Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Two Christmas gifts

Hi.  A very short post today, to share 2 framed layouts that I created for 2 of our nieces.  Now that they've unwrapped their gifts, it's safe to post the photos here!  It was difficult to get good photos because of the glass...so many reflections.  But I still wanted to share.
You wouldn't believe how long it took me to create these.   I know.  You've heard that from me before, huh?  But the time was SO worth it.  It's something I loved doing!
I hope the girls liked them.


For this one stayed with neutral colors, with a few accents of blue to coordinate with the blue background in her photo.  She's in chorus and likes reading and butterflies...so I incorporated a sheet sheet music printed vellum as the background.  Then I matted her photo with a piece of an old book page.  Then the scattering of butterflies.


For the second layout I used her favorite colors...the colors in her bedroom.  Pink and yellow.  I used some banner die cuts, a star border and a zig-zag border punch.
I used the same sentiment stamp for both layouts because I love the message.
"Take a moment to remember how special you are & how lucky the world is to have you in it."  It is so appropriate for 2 nieces that we love so much!
The stamp is from Papertrey Ink.

Thank you for taking a look today!

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Merry Christmas with snowflakes

Hi, I'm finally back. It's been almost 2 weeks since my previous post.  I keep thinking that I've finished making all the Christmas cards that we need.  Then I realize I've forgotten 1 or 2 people.  I *think* this is my final card for the season.  This one is going to our paper carrier with a little something inside.

I'm playing along in 2 challenges.

The Paper Players #126 - Ann's CAS challenge, featuring snowflakes



Here's my take on that challenge combo!


You know what?  I began with the intention of making this a masculine card.  Hence the blue and brown color choices.  Because our paper carrier is a guy.  Um.  I'm thinking I should have stopped myself from adding those pretty blue gems.  So pretty.  But not "manly".

Well.

I guess that's Stanley's problem now.

Cause I just can't bring myself to remove those bits of bling.  No.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by.  I appreciate all of my visitors!  Merry Christmas and Peace Be With You.





The recipe:
Card stock: marina mist, whisper white, early espresso (SU) white vellum (The Paper Studio)
Ink: early espresso (SU)
Stamps: love lives here - holiday (PTI)
DSP: festival of lights pack (SU)
Other: blue gems (The Paper Studio), damask snowflake die, snowflake medley die (PTI)





Sunday, December 9, 2012

Merry Christmas - Just Us Girls Challenge

Ahhh.  Today is proving to be much more relaxing than yesterday.  Why do I push myself to get so much done in ONE day?  Anyway.  After addressing all of those cards yesterday, I realized I needed 2 more Christmas cards.  I created this one last night, but couldn't photograph until today.

If you receive my blog post through email, click HERE to read directly on my blog.

This one is also going into the Just Us Girls Challenge #166 - Technique challenge, embossing
I still had my heat tool on my craft table, so I chose heat embossing again. Besides...it's so much fun to watch that embossing powder melt into shiny-ness.  Really.



I embossed the leaf images and the sentiment in gold embossing powder.  Then I used my Wild Wasabi marker to color all of those tiny open areas within the leaves.  This is one of those techniques that I forget to use often, even though I enjoy it.  Very easy card to make and to mail.
Thank you for taking a few moments to stop and look.  I hope you're enjoying your Sunday.

Later!


Supplies:
Card stock: white (PTI)
Ink: wild wasabi (SU), versamark
Stamps: harvest berries (PTI), greetings of the season (SU)
Other: gold embossing powder (SU)

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Merry Christmas - 2 challenges

Hey, happy weekend.  It's been such a busy weekend so far, that I haven't had a chance to relax yet.  Hopefully, after I've finished this post I'll settle into my recliner for the rest of the evening...and do NOTHING.

So, when I finished addressing Christmas cards today, I realized that I needed 2 more.  So this little number is one of the cards that (I hope) finishes my stack of cards that will go off the the post office on Monday.

I'm playing along in 2 challenges.

