Custom Wedding Card- Amethyst & Silver

Here's another custom card. The invitation is hidden under the card for privacy, but you can see its essential elements.

The Almost Amethyst CS was a perfect match. Then I made silver paper by applying silver shimmer paint to some gray CS.

If you want me to design a special card or invitations for you, please contact me.

Fancy Post-It Note Holder

I had seen some souped up post-it note holders and decided it was time to try it.
I made some prototypes for a class that one of my friends requested.
Then I made a few more for thank you gifts.
(Stay tuned for more post-it note projects.)
This one is my favorite! The friend I gave it to said I should open a store on Etsy.

I've been thinking about that for awhile now along with one of my artsy colleagues at school. Tomorrow I'll call City Hall and see what I need to do for tax purposes, and then all I have to do is pick a name and open my very own Esty store. What do you think?
Should I just name it after me (Judith Bassem)?
Should I use the same name as my blog (Creativa Bassem)?
Or should I go for something along the lines of artsy/ papercrafty/ stamping/ custom cards...?
I value your comments. Thanks! See you soon on Etsy!

I've been meaning to do this all summer, but now that I've put it out there in cyberspace where all of you can see my goal, I HAVE to do it! Thanks for keeping me accountable!

Custom Wedding Card- Raspberry Flowers

Here's another custom wedding card for you to enjoy.
My friend requested a card that would match the invitation.

I tried to coordinate both the style and the colors.

Contact me to customize cards just for you.

Masculine-Feminine

I like to experiment with cards to explore their versatility. You don't have to invent each new card. Change the colors for a different look. Tweak this or that for a different feel.
I wanted to make a pair of masculine-feminine cards.

I wanted to try something I had seen on Kristina Werner's Blog:
heat emboss an image on clear buttons.

To lend a more feminine look to this card, I used Sage Shadow CS and the swirl textures plate.
Rounding the edges gave this card an even softer look.

Taffeta ribbon, surprisingly fit through the button holes to add the finishing touch.

Here's the masculine card. The earthy brown is Soft Suede CS. I crumpled the cs to add character and depth. To add more definition, I rubbed the surface of the cs with the ink pad; it almost looks like leather.

I edged the text with the open ink pad too. Twine gives this card a more rustic, rugged look.

You could use these cards for birthdays or just because.

If you'd like to have a custom technique class for you and a few friends, please contact me.

Our little treasure

We met someone special last month, our little treasure. She lived in our arms for two precious hours before she went to live with Jesus. Now she dances and rests in His arms for eternity.
This card is for her.

Medallion Ornaments

Here's a simple Christmas card that uses the medallion stamp as the texture for ornaments.

The medallion stamp was embossed using clear embossing powder on Rich Razzelberry cardstock. Then it was sponged over with frost white shimmer paint. The "thread" and ornament "reflections" were painted on using the shimmer paint as well. (Click on the links to purchase these items from my online store.)

I was actually trying to heat emboss with different layers and types of powder with the medallion stamp on a full-sized card, but it didn't come out the way I wanted it to. So, I punched out some small circles and turned them into ornaments. Sometimes accidents give you the opportunity to look at a situation differently and you end up with some great cards.

Sweet Bear

I made this card to participate in Kristina's Color Challenge this week.

I chose this stamp because it's time to make Valentine's cards and this bear is sweet with her little heart-sealed letter.

Here's a close-up of the watercoloring: I heat embossed the image on watercolor paper, and then I painted the bear.

You can see the sweet buttons, and the watermarked background.

Materials: (Click on the ones that are underlined to link to the online store for Stampin' Up! Enter my name as your demonstrator and you'll get a 10% discount. Starting on Monday if you place an online order, you'll get a free catalog!)

CS & Paper: Pretty in Pink, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Watercolor Paper, Whisper White
Stamps: Favorite Teddy Bear, Best Yet
Ink: Chocolate Chip Craft, Pretty in Pink, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red Craft, VersaMark
Accessories: Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Button Bouquet, Linen Thread, Clear Embossing Powder, SNAIL, Glue Dots
Tools: Heat Tool, 1 3/4" Circle Punch

Simple Delights Color Challenge

Here's a card for this week's color challenge by Kristina Werner.


I wanted it to be elegant and simple.
Scroll down for the materials used.


Here's a close-up of the medallions, you can see that they are heat embossed.

I usually stamp the salutation directly onto the card stock, but I wanted to try something different this time, so I transferred some rub-ons onto the ribbon. Try it yourself!

All materials Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Baroque Border Wheel, Simple Delights
CS: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White
Classic Ink: Baja Breeze, Pumpkin Pie
Craft Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, VersaMarker, Whisper White
Accessories: Cherished Moments Rub-ons*, Chocolate Chip 5/8'' Grosgrain Ribbon, SNAIL, dimensionals, Glassy Glaze Enamel Powder
Tools: 1'' circle punch, 1 1/4'' circle punch, 1 3/8'' circle punch, heat tool

*retired, sorry

Carte Postale Color Challenge

I've seen the K. Werner Color Challenge for quite a few months, but I finally decided to participate today. Here's her color combination for the week:

Here's the card I made:

I stamped the rose onto watercolor paper and then painted it with a blender pen, then I used the versamarker to add ink exactly where I wanted to apply embossing powder. I added a layer of clear embossing powder, and then highlighted some areas with glassy glaze embossing powder.
If you look closely, you'll see the edge of the whisper white card stock gently rolled around the old olive card stock, which has some faux-stitching running along its edge.

