Another Snowflake Card

This card is exactly like the card in this post but using Old Olive ink and card stock instead of Purely Pomegranate. My favorite color is green and I found this ribbon at Michael's and knew that I wanted to purchase it to use in my card making. This card will be going to one of my sisters and it will be hand delivered so I don't need to worry about extra postage. I love how this card turned out and I like it even better that than the first card I made. Maybe its the colors I used but whatever it is, it is my favorite card that I made this year with the exception of my hippopotamus card here.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Old Olive; Ink: Old Olive, Mellow Moss; Stamps: Snowflakes; Other: Green Wide Satin Ribbon, Ticket Corner Punch, Rhinestone Brad, Snowflake Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Frost White Shimmer Paint, Dimensionals

Simply Sent Card Kit

These 3 cards were created using the Simply Sent Card Kit called "Handmade Holiday" that was available from Stampin' Up in 2008. I had purchased the kit but then never got around to using it and since I'm in a time crunch to get my Christmas cards finished that need to be mailed I decided to finally use this kit. I did add additional elements and stamped words that didn't come with the card kit but overall I pretty much used the layouts that were shown in the card kit. This was a great time saver and I won't need additional postage when I mail these cards.

Supplies Used: Paper: SU Simply Sent Card Kit - Handmade Holiday; Ink: Mellow Moss, Ruby Red, Versa Mark; Stamps: Various word stamps from SU; Other: Mellow Moss Taffeta Ribbon, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Word Flurries Rub-ons, Sakura Glitter Pen, Dimensionals

Sparkling Season

As I was looking through some cards that I made last year I found this one. The colors were inspired by the background paper I had. I don't think I would ever intentionally use green, red, blue and pink together on a Christmas card but somehow it seems to work. The stamp set I used is one that has been discontinued for awhile but I can't seem to give it up. I like the simple images in the set.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Green Galore, Bashful Blue, DSP unknown; Ink: Real Red, Green Galore; Stamps: Sparkling Season, Riveting; Other: Various Circle Punches, Snowflake Punch, MS Branch Punch, Cuttlebug Spots & Dots Embossing Folder, Stickles, Dimensionals

Pink and Green Christmas

Pink and green trees are definitely not traditional Christmas colors but I love the colors together. These trees are from the same set as my previous post and since each image was mounted on its own wood block stamping the images is so much easier. I am trying to finish the cards that I need to mail and I only have a few more to make. Every year my goal is to start my Christmas cards early so that I'm not stressing trying to get them all done but somehow things never work out that way. Oh well.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, Mellow Moss, DSP unknown; Ink: Basic Brown, Pretty in Pink, Mellow Moss, So Saffron; Stamps: Festive Favorites; Other: Moss Gingham Ribbon, Silver Cord, Tag Punches, Word Window Punch, Decorative Buttons, Button Brads

Reindeer in a Row

Still working on my Christmas cards. When this stamp set first came out I knew it would become a favorite. I had my brother-in-law cut the large wood block into 3 pieces so that I could mount each image separately. By having the images separated on their own block I have more versatility and don't have to struggle to ink only the images that I wanted to use. The background paper is some that I've had for a couple of years and I'm really trying to use the supplies I already own before purchasing more.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Kraft, Baroque Burgundy, SU DSP; Ink: Basic Brown, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Burgundy; Stamps: Festive Favorites, Riveting; Other: Stitched Burgundy Ribbon, Stickles, Dimensionals

Happy Snowmen

I just love these snowmen! Only various shade of blue were used to color in all of the hats, scarves and mittens on this card and it looks so crisp and cool, just like a winter day. This card layout is very similar to a previous post with the exception of the placement of the sentiment and the size of the layers used. With just a few changes you can get a totally different look. The embossed snowflake layer was spritzed with a mixture of alcohol and frost white shimmer paint. It really gives a nice soft glittery effect without using glitter. I like the look of glitter but not necessarily the mess it sometimes makes. The background paper is more that I had in my endless supply of paper and the snowflakes are punch out from DCWV glitter paper. So I got to have glitter without the mess of putting it on the paper myself.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Snowflake Background Paper (unknown), DCWV Glitter Paper; Ink: Palette Noir Black, Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, Various SU Markers; Stamps: Holiday Lineup, Christmas Cheer, Snow Flurries; Other: SU Snowflake Punch, Blue and Clear Rhinestones, Frost White Stickles, Snowflake Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

