Something New! Make it Mail-able Monday!

So I am going to try out a new thing here on the blog--each Monday I will post a Make It Mail-able Monday card for!  Each card will be fairly simple and will not have a lot of embellishments on it so that it can be mailed with a regular stamp and no added padding or anything.  I will also give you a quick mini tutorial with cut sizes and any details you may need to create the card.  I hope that you will enjoy this new idea--leave me any feedback you have--good or bad.  I appreciate it all!

So here we go--we are going to begin with a great birthday card the was created for the CAS(E) this sketch #205 challenge for is week......

I honestly was not sure I liked the sketch when I first saw it but I really love the card.  I think it is so classy looking with the black and red theme.  I used the new stamp set Beautiful You from the Occasions Mini along with the paper pack Sending Love--all supplies can be purchased at the end of the post if you are at all interested! 

• The base of the card is Basic Black Cardstock the is 8 1/2" by 5 1/2" that is folded in half to create card base.
• The next layer from the bottom up is a 5 1/4" by 4" piece of Basic Gray Cardstock.  I used Memento Black Ink to stamp the in style sentiment across the bottom and along the right-hand side as shown in the picture above. 
• The next layer up is Basic Black cardstock cut to 4 3/4" by 3  1/2". This layer is aligned even with the top left corner of the Basic Gray card stock below it.  You only want the Basic Gray to show on the bottom and right side.  
• Next is a layer of Designer Series Paper from the Sending Love paper pack.  The paper is cut to 4 1/4" by 3".  This layer is aligned with the top right corner of the Basic Black layer below it--allowing only the bottom and right side of the black layer to show.
• Next, you will need a piece of Whisper White Cardstock that is cut to 3" by 2" .  I used a black marker to edge this layer.  I do this a lot to add depth without adding bulk or weight.  Now stamp the woman that is facing forward onto this element using Memento Black Ink.  Color in the face and hands with the new watercolor pencils and a blender pen.  The dress is filled in by using the paper piecing technique.  This has long been a favorite of mine and these beautiful ladies are perfect for it.  I found another piece of designer paper from the same pack--the red with little red hearts--and stamped the woman on it in black ink.  Next, I cut out just the dress from the newly stamped image--the trick is to cut right on or just inside of the lines so that when you glue it to the image on your focal element it looks like it is a perfect fit!  I chose to do the hat in the designer paper that was used in the previous layer of the card.  After you glue your cut out designer paper to the original image you will attach this entire element to the front of your card about 1/4" from the bottom right corner of the designer paper layer--see image above.  
• Finally, stamp the sentiment celebrate on a small piece of Whisper White Cardstock that is 2" by 1/4".  Use your scissors to trim both ends into a banner type cut.  I used the marker again to add a slight black edge on this to make it pop a bit.  I attached it with dimensionsals.  That is it!  Quick--Easy--Mailable card.  

Here is the inside of the card....

The inside is Whisper White Cardstock that is 4 1/4" by 3 1/4".  I used a black marker to edge it then stamped the larger of the two scribbles in Real Red ink that has been stamped off one time on scrap paper then without re-inking I stamped it on the Whisper White.  I stamped the Happy birthday sentiment in black ink over the top of it.  Next this is layered onto a 4 1/2" by 3 1/2" piece of Basic Gray.  This entire element is attached inside of the card to finish it off.

Here is the actual sketch from the challenge....

And the supplies used: 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Don't forget to check out my most recent tutorial using the Hey, chick stamp set HERE.

Peace on Earth--would that not be the MOST incredible thing EVER!?

A still have a few more Christmas designs to share before moving on to other stuff.  Here is one I designed for the Case this Sketch challenge #202.  These are usually the type of cards that are hard for me--not too many layers or items but the ombre color scheme was fun to play with.  Pluss I got a Bermuda Bay Ombre Stamp pad from my friend and upline Janet Morrow Wakeland so I had to try it out finally!  Love it with the Wonder of Christmas Set.

Are you ready for the Christmas yet---I am so close but not quite done.  So I best get going and get some more stuff done.  Thanks for stopping by--the supplies used for this card are below.

Christmas Blessings

I absolutely love the font on this sentiment--and the sentiment too.  It is from the Christmas Pines Stamp Set!  Love it--and it has coordinating thinlits too!  Together it is so easy to make quick and beautiful Christmas cards--after Christmas this set will be great for masculine birthdays.  Can't wait to make on to see how it comes out--maybe later today.

here is the inside of the card...

