A Holiday Beverage

TGIF everyone!! I watched Craft Roulette Episode #246 Live tonight. Lots of shenanigans with Mary Gunn FUNN posing at Mrs. Claus & her guest "Merry Gary" was dressed as an elf - such fun!! Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Recollections A2 card; Neenah Solar White; 

Merry Making (snowflake; from Hobby Lobby);

My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Christmas (brown dotted)

Stamps with Dies - Simon Says Stamp Old Fashioned Christmas Set

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape

The wheel spun some fun holiday parameters:

• Project - Holiday Card: I made a Christmas card.
• Colors - Trees: I used green, brown, orange and red - many trees have these colors.
• Element - Drinking Vessel(s): I stamped a cocktail glass with bottle.
• Random - Something From Your Floor: I got the SSS Old Fashioned set back in November & it's been on the floor by my TV chair ever since! Perfect!

I and several friends love drinking brandy old fashioneds when out for dinner. People tease us because we're from Wisconsin originally & they think it's a WI thing - maybe? I've only been drinking them since I moved to MN! Anyway, when I spotted the SSS set I had to order it. 

Stamped the bottle, bow, & glass then colored with Copics. Added to a background of snowflake paper with a brown dotted "tablecloth". Sentiment is from the same set. Since my Old Fashioned is newly used, I'll add my card to Darnell's December NBUS Challenge #69.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful & crafty weekend!!

Starting 2025 Christmas Cards!

Hi everyone! I finished my 2024 Christmas cards and either mailed them all or am hand-delivering them. 80 in all - Whew! So, what better time to start on 2025 cards:

Supplies: Paper - Recollections Light Brights; Paper Studio Holiday;

Hero Art Glitter Basics; Neenah Solar White;

Graphic 45 Merry & Bright; scraps

Dies - Spellbinders Stocking Full of Joy (DOML-Jul23;  retired);

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Stamps w/dies - Hero Arts Santa's Door Accessories

(retired at HA but found HERE at Frantic Stamper

Embossing Folder - Spellbinders Pine Cones & Berries (3EOM-Jul24);

Taylored Expressions Weathered (retired)

Other - Copic Markers for shading; foam tape

I wanted to do at least one card for Day of the Month Card Club #70 where it's National Sock Day. So I brought out a Spellbinders Large Die of the Month from last year that I used to make my December Card Chain card (to be revealed 1/2/2025).

Die cut a stitched rectangle from light blue cardstock and embossed it. Added to an A2 card formed from dark red cardstock. Die cut the stocking, foliage, gingerbread & candy cane from patterned paper and scraps. Embossed the stocking base with a weathered pattern before adding the cuff, toe & heel pieces. Assembled the accessories and added them behind the stocking, then to the card. A sentiment sign from an old Hero Arts set finished the card.

That's it for today, friends. Thanks for visiting and happy crafting!!

Anything but a Card for Poppystamps

Hi all - over at Poppystamps Challenge #123 they're doing anything but a card. A lot of people were doing tags but I decided to try an ornament.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; 

Hero Arts glitter; scraps

Dies - Poppystamps Sweet Nordic Snowman

& Basic Ovals Set

Other - Snowflake and gem from the stash;

$1 monogram ornament from Target; Copic markers

I was thinking of different ways to do an ornament. While shopping today, I found some acrylic monogram shaker ornaments in the Target Hot Spot. For just a dollar I figured I could mess it up and not lose a lot of cash. Decided to cover the front and still have the depth of the acrylic shaker to see from the side. 

I cut the snowman bits from scraps and assembled. Some of the scraps were a pale aqua which I used that way, plus I colored some pieces deeper aqua shades with Copics. The pink scarf was from a scrap of watercolor paper that I'd painted pink at some point. 

I die cut an oval and glued it to the ornament front then added a glittery snowbank to the bottom which I round more to the O shape. Noticed at the top right that a bit of the O showed so I added a snowflake. Here's a view of the ornament back:

The shaker bits inside are thin glitter. I specifically chose the letter O since I wanted to cover it up. On some of the other monogram ornaments you could leave the letter showing and just add to it - might try that next!

