishment girl...

But...

The deep blue nautical ribbon with gold accents is perfect for my style of card making, I think.

I've recently become a fan of DecoFun's ribbon mostly because it's soft and silky 

which makes it easy to use on cards where I am apt to fold it 

under the edge of a mat layer of card stock.

I also like that the designs on the ribbon don't make the ribbon stiff....

like other printed ribbon that I've tried.

I've already got my eye on DecoFun's Seashell ribbon for my next card! 

(It's sitting on the studio worktable...as we speak)

I hope to be back in a day or two to share another Summery-beachy card

using that ribbon.

PS....Don't forget to take a peek at the DecoFun Bow Maker web site 

to see their beautiful ribbon....HERE

(This is the same web site that has the Paw Print ribbon that many of you asked me about a few weeks ago when I shared the 2 cards below, here at my blog.

Thanks for visiting today, my crafty and creative friends!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Michelle.

Lighthouses.....to Mark the Beginning of Summer

I've been absent from my blog for a little while..

It has been hectic with lots of good and wonderful things...

and I haven't had much free time to relax and create cards in my studio.

At the top of the list of what's been keeping me busy 

Our daughter....our  Cum Laude college graduate!

We are so proud of Chelsea! 

All of the cords and shawls that she is wearing in this photo remind us of all that she has accomplished and worked hard at during her college years...
Graduating Cum Laude with her BS (Bio/Psychology)
Induction into numerous Honor Societies...

AOII (her Sorority)...achievements...and academic travels abroad.

She..and we...are excited about what lies ahead for her.

and...

Selfishly, I am LOVING every moment of having her home after her 4 years away at college.

Chelsea brings lots of joy and life and happiness to our otherwise quiet home.

She's home!

and we are thrilled!

Next...at the top of "Happy Event" list was my own "Graduation" earlier this week.

I had my followup appointment/visit with my Oncology Surgeon..

he gave me the thumbs up on how I am doing...

My CT scan is NED

Dream words when you have had 3 different cancers...multiple surgeries and treatment in 12 years

(NED = No Evidence of Disease)

YAY ME!

and...

as my appointment with my surgeon was coming to a close...

he informed me that I have now "graduated"

and will now continue on with him via Memorial Sloan Kettering's Survivorship program.

Two graduations in our family within a few days of one another...

and lots of reasons to be feeling joy-filled....and grateful.

Now...let's chat about...Cards!

Growing up there I did...

On a beachy Island...

and Summers spent at the Jersey Shore...

Memorial Day was always a day of remembering our Island's fallen servicemen...

a parade along Bay Street in my childhood neighborhood...

and...

Memorial Day also marked the official beginning of the Summer Shore season.

So...

What better way for me to kick off this weekend...

and the Summer season than with a few lighthouse cards.

I have a nice collection of lighthouse stamps...

So I chose a few that caught my eye for today's cards.

I haven't water colored a car in....ages!

So I got out my water color pencils to add some color to the stamp images.

I chose metallic card stock for matting

and a little bit of raw twine for embellishing.

The first lighthouse image called "Lighthouse with Flowers"

(Impression Obsession)

This image has its of detail...and lots of opportunity to add color.

Spectrum Noir Aquablend Pencils were perfect for water coloring this card

because some of the detail is so small.

The point of a water color pencil was ideal for adding color

I used a very small paintbrush and water to blend the penciled in color.

I chose metallic card stock colors that went well with the image for matting and layering.

and popped the matted image up on fun foam for added dimension.

To finish the card....I added some raw twine below the painted image.

The second card was created with Stampendous' stamp called "Marblehead Lighthouse"

Again...I used the Spectrum Aquablend Pencils...

l used lots of shimmery metallic card stock for matting and layering

and this time , to finish the card...

I knotted multiple stands of a deep red twine over the base layer mat.

Now...

It is officially Summer!

