Featuring the Sentiment!

Hey crafty friends - thought I'd pop in with a card for the current Christmas Kickstart challenge to feature the sentiment. When I saw the theme I knew exactly which stamp set to grab!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Core'dinations Black, Silver Dream from Anchor Paper;

Paper Studio glitter and Old World Winter

Stamp - Hero Arts Jolly (retired)

Dies - Sunny Studio Snowflake Circle Frame

Pink Fresh Studio Folk Edge Rectangles

Other - Versamark ink; Hero Arts gems

Taylored Expressions silver EP

Yes, I reached for Hero Arts Jolly clear set containing 3 jumbo words - Jolly, Merry & Peace. I've used it many times before; go HERE, if desired, for a slimline example. And if you search my blog for Jolly, you'll find other examples using each word. I stamped the sentiment in Versamark ink and silver embossed it onto a panel die cut with a PFS Folk Edge Rectangle die. I matted it with a silver frame and then a black frame cut with the plain rectangle included in the PFS set. I used the largest PFS Folk Rectangle to cut a piece of Old World Winter paper and adhered it to a white card, layering the Merry block with some extra rectangles behind for dimension. I love that Old World Winter snowflake paper so much I had to go out and buy another pad this morning - I had none left! Luckily the Paper Studio products are 50% off at Hobby Lobby right now - hmmm, maybe I should've bought more....

I had die cut many snowflakes while working on cards for this post. I thought a bunch of gold and silver ones would look great sprinkled around the sentiment. Added a few gems - done!

My card will also venture over to Watercooler Wednesday where Helen is doing All About Occasions.

Thanks for stopping and have a wonderful day!!

 

Some Glittery Snowflake Cards

Happy weekend! I'm finally getting a start on my Christmas cards, thanks to a couple of challenges. My first card is for the current Christmas Kickstart challenge where Jo & her elf Cornelia are doing a rainbow theme. How fun is that?!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio Glitter cardstock; Co'redinations Black

Dies - Sunny Studio Snowflake Circle Frame;

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Stamps - Divinity Designs Snowflake Background;

Hero Arts Frosty Wishes (retired)

Inks - Hero Arts Silver; Memento Tuxedo Black

I was very inspired by various cards Sally (Cinnamon Sally Designs) has made with glittery snowflakes; go here and here for some recent beauties. Pulled out my glitter cardstock pad - no yellow. Popped over to Hobby Lobby to look for some. Their glitter paper pads contain 12 colors but gold and silver got in, not yellow. The open stock rack had 12x12 sheets of many more colors from the same HL brand (Paper Studio) - all 50% off!! And yellow was among them - yay! I used a deep purple for my indigo - might have tried a deeper blue 12x12 sheet they called Navy (not to my eye!). Oh well, next time....

I die cut the snowflakes from Sunny Studio's Snowflake Circle Frame set - super easy since they come as one die! Next I cut the frame (makes a good wreath) in black and in white. Decided to do a black frame on a white card. Looked a bit boring, so I stamped a snowflake background lightly in silver and die cut with a stitched rectangle. Then I added some brush strokes and stippling with my Nuvo brush since it was out from yesterday's card. Adhered the snowflake panel to the card base, stamped the sentiment in black and glued the frame and snowflakes on top - done! Very quick & easy.

While the snowflake die set was out, I decided to cut some silver and gold ones and play along with the January CAS Christmas challenge. Oops - too late; that challenge closed 1/24. Do check that challenge for inspiration, though, and a new challenge drops on 2/3 (hope to get there!).

Additional supplies: 

Paper - Anchor Paper silver dream

Die - Pink Fresh Studio Folk Edge Rectangles

(sold out at PFS but found at Frantic Stamper here)

Other - SSS Sentiment Strip

I had a second white panel stamped with the snowflake background; cut this one with a new-to-me PFS die set. Added it to a silver card along with the snowflakes & a sentiment strip - very simple!

I'll add card two to Darnell's January NBUS challenge since my folk frame is new and to Dawn's All About Occasions challenge at Watercooler Wednesday. 

That's it for today - thanks for stopping!! I'll be back on Monday for the last day of our Die Cut Diva January challenge - please check it out and we hope to see you in the gallery!

 

Double Embossing!