Snowflakes

The Limited Supplies Challenge on SCS today was to make more than one card using the same main image and color scheme but with different layouts. I have always liked this snowflake stamp set. The color scheme I chose was Very Vanilla, Purely Pomegranate and Pink Pirouette. One of the cards is 5 1/2" square and the other is a standard A2 card. I used the Frost White Shimmer Paint mixed with alcohol to mist the Very Vanilla card stock after I stamped my images. These cards are so different from each other but they definitely could be put together in a set of cards.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Purely Pomegranate, Pink Pirouette; Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Pink Pirouette; Stamps: Snowflakes, Cute & Curly; Other: Purely Pomegranate Wide Satin Ribbon, Vanilla Organdy Ribbon, Ticket Corner Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch, Modern Label Punch, 1" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Making Memories Circle Cutting System, Rhinestone Brads, Snowflakes Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Very Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, Frost White Shimmer Paint, Dimensionals

Santa's Elves

Another Christmas card using the stamp set "Holiday Lineup" that I borrowed from a friend. I'm trying to get several cards made using this set so that when I go back to work on Monday I can return the set to her. This is a simple layout but it seems to be one that I use in some way or another. I'm trying to use supplies that I already have on hand and the background paper used on this card I've probably had for 4 or 5 years now. Why do we seem to hoard our supplies? I mean it's not like we can't purchase more. I am really working hard to use my stash of background papers (SU and others) and all of the other card elements I have. So you will be seeing lots of "older" papers and supplies being used over the next few weeks. Enjoy!

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Real Red, Glorious Green, Various Background Paper; Ink: Palette Noir Black, Real Red, Various SU Markers; Stamps: Holiday Lineup, Glad Tidings; Other: Real Red Eyelets, 3/4", 1" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Red Grosgrain Ribbon (unknown), White Pearl Iridescent Dimensional Paint, Dimensionals

Holiday Lineup

I've been working on my Christmas cards this week and I don't seem to be getting as many completed as I had hoped. I may have to go into mass production mode to get them done. I don't usually mass produce cards but I'll probably have to this year. I should try to make Christmas cards all year long and that way I won't have to resort to the mass production method. I borrowed this set from a friend of mine and I've been having lots of fun creating cards with this set. I've been making cards that are 4"x 6" because I made an error when I ordered card stock and ordered 12"x 12" instead of the usual 8 1/2" x 11". It has actually worked out nice since I can get 3 cards from 1 sheet of card stock instead of the usual 2. I saw this card and I really like the layout used. I change quite a bit for my card but the layout and the stamp set used are basically the same.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Real Red, Basic Black, Various Background Papers; Ink: Palette Noir Black, Various SU Markers; Stamps: Holiday Lineup, Christmas Punches; Other: Circle Punches, Grograin Ribbon, Red and Green Rhinestones, Dimensionals

Sparkly Winter Wonderland

The sketch challenge today on Splitcoaststampers really had me stumped for awhile. The first card I tried just didn't go the way I had envisioned it so I started over. When I saw the stamps in the set Scenic Season I realized it actually has a natural curve to the image. The card base is a 5" square in Whisper White card stock mounted with Night of Navy card stock and then some background paper that I've had in my stash for some time now. I stamped the trees and sponged the edges using Night of Navy. The stamped image is mounted onto a piece of Night of Navy and adhered to the card base. I really wanted the scene to look sparkly like new fallen snow so I spritzed the card using a mixture of alcohol and frost white shimmer paint. To add even more sparkle I used frosted lace stickles on the snow drifts and a Sakura glitter pen to the trees. Once I had the image stamped and cut out the rest of the card came together quickly.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Background Paper (unknown); Ink: Night of Navy; Stamps: Scenic Season, Snow Flurries, Glad Tidings; Other: 3/4", 1" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Miniature Snowflake Punch, Dew Drops, Frosted Lace Stickles, Sakura Glitter Pen, Frost White Shimmer Paint, Dimensionals

Christmas Hippopotamus

"I want a hippopotamus for Christmas".....now that you have that song stuck in your head you know my inspiration for this card. It seems like everyday I get in my car to run errands or go to work this song comes on the radio. I had to finish getting things for Thanksgiving yesterday and as I was backing my car out of the garage this song came on the radio. I already knew the color challenge on Splitcoaststampers was Pretty in Pink, Bermuda Bay and Old Olive but I was stumped as to what I was going to make and as soon as this song came on I realized I had to make a card with a hippopotamus on it. The card base is 5 1/2" square. All of the circles were cut using the Making Memories cutting system. The scallop circle was created using the corner rounder punch (the instructions for that are here). I know it doesn't look like I used Old Olive but the thin lines in the plaid are stamped in Old Olive and the ornament is colored using Old Olive. The Pretty in Pink card stock was spritzed with frost white shimmer paint mixed with alcohol after it was embossed with the snowflakes. It gives the card stock a nice shimmer and since its mixed with alcohol it dries really fast. To speed up the drying time I use my heat gun and it dries in a matter of seconds. I love how this card turned out. I probably won't be making many of these but I had fun making this one.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Bermuda Bay; Ink: Pretty in Pink, Bermuda Bay, Old Olive, Mambo Melon, Palette Noir Black, Various SU Markers; Stamps: Pun Fun, Alphabits, Perfect Plaids; Other: Bermuda Bay Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Felt Snowflake, Snowflakes Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Making Memories Circle Cutters, 1/4" Square Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, White Signo Gel Pen, Frost White Shimmer Paint, Dew Drops, Dimensionals

