............."recycled" New Happy Birthday

 There was "something" about the tile card I made several weeks ago that just didn't please me.  Naturally I decided to tweak it/fix it.   Only the "tile" remains after the teardown/salvage.  This is the new design.  Using Just Rite stamps and May Arts Ribbon, some FlowerSoft gold braid, Art Institute glitter, and a bit of bling and a couple sheets of cardstock were items used.    I first stamped/embossed  the Just Rite flower image on a piece of cardstock, then cut it into 9 one inch squares.  A tiny just rite stamp was used to create a "background" around the floral image.  Glitter was applied and squares were reassembled to form the whole flower.  Adding a bit of this and that, making the ribbon rose, and voila, the card came together.

*****Fairy Dust JustRite 053

   A favorite JustRite stamp ensemble of mine is Quiet Moments and I chose bits and pieces of it to create my card.  I began by stamping and masking... stamping and masking the long branch with flowers; stamping, cutting and coloring with Copics the little girl; stamping and cutting from vellum,two sets of wings; stamping, cutting and coloring an extra bow; and making  25 little 3d flowers using Spellbinders Blossom 3 and making the border from Spellbinders Fleur De Lis Accents . Once the branches were stamped using Memento   and the flowers were colored with Copics (just in case the 3d flowers didn't cover everything) I stamped the sentiment  found in the same Quiet Moments set.  Fairy dust...hmmmm.... The dryer sheet technique worked very well.  I covered the stamped card with a used dryer sheet (spray adhesive was used to attach the dryer sheet to the card) and then liberally sprinkled Art Institute's glitter (color: Mimosa).  Excess glitter was bushed away and then I began the process of  constructing the card.  The flowers (directions below) were glued to the branches, the little girl's bow was pop dotted to her dress, the two sets of wings were put together and "ruffled" for a 3d effect and attached to the little girl's back with a tiny seed pearl . Now she is a fairy and she chose to climb up and settle on a branch to keep a watchful eye on things!
      Note: I made the flowers by using the smallest die from Blossoms 3 and cutting the flowers from white tissue paper.  I used Lumin Arts paint in various shades from light pink to dark pink to color each flower shape.  While wet, I placed it on the end of the paint brush and pinched and swirled to obtain the desired shape.  They were then set aside to dry before attaching them to the card.  Liquid Pearls was applied to the border punch to add a sheen to that element of the card.
   It is finished and I hope viewing this card will provide you a Quiet Moment and give you a time of reflection for all that is beautiful in your life.

********Kalidescope of Spring Color JustRite 052

More than a card!  I was inspired with the colors of JustRite's 052 challenge (buttercup yellow, soft apricot, spring green, violet blue with a splash of brown) to create this card/gift.  Headbands for babies with big flowers are very poular these days and I love card making.  So, I made this presenation card to surprise my daughter/grandaughter.  She can wear the headband and the card goes in her scrapbook.  To make the card I first created the paper by blending yellow, apricot, green and violet blue watercolors on a piece of white watercolor paper.  When the paper was dry, I stamped/masked/stamped the background design using JustRite's Kalidescope rubber stamp.  The headband was made with a piece of  peach elastic lace and a two-tone yellow/dark peach silk flower.  A Spellbinders Label 20 was cut from violet blue  cardstock, which was then covered  with Sakura Crystal Lacqer and lightly sprinkled with with Art Institute crystal glitter.  A smaller Labels 20 was then cut from a light yellow paper,  I sponged a bit of light blue ink (Stampin Up) and using JustRite's Special Occassions 50 point font to create the sentiment. (and isn't she a pretty baby!) .  The finishing touches - brown chipboard flourish, peach dew drops, and two tiny violet blue pearls were used as accents.  Then, as soon as it was made, I gave the card to my daughter and grandaughter was happy to model her new wardrobe acquisition.  How fun! 

