No Time To Stamp?

I patiently waited this morning for Julia’s Ways to Use it Challenge to pop up at SCS before I started my daily project.  I need to get 2 cards done today, both for workshops — one that is specifically a guy card, and one that is a more feminine card.  Well, when the challenge to use staples popped up — there was my guy card — it called out to me loud and clear.  I knew exactly what I was going to do — LOL!!!  Here it is:

I’ve had, but haven’t used, Stamp of Authenticity for quite a while.  Why is it we always gravitate to making more girly, pretty cards?  Well, today was the day for this set, and did I have fun!!!  I love doing more of a rugged, collage type look for guys - it just seems to *go*, for me anyway!!!  Maybe because that’s the kind of guys I have around here — rugged and just thrown together — LOL!!!  Anyway, for a bit of interest I used a piece cut from a cast off pair of blue jeans — I have stacks of these.  Actually, they wouldn’t be cast off if only I’d repair them — but who has time for that — let’s cut them up and use them on cards (but please don’t tell!)!!!  That surely solves the problem - LOL!!!

OK, I stapled my blue jean piece to the card and used a ton of punched items to fill it up.  I think you can just kind of see what I did.  All stamps are from the same set and I also used the Sanded background stamp, stamped in black on the white base.  Then I took the *authentic* stamp and randomly stamped over the sanded, still in black.  On the *original* tag I did use the retired SU Deckle Scissors, but that wouldn’t be necessary — I just like those scissors!!!  Used lots of Pop Dots (they are thicker than the Dimensinals and I need those all the time it seems, from Wal-Mart) and Dimensionals — tons of texture and elevation to this card IRL.  I like it!!!

• Stamps:  Stamp of Authenticity, It’s Your Birthday, Sanded
• Paper:  Real Red, Black, White
• Ink:  Black Stazon, Real Red
• Accessories:  Jumbo Eyelet, Vintage Brads, Staples, reitred SU Deckle Scissors, Crafter’s Tool Kit, Cropadile, Pop Dots, Dimensionals, Punches:  Large and Small Star, Large and Small Tag,  3/4″, 1 1/4″, 1 3/8″ Round, Corner Rounder, Scrap of real blue jeans

Now, I have a question and I’d like an honest answer, OK?  What would you think if you went to a workshop and were given this card to make?  Would you find it odd to be getting a piece of old blue jeans?  Would you find it offensive?  Or would you consider it different and fun?  The jeans are fresh out of the wash clean.  My hostess for next week requested a specificially guy card, which this is, but I wonder — be honest, please!

Here’s a card I did this morning for the Sketch Challenge at SCS - a really great and simple sketch — just my style — LOL!!!  In all honesty, I DO love this card, and it was SO INCREDIBLY SIMPLE to make.  I think this would make a gorgeous wedding card, done in either the bridal party colors or in all whites/ivory –oooohhh, I want to try!!!  Again, this card is a true testimony to what I always say - if you USE pretty things, you don’t have to DO much — so, so true!!!   Here it is:

OK, the white background panel is stamped repeatedly with one small stamp from Flourished Elements by Flourishes, then narrowly framed in black.  The heart is embossed in pink and cut out, then mounted on pink paper and then cut out again to frame the heart in pink.  That is my beloved Lace Heart by Flourishes.  I added the band across the front to comply with the sketch, wrapped it with black organdy, attached a flower from the Pretties Kit right to the heart with the clear rhinestone brad, stuck in my pin (these are all items from the Pretties Kit by SU), attached it all to the card with Pop Dots and I was done!!!  The middle layer of the flower is dyed (colored) with the pink marker — they color up so quickly and easily and are instantly dry (no wait time) – they just absorb the ink and instantly look great!!!  I do want to try this in shades of whites/ivorys for a wedding card - I think it would be awesome!!

