Wednesday, September 28, 2011

The Craft's Me-owl

Hello Friends & Followers!  I hope your week is going well.  Today's card was created for this month's sketch at The Craft's Meow using their 'Happy Owl-ween' set illustrated by the talented Jenny Suchins:
(Please click on the photo for clearer resolution).  I just adore Jenny's little owls, they are SO CUTE!  And apparently her bats (and spiders, though I didn't use any here) are too!  I punched an oval of this pre-glittered black paper from last year's Martha Stewart Halloween papers collection, stamped the owl, fence and hat separately, colored them in using Copic markers, cut them out and assembled them.  Then I took a piece of this gorgeous black velvet paper from the same set and used Martha Stewart's Crackle punch along the top edge and tied some of this pretty iridescent yellow ribbon from Hobby Lobby around it.  Both of the cutie pie bats were stamped, colored and cut out too.  The sliver moon was stamped on yellow cardstock and then I added some glitter glue over the top to make it sparkle and let it dry (FYI: I found some of this Studio G glitter glue in these adorable little bottles that resembled Stickles at Walmart for only 97 cents (though I have seen them at Michaels for $1 as well) and wanted to see how they compared to Stickles - well, they ROCK IMHO!  Extremely similar to Stickles - look just as sparkly when dry, and dries in about the same amount of time too.  They might have been just a microscopic tad thicker than Stickles, though that isn't bad as I found it easier to control that way, and the opening of the dispenser might be slightly larger but with practice it is just as easy to get a nice fine line.)  I added some buttons with yellow twine bows through the centers and VOILA!    
In addition to The Craft's Meow Sketch Challenge, this card fulfilled the requirements of the following additional challenges as well:


Thanks for the fun sketch to play with Lisa!  And thank you all for taking the time to stop by my blog and view my creations.  Have a great day!
~Crafty Math Chick

Friday, September 23, 2011

Sunny Birthday Cards

Hello friends & followers!  I hope you are all having a happy Friday and have something fun planned for this weekend.  :)  Today I have two cards to share with you.  The first I created for Skipping Stones Design Sketch Challenge 94 using SSD's 'Margarita Birthday' set and some yummy tropical pre-glittered patterned paper from DCWV's Citrus mat stack:
(Please click on the photo for clearer resolution).  I know these tropical colors are not exactly seasonal at the moment, but they are happy and bright and I like them.  :)  I took the liberty of changing the circle to a margarita glass (LOL!) and the lime wedge takes the place of the star and is popped up with dimensionals (as is the glass).  I added some Stickles (side note - mine are ALWAYS getting clogged - if any of you have some advice on how to unclog them I would be most grateful, inserting an unfolded paper clip into the opening does not seem to be working) to create the 'salt' rim and some seed beads threaded through a thin wire to serve as the wine glass ring.  The inside says "...especially when the salt accompanies a drink and good friends."


My second card was created for There She Goes Clear Stamps Challenge 123 - to create a birthday card with pizzazz in celebration of their 3rd birthday.  I opted for a CAS layout using TSG's 'Make a Wish' set:
(please click on the photo for clearer resolution).  Again, I opted for happy, sunny yellow.  Although, this is Daffodil Delight and the previous card used Yoyo Yellow - can you tell the difference?  Maybe not with monitor distortion.  The cupcakes were colored using my Copic markers and I have to say, my friend Lee might faint, but I liked the way they looked before adding the glitter.  I thought the glitter was required for the challenge when in actuality the little heart shaped rhinestones I added to three of the ROYGBV cupcakes (I love color, LOL!) would have been sufficient to meet the challenge requirements.  I just really liked the shading I did with my Copic markers and the glitter hids it a little.  