That's it for today! Thanks for stopping by & I hope you're having fun preparing for the holidays!!

Fancy/Uneven Edged Card for Die Cut Divas!

Hello everyone! We have a December Challenge running at Die Cut Divas and the team is doing a reminder post today. Given the busy holidays, we're not doing individual posts so I won't have a Diva post on the 21st. Instead, I'm sharing the card below as inspiration. Frantic Stamper sponsored us this month and has a couple of dies as a prize for our random winner (to be awarded 1/3/25).

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane A2 card;

Doodlebug, BoBunny & Neenah white;

Dies - Frantic Stamper Simple Scalloped Edgers &

Giant Layered Thanks 

Stamps w/dies: Hero Arts retired snowman (set unk)

Other - Copic Markers

Our theme is a fancy or uneven edge on the card's outside edge. Some people have been unclear on this - we do mean an edge of the card base. Interpreting this as a shaped card works or making just one of the card base edges as fancy/uneven works too. 

On my card I made both the front and back bottom edges of the card base as scalloped. I started with a pale lilac A2 card and die cut the front with one of Frantic Stamper's Simple Scalloped Edgers (set has 3 different scalloped dies). I bought this set specifically for this challenge and it got first play here.

Next I cut an A2 panel of dotted Doodlebug down to a layering panel using the same die and then a darker purple strip of BoBunny that I layered behind the dotted. I had left the card back with a straight edge but decide to cut it with the scalloped die too. I used it on the white inside edge, rather than from the back, so it looks like part of the other rows. I love how this turned out!!

Next I die cut the layered thanks with Neenah white and a scrap of the same darker purple for the outline. I had a snowman already stamped and die cut in the Christmas bits box. I know it's Hero Arts but not sure the set's name; definitely retired though... I colored the snowman with some Copics. This is the first of my thank you cards for Christmas gifts; I plan to make more of this design - so fun!!

Ready for a bonus? I had been addressing envelopes to mail my stash of Christmas cards and realized I would run out. So I broke out another new FS die set I bought for this challenge.

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane A2 card;

Graphic 45 Merry & Bright

Dies - Frantic Stamper Deckled and Torn Edgers

Other - Graphic 45 Merry & Bright Ephemera

Yes, I have other dies to cut deckle and torn edges but I liked the shape of the FS ones. I used the torn edge die and cut into the card front. I added patterned paper to the inside of the back of the card base & left it as a straight edge. Next I took a piece of texty patterned paper from the same designer collection & cut it with the same die and layered onto the card front. Some ephemera from the collection completed the card. Oh, & on the inside, I used an Insider panel from Taylored Expressions. Those panels really saved me some time this year! I die cut the right edge with the torn edger, just a bit shorter than the card front so it's hidden when closed.

I'll add the snowman thanks card to Darnell's December NBUS Challenge #69. And I'll add the second card to Christmas Kickstart #93 where any Christmassy-themed card works! This is my third of three max.

That's it for today, friends. Hope to see you in the December Diva Gallery by 9pm Pacific Time on December 31st.

Thanks for stopping & happy crafting!

A Tri-Panel card for Craft Roulette!

Hi all - I've been very busy making and mailing Christmas cards but I still had time to watch Craft Roulette #245 last night. I was out for dinner with the neighbors night so missed the first hour of the LIVE but watched it all later on replay. I waited until this morning to make my card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Solar White;

BoBunny Snowfall; Hero Arts Arctic & glitter

Dies - Hero Arts Paper Layering Poinsettia (retired);

snowflakes by unk

Stamps w/dies - Taylored Expressions

 Season's Sweetings (dies HERE)

Host Mary Gunn FUNN had Caitlin Anthony (Caitlin Annalee Cards) as her guest. Caitlin has been card making since September 2018 & she does some of the LIVES for Pink & Main. The wheel spun some fab parameters for us:

• Project - Tri-Panel Card: I found a YouTube tutorial by Dawn of the Glitter Pit & used that format. 
• Colors - North or South Pole: Like Caitlin, I figured Santa's workshop was brown, snow is white & some has that frosty blue color (like Arctic paper!).
• Element - Holiday Floral: I broke out my favorite poinsettia die set.
• Random - Snowflake(s): My patterned papers have loads of snowflakes but I added some die cut ones from the bits box too. That's why I don't know the brand...

