Birdhouse Border

Good Morning to all! Christmas is almost here and I'm hoping you're ready. I have just about everything done. Unfortunately, I've been sick with allergies for about four days. It all started when someone came and got up our leaves. I think the mold just got in the air and left me coughing, sneezing, no sleep, headache,  and just miserable. So, off to the doctor I go this afternoon.

I cased this card from Roberta aka stampin'nana on SCS as she was Featured Stamper this week. It was one she had done using the Sketch Challenge on SC452 so I didn't enter my card into the FS challenge. You aren't supposed to case a card that has been made from a sketch challenge and I forgot that. Ugh! Just the same, this is the card I cased. Isn't it beautiful?

I probably won't be around for a little while after today. I doubt I'll get another card made before Christmas. We'll celebrate with my family (sister, brother, and their families). After that, our boys and families will be here for a few days.

Merry Christmas to all!!!

Recipe:
Stamps-Inspired by Stamping/Flowers Bloom-sentiment, bird border is unknown. It was a gift and no name on it.
Paper-PTI white cardstock, Recollections/houndstooth (green and white), Jillibean Soup/Blossom Soup 6 x 6 mini pad, green and red cardstock scraps
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories-Martha Stewart ribbon bow punch, Copics, corner rounder

Winter Scene

I've finally found time to make a card after about one and half weeks. That's a long time for me.  I guess the time of making my favorite cards is over, Christmas. I am soon to be in need of a wintry birthday card.

Sis and I were on a shopping spree this past summer and I found some of these stamps in a scrapbook store and have been wanting to use them for a while....sooooo, now is the time.


I used four stamps (listed in my recipe below) and added sparkles to my water which aren't showing. Ugh! I have used several inks to sponge the snow, sky, and to stamp the trees and water/fence image.
Oh, at the last minute, I decided to add the bunny. The sky has water color paint for snow.

Hope you're all ready for Christmas as it is going to be here very soon. I've had my dinner party and can now relax a bit.

My card was made also for the Inspiration Challenge on Splitcoaststampers. It is featuring the work of Birgit/Biggan. If you haven't seen her blog or gallery, you really need to check it out. What fabulous, creative work!!! This the card I cased. Her card has the trees, night sky, and snow as does mine. I have a rabbit instead of a snowman. What??????? LOL How could I not use a snowman? I know you're wondering.

Recipe:
Stamps-Art Impressions/H-895 (trees) and I-1492/water stream and fence, Inspired by Stamping/Big Wishes II, the bunny was a peg stamp with no name or number
Paper- PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Night of Navy
Ink- Memento/Paris Dusk and  Tim Holtz Distress Ink/Victorian Velvet for sky, Tim Holtz Distress Ink/Stormy Sky for snow, Stampin'Up! Night of Navy for sentiment
Accessories-Copics for rabbit and water stream, dew drops, Winsor & Newton water color paint/Chinese White

Altered Christmas Ornament

I'm supposed to be in Franklin and Nashville, TN today for some Christmas events. We were going with our son, dil, and little ones but my DIL went to the emergency care this morning with a fever and discovered she had the flu. Hubby and I have had flu shots but we left their house as fast as we could. We sure don't want to be sick and didn't know the strain she had or really which strains our flu shot covered. I know the flu vaccine is designed for whatever virus is expected this year but I'm taking no chances. So, the trip is off for this year. That does give me more time for what I need to do at home, though.

Getting to my post, I bought this chipboard ornament at Hobby Lobby and thought I would alter it. Yes, I went with black and white again and used some red/green, too. The paper is unknown and the sentiment and bough are from Inspired by Stamping/Elegant Christmas set. I colored with Copics.
My seam binding is Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler. I added a Martha Stewart punched snowflake and a red rhinestone. The tinsel is around the sides.

I'll enter this in the Inspired by Stamping Customer Gallery challenge for December.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge-Let it Snow...they want to see snowflakes, snowfall, snowmen, etc. Well, I have one snowflake on my project so I'm sending it over there.

That's it for me for now. I may do 1-2 more Christmas cards but I really don't think I have time.

Have a wonderful weekend. I have just a bit of shopping left to do and plenty of baking, candy making, and a dinner to plan.

Round, Fat Snowman

I need just a few more Christmas cards and I had not yet used this fun, round snowman this year. It's is another one I really like. The card is really prettier in real life. I used a digi image (recipe below) and ran it off twice, cut out both and popped one on the other giving it a 3 D effect. I used a snowflake embossing folder and snowflake paper.

 

A challenge I'm doing this week was introduced to me by Crafting Cathy (where she is a step sister for November and December. It is  The Sisterhood of Crafters. The theme is ALL THAT GLITTERS. They want to see some Christmas Sparkle--rhinestones, glitter, or Stickles. I have the red rhinestones and Dazzling Diamonds on my snowman.

Here is a closer view:

I hope you like the black and white for Christmas. I like it but wouldn't do a lot of my cards with it. I had a paper pack with it and the matching paper for the strip and thought I should use it.

Another of my favorite challenges is Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge-The challenge this week is LET IT SNOW....ie snowflakes, snowmen, snowfall....that's the idea...

Digi Darla's Challenges-#92-want to see a snowman or Santa on your entry this week. Well, I'm all about a snowman. Wish I had time to do another card and use one of Darla's images.

