The Card Cafe

Just a little note........

2008-01-03T23:04:00.000-06:00

This card was inspired by my girlfriend Tammy (hi Tammy!). This girl has talent beyond measure and stamps like no one else you've ever seen. She can crank out cards faster than Hallmark ~ and I'm not kidding! I honestly don't know how she does it. Seriously, when we all gather for our stamping weekends, she creates them faster than I can even think! I'll be trying to come up with a new idea, and while I'm thinking, she's made 4 cards. I'm excited to see all of them very soon for our girls getaway weekend. It is heaps of fun, with tons of stamping, good eats, lots of laughs, very little sleep, and worth every single minute!! See you soon girls!! MWAH!!! Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies used:

Stamps: Label Classics, Headline Alphabet (SU, both retired), Sentiment by Stampendous

Cardstock: SU, Pretty in Pink, Black, White

Ink: SU Black

Misc: Polka dot ribbon from Walmart, pink brad

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T18:08:00.000-06:00

My wish for you ~ a new year of good health and all the happiness your heart can hold!

Do you have New Year's Resolutions? For myself, I prefer to call them "Lifestyle Changes". Resolutions (like the word diet) seem to be short lived for me, even thou I start out with good intentions they fizzle quickly. Where as "lifestyle changes" seem to hang around longer. Perhaps it's just in my head but whatever works for you, right? A few personally are: to improve my over all health, spend more time with those I love, stress less, volunteer more. A few crafting related: be more productive, procrastinate less, stamp more, buy less ~ (use what I hoard), organize, mail my cards early and last but not least......be a better blogger!!!

Are you still with me? I continue to work on clearing out and cleaning my craft room, adding to list of stuff for sale before the big move. Never did I think it would be such a long and daunting task. But then I haven't had to sort, clean and pack 10+ years of "stuff" either!! Anyway, I'll be posting that list very soon! (remind self not to procrastinate! ha!) Thanks for stopping by!

Cardstock & Paper displays for sale....

2007-11-04T16:59:00.000-06:00

I have 3 of these cardstock / paper displays for sale. Each tower has 30 trays that hold 8 1/2 x 11 sized cardstock and/or designer paper. Depending upon where you find them, these can retail for about $179.00 or more per tower. I am selling mine for $70.00 each. I am preparing to make a very L O N G distance move and unfortunately I just cannot take them with me. Please leave a comment here or email me if you are interested! (ETA: Right now I'm in MN)

I will have heaps of other stamping related items for sale and listed here later this week so stop back soon. Thank you so much for continuing to pop in once in awhile, I do appreciate it. I haven't been the best blogger for the past 2 months, but I didn't realize how much time, effort and attention the house would need before placing it up for sale and I still have a few things to get done! If anyone is interested in non-stamping related items, furniture, a few antique pieces, and other household goods I will have those listed as well. Believe it or not I will even have a few stamped items to share!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall........

2007-09-03T00:09:00.000-05:00

Here we are, Labor Day weekend....where did the summer go? I feel as if there wasn't really much of a summer (far tooo much heat & humidity for me) I can honestly say I am looking forward to fall. I'd have to say it's my favorite season of all. I love the fall weather, the smell of a campfire, the trees bursting into beautiful fall colors that look like they've been painted by an artist. Everywhere you look, deep shades of red, burgundy, different hues of orange and yellow, nature is an amazing canvas.

I will not be posting for a couple of weeks as we prepare to put the house up for sale and I get my stamp stuff ready to post for sale, (here and on SCS). Believe me when I say I have heaps of stuff to sell, things from A to Z, small to large, embellishments to paper racks, stamps galore, you name it! There will be something for everyone! Look for that to come in a few weeks time. I'm also planning on a blog drawing so stay tuned! As always, thanks for stopping by!

Rain, rain go away.....

2007-08-21T22:11:00.000-05:00

Mother nature has given the state of Minnesota quite a spanking the past week or so. You either have webbed feet or wrinkled toes. The amount of rain that has hit different parts of the state is absolutely overwhelming. The southeastern section received about 17 inches of rain in less than 24 hours. Peoples homes have been swept straight off their foundations and others completely lost due to flash flooding. People watched campers and trailers at a campground float past them and today they reported picnic tables caught in the tops of trees after the water receded. People have at least 6 inches of mud & sludge covering the floors in what's left of their homes. At last report 7 people lost their lives to the flooding and the collapse of roadways. Minnesota seems to be experiencing such devastating losses on different levels since August 1st and the bridge collapse. I know that other parts of the country are experiencing extreme weather conditions as well, I just hope that the storms lose their strength and soon! Until next time.....I hope you and your families are safe and dry.

Under water Smooches....