Easy and fun card format! I'll add the sentiment to the back panel which is 4.25x5.5" (A2 size). The card folds down to A2. Here are a couple more views:

I participated in my first Craft Roulette member Zoom call today. Got to put a face to some of the names I see a lot in the chat during a LIVE; there were about 28 of us on, including host Mary. Most of us were multitasking with card projects; I worked on uploading my episode #245 card.

I'll add my card to Christmas Kickstart #93 where any Christmassy-themed card works! This is my second of three max.

That's it for today, friends. Hope you're having a great weekend and getting loads of cards made! Thanks for stopping by!!

Two Christmas Cards - Joyfold and Stenciled!

Hi all - TGIF! Sorry if I haven't visited you lately - seems like everyone is busy preparing for Christmas and not blogging as much. Anyway, I've been busy writing out my Christmas cards & realized I have to make a few more (I had 72 finished). So I got busy yesterday and whipped up a card using a new Waffle Flower stencil - will share that later in the post.

First I'll cover Craft Roulette Episode #244 which aired earlier tonight. I watched through the parameter reveal, then went off to make my card. Didn't finish until after the episode ended since I had nearly forgotten a parameter! No worries, plenty of time for submitting to the gallery.

Supplies: Paper - Doodlebug; Neenah white;

Hero Arts Glitter Basics

Stamps with dies - Hero Arts Northern Lights Polar Bears Bundle 

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Borders

Other - Copic Markers; Distress & Hero Arts inks;

ribbon by unk

Host Mary Gunn FUNN had Christine Bertram (Cards by Christine) as her guest. Christine is a successful Stampin' Up demonstrator who does a lot of online classes. Here's what the wheel spun for us:

• Project - Joyfold Card: I trimmed one side of an A2 card then adhered a reverse 4x8.25" panel (scored at 4.25") to the inside to form the joyfold. Added a 3x5.5" striped paper to the left side, 4.25x5.5" snowflake pattern to the inside and my 4x4 scene to the right side to fold over. I watched this YouTube tutorial on how to make a joyfold.
• Colors - Bold/Quiet: Used both bold and soft versions of purple/blue/green.
• Element - Family: I stamped, colored & die cut a polar bear family for my fold-over panel.
• Random - Ribbon: I tied a bitty bow and added to a bear cub.

Here's a view of the joyfold open:

I'll add my joyfold card to the December 2024 Hero Arts Stay Crafty Challenge where a card for this festive season works. And here's the card I made yesterday:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white;

Hero Arts Glitter Basics; scraps

Stencil - Waffle Flower Poinsettia Background

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Poppystamps Lavish Merry Christmas

Other - Hero Arts inks; fineliners;

label sticker from Taylored Expressions

That's it for now - two more Christmas card ready to write out and mail, then back to the craft table!! How are you doing with yours??

I'll add the stenciled card to Darnell's December NBUS Challenge #69 since the poinsettia stencil got first play here. And I can't forget Christmas Kickstart #93 where you can link anything Christmassy.

Thanks for stopping & happy crafting!!

