Police Lineup: Ferns

Police Lineup: Ferns
Originally uploaded by HikerCynthia

Here's the second in a short series of cards I made using the guidelines from two different challenges at Less Is More. (One challenge was to use three of something and the other was to make masculine cards.)

I used the same template as before (scroll down to see the first one), but I used a different stamp and a different ink.

I taped the template on the cardblank, lightly added a bit of Forest Moss Distress Ink, then stamped the ferns and the sentiment in Forest Moss ink too.

I love the colors on this one. Very springy!


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (ivory cardblank)
Stamps: Seaside Stampin' Ink (Frankincense...although they totally look like ferns to me); Hero Arts (Birthday Messages set)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Forest Moss)
ETC: Handmade template for squares, made using Marvy one-inch square punch and leftover cardstock


Another day of dreary rain here. I don't know about you, but after a few days of this stuff in a row, I start getting a little depressed. :-( But since today is the last day of March, I get to work on my Year in the Life project, which is always a lot of fun for me! Maybe the creative exercise will help me perk up. =D

~Cynthia

Tree card gone south...er NORTH

Tree card gone south...er NORTH
Originally uploaded by HikerCynthia

OK, see, what happened was....

I was trying to pattern my card after another I had seen on Less Is More and I....uh....chose the wrong tree.

Instead of stately pine trees on a masculine birthday card...

I ended up with a small grove of Christmas trees.

*sigh*

And I try so hard.

;-)

When I realized my poor card had gone south (meaning: in the vicinity of the TRASH CAN), I decided to take it north (meaning: go with the flow and make it a snowy, Christmas landscape.)

It's not so bad.

Kind of like a Charlie Brown Christmas card.

Heh.



Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (white cardblank)
Stamps: Picture Show (two fir trees); Artful Legacy (Silent Night)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Forest Moss and Fired Brick)
ETC: Stickles (Xmas Red)



After one day of glorious sunshine yesterday, we're now in for three straight days of rain. That just means more time in the craft room! YAY!!


~Cynthia

Police Lineup: Cattails

Police Lineup: Cattails
Originally uploaded by HikerCynthia

I've got another short series of cards I made this past week, all based on two different challenges at Less Is More. The first few combine an older challenge (Recipe: Use three squares) with a newer challenge (make a masculine card).

I used a piece of scrap cardstock and punched three squares in a row to use as a template. I taped the template on the cardblank, inked the squares using Scattered Straw Distress Ink, then stamped the cattail image using Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink before removing the template. To finish the card, I stamped the sentiment using Walnut Stain again.

I liked the way it turned out. It's very clean and simple. The template idea could go in many different directions, depending on the colors and stamps used.


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (ivory cardblank); scrap cardstock
Stamps: Stampscapes (Cattails #016B); Hero Arts (Birthday Messages set)
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Scattered Straw and Brushed Corduroy)
ETC: Marvy (one-inch square punch)


The sun is out this morning and I managed to get pictures of all the cards that were stacked up, waiting for their photo shoot. :-) I hope to find time for a hike this afternoon too. Ahhh! The smell of fresh, clean, spring air!!

~Cynthia

Purple layers

Purple layers
Originally uploaded by HikerCynthia

I was hanging out on LateBlossom's Simplity blog and she (Susan Raihala) mentioned a design tip using colors and layers. The card is made of a lighter color, the first little layer is cut from a darker shade of the card color, then the top layer is white. This gives cohesiveness to the card and provides visual interest. So I decided to give it a try on this card.

I stamped the cake image and the birthday sentiment on white cardstock using Dusty Concord Distress Ink, which matched the darker piece of cardstock. I used a Spica pen to add a bit of sparkle to the cake and the cake stand.

I think a smaller image and smaller layer pieces might have been a better idea, but I think this card is fine.


Supplies:
Paper: Bazzill (white, lavender and purple cardstock)
Stamps: Studio 18 (#IG66871, birthday cake); Hero Arts (Birthday Messages set)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Dusty Concord)
ETC: Glue Glider Pro, Spica glitter pen


Monday is housework day around here and I hope to get it all done so I can PLAY in the craft studio later! Guess that means I'd better get a move-on, eh? ;-)

~Cynthia

More Dandelions!

More Dandelions!
Originally uploaded by HikerCynthia

Here's the twin to yesterday's card. I used a kraft cardblank instead and changed the ink color to Walnut Stain.


Supplies:
Paper: The Paper Studio (kraft cardblank)
Stamps: Great Impressions (Dandelion #G298 and Seeds #A118); Hero Arts (Birthday Messages set)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Walnut Stain)


Well, it's raining cats and dogs here today. Our newest scrapbook store is having a Grand Reopening event. I hate driving in the rain, but I guess I have to suck it up, right?? ;-)


~Cynthia

Dandelion wishes

Dandelion wishes
Originally uploaded by HikerCynthia

I love this stamp! It's so cute and summery and it can be used for so many different situations: thinking of you, sympathy, get well, and birthday, like I've done here.

I was still working under the guidelines of the Less Is More challenge: make a masculine card. I used a more masculine, less cute, ink color, but I think this could be used for either a male or female.

And because it's supposed to be a one-layer, clean and simple card, I stamped, stamped, stamped and I was done! ;-)



Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (ivory cardblank)
Stamps: Great Impressions (Dandelion #G298, Seeds #A118); Hero Arts (Birthday Messages sentiment)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Scattered Straw)
ETC: Not a darn thing! =D


Have a great weekend!!

~Cynthia

Mary Ann Moss in Paris....

If you've always wanted to see Paris and a companion is the only thing stopping you,

COME ALONE.

It is the most glorious visceral place.

Whatever kind of travel niche you would like to make for yourself you can do it.

If you have mobility issues the city busses are so fabulous!

You can ride in comfort and watch Paris roll by your window.

You will get lost and turned around.

You'll drop your map,

dribble caramel down your shirt front,

stick your ticket in the wrong slot

step on someone in the metro.

But you will be so happy.

Your heart will find new ways to be moved.

Every.

Day.

Your senses will rise up to greet you.

You will be, as Mary Oliver writes,

a bridegroom married to amazement.

And won't that be grand?

Won't that be grand?

~Mary Ann Moss