I've got a few more beach/nautical stamps that I hope to create a few cards with...

along with some great nautical ribbon...

I'll be back to share them, when they're complete!

I hope that you find a nice way to kick off your Summer this weekend..

and above all..

I hope that you take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of this Holiday...

Remembering those in uniform who gave their life for our country.

Thanks for visiting my crafty and creative friends...

Michelle.

2 Favorite Stamps = 2 Cards

I flipped through my stack of what started out as 145 stamped and colored images

and pulled out two images that were stamped with 2 favorite stamps.

I created 2 cards...using the same color palette...(print and card stock)

The sentiment banners were hand cut and matted...

and I used a little bit of twine as an embellishment.

The first card was created with the large floral stamp 

from Stampin Up's You've Got This stamp set

I've used this stamped image countless times before 

and have enjoyed creating cards in an assortment of floral colors.

This time...I went with an orange-below flower...

and worked with green and orange for the print and card stock colors.

I added some some rustic natural twine to create & finish the card as I wanted it to be.

The green matting layers were created with green metallic card stock

and add some nice soft shimmer to both cards.

The second card was created with a favorite Penny Black stamp..."Fresh"

This is another stamp that I use often.

I love the casual style of this tamp

and how the image portrays movement.

You'll see the same print and card stock colors that I used when creating the first card above...

as well as some natural twine and a sentiment banner.

I think that both of these stamps will always be favorites of mine.

They're so enjoyable to color...

and are very versatile as far as possible color options...

and can be used for creating cards for an assortment of occasions.

I'm glad that I came across them when flipping through my stack of stamped and colored images...

Thanks for visiting today, my crafty and creative friends...

Wishing you a wonderful day!

Michelle

A Few Frogs...Bearing Gifts

I am almost at the bottom of my stack of 145 colored images...

It's been lots of fun creating cards with images from the stack.

I have taken a detour a few times..

(creating cards that didn't involve the stack)

But for the most part...

that stack has kept me happy and busy....

for quite a while since they were colored way back in March..

I was browsing through the colored images that remain...

and came across a few frogs that needed to be  made into cards...

So I whipped up the two froggy birthday cards.

Both colored with Copic markers.

and...

both were...

Simple.

Easy.

and fun to create.

The stamped images are from Stampin Up's Lots of Love stamp set.

The sentiment on this card is by PTI

I used a dotted print paper 

and embossed the bottommost card stock layer with a dotted embossing folder.

I hand cut the sentiment banner and matted it.

Background color was added with Clarity Stencil Brushes and ink pads.

On this card I used a large piece of dotted print...

(no embossing folder this time)

I added a wrapping of twine to the matted sentiment banner.

(Sorry...I forgot to make note of which stamp set this sentiment belongs to)

I've still got a few colored images in my stack 

of what started out as 145 stamped and colored images.

I'll work my way through them

and then I'll start choosing stamps for my next stack.

I've got a lot of new stamps that haven't seen ink yet...

so choosing will be lots of fun!

Thanks for visiting today...

Wishing you a wonderful Monday!

Michelle.

Dogs and Paw Prints....Day 2

Happy Sunday!

and

Happy Mother's Day

Today...I am remembering my Mom....
This is the very first photo taken of us together...
Taken right after I was born...
1957...

I'm back on this beautiful Sunday to share the card that I mentioned here at my blog yesterday.

(The card that I wanted to create around the black and white version 

of the Bordeaux colored paw print ribbon that I used on yesterday's card)

If you visited yesterday you know all about DecoFun Bow Maker  paw print ribbon 

that I used yesterday....and loved.

*If you missed it...

scroll past this blog post later...and take a peek at yesterdays blog post below.....

You'll see the gorgeous Bordeaux colored ribbon there...

As soon as I had the black and white version in my crafty little hands..

I had a vision in my crafty little noggin for a card that would be ideal for using the ribbon.

Before I share a photo of the card...

