Heavy Metal

Good Afternoon!  What a great day, just drove North for two hours to pick up my beautiful Mom to share this lovely Thanksgiving week.  I am so happy, so grateful, so lucky!  Happy Thanksgiving to you all, may you be surrounded by love and turkey!  :)

Creative Corner has a Heavy Metal Challenge this week.  Add something metallic to your project.  I added a couple of things to mine.

 

My metallic items are the 2 silver jingle bells and the wire star I wrapped on top of my tree.  Just took some ordinary wire and using my Thing A Ma Jig (a wire wrapping pegboard) I created the star quite easily.  The Christmas Tree was created by cutting out 3 triangles, gluing together and then coating them in chunky white glitter.  I also sprayed with the Krylon Workable Fixatif to prevent the glitter from shaking off.  Works like a charm!  Designer papers by My Mind's Eye, Hattie Papers and Lost & Found.  Stamp sets by Gina K Designs, Wishing You Joy and Merry Little Christmas.  A little ribbon, and a little twine.  

 

I really love the whole flavor of this card.  Rock On!  (get it?) 

 

Happy Thanksgiving, travel safely and be well!

Naughty Or Nice?!?!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....well not quite just yet, but totally in the card making department.

I used that great Sketch again from the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and combined it with the Stamp TV Challenge to make a monochromatic project and the Great Impressions November Challenge, Holiday Card or Tag.

And here is what I came up with:

 

He is a Jolly Old Soul!  The stamps are from the Wishing You Joy set available from Gina K Designs.  Stamped in Riding Hood Red ink from Stampin' Up!  I fussy cut the die stamp shape and added layers using Scalloped Circles by Spellbinders, and Santa is stamped on a Classic Circle die.  I like the way the scalloped circle is just a tad smaller than the stamped die image, leaving a little bit of a white pattern all around.  See it?  Just a teeny tiny bit.  Designer Papers by Echo Park, Holly Jolly Christmas and Season's Greetings.  The sentiment is white embossing powder.  I then added glitter to Santa's hat and beard, I neglected his mustache but I think he looks just fine. 

 

Check out these Challenges, it's so easy to create with GREAT products and GREAT sketches!

 

Ho Ho Ho!  Come again!  (pretty please!)

 

Oh and in case you were wondering.....I will not be checking off the box until I figure out WHO I will be sending this to.....now who's naughty!?!?  lol 



Wintry Sketch

Such a perfect mix;  Flourishes Challenge #247, Winter Scenes, this fabulous Sketch from Heather over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog, and the Great Impressions November Challenge, Holiday Card Or Tag.

And here is what I have created.

I used the gorgeous Partridge in a Pear Tree image from the Holiday Topiaries set available at Flourishes.  This image was really fun to color, a little Christmas music in the background to set the mood, Fa La La La La.  The designer papers are Holly Jolly Christmas from Echo Park (another pad I am running low on).  Colored with Copic Markers, a couple of eyelets, and some chunky white glitter, topped with a bit of extra fine glitter to give the 'snow' more of a pretty sparkle.

Still a wee bit of time left in all Challenges, check them out, you'll be glad you did!

Enjoy~~

Jingle Bell

I did it!  I made a good looking CAS card!  Or maybe I didn't?  (but I think I did!)  lol  Let's see what they have to say over at CASology #71 Bell.

This stamp is from the Flourishes set, That's A Wrap.  Stamped onto ivory card stock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with Copic Markers.  A touch of sparkle added to the star and dots with Sakura pens.  That's all she wrote.  (a favorite quote from my Nana Amy while playing cribbage!)  :)

Of course I do have to line the inside cover of this card as the Copics did bleed through, it is only #110 stock.  No worries!

Have a fantastic day and as always, thanks so much for stopping by!  Happy Crafting!

It's A Mystery.......To Me

Simon Says Stamp, Monday Challenge, It's A Mystery.....well at least to me.

I still have a handful of stamps from, Impression Obsession, that I am looking for  their proper names. I have posted my request on their Face Book page and emailed them, they must be VERY busy!  This is a mystery stamp to me.....but I love it!  Reminds me of Joan Anderson's book, A Year By The Sea.....I could sooooooo live here, well if it had electricity and indoor plumbing!  :)

I do LOVE this seaside shack stamp!  Colored with many Copic markers.  Nothing else added, thought it would just make a super cute 'hello' kind of card.  Last year I did douse this same image all in glitter and added more reds and greens.  Made quite a cute Christmas card.

