Wedding Champagne Glasses Card

I've been making mostly quick cards lately that I haven't been posting, but this week I wanted to play along with the CAS-ual Fridays challenge because I love making contrasting black and white cards. Plus, this combo was perfect for a wedding card I needed. My "extra" color was silver, although I also have a few gold sequins as well.

To my amazement, I didn't use any stamps on this card - only die cuts and embellishments. The layered champagne glass die is from My Favorite Things and Congratulations sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp. The glasses are popped up with foam for extra dimension. I like the simple, but elegant look.
I'm also posting the card on the Simon Says blog for the Anything Goes challenge this week since I've used their products.

Supplies:

• Accessories: Simon Says Sparkle & Shine SNS736 sequins
• Tools: MFT Layered Champagne Glass Die-namics, SSS Congratulations die

~Olga

Chevron Birthday CAS Card

Playing along with CASology Chevron challenge today.This is a single layer card with a side cut-out and flowers peeking out from the inside of the card. I sponged the chevron background with MFT Lemon Drop ink and stamped flowers and sentiment with SU Melon Mambo for a bright summer combo.

Here's the cue card for the challenge if you're interested in playing:

Thanks for reading.

Supplies:

• Stamps: PTI Think Big Favorites #7 Mini Stamp Set, SU Happy Harmony (retired)
• Tools: MFT Die-namics Blueprints 21, Stencil On the Diagonal stencil

~Olga

Thank You Gift Card Set

Every year it seems like there's a constant stream of birthdays, weddings and baby showers April through July. A handmade card gift set makes a great small gift or adds a personal touch to a store-bought item. I've made gift sets in the past and often they would similar cards with slightly different sentiments or color variations of a card. This time around I made a set of Thank You cards based on the CAS(E) This Sketch 176.

Here's my take on it:

I know the card doesn't look like a clean and simple card at first glance because of the colors, but it's just a single sheet of patterned paper so it's very simple and quick to make. I added sentiment from Avery Elle Oh Happy Day set and added a touch of gold washi tape. That's it! The inside of each card and corner of the envelopes are stamped with the flowers from the same set to coordinate with the colors of the paper. The inside of the envelopes are lined with paper from the same collection.

In this set the cards are all the same so my friend can send them to her baby shower guests. I put the set in a clear box I bought from PapertrayInk and finished it off with coordinating ribbon. I used the paper from the same set as wrapping paper and added a coordinating tag.

What kind of card sets do you like to make?

Supplies:

• Stamps: Avery Elle Oh Happy Day
• Paper: Paper Studio Hello Darling
• Accessories: PTI gift boxes
• Tools: MFT Stitched Fishtail Flag Dienamics  

~Olga

Birthday Rose CAS Card

I've been making a lot of birthday cards lately for the Splitcoast Stampers Birthday RAK committee. Here's a quick one based on this sketch from CAS(e) This Sketch challenge:

It's the first time I've tried this set from Altenew and love how quick and easy it is to create multi dimensional looking rose.

Thanks for looking.

Supplies:

• Stamps: Altenew Beautiful Day
• Tools: Simon Says Stamp Happy Birthday Die

~Olga

CAS Dog Card for MFTWSC276

I was racing this weekend so just a quick card today. It's based on the MFTWSC26 sketch and using a couple of different MFT stamps including one of my favorites - You Make My Tail Wag. The background is also embossed using the Large Polka Dots template, but it's hard to see on the picture.

Thanks for looking. 
Supplies:

• Stamps: MFT You Make My Tail Wag, Piece of Cake
• Tools:MFT Stitched Speech Bubble, Large Polka Dots Template

~Olga

A Tini Note Card

This is my CAS Single Layer Challenge from Simon Says Stamp using Paper Smooches Free Spirits set. It's a small 4x4 notecard. The glass was colored with Copics and covered with Glossy Accents for extra shine. I lightly sponged the center of the card and was going to call it done, but felt like it needed a little bit more pop so I added some metallic washi tape that I've been using a TON lately. It's a super quick way to add a bit of sparkle without foiling.

 Thanks for looking.

Supplies:

• Stamps: Paper Smooches Free Spirits
• Accessories: Glossy Accents, SSS rhinestones, Paper Studio Silver Metallic Washi Tape

~Olga

CAS Congratulations Card

This week I've made a CAS (clean and simple) card using CAS(e) This Sketch 157, colors from Color Throwdown #377 - yellow, kraft and grey and the Simon Says Congratulations set that I've been wanting to ink up for some time for Simon Says Anything Goes Challenge. To make the card a little more fancy I used fine silver embossing powder instead of grey ink in the color scheme. 