Let me tell you a little bit about the supplies, first.

Card stock: I used Metallic card stock for all matting...embossing...and die cutting.

Embossing: Swiss Dots embossing folders

Ribbon: "PAWS" Printed Satin Ribbon

The dies: Once again...by a favorite company of mine that is no longer in business (Top Dog Dies)

So what do you think?

Aren't the Scotties adorable?

And how about the black and white version of the paw print ribbon!

Isn't it perfect for a black and white Scotty card?

And...

I just had to dress each of the Scotties up with a bow tie!

I'm happy about how the metallics all come together nicely on this card.

The addition, the embossed deep red metallic is a nice contrast to the white and black

color-wise and texture-wise.

For a little bit of extra dimension....I popped the Scotties up on foam dimensionals.

This card is exactly what I envisioned and had in my crafty little head...

 and told you about yesterday when I shared the other card here at my blog yesterday.

and...finally....The ribbon...

It's soft an silky...just like the Bordeaux colored ribbon that I used yesterday...

and so...I am liking it....a lot.

The quality is really nice.

So what do you think?

Isn't the black and white paw print ribbon perfect for this card?

If you want to see all of the ribbon colors available

take a peek at the DecoFun Bow Maker web site.

*Check out the nautical ribbon while you're there....it's beautiful!

(I have it...and it's gorgeous)

I have a friend who cruises all of the time...and scraps her cruising adventures...

I know that she is going to love that ribbon when she sees it.

So...now...

is it possible that I have become a bit of a ribbon "liker"??

The answer just night be yes...

Thanks to this beautiful ribbon!

Thanks for visiting today my crafty and creative friends...

I hope that if Mother's Day is a holiday that you celebrate...

that you have a beautiful day today.

Michelle.

Dogs and Paws

I've been feeling a little bit under the weather with a Springtime flu for almost 2 weeks

so I haven't been creating as many cards as I usually do. 

Still...I'm TRYING to find a little bit of time to drag myself out to the studio

to create card or two now and then.

I had some beautiful new DecoFun Bow Maker ribbon sitting on the studio work table...

calling my name... 

So I took myself out to the studio and whipped up a die cut dog card

so that I could use one of the ribbons.

I had one specific ribbon that was catching my eye...so I chose to use that one first...

A beautiful Bordeaux and Gold colored ribbon with a paw print design.

Instead of adding the embellishment when the card was complete...

I kinda started backwards...

and..

designed the card around the ribbon!

I chose to create a die cut card...

using metallic card stock for all of the matting..and the die cut.

I embossed the largest mat layer with a paw print embossing folder (Darice)

The dog die is by one of my faves companies that I've mentioned here before...

(Top Dog Dies....The company that is, sadly, out of business now)

As I mentioned above...

The beautiful paw print ribbon is from Deco Fun Bow Maker

It actually comes in an assortment of great colors...

(I have a few of them..along int a few other prints....and am looking forward to using each one)

This time, though...

I chose to create a card with this beautiful Bordeaux/Gold colored version.

I'm really happy with this color combo 

and how the metallic card stock colors complement one another.

I also like that this card has a bit of a masculine look

and can easily be sent to a guy.

As I was choosing colors to match back to the ribbon...

I felt really pleased about how it all came together.

I particularly like how the dog's gold color picks up the gold paw prints on the ribbon and the gold metallic mat layer.

I love the embossed paw prints on the largest mat layer as well.

**That's a great Darice embossing folder to have if you create lots of dog cards, like I do.

I have the paw print ribbon in a few colors..and am loving it.

DecoFun Bow Maker's ribbon is new to me...This was my first time using it...

and I was thrilled to find that it's silky and very pliable...

unlike some ribbons that have prints on them...and feel very stiff.

(Which is why I don't buy printed ribbon)

I also have this paw print ribbon in black and white..

and I already have a card in mind that will be perfect for the black and white version.

