One Last CIE-Inspired Card

Hi, everyone! Happy Valentine's Day to all!

It appears all good things really do end... even in card-making challenge blog land. So, it is with more than a twinge of sadness that I am sharing my very last CIE-inspired card. Yep, this is the last challenge for what became one of my favorite challenges. Even when I didn't have a chance to play along with the Cards in Envy gals, I regularly stopped by to see what fun theme Sandy had going on.

While I should be posting a heart-love-inspired card, I'm sharing a flower-mom-inspired card instead. In order to get Valentines to our SAS4Kids kids by February 14, those cards have long been sent. And, crazy as it sounds, Easter cards are almost done. But, when I saw the sketch being used for this challenge, I immediately thought of three big flowers, a mom sentiment, and a tiny flower with two itsy, bitsy leaves.

Stampin' Up! dp gingham and solid cardstock
My Favorite Things stitched flowers and Paper Smooches flower dies
flower centers: SU owl builder punch
MFT sentiment, heat embossed with Versamark ink and Simon Says white powder

HUGE thanks to Sandy and all CIE designers past and present for six years of wonderful inspiration. Here's hoping to see you all in blogland. 

Here's wishing everyone a wonderful Valentine's Day evening. Until next time, happy scrapping and thanks for stoppin'!

CIE Pink and Gray

Hi, everyone! It's time for a new Cards in Envy Challenge.  :)

Our theme for the next few weeks is a color one -- making cards featuring the colors of pink and gray.


For my card, I decided to gussy up a few 'lil monsters, making a monstrously cute card Valentine fit for a little patient at Nationwide Children's.

Martha Stewart Valentine matstack; Bo Bunny stash pink dp; SU gray; Neenah Soler white; Recollections black
white cardstock inked with Distress Ink hickory smoke, applied with Ranger blending tool
white cardstock embossed with Cuttlebug and Sizzix folders
Lawn Fawn monster mash images and sentiment, stamped in DI hickory smoke
Paper Smooches heart and bow dies; SU word bubble die; Simon Says stash sequins; SU baker's twine
adhesives: Scotch ATG; Ranger multi medium matte
images and word bubble popped up using foam background panel

Since CIE cards need to be flat enough to mail in a standard envelope without additional postage, I only used one layer of pop-up squares... despite the tempatation to pop up the middle monster a little bit more.

Hope you'll stop by CIE, check out the rest of our DT's cards, and then come back to link up a card of your own. Until then, thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

Finally, on a personal note, this is my last challenge as a CIE DTer... at least for a while. While I'm sorry to be leaving, I'm grateful for the camaraderie and support of the CIE gals. Thanks, Sandy, for a wonderful couple of years. Don't be surprised if you don't see a few of my cards in upcoming challenge galleries.  :)

CIE Snow Birds

Hi, everyone! Happy New Year!

Since it's the first Monday of the month, it's time for a new Cards in Envy challenge... and Sandy's come up with another great theme. Our theme for the next two weeks is snow birds.

My card features three little tweeties from Lawn Fawn.  Since CIE cards need to be flat enough to mail in a standard envelope without any additional postage, I used a single thin piece of foam backing behind the birdie panel.

Bo Bunny Snowfall; Distress Ink core; Core'dinations brown; Crate Paper neutral cardstock
Lawn Fawn Season's Tweetings images, stamped in DI walnut stain, colored with Prismacolor pencils
Simon Says Flurries of Love stamped snowflakes; Lawn Fawn mini snowflakes dies
front panel: inked using Tim Holtz stencil and DI inks. applied with Ranger blending tool
birds coated with Glossy Accents
die cut stencils embellished with crystal Stickles; Stampin' Up! linen thread bow
adhesives: Scotch ATG; Ranger multi medium matte; Zig 2-way glue pen
front panel popped with foam panel

Hope you'll stop by CIE to see how our gals interpreted the theme... and then stop back by to link up a card of your own.

See you at CIE. Until then, thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

CIE Celebrate!

Hi, everyone! Happy Cards in Envy Monday!

Our theme these next few weeks is "Celebrate." I chose to make a Shari-Carroll-inspired holiday card that I will be sending to a dear friend.