November 2024 Card Chain Reveal

Hi all - once again it's time to reveal the cards that went around the world for the November Card Chain Challenge. Twenty-seven people participated and you can see the entire chain revealed HERE. My card went to sister Diva Lucille (White Points) in New Jersey. I first met Lucille online via the Hero Arts Flickr group back in 2009 & then in person a few years later during a ScrapFest at Mall of America. Here's the card I sent her:

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts Glitter Basics (retired);

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; scrap of vellum;

Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Impression Obsession Pine Branch; Penny Black Manger;

My Favorite Things Stitched Oval Scallop Frames (retired)

Embossing Folder - Spellbinders Pine Cones & Berries (3EOM-Jul24)

Press Plate w/Die - Spellbinders Merry & Bright Sentiment Strips

Other - Spellbinders Betterpress Thunder ink; foam tape

We had the following options for creating our cards:

Color Palette Option

Sketch Option

Theme Options: Nativity / Steampunk / Friendship

 

Product / Technique Options: Patterned Paper / Tunnel Card

I went with the colors, sketch and theme of Nativity. The white glitter paper I used looks a bit gray in the photo but it's white in real life. I changed the sketch orientation to portrait and made the frame elements oval. 

Formed an A2 top fold card from Neenah. Took an A2 panel & die cut with a stitched rectangle, then embossed. The 3D embossing gave the background a nice texture, I thought. Die cut a glitter mat & adhered both to the card base. Next I cut two oval frames from a scrap of vellum and added to the card. I wanted to use some rectangular Taylored Expression frames I've had for years; do you think I could find them?? Nooooo. :(  

Then I die cut a glittery Nativity and added to the card with foam tape. I thought pine boughs would be fun for the corners since I was going with a Christmas card. I die cut two and trimmed them apart to fit the 4 corners. Popped on a Betterpressed sentiment from the stash using foam tape - done!

I received this fabulous card from Pia (Pias Papir og Perler) in Norway. I just love her Steampunk collage; I know she was delighted to see that as a theme option! Thanks for the card and ephemera, Pia!!

 

That's it for today, friends. If you'd like to join the December chain, you have until the 6th to sign up. For details, go HERE.

Thanks for stopping & happy crafting!!

Last Day for Die Cut Divas November 2024 Challenge!

Hi everyone - if you're in the USA, you're probably still recovering from Thanksgiving and Black Friday! Over at Die Cut Divas, we're celebrating the end of November & our fun Any Holiday Challenge, sponsored by Birch Press Design. You can see inspiration from the end-of-month team HERE. Here's the card I'm sharing on that post:

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders; Lawn Fawn pastel glitter;

Neenah white; Hero Arts Glitter white;

& Graphic 45 Twas the Night Before Christmas

Dies - BPD Herbarium Plate Layer Set;

Poppystamps Lavish Merry Christmas

Other - Recollections gems

Some simple die-cutting results in an elegant layered card! I formed an A2 card from pine cardstock, then added the 3 herbarium layers (LF green glitter, Neenah white, Graphic 45). When I got to the top layer I decided to try a texty paper & was delighted with the result! A sentiment with shadow layer (perfect size & font, I thought) plus some gems for berries finished the card.

For my bonus, I didn't make a holiday card at all - sorry about that. I needed a thank you card for a party I attended a couple weeks ago so I got out my fave BPD Sugar Script Thanks die set.

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts Bermuda; Neenah white;

Carta Bella It's a Celebration (patterned)

Dies - BPD Big Thanks Sugar Script

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - various enamel dots

Simply added a stitched rectangle to an A2 card, then the layered sentiment & some enamel stickers. Very quick and easy. I just love the sugar script font and would've used the Christmas one on my first card if it had been a bit smaller.

That's it for today! Would love to see you in the November gallery if you haven't already maxed out (limit of 4). Your holiday card using a die &/or embossing folder needs to be linked by 9pm Pacific time today.

Thanks for visiting & happy crafting!!

Upcycled for Christmas!