Hey there - gloomy day today but perfect for hitting the craft studio! I'm sharing a card I made this morning for the current Let's Squash It! challenge to double emboss. I chose the category of embossing with two different folders. Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; Paper Studio A2 card & green;

Black by unk; Tim Holtz Kraft Metallic Jewels

Embossing folders - Stampin' Up Subtle (retired);

Tim Holtz Mini Poinsettia 3D Texture Fades

Dies - My Favorite Things Christmas String Lights;

Pierced Rectangle Frames (retired)

Other - SSS Sentiment Strips Extra Large Christmas

Thanks to Betty (created by bjk) for the 3D embossed TH poinsettia panels - she sent me some black and some white ones. Gorgeous!! I figured a 3D one would withstand being embossed a second time & went with the SU Subtle folder which gave it a lovely texture. Thought a frame would be fun, then ran across a light string I made recently using a new die. Decided to string it across the frame. Added a sentiment strip - done! Here's a close up of the texture in the background which is hard to see in main photo (looks like I have some white specks to brush off...):

Quick funny story....I'm constantly losing things and have been missing a little label die for over a year. When I went to put away the MFT frame, the set fell on the floor and lo & behold the little label popped off the back of the magnet sheet. Yay!!! I hate losing things and that label was from a retired Hero Arts Stamp & Cut set which I love. I always thank my guardian angel when things like this happen, especially after I was cussing out the set that fell on the floor!!

I'll also add this to Darnell's NBUS Challenge (my light string is new) and to Watercooler Wednesday All About Occasions. Thanks to all for the fun challenges!!

Thanks for stopping and have a crafty day!!

 

Winter Village Gray and Red

Happy weekend!! I'm glad to get some time in the craft studio this morning! Today I'm sharing a card for Marcia's October challenge at CAS Christmas - use gray and red - so fun!!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah

Stamps - all by Taylored Expressions:

All Tucked In - Christmas

Winter Village Background

On Dasher, On Dancer

Inks - Memento Rhubarb Stalk & London Fog

The village stamp was a Taylored Expressions gift with purchase for October so I doubt the link I listed will work beyond this month. I've seen TE offer some of the previous year's gifts, though, so the village might come back in 2022. The Santa sleigh stamp was a gift from TE too - not sure if it was part of a set or a former stand alone stamp. I named it On Dasher, On Dancer because TE currently offers a die in this design.

Before stamping the village I masked off the bottom since the silhouette has more ground than I wanted to ink. I also used a negative circle mask to sponge a soft gray moon. My mask slipped a bit but I just went with it. Very quick and easy one layer - perfect for mass production! One could add stars etc but I kept it simple.

In case you're wondering about the paper Christmas tree, I created it last year in an online Concord and 9th class - if you missed my post about it, go HERE.

That's it for today friends! I'm also adding my card to Darnell's October NBUS Challenge since my village and sleigh are new. And to Watercolor Wednesday where Helen hosts All About Occasions. Thanks to all for the fun challenges and to you for visiting!

Happy crafting!!

Big Birthday Balloons

Hey there - I'm back to redeem myself at Let's Squash It!! where I failed to read the fairly large print in the challenge post. I hastily read only the title and copied the banner that said to sand it. Well, you're to sand it alright, but must use an embossing folder with numbers or letters. OK - out with my previous card that contained neither and on to something new for Challenge 12!

Supplies: Paper - Echo Park Dots & Stripes;

Paper Studio red A2 card; Tim Holtz Jewel Kraft Metallic

Embossing Folder - Sizzix 3D Happy Birthday

Dies - My Favorite Things Blueprints 26 (retired)

Stamps - Hero Arts It's Your Day & 

Birthday Sayings (both retired)

Most of my embossing folders aren't with me at present so I didn't think I had anything with a number around. Then Gail pointed out it could be letters too. LOL - just bought a new 3D folder last week when I was doing a paper search at Hobby Lobby. Also bought another embossing folder with the cut feature but it contains neither a # nor a letter...too bad. I also found a few glimmer plates on clearance, practically free!! Luckily I resisted buying one I already own.... 

For today's card, I die cut three MFT balloons and embossed them with the birthday folder, then sanded. Added to some striped paper on an A2 card, along with the strings and bow. It looked a bit bare so I stamped some party words on there - done!

