Embossing Folder Fun

I've never been a big fan of embossing folders. Got more than a dozen of them but I rarely use them. I saw this technique recently though, and dug them out:

 Rub one color along each side of  your embossing folder. Add white cardstock and run through a die cut machine. (I used the Big Shot.) 

 Each side of the cardstock will have a different color and texture. 

 Cut your paper and  combine the two different sides.  Add some embellishments and a sentiment for a quick and easy card. (I used punches for the butterfly and heart.) 

Thanks for stopping by,
Marie with a :)

Still Playing With The Powder (And some proof for my friend...)

What's worse than having a sick child?
Having a sick child WHILE you are sick yourself.
What's worse than having a sick child while you are sick yourself?
Having a sick child while you are sick yourself while on SPRING BREAK.
What's worse than having a sick child while you are sick yourself while on SPRING BREAK?
Having a sick child while you are sick yourself while on SPRING BREAK when the weather is absolutely gorgeous and begging for some outdoor time.
Yeah, it's been one of those weeks.
But it could be worse.
I did manage a little play time:

 I once again used embossing powder, distress ink, and background stamps to make some unique background papers.  First, on glossy paper stamp your background stamp with versamark ink then liberally apply powder.  Use embossing tool to heat/set.  When dry, rub distress ink (or anything other than pigment ink. Distress inks give a more subtle color.)  Wipe off excess ink with a rag.  Use second generation stamping to add font. (Second generation stamping means that after you ink up your image, you first stamp on another piece of paper then on your project. It gives a lighter image than "first generation" stamping - stamping directly onto your project.)

 I cut my paper into three pieces and matted on black cardstock, added some die cut flowers and prisma flowers as well as a sentiment.

 Here's another example of home made background and texture paper (or designer paper...you say toe-mae-toe, I say tah-mah-toe...)

Another one of those photos I can't seem to rotate :( 

 I used the same basic technique for creating these die-cut butterflies. It's pretty hard to see int he photo but they are shimmery and have some dimension/texture from the embossing.

Thanks for stopping by!
Marie with a :)

PS I recently overheard a friend telling someone how organized my craft room was. I almost choked on my guacamole.  Here's proof, LeeAnn, that organized I am not:

One Sketch, Two Scripture Cards

Yep, I'm using a sketch again.  Not sure how long it's going to take me to feel at home in the craft room again :) Here are two cards using the Mojo Monday Sketch 233 .  Mojo Monday sketches are a longtime favorite, though I haven't participated for a lonnnnggggtime :) The MM design team does absolutely stunning work so be sure to take a peak.

 

A little parenthetical thought...when I was a CTMH consultant I used to feel twinges of guilt when I'd use another company's stamps and paper...almost like I was cheating on my company!  It's rather freeing to be able to play with the ample supply of other brands of goodies in my craft room now :)  The paper I used was My Mind's Eye (Carefree) and I wish Iwould have purchased more of it!  The stamp sentiments are from Verve and the images are Tim Holtz.  The ribbon is Close To My Heart. The "lace"is from a Stampin' Up punch and the wooden heart...who knows?  It has been in the craft room for eons. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Marie with a :)

Happy BlogtoberFest! Day 2

Okay, so I know some of you have been at it for longer than two days, but I just discovered the challenge yesterday :)  In case you didn't catch it from my last post, here is what Blogtoberfest is all about:
Step up your game, set a goal, or just aim for a better blog. There are really no rules, just a commitment to have fun and Celebrate your Blog! For more information, click the Blogtoberfest link on the side bar.


One way that I hope to improve my blog is by adding at least some semblance of a "recipe" for my projects.  So here goes!

All products are Close To My Heart unless otherwise noted.
Card stock: Tulip, black
paper: That's Amore (retired)
Stamp Sets: Card Chatter - Sympathy (inside),  Scripture Collection 6 by Our Daily Bread, Trust in the Lord by Sweet and Sassy
 Embellishments:Journaling spots, Pearl Opaques, Pretty in Pink pin (heart pin is by Memory Makers),
Flowers and inside label cut by Art Philosophy (the exclusive CTMH Cricut Cartridge!)
Ink: black
butterfly on inside: Just Blooms Paper Shapes (colored with a spray pen and reinker)

Incidentally, Psalm 84:11 is one of my favorite verses!