Hi everyone - did you do a lot of crafty shopping today (US Black Friday)? I refrained since I popped over on Wednesday to take advantage of early sales at my local store. Tonight I had Craft Roulette #243 running live in the background while talking to a friend who phoned, then I ran with the parameters. I'll have to watch the replay to see what was created! Here's my take:

Supplies: Paper - Recollections ivory cardstock;

Authentique Glistening; Spellbinders Betterpress Pebble;

upcycled vintage Christmas card

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Hero Arts Nesting Oval Infinity Dies (retired)

Press Plate with Dies - Spellbinders Merry & Bright Sentiment Strips

Mary Gunn FUNN had Michelle Lupton (Handmade by Michelle) as her guest. Michelle is on the global team at Hero Arts and helps with their Stay Crafty challenges. Right now she's doing a series of CASE-ing other card makers who then CASE her. The amazing Trina (Phamtastic Design) participated in this CASE series on November 22nd - see her beautiful card HERE. The wheel had some interesting parameters for us:

• Project - Card with Belly Band: I formed an A2 ivory card from cardstock and used a 1" wide strip of another piece for the belly band.
• Colors - Cottage: I googled and used the combo of a minty grey, ivory, mossy green & pale grey found at Home Depot.
• Element - Coat(s): I used a patterned paper with a woman wearing a faux fur coat.
• Random - Upcycled: I used parts of a 1950s Christmas card; I have several boxes left by my grandma.

Here's a view of the card with the belly band off:

That's it, friends. I'll be back tomorrow early with an end-of-month post for Die Cut Divas. We're doing Any Holiday and you have until 9pm Pacific time on November 30th to enter a card.

Thanks for stopping!!

Happy Thanksgiving USA 2024

Hi all - if you're from the USA you're celebrating Thanksgiving! Wishing you a wonderful day!!

Thought I'd share the rest of the Thanksgiving cards I sent this year....

Supplies: Paper - Recollections A2 card;

Neenah white; Sunny Studio Critter Country

Stamps - Hero Arts Bold Pumpkin

Other - Paper Studio sticker; Copic Markers; white gel pen;

freebie download from Scrapbook & Cards Today Fall/Winter 2024

I lead with the card I sent my baby sister. She often calls people "pumpkin" as a term of endearment so I thought she'd get a kick out of the sentiment sticker (she did!). I downloaded a sheet of icons from Scrapbook & Cards today and fussy cut them, using the piece of pie here. I stamped, colored and fussy cut the HA woodblock pumpkin & arranged the elements on an A2 card with a couple strips of Sunny Studio paper - done!

I mentioned in a previous post that I put together a bunch of turkeys using a retired Impression Obsession die set earlier this month. Here's how I finished off the rest of them using various patterned papers (mostly Sunny Studio Critter Country), Paper Studio stickers, another HA pumpkin and some Taylored Expressions Mini Strips - Harvest:

I made a similar version of the card above (just different sentiments) which I'm not posting. Finally, I made a card using some retired Hero Arts rub-ons that I bought a couple years ago (see previous card with them HERE and HERE, if interested). I'm taking this one to my neffy-poo (son of good friends, not a real nephew) who's hosting Thanksgiving dinner later today.

That's it for today. Hope you have a lovely day, whether or not you're celebrating Thanksgiving! Thanks for stopping by!!

More Christmas cards!

Happy Saturday everyone! I have a couple of Christmas cards today. First up a vintage Santa for Inkspirational #329 where the word is SANTA.

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts red; Neenah white

Stampendous Jolly Santa (retired)

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Stamps w/dies - Taylored Expressions Season's Sweetings (dies HERE)

Other - foam tape; white gel pen; Copic Markers; 

Glossy Accents; Hero Arts Sparkle Lacquer

I wanted to feature Santa so I went to a cling stamp set I haven't used in 5 years (see previous HERE). Thanks again to Jean (Right as Rain) for gifting me this sweetie!! Stamped and colored him with Copics, then die cut with a stitched rectangle. Blended some blue ink at the top and stamped the banner across his beard. Adhered the panel to a red A2 card and popped up a TE sentiment with foam tape. Added Glossy Accents to the berries and sparkle lacquer to the holly leaves. Done!

 

Next up, a gatefold I did for Craft Roulette #249 which I watched LIVE last night. 

