Melonheadz Challenge - Hand Colored Image

The newest challenge at Melonheadz is: Hand Colored Image.  I love this daisy from the flowers bundle digital image set and handcolored with shades of yellow and orange Prismacolor Pencils. After blending I had to add a little copper Stickles to finish them off.

Bundled Sage Distress Ink was used for the edges and I love this cute dragonfly embellishment I received as a gift! Link up your hand colored creation for a chance to win your choice of digital images!

Supplies used:

• Melonheadz Cassie's Floral digital image bundle
• Prismacolor Pencils and Colorless Blender Marker
• Copper Stickles
• My Favorite Things "Textile Rectangle Sentiments" stamp set
• Impression Obsession mason jar die
• Ribbon and embellishments
• Distress Ink in Bundled Sage
• Tea Party paper pad by Craft Smith

How Much Postage to Mail My Handmade Card, Envelope or Postcard?

 ** This post is for mailing costs within the United States. For international mail, please check with your local mailing center for rates. **
I have learned quite a lot from my local post lady (thank you Judy!) and thought I would pass along some information to help you mail those postcards, letters or handmade greeting cards that sometimes get damaged in the mail.  First up, the cost.

The postal service looks at 3 important details:  1.) Size, 2.) Dimension, and 3.) Weight.

1.)  Size
Any item smaller than the minimum dimensions (in the chart below) is not mailable.

 

 

Dimension	Minimum	Maximum
Height	3-1/2 inches (8.890 cm)	6-1/8 inches (15.557 cm)
Length	5 inches (12.700 cm)	11-1/2 inches (29.210 cm)
Thickness	0.007 inch (0.018 cm)	1/4 inch (0.635 cm)

 

2.)  Next, Dimension (or thickness.) 
A card or letter MUST be less than 1/4" thick! (If not, it's a package, even if it's in an envelope.)
Anything 3-D that does not allow the envelope to lay evenly flat will need an extra charge. For example: a paper clip, coins, rhinestones, buttons, a decorative bow or large dimensional sticker/element. This requires a non-machinable surcharge of $0.22. (as long as it's still less than 1/4" thick! Otherwise it becomes a package rate.)

 Example of dimension, or thickness.

** Remember: Your cards and letters are sent through a machine to help aid the hard-working postal staff. Any objects or embellishments inside can get caught in the machine, causing damage not only to the machine, but also to your precious handmade greeting card! Keep these guidelines in mind, so they can treat your cards well in kind! **

3.)  Weight.  

• If a letter weighs 1 ounce or less = cost is $0.49 cents or 1 forever stamp.  
• Between 1oz and 2oz = $0.71 cents.  
• Between 2oz and 3 oz = $0.93 cents. 
• Above 3 ounces = a small package weight charge.

Lots of information, so here's an example if you're still confused.  
Example: You have a 1.5 oz envelope with a decorative bow inside and some half pearl embellishments. Weight cost, $0.71 cents + non-machineable charge, $0.22 cents = a total of $0.93 cents to mail your card/letter.



 Next, here are a few more tips from the post office that may answer any other questions:

---> For items larger in length, width, or thickness, see large envelopes or packages calculator.
---> For envelopes, length is the dimension parallel to the address.
---> For letter-sized items over 3.5 ounces, large envelope prices will be applied.
---> Letters that meet one or more of the non machinable characteristics below are subject to the non machinable surcharge.

• It is a square letter
• It is too rigid – does not bend easily
• It has clasps, string, buttons, or similar closure devices
• It has an address parallel to the shorter dimension of the letter
• It contains items such as pens that cause the surface to be uneven
• The length divided by height is less than 1.3 or more than 2.5

Lastly, those square envelopes and postcards!

Square Envelope

The minimum size for a square envelope is 5 inches x 5 inches (12.700 cm x 12.700 cm).  A square envelope also qualifies for a non machinable surcharge.
Postcard
Mailing cost for a postcard is $0.35 cents. If you still have older stamps of lesser value, you can make up the difference with 1, 2, 5 or 10 cent stamps! (Lots more values are available at USPS online.

