Christmas in June

Okay, okay, I'm well aware that Christmas in May didn't happen here at Heart's Delight, so to make up for it, I'm making eight of these cards, instead of my usual four per month. I'll still be on track for getting Christmas cards sent on time this year....with one teeny-tiny problem. It's miniscule, really. When I figured out how many cards I needed to make on a monthly basis, I didn't know I'd be getting to know so many new card-swapping friends this year. I think what I really have to do now is make six or eight Christmas cards per month. Just need to find the time, LOL!

For a while, I wasn't too pleased with the way this card was looking, because it started out really too plain. I just kept adding to it, starting with VersaMark swirls on the Real Red cardstock base. That was a good beginning, but the white layer on top of it lacked something. Edging it with the snowflake border punch added some more detail, but it still needed a little more. I didn't want more red swirls on the main white background, so I stamped the swirls with the VersaMark and heat embossed with JudiKins Clear Detail embossing powder. Subtle, but nice. I don't know how well you can see it in the photos.

The main image, from Stampin' Up! was stamped in Real Red Classic ink on Neenah Solar White cardstock, then cut and embossed with a Nestabilities Labels Four die. I used the next larger die to cut/emboss some Real Red cardstock, and the next larger die to cut more Solar White cardstock. Swirls were stamped on that last layer in red ink, and the edges were also inked.

The sentiment, from the same SU set, was cut with the SU large oval punch. The edges were inked and I used the Making Memories slot punch tool for the holes through which the ribbon was threaded. The edge of the die-cut image was glittered with Martha Stewart Crystal Fine glitter, as was some of the image, and red pearls from Sally completed it!

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Real Red, Neenah Solar White
Stamps: Main image and sentiment- Stampin' Up! 'To You & Yours', Background swirls- Inkadinkado 'Warm Holiday Wishes'
Ink: Stampin' Up! Real red Classic, VersaMark
Embellishments and tools used: ribbon from Michael's, glitter- Martha Stewart, JudiKins Clear Detail EP, JudiKins Diamond Glaze, Fiskars snowflake punch, SU oval punch, Marvy Uchida corner punch, Nestabilities Labels Four dies (run through the Cuttlebug), SU Stampin' Dimensionals popped the image up, Making Memories slot punch tool, Sally's pearls

J & K Wedding

I'm just getting around to posting this card that I made for my son and his bride. I got my inspiration from this card at Waltzingmouse Makes. I just adore the knotted ribbon border! (I apologize for the card looking so dark. I even lightened it some in PhotoShop. *sigh*)

The image in the center looks very similar to the ones they had on their wedding invitations, so that's why I used it.

The instructions for making the ribbon border card are at the link above. Here's another card Claire made with the ribbon border. It's so darn cute!

Here's the happy couple! >>>>

Cardstock: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Cover, DCWV black
Stamps: Image- Hampton Art Carpe Diem 1, Sentiment- Inkadinkado Wedding Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black
Embellies: Nestabilities Long Rectangle, black 3/8" grosgrain ribbon

Graduation 2009

My 'baby' girl (who is married and teaches at a high school) got her Master's degree on Saturday. I'm so darn proud of her, and in total awe of her dedication and perseverance in setting and reaching her goals. She is SO much like unlike her mother!

I love the way Bev Rochester layers her flowers and uses spacers and charms. It was through her blog that I learned about The Hobby House, a great place to find these items. Their customer service, shipping rates and speed are all top rate.

The fabulous star filigree over the Prima flowers is from The Hobby House, as are the Papermania pearl brads. Since I didn't want to mix metals, I used a Copic marker to color the silver metal on the brads to match the gold filigree.

I don't know if you can make it out, but the DP says "Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart". A perfect sentiment, don't you think?

Cardstock: Bazzill, Stampin' Up!, DCWV, and some unknown bits from the scrap bag
DP: Paper Pizazz from Hot off the Press
Sentiment Stamp: Inkadinkado
Ink: Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip Craft, heat embossed with clear EP
Embellies: Prima flowers, Cuttlebug Argyle embossing folder, Papermania brads,
star filigree

Inka Thanks

Click on image to enlarge

Hey, I think I'm getting warmed up for next month's stampin' club card swap theme, which is monochromatic! Anyhoo, here is card number three for submission to Inkadinkado's INKAfriends Gallery. I used the stamping off technique on this. I love how easy it is to get two (or three, or more!) shades of the same color. The Inkadinkado stamps used were Floral Flourishes for the images (and yes, I used more than one image) and Garden Flower for the sentiment.

The background cardstock is Stampin' Up! Perfect Plum, but it seemed a bit plain, so I used VersaMark ink and one of the corner flourishes to stamp in each exposed corner on the right. Nothing like making your own designer paper, 'eh? :-)

The main image was stamped with Close to My Heart Pansy Purple ink, and the darker purple cardstock that was cut with the Martha Stewart border punch was also CTMH Pansy Purple.

I don't remember where I got the purple brads, but they were a perfect match for the Perfect Plum, lol. More Taylor's Tiny Twinkles were used, and some Martha Stewart ribbon completed the card.

Inka Wedding

Click any image to enlarge

Here is card number two. This is from the Inkadinkado Wedding clear stamp set. This was stamped in VersaFine Onyx Black, since the image didn't need to be colored.

I ran some pink parchement (Paper Co.) through the Cuttlebug with the Textile embossing folder, then fastened the black mat on the left side.

Isn't that ribbon gorgeous? I got it from My Favorite Things (it's in the Royalty Collection Ribbon Pack). After knotting the ribbon and adhering it, I rounded the corners on the image and added glitter to the edges with a Quickie Glue Pen. It was fastened over the ribbon/mat.

