Block Stencils

For these cards I took two blocks of the block stencil kit and enlarged them to 2.5x2.5" each.  They come either in the sheet, or as individual blocks, so once I enlarged them and centered them on a rectangle (4.25x5.5") I removed the outline of the block so that the stencil part would stay on the paper I was making for my card.  This created the centerpiece, if you will, for my cards.

For the hearts card I cut a frame out using my nesties and cuttlebug and put it over the stencil part.  I used a scrap piece of red paper to put behind the hearts.  Chalked the border of the paper I cut on my Silhouette and then stamped "love" and added some flowers to the end.  Voila!

For this card I followed the same kind of thing as above, but instead of the red paper, I used - get this - a part of the blue plastic bag that covers our paper each week.  Good way to recycle, right? :-)  I was going for more of a stained glass look.  I wanted the blue to really show through, but I wanted it on a black card, so I layered the blue plastic and then white paper behind the stencil (blue plastic on black would've been too dark).  Then I added bling, a ribbon, a stamped sentiment and then adhered to the black card and I was done!  Well, except that it's hard to write on black, so I put a white piece of paper inside to write a note on.

Tools used: Stencils, Silhouette, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities

Flower Stencil sample

Here's a card I made using Darcy's Floral Stencil Kit.  One of the things I love about this kit is that it's so versatile!  You can mix and match and make any kind of flower you want.  Also included in the file are mats for the flowers too.  Very cool! 

In this card I used the "ink on the Q-tip technique" in my previous balloon card.  This time I didn't use the blender pen because I wanted a softer feel for the flower.  I used my Cuttlebug to cut the mat and the slider.  The 'thank you' is from Just Rite Stampers.

Tools used: Stencils, Cuttlebug, Just Rite Stampers, Silhouette

Stencils with your Silhouette? Oh yes!

Did you think about creating stencils on your digital cutter?  Well, Darcy of Darcy's Designs did! You can check out her blog here, store here, and digital cutting site here.  Yes, she's a busy lady!  Below is the first card I made using her Birthday Stencil Kit.  I colored the balloons with a Q-tip and ink, and then I used a blender pen to blend them in a little bit more.  Tied a bow on it, framed it, and called it a day. :-)  Very fun, yet simple to do!  I can't wait to try other media on the stencils!  And more samples to come this week - keep your eyes open ;-)   

Tools used: Silhouette (to cut the stencils); Cuttlebug w/ Nestabilities to cut the frame;

Another Sympathy Card

I know - seems like I'm posted a lot of sympathy cards but unfortunately we've had a lot of needs for them this past year.  Hopefully 2010 will be better and I'll have more happy reasons to create stuff! :-)  Hard as it may be, we all need sympathy cards now and again so hopefully I can inspire someone to create their own - I'm sure it will mean a lot to the recipient. :-)

Mom-in-law's b-day card

I made this card for my mom-in-law's b-day.  She loves bright color combinations and these, in fact, match some of the decor in her living room.  The 'happy b-day' is embossed with white powder.  The background was embossed with my cuttlebug.  Gosh, I love that machine! :-)

50th B-day card

I made this card for a friend of ours who turned 50, but it's hard to believe she's a day over 40!  She looks fabulous!  For the silver background I embossed aluminum foil through my Cuttlebug.  The word 'happy' and the ???? are embossed with silver as well.  The '50th' in the middle was done with my Just Rite Stamper.  Enjoy!

Last coaster...for now :-)

Ok, this is my last coaster posting....for now tee hee.  This was done by using one of the background stamps from SU that I have.  So simple!  (It's funny to watch people at craft fairs pick out the ones with the words they like - but they don't realize that they are looking at the same coaster but just from a different viewpoint.  Too funny!)

Wine coaster

For the wine enthusiast in your life....or just because they look nice :-)  For this coaster I've colored in parts and I 'chalked' the edge of the coaster with purple Stazon ink. 

Snowman coasters

The pics didn't come out that good for these little fellas - they are much brighter in real life.  In any event, these are a popular sell at my craft fairs...but only during the winter months :-)  I make these guys in a few different color schemes, but I've only shown two here.  What I like about the snowmen is that you can use them all winter long - no matter what holidays you celebrate!  And you don't have to put them away when your decorations go back into storage.

Red Heart Coasters

Two versions of the heart coaster - one plain, one with French script behind it.  To do the layered one, I first stamped the heart onto a post-it note, then I cut it out.  This was to cover the heart on the coaster to then layer the French script over it.