• Stamps:  Lace Heart and Flourished Elements by Flourishes
• Paper:  Pretty in Pink, Black, White
• Ink:  Pretty in Pink, Versa Mark
• Accessories:  Black Organdy, Pretties Kit by SU, Pop Dots, Pink EP (retired SU), Sponge

Thanks for stopping in!!!  See you later!!! I still have lots to do this week!!!

This is a card I did for today’s Color Challenge at SCS — YoYo Yellow (oh my!), Going Gray and Basic Gray.  It is also for the Sketch Challenge the girls are running on the Crafty Secrets Member Comany Forum at SCS.  The sketch was tall and thin - I like that!!!  Here’s my double challenge card:

I have NEVER used YoYo Yellow before — good thing I had a few sheets in a multi pack of paper — LOL!!!  And honestly, paired with these grays, it really isn’t too bad!!!  Actually, I rather like this card!!!  I went down to stamp and pulled together some things left on my table from the last couple day’s projects — the Cotton Scraps by Crafty Secrets were still out, so I chose a flower image with yellow, and my wide black gingham ribbon was out from yesterday’s little 3 cards and box project.  I quickly sewed my Cotton Scrap onto a base of Basic Gray cardstock –again, 3 times around in my meandering stitch, added a corsage pin and ribbon and mounted it on a YoYo Yellow frame.  That was then mounted on a Basic Gray panel which was corner punched on the bottom with a favorite punch of mine — Ornamental Brackets by Anna Griffin.  I put a yellow piece behind so the pretty punched design would show up well.  My sentiment is from Card Sentiments by Crafty Secrets, circle punched, then mounted with a Pop Dot onto a Designer Label Punched piece.  Wrapped more gingham around this panel, adhered to Going Gray card, and done!!!  I do like the color combo and may actually use it again — it has lots of POP, and I like that!!!

This card will fit in a standard business sized envelope.   It measures 4″ x 7 3/4″.  A standard business sized envelope will hold a card up to 4″ x about 9 1/4″ .

• Stamps:  Card Sentiments by Crafty Secrets; Floral background by SU
• Paper.  SU: Basic Gray, Going Gray, YoYo Yellow
• Ink:  Going Gray by SU; Versa Fine Onyx Black
• Accessories:  Cotton Scraps by Crafty Secrets, Ribbon, Distressing Tool, Designer Label Punch, 1 1/4 and 1 3/8″ Round Punches, Anna Griffin Ornamental Bracket Punch, Sponge, Corsage Pin.

I have many plans for uploads this week — wish me luck finding time — a tutorial on an accordion spine book with inside pockets, some Flourishes pretties, some SU workshop cards, and I’ve been tagged a few times so I’ll try to get to that as well, plus my usual Friday Stamp Simply Challenge!!!  Thanks for taking a peek!!!  See you soon!!!

Four months ago I didn’t even know a score board existed.  Today I own two of them — the Scor-Pal and the Scor-It, and I’ll tell you, I’ll never again be without one.  As far as I am concerned a score board is every bit as essential to the card maker and paper crafter as is a paper cutter.  I have had about 3 months experience with the Scor-Pal and about a month with the Scor-It.  Both boards do essentially the same thing — score and straight line emboss paper — but they just function in different ways to accomplish this.

The Scor-Pal is a board with numerous grooves right in the board.  You lay your paper on the board, select the groove you want, and run the scoring tool along the groove.  It presses a groove, or embossed or scored line, in your paper, the embossed side being on the underside and the debossed, or dented side, being on top as you are pressing into the groove.

The Scor-it is a board that has one center rail on which you score, or emboss.  It is a metal rail that is raised up a bit higher than the board.  When you lay your paper on the board you then run your scoring tool along this raised rail.  The tool has a groove in it, so as it passes along the rail the paper on top of the rail is left raised, or embossed, leaving the scored line, or embossed line on the top of the paper, with the debossed, or dented in side, on the underside.

