Merry Monday Awesome Colors

It's Merry Monday time and this week we have an awesome color challenge.  Now don't let it scare you.  These are really fun colors to work with.  See if you can guess what they are.

Is this what you guessed?

You may have noticed that I'm pretty traditional when choosing colors for my Christmas cards.  So I need someone, like my artistic friend Lesley, to nudge me out of my comfort zone once in a while.  I had so much fun doing this.  I hope you'll try it out.  

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Many Merry Messages (retired)
Ink:  Garden Green
Paper:  Whisper White, Regal Rose (retired), Gumball Green, Garden Green, Real Red
Other:  Holly Embossing Folder (Sizzix), Poinsettia Die (Spellbinders), Holly & Fir Branch Punches (Martha Stewart), Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Gold Beads (Stash)

After cutting and embossing the poinsettia, I sponged a little ink on the petals for some definition and curled the petals a bit with my bone folder.  The red ribbon was a bit too bright so I added this embossed snippet I found in my scraps.

I'll take it to Pixie's Crafty Workshop, cuz I used some SNIPPETS on that poinsettia and greenery.

And Simon Says Wednesday Challenge is ANYTHING GOES.

The Christmas Card Challenge is also going with ANYTHING GOES.

I hope you'll try these colors out and join us at Merry Monday!  For wonderful inspiration check out what the rest of the design team has done. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

Thanks for stopping by.

Enjoy!

Frugal Christmas

My friend, Nessa, challenged us to make Christmas cards with non Christmas supplies.  She's calling it A Frugal Christmas Card Competition. 

It seems that she got rid of all her Christmas stampin' stuff a while back and now wants to make some Christmas cards for a favorite charity.  She's been very creative in finding things in her stash that will work.  

I thought it would be fun to play along.  But I have a LOT of Christmas stuff and it was getting in the way of me seeing anything but that.  So this was a challenge.  But then I had an idea and this is what came of it.

The embossed piece was already done.  All I had to do was tie a ribbon around it and pop it up on a card base.

The tag was punched from a snippet, stamped and doodled.  The red was also a snippet that I cut just a bit larger than the label so it would show up against the white.

I added a few rhinestones just for fun.

I'm going to take this festive card over to Rudolph Days.  It's always fun to visit Sandra's blog and this challenge lasts until the last day of the month. Oh, my that's tomorrow!

Speaking of fun, my snippets for the tag will get me into the playground at Pixie's Crafty Workshop.

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Warm Words

Ink:  Real Red, SU Marker (Real Red)

Paper:  Whisper White, Real Red

Other:  Extra Large Tag Punch (retired), Real Red Satin Ribbon (retired), Lacy Brocade EF (retired), Red stones (stash)

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Thursday, Jack ran into his preschool room with his arms wide open as if to say "Here I am". I'm told we have a Happy Jack now.  What a relief!  Now I can get down to enjoying those few hours of freedom each week!

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Enjoy!

Autumn Blessing

When I had my Thoughts and Prayers set out last week I thought I'd like to try inking it with markers and getting some Fall color in that tree.

Then when I saw this card by Tina (aka GardenDiva), Queen for the Day this week, I knew I wanted to give it a try.

This was my second try.  The first tree was leaning like it'd been in a hurricane!

Other than using the same tree, this doesn't look at all like Tina's card.  I was also inspired by the lovely Fall colors from this card.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge says ANYTHING GOES this week.  It's sure to be a busy week over there!

CASology's  cue card says AUTUMN.

Addicted to Stamps is calling for CAS

The Thanksgiving Campaign at the Simplicity blog is for Thanksgiving cards. Since I'll be sending this as a Thanksgiving card, I'm going over there too.  I agree with Susan that it's sad that Thanksgiving gets lost between Halloween and Christmas.  But we can make every day a Thanksgiving day by just looking around us and counting our blessings.