 

Where is the fun part of this post?   
Limited Edition Stamps from USPS!  These are usually available from your local post office or you can order them online for just a couple dollars shipping! I've also included links to some fun items for crafting...the magnetic page markers are so handy!

Love Notes Postcard Project by Jennifer Belthoff

The Summer round is over, but still wanted to share a wonderful project started by Jennifer Belthoff called Love Notes Postcard Project.  It encourages you to send a postcard, card or letter in the mail to a new friend you will be paired up with. The only cost was a postcard and stamp! (Plus papercrafting supplies I had on hand.) 

The goal: Mail a postcard to your new snail mail partner once a week for 3 weeks in a row sending some positive inspiration. I wanted to share my 3 notes and prompts in case anyone needs a little inspiration of their own! The next round will start on September 25th, 2015!

My first summer-themed postcard. I used watermelon2stamp set from The Stamps of Life. 
My message:
       "On the road to travel you will find... lots of people busy with the daily grind. Most are much to hurried to see, how truly beautiful the small things can be. So take the time to spread a little kindness each day, and may the ripples come back to you in a glorious way!"

For postcard number 2, I broke out some of my favorite House Mouse stamps! The front sentiment says "Happiness is a cup of coffee shared with a friend!" 
What does the back say?"
      Choose today to... 

• Stop procrastinating and finish what you start.
• Believe in yourself. If you don't, who will?
• Drive the extra mile to make someone smile.
• Count yourself lucky. There are so many with so much less.

Instead of a postcard for the 3rd and final love note, I decided to mail a card I had made for a previous design team project. Original blog post here. This quote is from a Graphic 45 paper pad and reads "A cup of tea warms the soul like a good friend." 

On the inside was a quote on hope:
     "Hope is the thing with feathers,
     That perches in the soul
     And sings the tune without the words
     And never stops - at all."
~ Emily Dickinson

Supplies used:

• Recollections 110lb card stock from Michaels
• Tim Holtz Distress Inks
• Prismacolor Pencils
• Your favorite stamp set. (I used The Stamps of Life, House Mouse and Melonheadz Floral Combo digital stamps.)
• Love and patience

All photos taken by AMLC and addresses covered for privacy reasons.

One for the Girls!

Challenge #45 is in progress at Creative Craft Cottage and the theme is: One for the Girls! 


I used this adorable digital stamp image from Lacy Sunshine called Kitty the Ethereal Meow Enchantress. She was colored using Prismacolor Pencils. I actually printed her twice, colored both images and then fussy cut one to put on top with foam tape.

This gives the image a little dimension and I love how it turned out! You can view it better in the next two photos. The sentiments were stamped in StazOn Teal ink. They go well with this adorable image for a girl's birthday card!

The die cuts were cut from pink card stock. I then used Worn Lipstick ink on a paper towel and lightly brushed over the die cuts so the embossed portion is highlighted.

Link up your girly creation before August 20th for a chance to win digital images from our sponsor, Lacy Sunshine!

Supplies used include:

• Lacy Sunshine Digital Image - Kitty the Ethereal Meow Enchantress
• Prismacolor Pencils and Prismacolor Colorless Blender Marker
• Recollections card stock 65lb and 110lb
• Spellbinders die - Hibiscus border
• Distress Ink in Worn Lipstick
• StazOn Teal Ink
• Stampabilities Sentiments stamp set - Card Phrases
• Glossy Accents
• Embellishments (given as a gift)
• White lace doily (from baking section in Michael's or your local craft store)

Sunny creativity!

The newest challenge at Melonheadz is... Include a Sun!  Summer is in full swing, so share your sunny creativity with us! I outlined each image with a coordinating color Sharpie marker before adhering to heavy 110lb card stock. Some Patina Stickles helped with the finishing touches on the girl's bow and swimsuit.

Link up your sunny summer creation here before August 16th for a chance to win a digital image bundle of your choice! 
 
Supplies used:

• Melonheadz digital image bundle - Alison's Feelin Beachy
• Recollections card stock 110 lb
• Lawn Fawn Harold's ABC's stamp set
• Stickles glitter glue in Patina
• Sharpie markers used to outline images
• Zig two way glue pen

Anything Goes!

Today starts the "Anything Goes" Challenge at Creative Craft Cottage! 