Fun Snowmen Grouping

I'm not sure how much I like this card yet...it's growing on me. I love snowmen. It's one of the few things I like about snow. If it didn't have to be so cold to have snow I wouldn't mind it at all. When people say they don't like snow it's usually the cold they don't like not the snow. I love view in my backyard when it is covered with new fallen snow. It is beautiful. About the only thing I don't care for is driving in it and the temperatures it has to be to have snow. Anyway on to the card...the limited supplies challenge was long and tall. The option I chose was a "small tall card". My finished card measures 6 1/2" x 3 1/4". I found pre-made long note cards in my stash from SU and decided to use them. I've been trying to use things that I already have to make room for newer items. The color of the long note card is Cool Caribbean and that was from 2006. I still have card stock colors from the original 48 colors. My goal is to use them this year for Christmas cards.

Supplies Used: Paper: Cool Caribbean Long Note Card, Real Red, Very Vanilla, KI Memories DSP, Ink: Palette Noir Black, Various SU Markers, Versa Mark; Stamps: Holiday Lineup, Tiny Talk, Christmas Punches; Other: Marvy Mega and Giga Scallop Oval Punches, 3/4" Real Red Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Signo White Gel Pen, Atyou Spika Glitter Pens, Iridescent White Liquid Pearls, Icicle Stickles, Dimensionals

Brocade Button Inspired

I made this card for a co-workers birthday and it is also my submission for the SCS Inspiration Challenge that was posted yesterday. When I saw these buttons I immediately thought of the medallion stamp from SU. I stamped the medallion using Versa mark ink onto Almost Amethyst DSP and embossed the image with white embossing powder. I repeated the same process but embossed the image using lilac jewels embossing powder so that I could get a shiny/glittery effect that I see in the brocade buttons. The center image was punched out from the glittery image using the 1 3/8" circle punch and mounted onto a piece of Almost Amethyst scalloped circle. I also punched out a 1" circle of Almost Amethyst and another 1/2'"circle from the glittery image and they are all held together with a lilac rhinestone brad. The main image was mounted onto a piece of Elegant Eggplant card stock. The card was finished using Whisper White card stock that was embossed with the textile cuttlebug embossing folder and mounted onto a piece of Elegant Eggplant card stock. Whisper White organza ribbon was added and the entire piece was then mounted onto the Almost Amethyst card.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Almost Amethyst, Elegant Eggplant, Almost Amethyst DSP; Ink: Versa Mark; Stamps: Medallion; Other: White Embossing Powder, Lilac Jewels Embossing Powder, Textile Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Whisper White Organza Ribbon, 1 3/8", 1", and 1/2" Circle Punches, Scallop Circle Punch, Lilac Rhinestone Brad, White Signo Gel Pen, Dimensionals

In Everything Give Thanks

This is the last Thanksgiving card I needed to make this year. Now I can start on my Christmas cards. I'm so glad I have this whole week off. Hopefully I'll be able to get most of my Christmas cards done. I love the way this card turned out. It is a 4 1/4" square card when it is closed. You can make it any size you wish just as long as your base card is twice the length as your card front so that when its folded or closed the base will be the same size as the card front. You can find the instructions here.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, Background Paper (unknown); Ink: Palette Noir Black, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip; Stamps: Sun Ripened II, Happy Harmony; Other: Eggplant Grosgrain Ribbon, Dew Drops, Leafy Branch Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Making Memories Oval Cutting System, 1" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Embroidered Grapes Sticker, Dimensionals

Thanksgiving In the Garden

This card will be going to one of my sisters for Thanksgiving. I'm still not finished making my Thanksgiving cards yet. The colors used were from the color challenge on Splitcoast this week. The challenge was to use Always Artichoke, Real Red and Chocolate Chip and a neutral. I already had the image stamped and colored before I knew what the color challenge would be but, it wasn't difficult incorporating the colors with the image I wanted to use.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Always Artichoke, Real Red, Chocolate Chip; Ink: Basic Brown, Various SU Markers; Stamps: Scene in a Garden, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Other: Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Photo Corner Punch, Red Rhinestone Brad, Distressed Stripes Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Dimensionals