Well, that is all I have for you right now, I might have something more to see this evening - I need to find something to take my mind that I have to wait one more day for TSG's Release Party (Saturday Night 9 pm EST - be there or be square!) and to fill my time since there is no Friday Night Chat at TSG this evening.  (insert melodramatic sigh here).  Have a wonderful Friday everyone!!  :)
~Crafty Math Chick

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Who Says Christmas Cards Need to be Red & Green

(If you are looking for my Taylored Expressions' Blast from the Past Blog Hop Post, please scroll down)
Hello again Friends & Followers!  I have two more cards for you today, both fit Sharon's Free-for-all Friday Challenge at Stamp TV - to create a holiday card in non-traditional colors, as well as Jennie's current Stamp TV Challenge on Facebook - to create a card using Gina K. Designs stamps using 3 patterned papers; since there is no doubling up of Stamp TV challenges I will submit one for one challenge and one for the other. I was just having so much fun with this little girl image from Gina K. Designs' 'Warm & Cozy Christmas' and papers from American Crafts' 'Merrymint' collection (in case you have not noticed, sky blue & chocolate brown is my favorite color combination!).  So, without further ado, here is card #1 (think I will submit this one for the FB challenge):
And here is card #2 (which I will submit for the non-traditional holiday colors challenge on Stamp TV):
(Please click on the photos for clearer resolution).  I am also submitting these cards for the following additional challenges:

(Note: Holiday card count: 40, still way behind I hope to be by this time of year, oh well).  Thanks for stopping by and viewing my creations!  I hope you are having a wonderful Wednesday!
~Crafty Math Chick

Taylored Expressions Blast from the Past Blog Hop

Hello friends & followers!  Today I am participating in Taylored Expressions' Blast from the Past Blop where we give a little love to some of Taylor's previously released sets - the theme: Birthday!  (or if you preferred "birth day" - Taylor recently had a beautiful bouncing baby girl and we are helping her celebrate!  Congrats Taylor!)  I decided to use TE's 'It's in the Bag' set and coordinating shopping bag die (isn't it the sweetest?) along with Sketch 112 from Tuesday Morning Sketches along with some patterned paper by S.E.I.'s Charlemagne collection (I love its varnished papers and shiny copper accents - was I the only kid who thought copper was WAAAAY prettier than silver or gold?  But I digress... here is my card:)

(Please click on the photo for clearer resolution).  Isn't that die just the sweetest?  And it cuts out that cute little label shape that the sentiments from the set fit on too!  Perfect size for tucking in a little candy, chocolate or even a rolled up dollar bill as a my friend Karen suggested the other day!  The possibilities are endless!





This card also fulfills the requirements of the following two additional challenges as well:




Thank you so much for visiting my blog today.  I hope you like my card and have a wonderful Wednesday!
~Crafty Math Chick

Monday, September 19, 2011

Tweaking TE for SSD93...

Hello friends & followers!  Hope your week is off to a good start - mine is, because I got to stamp today!  YAAY!  My first card was made for Sketch SSD93 by Skipping Stones Designs using their adorable 'Birthday Purses' set and some fun patterned papers from Echo Park's 'WAlk in the Park' Collection:
(please click on the photos for clearer resolution)  See the purse?  It is actually 3-dimensional - I used this shopping bags die made by Taylored Expressions - now, it is a little bigger than the largest purse image in this set, so I trimmed it down a bit and tweaked it to make it fit and stuff some of the pretty light blue glittered tissue paper that Julee sends with her Verve stamps in the mail.  Here is another angle to give you an idea of what I mean:
I just tacked on some DP strips from the scraps on the sides and VOILA - purse!  I can tuck a little Hershey's nugget or some other chocolate treat in there if I want to, there is room for something small (see why I like that TE die so much?).  Oh - there is more - To continue the 'birthdays are like purses..." sentiment on the front, inside the card we have...


