Another school card...

Edited to add post script at end of post below on 8-28-12
Hello all,
Here today with a card for Waltzing Mouse Sketch Challenge #111.  Here is a picture of the sketch:

And here is my card:

I used a new to me set from Waltzing Mouse Stamps called "Blessed By You" to make my background and my little school house.  I just love this set and will be making lots of cards with it in the future.  The sentiments are just so lovely and the little images are so wonderful for creating backgrounds which I have been trying to do more of lately. 

 

To finish my little "scene" on the focal area I supplemented with some other school stamps that I had in my stash so I can use this as a "school" card for one of my son's many teachers. I doodled some clouds and a sun as well as the smoke from the chimnies of the school.  Not sure if I love it but it will do.  I also distressed inked my black and white gingham ribbon to help it match the card better.  I used "old paper" distress ink to add an aged look.

I used white prima chalk ink to make a "chalkboard" outline on my red die cut focal and also impressed the yellow cardstock with an alphabet impression plate to add to the school feel. A button and some twine finishes it off.

Thanks for looking at my card.  I had fun making this one and was inspired by several cards made by both Claire and her mischief makers in some of the pre-release hops that are going on right now at Waltzing Mouse Stamps Blog.  I sure like the sort of "toile" look that it creates.

Happy Crafting everyone!
: ) Jill 

 Edited to add 8/28/12
Post Script:
I was so thrilled to learn that my card was one of the top mouse cards of the week for this challenge!
It was announced at this post on the Waltzing Mouse Challenge Blog: HERE.  There were so many incredible cards for this challenge and I am so very honored that my card was chosen with Ren-Yi and Michelle's for a top mouse blog badge!  Thanks to everyone that is involved in providing these wonderful Waltzintg Mouse challenges to all of us.  And thanks to Claire for her beautiful products!  They are such a gift to my crafting life and my bliss! 

A card for Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge #31

Edited on 6-8-2012:  Added updated photos taken with natural light.

Hello all,
Here tonight with a card for the Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge #31 - Make it Manly.  You can find the information about the challenge:  HERE.

Here is a picture of my manly card and the Cheery Lynn Designs dies that I used to make it:

This photo taken on 6-8-12 - natural daylight.

I don't have a lot of masculine stamps so I used a wreath and went with masculine colors of kraft, ripe avocado, dark chocolate, fine linen, and rustic cream.  The card has an old time vintagey feel to it in person...but I don't know that the photo translates it well.  All of the cardstock is from Papertrey Ink.  The only non-cheery lynn die is the banner at the top of the card which is from

Taylored Expressions.   

Below are the Cheery Lynn dies that I used for the square diecuts and border on my masculine card.  Not pictured is the old parchmant embossing plate which I used on the two square mats to give them texture. NOTE:  I will try to get some "daylight" pictures tomorrow - these were taken with lighting in my basement so they do not show details like I would want.

These Cheery Lynn dies were used to create the flower and greenery around it:

 

 A close-up of the flower and other details - photos taken on 6-8-12 with natural daylight:

The flower itself is made from some cardboard paper protectors that are used to ship the cardstock I purchase from Papertrey Ink.  I try to re-use my packaging from all my products as much as possible to be GREEN!

The stamps are from two different companies:  The Square border is from Our Daily Bread Designs.
The wreath and both sentiments are from Papertrey Ink.  Inks: Jenni Bowlin and Distress. The heart chipboard is from Michael's.  The button is Papertrey Ink and the ribbon is from my stash and very old!

That is it for me tonight.  I forgot to take a picture of the inside of the card and the pictures need to be retaken during daylight so I may update this post tomorrow morning.  (If I have time! )  (NOTE: Post updated on 6-8-2012 at 2:34pm.)  I hope you find some time to play along with the Cheery Lynn Designs challenge.  It is a lot of fun! 

                                                Happy Crafting Everybody!
                                                          : ) Jill

A card for the MFT sketch challenge: MFTWSC74

Hello,
Here is my card for this weeks MFTStamps sketch challenge.  You can find the information for this challenge:  HERE.

This week's sketch looks like this:

Here is my card:

I made this card for a dear friend of mine that has been so sweet and supportive over the past 2 years while my husband was ill with brain cancer.  Now I just need to make about 50 more to thank all of the amazing people that have helped our family through my husband's illness and passing.   My son and I are so blessed because we are surrounded by love, prayers, and amazing support.  I also appreciate all of the friendships and cyber hugs and prayers of support that we have received on line.  You are all such wonderful people!  Creating is such a balm to my soul and to hear your sweet comments and support means so much!  So thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Happy Crafting!

:)  Jill

A card for Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday #68: Pocket Cards

Hi everyone,
Today is my nephew Cole's birthday!  Happy Birthday Cole!  Hope this year is full of blessings and adventures as you graduate from high school and begin to follow your dreams where they lead you.  In honor of Cole's birthday I made a birthday pocket card for the Make it Monday challenge over at Nichole's blog: HERE 

I loved the cards that Heather made but I am always intimidated when it comes to stamping my own backgrounds.  I know, however, that the only way to get good at something is to practice, practice, practice.  So....today I tried to make my own pocket card background for Cole's birthday card.  I did more stamping on this card than, I think, any card I have ever made before....and there are lots of stamping problems with it...but you know what - I am not going to worry about it anymore.  I had a great time making it and I did my best and learned A LOT!!!!  A lot about what to do differently next time LOL!!!!!  I want to do another card so I can correct some of the mistakes I made with this one but I have lots to do today and then we are off to a party in Cole's honor so this card will have to do.

Anyway here are some pictures of Cole's birthday card....it was made with love for one of the most special people in my life - my sweet nephew!  Love you TONS Cole!

Thanks for taking a look at my card making endeavor today. Does anyone else struggle with stamping their own backgrounds ?   Just curious...  As long as I am having fun I am going to keep trying...and I always have fun getting inky!  I just realized I didn't use a single die cut on this card - wow it has been a long time since that has happened too!  Maybe too long!!! Ha Ha!

   I have all week to play so hopefully I will get to try this challenge again before the week is over! 

                                                                      : )   Jill