There's a couple of days left in this Challenge, so check it out!

Enjoy~~

Pretty Pastels

Here's a little pastel Christmas card for the Challenge over at Card Crafter's Circle, #101 Tread Lightly, use pastel colors. 

 

I used Gina K Designs stamps, Wishing You Joy and Merry & Bright.  I masked the actual ornament portion of the stamp so I could use these pastel buttons instead.  Super easy!  Cut out a little shape on my Cameo, and added some Copic colored adhesive pearls.  Almost a CAS card!  :)

 

Short and sweet.

 

Enjoy your day!



And Still It Snows

I am enjoying this snow series of cards.  No shoveling required!

Today's card is for the CMC Challenge, Wintry, Frosty, Cold.  To me nothing looks colder than a garden put to sleep for winter.  I think I have captured the chill of it all!

 

Several Gina K Designs stamps used here, Heartfelt, Home Tweet Home, and Tree Silhouettes.  I fussy cut the fence out, trees and birdhouse are stamped directly to paper.  Using my glue pad (again!) I covered the entire panel in Extra Fine Glitter, sprayed with a Workable Fixatiff and then heat set.  It just sets my teeth to chattering.  Such a chilly stark landscape......brrrrrrrrr.   Snowflake brad and pretty ice cold blue ribbon complete the design.

 

Hope it warms up for tomorrow!  lol

 

Thanks for taking a peek!

 



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

But only on Christmas Eve, Christmas Morning and New Year's Eve......AFTER everyone is where they should be.  Yup, that works!

A nice snowy wreath for you today in celebration of the upcoming season and for the Impression Obsession, Challenge Holiday Cards, Tags & Gifts.

My card uses a beautiful wreath from Impression Obsession.  (I believe)  I bought several un-mounted red rubber stamps a few years ago and do not have any of the packaging nor the proper names of the stamps.  I am trying to track them down now, so when I do I will edit this post and others if necessary.



Lately I have found myself making Christmas cards in the non-traditional colors.  As you can see here, I have used a great deal of red and yellow.  The stamp was colored with many various Copic markers, fun and tedious all at once.  After coloring, I took my handy dandy glue ink pad by Tsukineko and patted the image all over the glue pad, making sure to cover the entire colored image. Then I shook about a cup full of Recollections (Michael's Brand) Extra Fine Glitter in Glitz.  Shook off the excess and then sprayed Krylon Workable Fixatiff all over that, to ensure that ALL of that glitter stays on the card and doesn't end up in the envelope.  I love the Fixatiff, works like a charm.  If you do use it, spray outside as it has a powerful odor.  Potent!  But the odor does not stay on the card, which is always a plus!  I then heat set it all so I could work with a dry image.  I also added some Liquid pearls to the little berry images, gives it a 3D effect.  Added a ribbon and bow, and done!

I have been covering EVERYTHING lately in glitter, it looks so great in real life!

 

So I don't mind the snow as long at it's on a card, or on special days and nights.  What's not to love?

 

Thanks for stopping by!



Winter View

It's so nice to be inside on a snowy wintry day, clutching a cup of hot cocoa or coffee, nowhere to go, listening to the silent fall of snow.  Today's card features the beautifully detailed image, Winter View, by Impression Obsession and will be entered into their Challenge, Holiday Cards, Tags, & Gifts as well as the Let It Snow Challenge over at the Creative Corner. 

 

I absolutely love this window stamp  with it's beautiful potted trees.  Again, after coloring the image I used my glue pad and then doused it all in Extra Fine Glitter, sprayed with a Workable Fixatiff and then heat set.  Stamped, colored and fussy cut out a bough of pine sprig, added a few berries using Liquid Pearls.  Brick Wall embossing folder, holly ribbon complete with red adhesive rhinestones and I was done.  Love it!

 

Thanks for coming by, hope to see you again tomorrow!

 

Enjoy~~

Pick A Sketch..... Any Skecth.....Both Sketches! :)

I can't believe I almost forgot to participate in the Flourishes #246 Pick A Sketch Challenge.  Phew!

So without further ado......

Two GREAT Sketches to choose from!  So of course I chose BOTH!

One of the beautiful image from the Holiday Topiaries set from Flourishes.  So fun and festive to color.  Grabbed what is left of my Echo Park Season's Greetings paper (must find more!)  A doily, Martha Stewart border punch a few enamel brads and Ta Da!  This pretty little card was whipped up in no time, it's all because of that FUN Sketch!