Size/Weight/Construction

Scor-Pal:  Measures 12 7/8 x 14 1/4″, weights exactly 1 #, is completely plastic, has 4 rubbery feet, has a plastic scoring tool that snaps into the frame of the board for safe keeping when not in use. 

Scor-it:  Measures 12 3/8 x 13 3/8″, weighs 3# 7 oz., is mostly plastic but the bed/table is much thicker than the Scor-Pal, accounting for the extra weight, has 6 rubbery feet, has a wooden scoring tool that is attached to the board with a chain.  The rail that you actually emboss on is metal.  There is also a metal stop guide that you can easily attach which you would use if you were mass producing an item and doing repeated scores on the same mark. 

Ruler Markings/Bed/Function

Scor-Pal:  The table where you lay your paper is plastic and has a raised fence on the top where the ruler is and the sides, and the idea is that you push your paper up into the corner, hold it with one hand (it can’t move because of the raised fence), and score with the other.  The grooves basically go in 1/2″ increments, with some additional grooves for common scores required by card makers (4 1/4, 2 1/8 , etc., as well as markings for the 1/3 points on an 11″ sheet).   There are additional ruler markings, without grooves, for the 1st inch and the last 1/2 inch of the ruler.  As long as you are doing scores using standard and common measurements, you push your paper into the corner and score on your desired mark.  And as long as you want to score on the standard measurements that have grooves, you can score multiple scores on one sheet without moving the sheet.  If you want to score on an increment not accounted for on the board, you do some quick math in your head, and move the paper out from the left edge, pulling it away from the fence.  If you want to score at 5 3/4, you would pull your paper away from the left edge and line it up with the 1/4″ mark, then you would score on the 6″ groove (6 minus 1/4 = 5 3/4).  

Scor-it:  The table where you lay your paper is rubbery, so once you position your paper where you want it, it won’t move one bit.  There is only one place on this board to score, and that is on the metal rail right in the center.  The ruler, which has all standard ruler markings, measures out in both directions from center, centering being 0.  It is very easy to find center on any size piece with the ruler running in both directions from center.  To score 2″ from an edge, you merely place your edge on 2″ and score.  If you want your next score at 4″, move your paper to the 4″ marking and score again, etc.  Your paper must be moved for each score.  The non-slip surface makes this very easy.  There is a fence on the top along the ruler edge to butt your paper up against.  There are no fences along the sides, allowing you to use any size paper and have your paper extend over the edges as you place it where needed.  You can score at any increment desired, just place your paper edge at that ruler marking.  Also, on the rail where you run the scoring tool, it is notched up into the ruler, allowing you to get your tool up above the paper so you never miss that very top portion as you begin your score. 

Performance

Information taken from the product packaging:

Scor-Pal:  “When possible, always score with the grain of the paper to avoid cracking.  This is very important when using textured or heavy weight card stock.”

Scor-it:  “Score with or against the paper grain.  It can handle up to 24 pt board.  It will also score thin metals, plastics, synthetic and hand-made papers, metallic coated papers and much more!”

The following are results from tests I did with papers I had at home:

Standard Cardstock:  Both scored equally as well.

Mirrored Metallic Cardstock:  Both scored equally as well.

Backing Board from SU 12 x 12 DP package:  The Scor-Pal score was light, but suitable.  The Scor-it score was noticeably deeper.

Thin Chipboard Coaster:  I had problems with the Scor-Pal.  The scoring tool would not follow the groove well, it wanted to run off track.  It seemed to follow better in one direction than the other.  The score was effortless and perfect with the Scor-it.

I wish I had metal to try, but I didn’t.

That pretty much wraps up the facts — hope I didn’t forget anything.  If I did, just ask and I’ll see if I know.  If anyone reading this has comments or any experience they care to share, those comments are welcome.  The sole purpose of this post is to answer questions that readers have had about both these score boards.  Which board anyone might choose will depend on their needs and preferences.