Another Thanksgiving Card

This is my submission for the sketch challenge on Splitcoast for this week. I never seem to complete the sketch challenges until later in the week, but at least I was able to stamp. This card will go to my son and his wife. This would be a good card for any man since it is simple without any frills. I still have a couple more Thanksgiving cards to make yet but they are for family members that live locally so I still have a couple more days to get them completed.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Dusty Durango, Soft Suede DSP, Dusty Durango DSP; Ink: Soft Suede; Stamps: Happy Thanksgiving (unknown origin); Other: Dew Drops, Soft Suede Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Photo Corner Punch, Foam Leaves, Dimensionals

Season of Thanks

It's always a good day when I can stamp ;)! I've got another Thanksgiving card completed today. Yeah! Even though I send out many Christmas cards there are several people that will receive a Thanksgiving card too. Since most of us have friends and family scattered all over the country who won't be able to share the holidays with us, it's nice to let them know they are in our thoughts. This card came together fairly quickly and I really like these colors together. Very warm and earthy looking.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Kraft, Burgundy; Ink: Basic Brown, Various SU Markers; Stamps: Season of Thanks; Other: Burgundy Grosgrain Ribbon, Burgundy Eyelets, Dimensionals

Thanksgiving Card

I need to make a few more cards for family members to send for Thanksgiving. The layout I used for this card is from SCS sketch challenge for today. Since today is a holiday and I didn't have to work I was able to stamp. The stamp set I used is a retired set from Stampin' Up that I dug out from my stash.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede; Ink: Basic Brown, Crushed Curry, More Mustard, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, So Saffron; Stamps: Seasonal Sprays; Other: Herringbone Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Sakura Glitter Pen, Dimensionals

Happy Halloween

This is my second post for today. These are the treat boxes that I gave to my co-workers this year for Halloween. I made 24 of these coffins from the pattern that Jan Tinklenberg created. You can find the pattern on her blog here. She has a list of templates and this one is called "coffin treat box". I really liked the fact that you only use one sheet of card stock to create these boxes. These were all printed out onto Basic Gray card stock and then stamped in Going Gray ink using the Antique Cracking background stamp. The top was stamped with Versa Mark ink and embossed with black embossing powder with the images from the stamp set From the Crypt. Once I had the box together I sponged all the edges with black ink but I thought the boxes looked a little bare so I punched 3/4" wide strips from Black and Bravo Burgundy card stock using the Martha Stewart punch called Drippy Goo and taped them around the top edges (the Bravo Burgundy was sponged with black ink before applying to the coffins). I covered the boxes with some spider web material and then added the plastic spiders with glue and it sort of makes a little handle to open the coffin with. Everyone loved them.

I found the perfect candy to fill the boxes with at "Dollar Tree". The Dollar Tree had Gummy Skeletons, Bags of Bones and Eyeballs. I also put an extra plastic spider in there and a Hershey's chocolate bar.

Supplies Used: Paper: Basic Gray, Sahara Sand, Bravo Burgundy; Ink: Basic Black, Versa Mark; Stamps: From the Crypt, Haunted House; Other: Black Embossing Powder, Drippy Goo Punch from Martha Stewart, Plastic Spiders and Webbing Material

Autumn Birthday

My original layout for this card just wasn't working so I had to go in a completely different direction. The layout ended up being very simple but I think the image actually stands out more that way. The flower is from the Riot of Petals stamp. I stamped the image on Crushed Curry card stock and punched out one of the flowers with the Marvy Mega Scallop punch. The petals of the flower were colored using various markers. The flower center was highlighted using a Sakura glitter pen and then the entire image was spritzed with gold Pearl Ex powder that had been mixed with hairspray. Once I had the image colored I decided that the image looked much better against Dusty Durango card stock instead of Crushed Curry.

Supplies Used: Paper: Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Very Vanilla, Dusty Durango DSP; Ink: Basic Brown, Various SU Markers; Stamps: Riot of Petals, Sincere Salutations; Other: Marvy Mega and Giga Scallop Punches, Circle Cutter, Designer Label Punch, Dusty Durango Polka Dot Ribbon, Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, White Signo Gel Pen, Dew Drops, Dimensionals, Gold Pearl Ex Powder mixed with hairspray

Bright Birthday

It has been awhile since my last post but I've been busy putting together Halloween treats for my co-workers. I'll post them soon but in the meantime, here is a card a made for a friend's birthday. This card is very bright and colorful and I love the colors together. I don't think I would normally choose to put pink and orange together, but somehow this works. I chose the card stock colors from the striped background paper. The card base is rose red and the accent color I used is pumpkin pie. I tried using the rose red ink for one of the flowers but I didn't think it was bright enough so I tried mambo melon and it gave me the brightness the card needed to match the stripes in the background paper.