I used Shimmerz Blingz Pixie Dust on the wedding gown to make it look like satin and added Taylor's Tiny Twinkles rhinestones to the bride's hair and the sentiment. The pearls are from Sally.

A Fairy Happy Birthday

Click any image to enlarge

This is number one (of three) cards that I made for the Inkadinkado INKAfriends Gallery, as mentioned in my last post. I wanna get those free stamps! Free is good!!!

The Fairy is from the Inkadinkado Beautiful Fairies clear stamp set, and the sentiment is from Inka's Chelsea Sentiments. I stamped the image in Memento Tuxedo Black ink, since I wanted to color with the Copic markers. After I colored the image, I went back over her wings and the star swirls with Shimmerz Blingz Pixie Dust, which I thought was an appropriate name for the shimmer and sparkle associated with a fairy!

The sentiment was stamped with VersaMagic Perfect Plumeria ink and heat embossed with Stampin' Up! Iridescent Ice EP. It really sparkles, as seen in the close up to the right (click to enlarge).

The star rhinestones that I used in the swirls are made by Darice and are available at Michael's.



Copic colors used >>>>

Cardstock: Whisper White, and bits from my scrap bag
DP: DCWV Sweet Stack
Stamps: Inkadinkado
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Embellies: Star by Darice, photo corner punch by EK Success

No Card Today, but FREE Stamps!

I'm leaving in a few minutes for Arizona, to visit my father one more time before he heads back up to Montana for the summer. I'm in the middle of a couple of cards, but didn't have time to finish them. That will be the first thing I do when I get back!

Anyway, I thought you all may be interested in this. Inkadinkado is giving away a free stamp (their choice) for each card you make using their stamps and send in to them! There is a limit of three free stamps, and I didn't see anywhere that it is limited only to the U.S., so you gals in Europe and elsewhere may want to do it, too.

The details are HERE.

Have fun! :-D

Another Congratulations!

Click on image to enlarge

This card is for a lady who has a quilt ministry, and who also reached her goal at Weight Watchers and made Lifetime. Since she is really into quilting, I thought a Nine Patch card would tickle her.

I had to laugh as I was making this, because I discovered I have the same problem getting my squares to line up evenly in card making as I do in quilting. Sheesh. Maybe it's a problem with my ruler.....yeah, that must be it! ;-)

I used yet another new border punch from EK Success (did I mention I spent too much money a few dollars at Michael's the other day?). It makes a pretty medium scallop with tiny diamond holes. The Crystal Stickers were a RAK from Sally (thank you, Sweetie!!!). They have the most amazing shine to them, almost like they are lit from within. I got some lavender ones, too, that I'm going to use on an Easter card soon.

Cardstock: SU Basic Black, Bazzill Witch Hazel and Safari, The Paper Co. pink
DP: Anna Griffin, HOTP Paper Pizzazz Pink "Handmade" Flowers
Sentiment stamp: Inkadinkado
Ink: SU Basic Black Classic
Embellies: Lt. Pink Crystal Stickers, sugared brads, ribbon from Michael's

Valentine for Granddaughter

I'm going to post this real fast, because I have to finish the card for my grandson and get these in the mail! (Running late, as usual, lol.) I'll post all the details after I finish his card and post it here, as well. Both cards are interactive - they're going to love them!

Edited to add:
Whew! Got them both finished and to the post office ten minutes before the last pick up. When am I going to learn??? LOL, I guess if I haven't learned by age 55 35, then I never will, huh? ;-)

Anyway, as I was saying, both cards are a bit interactive. For this card, I added a twirly "floating" heart inside. Before I closed the card and sealed it in the envelope, I twisted it up on its string, so when Taylor opens it, it will spin. It's kind of cute, and I think she'll like it.


Both the image (Inkadinkado "Heartful of Love") and the sentiment (from Rubbernecker) were stamped in VersaMark ink and the heat embossed with Stampendous "Red Dragon" EP. I just got that EP at Michael's a couple days ago, because I thought it looked neat. (Actually, the Magpie inside me went, "Oooo, shiny sparklies!" so I had to get it.) It matches the Riding Hood Red cardstock really well - almost liked I had planned it!

Didja notice I stamped tiny "Love", "Hugs", and "Kisses" around the edge in VersaMark?

Cardstock: SU Riding Hood Red (In Color), Neenah Solar White, Paper Company
DP: SU Bella Rose, and something from my scraps I don't know the name of
Stamps: Inkadinkado, Rubbernecker
Ink: VersaMark, heat embossed with Stampendous Red Dragon

SCS Challenge "Rock, Paper, Scissors"

This card was a bit of a stretch for me, for sure! I made it for the SCS challenge LSC189. What?! We can't use ribbon??? And no Cuttlebug embossing or Nesties? You have severely handicapped me, ya know! LOL. Fortunately we could use decorative scissors, plus brads, pearls, glitter, etc. Otherwise, I'd have never been able to make the card!

I just got some wonderful Pearlescent Watercolors today from My Favorite Things. After coloring the image with Prismacolor pencils and odorless paint thinner, I used some to add shimmer to the iceberg the bears are on. The starry sky has silver star adhesive brads, tiny silver ball adhesive brads and adhesive rhinestones. I added some swirls with a Copic Spica clear glitter pen. A touch of Stickles was used on the baby bear's scarf. You can't see it, but both bears have shiny noses, courtesy of Judi Kins Diamond Glaze.

The cardstock layers were cut with Stampin' Up! wavy scissors. I wanted it to look like waves in the sea. What do you think? Did you think of waves? ;-)

Cardstock: Stampin' Up, CTMH, STardream Metallic
Ink: SU Basic Black Classic and Not Quit Navy Classic
Stamps: Image- Stampin' Up! (I don't know the name of it), Sentiment- Inkadinkado "Warm Holiday Wishes"