June Card Swap Results

Summer Oragami:

You really should file this post under your 'try it' section - a card featuring origami. I know the word origami sounds complex, maybe even a little intimidating, but its really easier than you think - and what you end up with after all that folding is a mini work of art! I'm so excited to share the results from our June origami card swap challenge. I see so much potential for BBQ, birthday, and pool party invites, as well as any other occasion under the sun! Enjoy...

Linda M's Card:

The 4th of July is just around the corner and this card is designed to get you in the mood for fireworks! Patriotic pinwheels and rhinestone stars dazzle the front of this fun origami card - great job Linda!

Kathy's Card:

Summer fun is a breeze with this light-hearted card. An origami kite adorns the front complete with ribbon tail and button embellies. Nicely done Kathy.

Jodi's Card:Its easy to just keep swimming when you are an adorable origami fish. A rain dot eye and bubbles cut from Webster's Pages 'Shimmer' Paper offer the perfect finishing touches. You too can make this little fish - check it and other cute origami paper folding patterns out at www.TammyYee.com. Super cute Jodi.

Anita's Card:

Rather than featuring origami on the card, Anita featured a folded card. A 'fun in the sun' tag is neatly tucked inside a folded slider envelope then gussied up with all things summer. Bring on the sunshine!

Andrea's Card:
Hang loose with this little sea turtle - he's another totally awesome pattern from www.TammyYee.com. I love the way that Andrea tore sheets of Coredinations 'ColorCore' cardstock to create a layered beach for her turtle and surf board. Great idea Andrea!



Selestina's Card:

An elegant origami tulip offers the perfect finishing touch to this classy card. I really like the colors Selestina tied the card together with. Beautifully done!




Linda R's Card:

Linda R's layered origami pinwheel makes quite the statement - more like a work of art, Linda actually used index card folders for her envelopes for an impressive presentation! Very nice.

Patti's Card:

The amount of detail in this ornate card makes for a truly lovely card. Intricate kimos coupled with stamped asian details (the translation for the characters, 'Thank You', is inside) make this card something that could easily be displayed. Well done Patti!



Cheryl's Card:

Cheryl brighten's up the summer sky with this patriotic tribute. I like the added sparkle of the stars and star bursts - gets me in the mood for hot dogs, lawn chairs, and fireworks! Nicely done Cheryl.



My Card:

My card hits the beach with an origami crab, sand bucket, and sunshine. A textured beach and background added some pattern and interest to the card. It was fun to make - but a lot of folding!

Hope you enjoyed looking at all the great results from our summer origami card challenge. I know that I was really impressed with the cards this month - its going to be hard to give them away.

Be sure to check back later this month for the results from our July challenge. July cards will feature a 'recycled' item. Should be interesting!

Lisa

May Cardswap Results - Finally!

May-saics!

Hi all! Sorry it has taken so long to get these May cards up, however I think you'll find the results worth the wait. Our May card swap challenge was Mosaics! Lots of little pieces interpreted lots of different ways. Take a peak below -

Andrea's Card:

Andrea's card was pretty in pink with abstract mosaic pieces in rosy hues tucked behind a piece of vellum for a frosted look. A frayed piece of Daisy Bucket paper ribbon is stapled to the front for added whimsy. Nicely done Andrea.

Linda M.'s Card:

This card is a hoot - or at least a cluck! Linda used a variety of earth tone papers to piece together a mosaic back drop. Its hard to see in the photo, but she even used sand paper in the mix creating lots of fun texture. Stamped chicken feed and stamped chicken feet, a piece of real chicken coop, and a friendly little chicken add to the light hearted message - 'Just Chicken In'. Very fun Linda - I loved this card.

Jodi's Card:

A myriad of pastels are cleverly pieced together on this light-hearted card. The fairies stamped on the front are from a 'Crafty Secrets' stamp set and are adorned in glitter - a fanciful touch. Jodi actually glued her mosaic pieces on a large sheet before trimming them down into smaller square pieces (used as the four squares that form her back drop). Great idea Jodi!

Kathy's Card:

Kathy cut and pieced hearts out of a variety of paper patterns to create a heartfelt interpretation of mosaic (no pun intended). Hand drawn stitching along the edge of the pieces completes the hand quilted feel and a textured back drop adds the perfect finishing touch to this sweet card.

Cheryl's Card:

So many ways to tell someone how you feel, why not say it with a mosaic? Cheryl did just that with this clever card - first she stamped I love you', 'friends', and 'you make me happy' on a variety of square pieces then scattered them across a striped background for a fun mosaic idea!



Linda R's Card:

Linda R. actually printed an image of a lovely spring flower on a label before slicing it into smaller pieces and carefully piecing them back together on a striking black background. This was a great idea - a mosaic in the truest sense of the word. Good work Linda.

Patti's Card:

I love the color pallet and overall feel of this card. Patti created a simple mosaic backdrop with four patterned squares, then overlaid them with a geometric flower and leaves. Patti said she drew her inspiration from the simplicity of an Amish quilt - with a tropical twist! Nicely done.