*********************RAK JustRite 051

 

Before my week turned topsy turvey (please say a prayer for my gravely ill grandaughter who has been in ICU for a week) I thought of all the kindnesses received from friends and family.  Besides making cards, I enjoy creating a floral landscape in my front yard.  A neighbor often provides me cuttings from her garden.  With this Just Rite challenge - an act of kindness/thank you I thought to create a "May Basket" to leave on her door.  I created the basket using a double folded flower cutout that I surrounded with an eyelet ruffle. I covered the base with a floral patterened paper and outlined it with a bit of May Arts gold cord.  A dull red scalloped circle was placed in the center and (look closely) embellished with "stitching".  I used blue Imaginisce and Prima flowers and 2 blue rhinestone swirls to create my garden.  Tucked into my basket is a packet of Morning Glory seeds (we enjoy sharing a cup of coffee in the morning sometimes) and a card  which thanks her for her friendship.  The card uses May Arts ribbon, Dew Drops, paper rose, and Just Rite stamps (than you and flower on patterned paper).  A hanging tag complete this RAK using Just Rite stamps (border and sentiment), Tim Holtz acyrlic tag, Copic Markers and May Arts ribbon.

 For this project, I used Just Rite Stamps from:  You Inspire Me and Plant a Little Love Set.

 May you also reap the harvest from seeds of kindness!...

************Flowers Sparkle

                                                                                                                 I love satin and glitter; lace and sparkle!  Spring flowers and gardens.  Just Rite and Joan's Garden -challenges mixed with the MoJoMonday design layout inspired this card.  One of my favorite techniques is image stamping on a piece of acetate, then painting the design with glitter and that is how I began using a Just Rite's Plant a Little Love Set stamp.  Using Spellbinders circles and scallop circles I layered the flower.  Note the border design on the light pink paper was made using the tiny little stamp from Just Rite's You Inspire Me.  Doesn't it make a perfect frame for the glittered flower!  If you look closely a tiny seed pearl accents the space in the border stamp area.  The accents on the pink scallop and the defining lines for the paper placement were made using (oh my gosh did I really do that?!) by cutting up a lacey headband that "was" supposed to be given to my grandaughter (my bad!).  The pink flower and the pink "paper" layer were created by crocheting a length of May Arts satin ribbon.  A flourish of crystals and oh, did I mention the beautiful paper from K and Company.      A personally created card deserves a personally created envelope, and with a beautifully embossed piece of wallpaper, a couple of coordinating embellishments (I'm loving making ribbon roses these days!) .........  Welcome Spring!                                                                                                                               

*******************Big Red Bow

 I just love working with MayArts Silk ribbon and when I saw The Shabby Tea Room 051 color challenge (red, white, black with a hint of chartreuse  Classic Elegance) I envisioned big bow and pearls.  JustRite's challenge 050 this time is birthday or spring.  SoooooooI wondered if I could create a card to combine the two.  Starting with layers of white and black cardstock, I then embossed a top white layer.   I made a pearl accent to put in the center of the large red bow using a "ribbon slide".  Using JustRite's Happy Birthday to You (I masked off the 'to you' part) from the 10 Designer Centers and Borders collection; I stamped it on a white oval paper that I'd edged with black ink.  Now how did the Happy Birthday get shiny?  After stamping it with red, I rewrote the words with a thin line of white, dries clear glue!  I lastly edged some paper flowers with black and dropped a seed pearl in the center.   With a matching envelope...if it is your birthday...this card is for you!

Red and Black Gatefold***************JR#049

   

Recently  I saw a gatefold card that caught my eye (http://www.notimetostamp.blogs.splitcoastampers.com/ )and wanted to make one.   I thought it would work well for this weeks JustRite 049  Direct to Rubber technique challenge.  And then I "discovered" http://www.cuttlebugspot.blogspot.com/  had  a  gatefold card challenge this week too.

SUPPLIES:

Stamps:  from Just Rite's You Inspire Me and Just a Note sets

Spellbinders: Octogons and Tags

Flowers: Bazzill Bling Blossoms

Ribbon: May Arts

Other: Swarovski Crystals, Brads, and Luna Lights Paint and shiny red paper from Rubber Necker, Decorative Scissors, Memento Ink, Tombow Markers, and paper (unknown) from my stash, and of course tape and glue.

    The direct to rubber technique was fun to try.  Each stamp was hand colored using markers, memento dew drops, or in the case of the silver butterflies (on the bookmark/tag) my little finger!  A bookmark/tag seemed to be an appropriate "gift" to tuck in the pocket and I added a blank Spellbinder tag so the giver could easily sign the card.  I admit, this card too awhile to make, but the day was kind of gloomy; damp and cool so what could be more fun that creating a card? 

