Just A Little More Vellum

Well I was able to sneak in one more card, one more Challenge before the year ends!  Join me as we head back to the Flourishes Vellum Challenge #251. 

 

It's not a spectacular card, nor is it fancy, but it's a solid okay kind of card.   I used the large sentiment stamp from Just My Type, available from Flourishes.  Love the Subway Poster look of this stamp.  I used the die also available from Flourishes, Perfectly Pierced Classic Frames.  I cut pink card stock as well as Vellum all at once.  I like the soft look that it gives to this card.  Added some eyelets and adhesive pearls, button, ribbon and twine to finish it off.

 

Thankfully I did manage to clean my house yesterday, now I can head into 2014 without anything hanging over my head.  Right???

 

Happy New Year all!

 



A Little Bit Of Vellum

Good Morning!  Here we are winding down 2013......I can not wait to 'turn the page' and welcome in 2014.  Don't get me wrong, 2013 was a wonderful year, I am just ready for a new start, a change in direction, clean the slate, a fresh start. 

But while there is still some time left in this year I entered another Challenge card at Flourishes #251 Vellum, to add a bit of vellum to your project.

This card was inspired by Pinterest.  What did we ever do before that site appeared?  lol

I used a little Vellum Envelope I had in my stash.  I think I originally bought them to send my garden seeds to people.  This particular one I added many stamped sentiments from various Flourishes stamp sets.  They include such sayings as; Happy, Thinking Of You, Shine, Happy Happy Joy Joy, With Thanks, etc. stamped in all different colors.  The designer papers are by My Mind's Eye; Stella & Rose, Mabel.

Flourishes stamp sets; Anemones, Autumn Blessings, Chrysanthemums, Dahlias, Mountain View.

Added some Baker's twine and some turquoise rhinestones to finish it off.

Okay now I need to go clean my house so I can get back in that craft room.

Happy New Year all!

.....these are a few of my favorite things.....

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favorite things......and then there are all of the wildly talented card making friends I have met along the way.

Not sure you all know this but, my birthday is actually ON Christmas.  Now, before you start thinking, oh that's awful, you get gypped.....let me just say I have never known anything different, but I do feel quite special in sharing this particular day.  I was born 3 weeks early, apparently being the youngest of four, I was NOT going to miss out on this Christmas oh so long ago (52 years to be exact!).  There happened to be a blizzard that day, babysitters were called in to help with my 3 siblings, as our neighbor George plowed a way down the grassy hill, walking, while my Dad piggy-backed my Mother to the waiting police car below.  At this point in the story my Mother likes to say, and the policeman driving said aloud, how thankful he was to have the 'added weight' in the backseat!  How's that for a story?  :)

Now back to present day.  As we all know the Holidays can be a stressful time of year, making lists, checking them twice, cleaning and cooking and baking, making cards, and writing cards, and actually sending them all out in a timely manner, never mind the endless shopping and gift wrapping.

I just have to say how touched and amazed I have felt over the past few days (well ALL year long really) at all the love I have been finding in my mailbox.  I have 'met' a wonderful bunch of ladies who took the time and effort and added me to their card giving list.  Not only for Christmas cards but for my birthday as well.  Beautifully handcrafted cards made with love.  I would like to share a few of them with you!  So grab a cup of your favorite beverage, kick your feet up, sit back and enjoy!

Beautiful Triple Stamping Technique by Gerry Morse

 

One of my very most favorite stamp sets,

especially with a Red Cardinal, by Angie Schmidt

 

 

Fabulous commemorative dated card, complete with music and a cupcake,

by my wonderful sister, Carol Tague

 

 A fun and festive celebration card

made by the one and only Nancy Leppek

 

 

 

Who puts the JOY (my most favorite word ever!) in every card she makes?

Why that would be Barbara Campbell

 

And last but not least.........

 

 

This completely over the moon adorable card by Judy Woodland

I dare you to count those layers, another favorite technique of mine

 

 

You have all made me feel so loved with your kindness and talent.  Each card is so different and yet all so beautiful.  I know the time and talent and the love that went into each and everyone of them.....for that I am thankful.....I am lucky to have met you and I am blessed to call you my friends.

 

Thank you all so very much!  May the love you have shown me follow you throughout your days.  I wish you peace and joy, love and laughter, health and prosperity to you all (and to all who are reading this as well) in the new year and for all of your days to come.

 

Thank you!

xoxo

Donna~~

 



 

 

 

The Year In Review........

.......well not quite.  I found this awesome little table top scrapbook holder at Michael's the other day, of course I whipped out my 50% off coupon and got it for only $6.49! I thought it would be kind of FUN to make a little scrapbook like page for each month, turning it into a calendar......kind of.

The first month I created is December.  I am entering it into the Flourishes Challenge #251, to use Vellum anywhere on your project.

