Sending Hugs and Kisses

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  Christmas is over and I am done with Christmas cards this year.  But, I still have my December card kit from Simon Says Stamp.  I only got to make a few cards with it, so I thought I would revisit it.   I wanted to make something with it even though Christmas was over.  It was a stretch, but this is what I came up with. 

The stamp set that was in the kit was for Christmas, but I was sure I could pull something else out of it.  It had these big X's and O's,  aka hugs and kisses, and this cute little heart.  I kind of pieced them all together to send a non-Christmas message.  I stamped the hearts in Memento Luxe ink, Love Letter.  I love this ink.  I had seen several people use it in videos and decided to try it for myself.  Glad I did.  The silver striped border is the washi tape that comes in the kit.  It's very thin, making it very handy for borders and such.   The patterned paper was also from the kit.  The little girl is from Stampendous.  I found her in a stack of images I had previously stamped, colored, and cut out.   In this photograph the reds on her look much more orange than that of the paper and the hearts.  In my craft room, they look great together.  Thank you modern technology and not-so-great lighting! Lol.   To rectify the situation I coated the little heart I put in her hand and her skirt with the Wink of Stella glitter brush.  Glitter makes everything ok, right? It's kind of like ice cream?

I left the inside blank so it could be for any occasion that you just wanted to send someone some love. I have always used the O's and X's as hugs and kisses.  My daughter came back here and looked at my card.  She studied it for a minute and finally said, "hugs and kisses?"  Hmm..yes, it has nothing to do with anything bovine.  Although, I'm sure someone would appreciate some oxen, just no one I know..lol.   I guess I should have done it XOXO, but then that would be kisses and hugs, and I always say hugs and kisses.   

Ok, so maybe I missed the mark with this one, but it was fun to make.  The new January card kit has already come in and I can't wait to get to work on it.  I also have the new card kit from Close to My Heart, Cloud 9, I am getting ready to play in as well.  As soon as I get some more done I'll be sure and post. 

 I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful New Year's holiday!  Thanks for stopping by!

Merry Christmas!

A quick post tonight.  I hope everyone has had a safe and enjoyable Christmas.  I thought I would share my last Christmas card of the season.  I'm kind of sad to see the last of my wintry friends.  I had to get one more penguin card in this season.

The stamp is Penguin Pair from Stampendous.  I just think these guys are adorable.  I colored them with Copics.  The snowflake border on the White Daisy strip was made with a Martha Stewart border punch.  My new found love are these little poinsettias.  This is a die from Poppystamps.com.  These flowers are just the right size for cards.  My only complaint, and it is a very small one, is that all the pieces are connected.  But they are tiny, and if they weren't connected  I would never find them all. 

I used prisma glitter on the big snowflake, Eliza, and I used it on the fallout from the boarder punch.  I took the tiny snowflakes from there and coated them with glue and then prisma glitter.  The red cardstock is our retired Tulip.  The blue snowflakes paper was from my stash and I have no idea where it came from. 

Because this card also has sparkly, glittery things on it I'll be posting it on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge. 

Once again, Merry Christmas everyone!  Thanks for stopping by! 

Magnolia Christmas Card

Happy Sunday everyone!  I have another Christmas card I wanted to share with you.   It is a Magnolia card, but not the big southern flower you may normally think of.  It's Tilda from Magnolia Stamps.  I love these little stamps.  I have an Easter/Spring stamp and then this Christmas stamp.  I have waited all year to make a card with her!  Much like the last card I posted it's not my normal style, but I think it's in me somewhere deep down.  I try to coax it out with cookies.  It doesn't always work, but who doesn't like cookies ? So, it's a win win situation as far as I'm concerned. Lol.

This is a 6x6 card.  I did a stash raid on this one.  The papers are from an old DCWV Christmas stack.  I love the dotted gold paper in there.  The stamp is from Magnolia stamps.  I colored her with my Copics and then, as usual, I covered areas with my Wink of Stella glitter brush.  The snowflakes were cut with some of the new snowflakes dies from Simon Says Stamp.  I believe these are Ashlynn, Eliza, and Maryanne.  I'm absolutely in love with them all.  The snowflake border trim is a Martha Stewart border punch.  The sentiment is from CTMH stamp set  Perfect Fit-Holidays.  I stamped it in New England Ivy and Tulip (retired).  The red cardstock is also retired Tulip.  The poinsettias were in my stash, too.     

