EPH- Shoot for the Stars!

Today's card is a simple one, featuring a couple of ephemera pieces I love but never seem to use on cards myself - wood veneer and buttons. I think both wood veneer and buttons look absolutely charming on cards, and I love seeing them unexpectedly on people's creations. But whenever I go to use them myself, I hesitate and worry I won't be able to make them fit.

So, I tried to add a couple of buttons and wood veneer to my card today, and they worked out great. They fit the scattering of detail I was going for and helped tie in some colors.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Idea: Anchor

Dina Wakley - Mighty Wave stencil

A while back, I started an idea notebook - a stenographer notebook where I would jot down card layout sketches, color palettes and general ideas or techniques I wanted to try. It was my own version of a Pinterest board that I could look at and use without a tablet/phone/computer. But for whatever reason, I haven't used it a whole lot lately.

So, I thought I would dust off the notebook and start sharing cards made with the ideas I wrote down. For today's card, the idea was to use a wavy water stencil and an anchor die to make a dreamy nautical card. I added some patterned paper and stars for extra interest, and I really like how it turned out.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Timber!

Sugar Pea Designs - Timber stamp.

Okay, confession time... For a few years now, one of my favorite cards to make for Valentine's day is a lumberjack card. I don't know what it is about lumberjacks, but I just adore them and I really enjoy putting them on love cards. They make for a card that's both mushy (because love cards kind of always tend to be) and masculine. Plus, who can resist those plaid shirts?!

This lumberjack stamp is from Sugar Pea Designs and I've colored it several times, so I can hand them out as a Valentine to a few friends/family. I paired today's lumberjack with a dark red woodgrain and made a very simple little scene.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Purple Valentine

C.C. Designs - Roberto's Rascals: Cupid stamp

I wanted to round off my card selection for the Cards from the Heart card drive, so I came up with this simple little card. I used purple instead of pink and I love how adorable the jumping cupid looks.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Sliced Bread

Simon Says Stamp - Funny Food stamp

I had just colored this cute little piece of bread when I decided to look through my stash to find a paper to match it up with. Lo' and behold, I found a polka-dot paper that reminded me of the Wonderbread packaging dots, and I thought that was just perfect! I kept the rest of the card very simple, but I think it turned out fun.

Thanks for reading,
~Elle~

More Cupid Love

C.C. Designs - Cupid, Simon Says Stamp - Small Love You die, Simon Says Stamp - Scallop Borders die

Of course, I couldn't resist making another card with the adorable Cupid stamp, so I went with a more traditional look featuring hearts, scallops and a glittery "love". I also used an aqua color on the heart that Cupid is holding just to add a bit more contrast.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

CAS Valentine

C.C. Designs -Roberto's Rascals: Cupid, Simon Says Stamp - Hello Beautiful

Today's card is another CAS Valentine for the Cards from the Heart drive. I decided to use the adorable Cupid stamp from C.C. Designs, along with a sentiment from Simon Says Stamp's Hello Beautiful. Since the drive does have some requirements, I kept the card super simple with the image and a few pops of pink.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Nessie Thanks

Lawn Fawn- Lovable Legends stamp, Lawn Fawn - Thanks die

I wasn't sure if I wanted to share a card today. The card itself was made when I was feeling under the weather, and it's far from my favorites. I feel like there's bits missing and I'm not sold on the placement of everything. Still, it's a daily card that I finished, so I figured I would share.

Thanks for reading,
~Elle~

Pizza My Heart

 Simon Says Stamp - Funny Food stamp

Of course, I just could not resist making one more stamp featuring Simon Says Stamp's Funny Food set. This time, I decided to feature one of my favorite food combinations- pizza and fries. I don't have it often, of course, but it's one of those comfort junk foods I had when I was young that reminds me of home.

I used a speech bubble die to create an area for my sentiment and paired the images with a warm orange polka-dot paper and a few glittery enamel dots.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Celebrate Little Things

Today's card was inspired entirely by the little quote on the sentiment sticker: celebrate the little things. I love the idea of taking joy in and celebrating small things - especially when they're little things that delight us. Sometimes, it feels like we just run from one big thing to the next (especially holidays) and it's so important to slow down and take the time to appreciate small daily victories.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~