Strathmore watercolor paper, spattered in Distress Ink hickory smoke and evergreen bough
Stampin' Up! vellum; Doodlebug Design Polar Pals dp; stash gray
SU festival of trees images; SU good greetings sentiment
images and sentiment heat embossed with Versamark and Stampin' Up! white powder
Really Reasonable Ribbon silver thread; Lucy's Things Antique Christmas sequins
adhesives: Scotch ATG; Zots glue dots; Ranger multi medium; Recollections foam squares

Because this is a CIE card, I limited my pop ups to one layer. The main tag portion is popped up. And, there are pop ups on either side of the top banner. However, the center of the banner is taped to the top of the tag. I'm going to lay a 4.24" by 5.5" piece of paper, folded in half, over the top of the card to mail it in a standard envelope.


'Tis the season for lots of celebrations! So, we hope you'll share your favorite holiday celebration with us over at Cards in Envy. In the meantime, think I'll link this little card up at CASual Fridays.  :)

Happy Holidays!

CIE Wouldn't That Be Sweet!

Hi, everyone! Welcome to a Cards in Envy Monday!

"Sweet" is the operative word for this challenge. Seems like a theme with lots and lots of possible interpretations. A card featuring holiday sweets... A romantic card for a special sweetie... A sweetly themed birthday card...

When I saw this little punch in the Stampin' Up! holiday catalog, I thought it would make perfect "sweet" birthday cards in addition to gingerbread holiday cards.

Momenta spirit; Stampin' Up! sahara sand, whisper white, stash pinkish-red cardstock
dp inked with Distress Inks black soot and evergreen bough
SU cookie cutter builder punch, inked with DI wild honey, vintage photo, walnut stain, barn door
icing: Lawn Fawn booyah and Paper Smooches holly jolly images, embossed with Versamark and SU clear powder
accents: Lawn Fawn mini snowflake dies; SU cupcake and owl builder punches
Inkadinkado birthday cupcake sentiment, stamped in StazOn and Distress Ink black soot, heat embossed with Ranger clear embossing powder
Stampin' Up! linen thread; embellishments coated with Glossy Accents
adhesives: Scotch ATG; Ranger multi medium matte; Zig 2-way glue pen

I'm thinking retired me should start a "Making Do with..." blog feature... LOL  In spite of not purchasing the coordinating SU stamp set, I think I came up with some pretty cute little ginger gals. Face features, bows, and hearts were stamped with Lawn Fawn's Booyah set, and the pearl necklaces were stamped by with a Paper Smooches' Holly Jolly stamp.

Because this is a CIE card, my ginger gals are just two layers of paper and not popped up. Because of I used multi-layers of paper for my panel, I didn't want to add extra bulk.


We hope that you'll join us for this sweet challenge. CIE cards should be flat enough to fit into a standard envelope and light enough to be mailed without additional postage.

See you over at Cards in Envy.  :)

CIE Thank You

Hi everyone! Welcome to a Cards in Envy Monday!

In keeping with this season of gratitude, our challenge these next few week's is to make a thank you. I made a card that an SAS4Kids family might give to a special hospital caregiver.

Crate Paper farmhouse; Stampin' Up! cherry cobbler; Recollections black and burlap
Distress Ink pine needles, lightly sanded using SU sander tool
sentiment: computer-generated and inspired by a Kelly Purkey stamp set
SU postage stamp punch; Paper Smooches stitched die
background paper: spattered with DI black soot using a Ranger mini mister and an old toothbrush
stamp border accents and random blotches: heat embossed using Versamark pen and SU copper powder
tag aging with DI wild honey (applied with SU sponge dauber) and DI vintage photo spatters

We'd love for you to play along with us. CIE cards should be flat enough to fit into a standard envelope and light enough to be sent without any additional postage.  :)

CIE Just Pumpkins

Pumpkins, anyone? Well, if you're a Cards in Envy fan -- and, isn't everyone?! -- the answer is a resounding yes! Our CIE theme for the next two weeks is Just Pumpkins.

The former math teacher couldn't resist an oldie-but-goldie riddle for an interactive card that will be going to Send a Smile 4 Kids.    :)

Stampin' Up! blackberry bliss, tangelo tangerine, and mossy meadow cardstocks

Recollections wood grain and Simple Stories take a hike pattern papers

My Favorite Things square window stax with original, computer-generated font

paper-pieced pumpkins using various punches and Creative Memories oval system

Paper Smooches leaves dies; stash sequins; SU linen thread

pumpkins embellished with Wink of Stella

Distress Inks dusty concord, vintage photo, and spicy marmalade applied with Ranger blending tool

adhesives: Scotch ATG; Zig 2-way pen; Ranger multi medium matte

Spellbinders Nestabilities scallop die
Riddle answer is found by lifting up the window. 