Sorry again Gail, Jo & Alice for my error - hope this one works at Let's Squash It!! I'm also adding this to the current NBUS challenge since my embossing folder is new. I can also add to the current Watercooler Wednesday Challenge All About Occasions. Thanks to all for fun challenges - I'll try to read more carefully next time I enter one. Wish me luck!!

Thanks for stopping by & have a crafty day!!

 

A Retirement Bouquet

TGIF crafty friends! Hope you have a special weekend planned - those of us in the US will be observing Patriots' Day tomorrow in remembrance of the horrendous events of 20 years ago. It's also my baby sister's birthday so we have joy from that dimmed by the deep sorrow from 9/11/2001. But we will celebrate her birthday with a cake - no candles, she said.

For today I have another card featuring the Hero Arts Togetherness Bouquet - this time I stamped it onto watercolor paper and colored with Distress reinkers. You can see a mini slimline version I did last month HERE. The new version will go to my neighbor Therese who's retiring this month. She loves flowers and maintains a stunning garden that I envy.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; Momenta watercolor print;

Paper Studio silver A2 card; scraps of various greens;

Strathmore cold press watercolor paper; Co'redinations White Glove

Stamps - Hero Arts Togetherness Flower Bouquet;

A Jillian Vance Design Tweet Words; Altenew Floral Frame

Dies - A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Plaid Coverplate;

Hero Arts Togetherness Bouquet Frame Cuts;

My Favorite Things Blueprints 28 (banner - retired);

Spellbinders Sentiments One; CAS-ual Fridays Garden Fri-dies (retired)

Taylored Expressions Rustic Floral

Other - various Distress Reinkers; Michael's gems

I had to go on the hunt for white glitter paper today since my Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby) Christmas pad mix didn't have any left. Well, didn't find that Christmas pad at the Hobby Lobby I visited and they didn't have any single sheets of white. Then I tried Michael's - no luck. Finally found some at JoAnn's. Die cut Congratulations from the white glitter (it's a very subtle one) and then stacked atop some plain white ones. The little flagged banner is a really long one and I just did the trick of cutting down the end. The sentiment stamp actually says "Congrats on your retirement" but I just did some surgery and snipped off the Congrats - it'll come in handy as a single word later. I also stacked some white die cuts behind the watercolored bouquet for some dimension.

That's it for now. I'm sending this card to Watercooler Wednesday - All About Occasions Challenge and the current NBUS Challenge since my Tweet Words stamp set is new. Hope that's not too little of an NBUS, Darnell...

Thanks for stopping & happy crafting!

 

 

More Twofer Kitties!

Hi all - I didn't need Darnell's reminder about Twofer Challenge 41 - I'd already started my second pair! Twofer takes a final bow this month so I had to play a second time!! Go here if you missed my first pair of kitty cards. Darnell chose the theme of Dogs/Cats for her final challenge - yay!

I shopped at JoAnn's last week and found stamping supplies 30% off. Picked up a darling kitty in a teacup set thinking the kitty could be popping out of something else for a second card. Considered a box, peeking out from foliage (Darnell did it brilliantly here btw), etc. before settling on a window. Here's a closer look with supply list:

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders white A2 card;

Paper studio black, Neenah white;

various patterned papers

Stamps - Hero Arts Kit-tea Stamp & Cut,

All Occasion Msgs, It's All Good, & Let's Chill (all retired)

Dies - My Favorite Things Blueprints 32

Other - Memento Tuxedo Black ink,

Copic Markers, foam tape

My thoughts went first to designing the card with the brown kitty I'd cut off its teacup. I had an MFT rectangle that I thought looked like a window so cut it & added kitty, then a backing & mat layer. The patterned papers were loose ones so I don't know their original sets - all I know is, I'm going to have to find different ones for an upcoming Die Cut Diva project. Oops! 

What to do with the rest of the window? Then it hit me - thought bubble with a fish in it & a "thinking of you" sentiment. I considered the fish in a bowl that I used for my previous Twofer but ended up with a free swimming fish from a tropical stamp set. So fun! The thought bubble came from a 2013 Hero Arts set - no dies for it so I fussy cut.