I'm always happy to share info on a great new product here at my blog...

and today I'm happy to share info with you 

about this great DecoFun Bow Maker paw print ribbon.

If you want to take a peek at the ribbon...you can find it HERE at the DecoFun web site

Don't forget to check in here tomorrow 

to see what I have in mind for the black and white version of this terrific ribbon.

Thanks for visiting...

Wishing you a wonderful Saturday!

Michelle.

PS...You know...THIS is a BIG deal for me...I am NOT an embellishment girl

and I rarely use ribbon on a card.

BUT....this soft silky print ribbon just may have made a little bit of a ribbon lover out of me!

AND...now...

you can say that you witnessed the entire ribbon love fest..right here at my blog!

Cala Lily Sympathy Card

Happy Friday friends!

Today I'm sharing a CAS (Clean And Simple) sympathy card

crested with the Cala Lily stamp...by Our Daily Bread Designs

I chose some soft colors for this card...

a pretty print..some metallic card stock for matting

and a sympathy sentiment by Papertrey Ink.

The image was stamped onto linen textured card stock

and..

I used Copic markers to color the cala lily image

Cards that look like this one are reflective of my true style of card making.

I prefer...and love...clean cut lines...

as well as visual organization and clarity.

This card offers all of that.

My sympathy card stash need to be replenished...

So, I created a short stack of this card...

all alike.

I have a few things on my card-making to-do list...

and as of this moment...

I'm to sure which project I'll work on next.

Birthday cards (for kids)...

Book marks...

Generic cards...

or maybe...

I'll unpack my new laminating machine and get out some foiling supplies and give foiling a try.

Whatever YOU choose to do...

I wish you a day filled with lots of creativity.

Thanks for visiting!

Michelle.

A Get Well Card...with a Favorite Stamped Image

Stampin Up's You've Got This stamp set 

has been a favorite of mine since day one.

Probably because I find it to be so enjoyable to color.

I also like that the stamped image is a nice size for a card front...

Not too big...

Not too small.

In addition to using a favorite stamp for this card...

I also used a favorite die...

Top Dog Die's Sophie A2Mat Die.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Sophie rectangle doily die.

It's one of my go-to dies.

(Sadly...Top Dog Dies is no longer in business...I miss Top Dog SO much.)

Keeping true to my own personal style of card making...

I created a CAS (Clean And Simple) card with a nice color palette.

I chose a print and metallic card stock colors that are soft

and complementary to the beautiful yellow flower.

I hand cut and matted the sentiment banner.

I used the GEMINI (die cutting machine) to cut the ivory metallic doily die. 

The GEMINI is an amazing machine...

This doily die was completely cut with one pass forward 

and one pass backwards through the machine.

After passing through the GEMINI...

ALL of those teeny tiny little pieces FELL right out of the die cut card stock...

No poking tool needed!

When all of the parts and pieces were put together...

This is what I had...

When I have time...

I want to create a nice big stack of this card...

Same Flower.

Same die cut doily.

Different flower colors.

Different sentiments.

Thank for visiting today...

I hope that this CAS card has you thinking of creating a few CAS cards of your own today..

Wishing you a wonderfully creative day!

Michelle.

Cards for Wonderful Guys...and One More Father's Day Card

My guy-card stash was almost non-existent...

so while I've had guy-ish stamps and dies out to make Father's Day cards

I thought that I'd also create some generic guy-friendly cards to replenish my stash.

Before I finished up this years Father's Day card making...and moved one to the generic guy cards...

I HAD to create a few cards with a beautiful Papertrey Ink sentient that I've had for a while.

I've never used this sentiment before....

(Papertrey Ink:Tucked In ~ Father's Day Stamp Set)

I forgot to use it last year...

and didn't want it to be neglected for another year...until Father's Day rolled around again.

So while I was die cutting the golf balls and tees....