By the time I got to the inside of the card, I didn't really think it needed much.  The sentiment is from a Hero Arts set of Christmas sentiments and I stamped it in New England Ivy.  The papers and snowflake are repeated from the outside.  It's hard to tell from the photo, but the gold paper I used has a polka-dotted pattern that almost makes it twinkle.  

Because this card features a Magnolia stamp and snowflakes, I'm going to enter it into the Stamp & Create with Magnolia blog challenge: Winter Snowflakes.   And because it does have a bit of shine and some sparkle,  I'm going to enter it into the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Bling it On. 

That's it for me for the moment.  I'm going to head to the craft table and see what I can get done before my house starts getting busy again.  Thanks for stopping by!

More Whimsy for Christmas

I got a few new stamps from Whimsy Stamps and I have just been dying to use them.  This past weekend I stamped up several images and tried coloring them in all different ways.   I originally was going to try my hand at distress marker watercoloring.  But for the life of me, I can't seem to make that work.  I'm sure it's operator error, but I'm going to blame the paper!  I'll try that again at a later time.  I had stamped this little image on watercolor color paper, so I used my watercolor pencils to color her in.    This Wee stamp is called Berry.   Isn't she cute?

This is a 5x7 card I cut from White Daisy cardstock. I stamped my image using Versafine Onxy Black ink on some 140# cold press watercolor paper I got from HL.   I used both my CTMH and Derwent watercolor pencils to color her in. And even though you can't see it in the photo, I used my clear Wink of Stella glitter brush on her scarf and boot cuffs. (I'm absolutely in love with my Wink of Stella glitter brush!) I think it gives just the right amount of delicate sparkle.  I cut out several snowflakes using my new Simon Says Stamp snowflakes dies.  These dies cut beautifully. I used Ashlynn, Kate, Eliza, and Maryanne (yes, these are snowflake names, how cute!) Some I cut from White Daisy cardstock and then brushed on some Mod Podge and dusted them with CTMH's Prisma Glitter.  I added a couple of small sparkle flourishes from CTMH along with some ribbon and roses from my stash.  The sentiment is from the CTMH stamp set Christmas Love and is stamped in Crystal Blue.   

I was trying another angle to see if it would pick up more sparkle.  Not sure I was successful, but I tried.  This card was a different kind of card for me, but it was certainly fun to make.  Because my card has snowflakes I'll be entering it on the SSS Wednesday Challenge Blog.   The theme this week is "Let it Snow!"  

That's it for me tonight.  I'm hoping to have some more coloring and cards done soon. Back to the craft table for me!  

Thanks for stopping by!

Merry & Bright Snowman

Just a quick post tonight.  Here's another one of the digi stamps I printed out and colored this past weekend.  I thought this little guy was cute, too.  Sadly, I'm not sure where he came from.  If I had to guess he was a Pinterest find.

I was inspired by a card from Kristina Werner's Holiday 2013 series.  I used Neenah Desert Storm for my card base.  It's a standard sized side fold card.   The sentiment is from SSS and called Merry Trees.   I colored my little guy with Copics after printing him out.  I fussy cut him and attached him with some 3d foam adhesive.  I used the little snowflake stamp from CTMH Polar Bear Holiday set to make a trail of snowflakes across the card face.  It's hard to tell from the picture, but I used the Stardust Glitter Glitz Gel again on the snowflakes for a little added twinkle. I finished the card off with some CTMH Cranberry baker's twine and some faux stitching with my white gel pen.  

This was another fun card.  This little fellow makes me smile.  That's it for me tonight.  Thanks for stopping by! 

My Whimsy Owl

This weekend, in between the thousands of other things I had to do,  I found a little time to color some digi stamps I had that I had never used.  The first one I just recently acquired from Whimsy Stamps.  They have Friday Freebies and  that's where I nabbed this little guy.  

I think he was called something about camping out.  I thought he needed to be a Christmas owl.  My daughter asked me why his wings were red.  Hmmm...because he has on a Christmas cardigan to match his hat.  That's my story ..and I'm sticking to it!  