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders white A2 card;

Paper studio black, Neenah white;

Lawn Fawn Gotta Have Gingham 6x6

Stamps - Hero Arts Kit-tea Stamp & Cut,

Birthday Messages (retired)

Dies - My Favorite Things Blueprints 18

Other - Memento Tuxedo Black ink,

Copic Markers, foam tape

I decided to make card two quick & easy. Simply added a gingham "tablecloth" to a white card, popped the kitty cup on top & added a sentiment - done! The inside of this card has a puny sentiments from the set - "Have a tea-rific birthday". The sentiment flag was let over from the "kits" my sister asked me to make up for her. She had fun putting the cards together on Sunday but I totally forgot to take any photos - oh well...

Since my kitty got first play here, I'm adding the thinking of you card to Darnell's NBUS Challenge 29. I have one last entry available at Watercooler Wednesday's All About Occasions so I'll add the birthday card there.

Thanks for stopping and happy crafting!!

 

Waffle Flower Irises

Hey crafty friends - I'm here with an anniversary card for my cousin & her hubby. Spotted Darnell's post linking to the current Waffle Flower Challenge where she's a Guest Designer/Co-host. I just had to play along!!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah White;

Momenta Watercolor Print

Stamps - Waffle Flower Iris You 

Dies - Iris You & Vine Frame Die

Other - Copic Markers, upcycled ribbon,

foam tape; Memento Tuxedo Black ink

Not sure how unexpected my project is but I put a flower bouquet atop a leafy frame - wouldn't normally use the bouquet this way without the challenge! Too much? Would love your opinion! Also, I flipped the die, using the banner at the top, rather than the bottom as Waffle Flower shows it.

We were also to go to our crafty stash and find something unused for a while. Full disclosure - I have used ribbon this year - about 4 times. But not this solid grossgrain ribbon that you'd find on a little girl's dress - it's so pretty and I have various bits that people give me from package wrappings & such to upcycle. Used some way back in January just to close a trifold card. So hopefully that's rarely enough!

I had fun with the Iris You stamps and dies & the Vine Frame Die by Waffle Flower. It took a while to inlay the bits in the vine but I kept reminding myself that it's relaxing - ha, ha. My Waffle Flower stash is limited but building! I just got both of these fabulous sets yesterday at my LSS, Anchor Paper Express. Because they're new, I'll also enter my card to Darnell's current NBUS Challenge 29. And since this is for an occasion, I'll enter the All About Occasions Challenge at Watercooler Wednesday.

** Update - was finishing off the inside and thought I'd share. I took the vine frame I'd cut for the inlay pieces, trimmed off the banner portion and used the remainder to trail around my sentiment! I can see many uses for this vine diecut in this version.

Stamp - Taylored Expressions

The Inside Scoop Anniversary

Thanks for stopping and thanks to Darnell for introducing me to the Waffle Flower Challenge!!

Boo Hoo - the final Twofer Challenge!

Hey friends - Darnell will close her Twofer Card Challenge after this month - sad, but understandable! So much work goes into a challenge blog and I've appreciated Darnell and her team these past four years!! Yes, I was there for Challenge 1 with my Feather cards and for many (sadly not all) subsequent challenges. I close my Twofer Chapter with this pair for Challenge 41 the Final Challenge to use a dog or a cat image:

And yes, I'm a cat lady!! I used the chunky kitty from an old Hero Arts stamp set as my common item. Here's a closer look at each card with supply list:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah White;

Paper Studio navy A2 card

Stamps - Hero Arts I Love My Cat, Frosty Wishes & 

Create your own Snowman (all retired)

Dies - My Favorite Things Blueprints 13 (retired);

Kat Scrappiness Crafters Essentials Winter;

Dies to match snowman set

Other - Copic Markers; Hero Arts inks;

Tim Holtz Prize Ribbon Distress Ink;

Taylored Expressions Salt Water Taffy

Supplies: Paper - Neenah White; Paper Studio black;

Poppystamps freebie dotted

Stamps - Hero Arts I Love My Cat (retired) &

Everyday Sayings

Dies - Taylored Expressions Mini Slim Square Window Cutting Plate

Other - Copic Markers; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Had to laugh - those kitty paw prints look more like a wolf's but they were the only ones in kitty set! I saved the pieces cut out of the windows to make another poinsettia card like the second one on this post if you missed it. The fish bowl just had the fish in it but I added some "seaweed".

If you're still with me, I had to include another photo of my kitty niece Misty. She visited me for a couple weeks this summer and was very "helpful" with card making!