I've found a new (for me) challenge, A Creative Romance and would love to join in with my card.
The theme is Sparkle at Christmas.

Recipe:
Stamps-JustInklined/digital stamp/Fat Snowman, Recollection (sentiment) no name on stamp
Paper-PTI white cardstock, MME paper pad/Christmas
Ink-Memento Tuxedo  Black
Accessories-red rhinestones, Copics, Stampin'Up! Dazzling Diamonds, Glue pen, snowflake embossing folder

White Poinsettia and a Cute Photo

Rain, rain, go away. Two days of rain makes me a bit depressed. Then again, it is nice on these dark days to light a candle with a nice Christmas scent and turn on the Christmas tree lights.

My card fits several challenges today. It is to honor the Queen for the Day  #193 on Splitcoaststampers.  It is Gail aka GailNM. Gail made the most gorgeous card and I would really love to make a gingham poinsettia as she did here. I just need the perfect papers.

I didn't use Gail's sketch, just used a poinsettia as she did. I don't know the name of the embossing folder or metallic cardstock. My sis gave it to me. I sanded the red cardstock and it brought out some of the white.
I stamped some dots on the poinsettia after embossing the blooms  with some frosty embossing ink (which is showing) , added some gemstones and it was finished.

My card also fits The Corrosive Challenge Blog-Happy Holidays
Jellypark Friends Friday Challenges-Month long Christmas theme
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-Make your own background-Mine has been embossed on metallic cardstock and sanded to bring out white areas
Korttikarkuri-Let's Get Inky: Stamp a Happy Christmas

I've never shown any photos of my sweet grandchildren on my blog. My daughter-in-law sent me this one last night. It was made last Saturday while we were visiting them over the Thanksgiving holidays and I got permission from them to put it on my blog. It was made somewhere on a bridge.  He's such a cutie and sweetie. Wouldn't I think so? :-)  Look which photo I made larger...the card or this one. Ha

Recipe:
Stamps-Stamps by Judith/dots
Paper-PTI white cardstock, unknown red metallic cardstock, green scraps
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories-Sizzix Tim Holtz tattered poinsettia die, red gemstone, VersaMark Dazzle watermark stamp pad/Frost

Favorite Snowman

 

 

I returned from my Thanksgiving trip and had so much to do when I returned that I have not been crafting until I found time to make a card with my favorite snowman....ever.  My sister gave me this snowman stamp several years ago and I love it to pieces.

 

 I'll get around to my blog pals today and leave some comments. I probably won't go back and try to catch up, though, but will get to see the pretty things you've been making while I was away.

 

I masked off the snowman image and sponged around it. The image is colored with Copics and I've added some sparkle (which can't be seen), and added snowflakes with watercolor paint. The trim around the hat is Liquid Applique.

 

I wanted to make a card for the QFTD192 on Splitcoaststampers. It is Beverly aka ruby-heartedmom

and this is what I wanted to case....a snowman. It is nothing like hers but it is celebrating snowmen. :-)

 

 Stampin' Royalty has a challenge (#205) this week that is to incorporate snowflakes. Mine aren't stamped, punched, or die cut but added with watercolor paint.

 

Inky Impressions Challenge Blog-#137--- Winter or Snow---They want to see chilly images, perhaps a few snowflakes, or people dressed for the cold.

 

Recipe:

Stamps-Rubber Cottage/Let it Snow

Paper-Stampin'Up! cherry cobbler (hmmm...looks real red here), Georgia Pacific white cs

Ink-Memento Paris Dusk and Tuxedo Black

Accessories-Copics, Gelly Roll/clear star, Liquid Applique, Winsor & Newton Chinese white watercolor paint

 



Crisscross Christmas Tree

Splitcoaststampers had their Color Combination Challenge, CC454 yesterday which required the  Stampin'Up! colors Night of Navy, Baja Breeze, and Daffodil Delight. I had all the colors except Daffodil Delight so I used some scrap paper I had on hand for the yellow.

I saw this design on Pinterest: http://kentuckykindergartenkorner.blogspot.com/2012/12/eeek-loving-this-new-christmas-craft.html?m=1  Well, I know it was for kindergartners but I have seen plenty of this type tree made that wasn't for kindergartners. LOL I saw one yesterday on Splitcoaststampers made with Washi tape. I should have used Washi as I am sure it would have been easier (I think) than cutting all these strips of cardstock.

I didn't have a star punch with the size I needed so I punched a snowflake for the top of the tree. Then, I added my sentiment on a tree branch...couldn't find anywhere else for it to go.

I'm entering the Oozak blog challenge-#26-Holidays and anything goes-This is my third and final entry as their limit is three.

Shopping Our Stash #129-Holiday or Winter

I won't be on my blog for several days as I'll be celebrating Thanksgiving with family. Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.

Recipe:
Stamps-Hot off the Press/Christmas Words
Paper-PTI white cardstock, SU Night of Navy and Baja Breeze, scrap yellow cardstock
Ink-SU Night of Navy
Accessories-trimmer, EK Success 1 1/4" square punch (cut down to size) for tree stand, Martha Stewart snowflake punch, clear rhinestone

My Dog, Rudolph

I love this doggie and haven't used this stamp in years. I met a friend in Northern Ireland some years ago by using this stamp. It is Lynne at  Ruby-Dooby-Doo Crafts. She has the cutest Westie ever named Ruby and this reminded both of us of Ruby. I think of her every time I see this stamp. We met on Splitcoaststampers and now we're blogging pals. All because of Ruby. :-) If you click her link, you can see Ruby. Hi, Lynne!

