Welcome to my castle!

Welcome to my castle! I am so glad you came for a visit. I have 2 projects to share with you today and I hope they inspire you to create.

I have the set Matchbox Messages. I have linked the title to the catalog and you can find it on page 119. My first project is a card I made that uses a cute fold down flap on the inside and a cut away window on the front. I thought it would be fun to use the frame to create a window to the inside of the card. You are going to love it!
























inside of card showing flap















inside of card with flap down















So what do you think? Don't you just love it! Well if you loved this one wait until you see my next project!

Many years ago I got some new checks in the mail. They come in a great box and I thought it would be fun to create something with the box so I saved it as well as all the boxes I have gotten since then (I now have about 9 of these boxes and thought that now would be a good time to use one of them). So for my second project I have a decorated box with 6 gift cards inside.



















inside of box











gift cards












If you would like the directions for my projects, check back next week after the tour.

I hope you enjoyed my projects and will let m know what you think. Now it is time for you to get in your chariot and head over to the next castle. If you click the link below it will whisk you away to view some more creations.

Robbie

Dut DaDa Da!!!!!!!!!!! And the winner is....

Pearls - Swirls & Blog Candy Winner

Good Morning!

Well it is Monday and the beginning of another week. This is a busy week for me. I have to finish my final evaluations and then my daughter and I are flying out to San Francisco to find some place for her to live for the next year. It will be a whirlwind trip as we are only there 2 days to get everything done. Don't worry I have worked all weekend to have some goodies for you to look at.

Monday means a new challenge over at Late Night Stampers. The challenge this week is to use pearls and/or swirls on your card. I remembered a card I did previously that uses a flower and a string of pearls and I thought it would be fun to take that idea and see what else I could come up with.

I found a sketch at Just Add Ink that I thought would be a nice one to try. So that is where I began. I wanted to try and create a larger carnation since I had success with a smaller one. I used the stamp from Petal Pizzazz and did a second generation stamping. I then cut it out and also followed the petal lines and cut the petals apart. I also stamped the fine flourish and using the scallop circle punch and punched out some circles. I then cut the petals apart. I ran all of the flowers through the crimper many, many, many times to break down the fibers of the flowers. Finally I used the piercer to put a hole for my brad. After I put the brad in all the layers, I scrunched all the layers towards the center then slowly separated them. Then I just had to put my layers together. Here is the sketch and my creation.




































inside of card













Okay now I know you came for some other information. The first was for the blog candy winner. I used random generator and here are the results. The numbers did not copy correctly. The min number was and max number was 3


True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 3

So by these results the winner is

Sandy.

Sandy if you will e-mail me with your address I will get this out to you.

Stampin' Up Supplies
Stamps: Petal Pizzazz, Priceless Paper: Mellow Moss, Rich Razzleberry, white Ink: Mellow Moss, Rich Razzleberry Accessories: organza ribbon, eyelet border & scallop circle punches, Zots, sticky tape, dimensionals

I hope you enjoyed my card today. Thanks for looking and have a Marvelous Monday!

Robbie

Message from Jasper Jester!

Second post, scroll down to see my card.

Good morning to all the fair maidens and squires. Yesterday I revealed the final clue for “Name the Royal Paths” game. The Royal Court decreed that I had fulfilled my penance for the hi-jinks I had been up to. Now I can really go forth and create some more! But alas, I must be good until tomorrow … I will be announcing the winner of this game very early so I can get into my fun mode again. J

Please remember that your entry naming the 6 Royal Paths must be submitted by 12pm today. You can easily do this by submitting them via emal to rbtgames@theroyalblogtour.com.

I am off to plan some new fun …

Your humble servant,

Jasper Jester

Clean and Simple with a modification

Blog Candy ends tomorrow. Scroll down to the post and leave me a comment to be entered!

Well the Blog Tour begins tomorrow. The guessing game has to be entered by noon today so make sure you get your answer e-mailed in time and Good Luck!

Before I get to today's card I wanted to give you a little information. Since the post for the tour is up the entire time of the tour, I will not be posting again until Monday (don't worry, I will be making some beautiful creations for you while you are visiting all the castles).

I will choose the winner of the blog candy tomorrow evening but will not post the name until Monday. This is to ensure I don't mess up the posting order. Check back Monday to see if you are a winner!

