Mod Squad Challenge - Special Fold Card

The Mod Squad challenge this week is to create a card with a special fold.  A bit outside of my comfort zone, but I guess that is what challenges are about!

Here is mine:

Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, Clearly Defined heat embossed sentiment, Sizzix Creatopia heart die.  Not perfect, but I learned a lot.  Thinking it needs some bling...  Be sure to check out the Words 2 Scrap By January challenge!!!

OWH Sketch Challenge 245

This week's sketch and my version:

Cuttlebug embossing folder, Fiskars sentiment, Spellbinder dies, DCWV Posies silver polka dot paper, silver stash ribbon.  

I wonder what Sybrina has cooked up for us for the January Words 2 Scrap By challenge?!? 

Shopping Our Stash #181 - Red Alert

This week's challenge at Shopping Our Stash is Red Alert, we should use red as the primary color on the project.

I am trying to make some love cards for Operation Write Home before the December 31 deadline.  I will add this to the stash.

We R Memory Keepers washi tape (thanks, Diana!!) with scoring on both sides of the tape, white panel mounted on a red card base, Our Daily Bread Designs sentiment.

There are still a few more days to play along with our December challenge at Words2ScrapBy.blogspot.com - Eat, Drink, and Be Merry!!!!

Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge #22 - Have a nice Trip

I stumbled on a new (to me) challenge blog - Craft Hoarders Anonymous.  Since so many people travel for the holidays, their challenge is to celebrate adventures with a travel-themed project.

Operation Write Home always needs masculine cards, so I thought I would make a few of these.  There are still a few days left to play the Words 2 Scrap By December Challenge - Eat, Drink, and Be Merry.  Join the party!  Sentiment from All Night Media, Spellbinder and Sizzix dies, striped background, twine, and other supplies from my wonderful Marti stash. 

OWH Sketch Challenge #244

We have a new sketch hostess!!!   I will miss Marlene's fun posts, and am so excited for Sybrina, our new hostess!  She has some big shoes to fill, but I am sure she will do a great job.  Sybrina is my dear friend and cohort in our Words2ScrapBy.blogspot.com challenge blog.  

This week's sketch and my version:

Our Daily Bread Designs challenge this month is to make a card with primary colors.  I think this one qualifies!  I used a mish mash of products.  Patterned paper from Bazzil, die cut from Provocraft, sentiment from Our Baily Bread Designs.  Red card base, button and floss from my incredible Marti stash.  Trying to make a few love cards to send to OWH before the end of the year. 
 
Don't forget to play along with our Words2ScrapBy.blogspot.com December Challenge - Eat, Drink, and Be Merry!!!

Shopping Our Stash #180: Favorite Technique

This week's challenge is to create a project using our favorite technique.  If you follow my blog, you know that I love embossing of any type.  I was lucky to have attended a class by Cheryl from The Paper Hollow in Michigan, and learned about a product that highlights dry embossing with a metallic finish - Inka Gold:

I have received a lot of questions about how I have made these cards.   Since I am not savvy enough to make craft videos, I will try to explain.  Inka Gold is a beeswax based paint medium.  It is really thick, like a chapstick that has softened a bit in your pocket.  I used the Tim Holtz Pine Bough embossing folder, and dabbed copper and green Inka Gold on the raised part of the design.  The applicators look like foam marshmallows, and the paints add amazing shine.  Best of all -  not expensive!!!  The paints are about $3 each, and the foam daubers are 3 for a $1, and can be cut into smaller pieces.  I am not affiliated in any way with The Paper Hollow, but they are one of the few places that carry the small containers.  A little bit of the paint goes a long way.  The copper metallic paper and heat embossing match a lot better in person than they do in the picture, I thought it was more important to show the beautiful sheen of the paints!!!

The Male Room Challenge #25 - Christmas

The challenge is to create a masculine, Christmas-themed paper project. 

Here is mine:

Silver embossed Lovely as a Tree and unknown sentiment.  DCWV Winter Wishes paper.  Really pretty card.  The picture?  Not so much.  I have a real problem photographing mirrored paper.  Any suggestions?

Don't forget to play along with our Words2ScrapBy.blogspot.com December Challenge - Eat, Drink, and Be Merry!!!

W2SB December Challenge - Eat, Drink, and Be Merry!

This month's challenge at Words 2 Scrap By is "Eat, Drink, and Be Merry!"  Our challenge is to create a card or project that represents this month-long season of eating, drinking, and merry making!

Here is mine:

Image is from Repeat Impressions Wine Time set.  Since I cannot color, I paper pieced the wine, cork, bottle, and label.  I used a magnifying glass, and added just a touch of color to the label.  The red background was embossed with a Darice folder (I just HAD to have, but had no idea how I might use) named "Cork Tops".   I love it when random elements come together!!

Come play along with us!

Red Friday and Small Business Saturday

Today is Small Business Saturday, when we are encouraged to shop local, small businesses.  I shopped at a LSS only a few miles from my house.  I want to like that store - I really do.  They have a good selection, the prices are competitive with on line sources.  I had a friend shop with me once.  She didn't like it either, even without me telling her how I felt about the place.  I go in a few times a year, hoping to feel welcome, or at least not unwelcome.  Maybe next time.