This was such an easy card. I made mine a one layer.I started to give it a ribbon but didn't think it needed another thing. I colored it with Copics and did a little shading on the dog. The sentiment was added and that was it.

I want to enter the following challenges

 Addicted to CAS #27  has a fun challenge. The Code word is PET. I don't have a pet any longer but I still love them.

Rudolph Day at Stamping for Pleasure-It's the last challenge of the year

CAS248 on Splitcoaststampers

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and a safe weekend.

Recipe:
Stamps-Stampabilities/Handwritten Merry Christmas, Inkadinkado/98252-O (had no name on the stamp)
Paper-PTI white cardstock
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories-Copics

Blue Poinsettia and Some Needlepoint

Have you ever  been upset about a card you made? Well, that is me with this one. I even hesitated about uploading it.  I was doing a case of the Queen for the Day on Splitcoaststampers. It is Janette aka blessingsx3. The card I cased is just beautiful. Here is Janette's card. Quite the beauty, isn't it? By mistake, I left off the top panel. How did that happen? I stamped my image on the large white panel, got the ribbon on, and  placed my poinsettia. Then, I looked at her card I had printed off and it was an 'oh, no' moment.. So, I decided to just go with it and stamped the sentiment, getting it too high so I added some of those popular sequins to fill in the space that I thought was much too much. I would love to case her card again sometime and do it right the next time.

I am having a bit of a problem with my camera, too. For some reason, it is wanting to blur at the bottom, left side. I guess I'll have to go back to the store where I bought it and find out what is the problem. One more thing...Ugh! Oh, I need to quit complaining. These are such small things and I'm just glad to have a good camera.

I'm entering a second card into the Oozak Challenge-#26--Holiday and Anything Goes
Stamplorations wants you to use a stamp and sequins for their November challenge.
Brown Sugar Challenge Blog -#69-Anything Goes
Curtain Call has an inspirational photo  and the theme this week is CAS-ual Christmas. I'm getting in under 4 min. or less before closing time. Whew!

Recipe:
Stamps-Stampabilities/Merry Little Christmas, BasicGrey/Flourish Corners
Paper-PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Night of Navy cardstock
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories-Copics for coloring poinsettia, snowflake ribbon, silver sequins, silver brad, silver cording, Tim Holtz tattered poinsettia (Sizzix) for the flower part.

You all probably know I LOVE snowmen. Today, I want to show you a few of the needlepoint things my sister has made for me over the years.

The metallic yarn is so pretty on these pillows. Wish it was showing.  She has made enough of these over the years to go all the way up my staircase. And, they're all different and gorgeous. She is an expert in needlepointing. I used to needlepoint but that was before I got into cardmaking and now there is no time. Makes me sad.

 

 

 

This adorable hanging snowman is hanging on my computer desk so I can view it all the time. His face and all around is just full of sparkling, metallic yarn.

 





 

 

This is a closer up view. It really doesn't do it justice, though. So much prettier IRL.

 

 

I just received these two in the mail on Friday. We are such  Alabama football fans so she made these...one for hubby and one for me.  I immediately hung them on my tree. They are just too cute.

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

Basket of Holly

I'm here with a second post in one day and I don't usually do that. I don't know if I'll make another card this week or not. I'll just have to wait and see what is going on in my life by Friday.

I recently bought this basket of holly stamp and I like it even better than I thought. It was easy to color and I just love it for a CAS card.

I entered this card into the challenge at Splitcoaststampers, CC453 which is a color challenge. The colors we were to use were SU Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, and Baked Brown Sugar. I subbed BBS for Crumb Cake. That is allowed if you don't have the specific colors.

The strips of paper are my cardstock so I could use the colors required but stay CAS


I colored with Copics:
R39, R37, R35.......YG61,YG63..........E70, E71

Stamps-Stampendous Cling Holly Basket, Stampabilities Handwritten Merry Christmas

My card is also entered into the challenge at Oozak---#26-- Holidays and Anything Goes
I would also like to enter my card into the challenge at CAS on Sunday-challenge #21-One Layer Wonder

Embossed Sympathy

I wanted to make a card for The Sisterhood of Crafters this week. It is an easy challenge where they just want 'embossing'...wet, dry, use a stylus, etc.  I went with black and white  and made a sympathy card. Thankfully, I don't need one at the moment but like to have some on hand.

I'm using a Cuttlebug Textile embossing folder. I popped up the top panel. The stamp set is Stampin'Up! Thought and Prayers. It is perfect for this type card. My paper is PTI white cardstock and I've used black ribbon to separate the partial embossing. The pearls were added and it is finished.

 It's a short post today. I have a lot to do....sorry to say it won't involve much crafting. . Hope your day is a good one.

A SNOWMAN and a BIRD

I had happy mail last week from my sister and it just happened to be something I love so
 much.....a snowman and a bird. She knows I love both and I could hardly wait to make a card. The sentiment was in the same set.