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Thoughts and Prayers, Take Care

Ink:  SU Markers (Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, Cajun Craze), Soft Sky

Paper:  Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla

Other:  Stitched Mats Rectangles (Lil' Inker), Stampin' Sponge

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

I inked the stamp with markers first inking the trunk and branches.  I inked all the leaves with the Pumpkin Pie then thumped all the other colors randomly.  I gave it a good huff and stamped it.  I dotted the "leaves" on the ground with markers and freehanded some falling leaves.  They look like tear drops falling from the tree and I almost trashed it.  It looks a little better to me today.  Hopefully it will make a special someone happy.

Oh, and I lightly sponged some Soft Sky around the tree.

Thanks for stopping by to visit.

Enjoy!

Merry Monday Snowman Joy

This week's Merry Monday Christmas Card Club challenge is one of my favorites.  See if you can guess what it is by this card.

Did you guess?

I think my snowman would probably be like my daughters and he'd be trying to catch snowflakes on his tongue!  They still do that and they are grown women.  They say they're teaching their kids what to do in the snow, but they just love catching snowflakes.

I love the way he looks so happy.  Like that big guy in the picture.

I'll take my snippet for his scarf and run to the playground at Pixie's Crafty Workshop.  That snippet was so small that I had trouble getting it to fit for his scarf.  I was determined though.

Card Recipe

Ink:  SU Markers (Crumb Cake, Basic Gray)

Paper:  Pool Party Core'dinations, Whisper White, Snippet of retired DSP

Other:  Snowman EF (Darice), Sanding block, Dazzling Details, Sparkle Texture Effect (Martha Stewart), Blender Pen

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

I embossed once on the Pool Party Core'dinations and once on Whisper White.  I fussy cut around the white snowman and adhered him to the blue. I got the subtle coloring of his arms, buttons, nose and mouth by swiping markers on an acrylic block and picking up the ink with a blender pen.  I added the Sparkle Texture Effect that my friend Loll introduced me to last year.  I love the texture and sparkle!  And I used a little Dazzling Details in the center of the larger snowflakes and around the edges of the snowman.

Now it's your turn.  Pull out your favorite snowman and join us at Merry Monday.  And if you need some fantastic inspiration, go on over and check out the rest of the Design Team's cards.  They are sure to inspire you!

Thanks for stopping by.

Enjoy!

Blooming Meadow

It has been a very busy weekend so this will be a very quick share.

This was made from a snippet left from this card.  Two very different looks from one stamped image.

I'll enter it at Simon Says Wednesday Challenge

We need to use a product from the Simon Says Stamp Store.  I used the Blooming Meadow stamp by Hero Arts.

And Pixie's Crafty Workshop only requires using snippets.  After I used the piece for the other card, this image became a snippet. And the pieces behind it are snippets too.

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Blooming Meadow Cling (Hero Arts)

Ink:  SU Markers

Paper:  Midnight Muse, Whisper White (SU)

Other:  Square Lattice EF ( SU)

I inked the stamp with various markers, huffed and stamped on Whisper White. The stamped image is layered onto Midnight Muse and 2 layers of Whisper White then the embossed piece.

I really appreciated all your kind and supportive comments about our Jack.  Now I've got to show you what his teacher sent to us on Friday.

This was taken on the playground.  I think he's making progress.  That smile is worth a million dollars!  If he cries this week, I'll remember this!

Hope you've had a wonderful weekend.  Thanks for spending time with me.

Enjoy!

For Queen Cindy

Here we are already to the end of the Queen for the Day's reign at SCS.  This week our honoree is Cindy aka frenziedstamper.  Every time I look through her gallery, I see something that I missed. What a treat!  This is the card that I chose to CASE.

And this is what I did....

I pulled out one of the watercolor spotches backgrounds that was hiding in my UFO box.  

