Thursday, December 29, 2011

Bashful Night Whisper

The Color Challenge at SCS this week is to use Bashful Blue, Night of Navy and Whisper White.


 I needed to make some thank you cards.  Oh, I have plenty already made, but I just had to make some more for specific people.  I hope the recipient gets her card before she sees this blog.

This set is available only to hostesses.  It has 3 lovely flowers that are 2-step stamping or, like here, can be stamped and watercolored.  Markers make it so quick and easy to color!

I don't know if you can see them or not, but some of the flowers have some tiny pearls in the center.

All supplies Stampin' Up!
Card Recipe
Stamps:  Simply Soft, Teeny, Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, SU Markers (Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, Crumb Cake)
Paper:  Whisper White, Night of Navy, Bashful Blue
Other:  Big Shot, Square Lattice EF, Basic Pearls

We had a visit today from our #2 daughter and grandson.  Gavin is 7 yrs. old and can recite the periodic table of elements.  He is such an amazing and sweet tempered child.  What a joy!

I'm so glad you stopped by.  I love hearing from you.

Enjoy!
 

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Not Quite Christmas

I have something to share with you today.  The stamped image was among those I was madly stamping the week before Christmas.  I decided that this would work for a Christmas thank you.  I haven't decided whether to stamp a small Thanks and punch it out to add to the front or just leave it blank and write my thanks inside.


This was so quick and easy!  I stamped the holly on a scrap of Whisper White and colored it in with markers.  Then I placed it in the Designer Frames Oval Embossing Folder and ran it through the Big Shot and used my Paper Snips to cut the oval out.  I had a large white oval on the table and discovered it was a perfect fit behind the frame.  The little bow is attached with a glue dot.  Layered it on a Snow Burst panel, then Real Red on a Whisper White card.

I really love this little image.  Now I need to try the others in this set.

All Supplies Stampin' Up!
Stamps:  Easy Events
Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, SU Markers (Garden Green, Real Red)
Paper:  Real Red, Whisper White
Other:  Big Shot, Snow Burst EF, Designer Frames EF, Ovals Bigz Die, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine

It's been another quiet day here.  I even got some sewing projects taken care of.  It's nice to be caught up... in that quarter anyway.  Tomorrow the boys will be back and all the excitement that comes with them.

I'm so glad you stopped by.

Enjoy!

Monday, December 26, 2011

Word Window

Hello Stampin' Friends.  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a very enjoyable day after Christmas.  I got to stamp today so you know I've had a good day!


The lovely ladies at Less is More took time to post a challenge on Christmas Eve.   Now, that's true dedication!  Their challenge this week is
JUST ONE WORD
Whatever type of clean and simple card you make, the sentiment must consist of simply one word.




This stamp set has been sitting in the box of must use all the stamps in the set for quite some time.  That hello was calling to me.

I inked the stamp with Not Quite Navy and Wild Wasabi and stamped on a scrap piece of Whisper White.  Then I inked and stamped the silhouette stamp with Wild Wasabi.  I went over the leaves with the Wild Wasabi marker to add some definition to the leaves and colored the flower and buds with my Poppy Parade marker.

Then came the fun part!  Measuring to cut the window.  When I figured the size of the window (3 1/2" X 2 1/4"),  I used my Fiskars Paper Cutter to cut it out.  Then I put that piece in my Square Lattice Embossing Folder and ran it through the Big Shot.  A Not Quite Navy marker on the edges of the window added some extra definition.

I'll also send this to the CAS (Clean and Simple) challenge at Splitcoast Stampers today, which is to do a WINDOW CARD

All supplies are Stampin' Up!
Stamps:  My Friend
Ink:  Wild Wasabi, SU Markers (Not Quite Navy, Wild Wasabi, Poppy Parade)
Paper:  Not Quite Nave, Whisper White
Other:  Big Shot, Square Lattice EF

I think the week after Christmas is my favorite part of the holiday.  The hustle and bustle are over and now I can relax and enjoy the decorations and peacefulness.   I always leave my Christmas decorations up until New Year's day.  When do you take your decorations down?

I'm so glad you stopped by.  I eagerly await hearing from you.

Enjoy!

Friday, December 23, 2011

Merry Christmas

Nothing fancy, just a heartfelt wish that you have a very
Merry Christmas




Enjoy!
 

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Christmas Songs

Remember the song "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, underneath the mistletoe last night"?


All supplies Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Easy Events
Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, SU Marker (Old Olive River Rock)
Paper: Whisper White, Old Olive
Other:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dot EF, Dazzling Details

This was so difficult to get a good photo.  It made me think of Burl Ives singing "Silver and Gold".  My mother loved that song.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Ornate Ornaments
Ink:  Encore Silver & Gold
Paper:  Whisper White, Gold Origami paper
Other:  Gold EP

Both are for the Less is More challenge.  This week's challenge is....