(Taylored Expressions: Golf Ball & Tee)

I cut a few extra for the Father's Day cards

This is a very CAS card...

but it has depth (the framed shadow box look)

and texture (the brown woodgrain card stock and embossed golf ball detail)

 and a little bit of shimmer (from the metallic card stock)

I hand cut the sentiment banner..

and used the background green metallic card stock to mat the banner.

I used a Spellbinders rectangle die to create the window in the woodgrain card stock .

And now...

after making a few of this card...

I can say that Father's Day card making is officially over for this year, in my studio!

When the Father's Day cards were done..

I began creating the all occasion guy cards that I originally sat down to create...

(Before side-tracking myself with the Father's Day cards.)

Here they are...showing off... in their own private little photo shoot...

For each of the 4 cards below....

I used the same material...elements..card stock...sketch etc...

and..

I used Inky Antics Magnificent Men stamp set for each of the sentiments.

(I LOVE this stamp set!...It's so versatile!...Lots and lots of mix-n-match options) 

First up....

A "brother" card

I really like the sentients that I used..

They allow the cards to be used for many occasions...

Birthday...and beyond.

and..."Father"

"Grandfather"

and...

last but not least...

a card for a wonderful "Husband"

I love this Inky Antics stamp set because it can be used on so many cards...

for the different men in your life..

and also for different occasions

(It includes Happy Birthday...Thank You...Father's Day....

and a bunch more specialized sentiments.)

I've always enjoyed creating multiples of cards...making them similar...but different...

This grouping of cards was one of those cards.

The same card...

but made a bit different..

Thanks to a few wonderful stamp sets!

Thanks for visiting today my craft and creative friends!

Have a wonderful day!

Michelle.

Beautiful Tulips

I've got a little story to share with you today...

along with 4 cards...

Here's the story..

I Bought a stamp that looked interesting...on line...

Something different.

Our Daily Bread's "Tulip Corner" stamp

It came

I looked at it

It didn't thrill me.

(I don't know why..but the image didn't make me feel like creating a card with it right away)

Actually..I wasn't liking it...

so...

I put the stamp away...

and it stayed there...for a long long time.

About a year later (a year later = now)...

I FORCED myself to stamp it out a few times

to use as images for my current stack of 145 stamped and colored images.

But still..I felt no excitement about the stamped image.

ZERO interest.

But..

I colored the images.

Still...not crazy about them.

I used most of the other images in the stack of 145 colored images.

I made lots of cards during a few week's time.

Still..no love for the tulips corner images.

They sat there...while I chose other images everyday...to create cards.

Cards that I was happy with..liking...loving.

Then...as the stack of 145 images dwindled...

and the choices became few..

I used the tulip images.

(I kinda didn't have a choice...there weren't many options at that point)

(This is where harps are played..angels sing...hearts and butterflies fly out of me...)

This is when I became smitten.

I created the first of 4 cards.

immediately..

I LOVED the card

I LOVED this stamped image!

I LOVED this stamp!

I LOVE ALL of the cards that I was able to create with the Tulip Corner stamped images!

What the heck???!!

What's wrong with me?

Why wasn't I interested in these images before?

Sheesh.

Let me share the cards with you now...
I colored the stamped images with Copic Markers...

I paired the tulips up with some nice sentiments....quotes...print paper..

metallic card stock for matting...some embossing...

I added background color with Clarity Stencil Brushes and ink pads.
and used Nuvo Drops on a few of the cards
and fine gold thread on a few.

(I used an assortment of quotes and sentiments..most are by Impression Obsession....

one is from a stamp company that is no longer in business)

This first card was the first of the 4 cards that I created.

This is the card that ignited my love for this stamp.

I've always liked pink and green together...

I love the lacy print..

and...I love this sentiment...

(I added a few car Nuvo Drops to this card) 

Yellow, green and ivory together...another favorite of mine.

and a beautiful quote...simple...but beautiful.

I used the lacy print again on this card
and a little bit of very fine gold thread.

