Simply Sundays "Penned"

Good afternoon friends and Sisters,
Today is another day over at Getting Cricky for Simply Sundays challenge.  Today we are using our pens, for me, that is Amy Chomas' Pen set for Cricut.  Have you tried them?  No, well you better head on over there after you see what you can do with them and place your order.  If you have, then hurry up and use them to create something for the challenge.  The challenge is: Penned! Using pens somehow in your project (gel pens, journaling pens, pens used in your diecut machines, etc) and this is what I did:I've never made a twisted easel card before but one of my DT Sisters recently did and she inspired me to make this and so I was pretty excited to see if I could.  I used the "cross" cut from the Wedding Cart.  I love using my gypsy to create my projects at work and then as soon as I get home all I need to do is place my paper on my mat and within minutes my card is created.  I then layered it on a different tab, hid the outside lines of the cross and penned the inside swirlies on white cardstock.  This was so much fun and these pens are awesome to use.  I used the pink glitter pen and did "cut" it twice to give it a bit more dimension but really I don't think I had needed to do that.   
Then I cut the cross out in shadow style in pink cardstock, again, usually using most of my stash paper so I have no idea who made it.  I recently purchased some "velvet" style paper at my local vinyl store.  It was on sale and well, how can I pass up a "sale"?  I've seen different things done with velvet paper and I wanted to give it a try.  
I then used my stamp from Getting Cricky "Amazing You" set.  The sentiments are so interchangeable and super easy to use.  I love this set because it so in your face...I used "You are" "a blessing".  I was a bit worried on stamping onto the velvet, but it worked perfectly.  I used a white ink and it left a great impression.

Then I used my punch to create a border for the bottom of the card and left the middle open so I can write my message there.  I also added some pink inset into silver pearls for dimension and a place to hold the top fold.  This was definitely a great card to create.  I hope you like looking at it as much as I liked making it.  

Now it's your turn to get those pens a working and link up at Getting Cricky for the Simply Sunday challenge...remember, anything goes...it's totally up to your interpretation.  There is only one important rule to follow and that is to "HAVE FUN"!!!

Lasting Memories Challenge #41 "Background Paper using Punches"

Good morning crafters

I am a designer over at Lasting Memories and this week's challenge was to create your own background paper using punches.  Whew!!!  I created some, but it was only by trial and error...hahaha.  Nothing happened as planned, but here is a run down of what I did.

First I punched snowflakes out of scrap paper

and then used both the negative and positives.

I used the Martha Stewart around the page punch

to create this cool border.  I borrowed this from my

neighbor down the street and really didn't want

to give it back to her...hehehe 

I also borrowed her anywhere on the page punch

I inked up my brayer and ran it over the

the cut outs

It gave it a really cool look. 

Here is the entire paper and here is the layout.

 

These pictures where taken from my back porch a couple of winters ago. 

I've been meaning to scrap them for a long time, and I am

so glad I got a chance to make my own paper.

I am so glad that I got onto this Design Team.  It's been so much fun and inspiring.  Somewhat challenging at times, but I would not have done some of these pages, so I am very pleased.  Now get out some punches and create your own background paper.