Thanks for looking.

Supplies:

• Stamps: Simon Says Congratulations
• Accessories: Silver embossing powder, silver cord from SU

~Olga

Wine Run Still Counts

The running season is over and the tri season hasn't started yet so I'm happy stamping. I had to postpone my marathon this year due to an injury and illness earlier in the season so I actually did nothing a good part of the winter. It's still ok to go to an end of the season party, right? I got some hilarious Funny Bones stamps from Riley and this one seemed especially appropriate for a thank you card for my coach.

I used the My Favorite Things sketch MFTWSC112 and made this quick, almost CAS, card. The humorous Riley sentiment is for the Riley Blog challenge. I didn't have a wine related image stamp to go along with it, but the wine bottle die cut worked well.  Here's another view with the envelope.

By the way, does anyone have recommendations on a wine glass stamp? I'm looking for one at least 1.5" or larger to go with all the wine related sentiments I bought. Hmm, if someone saw the number of caffeine and alcohol related stamps I own, they might think I have a problem....

Supplies:

• Stamps: Riley Funny Bones Wine Run, SU Sincere Salutations
• Paper: SU Kraft, Baja Blue, Ginger Blossom DP, Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, white; Envelope: We R Memory Keepers Down the Boardwalk
• Ink:Chocolate Chip
• Tools: QuicKutz wine bottle die, MFT Die-Namics border, Scor-Pal

~Olgy

Love Fest on Splitcoast

It's the last day for the Love Fest on Splitcoast celebrating member companies and I had a chance to make a couple of cards. This first Tickled Pink card is for Taylored Expressions challenge to create a mini card. It was fun doing something tiny tiny. Overall the design is really simple but I added a small pearl tiara for the piggy for an extra girly touch. 

The second card is for The Cat's Pajamas inspiration challenge. I loved the black/white/yellow combo and created another CAS card using MFT die cuts and Heidi Grace stamps. 

Tickled Pink Card Supplies (All supplies are Stampin'Up! unless otherwise noted) :

• Stamps: Very Punny
• Paper: Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose
• Ink:Regal Rose
• Accessories: Decorative trim ribbon in LT pink from Hobby lobby , 
• Tools:Bigz Top Note die cut, Swiss Dot Cuttlebug embossing folder, 1 3/8 & 1 1/4 circle punches

Make a Wish Card Supplies:

• Stamps: Heidi Grace Birthday stamp set
• Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Yoyo Yellow
• Ink: Basic Black, Yoyo Yellow
• Accessories: rhinestones 
• Tools:MFT DieNamics Prima Donna Petals

~Olgy

What Vacation?

Ever feel like you need a vacation after a vacation? The house is in a disarray, the chores are waiting, all the work work is piled up... What happened to that peace and relaxation? Despite being exhausted this past week, I'm still glad I managed a short ski getaway this year. New Mexico got some great snow and it was a first time the dogs came with and they were having a blast. Here's a photo from the slopes. Isn't it pretty?

Well, with so much on my plate a quick CAS challenge was a perfect way to knock out a card or two. Both of these are for CFC90 challenge to make a black & white plus one color card. I loved it! My first card is a wedding one, although I could probably use it for a birthday too. I cut off scalloped border from a die cut paper and then cut it into different length strips to make layers on the cake. A few Primas and pearls add a bit of a pop. No stamps on this card... Gasp!

The second card came together in minutes. I used black and white embossed patterned paper as a focal background and added yellow ribbon and embossed sentiment. It looks a bit like a stationary note, but I like it.

Supplies Cake Card:

• Paper: Antique Cream Collection, SU Whisper white
• Accessories: Primas, pearls

Supplies Thank You Card:

• Stamps: SU Sincere Solutations
• Paper: SEI Bissette collection, SU Whisper White
• Ink: Versamark, black EP
• Accessories: SU Ribbon, MFT Die Namics Frame Greetings Die

~Olgy

Clean and Simple Valentines

I enjoy making CAS cards, especially when I'm short on time. Today I spent most of day day working in the yard so a few quick Valentine cards was all I had time for. I don't know what's happening in Austin, but it's been getting into 70s during the day. It's great, but my garden is convinced it's spring and the plants are waking up from slumber. Unfortunately, the weeds are waking up too. Definitely doesn't feel like February right now. It actually feels like I'm late making these Valentine cards.