Love it.

I really love this quote...

Perfect for a graduation card...

or for sending inspiration.

I like the deep plum metallic card stock against the lighter rose pink print..
This card also was finished with a few dewy Nuvo Drops

and...the last of the 4 cards...

I need to create more cards like this next one...

with this particular sentiment..

I know so many people who are in the cancer club with me...

There are TOO many of us, actually..

When I was diagnosed with the first of my 3 different cancers in 2004...

I was in the cancer club alone...for a long long time...
I was young-ish...and the diagnosis of my first very rare cancer
was almost shocking to those who knew me.

Now...during the last 2 ...3...4 years...sadly, many friends have joined me in the "club"
Over the last 3 years...I have have been diagnosed with two more cancers...
so I guess that makes me the President of the club.

and...
Now...we are all in the "club" together...
The "club" that no one really wants to belong to....ever...
never...

Yet...here we all are.
Loving, supporting and sometimes saying goodbye to one another..

This card is perfect for each of my much loved friends, I think
and I hope to create more of this card....with this sentiment.. in the near future.

So...now that you've seen the cards...

 Can you see now that I wonder WHY I wasn't excited about this stamp for such a long long time?

What was wrong with me?

I think that this Tulip Corner stamp is lovely....

I actually have another ODB corner stamp...Daffodils.

and...

I am looking very forward to creating a few cards with it.

Thanks for visiting my crafty and creative friends...

How about going through your stash of stamps..

and creating a card with a stamp that you've neglected..and felt no love for.

You just might be surprised with the result...

as I was...with this stamp!

Have a wonderful day!

Michelle

Cards for Guys...Day 2...Die Cut Motorcycles

Today I'm sharing a few more guy-cards...

created to build my stash of guy-birthday cards...and Father's Day cards

I used a great motorcycle die for today's cards...

"Motorcycle"... by Frantic Stamper

On each of today's 4 cards

I used an assortment of prints and metallic card stock colors for die cutting and matting

along with an assortment of sentiments.

I created 2 Father's Day cards....and 2 birthday cards....

First up...

The Father's Day cards...

The motorcycle die cut has lots of nice details 

and the silver version stands out nicely against the darker print mat layers.

I wanted to add a pop of color, though...

so I matted the sentiment piece and the image layer with red metallic card stock.

On each of today's cards, I positioned and popped the image layers up 

with a piece of self adhesive fun foam.

For the second Father's Day card I chose a great blue and grey print 

and paired it up with silver metallic card stock.

I hand cut two banner shapes..one to position the image on..'and one for matting.

I did the same for the sentiment banner.

The image banner and sentiment banner were positioned with fun foam for a nice sturdy lift.

I also used the silver metallic card stock for matting the print layer.

(I'm really liken this card....the blue and silver together...  are nice, I think)

I also created two birthday cards with the motorcycle die.

Both have split card fronts...a card design that I like and have created many times in the past.

I chose an argyle print...and used black and silver metallic card stock for matting.

The sentiment banner was hand cut and matted.

I used dimensionals to position the sentiment banner.

I used the same sketch/design for the second birthday card.....a split front.

To switch it up a bit....I chose a different print.

With adding today's 4 cards to the cards that I have on hand...

I feel good about my growing guy-card stash.

But...

I'd still like to add a few Father's Day cards...

and guy-birthday cards to my collection.

I have something in mind....

and will work on creating a few more cards within the next few days.

Thanks for visiting today my crafty and creative friends...

Your comments are aways appreciated ...

so please feel free to post a comment below.

Have a wonderful and creative day!

Michelle.

Cards for Guys....Day 1...Die Cut Cars

I needed to add some cards to my "guy-card" stash...

Birthday...and Father's Day cards.

So I got out a favorite car die...

*Die-Versions: "RETRO CAR" Whispers

and created a few of die cut birthday and Father's Day cards.

