Create x3

Plain & Simple

The pastor of my parent's church lost his daughter yesterday in a terrible car accident. I wanted to send him a card so I thought plain and simple would be best. I decided to use a Memory Box violet notecard for the base. I cut the end off to create a 4 1/4" square card. I then used Memory Box paper scraps to stamp on and for the embossed white background. That's one thing I love about Memory Box paper--it has a white core and back so you can use the paper in many different ways!

For the image, I stamped the new Reverse Allium stamp {E1834} using dusty concord ink onto scrap paper. I then cut it down and attached to the card. I added buttons with twine to finish.

Papers: Memory Box violet nc, Memory Box paper scraps
Stamps: Memory Box Reverse Allium E1834
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink dusty concord
Embellishments: Sizzix Damask #5 embossing folder, May Arts twine, American Crafts buttons, Doodlebug button, sewing machine

So, if you have to create a sympathy card, why not try plain and simple next time. Thanks for stopping by, and hope to be back in a few days with another creation! 

3 or {More}

Today I thought it would be fun to use 3 or more Memory Box stamps on my card. On this card I was able to use:

Reverse Allium E1834 
Distressed Garden Record G1848 
Just a Note B1053

And here is how it turned out:

Papers: Memory Box licorice and aloe notecards, Paper Trey Ink kraft paper scrap
Stamps: Memory Box Reverse Allium E1834, Memory Box Distressed Garden Record G1848, Memory Box Just a Note B1053
Stamp Ink: Archival jet black
Distress Stains: Tim Holtz Distress Stains bundled sage, chipped sapphire, tumbled glass, spiced marmalade, picket fence
Embellishments: open-weave jute ribbon from Save-on-Crafts, May Arts ribbon, Ranger Craft Tag #5, staple, sewing machine

So, I got to use 3 stamps on my card. How many will you try to use? Would love to know what you do! Have fun!

{Watercolor} Flowers

Today I thought I would have fun with the Memory Box Drift Flowers stamp {D1841} and my water bottle. I thought a little watercolor would be fun in some bright colors since Spring is here! Here is my watercolor card:

Papers: Memory Box gourd nc, Strathmore watercolor paper
Stamps: Memory Box Drift Flowers D1841
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink broken china, spiced marmalade, mustard seed, crushed olive, and peeled paint
Embellishments: May Arts ribbons, Tim Holtz tiny attacher, sewing machine

To create:

1. Ink Drift Flowers stamp with various colors of distress ink.

2. Spritz stamp with water.

3. Stamp onto watercolor paper and heat set.

4. Repeat Steps 1-3 two more times getting different variations of your color scheme each time.

5. Trim each flower to 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" and ink each piece in one of the distress ink colors.

6. Tie a ribbon around the bottom of each piece; set aside.

7. Sew around the edges of a Memory Box gourd card. **Please note that the Memory Box gourd notecard has been discontinued. Memory Box cantelope would be a very close replacement.

8. Adhere the pieces set aside in Step 6.

9. Finish with staples in the upper corners of each side of the card for fun.

I hope you have fun with this and enjoyed it today. Thanks for stopping by!

{Shopping Bag} Inspiration

The other day I created a card using a shopping bag I had saved. It was too pretty to throw away. Well, I had another bag in a different color so I decided to create with that today. I not only used the bag but also used the colors from the bag for my choice of ink colors, card color, etc. Here is my card followed by step-by-step instructions:

Papers: Memory Box sunflower and slate nc, Paper Trey Ink cs (white), yellow paper from recycled shopping bag
Stamps: Memory Box Reverse Allium E1834, Memory Box Just a Note Combo B1852
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink black soot and pumice stone
Embellishments: Memory Box Pepital Border die 98256; May Arts twine; Paper Trey Ink button; hand-dyed Hug Snug using Glimmer Mist lemon zest, mustard seed, and graphite; sewing machine

1. Tear edges of shopping bag to fit a Memory Box sunflower notecard.

2. Mist the torn piece with water and crumple into a ball.

3. Carefully unfold the piece and dry with a heat tool.

4. Adhere to card.

5. Using pumice stone distress ink, stamp the Memory Box Reverse Allium {E1834} stamp onto white cardstock.

6.  Then using black soot distress ink, stamp the Memory Box Just a Note Combo {B1852} stamp onto the upper right hand corner of the Reverse Allium image.