2007-08-09T22:20:00.000-05:00

I think this card is pretty cute - even if all the sets used are now retired! It's been awhile since I made this card that I can't even remember the names of 2 of the sets I used! (the sentiment set and the one with the circles both escape me at the moment, but when I make my way back to my stamp room I'll look them up and add them below.) Hope you enjoy the under water smooches! Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies used:
Stamps: All SU retired sets, Fishy Friends, sentiment set, Fun with shapes?
Cardstock: SU white, green galore, turquoise.
Ink: SU black
Misc: SU markers: green galore, gable green, yellow, turquoise, orange, lilac. Turquoise brads.
Info: Stamped the fish on white cs in black ink, colored them in with SU markers, stamped sentiment in black, did the rock 'n roll technique for the circles/bubbles, layered onto green galore, added the brads in each corner and then mounted it on turquoise cs. Easy peasy!

No Stamps but Oh So Pretty!

2007-08-07T21:16:00.000-05:00

This card uses absolutely no stamps and was super easy to create! I will admit the most difficult part of this card was taking a decent photo! I was at my girlfriends lake home stamping for the weekend with 3 of my very dear and favorite stamping girlfriends. (Hi girls!! MWAH!!) We stamp from sun up to FAR beyond sun down, sleep very little and get up to do it all again the next day! This is one of the cards I created during that weekend. I couldn't recall if I had just thought of this idea or did I dream it? At any rate, I thought why not try it and see what happens? Here is the result, and quite honestly I love it! This card is much prettier in real life than in the photo. You will have to make one for yourself and you will see what I'm talking about!

Supplies used:
Cardstock: SU brushed gold. Burgundy velvet paper from Hobby Lobby.
Misc: Retired SU burgundy wide organdy ribbon, and gold cording. Sakura Stardust gel pen.
Info: I cut the piece of velvet paper and ran it through the cuttlebug, using the stylized flower embossing folder. I then outlined all the raised images with the Sakura Stardust gel pen. Mounted it onto the brushed gold cardstock, added the organdy ribbon and gold cording and there you have it! Normally the Stardust gel pen gives a silver sheen to cardstock but used on this color of velvet paper it looks gold and much better layered on brushed gold cardstock than silver. I have yet to try it on other colors of velvet paper to see if it changes the color. Perhaps you can try that for yourself and let me know!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Love you to pieces....

2007-08-05T21:49:00.000-05:00

I absolutely love this set, it is called "Love You to Pieces" and is available for purchase through Gina K Designs at her store www.stampingfreak.com. This set in particular was designed to support Autism and $8.00 of every set purchased is donated to the cause. Gina is the most generous person in giving back to her customers as well as to other causes. There is a new stamp set that is set to debut on August 8th, in which funds from the sale of the new set will be donated as well. Be sure to check it out! This set has heaps of possibilities and is so fun to play with and each card I make with it, I'm happy to know that I contributed to the cause! Hope you enjoy it! As always, thanks for stopping by!

Supplies used:
Stamps: Gina K Designs
Cardstock: SU white, celery, black
Ink: SU celery, Memories black
Misc: SU celery grosgrain ribbon, black gingham ribbon, black brad
Info: I stamped the main heart image on the white cardstock and also stamped it on a post it note and cut it out. I placed the post it note over the stamped heart image and then took the small puzzle piece and randomly stamped inside the heart. I then removed the post it note and what you see is the finished image. I stamped the small puzzle pieces in opposite corners of the main card base, and stamped the sentiment over that in black. Added the main image to black cardstock, placed the 2 ribbons together with the brad and viola!

Thoughts and Prayers

2007-08-02T22:11:00.000-05:00

I'm sure by now you have heard, whether on TV, radio or in the newspapers about the bridge that collapsed in Minneapolis, Minnesota yesterday. Please keep these people in your thoughts and prayers. Not only the people who survived with and without injuries, but those who have died, and those who are still missing and unaccounted for. Their families need your prayers as well. We also need to remember and pray for the rescue workers, police and fire departments, the Red Cross and so many other people that helped and continue to help in what ever manner, these people are heros.

Thanks for stopping by.

Here Fishy, Fishy......

2007-07-31T20:30:00.000-05:00

Do you remember eating these goldfish crackers as a kid? Perhaps you give them to your kids now, or just eat them yourself? We always had these little crackers in the kitchen for snacking and every once in awhile when I buy them, it reminds me of my childhood. I think these crackers were a perfect fit with the little fish from the SU set, Very Punny. You could make these for party favors for a pool party, school treats, for the kiddo's lunch box or whatever! Hope you enjoy! Thanks for stopping by :)

Supplies used:
Stamps: SU Very Punny
Ink: Memories Black
Cardstock: SU white, Turquoise
Misc: SU markers Turquoise, Summer Sun, Orange, Cuttlebug Bubbles embossing folder, turquoise staples, small plastic food safe bags 3 x 5 (found in cake & candy isle at Michael's).
Info: I stamped the fish on white cardstock, colored them in with markers, embossed the turquoise cardstock with the cuttlebug embossing folder, mounted the fish onto that and then stapled the bag in between.