Here is the link to Scor-Pal and here is the link to Scor-it.  Both sites will give you far better photos than I can offer as well as more info and project tutorials.  You can order the Scor-Pal directly from their site.  I don’t believe you can order the Scor-it from their site, but you can read all about it.  To find a retailer for the Scor-it, just do a Google search and a lot of retailers will pop up. (See below, I just listed one retailer)

Scor-Pal has a carrying bag for their board.

Scor-it has many other score boards availabe in both larger and smaller sizes, and some with maple construction.

Hope those of you considering a score board will find this helpful!!! As always, thanks for stopping!!!

Editing to Add:  The question I have been repeatedly asked these last few weeks is if I could only keep one, which would it be.  I see that has come up again in the comments, so just let me say, it’s a decision I don’t have to make, and I’m glad for that.  Both of these score boards live happily, side by side, in my stamp room.  I use them both every day.  I have the best of both worlds.  There are 2 major differences I see here, and each of you must decide for yourselves what is important to YOU and the way YOU work.

The ruler — do you want to have the convenience of scoring within the grooves on the standard measurements; or do you prefer the flexibility of moving your paper to the exact position you need on a well marked ruler.  The answer to this, in large part, will depend on the type of work you do most often.

The item being scored — do you strictly use standard cardstock, or do you venture off into other projects requiring some more non-standard or heavier materials?

I can not and will not endorse one product over the other — like I’ve said before, it’s like being asked which child is your favorite — you don’t have a favorite child — you love them each for what they are!!!  I love both my score boards and I know you’ll be happy with which ever one you choose!!!

EDITING AGAIN:  I will answer each question right in the comments under their question.

ANOTHER EDIT:  Tim Hammonds, who is the man behind the Scor-it, just sent me an email attaching a very interesting brochure that explains a lot about the making of paper, paper grain, testing for paper grain, hinge scores, letterpress scores, and why proper scoring is so important to achieve a professional looking result.  I found the brochure very interesting and helpful and I learned a lot.  I am trying to attach it here – but I’m not so sure the attachment will work — please bear with me as I’m trying to figure this out. – OK,  my attachment is not working — trying to fix it — sorry — OK — I am obviously  not able to get this attachment to work — if anyone wants this info, just say so and I’ll email it to you — no problem.  Thanks!

Still another edit:  It was just pointed out to me by a reader that the Scor-it is available through Ellen Hutson.  I love shopping with Ellen — she has a ton of great things and ships immediately — can’t get any better!!!

This is a little set of 3 cards I made, all with simple embossed lines made on the Scor-Pal.  I also made a small little box to coordinate.  It easily holds these 3 cards and their envelopes — it’s just like a little desk top holder or desk top display box.

Above is the box with all 3 cards and envies in it.  You only need a 6 1/2″ square of cardstock to make this box.  At the end of this post is a template for this box.   As far as decorating the box, the stamped image is mounted on a Marvy punched scalloped square, the white panel is embossed to match the cards, and ribbon is wrapped around the box and knotted.

Here are the 3 cards.  The white panel of each of the cards is embossed in exactly the same manner — they only appear different depending on which way you adhere the white panel to the card (embossed lines on top or bottom), where the image is stamped and where the ribbon is tied.    The card is 5 1/2 x 4 1/4.  The black frame is 5 1/4 x 4.  The white panel is 5 1/8 x 3 7/8.  The white panel is set in the Scor-Pal so the short, right edge is at the 5″ mark, then you score on the 4, 4 1/4 and 4 1/2″ marks.

This close up photo shows the embossed score lines a bit better.  I was very photo challenged with this project — I just can’t get these embossed lines to show up as well as they do IRL — sorry.  But I think you can get the idea.

The image stamped is from Love Nest by Flourishes.  The sentiment, Missing You, is from Open to Love, also by Flourishes.  The image is colored in with markers, highlighted with a Spica Glitter Pen in Gold and the chain is hand drawn.  The ribbon was wrapped at different heights on these cards, and the black brads were added for balance.

