Fresh and Elegent

So I went and searched for a new card challenges and found one. The Card Concept blog has a bi-week's card challenge and so I choose to enter this card for the Card Concept # 74

I used Mellisa Frances papers and embellishment, purchased a few years back at a Scrapbook Expo. I love her stuff it's all vintage, shabby, and elegant. 

Spring Lovelies

I was recently hit with a respiratory virus last week. It was rough but that staying up all night coughing meant I could go online and check out the latest crafting challenges. Here are a few of my  card creations. Sadly I missed the deadline for one. 

This Easter card was inspired by three online challenges found on Splitcoast Stampers. The sketch is SC634, color combination challenge CC624 and Clean & Simple Cards had a spring theme that must contain flowers CAS418.

For the Easter Card I used two Close to My Heart stamps B1469 He is Risen for the flower (stamp is retired) and the sentiment is from stamp set S1702 Easter Bunny.

I also used the same stamp set B1469 He is Risen for the cover and for the inside sentiment. Definitely a new favorite stamp.

To recreate this card I used Spellbinder die to create this lace cover and to create the oval shape where the flower is matted. Do you like the gold rim? I used a gold Sharpie marker;) Finally with a 3D foam squares gives any greeting card that dramatic lift and visual interest.

Last but not least for those that don't celebrate Easter or are looking for another alternative Sprng theme card. I used Mojo Monday's sketch # 488 for the layout of the card. Unfortunately, I missed the deadline of uploading it to their site. However, I thought you would enjoy it here.

 

To purchase this great stamp click here:

http://francisames.closetomyheart.com/ctmh/promotions/sotm/2017/1703-tea-rrific.aspx

I had fun creating this greeting card using this month's Stamp of the Month S1703 Tea-rrific.

You can get this awesome stamp for just $5 when you make a purchase of $50 or more on my online store at www.francisames.closetomyheart.com

Valentine's Day Remembered

What a blessing it is to celebrate Valentine's Day with my Sweet Heart. Each year it's different for me and I don't take for granted what I have shared.

So here's created a layout using SEI papers and embellishments.

The picture above does not do it justice. The paper has gold foil hearts and the hearts are made of velum. I also used on the top right CTMH heart puffies.

I just love this darling page. There is plenty of room for pictures and journaling. It kind of reminds me that nothing can contain my love for you.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy 40th Birthday!

So I turned the Big 40 last month and can honestly say I had a blast. I even took sometime to do my favorite thing, Scrapbooking!!!  I went to Splitcoast Stampers and looked for a fun challenge and came across this sketch.

I used this sketch and adopted it to later fill with my 40th birthday pictures.

 As you can see below I modified the sketch by changing the top left photo mat.

Below the top right photo mat is larger and I only included two photo mats on the right. This would allow me to place regular 4"x 5" photos without cropping.

The papers that I used were from my old stash purchased as a Hot Buy and is made by American Crafts (2012). I just love when I rediscover what I have already purchased. The papers are so lovely and vibrant. For embellishment I used Me & My Big Ideas Mambi Birthday Stickers.  All papers and embellishments can be found at Michael's Arts & Craft Store.

Thanks for checking out this blog out. Can't wait to show you next week my Valentine's layout.

Happy Crafting!

Wild Thing!

I have decided recently to participate in a card making sketch challenge at Splitcoast Stampers and thought share it. So this was the sketch.

So I went through my stash of papers and stamps and voila I found the right combination.

So my Wild Thing card is a Valentine's theme greeting card measuring 4.25" x 5.5". The supplies that I used were:

• Black cardstock
• Colonial White cardstock
• 2 Melissa Frances Classic Elegance 6x6
• CTMH stamp Wild About Love S1402
• Ink Pads: Saddle, Chocolate, and Black
• 3D foam squares
• Spellbinder's Oval Circles
• CTMH 3D Hearts
• Recollections Flower and Pearl
• Cricut Cartridge: Art Philosophy

I hope you enjoyed my recent creation.