This week is Theme week and we have chosen


MUSIC
 
What Christmas songs are you singing this year?
 
Thanks for stopping by.
 
Enjoy!
 

 

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Birdwatching

I fell in love with this stamp the first time I saw it.  I love watching the little Chickadees.


A closer look.


Inked with markers then colored with ink, markers and a blender pen.  The sentiment is from a retired set.  I left off the tails when I inked it with a marker.

All supplies Stampin' Up!
Stamps:  Beautiful Season, Small Script
Ink:  SU Markers (Garden Green, Basic Black, Soft Suede, Real Red)
Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Other:  Big Shot, Snow Burst EF, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding

I'm so glad you stopped to look.

Enjoy!
 



Monday, December 19, 2011

Stockings Hung with Care


A catalog CASE.

Thanks for stopping by.

Enjoy!
 




Friday, December 16, 2011

Snow Swirled

It's such a busy time!  It's hard to find time on the computer but I just had to share this card that I did for the Less is More challenge last Saturday.

ONE LAYER CARD

This time our theme is

Let it Snow!

Last Saturday I stamped with my Roanoke Rapids friends and Barbara had this set that I love but never bought for myself. 

It's stamped in Old Olive and added some Dazzling Details to the snow flakes.  The sparkle doesn't show up well in the photo but it adds a real frosty look IRL.  I added the frame with my Simply Scored to give it a more finished look.


The snowflake at the top of the tree was cut from a second stamping.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!
Card Recipe
Stamps: Snow Swirled
Ink:  Old Olive
Paper:  Whisper White
Other:  Dazzling Details, Basic Rhinestones, Simply Scored

I have some more Christmas cards that I would like to share.  If time is as crunched as it's been, I will try to post the pictures even if I don't have time to write anything with it.  If you have any questions, you can email me and I will be glad to answer them.

If you like a bargain, hop over to my Online Store and check out the Clearance rack.  There are some really good deals!

I'm so glad you stopped by.  I hope to visit you soon.

Enjoy!
 




 
 
 

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Green

The Less is More challenge last Saturday was...

It's the first week of the month and so once more it's a Colour challenge, this week we have chosen

GREEN


This is a super quick card stamping the tree and sentiment from the Bright Hopes set.  Both were stamped with Old Olive ink.  The corners were punched with the ticket corner punch and some Clearance SU ribbon provided a base for the tree.

I was still in the bling mode from last weeks challenge and added a few rhinestones to give it some sparkle.


We did a similar card in our Papercrafting Class a couple of weeks ago.  This is the sample I did for that class.


I wasn't really satisfied with the heavy ribbon.  So I decided to do a remake for this challenge.

And I  want to share the card that Barb made at that class.


See how she grounded the tree on the noel?  What a great idea!

Card Recipe (All products Stampin' Up!)
Stamps:  Bright Hopes
Ink:  Old Olive
Paper:  Whisper White, Old Olive
Other:  Ticket Corner Punch, Ribbon Essentials-Elementary, Basic Rhinestones

I had the boys on my own today.  Boy do I feel old tonight as I've been the villian to multiple Superheroes.  I have trouble convincing Luke that I should have a turn being the good guy!  Jack discovered that he could roll over and got himself so tickled.  It's always a blessing to hear a baby laugh out loud.

Thanks for stopping by.  I really enjoy hearing from you.

Enjoy!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Lovely as a Frosty Tree

The Color Challenge at SCS this week is to use Kraft, White & Pear Pizzazz.  Dessert is dots, spots or circles.


I stamped a scene with this tree from my Lovely as a Tree set, then cut a 1 7/8" x 4" piece for this card.  It's matted on a piece of Crumb Cake cut 2" x 4 1/8" and adhered with dimensionals.

I think I like this tree stamped in a darker ink, but The Pear Pizzazz gives it a misty look, maybe?!  I added some spots of snow with Dazzling Details.  Can you see them better here?

The sentiment is stamped with Whisper White and heat embossed with White embossing powder.


When I saw that the Tuesday Throwdown challenge was for a Masculine Christmas card, I thought this was a good fit.  I've never participated in this challenge, but my friend Brenda of Benzi Stamps is on the Design Team and I keep meaning to play.

All supplies SU
Card Recipe
Stamps:  Lovely as a Tree, To You and Yours (retired)
Ink:  Pear Pizzazz, SU Marker (Crumb Cake), Whisper White
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Whisper White
Other:  White EP, Dazzling Details

Jack has a new trick.  He hold on to our ears (or earrings) and just about eats us up with sloppy kisses.  I'm hoping that baby kisses are a good moisturizer.  Think of all the money I'll save!

