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!