Color Q Challenge 26

I never would have thought of these colors together (with the celery thrown in there).  But it looks quite nice.  I used the Bazzill pearl green paper (in case you can't tell). I also used PTI Plum Pudding ribbon for the Lavender Lace.

Spring Orchids

Among my happy spring cards- another using the Martha Stewart Orchids 3D stickers.  I couldn't think what an orchid stem looks like, so this is what I came up with.  I later realized that they all bloom on a single stem.  Oh well - too late now I suppose.

Butterfly Dreamin'

I chose this color combo from a PTI color challenge a few weeks ago.  These were Niki's favorites: Kraft, Hibiscus Burst, Raspberry Fizz, and New Leaf.  I used SU! Kraft, Melon Mambo DSP, Hibiscus Burst ribbon and button, Regal Rose (for the butterfly instead of Hibiscus burst), and Garden Green. 

This is a detail shot.  I embossed the white with the Swiss Dot Cuttlbug folder. 

 This is another butterfly favorite.  I cut the butterfly out in Melon Mambo DSP and also matted my white swiss dot embossed cardstock with Melon Mambo.  I stamped the sentiment from Carte Postale in Melon Mambo and cut out with the Modern Label punch.  I added light pink rhinestones to the corners of the wings.

Both of these cards are inspired by something I saw on Split Coast Stampers.  After trying to search extensively to relocate the postings (I must have looked at 50 pages and tried numerous search topics) I couldn't find them.  Sorry I can't link it up so you can compare. 

Spring in the Air

I have been in such a creative mood the last two days!  Since yesterday afternoon I have nearly been working non-stop on making cards.  Maybe it's because my new SU! goodies arrived on Friday.  A little early birthday present for myself.  But let's face it, I really didn't need an upcoming birthday to justify buying some stamping stuff, right?  Anyway, since I've got a Cuttlebug now, I thought I'd try a Sizzix die and see how it went.  I bought the SU! Butterfly die and am IN LOVE!  I've been cutting butterflies of different shapes and colors and just having so much fun. 

Anywho... I loved this card style the most - even if it took a bit of work.  I found this posted on Split Coast Stampers (here's her post: Butterfly Trifold) and decided to try it.  It's a bit tricky but SOOOO worth it for the 'WOW' factor!  Check out this tutorial: Half Cut Cards  For another blog with a good sample: Click Here and scroll down to 'January Club Project'.  I did the embossing after I cut the butterfly.  It made it a little easier to figure out which side I wanted the dots to be raised on that way. 

I liked this so much, I had to try it twice.  This time with my new Razzleberry Lemonade DSP.  This time I 'hid' the sentiment behind the butterfly. 

This is another one of my favorite creations from today.  I was so excited about it.  I cut the branch, blossoms (two sizes) and label from my Cricut. 

I used some of my jewelry making beads as centers for my blossoms.
I made a few more cards - but we'll save those for later.  I wouldn't want to overwhelm you. ;) 

Pretty Petal Pocket Totes

This is one of the Timeless Templates from the PTI website.  I wanted to make something little for the boys' teachers in celebration of springtime.  It's begun to warm up around here and the weather has been so beautiful (when it's not raining).

I copied the quote from a website that had spring sentiments.  I thought it was perfect for a gift given in March.  I filled the little 'tulip' totes with a travel size lotion and travel size sweet pea body spray.  And a small bag of M&M's and a few Hershey's Bliss chocolate eggs.

I cut and embossed the label from Spellbinders with my Cuttlebug. 

For one tote I made a tissue paper flower and added a pink pearl brad.  For the other I used a stamped butterfly from Amy Butler. 

Japanese Paper

This weekend I discovered a store called Paper Source.  They have some of the most beautiful paper I have ever seen!  It's not a scrapbook store.  They have large sheets of colorful paper in all different styles.  They sell ribbon, stationary, stamps and lots of great papercrafting projects.  I decided to try my hand at a box kit they had.  It came with all the extra thick chipboard pieces and directions.  I chose this colorful Japanese print paper.  It almost feels like the paper is painted - it's so luxurious. 

I added ribbon for the closure.  The box measures 5x7.  I did have to buy some special glue that's a lot like Modge Podge- only better.  I'm so pleased with the way it turned out! I can't wait to go back and get the pink and brown Cherry blossom print next.

I have a bit of patterned paper left over so I can now make a number of cards to go with the set.  While I was there I spotted a Colorbox ink pad color: 'Robin's Egg'.  How could I NOT get a color like that?!  I stamped the medallion in Robin's Egg and then the senitments in Riding Hood Red and accented with some pearls. 

Moroccan Influence

I bought this Cuttlebug embossing folder.  It's called Moroccan Screen.  I thought it was so beautiful so I started searching for more Moroccan interior designs to inspire me with  my card.  I know, it probably all sounds a little too 'artsy' - but I soaked up the beauty of Moroccan style.  It's full of rich texture and gorgeous bright and rich colors.  I loved it!  Anyway, (babbling aside) I made this card.

The patterned paper is from the Wisteria line of Basic Grey.  I thought the pattern fit perfectly!  The dark purple paper I embossed (a little more than half way down) with the Morocaan Screen folder.  I then cut the bottom with some of my old decorative edged scissors.  I thought this decorative edge reminded me most of the tops of the windows.  I chose this sketch from an old Mojo Monday sketch because the three rectangles all reminded me of the windows in Moroccan architecture.  I didn't have anything 'exact' but I used some Spellbinders dies.  The flourish was from that $5 MMBI stamp set I bought recently.  I heat embossed in gold.  I also only stamped and embossed the last two flourishes from a long border stamp in that set. I mounted everything on a card base of Almost Amethyst.

Flowers in Bloom

Last year I made a card similar to this for my late Grandmother.  I was inspired by the beautiful cherry blossoms in Washington DC.  I thought I'd make another one.  The first time around I stamped the tree trunk.  This time I cut the tree trunk from my Cricut and then ran it through the xyron machine. 

The bottom is PTI grid paper.  I added some silver stickles to the center of the flowers.  I used pink and silver rhinestones for the centers of the flowers.  I also ran the green cardstock throught my cuttlebug with the swiss dots folder.

Thinking of You Flower

Here's another card I made using Amy Butler paper.  I just love the olive, blue and pink together.  Here I made another paper flower using Bashful Blue and the Pink Mervy scalloped circle punch (2 inch I believe). 

I followed Heather's suggestion here and cut 4 circles then pulled the paper into two pieces.  I used one of the coordinating fabric covered brads to hold it all together in the center. 

I wanted to let the flower take center stage so I used a sketch from Clean and Simple (#79).