Addicted to CAS has a good challenge.  I need some get well cards in my stash.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Thoughts and Prayers Thoughtful Messages (Hero Arts)

Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Paper:  Whisper White, Shimmery White (for watercolor), Basic Black

Other: Re-inkers, Aqua Painter

Jack is still breaking my heart with his crying when I leave him at preschool.  But today they said they got a picture of him smiling. There was a picture on the door of Jack and another little guy.  Jack had laid his hand on the other's shoulder and through his tears said, "Mommy with be back."  Made me want to cry.  

Next week will be easier.  

I hope.

So glad you could stop by.

Enjoy!

Baby Duck

DD told me last week that several of her friends are expecting babies.  This will come in handy when she raids my stash for cards.

CAS on Sunday is calling for BABY CARDS this week.  

Pixies Crafty Workshop is always looking for cards with snippets.  This little stamp is perfect for using snippets.

And here's another that I did while I was at it.  Just in case one is a girl.

This stamp is a NBUS (Never Before Used Schtuff).  It's a shame that the set was retired before I ever used this stamp.  I think it will stay on my shelf.  It's a quick and easy baby card.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamp: Easy Events

Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Paper: Whisper White, Tangerine Tango (card 1), Daffodil Delight (card 2)

Other:  Candy Dots, Square Lattice EF (card 1), Lacy Frame (Spellbinders), Copics

Thanks so much for the visit.

Enjoy!

Merry Monday Golden Ornament

The prompt for Merry Monday this week makes me think of chocolate covered cherries wrapped in gold foil.  Here's my take on it....

And here's the challenge....

Now let's see what you can do.

Then bring it over to Merry Monday.  And while you're there, be sure to check out the Design Team's cards.  I've seen them and they're gorgeous!

Here's a close up of the ornament.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Ornament Keepsakes, Small Script (retired)

Ink:  Encore Gold, Cherry Cobbler

Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Champagne Glimmer

Other:  Gold EP, Holiday Ornaments Framelit, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Square Lattice EF, Kars Snowflake EF (Cuttlebug)

I used some cardstock and ribbon snippets on this card so I'm going to Pixie's Crafty Workshop to play in the playground.  Did I see something about Lynn bringing a dancing pig? I've gotta see this!

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge says EMBOSS IT!!!  I've heat embossed the ornament and dry embossed 2 panels.  I love embossing.  What, you hadn't noticed?

I'm busily trying to get ready for my first Christmas Stamp Stack of the year.  I always wonder if I'll get everything done in time.  I had to rework one card after I covered my hands and the card with ink.  LOL, what a mess!  Here's a peek at what we'll be doing.

Lesson learned-sponge ink on vellum don't use markers!

Thanks for the visit.

Enjoy!

Featuring Julie with Gently Falling Leaves

Last week's Featured Stamper at SCS was Julie (aka Humma).  Julie has some wonderful cards.  I chose this card to CASE.  Julie used flip flops but I'm ready to see some Fall colors!

And do you see that envelope?  Mr. Brown delivered my Envelope Punch Board. 

I hated that Stampin' Up! retired their long, open ended envelopes. They were a favorite at my classes and with my customers.  Now I can make them, quick as a wink.  I used a piece of Decorative Paper that a friend had given me.  The color was perfect and with a label for the address makes a wonderful complement to the card.  Let me know if you want one of these. The price is only $19.95 and I think that's a bargain!  If you click on the picture on my sidebar you can see a video of how this works.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Gently Falling, Bright Blessings Wheel (retired; hint, I took it off the wheel and cut apart the sentiments)

Ink: Crushed Curry, More Mustard (retired)

Paper:  Watercolor (Strathmore), Decorative Paper (?)

Other:  Twine (my stash), Stampin' Dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig

I inked the full leaf with Crushed Curry and stamped down the side of the card then stamped a few on a scrap of watercolor paper.  Using my Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the outline stamp, I overstamped with More Mustard.  I cut out 3 from the scrap and laid them atop with Stampin' Dimensionals.  I tied a little bow with some waxed beading twine and glued it to one of the popped up leaves.  The card measures 3 1/4" x 6 1/4".