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; Paper Studio glitter;

cardstock from Hero Arts, Lawn Fawn & Spellbinders;

vellum & TH kraft metallic

Dies - Birch Press Design Ornament Basics &

Marisol Frames Layer Set;

fence from Hero Arts MMH kit Mar17

Other - Recollections gems

Mary Gunn FUNN had Alicia (Call Me Crafty Al) as her guest. Alicia is known for her free printables with Sheetloads of Cards. In December Alicia plans to do daily videos from the 1st to the 24th using crafty advent calendars (like Spellbinders) so check her out! The wheel spun some fun parameters, perfect for a holiday card I thought:

• Project - Gatefold Card: I formed an A2 gatefold card by scoring 8.5x11 paper at 2 1/8" from both edges to fold in.
• Colors - Produce Aisle: Used greens, reds and white for lettuc, peppers & onions.
• Element - Fence: Used a die cut fence cut in half for the two sides of the gatefold.
• Random - Crumple Paper: I crumpled some lightweight vellum, then die cut into an ornament.

After forming my gatefold card, I cut the three layers of the BPD for the gate panels using sparkle green, white and pine green. Next I cut an ornament from red & the accents from glitter red and the hanger from a scrap of silver. I crumpled some vellum and smoothed it out then die cut with the ornament die & layered onto the red one. Added the accent pieces, the hanger & some gems, then glued just to the left side of the gate. Popped on a sentiment from the stash using foam tape. Die cut the fence, cut in half and glued to each half of the gate. Here's a view of the card standing:

That's it for today, friends. Thanks for visiting &, just a reminder, we're doing Any Holiday with BPD as our sponsor over at Die Cut Divas - gallery HERE for you to link up. Just remember to use a die cut &/or embossing folder.

Happy crafting!!

Any Holiday at Die Cut Divas

Hey there - I'm sharing the card below at Die Cut Divas today, inspiration for our November Challenge: Any Holiday in the Year. We're delighted to have Birch Press Design as our fabulous sponsor this month!! Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio A2 card;

Neenah white; Tim Holtz kraft metallic;

Momenta watercolor print

Dies - Birch Press Design Floral Cross Layer Set; 

Poppystamps Fresh Happy Easter; 

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - foam tape; Paper studio gold pearls

I know we're all busily making Christmas cards at this time of year but I picked up a beautiful cross at BPD recently. Just had to make an Easter card for today's inspiration; our challenge is ANY holiday, after all...

Besides the 3 layers of the cross, the set comes with foliage and flowers - such a great value!! First I die cut the cross layers from gold metallic, variegated purple & green. Next I die cut the foliage in green and the flowers in white & yellow. Die cut a rectangle and added to an A2 card. Assembled the cross and added to the card with foam tape. Die cut and assembled the sentiment, then added to the cross & arranged foliage & flowers around it.

Ready for a bonus? OK, I just had to add another Christmas card to the stash :)

Supplies: Paper - Anchor Paper grey linen;

Neenah white; Tim Holtz kraft metallic;

scraps of red, teal and glitter

Dies - Birch Press Design Meridian Ornament Layer Set 

& Christmas Ornament Pop Up Easel 

Stamps with dies - Poppystamps Holiday Banners

Other - foam tape; Park Lane gems

Another quick and easy card, thanks to BPD dies! Instead of the ornament that comes with the pop-up, I used another BPD layered ornament (I have a fair few!). Assembled everything and added a stamped/die cut Poppystamps sentiment & some gems. Here are a couple other views; when flat, the card fits in an A2 envelope.

 

I think this was my first use of this lovely Meridian ornament which is on deep discount right now at BPD! But I know my cross is newly used so I'll add that card to Darnell's November NBUS Challenge #68. Don't know what I'd do without that challenge - really makes me use my new stuff!! I'll add my ornament card to Merry Little Christmas Challenge #59 (6th of 8 possible).

Hope to see you in the November Diva gallery by 9pm Pacific time on the 30th! Thanks for visiting & I appreciate your kind comments in this busy season!!