Gray Is the New Black

Here is a card that I made for the Gray is The New Black Challenge over on the Moxie Fab blog. I love black and white cards, so I figured that if gray is the new black, I should try a gray and white card. I really like the results. It looks like a very CAS (clean & simple) card. And it is. But the actual making of the card -- not so much. I'm not sure who came up with the CAS term, but I don't like it. So I've been trying to come up with a new word for "simple." Clean and sassy? Clean and somber? Clean and sinfully wonderful? HA! Well, I will keep working on that. But for now, enjoy my clean and not that simple (for me) to make, gray is the new black, card.

 

I used sandpaper to sand down the gray cardstock (from Core'dinations) to give it a "canvas" look. Then I embossed the three flowers (from Ippity's Faith Blooms) down the side. I stitched around the edges with my sewing machine. Then I added the framed sentiment (frame and stamps from MFT Framed Greetings) to the middle of the card. To try and give this card a little more character, I set the greeting towards the bottom of the card, rather then center it right in the middle (which was difficult for this somewhat OCD person to do.)

There is still time for you to make a gray card too. Visit the Moxie Fab blog for details.

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The Card that Took FOR-EVER

This was just one of those cards where nothing seemed to go right. I really liked how the paper pieced mom and baby turned out. I also liked the scallop on the side. But I just couldn't figure out how to finish it off. I wish that I would have left the sentiment on the bottom completely off and just put something on the inside of the card. Without the sentiment, it just looked unfinished to me. But in the end, it probably did look better without it. Sometimes, I tend to overthink things. Then I had an awful time getting a good picture of the card. It was cloudy and overcast all day and the textured cardstock didn't seem to photograph well either. I finally gave up and I've done my best to edit it so it looks...well at least viewable, I guess.

Surprise, surprise, another baby card, right?? :) (Nope, still not hinting at anything!)

Hope everybody is having a great week!

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I Hate When I Do That!

So I made this scrapbook page for the Sketchy Thursday blog sketch challenge. Tuesday night at 11:30 I remembered that I hadn't yet photographed the page and submitted it. I almost got out of bed and did it then! I should have. Because I am just now posting it. Oh well, it happens. Lucky for me, I also used the recipe challenge on the Scrap and Stamp blog, and I still have time to link it there!

Supplies Used: American Crafts thickers and pp (Craft Fair), Unity Stamp Co. (Confession: i {luv} unity, Fact of Love), Kaisercraft Rhinestones, Core'dinations cardstock

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Do-Over!

Unity had a scrapbook sketch challenge this week and I decided to play along. However, my first try was...well...not good. Here's my first attempt.

There was just too much blank space left at the top, but it seemed too busy whenever I tried to add something. So I cut the main part out and put it on some different paper and added a little bit...I still don't love it, but I like it a lot better then the first. 

 So, what do you think? Should I have stuck with the first layout? Or given up and started all over? Or just quit scrapbooking altogether? (Ha! Don't answer that!)

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Minestrone Soup

I'm not a fan of actual Minestrone soup or zucchini (the kind of you eat!)... However, I love the Thin Zucchini paper from the Minestrone collection from Jillibean Soup -- that's something I can say YUM to! I played along with the sketch over at their blog. I haven't made a scrapbook page in forever. I was a little rusty, but I really liked the end result! Sorry the picture isn't the greatest, I haven't gotten the hang of photographing scrapbook pages yet! 

Supplies Used: Core'dinations, Jillibean Soup, Ippity, Making Memories Acrylic Paint, Shimmerz, brads

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Animal Love

Okay, to be honest with you, I am not an animal lover. I don't lovingly welcome dogs, cats, gerbils, birds, snakes, or any other kind of furry, feathery, or scaly thing into my home. There is a cat that has been living under my porch. It's taking care of a mice problem I had in the garage, so I try to give it milk...it doesn't seem to like it. I even went as far as to name it -- "Cat". Creative, I know. However, I do love my cute little animals on my paper and stamps. And how cute are these?!

Sorry this is blurry. It says, "See you made it through another year without croaking!"

