Holiday Candles

Happy weekend! Yesterday I was reminded by Hilary (fiddling about) about the November We Love Stamping Challenge. I've not played there before but that challenge clearly revolves around stamping and I love to stamp! This month they're doing Christmas cards so I dove in with a new Hero Arts stamp set. Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - DoCrafts; Neenah white;

Paper Studio A2 card

Stamps - Hero Arts Holiday Candle Arrangement

Dies - A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Copic Markers; Hero Arts Sparkle Lacquer; 

PinkFresh Studio Holiday Foiled Sentiments; white gel pen;

Antique Linen Distress Ink

I broke out the candle stamp set the moment it arrived home. Stamped on Neenah paper and colored with Copics, then die cut with a stitched rectangle. Sponged some Antique Linen DI around the top edges. Some spots went a bit yellowish since I think I had some residual ink on the brush - ok, fine! Next I went on the hunt for some patterned paper to put behind my candle panel. I found the perfect plaid in a pack of DoCraft papers I bought - get this - in Ireland! When I went for the second time in 2019, my Irish friend Heather and I went shopping at this darling little gift store that carried some crafty stuff. I've basically hoarded that paper ever since - I'm glad some escaped the package!

Since my candle stamp is new and used for the first time, I'm also sharing at Darnell's November NBUS Challenge.

That's it - no time for bonus card today. I'm helping my aunt move from one apt to another. Luckily young moving guys did the heavy stuff already - LOL. Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Watercolored Tree and some foiling!

TGIF, my friends - woo hoo! Today I'm getting in my third and final entry for the November Let's Squash It! Challenge. You just make any Christmas card using an embossing folder. I've been having fun dusting off some old stuff from the stash!

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane A2 card; TH Jewel Kraft; 

Poptone Black Licorice; Hero Arts Handmade Watercolor Paper

Embossing folder - TH Alterations by Sizzix name unk

Stamps with Dies - Hero Arts Wishing You Tree Bundle

Other - Ranger Princess Gold ep; various inks;

PinkFresh Studio Holiday Foiled Sentiments

This time I dusted off an old Tim Holtz Alterations ef (no packaging so I don't know its specific name) and embossed a piece of his Jewel Kraft Metallic paper. I sanded the embossing and inked with some Black Soot Distress Ink before matting it in black. The tree was stamped and gold embossed onto watercolor paper. I watercolored it with various water reactive inks - some Distress and some Hero Arts. Added the matted embossed background to an A2 card and popped my die cut tree on with foam tape. Since I had the PinkFresh Studio foiled sentiments out, I used one here - done!

Next, a pair of bonus card, again with nothing to do with Let's Squash It. I've been doing more foiling since the Hero Arts Holiday Stamp Along. I tried a new plate from Hero Arts as well as using the ornament one from the event. I adhered the foiled panels to prefab A2 cards and added a PFS sentiment with foam tape - very quick & easy! The cute little bow on the right came from my friend Arlene (A Bit of This and That) - it's from Birch Press Design's Christmas Ornament Pop Up Easel set. BPD is our Die Cut Diva sponsor this month - check it out! You will see me using something more from that set in my Monday Diva post. I'll add my snowflake wreath card to Darnell's November NBUS Challenge since it's getting its first play today.

Supplies: Foiling plates - Hero Arts Snowflake Wreath and Ornament Border

Foil - Spellbinders silver & gold

That's it for today - our snow has remained and temperatures dipped to 19F. So glad I'm not my friend Diane out in Buffalo New York, though - they're expecting 4 feet!! 

Thanks for stopping by!!

 

  

Christmas Words and more!