Supplies Used: Paper: Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Background Paper; Ink: Mambo Melon, Pumpkin Pie; Stamps: Kind & Caring Thoughts, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Other: Rose Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Mat Pack, Dew Drops, Dimensionals

Flower Tiles

This card is for the "Inspiration Challenge" that was posted on Splitcoast for Saturday. This was my inspiration for the card. I chose to use flowers that aren't so childlike but it isn't supposed to be an exact copy hence, the word "inspiration". The card base is 5 1/4" square using whisper white card stock and the flowers were stamped on 1 3/4" squares of whisper white card stock. The stamp set I used has long since been retired set called "Long Stemmed". If I'm not mistaken this stamp set was only available during "sale-a-brations". This will be given to a co-worker for her birthday. I hope she likes it.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Old Olive, Basic Black, Old Olive DSP; Ink: Palette Noir Black and Various SU Markers; Stamps: Long Stemmed (retired); Other: Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

Maple Leaf

I made this card for the "ways to use it challenge" on Splitcoast. The challenge was to make a card using leaves. I decided to use the maple leaf from the a retired SU stamp set called Autumn Leaf Prints. I created my own background paper by stamping the leaves randomly onto very vanilla card stock using really rust and more mustard ink. I wanted the background to have a slight shimmer to it so I spritzed it with a mixture of gold Pearl Ex powder and liquid hairspray. To create the focal point leaf, I first inked up the image with more mustard ink and then added really rust using a marker and spritzed with water to blend the colors and stamped the image onto very vanilla card stock. After cutting the image out I used versa mark and SU's glassy glaze embossing enamel several times until I achieved the effect I was going for. The leaf is mounted on a 2" piece of very vanilla card stock using dimensionals. The micro beads were attached using a very thin line of crystal effects.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, More Mustard, Really Rust; Ink: More Mustard, Really Rust, Versa Mark; Stamps: Autumn Leaf Prints; Other: Glassy Glaze Embossing Enamel, Micro Beads, Crystal Effects, Gold Organdy Ribbon, Gold Pearl EX Powder mixed with hairspray, Dimensionals

Naughty or Nice and Mistletoe Note Cards

The limited supplies challenge was to start with a pre-printed note card. I picked these note cards up from the $1 bin at Michaels last year knowing that someday I would use them. This was the perfect challenge for these note cards. Not only was the challenge to use pre-printed note cards any embellishments had to be CAS (clean and simple). I think I met both requirements and really like how these turned out.

Supplies Used: Paper: Glossy White, Basic Black, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Garden Green; Ink: Palette Noir Black, Garden Green, Real Red; Stamps: Computer Quips, Haute Couture, Christmas Punch; Other: Wide Oval Punch, Marvy Mega Oval Scallop Punch, 1/2" Round Punch, 1/4" Round Punch, Rhinestones, Stickles, Red Satin Ribbon, Ivory Organdy Ribbon, Note Cards purchased at Michaels

From the Crypt

I really like the images in the stamp set "From the Crypt". I'm not much of a Halloween person but for some reason I was drawn to this stamp set. I still have a few cards to make for family members that live out of state and I was inspired by the post on Beate's blog for this card. I had to emboss the image 3 times before I had one that I was satisfied with. I think the black pigment ink pad I was using needs to be replaced. The skull is stamped on a 2 1/2" x 2 3/4" piece of Certainly Celery DSP using Versa Mark ink and then embossed with black embossing powder. The Halloween Night DSP (retired) contained paper with a spider web on it but I wanted it to stand out more so I enhanced the web with a white Signo gel pen. I really like how this card turned out.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Basic Black, Certainly Celery DSP, Halloween Night DSP; Ink: Versa Mark, Basic Black; Stamps: From the Crypt, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Other: Black Embossing Powder, Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Cuttlebug Textile Embossing Folder, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Mat Pack, White Signo Gel Pen, Mat Pack, Dimensionals, Frost White Shimmer Paint, Rhinestone Brads

Witch Hats

This is my submission for the card sketch challenge on splitcoast yesterday. I don't usually make many Halloween cards but I still need a few more to send to some family members. This will probably go to my in-laws. I've been trying to use up some of the older background papers from Stampin' Up that for some reason I seem to hoard. I realize that it doesn't do any good just sitting in my cabinet so I'm working diligently to use more background paper in my cards.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Basic Black, Halloween Night DSP; Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive; Stamps: Eat, Drink & Be Scary; Other: Wide Oval Punch, Star Punch, Martha Stewart Drippy Goo Punch, Dew Drops, Dimensionals, Ribbon from Michaels