Do you see the little keys I made in the corner?  I used this key punched I purchased years ago (I knew it was perfect for all those 'we've moved!' cards I need to keep making over and over) and punched out 4 keys from grey cardstock, punched a hole in their centers (which was a little tricky - had to use my craft knife to gently coax each one out without tearing them), threaded some silver wire through them and twisted them to make a key holder - TA DA!!  Do you like it?!! In the future I think I will stamp several more purse images inside and then 'hide' the keys among them.  In addition to SSD93, this card satisfies the requirements of the following additional challenges:


My second card used Jen del Muro's September Sketch-for-You-to-Try (SFYTT).  I stuck with SSD's Birthday Purses and used some yummy varnished papers from SEI's Charlamagne stack (they reminded me of the texture that some of the designer purses have) to create this card:
(Again, please click on the photo for clearer resolution).  I colored the handle and bow with Copic markers and paper pieced the middle panel section of the handbag.  The inside says 'To my favorite pursen' - cute huh?  In addition to Jen's SFYTT challenge, this card fulfills the requirements of the following additional challenges as well:

Thank you all for stopping by and taking time to look at my creations and read my ramblings.  I hope you have a wonderful evening and a terrific week!
~Crafty Math Chick

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Late to the Waltz...

Hello friends & followers, somehow I spaced the date of this month's Waltzingmouse Stamps' Blog Waltz (blushing), but luckily their owner Claire is super sweet and gives us a little extra time to post our creations.  This month's theme - Halloween.  Claire has a ton of really terrific Halloween images, I don't happen to have any in my collection so I had to get creative.  I used this beautiful pumpkin image from WMS' 'Peace & Plenty' set to create this card (please click on the photo for clearer resolution):

with the intention of drawing in eyes, a nose and a toothy grin to convert it into a jack-o-lantern, but I just couldn't bear to do it once I colored it in (and I wondered if the inks might bleed?) with my Copic markers.  I used my Martha Stewart 'punch around the page' crackle punch on this really cool black holographic paper I picked up at Target - I tried to capture it's rainbow sheen in the photo - did I succeed?  Since I didn't have any WMS sentiments that said "Happy Halloween' I scavenged through my small package of resins and found this 'trick or treat' sentiment that I thought would work perfectly.  


So, that is my card for Waltzingmouse's September Blog Waltz, I wish I had been on time.  This card also fulfills the requirements of the following additional challenges:


Thanks again for stopping by and seeing my creations.  I should have more for you to see tomorrow.  Until then - have a fantastic Saturday Night!
~Crafty Math Chick

Friday, September 16, 2011

Happy House-Mouse Friday!

Hello friends & followers!  Happy Friday!  Today I have two cards for your viewing pleasure.  The first is in celebration of House-Mouse Designs birthday, this company that sells the cutest mouse, bunny, bear and other assorted creature images.  My friend Lee introduced me to them and I just ADORE them!  So I made this card using their sweet 'Make a Wish' image and Sketch 350 by Roxie over at Splitcoaststampers to make this card for House-Mouse's birthday celebration challenge:
See?  Are the mousies sweet?  (Please click on the photo for clearer resolution).  The mousies are colored with Copic markers, I added some red pearls to the corners and some glitter to the cupcake's frosting for a little extra sparkle to match the pre-glittered papers from the 'Birthday Extravaganza' stack from Hobby Lobby.  This card also fulfills the following additional challenges as well:
My second card was created using Sweet N' Sassy Stamps' Sweet Stop Sketch 125 and the recipe from Deb Felt's September Release Challenge at Stamp TV: to use at least 4 colors (light blue, deep red, rosey pink, white), 3 embellishments (rhinestones, ribbon, buttons), two punches or die cuts (the big circle by Marvy-Uchida and the scalloped-edge punch) and 1 image (from Gina K. Designs' 'Warm & Cozy Christmas' set) to make one holiday card (holiday card count = 38, behind where I hope to be this time of year, but not abysmal).

(Again, please click on the photo for clearer resolution).  I just love these colors together!  The papers are from one of DCWV's mat stacks, easy coordination!  This card also fulfills the requirements of the following additional challenges:


Embellishment


Button(s)

Stamped image

Digi image

Ribbon

3 papers or layers

Flower(s)


Sentiment

Die cuts


(I went straight across the top row, with embellishments, buttons, and a stamped image).