Welcome back friends - I'm playing again at the November Let's Squash It! Challenge. Just make any Christmas card using an embossing folder and I definitely need more Christmas cards! So here's my second entry (out of a max of 3):

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane A2 card; Paper Studio Holiday;

My Favorite Things Christmas Text 6x6; Poptone Black Licorice

Embossing Folder - Sizzix/Hero Arts Christmas Words & Dots (retired)

Other - Hero Arts felt embellishments & pearls;

PinkFresh Studio Holiday Foiled Sentiments;

Hero Arts Key Lime and Green Apple Inks

Can you believe it? I dusted off another 2012 Sizzix/Hero Arts collaboration set. Embossed the Christmas Words and rubbed some key lime and green apple ink atop. Matted the panel and added to an A2 card covered with a holiday text paper from MFT. I had my Glimmer machine out and was foiling but not happy with the result so I grabbed a pre-foiled sentiment from PinkFresh Studio. Then I added a sprig of felt holly leaves and some pearl berries - done!

The ef comes in a set with a snowy dot folder - probably should use that one next - LOL! The set is long retired and I couldn't even find it at Frantic Stamper who often has older products. Here's a photo of it:

Here's a bonus card, again with nothing to do with Let's Squash It. I've been working on this one for a while. When I made Daniel West's card in class one of the Hero Arts Holiday Stamp Along (see mine HERE, if desired), I colored all the poinsettias in the background stamp we used. Many were along the borders and didn't get used for Daniel's card which featured three flowers. I had the idea to use them along the border of a white card. We didn't use any leaves for Daniel's card but the background had many. I colored and fussy cut them to add to the flowers. 

Daniel's tip was to use a G03 Copic in the flower centers before laying down any red! I'd never heard that one & it really gives some nice depth. My sentiment has a silver and a cranberry shadow; the topper is cherry and covered with Hero Arts glitter lacquer - love this stuff!! 

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders A2 card; TH Kraft Metallic;

Paper Studio Holiday; Neenah white

Stamps - Hero Arts Poinsettia Flowers Bold Prints

Dies - Hero Arts Christmas Holidays Stamp & Cut XL

Other - Copic Markers; Hero Arts Glitter Lacquer

That's it for today - still lightly snowing here and only 25F so a good day to be indoors crafting! Thanks for stopping by!!

 

Embossed JOY!

Hey friends - I finally got a chance to make a card for the November Let's Squash It! Challenge. All we need to do is make a Christmas card using any embossing folder - easy peasy! My friends Gail (Crafty Nomad) and Jo (Jo's Blogs) run the challenge and friend Cat (Cat Luvs Paper) is guest designing this month so how could I not play along?? Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Tim Holtz Jewel Kraft Metallic;

Hero Arts Kraft & Glitter Paper Basics

Embossing Folders - Taylored Expressions Weathered;

Sizzix Holiday Joy Set (discontinued at Sizzix but found here

at Frantic Stamper - note: only one left as of this writing)

Dies - Sunny Studio Snowflake Circle Frame

Other - Hero Arts gem; foam tape

I dusted off a 2012 Sizzix Joy folder I last used for Merry Monday (retired challenge blog) in 2018 (see that card here if desired). This time I embossed a piece of teal kraft metallic but part of the panel got wrinkled. No worries - I just fussy cut everything. The border is adhered to a weathered embossed card with rounded edges. I popped the JOY up with foam tape and added a layered snowflake to the center of the O.

I sanded the raised bits before I fussy cut. Not sure if I'm loving the kraft card but the sanded part reveals kraft so that's why I chose it. Yay - another card for the Christmas stash. Nearing time to start addressing and I'm woefully behind in the production department. Not in the ordering of more crafty supplies, though! I should probably invest the time spent online shopping into crafting....

Here's a bonus card, nothing to do with Let's Squash It! - LOL. I'm just playing around with extra bits I made during the Hero Arts Holiday Stamp Along earlier this month. 