Here's a close-up of the embellishments:
Scroll down for links to the supplies I used.

All supplies Stampin' Up!:
Stamps: Carte Postale*, French Script**, Baroque Border
Card Stock & Paper: Old Olive, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White,
Parisian Summer DSP, Watercolor Paper
Classic Ink: Old Olive, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette
Craft Ink: Old Olive, Versamark
Accessories & Tools: Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Versamarker, Blender Pens,
Clear Embossing Powder, Glassy Glaze Heat Embossing Powder, Heat Tool,
Uni-Ball Signo Gel Pen, Small Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, 1 1/4'' Circle Punch,
1 3/8 Circle Punch, Dimensionals, Sponges, SNAIL

*Retired Stamp Set
**Retired, but there's a current stamp set that is similar

Vintage Skaters

I wanted to make this card look as vintage as the stamp set, so I aged the card with a few techniques. I made the skating image look like it's under cracked glass. I distressed the card stock by crumpling it in my hands, by sponging ink on it, and by drawing the ink pad across it.

I used the glassy glaze enamel heat embossing powder and versamark ink to create several layers of "glass." Then I put it in the freezer until it cooled. Then I bent the image several times to create the fissures in the "glass." Then I sponged over it with ink to show the cracks.

You can see some hodgepodge hardware too that just adds the final vintage touch.

Click on underlined supplies to go to the online store. To purchase supplies, create a user name and password, log-in, then search for demonstrators (list my name to get a 10% discount) and then order the items you would like.
Contact me with your questions or concerns.

All Supplies SU!
Stamps: Winter Post
CS: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Versamark
DSP: Hostess Pack
Ink: Really Rust, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Chocolate Chip 5/8'' grosgrain ribbon, HodgePodge Hardware (this particular finish has retired, but there are two current finishes of HodgePodge that are beautiful), Glassy Glaze Emboss Enamel, Sponges, SNAIL, Pop-Up Glue Dots, Dimensionals
Tools: Heat Tool, Ticket Corner Punch, 1/8'' punch,

Bethlehem Card: Happy Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

This card reminds us to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas when the best gift of all time was presented to each of us.

All supplies SU!:
Stamp: City of David (retired)
CS: Brocade Blue, So Saffron, Watercolor paper
Inks: Chocolate Chip Craft and Classic ink pads, Always Artichoke Classic ink pad
Accessories & Tools: Brocade Blue 5/8'' grosgrain ribbon, clear embossing powder, heat tool, Stampin' Write markers (Soft Subtles), Blender Pens, SNAIL, dimensionals

Snowflake Ornament

Here's a Christmas Ornament made with a circle punch.

The snowflake is from Winter Post and the sweet little button is from the Button Bouquet.

Here's an aerial view.

SU! Materials:
Vellum, Winter Post, Ruby Red Craft Ink, Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Circle Punch, Sticky Strip/ Glue Dots, Red Button

Non SU! hemp (because I don't have any SU! Linen Thread).

Boy's Birthday Card

Here's a boy's birthday card. Yah, I know it's sideways.
Usually I make cards that are for women/ girls, so here's a little breaking out of my mold.

If you like idea, and want to make something similar, but easier, check out the Rock Star Card Elements kit that matches this stamp set. It's on p. 176 of the current catalog, and contains card stock, designer paper, grosgrain ribbon, buttons, and die-cut adhesive (stars, stripes, and ovals). It costs $15.95 and you can make AT LEAST 9 cards from the kit.


Stamp sets: Starring You (p. 138 111696 $13.95) and Family Phrases (p. 79 111016 $17.95)
Card Stock: Brocade Blue, Old Olive, So Saffron
Ink: VersaMark, Basic Black
Accessories: Clear embossing powder, small and large Star Punches, and dimensionals.

Oval Punch Flowers

Inspired by Nature [see link on side-bar] is a new stamp set that I've seen people use well.
The elegance of the flowers and grass is lovely.
However, I don't have that stamp set, and was trying to make a coneflower similar to the one in that set.

I've recently gotten two oval punches and was playing around with them.
I have seen people create entire cards from punched shapes, without even stamping anything,
so that got the wheels in my head turning...
...and this is what I came up with:

Here's a "Just Thinking of You" card using Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Really Rust, and So Saffron, card stock, Really Rust Classic Ink, Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon :), oval and circle punches, and Sincere Salutations. I repeated the same salutation over and over again a-la-French Script Background Stamp.

For this one, I changed up the color scheme by replacing Really Rust with Pacific Point card stock and ink. I also heat embossed the center of the flower with Chocolate Chip craft ink and clear embossing powder. I scored an oval of Kiwi Kiss card stock for the leaf (though it's hard to see from this photo).

Ribbon: (see p. 187)
The Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon is a high quality, very silky, double sided, 3/8'' wide ribbon. It is Very Vanilla on one side and the Kiwi Kiss on the other (111879 $7.95 for 10 yards).

Punches: (see page 188)
1" Circle punch 109046 $10.95
Large Oval punch 107305 $15.95

Stamp Set: (see p. 140)
Sincere Salutations 105156 $20.95