For this first card is for CAS-ual Fridays CFC88 challenge - Love Letters. I cut out a heart from felt and attached it to the card by stitching parallel lines on my sawing machine to kind of mimic lines on a notebook paper and added an embossed sentiment.

The second card is for Basic Grey 'Love is in the Air' challenge. I used Basic Grey paper from Blush collection (I stockpiled a few stacks of it a few years ago because I loved it so much). I used Nestabilities die to emboss the edges of the stamped image and I colored the center of the heart with Liquid Pearls.
Thanks for stopping by!

Love Letters Card Supplies :

• Stamps: MFT Valentine Stamp
• Paper:Kraft
• Int: Versamark, Zing! Aqua EP
• Accessories: Felt
• Tools: Sewing machine

Love is in the Air Card Supplies(All supplies are Stampin'Up! unless otherwise noted) :

• Stamps: Time Well Spent
• Paper: Whisper White, Basic Grey Blush Collection DP
• Ink: Real Red
• Accessories: Petal Pink Liquid Pearls, rhinestone
• Tools:Square Nestabilities, MFT Die-namics Dainty Dots Border

~Olgy

CAS Christmas Candy

Popping in for another quick post. I had a chance to play along in the SCS Featured Stamper challenge today and case a cute CAS Christmas card from Allee's gallery. I know, its a little late... or early to be posting Christmas cards, but you could easily change it into a valentines day or birthday card.

The chanages I made from the original were to pop up the candies and wrap them up into clear packaging to look like real hard candies. I repurposed plastic cover from a paper stack, but you can also use the clear envelopes or other gift packaging. I also added silver chord and punched the bottom of the card.

Supplies :

• Stamps: Craftsmart candy stamp from Michaels, SU Best Yet
• Paper: GinaK white, chipboard
• Ink: SU Real Red, Versamark and silver EP
• Accessories: SU silver chord,  plastic packaging
• Tools: Martha Stewart scallop with 2 dots punch

~Olgy

Winter Blues

I've come down with something. Not really sure what it is, its a flu or some sort of bug, but I spent the last weekend either in bed or on the couch and had no strength or motivation to do anything else. Even stamp [gasp]! I grabbed my box of Copics and some pre-stamped images and spent 6 hrs laying in bed and coloring. It was soothing and fun at the same time and I felt like a little kid. I also came to the conclusion that I really really need to practice my coloring technique (or lack thereof). I also convinced myself that getting more markers is the key :) All in all I colored 5 images (2 of which are usable) and I bought  30+ markers - seems reasonable, doesn't it? Copics are wonderful, but most of the time I can't dedicate enough time to color and perfect an image like I see so many talented artists do so we'll see how much use my markers will actually get. Hopefully I'll be posting improved cards here over time. 

For now here's a quick clean and simple card for for CASology winter challenge with some simple Copic shading. Love the GinaK 120lbs cardstock because the Copics don't show through the single layer. And I just can't resist adding Stickles or glitter to this image. Thanks for stopping by. 

Supplies :

• Stamps: Pile of Pinguins by Whipper Snapper, SU Warm Words
• Paper: GinaK white cardstock, SU Bashful blue
• Ink: Memento tuxedo black, Copics: B93, B97, B32, G02
• Accessories:Backer's twine, Stickles
• Tools:Oval punches

~Olgy

Basic Grey Blush Cards

I have a slight addiction to pattern paper. On average, for every sheet I use, I buy 10. Alright, sometimes its more. For example, the Basic Grey Blush collection, sure it's gorgeous, but I bought 3 stacks when it came out! Needless to say I still have tons of it. I still love it, but I'm looking for ways to use more DP and put a dent in my stash. This week's Mojo Monday sketch was perfect for that because of all the layers.

Since I already had all the papers laid out on my table, I also made a CAS version of the card for CASual Fridays Thank You card challenge. It's not a typical CAS card because of the pattern paper there's not a lot of white space, but its super quick and easy to make. Just punched out the flower center with a circle punch, added a stamped border and a rhinestone.

