Sahara & Argyle

Here's my card for this week's fall-to layout. I decided to go for something a bit masculine, because I just received this new twill tape today. I found some masculine patterned paper and paired that with a sahara sand card base. I know people don't typically associate ribbon and scallops with masculine cards, but if you choose the right kind of ribbon, and the right kind of paper, it works! Ribbon from Dunwoody Booth Stamps, Ink, and Paper from Stampin' Up!

Fall-to Layout 2

Here are some examples using Natasha's Fall-to layout 2. This was a fun, easy and quick sketch to use. I am generally slow at making my cards even with a sketch to follow but I made 7 of these very quickly! I like how versatile this sketch is - it looks great in portrait or landscape mode, and on a rectangular or square card. Materials: Cardstock - PaperTrey; Patterned Paper - SEI Dill Blossom, PaperTrey; Ink - SU! Chocolate Chip; Accessories - SU! HodgePodge Hardware, Cuttlebug.

Fall To Layout #2!

It's time for another sketch that you can try out immediately or save into your book of sketches! This one is really great for when you're needing that ultra quick card! It's also great if you're needing several cards or if you're making a gift set. The scalloped section can be patterned paper or other coloured cardstock. The darker strip can be a knotted ribbon or anything else you deem appropriate. Again, the bubble is a nice place for the knot or an embellishment because it brings balance to the whole item. Harriet has some wonderful examples with this sketch. She shows how easily it can be used for any orientation or shape!

Tips: Mixing Text Sizes and Fonts

First off, I wanted to start off my post with a welcome to a few people who will also be sharing their CAS creations on this blog. Give a warm welcome to Harriet Skelly and to Becky Carafa. I love their approaches to the CAS style, and I hope you will too!

This week's CAS tip is mixing text sizes and fonts. I have found this to be a really effective way of getting a message across, while keeping the card quick, clean, and simple! There are all sorts of amazing sentiment stamps out there. Several companies already make the mixed size and font of sentiments, but it's also nice to put together your own using different alphabet sets. I find that when I make the card all about the greeting, all you really need are some nice papers, some ribbon, and maybe an embellishment or two, and you have a great card!

I've got two cards for you today. The first features a pre-mixed sentiment from Verve Visual. The second card features a mix of alphabets to get a fun greeting. This one actually features the same font, but the difference in size and style still makes for an interesting looking sentiment.

Stamps- Wild Things, Gosh Be Golly Alphabet, Gosh Golly Big Letters (gelatins), Polka Dots & Stems (verve visual)

Under 10 minutes

This was a card that I had absolutely no intention to make today. Suddenly, I needed a graduation card though. I had ten minutes before dinner would be ready. I felt a challenge coming on! I quickly decided that stars and blues would be my images and colour scheme. I cut my card front and began stamping in a "swoosh" like pattern across the card front. I added in the sentiment, but still had time to spare. So, I stamped another star, cut it out and placed it over one of the stars. I didn't time myself exactly, but I finished with a few minutes to spare! All stamps are by Verve Visual.