Merry Monday #275 - Pastels

Are you ready for more Merry Monday fun?! Sue hosts Challenge #275 this week and she wants pastels on your Christmas card. I like pastels but they mainly find their way onto Easter cards. So, a challenge indeed for me - thanks Sue!!

Thought about it for a minute and realized that the Poptone Sno-cone paper I've used a lot this past year would be considered a pastel. But I couldn't go with that alone so added pink and mint to the mix.

Supplies: Paper - Poptone Sno-cone, Bubblegum, & Spearmint

Stamps - Hero Arts CM100 Christmas Messages & a retired Christmas music background
Die - Penny Black 51-151 Whirl Wreath
Other - Tumbled Glass Distress Ink, Cracked Pistachio Distress Oxide Ink, Do-craft pale lilac gems

I have quite a mess in my craft area, including a pile of dies laying around from previous projects (what happened to my resolution to organize?!). Spotted the PB whirl wreath and decided it would look pretty in mint green with a pink bow. Cut a double layer of each and embellished with some pale lilac gems I received as a gift from my friend Heather. She knows I love purples of every shade - thanks again, Heather!! I used a background stamp since plain blue looked too boring. This would be another simple card to mass produce.

Don't know about you but I'm excited by the number of Christmas cards I already have in my stash this year. Merry Monday will help you immensely with building that stash so come over & join us! See this week's details, inspiration from the fabulous Design Team, and the link-up for you to add your pastel creation HERE. Can't wait to see it and thanks for stopping!!

Twofer - Feathers!

Hi all - just popping in with an entry for the lovely Darnell's new Twofer Card Challenge. The premise - create two cards using the same item from the theme. Each card needs to be for a different occasion.

I have feather stamps, stencils, you name it, but I ended up buying some 2014 Spellbinders feather dies. There's a little stamping store halfway between my house and my parents' house & I seem to stop there just about every week. Anyway, with the Twofer Feathers challenge on my mind I ended up with the new-to-me feathers dies.

Supplies: Paper - Core'dinations Ivory A2 card; Paper Studio brown & glitter; Poptone Bubblegum;

Pepples "Yours Truly" patterned paper; scrap of hot pink

Stamps - Hero Arts CL402 Valentine Sayings (retired); Sizzix 662347 Circle Sentiments

Dies - My Favorite Things Die-Namics Blueprints 20 (stitched rectangle) and some other (pinked circle); 

Hero Arts DI334 Nesting Hearts Infinity Dies & DI199 Nesting Circle Infinity Dies;

Spellbinders S4-429 Peacock Feathers

Ink - Festive Berries & Gathered Twigs Distress Inks

Other - Hobby Lobby Valentine Puffy Stickers; Foam tape; May Arts string twine 

On the card at left I die cut two of the feathers and embossed them using the die. On the right I used all four feathers in the set and embossed them into card stock using the Spellbinders rubber mat. Yay - now I've got two cards ready to use! Thanks to Darnell for the fun new challenge and I'm glad I got my cards made before the deadline!

Hope you're having a crafty day and thanks for stopping!

Merry Monday #274 - SNOW!!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow... Yes, it's Merry Monday time again and Nina hosts Challenge 274 this week. She asks for snow on your Christmas card - very appropriate for this time of year in Minnesota!! Especially with the snow storm on its way to us later in the day - we might get a foot of the white stuff!!

Photo Source

I just love the wintery cabin in the photo and that lead me to a new-to-me snowglobe die. Here's what I came up with:

Supplies: Paper - DCWV Ms Sparkle shimmer neutrals A2 card; Tim Holtz Metallic kraft;
Lawn Fawn Bokeh in the Snow; Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; Paper Studio brown;
scraps for banner and deer by unk
Dies - Impression Obsession DIE472-R Deer Snowglobe; Spellbinders A2 Divine Eloquence;
My Favorite Things Die-Namics Blueprints 13 (label) & 21 (pierced rectangle) retired
Hero Arts DI199 Nesting Circle Infinity Dies
Stamps - Hero Arts CM122 Mini Christmas (sentiment)
Other - Hero Arts Red Royal ink; Tim Holtz Snow Flurries embossing folder

My "snow" is in the paper behind the snowglobe and the embossed snowflake background. I'm one of those lazy people who don't inlay intricate dies - just backed it by die cutting a circle of the bokeh paper. I cut a second snowglobe covering just the deer portion with the brown textured paper, then a third white one, then just the base portion in gold foil. Layered them up and tried the completed snowglobe on the embossed snowflake piece - too much white. Decided to put a brown label behind and liked it so l used a brown card to pull the three browns together. Tinkered with several sizes and styles of label but ended up using a small fishtail one. The small size of the label lead me to a Hero Arts clear stamp set with loads of mini images and sentiments - so cute; I really should use it more often!