Wow! Did my paper colors ever change on me. I thought the blue/green in my paper was almost like the colors in my Copics...WRONG! I'm sure you all know exactly what I'm talking about. I like it just the same.

I used Liquid Applique and Dazzling Diamonds on the hat and stocking. Of course, it sparkles more in real life. You understand that, too. Right? :-) I did a bit of distressing on my kraft and rose red panels.

O.K., my next card isn't going to be a snowman or a seasonal card but it will be embossed. ;) wink for Cathy. She'll get this.

My card sketch was taken from Susan Conrad aka One4Joy on Splitcoaststampers. She was Featured Stamper this week, no. 354. This is Susan's card I cased. She has a most wonderful and unique gallery.

Recipe:
Stamps-Little Claire Designs/Snowman Bunting
Paper-Stampin'Up! Rose Red, PTI white and kraft cardstock, Daisy Bucket Designs dp/Deck the Halls
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories-Copics, Impression Obsession DIE025-ZZ, gemstone, Liquid Applique, Stampin'Up! Dazzling Diamonds

Snowman Mitten

I love my snowman mitten die that was given to me last year by a sweet friend. It also includes a pretty snowflake which  was too large for this card but will be used a lot. I think this mitten would make a really cute tag, too. My sentiment set is also from her and I've used it sooooo much. Thanks, ET.

I thought I would stamp this adorable snowman on my mitten and place the sentiment on the thumb.
The ribbon is part of the die set. I masked and sponged around the snowman so he would pop a bit. He is colored with Copics.

I have had this piece of corrugated board on my craft table for a loooooong time. It was in a package and card I received from another wonderful blogging pal of mine. I knew I would use it someday and after seeing crafters use it on their cards, I decided this was the day I would use it. I smeared Liquitex Modeling Paste on my card for a snowy look. What a fun card to make. Then I added a few snowflakes.

I will be entering my card into these challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge-Got Ink? I used an ink pad. What an easy challenge. You should check it out.
Papertake Weekly Challenge-Snow & Ice-Use blue or cold colors and include ice/snow or both. Besides the snow around the snowman, my snow is the modeling paste on the corrugated board.
Addicted to Stamps#69-use your favorite punches and dies
Shopping Our Stash #27-Use something already out on your desk-Mine is the corrugated board

My card also is for QFTD190 on Splitcoaststampers. The Queen is Susie Nelson and I was inspired by this card to do a card with a snowman. It doesn't take much for me to use a snowman. :-)

This is it for me this week. My little munchkins and their parents are visiting this weekend. Yea!

Recipe:
Stamps-Inkadinkado/98370-DD, Hot off the Press/Christmas Words
Paper-PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Baa Breeze and Real Red  Corrugated paper board
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black, VersaMagic Sea Breeze
Accessories-Copics, Martha Stewart snowflake punch, Impression Obsession DIE 025-ZZ, Liquitex modeling paste

Snowflake Swirl

Does it look as if something is on my card on the bottom left or is it my eyesight? Anyway, there isn't. It is white as snow. I guess it is the lighting and I didn't notice before I posted. Why did I bring attention to that? Duh!

This card covers a couple of challenges on Splitcoaststampers  QFTD189 and Color Challenge #452. Dara is the queen for the day and I cased this card of hers. She used a swirly image so I decided to get out my snowflake swirl. She had flowers and I used snowflakes and place them differently.

 For the color challenge, there were five colors we could choose from or use three from the group:
 island indigo
bermuda bay
coastal cabana
smoky slate
pool party 
The only one I had was Bermuda Bay and I used Tempting Turquoise ink. The gray I used for Smoky Slate was an unknown Core-dinations paper. If you don't have the correct Stampin'Up! colors, you can substitute with something close, which is what I did. The gray areas were colored with Copics.

I'm entering my card into the Muse #43 challenge...first time for me to join them and it looks like a really fun challenge. Therese Calvird has an inspiration photo for us to use and it is full of pretty snowflakes cascading and that is just what I have.

That's it for me. I have to do a little housework.....what fun....NOT. I'll light a candle (Pumpkin Spice Pie) and make things smell yummy so that'll help some. Ha
Have a great day.

Recipe:
Stamps-Stampabilities/Handwritten Merry Christmas, Inkadinkado/Snowflakes set
Paper-PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Bermuda Bay,  unknown Core-dinations gray, scrap light gray for snowflakes
Ink-Stampin'Up! Tempting Turquoise
Accessories-blue gemstone, Copics

That Star

O.K., I'll explain the photo right away. I was just playing around with my photo software and decided it would be fun to do a Polaroid style. I won't be doing many of these but it made me happy to do one. :-)

I have received this wonderful image from stiz2003 on Splitcoaststampers and was really wanting to use it. She sent it so that I could re-size if I wanted. She said it is an Impression Obsession stamp. I decided I would loosely case her card shown here. She does the most beautiful work and I think she loves snowmen as almost as much as I do.

I did re-size the image, colored, masked off and did some sponging, leaving it so it looked as if the star was shining down.. I then added my trees. The star is punched and I added falling snow.  My recipe is below.

My card is entered into the Jingle Belles challenge where they want cards based on favorite holiday traditions. When our children were young, on Christmas Eve night my husband always read Luke Chapter 2 about the birth of Jesus. It was a special time for our family. In that chapter,  it says there were shepherds watching their flock by night and the glory of the Lord shone about them. I think that is the light I made in my card. My snowman is seeing that same wondrous light.