I colored him with Copics , fussy cut him, and then coated his eyes with liquid glass.   I had a piece of  scrap craft cardstock on my desk, so I used my scissors and cut out a little branch.  Using a fine tip pen, I drew the Christmas lights around it, then colored them in with Copics.  I used the same pen to draw the border. The little snowflakes are from the Polar Bear Holiday stamp set.   I second generation stamped them in Dutch Blue.  The sentiment is from the Simon Says Stamp December card kit stamp set appropriately named, Big Holiday Wishes.  My daughter told me it lacked sparkle, so I added just a little Stardust Glitz glitter gel around the snowflakes.   I think it was just enough sparkle to give it what it needed.  This was one of those cards that didn't really start out with a plan.  I just kept adding and doing until I thought it was done.  

That's it for me tonight.   Hope everyone had a great start to their week.  Thanks for stopping by! 

  

Christmas Penguins

A quick post tonight.  Before  the OCC Holiday Workshop started I had made this card and didn't get a chance to post it.  While out and about Christmas shopping with my friend, Kim, we stumbled upon this darling wood mounted stamp by Stampendous called Penguin Pair.  The minute I saw it I knew I had to have it.  

Aren't they just stinking cute?  I went back and forth with putting a frame around this circle window I cut into my card front.  I finally ended up with just doing some faux stitching with a fine tip journaling pen.  The sentiment is from Close to My Heart's  Ornamental Cheer stamp set. I colored the penguins with Copics markers.  I realized after I had colored them that they needed some color on this white card, so I trimmed the card down 1/8" on each side and then 1/4" on the bottom and mounted the whole card onto a standard sized piece of red cardstock.  

Here on the inside, you can see all of this cute little couple. The inside sentiment is from the Merry & Bright stamp set. 

That's it for tonight. I just wanted to share my little penguins.  I am still enamoured with them, so you may not have seen the last of them.  

I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday this Thanksgiving.  Thanks for stopping by !

Online Card Class Day 5

There are so many cards to try and so little time :(  I did manage to get two cards done from the Day 5 assignments.  These cards were inspired by  two lovely cards by Kelly Rasmussen.    They were supposed to be 'His and Her' cards, but I'm not really sure I accomplished that..lol.  I never end up with what I start out to make.

I think they may have turned out just two different styles rather than masculine and feminine.  Her cards had a wonderful curve at the bottom of one and a bracket on the other one.  I didn't have either of those dies so I went old school.  That's right....the dinner plate ;)   For the one on the left I used Ruby cardstock and patterned paper from the Sparkle and Shine paper pack.  I used the silver washi tape for the bottom of the card that peeks out from under the Ruby. 

 I also cut my star from paper I had covered in the silver washi ( I really love that stuff !)   The banners were cut from a die from SSS called Folded Banner.  It's a perfect size for most sentiments.  The sentiment is from the A Holiday stamp set.  I stamped it in versamark and then embossed it in silver.  I used my CTMH silver metallic marker and outlined the tree.  

I'm not sure either of these cards qualify as gender specific, but this one is just a little more fun than the other one.  The chevron stamp is from My Mind's Eye and I used CTMH Pear pigment ink.  The cardstock is Neenah Desert Storm and CTMH Pear.  I outlined this one with my Signo white gel pen.  I cut the star from some scrap yellow pearlized paper. I used the same banner die and sentiment, but with Cranberry cardstock and AC white embossing powder.  

These cards were fun.  I can't wait to try some of the other ones from today.  That's it for me tonight.  For real this time :)  Thanks for stopping by!

Online Card Class Day 4 Round 2

Just a quick post tonight.   I made another card from the Day 4 lessons in the Online Card Class Holiday Workshop.  They have so many talented designers on there.  My card below was inspired by Kelly Marie Alvarez's tall skinny "With Love" card.  I love the design.  Hers was a top fold, but I did mine with a left side fold.  

I used CTMH Cranberry cardstock and Neenah Desert Storm.  The stamp is from a stamp of the month called Poster Tidings.  The inspiration card had a more personalized message but I didn't have any fonts the right size.  I used White Daisy ink and then AC White embossing powder.  The coverage wasn't quite as good as I would have wanted it, but it wasn't too bad.  I am still in search of a great white embossing powder.  I used a makeup applicator and colored in the Joy and Noel with Cranberry ink. 

I just liked the shape of this card.  I don't normally make them in odd sizes, so this was fun.  That's it for Day 4.  I'll be back with some more Day 5 cards. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Online Card Class Day 4

Another great day full of techniques and inspiration in the card class.  I haven't had a chance but to make a few cards for the class.   The first two cards were by Shari Carroll.   Although I didn't exactly follow the "stretch your stamps" theme, I did follow the design and techniques.