And on to card number 2, Sketch # 2.

 

Decided to try my hand at a masculine themed card.  I used the Mountain View set available from Flourishes.  I colored and paper pieced the image.  Added a bit of sparkly snow to the mountain top.  Some texture to match the designer paper.  Washi Tape layered on a plain blue ribbon and a purple enamel brad to match the mountain backdrop.  Another easy card compliments of the FAB sketch.

 

There are still several hours left in this Challenge, you should head on over!

 

Have a good one my crafty Friends!

So Thankful

What a fabulous time of year.  Seasons changing, temperatures are cooling down, sometimes downright chilly, the hustle and bustle of the holidays fast approaching.  I kind of love it all!    And the best part you will probably be spending more time with loved ones, and for that I am truly grateful!

Today's card is for the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, Thanks/Thanksgiving.

I just grabbed every color card stock I love, black, teal, green, white....it's all here.....and I think it all kind of works....well if you squint!  The sentiment is from the Flourishes set, Dahlias.  The bird is a free online svg, cut using my Cameo.   Fiskars border punch and a couple of enamel brads in green and white to finish it off.   Small polka dot ribbon is from Gina K Designs.

Unconventional colors but I just LOVE them together!  Hope you do as well.

Oh and I am also thankful for all of the wonderful people I have 'met' through stamping.  Especially you wonderful ladies who support me and others with their Blogging efforts.  You're the BEST!!!

Loving that bird!  :)

Enjoy~~

Easy Bookmark

I had forgotten how easy these are to make and how nice they look once done.  I'm sure you could whip up a batch of these in time for Holiday giving.  Put them with books or with gift cards for books, makes a nice set.

This is for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, Got Ink?

I cut some chipboard style card stock 2" x 6" as the base.  Covered the back portion with a pretty little DP.  Cut another piece of white 110# card stock to the same size and that is what I stamped on.  Using several ink pads I sponged color to my liking, blending with each new color added.  Then in London Fog I stamped the pretty single flower from the Anemones stamp set available at Flourishes.   The sentiment, from the same set, was stamped in Tuxedo Black.  A pink enamel brad as the flower center, punched a hole in the top and added a deep pink eyelet, topped off with what I call my 'clown' ribbon.  Super easy, super quick. 

Still plenty of time to play in this Challenge, so grab some ink!

Thanks for stopping by, appreciate you doing so!

 

CAS---Egads!

I still have not figured this style of card out!  BUT, in time I hope too.  I just won Tami Mayberry's challenge.  What a FABULOUS prize!  It will be as if she is making a house-call!  WHAHOO!

Maybe come the New year I will have mastered this technique....(if you could only hear how loud I am laughing).  There is always HOPE!

Here is my CAS card that will be entered in the following Challenges:

CASology #70 Triangle  
Curtain Call CASual Christmas   
Delicious Doodles #62 CAS

 

Just a sweet little Christmas Tree.  I am sure you recognize it as I made a handful of the same design.  :)  Found this great little Tim Holtz tinsel ribbon, just perfect for setting the Holiday mood and decorating my tree.   Included a JOY banner, you MUST know why by now!  And it's done.

 

No matter what, I will not give up on a CAS challenge or design!  I'll just keep trying until I get it right.

 

Merry Merry!



Grab A Cup, Or What Have You......

Good Morning! 

If you're like me you start your day with a little bit of liquid courage. 

Uhm, that would be COFFEE!  And what better Challenge to participate in then this one from Flourishes, for their November Release, Grab A Cup.  Now before I go any further, although I drink a pot of coffee everyday.....NO judging!  I don't have any coffee style stamps, how odd!  So here is the fabulous Photo Inspiration Flourishes has provided.  I think once you see it you will get my card's connection.

 

mmmmm I can almost smell that deep rich goodness from here!

 

 

So I totally went with the beautiful colors and shades of the blues and browns.   I used the lovely, Star Of Bethlehem, stamp set from Flourishes.  I am in love with this set, truly!  Fabulous corresponding designer papers from My Mind's Eye, Stella & Rose.  Found this great ribbon in my stash, corner tabs, Copic colored adhesive pearls, and lots of Circles cut using Spellbinders dies.  I also used a wee bit of a bronze Sakura glitter pen on the wispy leaves.  I think the sentiment, Warm Winter Wishes also conveys the feeling and flavor of the Inspiration Photo! 