HUGE thanks to SAS4Kids card maker Nancy Criddle. The front of my card was inspired by the adorable card shown at the right. Moreover, a CASEd another of Nancy's cards for the riddle answer.

We sure hope you'll enjoy us for our pumpkin challenge. Rumor has it there's a prize up for the grabs... and the prize details can be found on a DT's post.


Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

CIE Purple and Green

Hi, everyone! It's a Cards in Envy Monday, which means its time for a new challenge.

These next few weeks, we are looking for purple and green cards. Great color combo, right?!


I broke out my favorite ghosts and some Distress Inks to make a Halloween card that is on its way to an SAS4Kids little one at Nationwide Children's.

Strathmore watercolor paper; Recollections black cardstock
Recollections silver glitter paper, inked with StazOn jet black
Lawn Fawn booyah stamps, inked with StazOn, colored with Prismacolor pencils
ghost images brushed with Wink of Stella and coated Glossy Accents
Lawn Fawn mini snowflakes dies
Distress Inks twisted citron, bundled sage, and hickory smoke, applied with a Ranger blending tool
Distress Inks milled lavender, dusty concord, seedless preserves, also applied with a Ranger blending tool
Tim Holtz Stamper's Anonymous SSS Create layering stencil
Creative Memories circle cutting system, edged with DI black soot using a Stampin' Up! sponge dauber
adhesives: Scotch ATG; Recollections foam squares; Zig 2-way pen

Okay, stamping with this set can be a little labor intensive, but it is sooooo worth it. And, that little spider in the bottom right corner is the only spider I've liked since Wilbur's Charlotte.  :)


A quick reminder that CIE cards should be no more than 1/4" thick -- thin enough to fit into standard envelopes.

Hope to see you join us at Cards in Envy for this color-inspired challenge.  :)

Parting Thoughts

For all fellow lovers of rescue dogs, we have just the challenge for you over at Words 2 Craft By. We hope you'll stop by, check out our DT's adorable cards/projects, and then link up a card/project of your own.

Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!  :)

CIE Frame It!

Hi, everyone! It's the first Monday of the month.... which means it's time for a new Cards in Envy Challenge!

Our challenge for these next few weeks is "Frame It!" That's right, we're looking for cards that feature framed elements.


The card below was made a while ago -- right after receiving the newly released Crazy Dogs stamps. I wanted to make a card to slip inside my Nationwide Children's SAS4Kids Halloween shipment using one of those cute Tim Holtz doggies.  :)

Strathmore watercolor; Neenah Soler white; Recollections black cardstock and silver glitter paper
Strathmore paper inked in Distress Ink spiced marmalade, wild honey, and hickory smoke
Neenah white inked in DI twisted citron, bundled sage, spiced marmalade, and hickory smoke
Recollections silver glitter paper inked in StazOn jet black
inks applied with Ranger blending tool
Tim Holtz Crazy Dogs and Crazy Things images stamped in StazOn jet black and colored with Prismacolor pencils
Crazy Dog features: embellished with Wink of Stella, eyes and teeth coated with Glossy Accents
computer-generated original sentiment
Stampin' Up! on film framelit die; Lawn Fawn mini snowflakes dies
Stamper's Anonymous Tim Holtz layering stencils from Simon Says Create

Since this was going to SAS4Kids -- and I used black cardstock for the base, I added a white liner to the inside panel. I couldn't resist the temptation to add a little jack-o-lantern to this white liner.


Hope you'll join us this month over at CIE. Cards in Envy entries should be cards flat enough to mail in envelopes without any additional postage.

Parting Thoughts

Our Every Child Deserves a Champion Challenge at Words 2 Craft By is open for entries through Wednesday. There are a few MFT gift certificates, as well as a Guest Designer opportunity up for grabs. We'd love for you to stop by and play along.

Have a great week! Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'.  :)

CIE Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

Hi, everyone! Happy Monday... and, more specifically, Happy Cards in Envy Monday!

