Reinker Cards - Two Different Looks

I was asked to be a guest designer for the Sisters In Stamping.  This week, they are focusing on reinkers.  I made two cards with basically the same technique.  I'm surprised at how different they look though.

I used this year's SU! In Color reinkers.  I just dropped ink in various places on a paper plate.  I first laid a piece of tissue paper on the ink.  I quickly pulled it up and set it aside to dry.  It did take a long time to dry and I got ink all over my fingers!  It was also very hard to cut.  I accidentally tore some of it and then had to cut it shorter than I wanted.  That's why I used so much ribbon on this card ;)  I wanted to hide the empty area!  I felt it still needed a little something, so I stamped the banner image and punched it out with my banner punch (love that!).  I decided not to add any more (although that goes against my nature!) so that it wouldn't be overworked.  Here is the first card.

 After I laid the tissue paper down, I laid a piece of watercolor paper on the plate to continue to soak up the ink.  I quickly pulled it back up and used a paper towel to blot the excess ink.  I love how this one looks.  Even though you don't see the colors as easily and separately on this paper, I think it looks mystical and beautiful.  Again, I wanted the reinked paper to be the main attraction of this card, so just added a little ribbon and the sentiment.  I'm much happier with this card.

 

Thank you to my real sister for asking me to guest design for the Sisters In Stamping!  And thank you for looking!  I wish you all a wonderful weekend!

Happy Birthday, Brian!

Happy Birthday, Brian!  After I made this card, I knew it was meant for you - don't know why, but it makes me smile and I hope it does you too!

To everyone else - hope you have a wonderful day and thanks for looking!

Pet Sympathy Card

I was sad to hear that a friend's dog had passed away.  It's during a difficult time in her life, so I wanted to make a card to let her know I was and am thinking of her.  I decided to keep it clean and simple, so I let the scrapbooking paper do most of the work.  I pulled colors from it for the card base and sentiment piece.  I added the paw brads to tie it all together.

Thanks for looking.

First Christmas Card for 2014 - Check!

I'm going to really try to have all of my Christmas cards made early this year!  It is one of my resolutions.  I started off strong in January and made this card.  I used this card for inspiration.  It wasn't working out as well as I thought it would, so I really changed it up.  But, I'm happy with the end result. 

I used Stampin' Up! framelits and punches to build the snowman and hat.  I then used a retired SU! ribbon for the scarf.  I added pearls for the holly berries, eyes, and buttons.  It was a pretty quick card once I had everything cut and punched.

Thanks for looking and have a wonderful day!

Wine? Yes, please!

My friend's birthday was earlier this month and I know she loves wine.  I had never used this stamp, but always wanted to.  So, it was a perfect reason to break it out.  I had a hard time deciding on which colors to use on this image, but am happy with the choices.  I used my Crystal Effects on the bottle and wine classes and really like how that turned out.  I don't think using any embellishments would work with this image, so the Crystal Effects gives it just a little something extra that I wanted on this card.  She like the card and that made me happy :)

Thanks for looking and have a wonderful day!  Don't forget to have a little wine too :)

I won!

I have recently discovered Sister Stamps - finally, a company that does Asian themed stamps perfectly!  Well, I ordered some and you saw some cards recently.  When looking for more and inspiration, I found their blog.  They were doing new release giveaways and I was one of the lucky winners!!!  I'm so excited to have won one - I won Misaki.

 I think she's adorable, don't you?  I love the birds too.  Again, I pulled out my origami papers and matched Copic marker colors to color in the image.  I use my Stampin' Up! color coach to match cardstock and was so pleased that the Midnight Muse color matched the blue in the origami paper so well.  I decided to layer up this time too, to make the image pop a little more.  Jenny, from Sister Stamps was very generous and sent me those beautiful sakura (cherry blossom) die cuts (as well as a die cut sentiment - will get to that later!).  I decided to add the mini pearls in the flowers to make them match the ones on the paper.  I just love Misaki - she makes me smile and I hope she makes you smile too!