 

So thanks for stopping by, time for a refill! 

 

ENJOY~~



The Stockings Were Hung........

Another CAS Challenge.  I think you're all out to get me!  lol

This card is for the Simon Says Stamp, Wednesday Challenge, Keep It Clean And Simple.

This card is VERY clean and EXTREMELY simple.

 

Stockings were cut using my Cameo.  The designer paper is by Core'Dinations, Glamorous Glitter. I used a snowflake embossing folder for the background and the white portion of the stocking.  I did sand down the background piece a bit to let the white shine through to add a bit more depth.  And that's pretty much it.

 

No words of wisdom, no helpful crafting tips......nada.   This post is very clean and simple as well. 

 

Be Well!

Let's Be Negative

But only for a card!  :)  My card for you today is not CAS and is not really negative, in accent only! After yesterday's post I welcome all of these layers with open arms!  Ahhhhhh!

This is for the Flourishes Challenge, #245, Negative Energy, to use a negative die cut shape.  FUN!!!  It adds such a different look to your card.  LOVE it!

I used 2 sets of stamps from Flourishes, the sentiment is from, Star Of Bethlehem, and the beautiful Holly is from It's A Wrap.   I created my 'frame' by cutting out 2 tags with my Cameo, 2 different sizes layering quite close together.  Covered in glue and sprinkled with a ton of Martha Stewart glitter.  It is so shiny and sparkly in real life.  Love it!!! I also sprayed it with Krylon Workable Fixatif, so the glitter stays on the card and not in the envelope, works like a charm!    The designer papers are by Echo Park, Season's Greetings.   I found this wonderful glitter ribbon in my stash and one of my home made poinsettias.  The other day I made a bazillion of white ones and one red one, just perfect for this card.  A glorious red ribbon from Gina K Designs and Ta Da.  It is complete.

So remember, creating with negativity doesn't have to be a bad thing!  :)

Thanks for stopping by, hope your day is anything but negative!

Clean And Simple, With A Hint Of Brown

Good Morning! 

Well we all know how much I struggle with CAS and this card clearly displays that!  Sometimes I am just at a loss with this whole clean and simple process.  I don't get it very often, I love my layers and my designer papers, I think I like to hide behind them or something.  :)  Not sure why, but it gets me every time!  Now with that build up, here's my uhm.....beautiful....yeah beautiful card.  Yeah, that's the ticket!  lol

Here's the CASology Challenge, Week 69, Brown........nailed it!  hahahahaha

 

Just a lonely little Christmas Tree in the woods.  I used the Cuttlebug wood grain embossing folder to add texture, then swiped over it with a Frost White ColorBox ink, to add a bit of depth to the look.  The tree is a simple triangle, cut out in chipboard and topped with a piece of designer paper.  The sentiment is a random cling stamp, may even be a $1 stamp, not sure.  I have all my first inexpensive stamps in cd cases, no packaging, no labels......have no clue WHO they are.  Seemed like such a good idea in the early days of stamping and organizing.   Eek!  :)  And that's my card.  I did outline the tree stump with a white gel pen so you could at least see it against the brown background.  Yay me!  lol

 

Let's hope tomorrow brings something just a wee bit more interesting, aye?

 

Hope you have a clean and simple kind of day, though.....no complications!

 

Thanks for popping in!

 

ENJOY~~

Ho Ho Ho

I know it's only November 9th, but Christmas will be here before you know it.  EEK!

Today's card is my version of the Santa one that is all the rage.  It's cute.....it's easy....and even my Husband 'got it'  LOL

 

Tami Mayberry has a great little Challenge going on, Core'dinations CAS.  I used Core'dinations Solid-Dyed Core Card Stock in red and black and also their Glamorous Glitter Premium Card Stock for Santa's beard and buckle.  Cuttlebug Embossing Folders, Swiss Dots and Swirls, and 3 black adhesive pearls.  After I embossed the red card stock I sanded it down a bit and then swiped a ColorBox Frost White ink pad over it.   I like the way it looks aged and a bit frosty.  His beard is so sparkly!  

 

There's still some time left to play in this Challenge! 

Peace ~ Love ~ Joy

The other day I just started making Poinsettias.  Had no idea what I was going to do with them, but I knew a card was in the making. 

This card is for the Simon Says Stamp, Monday Challenge, Patchwork.  I created a very simple patchwork background and then added my home made accents.