I created this cute pink-themed thank you card using a Karleigh Sue digital image.

 Link up your creation by August 7th for a chance to win digital images! 

Supplies used:

• Karleigh Sue digital image - Poodle Skirt
• Prismacolor Pencils
• Prismacolor Colorless Blender Marker
• Recollections 110lb card stock
• Elmer's glue tape runner
• Recycled a thank you card I received from a friend

For the Football Fans!

The newest challenge at Melonheadz is: Sports Related!  Football season is coming up soon and inspired me to create this card. Hopefully some cooler weather will come along with it very soon!

 

Link up your creation by August 2nd for a chance to win a digital image bundle! 

Supplies used:

• StazOn Jet Black ink
• Wild Honey Distress Ink
• Melonheadz digital images - Lisa's football bundle
• My Favorite Things stamp set
• Recollections 110lb card stock

Love Layering!

The newest challenge at Creative Craft Cottage is:  "Layer it up!" Layering is one of my favorite card making techniques. I love how it creates a border for the image as well as adding dimension.  This card was made using a digital stamp image by Ppinkydolls.

Link up your creation to the challenge blog by midnight July 20th for a chance to win digital stamps!

Supplies used:

• "Sweet Bear" Digital image by Ppinkydolls
• Prismacolor Pencils and Prismacolor Blender Marker
• Embellishments from The Paper Studio
• White Jelly Roll gel pen
• Recollections 65lb card stock and 110lb card stock
• Cuttlebug embossing folder

Welcome to the Neighborhood

This fortnights challenge at Melonheadz is:  Celebrations!  A friend of mine is moving soon and I thought a new home was a good reason to celebrate.  Found a stamp set by My Favorite Things called "Homespun Birdhouse" and it included this sentiment. While it's not exactly a "congrats-on-your-home" card, I know I would be thrilled to receive this cute card from a new neighbor! What do you think?

Link up your creation at the challenge blog by July 19th for your chance to win a digital stamp bundle!

Supplies used:

• Melonheadz digital image
• Prismacolor Pencils
• Prismacolor Blender Marker
• wood veener given as a gift
• My Favorite Things Homespun Birdhouse stamp set
• Recollections 110lb card stock
• foam tape

Summer fun!

It's a new Melonheadz challenge: Summer fun!  I used this adorable digital image from Melonheadz along with a new stamp set from The Stamps of Life monthly die hard kit club. The sentiment says "Hope to 'Sea' you soon!" and thought it paired well with this summer digi.

 

Share your creation by linking up at Melonheadz for a chance to win your choice of a digital stamp image bundle!

Supplies used:

• The Stamps of Life whale2stamp set and matching dies
• Melonheadz digital image
• Prismacolor pencils
• Black Stickles
• Teal StazOn ink
• Jet black StazOn ink
• Recollections card stock 65 & 110lb

Lots of embellishments!

It's time for another challenge at Creative Craft Cottage! This fortnight's theme is Spots and/or Stripes.  I'll admit I forgot about the theme while creating my first card using a Rick St. Dennis image.  I've been battling nausea for a week now. Taking the time to glue all these small embellishments helped distract my mind for a while during the creative process and it helped a ton!

The small gold gems are actually tiny sequin-like embellishments found in nail art kits.  I had enough of a challenge getting these into the image, let alone my own nails! Needless to say, they are staying in the craft room and not with my nail polish lol!  The quote says "The warmth and kindness of your heart...makes you more beautiful year after year! Wishing you a very Happy Birthday!" 

 The 2nd sponsor for the challenge is The Cutting Cafe.  I used their cute Pocket Shaped Card cut file to create a gift card pocket on the front. The message says "Wishing you a pocket full of birthday wishes."

Share your creation by linking up at Creative Craft Cottage for a chance to win cut files from The Cutting Cafe or images from Rick St. Dennis!

 Supplies used:

• Miss Razz Matazz image by Rick St. Dennis
• The Cutting Cafe Pocket Shaped Card cut file
• Prismacolor pencils
• Tiny nail art embellishments
• White Gelly Roll pen
• Glitter Card stock by The Paper Studio
• Paper Lace embossing folder Cuttlebug
• Washi tape
• Black Stickles
• Yellow ribbon
• Stampendous gold micro glitter

One More Coffee Card...