Challenges

SCS Free 4 All Challenge let's use a bit of gold on your creations! And, bonus if your card has an Autumnal Theme...or some other idea inspired by this poem by Robert Frost.

Nothing Gold Can Stay

Nature's first green is gold, 

Her hardest hue to hold. 

Her early leaf's a flower; 

But only so an hour. 

Then leaf subsides to leaf. 

So Eden sank to grief, 

So dawn goes down to day. 

Nothing gold can stay.

The Thanksgiving Crusade at the Simplicity blog.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Enjoy!

Autumn Blessings for Queen Cheryl

After a weekend of Christmas cards and a class using Summer colors, I was ready to get into Autumn.  And this beautiful card by Cheryl, aka CherylQuilts, was just the inspiration I needed.  Cheryl was last week's Queen for the Day.  I'm terribly behind but wanted to honor her.  Besides, she has some gorgeous cards that I would love to CASE.

These gorgeous diecut flowers were a gift from my blogging friend, Doris.  She enclosed several beautiful diecuts in a gorgeous card! What a wonderful surprise!  You can check out her blog here.  She does beautiful CAS cards.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe
Stamps: Take Care
Ink:  Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke
Paper:  Cajun Craze, Whisper White, Dusty Durango
Other: Square Lattice EF, Diecut Fresh Daisies (Simon Says Stamp), Pumpkin Pie Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin' Sponge, Blender Pen

The daisies were white so I sponged some Pumpkin Pie ink on the flowers and Always Artichoke on the stems and leaf.  Then I used a blender pen and Cajun Craze ink to add highlights and Always Artichoke ink to add some highlights to the leaf.  The sentiment from Take Care was stamped in Cajun Craze.

I'm going to take this over to Simon Says Wednesday Challenge  

EMBOSS IT!!  Heat or dry embossing

And if I hurry, I can slip into Pixie's Crafty Workshop's playground with the snippets on this card.

I'm really glad you stopped by.  Hope to see you again soon.

Enjoy!

Too Kind with Friends

We had a Papercrafting class this morning.  Want to see one of the cards we did?

I hope you said yes.

We did some 2-step stamping.  It's one of my favorite techniques.  Everyone got to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig for each of 3 cards.  By the end of the class, I think everyone was pretty comfortable with that tool.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps: Too Kind

Ink:  Crisp  Cantaloupe, Strawberry Slush, Gumball Green

Paper:  Crisp Cantaloupe, Strawberry Slush, Whisper White

Other:  Lattice EF (Sizzix), Stamp-a-ma-jig, Beading Twine (non SU),  Pearl Basic Jewels

Wish you could have joined us.

Thanks for the visit.

Enjoy!

Peace

Recently I was putting a box of cards together for Operation Write Home.  I had room in the box for some more cards so I raided my Christmas UFO box to see what I could find that would be quick and easy.  And with no glitter.  LOL, now that that box is shipped, I can get out the glitter and glimmer!

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Lovely as a Tree, Itty Bitty Backgrounds (retired)
Ink:  Old Olive, Marina Mist, Whisper White
Paper:  Whisper White
Other:  White EP, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Kars Snowflake EF (Cuttlebug-retired I think), White Gel Pen

I found this tree stamped and die cut.  I stamped the "snow" around the tree with one of the Itty Bitty Background stamps and Whisper White Craft Ink and embossed with white embossing powder.  Then I sponged around the tree with Marina Mist ink.  The image panel is popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals atop an embossed layer.  And I used a White Gel Pen to deposit some snow on the branches

Challenges

Festive Friday

This card says PEACE to me.  I'm thinking of the hush of snow falling and softly settling on the trees and ground.  