Frog Card: Jillibean Soup (White Bean: Cold Water), Unity Stamp Co. (Sweet Affections), Swiss Dots embossing folder, Core'dinations and Gina K. cardstock, May Arts ribbon

Frog Card Inside: Scalloped and Regular Nestabilities, Penny Black Stamp

Owl Card: DCWV (The Green Stack), Gina K Cardstock, Corrugated Kraft Alphas (Jillibean Soup), jute twine, Scor-Pal (to emboss lines on PP)

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Going SEW Crazy

I am loving my sewing machine -- especially that zig zag stitching! So here's a few projects with some sewing on it. I'm not good yet, but I'm getting there.

Supplies Used: Little Yellow Bicycle Scalloped Circle, Core'dinations Heritage CS, Jillibean alpha letters and journaling sprout, Shimmerz, American Crafts ribbon, a pocket full of.. (Unity Stamp C0.)

Supplies Used: Autumn Leaves and Crate Paper pp, Kaisercraft Pearls, Very Vanilla CS, Rain and Flowers (Unity Stamp Co.)

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Some Humor to Make Up for the Cards

Two very different Christmas cards...neither that I absolutely LOVE. What has happened to my mojo again?!? AHH! Well, to make up for the dismal cards, I have some humorous Christmas quotes to share with you!

The one thing women don't want to find in their stockings on Christmas morning is their husband. -- Joan Rivers

Why is Christmas just like a day at the office? You do all the work and the fat guy with the suit gets all the credit. -- Anonymous

Supplies Used: Manger Scene (Cornish Heritage Farms), Christmas Blessings (Taylored Expressions), Very Vanilla CS (SU!), Vintage Red CS (Core'dinations), Ribbon (American Crafts),
Chocolate Chip, Summer Sun, and Close to Cocoa Classic Ink (SU!), SU! Designer Paper (retired), sponge, edge distresser

Supplies Used: Christmas Critters, Grid Paper (Cornish Heritage Farms), Very Vanilla CS (SU!), Vintage Red (Core'dinations), Glossy CS (SU!), Ribbon (American Crafts), UTEE, Shimmerz

And let me leave you with this wonderful joke:
Q: What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus?

A: Claustrophobic

Quit rollin' your eyes at me. :)

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The Card Hokey Pokey

Okay so I wrote a song for this post, but it was stupid. I'm going to spare you. This time. But seriously, have you ever laid stuff and moved it all around so much it feels like the hokey pokey (you know, you put your right foot in, you put your right foot out...) Well that is what this card was like! I moved stuff around so much it felt like I made at least 10 cards...but I didn't it was just one! Well anyway, this card is the the Lizzie Anne Designs Sketch #100. View the sketch and the info here. I wanted to make a Christmas card but don't have any LAD Christmas stamps, so I used what I had and "made it work." (Project Runway anyone?) I have a great idea for one, but it didn't fit with this sketch, so you will see that later.Supplies Used: In the Treetop, Dreaming of Dots (LAD), LAD pp, Core'dinations Vintage and SU Kraft cardstock, SEI button, Rich Cocoa Memento ink, twill and ribbon (unknown)

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Oh Yeah, I CAN Cook!

If there is one thing everybody knows about me, it's that cooking is NOT my strong point. I don't enjoy it and I rarely enjoy eating what I cook (I have two words for you -- GREEN CHICKEN -- my husband will probably never let me live that down!) So imagine my surprise when I received a "Most Creative Chef" award....from VSN!! So, I can't cook in the kitchen, but in my craft room - WATCH OUT! hehe This was for Paula Deen, The Queen challenge. The card had to be brown and yellow with crumpled paper (fried chicken and butter! And the crumpling was to represent the frying).Supplies Used: Owl Always Love You (Gina K. Designs), SU Kraft CS, Coredinations Chocolate Box, Ink: Chocoloate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Top Note Die, Spots and Dots Embossing Folder, Ribbon, Sandpaper
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Hey, How's It Hanging!

Welcome to my Hip Hop Hangover post! I'm keeping it short today to make up for my rambling and whining from yesterday! I made this card for a couple's 50th Anniversary. The lady I gave it to thought it said "clove" instead of "love" and was confused...If I use this stamp again, I will probably not ink the full thing. If you stare at it long enough, it DOES become "clove." Oh well, it's still a pretty card!Supplies Used: Perfect in Every Way (June KOM), White and Riding Hood Red CS, Baroque Burgundy Classic Ink, Quickutz Nesting Labels, Button, SU Ribbon, Stylized Flowers and Swiss Dots Embossing Dies

And here is a layout I did late last night, on a whim...just because I felt like it!Supplies Used: Distressed Dots, Shurberry Tree, Nostalgia Core'dinations cardstock, Shimmerz, Kaisercraft Rhinestones, Versamagic Hint of Pesto and Jumbo Java ink, SU! Chocolate Chip Classic Ink, Basic Grey Chipboard, Sandpaper
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If A Big Semi Truck Ran Me Over...