The Summer Coffee Lovers Bloghop ends tomorrow (June 12th) at 11:55pm PST!  Here is my last card for this wonderfully inspirational bloghop. View the 1st card here and 2nd card here.

Just adore these cute latte cups from Fiskars Latte Love set! I was in the mood for paper piecing and it was quite zen-like relaxing to make a bunch of these the other afternoon while listening to a new audiobook. These patterned papers are from a Colorbox 6"x6" paper pad I found at Walmart, of all places, for $3.00!

Link up by midnight tomorrow for your chance to win one of many awesome prizes! Feel free to leave some comment love and include your blog post so I can visit! 

Supplies used include:

• Fiskars Latte Love stamp set
• Spellbinders Shapeabilities Die "Fancy Tags"
• Sheer gold Ribbon
• Zinc Apricot embossing powder
• Versamark ink 
• StazOn jet black ink
• Stampabilities gold ink
• Colorbox 6"x6" paper pad
• Recollections 110lb card stock

Bright Birthday Colors!

The challenge this fortnight at Melonheadz is Bright Colors! This cute luau girl digital stamp inspired me to create a colorful birthday card for my sister...just don't tell her yet lol!  She's not a big internet surfer, so I don't need to worry about her seeing it here. *wink*

I colored this image with Prismacolor pencils and added Glossy Accents to her glasses. The ribbon and beautiful hibiscus stamp were gifts from my mom. (Thanks mom!)

 Link up your colorful creation by June 21st for the chance to win digital images of your choice! Can't wait to see what you create! :)

Supplies used include:

• Melonheadz digital stamp
• Prismacolor pencils
• Prismacolor colorless blender marker
• StazOn Jet Black ink
• StazOn Pumpkin ink
• Embellishments from The Paper Studio
• Ribbon and Hibiscus stamp given as gifts
• White Jelly Roll pen
• My Favorite Things Vintage Cameo stamp set
• Glossy Accents
• Colorbox paper pad/Recollections card stock

Last Day - Watercolor Bloghop!

Today is the last day to link up for the Watercolor Bloghop!  (link by 11:55pm PST) 

The Summer Coffee Lovers Bloghop is also still going strong until Friday June 12th! 

Here is another summer-inspired coffee themed card. Had to incorporate this cute seahorse stamp and a sentiment from the new The Stamps of Life monthly club fit perfectly! 

I embossed the seahorse stamp and sentiment in Apricot embossing powder and watercolored the background on top. Paper pieced this cute latte cup in a similar orange shade. Finished it off with some small handmade stamps by Norajane and another sentiment in teal ink on a vellum banner.

Link up your summer coffee/tea/cocoa creations until June 12th! Can't wait to see what you create!

Supplies used:

• Stampendous "Limpet Points" stamp L103
• The Stamps of Life whale2stamp set
• Seahorse/starfish handmade rubber stamps by Norajane on Etsy
• Zing embossing powder in Apricot
• Fiskars Latte  Love stamp set
• Lawn Fawn Harold's abc's stamp set
• Colorbox paper pad 6x6"
• Dolphin/Starfish embellishments given as a gift
• Simply Art 36 watercolor set
• StazOn Teal ink
• StazOn Pumpkin ink
• StazOn Saddle Brown ink
• White Jelly Roll pen

New Challenge at Creative Craft Cottage!

My first card for the challenge at Creative Craft Cottage uses an adorable digital stamp created by our first sponsor: Lacy Sunshine!

 

This stamp is titled "Darla Dogwood" (link below) and she was colored using Prismacolor Pencils. The background uses an A2 size piece of brown card stock embossed with one of my favorite embossing folders. I used pink patterned paper from the Sweet Soiree paper pad to mat each piece.

 

Here is the 2nd card using a digital image from our 2nd sponsor: The East Wind!