Simon Says Monday Challenge From dry embossed paper to creating a resist effect with clear embossing powder, extra fine embossing powder to melted UTEE in a pot, there’s a lot of textured fun to be had this week.

I have heat embossing and dry embossing.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you come back soon.

Enjoy!

Merry Monday Little Tree

Is it my imagination or does Monday come more quickly each week?  I'm glad I've got a good stash of Christmas cards already thanks to Merry Monday.  It will soon be time to mail them out.

Have you ever had one idea for a card and looked down at the remains of other cards laying on your table to see a perfect combination that you hadn't even thought of?  That's what happened here.

This little tree was sitting there all diecut and sponged.  And this is the challenge for Merry Monday Christmas Card Club this week.

photo source

Challenge Rules

1. Each week there will be a brand new challenge posted on Monday at 5am (PST).
2. Each participant must comment on 3 cards in the Gallery to be eligible to win. (Who doesn't love comments!)
3. Neutral colours and any product is welcome.
4. Have fun!
5. Follow the weekly challenge closely to complete a Christmas card

We have 2 new faces on our Design Team this week.  Welcome to Karen and Karren.  They are amazing artists and I know you will enjoy the cards they have provided for your inspiration.  So hop on over and take a look at what they and the rest of the fabulous Design Team brought to share with you this week.  Then get  your craft on and join us at Merry Monday.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Joyous Celebrations (retired)

Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Wild Wasabi

Paper:  Wild Wasabi, Whisper White

Other:  Holiday Collection Framelits (retired), Extra-Large Oval Punch, Linen Thread, Gold Beads (from stash)

I sponged Wild Wasabi ink on the little tree then stamped with a little stamp from the first SU set I ever bought.  I believe the name of the set was Watercolor Minis.  It's a little, bitty stamp with lots of dots.

I zipped a piece of Whisper White through the Big Shot with my Woodgrain Embossing Folder and pulled out a sentiment already stamped and punched.  Did I mention that I have a Christmas UFO box too?  LOL, I've got several boxes of UFOs.  And popped the little tree on the card front, decorated with gold beads and was done.

Other challenges

Cuttlebug Mania - Back to Nature 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Enjoy!

Singing Merry Little Christmas

I've really been enjoying this Merry Little Christmas stamp.  Here's another card I made with it.

Addicted to CAS has an appropriate challenge for this card

When I saw this challenge I was thinking I'd get out my dewheeled Music Notes.  But then, I kept humming "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and had an Ah Ha moment!

I had the most wonderful surprise at Addicted to CAS.  They decided to have a Wall of Fame. What is the Wall of Fame you may ask?  Here it is in their words...

We would like to acknowledge those of you who participate week in and week out. We know that you aren't in it for the prizes - they are just a bit of a bonus for you.

And wait til you see who I'm rubbing elbows with over there.  Just some of the most talented cardmakers in the world!

I'm honored!

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Merry Little Christmas

Ink:  SU Markers, Garden Green, Real Red

Paper:  Real Red, Whisper White, Snippets of Garden Green and DSP

Other:  Snowburst EF, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Star Punch (

Here's  a hint.  You can ink this in red and stamp and then ink it in green and stamp again. By cutting out the Merry from each and putting it on the other, you get a two color sentiment and 2 cards.  Here's the other one I did.

Some of you asked for a tutorial on how I did the bow on this card.  LOL, I'm not sure I could do it again especially holding a camera.  (I don't have any video equipment.) But if I can manage it, I'll be sure to show you how.  I pretty much just looped like a bow twice and did a big one for the top and tied it all up.  I saw a similar one but can't remember where.  If you're the one who did it and read this, let me know so I can give you the credit.

Jack started preschool on Tuesday.  He wasn't a happy camper!  I'm hoping that he'll do better next week.  My prayers go out to preschool teachers everywhere.  What patience it takes!  Here he is with his big brother Luke.  Can you see why they hold my heart?

Thanks for stopping by.

Enjoy!