Postage Stamp Santa

As you can see from the last few posts I'm trying to get a jump start on my Christmas cards this year. I'm not really into mass production cards since I like to make cards unique to the person I'm giving it to. This card has a very simple country feel to it and will probably go to one of my sisters. She loves the outdoors and lives in a log cabin quite out of the way so this card is right up her alley. I love the chocolate felt ribbon with the kraft card stock, it really gives it a handmade feel.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Ruby Red, Kraft, Soft Suede; Ink: Soft Suede, Ruby Red, Versa Mark; Stamps: Christmas Punch, Winter Post; Other: Scallop Edge Punch, Postage Stamp Edge Scissors, Mat Pack, Alpine Ribbon Originals

Santa Collage

I finally found a Santa stamp that looks like a vintage Santa should look. I found this stamp at Michael's and knew I had to have it. The snowflake background was done using the snowflake Cuttlebug embossing folder and the sparkle is from the white shimmer paint mixed with alcohol and then spritzed onto the card stock. I wanted his glasses to really stand out and added crystal effects to the lenses. This is a stamp that will probably get used for several Christmas cards this year.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow; Ink: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Sage Shadow, Blush Blossom, Brocade Blue, Ruby Red; Stamps: Santa Collage (Rubber Stampede), French Script; Other: Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon, Antique Brass Brads, Atyou Spica Gold Glitter Pen, White Shimmer Paint, Crystal Effects, Snowflake Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

3D Ornament

I saw this ornament and I knew I wanted to try to make one too. It wasn't very difficult at all. The most difficult part was getting the beads threaded on the silver cord. I changed the color and sprayed each of the punched ornaments with the frost white/alcohol mixture (see this post for all the details).

To create this ornament I used 6 punched ornaments, scored each one in half and then glued 3 ornaments together twice. You will have 2 halves each with 3 of the punched ornaments. Be sure to line up your edges evenly. Once you have your 2 halves, string your beads on the silver cord and knot the end. To attach to silver cord in the middle I used a small piece of sticky strip tape on one of the halves to keep the cord in place and then added glue to the other half and glued them together.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White; Ink: Real Red; Stamps: Delightful Decorations; Other: SU Ornament Punch, Frost White Shimmer Paint w/Alcohol, Silver Cord, Narrow Red Ribbon, Beads, Tombow Multi-Purpose Adhesive

Trio of Snowmen

This card definitely uses non-traditional Christmas colors. I used a mix of stamps and paper from various companies. I almost always use Stampin' Up card stock but I have decorative background papers from SU, KI Memories, DCWV, etc. Its fun to try and match other companies decorative background papers with SU's card stock colors and I can usually find something that matches. The snowman stamp is from the Christmas Punch stamp set which is a Level 2 hostess set from the current 2009-2010 catalog. The stamp is designed to be used with a tag punch but I just wanted the snowman so I cut around the snowman and mounted it on a square.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Ruby Red, KI Memories Background; Ink: Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Pumpkin Pie; Stamps: Christmas Punch, Darcies Happy Freezin' Season; Other: Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, and Bashful Blue Grosgrain Ribbon, Mat Pack, Dimensionals

Vintage Look Ornaments

The ornaments in this set have a vintage feel to me. The background paper is some that I've had for several years from Stampin' Up. This paper isn't double sided like all of the current background paper (now you know how long I've had this). Since I was using older background paper I thought I'd also use the navy organdy ribbon that has been discontinued from SU for several years now. I guess the entire card ended up being vintage.

Its difficult to tell from the photo but the ornament in navy has been spritzed with frost white shimmer paint mixed with alcohol (about 1/2 tsp of shimmer paint mixed with about 2 oz. alcohol). I bought some small bottles from the dollar store but if you have any empty Stampin' Mist containers they would work great. Just be sure before you spray that you shake the bottle really well and spray about 12" from the surface. You can speed the dry time by using your heat gun.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Baroque Burgundy, Festive Finery DSP; Ink: Night of Navy, Baroque Burgundy, Forest Foliage, Basic Gray; Stamps: Tree Trimmings, Christmas Greetings; Other: Navy Organdy Ribbon, Dimensionals, Frost White Shimmer Paint

PTI Challenge - Australia

This is my submission for Australia. Nicole added to this challenge by asking for either a dotted outline image or to use masking in some way. I chose to incorporate dotted outlines in my card. The images remind me of a bandana print. After stamping the images in basic brown I sponged the card with chocolate chip, close to cocoa and basic black. It gives the card an aged look and my husband thought it looked a little like old leather. This card has a definite masculine feel to it. I always have a difficult time trying to come up with cards for men so this will be added to my stash of "guy" cards.