Jungle Fun!

2007-07-25T22:36:00.000-05:00

I think the Changito line from Stampendous is absolutely adorable!! I can't get enough of these cute little buggers! I have been tinkering with them a bit and like how this one turned out. Sorry for the crooked picture but I was having a hard time getting a good shot with this one. As cute as this little guy is, I was beginning to wonder if he just didn't like his picture taken ~ each one came out with one or more elements that I didn't like. Thank goodness he wasn't a live model or I would have never gotten a decent picture! I am seriously trying this whole photo thing and have decided that I either need to take a class, do some more in depth reading, or have someone else take the pictures!! I've been reading other blogs and trying to gather bits from all the fantabulous talented stampers and bloggers out there to gather some hints on taking better pictures. I need to practice more! Just like stamping I suppose, we all start somewhere right? Anyway, I hope you enjoy the card and think he's as cute as I do. As always ~ thanks for stopping by!

Supplies used:
Stamps: Changito, Palm Fronds, sentiment all by Stampendous
Cardstock: SU white, olive, rust
Ink: Memories Black, olive, caramel, rust, pink
Misc: Giga square scallop punch, mega square punch, dimensionals. Palm fronds were stamped in olive ink on left side of cardstock base. Second impression was stamped on the lower right hand corner and the sentiment stamped in black on top of the second impression. Changito image is layered on rust cardstock and popped up with dimensionals. Standard a2 size card.

Monday's ~ Make a Wish!!

2007-07-23T21:12:00.000-05:00

I love this image and stamp set. It is from a company called "My Favorite Things". While time consuming to color, I really like how the entire card turned out. I'm really enjoying coloring in images lately, something I haven't done in a long time. I don't do this type of coloring enough and when I like how it turns out I try to make more than one. I used to make upwards of 8 to 10 of each card, but the ones that are very time consuming and have more detail and embellishments I get bored with and then won't use them again for a long time. I'm trying my best not to do that ~ I feel bad for letting some sit on the shelves and collect dust! Perhaps that's a sign of owning far too many stamps and stamp sets!! Anyway, I hope you enjoy this card and thanks for stopping by!

Supplies used:

Stamps: My Favorite Things

Cardstock: SU White, Gable Green, Green Galore, Pink Passion, DCWV patterned paper

Ink: Memories Black, Prismacolor markers

Misc: Pink ribbon by Dot's & Dashes, dimensionals, yellow stickles, Cloud scissors by Fiskars

Info: main image is popped up on dimensionals, yellow stickles used on candle flames

Splendiferous!!

2007-06-20T20:04:00.000-05:00

Splendiferous ~ don't you just love that word? It makes me smile when I hear it. How can you not make a card with that stamp and not be happy? It's one of those sentiments you can use with nearly any image and each card leaves you smiling. Here I paired it with the flower pot stack and used it as a birthday card for a co-worker. She loves to tinker with flowers and gardens, so I thought it fit her perfectly. Not only did she love the card, but she had a smile a mile wide when she read the sentiment out loud. See, it worked! I hope you had a splendiferous day and that my card makes you smile. Thanks for stopping by to have a look!

Supplies used:

Stamps: A Muse

Cardstock: SU, white, green galore, ballet blue, orange

Ink: Memories Black

Misc: Prismacolor markers, dimensionals, scalloped scissors

Info: I stamped the image on white cardstock, colored with prismacolor markers, stamped a second image, cut out and mounted on the card with dimensionals. Also stamped the envelope, coloring the image the same as the card. Card measures 3.5 x 5. Thanks for looking!

Dandy!

2007-06-18T17:43:00.001-05:00

Happy Monday!! We received some very much needed rain today ~ it has been extremely HOT & HUMID here the past 10 days. I cannot stand it, nor do I function well in it. My perfect summer day would be 72, sunny and a light breeze. If only we could order up the weather to our liking, wouldn't that be grand! Now that the rain has passed, the clouds have drifted off and the sunshine is peeking thru the trees. Hopefully the humidity has drifted off as well. I am grateful for central air conditioning, if I didn't have air conditioning in the house, I would be sleeping in the car! I have to be able to sleep, or I get tired, grouchy, and will roar like a lion when miserable in the heat.

With that being said..... Here is a card with the cutest little lion, wishing you a Dandy-Lion of a day! Hope you are keeping cool! Enjoy.

Supplies used:

Stamps: A Muse

Ink: Memories Ink - black, Prismacolor markers - yellow orange, burnt ochre.

Cardstock: SU white, mustard, rust.