Thanks for stopping by!
Marie with a :)

A Real Challenge...

(If you've visited this blog before I'd love your input on the new look.)

Anyway...I always look forward to the Monday Heart To Heart challenge...but this week's was a REAL challenge... some sketches just don't come easy and this was one of those:

(inside)

Here are a couple of other recent cards:

This is one that I case'd from a convention swap but I don't remember who I case'd it from :( 

Happy 2011!!

It's a brand new year.  I kinda liked the old one, despite all of the FBTSOMP moments and the "gripping my faith like a toddler hangs on to his momma in a crowded room" moments.  Yes, it was a good year and I sold a lot of cards.  2011 begins with me trying to determine if I am going to work the card business or let it go.  While I sold more cards than I ever dreamed over the last year and a half, I think that unless I expand to a web based business, I may just stick with the CTMH consulting. As I wrestle with that decisions, here's a few cards I created for my MIL who wanted some Scripture cards for folks who were terminally ill.  (I love almost everything about CTMH, the company I work with/for...but one complaint is that they do not carry many Scripture stamps.)

Wishing all of you a wonderful 2011!

Marie with a :)

Get Well Marathon... (lots of pics)

I received an e-mail from my step MIL yesterday telling me she was ready for another round of Get Well cards. She has purchased quite a number from me in the past because she sends all of the Get Well cards for her (small) church. I decided I would try to make twenty for her before we see her on Sunday evening...what was I thinking? Tomorrow Matthew has a soccer game and we are having company for lunch after church on Sunday so I really SHOULD clean my house and decide on a menu. I did make seven cards today, though. Maybe I'll squeeze in another seven tomorrow? The rest I'll just have to pull from my stash. Feel free to click on the pictures to enlarge. Enjoy your weekend...


I really love these jungle animals from Close To My Heart...they are so versatile!

(inside of card)

Marie with a :-)

Penny's Challenge

Here I go again...another sketch challenge! This time it's Penny's Challenge #6 . Now I'm going to get my disciplined self ( self discipline is a trait I'm always working on, LOL) upstairs to read for a while with my sweetie before calling it a night. PS I'm still using Alyssa's camera...these CTMH colors are so much more vibant than they appear!
Hugs,
Marie with a :-)

CPS 132 and Color Dare Challenge 33

I discovered Lori's blog today (take a peek...it's great!) and subsequently the Color Dare - she's on the design team. I combined that challenge with CPS 132 to create this card, using Close To My Heart colors...garden green, hydrangea, amysthyst and colonial white.

Thanks for stopping by...I appreciate all the kind comments.

Marie with a :-)

Not this time...

I had just told fellow blogger
Jamie (whose work I GREATLY admire) that I can make cards pretty quickly. Not this time! The sketch from this week's
Mojo Monday about had me over the edge. I spent close to two hours trying to come up with something to no avail. After much hair pullling, I decided to give it up and let it be. Scallops and I just don't seem to work well together. I had planned on creating a layout while Scott was at class tonight (it's a four hour class plus drive time...thought I could at least get started on something...) but after this, I've given up for the night.
Thanks for stopping by.
Marie with a :-)

CPS 125...Be Strong

It was a very busy day for the Isoms, but I still managed to get a little card making in. Here's my take on this week's sketch from http://www.cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/

Marie with a :-)

Unscripted Sketches 15 and "scrap" cards

Today was a pretty mellow day - but I didn't get much crafting done. Saturday means Unscripted Sketches, which I really look forward to. I love the sketches and the designers are so nice. Here's my take on sketch 15 :
My friend Theda just organized her new craft room...which reminded me just how chaotic mine is. While attempting some tidying last night, I used some scraps and die cuts to put together a couple of cards:

You can't tell from the photo, but I sprayed the die cut frame with shimmer mist (I went shopping at Archivers last night...I can't wait to try some of my new finds!)

Thanks for stopping by,

Marie with a :-)

Unscripted Sketches 14

I decided to make a second card today, to try to get back in the swing of things. I have really been enjoying the Unscripted Sketches challenge. To check it out for yourself, I have a link on the side of my blog...just scroll down until you see it and click on it to check out the wonderful designs there.

Time for my walk...hope you enjoyed your Sunday!

Marie with a :-)