Keeping it Simple: Full Heart

As you might know, I like to challenge myself to make something different. For today's card, I decided to try and make something without using any coloring - no Copics, no watercolors, no pencils. Just a simple 2-color palette and some interesting die-cut pieces.

The sentiment is from Mama Elephant's Many Thanks stamp set, and it's certainly a unique way to say thank you. I paired it with a die-cut heart and made a panel with WPlus9's Sunshine Layers die. I popped up a few pieces on foam tape and adhered the rest flat. I set everything against a simple polka-dot patterned paper and a light pink card base.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

ST: Sending Joy

I mentioned recently that I really enjoy finding little treasures in my stash that I had forgotten about and thinking up ways to use them. I thought it might be a good challenge and some good fun to start a new feature on my blog called Stash Treasures. This will not only be a great creative exercise, but it will also help keep me focused on the supplies I've got instead of thinking about what new things I need to buy.

For today's card, I pulled out an ephemera pack from Fancy Pants' Oh Deer line. I remember getting the ephemera pack because it had two adorable deer that I wanted to use on gift packaging. I never did end up using the deer and the ephemera just sat there in a little jar.

I grabbed the "joy" word from the pack and paired it with a Simon Says Stamp Sending die. I added some warm polka-dot paper and hung a couple ornaments to the side that were echoed in sparkly enamel dots. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

SCS: Arthurian Legends

And here is the last of the SCS September 2016 theme I'll be sharing.

I love the myths and legends centered around King Arthur. I love the stories so much that I took 2 classes in college about King Arthur (and aced both of them). So, it's only natural that I would want to feature something Arthurian for the literally challenge.

Sir Galahad was just the perfect stamp to use, and I paired him with a sticker from Tim Holtz. I think I can use this card as a great masculine congratulations or birthday card. :)

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Retro-ish Thanks

Lately, one of my favorite things has been going through my crafty stash and digging up things I've had for ages, but never used. Like, for example, this patterned paper pad. I absolutely had to have that paper pad when I started out on my card-making journey, and then I just never ended up using it because I couldn't find the right stamps to use with it.

Happy Go Lucky has a retro feel, and (at the time) I owned no retro stamps. Everything that I could think to pair up with it felt too cutesy or too modern or too bold. So, off went the paper into "long term storage" where it sat until I got bit by the re-organizing bug.

I pulled the paper out recently, and I paired it with Hero Arts' Spring Hello stamp. Although the stamp is not obviously retro, the calligraphy made me think of shabby chic - and it just clicked together with the retro paper.

Thanks for reading,
~Elle~

SCS: Love of Mythology

Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps - Athena (retired)

Continuing on with the SCS theme of literature...

Ever since I was really young, I've had a tremendous interest and passion for mythology. I started reading when I was very young (I could read by myself when I was 3) and some of the first books my mom bought me were encyclopedias of Greek and Roman mythology. I fell in love with the stories and continued to read about mythology from then on.

For this card, I used a stamp of Athena - goddess of wisdom, courage, justice and art. I set her against a patterned paper that had hand-written text on it. I kept everything clean and simple - to echo the ancient Greek architecture that featured a lot of pristine white.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

AE: Christmas Joy

Yes, it's July and I've already got Christmas on my mind... But in my defense, when you're making hand-made gifts and cards, you really need to start working early. I'm still pinning down exactly what artful and crafty things I want to make this year, so I thought a wintry card might get me in the Christmas mood.

I just adore the cat from Avery Elle's Dear Santa stamp set! She has a lovely retro kind of feel, while still looking perfectly elegant and serene. She reminds me of Aristocats - one of my favorite childhood movies. So, it's a perfect mix of nostalgic and warm fuzzy feelings.

I paired the cat with some bits and bobs of paper from my stash. Blues went great with silver and gray, so that's the color scheme I chose.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

RC: Thank You Bear

Have I mentioned that I love Reverse Confetti's Bearing Gifts stamp? There's something so fun about a big old bear in a tiny car, carrying a bundle of gifts... And it lends itself to so many occasions! He could be delivering Christmas gifts or sending birthday gifts, or even taking home a bundle of happy that someone else gifted him. Change the color palette and add a few accessories, and presto - you've got another occasion this bear could visit. The versatility of the set is a great thing, and a big reason why I'm happy to have this stamp in my stash.

For today's card, I chose to go with "thank you". I thought I'd try something a little different and used my Lawn Fawn Puffy Cloud Borders die to make a front panel for the bear. A few lavender hearts tie in the color scheme.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

SCS: Art of Writing

Another fun card from the SCS September DT - Literally.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to see a museum exhibition that centered around books and writing. It featured early printing presses, ink making tools and displayed several old manuscripts. One of my favorite parts was an old practice book where the owner was practicing calligraphy that had ink splotches and sketches in the margins. It looked so playful and was in such contrast with the rest of the manuscripts.

I have to confess that the main reason why I bought the Music Hall stamp was the inky sketch of a Victorian lady. Ink being associated with writing and books made me think it was a perfect stamp to use for this month's theme.

I challenged myself to add a touch of mixed media flair, so I blended some distress ink across the panel. A sticker sentiment finished the card off perfectly. :)

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

SCS: Get Lost in a Book

Today, I'm sharing another card from my stint in the Splitcoast Stampers design team.

I am a HUGE bookworm - a voracious reader that on average goes through at least 2 books every week. I read a variety of genres and book types (depending on my mood). I was super excited to see a literary theme for September 2016, and just knew I had to do something special.

My first thought was to make a card based on my favorite book. But I can't possibly pick a favorite book! Too many choices... So, I made a card based on my favorite book series -- Terry Pratchett's Discworld.

If you haven't experienced Discworld, I can't recommend it enough! It's equal parts hilarious as it is thought-provoking. It features an unforgettable cast and a universe that seems truly alive. And you need it in your life. Go out, buy any book in the series and prepare yourself to fall in love. You'll thank me later. ;)

My card features Discworld itself, a flat world that sits on top of 4 elephants that are standing on a giant turtle that's swimming through the starry universe.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

CCD: Shell-o

It's summer in my corner of the world, though it's a bit of a funny summer. We've had days with perfectly pleasant warm temperature, and then cool days where it felt more like crisp late autumn. We still had a chance to splash around the pool (or lake!) and that's what inspired this summer-themed card.

Today's card features Roberto's Rascals Beachies stamp from C.C. Designs. Roberto's is my favorite stamp line from C.C. Designs and Beachies does not disappoint. I paired this cute stamp with some summer stripes and an orange card base.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

RC - You Lift Me Up

Today's card features Reverse Confetti's Lift Me Up stamp set. Like a couple other Reverse Confetti stamps I own, I was drawn to the whimsical and unique art style. I used bright color to color in the giraffes and paired them with a colorful-yet-subtle patterned paper from Pinkfresh Studio. A few enamel dots round out the color palette.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~