MaryAnn's Card:

Don't feel like piecing all those tiny squares together - here's a unique idea - emboss them! MaryAnn's card features an embossed mosaic background in striking black and white. A very classy combination and a nicely done card MaryAnn.


Anita's Card:

Another black and white interpretaion with a touch of turquoise, Anita created a mosaic backdrop, then mounted a combination of fun spring sayings on top. A well thought out and well put together card Anita!

Selestina's Card:

Selestina created a very clever thank you card by piecing together a heart on the front, with the message 'with all my heart' on the inside! Pearlescent papers in pastel colors add to the overall texture of the card - a nice card as usual Selestina!

My Card:

My mosaic is actually a combination of different size squares and rectangles pieced onto a black background, with a hand pieced tulip on top. It was kind of a contemporary interpretation of mosaic. The mosaic itself is actually mounted on the 'envelope', which is a CD style slider. The card itself is just a simple bi-fold card with a saying stamped on front.

Well, that does it for our fabulous May-saic cards. Be sure to check back tomorrow for our June card swap results - our June challenge was origami - you won't want to miss it! Thanks to all who help make our swaps so wonderful and thanks to all of you for checking in.

Lisa

April's Card Swap a Blast from the Past

April showers bring May flowers and memories of times gone by..... well at least that's the case with our April card swap. This month, we paid tribute to bygone eras with our monthly theme - retro!

This was the first month that we split the card swap into two groups, and we added some new members too - welcome Cheryl G., Cheryl W., and Mary Ann! Check out the results from both card swaps below....

Linda R's Card:

If you are looking for a classic retro theme - what could be more appropriate that Mickey? Hurray for the little mouse who seems to transcend generational bounds. A very cute, and classic card.

Linda M's Card:

The splash of funky flowers and dash of spritely colors in this card may just cause a few flashbacks! This cheery card is the perfect way to brighten someone's day! FYI - The 'Happy Birthday to You Stamp' is from the Crafty Secret's Clear Art Stamp Set 'Sweet Kids', available at http://www.scrapbuglane.com/. Nice job Linda!

Patti's Card:

Patti's card features a hand pieced owl in harvest gold, pumpkin, dusty blue, and rust - can you say home sweet home 1970! The adorable card reads - 'Birthday's are for the Birds'. Great job Patti, this card is a hoot (no pun intended)!




Lisa K's Card:

Who could forget Marilyn's famous birthday address to JFK? That memorable moment is beautifully recreated in this fun card. Retro pastels, accompanied by the glimmer of rhinestones and glitter say 'ooh, la, la'. Viva old Hollywood!



My Card:

This card is designed to echo the warmth and sunshine of grandma's kitchen (minus the chocolate chip cookies). The card features cherries from the Crafty Secrets Clear Art Stamp Set 'Kitchen Classics'. Inside reads 'Happy Birthday With A Cherry On Top'. An alternate sentiment could be 'Hope Your Birthday is as Sweet as Cherry Pie'.

Selestina's Card:

The wings of this little cherub echo a vintage birthday sentiment. This beautiful card offers a victorian look and feel using papers from Prima's 'Angelique' collection. A torn edge technique takes advantage of the beautiful color core in 'Coredinations' cardstock and adds to the antique feel. A really pretty card!





Jessica's Card:

This fun card is big on color and oh so sleek! A throw back to mid-century modern, the embossed candles and simple patterning keep things contemporary. A great card Jessica!

Greta's First Card:

Greta kept things fun and retro by using a funky paper in cool shades of lime. A few gem stone sparkles and its a flash from the past!

Greta's Second Card:

Greta is a member of both card swaps and actually created a different card for each swap. This card uses a mid-century modern background. Add a few self-adhesive rhinestones and viola - retro and fun!

Andrea's Card:

This adorable card takes us back to a more innocent age with stamps from the Crafty Secrets Clear Art Stamp Set, 'Birthday Kids' (available at http://www.scrapbuglane.com/). Andrea added to the vintage look and feel with edge distressing. I think these kids are ready to celebrate - great job Andrea!





Cheryl G's Card:

Cheryl G.'s birthday card is lacy and whimsical with a polka dot background and soft pastel colors. Layered die-cuts create a well put together card. Nice job Cheryl G, and welcome to the swap!





Jodi's Card:

Jodi proves that retro can be vogue with this stylish card. A retro fashionista has been enhanced with the use of adhesive jewels and watercolor pencils. 'Vintage Collection' cardstocks from Coredinations further enhance the retro look & feel. FYI - stamped image available in the Crafty Secrets Clear Art Stamp Set 'Coffee and Tea'. Great job Jodi!

Cheryl W's Card:

With all the charm of a hand-cut victorian card, Cheryl's card is a delicate reflection of days gone by. Cheryl used a variety of images for her cards - I love the gentle image of motherhood this one portrays. Great job Cheryl - we're glad to have you in the swap.

That wraps up this month's selection of retro/vintage cards. We hope you enjoyed reminiscing with them as much as we enjoyed creating them. Be sure to check back next month when we feature the fun technique of mosaic!

Don't forget - with two swaps we now have plenty of room for new members. Click on the title of this post to learn more about our fabulous monthly swaps! Happy scrapping....

- Lisa