 

I used a beautiful image from the Holiday Topiaries stamp set, available from Flourishes.  I decided to make this a chilly looking month, as only December can be, hence all the blues, including the coloring of the image itself, which is layered on a doily.  The background is a piece of designer vellum laid on top of a pretty solid blue card stock.  I cut the DEC banner and letters out with my Cameo, man that makes life easier, aye?  I used a small snowflake punch and punched out 13 snowflakes, the 4 top ones have a layer of vellum over them too. 

 

  

Then I used a Sizzix die, Ornament Swirly, punched out twice in vellum, layered and topped with a smaller punched snowflake.  I thought it looked a bit like a snowflake.   White glitter corners and some blue and silver ribbon balance out the mini page, which measures 6x6.  Then I whipped out my "waterfall" blue Stickles and went to town!  It gives it such a sparkle!  A Sakura blue pen was also used on the "berries" of the tree.

 

 

 

 

Here's what it looks like on the stand.  They come in several sizes, 6x6, 8x8, and 12x12. And include 10 'sleeves' to get you started.   I thought I would start with the small size and work my way up.......maybe.

 

 I plan on doing one for each month, then 2 birthdays (his and hers), fur babies, engagement, home, and then I thought I would do an I Was Right Page and a You Were Wrong Page, just for laughs.  lol  I know my daughter will get a lot of use out of those 2 pages!  Wink, wink. 

 

This may be my last post til after the Holidays.....I am pretty caught up with all the planning and shopping and card mailing portions.....now comes the wrapping!

 

Thanks for stopping by!  May you and all of your family, friends and loved ones, have a most happy and healthy Holiday Season!

 

Merry Merry!

 

 

Mini Christmas Tags

Good afternoon! 

There is a lightly falling snow outside my windows, and I am okay with that, as I just finished decorating my house......all is right with the world!

I needed a couple of more last minute tags so I whipped a few up for the Challenge over at Flourishes, #259 Words That Inspire.

 

I used several sets of stamps available at Flourishes, Garden Picks, Pears, That's A Wrap.  My inspirational words are Just Because, and Believe, Wish, Dream. 

 

I love my mail, any kind of mail, yeah, bills don't even bother me.  So I plan on mailing even MORE cards and notes out, Just Because!  I figure if I love my mail, maybe there are others out there too!  Plus who doesn't love getting something delivered curb side, made with love, that will perhaps put a smile on their face, because of just another ordinary day???  Right?  I Believe others will love this idea, I Wish more people would do this, and I Dream of a day when it will happen!  hahaha

 

 

Ribbons, flourishes, and some Liquid Pearls finish them off. 

 

Now I can put them on the gifts and check that off my list.  Things seem to be moving right on schedule.  Hopefully you are doing well with your Holiday lists too.  May each day be less stressful than the last!

 

Merry Merry!

 





More Snow, Real And Otherwise

Good Afternoon!  Well we finally got our first snow of this season.  Thankfully it was only about an inch and all glittery--VERY pretty!  Wink, wink!

I have another snowy card for the Great Impressions December Challenge, to show off all things glittery and sparkly.  

Such a cute wintery image, Skating Penguin, by Great Impressions.....just a sweetie! I used a Sakura glitter pen to outline the skating lines and lots of chunky glitter to create snow, and lots of Stickles on the flourish frame and four corner tabs.  He's just so cuuuute!

 

The Challenge is going on through the end of the month, so lots of time to play if you're done wrapping! 

 

Merry Merry!

Flip It Sketch Part II

Well I had so much FUN with the Flourishes December Challenge the other day, I decided to pick the second Sketch and play again! 

 

 

I had a much easier time with the angles on the layers this time around.  lol

 

 

 

Flourishes stamp set, Garden Picks, were used for this card.  In the middle of the Holiday prep, card making and sending, it was nice to use some other colors and some fresh Spring images.  I added some clear embossing powder to the colored Ball Jar image, gives it a nice sheen and a 'real' look....well kind of!  I kept to the basic Sketch but did add an extra layer for the focal image, some ribbon, a tab and a little pink bow and I was done. 

 

Now back to writing Christmas cards......thanks for stopping by.

 

Merry Merry!



Let it Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow....

Holiday Update; cards still not written, halls still not decked, menus have not been planned, BUT I have another Challenge card done.  Fa La La La La......I'm sure it will all get done, right?  Oy Vay!

FUN Challenge over at Great Impressions, to add sparkle and glitter and shine.  I took it to mean SNOW, because as you know that is exactly how I like my snow.....on a card! 

This cute little image is by Great Impressions, Christmas Henry.   How sweet is this little hedgehog?  OMGoodness I can hardly contain myself!   The tree has some great snowy sparkle added to it as well as the earth beneath his feet.  It really does shine so much nicer in real life!   I didn't use quite traditional Christmas colors ---again--- I am finding that I like red and green together, less and less.   I added a line of Copic colored pearl adhesives, a button and Baker's twine.  The focal image has been set askew, which is not my style either, but it really looks great like this!  Beep Beep.....that would be me, tooting my own horn.