I want to enter the Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge where they want to see trees on your card.

I will enter another card into the challenge at Korttikarkuri-Let's Get Inky-Stamp a happy Christmas

The Splitcoaststampers Fan Club Monthly Theme Christmas challenge for October was an inspiration photo that included trees so I entered there.

Recipe:
Stamps-Hot off the Press/Christmas Words set, image from stiz2003 (IO), Mark's Finest Papers and Stamps/Scenic Selections (trees)
Paper-PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Night of Navy cardstock
Ink-Memento Night of Navy and Gray Flannel
Accessories-Winsor & Newton Chinese white watercolor paint (for falling snow), Copics, Tim Holtz ink blending tool, EK Success edger punch/starry sky (for star)

Anniversary Hearts

Congratulations to Addicted to CAS as they celebrate their first anniversary. For their challenge this week it is only fitting that their code word is ANNIVERSARY.
 I stamped my flower pot and the stems by masking. The little hearts growing on the stems are the negatives from a Martha Stewart heart punch.

I colored the pot with Copics, made a mat, added a sentiment and it is finished.

I also want to join the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge-Keep it clean and simple

Recipe:
Stamps-Stamps by Judith (flower pot and green stems), Mark's Finest Papers and Stamps-retired Happy Pansies (sentiment)
Paper-PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! cherry cobbler
Ink-Memento Bamboo Leaves, Potter's Clay, and Tuxedo Black
Accessories-Copics, Martha Stewart heart punch

A Special Birthday

 

 I know I've posted a card or two...maybe three this week. But, my one of my sweet daughters-in-law is having a birthday early next week and I just had to get a card made. I wanted to make her a hinged filigree card. If it appears some of the holes aren't punch from the die, they are. It just seems that way on a few because of the back section.

 

 This may be my last card this week as hubby is off work tomorrow and we are going to be very busy.I hate to tell you what we are going to be doing. We are putting up the Christmas tree. Please don't think I'm crazy. I put it up the week before Halloween last year because of all the house remodeling and knew that was the only time to get it done. Well, we are very busy this year between going to weekend college football games and visiting children and little munchkins...so up it goes. We don't want to get into a bind and kill ourselves getting it up.  It won't get turned on until after Thanksgiving because that is a very important holiday for us. We have so much to be thankful for so I try not to make those holiday clash. Well, the munchkins will be here next weekend so we'll probably have to turn it on for them But, no one else will see it. And, no other Christmas decorations will go up.

On to my card...about time, huh? :-) My ribbon was made using the tutorial by my blogging friend, Colleen Dietrich. She has a wonderful tutorial at Inspired by Stamping. It is for the WHW #122 challenge. It is to make a Colleen Bow. I tried but really didn't have the seam binding she recommended in the right color. I went with more of a twill which made it more difficult. I do love her bows.
I'm also uploading my card to the Inspired by Stamping Customer Gallery Contest for November.

I'll enter my card into the Twisted Tuesday challenges which are free this week....anything goes!

My stamp is Inspired by Stamping/Graceful Hydrangea and I colored it to look like my hydrangeas look now in the Fall season. I do love a bouquet from them for the season, though, after they turn. The sentiment is also Inspired by Stamping/Flowers Bloom. I stamped the hydrangea, colored, cut out, and popped on. I stamped off some of the hydrangea on the top layer.

Sorry about the long post. If I'm not back anymore this week, have a great weekend.

Recipe-
Stamps-Inspired by Stamping/Graceful Hydrangea and Flowers Bloom sets
Paper-PTI white cardstock
Ink- Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories-Spellbinders Timeless Rectangle die, Stampin'Up! Certainly Celery ribbon bundle, Copics/E81 and G20 for hydrangea and E70  for going around edges of flower after cutting out

Christmas Swag

I am using a technique today by Lydia Fiedler on Splitcoaststampers. If you look down to step #5 on this tutorial, you will see how she did the faux wood technique I have used. Actually, she called this the faux barn board technique. I have to confess I made that piece quite a while ago and I had it on another card I never used so it is now being recycled and I like it so much better on this one, though I have cut it down considerably.

I made a swag for the Curtain Call challenge-Welcome Home.

I decided to go with a swag made from an Impression Obsession pine branch die. These were cut out with Kraft paper. The flower is from The Paper Studio and is a white paper flower. The berries inside the flower are punched with a Martha Stewart holly punch using scrap paper in a brownish-red color.

I heading to Twisted Tuesday with my card where they are having a Free for All..Anything Goes.

I'm also entering the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge-Keep it clean and simple

Recipe:
Stamps-Stampabilities/Swirly Happy Holiday
Paper-PTI white and Kraft cardstock, scrap red/brown cardstock
Ink-Memento London Fog, Stampin'Up! Chocolate Chip, VersaMagic Sea Breeze
Accessories-The Paper Studio white paper flower, Scor-Pal for scoring the faux wood, Impression Obsession pine branch die

Peppermint Tree



The Merry Monday Christmas Card Club Challenge #82 is to use Red, Aqua, and White with circles. I found a small wooden peppermint stamp that happens to be a circle. I don't know the name of the stamp and can't find it. I stamped and punched out the peppermint circles with a Recollections 5/8" punch. Then, I shaped the circles into a tree and hand cut a tree trunk. The trunk was distressed with an embossing folder, Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes.