I used the sketch from Create with Connie and Mary for my inspiration--here is the sketch--CCMC437

Fun sketch--been a long time since I stamped with my friends from there!  Happy to be back at it.

Thanks for stopping by again today!

Mary Jo

Here are the supplies for today's card....

Wonder of Christmas--Joy to the World

So I finally got a bit of my stuff set up--at least the new stuff!  I know that it is a little bit late but I finally got a few Christmas cards made!  I am so excited to start sharing with you guys again.  Today's card is using the stamp set Wonder of Christmas, I love this sweet angel!  I used colored pencils and blender pens to color her!  It has been so long since I did this I forgot how fun coloring is.

I used a new to me sketch challenge for this and all the cards I made tonight.  The sketch number 26 of the Paper Play Sketches.  Here is the sketch for you to check out.

You might have to enlarge my card to see the rhinestone embellishments that are on the top right and lower left.  I thought this was a really cute sketch and it was perfect for this set!  Here is the inside of my card....

It felt so good to create today--I hope you enjoyed the design.

See you soon with more Christmas cards!
Mary Jo

Here are the supplies I used....

Paper Craft Crew Sketch Challenge 203

So I found a new to me challenge--which I will need since I will not be doing my own challenges again--at least not for a while.  It is hard enough to just get back up and running

BTW--I am looking for challenges to play along with--what are your favorites??  

Leave me a comment so I can check them out.

I still need to get 90% of my supplies from my old home.  Who knows when that will happen.  So in the mean time thank goodness for NEW SUPPLIES!  I am creating cards for my first class of my new demonstratorship which of course will have to use the new Thoughtful Branches stamp set since it is only available for a limited time.  It is amazing anyway so I am glad to play with it first.  So with all of that being said here is my card for the challenge......

I so love trees and nature!  It truly makes me feel relaxed to just sit and look at them.  Hence my reason for using them on this card--this could be a sympathy card or just for someone who is going through some hard times.  Here is the inside of the card.....

And of course I need to show you the sketch challenge too....

I don't have very many--or should I say I only have two embellishments available to me at the moment--rhinestones and Linen Thread--so I had to be a bit creative with them!  Why not come over and play along--it is a fun sketch! 

Supplies used:


 

Two in One--be sure to see both cards!

I have two challenges to share with you today--I did not combine them, rather I have two cards to share. So be sure to scroll down to see them both.

The first one is for the LNS challenge for this week--to use heat embossing on your card. I chose to embossed the beautiful flowers from the Secret Garden Set and then water color with re-inkers. 

Details can be found at end of post.

The second one is for the Splitcoaststampers sketch challenge for today...

I really think I need to be done with Valentine/Love cards as I really NEVER send them--hmmmm, what do you think that says about me??? 

Details about the cards:
Card 1--
Stamps: Secret Garden, God's Blessings
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Summer Starfruit,, Whisper White, Sycamore Street DP
Ink: Basic Black, Versa Mark
Other: black embossing powder, re-inkers, paint brush, thin black ribbon, framelits. pearls

Card 2:
Stamps: Hearts a Flutter, Itty Bitty Banners
Paper: Real Red, Pool Party, Primrose Petals, More Amore Specialty DP
Ink: Real Red, Basic Black
Other: small and large rhinestones, markers, small heart punch, thin black ribbon, framelits

Hope you have a wonderful HUMP day!
Mary Jo

Happy Hour!

I am back to playing with the Clockworks set.  This time I combined it with the Happy Hour set for this cute card.  The card is created for two challenges--LNS color challenge and the SCS sketch challenge!

The card is a 4 1/4 inch square so it still fits in a regular envelope.
Stamps: Clockworks, Happy Hour

Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Pink Pirouette, Lucky Limeade, International Bazaar DP

Ink: Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry Pink Pirouette

Other: Pearls, markers circle punches

Did you check out my newest tutorials yet?

Boxed Set of Cards using the Patterned Occasions Stamp Set

Included are some really fun layouts--all cutting measurements--lots of pictures

 and step by step directions!

As always you get this all for only $2.50.

The booklet has six pages and four pockets to hold the eight coupons.

Step by Step directions--lots of pictures--can be used again and again.

Automatically delivered to your e-mail after payment.
Full color step by step directions to create the booklet, card and treat holder.
Printable coupon sheet.

