Last Day of December 2021

Happy New Year's Eve everyone!! You can still play along with our Die Cut Divas December Challenge to do a Winter/Christmas project - just link up by 9pm Pacific time today!! I'm part of the end of month team with inspiration at DCD here, sharing the card below. Frantic Stamper (FS) is our fabulous sponsor this month - see all the prize details at DCD (US only - sorry!).

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white & Paper Studio Holiday;

Spellbinders white A2 card; designer snowflake paper by unk

Dies - Frantic Stamper Slimline Frames;

Sunny Studio Santas Stocking (available at FS here);

Birch Press Design Big Thanks Sugar Script (available at FS here);

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Art Impressions Large Snowflakes

Other - white gel pen; foam tape

I originally started creating my holiday thank yous with the first slimline shown below. I decided to lead with the snowflake & bow card instead. I fell in love with it, especially the snowflake designer paper sent by friend and Diva teamie Dawn (Dawn's World). The bow had been cut when I made the stocking card for my Dec 21st post - ended up not using it. It sat on the craft table crying to be used so I popped it atop a snowflake & added to a fun frame from Frantic Stamper. I just love the slimline set which includes this frame and use it often, including for the cards below!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; Core'dinations black;

Tim Holtz 2020 Holiday; Paper Studio Holiday

Dies - Frantic Stamper Slimline Frames & Snowflake Trio;

Art Impressions Large Snowflakes;

Poppystamps Spectacular Thank You (available at FS here)

Other - white gel pen; SSS sentiment strip; Park Lane stars

I die cut the black frame & backed it with some TH holiday paper from last year. Added to a slimline card along with some snowflakes and the sentiment & star gems. Next I created a second version using a green frame and a jumbo (retired) snowflake from Hero Arts. I'd be interested in hearing which version you prefer... I'm tipping toward the second one.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; 

Tim Holtz 2020 Holiday; Paper Studio Holiday

Dies - Frantic Stamper Slimline Frames;

Art Impressions Large Snowflakes; Hero Arts snowflake (retired)

Poppystamps Spectacular Thank You (available at FS here)

Other - white gel pen; SSS sentiment strip; Park Lane stars

I can't say enough about Frantic Stamper and the great customer service! I was enabled by Lisa's (My Paper Tales) adorable sElfie card to order the stamp set she used - not in stock at MFT but found at FS and already received!! Of course I ordered a few other things... I'm sure Fran was hoping I could use my recent purchases before the end of the month but I was away for Christmas. Just got my huge stack of lovely mail yesterday, including my FS goodies. With such a variety of brands, I always find more than what I need at Frantic Stamper! Thanks again to FS for being such a great sponsor this month!

If you're still with me, I did more variations of the lead card. I was up at 2:30am the other day - called by my mom who couldn't sleep. Of course, I couldn't sleep after that and made good use of the time! I used some fun patterns from My Mind's Eye, BoBunny & Tim Holtz. I used a Concord & 9th Turnabout Stamp (Christmas Cheer) for the background at bottom left.

 

Thanks for visiting!! Hope to see you in the Diva gallery - just remember to use the theme plus a die cut or embossing folder and link up by 9pm Pacific time today.

Merry Christmas Wishes!!

Merry Christmas to everyone celebrating today!! 

Wishing you happy times with family and friends and a fabulous year in 2022! 

I often decorate multiple Christmas trees but with Mom's broken leg, I only managed one this year.

I decided to bring one of my slim trees tomy parents' house. Sister Tami came to MN from AZ for a few days during one of the worst snowstorms we've had this year. She helped me decorate so Mom had a nice homecoming from rehab. Mom loves the angel topper and granny square tree skirt crocheted by one of her friends.

We celebrated with my brother and his wife on Thursday - Donna made a delicious ham dinner, then we played Phase 10 (a card game). I won!! Here I am with my parents - we're wearing holiday headbands gifted to us from friends, Connie and Doug. They've been giving us an Advent box for several years - my mom loves opening the daily "prize" from December 1st through the 25th. Today we'll have lutefisk and lefse in honor of my dad's Norwegian heritage.

We're still doing Winter/Christmas themed projects at Die Cut Divas until 9pm on 12/31 so check it out if you have some time left to play this month! Thanks for visiting and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! 

