Be Negative

This is another example of using the "leftovers" from die cutting.  I used the green label on yesterday's card and the remaining cardstock became a layer on this card.  I inked behind the window for more definition and added a contrasting, smaller label.  I hand cut the apple from embossed cardstock and die cut the leaf.  You probably already noticed the addition of my traditional narrow silk ribbon--the obvious choice since it's what's still unpacked.

An Apple A Day

This month's theme for our stamp club card exchange was "apple."  I couldn't attend the meeting but made a couple of cards anyway.  For this one I used the SplitCoastStampers.com tutorial for making flip it cards using a label die.  I folder embossed the red piece (hard to see the detail) and cut it into corner sections.  The apple and stem are hand cut but I had a die for the leaf.

It's definitely time for fresh, fall apples.  Can you believe all the varieties available these days?

Center Step

Seeing them online again got me in the mode to make more "center step" cards.  I'm using autumn colors again and die cuts.  The striped panels are folder embossed and I added thin satin ribbon, one of my all-time favorites. 

Bordered

I got a new set of border dies and thought this one was especially pretty.  I put a yellow panel to the back to better show the design and add more color.  Flowers and leaves are punched and I added half pearls for a little dimension.  This could be made in different color schemes and would be good for lots of different occasions.

And Speaking of Owls . . .

. . . . here's my little owl's first cousin.  The stamp set includes different eyes and tummies so it can be easily changed.  The owl is on a folder embossed panel and layered with a flag and portion of a circle.  Playing with fall colors is a nice change and before we know it we will be thinking of wintery, Christmas colors.

It's Owl Good

Missed a couple of postings.  Guess I'll blame houseguests which we are getting regularly these days.  We enjoy all of them.

The cooler and shorter days are already making me think of autumn and so did this cute owl image.  He's stamped and die cut and placed on the card with foam tape.  I stamped the text on the banner which is also popped up.  Branch is die cut and leaves and butterflies are punched.  The colorful background is Dy-lusions spray on white cardstock and the stripes are from a Darice embossing folder.  Whooo, whoooo.

Stenciled

We played with some stencils in stamp club last month and I completed this card.  I like stencils and for this design we simply inked through the stencil.  I added two cardstock panels and some die cuts.  Pretty simple.

Leftovers

This card started with a piece left over from the flip it card I posted yesterday.  The patterned paper is popped up and I used the same label in a smaller size for the focal piece.  The flower and leaf are die cut.  I added washi tape and satin ribbon and did some pen work around the edge of the labels for definition.  Sometimes leftovers are just too good to toss.

Flip It

I have a flip it die--packed away somewhere in a box.  But I saw a Split Coast Stampers tutorial for using a label die to make a flip it so I had to try it.  It worked well and wasn't hard to do.  For this one I used patterned paper for the background and embellished with die cuts.

Summer Garden Bench

I previously posted a garden bench in a spring theme.  This is my summer version.  The base is a die cut--very clever in my opinion--and I cut the back a second time in black for some contrast.  The branch was die cut and I added punched leaves and die cut birds.  There are also some die cut bunnies hiding here and there in plain sight.  The flower pot, flowers and leaves are punched.  I printed the mini newspaper, folded it and placed it on the bench.  Currently working on an autumn version.

Stars Before My Eyes

This was my second card for the club exchange.  I had a new Darice embossing folder in a striped design so that and washi tape made for some easy stripes.  I cut the stars by hand but found a border die that created a bunch of tiny stars so those were easily accomplished.  Some had some glitzy pen added for a bit of sparkle.

Stars and Stripes

The theme for our stamp club card exchange was "Stars and Stripes" but it didn't have to be red, white and blue.  I had a handicap since my star die cuts are packed but I stepped up to the plate and cut some by hand--not too difficult since it's all straight lines.  The stripes for this design are patterned paper (part of a freebie pack) and the hello is a die cut.  I added some glitz at the edge of the star and adhered some faux jewels.  Not your traditional stars and stripes but it was a challenge to try something unusual.

End of the Freebies . . . For Now

Before I put away the freebie package I completed this card.  The butterfly is an older Martha Stewart punch an the flower is from an Altenew clear stamp set.  Again I added punched flowers for the flower enter.  Time to move to something else so that's all the freebie designs for now.  But that's pretty good mileage already.

Hearts For Free

Fun with the freebie package continues.  Not part of the kit were the punched yellow flowers but I felt the design needed that bit of color and dimension.  I also added dots of black Pearl Pen.  And there's still more freebie stuff to use!

The Freebie Cards Continue

All of the paper and cardstock used for this card were freebies, as was the text stamp.  The flower image is from Altenew and I also added half pearls.  I added color to the flower using chalk.  Don't know why it isn't packed.

The Other Half

This card incorporated the other half of the chipboard circle.  The text paper was included in the freebies and I also used some of the provided alphabet stickers.  The flower and leaf are from an Altenew set and not part of the freebies.  I added some black pearls for balance.  It was fun to play with something unusual.

Freebie Embellishment

The freebie package included a chipboard circle with a black embossed design.  I thought it was too big for a standard card so I cut it in half and created this card.  I  inked the circle edges a bit for dimension.  The heart and text are from the free stamp set.  I added small faux jewels that weren't included.  I'll post the second half of the circle tomorrow.

Another Freebie Card

The paper, cardstock, button and baker's twine were all in the package of freebies.  It's much easier to design when you start with a package of coordinated papers and I find I use patterns that I probably wouldn't choose if the decision was totally mine.  I added the darker color to the flower using diluted acrylic since my markers are packed.  One day we will be reunited; I just know it.

From My Freebies

Remember the package of goodies I got from Simon Says Stamp (posting June 13, 2014)?  I finally was able to create some cards using some of those freebies.  I have to admit that the flower and leaf image on this card was NOT part of the package, but it was a new set of stamps (Altenew) that I just had to try.  Everything else came from the package.  Gotta love a freebie!

Shaving Cream

A few years back many of us made backgrounds using shaving cream and drops of dye ink.  This year we colored Easter eggs using shaving cream and food color and I couldn't let that pretty color go to the trash without seeing if it would work on cardstock.  It did--and beautifully.  The backgrounds not only look swirly and fun, they also smell very good.  It's an easy technique that doesn't require many supplies.  Give it a try if you haven't already.

Another disappointment when a second contract on the house fell through.   Buyers, where are you?