Supplies Used: Paper: Kraft, Whisper White, Basic Black; Ink: Basic Brown, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Basic Black; Stamps: True Friend, Oval All; Other: White Gel Pen, Mat Pack, Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Dimensionals

PTI Challenge - India

I had a difficult time trying to make a card that could represent India because I had several ideas but I really wanted to keep the card simple. This is the first time I've inked this stamp and even though its a simple card it seems to have a wow factor to it. I'm thinking about making this a Christmas card and since there aren't lots of layers it won't require extra postage.


Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Regal Rose; Ink: Kaleidacolor Cotton Candy; Stamps: Medallion; Other: Rhinestones

PTI Challenge - Mexico

This is my interpretation of hand painted tiles that can be found in Mexico. I've had this stamp for a couple of years now and I think it works great for this challenge. I stamped the image with versa mark ink and embossed with black detail embossing powder. If you click on the image you can see the embossing detail better. I wanted to use primary colors since they are very vibrant and bright which is how I would imagine tiles found in Mexico would look.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Yoyo Yellow, Real Red, Bermuda Bay, Basic Black; Ink: Versa Mark, Yoyo Yellow, Real Red, Bermuda Bay; Stamps: Outlines from Rubber Stampede; Other: Detail Black Embossing Powder

PTI Challenge - Japan

Nicole Heady posted some challenges on her blog for World Card Making day. This is my submission for Japan. I found the directions for making a Japanese doll here and it was my inspiration for the card. I drew the face freehand and the eyes aren't exactly perfect but it sort of looks like she is "winking".

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Groovy Guava, Basic Black, Blush Blossom, Ginger Blossom DSP; Ink: Basic Brown, Groovy Guava, Ruby Red, Mellow Moss, Black; Stamps: Embrace Life; Other: 1" Circle Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Brown Organdy Ribbon, Dew Drops, Blender Pen, Swiss Dot Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

Dasher with Sparkle

When I first looked through the SU catalog and saw this stamp I knew I had to have it. The stamp was only $8.95 and I think it will coordinate nicely with the "Winter Post" stamp set (which I already own). This is the 3rd card I made and decided not to use for the swap I am participating in tomorrow. The card did come together quickly and was a very simple layout but I ended up using the color "Riding Hood Red" which was one of the "In Colors" from last year. I made most of my Christmas cards last year using that color and I was sad to see it go. I made sure that I ordered more paper before it was gone. The background paper matches the textile embossing folder really well and is also a perfect match to the Riding Hood Red cardstock. I wanted to add a little bit of sparkle to the entire image but you can really only see the sparkly antlers but the body of the deer is also sparkly. I used a red "Atyou Spica glitter pen" to make the body sparkle and a "Sakura" glitter pen for the antlers.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red, DCWV Background Paper; Ink: Riding Hood Red; Stamps: Dasher; Other: Slot Punch, Riding Hood Red Ribbon, Atyou Spica Glitter Pen, Sakura Glitter Pen, Dimensionals, Textile Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

Halloween and Drippy Goo

This card is one of the cards I chose not to do for the upline swap. There were two elements that kept it from being simple (masking and water coloring). Since I needed to make 10 cards I decided that this would be more time consuming than I wanted. I like how the card turned out but to make 10 of them was more work than I wanted to tackle. The background paper is not from SU so I wasn't sure if I could get away with using it for a swap and the only Halloween SU background paper I have has been discontinued. I also used a punch from Martha Stewart called "Drippy Goo" and the effect it gives is great. Oh well, it will make a great card to send to a friend.

Supplies Used: Paper: Confetti White, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black and DCWV Background Paper; Ink: Palette Noir Black, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, More Mustard; Stamps: Autumn Harvest, Eat, Drink and Be Scary; Other: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Ticket Corner Punch, Vintage Brads, Basic Black Marker, Blender Pen, MS Drippy Goo Punch

Fall Trendy Trees

I'm finally back. August was a very busy month. Moved my daughter from Long Island back home for 10 days and then moved her to Boston the first weekend in September. She had to be out of the place she was subletting in Long Island before August 24th but couldn't move to her new place in Boston until September 1st. We actually moved her in on Friday, September 3rd and spent Friday and Saturday helping her set things up. Since my husband's family lives in Massachusetts, we were able to visit with them over the Labor Day weekend and didn't return home until Tuesday evening. We had a nice visit with everyone but it is so nice to come home. Things are now getting back to normal.