Embossed masculine card

Hey crafty friends - ready for Christmas? I never did manage to make cookes but was lucky to have a friend share some of hers!

I'm popping in with a masculine card for an upcoming January birthday, making sure to include elements to fit at Let's Squash It (challenge #15 - Your Call).

Supplies: Paper - Basic Grey Bowties;

Paper Studio silver; Co'redinations black; Neenah white

Stamps - Divinity Designs Hat's Off

Embossing folder - Taylored Expressions Brick

Ink - Black Soot Distress Oxide

Other - Copic Markers T1, E00 & E11;

Park Lane stars

Besides using an embossing folder, we're supposed to incorporate a past technique from Let's Squash It. I went with the simple, but effective, technique of inking the raised areas. Sponging Black Soot DI ink lightly over the embossed silver cardstock really gave the background a weathered look.

That's it for today - thanks for stopping!!

A Hero Arts Fans Scramble Group Christmas Exchange

Hi all - over on our private Hero Arts Fans Scramble Group in Facebook we held a Christmas card exchange. My card went to Nina S. in Wisconsin so it didn't have to travel far! We've had our reveal so I'm able to post here now.

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders A2 card;

BoBunny Merry and Bright; Paper Studio red and 

Dies - Hero Arts DI656 Paper Layering Poinsettia &

Tag Frames Infinity Dies

Stamps - Hero Arts Color Layering Dimensional Bird

Other - Park Lane gems; Memento Rhubarb Stalk ink

I couldn't resist using my favorite Hero Arts die, new in 2019. I've used it oodles of times over the past 3 years! I love the detail on the petals and leaves, plus it cuts like a dream! The label die set was a recent purchase and I've used it several times already. I fussy cut the sentiment in the style we're seeing lately with dies - love those but, of course, older stamp sets don't have them... The sentiment came with the Color Layering Dimensional Bird set - I linked to Frantic Stamper who had 4 of them when I last checked (retired at Hero Arts). Frantic Stamper is the sponsor at Die Cut Divas this month so pop over and check it out!

I received this beauty from Karen K. (KCs Kards) in California - just love her merry snowpeople with the layered forest behind!! Thanks Karen!!

I will link my card to the current Christmas Kickstart Challenge for anything Christmassy. 

If you want to join the HA Fans Scramble Group, you need to be on Facebook and send a request to join. Cindy (Escape to Stamping) is our fearless leader. :)

Thanks for stopping and I hope you're having a happy holiday season!! 

A shaped Christmas card

Hey crafty friends - I'm sharing at Die Cut Divas today with my first card, plus I have a bonus card here for you!! Our Diva challenge this month requires a Winter/Christmas project with the option of making a shaped card. Frantic Stamper is sponsoring this challenge and generously donated a lovely Christmas die bundle! Be sure to check out the details at DCD - note: prize drawing is only for US-based participants.... Here's my shaped card:

Supplies: Paper - Sunny Studio Holiday Cheer;

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White

Dies - Sunny Studio Santa's Stocking (at FS here)

and Lacy Snowflakes (at FS here)

Spellbinder's Snowflake Splendor (at FS here)

Other - SSS Reverse sentiment, Parklane gems

I couldn't resist this darling stocking die set! I formed an A2 shaped card by not cutting the stocking through the top edge of a top fold card. Then I die cut & added the layers - such fun!!

Frantic Stamper carries a wonderful selection of brands, plus I love their brand's products! My intention was to make another shaped card with a beautiful vintage Santa (Believe in the Magic and Wonder) stamp using the coordinating die. I put the set somewhere and couldn't find it when it came time to create - does that happen to you? So I went with a simple yet effective Christmas coverplate die, not a shaped card, for my bonus. While both dies are new, I'll link the stocking card to Christmas Kickstart (If It's Christmassy) and the coverplate card to Darnell's NBUS Challenge.

Dies - Frantic Stamper Christmas Words Card Panel

& Snowflake Trio

That's it for today. Are you ready for Christmas? I got the last of my Christmas cards mailed yesterday but haven't baked a single cookie yet....maybe tomorrow? Thanks for the well wishes for my mom - she came home from rehab Thursday then had to get cast #4 on Friday. Luckily cast #5 can wait til the new year! She's so happy to be home for Christmas!!