 

I'll also enter the  Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge-Anything Goes

 

Dynamic Duos two color challenge is real red and Bermuda bay. I subbed with Cherry Cobbler.

 

 Twisted Tuesday has a FREE for ALL-Anything Goes challenge-who doesn't love those.

 

The rest of the recipe is below:

 

Stamps-Stampabilities/Swirly Happy Holidays, unknown peppermint stamp

Paper-PTI white cardstock, SU chocolate chip for tree trunk

Ink-Stampin'Up! Bermuda Bay and Cherry Cobbler

Accessories-aqua gemstone, dimensionals

Pinecones

It's raining and very few trick or treaters are out in my area tonight. We usually have 200-300 and it is always so much fun. I have a lot of treats that need to be given away and out of my house. I guess the trick is on me and I have to eat all that candy. Ugh! I'll have to donate it to someone.


EDIT 11-01-13:  Yea! It quit raining last night about 8:00 p.m. and we went out and got rid of all the candy. Now, I can stay slim and not have to eat all of it. LOL

I have made a card for Queen for the Day #188 on Splitcoaststampers. Her name is Ruth aka RDey and here is the card I cased.

My card was very easy and quick to make. I ran the top layer through an embossing folder to look like snow and cut out my die cut pinecones. I added a sentiment and it was finished.

Hope you have a great weekend. This will be it for me for a few days.

Recipe:
Stamps-Stampabilities/The Night Before Christmas
Paper-PTI white cardstock
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories-Sizzix Hero Arts Christmas Words and Dots embossing folder, Elmer's Multi-Purpose Spray Adhesive,  Memory Box pinecone corner die cut

Vintage Santa

I think it is time to bring out my Father Christmas stamp and start using him for the holidays. I did him in blue last year...here.......so I decided to do something different and go vintage this year.

He is colored with Copics. I added some water color paint for the falling snow and Star Dust Stickles on the fur. He is so sparkly in real life. I cut my cardstock for snow where he is standing. The brown cardstock has been distressed using the edge of my scissors, as has the designer paper on top. I stamped some trees on the bottom piece of designer paper.

I am joining the Merry Monday challenge #81--Use Santa on your card.

Party Time Tuesdays challenge-#144-Anything Goes

The Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is Anything Goes this week.

Korttikarkuri- #1-Stamp a Happy Christmas!


Recipe:
Stamps-Stamps Happen, Inc./Father Christmas, Trees are an unknown stamp
Paper-Stampin'Up! Chocolate Chip, BoBunny Decaf Vintage dp, other paper is called postcards and I don't have company name
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black and Cottage Ivy
Accessories-Star Dust Stickles, Copics, Craft Knife, Winsor & Newton Chinese White water color paint (tube), Decorative Trim/Silver

Grateful-(One Layer)

 

 

I've gotten to a place today where I could make a card and wanted to join challenge #25 at Addicted to CAS.  The code word this week is: One Layer. I love a one layer card...so unadorned. I really meant for this card to be more of a rusty red. Guess I should have used Potter's Clay ink instead of Rhubarb Stalk if that's what I wanted.

 

I thought I would do a Fall card today and use a stamp set by Inkadinkado/ Foliage Trails. I love the set as it has so many wonderful images. The rest of my recipe is below.

 

All I had to do to this card was color in just a bit with a very pale Copic color and I added a sequin in the largest flower.

 

Splitcoaststampers is featuring Cathy Tidwell aka catdidit as featured stamper today. I cased this card from her wonderful gallery. Of course, I do not have stitching, just used her sketch.

 

Recipe:

Stamps-Inkadinkado/ Foliage Trails set, Creative Imaginations/Thankful set

Paper PTI vintage cream (yes, it does look white here, but isn't)

Ink-Memento Rhubarb Stalk

Accessories-YR000 silk Copic, gold sequin

 

Music and A Tree

I had a box of wood stamps packed and ready to do away with when I decided I may could just use this Inkadinkado Festive Tree stamp. I don't think it had ever been used. I'm so glad I kept it now. I think I bought it when I first started stamping and was clueless as how to use it. LOL

I'm entering another card into the Merry Monday Christmas Card Club #80 Christmas challenge to use music or a carol inspired theme. My music is  from Kaisercraft 'Tis the Season' stamp set. It reads, 'We Wish you a Merry Christmas'.

Less is More challenge 142 has a theme of trees--doesn't matter what kind of trees but they would like to see a little more than just leaves.

I stamped my image, cut out the complete image and popped on. Then, I stamped again and cut out only the tree to pop up over the first one. I added  3 tiny rhinestones in the stars and a bit larger one at the top for the star. They are not showing clearly. I hand cut the banner after stamping the music.

The QFTD187 challenge on Splitcoaststampers is honoring Priscilla aka catluvr2 and this is the card I cased. I used her sketch and changed it somewhat so I could make a Christmas card and changed the bottom.

Korttikarkuri-Let's Get Inky-Stamp a Happy Christmas-This challenge runs until Christmas Eve.