I did buy a great Spellbinders Cascading Hearts die.  I saw how Sharon used a background die on her card on the OWH Red Friday blog hop, and wanted to try one for myself.

For my first try, I die cut the white, backed with with black, and mounted onto a red card base.  Corners rounded with my 1/4" We R Memory Keepers chompers.  Sentiment heat embossed.  I like it, but it just didn't have a wow factor for me.  A die that pretty should be on a card with a wow factor!  On to round 2...

 I layered the white die cut onto mirror paper, then onto a red base.  I added a Cuttlebug die cut sentiment.  The picture does not show how fabulous the second card is!  I will be making more of these for OWH during their winter card lull, as it could be used for Valentine's Day or just a general love card.   Your thoughts?

OWH Red Friday Blog Hop

Operation Write Home is sponsoring a blog hop today, and I was particularly inspired by Paula's post. 

Here are my versions:

Papers from 7 Gypsies, Sizzix Music Notes texture plate.  

I like them both, for different reasons.  Which do you like better, and why? 

OWH Sketch 242

This sketch is from a few weeks ago, I am just a bit behind...

Not a favorite, but forced me to create outside of my box!!

OWH Sketch Challenge #243

The sketch and my version:

Darice Thin Lines embossing folder on wood look layer, We R Memory Keepers washi tape (tape is the same as the house in the center), DP from American Crafts Ready Set Go 6 x 6 pad, TPC Studios sentiment. 

SOS #178: Thankful

This week's theme is Thankful. With the US Thanksgiving right around the corner, we are challenged to make a Thank You or grateful project, or make something based on the Thanksgiving theme.

Another embossed paper and Inka Gold card.  A few people have asked me to post more information about the technique.  Check out the Poly Clay Play blog HERE.  A tiny bit goes a long way.  If you choose to buy, the smallest sizes will be plenty for paper projects, and the towers are the least expensive way to go.  Not affiliated in any way, just enabling!!  The sentiment is heat embossed in copper.  Ribbon and paper are from SU!

OWH Mid-Month Throwdown - Winter Love You

The mid-month throwdown is to create a love card with a winter theme.  Here is mine:

The DCWV Winter Stack background paper is purple snowflakes, embossed with a snowflake embossing folder.  The sentiment is a sticker from Doodlebug Designs.  Hearts from  Marvy punch. 

Only one more week to play along with the November Words2ScrapBy.blogspot.com challenge - Gratitude!  

Shopping Our Stash #177 - NOT Ready for Christmas

This week's title says it all: I am NOT ready for Christmas. Is anyone else getting bombarded with EARLY BLACK FRIDAY SALE ads already? Sooooo not ready for Christmas this early in November.

This week's challenge is to use a holiday stamp set to make a non-holiday card or project. Since I need yet another sympathy card, I decided to go into that direction.

Silver heat embossing on the lighthouse and Peace.  The holiday stamp is Peace, part of a Peace on Earth stamp.  Layered on silver mirrored paper and mounted on black card base.  Happy accident, since this is not exactly what I was going for, but it works. 

One more week to play along with the Words2ScrapBy.blogspot.com November challenge - Gratitude!

Shopping Our Stash #176 - Leaf Me Alone!

This week's title is Leaf Me Alone! (alternate name: Un-Be-LEAF-able!) to use leaves on a project.

Here is mine:

Falling Leaves embossing folder, swirls embossing plate.  Sizzix and Spellbinder dies.  Leaf heat embossed.  I used Inka Gold metal gloss paint in copper, gold, and bronze.  It is a very thick paste, applied with the marshmallow style sponges.  It's pretty amazing stuff!!

Our November Words 2 Scrap By challenge is open through November 21. If you have a chance, we'd love for you to play along!!

November Challenge:
Nov. 1 - Nov. 21

OWH ODBD November Challenge - Hearts

Since the Valentine's Day card deadline come right after Christmas, it is good to get a head start on all of the needed "Love" cards.  Our Daily Bread Designs has challenged us to made a card with at least one heart.  If you visit my blog regularly, you know I believe that how a card feels can be as important as how it looks.   Here is my effort:

Swiss Dots and Scrolls embossing folders, Sizzix die cut heart popped up, white Neena paper, stash satin ribbon and jewels on a dark red card base. 

Be sure to join the Words2ScrapBy.blogspot.com November Gratitude challenge: 

You cannot do a kindness too soon because

you never know how soon it will be too late.

W2SB November Challenge - Gratitude & Kindness

This month's challenge over at Words 2 Scrap By is Gratitude & Kindness.  We believe that gratitude and kindness can and should be expressed all year long - not just at teh American Thanksgiving.  Our inspiration wods are:

You cannot do a kindness too soon because

you never know how soon it will be too late.

The past few years have been a little harder for me than others.  My family suffered a great disappointment.  I  lost my mother (my only parent) and a job I loved.  Through everything, the verse paraphrased in this card brought me peace.  