I used a metal-look embossing folder to add some texture to the main mat layer on one of the cards...

I also used an assortment of prints ...metallic card stock colors...

and sentiments.

I hand cut the sentiment banners and matted them.

I positioned & popped up the sentiment pieces and matted image layers with self adhesive fun foam.

This retro die cut car is great for guy-cards...

I matched it up with a great print and some metallic card stock for matting...

and a simple sentiment.

Because I never seem to have enough guy-birthday cards...

I created 2 of this black, red and grey version.

and..

because Father's Day is coming up...

I created two of this card...

The chocolate metallic mat layer is embossed with a metal-look embossing folder.

I still need to add a few more cards to my Father's Day and guy-birthday card stash...

so I am thinking that I'll make a few more later today...

I have a die in mind already...

and am looking forward to using it to create a short stack of some CAS guy-friendly cards.

Thanks for visiting today. my crafty and creative friends.

have a wonderful day...

and please feel free to leave a comment below.

Michelle.

A Graduation Card with a Beautiful Quote

I still need to build up my graduation card stash...

so I spent a littler bit of time creating a few more graduation cards.

The graduation card that I shared yesterday was a die cut card...

Today...I am sharing a stamped card with a beautiful quote.

The quote stamp is from a friends stamp company that is no longer in business...

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to purchase lots of her sentiment and quote stamps before the business closed.

The small graduation cap die cut is by Taylored Expressions and is called HATS OFF

I used black, green and gold metallic card stock to create 2 versions of this card

and I embossed the gold mat layer with a graduation cap embossing folder.

 As you probably already know...

I am a true blue CAS (Clean And Simple) card maker..

So the look of the cards that I'm sharing today are really very reflective of my style.

Clean lines

Simple sketch

Lots of matting.

Some texture.

The green matted version was created for a specific person...

(The black mats were created for general use)

I opted to make a wider mat layer on the green version....because I wanted the green to show more.

I just LOVE this quote stamp.

It's perfect for a graduation card, I think.

And the small die cut graduation cap is an ideal size for a card like this.

I'm happy that I chose to emboss the large gold mat layer with the graduation cap embossing folder....

It adds some nice texture and interest to this very CAS card

Here's the black matted version.

Same sketch...

Same quote...

Same elements.

I created 4 of this card...

3 with black matting...
and 1 with green matting.

If I need more graduation cards during the next few months...

I'll create a few more of this card....simply because I like it ...a lot.

Now that I've got a little graduation card stash on hand...

I can move on to making Father's Day cards

(I've already created enough Mother's Day cards)

I have a few ideas in my crafty little head for Father's Day cards...

and am looking forward to getting started on them!

Thanks for visiting today. my crafty and creative friends.

I always enjoy hearing what you think..

If you'd like to leave a comment below...I'd love it!

Have a wonderful and creative day!

Michelle.

GRAD Card...in Black and White

 I have a graduation card to share with you today...
but first, I'd like to take a moment to remember my Mom and Dad ..
Today would be their 70th Anniversary.
May 4th....(1947)...was their wedding day.

I've always loved their wedding photos...
They were married in my childhood parish church...
a beautiful church that looks like a small cathedral.

My Mom was...as my Dad always said ...a "knock-out" with "million dollar legs"
and  if you ask me...
My Dad was one handdddddsome guy.
I can see why I grew up hearing so many stories about how "all of the girls" had a crush on Frankie
and how all of the boys wanted to date "Kitty"

My Mom and Dad are no longer with us here..sharing in our daily lives...
But May 4th ...their anniversary...will always be the day to remember them as couple..

And now
on to card making..
I picked up a great Taylored Expressions die the other day...

and HAD to give it a try...ASAP

I also needed to crank out some very basic graduation cards...

So I paired the new GRAD die up with a hand stamped background print that I created 

with the Stamps of Life Graduation2Celebrate stamp set

and some black metallic card stock...

and I created a short stack of black and white GRAD(uation) cards.