Supplies :

• Stamps: SU Seeing Spots, Inkadinkado cupcake
• Paper:Chocolate chip, Basic Grey Blush Collection - Fancy, Adore, Infuse 
• Ink:Chocolate chip, embossing powder; Copics R20, R22
• Accessories: Hobby Lobby pink ribbon, rhinestones
• Tools:Circle punches, piercing tool

~Olgy

Bella White Space Challenge

Since it's New Year and I'm home I'm posting twice in the same day! I know, it's unheard of for me, but hopefully its a sign of things to come in 2013. 

I bought a whole bunch of Bella stamps recently. Actually, I bought a lots of other stuff over the break too. I can't keep up with using all of it and yet I just keep getting more because the its so cute and I just can't help myself. Like so many other of papercrafters out there, I'm addicted. As far as addictions go, it's not such a bad one, so I'm not seeking treatment any time soon :) Anyway, back to my new Bella stamps. You'll be seeing a lot more of Phoebe Ketto before Valentine's day, but here's my first one for Bella's December White Space Challenge. Phoebe's dress is shimmering from Liquid Pearls and I added Stickles to her wings because a girl needs some sparkle. 

And because I just love CAS cards and couldn't help myself, I made another quick Bella card using Branching Out Owlies. Lime green can be a challenging color, but I think it works well with the kraft cardstock. Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies :

• Stamps: Stamping Bella Phoebe Ketto, Branching Out Owlies, SU Congrats
• Paper: SU Whisper White, Kraft, Real Red, Me & My Big Ideas DP (with words I love you, but not sure what it's called), scraps
• Ink: Memento black, Versamark, Zing! Cricket EP
• Accessories: Petal Pink Liquid Pearls, Icicle Stickles
• Tools: Nestabilities cirle and scallop, SU paper piercing template

~Olgy

Clean and Simple Monday

A quick CAS redo today. No layers, no ribbon  - just a simple white card. A good way to start a Monday.

The line creses were made with a score blade on regular cutter because I don't have a ScorePal. The flower is colored with Copics and glazed with Glossy Acrylics. Thanks for stopping by.

Supplies (All supplies are Stampin'Up! unless otherwise noted) :

• Stamps: Oh So Lovely
  
• Paper: Whisper White
  
• Ink: Momento Black, Copics (BG10, B23)
• Accessories: Pretties Kit, Glossy Accents

~Olgy

Christmas Cards

In the past years I came up with Christmas card design and then made the same set for that year. It streamlined the process and I didn't have to think who gets which card. This year, however, I just couldn't make up my mind on what I wanted and continued to make cards until I had about a dozen different ones. I finally gave up on the idea of a single design. I just hope that everyone likes the card they end up with. Here's a sneak peak.

This first one is a cute penguin by Whipper Snapper. The layout was for a clean and simple SCS challenge, so it's pretty basic, but I flocked and added glitter to the little guy for some dimension. Both the tan (ok, I know penguins aren't tan, but he was willing to make the sacrifice for the sake of color coordination) and white parts are covered in fun flock which I had to apply it in two steps. If you want to know more about using flocking see my earlier Fun Flock Tutorial post.

Supplies: (All supplies are Stampin'Up! unless otherwise noted)

• Stamps: Whipper Snapper Ice Cream Penguin
  
• Paper: Very vanilla, My Minds Eye DP
  
• Ink: Momento Black, chocolate chip, close to cocoa, certainly celery, real red, rose royal, pumpkin pie
• Accessories:  RibbonFx, Fun Flock, Stickles

Next is a quick poinsettia card using Basic Grey paper. I just added some chunky glitter for a frosted effect and ribbon with sentiment. Each card is just a little different since it was cut from a 12x12 sheet.

Supplies (All supplies are Stampin'Up! unless otherwise noted) :

• Stamps: Cute and Curly
  
• Paper: Whisper white, Basic Grey Dasher DP collection
  
• Ink: Cranberry crisp
• Accessories: Ribbon, chunky glitter

For these next few cards I was trying to use up my Vintage Violet paper stash, which was one of the first "in colors" offered by Stampin'Up!. The first few are the fun Christmas tree Fluffles images and the last is a more traditional design. It didn't show up on the picture at all, but in person the card looks a lot prettier because there's glitter mixed in with the white embossing powder, so the card sparkles.

Supplies (All supplies are Stampin'Up! unless otherwise noted) :

• Stamps: Fluffles Tree by Stampendeous, Best Yet, Snowflake spot, Cute and Curly
• Paper: Vintage violet, whisper white
  
• Ink: Vintage violet, Versamark, sage shadow
• Accessories: Silver Stickles, Diamonds EP
  
• Tools: Cuttlebug, punches

~Olgy

Clean and Simple Embossed Cards

I'm having family in town this week for Thanksgiving, which is great, but there won't be much stamping and blogging for the next few days.