Here’s a picture of the empty box.  The scalloped square is attached with mounting tape.  Again, sorry the embossed score lines are just not showing up here.  You can see them a bit better on the 1st photo in this post.

Here’s the template (again, sorry for the poor photo –it’s been one of those mornings!).  The paper is cut 6 1/2″ square.  If using a Scor-Pal, place the left edge of the sheet on the 1/4″ mark, then score at 3 and 4.  If using another type of scoring system, merely score 2 3/4″ in from opposing edges, leaving a 1″ strip in the middle, as shown.  Then turn your paper, and score 1″ in from the other opposing edges.  Cut on the lines in the center, as shown, so your box will fold.  That’s it — super easy.  99% of the cards I make are top fold, and this box is designed to hold top fold cards on a desk or as a display.

As always, I sure appreciate you stopping in — thanks much!!!!

I noticed that a Sketch Challenge was issued on the Crafty Secrets Member Company forum, so seeing as I just LOVE their Cotton Scraps, thought I’d give it a try.  Also, I am continually in need of, and out of, both sympathy cards and thank you notes, so once I found the scrap I was in the mood to use tonight, I figured it would make into a nice sympathy card.  Here it is:

Now, for anyone who may not know, Cotton Scraps (by Crafty Secrets) are fabulous things!!! They come in sheets, about the size of a sheet of printer paper, filled with fabulously gorgeous images and they are — of course - cotton!!!  Real cotton — kind of a twill type fabric — unreal!!!  I fell in love with these things the first time I saw them — I will never tire of these beauties.  They have a backing on them which you peel off after you’ve cut them out.  They are not self stick - you must either sew them on (fun, fun!) or you may adhere them with your choice of adhesive.  You can also pull threads to fray the edges if you like, or you can cut them with pinking shears.  I LOVE the look of real stitches on the Cotton Scraps, so mine are usually sewn on.

OK, now as to this card specifically, I sewed my Cotton Scrap onto a base of  yellow cardstock cut slightly larger than the scrap.  I used these kind of roaming stitches and went around 3 times.  I knew I wanted to have wavy ribbon tails (my favorite kind) so I thought these wavy stitches would go well.  I then frayed my edges up to the stitching, distressed the yellow cardstock, and mounted this onto a sheet of gray cardstock, which was eventually adhered to the card with mounting tape.  I used some pretty paper from a 6 x 12 pad from Crafty Secrets, Heartwarming Vintage Collection, Pastel Pad, to border the right side of the card.  I then did a very thin piping strip of Going Gray and then a strip of green which was punched with the pretty Martha Stewart Scallop Punch.  The sentiment is stamped right on the base cardstock.  The velvet bow is adhered with Mini Glue Dots, and I also use glue dots to keep my ribbon tails in the shape I like.  There is a glue dot under each place it touches the card.  I know some may not care to fuss with ribbon that much — but it’s my passion — LOL!!!

The yellow and green cardstock used are from the Prismatics line by Prism Paper.  The gray is SU, ribbon is May Arts.  That about sums it up!!!  If you have any Cotton Scraps at home that you’ve been hoarding, pull them out and give them a try — play the challenge — it’s an easy and fun sketch!!!

• Stamps:  Card Sentiments by Crafty Secrets
• Paper:  Prism:  Sunflower Light and Spring Willow Medium; SU:  Basic Gray;  Crafty Secrets:  Pastel Pad in the Heartwarming Vintage Collection
• Ink:  Versa Fine Onyx  Black
• Accessories:  Cotton Scraps by Crafty Secrets, Velvet Ribbon, Martha Stewart Lace Punch, Sewing Machine and Thread, Distressing Tool on Cutter Kit, Mounting Tape, Mini  Glue Dots.

And speaking of challenges, Flourishes is planning a contest on their Member Company Forum which will begin on February 1.  Check it out here!!!  Pull out your Cake Decorating 101 sets and be ready to play, or order them if you need to!!!  There’s plenty of time as the contest will run all of February!!!