 

The poinsettia was created by combing 8 "leaves" cut out with my Cameo.  I layered them together and then using a 2 Way Zig Glue pen, traced an outline of the petals and added some fine glitter and rhinestone adhesive in the center.   The Christmas Tree is just a simple triangle, cut from chipboard covered with a pretty Christmas DP and several green adhesive rhinestones.  The pretty Wreath was made by using Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Circle dies, super easy, also cut out from chipboard and covered with another Christmas DP, added several red adhesive rhinestones and a small twine bow to complete the wreath.

 

The stamp is from the Merry Little Christmas set, available at Gina K Designs.  It happens to be a favorite of mine!  Added a couple of green eyelets and done!  :)

 

I made a pile of the Poinsettias, so I am sure you will be seeing more and more of them!

 

Fa La La La La.........

 

Thanks for popping in!  Enjoy your day!

Home For The Holidays

There's no place like home for the Holidays.  Right?  I think we all can agree on that!  Whatever your traditions, however many relatives you can jam under your roof, it's a time for love and laughter.  I LOVE Christmas......I truly do!  I remember when we were little my brothers would make me go downstairs and retrieve the stockings, I was more than HAPPY to do that!  They would lie in their warm cozy beds and open up their socks full of trinkets, while I sat on the hard, cold linoleum floor.  Can you tell I was the baby of the family?  :)  As soon as the last of the wrapping paper had hit the floor, they'd roll right over while I just wanted them to ooh and aah over my new Barbie.  Men!  lol

Sorry sometimes when I walk down memory lane I get lost.....but I'm back now.

Today's card is for a few Challenges:

Curtain Call, Welcome Home 

Penny Black, November Challenge

Simon Says Stamp, Anything Goes 

 

 

This beautiful stamp is part of the Home For The Holidays set available at Flourishes.  Colored with various Copic Markers.  I also used some Sakura pens to add a little sparkle, green throughout the vines, copper for the pine cones and hanging ornament, and red for the berries and doormat JOY (my most favorite word, in case you did not know!)  I also added some fine glitter to the stoop to mimic the sparkle of fresh fallen snow.   Background shape cut with my Cameo, and Swiss Dots Embossing Folder.  Even the Hubby liked this card, so that's saying something!  :)

 

Definitely some time left on these Challenges, you should go check them out!

 

Until next time......enjoy~~

 



Smooth As Glass

Today's card is a Masculine one.  Almost as tricky as a CAS for me to make, BUT with helpful coloring and shading tutorials from Theresa Momber, I am enjoying making them more and more.

This card will be entered into the following Challenges:

CMC #80, Dudes, Guys, Masculine

Penny Black November Challenge, Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, Anything Goes

Using Theresa's tutorial and guidelines I was pleased with how well this actually came out.  If I can follow her step by step directions, I am sure you will have NO issues creating a beautiful scene!   The stamps are from the Follow Your Dreams set available at  Gina K Designs.  It's a great masculine set and one I pull out often.  Spellbinders Grommet Tags dies and some Jute Twine to finish it off. 

This card measures 5.5" x 5.5".

As always, thanks so much for stopping by.

Be Creative~~

Just Chillin'

Good Afternoon!  Hope you're all rested with that extra hour of sleep!  I know I made good use of my bonus time. 

Today's card is for a Sketch Challenge over at JUGS, hosted by our Gal Pal, Sharyn.  This will also be entered in to the Challenges at Simon Says Stamp, Wednesday Challenge and Penny Black, November Challenge, both Anything Goes. 

Here's Sharyn's Sketch:

 

I knew I wanted to make a Christmas card as the clock is ticking.  It's going to be here before you know it.  People are going to panic when they realize how late Thanksgiving is, and then realize that Christmas is less than 4 weeks after.  EEK!  You have been warned!  lol

 

 

I just fell in love with this snowman from Gina K Designs, Let It Snow stamp set.   He's just so COOL!  And cute!  I used some great paper from Basic Grey, Nordic Holiday.  (and I almost actually lined it all up, grrrr.....oh well).  Lightly colored with Copic Markers.  Sakura Star Pen adds a touch of glitz to the embossed snowflakes and his buttons.  Paper punched snowflakes and corner tabs and a button to complete the layout.  He is just one cool dude!

 

Plenty of time to play in the Challenges, hope to see you there.

 

Thanks so much for popping by!

 

 

Enjoy your afternoon and evening!