I believe that there are always things for which we should be grateful.  Images from SU Lovely as a Tree image, SU ribbon, vellum sticker from my incredible Marti stash. 

My name is Bobbi, and I am a paper hoarder....

I wasn't going to post this, but my dear friend Diana insisted.  I am a paper hoarder.  OK, I said it.  Out loud.  I love paper, and tend to wait until the perfect storm of paper, concept, and execution converge until I actually cut into that perfect piece of paper.  These cards are an example.

I started with this piece of paper from a VERY old Ki Playful Pets pad:

Too cute to waste on just any card.

Then I added this one from the same pad:

Last, I bought some ribbon at a show that I just HAD to have.

And this is the result:

I couldn't bear to waste any of this fab paper, so I added some bones and paw prints to the inside of the card.  

Darice Paw Prints embossing folder, stash ribbon, Spellbinders and Sizzix dies, heat embossed sentiment. 

OWH Sketch Challenge #238

The challenge sketch and my version:

DCWV Winter Stack papers, Offray grosgrain ribbon, Cuttlebug snowflakes embossing folder. 

Our Daily Bread Designs Challenge - Snowflakes

This month, the OWH Our Daily Bread Designs challenge is to make Non-Christmas cards with Snowflakes on them.

I always need thank you cards after the holidays, and I think our heroes will, too.   I decided to take it one step further, and use non-traditional winter colors, too!

DCWV paper embossed with snowflake folder, Fiskars sentiment heat embossed with white embossing powder, stash dimensional snowflake attached with super thin Zots.  

Winner winner chicken dinner!!!

Heather from craftysahmiam.blogspot.com left comment #15, and was chosen by Random.org. 

Heather, please email me at BobbisTreasure at aol dot com with your contact info!!  Unfortunately, there is not an email address associated with your id or blog, so I hope you see this post!!!  I will chose another later this week if I don't hear from you.

OWH WCMD Love Challenge with Blog Candy!!

Operation Write Home is hosting a Love Card blog hop for World Card Making Day. 

Here is my offering:

Vellum embossed with Darice folder, sentiment and hearts stamped on white, layered on a dark red base, tied with red satin ribbon.

If you are making cards for OWH, remember that many of our deployed heroes are coming home, and follow the new guidelines HERE. 

Hop back to OWH HERE. 

Leave a comment - with your contact information - for a chance to win this stamp set!

This month's challenge at Words2ScrapBy.blogspot.com is Paved with Paw Prints - all about our furry friends!  Check it out!

Added Note: I have received a few questions about embossing on vellum.  Most vellum will crack when embossed with a folder.  To keep it from cracking, I add a piece of medium weight card stock to the embossing sandwich.  Problem solved!

Words 2 Scrap By October Challenge - Paved With Paw Prints

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month - who knew?  I have two dogs from Circle Tails Rescue in Cincinnati, Ohio, and one cat from our county shelter.

Casey and Tucker:

Tucker and Timone:

Animals add so much love to our lives, and they leave gaping holes in our hearts when they cross the rainbow bridge.

Papers from DCWV Pet Stack, paw print cut with my KNK Zing, twill tape from SU!  Papers embossed with Cuttlebug folder, sentiment heat embossed with white powder.  All mounted on a yellow-gold base. 

Always Playing With Paper Challenge #15

Lesley from Always Playing With Paper issued the following sketch and color challenge:

 

 Here is my first version:

Grey card base, pink layer, black ink, and white ribbon flower border.   I didn't love the flowers in the lower corner.  Maybe they were too big?  Too obvious?

Here is my second try.  Better.  The little silver hearts were in better proportion, I think.  Smaller, and echo the tiny heart in the sentiment. 

 

Freshly Made Sketches 155

Woot woot!  Two posts in one day!!  This week's Freshly Made Sketch and my version:

 

Bo Bunny Liberty paper, Stamper's Best sentiment, Hemptique twine. 

Be sure to check the new Words 2 Scrap By challenge starting on Wednesday, and back here on Saturday for the OWH World Card Making Day blog hop. 

OWH Sketch 240

Today's OWH sketch and my version:

 Papers from The Guy Stack by DCWV, twill tape from SU!, sentiment from Clearly Defined, American Crafts border punch, Sizzix crackle embossing folder. 

Shopping Our Stash #170 - Shower Curtain

This week's challenge over at Shopping Our Stash is to use my own shower curtain as an inspiration for my project.  Well, I don't have a shower curtain - just pebbled mirror and glass doors. 

Here is my card:

Spellbinder tag die, Just Rite image, wide grosgrain black ribbon, Cuttlebug crackle embossing folder. 

Mid-Month Throw Down - Fall Colors

I have been diligently making Thanksgiving cards for my family.  It is kind of nice to take the time to do some things for my family and friends, without feeling guilty for not supporting our deployed heroes. So happy they are coming home, for so many reasons!!!

I think this one can be classified as fall colors!!!

The green was dry embossed with a crackle embossing folder, , the pumpkin paper was embossed with a burlap folder.  The sticker, patterned paper, and studs were from my stash. 

Only a few more days to play along with the Words2ScrapBy.blogspot.com challenge - To everything there is a season!