Hello!

It's been a very long time since I've shared anything on my blog. Life just got very, very busy.  I've been continuing to create cards, but I've not taken the time to photograph my cards or share them.  Now that I'm retired (YAY!) I hope to get back to blogging regularly.  Fingers crossed!

Anyway, if you're still subscribing after all these years, here are a couple of cards I created recently.

This is a card I made for one of our great-nephews.  He's turning two years old in just a few days.  That cute patterned paper is from Simple Stories.  The critter is by Reverse Confetti and the die is from PTI.  I don't often color images, but I challenged myself to use my Prismacolor pencils and some Gamsol to blend the colors.  I definitely need to practice!

Now, I'm finally getting into Christmas card mode.  It seems early, I know.  But it takes quite a while to make the number of cards that I need.  So, earlier is better.

Both the background stamping and the heat embossed greeting are from Simon Says Stamp.  Ink from Concord & 9th.  I popped up the greeting panel on some foam tape to add some dimension.

I used an embossing folder on the focal panel, then did some subtle ink blending on the pinecones and branches.  The embossing folder and greeting are both from Simon Says Stamp.  I don't have the dies for the sentiments, so I fussy cut it.

That's all I've got for today and I'm feeling VERY rusty at blogging.  I feel like I'm learning from scratch all over again.  Yikes!

Thanks for taking a look.  See you soon!

Susie

Peace - A Christmas card for CAS(E) this Sketch!

Chrissy, at CAS(E) this Sketch #41 has another great challenge this week.  You'll see what I mean!

I'm working on my Christmas cards and this sketch was exactly what I needed.  Here's what I created with it.

I turned the sketch on it's side, then used 2 die cuts for the elements in the center of the sketch.  My patterned paper is from a new DSP paper stack from Stampin' Up!

Thanks so much for taking a look today!
Susie

Supply list:
Cardstock: pool party, bermuda bay, basic gray (SU)
Patterned paper: winter frost dsp stack (SU)
Dies: wonderful words-holiday (PTI), clear cut stackers stars (WPlus9)

Tuesday Trigger - It's Completely Collagical

Sharing a card I made for the current Tuesday Trigger: It's Completely Collagical.  Don't you love that title?
It's been way too long since I've played along and Cath has an inspiration photo that I *love*.  Take a look.

I immediately saw postage stamps, so that's the where I got the inspiration to create this card.

I used a mix of postage and Christmas themed stamp sets.  It was so much fun, and I love the results!  And...mailing this one layer card will be so easy.  I'll list my supplies below.
Thank you so much for visiting.  It means a lot to me!

Supply list:
Card stock: white (PTI), riding hood red (SU)
Ink: riding hood red, wild wasabi, crumb cake, basic black (SU), onyx black versafine
Stamps: postmarks, love lives here-holiday (PTI)
Other: stardust clear glitter pen (Sakura)

Greetings of the Season - 2 Challenges

Hi!  Yesterday was such a beautiful day, it was difficult to stay at my craft table very long.  I did mange to fit it all in though.  It was great to get some fresh air while my husband and I worked in the yard.  Hey, the high was around 65 degrees...and it was sunny.  That's unusual for northern Illinois in mid November;  so we had to take advantage of it.

Anyway...I'm sharing a card that I made for 2 challenges.

Just Us Girls #162 - Make a ribbon wreath.  I hesitated at first when I saw this challenge. I've never tried making a ribbon wreath before.  But, it's a challenge!  The JUGS site provided a link to the wreath tutorial, so why not give it a try?

Dynamic Duos - DD#28 color challenge.  I already planned to use Cherry Cobbler ribbon for my wreath, so this color challenge was perfect for the card I wanted to create.

This is how I combined the two challenges ~

I wanted to create the look of a wreath hanging on a wall.  So I used my simple stripes impression plate for the focal panel.  That always reminds me of wainscoting.  Love that vintage feel!  The sentiment is from a brand new Stampin' Up! stamp set called Greetings of the Season.  I love the combination of fonts in this sentiment.

Thanks so much for taking a look today!

Supplies:

Card stock: sahara sand, basic black (SU)

Ink: onyx black (Versafine)

Stamps: greetings of the season (SU)

Other: simple stripes die (PTI), cherry cobbler quilted satin ribbon (SU), Christmas mint brad (S.E.I)