I loved the colors in Shari's cards.  Although, I didn't have those colors, I did find some kind of close. The paper I used is from an old K&Co paper pack.  I had never used it and thought this might be the perfect time.  The tree stamp is from SSS called Merry Trees.   I stamped my trees in Juniper, Topiary, Crystal Blue, and Sky.    This is not a normal color combination for me, but I think it kind of worked for this paper. 

The way the light hits the card, it almost makes the sentiment go away.  I stamped the sentiment from CTMH's Merry and Bright stamp set in versamark ink.  I used our silver embossing powder and heat set.   Here's a better angle to see the sentiment. 

The little twine bow was kind of an afterthought.  Meaning I had put the card together before I wrapped my twine around the card face.  So, I added a little line of glue across the paper and just laid my twine on there.  I was going to carefully tuck the ends under the card and glue them in place.  But I decided to just leave them kind of hanging off the sides, because, well, it's  my card and I can do that! Lol.

The other card is stamped in Crystal Blue ink with the Blessings of Peace stamp set.  I used the stamp set Christmas Joy for the sentiment on it. 

I added a banner of our silver shimmer trim.  The sparkles are from Studio G.  I just scattered those on both cards.  

I also made another card based on this design.  I was in the coloring mood.  I had a Christmas paper pack from DCWV that I had never used as well (I'm beginning to see a pattern..hmm).  I tried my hand at a more traditional card. 

The horn stamp is from the Yuletide Greetings stamp set.  I stamped it in Memento ink and colored the image with copics.  I used our gold embossing powder for the sentiment.  Same design, very different card. 

That's it for me tonight. I'm hoping I can get a few more cards from class done.  Wish me luck! lol. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Online Card Class Day 3

Just a quick post tonight.  I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.   I'm a little behind with my Online Card Class assignments, which is par for the course for me.  I totally skipped Day 2.   Not to say that I won't come back to it, but for now I am working on Day 3.   I managed to get three cards done..yay!  This day was packed full of techniques and ideas.  And as usual I didn't come close to trying them all, but here is a few that I did.

The first card I put together went really fast.  Mainly, because I cheated..lol.  The inspiration card by Laura Bassen was a beautiful handstamped plaid technique.   After a few attempts, I went with printed paper.

I had a leftover cut out Noel from the last card I did using the negative space.  I then took our Ruby alcohol marker and lightly went around the edges to give it a little bit more depth.  The cardstock is Ruby and Juniper and the paper is from the Sparkle and Shine paper pack.  Super simple card.  Well, my version is anyway..lol. 

The next one was inspired by Jennifer Rzasa's card.  She did a sort of quilled tree.  I thought I would try my hand at it.  This is probably not classified as quilling, but it does use tiny strips of paper. 

I used 1/4" strips of paper in Juniper and Ruby.  I just hand shaped the leaves and then filled them in with the rolled pieces of paper.  I used Tombow liquid glue to adhere them to the page.  At first I thought it was going to be tedious work, but it really wasn't. The sentiment  is from the Frosted WotG cardmaking kit.  The paper and washi tape are from the sparkle and shine collection.  

The card below was inspired by a card by Shari Carroll.  I love her style.  In no way can I do it like she does, but I gave it my best shot. 

Again everything is in Ruby and Juniper (it's what I have on my desk..lol).  I loved the curved bottom of her card.  I didn't have the die, so I just freehanded the curve.  The mesh ribbon on the far left is from the SSS stamp set, Best Mom Ever.  The sentiment is from A Holiday.  The little tree is from the Sparkle and Shine Dimensional Elements.  Most everything on this card is scraps.  I love it when it works out that way.  The little sequins were some I had in my stash.  When I put them on I felt like they got a little lost in the background so I added a bitty sparkle to the center of each one. 

These cards were fun. I can't wait to see what comes next in the class. I'm going to try to steal some time and get some more done, so check back by.   

Thanks for stopping in!

Online Card Class Day 1 Round 2

Another project from the class was to use the negative and positive of the same image on a card.  The class card was by Joy Taylor.  Here's my take on that design.  This is actually the first stage of this card.  I wasn't quite sure about it so I kept adding.  You'll see what I mean :)

This was a very simple design, well, mine was anyway..lol.  I cut the Noel using the Artiste Cricut cartridge from Ruby cardstock.  I used the negative image of that cut and layered over the candy striped B&T from the Sparkle and Shine paper pack.  Using our scalloped edge punch, I scalloped both edges of the paper.   I used Juniper ink and the A Holiday stamp set to stamp the leaves and then just cut them out.  The berries are from the pink Glitter Gems collection.  

