Something inspired me to make a card today. I'm not always happy with my cards, but I'm very pleased with this one. It actually took a lot of time because I cut all the shapes by hand, except the one on which I stamped the sentiment.

For some reason, this one just came together as I worked on it. I love it when that happens!!!

I used some of the Stampin' Up! designer papers I have in my stash and two Hero Arts stamp sets for the flowers and leaves.

After cutting out all the shapes, I glued the leaves directly to the card front and used dimensional foam to attach the flowers. I used black pigment ink and embossing powder for all my stamping and then heat embossed the images. I used an embossing pen to add dots of embossing fluid to the centres of the flowers and then used Zing metallic embossing powders to give them a bit more pop.

Below is a picture of the ATCs I made for this swap. I ended up using quite a few of my favourite techniques, including resist embossing, ink blending, die cutting, using embellishments, distressing with inks and crackle medium and misting.

I also recycled the base for my ATCs because I had originally used the larger piece for another project. The piece in question was a part that did not turn out the way I wanted so I put it in a box of scraps for future use. It was perfect for this project and just required a bit of glimmer mist to liven it up.

The next picture shows how I die cut my name with my Silhouette for the back of the ATC. The Silhouette is perfect for very intricate and small cuts like these.

I am just waiting for the ATCs made by Marie and Paula and then will send one out to each of them and keep a set for myself.

On May 7, 2011, our lives were completely turned upside down with the latest addition to our family, Percy -- a 3-month old Cocker Spaniel puppy. It's hard to believe that more than a month has already gone by. Time really does fly when you're having fun (and when there aren't enough hours in the day ... seriously!!)

We took Percy camping last weekend and he had a fantastic time. He loves car rides, people and the outdoors. We were a large group of people because we were celebrating my brother's 50th birthday and the camping weekend with family and friends was my sister-in-law's surprise for him.

Percy was one happy little camper!!

The photos in the layout are my husband and Percy. He is very active, but he also calms down very nicely. He has such a nice little personality.

I am hosting a Favourite Techniques ATC Swap.

There will be no RAKs (random acts of kindness) or extra ATCs or gifts for the hostess. Some people host swaps and expect these types of extras so I just wanted to clarify this.

We currently have 10 members in the ATC swap group in the ScrapperCreations Community, but if anyone else would like to join in, please do so. All you will need to do is join the ATC swap group at http://scrappercreations.ning.com/group/atcswaps and then confirm your attendance in the Favourite Techniques ATC Swap event. 

This swap is open to Canadian and US residents and is open to everyone who confirms attendance in the event by Friday, June 17, 2011 at midnight Montreal time.

The swap will start on Saturday, June 18 and the ATCs should be mailed no later than Thursday, June 30. I will start posting photos of the ATCs as they arrive.

Details for the swap:

1. The ATC (artist trading card) must be 2.5" x 3.5" (standard ATC size). You can use a base of chipboard, acrylic, card stock or any material of a similar thickness or weight.

2. You must include at least one favourite technique on the front of the ATC, but you may include as many favourite techniques as you like. Please do not use anything thicker than a regular button as embellishments. Remember that the thicker you make each ATC, the more you will pay in postage.

3. You do not need to decorate both sides, but if you are not decorating the back, please make it look finished.

4. Include your name on the front or back using the name you use here on ScrapperCreations so the other swappers know who created the various ATCs. You can use a stamp, die cuts, stickers, handwriting or any other method to write your name.

5. Each person will make multiple ATCs, keep one and send the rest to me along with the amount of postage (Canadians) or cash (closest dollar bill) required to send your ATCs to me so that I can send the different ATCs to each swapper. Only Canadians can send actual postage because I cannot use U.S. postage to mail from Canada. If you do not want to send cash, please send the amount required to me via PayPal (send to kadamczyk_paypal@macroconsulting.com). I will confirm the number of swappers participating on Saturday, June 18.

6. Be sure to include your full name and return address on your envelope or parcel so that I can send your group of ATCs to you. Please place the ATCs in a plastic bag or wrapping to prevent weather damage.

7. After you make and send your ATCs, please post details of the techniques you used here as a reply to this discussion.

8. You can use any theme you like.

Please remember that others are counting on you. If you decide to join in, please send in your ATCs on time or let me know if something has come up so I can let the others know that they should make less ATCs.
That's it. Keep your eyes open for the Favourite Techniques ATC Swap.

Take care,
Karin

One of my scrappy sistas wasn't able to use water over the weekend due to a problem with the city water supply so she came over to do a bit of laundry. It was a perfect excuse to work on some layouts and chat :)))

I worked on the layout below using the beautiful BoBunny Sophie paper collection.

The "gorgeous" title is from the Silhouette store and cut with my Silhouette SD.