All for only $2.50

Believe me you are going to love this!  So easy and fun--and don't forget once you have the template you can use it again and again!  Just change out the papers and colors and it will be entirely different!

You can get this tutorial NOW for only $2.50! 

One Sheet Wonder 2013

More on my sidebar!

Playing with the Paper Players

I  am not sure if I have ever played along with this challenge or not. I know I always mean to but then I forget.  This week is a clean and simple sketch challenge.  Just what I need for a masculine card and I am forcing myself to use a stamp set I bought way too long ago to admit to--when the new catalog first came out.  (this is my first time using it) so what better way to get acquainted with the set than with a clean and simple sketch?! 

Here is the sketch...you can see the original challenge post on their page by clicking on the sketch below.

I am not really sure I like the card I created--feels like it needs something but I was really trying to keep it SIMPLE.

Stamps:  Clockworks, Vintage Verses (SAB 2013)
Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
Other: sponges, brad

Hope you had a great weekend!  Glad to have an extra day with my son since tomorrow is a holiday--we are going rock climbing!  Always a good time. 

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Mary Jo

Couple of challenges

I have so many cards that I have not shared on here yet. But I need to post these two today so that I can link them up with the challenges they go for. Do you ever do that. Participate in a challenge and then by the time you post the card you missed the challenge?! I do it all the time. So here are two I am trying not to miss this time. The first is the Create with Connie and Mary sketch...

 This is the first time I am using this dove--I just love it.  So pretty.
Stamps:  Comfort and Joy
Paper: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Basic Black
Other: ribbon, snow burst embossing folder

Next up is the 411 sketch for this week...

Stamps: The sounding Joy, Scenic Season
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black, Crumb Cake
Ink: Basic Black, Crumb Cake
Other: ribbon, brad, embossing folder, markers, nestability die

Both of these cards also fit the Latenightstamper's challenge to make Christmas cards with non-traditional colors.

Happy Today!
Mary Jo

Playing with my friends Connie and Mary

I have been so busy with regular life stuff lately that I have not been doing anywhere near the amount of challenges I used to.  So I am always glad to play along with my friends when I can. And of course it is a sketch challenge which is my favorite!

Create with Connie and Mary

Isn't this a fun sketch?!  I have been trying to stick with standard size cards lately since I am making them for customers who don't want to pay the extra postage for square or over bulky cards so that of course adds to the challenge.  Here is my sample....

I think it is one of the first times I have used this beautiful bird and actually liked the way it turned out.  Not sure what I usually don't like about it--may have to look back and see.  But I am happy with this one.  And no extra postage!

Stamps:  Elements of Style
Paper: Island Indigo, Pool Party, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Ink: Island Indigo, Pool Party, Chocolate Chip
Other: Lace Ribbon Border punch, chocolate chip marker, silver brad, ribbon.

Happy today!
Mary Jo

Splitcoaststamper's challenges!

I Wow, it has been months and months since I have been on this site.  But decided to head over today and try the sketch challenge--since I have not played in so long I decided to combine it will the color challenge from yesterday.  Here is the sketch....

And the colors from the color challenge were--Concord Crush, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla.  Here is my card for the combined challenges.

Stamps: Strenght and Hope
Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Lap of Luxury DP
Ink: Crumb Cake, Concord Crush
Accessories: pearls, markers, ribbon

I am hoping I don't forget to post the linky party tomorrow.  Did anyone even notice I missed last week again, lol!?

Mary Jo

Staring Father--It's that time of year again.

Both of these cards are using the same papers and the same stamps but they really look different don't you think?  I am trying to used retired and retiring stuff I have soooooo much.  And with Father's Day this close I thought I might as well focus on that. 

This first card is using the 411 sketch for today

Stamps: Staring You, Teeny Tiny Wishes and a SUINK stamp set for the Dad's Rule
Paper: Barely Banana, Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Blue Bayou
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Other: circle punch, scallop circle punch, scallop edge punch, marker

This second one is a super simple one but I think it is perfect for a Father--just their style, not too much "stuff"

Stamps: Staring You, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Barely Banana, Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Blue Bayou
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Other: circle punches, embossing folder, color spritzer

Hope you have a wonderful day! 
Mary Jo

21 brads on one card!

This card just kind of took off on me, lol.  I seen this neat sketch on articticavenger and wanted to try it out.  As soon as I seen it I thought about making a fence but then I didn't want to cover it with the square and it just got out of control, I had to change the orientation of the sketch to fit the fence and so on and so on.  I do like how it turned out though, I think my mom will like it too.  It is also my last card for the Mother's Day Challenge on Latenightstampers!  Here is the sketch and my card.