The card looked a little plain to me.  The inspiration card from class used a wonderful falling star die to cut little stars scattered on the paper.  I loved the effect, but I don't have that die...yet :)  But I felt it needed something.  Soooo....I used my Glitz Glitter Gel in Stardust and randomly scattered sparkles on the top.   I was going for falling snow.  I'm not sure I got it, but I tried! lol. 

My daughter preferred the second one.  She's thirteen, it glitters, what more is there to say.   It is prettier in person.  Which one do you like better, plain or sparkled?   I think I will try this random sparkling again to see if I can perfect a method, but for now, this will do. 

That's it for me tonight.  Thanks for stopping by!

Online Card Classes - Holiday Workshop 2013 - Day 1

Happy Monday everyone!  And for all of those who have served our country, Happy Veteran's Day and thank you for your service.  Aside from being a holiday, today was the first day of Online Card Classes Holiday Workshop 2013.  Yay! Another great class from Online Card Classes.  These classes are always packed full of inspiration.  They started off the class with four wonderfully inspiring cards that focused not only on the outside, but the inside, too.  The first card was designed by Kristina Werner.    Here is my take on her card.

I followed her lead by embossing the top and bottom portions of the card and leaving enough space for my sentiment.  I had some super tiny red and white gingham washi tape from a previous SSS card kit of the month (June maybe?).  I heat embossed my sentiment in AC White embossing powder.  The nutcracker is from the Candyland stamp set from CTMH.  I colored him with copics.  I had stamped my sentiment a little close to the side of my paper so I didn't have room for the twine she had in hers.  I decided it needed something so I added a little bow made from CTMH Cranberry baker's twine and a button.   I used a little Tombow glue underneath the tails of my bow to keep them in place.  

The inside of left of the card has a gift card holder.  I took a small rectangle of White Daisy, same as the card base, and cut and folded it just big enough to hold a gift card.  I used our new ruby chevron washi tape and folded it over the edges to make it into a little pocket.  I folded it to where the front was lower than the back so you could see the card.  I used our 1 1/4" circle punch to punch out the notch in front to make it easier to grab the card.  

As always, when I start out to make a card, I change my mind, several times.  Sometimes, that does work out to be beneficial.  Like this time,  I got three cards out of this one attempt!  Kristina's card had a cute little penguin on it.  We have penguins, so I had to make one of those, too.  And of course, I'm still enamoured with our polar bears.   

These two are the same basic design as the first one, only I used different stamp sets.  I did have room to put my twine in the one below.  On both of these I thought they just needed a little more color so I stacked my buttons to bring in the green. 

That's it for tonight.  I'm hoping to be able to keep up with the class assignments this go around because they have added an extra day in between.  I'll try to include a list of all the supplies used in these cards below.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Cardstock:   White Daisy, Cranberry - CTMH; Desert Storm - Neenah

Inks:  Black Onyx - Versafine; Versamark; Tuxedo Black - Memento

Stamps:   Hero Arts; Candyland, Polarbear Holiday, Wintry Wishes, Scandinavian Wishes - CTMH

Other:   Copic markers, Cranberry baker's twine - CTMH; twine- May arts; Sparkle and Shine Washi tape- CTMH;  Silver embossing powder - CTMH; White embossing powder - AC; Swiss Dots embossing folder - Cuttlebug; white gel pen - Signo

Happy Autumn Card

Happy Autumn is a stamp set that appeared in the new Autumn/Winter 2013 idea book.  I did a couple of cards using this set for a workshop a few months ago.  I really love the flowers in the set.  It's also a perfect compliment to the Huntington paper pack.

I thought I would try something different.  I do like cards that open/close differently, although, I'm not really a fancy-fold kind of girl.  I love to look at them, just not make them..lol.  This is kind of a tri-fold card.  I'm sure there's a name for it out there somewhere.  You can see how it opens below. 

I used Barn Red, Olive, and Colonial White cardstocks.  The sentiment and the flower were stamped using the Happy Autumn stamp set.  I used Barn Red, Autumn Terracotta, and Goldrush inks for the flower.  I used Olive and New England Ivy on the leaves.  You can't really tell from the picture, but I also used my Wink of Stella glitter brush and kind of traced the tips of the petals.  It gives a great little shimmer to the flower.   I added a three little sparkles from the brown and tan collection.  I used one of each color.  