Now on to today's card. I went with a clean and simple design as I was crunched for time. I have a blog I check out called Clean & Simple Stamping. The sketch for this week was very simple. When I looked at it I wanted something with a little more to it so I added a panel and a ribbon. There was a color challenge at Color Throwdown.








I used the Awash with Flowers set which was a special this month. There were some gorgeous cards created with it and I already have a card made for next month's workshop as this set will be in the new catalog. It was simple stamping and used patterned paper so no explanation is needed. Here is the sketch and my creation.





























inside of card










Stampin' Up Supplies
Stamps: Awash with Flowers, Hello Again Paper: Barely Banana, Old Olive, Pale Plum, Rich Razzleberry, white, Cottage Wall DS paper Ink: Barely Banana, Old Olive, Pale Plum, Rich Razzleberry Accessories: Barely Banana - Old Olive - Pale Plum - Rich Razzleberry markers, Rich Razzleberry polka dot ribbon, sponge dauber, sticky tape, dimensionals

Hope you enjoyed today's card. Take some time this weekend to create something - I know I am! Thanks for looking! Have a great day and a fabulous weekend!

Robbie

Still using the top note die

Well we are half way through the week. I am in panic mode trying to get everything ready for the Royal Blog Tour, finish up my observations and final evaluations, as well as prepare for my upcoming workshop. I will share 2 cards with you the first was for a challenge and the second a card I will use in my May workshop.

The first card I have for you is for Mary Jo's Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge. It was an interesting sketch and thought it would be fun to play along. I don't know about you but I have a ton of designer series paper that will expire at the end of June. One of the papers I have is the Holiday Lounge. This is typically a Christmas paper and I wondered if there is were any paper that could be used now. When I pulled out my pack I found a couple of ones that could be used at any time. I chose one and decided to give it a try.

Mary Jo's sketch has a circle element that takes up almost the entire front of the card. I wondered what other shape could be used instead. I thought about the top note die and decided to pull it out and see how it worked. I chose the one that had strings of colored circles. I cut out my die and realized the regular size card would not work. I wondered how a 4 1/4" square card would work. I used a regular card and measured the size I would need and found out the shape would work. Now I was ready to create.

After I cut my card and attached my ribbon and paper I needed an element for the middle of the die cut. When I looked at the card I thought this was an unusual card and the One of a kind set came to mind. I pulled it out and stamped my flower in the 3 different colors. I mounted each layer with dimensionals and also punched a scallop circle and mounted the flower with dimensionals on it. Here is the sketch and my finished card. I wasn't sure about it halfway through, but after seeing the finished card I like it. What do you think?

































inside of card












My next card is the last card we will make at my May workshop. I actually took a card I made for a previous post and changed the paper and colors. Here is a case of my card.




















inside of card











Stampin' Up Supplies
Monday Lunchtime Card
Stamps: One of a Kind Paper: Ruby Red, Sahara Sand, Taken with Teal, white, Holiday Lounge DS paper Ink: Ruby Red, Sahara Sand, Taken with Teal Accessories: Ruby Red & Taken With Teal markers, scallop circle & 5/8" circle punches, Top Note die, 1/4" white grosgrain ribbon, Zots, dimensionals

Workshop Card
Stamps: Herb Expressions Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Taken with Teal, white, Sweet Peas DS Ink: Old Olive Accessories: Old Olive - Pumpkin Pie - Taken with Teal markers, sticky tape, dimensionals

Hope you enjoyed my cards today. Don't forget my blog candy! Thanks for looking and have a Wonderful Wednesday!

Robbie

Ten Minute Tuesday

Hey, I am on a roll. Last Tuesday was Technique Tuesday and this week is Ten Minute Tuesday. Maybe I will have to make Tuesday "T" day and the post will deal with something that begins with "T". What do you think of that idea?