 Thanks again for stopping in!!!  Have a great Sunday everyone!!!

Hi everyone!  Hoping you can take 5 minutes of your time to help out.  The folks at Splitcoast are taking a survey in an effort to improve their site (you mean it could get better????), and they want YOUR input.  They truly do want to know what you think and want — isn’t it great to be asked!!!  I just took the survey myself and 5 minutes will do it.  Sure would appreciate it if you would take it, too!!!  Here’s the link:

 http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/news/comments.php?id=691_0_1_0_C

Thanks much!!!  Have a great weekend!!!

Challenge #19 - Keyword ssnotime19 - There is no time limit. You can play this challenge and upload your project at Splitcoast and/or your Blog, anytime at all!  You can play as many times as you like!!!  The point is to keep it simple, quick and have fun!!!  Please link back here.

Today’s challenge is to incorporate a *scalloped edge* into your project.   There are NO SCALLOPED PUNCHED SHAPES OR DIE CUT SCALLOPED SHAPES ALLOWED!!! (Please read the list below for clarification)  You must create a scalloped edge anywhere on the card, but an EDGE to a panel, not a punched scalloped shape, no Nestability scallop shapes – but a scalloped edge you created. No other rules — just have fun!  But remember, the theme of my challenges in general is to *stamp simply*, so let’s just keep that in mind!

Here’s some ideas on how to create a scalloped edge:

1. Use scalloped scissors
2. Make scallops with a non-scallop punch, such as a corner rounder with the guard removed or the slit punch
3. You may use a scalloped lace punch, like by Fiskars or Martha Stewart, those type are OK because they are edge punches
4. You may use a scallop shape punch  or Nestability die (rectangle, square) ONLY IF you somehow layer them or cut them apart so you have only an edge scallop, not the full rectangle or square exposed
5. You may create a scallop by overlapping punched circles
6. You may use an actual piece of real scalloped lace
7. You could use the scalloped edges from paper doilies
8. Editing to add:  You may use the scallop strip in a paper pack, like Crate usually has scallop strips in them, just make sure you turn it into an edge scallop
9. Editing to add: My main point here is I just don’t want you to punch or die cut a scalloped rectangle, put it on your card, and say it counts — IT MUST BE AN EDGE  — and anything you can transform into an edge scallop is OK.
10. Editing to add:  And you may use a Punched or Nestie shape of any sort for your focal image as long as you have the required scalloped edge.
11. Be creative — can’t wait to see what you come up with!!!!

Remember when you upload to use the keyword above, followed by a comma.  Please come back here to post (as a comment) that you’ve played, and provide a link so I can check out your card right away. You can find all cards uploaded for this challenge by clicking Gallery Submissions Here.

Some wanting to play said they have never uploaded before.  If that’s you and you need help uploading,  just go to my Challenge No. 1 here.

Here’s my sample.  I made my scallop with the corner rounder, guard removed.  Then I punched my holes with the Cropadile.  To get them exact, you know that little dimple that comes when you punch with the corner rounder — well, it is in the center, so I first took my piercing tool and just punched that dimple into a hole so I could easily see it.  Now, with an easily visible mark, and adjusting the depth of my Cropadile, it was super easy to get perfectly placed holes!

The white panel is stamped with Pretty in Pink and the floral background stamp and the edges are sponged lightly with Purely Pomegranate.  The image and sentiment are stamped with ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink in Chestnut Roan, the Always circles is up on a dimensional, the ribbon is the Chocolate Taffeta.  The berries are gone over with the Pink Spica Glitter Pen, but it doesn’t really show up much in the photo.  It adds a beautiful, sparkly touch IRL!!!