That is probably all of the cards I have for you today sadly, but I hope to do LOTS of stamping and crafting this weekend so I hope you will stop by again!  Thanks for taking the time to view my creations and read my ramblings.  Have a wonderful Friday!
~Crafty Math Chick

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

At Home with DCWV

Hello again friends & followers - I hope your week is off to a good start!  I have two cards for your viewing pleasure today - both are inspired by  this week's sketch from Card Positioning Systems - Sketch 235, designed by Tami Mayberry, seen here:
I rotated it 180 degrees of course and used it to make two cards.  The first was inspired by this lovely picture from this week's 'For Your Inspiration' Challenge 13:
I was inspired by the deep navies and purples of this photo with the golden glow of the Eiffel Tower and created this card using an image from Gina K. Designs' 'Sent With Love' Stamp TV kit:
That lovely DP is from DCWV's 'At Home' stack.  The Eiffel Tower is embossed with gold EP onto a Labels 14 die cut (one of my favorite Nestability shapes!).  My second card also uses sketch CPS235 and papers from the At Home stack, but I was more influenced by the colors from The Play Date Cafe Challenge 98, which had fewer purple tones and more teal & golden hues as seen in their picture:
Using these colors 'Labeled with Love', also by Gina K. Designs, I created this card for Jimmi Mayo's 'Free-for-All' Friday Challenge over at Stamp TV - to make a sympathy card (which are always difficult to make when you need one on the spot right?  So it is always a nice idea to have a few stashed away... just in case).
So, what do you think?  Do you have a favorite of the two?  


Thanks for stopping by my blog and viewing my creations!  I hope you have a terrific evening!!
~Crafty Math Chick

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night...

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly

All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise..
(The Beatles)
Hello friends & followers.  If you have not heard 'Blackbird' before, please allow me to introduce you.  I think it is such a calming, peaceful, uplifting song.  It has a lot of interpretations, but to me, it is a song of encouragement to a living thing that has had some  challenge to overcome, for them to fly above it all, I like that positive message delivered so gently.  I love listening to it, even enjoy singing it (much to the dismay of those in earshot of me) - haven't heard it?  There are lots of different versions of it out there.  HERE is a link to a version of it I particularly like on You Tube performed by the cast of the television show Glee.  Hope you like it.  :)


So why do I begin today by breaking into song?  (actually, that is not unheard of for me, especially at TSG Release parties...).  Two of the challenges I completed my first card for were 'Inspired by a Song' and this was the song that inspired me to make not one but two cards.  :)  The first card was created using Skipping Stones Design Sketch 92 (isn't it great?  Amy Sheffer designed it - staying in my 'go-to' file for sure!):


I replaced the star element with my own little 'blackbird' image from SSD's 'Heartsong' set perched on one of the musical scores of Echo Park's yummy 'Be Mine' collection, which matched the design on the bird's body perfectly, to create this card:
(Please click on the photo for clearer resolution).  I used some flirty ruffled ribbon, a get well soon gift from a friend right after I had my spinal fusion surgery, accentuated by some black velvet ribbon (I LOVE velvet ribbon!).  The 'thank you' sentiment is also from the same set - pretty font no?  Okay, get ready, in addition to the sketch challenge this little card fulfills the requirements of the following additional challenges as well:


WOW!  LOL!  :)


My second card was still inspired by this song in the sense I was thinking of something uplifting, supportive... a 'you can do it!' attitude.  This card was made for my friend Lee's Mix It Up Monday Challenge at Stamp TV - to 'think pink' for our friend AJ who is fighting the good fight right now (and I KNOW she is going to WIN!!).  I used Theresa Momber's beautifully illustrated 'Hang in There' set by Gina K. Designs, this week's sketch 72 by Donna at Sunday Sketch & Stamp and created this card to send to my friend:
I cut a rectangle of grey paper int he desired size and crumpled it up several times and split it apart to create a brushed look of faux suede to match the koala's natural soft texture, substituted three flowers in for the circle in the sketch, used more of that fabby ruffled gingham and black velvet ribbon, some pearls and some black rhinestones (one of my favorite colors of rhinestones oddly enough).  There were two different challenges that asked us to decorate the inside of our cards: (1) Paper Sundaes 86 (though they called it 'Finishing Touches' - isn't that cute?), and (2) Truly Scrumptious Challenge 65, and since this is for someone I really care about I wanted it to be special, here is the inside:


(the angle is a little off in the photo - sorry!).  All of these images are from 'Hang in There'.  Okay, here we go again, this card also fulfills the requirements of the additional challenges:

Whew!  I think that is 17 challenges total - a new record for me!  WOO HOO!