I'm so glad you stopped for a visit.

Enjoy!
 

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Holly, Jolly Christmas

I love this Jolly Bingo Bits stamp set.  The images are tiny and a bit challenging for a card, but I've enjoyed playing with them.


I think they are well suited to these 3 1/4" x 6 1/4" cards and it couldn't be easier.  I inked the image with markers and stamped on a scrap of Whisper White 3 times, punched them out with my 1 1/4" Square punch, punched 3 scallop squares from scraps of Garden Green, adhered the images and stamped the sentiment. Rounded corners mimic the scallops.

There are 24 images that can be mixed or matched.  Quick, easy and uses scraps... What fun!

I think I'll enter this in the SU Only challenge this week to make a card using our favorite Christmas colors.

All supplies SU
Card Recipe
Stamps:  Jolly Bingo Bits, Many Merry Messages
Ink:  SU Markers (Real Red, Garden )
Paper:  Whisper White, Garden Green
Other:  Scallop Square, 1 1/4" square, Corner Rounder punches

I'm so glad you stopped by and I love hearing from you.

Enjoy!
 


Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Tag It

This weeks Technique Challenge at SCS  is to do a Christmas tag.


This image was in my UFO (UnFinished Objects) box.  It had a spot on the bottom corner so it didn't make it on a card. Cutting the corners for the tag shape took care of that. Then it was mounted on a scrap of Real Red trimmed to be 1/8" larger than the image.  Real Red Taffeta Ribbon finishes it off.

The image was embossed with Stampin' Up!'s new pewter embossing powder.  It's so rich looking and perfect when I can't decide if I want gold or silver embossing.


Here's the embossed image on a card.  The sentiment is embossed too.  The pewter is a perfect complement to the Sahara Sand and Cherry Cobbler card.

All supplies Stampin' Up!

Tag Recipe
Stamps:  Bells & Boughs, Winter Post
Ink:  VersaMark, Basic Black
Paper:  Whisper White, Real Red
Other:  Pewter EP, 1/4" hole punch, Real Red Taffeta Ribbon

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Bells & Boughs, Many Merry Messages
Ink:  VersaMark
Paper:  Sahara Sand, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Other:  Pewter EP, Ticket Corner Punch, Basic Rhinestones

I'm so glad you could stop in.  I've really enjoyed your comments, especially about Luke's turkey.  When I told him this afternoon that I put a picture of it on the computer and my friends really liked it, he gave me the sweetest smile. Three year old smiles are the best!

Enjoy!
 


 

Monday, November 28, 2011

Mistletoe or Holly

Hi there.  I managed 20 minutes of time in my craft room before Jack decided he just had to join me.  That was hours ago, and I've finally got this card finished and ready to share.


I believe this is supposed to be mistletoe.  But around here, there is an ornamental holly that has similar leaves and red berries.  So I took a little creative license and used the red berries.  They show up so much better.

I even added some Dazzling Details to give it a frosty look.


The layout is from this card that Denise did and it's the CAS challenge this week on SCS.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Easy Events
Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, SU Markers (Garden Green, Real Red, Sahara Sand)
Paper:  Real Red, Whisper White, Garden Green
Other:  Scallop Border Punch, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Snow Burst EF

Speaking of creative license.  Luke brought a Thanksgiving project home from preschool today.  It was his Thanksgiving turkey.  He pointed out that the leaf behind is his feathers and the yellow is his beak and can you spot both feet?  (I think Mr. Turkey was trying to run away and his feet slipped out from under him. LOL.)   Here's a peek at it.
I think Luke really liked those googly eyes!

I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

I'm so glad you stopped in for a peek.

Enjoy!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

A Bit of Bling

The Less is More challenge this week is...
A BIT OF


There's just a little bit of bling on this card, but I think the embossing adds some shimmer and shine too.  Maybe you can see it better here...


The Baroque flourishes are stamped in VersaMark and heat embossed with silver.  The ornament is stamped in VersaMark and heat embossed with Cherry Cobbler.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Baroque Motifs, Delightful Decorations
Ink:  VersaMark
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler
Other:  Silver and Cherry Cobbler EP, Basic Rhinestone

Do check out all the wonderful submissions to this challenge.  What a wealth of inspiraton!

I'm so glad you stopped by today.

Enjoy!





Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving


I wish you wonderful moments with those you are thankful for.  And if you can't be with those you love, I wish you many happy hours of cardmaking.


Card Recipe
Stamps: French Foliage, Hand-Penned Holidays
Ink:  More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Rich Razzleberry Textured
Other:  White EP

SU-Only Challenge  Thankful.


Enjoy!
 


Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Snowman

I love snow.  Especially North Carolina snow.  It falls and looks so pretty and everything stops or slows down.  By the time we're sick of it, it's gone.  And it's amazing how the children, big and small, can make a snowman with very little snow.


