Category Archives: cards

Going to the Works in Progress Bin

Going to the Works in Progress Bin

Yes, I do have a works in progress bin, for stamped images that need a home on a card or page. I frequently forget that it’s even around. But, while poking around, looking for ideas for this month’s card party, I pawed through my works in progress bin and decided I really should use up these:

glue and transparency || noexcusescrapbooking.com

These are transparencies, that have been stamped with staz-on ink. On the reverse side, a mixture of dimensional glue and dye re-inker was rubbed on the transparency, and then a crumpled piece of white tissue paper was tapped lightly onto the glue mixture.

It really is that simple.

These pieces have been sitting in my works in progress drawer for over a decade. Really. It’s time to use them up or toss them, don’t you think?

The bee one seemed to be the simplest one for me to use to start out with, especially since I had a new stamp set from Stampin’ Up that I’ve been saving up to use for this month’s cards.

bee mine card || noexcusescrapbooking.com

A few pieces of scrap paper from my scrap bin punched with a fiskars punch, a few stamps in a coordinating hero arts shadow ink — or maybe it was a Tim Holtz distress ink! I can’t remember. I’ll link them both up, either would work.

At any rate, a fairly simple card, if you’ve already got your focal piece collecting dust somewhere.

That’s what you should do! If you’ve got any unused stamped pieces languishing away, put them on a card today!

Don’t forget, if you’d like to get a card from me, make sure you’re on my email list– the sign up box is at the top of the page.

Supplies used: (affiliate links)
marvy matchable re-inkers

Must-have Tools: the Letter Stamp and Stamp Positioner

Must-have Tools: the Letter Stamp and Stamp Positioner

Those colored pencils just wouldn’t leave me alone. This time I decided to try something rainbow-ish. I think the result is actually more flower-like. What do you think?

color my world card || noexcusescrapbooking.com

Two things to note about this card.

First, the original yellow ink used to stamp the yellow pencil matched the colored pencil TOO closely, resulting in a washed out, difficult to see image. Since these are rubber stamps, I needed to use a stamp positioner to be able to stamp almost exactly on top of the original image.

You can see the over stamp pretty clearly here, but in real life it is much LESS noticeable.

Secondly, if you don’t have letter stamps in small, medium and large sizes, you’re missing out. This sentiment was stamped with an adjustable letter stamp similar to rotating date stamps, but single letter stamps would also work. If you have wonderful handwriting, you can create your own word art sentiments, but if you don’t, letter stamps are a must.

The idea of turning one thing (say a pencil) into another thing (like a flower) is still appealing to me. I wonder what other stamps I have that would work for something like that. You may be seeing some other take on this idea later this month. Maybe.

Do you have any stamps you could turn into other things? It’s always fun to take a moment to look at your supplies with fresh eyes.

Supplies used: (affiliate links)

Tim Holtz distress ink pads

Playing with Pencils

Playing with Pencils

While digging through my stamp stash, I came upon this cute little stamp from The Angel Company. They had some lovely stamps. I wish they were still around.

Since I had just been playing with my colored pencils, this design seemed like a given.

pencil birthday card || noexcusescrapbooking.com

Who doesn’t love a brand new box of colored pencils? It’s inspiration just waiting to escape, isn’t it?

A side note– the birthday banner was a chipboard piece (from Studio Calico maybe?) colored with distress ink. The white sentiment is a Making Memories rub-on. When using rub ons, make sure you are applying them on a clean, dry surface. They will not adhere to inked surfaces. Luckily, they resist ink well, so you can apply your color after you’ve added your sentiment.

Don’t forget to sign up for my email list if you’d like to get a card in the mail from me!

Supplies used: (affiliate links)

Tim Holtz Ink Pads

Keeping it Simple

Keeping it Simple

Let’s start the month off with something simple, shall we?

I love Tim Holtz stamps, and the blueprint style series is great to use for simple cards like this.

Balloon card || noexcusescrapboooking.com

Stamp your image twice, once on kraft colored cardstock, and once on a good quality white cardstock. Let your ink dry (or use a heat gun to set your ink if you’re impatient) and then color the white version with your favorite medium. I used water color pencils and a water brush, but markers, paints or crayons would also work. Cut the white image out, and layer it with foam dots on top of the kraft image, and you’re done.

Quick, easy, and lovely results, what’s not to love?

What’s your favorite simple card technique?

Don’t forget, if you’d like to receive a card from me, make sure you’ve signed up on my email list. The sign up box is at the top right hand side of the page! I’d love to send a thank you your way!

Supplies: (all affiliate links)

Not So Epic Fail and Second Annual Month of Cards

Not So Epic Fail and Second Annual Month of Cards

Well, today, I had planned on sharing a video with you about watercoloring. However, I am having more trouble getting the video completed than I thought I would, and it’s just not done. It’s plain old taking more time to do than I scheduled.

Don’t know about you, but I’m disappointed.

I do have an announcement for you– November will be our Second Annual Month of Cards. I’ll be posting a new card for you each day of the month. And at the end of the month, to say THANK YOU for being a wonderful blog reader, I’ll send out cards to anyone on my email list who has supplied me with an address.

If you’d like to get a card from me, make sure you’re on my email list, and respond when I send the address request email out, right before we get started on November’s Month of Cards. I can’t send you a card if I don’t have your contact info!

If you want join my email list, you can use the sign up form on the top right to join. I send out a weekly email, with links to the past week’s posts, and a few other bits and pieces of info as random thoughts occur to me, or new and interesting opportunities come across my desk.

Now, since it is World Card Making Day, how about a couple links to some older videos that you may not have seen before?

My personal favorite– a video showing you three ways to use alpha stamps that doesn’t include titles or journaling:

And a fun little out of this world card:

Hope all have fun and get super creative this World Card Making Day!