For the next few weeks, we are celebrating the change of seasons at CIE. That's right, we're looking for fall/autumn cards.

This seemed like a perfect opportunity to make a fall-themed birthday card for a friend who celebrates her birthday in late autumn.

Stampin' Up! mossy meadow; Creative Memories stash bountiful; Bazzill stash cardstock
Winnie & Walter sentiment, heat embossed with Versamark ink and SU copper powder
Creative Memories oval cutting system; Paper Smooches leaves dies
SU linen thread; stash sequins
adhesives: Scotch ATG; Ranger multi medium matte; Zots glue dots

Hope you'll visit CIE to check out the DT's amazing cards and come back to link up a card of your own. Cards need to be flat enough to fit into a standard envelope.


Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

CIE: For the Kids

Hi, everybody! Happy Labor Day! Hope you're in the midst of a great holiday weekend.

In addition to being a holiday Monday, it's a Cards in Envy Monday! And, we have such a fun challenge these next few weeks: Kid Cards! Birthday, encouragement, hello cards. All are welcome... as long as it is a card made for a child.

My card was made for an older "kid." My nephew Josh turned fifteen last month, and I couldn't wait to ink up one of Tim's Crazy Dogs for my dog-loving nephew's birthday card. Teen boy cards are not at all in my wheel house, but I think I did okay with this one.  :)

Since our little pup is thinking about all the things he likes to get on his birthday, its inside sentiment reads:

Hope your special day is filled with all your favorite things. 

Strathmore; Neenah Soler white; Stampin' Up! basic gray
Tim Holtz (and Kristina Werner's) Crazy Dogs stamp set
Distress Inks: twisted citron, bundled sage, barn door, hickory smoke; StazOn jet black
crazy dog image colored with Prismacolor pencils
SU word bubbles with original, computer-generated sentiment
My Favorite Things shimmer mist; Wink of Stella; Glossy Accents
Tim Holtz stencil, applied with Ranger blending tool
circles: SU owl builder and cupcake punches
adhesives: Scotch ATG; Ranger multi medium matte; Paper Studio foam circles

Hope you'll join us over at Cards in Envy. Cards no longer need to be A2 sized. But, they do need to fit into an envelope and be mail-able without any extra postage. 

I noticed there's a black-and-white-with-a-pop-of-color challenge going on over at Casual Fridays. It's actually been a while since I've played over there. Think I'll link this little guy up for that challenge.

Parting Thoughts

The Halloween Cards 4 Kids challenge started Saturday over at Send a Smile 4 Kids. And, there are just a few days left to play along with our Single Step Challenge at Words 2 Craft By, which closes on Wednesday. The best news, there are prizes to be won at both!

Have a great week! Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

CIE Hip to Be Square

Hi, everyone! Happy Monday!

It's the third Monday of the month, which means it's time for a new Cards in Envy challenge. Our challenge these next few weeks is it's Hip to Be Square. Cards can have square elements or be square cards.

For my card, I decided to use the Simon Says Stamp letter tiles stamp set and die to create a square card with lots of little squares -- an anniversary card for hubby.  :)

Recollections white and Stampin' Up! cherry cobbler cardstocks; stash wood
Simon Says Stamp letter tiles, stamped in StazOn jet black
SU owl-builder tiny heart, coated with Wink of Stella and Glossy Accents
SU owl-builder tiny heart, coated with Wink of Stella and Glossy Accents
Paper Smooches heart dies; stash sequins
adhesives: ATG; Ranger multi medium matte

First of all, I need to give credit where credit is due. My card is a CASE of Lisa's gorgeous card that can be found here. Let's just say I like my card, but I ADORE Lisa's card -- especially that open white-on-white effect.

I decided to change things up a bit because I wanted a square card for challenge, which meant changing dimensions... which meant adding a few embellishments. This also meant I needed to use 12" by 12" paper. My stash was out of 12" by 12" white paper. So, I had to go with a red base -- and then re-insert the cut-out white squares to keep the focus more on the sentiment.

CIE cards should be flat enough to fit inside a standard envelope, and my ribbon squishes down pretty nicely.