The inside sentiment was from the Perfect Fit - Thanksgiving stamp set.  I stamped the frame in Desert Sand and the sentiment in Barn Red.   

There really isn't a lot to this card, but I think it turned out quite nicely.  I love the fall colors in the Huntington paper pack.  I think I am going to try a few more Thanksgiving cards so be sure to check back soon. 

As always, if you have any questions about the products I used or would like to purchase any of them for yourself, please visit me at www.stacyburch.ctmh.com.    

Thanks for stopping by !

SSS October Thank You Card

Just a quick post today.  I wanted to share a card I created from the Simon Says Stamp October Card Kit.  Per usual, I am just now able to play in my October kit and November's has already arrived..lol.

This is a  standard sized top fold card.  All the papers and stamps are from the kit and the inks are from Close to My Heart.  I used my dauber and some Crystal Blue ink and lightly daubed my background around some die cut clouds.  I stamped the tree in Cocoa ink and the leaves in Autumn Terracotta and Goldrush.  I used my Wink of Stella glitter brush and lightly brushed over the leaves.  It may be hard to tell from photo, but it was just enough glitter to add some interest.  The sentiment was also from stamp set in the kit.  I masked off some of the words so I could just get the 'thank you' stamped at the bottom and then came back and stamped in the line. It's a very simple card in nature and was fun to make.

Thanks for stopping by!

  

My Last Polar Bear Card

This is the last of my little polar bear cards that I made.  I'm sure I'll be making more because they are so stinking cute.  This little guy was sledding and I wasn't really sure how I was going to incorporate him into a Christmas card.  In my striving for the easily mailed, yet dimensional Christmas cards, this is what I came up with.

I guess it can't count as a one layer card, because I do have my little polar bear on 3d foam tape, but it's close!  This one is pretty much all stamping and I think it's my favorite so far.  The card is a standard size card base, but it's left fold.   I used the Polar Bear Holiday stamp set for the bear, of course, and the snowflakes.  The border and the bottom snowflakes were from the Frosted WOTG cardmaking kit.  The sentiment is from the Merry and Bright stamp set.  I used the Ruby and Juniper alcohol markers and inks.  I used our silver metallic marker to draw the double line in the border.  I added some bitty sparkles to the snowflakes and that was it.  Ta da!

I am hung up on this color palette. I seem to do this every year.  I get one combo stuck in my head and then make all my Christmas cards accordingly.   I'm sure I'll have more in the making, but I am going to try to get some Thanksgiving cards done before it actually becomes Thanksgiving...lol. Oh, I do get distracted by shiny things :) 

Thanks for stopping by!

Another Polar Bear

Just popped in to share another Christmas card.  I just love these little polar bears.  They are so fun.   This is the second card I have made using the Polar Bear Holiday stamp set.  

This card is a standard sized top fold card. The striped paper is from the Sparkle and Shine paper pack.  I used the little skating polar bear and colored him with our alcohol markers in Ruby and Juniper.  I used my cool grey Copics for shadowing.  The packages are a separate stamp in the set.  I stamped them, colored them, and then cut them out.  I added attached them with some 3d foam tape.  The sentiment is from the A Holiday stamp set and is stamped in Juniper.  I believe the little snowflakes are from the Snowflakes stamp set. I added some bitty sparkles to add just a little bling. 

These little guys are just fun.  I love to color, so they are right up my alley.  That is the most time consuming part of this card.  Even with that being said, it was still a pretty quick card to put together.  And with only one raised piece, flat enough to be mailed easily. 

That's it for today.  I'm hoping I'll be able to put a few more together soon.  When I do, I'll be sure to share :) 

Thanks for stopping by!

Polar Bear Holiday

Happy Saturday to all my blog friends!  I thought I would start the weekend off with a quick post before I got out and about.  I am still posting the Christmas cards that I made last weekend.  This card uses another new stamp set from the Autumn/Winter idea book called Polar Bear Holiday.  I loved these little guys the first time I saw them and have been dying to use them.