Today's card is for Carole'Anne's and Sandi's Ten Minute Challenge. This week was a sketch challenge and you had 10 minutes to make your card. Well I took 16 minutes again. What messed me up is dying my ribbon. I should have done that first so it could dry. Lesson learned for next time. I took the element at the bottom and made a little 2 x 2 card that opens up with a sentiment inside. The rest is self-explanatory. Here is the sketch and my creation.






































outside of card with flap open














inside of card















I am sharing another card for my workshop in May. This card was cased from Illna Crouse another demonstrator. I changed one of the papers, one of the colors, and the ribbon. Here is my card.



















inside of card










Stampin' Up Supplies
Card 1
Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly, Herb Expressions, Simply Said Paper: Almost Amethyst, So Saffron, white, Tea Party DS paper Ink: Almost Amethyst, Lovely Lilac Accessories: Almost Amethyst - Certainly Celery - Lovely Lilac markers, corner rounder & scallop trim border punches, white taffeta ribbon, Sending Love Notes - Kisses, sticky tape, dimensionals

Workshop Card
Stamps: can't tell you the name as it is a new set available in May Paper: Confetti White, Old Olive, Perfect Plum Ink: Old Olive Accessories: Old Olive & Perfect Plum markers, sticky tape, dimensionals

Thanks for looking and have a Terrific Tuesday!

Robbie

I made up for no card yesterday!

Happy Monday!

Well ladies I felt so bad for not having a card to post that I spent all day in my craft room and to day I will be sharing all my work with you.

The first card I made was for the color challenge at The Color Dare blog. You were to use Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Summer Sun, and Very Vanilla. I also used the sketch challenge at Stamping 411. Finally since I was planning on doing flowers I was able to have the card fit the blossoms challenge at Our Creative Corner blog. I wanted something different so I played with the gate fold card and here is what I came up with. The flowered panel at the top holds the left flap closed. I stamped the vine from Vintage Vogue down the edge and followed the vine to cut a decorative edge. I stamped and cut out the small flower and used crystal brads for the center. I like the way it turned out. Here is the sketch and my creation.






































card opened part way













inside of card














All information will be at the end.

My next card was one I made for my workshop. I used a color challenge on this card. I saw a card on Julie's Paper Pleasing Ideas blog that was my inspiration for this card. I modified it a little to fit my needs. I chose my colors from the challenge from the Stampin' B's Design Team which was to use white, yellow, soft blue or soft mint. My card uses the Elegant Bouquet embossing folder. A piece of white was embossed and the embossing was sponged with Barely Banana, Bashful Blue, and Certainly Celery. I then used the scallop trim border punch to do the edge of the top fold down piece. I stamped a sentiment and added my ribbon. Here is my card I will be using for my May workshop.
























card with top flap open














inside of card














My next card is another one we will be making in our workshop. I can't remember where I got the idea for this background from as I read so many blogs. I don't have many man stamps as I don't have the need for them. I thought it would be a good card for Father's Day to use aluminum foil and emboss the background to look like the storage boxes the guys have in the back of their trucks. Once I did this I then had to find a stamp set I could use. I went looking through the catalog and found the Loads of Love stamp set. How appropriate to use the truck with the background. I then had to put my card together. Here is what I came up with that we will be using in our Workshop.

























My last share for today is a remake of the tag I did for a previous challenge. I used the idea and made my ATC for my swap this month. Since it was explained in the previous post I will just share the ATC.

























Stampin' Up Supplies

Card 1
Stamps: Vintage Vogue Paper: Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Summer Sun, Very Vanilla Ink: Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Summer Sun Accessories: Very Vanilla tafeta ribbon, Zots, sticky tape, dimensionals

Card 2
Stamps: Whimsical Words, Watercolor Trio Paper: Barely Banana, white Ink: Barely Banana, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery Accessories: Elegant Bouquet embossing folder, scallop trim border and corner punch, Zots, sticky tape

Card 3
Stamps: All Holidays, Loads of Love Paper: Basic Black, Real Red, white Ink: Real Red Accessories: Perfect Details texturz plate, aquapainter, sticky tape dimensionals


ATC
Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly, Painted Posies (retired), Vintage Labels Paper: Summer Sun, white, Sweet Pea DS Ink: Bashful Blue, Garden Green, Lovely Lilac, Old Olive, So Saffron, Summer Sun Accessories: dimensionals

Well I hope I made up for not posting yesterday. I will only have 1 card for you tomorrow so don't expect another day like today! Thanks for looking and have a Marvelous Monday!

Robbie

Busy Saturday

Hi Ladies!

I do not have a card for you today. Do you see that new picture on my sidebar? I am taking part in the Royal Blog Tour that starts this week. Since I came late, I had to make my projects ASAP ~ no you have to wait until the Tour starts to see them so come back. I did get them finished so I will be able to create some goodies for you to see tomorrow so come back to check them out.