Hope you'll stop by Card in Envy and play along with our Hip to Be Square Challenge. Sandy comes up with the best challenge themes.  :)

Parting Thoughts

You'd think I'd be Olympic-ed out by now. But, I'm foreseeing a couple more late nights this week. Lucky for me, I can actually get NBC on the little non-cable, antenna TV in the menopause room.  :)

A quick reminder that the August/September A Single Step Challenge started up last Wednesday at Words 2 Craft By. There are chances for both participants and followers to win MFT gift certificates. We'd love for you to play along.

Have a great week! Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

CIE Wings

Hi, everyone! Happy August! (Boy, this year is flying by, isn't it?!)

It's the first Monday of the month, which means it's time for a new Cards in Envy Challenge. Our focus these next two weeks are cards that feature things with wings.

Momenta dp; Recollections blue; Recollections seaside collection blue; Distress Ink core green
grass: Stampin' Up! vellum, colored green; Martha Stewart metallic paper (for jar lid)
jar acetate: page protector sheets; Paper Smooches crystal clear die;
Paper Smooches healthy vibes sentiment, stamped in StazOn  jet black
Sandylion stash bug stickers; SU twine; stash sequins
adhesives: Scotch ATG; Recollectiong foam squares; Ranger multi medium matte

So, you know those cute Mrs. Grossman and Sandylion stickers that you buy and never find a way to use? If you're like me, you're guilty of committing that crafting crime on more than one occasion. On this card, however, I found a way to put a few of bug stickers in this Paper Smooches jar. And, I was so happy when the paper pad I picked up at Tuesday Morning had colors that coordinated perfectly with my little bugs.  :)

My stash of non-wrinkled, relatively clean teaching transparencies was running low. So, I went to an office supply store to buy some new acetate. Boy, was I in for a sticker shock -- like $49 for 25 sheets. WOW! Later that day, I found a sale/clearance package of 12" by 12" paper protectors for $4.99 at a craft store. Perfect!!! Obviously, not the acetate I need for heat embossing.... but perfect for a ball jar embellishment or a shaker card.  :)

These little bugs will be going to Nationwide Children's in an SAS4Kids shipment.


Hope you'll join in our Wings Challenge at Cards in Envy. Entries should be cards that are flat enough to fit in an envelope.

Parting Thoughts

There are a few more days left to play along with our Words 2 Craft By Just Keep Swimming Challenge. The challenge ends Wednesday, and there is a Simon Says Stamp gift certificate up for grabs.

Have a great week! Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

CIE Summer/Hot Colors

Hi, everyone!

It's a Cards in Envy Monday. Our challenge for the next couple of weeks is "It's a Heat Wave". Sounded like the perfect excuse to ink up one of my favorite Lawn Fawn critters and make a beach-themed birthday card for a good friend.  :)

Recollections red, black, and white cardstock
Lawn Fawn life is good images, stamped in StazOn jet black and traced with a generic black pen
images colored in Distress Inks using Ranger mister, Ranger waterbrush, and stash paintbrush:
water and flip flop inks: tumbled glass, broken china, and peacock feathers
sand and tree trunk inks: antique linen and vintage photo
sky, balloon, and circle background inks: mustard seed and spiced marmalade
tree top and flip flop straps: bundled sage, peeled paint, and mowed lawn
stash vellum quote sentiments, stash sequins
Marvy and Paper Shaper circle punches
adhesives: Scotch ATG; Ranger multi medium matte

Hope you'll join us over at CIE. It's a cards only challenge, and cards should be flat enough to fit slide into envelopes.

Parting Thoughts

A Just Keep Swimming Challenge posted at Words 2 Craft By last Wednesday. Annie's our hostess this month and is offering up a gift certificate to our challenge winner. Maybe your CIE card fits for our W2CB challenge, too... :)

I really enjoyed the chance to play with embossing powders this weekend -- trying out some of the Heat Wave Online Card Classes ideas and techniques. (Don't you just love OCC?! Jennifer and Kristina are just the best!)

Have a great week! Hope to see you over at CIE and W2CB. Until then, thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

CIE Stripes

Happy Birthday, America! Heartfelt thanks to our military men and women, their families, and our veterans -- including my father-in-law, Uncle Ken, and Uncle Charlie -- for the sacrifices made in service to our country.

Appropriately enough, we have a Stripes Challenge debuting today over at Cards in Envy.