I did make a few quick CAS cards yesterday. I'm really happy with this Thank you card and it's fitting for the holidays this week. It was inspired by this Autumn Whimsey painting from art.com I embossed the image on Chocolate Chip cardstock, framed it by drawing a border around it and adding sentiment and finished it with a few pearls. I should have tried matting the pearls on darker circles, but I still like how it turned out.

Supplies (All supplies are Stampin'Up! unless otherwise noted) :

• Stamps: Agapanthus cluster by Stampendous
  
• Paper: Whisper white, chocolate chip
  
• Ink:Versamark and white EP
• Accessories: Pearls from the Pretties Kit

The second card is for this week's sponging CAS challenge. I sponged a red circle by cutting out a template on a separate piece of card stock, embossed and cut out a butterfly to pop it up over the circle, framed it like I did with the previous card, but instead of pearls I added buttons.

Supplies (All supplies are Stampin'Up! unless otherwise noted) :

• Stamps: Happy Harmony, God's Beauty
  
• Paper: Whisper white
  
• Ink: Really red, Versamark and black EP
• Accessories: Buttons
  
• Tools:

Thanks for stopping by and happy holidays.
~Olgy

Sweet Grey Fluffles and CAS Cards

The Thanksgiving week is almost here and there's still lots to do, so I'll keep this post short and sweet. First of all, Melissa, I pulled your name out of the hat for the 2nd card and a few other goodies, so email me your snail mail address. Robbie, send me your address too and I'll mail you one of the remaining cards.
 
Now, on to my latest favorite - sweet Fluffles with a bouquet of flowers. I can't resist adding rhinestones to the flower centers every time I use this stamp. 

Supplies (All supplies are Stampin'Up! unless otherwise noted) :

• Stamps: Grasshopper Fluffles by Stampendeous, So Very
  
• Paper: Basic grey, pretty in pink, whisper white, Around the Block DP
  
• Ink: Basic black, always apricot, certainly celery, pretty in pink, almost amethyst, Copics (C5, C7)
• Accessories: Prima flowers, rhinestones, metal frame by Spare Parts, basic grey taffeta ribbon
  
• Tools: Martha Stewart border punches

I made my CAS41 card a day late, but here it is anyway. I used the colors from this purse (except in Imperial Toile color) for the inspiration piece. The card is 5 1/2 x5 1/2 in with just a layer of DP over the base, ribbon and a flower. The hardest part was lining up the corners when I was using the border punch, but I was done in about 7 minutes flat.

Supplies :

• Paper: Very vanilla by Stampin'Up!, Uptown Layered circles by Paper Studio
  
• Ink: Pixie pink
• Accessories: Heidi Swapp flower
  
• Tools: Martha Stewart border punch

Thanks for stopping by.

~Olgy

CAS Winter Design

I have a few more CAS cards for you that I made for the winter design challenge. Both take just 5 minutes and even though the lighting on my photos wasn't great, they look cute in hand. The first one is an engagement card based on the fantastic grid sketch from Susan, who has a very inspiring blog called Simplicity, dedicated to clean and simple cards. I had few ideas for this card, but finally settled on using Prima flowers instead of stamped images. To make the flowers stand out more against grey background, I set them on punched out 1" white circles. In the center of each flower is a small rhinestone. The sentiment is embossed with white diamonds EP. Corners are rounded for a softer look.

Supplies (All supplies are Stampin'Up! unless otherwise noted):

• Stamps: Wonderful words
  
• Paper: Basic grey, whisper white
  
• Ink: Versamark and white diamond EP
• Accessories: Prima flowers, rhinestones
  
• Tools: 1" circle punch

This one is my winter wonderland card. It's a no layers card unless you count a thin strip of wrapping paper on the inside of the card that shows through under the punched border. The snowflakes are glittery rub-ons I had from last year and my new favorite ribbon with shimmering white on one side and shimmering brown on the other.

Supplies:

• Stamps: None
  
• Paper: Light blue Bazzil, wrapping paper from SU!
  
• Accessories: Me & My Big Ideas snowflake glitter rub-ons, ribbonFX
  
• Tools: Martha Stewart border punch

~Olgy