Winner!

Hello! I just did the random number select, it was lucky #23, which means the winner is Karen MERC. Karen, please email me: natashatrupp(a)gmail.com [replace (a) with @] or leave a comment with your email address so I can get your mailing address. Thanks!

Christmas Giveaway

You knew I just couldn't stay away until the new year. I have a giveaway, it's completely related to the topic of the blog-clean and simple. I've got a spare copy of PaperCrafts: Card Creations Quick & Easy Volume 2 to give away. I've got a card that was featured on this blog in there on page 36! Leave a comment to be entered into the draw. I will do the draw around noon CST on Dec. 27. Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Happy New Year!

Ten Minute Monday (x4)

This weekend I had a small cardmaking get-together with a few friends. Last year I had provided a few designs, so I wanted to do something similar. However, I was being quite the procrastinator when it came to coming up with projects. So at 12 (they were supposed to be dropping by at 2), I got to work. First I looked through my inspiration folder and printed off a few samples. I brought that with me and started designing. So I have four designs to show today. They are all easily done in under ten minutes! Remember that you should be able click on the photos if you want to see a larger version.

Here's the first design. This one was inspired by Becky Oehlers. I really liked how stunning it was in its simplicity. I offered different patterned papers and used magic tape to apply the glitter. You can punch out circles from that tape making for very quick glitter application. Also I offered different metallic inks for the ornament and greeting and matching metallic cords.

The second design is also a very simple design. I got the idea from Julie Ebersole. Again I modified the design. I omitted the glitter, added a thicker, brighter ribbon and placed the greeting within the Good Things Grow squares. For this I offered a few different options- the mistletoe image or the bow image. As well I offered red scallops and ribbon or chocolate scallops and ribbon. I love the design. There's something very satisfying about all that open space.

The third design was inspired by Judith Novak. (Sorry I couldn't find the link to the exact card, she used the PTI anniversary set and had raffia and some distressing). I used the Rustic Snowflakes set and left off the ribbon. I also went with a slightly different colour palette.

The fourth design was inspired by a recent Nichole Heady design. This card deviates the most from the inspiration piece. Sometimes all you need is a slight idea to get you creating. That's what happened with this card. I liked the idea of making a line, but markers can smear. And I liked the cut out hearts, but I was planning on snowflakes and I know my friends are not as keen as I am about cutting things out. I went with a circle punch instead. To make the illusion of a outline I made a thin dark layer- simple.

So there are the cards we made. I think they enjoyed themselves and were quite pleased with their creations.

I know we've still got 10 days until Christmas, but this post is my last post for the blog this year. I will be updating a bit more regularly at Palmtrees & Pogosticks over the next weeks. I just wanted to give a heads up that I'm taking a mini-break from the CAS blog. I expect to start posting again around January 2nd. May you have a wonderful holiday season and happy new year! Thanks for stopping by. I truly appreciate it!

Be Inspired!

This week I thought I'd end things a little differently. Since Christmas card season in upon us (and I'm not talking about the making of them, I'm talking about the receiving of them), I thought it'd be fun to find a design you like and then make your own version of it. If you haven't received any really inspiring designs, feel free to check out some of websites. We received this card- the company on the back says Golden Gallery (just did a google search, nothing seemed to pop). Anyway, so here's my inspiration piece.

I did a few things differently. For one thing, I went with even scallops, added an extra layer of silver, also went with Baja Breeze as my blue, and I used a non-uniform patterned paper. I'm pretty sure you can pick up the resemblance though! I really wanted to add beads of silver, but the patterned paper I chose just didn't work with that concept. I didn't want to ruin it by stamping and embossing any other designs or even dotting it with a gel pen. I just left it, and added the silver scalloped layer instead.

I would love to see your take on this challenge. Find a manufactured card you love and recreate it!

Supplies:

Stamps: Snowflake Serenade

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Ski Slope, Baja Breeze, Brushed Silver

Accessories, etc.: Scalloped rectangle & circle nests, silver EP

Is it too late?

Sometimes you just have to let an image take center stage on a card. That's what I did for this card. After spending time colouring it I didn't want to add much more to the card. Supplies: Stamps: Deck the Halls by The Cat's Pajamas Ink: Tuxedo Black Paper: White, Red, Green- American Crafts Accessories, etc.: Copic markers