Embossing Techniques and a Birthday Card

On my Isom Cre8tions facebook page, I have started sharing techniques that I am brushing up on (or learning for the first time) to use during workshops this summer. I thought I'd begin with embossing. My natural tendency is to make techniques work for me with what supplies I have on hand. (From a glance into my craft room, you wouldn't guess there ARE supplies I don't actually have...)  So when I first tried the "trapped emboss" technique, I did it without the recommended glossy cardstock and here is what I came up with:

Notice how there is still ink on the butterfly image in the first tag?  The next day I was at Jamba Juice...and since Archivers is next door, I decided to go ahead and purchase some glossy cardstock. The result:

Notice how cleanly the ink wiped off the clear embossed heart on the second tag? I guess that's why glossy paper is recommended   :/

Another embossing technique is to create your own background paper...and yes, for this one I used glossy paper.  First choose a background stamp and liberally apply versamark ink all over it. Stamp image on (glossy :)  ) cardstock and add a clear OR colored embossing powder. I opted for pewter for this one and used an old Cornish Heritage Farms music background stamp. Then rub distressing ink over the entire thing. Use a cloth to wipe off any excess ink:

It's difficult to show the beauty of embossing in a photo...it adds texture and a little "oomph" to a plain card:

For my card, I used some banners, a flower and tag cut out using the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. I sprayed the banner and flower them with Perfect Pearls and used an old CTMH background stamp for the tag:

And voila:

The finished project :) 

Wishing you a beautiful weekend,

Marie with a :)

PS There is a link to my facebook page on the left hand side of this blog...follow me on FB!

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 :)

How Did I Get From There to Here? (CPS 257)

It is mid-March 2012 and I have posted a mere three blog posts!  I have lots of projects looming but was feeling a bit rusty, barely able to remember where anything was in the craft room...so I decided to get my feet wet fingers inky by taking a look at the CPS sketch for some inspiration.
Not quite sure how I got from there:


 

to here:

 I bought this cute stamp image to use in Alyssa and Caleb's guest book since he proposed to her in the rain.  Thought I'd make a few cards before I get started on the guest book.

 This paper is one of the newest from CTMH...isn't it gorgeous???

 (inside of the card)

I have a calendar to get finished this week so hopefully I'll have a bunch more posts in the near future :)
Thanks for stopping by!
Marie with a :)

12 x 12 Calendar Pages

Had to finish up MY calendar because I'm starting on one at the request of someone else. Then it's WEDDING INVITES!  Woo hoo...LD1 and I shopped for supplies yesterday - she picked out a quick and easy pattern so they shouldn't take any time at all.

 Love, love, love this quote!  And it so true for my hubby...sometimes I think he knows me better than I know myself.

 One of my all time favorite photos of my 3 LDs

 Youngest son with 2 of his Mock Trial mentors: Judge H and Attorney N

 Love these pics of my youngest son...who is graduating this year. 

They are so adorable :)

I"ve had the "bubble" letters on the tag for about six years lol. Finally getting around to using them. 

Got to head out the door soon, but hoping to visit some blogs this week as I will be spending LOTS of time back in the craft room/Psyche Ward.

Thanks for stopping by!

Marie with a :)

The Purse Calendar :)

I guess it's been awhile since I've been in craft blogland..or checked my craft e-mail :(  I was invited to be the guest designer for the wonderful CTMH challenge blog Heart 2 Heart  for February but just checked my e-mails today. Oops : /
Although I haven't done a lot of creating lately, I will be back at it furiously in the near future. I've got wedding invitations to create for my beautiful daughter, and a scrapbook and graduation invites for my amazing son as well as many other projects.  (It has been nice having a clean craft room though, lol. )  In the meantime, here's a purse calendar that I created.  Purse calendars are my #1 favorite project...not sure why because I am notoriously wretched at actually USING a calendar. Maybe it's because I love having an "album" of my favorite people to carry around with me :) In between each set of calendar pages is a mini layout.

The tag on this page has a hidden tag underneath with a hidden photo...which was kinda fun :) 

Thanks for stopping by,

Marie with a :)