I wonder if this is what it would feel like??? Pounding headache, nauseous, and every bone in my body hurts. Ack! I know what's wrong, and don't worry it's not contagious, so you can stay on my blog, I SWEAR! I tried eating breakfast, but could barely keep it down. I am so hungry and yet so not hungry all at the same time -- how does THAT happen?! (I should mention, that I'm NOT pregnant...I know that is the first thing that came to your mind. I WISH I were pregnant...but I am SO not...) Okay, I know you don't come to my blog to read about my problems, so I'm moving on. No more whining from me. Promise. :) I have a two page layout to share with you today. I don't love it, but I'm not gonna whine. This is another layout of my adorable niece Rebekah. I miss my nieces and nephews so much. I haven't seen them since November! But again, I'm so NOT whining.Supplies Used: Distressed Dots, Another Sweet Day (May KOM), Little Me, This Is the Time (Large and Mini), A Pocket Full of...(July KOM), Coredinations Cardstock (ROYGBIV Collection), Prima DP, Memento Rose Bud Ink, VersaMagic Red Brick Ink, Chloe's Closet Cardstock Stickers (Making Memories), American Crafts Ribbon, Basic Grey Chipboard Letters, MME Rub-on, October Afternoon arrow sticker

Don't you wish you could still lick frosting off your elbow?? TRY IT! Let me know how it works out. Frosting is good. Licking frosting is better. Licking frosting off your elbow -- the best.
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Hip Hop Hangover -- 3 in a Row!

3 weeks IN A ROW! Can you believe it?!? I don't know if I would say I have MOJO or not, but I'm a card-makin' fool! The first card is for the Unity Guest DT challenge. I don't love it. It's just kind of boring. Eh. What can you do!
Supplies Used: Stampin' Up DP, Wide Ric-Rac (from Limelight), Sassafrass buttons, cherries are from the June KOTM, ticket corner punch, slot punch, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

This card was for the Hip Hop button challenge.

Supplies Used: July KOTM, Swiss Dots embossing folder, Coredinations Black Magic cardstock, SEI buttons, ric rac, ribbon, SU Rub-on

And this was the submission for the great outdoors challenge. I got my new scor-bug in the mail today and was excited to try it out!
Supplies Used: Stylin' Stars, Everyday Adorable, Making Memories Ribbon, SEI Button, American Crafts Ric Rac, Chocolate Chip and Soft Sky SU ink, Scor-bug

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Mellow Sunshine and Some Other Cards

I love that phrase! Mellow Sunshine...maybe a new name for my blog?! I don't know. Anyway, I made this card for the Unity Guest Designer challenge. This card isn't how I envisioned it and nothing was working out right for me, but I LOVE how my card turned out. Supplies Used: Unity July KOTM, Coredinations Vintage Cardstock (Flower Power), Basic Grey Mellow dp, Basic Grey Mellow Ribbon, American Crafts Ric Rac, circle punch, paper piercing

This card I made for the Paper Crafts call. I really loved how it turned out and may be addicted to piercing circles!
Supplies Used: Bazzil and SU Cardstock, Everyday Adorable Unity Stamp set, SEI button, Real Red Classic Ink, staples, 8x8 Circle Institchz Template

This was another attempt at the Paper Crafts magazine call. I like the green and brown, but it is probably a little to "fall" for what they wanted. But it doesn't hurt to try, right!
Supplies Used: Chocolate Chip Classic Ink, Forest Green Staz-On, Heidi Swapp edge distresser, Kaisercrafts Rhinestones, Basic Grey Mellow Ribbon, Kraft and AC Cardstock, SEI Button, Perfect in Every Way stamp set (June KOTM)

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Can I get a HIP HOP (hangover)?!

I DID it! I participated in a Hip Hop challenge for the first time in ages. I hope you're not tired of my layouts, because here's another! I'm not sure I'm sold on it...but it's good enough! The challenge was to use kraft or a form of kraft.
Supplies Used: love, etc. (Jan. Unity KOTM), Coredinations Vintage Cardstock, Bo Bunny DP, Brocade Blue and Chocolate Chip Classic SU Ink, My Mind's Eye tags and rubon, October Afternoon rub on, basic grey chipboard, gel stitches Pin It Now!