I really love the Taylored Expressions Block Party-GRAD die.

In one pass through the Big Shot it die cut the card front

leaving the word GRAD intact...and giving the illusion of the card front being cut in two.

After I die cut the card ...

I cut the GRAD die a second time...using black metallic card stock

then cut (detached) the G R A D letters

and ran them through the XYRON 150 to make them into an adhesive backed "sticker"

I then positioned each letter over the G R A D that was cut into the card front.

I also used black metallic card stock for matting 

the upper and lower graduation cap/diploma print that I created with the stamp set.

I created 6 of this card...

and am happy to add them to my 2017 graduation card stash.

You can see the "cut-out" nicely in this photo.

(*To create the background pint...I simply stamped the gradient caps and diploma stamps onto a full sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 white card stock.)

I then  cut the newly created "print " into the side strips that I needed for this card.

I picked this GRAD die up on  whim...

I wasn't sure that I'd like it

But as it turned out...

I like it...A LOT

and I'm very glad that I now have it.

The possibilities are endless as to what can be created color-wise...and print wise...

so this die is a nice addition to my graduation die and stamp collection

One last thought:

Sometimes...

a card needs to be a major creation...

and sometimes...

basic is a very good thing.

In this case...

"basic" is a good thing!

Thanks for visiting my crafty and creative friends...

Have a wonderful day!

Michelle.

Bellissima Cards has Gone to the Dogs (Day 3)

Today is Day 3...

the last day of Bellissima Cards Going to the Dogs!

I have to say..

I have had so much fun creating this series of dog themed cards 

with Inky Antics Delightful Dogs #2 stamp set,

It was also lots of fun going through my sentiment stamps 

and finding sentiments that went well with the images.

If you've visted my blog for the first 2 days of "Gone to the Dogs"...

you already know that the images have all be colored with Spectrum Noir and Copic markers.

Most of the mat layers were created with metallic card stock.

I used an assortment of prints..and sentiments 

and...

 the scalloped rectangles were die cut with a die 

from MFT's Mini Scalloped Rectangle STAX die set.

(one of my favorite die sets)

The tiny red hearts were punched out 

and then sent through the Xyron 150 to create an adhesive backed sticker.

Okay..

Here we go...

(I think that you're going to like this little guy with his big floppy ears )

So what do you think?

Do you love this guy as much as I do?

This image was perfect for placing a little red metallic heart on the tip of his chubby nose!

Sentiment: Stephanie Bernard ~ The Stamps of Life: Friends4Cookie

This sentiment is from the Inky Antics Delightful Dogs #2 stamp set...

(The same stamp set that the dog stamps are part of)

Each of the black metallic mat layers on today's cards 

are embossed with a paw print embossing folder.

I LOVE this sentiment...

It's from a CTMH stamp set that I have had for years...

All of the sentiments are beautiful...

Lovely sentiments...

and

Lovely font styles..

The CTMH stamp set is: Say it in Style

I Love love love the stamp set that this sentiment comes from

The font is fantastic...and the size is wonderful!

(You can see a little bit of the paw print embossing  in this photo...

The sentiment is from: Concord & 9th ~ HUGS Stamp set

I had a bunch of extra little red metallic hearts left after making 18 Inky Antics dog cards

and thought that I'd go "all out"

and use the extra's on one card!

I used the Stamps of Life sentiment again...

It seemed perfect for this love-filled card.

I've had LOTS of fun creating this grouping of cards...

and I've enjoyed sharing them with you these last 3 days...here at my blog.

This Inky Antics stamp set will be one that I reach for often when creating cards...

along with the (many) stamp sets that I used for each sentiment.

I hope that you've enjoyed visiting while Bellissima cards has "Gone to the Dogs"

and I hope that you leave today's visit with a little bit of inspiration.

Have a wonderful day, my crafty and creative friends!

Michelle.