I think this will be it for me until next week. I'll be out of town to a college football game again Saturday. Hope your weekend is spent in a fun way. Craft on!!!!

Recipe:
Stamps-Inkadinkado/Festive Tree, Kaisercraft/Tis the Season for the banner, unknown sentiment at the bottom-Sis gave me the set and it had no name. It is two different words and I placed them as I wanted..one a bit lower than the other.
Paper-PTI white cardstock
Ink-Stampin'Up! Bermuda Bay (had to be a very juicy pad to stamp that background as it was a lot of smooth rubber and you know how that is to stamp.
Accessories-clear rhinestones

Christmas Eve in the Village

I spent so much time trying to get a decent picture of this artsy card........just ridiculous....and I'm still unhappy. But, it is the best I could do.

When my Sis was visiting a few weeks ago, we went to a super scrapbook store and I saw this image and fell in love with it. I have been trying to figure out how to work it into a Christmas card. I saw Merry Monday challenge #80 to use music or a carol inspired theme.  I decided I would make my Tuscan village a scene on Christmas Eve night. You can see the darkness and fog settling in and snow around the houses. I imagine there are carolers there singing We Wish you a Merry Christmas.

I colored my houses with Copics, leaving it a bit artsy and then sponged around the scene. I added a star made of Stickles. It doesn't show much of the twinkle. Ugh! I won't tell you how many pictures I made and this one with the dark background turned out best.

The challenge at CASology #67 this week is Country. I'm assuming that could also be another country or a country village so I'm joining the challenge with my Tuscan card. There are so many ways to interpret this fun challenge.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is Christmas/Happy Holiday so I'll join them.

Recipe:
Stamps-Art Impressions, Inc./Tuscan Village, unknown sentiment
Paper-PTI white cardstock
Ink-Stampin'Up! Night of Navy, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories-Copics, Spellbinders oval nestabilitie, Gold Stickles, sponge

Thankfulness

This easy card was made for the Inspiration challenge on Splitcoaststampers. We were to draw inspiration from a company called iDesignMe. This was my inspiration. I mostly went with the colors of my inspiration piece...the green in the top, left corner and the recycled hot air balloons on the bottom right. I noticed a few swirls there, too. Yes, that is what it says on the packaging. It was an Italian site and I had to use my translator to find out about the hot air balloons. :-)

All I had to do was make a few swirls with my Memento Dew Drop pad and stamp the sentiment. Now, I have a Fall card and a Thanksgiving card, too.

I'm entering my card into the challenge at Inkspirational #41-Anything Goes

Stampin' for the Weekend has an Anything Goes challenge so I'm posting my card there.

Also, Sister Act Card Challenge has an Anything Goes this week so I'm heading there with my card.

This card puts me into an Autumn mood and I'm heading to the pumpkin patch today with my neighbor/friend. There will be plenty of mums, pumpkins, and pansies to be had....along with hay bales and things for the season. Fun, fun.


Recipe:
Stamps-Creative Imaginations/Thankfulness
Paper-PTI vintage cream cardstock
Ink-Memento Dew Drop/Bamboo Leaves, Potter's Clay, Cantaloupe, Rich Cocoa

Snowflake Shapes

Merry Monday #79 at Always Playing With Paper has a Christmas challenge this week that requires snowflakes and the colors blue, silver/gray, and white.

The new Queen for the Day on Splitcoaststampers is Susie aka susie australia. I combined the two challenges after finding this card in her gallery to case.

The snowflakes are die cuts (listed below) and I've used Inka Gold Metallic Rub in silver to make two of my snowflakes the silver/gray color. The embossing folder is listed below, also. I bought the folder because I thought it looked like falling snow.

I'm adding my card to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge/Christmas/Happy Holiday

Recipe:
Stamps-Kaisercraft Clear Stamps/'Tis the Season Collection
Paper-PTI white cardstock, blue cardstock with no name
Ink-Stampin'Up! Night of Navy
Accessories-Spellbinders Poseabilities die-Snowflake Wonder, Sizzix Hero Arts embossing folder/Christmas Words and Dots, sequins

Gourds, Squash, Pumpkins

The Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge this week is GORGEOUS GOURDS. I thought I had seen a blue pumpkin once or twice but decided to check it out. I found out that it is really a Jarrahdale squash or an Australian Blue Pumpkin.

Look at this gorgeous photo Curtain Call gave for inspiration:

I noticed the pillow in the background with the gold, brown, and blue and decided I would paper piece my largest pumpkin. The others are colored with Copics.

I stamped my large pumpkin, then masked it and stamped the leaves going up my card. The other two pumpkins were stamped and cut out so I just stamped part of the leaves there from the same stamp, then popped up my pumpkins.

I'm also entering the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge-Use a rubber or clear stamp

This is also another card for the Paper Snippet's Playground #94--I used snippets to paper piece my large pumpkin and snippets also on the small pumpkins.

The cue word this week at CAS-ology is PUMPKIN so I'm entering my card there.