I just adore this cute fairy image from The East Wind! The colors purple and green popped into my head while coloring her. This also gave me the chance to use some candy stripe embellishments and twine I received from another wonderful papercrafer, Deb!  Thank you sweetie! :)

Some flowers in the embossed background were dusted with Perfect Pearls. I mixed Perfect Pearls powder with a tiny bit of matte Mod Podge to give her purple eyeliner.  Glossy Accents were added to her wings to finish this card.

Supplies used:

• The East Wind Digital Stamp - Flower Fairy and Birdie Love 
• Prismacolor Pencils
•  Prismacolor colorless blender marker
• Lacy Sunshine Digital Image - Darla Dogwood 
• Dogwood stems from Hobby Lobby
• Stamp set by My Mind's Eye "True Blue Stamps"
• Embellishments, green twine, thin white ribbon
• Recollection 65lb card stock
• Embossing folder "  " used in the Cuttlebug
• Sweet Soiree paper pad from Craft Smith
• Recollections gold embossing powder 
• Flower petal punch
• Ranger Glossy Accents
• Spare Parts small white flowers from Hobby Lobby
• Garden Paper Pix double sided 12"x12" paper pad by Paper House
• Candy Stripers self-adhesive stones from Queen & Co.
• My Favorite Things Cameo stamp set (Happy Birthday stamp)

Summer Coffee Lovers Bloghop Starts Today!

Today marks the start of the Summer Coffee Lovers Bloghop!  The spring hop was a ton of fun and I hope you will join me again for this one.  It starts today (June 5th, 2015) and ends June 12th at midnight Pacific Time.

Another blog hop starting today is hosted by Pretty Pink Posh! Visit them to see some wonderful watercolor inspiration until Monday June 8th!

Today's card was inspired by an accident...yes, you guessed it...I spilled coffee on a piece of card stock! Fortunately, it was just a little spill on one small piece of paper, but I loved the impression left behind from the bottom of my mug.  To replicate this look, I put some Distress Ink in Walnut Stain on a small plate, added a little bit of water to mix, and dipped the bottom of my mug into the watered-down ink and onto a piece of watercolor paper.

Had to have a sentiment and this one came to mind while leaving "impressions" on the watercolor paper! The latte cups were paper pieced using up small scraps of cardstock I had leftover from other projects.

Topped the coffee ring off with Glossy Accents and this makes a wonderful CAS (clean and simple) card for anyone! Did you make a coffee/tea/cocoa inspired creation? Let me know so I can visit! :)

This card has been entered into the following challenges:

Summer Coffee Lovers Bloghop - ends 6/12
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge -  Make It Masculine
Sentimental Sundays - 6/8

Pretty Pink Posh Watercolor Blog Hop - 6/8
Verve Stamps Bloghop - Eat Me. Drink Me. June Challenge 6/20

Supplies used:

• Strathmore 9x12" watercolor paper pad
• Distress Ink in Walnut Stain
• Harold's ABC's stamp set by Lawn Fawn
• my favorite coffee mug :)
• StazOn Jet Black Ink
• Glossy Accents
• Fiskars "Latte Love" stamp set

Orchid Love

 I love a fresh bouquet of flowers, and that is the theme for this Melonheadz Challenge!  Orchids are one of my favorite flowers and these images are from Cassie's Floral combo pack.

The small orchid "buds" are actually the tulip from the digital image pack shrunk smaller before printed. I coated each orchid flower in Ranger Glossy Accents and finished this card front with a couple half pearl embellishments.

The quote inside the card says "Love is all you need." This was cut from the Sweet Soiree paper pad. :)

This card will be entered into the following contests: 
Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - May
Dragonfly Dreams Challenge-  6/6
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - 6/6
Robyn's Fetish Challenge Blog -  6/1

Supplies used:

• Melonheadz image bundle Cassie's Floral combo pack
• Prismacolor pencils
• Recollections 65lb colored card stock
• Recollections 110lb card stock for base
• Sweet Soiree by Craft Smith Paper pad
• Glossy Accents
• Half pearl embellishments by orientaltrading.com

A little birdie told me...

There is a new Challenge at Creative Craft Cottage this fortnight and the theme is: Add a bow! I colored this digital stamp image by Ppinkydolls with Prismacolor pencils and had to use my cute new stamp/die set from The Stamps of Life.