The December Diva Challenge ends 12/31 at 9pm Pacific Time; hope to see you in the gallery!!

 

Quick and easy Christmas cards

Hey there - just popping in to post a project for the current Christmas Kickstart Challenge. You can link up anything Christmassy! Here's my little trio:

Supplies: Paper - Prefab foiled ornament card;

Paper Studio glitter; Neenah black

Dies - Michael's Recollections holiday words

My Favorite Things Blueprints 26 (retired)

Other - Simon Says Stamp Sentiment Strip

I found these darling foiled ornament cards (blank inside) a couple years ago. Can't remember if they were in the value bins at Target or Michaels. They are slightly smaller than A2 size & come in a set of three with envelopes. The cardstock texture looks like linen - so pretty! I thought they'd be perfect for some quick and easy cards! All I did was add a die cut bow (from an MFT birthday die set) and a sentiment. Two have the Michaels joy die cut in two different shades of green and one has an SSS sentiment strip with a black bow. I wanted to do a red one but was out of red glitter paper...

Hope this isn't "cheating" LOL!

Mom is coming along on her broken leg recovery - thanks for the get well wishes! She is on cast #3 and gets a new one Friday; they keep changing them so they can check her skin. Meanwhile I'm busily writing out cards and trying to make more - still a ways to go!!

I'll be back on 12/21 with a Die Cut Divas project. Until then, thanks for stopping and have a crafty day!!

November 2021 Card Chain Reveal

Oh my goodness - December 2nd already & time to reveal cards that went around the world for the November Card Chain Challenge. Twenty-five people participated, each making & sending one card and receiving one card. You can see the entire chain HERE. My card went to the talented Tina (Treebug) in Slovenia:

Supplies: Paper - Tim Holtz Kraft Metallic;

Paper Studio silver & navy (aka midnight);

My Mind's Eye (The Sweetest Thing)

& BoBunny (Woodland Winter Collection) patterns; 

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White

Dies - My Favorite Things Blueprints 2 &18 (both retired);

Birch Press Design Vivid Bloom;

Spellbinders Snowflake Splendor

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop

Stamps - Sunny Studio Inside Greetings Holiday

Other - Parklane gems

Once again I used the colors and the sketch. This time, instead of friendship, I used the theme of snowflakes! I'm happy to say Tina's received my card and likes it!!

I cut the silver using the large rectangle from the Blueprints 2 set - I use this die all the time since it's the perfect layer. Next I cut the two diagonal pieces from two pieces of patterned paper to mix and match. The cuts were larger than needed so I taped them together on the back leaving the narrow gap, then die cut with an AJVD dot stitched rectangle. Next I cut a vivid bloom from navy and a snowflake from gold. The snowflake has a single gold gem at center. Stamped the sentiment strip & gave it a mat layer - done!!

The wonderful Dawn (Dawn's World) from New Zealand had my name. I was delighted to receive her card before November 30th, given the state of mail service. Her darling bear really made me smile!!

She also included this bonus friendship card!!

I love the gradient stripes in the background - so gorgeous. And thanks for the sweet stamps too, Dawn!! I've known Dawn for 12 years through Hero Arts and now we're teamies on Die Cut Divas!! Cardmaking has brought me many wonderful friends - I'm so lucky!

Thanks for stopping and if you care to join us for December's chain, go HERE to sign up by 12/6!

A Christmas Slimline

Hi crafty friends - today's the last day for our November Die Cut Diva challenge - Mini Slim or Slimline. The card below is part of the last day post at DCD - be sure to check out the rest of the awesome DT cards. We're using products from our lovely sponsor, Kat Scrappiness, but it's not necessary for your entry.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah, Anchor Paper, 

Authentique, & Paper Studio

Dies - Kat Scrappiness Zig Zag Nesting Slimline Dies

Spellbinders Snowflake Splendor

I  die cut two zig zag slimline layers from a silver card stock & a Christmas pattern, then added to a white slimline card base. Next I die cut three snowflakes from very thick paper. The dies, even with a metal shim, didn't cut the interior details on two passes. Decided I liked the look of leaving the bits in. Added a red zig zag label, cut down to fit my sentiment. The sentiment has 3 stacked with the top one coated in clear packing tape, as learned from my teamie Dawn (Dawn's World). Gives a nice gloss with little effort!