Thank you to all of the challenges sites, and their sponsors, for the fun challenges, and of course thank YOU, my loyal friends & followers who visit my blog regularly and give me the warm fuzzies with all of your sweet & supportive comments.  I hope you have a FABULOUS Sunday and a terrific week ahead!
~Crafty Math Chick

Friday, September 9, 2011

Da Plane! Da Plane!

Hello friends & followers!  I hope you are all having a happy Friday!  Today's card was created for Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday Challenge - to create a background using non-background stamps using Paper Sundaes Sketch 85 (flipped 180 degrees):
I used the little plane image from PTI's Tiny Treats Valentine set to stamp the outline plane image in Lemon tart, Pure Poppy, New Leaf and Enchanted Evening inks and paired it with one of the planes from PTI's mini set 'Fly Away' - this was my first time ever using one of PTI's dies in my new Cuttlebug - it worked like buttah!  I was PSYCHED!  My CB does not cut CB dies, so to have a way to cut all these wonderful thin dies a lot of stamping companies are offering now is AWESOME!  I figured this would make a good birthday card for one of my nephews or maybe to include in my next Operation Write Home bundle for troops to send home to their kids.  This card also fulfills the requirements of the following additional challenges:

As a side note - my friend Anita is giving away some blog candy on her blog, you can check it out HERE.  Speaking of blog candy, want to learn how to make COOL goodie bags like this:


make sure you check out The Twinery Blog's Halloween Treat Bags Giveaway Post.  Have a great Friday Night everyone!  :)
~Crafty Math Chick

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Two Takes on Sketch SSD91


Hello friends & followers!  Hope you are enjoying your Labor Day weekend yes?  I have two cards for your viewing pleasure today, both created for this week's sketch challenge, SSD91, at Skipping Stones Design:
I took this sketch and rotated it 90 degrees to the right for both cards.  The first is a birthday card for a chocolate loving friend using SSD's 'Buns & Crunches," "Chocolate Vol. 1" & "Chocolate Vol. 2" sets and some yummy patterned paper from Hot Off the Press that I purchased at JoAnn's:
(Please click on the individual photos for clearer resolution).  Here is the inside of the card, I thought my friend would be amused with all of the different chocolately images:
This card also fulfills the requirements for the following additional challenges:


Here is my second card using SSD's 'Christmas Swirls' set:
I prefer my chocolate card better, but am making an effort to post all my cards to 'keep it real' and you never know when something you post will inspire someone else to create something else, right?  :)  BTW, the Christmas baubles in this set fit perfectly inside of Marvy Uchida's blue circle punch.  The subtle background DP here is from a DCWV winter mat stack.  I had some trouble with the Encore metallic silver & blue inks smudging - even after heat setting them.  if anyone has advice for working with these inks or other metallic inks they are happier with I would love to hear your input.  This card fulfills the 'Christmas in August' challenge for this week's For Fun Challenge.  


Thank you for taking the time to stop by and view my creations.  Have a great Saturday night!  :)
~Crafty Math Chick

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Happy September! (and blog candy alert!)

Hello friends & followers!  Happy September!  I am so exicted for fall, it is my favorite season.  What is yours?


Today I am reposting a card a made last year, before I started this blog, using HSH - Hanukkah Additions by There She Goes:
(Please click on photo for clearer resolution).  So why am I re-posting this card at the present time?  Other than I really like it and this set?  Because my friend Michele is giving it away on her blog as blog candy!  But hurry - you only have until Friday to comment: ON THIS POST!  Good luck!  And Happy September!  Hope everyone has an enjoyable Labor Day Weekend!  :)
~Crafty Math Chick