CASology week #22 - Sparkle (oh yes, I love sparkle)  This challenge blog is new to me, and I'm really excited to play along.  You should take a look at the inspiration provided by the design team!
Just Us Girls #166 - Technique Challenge {embossing}  I enjoy both heat embossing and dry embossing, so it didn't take me long to decide to play along with the girls this week.

I combined these 2 challenges into this Christmas card.


Guess what?  This card came together so quickly, that I wondered if something was wrong. Ha!  Really, though, I'm so pleased with how it turned out.  It was easy AND fun.
I used a set of star dies from WPlus9 for the focal panel, then I adhered a piece of champagne glimmer paper - very glittery - behind the panel.  The sentiment is heat embossed with champagne embossing powder.  After that I just popped up this panel with foam tape onto the card base and I was done.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by.  I hope you'll leave a comment; I love hearing from my visitors!


Supplies:
Card stock: basic black, champagne glimmer (SU)
Ink: versamark
Stamps: Christmas blessings (PTI)
Other: clear cut stacker dies - stars (WPlus9), champagne embossing powder (Recollections), foam tape, scor-tape, anti-static bag



Monday, December 3, 2012

Holiday Hugs - a Christmas Card

Just a quick post tonight to share a card I made yesterday for 2 challenges.  The evening got away from me, so I had to wait until tonight to post.  Those weekends go SO fast.



I made this card for one of my very special Aunts.  I think she'll like it!


I didn't have any natural light to take these photos, so the burgundy looks a bit washed out.  It's much richer in real life.  I did a lot of layering and embellishing on this card.  And it was fun.  Lots of fun!
I'll list my supplies below.  Gotta go.
Toodles!



Supplies:
Card stock: basic gray, naturals ivory, bravo burgundy, silver glimmer paper (SU)
Ink: smokey gray, onyx black (Versafine), cranberry crisp, basic gray (SU)
Stamps: BB:Postmarks, button boutique, love lives here-holiday (PTI)
Die: button card die collection (PTI)
Other: pewter stick pin (Jenni Bowlin), wine organdy ribbon, linen thread (SU), cream pom pom trim (from my stash), mini wooden spool (Maya Road), thread, scor-tape, foam tape, glue dots




Sunday, December 2, 2012

Merry & Bright

If you're receiving my blog posts via email, click HERE to read directly from my blog.
I'm sharing a card that I made for several challenges.  The challenge that really jump started this card is the Moxie Fab World Challenge - Keen On Neon.  Rarely do I use neon colors on my projects/cards...but the inspiration that Cath provided was simply irresistible, so I just had to give it a try!

I'm using the colors from Color Throwdown CTD220.  SO pretty, and perfect for going neon.
Crazy 4 Challenges C4C #165 - Create a card that features a snowman.

The Paper Players Challenge #124, Ann's Theme Challenge - Snowmen

I recently saw a tri-fold card made by Julie Ebersole, on Ellen Hutson's Classroom.  That card inspired me to make this card.


I embossed the snowflakes in turquoise, citron and cherry after die cutting a window in the front of my card.  From there, I knew where to place my die cut, snowman stamped, panel (matted in cherry).  I colored the little guy's hat and scarf in cherry, also.  Then added a bit of stickles to the pom pom and trim of his cap.
I stamped a sentiment inside the card, on that center panel.
This card was a little difficult to photograph.  It refused to stay closed!  You'll see in one of the photos that I got a little help from one of my snowman decorative figures.  It worked!

Thanks for taking a look today!

Supplies:
Card stock: white (PTI), cherry cobbler (SU)
Ink: basic black, cherry cobbler (SU), versamark, jet black staz-on (Tseukineko)
Stamps: merry & bright (SU), snowflake medley (PTI)
Embossing powder: cherry cobbler, tempting turquoise (SU), citron (Recollections)
Dies: classic rectangles large (Spellbinders), clear cut stackers pinking squares (WPlus9)
Other: crystal stickles (Ranger), heat tool


Hey friend! Freshly Made Sketches Challenge

Today, I'm playing along with Freshly Made Sketches #631 Challenge.  A sketch always helps me with a starting point for my cards. There...