Keeping it Simple!

I've been in a 'clean and simple layout' mode lately. It seems like I go back to this once in a while - and it's all good, I think! Not every card has to be an original and time-consuming work of art. If they were, I'd probably not be making too many cards! It's good to whip up something quick, but still get good results!

So the "recipe" on both of these cards is to pick out some fun Designer Papers, maybe add some texture, and use a cute saying - maybe add a dash of pearl accents - Tah Dah!

The close-up here shows you the stamp from the Tagtastic set that I used. I added a little Crumb Cake color here and there, and some pearls - and punched it out with the Wide Oval Punch. Then I layered it onto a Lots of Tags Big Shot piece. - Super Easy!

Here's another easy to do card - kind of the same idea! Some Morning Mocha Designer Paper, a few punches and some pearls - that's all there is to it!

I love the Friendly Phrases stamp set! To me, it's a great focal piece on any card - you don't even need any other special images! But I do think some pearls make a nice added touch!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

A Creative CASE and a Reminder!

I loved the sample in the catalog (on page 12) with the Simply Soft set, but I haven't gotten the set yet. So I decided I'd make the card and just use a set that I have! And it's a set that I LOVE - Creative Elements!

So I pretty much CASE'd the card, just editing with pieces from Creative Elements!

Instead of the punched and distressed flower, I stamped and cut out the butterfly. When I added the pearls I gave them a little tan coloring from a permanent marker - I thought it helped to tone them down a bit!

And then because I wanted to use it for a birthday card, I used the Petite Pairs Happy Birthday saying. I put it where the original had a hand-cut and colored branch (took out a little bit of extra work too!).

I love that our catalog (and idea book) is so full of awesome samples that make it easy to make a great card!!


Don't forget to leave a comment on yesterday's post for a chance to win a FREE subscription to this month's edition of Craft Project Central. I'll be drawing a winner tomorrow at noon! Either scroll down or click HERE for the details!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Mocha Morning Makes it Masculine!

I needed a quick masculine card today for my brother's birthday. So I went with this super simple layout - and pulled out some Mocha Morning papers - Wah lah! I love how those papers have just the right mix of stuff - a lot of it is great for masculine cards.

And a quick Happy Birthday from the Perfect Punches set. It's punched out with the Wide Oval punch and then layered on a Lots of Tags Big Shot die cut. - Some great "must-haves" for quick cards!

Oh, and I did run the background through the Houndstooth Embossing Folder - hmmm, Houndstooth checks and stripes together?? Oh well, I think it's ok on a card!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

More Magnificient Mocha Morning!

This card was a 'sorta' copy from a card I saw on the boards at Convention. It was done pretty much the same, just a different saying in the middle (which I didn't have). And I added a little Polka Dot Embossing Folder texture to mine!

But, once again, I used the Mocha Morning Specialty papers - I just love this Crumb Cake piece with the black flocking on it, it's just so striking!

Here's a cool way to put a bow around your card! I tied the bow first. Then I laid that on the corner, and put the tails around to cover the opposite corner - and stuck it all down on the back sides!

And here's a full picture again. You can see how I made the base of the card a 4 1//4" X 5 1/2" piece of black card stock. And the actual card part that opens is a smidge smaller and glued onto the 1/4 sheet of black. I did add a piece of Polka Dot Embossed Crumb on top of the card for some added texture too!

Oh, and the 'thanks' comes from the new Kindness Matters stamp set.


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Magnificient Mocha Morning Purse!

This new Mocha Morning Specialty paper is just awesome!! The felt embossed images are to die for - and then turn it into a purse, Super Awesome! And all it takes is a 6" x 6" piece of Designer Paper. On your piece of Designer Paper you just score at 1 1/4" on two opposite sides. Then you turn and score the other opposite sides at 2 1/2". Once you fold up the sides, you make diagonal folds to push in the sides of the purse.

Don't you just love how the Basic Black cardstock straps and edges really 'pop' the pattern on the paper? It's even more cool in person!

If you were at my class today, this was one of our creations - and they even got a couple Ghiradelli squares to put inside (or eat if they wanted!). It's a perfect little purse for a Gift Card Holder too.


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

PS - The brad is from the Filigree Designer Brads.