Don't forget my blog candy. Scroll down for the post and make sure you leave a comment to be entered!

Robbie

2 cards for you today!

Good Morning Ladies!

I hope all of you have some great plans for the weekend. I am going to try weeding my flower beds some more. I was able to do some yesterday. I also need to plant some flowers I bought in my pots. And of course I will spend some time stamping. I need to make my ATC's for my swap as well as see what I can come up with to play along with the challenges at LNS as this is my off week.

Well on with today's cards. The first card I have for you uses the color challenge from Picture Perfect Color Combo.








I combined it with the sketch challenge at Gretchen's Inspiration in Action blog. I began by using the solid flower from the Wings of Friendship set. Since this flower is part of the main image block, I used markers to ink it up. When I stamped it with the Bashful Blue I did not like the look so I decided to use the Brilliant Blue marker and ink up the edges. I like this look as it looks like the rock-n-roll technique. A gold brad in the center finished off the flowers. I did not want my swirl to be too harsh so I did a second generation stamping of it. I sponged the edges and then mounted it on Garden Green paper. The sentiment was stamped with Brilliant Blue on Bashful Blue and then mounted it on Brilliant Blue. I used a strip of Brilliant Blue and the scallop trim border punch. I added some white tafeta ribbon and mounted everything on a Bashful Blue card base that I embossed with the Perfect Dots embossing folder. Here is the sketch and my creation.































inside of card











Stampin' Up Supplies
Stamps: Wings of Friendship Paper: Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue, Garden Green, white Ink: Brilliant Blue, Garden Green Accessories: Bashful Blue & Brilliant Blue markers, scallop trim border punch, white tafeta ribbon, gold brads, sponge dauber, sticky tape, dimensionals


My second card was so much fun to make. I started with the sketch at Hand Stamped Sentiments. I have played along with their challenges since they began them and I always enjoy their ideas. When I saw all the circles on the sketch I thought it would be fun to use some of my designer paper that is going to retire soon. I chose the Sweet Peas paper as it will go at the end of the month. I have enjoyed using this paper and will miss it. I chose the Hello Again set and stamped my images using colors from the paper I had chosen. I punched out all my circles and decided to use a top not die mat to mount everything on. I used the same DS paper as I used for the circles. Once I had my circles laid out on my mat it still need something so I decided to add some ribbon. I wanted to add a ribbon and thought it would be fun to play with another type of bow. I think the circle effect goes right along with the circles on the mat. Here is the sketch and my creation.
































inside of card












Stampin' Up Supplies
Stamps: Hello Again Paper: Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, So Saffron, white, Sweet Pea DS Ink: Garden Green, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, So Saffron Accessories: Garden Green - Rose Red - So Saffron markers, 5 /8" - 3/4" - 1" - 1 1/4" - 1 3/8" - scallop circle punches, Top Note Die, Old Olive ribbon, gold brad, sticky tape, dimensionals

I hope you enjoyed my creations today. I have plans to stamp a card for tomorrow but not sure if I will get it done. Thanks for looking and have a Super Saturday!

Robbie

A new technique and some blog candy!

It's Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you have some plans for the weekend? The weather is supposed to be a mixed bag this weekend. I need to weed another flower bed and put down my weed preventer. Hopefully I will get it done in between the rain.

I made a card last night using a new technique. I made a list of techniques I wanted to try and I liked the card made using this technique so I thought I would give it a try. It is call Burned Batik. Basically you use Versamark, a bold image stamp, and clear embossing powder to emboss a piece of paper. The key is when you emboss this you need to heat it until the color looks burned and the image shows on the back of the paper. After your paper is embossed you spray it with water and then using sponges you begin applying your colors. You keep adding color until you get the look you want. I am not sure why some of may images show better than others but once I cut the paper up I liked the look. It does look like Batik. Check out the ribbon on my card. I used white tafeta ribbon that I colored using a marker. Carole'Anne has a great explanation for this.

I used the color challenge at Color Throwdown.