Strathmore watercolor paper; Stampin' Up! vellum; Bo Bunny liberty dp;  Distress Ink core
Paper Impressions image, heat embossed on vellum with Versamark and Recollections gold powder
Distress Inks (fired brick and chipped sapphire), applied with Ranger blending tool
SU decorative masks; adhesive: Scotch ATG

I decided to use a few techniques shared in the recent Clear & Sheer Online Card Class to create the card shown. 

However, I originally stamped the sentiment crookedly. 

So, I stamped it on a whole sheet of vellum and then used the interior card base as a template to cut the vellum overlay.

Once the overlay was done, I focused on inking stars inside the vellum and inking stripes on the front cover of watercolor paper insert. A word to the wise: Be sure to let both pieces completely dry before assembling. While ink was drying, I  prepared the pattern and core paper embellishment for the watercolor insert. Then, I used washi tape to play with placement of paper so that the vellum's sentiment overlays paper embellishment.

I'm linking this up to the Red, White and/or Blue Challenge over at Simon Says Stamp, the Anything Goes Challenge at Simon Says Stamp, and the current CAS 4 Kids Challenge over at SAS4Kids. While the construction was pretty involved, the resulting card looks pretty CAS-sy to me. And, I think this would  be a great card for an older kid to receive from a parent or give to an everyday hero.

Parting Thoughts

Hope to see you all over at Cards in Envy. The only requirement is to make a card that fits in a standard mailing envelope.  :)

There are two more days to join us over at Words 2 Craft By. If you're working on a card/project to commemorate a new beginning, we'd love for you to join us at W2CB.  :)

Thanks to everyone for their sending well wishes to our little pup. I'm thrilled to say that he passed his tests with flying colors and is currently settling in on his favorite couch.  :)

Enjoy the holiday, thanks for stopping, and happy scrappin'!

CIE's Great Day for a White Wedding

Hi, everyone! Hope all the dads in all our lives had wonderful days yesterday.

This is the third Monday of the month, which means it's time for a new Cards in Envy challenge! We're celebrating weddings and anniversaries these next couple of weeks.

Bazzill white; Distress Ink bundled sage; Stampin' Up! grays
Paper Smooches curls & swirls, heat embossed with Versamark and SU white powder
SU/Sizzix sizzlit leaves; Recollections pearls
computer-generated sentiment
Creative Memories oval cutting system
adhesives: Scotch ATG; Recollections foam squares; Ranger multi medium matte

I decided to go pretty literal with the "white wedding" idea. White-on-white is not something I do often, but always love the results when I do.

We don't have any weddings on our calendar. (Isn't it funny how these things go in cycles?) So, I'm not sure to whom this card will be given. If it's mailed, I'll keep it as is... nice and flat per our CIE guidelines. But, if it's hand delivered, I may go back and add a few {white} rosettes.

Hope you'll stop by CIE and link up a card. We'd love for you to play along.

Parting Thoughts

Yesterday was a rather laid back day with our days. The men in my life love watching golf on TV. So, it was an afternoon spent eating KFC and watching the U.S. Open. We've both been blessed to have such wonderful parents and are thankful that our dads are still with us.

Another big thanks to everyone who stopped by during Sandy's rainbow card challenge. And, speaking of Sandy, thanks for the sweet surprise I found in this week's mail.  :)

Our New Beginnings Challenge is underway at Words 2 Craft By. We'd love for you to join us over at W2CB.

Have a great week. It's going to be a lively one around here with volunteer gigs at the library and a local elementary, as well as stamp club on Wednesday evening.

Until next time, thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

CIE For the Boy

Hi, everyone! It's the first Monday of the month... which means it's time for a new Cards in Envy Challenge. Our theme for the next couple of weeks is "No Girls Allowed"... just in time for Father's Day!  

However, I took a slightly different take for my card.

Recollections seaside pack and white cardstock; stash acetate

Stampabilities It's a Girl image, heat embossed in Stampin' Up! white powder

computer-generated original sentiment

Cuttlebug embossing folder; SU twine; ArtMinds sequins

adhesives: Scotch ATG; X-Press It foam; Ranger multi medium matte

Bobbi's Card

The card above was sent to a dear friend's daughter and son-in-law upon the arrival of baby Connor. Since I had made some baby shower invitations for this blessed event a few months earlier, I decided to model my card after the invitations. And, then for a little extra pizzazz, I decided to make this one a little more special than the invitations by adding the shaker element.