Supplies: Paper -  Park Lane A2 Card; Neenah white;

Hero Arts watercolor & a lilac from some MMH kit;

Paper Studio Glitter cardstock

Stamps with Dies - Hero Arts Holiday Sparkles Bundle

Stencil - Hero Arts Sprinkled Dots

Dies - Hero Arts Holly Berries Stamp & Cut (bow) &

Bulb Ornament Infinity Dies

Hot foil plate - Hero Arts Ornament Border (used to impress)

Other - SSS sentiment strips; Hero Arts glitter lacquer & 

reactive inks

The lilac background was the card back when I foiled my class 2 card from the HAHSA. I used a full A2 card, rather than a panel per the class notes and figured my mistake when my foiling was a teensy bit crooked. No problem, I trimmed that panel and used it on a pre-formed A2 card. Well, the back got impressed from the foiling plate pressure so I trimmed it & used it here. As we did for the class card, I die cut several of the large infinity ornaments which fit perfectly in the opening of the foil plate impression. I also cut just the ornament top from gold glitter and trimmed to fit. 

For the topmost full ornament die cut, I swiped a reactive ink pad that has 5 colors & sprayed with water for some mixing. Once dry I stenciled with Hero Glitter Paste (love, love, love) & let dry. Assembled, added a bow and sentiment - done.  Another card for the Christmas stash - yay!

Thanks for stopping and have a crafty day!

Striped Tree

TGIF and Happy Veterans Day to all those veterans who serve(d) our country, including my Dad and brother! I'm back with a third and final entry to the current Christmas Kickstart Challenge Trees, Trees, Trees!. And it also fits at the November Stay Crafty with A Blog Named Hero where they're doing The Great Outdoors. My tree is outside on its little glittery snowbank!

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders A2 card; Paper Studio Brights,

A Country Christmas, and Holiday; Hero Arts Glitter Paper Basics

Stamps - Hero Arts Holiday Sentiment Strips

Dies - Hero Arts Sentiment Strips & Fir Trees Infinity Dies;

Taylored Expressions Easy Strips 1/4"

Other - various gems; Jolee's star

I created my tree using quarter inch die cut strips. You can see a card I made during the Holiday Stamp Along (Laura Bassen class 9) HERE if you missed it. In anticipation of that class, I'd die cut a bunch of the stripes and made an extra panel. The TE die cuts 8 strips at a time and I cut it from 5 different colors so I had plenty ot them! Here's a shot of the panel & of the die cut trees I got from it:

 

I made the jumbo tree into a tag; you can see it HERE if you missed it.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting!!

More Winter Critters among Birch Trees

Happy Tuesday! Did you miss me yesterday after I've been posting so faithfully?? Well, I spent the morning finishing up my cards for the HeroFest Holiday Cheer Card Drive. I'd done oodles of card fronts but I was way behind on the insides! Plus, one needed to write a little personal message inside and, for prize purposes, put a sticky note on with your contact info (which won't stay with the card). 

Hero Arts needs to receive all card donations by 11/18. With the Veteran's Day holiday coming up, I figured I'd better mail early!! I boxed up and mailed 41 cards to Hero Arts, including all but one of the Stamp Along cards. Since I'd done several other versions of Jennifer McGuire's gorgeous card, I saved hers for more inspiration; the rest went in the box. LOL, there were more cards created for the drive than I have created the rest of the year for my own holiday card sending. Looks like I'll be getting busy in the next few weeks, trying to recreate my recent productivity!!

During the past weekend's Holiday Stamp Along, I did another birch tree panel so I could add another card to my own stash. This one fits the current Christmas Kickstart Challenge Trees, Trees, Trees!. 

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Solar White; TH Jewel Kraft Metallics;

Paper Studio vellum; Hero Arts Glitter Paper Basics

Stamps with Dies - Hero Arts Winter Critters Bundle

 & North Pole Express Bundle

Stamp & Cut set - Hero Arts Christmas Holidays

Stencil - Hero Arts Birch Trees

Other - Hero Arts Hero Paste Glitter;

Copic Markers; various HA blue inks for "sky"

I created today's card using the Jessica Frost-Ballas Holiday Stamp Along class 3 card as a template (see mine from the weekend HERE if you missed it). Today I used the hedgehog with the bunny (both from Hero Arts Winter Critters bundle) and added a present (from the HA North Pole Express Bundle). Also changed up the sentiment - used a Happy Holidays die from HA Christmas Holidays Stamp & Cut XL (love this set). Hard to see but the sentiment has a shadow layer of HA white glitter cardstock and a vellum mat layer. 