****************JustRite048 Lighthouse Sketch

Using the lighthouse image from Just Rite's By The Sea collection, coupled with the sentiment from their Wedding Nested Sentiments and Verse  I set about to create the Just Rite 048 Sketch Challenge.  Looking through m cardstock stash, I found paper that reminded me of  blue-green ocean water and I decided to do a tone on tone card.  The focal background paper is actually a photograph of water I happened to have.The lighthouse and rope border was stamped  using StazOn Teal Blue and hand cut out of the lighter blue cardstock.  I then covered it thickly with Crystal Effects. ( A magnet on the back and I  have a  a refrigerator magnet...but that is another crafting session!)

To continue with cardmaking... I used a cuttlebug folder to create the "waves" on the light blue cardstock behind the lighthouse,  MayArts ribbon was gathered and adhered to the back of the lighthouse oval.  The sentiment was trimmed by hand cuts and mounted on a stitched Spellbinders oval cut.  The rope border from the By the Sea set was stamped, coated with Crystal Effects and placed around the sentiment.
Sheer light blue and ocean blue ribbon from May Arts was twisted and affixed to the card.  Tiny seashells were then used to further enhance the feel off the sea.   A little bit of Stickles was used to enhance the beacon of light.  Now the card is ready to be given to the "Light of my Life".

***************JustRite046 & ScorPal Fan

 The Just Rite Friday Challenge started off the New Year of challenges with a a thought provoking one!  Sponsored by Scor-Pal ...use scoring (not just folding the card) in a project featuring Just Rite stamps.
 Just when it is bitterly cold and the country is covered in snow, I want to think of warmer weather and sipping a minty drink while lazily waving a fan to and fro.....dreaming lol!

   Starting with a sturdy piece of Vellum I used  Just Rite's Small Oval Wood Stamper with Font. to randomly stamp and wet emboss with white embossing powder.  Once heat set, I colored each image using Prisma colored pencils.  After each flower pattern was colored I reversed the sheet and dry embossed the large purple flower to give the paper some dimension.  Next I called the Scor-Pal into action and scored the vellum on each inch marking.  Then I flipped the paper and scored on each 1/2" marking.  Next came the process of folding "mountains and valleys" using the bone folder to set the creases.  A "million" seed pearls were glued randomly among the floral images and white/crystal stickles was used to highlight the top edge and each 'mountain and valley'.  The bottom was gathered and tied with a lavender silk ribbon  and double bow (May Arts).  I added a few ribbon roses and strings of pearls to complete the fan.

   

The tag was created by cutting a tag shape from a piece of backing that came from something I bought (I seem to keep all sorts of things that "I might use someday" lol!)  Look closely and you can see where Scor-Pal was used again to accent the scripted lines on the tag.  Now, the next part...Cherish is from Just Rite's 10 Designer Centers and Borders.  I white embossed and cut it to fit the square dimensional block I adhered to the tag.  Now look very hard. (and think) I took a 2 inch square piece of heavy paper. Using Scor-Pal I scored it both vertically and horizontally then turned and scored each diagonal.  Then each corner was foled into the center.  And then the tip of the corner was pulled back leaving about a quarter of an inch border.  This created a hollow center that I "popped" the Cherish piece of paper on.  The corners of the square I enhanced with Liquid Pearls then added pearls and ribbon roses.  I attached the tag to the fan using a loop of strung pearls.

I hope you enjoy and can think about warmer weather too while imagining yourself using a fan like this one.

********************Plaid MoJo168

Plaid and green silk ribbon from May Arts, Just Rite stamps from Christmas Ornamanets and Whimsical Christmas Set, Art Institute glitter, Swarovski crystals, plaid paper, gold cardstock, and distressed pink paper combined to create this card.  The ornament was stamped on acetate with Stazon ink.  Glitter was applied, then the ornament was cut out and mounted on the distressed pink paper. Ready, set, Mail!

*********************Merry and Bright...

Plaid reindeer and a swirl cut with Spellbinders on Graphic 45 paper coordinated perfectly with the reverse  side of the Graphic 45 Christmas paper.  A perfect bow made with May Arts silk ribbon makes a wonderful background for the gold cardstock cut out with a Spellbinders Label and stamped with Just Rite's Merry and Bright from the Christmas Nested Sentiments collection.  With a sprinkle of faux pearls (swirl), genuine Swarovski crystals (reindeer noses and label), and Stickles gold (antlers) this festive Christmas Card is ready to share.