Please visit Merry Monday for all the challenge details, beautiful inspiration from the Design Team, and the link to add your creation. Thanks for the visit and I hope you have a chance to play along with us this week!

Cardinals in birch trees

Happy Sunday everyone - looking forward to another Vikings play-off game tonight! Meanwhile, I'm sharing a card I made last Sunday for my neighbor who had back surgery this past week. He's an outdoorsman so I thought I'd use a birch panel I've had in my stash since October. Glad to find it a home!!

Supplies: Paper - Poptone Black Licorice; Hero Arts PS567 Floral Mix Folded Cards (aubergine shade) 

Authentique Cozy 6x6; Tim Holtz Wallflower 12x12; scrap of red

Embossing folder - Tim Holtz Alterations Birch Trees

Dies - My Favorite Things Die-Namics Blueprints 13; Impression Obsession Cardinals

Stamp (sentiment) - Hero Arts CL342 Everyday Sayings (retired)

Other - Dusty Concord Distress Ink; colored pencils

I embossed the birches on a piece of Tim Holtz paper with a light text running through it. Then I shadowed the trees with colored pencils for some dimension. I found a small scrap of Authentique birch bark paper, just enough for my sentiment. Whew! I cut a bunch of these birdie diecuts from several colors of scraps. Decided on the red, not only for the pop but because we have cardinals living in our neighborhood, and it is a cardinals die set after all.

Thanks for stopping and I hope you check back tomorrow for another fun Merry Monday challenge!
Skol Vikings!!

Merry Monday #273 - Red & Turquoise!

Welcome to another Merry Monday post! This week Marcia hosts Challenge #273, asking for the colors red and turquoise on your Christmas card. What a gorgeous color combo and one I've used a time or two. Marcia's inspiration photo includes several shades of each color so that made it even easier.

Photo Source

I considered going with a turquoise colored poinsettia. Nowadays they come in so many wild colors and I saw plenty of turquoise ones this past Christmas (even though I bought red ones...). In the end, I went with the traditional red poinsettia since I had recently colored one while watching TV. I thought some red berries would pull from the inspiration photo too. Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio Turquoise A2 card; DCWV Ms Sparkle light turquoise A2 card (cut in half & die cut); Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; Hero Arts PS620 Blush Layering Paper (darkest shade = grenadine)

Stamps - Hero Arts CM204 Santa's Door Accessories (sentiment) & CL796 Peace Poinsettias retired 
Dies - My Favorite Things Blueprints 21 retired (pierced rectangle); 
Sizzix 661597 Tim Holtz Alterations Holiday Greens, Mini; Poppystamps Tulisa Collage 1747
Other - Copic Markers, Peacock Feathers Distress Ink, foam tape

I die cut the Tulisa Collage from half a light turquoise A2 card, then again with the pierced rectangle, and layered onto the darker turquoise card. Stamped the sentiment & added the poinsettia with a bit of foam tape, then tucked the red berries behind. I considered adding some turquoise sequins but decided to leave it simple. Done - a very easy card to create and I'm in love with the color combo!!

Be sure to visit Merry Monday this week for all the challenge details, gorgeous Design Team cards, and to upload your own creation. Thanks for stopping and have a wonderful week!

Gingerbread couple for an anniversary

Happy Sunday! Here in Minnesota we're eagerly awaiting the big play-off game: Vikings vs the Saints. Since we're hosting the Super Bowl in a few weeks, we're hoping the Vikings get to play!! Meanwhile, I'm popping in to share an anniversary card I made for my aunt & uncle who're celebrating 35 years together. My aunt called to say they received the card in yesterday's mail so I'm free to post it.

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio brown & turquoise; BoBunny Woodland Winter; Lawn Fawn Knit Picky

Stamp - Hero Arts CL272 All Occasion Messages (retired)

Dies - My Favorite Things Die-Namics Blueprints 13; Hero Arts DI334 Nesting Hearts Infinity Dies

QuicKutz gingerbread people (retired)

Other - ribbon from a My Monthly Hero kit, Ground Espresso Distress Ink

Last fall I die cut a bunch of gingerbread people from some scraps of brown. Used a couple on this card, but the rest were looking for a home. I decided a couple would be cute on an anniversary card. I edged them with a bit of Distress Ink for some pop. Given a winter anniversary, I chose paper from wintery collections. Some die cutting, a stamped sentiment, small bow, & done!

Thanks for stopping & be sure to check back tomorrow to see my card for the next Merry Monday challenge. GO VIKINGS!!

Merry Monday #272 - Glasses

Merry Monday everyone - time for Leanne's challenge #272 to uses glasses on your Christmas card - how fun!! And doesn't her inspiration photo look festive? My holiday table definitely doesn't look like that!