Misc: MM brads, dimensionals.

Info: Lion was stamped on white cardstock with Memories Black ink and colored in with prismacolor markers. I then stamped the lion a second time, coloring just his head and cutting it out, mounting onto the first image with dimensionals. Stamped the sentiment with Memories black ink and added the brads by MM, that happen to match the colors of the lion perfectly. Stamped the lion on the lower left hand corner on the front of the envelope as well. Card measures 3.5 x 5. Thanks for looking!

Good Grief!!!!!

2007-06-13T22:35:00.000-05:00

I have been an absolute HORRIBLE blogger!! When I first decided to enter the blogging world, I thought I would have all this time and be posting on a regular basis. Yada, Yada, Yada. Fast forward to today and well, it hasn't quite turned out the way I originally planned. I realized that I have to make some changes in my time and schedule in order to be able to dedicate more time to it and get back to what I love doing ~ stamping! Which makes me wonder...... is anyone really stopping by to have a look anyway? If you are, just let me say THANK YOU!! Please stop by again, and if you feel so inclined, leave a comment, suggestion or just say hi! With that being said......here is a card I'd like to share. Yes, a card!! It seems as of late I've been buying, hoarding, not putting things away, buying more, hoarding more and using less. So I'm shaking things up a bit and intend to buy less, hoard less, and create MORE!! I have an enormous collection of all things and could easily open my own stamp store.....amazing how much stuff I "think" I need ~ ha! I will be putting a large number of all things stamp related up for sale and trade very soon. I just have far too much "stuff". Stay tuned.....

Stamps: A Muse ~ Prego girl, Special Delivery and Scallop Rectangle.
Ink: Memories Black, Colorbox Lime, SU Pixie Pink marker.
Cardstock: SU white, DCWV spring stack patterned paper.
Misc: Satin pink ribbon - source unknown, Prego girl image is on dimensionals.

Happy Mother's Day!

2007-05-13T21:22:00.000-05:00

This is one of three cards I submitted for the A Muse Mother's Day card contest. I didn't win but it was fun to enter!

Supplies used:

Stamps: A Muse skywriter, Karen Foster Snap Stamps.

Cardstock: SU Ballet Blue.

Ink: Color Box white, Memories Black

Misc: cloud stencil, blue & white gingham ribbon.

This is the second of three cards I submitted for the A Muse Mother's Day card contest. This is the card I would have given my mother today if she was still alive. It's days like these I miss her the most. Happy Mother's Day mom! I love you and miss you very much!!

happy mothers day

Supplies used:
Stamps: A Muse globe, sentiment and small flower alphabet.

Cardstock: SU, white, celery, ballet blue, DCWV patterned paper.

Ink: Memories black, SU celery and ballet blue markers.

Misc: MM brads, scallop scissors.

happy mother's day

Wishing each of you a Happy Mother's Day spent with those closest to your heart!

Many Thanks.....

2007-03-26T17:49:00.000-05:00

I made this card for our wedding Thank You's. Our colors were Mellow Moss and Ivory. The card looks a lot better IRL ~ I will have to work on the photography!!

Supplies used:

Stamps: Images by Hero Arts, Sentiment by SU

Cardstock: SU Mellow Moss, Shimmer White

Ink: Memories Black, SU Mellow Moss, Pretty in Pink

Misc: Sakura Stardust Pen, Sakura Clear and Black Gloss Pens, SU aquapainter for shirt on tux and flowers on dress, and 1/8 " moss organdy ribbon.

I used the stardust pen around the border and edges of the main image, as well as on the dots of the dress and the stripes of the tux. The clear gloss gel pen on the flowers and the black gloss pen on the tux buttons. The dress part is popped off the card with dimensionals. Thanks for looking!

Still tinkering with the details.....

2007-03-19T22:11:00.000-05:00

Moving along ~ though much slower than I thought! I had a banner made and it took me FOREVER to figure out how to get it to appear where it's supposed to!! Helllooooo!?! Can you say "headache"? When I said I was in blogging kindergarten I meant it!! I quickly gained so much more appreciation for computer whizzes than I had before!! I wanted to have a few things in place before I started, but at the rate I'm going ~ this blogger will be heading into retirement before the blog itself proceeds to first grade. So, with that being said ~ some creations to share will be coming very soon ~ stay tuned....

My banner and watermark were made by Beth at Freckled Fun Designs ~ she has the knowledge, talent, and patience of a saint! Thanks Beth!!

My blogging journey begins....

2007-02-27T22:21:00.000-06:00

I finally took the leap and jumped into blogland! I guess we all have to start at the beginning, so I am now enrolled in blogging kindergarten! If this were my stamp room, I'd be a college graduate! But for now, I'm a rookie trying to manuever my way thru all this techno babble so please be kind! More to come......