***********Celebrating a New Life

Celebrate Good Times was the Just Rite 045 Challenge.  Perfect!  During this Thanksgiving season our family celebrated the birth of our daughter's first baby.  Isnt' she adorable? lol! So tiny, so precious, so easy to love. Now to make a card to announce her arrival...and voila...there is the perfect stamp from Just Rite's Celebrations Demi Phrases Set "Announcing the arrival of".  Paper from K and Company, seed pearls, Spellbinders Dies, May Arts ribbon, DewDrops, and a length of ribbon yarn all combined to create a card of celebration for our bundle of joy. 



*******Thankful Just Rite

Colors for FW044 Just Rite challenge are Gold, Rust, and Navy.  I was surfing the web and found a website that has a gazillion (well maybe not that many, but a lot!) of vintage photo's to download.  Check out http://www.vintageholidaycrafts.com/ and you can find the picture that I used to create the paper for my card.  The oval phrase Be Thankful for Little Things from Just Rite's Autumn Blessings worked well to create a frame for a focal image on the paper.  Stamped, embossed with gold on Navy paper, then cut out with a Spellbinders die.  Perfect yes?   Add an elegant May Arts Silk Ribbon bow and a card that gobbles Thanksgiving is done.

******A Gift Bag of Navy, Gold, and Rust

                                                                            




RUST       GOLD        NAVY 

I wanted a small gift bag to hold a little hostess gift.  Just in time...Just Rite issues challenge 044 which is to use colors of Navy, Rust  & Gold. I had a white "put it together yourself" treat bag/box that I thought would serve my purpose. 

A rusty color of Luna Lights paint was sponged inside and out of the bag.    While that was drying, I embossed the flower and frame from Just Rite's Autumn Blessings on navy cardstock in gold.  Loving a bit of glitz, I "colored" the bouquet with Art Institute glitters of blue, gold, and a coppery rust.  Do your notice the cheat?  A little  touch of green  was added to the leaves. And yes, it took a bit of time to color each petal separately!  Next, I went to my overflowing cupboard of wrapping paper to find a bit of dark blue tissue paper.  Naturally all I had was white, so I took the flower and stamped it all over the tissue.  A bit of gold glitter was added to the flower centers just because.  The last step was to embellish the bag a bit, put it all together and take a couple of pictures. 

******************Words of Comfort

The Just Rite Challenge for week 043 was to show support either through a sympathy card or one with a friendship theme.  From the time I purchased Just Rite's Thinking of You set, I was drawn to the image I chose for this card.  Through Him we are sustained in our times of trouble.  So, a card to share my belief to a friend going through a difficult time was thus created.  In addition to the Just Rite stamp, I used a McGill punch to create the intricate design on the background cardstock.  Spellbinders  neste squares were used create the frame around each punch and  a black pearl was placed in the center.  A special friemd shared a piece of webbing that I used behind the black silk ribbon.  It is my hope this card will provide some small measure of comfort.

***********Give Thanks JustRite Sketch 042

Today is a day to to Give Thanks for a beautiful fall day.  So, I decided to use Just Rite Stamps from the Auturm Blessings Borders and Centers for this challenge.   First I took the sketch, turned it on its side, and flipped it to get a "mirror image sketch".  (why I don't know, I just did!)  Starting with a blank cardstock base and using stamps from Just Rite's Autumn Blessings Borders and Centers, Ribbon, Lace, Pearls, Fabric flowers, Stickles, Spellbinder dies, and bits of paper this card evolved.  I first covered the card with wide ribbon (pumpkin background).  May Arts Silk Ribbon and Lace provided the vertical lines and also the background upon which "Give Thanks" was stamped. Individual pearls were glued to the lace and the Give Thanks square was double mounted on coordinating paper.  5 Prima flowers with Stickles centers were arched on/above the square.  Pumpkins were gold embossed, colored with Copic markers, cut out and mounted on paper circle and then on a  Prima flower from the Crown Jewels collection.   Finally I worked to place both the square and circle in an appropriately pleasing position (slightly modified from the sketch)

**********************A Recipe to De-Light You

This week -041  JustRite challenge this week is to welcome the holidays with a favorite family recipe.  Oh my, so many yummy things to eat!  But, as I thought and thought of which recipe to choose,  I realized that some of my most favorite "recipes" are not for edible items, but for things that embrace the spirit of the holidays.  So, I added my own personal twist to this week's contest to include a family recipe that was handed down from Grandmother, to Mother, to Daughter.  This whipped candle recipe has been used to provide table centerpieces for Thanksgiving, and provide provide teacher and hostess gifts throughtout the holiday season.  This candle is decorated with Imaginisce flowers and pearls. I made a gift card using Just Rite Christmas Stamp Ensemble, May Arts Ribbon, Cuttlebug embossing folder, and Spellbinders dies.  Packaged in a decorated box that  includes the Recipe for making the candle the gift is ready to give.  Look closely, the recipe card is decorated with Stickles and Robins Nest Dew Drop. 
 The wonderful thing about this recipe, is that it keeps providing joy for several years!