I love this set from Kat Scrappiness!! KS also sells some Spellbinders (sadly not the snowflake set) and I bought a couple in my October order that I've not used yet. My bonus card uses the pinked set and the Sunny Studio Lacy Snowflake die set. I created a background of patterns using the pinked label on a mini slimline.

I made the bonus card using scraps for the little labels specifically to enter into the current Christmas Kickstart Challenge to use snippets. Here's a photo of one of many snippet boxes in the craft room:

What does your snippet box look like??

Thanks for stopping and I hope you have a chance to get your slimline card entered at Die Cut Divas by 9pm Pacific Time today!

 

 

Stencil and emboss

Hey crafty friends - hope all is well with you!! I've not been around much because my mom broke her leg! We've been having loads of fun (NOT) with that. I've been able to craft in the wee hours either at night or before my normal rising time.... 

I whipped out this quick card this morning for the November Let's Squash It!! Challenge to stencil and emboss. I'm able to blog it while mom takes a nap & isn't grabbing my laptop for some online games!!

Supplies: Paper - DCWV A2 card, Neenah white

Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug (retired; name unknown)

Stencil - Sunny Studio Forest Trees

Dies - Spellbinders Snowflake Splendor

Inks - Distress Oxide Twisted Citron, Rustic Wilderness

and Pine Needles

Other - SSS holiday sentiment strips

I stenciled the three layers of trees using DOIs, then embossed. Trimmed to layer on card; added snowflake and sentiment strip - done!! Very quick and fun! 

For a blast from the past, go HERE to see a card I made with this ef back in 2009! Sadly I didn't name it there either... Here's a bad photo (sorry) of the ef:

 

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful day!!

Happy Thanksgiving USA!

Hi all - I'm popping in with a quick post to wish all my US friends a Happy Thanksgiving!! I've been offline a lot and sorry I haven't been able to visit your blogs as often as I'd like (more on that another time). For now - I'll just share a Thanksgiving card and say how thankful I am for all of you, celebrating today or not!! Hope all is well and that you have a wonderful day!!

Supplies: Hero Arts Autumn Leaves Fancy Dies

Taylored Expressions All Tucked In Harvest

I just received a Hero Arts order with some new dies and had fun using the autumn leaves set. I'll add this to Darnell's November NBUS Challenge since the leaves are getting first play. Sorry for the poor photo; I just made this card last night and the light was bad. I had fun with the staging though - the fuzzy pumpkins came from Target, along with the tray & wheat. The leafy orange paper came from Target a few years ago when they still had paper pads in their Hot Spot (luckily I bought several)

Thanks for the visit!!

A Framed Winter Scene

Hi everyone - I'm sharing at Die Cut Divas today using products from our sponsor, Kat Scrappiness. Our theme this month - Mini Slimline or Slimline cards, plus be sure to use a die cut or embossing folder in your design. I chose to make a mini slim; mine is 3.5x6" which is a standard size for some companies:

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts, Paper Studio,

Neenah, Kat Scrappiness Ugly Sweater Slimline

Dies - Kat Scrappiness Winter Essentials

& Reverse Scallop Mini Slimline w/Hello

Stamps - Sunny Studio Inside Greetings Holiday

(also available here at Kat Scrappiness)

Other - Memento Rhubarb Stalk ink; 

Kat Scrappiness Holiday Bliss Mix

I started by cutting a new KS reverse scallop frame from their ugly sweater paper, then added hills, trees and a deer from a winter set I bought last year. Assembled and stamped the sentiment (oops, a little crooked, oh well), then added some sequins from the Holiday Bliss Mix that KS sent me - thanks, so cute!! To finish, I used a white gel pen to dot some additional "snow" - done! Seems many of the DT used the Winter Essentials die set - tells you something, doesn't it? An awesome set at a great price point!!

I must mention the awesome customer service by Kat Scrappiness. I ordered October release products on a Monday and had the order in my hands on Thursday of the same week - from Washington to Minnesota - amazing!! Many thanks!!

Do you like my photo background? The birch logs are paper ones I bought at Target - had to laugh; the label says "do not burn"! The stack of three comes tied with the heavy twine - so cute!

And here's a bonus card using the same scallop frame, plus a new sentiment die from the KS October release. I gave this one a portrait orientation and stacked the die cut for dimension. I did no inking on the frame and love how the patterns seem to merge!

