Follow your Dreams, Stampin Up Stamp Set.  Watercolored on shimmery white cardstock.  Thinking this will become a favourite set for me. Will try another one with more pastel colors.  Thanks go to Stampin with Glittermum for her you tube video turtorial for this card design.

Good Morning, Happy Friday.

This morning's post is to give you an idea of how you can take one card design and then pump it up a couple of times.

First card is layered using only paper (the beautiful Petal Promenade DSP for one) and cardstock as well as a couple of mini artisan pearls.

The second I added an extra layer of (pink) cardstock and embossed the black with a basket weave embossing folder. Used ribbon instead of card stock for the small horizontal strip and added more stamping to the sentiment as well as a little Wink of Stella on the stamped leaves.

The third is the same as the second with the addition of a double layered butterfly.

Although I like them all, the final one is my favorite.

The colors may be a little unusual for a wedding card, however the wedding colors in this case, are Pink and Black so it seemed fitting.

Challenge yourself to take a particular design and kick it up a notch, you will enjoy the experience.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Sharon

Loving the new Stampin Up Dandelion Wishes stamp set.  So created a couple of cards and used a sponged background on both.  Interesting perhaps is the fact that as I say, there are no mistakes, just opportunities.  I dropped a stamp pad on the first card after it was finished hence the triangle shaped piece of dsp that was added as an accent to hide that little slip up.  Turns out, I like it.  As always, my large stash of buttons comes in handy.

This is a background technique that we will be doing in one of our fall classes.  Watch for class dates coming soon.

Inspiration today came from my Stampin Up Newsletter.  Thank you Janice McIntyre for the pattern and instructions.   I love this new DSP and it makes a perfect "purse" that will hold up to 6 greeting cards.  Really easy to make and looks very impressive.  Now to take a sample in to the store that carries my cards to see if she thinks it is something that might sell.

Doesn't hurt to have a button collection that numbers in the 1,000's too.  The perfect embellishments.

Excited to try it with a different DSP (Double Sided Paper) as well.

Have a great evening.

Sharon

Finally a day off work after three days straight.   Retirement is not exactly what I expected as I can't seem to get myself out of the workforce completely.   Much of today will be spent here in my happy place but also some time in the craft room of course.  Thankfully the mosquitoes that are usually waiting to devour us have lessened because of the continued heat wave and sitting outside is possible. Community service duty calls for a meeting around noon but this relaxing spot will be waiting for my afternoon cup of tea.  It is where the inspiration sometimes comes and coloring can happen here as well.

Have a truly wonderful day, and find yourself a spot in nature that renews your soul if you can.

Sharon

Good morning!!!  Is it Time for Tea?  This card was  part of a display I created for our Team Open House last Saturday.  My display was inspired by the Time for Tea Stamp Set from Stampin Up.  A little fussy cutting with the flowers but that is really enjoyable for me and is usually done while watching my favorite TV Show (The Big Bang Theory) at night.  Also took on the challenge of a few 3D projects for this display (pics to follow).

Have a great Wednesday and thanks for checking out my blog.  As soon as I figure out how, I will connect this blog to my Stampin Up Website.

Sharon

Sometimes Sympathy Cards can be the most challenging to do.  These two samples were created using sentiments other than the usual I'm Sorry for Your Loss etc.  I wanted them to be a little more personal and also more versatile as they could also be used for a friend who is going through a challenging time in their life.

Cards make people feel loved, it is as simple as that.  I think it is why they never really go out of style even if we do dislike having to deal with the post office to get them where they are going.  Some advice, if you are mailing your card keep it simple, with very few embellishments as they will add weight or width to your envelope and cost more money to mail.  If you are hand delivering, then by all means embellish away!!!!

Have a great Monday and enjoy the sunshine and warm weather!  Here in Ontario Canada, I relish every sunny day and try not to think about what is coming in a few months.

Sharon

Introducing Craft-Ings Blog

This is my first blog post.  Be kind while I figure out how blogging works.  Want to share my love of card making with the world.

This particular card was inspired by some napkins used at our Team Open House yesterday to serve lunch.  they just make me happy, so I "borrowed" a couple to make some cards.

I also hung one up in my craft room just so I could look at it and smile.

A love of color and combining it in different ways is what lead me to cardmaking in the first place.

So now my two passions in life are teaching people to have as much fun as I do creating and also teaching them about healthy eating but that is another blog!!!!!

Have a happy Sunday

Sharon