Rocking Birthday Card

So I decided to join a few more challenges this week and tried to combine several Split Coast challenge requirements into one project. Why not? When I first saw the below Splitcoast Stamper's Sketch Card, SC616, I wasn't sure what could I create. The circles in this sketch threw me off. What theme should I use? Baby? Graduation theme perhaps?

Perhaps a color challenge would surely help right... CC606 Dancing the Bermuda Colors.

Island Indigo
Calypso Coral
Bermuda Bay

I hit my stash of paper scraps to meet the color challenge inspiration. Lo and behold I found Close to My Heart paper where the colors were a perfect match.

Last but not least Simple Cards CAS400 had a Celebrations theme challenge. The challenge requirements were that the card must include the following...

C - Celebration theme (birthday, christmas, retirement, etc.)

A - Aqua (monochromatic blue/green color scheme)
S - Sparkle (add a touch of glitz)

Now searched through my embellishment stash I came across these musical notes stickers and guitar with glitter. Typing a sentiment on my computer I began to create this Rocking Birthday Card. 

Although it took a bit longer to combine all the challenges it was still fun to create and I love the end product.This is birthday card is unisex and that's useful to have a few greeting cards for men. I hope you enjoyed following my creative process.

Products used

• Close to My Heart (CTMH) patterned paper with the talk bubbles for background 
• Circles were from scraps (1 honey CTMH cardstock, 1 CTMH patterned paper, 1 Mellisa Frances [atterned paper)
• Cloud 9 Patterned paper 
• Recollections A2 card base and coordinating creme envelope
• EK stickers Rock & Roll SPG056

Happy Halloween!

So I made a Halloween greeting card inspired by and used Mojo Monday's sketch MOJO471. What's so neat about this card is that I used nothing but scraps of paper and left over stickers.

A while back I began to organize my crafting supplies following Totally Tiffany's system. When it came to my patterned papers I cut my paper scraps into 4.25" x 5.5" A2 card base size and sorted them by color. As a result I am now using more scraps of paper.

Below are the products I used to create this greeting card:

1. Recollections Kraft A2 card base with matching envelope
2. Graphic 45 patterned papers
3. Recollections stamp for images
4. American Crafter's stickers for embellishments. 
5. Close to My Heart's Pansy Purple ink pad to ink card and embellishment edges
6. Two Spellbinder's dies called Labels 4 and Lacy Ovals.
7. Copic Markers: BV12, V15, YR04, Y13,Y17

Hope you have a spookacular Halloween!

Francis Ames

On the Move!

So I made several layouts using SEI paper and embellishments and created various interactive transportation pages. They are basic layouts but I had fun making the car, plane, and boat move by just pulling the tab on the left

Pulling the tab to the left make the car move back, push it back in and car moves forward. 

Great way to have a hidden message.

Layouts will soon become available for sale online. Just check the links found on this blog's tab called " Buy Online".

Fun scrabooking layouts, imagine keeping people's interest as you brag about your cruise ship trip. Now they can have fun too!

Happy Scrapbooking.

Nautical cards

So I made a few nautical themed cards from the DCWV paper packet by cutting out the pocket cards. Used the background paper and cardstock. I think they came out great.  If you like any of these they are available for purchase online. Just click on the store tab on this blog.

I did place Happy Birthday sentiments on the greeting cards when I arrived home.

Next week, I will show you my transportation themed layouts. 

Until next time, happy scrappin!

AHOY there!

AHOY! Fellow scrapbookers. More nautical themed layouts this week. 

Don't worry next week the theme will be transportation. 

Here again I used the DCWV paper packet and 1 DCWV cardstock base to make the banner. I had left over letters that I used "Y" for "H' but I think it works. And of course I used the baker's twine I had. All other accents are from the paper packet.

I hope you enjoyed. My next post will be about the nautical greeting cards that I made.

Until next time!