Moreover, giving credit where credit's due, the invitations were a CASE of my friend Bobbi's card. I loved the simplicity of the white and pink, as well as the sweet image inside of an oval.




Remember Cards in Envy entries need to be flat, non-lumpy, non-bumpy to qualify for CIE honors. However, the A2 size requirement has been lifted.


Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

CIE Deep Blue

Hi, everyone!

Turns out it's the third Monday of the month, which means it's time for a new Cards in Envy challenge. Our challenge for the next couple of weeks is Deep Blue. So, we are looking for cards that use primarily the color blue.

Canson watercolor paper; Bazzill black
Paper Smooches waves dies
Lawn Fawn life is good sentiment, heat embossed in Stampin' Up! white powder
inking with various blue Distress Inks, applied with Ranger blending tool
stash sequins; adhesives: Scotch ATG; Recollections foam squares; Ranger multi medium matte

I love the freedom that CIE challenges allow. However, I was struggling with this challenge -- making two other cards before I remembered I had started this card a while ago. I actually made the front panel of this card for last year's Background Online Card Class, but had set aside to come back to at a later date. Well, there's no time like the present, right?! And, I really like this card so much better than my previous two attempts.  :)

Hope you'll join us over at Cards in Envy. CIE cards no longer have to be A2 size, but they still need to be relatively lump free -- definitely flat enough to slide into an envelope for easy mailing.

Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

CIE Girls Only

Hi, everyone! It's the first Monday of the month, which means its time for a new Cards in Envy Challenge.

Our challenge for the next couple of weeks is Just Us Girls. Just in time for Mother's Day, we're looking for feminine cards.

Canson watercolor; Distress Ink barn door red and scattered straw; Recollections white
Mama Elephant Tiny Heroes image, colored with Prismacolor pencils and coated with Glossy Accents
Tim Holtz stencil in Distress Ink scattered straw, applied with Ranger blending tool
computer-generated starbursts and sentiment
Paper Smooches stitched die; ??? star corner rounder
adhesives: Scotch ATG; Zig 2-way glue pen; Zots glue dots; Ranger multi medium matte

• Mother's Day cards are actually difficult for me to make since both of our moms have passed. So, for my card, I decided to make a card for Send a Smile 4 Kids. I thought this is a card that would be perfect for a tween/teen to receive or for a girl to give to a mom, sister, friend. 
• It's been a while since I made this, and I've posted other attempts at coloring in the meantime. However, this was my very first coloring -- ever! And, I was pretty pleased with the result -- pleased enough to try my hand coloring a few other images. 
• The starbursts were computer generated, fussy cut, and mounted on fussy-cut red cardstock.
• The sentiments were also computer generated. To add a little interest, I went with two different fonts. But, I'm thinking the second font might've been a mistake because I couldn't get a larger size to work inside the Word text box. 
• Other than that, I'm pretty pleased with the results.

Hope you'll join us over at CIE. Remember cards need to be flat enough to fit/mail inside an envelope.

Parting Thoughts

Did you hear the news about our fearless leader at CIE? Sandy's been selected to the Graphic 45 DT! Congrats again, Sandy, on this well-deserved recognition. You're going to do amazing things, and Graphic 45 is soooo lucky to have you!

There are a few more days to play along with us at Words 2 Craft By. The April/May challenge ends on Wednesday, and we'd love for you to join us.  :)

On a personal note, it's been nearly thirty years since my mom's passing. Love you, Mom. Miss you, mom. Today's card is dedicated to you.

Have a great week. Thanks for stopping by.

CIE Another Year Older

Hi, everyone! It's another Cards in Envy Monday!

Our theme for the next couple of weeks is Another Year Older. I thought this was a perfect opportunity to make that special birthday card for my nephew who is turning 16 at the end of the month. And, from what I hear, my nephew has a Virginia driver's license at the top of his wish list.  :)

Distress Ink fired brick and chipped sapphire core; Recollections white and silver glitter cardstock
computer-generated original license plate embellishment
Making Memories stash letter stickers
Sizzix/SU embossing folder; SU owl builder punch (for tiny circles)
adhesives: Scotch ATG; Zig 2-way pen; Recollections foam squares

Hope my nephew likes his card. And, we hope you'll join us at Cards in Envy for our Another Year Older challenge. Remember the A2 size requirement has been dropped but your entry still needs to be flat enough to be sent in a standard envelope.

Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!