Stamps:  Vintage Vogue, Well Scripted
Paper: Cameo Coral, Ruby Red, Whisper White, Kraft, So Saffron
Ink: Cameo Coral, Ruby Red, Old Olive
Other: brads (lots of them!) word window punch, wide oval punch, ribbons, sponges, retired rub ons  

Hope you are having a fabulous weekend!  The kids go back to school on Monday so it will be back to reality around here!  I can't wait till summer!

Mary Jo

New to me sketch challenge!

I found a new sketch challenge site.  Unscripted Sketches  -- I have last week's sketch though, silly me.  I am sharing it with you anyway. I had fun with it.

There are so many robins in our yard this year so I thought I would make one out of this bird.  I love the soft colors of this card. 

Stamps: Friends 24-7
Paper: Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Sweet Pea DP
Ink: Basic Black
Other: rub ons, markers, ribbon, bow easy, scallop trim border punch

I will be back later with the new ED challenge.  Easy and Demonstratable cards.

Thanks for stopping by.
Mary Jo

Having fun in the Lounge--

It has been a while since I played with my Craft Lounge stamps.  I only own three sets but I really do love them.  I was surfing for a new sketch challenge last night and seen this one so thought it would be fun to pull these stamps out and play.

I actually pulled out two different sets and made two cards for the challenge.

One of my favorite things about using non-Stampin Up stamps is that I can use up some of these retired papers and and non-Stampin Up embellishments.  Hate to see them sit there all lonely! 

Stamps: Our Craft Lounge
Paper: Stampin Up!

A couple more done!

Moving right along I got a few more challenges done today!  The first is last week's color challenge on Stampin Connection--Pale Plum, Rich Razzleberry, Bordering Blue.  I combined the color  chalelnge with Shelli's Spring challenge.  And the second is today's sketch challenge on SCS.  Little by little, lol!

Stamps: Flight of the Butterlfy, BaroqueMotifs
Paper: Pale Plum Bordering Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Bordering Blue, Pale Plum, Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black
Other: markers, butterfly punch

This next card is a rustic looking birthday.  I haven't been over on the SCS challenges for a while and wouldn't you know the first one back is a tough one.  This is one of those cards that I think I am sooo close to liking by not really sure I am there yet, lol!  Ever have one of those?

 

Stamps: Wanted, On Your Birthday

Paper: Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Very Vanilla

Ink: Soft Suede, Dusty Durango

Other: brads, distressing tool, rub ons, sponges

Thanks for stopping by--I may even go make a couple more cards today!  Yippee.  I do have to get something ready for tonight's pot luck dinner at church before the Ash Wednesday Service  but I think I will still have time.

Mary Jo

Wonderful Wednesday!

I can't believe I am sick!  I am sick of being sick.  I think I used a whole box of tissues since I went to bed last night.  Probably from standing in water stamping--instead of cleaning up the silly flood.  But hey, everyone needs a break ever now and then, right?  I did a little combining of challenges againg this morning.  Imagine that!

The all new Wednesday Color challenge on Stampin Connection

SCCOLOR1

Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede.

The Latenight Stampers weekly challenge

LNS55

All things Vintage (I seem to be more shabby chic?)

and finally the sketch challenge on SCS

SC265

Stamps: Baroque Motifs

Paper: Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla

Ink: Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede

Accessories: ribbon, scallop border punch, circle punches, distressing tool. pearls, sponges

Hope you have a happy day.

My sister is coming in from Texas today!  Hope she was praying for snow cuz we sure have it!

Mary Jo

More challenges!

This first card is for the sketch challenge on SCS this week. It was a fun sketch. I am sending this to a friend and her family as they struggle with cancer.

Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers, Itty Bitty Backgrounds

Paper: Basic Grey, Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Whisper White,Razzleberry Lemonade dp

Ink: Going Grey, Melon Mambo, Basic Black

Accessories: embossing folder, brads

This next one is the the SUDSOL case a Stampin Success Challenge. They pick a different card each week to case. Fun challenge, come on and play along.

Stamps: Serene Snowflakes, Many Merry Messages

Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Lovely Lilac, Whisper White

Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Lovely Lilac

Accessories: circle punch, glitter, rhinestone brad

Have a ton to do today so I am off. Happy Friday!!!!!
Mary Jo