7. Adhere to card.

8. Using a sewing machine, stitch around Reverse Allium image and around the edge of the shopping bag.

9. Cut two small pieces of the Memory Box Pepital Border {98256} die using scraps of a Memory Box slate notecard.

10. Adhere die pieces to the lower left-hand corner of the stamped image.

11. Place a bow and button on the same corner to finish.

I hope you enjoyed today's card. Thank you for stopping by!

Mixed-Color Background

First, I want to welcome all of my new subscribers! I am glad to have you joining in the Memory Box fun! Welcome!

Today I thought it would be fun to create my own background using water-based markers, water, and an acrylic block. I have done this before on cards using distress inks and defining the area for certain colors. You can see an example by clicking here. Today I thought it would be fun to "mix up" the colors a bit.

First, I chose four colors to use. Next I took one color at a time, scribbled the color onto my acrylic block, misted with water, and then "colored" it onto my paper. To color onto the paper, I stamped and rubbed the acyrlic block directly onto my paper. While it was wet, I could play with where the colors went. I did this for each of the colors mixing it up as I went along. The colors didn't dry too fast so they were able to blend and bleed a bit. Here is what the color collage looked like after I mixed it up:

Messy huh? :) Next, I used the Memory Box Blank Ticket die {98213} to cut out the mixed-color paper. Then I stamped the paper with the Memory Box Mercer Rose Background stamp {G1842}. I then layered the new Memory Box sky notecard with vintage book paper, a doily, and some flowers to create the card. For the tag, I used a piece of the vintage book paper along with the Memory Box Just a Note stamp {B1053}. And here is how the card turned out:

Papers: Memory Box sky nc, X-Press It
Stamps: Memory Box Just a Note B1053, Memory Box Mercer Rose Background G1842
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink black soot
Tim Holtz Distress Markers: barn door, broken china, peeled paint, spiced marmalade
Embellishments: Memory Box blank ticket die 98213, smaller flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, Prima flower (large), doily from Hobby Lobby, misc. vintage book paper, sewing machine

I hope you have enjoyed today's creation and technique! Thanks for stopping by! I appreciate all of you!

Masking Paint Chips

If you remember my post from Friday, I shared a fun way to use the new Memory Box Mail Definitions Background {G1839} stamp. If you missed that post, please click here. Well today, I want to show you another way to use it along with the new Memory Box Mercer Rose Background {G1842} stamp.

For today's card, I decided to play with a paint chip. I had a scrap piece of Memory Box Brioche paper lying around, and I also had a paint chip that matched the paper. I thought it would be fun to mask the paint chip and both of the new background stamps to fill in the color chips.

To stamp the paint swatch, I masked off each paint color, and I then stamped my image in each color chip. I used the Mail Definitions Background in the top and bottom sections. I then used the Mercer Rose Background in the center section. The paint chip is glossy paper so I used Archival Ink to stamp the images.

Once the paint chip was complete, I added some sewing and lace to the chip and placed it on my card with some fun embellishments. To create the sentiment, I just ran a small piece of Brioche paper through my printer. I thought the sentiment was appropriate for the Mail Definitions Background stamp. And here is how the card turned out:

Papers: Memory Box iris nc, Memory Box Brioche
Stamps: Memory Box Mail Definitions Background G1839, Memory Box Mercer Rose Background G1842
Stamp Ink: Archival Ink jet black, Tim Holtz Distress Ink frayed burlap
Embellishments: misc. paint chip, open-weave jute ribbon from Save-on-Crafts, Prima leaves and button, May Arts twine, misc. lace, doily from Hobby Lobby, sewing machine

So get creative and have fun with all of the new Memory Box background stamps!  I hope you have liked today's card and ideas. Thanks for stopping by!