I then chose the sketch challenge at Eat Sleep Stamp for the layout of the card. Here is the sketch an my creation. Not sure what is going on but I could not copy the sketch to add here. I will try again later today and see if I can include it.



















inside of card










Stampin' Up Supplies
Stamps: Great Friend, One of a Kind Paper: Almost Amethyst, Bordering Blue, Sage Shadow, white Ink: Almost Amethyst, Bordering Blue, Sage Shadow, Versamark Accessories: Almost Amethyst & Bordering Blue markers, white tafeta ribbon, scallop trim corner punch, sponges, sticky tape, dimensionals

Now I know you all have been dying to see my blog candy. Here is a picture of some of it. I am still checking my stash to see what else I can add. To be entered in the drawing, leave a comment here telling me your favorite technique. Due to cost of mailing this candy is only available for comments from the US. You have until next Friday at 6:00 pm. to comment. I will announce the winner on Saturday.



















Thanks for looking and have a Fabulous Friday!

Robbie

A Different Fold For You

Today's card had a new fold that is really cute. I'm not sure I chose colors that do it justice though. I will save that decision for you so make sure you let me know what you think of this card.

I found a great blog a couple of months ago with some great punch ideas and card folds. I decided to revisit it yesterday and ran across this card fold which I decided to try.

The challenge this week at Late Night Stampers is to make Mother's Day cards. The colors I chose to use were Regal Rose, Mellow Moss, and Pale Plum. I used the Regal Rose card front and folded following the directions on Valita's blog. After that I highlighted the folds with Pale Plum ink. I then attached it to the Mellow Moss card base that I had stamped the edges with the flower from Messages for Mom. I stamped the flower with Basic Black and colored it in with markers. I added some Frost White Shimmer Paint in the center of all the flowers. I mounted this on Pale Plum. The card needed something else, so I pulled out my Fine Flourish and stamped it with Regal Rose on the top layer and the bottom layer so the middle layer was left blank. I then punched out 3 flowers using the Boho Blossoms punch. I used the Pale Plum marker to draw lines from the center out. Using the piercing tool, I used the side of the blade to create a fold line and curl the petals up. I added a gold brad and sponged the edges with Pale Plum. I added a white satin bow and my card was finished. Now you need to let me know what you think. Here is my creation.



















inside of card










Stampin' Up Supplies
Stamps: All Holidays, Fine Flourish, Messages for Mom Paper: Mellow Moss, Pale Plum, Regal Rose, white Ink: Basic Black, Mellow Moss, Pale Plum, Regal Rose Accessories: Mellow Moss - Pale Plum - Regal Rose - Summer Sun markers, Frost White Shimmer Paint, scallop trim border punch, gold brads, sponge dauber, Zots, sticky tape, dimensionals

Thanks for looking and have a Great Day!

Robbie

Easy Peasy Wednesday

I have cute story to tell you so if you don't want to read it skip down to the card.

I was observing in a Pre-Kindergarten the other day and the teacher was doing a unit on dinosaurs. She had done some previous lesson and taught them several concepts. She questioned the students on whether or not they could see a dinosaur in their backyard and the kids responded no. She then asked them why not. One little girl responded because they stink. It was so funny we were all laughing as the teacher had taught them that dinosaurs were extinct but little girl couldn't remember the word so she used a word that that she knew was close. I think we all laughed for about 5 minutes.

Okay on to the card. Over at Late Night Stampers there is a challenge today to create an easy card. To add to the challenge they made it a tribute to blue and you were to use any blues you wanted. I have to tell you my card may look involved but it isn't. I stamped the medallion and the butterfly twice and cut them out. I used the glue pen and covered the butterflies then dumped on Dazzling Diamonds. I used my top note die and cut out a Bashful Blue panel. I then used the Elegant Bouquet embossing folder to add some interest. I then used my sponge dauber to highlight the edges and the embossing. I used 1/2" sticky tape down the side and across the bottom and then added Dazzling Diamonds. I then had to attach the top note die with dimensionals. I then attached the medallion and butterfly with dimensionals. The last detail was a white satin bow. I love this card and it is so sparkly! :) Here is my creation.

























inside of card













Stampin' Up Supplies
Stamps: Great Friend Paper: Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, white Ink: Brocade Blue, Night of Navy Accessories: Top Note die, Elegant Bouquet embossing folder, Dazzling Diamonds, sticky tape, sponge dauber, dimensionals

Hope you enjoyed my creation today. It was a lot of fun to make. Thanks for looking and have a Wonderful Wednesday!

Robbie