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

Ten Minute Monday

I think all I have had time for lately are 10 minute cards! I finally finished all my Christmas cards and I used this design for most of them. I just changed the color colordstock, patterned paper and embellishments. This is using PTI Kraft card stock, patterned paper form Daisy D's and the poinsettia is from Making Memories. I also used different border punches on the bottom of the patterned papers. Supplies: Stamps - Inkadinkado; Ink - Versamark; Paper - PTI, Daisy D's; Misc - white detail embossing powder, Making Memories poinsettia, Martha Stewart border punch

Ten Minute Monday (and a short story...)

First of all, here's the card. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. It just fell into place. I think I may make a bunch more to send out. Although I feel like it's cheating a bit since there is really that little that I have to do.

Supplies:

Stamps: Take a Bough (PTI)

Ink: Rhubarb Stalk

Paper: White, Red, American Crafts Christmas pack

Accessories, etc.: Quickutz Holly Jolly set

And now for the story, it is somewhat related. Ever since American Crafts introduced the paper packs back at the last CHA I have been wanted to get my hands on them. So when Michaels started showing them in the fliers I was thrilled. However I checked out my local store, they didn't have them, so I was a tad miffed. I went back a few weeks later when they were supposed to be on sale for 40%, imagine my shock when they had them in stock. So I grabbed the patterned paper as well as the assorted cardstock. I also happened to pick up a Sizzix die that day. I got to the till, it was a weekend so it was a bit of a wait. Well, the monitor at the till was busted, so I couldn't see the prices of anything. The total came to more than I expected, but I paid it anyway. On the way to the car, I checked the receipt, they were not in the system as a sale item- boo-urns. The last thing I wanted to do was go back and wait to get it fixed. So I waffled with going back later in the week...

Fast forward 2.5 hours, I go to open up my new die, it's completely the wrong one. I had picked up the flower one and it was this strange label. Ummm, no thanks. So I decided to go back right then, I might as well get it all sorted out.

I had a great clerk, she was really helpful and nice as I tried to explain my multiple problems. Well then, I pulled out the paper, it's kept in a cardboard casing by the way, and it slices into my left ring finger. You know how a papercut is annoying and mildly painful, well a cardboard cut is several times worse, you might as well use a knife. I held my finger in my hand, expecting it to stop shortly. Since my hands were abnormally warm, it was bleeding pretty badly. I asked for a kleenex, which of course they didn't have any of. The manager asks if rough paper towel is okay, she's holding up a giant roll, I say "great!". I ended up going through two lengthy sheets, but I kept it all contained. Like I said, it might as well have been a knife wound. It finally stopped some time on the drive home. It was quite ridiculous, this is just so typically me. Keep in mind this is the same week that I already had cut one other finger with aluminum foil (not the blade edge, the actually foil...), as well as receiving some other mysterious cuts on my hands. Apparently my hands just are too soft right now??

Well, anyway, I managed to get everything for the right price, I ended up getting $25 back, so I guess it was worth it. So that's my story, but hey, I've got the paper now.

FTL 22

It's time for another fall-to layout. This one works really nicely when you have a long focal image that you want to show off.

This layout also can be easily dressed up or down. I kept mine very simple. If you're going to center a column of images then you may want to go with an oval that's the size of Stampin' Up!'s smallest oval punch. I found the larger one was just too big for my version of the layout.

Supplies:

Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Faux Ribbon

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango

Paper: Hawaii Papaya DP, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, White

Accessories, etc.: Pop dots, small oval punch

If you play along leave a link in a comment or upload to SCS with the keyword FTL22. Thanks!

Making Your Own Embellishments-CAS-style

I'm all for finding ways to use the supplies I have on hand to make other embellishments. I thought it'd be fun to share a few make-it-yourself embellishments.Some products that are ideal for making your own embellishments: felt, fun foam, chipboard,plastic, and paper

To make embellishments with any of these items, all you need is a die, die-cut machine, or scissors. Run the media through your die cut machine and you're set. Or, if you are feeling like something a bit more unique, freehand a design and cut it out!

Now, to keep things clean and simple, use these embellishments as the focal points on your card. After all that work to make something cool and unique for your card, show it off!

Ten Minute Monday!

I have recently been looking for funky felt embellishments, but haven't had much luck with finding a decent variety. Also, the selection out there is a tad too pricey for my liking. So I finally picked up this cute floral die by Sizzix. I got it for 50% off. When you consider the cost of about 12.50 for the possibility of hundreds if not thousands of embellishments, you quickly realize that 'hey, that's a good deal!'. I also picked up some felt sheets at 49 cents a piece so I could get to work right away. I kept the card simple, since it's for the ten minute feature. However, just a tip for speeding things up in your creative process- when you have spare time, cut out extra die cuts, keep them in a small bag, drawer, or container where you'll have access to them when you're more restricted on time. Supplies: Stamps: Happy Days (gel-a-tins) Ink: Rich Cocoa Paper: White, Pretty in Pink, Textured Brown Accessories, etc.: Sizzix Flower Die, Felt, Pink Brad, Stitched ribbon