Mail {Tag}

So, have you used the new Memory Box Mail Definitions Background {G1839} stamp yet? Oh is it awesome. It can be used for so many different things. In today's post and in my next post, I am going to show you some things that you can do with this stamp. Today, I used it to create a fun tag for a card. Let's look at the details.

First, I took a Ranger Craft Tag and stamped the Mail Definitions stamp on the tag using Archival Ink. Then I used The Crafter's Workshop mini circle grid template to spritz on meadow green Glimmer Mist. After removing the template, I spritzed on a bit of suede Glimmer Mist. Then I distressed the edges and tore the bottom of the tag to put onto my card.

I really did not have a plan for the card other than I wanted to create a tag using the Mail Definitions stamp. I then layered some Memory Box gingham and Violoa papers onto a Memory Box aloe notecard. Then I added some embellishments and used the Memory Box Thanks Script {A833} stamp for the sentiment. Here is how my card turned out with this fun tag:

Papers: Memory Box aloe nc, Memory Box keylime gingham, Memory Box Viola
Stamps: Memory Box Mail Definitions Background G1839, Memory Box Thanks Script A833
Stamp Ink: Archival Ink jet black, Tim Holtz Distress Ink frayed burlap
Embellishments: The Crafter's Workshop mini circle grid, Glimmer Mist meadow green and suede (for tag), Ranger craft tag, open-weave jute ribbon from Save-on-Crafts, Prima leaves, flower from Wild Orchid Crafts, sewing machine

I hope you have enjoyed today's inspiration. Be sure to check back for my next creation using this same Memory Box stamp.

Have You Seen the New Colors?

Oh, have you seen the new card colors that came out with the new What's in the Box 2012 release? Oh they are so pretty! They are Aloe, Sky, Violet, and Slate. I decided slate would be a fun challenge for me to play with so I created a card with it for you today.

Papers: Memory Box licoric nc, Memory Box slate, Memory Box Viola, Memory Box licorice dot 
Stamps: Memory Box Dogwood Branch F1847, Memory Box Something Special 
Stamp Ink: Archival Ink jet black 
Embellishments: Memory Box classic scallop die, Angora watercolors, Sizzix flower lattice #2 embossing folder, Robin's Nest black dewdrop, sewing machine

I first cut a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of slate cardstock. I then embossed it with an embossing folder. Look how amazing the embossing looks in this color. I love how much white from the core comes through. This is paper I will definitely emboss again. Next, I added a strip of Viola paper as well as a piece of licorice dot paper cut with the Memory Box Classic Scallop die. I then added some sewing to the papers before adhering them to my Memory Box licorice notecard. 

Next I stamped the Memory Box Dogwood Brand stamp twice onto white cardstock. I used my watercolors to color in the flowers. I cut one flower out and layered it on top of the first flower before adhering to the card. Next I stamped the Memory Box Something Special stamp onto Viola paper and trimmed for a tag. And lastly, I added a little embellishment to the flowers to finish.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing one of the new colors and how it embosses so beautifully! I will be back soon with more new goodies to share! Oh, and if you missed my layout I posted on the DT blog the other day, here is how it turned out:

Papers: Memory Box Viola, Paper Trey Ink cs
Stamps: Memory Box Leafy Branch Globe E1850
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink dusty concord
Embellishments: Memory Box blank ticket die, Tim Holtz mini paper clip, Basic Grey Kioshi chipboard letters, Lyra apple green colored pencil, Craftworkcard Candi greenwich village, vintage Flinch card, misc. ribbon, Zva Creative flourish, sewing machine

Thanks for stopping by!

Come See This!

Today is my day to post on the DT blog sharing the new What's in the Box 2012 goodies! You won't want to miss out because you might win some of the new goodies. Here is a glimpse of what just posted on the DT blog:

So, come on over to the DT blog and look at all of the new fun products! Don't forget to leave a comment on the DT blog post so that you are eligible to win some of the new goodies! Thanks for stopping by!