Best Friends

I did this layout for the Limelight Sketch Challenge. We had to use the sketch and also bling it up with rhinestones. I went one step further and added Stickles! This is the second time this week I've used them...See,they are growing on me!! The sketch from Limelight just screamed "LAYOUT!!!" to me, so that's what I did. These are two of my nieces -- aren't they sweet?!

Supplies Used: love, etc (Jan. KOTM), Little Me, fresh beginnings (April KOTM) -- All Stamps are from Unity Stamp Co., Coredinations Nostalgia cardstock, Basic Grey DP and chipboard stickers, rhinestones, stickles, Primas, Fiskars Eyelet Lace Embossing Border Punch (say THAT 10 times fast!)
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Two Peas in a Pod

I made a layout just for me...it wasn't for a challenge or from a sketch. I CAN do it! The chipboard on this layout is covered with Creamy Caramel ink and then I stamped the words "Sweet Pea" and the image of the pea pod on them. You can't see it very well in the picture. I need to take a close up picture, but trust me, it's very cute! :)

Supplies Used: Little Me (Unity Stamp Co.), Basic Grey Chipboard, Bo Bunny Patterned Paper, Coredinations Nostalgia Cardstock, American Crafts Gingham Ribbon, Spare Parts Grommets, Creamy Caramel and Glorious Green Classic SU Ink.
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More Clean and Simple

I needed some inspiration last night to get a scrapbook page done. Nothing was coming to me and I was getting tired of sitting and staring at an empty table. I have loved Jenn Buck's Clean and Simple scrapbook challenges, but haven't participated much, so I decided to go back and use an old sketch of hers (I had already used this week's on the last layout I shared!). Check out all of her sketches here. I used #5. Notice it's not a perfect copy, just a starting point to get me going!
Supplies Used: Sassy Alphabet (Unity Stamp Co), Vintage Coredinations Cardstock, Martha Stewart Ribbon, Bo Bunny Journaling Block and Patterned Paper, Buttons, Stickles (YUP! STICKLES!) Pin It Now!

Etsy Inspired Challenge 22

Here's my Etsy Inpsired Challenge Card. I used this blanket as my inspiration.

Go to Ashley's blog for more information about the challenge:

Supplies:
Stamps: Thanks to You! (Unity)
Paper: Chocolate Box (Coredinations), Very Vanilla (SU)
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Ribbon, Brad, Rhinestones, ticket corner punch, sanding block, stylized flowers embossing die (cuttlebug)
Techniques: sanding, paper tearing

I'm going to a Chris Tomlin concert tonight. I am soooooo excited. I'm going to take TONS of pictures and I plan on singing as loud as I ever have before!! CAN'T WAIT!!!!!! Pin It Now!

70's Peacock, Happy Birthday, and HELP!!!

I've got a long blog post for you today! Saturday I was able to go scrap with a friend for awhile and she has the Top Note die. I LOVE THIS THING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cut out a bunch of them and I have two cards to share. The first one is a birthday card. I also used her Stampin' Up markers and I liked them! I am thinking about investing in those.



Supplies:
Polka Dot Cupcake (Unity Stamp Co)
Happy Birthday Stamp (Stampin' Up)
Top Note Die (SU), Ribbon (American Crafts), Swiss Dot Die (Cuttlebug)




The second card is one of my favorites. It looks like it's from the 70's because of the yellow and brown. But that's okay -- I like it! I embossed the top note die with swiss dots then I used sandpaper to bring the yellow dots to the front of the cardstock. Supplies:
Peacock (Unity Stamp Co)
Happiness (SU)
Ribbon (American Craft), Swiss Dot Die (Cuttlebug), Core'dinations Chocolate Box Cardstock, Sandpaper, Sponge, Summer Sun and Chocolate Chip ink (SU)



Okay, last but not least, I NEED HELP!!! I bought a scrapbook layout that had everything you need to make the page and I need to know the brand of patterned paper. I do NOT know my brands very well at all... so any help, or even guesses would be appreciated!! It's the paper that's on the arrow!


Okay, that's all for now!! Thanks for reading my super long post! :)

Enjoy!
Katy Pin It Now!