The Creative Stretch Continues

June's Challenge is Now Open!! Click Here!

Its not even half way through the week and I am already anticipating the weekend and that is because the Great American Scrapbook Convention will be here in Arlington, Texas and I am just beside myself.  I've made a list of all the things I want to get with the hope of staying within budget, but most likely I will not...but I'm going to make a real effort.  I can't go until Friday, but that's okay I will survive.  If any of you live here in Texas, let me know if you make it out on Friday..send me an email or something.

I am so hooked on surfing the net and using this paper I have laying around everywhere, shelves, floor, cabinets and there is probably a few stacks under the bed but I am scared to look.  Anyway let me go and share my cards before I think of something else to get me off course :)

This card I have titled "The Cardinal" which I think is a lovely bird.  It is also the state bird of my home state N.C. so I am partial and no I am not a true Texan, just a transplant after the Army.

I used Spellbinders fence and Memory Box Window to create my focal point.  Spellbinders grand squares created my base and my layers.  Sizzix embossing folders were used to add a bit of texture to the layers and Wild Orchid flowers added the flavor and color to my card.

This is the inside that I did rather quickly because I simply couldn't think of anything to match with the bird other than a tree or a bird cage and believe it or not but I couldn't find either stamp!  I tell you the more I organize the more stuff I lose sight of and then the more stuff I buy which leads to needing to organize. Can't win for losing.



I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Creative Card Crew - Challenge #37 Punches and Dies (6/8)
Lady Anne's Challenge - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown - Challenge #150 Embossing (6/9)
Throw the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes

My second card I created while I was caught up with the duo colors.

 I think using white and one other color make the most elegant cards. For some reason I think the white grabs your attention.

I also am into the white on white but keeping the card clean while making it has proven to be a challenge for me all by itself.

I used Spellbinders Grand Squares, Parisian Motifs, A2 Borders and Cherry Lynn flourish.  The sentiment is from Stampin Up collection "Because I Care" and Wild Orchid flowers as usual.

The inside is embossed and then I added a strip of Martha Stewart punched paper on the left side.  On the right side I used my new die from Our Daily Bread; the bookmark.  This has the most uses and I am loving it.



I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Crafty Sentiments Design - Black and White +1 or Something Fishy (6/9)
Bearly Mine Challenges #89 - Dies and or Punches (6/9)
Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes (6/10)

Before I end tonight I wanted to tell you about a tutorial on YouTube that shows you how to make an "Envelope Card".  This card used one sheet of 12x12 paper and has several pockets for gift card or a note on the back side and then on the inside is enough of space for your sentiment.  I made a quick couple to check it out and I truly think I am going to like this little card.  Only took about an hour to make them both and as you can see I currently have very little embellishments.  No there was no thought put into this card...I just wanted to follow the tutorial to see what would happen.  Try it out!!

Sorry the photo is dark.  This is the front of the card with a little embellishment.  One uses a ribbon to stay closed and the other uses a really small magnet to stay closed.

 Then there's the back where you have two pockets or if you wanted you could make one insert to fit between both pockets.  Additionally you add a band in the center to hold a gift card or a snak size piece of chocolate.  Who doesn't win with a gift of chocolate?

Would rather have a video to see the tutorial for yourself? Okay here you go.
The first video has some really good examples of how to decorate the envelope card and the second video has the tutorial near the end of the video.

Alrighty, sorry that the post was a bit long but I hope you enjoyed what I've shared.

Time for me to hit the shower and get in the bed, so good-nite where ever you are.

Hugz

~Lesia~