I used the same technique as the previous card by covering a piece of White Daisy with the silver washi tape.  I used Ruby cardstock in the layering and Juniper in the accents.  To color my little bears I used Ruby and Juniper alcohol markers and the silver metallic marker.  The silver metallic marker is perfect to use with the Sparkle and Shine paper pack.  It's hard to tell from the picture, but I colored in the diamonds on his argyle sweater with the silver pen.  I used a cool grey copic for shadowing.  The little bow at the top is our Red Shimmer Trim.  I cut a small piece and notched out the edges.  I thought it worked out well for a tiny bow and kept the card relatively flat for mailing.   I added some mini banners and a few sparkles to top it all off. 

I love these little polar bears and I have a few more cards coming featuring them. I didn't take a picture of the inside of the card for some reason. Another sentiment, which I used on the inside,  from that set is "Wishing you joy to last the whole year through."  I surrounded that with the snowflakes that came with the set and thought it worked out perfectly.  

That's it for now.  I hope to have more posted this weekend.  Thanks for stopping by!

Frosted with Washi

I can see that the stamp set from the Frosted cardmaking workshop on the go is going to be one of my favorites for the season.   I still have several sets I haven't played in yet, but I'm working on it! Something else from the new mini catalog that I am really liking is the new washi tape.  We have two sets that have three tapes each.  The card below was made with the silver tape from the sparkle and shine set.  

This is another very simple card, except this one has a few layers.  The cardstock is Ruby and Juniper.  The sentiment is from the Frosted cardmaking wotg and stamped in Ruby ink.  Although, it may be a little hard to tell from the photo, the second layer is White Daisy cardstock which I covered with strips of the silver washi tape from the sparkle and shine pack.  This silver washi is perfect to add that soft sparkle to cards and pages.  The button and the twine are from the Ruby mini medley collection. 

That's it for tonight.  I got to play with my the little polar bear stamp set and I'll be posting those next. Thanks for stopping by!

The First Christmas Card of the Season!

I'm not sure it's technically 'the season' yet, but it's the first Christmas I have made this year..lol.  I'm just getting warmed up!   I  got my new Sparkle and Shine paper pack and all the other goodies from the new mini catalog last week.  This past weekend I got to make a few Christmas cards with them.  I am in love with this color palette.

The stamps are from the Frosted cardmaking WOTG.   I cut about 1/2 inch off the front of the card face and then used our new scalloped edge border punch.  I really like the little scallops.  The strip of Ruby cardstock is on the inside of the card.  It's pulling double duty by decorating the inside of the card as well.   I used Juniper ink and stamped the trees in first and second generation stamping.  The sentiment is stamped in Ruby.  I used our silver metallic marker and added the lines above and below the border stamp and below the sentiment.  I added a couple of sparkles and called it done.  

This card was very quick and easy.  My favorite kind.  I think the next one I make I will try dusting the trees in some prisma glitter.   Another plus to this card is it's a one layer card, making it easily mailed.   

That's it for tonight.  I'll be getting more posted soon.  Thanks for stopping by! 

A Little Behind as Usual

Par for the course for me.  I've been behind on posting on here. Sorry, my blog friends.  The first update is that the Holidays from the Heart gift guide has gone live.  Woohoo!  This little mini catalog from Close to My Heart has some new goodies.  Although, we can order from this catalog, in addition to the regular Autumn/Winter Idea Book, until December 31st, there will be some items that will be 'while supplies last.'

Not only is there some really great stuff in this little book, but there is a special that will run for the life of the catalog.  That is for every $100 or more of current catalog items you order you are able to select a "star" item for free.   There are several different items that are marked throughout the book with little stars.  

I personally am in love with the new Sparkle and Shine paper pack that is shown in the picture above.  It features the colors Slate, Juniper, and Ruby.   This weekend I finally got to sit down at my craft table and make a few cards.  I can't wait to show you what I came up with.  Be on the lookout in the upcoming weeks to see some new Christmas cards using some new paper and new stamps. 

Last year around this time I had posted some 'Krafty Christmas cards' which turned out to be some of my most favorite Christmas cards.  I had a friend that had a birthday last month and it just so happened she loved that card and stars.  So...you guessed it.  A new star card was born.   

I used the same design with different colors and papers.   I changed the sentiment and voila!  A birthday card.   I really think this would be super cute for a baby card as well.   That's on my list, too.  It's a rather long list, but it's on there!  

That's it for today.  Check back later in the week for some new Christmas cards.  Somehow,  I skipped over Thanksgiving, but I'm sure I'll get to it before it actually happens.  I have a few new Thanksgiving stamps I want to give a whirl, too.  

Thanks for stopping by!  