Additional supplies: Paper - Paper Studio;

My Mind's Eye The Sweetest Thing

Dies - Kat Scrappiness Get Well Soon

Other - Stamp on It vellum; Park Lane gems

You still have plenty of time to enter this month's challenge! Please add your card to the gallery by 9pm Pacific Time on November 30th.

Thanks for stopping by!!

October 2021 Card Chain Reveal

Hey there crafty friends - I'm sharing the card I sent to Suze (craftysuze) in New Zealand for the October 2021 Card Chain Challenge. You make & send a card and receive a handmade card - so fun to get cards from all over the world! This month 27 participated; you can see the full chain HERE.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio bright and glitter

Stamps - Hero Arts Sept 2021 My Monthly Hero kit;

Divinity Designs Mini Tag Sentiments

Dies - My Favorite Things Blueprints 32 (retired);

Hero Arts Sept 2021 My Monthly Hero kit

Embossing Folder - Stampin' Up 3D Subtle (retired)

Other - Xmas Red Stickles; Parklane Enamel dots:

Distress Inks - Fossilized Amber, Fired Brick & Prize Ribbon

This month, as per usual, I used the colors and the sketch, plus the theme of friendship.

Shortly after I signed up for October, I received my September My Monthly Hero kit from Hero Arts. It contained both the sunflower stamp & some sentiments, a matching sunflower outline die, five stencils to color it, plus a couple sentiment dies. Loaded with value!! I decided my rectangle element from the sketch would be a window to the sunflowers stamped on the inside. I used the challenge colors to stencil the flowers, unfortunately the centers didn't read red to me. So I boosted the color with red stickles - much better. They don't look as red in the photo as in real life - darn it - but they really shine! The stickles lead me to add the red glitter strip and gold (considered a neutral with the white) glitter sentiment. Here's a peek at the inside:

I really liked the look of the blue leaves! The sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp's CZ Design Silhouette Sentiments. There was just enough room for a handwritten message at the bottom. I always enjoy sending to Suze because she lives near Rotorua where I visited in 2006 (before I knew her). If I ever get back to NZ, I'll have several crafty friends to visit besides all the Sweet Adelines I know from there!!

**Update 11/3** I received this beautiful card from the fabulous GerJanne in the Netherlands!! It took a little extra time getting here but arrived in great shape! I love the take on the sketch, especially the heart brads! Perfect for a Valentine baby, right? Thanks GerJanne!!

If you'd like to participate in the November Card Chain, you have until November 6th to sign up HERE.

Thanks for stopping and have a crafty day!

Sign Gnome with Snowflakes

Hey friends - today's your final chance to enter the October Anything Goes Challenge at Die Cut Divas. I'm sharing the card below for the final day of inspiration with the rest of the end-of-month Diva team. Scrapflower Estudio is this month's sponsor. 

Supplies: Paper - BoBunny Winter Getaway 6x6;  

Paper Studio Holiday, Neenah white

Digi - Scrapflower Estudio Sign Nordic Gnome

Dies - Spellbinders Snowflake Splendor

Other - Copic Markers

I used the same Sign Nordic Gnome image, printed on a smaller scale, earlier in the month (go HERE if you missed it). I love the convenience of resizing digi image and enjoyed changing up my coloring for a deeper grey beard. Isn't he just the cutest? Also added some snowflakes to the modify the look. 

Which version do you like better? 

And here's a bonus card:

Supplies: Paper - Basic Grey Juniper Berry;

Neenah white; Paper Studio colors

Digi - Scrapflower Estudio Nordic Gnome Girl

Dies - A Jillian Vance Design Cozy Cottage Birdhouse &

Sweet Gingerbread Add On

Other - Copic Markers; Pink and Main enamel hearts;

CZ Design Sentiment Strips Reverse Christmas

I had fun with an AJVD add-on die set that turns a birdhouse into a gingerbread house - so cute!! Simply colored and fussy cut my gnome girl to add into the scene. 

Hope to see you in the Die Cut Diva Anything Goes Challenge gallery!!

You don't need to use sponsor products - just be sure to use a die cut &/or embossing folder.

You have until 9pm Pacific time today to upload your creation. 

Thanks for stopping & have crafty day!