Photo Source

I have a bunch of glass themed crafty stuff around the house, but I found the perfect holiday wine glasses in the Silhouette store! Don't they just make you smile?

Supplies: Paper - Poptone Black Licorice, DCWV Ms Sparkle green A2 card, 

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Lawn Fawn Bokeh in the Snow & Peace Joy Love 6x6 pads

Stamp - Hero Arts CL797 Under the Mistletoe (retired at Hero Arts but I spotted at Frantic Stamper)

Dies - My Favorite Things Blueprints 13; Hero Arts DI337 Nesting Ovals Infinity Dies

Silhouette Design ID# 234007 Christmas Wine Glasses - Rudolph & Frosty by Sarah Bailey

Other - Copic Markers, 3M glitter washi, craft googly eyes, foam tape, Hero Arts black pearls

I cut all the pieces using white cardstock, then colored with Copics - saves moving pieces to different pages in the Silhouette and cutting on colored cardstock. Instead of the eyes that cut with the file, I used googly eyes on the reindeer and pearls on the snowman. I used the file's smile on both but added small pearls to the snowman's.

Made three cards this week - I was on a roll.... and I see that JoAnn, one of the other Design Team members, used the Santa & Elf file too. Great minds think alike, right? Just love her card!! I had paired the Elf and Santa, just like she did, but it's fun to see how different the cards look with a few changes!

Supplies: Paper - Poptone Black Licorice, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Authentique Joyous 6x6 pad

Stamps - Hero Arts CL368 Create Your Own Snowman retired (holly), CL890 Holiday Greetings (sentiment)

Die - My Favorite Things Blueprints 13

Silhouette Design ID#234142 Christmas Wine Glasses - Santa & Elf  by Sarah Bailey

Other - Copic Markers, foam tape, enamel dots, Hero Arts black pearls

Can't wait to see what you create with Leanne's fun theme! Be sure to check out all the wonderful Design Team creations and link your card to Merry Monday this week. Thanks for stopping!!

Masculine birthday

Hi all - popping in to share a birthday card for a guy I call my "bro-in-law". Married to my dearest friend who's more like a sister, Doug celebrated on January 3rd so I thought I'd show what I made him.

Supplies: Paper - Ivory A2 card; Tim Holtz Wallflower; Paper Studio brown & kraft; 

My Mind's Eye Kraft Funday (numbers)

Stamps - Artistic Outpost Hats Background and Hats Off; Hero Arts CM136 Birthday Messages (sentiment)

Dies - My Favorite Things Blueprints 13 and 20 (stitched rectangles) and # unk for the pinked circle

Ink - Gathered Twigs and Ground Espresso Distress Inks

Other - enamel dot by Doodlebug

I went to a stamp expo a couple years ago and bought stamps from several companies I'd never tried before. I appreciated this division of Our Daily Bread, Artistic Outpost, for its vintage images - perfect for Doug who sports a handle-bar mustache! Very old-world gentleman...

Well, I'd better head off to finish "un-decorating" from Christmas. Usually I do it on New Year's Day but I didn't get it done - guess I couldn't give up on playing my musical ornaments that soon! Next I need to get going on cards for the rest of January birthdays - niece and two friends - luckily not til week after next.

Hope you're having a great weekend and staying warm! After starting well below zero, we're up to 9F and looking forward to a 20 degree warm-up tomorrow. Yay!! Thanks for stopping!

Merry Monday #271 - Embossing!

Happy New Year and Merry Monday everyone!! I hope 2018 finds you full of crafting ambition to get this year's holiday cards started! Everyone else is watching football, am I right? Anyway, Linda S. hosts this week for Challenge #271 - embossing, either dry or heat. I just love her inspiration card by My Card Attic.

Photo Source

I went with dry embossing since I had a TON of embossing folders littering my couch (trying to organize - New Year's Resolution #1). Here's my card:

Supplies - Paper - DCWV Ms Sparkle A2 cards (2 shades of green); Tim Holtz kraft metallic

Embossing folder - Sizzix 657981 Joy with Frame (retired)

Die - Penny Black 51-278 Peaceful Wishes

Other - Pine Needles Distress Marker & Cracked Pistachio Distress Oxide Ink

I originally embossed an entire card front but used a bit too much pressure and the paper got all shredded - oops. So I sliced off the back and used that piece to emboss, then cut it down & layered onto a softer green card. I thought the joy embossed piece would look good with a dove die cut and nothing else - very easy to mass produce. I enhanced the embossing with a bit of Distress Marker and rubbed some Distress Oxide Ink over it for some shimmer.

Thanks for stopping! I'm off to take down my Christmas decorations, provided I'm not too tired after helping my parents "undecorate" their tree yesterday. Hope you have a crafty New Year and please visit Merry Monday to check out the rest of the Design Team cards - they are fabulous!! If you have any crafty resolutions, I'd love to hear them!