On Saturday, some friends and I made snowmen.  No, it didn't snow here, but the Mica Flakes were flying!

I saw this snowman on the Sleepy in Seattle blog last year.  I didn't have a chance to build one then, but it was at the top of my to do list for this year.

We used the 2 1/2" and 1 3/4" circle punches.  By punching the center of a 3" piece with the 1 3/4" punch first, then punching around it with the 2 1/2" punch to create a donut, a Circle Treat Cup (p. 182) fits perfectly.  We filled the cups with Mica Flakes laid the "donut" on top, peeled the paper from the edge of the cup and adhered to another 2 1/2" punched circle.

The head is made of 1 3/4" punched circles, the eyes and berries from a 1/8" punch, the arms and leaves are a MS punch.

The hat is punched with the 1 1/4" Square and Word Window Punches.  We punched 2 of each then adhered them back to back with the fishing line loop between them.

For the snowflake, we mounted some scraps of Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets on scraps of Whisper White and used the Northern Frost Sizzlit Strip Die to cut them out.  Then we peeled the backing off and sprinkled with Dazzling Diamonds for some real sparkle.


I had trouble capturing the sparkle on camera.  I hope you can see it. And I hope you can follow all the directions.

All materials Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted
Recipe
Paper:  Naturals White, Whisper White, Basic Black, Tangerine Tango
Other:  Circle Treat Cups, Mica Flakes, Nortern Frost Sizzlit Strip, Dazzling Diamonds, Adhesive Sheets, 2 1/2", 1 3/4" 1/8", 1 1/4" Square, and Word Window Punches, MS Evergreen punch, Poppy Parade Ribbon, Basic Rhinestone

The Technique Challenge at SCS yesterday was to Make it Snow.  And the CAS Challenge, also at SCS, yesterday was Christmas/Winter.

I'm so glad you stopped by today.

Enjoy
 

Monday, November 21, 2011

Stately Stag

The Less is More challenge on Saturday was at theme.....


Silhouettes

n. A silhouette is the image of a person, an object or scene consisting of the outline and a basically featureless interior, with the silhouetted object usually being black.
 

I need a Birthday card for a special brother-in-law.  I think this will do.

The frame is embossed using a small wood frame from the craft store.  By placing the cardstock in the embossing folder and adding the frame to the sandwich, it leaves the center unembossed. (Is that a word?)

I masked off the plain area with sticky notes. Then I inked the trees in Soft Suede, stamped off once on scrap and stamped.  Stamping the deer in Early Espresso took care of the silhouette that I needed for the challenge.  Sponge daubers and Stampin' Pastels finished the design off.  The silhouette is not black but I hope it's dark enough to be considered a silhouette.

Here's a closer look.


Card Recipe
Stamps:  Lovely as a Tree, Winter Post
Ink:  Soft Suede, Early Espresso
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip
Other:  Big Shot, Square Lattice EF

Most of the leaves are on the ground now so the ground is very colorful.  I love the way the fallen leaves smell and the 70 degree weather is pretty nice too.

I'm so glad you stopped by.

Enjoy!
 


Thursday, November 17, 2011

Baby It's Cold Outside

This is a quick card made from pieces tried and discarded for a later date.  They didn't even make it into my UFO (UnFinished Objects) box.


Can you see the rhinestones in the centers of the lacy flowers.  And I love to thread ribbon, or in this case, Baja Breeze Seam Binding through the lace.

The sentiment is one word from the Peace on Earth stamp in the Four the Holidays set.

I don't know if you can see it or not, but the snowflakes are wearing a little Dazzling Details.  I do love sparkly snow!


And this is from another experiment.  I first embossed the card front with the Northern Frost Embossing Folder, then covered the snowflakes with Dazzling Details.  I love the sparkle, but the moisture from the Dazzling Details made some waves in the design piece.  I can still see the waves so I'm thinking I should have used more adhesive on the back.

Card Recipe (Card 1)
Stamps:  Northern Hearts (Retired), Four the Holidays
Ink:  Baja Breeze, SU Marker (Baja Breeze)
Paper:  Whisper White, Marina Mist, Baja Breeze
Other:  Dazzling Details, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Basic Rhinestones

Card Recipe (Card 2)
Stamps: Many Merry Messages
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler
Paper:  Basic Black, Whisper White
Other:  Big Shot, Northern Frost EF, Dazzling Details

Yesterday it was almost 80 here and the temperature has dropped to 46 this afternoon and supposed to keep going down.  It's a good day to think about Christmas and snowflakes!  I hope you are enjoying the weather wherever you are.

Thanks for the stopping by.  I really appreciate your comments.

Enjoy!