Aloha

Golden Sea Layout

Hi Everyone!

I've titled this layout the Golden Sea because of the all the gold foil accents and details on the page. The paper itself has gold foil with a ocean sea theme. 

This is a cute little accent piece that I made. A pocket and tag.

I also cut out star fis images for embellishment accents.

I know it's hard to tell but the gold foil background really makes this paper pop. I tried to take a picture so that you can see how shiny it is.

I bling pages. This may not be bling but it's shiny.

Summer Necessity

They say that necessity is the mother of all inventions. So I took on this challenge. I had only the most minimum amount of crafting supplies available. Just one bag!

What did I bring?

* 1 CTMH paper packet

* 1 SEI scrapbooking kit

* 1 Scrap Happy Scrapbooking Kit

* 1 DCWV paper pad

* 1 Neutral Color DCWV Cardstock Packet

* Adhesive (ATG, 3D squares,and glue dots)

* Scissors

* 12x12 Paper Trimmer 

* Markers and Pens

* Neutral Embellishments (hemp, studs,bling)

* Cricut and a few cartridges (forget my power cord so I didn't use it)

* 10 card bases and envelopes

I actually had to buy white card stock during my trip because I ran out. 

Below is a layout featuring Die Cuts with a View Paper packet I picked up this summer. 

I enjoyed hand cutting all the cute little images to make accent pieces. 

I cut out the ship in the bottle tied it with hemp and hand cut the labels.

What's a captain without a steering wheel?

Okay, okay this is not paper piercing. In fact, it's a Durable Studs from Close to My Heart.

At times I wanted more supplies but that didn't hinder me from creating. I just created with what I had. I made some cards without sentiments now I need to add sentiments and embellishments.

More to come so stay tune.

Meanwhile happy crafting!

Things that make you smile

So I have a few pictures that will make you either smile or laugh.

Have Mainers gone ganster?

The names of these boats are things that I don't want to be anywhere near.

Holy Macrel!  If you are the captain then who's steering the boat?

Don't worry be happy.

Freedom just birth a baby. What kind of gift do you recommend I get?

When even wild life loves the ocean view.

Something to make you smile.. frolicking deer.

The face you make when you are caught eating the last cookie.

I am sure this deer is thinking "Tourist!"

Because at the end of the day vacation time is Time for Us.

I hope these pictures and captions made you smile today.

Where or where have you been?

Hi everyone!

I have not gone missing, only online. Life has kept me busy and I am currently on a much needed vacation in Maine. It has been wonderful to breath fresh air, eat lots of lobster and blue berries.

Hubby and I on the family luxury lobster boat.

Great window view and fresh air. 

While on the water I came across this boat "Good Idea". It made me smile. Just another confirmation I am in the right place at the right time. I call these moments "life winks".

So I had a good idea to scrapbook and create greeting cards for sale and will be sharing pictures soon.

NEW CRICUT ALERT!!!!

ATTENTION ALL CRICUT AND CARD MAKING CRAFTERS.

NEW CRICUT CARTRIDGE COLLECTION

NOW AVAILABLE!

 

 

 

New Cricut Artfully Sent Collection is now available for purchase.

 

This Cricut Collection includes:

1 – Cartridge (700 images: Cards and Font)

3 – My Acrylix® D-size stamp sets

1 – 12" × 12" White Daisy Cardstock Pack

 

Recommended blocks for included stamp sets: 1" × 1" (Y1000), 1" × 3½" (Y1002), 3" × 3" (Y1006), 2" × 3½" (Y1009).

 

Cricut® is a registered trademark of Provo Craft & Novelty, Inc. All rights reserved.

With our newest Cricut Collection you can create many cards with sentiments cut directly onto the card or combine images to create your own pop-cards and scenes. There are mroe than 25 different card themes, and for all occasions.

 

Order yours today at www.FrancisAmes.ctmh.com.

 

Below is a short video hightlighting this amazing cartridge.