Whipped Candle

Candle Wax (I use blocks of paraffin)
Candle Wicking – about 3 inches longer than carton height
1 quart empty, cleaned waxed milk/cream carton (or similar) top cut off
2 lb. empty, cleaned coffee can (or similar)
Pencil (or similar)
“Old” electric mixer
Spoon
Glitter
Misc. embellishments

PerparationPoke tiny hole in bottom of carton. Thread wicking through hole to a 1 inch length. Tape it down. Roll other end of wick around pencil and lay it across open end of carton.

Candle
Place wax in coffee can set in a pan with a few inches of water. Melt wax at low heat, making sure there continues to be water in the pan. Pour a tiny amount of melted wax into the carton – enough to seal the hold around the wick. When that wax has cooled, pour melted wax into carton until carton is about 2/3 full. Let set until hard (overnight). Remove waxed carton and place candle on a prepared work surface. (newspaper, oilcloth, etc). The next step is messy!

Candle Covering
Add more wax to coffee can and melt. Let cool slightly. Take electric mixer and beat wax. (when wax has cooled sufficiently it will form a frothy foam). With spoon “slop” the frothed wax on the candle. While it is still warm, sprinkle the candle with chosen color(s) of glitter. Other embellishments can be added later with pins or glue.

Light the candle and enjoy the flickering glow. Use normal safety precautions.

Colors of Fall Kaleidoscope Just Rite 040

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

 The colorsof Fall are beginning to show as the warmer temperatures of summer are becomming a distant memory.  Swirling together the different colors of leaves provide a moving kaleidoscope of colors.   And so, I began to think of creating a Colors of Fall card.   A stamp from Just Rite's Kaleidoscope Set was stamped (Stazon Ink) on a piece of heavyweight acetate.  It was cut using a Spellbinders circle.  A larger background was cut using a larger Spellbinders Scallop Circle.  I used all the Copic marker "fall" colors I have and covered the  background piece with a myriad of pinpoints of color.  I punched a small hole in the center of the acetate and background and put them together with a brown brad to create a movable "kaleidoscope of color".  Next, I found a paper from Webster Pages that reminded me of a waning summer.  Flower Soft enhanced a printed tree to remind of  fall colors.  Next was adding the Beauty of Fall (perfect stamp for this card!) from Just Rite's Nature Nested Sentiments and Verse.  I used a Spellbinder tag to punch out an oblong in the card front.  The same tag was used to create the frame around the space.  The sentiment was stamped on a coordinating piece of the Webster paper and mounted (pop dots) behind the opening.  Layered on brown then cream cardstock, the font of the card was done and it was time to use my Dad's sentiment on the inside.  I found a maple leaf pattern on website http://www.kids.creativity-portal.com/  and used it as the background piece.  The title Colors of Fall was stamped using Just Rite's Special Occasions 15 and 50 pt sets.  To "tired" stamp the entire sentiment, I turned to my computer to finish:  "Notice the leaf colors.........................Now you know Fall is here."  Colored leaf punch outs (EK Success punch) were used instead of  words (red, orange, yellow, gold, brown, and burgundy).  I next created a mask to block out the big leaf and spritzed the rest of the page with Tattered Angel's Burnt Red Glimmer Mist.  My card is done; time to turn the kaleidoscope and watch the swirling colors of fall.  May fall's vibrant colors inspire you!

Thank You JustRite 039

Giving thanks that just I happened to have JustRite's Just A Note Stamp Set so had a "Thank You" stamp and thought I'd challenge myself to using a MoJo Monday layout.  There are so many times we have a should say "Thank You", and what better way to express a heartfelt thanks than to send a  hand stamped card.  Coordinating paper (from somewhere!), a few glass beads, a couple of Spellbinder's circles,  a luscious ribbon from MayArts, and a hand crocheted backdrop for the stamped Thank You were combined to create this card.  Simplicity...Thankyou for looking!