Bella Carta

Flip, flap, fly! these flap cards are addicting!

I made a second card featuring the "Flap" technique showcased this week on the Just Us Girls blog.  I used my beloved "dark chocolate" cardstock from PTI covered with paper from Black Market Paper Society.  The bird is stamped on birch veneer (yes, its wood!) the stamp is from Unity and it remains on of my favorite stamps.  I stamped it in brown ink (dark chocolate from PTI) and then I used a watercolor pen to add just a little green color to the wings.  I stamped it and then used my Tim Holtz scissors to cut it out.   I thought the twine tied around it just added a fun little touch.

All in a flap ... a just us girls technique challenge

As card makers, we often get to make cards for all the "happy" occasions - birthdays, weddings, etc or to brighten someone's day.  The worst reason for making a card - a card to send in sympathy - this one is for a friend who's mother passed away this weekend.   I thought the "flap" card (Just Us Girls challenge 24) was a good one to use for this project.

My card is on dark chocolate cardstock (PTI) with new paper from K & Co in poppies.  For the flap - I cut the pattern using my curvy rectangles nestabilities and I stamped the inside sentiment.  The outside flap is decorated with a tissue paper flower from the Just Us Girls week 4 challenge (along with a great video tutorial!).   I used my Flower Layers sizzix dies for this flower and inked the tissue paper in Hibiscus Burst pink, Raspberry Fizz and Scarlet Jewel ink (all from PTI).  The inside stamp is from Inky Antics and I used a bit of matching ribbon along with some star shaped brads and my star shaped punch.

Okay, I'll admit it ....

Okay, I'll admit it ....  PTI's Ripe Avocado isn't exactly my "go to" color, I tend to use it sparingly as an accent, if at all.  Until now .......

Is it too much green?  I thought it was wonderful for a spring day AND St. Pat's is right around the corner. I had not set out to make a monochromatic card, but then it just evolved it that direction.    I used the Just Us Girls sketch challenge #23 as my jumping off point. 

 Cardstock:  Kraft and Ripe Avocado (PTI)
Ink:  Dark Chocolate and Tie dye duo (PTI)
Ribbon:   Ripe Avocado Saddle Stitched (PTI) and retired SU
Paper:  Black Market Paper Soceity
Stamp:  Verve

a color challenge

Well, its Tuesday .... I'm still feeling slightly adrift without Twilight Tuesday, but I'm hoping to use the opportunity to play along with other challenges.  One of my favorite sites:  Just Us Girls has its color challenge this week:

 

I was definitely challenged by these colors - pink and chocolate :-) one of my favs, but throw in coral and I'm completely thrown off!   I did get a chance to use my new Zing "Chocolat" embossing powder on this ... but after reading rav reviews about this product - I'm just not that impressed the ep.  It just wasn't as rich & chocolatey as I had hoped for.    I'm not crazy about my card, either {sigh} I think this challenge got the better of me.  I might try these colors again later on in the week. 

Just Us Girls, challenge #17 My Time Made Easy templates!

This week's JUGS challenge is ALL about templates, Lauren's templates to be precise!  I had ventured over earlier to her new "My Time Made Easy" store and downloaded this FREE template {Cutesy Cover} but hadn't had a chance to use it yet, till today!

How fun is this template?  Just a bunch of fun!  These templates are really easy to use - I don't have a personal cutter (cricut, gypsy, slice) but I still found these easy to use! I just cut my paper down to 8.5 x 11 from a 12 x 12 sheet, then popped it into my printer, the PDF image prints out direct on the paper and cut with your paper snips.  One of the things I really like is that the score lines are light gray and dotted, they are easy to see but then blend into your finished project! 

I added a large grommet to mine and tied a ribbon around the whole thing. Its the size of a deck of playing cards and can hold small gifts, a gift card or some treats (like cookies!).  The stamp is from Jen, thanks Jen!  I used my silver dew drops on the corners - earlier today I managed to spill them and I'm still picking them up from EVERYWHERE {rolls eyes}.  That was my second catastrophe in my stamp room today, the first was managing to get black ink ALL over me!  Luckily, it washes off!

The paper is Cosmo Cricket - Fleuriste, the ribbon is grey taffeta from SU (the grommet is from SU, too) and the stamp is from Verve (in Raspberry Fizz ink from PTI).