On to the card...my upline is having a meeting this Sunday and we were asked to participate in a swap. We had to use a stamp set in the current catalog and I also chose to use several of the new "In Colors". I wanted to make a simple card since I have 10 to make but I never seem to be able to keep things simple. I made 3 different cards and decided on this card. I'll post the other cards I made later.

Supplies Used: Paper: Confetti White, Soft Suede, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry; Ink: Soft Suede, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry; Stamps: Trendy Trees; Other: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Mat Pack, Scallop Border Punch, Photo Corner Punch, Vintage Brad, Dusty Durango Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

Tickled Pink Birthday

I've seen several cards using this faux grid technique and I wanted to try it and this is what I came up with. This was a fun card to make and since its so bright it should make a great birthday card. I wanted the flamingo to be more prominent on the card since there are so many bright colors and I thought the glitter would help. Of course once I had glitter on the flamingo I had to put some on the balloon too.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Pixie Pink, Temping Turquoise, Green Galore; Ink: Palette Noir Black; Markers: Basic Black, Pixie Pink, Tempting Turquoise, Green Galore, Orchid Opulence, Brocade Blue, Summer Sun, Creamy Caramel; Stamps: Tickled Pink; Other: Ruler, Grid Paper, Eyelet Border Punch, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Aqua Fine Supernova Glitter, 2 Way Glue Pen

Blooming Birthday

My sister will be the recipient of this card. I wanted it to be a fun, bright and cheery card but I didn't want to use bold brights. Normally, you tend to use primary colors for children's cards not necessary for an adult, but by using primary colors it makes it fun, bright and cheery. The layout is a little more sophisticated and with the sentiment reading vertically and not horizontally it seems more adult.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Barely Banana, Real Red, Brocade Blue, Basic Grey Cupcake DSP; Ink: Palette Noir Black, Barely Banana, Real Red, Brocade Blue; Stamps: Blooming with Happiness, Warmest Regards, Dots & Daisies; Other: Corner Rounder Punch, Atyou Spica Glitter Pens, Blue Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

Happy Birthday Human

This card is for one of my nephews. The Lots of Bots set is new this year and I also used the new "in colors" for this card. My favorite part of this card is the metallic paper that I ran through the cuttlebug. I think the metallic paper goes great with the robots.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, DCWV Metallic Paper; Ink: Palette Noir Black, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede, Bashful Blue; Stamps: Lots of Bots; Other: Spots and Dots Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Making Memories Circle Cutter, Circle Brad, Dimensionals

Sympathy Card

This card will be going to my daughter-in-law. This card turned out even better than I had hoped. I love the soft look of this card and I kept the layout simple. It took me longer to add the liquid pearls to each of the flowers than it did to stamp and complete the layout. The liquid pearls just gives it more texture and dimension.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Pink Pirouette; Ink: Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery; Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Warmest Regards; Other: Leafy Branch Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Slot Punch, Martha Stewart Ribbon, Light Pink Liquid Pearls, Dimensionals

Monochromatic Sympathy Card

My daughter-in-law called me yesterday and told me that her Great Aunt Pat had passed away. This card will be going to my daughter-in-law's grandparents. It was her grandmother's sister that passed away. Sympathy cards are not necessarily the kind of cards any of us like to make but are necessary. I already had the supplies out from the card I made yesterday so I decided to use groovy guava again. I really like the monochromatic look lately and I found inspiration from this card here. The only things I changed were the color and the layout somewhat.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Groovy Guava, Groovy Guava DSP; Ink: Craft White, Groovy Guava; Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Warmest Regards; Other: Making Memories Oval Cutter, Corner Rounder Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Groovy Guava Ribbon, White Brads, Mat Pack, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Dimensionals

Anniversary

This card will be going to my son and daughter-in-law for their anniversary. It's hard to believe they've been married 2 years already. I kept this card simple and the colors are very muted. I still have in colors from last year and I'm trying to use some of it up.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Groovy Guava, Mellow Moss, Groovy Guava DSP; Ink: Palette Noir Black, Groovy Guava, Mellow Moss; Stamps: Goody-Goody Gumdrops, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Other: Circle Punches, Marvy Scallop Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Moss Ribbon, Sakura Glitter Pen, Mat Pack, Dimensionals

Trendy Trees

I wanted to try and make a card using all of the new "in colors" from Stampin' Up and this is what I came up with. This is a 5 1/4" square card. I didn't have any background paper that would work so I created my own. I used all of the ink colors to stamp the trees and the background. The ribbon is Melon Mambo with the polka dot side down. I think all of the colors work really well together.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede; Ink: Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede; Stamps: Trendy Trees, Wow Flowers; Other: Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Melon Mambo Polka Dot Ribbon, Atyou Spica Glitter Pen, Mat Pack, Dimensionals