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

February Challenge Cards

Whoops!  I thought we had one more Saturday this month!  So, we are a day late, but not a dollar short :)  Here are our cards for this month's challenge.  This was our challenge:

Oh Tut mir Leid! Ich dachte, wir hätten noch einen Samstag im Monat! Und so sind wir einen Tag zu spät, aber nicht einen Dollar Short :) Hier sind unsere Karten für diesen Monat die Herausforderung. Dies war unsere Herausforderung:

I can't tell you what an honor it is that Regina has joined Michelle and me on this design team :)  I can't wait to see what kind of challenges she comes up with for us.  Regina's card for this challenge is simply amazing.  I love the subtlety of the colors on this card.  She also did a remarkable job with coloring and layering the flowers.  One word:  Beautiful!!!!  To read more about this card and to visit Regina's blog, please click here.

Ich kann dir nicht sagen was für eine Ehre es ist, den Regina hat sich Michelle und mir in diesem Design Team :) Ich kann es kaum erwarten zu sehen, was für Herausforderungen sie trifft mit für uns. Regina's Karte für diese Herausforderung ist einfach genial. Ich liebe die Subtilität der Farben auf dieser Karte. Sie hat auch eine bemerkenswerte Arbeit mit Färbung und Schichtung der Blumen. Ein Wort: Wunderschön! ! !!  Lesen Sie mehr über diese Karte und zu einem Besuch in Regina's Blog, klicken Sie bitte hier.

Next we have Michelle's cards.  She made one, but wasn't happy with it (I don't know why - love it!), so she made two!  This first card is really adorable.  I can see this as being a great card for a younger person, male or female.  I love the layered banners with the matching dots on top of the polka dot embossed background - very nice!

 Here is Michelle's second card.  Again, I like the use of the banners on the sides and what a cool idea to make this a gate fold card!  I think this is really genius, Michelle.  I'd have never thought to do that- so creative! 

Hier ist Michelle die zweite Karte. Noch einmal, ich mag die Verwendung der Banner auf der Seite und was für eine coole Idee, die ein Gate Fold card! Ich denke, das ist wirklich genial, Michelle. Ich hätte nie gedacht, dass - so kreativ!

 And look how beautiful she made it on the inside!  Nice use of the colors on the inside too :)

 Und sehen Sie, wie schön sie es auf der Innenseite! Schöne Verwendung der Farben auf der Innenseite auch :)

Here is my card.  I had a hard time with this sketch, even though I designed it!  I make up sketches as I'm in meeting rooms at work ;)  I can't imagine what I was using for this.  Anyway, I decided I needed to turn it on its side so I could work with it.  I thought these colors would be good with this tea party image.  I also love using the little pearls to give things a little touch of elegance.  I'm not sure I achieved that with this card, but it was a challenge, so I'm happy I got through it :)

Hier ist meine Karte. Ich hatte eine harte Zeit mit dieser Skizze, obwohl ich ihn! ICH Skizzen, wie ich bin in den Konferenzräumen auf Arbeit ;) Ich kann mir nicht vorstellen was ich für diese. Wie auch immer, ich habe mich entschieden ich es auf die Seite, sodass ich konnte arbeiten. Ich dachte diese Farben wären gut mit diesem Tea Party Bild. Ich liebe auch durch den kleinen Perlen, sie geben den Dingen einen kleinen Hauch von Eleganz. Ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob ich erreicht, dass mit dieser Karte, aber es war eine Herausforderung, und ich bin froh darüber, dass ich über sie :)

I cannot believe we are already at the end of the month!   Where does the time go?  Please join us next month with our March challenge!  If you make a card, please leave me a comment with a link to your blog and card or email me with a picture and details of your card.  I'll post along with ours!  And, as always, thanks for looking!

Ich kann nicht glauben, dass wir bereits am Ende des Monats! Wo ist die Zeit hin? Bitte lesen Sie im nächsten Monat mit unseren März Herausforderung! Wenn Sie eine Karte, bitte hinterlassen Sie einen Kommentar mit dem Link zu Ihrem Blog und Karte oder mir eine e-mail mit einem Bild und Details ihrer Kreditkarte. Ich werde zusammen mit unseren! Und, wie immer, vielen Dank für Ihren Besuch!

Missed the Challenges, So We Are Back!

Well, I couldn't stick to my resolution to let the challenges go.  So, Michelle, Regina, and I are back at it!  Please join us if you can :)

Here is February's challenge:

I'll post our cards on the last Saturday of the month.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!