Recipe:
Stamps-Inkadinkado/Foliage Trails (leaves) and Autumn Foliage (small pumpkins)-used partial stamps,  Paper Inspirations/Pumpkin (lg pumpkin) Creative Imaginations/Thankful
Paper-Stampin'Up! Chocolate Chip, PTI vintage cream, MME paper pad/The Sweetest Thing Bluebell
Ink-Memento Rich Cocoa and Toffee Crunch
Accessories-Copics

The Sights of Autumn

I guess I've really been in a cardmaking mood for the past week. And, here is another. My hubby put new shelves in my craft room yesterday and I did some organizing. It is much better in there and it somehow made me want to make a card. Ha

The Featured Stamper on Splitcoaststampers  FS349 today is Tesa aka TesaB. What a  great gallery of cards and I've chosen this one to case. Isn't it beautiful?

As I was straightening my craft room, I found a gorgeous pad of matching Autumn papers that I think my sister must have given me last year. I just had to use them. The leaves and pumpkin are all matching papers to the orange linen. I stamped and paper pieced the pumpkin and stamped and cut out the leaves. That pine cone is not stamped but part of the paper.

I'll head over to Pixie's Snippets Playground - Wk 94 -with my card because I used snippets with my pumpkin and leaves.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge-Use a rubber or clear stamp-I used stamps for the pumpkin, leaves, and sentiment.

Allsorts -#228-Use your ABC's-Using the alphabet but not including letters in a sentiment. For example: a title or name

Have a wonderful Sunday. It promises to be a beautiful day here.

Recipe:
Stamps-Paper Inspirations/Pumpkin, Inky Antics/Squirrel set/Leaves, Creative Imaginations/Thankful
Paper-PTI vintage cream, SU Chocolate Chip, Me & My Big IDEAS/Kay-Autumn Layered Pad
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories-brown pearls

Masculine--Grungy-Embossed Variety

 

 

I think grungy is the word to describe this card. I debated whether or not to upload this card but I do like diversity. It really does look better in person. :-)

 

Yesterday, I told you my next card would be different and it really is, don't you think? I have a masculine card to show you today and it uses five different embossing folders. It's a little ragged due

to distressing with scissors on my chocolate chip cardstock behind each square. The squares were punched with an EK Success 1 1/4" punch.

 

I'm loving the new Viva Inka Gold Metallic Rub I bought at my Jo Ann Stores. I used Gold, Silver, Copper, and Haematite. You should rub it on with a cloth (in my case, I used my finger), rub and buff. It will last forever as it hardly used any to cover.

 

The embossing folders I used were: Cuttlebug/Houndstooth, Distressed Stripes, Tartan, and Herringbone. I also used a Tim Holtz Alteration Texture Fades folder/Bricked.

 

Tied on a bit of twine and that finished it.

 

This card was in honor of the newly crowned Queen on SCS. It is Pat aka imastamper and I cased this adorable card. I don't know what to say but that I got off track somewhere. LOL

 

 

 

I  



Feminine Birthday

Lately, I've made two or  three hinged filigree cards so I'll try to make my next card something else. I do love these. One of my daughters-in-law will be celebrating a birthday soon and I just wanted to make something very feminine. Hope she likes it. It is already in the mail.

My card was so easy with a die from Spellbinders/Timeless Rectangles and a stamped sentiment. I only added graduated white pearls (each layer had smaller pearls than the one before) for embellishments.

I'm joining the SCS Ways to Use It challenge (WT448) today  to take the first letter of our username and create a card using a theme, color, etc. that starts with that letter. Benzi-B is for birthday.

I'm entering my card into the challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Use a clear or rubber stamp. My stamp is a clear stamp from Mark's Finest Papers and Stamps/Bring on the Sun.

Have a wonderful day!

Winter Bird

 

With the cooler weather, my mind always turns to Christmas cards. Birds are one of my favorite images...when there's not a snowman. :-) The Merry Monday Christmas Card Challenge #78 this week is to use a bird on your card. That made me jump into action.

 

I was really wanting to make another hinged filigree card so I got out my  new die set I've never used, Spellbinders Timeless Rectangle. If you need more info on how to make these hinged cards, Becca at Amazing Paper Grace has a wonderful tutorial.

 

Joan Ervin had a fun challenge yesterday on Splitcoaststampers, TLC450: Make your own stencil was the technique to try. I have a Martha Stewart holly punch and it has berries that punch out so that was the stencil for my snow. I used the little berry holes to place over my sponging and fill in with with ink.  Now, that's a cool technique.

 

Recipe:

Stamps-Fred, She Said Designs/Christmas Bird Series-Winter Chickadee  (Digital image), Hot off the Press/Christmas Words (sentiment)

Paper-PTI white cardstock

Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black, ColorBox/Frost White, VersaMagic/Sea Breeze

Accessories-Spellbinders Timeless Rectangle Die, Copics for coloring image, dimensionals, Martha Stewart holly punch for making snow stencil.





White Christmas

 





I love white on white cards. I thought this embossing folder made a very simple, yet  wonderful Christmas card without much work at all. I'm using a Spellbinders 3D M-Bossabilities folder called Rustic Wreath. I cut quite a bit off the bottom and still have a rather large card, with the entire card being approximately 5 1/2 x 6. All I had to do was stamp my sentiment. It is from Inspired by Stamping/Elegant Christmas.

 

I'm entering these challenges: Nonni at Korttikarkuri-Let's Get Inky-Stamp a Happy Christmas

 

Less is More- Week #140 CAS and White Christmas-make a white on white card

 

My card will also go to Inspired by Stamping Customer Gallery