Shadow's Castle Stamps

Dude card ideas...

So I always seem to have a hard time when trying to create cards for the boys in my world whether it's a birthday, hello, or anything else. This year for Father's Day I created the cigar card below. I love how it came out. This is simple and easy using a popsicle stick and some brown paper.  I just wrapped the paper around the stick, broke off one end and glued some glitter to make it look like it was lit.  The cigar band can be made with anything.  This one was an adhesive border which worked perfectly.  The second card I made was a simple Aloha card, again super easy and fun.  Enjoy!

Jackpot!

Or at least my attempt at a 'Jackpot' birthday card.  This was a card for a 60th birthday.  I created the slot machine by hand and drew in the items on the slot wheels as well.  Lately I have found that I am doing much more in the paper crafting arena than I am with actual stamping.  You will see more of that with an upcoming post on my father's day cigars...  Enjoy!

Mother's Day...

So I'm a little behind but finally posting my Mother's Day creation for this year.  It was super fun and easy.  The stamp is from Salt Box Studio - I so miss those days from A*Muse!  Happy belated Mama's day to all of you out there...  And to my mom, I've earned the 'Delayed Postage Badge' for this year but at least it's finally on its way to you!

Twinkle, twinkle...

I had to make some Thank You cards, but the challenging part was that they were all for men.  I always find it more difficult to make dude-friendly cards; not including too much bling, sticking to a male-friendly color palate and stamps.  While I was scared at first, I ended up really liking the final product.

I have to admit I was at a loss in the beginning since I don't own star-shaped punches or dies.  So I went old-school and made my own template from some cardboard I had hanging around.  While I'm usually a huge fan of clean lines, I liked the shabby-chic look my handmade templates gave it.  The border at the bottom is washi tape - ohhh how I love the washi!!!  Enjoy!

Your turn...

This year I took my 'Valentines' inspiration from Scrabble...  Cute, fun and easy.  I created the letters in PowerPoint so there was no cost associated with it which was a mega bonus.  And I made the letters 1 inch x 1 inch so I could use my square punch on them.

Happy Valentines Day!

Welcome back...

I can't believe my last post was April of 2011.  That is crazy-town!  And I pledge/hope to change that for 2012.  While I did not make any new Christmsas cards for the 2011 season, I did get some done this New Year's weekend.  It was the shortest of the 'long weekends' but for some reason I was finally able to get to what is important - creativity!!!

Enjoy!  And welcome 2012...

In addition to the cards, I also made a batch of money or gift card holders.

Aloha!

 

 

Shadow's sabbatical is more like it...

I have been a blogging slacker thus far this year...  but I hope to make up for that in the next few weeks/months.  Believe it or not, despite the lack of postings there has been a lot of crafty fun going on and lots more ideas stuck in my little head.

And so with that, I bring you Easter...  I did 14 total, one was already sent off prior to the picture taking, but you get the idea.  Tons of fun and simple to make. 

As you can see by the first picture, my buddy, Shadow, was trying to 'help' me set them out for picture taking or possibly pick his favorite?

 Here are the uninterrupted pics...

A close up on the center square...

 

 
 Wishing everyone a Happy Easter!!!
 

Bad Blogger...

I have been a bad blogger...  but rest assured that I have been crafting.  Luckily I got a few scans in before the Christmas cards were sent out.  I think in all I had about 4 designs, and while I didn't get all of them captured electronically, I do have these to share...

 

 
This one, which I called 'Santa's Village', is my favorite!  A few A*Muse stamps and Martha Stewart's village punch and there you have it.

2011 Snowmen coming soon... 
 

Ice Fishing Wishes...

So here is my attempt at this month's A*Muse challenge:  Dashes, dots and doodles.  I love this little ice fishing penguin but feel my handwriting leaves a lot to be desired...  However, I am happy with my snow capped mountains and the 'crack' in the water.  

For the penguin, I masked off the pole and line in the stamp image and replaced it with a toothpick that I whittled down and then colored with my copic, and his fishing line is some thread from my sewing kit.  He's just such a cute little guy!

Happy Crafting!

Happy Holidays...

I cannot believe they are just around the corner, literally around the corner.  I feel like this year is just a blur and I'm not sure if it's because I'm getting older or if the time really is flying by us...

Anyway, here are some holiday tags that I made last week - so cute, so fun and soooo easy!!  It was a blast and I hope that the Christmas cards come as easily as these did.