Quick & Simple Card Making

I know many of you don't know where to begin when making your own cards.  I have that problem, too.  I usually will scour the internet for ideas and try to turn them into my own designs with what I have in my scrapbook room.  I wanted to make a card that any one could do and didn't take much inspiration at all!

I used a preprinted card to start.  I bought these today to use for an upcoming workshop:  DCWV Old World.  Then I used Close To My Heart's Art Philosophy cricut cartridge to cut out some shapes in different colors.  I used a little larger size for the color and smaller for the white. 

Next ... you could use any stamp set you wanted that fit into your shape.  I was making an anniversary card so I used Close To My Heart's "The Happy Couple" stamp set (D1539) to stamp "Happy Anniversary".  I then added CTMH's red enamel hearts (Z2009) to give it a little pop of color and cuteness!

It looks really good if I say so myself, and it was VERY quick and simple!

Halloween Frightfully Fun Card

I joined an anything goes card swap that's due this weekend so I decided to take my new cute CTMH Frightfully Fun stamp set to make a Halloween card!  I took inspiration from the DAT's My Style Blog.
 

 

I used black cardstock, CTMH Scaredy Cat paper pack, black and orange ribbon, and some alcohol markers to color the monsters in!  Overall it was pretty simple to make ... just a bit time consuming!  :)

Elegant Happy Birthday

I recently participated in a Happy Birthday card swap.  I was online looking for inspiration as I often do when I cam across Lisa's Creative Corner Jubilee Boxed Card Set.  What can I say?  I was inspired!  

I used the CTMH Art Philosophy cricut cartridge to cut the flowers and used honey ink to sponge the edges of the flower.  It really makes the flower pop.  I highly encourage those that haven't tried to sponge the edges of your flowers to do so!  

The yellow paper is from the Close to my Heart Jubilee paper pack, and the Happy Birthday is stamped in Chocolate ink. 

I used a non-CTMH embossing folder just because it had the line in it to make a border where my sentiment could go.  

Overall, it was pretty easy to make, and I just love the whole set that Lisa put together.  I may have to do more!

Simple Birthday Cards

I've had several people tell me they aren't creative enough to make birthday cards.  Impossible!  You don't have to make your cards as extravagant as some make theirs in order to have a really cute card to send out instead of going to your local Hallmark and buying something.  I have two examples of simple cards that I think are really cute!

This first one is just pink paper folded over with a cute polka dot paper background.  I then cut the shape out with Close To My Heart's Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge ... one pink and one white.  I stamped Happy Birthday with a stamp from Close To My Heart's Art Philosophy Cricut Collection Birthday stamp set.  I used silver shimmer trim I bought at Target for $1.  That's it!  Card is DONE!

The second card is VERY similar to the first one.  I used a different color pink paper folded over with a pink and gray striped background paper this time.  I decided I didn't want to get my cricut out so I just cut squares and used the handy corner rounder to make it softer.  I stamped a cupcake stamp that I got from Michael's and colored it in with watercolor pencils.  I used the same cheap shimmer trim, corner rounded the edges of the card itself, and I called it done! 

ANYONE can make simple cute cards ... I think I just proved it!  :)

Surf's Up Birthday Card

Just like normal, I waited until the last minute to get a project done ... ONE of these days, I'll be ahead of schedule!  I always have big plans, but then time just gets away from me!

For my July workshop, I put together this cute little birthday card using Close To My Heart's Surf's Up paper that I've had for a while.  I found a section of that paper that didn't have words or people on it so I wouldn't have bits of that sticking out from behind the sentiment!  I put turquoise paper behind it - otherwise, it didn't look right next to the white card.

The brown strip is just the reverse side of the Surf's Up paper I used.  The red/pink paper was actually a fuzzy piece I found in my stash - I don't remember where I got it!  I've probably had it for quite some time ... I have a problem buying paper.

I used Close To My Heart's "Heartfelt Birthday Wish" mini stamp (only $2.95!) and used an alcohol marker to color it in ... I'm not sure the color I chose was JUST right, but it'll do!  That's the first time I've used those markers! 

I then thought it needed some bling.  SO - I pulled out the Close To My Heart "Hooray Bouquet" set and stamped a flower.  Then yes, I fussy cut out that flower, adhered it to my card, and flipped up the petals a little to give it dimension.  I couldn't find my foam tape, or I would have popped up the whole flower! 

I had some gems to make it sparkle, stamped the "May this year be your grandest year yet" sentiment (from the Hooray Bouquet set) on the inside and called it a night!

If you're interested in any of the products used, check out my shopping site: http://beckyo.ctmh.com

What do you think?  I'd love to get some comments!  I'm sure there are other suggestions for upping the difficulty level on my cards!

Happy Father's Day!

I hope everyone had a great father's day weekend.  Ours was full with a cookout at my parents' house and going to Texas Roadhouse with the in-laws!  Was a good time all around! 

For Father's Day, I made this card for both fathers in our lives.  I had just gotten the Martha Stewart ribbon loop punch around the page punch set Friday night so I had to incorporate that somehow!

Announcing a new Panstoria Affliliate!

A friend of mine recently signed up to be an affiliate for Panstoria.  Panstoria is the company that took over Creative Memories' digital line.  They're actually the company that created StoryBook Creator and Memory Manager from the beginning!  Let's help Amanda out by buying some new content ... they've got a 25% off sale on all digital content.  I know most of us haven't bought anything new in a while since Creative Memories gave Storybook up!

Don't forget that Panstoria digital kits are compatible with your Creative Memories Storybook Creator software ... you don't have to upgrade to Artisan until you're ready! 
All digital content kits in the store are 25% off their original prices. Nearly 2,000 items in the store can be purchased for 25% off, including some of your CM favorites, and lots and lots of new ones!

Sale runs through Friday, June 13 at 2:00 PM Pacific Time, so be sure to order quick:

Browse Panstoria Digital Content

P.S. - Amanda will be contributing to this blog with guest posts from time to time to give us some digital inspiration!   I've included a Panstoria badge to the side along with the CTMH badge for quick access!