The December Challenge runs through the end of the year, so there is plenty of time to play!

Merry Merry!

Flip It Sketch Challenge

Well it's that time again, Flourishes December Release Challenge, Flip It Sketch! 

This was a REAL Challenge for me, for some reason I just could not get those shapes figured out.....but I think I kind of  'got it'.

 

 

I was so happy to walk away from Holiday cards.  Grabbed some of my bright paper packs and I was off!  This DP is by Echo Park, Victoria Gardens, fabulous!  The fun and detailed image is by Flourishes, Grab A Cup.  Oooh look at that latte foam, would love to be able to create that here at home, but I don't think my Keurig will cooperate!  lol  I tried to keep to the sketch as best as possible, the circle image may be larger than the given, but I just love this image, so there!   Added a ribbon tab and some 'rain dots' for a little more interest.  The sentiment banners are popped up.  A bit of glitter for the foam.

 

 

I think I may just go grab myself another cup, I mean at 5 o'clock at night what could it hurt right?

 

Thanks for coming by!

 

Merry Merry!

A Stitch In Time

Today's Card is for the Flourishes Challenge #249, Stitch It Up, to add stitching to your card, real or faux.  This was actually one of my Crafting Resolutions, to add more stitching to my cards, which I have done and am happy to participate in this challenge. 

I went with non-traditional Christmas colors, I just love the papers in this pack by My Mind's Eye.  I also colored the 'fruit' of this topiary orange instead of my customary red.  I kind of love it!  The stamp set is Holiday Topiaries by Flourishes.  A beautifully detailed image which is just FUN to color!   I pulled out my Janome Mini sewing machine and stitched a bright blue border on the layered papers around the focal image.  The sentiment is half of the Love & Joy one.  A border paper punch, Baker's Twine, some orange pearls and a pretty little paper pieced bird cut out using my Cameo, finishes off the card.  I also traced the JOY with a glitter Sakura pen.  Spellbinder dies, Classic and Scalloped Circles were used.

Still over 4 days to play in this Challenge so go check it out!

Merry Merry!

Lots Of Pretty Ribbon

Good Morning! 

I am so happy to share with you that I am a Guest Designer over at CASology!  Whahoo!

 

 

They have a wonderful, oh wait I mean, WE have a wonderful new Challenge up for you!  So walk, no RUN right over there and check it out, you'll be happy you did!  Week #73 Ribbon.

 

Here are a few examples of my use of Ribbons.

 

Gina K Designs stamp set, Pleasant Plurals

Door die cut out with my Cameo.

Spellbinders Scalloped Circle Die, Layered, To Create Wreath.

 

 

 

 

 Gina K Designs stamp set, Let It Snow.

Pleated and folded ribbon.

Home made poinsettia, outlined in gold Stickles. 

 

 

 

 

Gina K Designs stamp set, Merry Little Christmas.

Gold embossing powder.

Spellbinders Scalloped Circle Die, Layered, To Create Wreath.

 

 

 

So come on by, check out the challenge, and the wonderful sponsor for this week's prize.

 

 

 

This week's winner will receive a prize package of a variety of their quality, unmounted red rubber stamps to play with, so be sure and create something this week for a chance to win!

 

 

As always thanks for stopping by, appreciate you all!

 

Merry Merry!



 

 

 



Gift Tag

Have been playing for most of the day, which feels great!  Although I think I have only completed one project so far,  and it's quite simple.

A simple little gift tag:

A little triangle Christmas Tree, date and month stamps, a glittery flourish and a bit of ribbon.  Simple Numbers stamp set, available from Gina K Designs.  Not much else to say.  It feels good to get inky again after the Holiday and guests!  :)

This tag will be entered in the following Challenges:

Penny Black December Challenge to use Traditional Christmas Colors.

Curtain Call Christmas Countdown Challenge.

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, With A Flourish.

Hope you all enjoyed your Holiday.

Now on to Christmas!

Merry Merry!

Score It, Pierce It, Color It!

Good Sunday Morning!  Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving for those who celebrate!  I did, and today's menu will consist of making turkey soup and homemade bread.  And by homemade I mean dragging out my bread maker! 

Today's card is for the Flourishes Challenge #248, Score It, Pierce It, Color It.

 

The stamp set is That's A Wrap, available from Flourishes.  I have only seen this ribbon/bow image vertically, so of course I had to change it up a bit.  I kind of like this perspective.  I treated myself to a couple of new paper packs by American Crafts, Wonderland and Kringle & Co.  Just perfect for the Holiday Season!  There are 3 scored lines at the top of my card, which you can barely see and paper piercing on the bottom.  Copic Markers used to color the images and some Baker's Twine to complete the design.  Spellbinder Classic Oval dies for the layered sentiment, which is stamped in Riding Hood Red ink from Stampin' Up!  And a bit of Stickles in Paprika.

 

There is still plenty of time to enter into this Timeless Tuesday Challenge.

 

Oooooh and Happy 100th Post to me!

 

Enjoy~~