Sunflower Congrats

As I was about to post these cards I saw where I had a post on October 9, 2012, called More Sunflower Cards.  Hmm..I'm not sure what it is about October and sunflowers, but here's some more sunflower cards..lol.

We have a wedding in the family coming up and they are using sunflowers in the wedding.  When I heard that, I thought, Oh..I have sunflowers!  Naturally, I wanted to make a card.  I had stamped several sunflower images in hopes that somewhere amidst my indecisiveness I might could come up with one card I wanted to give.

The patterned paper is actually White Daisy cardstock and I not so randomly stamped Sunny Yellow, Desert Sand, and Black ink to form sort of a plaid design. The sunflower is from a retired stamp of the month set from last year, Friendship Bouquet.  I colored the flowers with copics.  I also went over the petals with my new found love,  the Wink of Stella glitter brush.  It adds just enough shimmer to get a little sparkle without being overpowering.  I really like it.   Here's a closer look at the cards.  You can barely see it with my lighting. 

The card above is a 5x7 and the one below is a standard card base from CTMH. 

This card is a standard size, but top fold cut from White Daisy cardstock. 

This little mini was cut from leftovers, of course.  I always try to use up all my scraps from a project. All my sunflowers were a little big for this little card, so he got a butterfly instead. 

That's all the sunflowers for now.   Thanks for stopping by!

A Couple of Thank You's

I hope everyone had a good weekend.  Sadly, it's coming to a close and Monday is not far away..yuck.  I did manage to steal some time this weekend and get to the craft table.  I have just now gotten the chance to explore the Simon Says Stamp September kit.   Better late than ever.  At least I hope so anyway..lol   Here's a couple of Thank You cards I made with the kit.

This one I used Close to My Heart inks and cardstock along with the SSS stamp set.  I used Buttercup, Sky, Juniper, Blush, and Hollyhock.  I love the little build a flower stamps.  The striped image is from the In the Background stamp set from CTMH. 

All the papers in this card were from the kit with exception of the white card base which is CTMH.  The sentiment is stamped in Juniper ink. The bakers twine and the button are also from CTMH. 

Both of these cards were fun and easy to make, two qualities I like in my cards.  I need to dive back into this kit and see what else I can come up, but the new one is already here!  I am so behind!  lol.  

That's it for tonight.  I hope to have more cards posted throughout the week, so be sure to check back later.  Thanks for stopping by! 

Artbooking Made Easy: Spooky Halloween Layouts

I love Halloween and it's just around the corner.  Close to My Heart's Artbooking cartridge has two themed Halloween keys with lots of elements.   Here's a little video to show some of what you can do.

If you have any questions or would like to purchase an Artbooking cartridge of your own, just visit me here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Petite Perks Mini Cards

I went on a mini cardmaking binge!  I couldn't help myself.  After making the little "thank you" card for my workshop, I went a little overboard on the minis.  If any of you have hosted a Close to My Heart gathering, you may have been given a Petite Perks stamp set.  For those who are not familiar, these are little stamp sets frequently given to the hostesses as a thank you for having the gathering.  I have accumulated several of these over the past couple of years as a consultant.  I realized that I had not made any cards with these stamps sets.  For all of you hostesses that have received these mini stamps and thought, "How cute.  What can I do with these?"  Here's your answer :)

 

 

This was a set I used for a hostess gift.  I included the Petite Perks stamp set with a set of four mini cards.  This set was called Nature's Delight.  It has the little owl, a leaf (stamped on the far left card), a butterfly, and a Christmas tree.  

 

 

Most all of my mini cards are made with scraps of paper leftover from previous projects.  The background of the cards above were stamped with Topiary and Cranberry.  I used our alcohol markers to color in the trees.  I have added some sparkles here and there.

 

Another set  was Critter Expressions.  I thought these little fellows were dog gone adorable.

 

 

 

The last set was from a petite set that didn't have a name, just number.  It had a heart, a bee, and a butterfly and the sentiment "thanks so very much."

 

 

I just had a good time with these.  Some I colored with markers, others I used pencils. I used a journaling pen and did all the borders by hand.  I thought it added a little bit of whimsy. 

 

That's my show and tell for the evening.  For all of you that have a collection of Petite Perks, bust them out and make some minis!  The newest set is "A Touch of Fall."  That will be next on my list to make.  I'll be sure to share them with you when I am done. 

 

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Scrapping!