Misty has her eye on those little strips of white paper which she later pawed off the craft mat. Then she discovered the plastic cover to the scissors and she batted it off the table. She played with scissors cover for several minutes (I took video) before she went off for a nap - so entertaining!! Times like that I miss my two kitties who've been gone for over 10 years - time flies! One liked paper and the other liked ribbon when it came to crafty "help".

I'm adding my snowman card to the current Watercooler Wednesday All Occasions Challenge. I'm adding the kitty duo with fishbowl card to the current Sweet Stampin' Challenge to feature an animal.

Thanks for stopping and thanks again to all for fun challenges!!

 

July 2021 Card Chain Challenge Reveal

Yes, friends, it's that time again! Time to reveal cards that flew around the world for the July Card Chain Challenge. Twenty-five people participated in July; you can see the entire chain HERE. My card went to the delightful Nelleke (farmerblog) in the Netherlands:

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts Dove White A2 card;

pink, blue and yellow scraps

Stamps - Pink and Main Pocket of Sunshine

Cornish Heritage Farms Denim Background

Hero Arts Color Layering Water Lilies (word friend)

Dies - Pink and Main Pocket of Sunshine

Stencil - Taylored Expressions Here Comes the Sun

Inks - Taylored Expressions Oreo & Pineapple;

Squeezed Lemonade Distress; Hero Arts Navy

Other - Copic Marker Y19; white gel pen;

Hero Arts clear lacquer

I used the sketch - not exact but close enough, I hope! If not, there's always the theme of friendship so I made sure to put the word friend on there!! The rest of the sentiment says Happy Greetings in an unusual but fun font. Isn't that sun the cutest?! I stamped the denim background on blue cardstock - doesn't it look just like a jeans pocket? I love the little sunglasses and Nelleke did too!!

The card below arrived last week from the talented Gundi (papierelle) in Germany - so adorable!! Just love the little bear and Gundi sent me a couple die cuts to play with. Thanks Gundi!!

 

I couldn't resist playing with the white bear Gundi sent. I need Christmas cards so I whipped up this one, so easy with the premade bear!! I gave him some Christmas gifts to hold. I've said it before but I love, love, love the gifts from Taylored Expressions which I stamp and diecut by the dozens. They're ready in a stash to be colored to match any card design. I think this one has a masculine vibe so I'm adding to Tristan's Watercooler Wednesday Challenge All Things Masculine.

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts Dove White A2 card;

BoBunny Winter Getaway; Paper Studio red & black

Dies - bear from Gundi;

Taylored Expressions Gifted Cutting Plate;

My Favorite Things Blueprints 32 (retired);

Spellbinders Snowflake Splendor

Stamps - Taylored Expressions Gifted Background

Other - Copic Markers;

CZ Design Sentiment Strips Reverse Christmas

Thanks for visiting and, if you're interested, you can sign up HERE by August 6th to play in the August card chain. Hope you have a crafty day!!

CAS Poinsettia Cards

Hi all - yes, I know I'm cutting it close but I was inspired by the gorgeous cards of the CAS Christmas Design Team. Their challenge this month & ending today involves clean and simple Christmas cards with a poinsettia. Here's my first one:

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio Holiday;

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb

Dies - Sunny Studio Window Quad Circles;

Taylored Expressions Mini Slim Square Window Cutting Plate

Other - Park Lane (JoAnn's brand) gems; foam tape;

CZ Design Sentiment Strips Reverse Christmas

I wanted something simple and remembered a sweet little poinsettia die from a Sunny Studio set. As I dug through the stash I came across a TE mini slimline window die and went from there! Super quick and easy - die cut flowers (one bigger than the other two - hard to see, maybe) and window panel, assembled, added sentiment strip - done!! Note - the littlest flower layer was cut with a freebie die Mendi sent with a Sunny order - it perfectly matches this set so I keep them together!

When cutting the window panel, a trio of diamonds remained. Decided these would look great across a card with a poinsettia atop each diamond. The centers of these flowers were leftover from some die that cut little circles - no idea which...

I made this card before I got a good look at the CAS Christmas reminder post but I see the talented Cathy did an amazing trio of poinsettia in a vertical line. Just love the little Poppystamps die she used - I feel some enabling coming on....

I'm also adding my cards to Dawn's All Occasion Challenge at Watercooler Wednesday. Thanks to all for the fun challenge and to you for visiting!