The small bird die cut from the set went perfectly with this image! I'm a little behind on my birthday card stash, so the stamp set's sentiment was just what I needed. Link up your creation with a bow at Creative Craft Cottage for a chance to win 3 digital stamps of your choice!

Supplies used:

• Digital Image by Ppinkydolls
• Core'dinations card stock
• Staz On Saddle Brown Ink
• The Stamps of Life stamp set "birdcage2stamp"
• The Stamps of Life  Birdcage Club Die Set
• Pearl embellishments from Orientaltrading.com
• Prismacolor Pencils
• Elmers permanent glue tape runner
• Embossing folder

New Baby Sports Card

Here is the new baby card I created for the latest challenge at Melonheadz!  Their theme for the next two weeks is: All About Kids!  My best friend is having her first baby due in October and this card was created with her love of baseball as my inspiration.

  

The background was embossed with white powder onto watercolor paper. After drying, I used Fired Brick Distress Ink over the embossing.  Stamped some cute baseballs with a bat and, of course, had to add a strip of washi tape!

The inside of my card.

This card will be entered into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge-Let's get Sentimental
Frosted Designs - 5/20
Simply Papercraft Challenge -

Supplies used:

• Melonheadz digital stamp
• StazOn Jet Black ink
• Elmer's permanent tape runner adhesive
• My Favorite Things stamp sets "All Star" and "Jersey"
• Foam tape from Orientaltrading.com
• Distress Ink in Salty Ocean and Fired Brick
• Prismacolor Pencils
• Decorative paper tape (washi) from Dollar Tree
• Recollections 110lb card stock in white
• Core'dinations colored card stock
• Wow embossing powder
• Versamark Ink
• Embellishments

All that glitters!

Latest challenge by Creative Craft Cottage  is:  Challenge 39: All that glitters! The sponsor this fortnight is All Dressed Up. I just love this image and, to me, the bike just had to be in gold! I used gold Stickles on the bike and the rest is colored in Prismacolor pencils.

The patterned papers are from a Craft Smith 12" paper pad called "Sweet Soiree" with a gold paper border from The Paper Studio Glam Glitter pack.  Finished off with a cute dragonfly embellishment my mom sent me. (Thanks mom!) Submit your glittery project for a chance to win 2 digital stamps at Creative Craft Cottage!

This card will be entered into:
The Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Challenge: Don’t abandon the coral
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Let's get Sentimental
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - May
Supplies used include:

• All Dressed Up digital stamp "Girl on a Bike" 
• Sweet Soiree by Craft Smith Paper pad
• The Paper Studio Glam Glitter paper pad
• Gold Stickles
• Prismacolor Pencils
• Elmer's tape runner adhesive
• Embellishments

House Mouse Mother's Day Cards!

I saw this wonderful sentiment on a plaque (sorry I do not remember where) but I had to re-create it onto cards!  The phrase says "we" so it is from both my husband and I.  These are two House Mouse stamps I've recently added to my collection titled "Donut Bliss" and "Feeling Rosy".

The mouse stamp in the cup had a little tea bag hanging out of it on the left side.  To hide this, I cut a mask out of card stock to cover the donut while stamping the tea cup.  Voila!  More use to stretch these adorable stamps to cover coffee and cocoa lovers too!

 

 

The sentiment on the inside says, "but please don't make us prove it!"

A close up of the donut.  I used a sparkle glitter writer to first apply glitter to the "frosting".  After that coat was dry, a layer of Ranger's Glossy Accents was applied thickly on top.

Since my husband does not enjoy coffee like I do, I changed the cards for our mothers' to say "cocoa" instead.  These would be adorable as gifts whether they were about coffee, cocoa or tea! :)

 

Supplies used:

• House Mouse stamps "Donut Bliss" and "Feeling Rosy"
• Ranger Glossy Accents
• Sparkle Glitter Writter
• Simply Art 36 Watercolors
• Small Water Brush
• Recollections Gold Embossing Powder
• StazOn Jet Black Ink
• Lawn Fawn "Harold's ABC's" stamp set
• Heidi Swapp stamp set
• Embellishments from The Paper Studio
• 110lb Recollections White card stock
• Strathmore 90lb watercolor paper
• Foam tape