In class Jessica put Hero Paste on the "sky" too after coloring the white paste with liquid watercolor. I skipped that step both during class and here - simply ink blended my sky. I did use the Hero Paste (the fabulous glitter stuff) on the snow - so fun and sparkly!! Such a sweet design by Jessica; I'm sure I'll make other versions!

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting!!

Hero Arts Holiday Stamp Along - Day 2

Hi all - back with another quick share of today's card from Day 2 of the Hero Arts Holiday Stamp Along, plus a few extras. I enjoyed the weekend soooo much! *Warning - photo heavy post ahead!

Last night during the bonus session with Jenn Shurkus (using a digi download), I made a couple of cards using extra stuff from Jennifer McGuire's class and a stamped ornament. My printer is down so I couldn't do Jenn's cards but I watched the LIVE while I was doing my own thing. I can rewatch her amazing Copic coloring once I'm able to print the digis. 

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; Paper Studio Holiday;

Hero Arts glitter paper (white & gold)

Dies - Hero Arts Holly Berries Stamp & Cut XL

Foil Plate - Hero Arts Ornament Border (used for embossing)

Stamps - Hero Arts Holiday Borders and Icons (sentiment on right),

Snowflake Messages (sentiment on left),

& Winter Sparkle (retired)

Here are today's 5 cards in a group shot:

Here's a closer look at each, starting with Class 6 with Libby Hickson - poinsettias on cranberry cardstock painted with Hero Wax - love!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; Paper Studio Holiday 

Dies - Hero Arts Holiday Words

Stamps - Hero Arts Holiday Borders and Icons &

Poinsettia Flowers Bold Prints

Other - Hero Arts Berry Hero Wax & Earth glitter; 

white & gold embossing powders; Ranger Plum Archival ink

Class 7 with Lydia Fiedler - watercolored scene with stencil - so sweet!

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio grey A2 card; Neenah white;

Hero Arts Watercolor paper

Stencil - Hero Arts Birch Trees

Stamps & Dies - Hero Arts Winter Critters Bundle

Other - Distress Inks & Hero Arts Fog Reactive Ink;

Hero Arts clear sparkle lacquer; W Copics on owl

Class 8 with Robin Marshall Clark - fabulous stars!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; Paper Studio glitter & vellum

Stamps with Dies - Hero Arts Holiday Sparkles Bundle and 

Holly Berries Stamp & Cut XL (holiday word)

Dies - Hero Arts Holiday Words & Bulb Ornament Infinity Dies )

Other - various water reactive inks; silver ep; embossing ink; 

Salty Water Taffy Distress Spray; silver pen

Class 9 with Laura Bassen - fun stripes! She made a pine card; I used a primary blue.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah White; Paper Studio Holiday, Brights & vellum

Stamps - Hero Arts Holiday Borders and Icons 

Dies - Hero Arts Holly Berries Stamp & Cut XL; 

Taylored Expressions Easy Strips 1/4" (in class they used a paper trimmer) 

Other - white embossing power & embossing ink

Class 10 with Channin Peltier - amazing rainbow stars!

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts black; Neenah white

Stamps with Dies - Hero Arts Holiday Sparkles Bundle 

Stamps - Hero Arts Holiday Borders and Icons 

Other - various water reactive inks; clear ep (over embossing & black ink)

I'm adding one card to Stay Crafty with a Blog Named Hero's October Challenge Merry Everything since they only allow one card per post. These cards, or a similar version, will go to the HeroFest Holiday Cheer Card Drive.

Thanks again for stopping by and enjoying my Holiday Stamp Along cards! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!