• Stamps:  Always, Floral
• Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White
• Ink:  Pretty in Pink, Purely Pomegranate, Color Box Fluid Chalk Ink in Chestnut Roan
• Accessories:  Taffeta Ribbon, Corner Rounder, Piercer, Cropadile, Sponge, Spica Glitter Pen, 1 1/4″ and 1 3/8″ Round Punches

That’s it!!!  I love scalloped edges and can’t wait to see what you all come up with!!!  Hope you can find the time to play if you are so inclined and, as always, thanks much for stopping in!!!  Have a great weekend!!!

Hi everyone.  I know it probably appears that I’m slacking here, but  I’m not - honest!!!  I’ve been working on a set of 5 coordinated items that I can’t share right now.  They were requested by a magazine, so let’s hope they put them in.  If and when that happens, you’ll be the first to know and see — LOL.  Plus I’ve got swap cards to do today, and our fearless swap leader doesn’t want us posting those until they have been received by all, so that’ll be coming in a week or two.

So, since I have nothing new to show you, I had an idea (always have ideas - LOL!!!)  My mind is still on the Cuttlebug, so I’ve pulled up two of my oldest and most popular Cuttlebugged cards for you to see today. But, even better than that, you won’t believe what I found in the galleries at SCS yesterday — it was like hitting the jackpot!!!  You all know Michelle Zindorf?  Current Dirty Girl at SCS, Queen of the Brayer — well, she’s been holding out on us — she is also Queen of the Cuttlebug.  Look at this beauty I spotted in her gallery done back in September, 2007.  Isn’t it fabulous!!!  That is what I wanted to try to do for you today and post, but just couldn’t find the time.  So, WHY DON’T YOU GIRLS do some cards like this, post them to your Blogs or SCS, and link them back here.  Then I can check them all out and have a ton of good ideas when I finally get to it — does that sound like fun???  I think so!!!  Also, be sure to drop in on Michelle’s card and let her know if you liked it/cased it.  We’ll consider this a mini, mid-week challenge!!!

This is a card I did back in April, 2007.  I taught classes doing this card.  Super simple and quick.  I used a corsage pin from Michaels as it was before I had the Pretties Kit, but wouldn’t a pin from the Pretties Kit look wonderful in there?  You can check out the supplies on the SCS upload here.

This card was done in January, 2007 for an SCS challenge.  Love all the texture the Cuttlebugging lends!!!  You can read the deatils/supplies on my SCS upload here.

OK, that’s it — thanks much for being patient with me when I have nothing to share — appreciate that!!!  Now, go ahead and try a Cuttlebug card like Michelle’s linked above — I’m so anxious to see what you can do!!!  I’ll have my regular Stamp Simply Challenge posted tomorrow morning!!!  Thanks for stopping in!!!

When I think of a Valentine, I naturally think in the realm of something nostaligic, vintage, old and pretty.  Well, not today!  I needed a third quick and simple card for my Hostess Club tomorrow.  They loved the pocket hearts done last week for an SCS challenge, so I went with that idea, but *modernized* this pocket heart when compared to this one I did last week.  Here’s my modern version:

Simple and quick.  The card is white, stamped with the Tres Chic background stamp in black.  The heart template found here was traced onto red cardstock, cut out and scored where indicated to make the folds.  The cut out heart was stamped in red ink with the Sanded background stamp on both sides (necessary because the pocket that shows is the back side of the heart cutout).  Edges were sponged just to finish them off a bit and 2 black brads were inserted to keep the closure together.  Attaching the heart pocket to the card and adding the ribbon finishes it off!!!  For inserts for the pocket I just stamped the heart from Always two times and cut out.  They are loose in the pocket.  I’ll let each girl make as many hearts as she wants for the pocket.  Thought this would be a nice card for DH and/or Dad and everyone in the family could have their own heart in the pocket to sign and/or write a little mesage on.

That’s it for tonight!!!  Thanks so much for stopping in!!!  Have a great day!!!  Oh, and thank you all, too, for letting me know you are receiving the Feedblitz notifications.  I truly appreciate it!!!  Thanks much!!!